Brave New Worlds

Ultimate Comics New Ultimates #4 Jeph Loeb (w) Frank Cho (a)

A Loki Good Time Despite the infrequency of this title coming out it’s always a lot of fun as I feel Loeb has finally gotten his groove back (with apologies to Stella). This issue focuses on Loki’s plot with his brother Thor, which I mean, is what he always does. The more things change, the more it stays the same.

Story Progressing The nice thing about this tale and the new Ultimate Thor mini-series is that it is filling in some backstory of the Ultimate God of Thunder, and there is an interesting reveal in this issue. I feel that Ultimate Thor is one of the more fleshed out different counterparts to his regular Marvel Universe version.

Making a Splash! Not sure what it was with this issue, but every other page feature a two-page Cho splash complete with a signed Cho! to it. Enough already, I get that you drew the issue, what else do you want, a metal? (Okaym snarkiness aside, Cho does a great job telling the tale with pictures).

Pissed! That’s right, Thor is back from Hel and he is a little mad. But is it because his beloved Valkyrie took his place, or for some other much cooler reason? There are some possibilities here as I have never seen the God of Thunder this, agitated would be the word.

Speaking … of Valkyrie. Even though she is now “dead” and all that, it’s time for her to take her rightful place as she gets an upgrade of a seriously pissed-off Hela. I mean, when is she not upset. She lives in the Underworld, that will play havoc on your hair and nails. Lane told me.

Don’t Forget With all the fun going on in this issue, it might be easy to forget how awesome a role Loki plays in everything. The story begins from his point-of-view and by the end you have to wonder if we are all a part of his latest deception. I am not sure which version of Loki is scarier, costumed-up or suited-up?

Four Down And one more to go in this mini-series that has been in my opinion the best of all the new Ultimate Avengers titles to come out in this new Ultimate Universe world order.

Star Trek: Countdown TP

Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Mike Johnson, Tim Jones (w), David Messina (a)

Unique Vision When the decision came down to allow J.J. Abrams to make a new Star Trek film, and for that film to be set with the Original Series characters, fans would probably be surprised that the story’s roots actually take place in the Next Generation’s timeline. Star Trek Countdown is that story.

No Time to Be Arguing About Time Since a new timeline was created to give fans a new perspective with some old characters, the question should be how exactly did this happen? It was explained a little bit in the movie, Star Trek: Countdown explains it in detail.

Trekkies Settle Down I know a lot of fans where bent out of shape and upset when they heard that this story was set in a new timeline. What does this mean, does my entire collection of shows no longer matter? Well duh, of course it no longer matters – kidding. Actually, because the catalyst of the new film is due to events from the TNG era, everything that came before DOES in fact matter. Thank you Orci and Kurtzman for making that happen.

Licenses When artist tackle real-character likenesses, it can get pretty dicey. A successful comic story is not just about the writer, but the artist as well. Messina is definitely one of those rare artists who can nail an actor’s likeness, as also seen in his True Blood and Angel work for IDW. His Star Trek work never disappoints. I am just disappointed that he no longer will be doing Trek work.

How Nero Got His Groove On Or rather, how did his mining ship get all souped up for his jump to this time. Well, that’s explained here.

Three Cheers for the Blind Man Turns out Spock’s ship that was designed to stop the nova blast was designed by none other than one Geordi LaForge.

Why Should You Read This Book Well, if you are a Star Trek fan, of any of its incarnations or are new to the party with this film, this book is for you. It shows us where the saga has come from, and where it is going. It is truly a perfect prequel to last summer’s movie.

New Stories Orci and Kurtzman laid out two other tales that take place due to this timeline shift, both coincidentally in the original universe – Spock Reflections and Nero, both of which are available to Brave New Worlds, and are excellent tales.

Superior #1 Mark Millar (w) Leinil Yu Gerry Alanguilan (a)

Another Superman We have seen this character so many times before, everybody else’s Superman. In Superior, the title-character is Millar’s Superman. However, as the book opens, nothing is as it seems.

Tease The book actually opens with some excitement and hooks (don’t want to give to much away) but I was all sorts of interested with where it was going. And then BAM! Millar pulls the wool over my eyes (and where exactly does that saying come from?).

Politically Correct It’s not too often your main character is handicapped, in this case the lead has MS. Granted, the story sort of takes that out of the equation which will probably upset a lot of people just for the sake of getting upset but story wise I am eager to see where it is all going.

Something Different If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck it must be Yu’s artwork.  I am not sure why, maybe it’s Alanguilan finishes but Yu’s stuff looks really fresh and tighter in this issue.

Why Should You Buy This Issue Well for starters it’s Millar and it’s only $2.99. It’s also got a little bit of everything in it, capes and real-life. If you ever saw The Last Action Hero and loved it, this book is for you. But don’t think you know what the story is about just because of the reference. Pick it up, read it and let me know what you think.

Daken Dark Wolverine #2 Daniel Way, Marjorie Liu (w) Giuseppe Camuncoli, Onofrio Catacchio (a)

Crystal Let me make one thing very clear, I am not a big fan of Daken, and I actually only enjoy Wolverine when he is in the team books. It has to be a really well-written tale to hook me in. Well Way and Liu have teamed up to give readers everything that is awesome about this character.

What I am Looking for In a Daken book is what I am getting in this issue, and I got a taste of it before back during the last run with a very special issue in which Daken sits across from Moonstone the entire issue, talking. Yeah, this one is similar to that story, but this time it’s Mystique.

Hell’s Bells Yeah, Wolverine is in hell and to be honest I am not really sure how he got here. This issue is one big set up to the end which I honestly did not see coming. But like life, the fun and ride is all in the journey getting up to the final page.

Something About The way this book is written and drawn it screams, well seduction. It’s the word I feel best sums it up. Whether Daken is seducing another woman, or you and I the reader, it just sucks us in and not let us go.

… a couple of weeks ago that is. The sadness of my new situation is that I don’t have time to read everything as it is released. Don’t you just feel bad for me? Anyway, now that I am living among you mere mortals I decided to see how “normal” folk live and read.

Superman/Batman #76 Judd Winick (w) Marco Rudy, Oclair Albert, Juilo Ferrera (a)

Final Crisis I am not sure how “touching” this story actually is anymore since Bruce Wayne is returning. Still Winick does a nice job telling a touching story of how Batman’s demise at the hands of Darkseid impacts the relationship between “Superman” and “Batman.”

Different Kind of Hero It’s often overlooked at how much “heart” Superman had and how hard he takes things that happened. It’s nice to see him written in a way that Bruce’s death would have a heavy emotional toll.

Just Like Old Times Clark and Bruce always had that “respect” thing for one another that kept any disagreements at bay. However, that has yet to develop with Dick and Clark, and there is a moment in the issue where the two almost come to blows over how Bruce’s legacy is continuing under the cowl. It was really well written.

Trick of the Eye Not sure if this was on purpose or not, but during Wonder Woman’s few appearances, when you see the character from afar it almost looks like she is in her new uniform but when we cut to a close up she’s back in the original.

Best Moment And this did occur already during Captain America’s funeral, when all the heroes showed up in civvies, but it was still nice to see a DC book do the same in this issue, where everyone showed up in without costumes for Bruce’s service.

Best Quote Occurs right before the best moment when Lois tells Clark he forgot his glasses before leaves for the service, and he replies, “No I didn’t…”

Overall The title has gone through some changes lately with a rotating creative team but this issue was a nice respite from all of that. Not sure what is on the horizon with Bruce’s return, but it’s nice to see this title continue. I have always enjoyed it.

Ultimate Comics Thor #1 (of 4) Jonathan Hickman (w) Carlos Pacheco, Dexter Vines (a)

Whole Lotta Thor Ultimate Comics Thor #1 makes it five current monthly offerings for the Marvel God of Thunder. Granted three of those titles are mini-series, but still, that is some major shelf representation for a character that a few years ago was dead.

Finally Ever since Ultimate Thor was locked up in Ultimates @ and we were led to believe he was all crazy in the head, this is the story I have been waiting for, and the first issue did not disappoint.

Go To Bad Guys When it happens to be Asgard, the big bad is usually Loki and he yet still maybe revealed as the architect (again) of what is occurring, but right now let’s have some fun with the Nazi’s shall we. How awesome is that?

Kicking It Old School The story takes place with Thor in mental custody when Dr. Donald Blake comes in to “help” him. I am not sure what is going to happen from these sessions, but we flashback to Thor’s days as a younger God of Thunder in Asgard (maybe a Lord of Thunder), with his brothers Balder and Loki. And if this is not proof he’s not crazy, or is he?

Blink,and You’ll Miss It There is a lot going on in this first issue, as Hickman packs a whallop with information. You have to pay attention with time shifts and all. Luckily it seems that Pacheco has brought his “A” game on pencils and Vines is his steady self on the finishes.

The Ninth Chevron When the Earth-bound head Nazi (don’t want to give away who is leading this motley band but you may be able to figure it out) who is attempting to access the rainbow bridge the stones and description of what he is using almost seems like the lost Stargate door. Hmmm?

And For the Record For my money (literally) Thor Mighty Avenger is my favorite of the bunch. So. Much. FUN!

Superman/Batman: Supergirl TP

Jeph Loeb (w), Michael Turner, Peter Steigerwald (a)

The Return And I am not talking about Kara Zor-El’s return, I am talking my return to comics. After years being away for whatever reasons, Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men and Superman/Batman: Supergirl where my first two purchases. What a way to be welcomed back. But I digress …

The Big Three And I am not talking Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels (I wonder how many people reading this actually understood that reference), but actually Supes, Bats and Wonder Woman. That’s right, all three appear in this story, and all three play a major role.

Public Enemies This story has its seeds in the first six issues of Superman/Batman and currently are available in the Superman/Batman Public Enemies trade paperback. Turns  out Loeb was doing a little foreshadowing when he wrote about a meteorite crashing towards Earth. Guess who it was?

She’s Back And this time she was not an ectoplasmic being, or whatever. Kara Zor-El was back as Superman’s legitimate cousin from the doomed planet of Krypton, the way she was always meant to be portrayed before making the ultimate sacrifice in Crisis (the first and really only true one).

R.I.P. Besides an absolutely amazing story, there is Turner, who’s art, coupled with Steigerwald’s colors, just make this tale all the more real. The emotions in Kara’s face when she emerges naked in the real world, when Krypto chases her through the Fortress, when her friend dies and when she becomes possessed by Darkseid just remind us of how soon we lost one of the true talents in the industry.

The Yin and Yang Loeb started off a nice narrative with this title, as a lot of the story takes place in the heads of Bruce and Clark, a great contrast in who they are and why they are friends. It is on fine display in these six issues.

The Originals This collection includes Superman/Batman #8-13 and is worth getting just for the covers.

How’s This for Spoiler Free With the exception of a few references, I hardly wrote about what this book is about, instead I decided to focus on the what I felt make it was Barney Stinson would say is awesome!

Final Thought If this does not do it for you, then nothing will. The story is dedicated to the memory of Christopher Reeve. There is also a message in Kryptonian that Clark translates for Bruce that is ran along with the dedication. Very poignant.

Media Tie-In DC just released its latest animated feature titled Superman/Batman: Apocalypse on the dvd, which is this story. Not sure why they changed the title, but its is almost a perfect adaptation. It is definitely worth catching.

This evening I was rearranging some of the shelves in Old City- moving last weeks trades and hardcovers to their proper places and I stumbled across a book I somehow missed last week. The Broadcast.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ultimate X-Men #34

Brian Michael Bendis (w), David Finch, Art Thibert (a)

The ‘Burbs Not only is this the name of an awesome Tom Hanks comedy from the 80s-90s (not sure which), it is also where a lot of this issue takes place. Logan found out his real name might be James. He left. This is the issue he returns. And all of it takes place in the real world, with just two pages of tights, that’s it.

In the Beginning Our story starts with what appears to be a groupie noticing Logan eating lunch in a diner. She of course is not a groupie, and someone has a problem with this. All I could think about while they are trying to kill Wolverine is, that poor diner. I mean, it’s not like it was a dog or something, seriously.

Typical Talk A few weeks ago I spent some time defending Bendis when it came to all the comparisons of Scarlet and Alias. I’m not saying this reminds me of those books, but the issue’s dialogue certainly is classic Bendis. He has a way with the speaking, just like Joss Whedon. It is somewhat comforting.

What Do You Do Hotshot? So a bloody and bullet-holed Logan shows up in your attic to “heal.” What do you do? Especially if you are Peter Parker.

It’s Funny There is really not a lot going on after the initial kill order in the diner. The remainder of the book focuses on Parker trying to hide Logan from his Aunt, and Logan trying to score beer.

Bonding There was a real nice bonding moment between Pete and Logan when Logan admits that Parker stepped up. Logan tells him he “owes him one.” A couple of seconds later when those vans from the beginning of the book appear, Logan amends it to “I might end of owing you more than one.”

Where Can I Get It? Well at Brave New Worlds of course, and lucky for you Marvel has started collecting the entire Ultimate X-Men run in Ultimate Collections. Volume four contains issue 34 and is on sale now.

Avengers Prime #3 (of 5) Brian Michael Bendis (w), Alan Davis, Mark Farmer (a)

Off My Chest So let me say that when this series initially started, I was not a big fan of how the story began. Part of the issue may have been that the Siege was over and I already have read Avengers #1. Part of the issue (and I can’t believe I am going to be critical of Bendis) was how the characters were written. Anyway, I obviously got over it.

Last Time Out We saw Steve Rogers, Iron Man and Thor scattered across what seemed to be the nine worlds of Asgard. You know they are no longer on Earth because there is no Taco Bell to be found for miles – must be Hel!

The Gang is Back After two issues of being mostly separated, the gang finds there way back to one another. Thankfully as well because part of the potential fun of this issue is getting these characters back “together” again after all the disassembled, civil war and secret invasion events.

Lost Ain’t Got Nothin’ Well, it seems that the two people pulling all the strings are finally revealed, but to what end? Like any good story, Bendis leaves you a few crumbs, answering a couple of questions while also adding some new ones.

Retro It seems that a lot of the old school artists have been coming out of the woodwork once again to draw monthly titles (albeit mini-series). Davis and Farmer re-team for this book and their stuff is as strong as ever. They have been doing covers for awhile (check out their Fantastic Four stuff since Hickman took over) and I am glad to see them back with in a monthly.

Finally, Some Fun Tony Stark’s predicament seemed to have the most potential for goofiness, and we are well rewarded with some fine hijinks re: ogres and a dragon. C’mon, what more could you ask for.

This weeks Friday takes a bit of a different turn from my normal links and things that I share with you few, but loyal (?), readers. That said also let me then inform you there may be, and by may be I mean there WILL BE, SPOILERS AHEAD for this weeks issue of Avengers…Avengers #5. Read the rest of this entry »