Brave New Worlds

This weeks character has been playing a pretty major role in the latest X-Event, Second Coming, and also has the same name as the man directing the soon to be hit film Predators! Hit the jump to see who I mean…

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Once again I look into our comic related future…look with me…

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Superman #233 (Volume 1; January 1971) Denny O’Neil (w), Curt Swan, Murphy Anderson (a)

Been There, Done That The cover image has been copied a couple of times and is the subject of the variant for the upcoming 700th issue that will kick off Michael Straczynski’s run this summer.

New Direction DC was looking to boost sales in the Superman books and beginning with this issue promised a “Return to Greatness.”

Long Reign Caesar Julius Scwartz began his epic run as Superman editor with this issue.

New Career Clark Kent mild-mannered reporter meet Clark Kent, TV reporter as new owner Morgan Edge decides to promote Kent to his broadcasting wing and thus limiting how Kent can change into his super-powered alter ego.

Going Green Before it was trendy Professor Bolden decided to try and power the planet using Kryptonite. These types of experiments rarely went well however.

Told Ya Turns out something did go wrong, Superman was there to save the day (Underdog must have been busy), but wait, there’s more.

No More Kryptonite Turns out the professor’s experiment turned all the green rocks on Earth to just plain old rocks.

Commercial Break Kent uses the downtime during a live broadcast to change duds and see who is plotting to sabotage a rocket launch.

Clobbering Time Some bad dudes are trying to hijack a rocket launch in planes. In one panel Superman decides to just punch threw the cockpit, knocking both men on the heads to knock them out. I would think that that punch would go through their skulls, but that’s just me, and could have stopped kids from buying the book.

Epilogue After the failed experiment and subsequent explosion that knocked our hero into a field, it left an outline of his body. The last page revealed something getting up and walking away from that outline. Looks like a future story, a Sandman story.

Bonus Feature Just like today, DC included a bonus feature in the back of the books, telling stories about Kyrpton. Price of the book, still just 15 cents! That’s a bonus.

It’s Wizard World Weekend here in Philly. Don’t everyone get all excited all at once… Let’s help you cheer up after you didn’t get Patrick Stewart’s autograph ’cause you didn’t have an extra $100 in your pocket to drop on a knight…

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Fans of Miracleman and Irredeemable will discover somewhat familiar themes explored in John Arcudi and Peter Snejbjerg’s original graphic novel A God Somewhere.

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First, there was a lot of good stuff out this week. And in order to stay sane and not write something about everything, I decided to choose three books that I “really” liked this week. Jump for my picks.

Batman #700

Grant Morrison (w), Various (a)

Man Love I know, I know, this marks the third-straight Morrison release I am gushing about, but it is truly worth it. I am going to start wearing my I heart Grant Morrison t-shirt for now on.

Laws of Physics I love a good time-travel story. And while this one is not the classic in the sense that the main character travels through time, the story definitely does, and Morrison’s quirkiness pays huge dividends with this anniversary issue.

Epic Storytelling This anniversary tale was all about Batman’s legacy, and what better way than to show the story through several different Batman eyes – Bruce, Dick, Damian and even Terry and beyond.

Pictures Say a Thousand Words Loved the combined efforts of all the artists. Frank Quietly, Andy Kubert, David Finch and even that Tony Daniel all put in huge efforts. There is usually a disconnect with so many artists on an anniversary book, but each took their part and drew to perfection.

Final Thought Golden Age Riddle and Catwoman. ‘Nuff said

Avengers Academy #1

Christos Gage (w), Mike McKone (a)

Fool Me Twice For the second-straight week I picked up a book that I believed had no business being good, and was pleasantly surprised with what I read. This Heroic Age does not equal a revert to old-time storytelling.

New Characters Generally when a new book launches with new characters we are usually thrust right into introductions that generally show the characters super powers and dysfunction. I guess this is supposed to make us care. Does not always work. Gage however takes a slightly different approach, a human one and it hits a home run (that’s baseball for those of us not into the sports).

All Messed Up This new Heroic Age is showing the human side of our characters, warts and all. Yes, the heroes are back in charge, but there is an aftermath from Norman’s reign and the stories are telling the tales of that clean up. It’s awesome.

Best New Character For me, it was Veil, who incidentally the store begins through her eyes. Love her ability of turning into a gas, and can not wait to see what else she can do. There have been other characters with similar abilities (New X-Men’s Dust), but Veil might be more fleshed (no pun intended) out in the end.

Deadpool Wade Wilson’s War #1

Duane Swierczynski (w), Jason Pearson (a)

Man Crush Part 2 I am a little bias when it comes to Swierczynski’s stuff, not just because he is a nice guy, but because he has the writing chops. That being said, I so do not enjoy reading Deadpool, but Duane made me care once again about character I could care less about.

Supporting Cast Bullseye, Silver Sable and Domino. And just what the heck is going on with Domino – can’t wait to find out.

Boot Imprint Not sure if kudos should go to Pearson or Duane, but there is this one scene where Deadpool is testifying at a Senate hearing with his feet up on the table – and on the bottom of his boots where the manufacturer logo would go, there is a fat ol’ FU. Sweet touch.

Honorable Mention This Week Daredevil was awesome, tying up the latest story arc as it heads into Shadowland. Uncanny X-Men is the latest chapter in Second Coming as events unfold at a frenetic pace with a nice reveal about Hope and some great cameos. Also X-Men Hellbound gets into the meat of the story in the search for Magic. Not sure if she or these other characters will become players again in this battle, but it is a fun ride.

Comics come out tomorrow. Let’s look two books I am pretty darn sure I will end up reading…Hit the jump

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My internet-ing has been a little slack this week. I blame the whole shipping schedule changing the work schedule effect causing these changes. Hit the jump to see how I get back on track with A Character To Learn More About…

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Hawkeye & Mockingbird #1

Jim McCann (w), David Lopez, Alvaro Lopez (a)

The Cold Open Page one opens with a chase and in the bottom panel just sneaking in is the arm of Hawkeye, bow cocked, ready for action. And action is what we get as the book opens with Hawkeye and Mockingbird in pursuit of some evil doers. It’s a nice way to start a book.

New WCA Like a fool, I of course thought the new WCA was short for West Coast Avengers. I was wrong. W.C.A. is actually the World Counterterrorism Agency (D’oh) which Mockingbird is running with some old S.H.I.E.L.D. agents (but of course). It seems ol’Mockie has some issues with being an Avenger.

Everything Old is New Again While giving the duo a fresh start, McCann still manages to play in the mind that is Bobbi Morse and the damage the character has suffered over the years. Case in point, bring back Crossfire to cause some issues and then throw in a sibling of Slade and watch the hilarity ensue.

Going Mental Seeing Jaime Slade brings back memories Mockingbird is only too eager to bury. That’s not going to end well. However, to get a glimpse into her broken world, flip to page 14 and check out what the Lopez brothers drew. Probably my favorite panel of the week.

Dominic Fortune To all those who wondered if Howard Chaykin ruined this character’s reputation (kidding), he resurfaces as a part of Morse’s new squad. And he seems like a dirt bag. I like him.

Adventure Comics #12

Paul Levitz (w), Kevin Sharpe, Marlo Alquiza, Marc Deering (a)

Kicking it Old School If Levitz name on the cover as author was not enough of a giveaway, then “Superboy and the Legion of Super-heroes” written on the bottom should have revealed all as this title has now turned into tales of yesterday.

It’s Unique With two monthly Legion titles now and with Levitz penning both of them, it’s nice to see two different books running in Adventure and Legion. Legion appears to be happening in the now while Adventure takes advantage of the book’s roots and goes back to Superboy’s early days in the Legion.

Lost Episode of Smallville This issue did feel like a lost episode of the long-running television show, the earlier seasons not the current run. Levitz does a nice job revisiting the characters and Sharpe’s pencils tell a nice story.

Legion of Sluts! Kidding. But it is funny to see how many of the Legion’s ladies are swooning all over Clark in that funny suit of his.

Red Robin #13

Fabian Nicieza (w), Marcus To, Ray McCarthy (a)

New Mission This book so did not feel like a bat-title when I opened to the first page. Everyone was smiling and happy, and in uniform. If Bruce was really dead he would be turning in his grave. But it was definitely a nice change for the character.

New Gotham Order With Dick and Damian on one mission, Tim goes on another to take down Lynx and her attempts to lift her Golden Dragons to prominence and fill the void from the gang truce that Drake has forged in previous issues.

To Elope or Not To Elope? Remember a couple of issues back when Vicki Vale conned Lucius Fox’s daughter, Tam, about her relationship with Tim. Well some of consequences of her reveal are dealt with in this issue.

Not Who We Think She Is? Of course it would be too easy for life to go smoothly in Tim’s new world. Lynx has a reveal, but even more interesting is his response to what she has to say. And what is the deal with that last panel? Hopefully issue #14 has some answers.

Superman/Batman Annual #4

Paul Levitz (w), Renato Guedes, Jose Wilson (a)

Is It Just Me? Or has Levitz become the new go-to guy at DC writing every other title? Whatever is going on, this week he had his mojo because both titles he wrote hit this list. Maybe he is drinking some of Brian Michael Bendis’ kool-aid?

No Expectations Seriously, I had none coming into this issue. But every time I read a panel with Terry McGinnis dialogue I could not help hearing Will Friedle in my head. Call it nostalgia, but this issue really worked well for me.

The Future’s So Bright – NOT! Wow, I so did not see Metropolis falling apart this way. It was an interesting decision and mix to get future Supes into the book, and I liked all the twists.

Last Thought Yes, this issue got me and is now part of my collection. Damn you Levitz!

Joker’s Asylum II The Riddler

Peter Calloway (w), Andres Guinaldo, Paul Fernandez (a)

Arkham Revisited The latest Joker’s Asylum has seemed to recapture the same verve as the first series, with a witty Joker narrating a tale of one his pals. For a one-shot, Calloway does a terrific job of writing an interesting story that builds a mystery that one would expect from the Riddler, but not in the way we are used to.

Why Did It Have to be Snakes? Sorry, had an Indiana Jones moment there. Replace snakes with women and now you understand Ed Nigma’s pain in the issue, to the utter delight of Mr. J – ‘natch.

Riddle Me This Reader Yes, there is a riddle for the readers in this one that I did not figure out. Granted I am motoring through the read pile so the answer was not that obvious to me and will warrant a second read-through. The real question is, who was that mysterious player that gave the Riddler what he wanted, therefore getting what they wanted? Confused, read the issue.

Due to another pesky holiday on Monday comics will be out tomorrow (thursday). Let’s take a look at a few of these books, shall we…

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