The Week in Comics – Week of 06/10/09
Another week, another batch of comics! This week was over-all much better that last week, with a very notable first issue of Red Robin, and the start of a brand new story arc in The Walking Dead.
Let’s begin, shall we?
Deadpool #11 (Marvel Comics)
Continuing were we left off, Deadpool is waking up from having an arrow shot through his brain by Bullseye (now impersonating Hawkeye, see Dark Avengers), and it is HILARIOUS. Deadpool is crazy enough, but as his brain reboots his normal funny internal commentary gets even better. Deadpool and7 Bullseye’s flashbacks to elementary school are also priceless, as is Deadpools solution to fighting without weapons. An absolute MUST read! Book of the Week!
The Walking Dead #62 (Image Comics)
More fallout from the events of issue #61, whereas Rick’s son Carl says what everyone’s thinking, and Michonne thinks about opening up to one of the new members of the survivors. Also, the group has their first run in with a strange new group of heavily armed survivors, and first contact isn’t what you would expect. Not much happened in this issue until the end, and I’m thinking this will be another amazing storyline when it all plays out. Almost my pick of the week, but just not enough happened.
Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #1 of 3 (Marvel Comics)
Beta comes to Earth to enlist Thor in his cause to hunt down and destroy Galactus. Thor refuses, and knowing he can’t destroy Galactus in combat, he sets out to destroy each world Galactus chooses to feed on! I’m a fan of Beta Ray Bill, and if you are too this will really hit the spot.
Frank Castle is the Punisher #71 (Marvel Comics)
A new story starts here, with Frank driving “cargo” from Houston to New Orleans on the back roads. He runs into a group of Spring Breakers on the back roads (the girls flash Mr. Castle), and who talk to him at a gas station. Frank turns down their offer to have a beer with them, and they part ways with Frank leaving first. Down the road a bit, Frank notices that he hasn’t seen them yet, and pulls over. After they don’t come, Frank turns around because he’s got a bad feeling. In the meantime, his feeling is correct because some bad shit is happening. This has a very “House of 1000 Corpses” vibe, I’m looking forward to #72 to see what kind of shit Frank gets into. Must buy for Punisher fans!
Fables #85 (DC Comics, Vertigo Imprint)
Part 7 of the 9 part “Great Fables Crossover” running through Fables, Jack of Fables, and the Literals. I just….I just can’t get into the art on this, it’s really distracting me from the story. Also, I’m REALLY not a fan of Jack, and it was the best thing for Fables when he was exiled. Overall, this storyline has been, in my opinion, a bowl of shit. It’s all based off stuff that happened in Jack of Fables, which I don’t read, and I’m not enjoying the stuff I’m seeing in the Literals. I’ll finish up the crossover, but I damn well know I won’t continue Jack of Fables or the Literals. Skip it!
Street Fighter Legends: Chun-Li #3 (Udon Comics)
The Udon comics are a guilty pleasure of mine. I like the Udon art style, and they stories are pretty fun, lightweight stuff. Understandably, if you don’t like Street Fighter, you won’t like this. I can recommend it if you’re a SF fan, but that’s pretty much it. This has nothing to do with the Chun-Li movie!
Amazing Spider-Man #597 (Marvel Comics)
Peter continues his infiltration of the Dark Avengers while posing as Venom, while Norman Osborn walks the Dark Avengers through his “American Son” project. Harry deals with his girlfriends combo of “I used the goblin serum and I’m full of your baby” (talk about baggage!), and at the end Wolverine’s son and Spider-Man get into it, and Harry sells Spidey out to his dad. I’m looking forward to the next issue, as the last page was pretty messed up! Recommended!
Booster Gold #21 (DC Comics)
I really do like Booster Gold a great deal, both the series and the character. In this issue, he’s drug into the Battle for the Cowl story and a confrontation with the Black Beetle, who is altering the time stream. While a solid start to a new story arc (and thus being a great time to jump onto the book) the best surprise of the book was a backup story featuring the current Blue Beetle! It was a damn shame when that book ended and I’m glad to see more of him. Recommended!
Red Robin #01 (DC Comics)
So far, this is the best thing to come out of the Battle for the Cowl storyline. Tim Drake is a man who’s world was rocked when Batman, his adopted father, died. After Dick Grayson took over the mantle of Batman, Tim stepped aside for Damien, who doesn’t let him forget it in this issue. Tim, who cannot be Robin any more, takes on the mantle of Red Robin, crossing the lines by wearing a costume (in his mind) already tainted. He sets his mind to the fact that Bruce must still be alive, and sets off to find him. I’ve always liked Tim, and I’m interested in seeing how this darker edge will play out. Recommended!
I hope the Red Robin thing doesn’t stick. If they wanted to give Tim a new identity they should remove it from the whole Robin thing.
That, and I’m no feeling the costume.