Brave New Worlds

I’ve put together a quick list tonight of three titles I don’t think enough people are reading.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Oz #1-3 (July-September 2001) Christopher Golden (w), Logan Lubera, Valentine De Landro, Herb Apon, Craig Yeung (a)

Before There Was Season Eight There was Dark Horse’s original Buffy the Vampire Slayer run, which ran concurrently with the series. Not officially canon, it gave ravenous fans of the show more adventures with the Scoobies.

Buddha Experience Oz left, then returned, and then left again. Here’s that story. Of course the story has changed since Joss Whedon decided to continue his story in the comics, but for awhile this is all we had for more Oz, and who does not want more Oz. This story takes place after Oz left the first time during season four, and really fits in nicely with everything we know.

Oz, Not Oz Being front and center, Oz needs to carry the story for the reader which he does with dialogue, unfortunately less was always more with Oz so it seems a little weird for him to be speaking as much as he does.

Travel With Oz, See the World Before his Tibet adventure begins, Oz gets to dust a vamp (‘natch), who was just coincidentally attempting to eat his ride to Tibet. And he gets a travel companion, because the best stories are the buddy ones.

Cue Music Oz is on a journey to find an answer to sure his of his curse, sort of like a werewolf version of Bruce Banner forever destined to walk the Earth alone, except with wittier things to say.

Is It Canon? There are a couple of references made in the story that were also in the show when Oz returned during season five. Hmmm?

Where You Can Get This Issue? Sadly, the single issue is out print, this story is more than a few years old. If you can’t find the back issue, try the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus Volume 5 by Dark Horse, available at both Brave New Worlds locations.

1 Month 2 Live #1 Rick Remender (w), Andrea Mutti (a)

Where Did All The Heroes Go? When you first open Marvel’s new weekly mini-series (which last just five issues) you might notice how normal the story is, with nothing super going on. Well, that aspect is coming, but it’s not really about that. It’s about Dennis, and his life and decisions.

No Good Deed Not only is his effort to be a good samaritan in the face of being a corporate stooge rewarded with an ass kicking that rivals any of of Kick Ass’ beat downs, Dennis also gets some really bad news after he is rescued by none other than a member of the Fantastic Four.

WWYD? That’s right, after reading about Dennis’ exploits, what would you do if you found yourself in his shoes?

The Big Bad Of course there has to be an antagonist for our “hero” to battle, and the reveal at the end of issue one gives us one of Spidey’s new rogue’s gallery.

Verdict I liked it. Definitely different and fresh and interested to see where the story goes. The real fascinating part about this mini-series is that there will be a different writer and artist on each issuing, which will definitely change the tone of each one. Stay tuned.

Scarlet #2 Brian Michael Bendis (w), Alex Maleev (a)

Talk About Fresh I know a lot of people are comparing this series to Bendis’ Alias run, however since I never read that run, Scarlet is something I have yet to experience in my comic reading, and I like it!

Story Deepens Like any good writer, Bendis hooks you in issue one and explains a couple of things, while building more background and holes to go down, while also giving you some “bang” for your buck in issue two – literally.

Emotions Mariah Carey once sang about them (yes, I am showing my age) but I have to admit to running through a crazy amount of emotions as I read issue two. I can’t wait until the next issue.

Best Recommendation Should you read Scarlett? Well yes, the greatest form of compliment I can pay this book is that by the time I reach the end, I had wished it did not end.

Avengers The Children’s Crusade #2 Allan Heinberg (w), Jim Cheung, Mark Morales (a)

Last Time on Avengers Children’s Crusade … Magneto just found out that he might have grandkids that look a lot like his two children, Wanda and Pietro. Of course, Wanda has been “missing” since the end of House of M. What’s a reformed mutant-terrorist to do?

Jump Right In Issue two picks right up where we left off, with Magneto battling some of the Avengers (including Cap in his regular uniform) with the Young Avengers in the middle. I like how Heinberg writes this fight, with the Avengers making a decision not to hold back but obviously not ready for the consequences of those actions.

Fun Approach Too many mini-series lately have seemed like a slow build with one or two things happening to keep you hooked (Siege being an exception due to its length) but at nine-issues long, the fireworks have went off already in both issues. Love the break-neck pace at which Heinber and Cheung are telling this story.

Hooked! I did not want to be, I really did try to fight in, but I am caught in the web of what this book could be, and I am really curious to see if we do find the Scarlet Witch again and what here return could mean for everything. The Siege saw the extermination of one really unstable hero, what are our heroes prepared to do with Wanda?

ROM #33 (August 1982) Bill Mantlo (w), Sal Buscema, Joe Sinnott (a)

This Is What I Get For reading Rom as the issue opens in Maine of all places with a blind girl who sees her “shining silver savior” in her dreams. What did I get myself into this month?

Vampire Diaries Prequel? Or Dawson’s Creek or any other early WB show? The reason I state this is because early in the story Rom takes leave of the town he called home for a few months while wiping out the Dire Wraiths. However, one woman “loved him despite his space knight armor.” Hello, melodrama!

New Readers Welcome Believe it or not, issue 33 was a perfect jumping on point for new readers as Rom says goodbye to the past story arc and begins a new one. In the middle, there is a review of all of his mission as well – how handy!

King of the Inner Monologue Yes, being a lonely space knight can have its disadvantages, as this story took place during the height of the thought-balloon narrative. It can get a little tough.

Potential This might shock you, but this story could actually be retooled for today’s audiences. Here is a man, trapped in a metal body, whose planet was “moved” by Galactus. But he has pledged to guard the Earth against the Dire Wraiths. This could have heart in the right hands.

Titantic Factor It’s obvious that Mantlo was attempting to inject that heart into the story with his relationship with the above-mentioned woman, Brandy Clark. An unrequited love was not enough to keep audiences hooked unfortunately.

Of Course It’s All Connected With his mission to fight the Dire Wraiths, and the opening of the story with the blind girl in Maine, what did you think would happen? I thought they might go out for a spot of tea.

The Kazon! Reading this issue reminded me of the time in the 80s when the X-Men took on the Dire Wraiths. They were definitely an interesting villain, but probably not one strong enough to run a series adversary on, sort of like the Kazon of the first few seasons of Star Trek Voyager. Its time for this Space Knight to find another nemesis in this fine country of ours.

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Fantastic Four #582 Jonathan Hickman (w), Neil Edwards, Scott Hanna (a)

The Future’s So Bright … Oh, nevermind, the future is totally frakked! Damn was this issue good. Hickman has captured the essence of the FF, something Millar was not able to do. This issue was a classic in the same vain as Lee-Kirby and Byrne.

There Can Be Only One That’s right, there can be only Nathan Richards, at least according to Franklin, but what does he know, he’s only a kid!

Brace Yourself Why is it when someone asks you not to get upset, you still get upset. Even a hero as savvy as the Invisible Woman freaks out when Val breaks the news of what is going on, and what is to come.

This is the End Don’t you just wonder when Franklin and Val are in the timeline to figure out when all of this is playing out.

Superman Secret Origin #6 Geoff Johns (w), Gary Frank, Jon Sibal (a)

That’s a Damn Good Piece of Apple Pie Served up in a red and blue costume, aw yeah. I know a lot of people are tired of reading about Superman’s origin being re-imagined again, and to you I say – PHHHBT! Take Secret Origin for what it is, a really fun story.

When Last We Saw … It has been awhile, but way back in the day when issue five came out, Supe’s was being taken down by Metallo and General Lane’s stash of kryptonite, which was supplied by Lex Luthor.

Intense So the Daily Planet is under martial law. There is a moment in the beginning where General Lane informs our intrepid staff that they no longer have any rights and everything is now property of the U.S. government. That’s when one of the lunkheads under Lane grabs Car Grant and says including you – ew, creepy.

It’s a Brand New Day In Metropolis as Superman has saved the day once again. Luthor is no longer king of this domain, and he is none to happy about it. Just widh this story would continue. There are so many prequel tales (like the current Adventure run) and I think Johns would do some awesome things in this playground.

Avengers #4 Brian Michael Bendis (w), John Romita, Jr., Klaus Janson (a)

More Fun in the Space-Time Continuum Sometimes the best stories are told out of time, and the Avengers opening-arc is just one of those awesome what the heck is going on tales.

Back on Top After a hiccup in the last issue, both the story and even Romita’s Jr.s pencils have rebounded to provide a spectacular experience.

Next Avengers Well they are back finally, after being teased in the first issue and not really having much to do with the story, they take center stage in issue four, with some surprises – ‘natch!

I’m Confused It makes sense that the Avengers blame Kang for everything, he is after all the bad guy. But just wait until you see who had Kang go on the mission to the past to solicit the Avengers assistance.

Avengers Assemble! Okay, one piece of feedback here, take it do what’s it worth. I love all four new Avengers titles, and I really did not think that was going to happen. That being said, I would rather have the teams with their own members. I think it would mean more reading Wolverine and Spider-Man in just one book. As it is now, the Avengers and New Avengers are both sharing about 4-5 members – Skrulls! Pysch.

New Avengers: Civil War TP Volume 5

Collects New Avengers #21-25

Writer Brian Michael Bendis

Artist Howard Chaykin, Leinel Yu, Olivier Coipel, Mark Morales, Pasqual Ferry, Paul Smith, Jim Cheung

What It’s All About It’s brother versus brother, hero versus hero as in a frakking Civil War Yo with Iron Man and Captain America on opposite sides. While the war raged on in the main book, New Avengers took a look at how it impacted certain heroes – Cap, Luke Cage, Spider-Woman, Sentry and lastly Maria Hill and Iron Man.

First Up Bendis and Chaykin teamed up to take us through Cap’s head as he gets caught not once, but several times by S.H.I.E.L.D.’s new “capekillers.” When all is said and done, Cap along with his long-time partner Falcon decide to start “le resistance.”

Line in the Sand Cap and Falcon pay a visit first to Hank Pym and are surprised by his response. Best scene during all this is a maneuver they pulled against the Serpent Squad. Look out Giant Man.

You Say You Want a Revolution Luke Cage is the focus of the next issue, and he along with his bride Jessica Jones get into a great philosophical debate with Iron Man and Ms. Marvel about what the heck is going on. Cage has a line about people coming for him in the middle of the night to take him from his home. Real powerful stuff that shows why the “Civil War” hit all the right buttons when it was initially released.

Hail Hydra! The third issue is the best of the group in my opinion as Jessica Drew is taken into S.H.I.E.L.D custody after Stark reveals her triple-agent identity. She gets pissed and Stark reveals in a classic Tony moment that he was only tolerating her because Cap believed in her.

The Great Escape Of course Drew does not stay in custody, but it will surprise you who actually springs her. Reading this again all these years after Secret Invasion allows us to enjoy different layers to Jessica’s decisions and actions.

Deja Vu? It’s real funny reading the Sentry’s entry into the Civil War stand alone features as Tony goes to the moon to talk Bob into coming back for the good of the war. Look at the words he uses to manipulate Bob into doing what he wants. Tony seems a lot like Norman Osborn in this moment.

Both Sides of the Story The last issue of the trade features the tale from the “good guys” pov as someone breaks into Avengers Tower and shuts down Tony and his Iron Man armor. It’s up to Maria Hill to save the day, and she does even more than that especially with her poignant “A Few Good Men” reference.

Does It Hold Up? Even more so after the events of the past few years. There was a great bit of foreshadowing in the Sentry issue when the Inhumans’ psychic says they have no idea of what is coming. And really they don’t – World War Hulk, Secret Invasion, Dark Reign.

In The Year 2000 Again in the Sentry issue, Stark pleads with Bob selling the future of the world will be so much brighter and peaceful after they have won. Wow, was he wrong. And listening to Cap speak to Luke Cage with similar selling points of “The Heroic Age,” I wonder what’s in store for the Marvel Universe now.

Justice League #26 (Volume 2; May, 1989) Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis (w), Ty Templeton, Joe Rubinstein (a)

Not Your Father’s Justice League When Giffen and Kevin Maguire relaunched Justice League post-Crisis, it was the “B” team with Batman being the lone holdover. What readers received instead of Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash and Green Lantern was Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Guy Gardner and lots of jokes. Believe it or not, it worked for its time.

Fast Forward 2010 The current Justice League Generation Lost squad is made up of the original members of this Justice League group sans Batman and Ted Kord. As he did over 20 years ago, Max Lord hand picked the members. It’s real interesting to see how casually Lord used his mind-control powers to manipulate heroes.

Coming This Fall Giffen writes the book like a typical prime-time comedy complete with hijinks and puns. In fact even during all the serious action, there is a little goofiness in every scene. Luckily the new series did not take this page out of the playbook. Again, it works for the late 80s.

Payback Do you think the reason Max Lord killed Ted was because Ted had a nervous breakdown in this issue and stabbed him. I mean no one remembers that Ted instigated this fight. I’m not saying he deserved to be killed for it, I am just saying they have some history.

Enter Stage Right Before she became a full-time member (thanks to the aforementioned mind push from Maxwell), the Huntress jumped in to save Max’s life from an off-balance Blue Beetle, who decided to add Master Culinary Cutter to his resume.

Jumping to Conclusions Huntress saves the day, takes out Beetle and is about to get Max to the hospital when she is stopped by a current member of the JLI who only sees the evidence and wanders why she did what she did. Oops. You are never going to believe who it is that finds and accuses her.

Late 80s Bats Its old school Batman in this issue, complete with the yellow-chest insignia with the black bat in the middle. The good old days. But I digress.

Can I Purchase This Awesome Issue? But of course, it is currently in the back issue bin at BNW Willow Grove and also in volume four of the the collected Justice League International trade paperback at both locations.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Riley One-Shot Jane Espenson (w), Karl Moline, Andy Owens (a)

Answers The best part about this issue is it fills in some of the blanks re: Riley’s involvement with Twilight during the just completed story arc.

Kudos to Espenson whose “Retreat” story arc was less than stellar. She rebounds with an awesome tale and really captured the two characters voices, especially Marc Blucas’ intonations as Riley. I know that sounds impossible with a comic, but while I was reading it, it sounded like him in my head.

Bonus The story does not just take place from Riley’s POV but from another character’s as well (a certain vampire w/a soul) that also assists in understanding the “Twilight” story from another perspective.

Married Life Remember when Riley returned in Buffy’s life, with a wife in tow? Well Espenson does a real nice job of giving us the witty back-and-forth we have come to expect from an episode or issue of Buffy with Riley and his lady.

New Avengers #3 Brian Michael Bendis (w), Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger (a)

It’s the Power Girl of the Marvel Universe It’s the best way I know to explain how much fun I have when reading New Avengers. Granted it is a different kind of fun than Palmiotti and Gray’s run on PG, but good times just the same.

Mystics This story has its roots before the Siege storyline in the first volumes of New Avengers, but continues in the latest title with Doctor Strange, Voodoo and Hellstrom trying to keep the Eye of Agamotto away from the big bad – wait until you see who this is.

Banter I love the nonsensical conversations they have during battle, like everyday they are turning away demon spawns in the middle of NYC as Spidey, Thing and Ms Marvel have a conversation about Ghostbusters while saving the day.

Clobberin … Oops. The Thing does not want to use his trademark moniker with his new squad, much to the disappointment of our Friendly Neighborhood web-head.

Wolverine Weapon X #16 Jason Aaron (w), Davide Gianfelice (a)

Say Goodbye to my Little Elf This is Wolverine’s goodbye story to Nightcrawler. It was really well done.

Faith Aaron really writes the Wolverine-Nightcrawler relationship well taking us back to key moments in their lives together with new scenes that make sense and build layers to their already strong friendship.

Top of the Hill Kurt’s will is the spur to action in this story, taking Wolverine to the top of a mountain where he gets another lesson in life and faith from his furry, blue buddy. The story is not about getting there, but the journey to get there.

So Ex Machina #50 comes out tomorrow and thus ends another series of which I have every issue in my collection (including the free version of #1 and the behind the machine issues) and that I have been reading since college. Let’s look at that and another series that ends tomorrow as well…

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