Last Week In Comics: Hit With A Stick!
SpaceBooger’s weekly review of last weeks comics is back giving a fresh take on 5-day-old comics:
Yesterday afternoon my biological father passed away. This made Green Lantern #29 a little harder to read. Not many people are lucky enough to have two fathers growing up, but I was one of the lucky. After my parents divorced, my mother married my stepfather who later adopted me. My biological father, Big Fred, played a large role in my early childhood by igniting my imagination and encouraging me, like Hal’s dad, “to be whatever I wanted to be.” Big Fred and I were not as close as I would have liked to have been during my high school and college years. It was not until after college that we became close again. During this time we talked a lot, we spent hours sharing stories and learning about life through each other.
Sunday March 30th 2008 at 2:15pm my biological father passed away… and on that day part of who made me the person I am also passed away…
Green Lantern #29 was a great retelling of Hal Jordan’s origin prior to working at Ferris Aircraft in Emerald Dawn. The part of Abin Sur seemed a little off from the character I remember, but it seems to fit in with the new Green Lantern mythos that Johns has been creating.
Batman Confidential #15 continues the story about Batman’s “evil twin” the Wraith and his quest to kill Jim Gordon. It looks like I was exactly right after reading the last issue:
The best part about this issue was the exact telling of the Wraith’s (the original Wraith’s) origin from both Jim Gordon’s and the assassin’s point of view. I am looking forward to the conclusion in next issue… when DC releases this as a trade if it included the original story from Batman Special #1, I will have to pick it up.
Countdown to Final Crisis #5 was awesome! It had humanoid animals taking over the Earth… until nuclear bombs destroy everything… except one boy. I liked the two issue story of the alternate Earth’s Buddy Blank and his grandson who will become: Kamandi the Last Boy on Earth, but…
As awesome as Countdown #5 was, it did nothing for the big picture. I liked the story and how the virus that Karate Kid has been carrying through the whole series created this world for Kamandi, but again I have to ask what does all this have to do with the Final Crisis?
Legion of Super-Heroes #40 was great ride and the more I read Jim Shooter’s LOSH the more it grows on me. The characterization is dead on and I am looking forward to next months issue… Braniac was awesome and all the side quirks are great.
and…
THE BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK:
Blue Beetle #25
I am sad that Johns Rogers will be leaving the Blue Beetle after this issue, but at least he went out with a mother effin champ.
Since day one Jaime Reyes has been trying to figure out the “magical” scarab that fused itself onto his spine just before Infinite Crisis. Since that quest began back in issue one, Jaime has found out that the scarab is not magical, but instead alien technology. An alien race known as the Reach has been plotting to take over the Earth, and many other planets, using the same technology fused to our hero’s spine. After 22 issues of “bonding” with the alien scarab Jaime decides to take out the Reach before they can take over the Earth. Blue Beetle #25 is the culmination of Jaime’s efforts of the last three issues. Recap can be found here.
Jaime successfully takes out the Reach’s Armada.
This newest version of the Blue Beetle would not be as awesome if not for the great and well used supporting cast, who were taking care of business back on Earth.
This sums it all up… Mr. Rogers the story, the name, and the hero will continue… hopefully following the path that you paved.
Other Comics
All Star Superman #10: WOW… This is Superman the way I remember him from my youth… Wow… if you have not read this yet - do it now!
Countdown to Adventure #8: In 52 I loved the space saga… as its own min-series… not so much. The characters in this mini have to be written a certain way to keep them from crossing over to the plain, or bleh, side. In 52 they were exciting and the story was fun, not so much in this mini. I am glad that I did not drop it before its conclusion, even if it was lackluster.
Countdown Special Eclipso: I scanned this cover expecting to read this… but with everything that has happened recently I did not get to it… sorry.
Teen Titans #57: I am a fan of Ravager. Rose Wilson has the same appeal that Casandra Cain had as Batgirl early in her solo series. Did anyone other than me wonder why there were so many “master assassins” and martial arts experts running around the DCU? I did, and I was getting tired of the cookie cutter template for characters. I used to think that without her distinct personality Ravager would just be another of these carbon copy comic characters, but in Teen Titans #57 we get a little insight on why she is so deadly… and I like the concept.
Last Week In Comics: Who Cares What World We’re On?
SpaceBooger’s weekly review of last weeks comics is back giving a fresh take on 5-day-old comics:
The All New Atom 21 continues it reliance on scientific inner dialog, minus all the quotes. With Ryan being the only character in two thirds of the book inner dialog is a must. I remember when almost magically the thought balloons disappeared from comics, I miss them at least I have inner dialog… and the Head!
The Head loves old sitcoms, who doesn’t… and why was Buddy never left in charge?
The All New Atom 21 showed Ryan Choi dive into a sample of his own blood looking for problems caused by using the dwarf star material that allows him to shrink. Some great science is explained as to why he modifies his costume to swim with cells in his own blood. Inside his blood the Atom finds an unknown microbe a fight ensues leaving Ryan ill. Great set up and a great first issue by the new creative team… almost the best comic of last week.
Well said Rip Hunter!
Justice League - New Frontier Special #1 was a great! The only reason I will not give it the honors of being the best comic last week is that everything in this issue has been done before. Just because it has been done before… some of this seems better. I remember reading the Dark Knight Returns and watching that monumental battle where the mere mortal Batman defeats the god-like alien Superman. The first chapter of the New Frontier Special is a missing chapter depicting the battle briefly mentioned in the original mini-series. The battle is what you expect, but Darwyn Cooke adds the nostalgia and appeal from of the New Frontier Series. The other two stories were great reads and in today’s comic market they can be hard to find. As
Nightwing #142 was the Best Comic of Last Week!
Many people like to talk about Nightwing… or complain that he was going to be the martyr death of Infinite Crisis yet complained that his solo series sucked since Chuck Dixon left. I have always loved Nightwing and it seems that Peter Tomasi realizes who Nightwing really is and what fans expect of him.
Many say that Tomasi is finally understands the character and understands how a Nightwing solo series should be written, but I think its more of a rebuilding. I loved the Dixion & McDaniel run but it was about Dick becoming his own hero. Tomasi is not continuing that, instead he has turned Nightwing into a full fledged hero deserving his own book. No more is Nightwing “Batman Lite” he now is forging his own way as a hero.
In this issue we see Nightwing being a detective, not a dark knight detective like his mentor, but a detective that is well liked by the whole DCU. In Nightwing’s quest of the metahuman grave robbers Dick asks for help from Doctor Mid-Nite, borrows equipment from Batman, and jokes with the newest boy wonder who has joined on this quest. Nightwing 142 is the Best Comic of Last Week because like the title character it is likable, has all the bells and whistles, and its a hell of a lot of fun.
Other Mumbles
Amazing Spider-Man 552: The third creative team makes it debut… and nothing happens. Peter has more bad luck, gets even more bad publicity, is shot at by NYPD, and a new lackluster villain appears. The only thing keeping me around is the big picture, and that is still looking good.
Countdown 8: For the last couple of weeks I have been complaining that the story was OK, yet the pacing was too fast. This issue the pacing finally slows down enough to realize that many events may tie together nicely, yet they seem random. I am ready for the ending… real ready!
Detective Comics 842: Filler!
Yup thats about it. This comic is a perfect example of a Fill-In Issue. Batman decides not to worry about his own hallucinations in his self titled series or the fact that his creation Brother Eye took over Apokolips last week, instead he is traveling around the world to learn about his new “cursed” armor.Green Lantern 28: I don’t know what to say other than I liked it. I’m not too sure of my opinion on the multi colored lanterns, but the dialog between Hal and Sinestro was great. The fact that the Alpha Lanterns were created so that the Green Lanterns would fear doing wrong is a great concept. Geoff Johns has weaved a great tale since the Rebirth of Hal Jordan and I look forward to reading more.
SpaceBooger Year One: Part 3
SpaceBooger Year One: The Origin of the Booger
Part 3 - Responsibility
The true origin of the Booger continues. In week one we see the ordering of the ship. Week two shows us the delivery of the ship. This week we see that the auction came with an extra responsibility - The Space Booger.
This comic is a homage to Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern origin in Emerald Dawn. Instead of the Green Lantern of Sector 2814 seeking out a replacement, ebay user GL2814 passes his responsibility to the highest bidder.
Hal Jordan receiving his ring in Emerald Dawn #1
Check out the comic here: http://www.spacebooger.com/index.php?comicID=38
Last Week In Comics: Killed Dead!
In Countdown 13 the storyline pauses to watch Superman-Prime battle Monarch destroying most of the armies (Monitors, Donna’s Bugs, and Monarch’s army) who were at war on Earth-51. This issue basically shows that the last couple weeks have been worthless since Monarch’s war is now abruptly over and Darkseid looks as if to take over as the series’ resident bad dude.
In Green Lantern 27 a Sinestro Corps ring seeks out the Scarecrow to help instill great fear throughout the galaxy. Did Sinestro want the Green Lanterns to win the war so bad that he never recruited the one person in the DC Universe who’s “power” is instilling fear into cities at a time…
Action Comics 861 and its Legion story has been enjoyable but I have been wondering where it was going since it started. The concept of the future hating aliens and hunting down the Legion makes a great story, but it seemed lost without the big picture. I felt the same with the Justice League of America “Lightning Saga” story as well. Action 861 has this little scene where we find that all is connected instantly making me excited to see where this story is now going. Best Comic of Last Week!
Quick Reviews
Batman #673: OK, Grant Morrison can write a hell of a story and Tony Daniel is quickly becoming the best bat-artist since Norm Brefogle (sorry Jim Lee fans…) but the wait between issues about the impostor Batman’s running around Gotham is now boring me. If I didn’t have to wait for two other storylines to begin an conclude in the middle of this story I may have enjoyed this for more than the art.
Black Adam #6: Good issue, but not an ending. I know that this whole story takes place before Black Adam gives his power to Mary Marvel, but the ending is weak. Since this miniseries began I have enjoyed Black Adam’s quest to revive his deceased wife. I even liked the fact that the chances to bring his wife to life would be compromised until he found the new magic word to transform into Black Adam. In this last issue we learn the new magic word and Black Adam thinks that he failed to bring back Isis… the end.
Captain America #34: This issue was what I expected and you probably have read too much about Bucky a.k.a. the Winter Soldier, a.k.a. the new Captain America, but I have one thing to say. Since seeing Alex Ross’ concept art I have dubbed this new Cap: Castrated America for fear that the pointy metal breastplate could be dangerous when bending down. In this issue we see Cap putting on his uniform and instead of metal, the breastplate is a shiny metallic looking cloth worn over a black jumpsuit.
Countdown to Adventure #6: Not quite as good as Mystery in Space was last year, but a good sci-fi romp. I am and have been a fan of Adam Strange, and in this issue I am finally feeling like this is what I expect from an Adam Strange space story. Also the panel where Buddy is almost dissected by the healers is classic.
SpaceBooger Year One: Part 2 - “Shipping”
SpaceBooger Year One: The Origin of the Booger
Part 2 - Shipping
The second installment of the Booger’s true origin shows the Boy getting one step closer to the Booger with the arrival of the ship. If you recall from last weeks comic the Boy accidentally won a “working” space ship from ebay for only 99 cents… plus ten thousand dollars shipping.
For a comic that shows the origin of the Booger it has been 2 weeks and still no sign of the Booger… Just wait his arrival will be familiar to all comic book fans. There are 2 clues as to what comic book hero shares a similar origin to the Booger. (Clues can be found in the third and one in the fourth panel.)
Check back next week to find out more about the Space Ship and the true origin of the Booger!
Check out this week’s webcomic here: http://www.spacebooger.com/index.php?comicID=37
Last Week In Comics: God takes out the Justice League
Teen Titans Lost Annual #1 read like a classic Teen Titans comic with the “new car” scent.
Many throwback, or retro, issues seemed forced, but this issue read like an old comic purchased from Ebay instead of the new release rack.
After 3 hours issues with villains stranded in a strange place, Salvation Run finally makes a Gilligan’s Island joke.
I always pictured God (any religion’s god) to look different than the one in JLA Classified 50.
If this is God, I pity those who do not fear the devil.
Quick Reviews
Countdown 16: After an explanatory issue and betrayal of our favorite Monitor, Bob, this issue seems to fall short on story. Jimmy’s powers are reviled as a link to the New Gods who have recently passed, and Jason Todd confronts a Batman who thinks like him… a.k.a. this Batman kills.
Green Arrow and Black Canary 4: In the last issue Connor was shot while the cast was escaping Paradise Island. This month’s issue begins where the last left off. It is a real emotional issue that is well written and even better drawn. Ollie shows his emotional side while the resulting reaction of every character in this book is perfect.
Green Lantern Corps 20: Laughing and a “Bwah Ha Ha” showing a real chemistry between Guy and Kyle. Kyle and Guy decide to move permanently to Oa, leaving Earth under Hal and John’s care. Mongul learns how the Sinestro Corps ring works while the Guardians talk.
Nightwing 140: I was confused, and still am, in regards to the beginning of this book. In the first couple of pages Batman tells Nightwing that he is to make the cave his base of operations, yet in the next scene Dick is back in New York.
That confusing stuff aside, Nightwing begins to study and learn New York inside and out so he can be effective in fighting the good fight. Along the way he stops a grave robbery and gets carried by what looked like the zombie corpse of the original Captain Boomerang. Needless to say good stuff.Superman 672: Bah… The bug that kidnapped Lana last issue is laying millions of eggs on the moon waiting to take over the Earth. The only good part of this issue was the interaction between Chris and Lois. Over the past couple issues I have become quite fond of Chris. He is kind of like Krypto in the fact that the idea seems silly at first but in the hands of a good writer it works.
The Amazing Spider-Man 546: I already wrote about this issue, you can read it here.
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