What with all the house-prep, I’ve fallen behind again with reviews. But, it’s been worth it — the house is coming together nicely. But, I digress. We’re gathered here to talk comics and whatnot. So, let’s get to it!
Batgirl #9
Batgirl stops a subway hijacking, has a one-on-one chat with Commissioner Gordon and (re-)meets Barbara Gordon’s new assistant. Not bad for a day’s work. But, when people start speaking in binary and showing signs of infections with [SPOILER DELETED] tech and then dying, it’s time for Oracle and Batgirl to step up their game, because [SPOILER DELETED] has returned to Gotham City… and has plans. Big plans.
Batman #698
Edward Nigma and Batman follow the clues left behind at crime scenes that indicate that some of Gotham’s worst villains are on a spree. And who’s the mysterious gentleman in the top hat? And why is The Riddler laughing?
Batman and Robin #11
Dick Grayson continues to follow the clues in and around Wayne Manor… clues that might lead to the whereabouts and/or “when-abouts” of Bruce Wayne. Robin (Damian Wayne) and Oberon Sexton take on the 99 Fiends. Unfortunately, Talia Al-Ghul has chosen the middle of the fight as the perfect time to play with Damian’s “fly-by-wire” system again.
Black Widow #1
Someone from Natasha Romanova’s past wants something from her and comes calling for it. When Tony Stark, Bucky Barnes and Logan find out about it… well, let’s just say that I don’t think that it would be healthy to be the person they’re looking for. As a back-up feature, readers are treated to a condensed timeline of the Black Widow’s history, complete with bibliographic references.
Brightest Day #0
What happens when a Deadman comes back to life? What connection does he have to the eleven other figures who returned to live in the wake of the Blackest Night? How are the others dealing with their second leases on life? This issue poses many questions, but looks like it’s setting up for a good run, full of a few surprises.
Buck Rogers #10
This issue continues a great ride through the 25th Century. Buck makes a couple of anachronistic references that are lost on his companions, but will make readers chuckle, if not outright laugh. And something smells fishy in… oh, wait, it’s just Buck.
The Flash: Secret Files and Origins 2010 #1
This issue gives readers a look at the people and places that are… *ahem*… central to The Flash. The story “Running to the Past” gives a one-minute look at what drives Barry Allen. As far as “real time” storytelling goes, this ranked up there with a good episode with 24.
The New Avengers: Luke Cage #1 (of 3)
Luke Cage goes to Philadelphia to check in on a young man from the old neighborhood… and runs into a little more trouble than he expected. But, do you think he backed down from it? Sweet Christmas, no. He’s Luke Cage. Power Man. And running from a fight has never been his style.
To be honest, I didn’t expect much from this book. Even more to the point, I never planned to pick it up, especially after seeing the artwork — I wasn’t impressed. Despite that, I found that this was a decent story. I might even stick around for the remaining issues.
Red Robin #11
Following a fight with The Seven Men of Death, assassins at Ra’s Al Ghul’s comm
and, the Brothers Wayne – Dick, Tim and Damian – have a confab… until Robin recognizes someone else as being an assassin in his grandfather’s employ. And, just to keep things balanced, Vicki Vale, Tam Fox and Batgirl (Stephanie Brown) have a litte chat amongst themselves.
Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton
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- Action Comics #888
Flamebird and… where’s Nightwing?… anyway, Flamebird’s taking on Jax-Ur’s demi-Rao. Fortunately, she’s not alone — The JSA and Wonder Wo man show up to lend a hand. - Adventure Comics #10
The battle against Brainiac continues. At stake, the re-bottled city of Kandor. Mon-El dreams of space once more. And General Zod – and his “Brainiac Revenge Squad” – prepares to “…ruin Brainiac’s day.” The back-up feature sees the conclusion of Car-Vex/Officer Romundi’s infiltration of Project: 7734.
- Action Comics #888
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- Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton #2 (of 3)
Supergirl, Superboy, and the Legion attempt an assault on Brainiac’s ship… with a little help from another visitor from the 31st Century. A visitor who has something of a “vested interest” in the fight. Superman and Mon-El face off against Brainiac and his drones. And, Kandor… bottled, once more.
- Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton #2 (of 3)
Superman: Secret Origin #5 (of 6)
Geoff Johns puts an interesting spin on this retelling/reintroduction of Superman’s early years. In it, readers are (re-)introduced to John Corben – the man who would become Metallo – and his link to Lois Lane. Readers also learn of the common XXX that Lex Luthor and General Sam Lane have in seeing as a threat and menace… and the lengths they would go to in order to prove it.
Uncanny X-Men #523
Cable and Hope come home. Too bad that everyone’s packed up and moved to San Francisco. (And no one even left a forwarding address!) And, on the other side of the country, Cyclops’ dirty little secret – X-Force – has finally been brought out into the light. And not everyone is happy about it. But, to his credit, Scott not only cops to forming X-Force AND says that he would do it again, if deemed necessary, but defies Nightcrawler to challenge his leadership while the team is in the field. (Well done, Mr. Fraction. Thank you for bringing us a Scott Summers who not only acts like the leader of a minority – a dying one, at that – but one who is willing to make the tough calls when necessary.) And, once again, Wolverine gets all the good lines.