The extended absence was unintentional but I’m back to blabber away about some comics I read last week. It’s getting late and my eyes are beginning to close involuntarily so I believe I’ll close out my introduction and get right into the main event.
Final Crisis #1: There is a lot of setup in this first issue and it is lacking the “wow” type moments that filled the first issue of Infinite Crisis or even Secret Invasion. However, it stays with you. I kept running over different parts in my head, particularly the slaying of *SPOILER!!!*
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Martian Manhunter.
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That particular sequence impacts like a cinder block on a car windshield thanks in large part to the fantastic art of J.G. Jones. Other than the Wonder Woman graphic novel he did with Greg Rucka I had never seen his sequential work before. Color me impressed. Again this first issue isn’t earth shattering but it serves as a gateway to the larger story he has planned. I’m looking forward to where this is all going.
The War That Time Forgot #1: I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I wanted to read this title and I finally picked a copy up last week. Of course there was no way I was going to miss at least giving it a shot as it contains many of my childhood loves. World War 2 fighter pilots, American Indians, undiscovered lands, and huge friggin’ dinosaurs. I’m always a sucker for a good dinosaur story. This one didn’t let me down.
I enjoyed what I read of Bruce Jones’ run on The Incredible Hulk and I followed Barrioneuvo when he was on Gotham Knights and always thought he was an exciting artist. To be honest, he has always reminded me a bit of John Cassidy. His work in this comic is fantastic too, from the way he handles aerial dogfights to a rampaging t-rex. Not a ton of story is revealed in this issue, we’re essentially introduced to our lead, meet some islanders, see some big honkin’ dinosaurs, and the book ends. Not sure how this will read spread out over twelve issues but this first issue was strong enough for me to stick with it.
Titans #2: I only picked up Titans #1 to see if the trade would be worth picking up some where down the road so it is something of a mystery as to why I picked up the second issue. It certainly wasn’t the cover. I couldn’t stand Benitez fill-in work on Justice League and he failed to win me over again here. In fact this entire issue took a noticeable turn for the worse from last issue. #1 showed some promise and if nothing else seemed like it might be the comic equivalent of a dumb action movie. Issue #2 just offers up lame jokes, lousy art and some flat out awful dialogue. I have officially lost interest.
Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #1: Surprisingly this was a pretty typical tie-in comic. I really enjoy almost everything I’ve read of Aguirrre-Sacasa’s (especially Marvel Knights 4) and I liked Kitson when I used to read Legion of Superheroes. They both turn in solid work here but really this isn’t anything we haven’t seen before and its not exactly loaded with revelations we won’t find in it’s parent title. Frankly I don’t think I’ll be back for the next issue. Maybe a year or two ago but with gas costing what it is you gotta do a bit more to get my attention these days than just stamp a tie in banner on the cover of a comic.
Which brings me (ironically) to Ms. Marvel #27: I’ve been picking up this title since it started featuring the Secret Invasion letterhead and I’ve been enjoying it quite a bit. I wouldn’t say it’s anything new but it has a good heart and in a way reminds me of those early issues of Dan Slott’s She Hulk. This is a superhero comic through and through. Brian Reed seems to get better and better as a comic book writer and this issue he continues to improve his game. The art is a little shoddy but not distractingly so and really it has a nice 80’s Marvel vibe to it. Overall, another fun issue of a comic about a character I never thought I’d give a crap about.
Robin 173-174: This is one of those titles I pick up from time to time just to catch up with the character. Chuck Dixon is awesome and I’ve always enjoyed his work with the Bat family but for one reason or another I just never seem to follow the secondary bat books month to month. I picked these two issues up because they feature the return of a character I always loved, particularly when I was about 15 years old. The way War Games offed the character always seemed so incredibly stupid and wasteful that it seemed inevitable she would make a return. I’m talking about Spoiler of course, and thankfully she does seem to be back.
Dixon’s work remains as strong as ever, though the art by Chris Batista can be very stiff at times. Dixon seems to have as good a handle on the character of Robin as anybody (if not better) and he can still write some fun little action set pieces. I might not pick this title up for another few months at least I know as long as Chuck Dixon is still writing it, Robin will be as solid as ever.
Wonder Woman #20: Having just recently read Alan Heinberg’s run and almost everything that followed after it I think I can say without hesitation that Gail Simone writes the best Wonder Woman comic since the later half of Greg Rucka’s run. The art on this title has been strong for the most part since it’s relaunch but I think Aaron Lopresti turns in the best looking Wonder Woman comic since Phil Jiminez drew it.
The story starting in this issue likewise has me interested. I’ve always loved the mythological side of Wonder Woman stories and the use of Beowulf in this issue is fantastic. I’m looking forward to where this story goes from here.
Well that does it for now. I have a huge stack of comics I’ve read over the past couple weeks but for now this will have to suffice. I’ll try to get back on here some time this week and maybe write up some more thoughts on Batman RIP and a few trade paperbacks and hardcovers I just finished reading.
Merry beginning of June to all, and to all a good night.
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