The Week in Comics – Week of 07/22/09
A big week in comics, with two milestones from Marvel, Blackest Night gets even blacker, and more!
Blackest Night – Tales of the Corps #2 (of 3) (DC Comics)
This issues gives us stories of the Star Sapphire Carol Ferris and the Red Lantern Bleez, both of which are better than the previous issues exploits. I found it interesting how the Star Sapphire ring changes the wearer, as this is my first time reading about that ring. I also liked the connection to Hal Jordan that the Ferris family has. Bleez was interesting as well, showing us how the “Angel of the Red Lanterns” was captures, enslaved, and tormented by a member of the Sinestro Corps and gained her Red Ring. Good book on some interesting characters! Recommended if you’re reading Blackest Night.
Green Lantern #44 (DC Comics)
A classic team up of Barry Allen and Hal Jordan take on the newly zombified Black Lantern Martian Mahunter (BLMM). I really liked seeing how BLMM was made, and seeing the Choco fall and crumble was a nice (and symbolic) reminder of MM’s funeral. I enjoyed the battle a lot, especially when BLMM says “I’m a strong as Superman. Why doesn’t anyone remember that?” and throws a building. Really fun issue, it’s making me look forward to seeing how Blackest Night pans out! Recommended!
Amazing Spider-man #600 (Marvel Comics)
The first of two milestone #600 issues this week brings back a classic Spidey villain, Doctor Octopus. He attempts to take over the city, and Spider-man has to fight the city itself as he tries to locate Doc Ock’s lair. The subplot to the issue is that J. Jonah Jameson is attempting to stop his father and Aunt May’s wedding. I really liked the new look of Doctor Octopus and the way he’s made due with way his body is failing. I thought the marriage ceremony was sweet, and the twist at the end could be cool, if done well. I thought the “Covers You’ll Never See!” were a bit on the cheesy side, but I thought that the Identity Crisis story was funny, with Spider-man showing all the physical changes he’s had over the years. The story about Uncle Ben’s relationship with Peter was nice as well. Overall, this is the best one of these #600 issues I’ve read, especially since it has all 100% original stuff and no re-prints. Highly Recommended, Book of the Week!
Herogasm #3 (Dynamite Entertainment)
Another interesting issue of the mini-series, this one featuring a much larger role by The Boys than previously seen. When the Hero Fantastico dies is a “splashy” way, the Boys use the commotion to slip in and kidnap someone with the information they need. In the midst of it all, Hughie runs into Black Noir, and is violated in a terrible way. Recommended by fans of anal raping Batman analogs and Boys fans!
Immortal Weapons #1 (of 5) (Marvel Comics)
The first dozen or so pages really dissapointed me, as it was just a reprint from previous issue, but once the original stuff kicked in this got awesome. Fat Cobra is a hilarious character in the Iron Fist series, and I’m glad they picked him for issue #1. I enjoyed his exploits, but now that he’s out of the way they can show more of the character we don’t know a lot about. I liked the first installment of the Iron Fist story running through all the books, and hey, anything new Iron Fist related is gonna be decent. Recommended!
Dark Wolverine #76 (Marvel Comics)
More of the continuing exploits of Wolverine’s son Daken, as he sows distrust in the ranks of Norman Osborne’s Dark Avengers. I didn’t find this issue as entertaining as the past issue, as I think this is setting the stage for a really cool fight next issue. I did enjoy Dakens interactions with the Fantastic Four a good deal. Recommended!
Guardians of the Galaxy #16 (Marvel Comics)
I must have missed something, or something happened in the War of Kings crossover, or something, because I feel totally lost now. I’m thinking about skipping all the cosmic books until this crossover is finished. Only read if you are following the War of Kings, Not Recommended otherwise.
The last issue in the series, because no one read it, and it was one the best comics Marvel has put out in a long time. This nicely closes the books on the MI-13 group, with suprisingly happy endings for everyone. I highly recommend people check this out when they are out in trades, see what they missed, and clamor for a new ongoing MI-13 series. While you’re at it, check out the Wisdom MAX series from a few years back, it was an awesome lead-in to this series. Highly Recommended!
Incredible Hulk #600 (Marvel Comics)
Wow, how far the Hulk has fallen since the Planet Hulk storyline. This book sucked donkey sack. The Red Hulk is just a mean Grey Hulk and I fell asleep half way through this, literally. BIG TWIST: Red Hulk makes it so Bruce Banner can never be the Hulk again! So, basically Bruce will be happier than ever, but Marvel will find some stupid way to make him become the Hulk again. Not Recommended.
Invincible #63 (Image Comics)
HELL YES ATOM EVE DIDN’T DIE!!!!! I was going to drop this book if Kirkman did really kill her off, seriously. Invincible gets some help from Eve in this fight, and brutally bashes the invaders face in with his own forehead. It was crazy brutal….maybe a little too brutal for Invincible. Don’t get me wrong, I love violence, but I don’t know if the story is better served with so much. Still, second best book of the week and Highly Recommended!