Brave New Worlds

This week comics come out on one of my most somber days of the year. On April 14 1865, then President of these United States, Abraham Lincoln attended a play, Our American Cousin, at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC. That was also the night that John Wilkes Booth went through with his plot to assassinate the President. Lincoln would breathe his last at 7:22AM on April 15th 1865, another somber day on my calendar. But hey, let’s get onto the comics shall we! Read the rest of this entry »

We peer through time all the way back to September 1987 for this weeks character. A character created by Max Allan Collins (crime writer/creator of Road To Perdition [a must read btw] ), Terry Beatty and Dick Giordano in his self titled 4 issue mini-series. Hit the jump to find out who it is… Read the rest of this entry »

Ever since Steve Rogers came back, there have been a lot of questions in regards to what his and Bucky’s roles will be.  In Siege Captain America #1 shipping this week by Christos Gage and Marko Djurdjevic, their roles are examined in the context of the actual Siege.  This is a one-shot, so don’t miss out.

Another Siege one-shot shipping this week courtesy of Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie is Siege Loki #1.  Find out what the inner thoughts of the God of Lie actually are as he his grand plan continues to unfold.

The BNW Old City Book Discussion Club has a new book to read. It’s so very new in fact that it just came out! Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been so warm and sunny outside here in the Philly area, and truth be told I just picked up Expiration Date by Duane Swierczynski (friend to BNW/comics and hard hitting fiction writer extraordinaire) and because of this perfect storm of sweet things I have totally ignored the internet…well not totally… Read the rest of this entry »

Spectre #16 (V4); June 2002

J.M. DeMatteis (w), Norm Breyfogle (p), Jim Royal and Joe Rubinstein (f)

Spectre in Space Part 2 “Sacrifice”

Hal Jordan for most readers will always be a Green Lantern, or even “the” Green Lantern.  His adventures while protecting sector 2814 are legendary, the first time around and second after his “rebirth.” (Have you read Blackest Night?)

But before Geoff Johns returned Jordan to his iconic green and black uniform, he wore another green and black outfit as The Spectre.

The fourth and last (so far) series with The Spectre was the Hal Jordan version and lasted just 27 issues.  DeMatteis wrote the entire run and had an unenviable task – to give readers a new look at two longtime DC Characters – Jordan and The Spectre (personally I prefer the Gary Cole version from the animated feature on the latest DC straight-to-dvd effort).

Issue 16 has a couple of different story threads occurring.  Since I never read this book, it was a little confusing at first figuring out what was going on.  The main story appears to be Jordan’s guilt from the previous issue for his part in destroying an entire world.  However, an entity drops by (just like a wacky neighbor or Guy Gardner) to give Hal a lesson in the ways of the universe.

With this in mind, I had high hopes for this issue, only unfortunately to be let down.  Jordan is having problems assimilating in his new role as a spectre, insisting on remaining in a physical human form.  The entity is trying to broaden Jordan’s mind to the limitless possibilities that his new abilities provide him.  However, it does not seem to work.  The story feels predictable, and maybe I am just being harsh because I had high expectations at what the story could have accomplished.

There are also two other story threads that include Abin Sur (I am assuming this has nothing to do with Jordan’s current plight) and his niece Helen (which sets up the next issue).

Breyfogle’s pencils are serviceable and do not detract from the story (how’s that for vote of confidence?).  If you are a Green Lantern or Green Lantern Corp fan, this issue may be for you, especially when it was written since the Corp appear along with Sinestro courtesy of the entity.  Hal even dons the old uniform as well – a true walk or flight down memory lane.

Final Verdict Pass, unless you are a Hal Jordan or Spectre fanatic.

The Philly Comix Jam will be LIVE AND IN PERSON, a mere 7 days after debuting their latest release SECRET PRISON at NYCC’s MOCCA, at Brave New Worlds Old City on Saturday April 17th from 5-8pm. Be sure to stop by and grab a copy and meet the local creators behind Secret Prison! RSVP to our Facebook Event here

This week I’m going with an old fave and a new series that Rob and I have been anticipating for a while now. Check ’em out in this weeks 2 Comics I Wanna Read Tomorrow. (one book is not Spider-Man Fever…though that one does look really sweet)

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Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four era continues to excel in my opinion.  After what seemed like a let down with the Mark Millar-Bryan Hitch run (although it probably was not), Hickman’s story arcs have really breathed some fresh air into the FF franchise.

Issue #577 this week takes the fabulous four to the moon and gives us a peak into the inner workings of the Inhumans, which is always a treat.  It’s like a day in the life at Mos Eisley spaceport.  You think it would be cool to spend some time there, and the Inhumans are no different.

However, while revisiting some classic FF friends, Hickman takes established lore and builds to it, giving us a new group of beings to think, wonder and perhaps even worry about over.  I also love how Hickman has been ending each issue lately with the last page of the book a “homepad” file which looks to come from Herbie, with information such as the population of the Inhumans city, the light brigade (?) and how many human prisoners are being held (wtf?).

I am also really enjoying Dale Eaglesham’s artwork on the issue.  I was not overly impressed with his run on JSA (probably just being to critical), but whatever he is doing now seems to work for this book.  Eaglesham draws the FF subtly it seems, and it really goes well with Hickman’s storytelling.

If you have not yet picked up Hickman’s FF run, what are you waiting for?  Volume 1 is available in hardcover (only) and is an excellent investment.

Now of course, it is time for some mutants baby as Hope has finally come home after spending the last year and a half hopping all over time with Cable.  It should be first noted before I delve into X-Men Second Coming by the wonder twins Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost, that Duane Swierczynski did an awesome job setting up this story and I was a little disappointed that he did not get the call to write this one-shot that will continue through the X-books for the for seeable future.

As usual, the issue finds Hope and Cable on the run once again after they return to find life is not how Cable left it after the events of Messiah Complex.  Cyclops is at his best in this issue, moving his chess pieces all over the board, positioning his team to best assist Cable’s return with the “hope” of mutantkind.

With the decimation of their numbers, courtesy of the Scarlet Witch, the M.O. has changed for all mutants in the Marvel Universe, none more than Cyclops, and it is interesting to see how he leads by his new-found beliefs in the future of all mutants.

David Finch supplies the pencils as Matt Banning finishes.  They do a terrific job with taking the narrative to exciting places.  There are some major OMG moments in this issue, that will have serious repercussions for major characters.  I know these mutant events have gotten a little old after awhile, but I feel it in my bones like this is a good one, just like when Luke could feel Vader was on Endor.  Granted, I am not guided by the force, or am I?

Brave New Worlds Willow Grove weekly Warhammer 40k game is moving to Saturdays, beginning Saturday, April 10 @ Noon.

And just in case you may have forgotten, this weekly game is for everyone, fans, veterans, rookies and even people who are like “what the heck are those people doing over there,” – as we will teach you how to play and even supply you with an army for the day.