Four-Color Coverage

Thursday – 12 January 2017
Another week brought us another New Comic Book Day.

This week I picked up:

• All-New Wolverine #16 (Marvel)
• Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #6 (DC)
• Guardians of the Galaxy #16 (Marvel)
• Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #12 (DC)
• Jessica Jones #4 (Marvel)
• The Mighty Thor #15 (Marvel)
• Motor Crush #2 (Image)
• Ms. Marvel #14 (Marvel)
• Power Man and Iron Fist #12 (Marvel)
• Silk #16 (Marvel)
• Supergirl #5 (DC)
• Superwoman #6 (DC)
• The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #16 (Marvel)
• Wonder Woman #14 (DC)

The best reads from this week’s pulls – in my honest and correct opinion – were:

• All-New Wolverine #16
  Given the homage to “Weapon X” on the cover and the current “Enemy of the State” storyline, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this issue… other than, possibly, a rehash of the aforementioned stories. I was pleased to find that it wasn’t the case. Tom Taylor wove a solid story that called to mind the line from the song Secret Agent Man:

  They’ve given you a number
  And taken away your name.

  …as Kimura, the (apparent) mastermind behind this operation, attempts to dehumanize Laura (again), telling her:

  You weren’t born.
  You were built.
  You don’t have a name.
  You’re a letter and a number.
  You’re a weapon.
  You’re my weapon. A bullet I can fire into any room in the world…

  …and then set into motion plans to prove her point.

  Something else that I appreciated was the way that different aspects of “family” were used in the story. And there is even a surprise cameo, for good measure.
  

• Guardians of the Galaxy #16 (Marvel)
• Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #12 (DC)
• Jessica Jones #4 (Marvel)
• The Mighty Thor #15 (Marvel)
  Visitors come to Asgard… and they do not come in peace. This issue kicks off the rather odd-seeming “Asgard/Shi’ar War.” I’m not sure how adjacency works between the Nine Ten Realms, but apparently, it’s a thing. Leading the incursion is the Imperial Guard. They seek one thing: A god. And they don’t intend to allow anyone or anything to stand in their way. Readers were also treated to a tete-a-tete between Jane Foster and Cul Borson.
• Motor Crush #2 (Image)
  This story is oddly compelling.
• Ms. Marvel #14 (Marvel)
• Jessica Jones #4 (Marvel)
  I think I’ll start with a “Dammit, Bendis!” But, I mean it in a good way. No, seriously. I was very uncertain about the first issue of this series, as it put a character that I’ve enjoyed reading – and watching – in a very strange situation, without any explanation.
• The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #16 (Marvel)
• Wonder Woman #14 (DC)

Monday – 22 September 2014
In the past few weeks, I’ve read some comics. There have been some good ones and some… not quite as good. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights:

• Astro City #14 and #15 – This was a curious two-part story that mostly takes place outside of the city proper. It follows an older woman named Ellie, who runs a roadside robot museum. It appears that some of the exhibits have been undertaking some clandestine extracurricular activities. But what are they doing? And why?!
• Captain Marvel #7 – Following a mostly successful mission to prevent a war, Captain Marvel – along with her young alien stowaway/”second-in-command,” Tic, is on her way to reunite with The Guardians of the Galaxy. (Yes, those Guardians.) They’ve barely docked with her ship, piloted by Rocket, they are attacked. Oh, and something’s going on with the Captain’s pet, Chewie.
• Fantastic 4 #7 – The systematic takedown of the FF continues. Most of this issue follows The Thing, in prison for the apparent murder of the Puppet Master. The interesting… um… “thing”… about this is that everyone is used to Ben Grimm being one of the toughest people in the Marvel Universe. That’s not so much the case in prison apparently. Reed goes off on a mission solo. Johnny’s trying to drink his troubles away. And Sue goes on a field trip.
• Hawkeye #20 – A mystery. S.H.I.E.L.D. And Kate goes home.
• Legendary Star-Lord #3 – If, as a friend of mine said, the Guardians of the Galaxy movie was “…This movie is the Han Solo movie you would have dreamed of in younger, more optimistic days,” then this book is like “Han Solo: The Other Adventures.” It’s just a fun romp.
• Ms. Marvel #7 and #8 – This is another fun book. And it’s incredibly well-written. Instead of the usual superhero fare, readers are treated to a story about a teenaged girl… who just happens to have superpowers. And meets Wolverine (and totally fan-girls out over him). Oh, and she has a dog. His name is Jockjaw. You might have heard of him.

This is a simple test.

Nothing to see here.