Brave New Worlds

Fate was back in my hands this week as I once again resumed my normal digging through Brave New Worlds back issue comics vault for this week’s gem from February 1975, Daredevil #188 (Volume 1) by Gerry Conway, Don Heck and Vince Colletta.

Talk about a treat as the big bad for this stand-alone story of Daredevil was none other than the Circus of Crime. Just who is the Circus of Crime you ask, sounds like a job for one of Brian’s “Character to Learn More About.”

As stand-alone issues go, this one had a lot happening as it opens with Daredevil returning to New York City after spending some time in San Francisco with the Black Widow (Ah Natasha …).  He takes down some petty thugs who are actually working for the aforementioned Circus of Crime.

Next Daredevil reverts to his alter ego Matt Murdoch so we get some face time with his partner Foggy Nelson.  But alas, the Circus of Crime is worried that DD is going to spoil their party and tail Daredevil to the office.  They attack, and hilarity ensues.

Shea Stadium serves as the focal point for the big finale as the Ringmaster turns a live television benefit into his own power source hypnotizing the crowd and the people at home watching, and then of course robbing them because back in the 1970s villains were only really concerned with making money (the easy way).  I guess Ringmaster’s parole officer failed to mention what his power was before they agreed to put him on live television.

Anyway, Daredevil arrives to save the day (‘natch).  The issue features the first appearance of Blackwing, which should be enough of a reason to pick up this lost treasure.

Atop my stack of comics this week are 2 titles that I really really cannot wait to read! Hit the jump to see what they are this time around! Read the rest of this entry »

Not satisfied with just picking a letter last week (it was Q and Quasar by the way), Brian actually came to the Brave New Worlds back issue comic vault to select this week’s Random Retro Comic Review – the now classic Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #40.

Issue 40 was actually part two and the conclusion of Bryan Talbot’s Mask story.  You might think jumping in on the second part of the story could be a little confusing, but a couple of pages in I was able to masterfully figure just what was what.  It helps knowing who Bruce Wayne and Batman are to boot.

Anyway, this is another back issue that I have never read before (until now that is).  It was an interesting story.  Turns out someone blames Batman for the death of his parents and decides to exact revenger on the Caped Crusader.  Most of the story takes place in Bats mind.  A couple of interesting things did happen in the issue, most notably the criminal mastermind of the issue (the vengeful son) actually set a trap and captured Batman, and successfully removed his cowl to reveal his identity.  Granted he did not get far with it, but that never happens.

Talbot served as both writer and artist for this December 1992 release.  His art style reminded me a lot of Kevin Maguire.  It was decent and worked for the story which has a classic feel.

I enjoyed Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #40 and would recommend it to any of you faithful fans out there (you know which five you are).  Until next time, enjoy …

The Man Without Fear could be renamed the Man Without Poor Writing as Daredevil has enjoyed some top notch storytelling recently with Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker and now Andy Diggle at the helm.  Diggle, joined in issue #505 by Antony Johnston, has really turned Matt Murdoch’s world upside down (like that was even possible anymore).

But Diggle has done the impossible by handing the reigns of the Hand over to Dardevil.  The first few issues have all been about the set up and how Murdoch was going to manage things from NYC, but now he needs to go to Japan and this month’s issue lets us peek into the behind-the-scenes power moves as to why the Hand chose Dardevil in the first place.  A good book just keeps getting better with issue #505.

If you have not been keeping up with Daredevil, have no fear as Diggle’s arc began with Brubaker’s final issue in 500.

As Bendis goes, so do the Dark Avengers.  Words can not really do justice to the work Bendis continues to churn out, especially with this Siege tie-in as we learn more about what the Sentry is up to.  Dark Avengers #14 continues the ride of Norman Osborn and crew, and enjoy it while it lasts as it will all becoming to an end at the conclusion of the Siege.  I don’t know about you, but I am really looking forward to how the Siege plays out, and what is going to happen with the Sentry.

X-Men has always been one of my favorite books as I started reading it back in the Chris Claremont-John Byrne heyday.  Recently it just has not been the same, not until Joss Whedon’s all-too short run on Astonishing X-Men.  Matt Fraction, I am happy to say, has recaptured some of the chemistry and zest missing from the title.

While this week’s issue, Uncanny X-Men #521, continues the Nation X arc which leads up to Hope’s return in Second Coming, we do get some answers as to why Magneto went to the mountain last issue.  For me, this issue was all about the last page, and more specifically, the last panel – enjoy.

Last but not least is Streets of Gotham #9.  I was a little worried that this title may have suffered after Paul Dini left, but Mike Benson’s just completed two-issue story was a nice little piece of writing and finished up on a sentimental note that gives me hope as the book continues.  Dustin Nguyen continues to provide outstanding and underrated pencils.  If you have not given this title a shot, try it out as it might be the best of all the bat books out there.

Until next week …

Last week a few of you braved the snow on Wednesday to get their new comics in Old City, yes we were open!, but things are all looking all clear for this coming New Comics Day. Hit the jump to see what 2 Comics I Wanna Read Tomorrow… Read the rest of this entry »

Leave it to mega-scribe Geoff Johns to weave a tale that combines all the eras of the Legion of Superheroes, which is just what he did along with his accomplice George Perez in the Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds.

I am a big fan of the Legion and really enjoyed Johns treatment of the team as he brought together all of the eras as Superboy Prime made his “triumphant” return to the DC ‘verse.

Johns actually left breadcrumbs of hints for this epic battle back in the Justice League Lightning Saga story that saw the JLA and JSA team-up to find wayward members of the Legion of Superheroes.

Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds (which is available in hardcover at Brave New Worlds) is  a good time with amazing art by Perez who has not seemed to have lost a step over the years.

I highly recommend this five-issue mini-series, which will serve as a great launching point for this summer’s Brainiac and the Legion of Superheroes crossover in Adventure Comics by former-Legion writer Paul Levitz.

Enjoy!

If you read only two books this week, might I recommend JSA All-Stars #3 and Ultimate Armor Wars #4.  Both issues were well written and illustrated and had some interesting things happening to their main characters.

I am not a big fan of the JSA (just never got into them), but Matthew Sturges has done a nice job making me come back each month.  Magog and Power Girl are the ultimate odd couple (who will probably hook up eventually) as they quarrel their way through leading this new team.  Meanwhile, Stargirl’s abduction at the hands of Johnny Sorrow just gets more riveting as Sorrow definitely has some mental issues to work out.

Over in the Marvel Ultimate Universe, Ultimate Comics Armor Wars #4 comes to and end and I felt satisfied with the conclusion of the story by Warren Ellis.  I was not a big fan of the villain reveal, but once I got past that, I felt Ellis had written an interesting tale that was worthy of noting.

That’s all I have this week, so please enjoy.

My first book is Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #7. I have been reading Ultimate Spider-Man since the original issue 1 and it has been the only comic I’ve consistently picked up for years. In this issue Peter’s new housemates Iceman and the Human Torch are called on by Aunt May to help their neighbor Rick Jones figure out what his new fangled powers are all about… and what do they have to do with the Ultimate Watcher? [Marvel Comics, By Bendis, Miyazawa and Ponsor. $3.99]

Next up we have Ultimate Armor Wars. Tony Stark is tracking down a bunch of stolen Iron Man tech in the wake of the Ultimatum Crisis which left millions on the US East Coast dead. In addition to the Iron Man tech a very special box has been taken…. and the thieves get more than they bargained for when Tony reveals what’s in it. [Marvel Comics, By Ellis, Kurth and Huet. $3.99]

Last but not least we have Batman & Robin #8. For those who haven’t been following recent events in the DC Universe – Bruce Wayne seems to be dead, and Dick Grayson has taken over as Batman. After a fight with Jason Todd Dick thinks it might be good idea to drop Bruce’s body in a Lazarus Pit. Seems like a good idea, right? Nope. [DC Comics, By Grant Morrison and Cameron Stewart. $2.99]

It was a dark time for the Marvel Universe, and we are not talking Norman Osborn’s current reign.  No, it was the early 1990’s and Thanos was doing his best Brain impersonation (narf!) – trying to take over the world in the Infinity Gauntlet mini-series.  While that mini-series was going on, its impact was being felt in Manhattan as Thanos delivered Eon’s decaying corpse to Four Freedom’s Plaza.  Of course we are talking about Quasar #27 “From Here to Maternity,” this week’s Random Retro Comic Review, blindly selected by Brian.

Quasar #27 brought some of the Infinity Gauntlet to Earth, as Quasar inadvertently opened a portal in his office in Four Freedom’s Plaza that Thanos dropped Eon through, infesting Earth.  If not stopped, Eon will cover the planet up to 12,000 feet above sea level.

Mark Gruenwald and Greg Capullo pulled out all the stops as Marvel’s heavy hitters all make an appearance – Moondragon, Jack of Hearts, Squadron Supreme, Him and Her.  Quasar is stuck inside Eon and Thanos has manifested four former Protectors of the Universe with their very own quantum bands in which to face Quasar – Ree, Stygian Strabender, Tantra and Marvel Boy.

Quasar’s defeat of the quartet helps him save Eon’s unborn child – Epoch, which this issue marks the first appearance.

The quote of the book came on page 24 as Eon drains into a hole in the planet that Jack of Hearts has created, and when he comes upon the drain, Quasar cries “Holy Spumoni!”  Yeah he went there.

It was a fun and self-contained issue.  There were a lot of things going outside the book that impacted the story, but readers could pick this issue up, read it and not be lost, like me.  The nice thing about the comics from this time period – about 20 years ago, is that editor’s notes were still littered throughout, explaining other events to keep readers caught up.

Capullo’s pencils, coupled with Keith Williams inks were detailed and probably a little under rated compared to some of what we are seeing in today’s books.

As I write this there is snow threatening the Philadelphia Area yet again, except this time Old Man Winter is trying to mess up Wednesday! WEDNESDAY! The holy of holies in the week of a Comic Fan! Holy crap winter– chill back! Read the rest of this entry »