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Posted on Dec 08, 2003 - 03:30 AM by Admin |
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The first Comic Book Wednesday after Thanksgiving saw lots of great new comic book releases hit the shelves - and no turkeys among This Week’s 10 Best! MVCreations serves up a long awaited Masters of the Universe Encyclopedia! Batman and Superman take on the DC Universe! Superman leaps into the new year! Ultimate Spider-Man turns 50 and meets the Ultimate Black Cat! A blast from the JSA’s past! And the Superbuddies meet the JLA! These big events and more are all part of This Week’s 10 Best!
1. Masters Of The Universe Encyclopedia #1 (MVCreations) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
As a lifelong Comic Fanatic, I have always had this weird affinity for continuity. I always had to know every character in a comic book universe, their origins, their pets and any other trivial information. As I got older, keeping track of that information in my muddled mind became much harder to do. It was around this time that Marvel introduced one of the greatest inventions in comics: The Handbook To The Marvel Universe. And, let’s not forget the DC equivalent, Secret Files. Well, the “Big Two” no longer have the market cornered when it comes to comprehensive guides. Enter MVCreations and their Masters of the Universe Encyclopedia!
When MVCreations brought He-Man and the Masters of the Universe back to comics, I was one child of the 80s who couldn’t have been happier! There was just one problem. I discovered that my memory of one of my all time favorite cartoon series wasn’t what it used to be. Once familiar characters weren’t so familiar anymore. I found myself enjoying the new comic tales, but often I had to surf the ’net to find out more about a certain character. Soon, the surfing turned into me simply firing off an email to writer Val Staples and asking him. Well, my surfing days are over - and I’m sure Val is glad that I won’t be harassing him with endless questions anymore!
MVCreations has topped what Marvel did with their Handbooks, and they have surpassed anything DC has ever done with their Secret Files. The amount of research that has gone into this first chapter is stunning. Encyclopedia is the right word for this book. Encyclopedia Britannica has nothing on MVCreations!
James Eatock has obviously looked through hundreds of hours of television shows and comic books to come up with this first issue. There is a lifetime of work captured within these pages. This first issue features truly in depth details about characters, the first season of the animated series, the MVCreations comics and vehicles. At long last, I finally know more about that Attack Squid I had to buy for my son!
Illustrations in this book are provided by Emiliano Santalucia and Enza Fontana, with colors by Val Staples. It’s a treat just to see illustrations of characters who have not been used prominently in the comic books yet, like Evilseed and Count Marzo. It will be a treat to see all five issues of this miniseries put together, since the covers combine to make one image.
I can’t stress this enough. If you are a Masters of the Universe fan, you HAVE to buy this book and the next four issues! If you know of someone who has always wanted to give Masters of the Universe a try, or if you are one of those folks, pick up this book first! From cover to cover, this is the essential Masters of the Universe guide. As an added treat, there’s even a map of Eternia on the inside of the back cover. And to whet your appetite for what’s to come, check out the back cover…
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
No rant here. Just understand that this is a handbook. In fact, this may be the handbook that others will be judged by from this point on. This is no light read. Don’t pick this up expecting a fluff guide like the recent DC JLA - Z. This comic book is almost a novel length handbook. Kudos go out to Eatock, Santalucia, Fontana, Staples, Leanne Shaw, Matt Tyree and the rest of the MVCreations folks responsible for this book for delivering a handbook that exceeds expectations! The only things about this issue that I didn’t like were the pictures of the Beast Man and Buzz-Off action figures. I still haven’t found those two figures for the kid’s collection, and it was like those pictures were just mocking me…
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The Play By Play:
Since this is a handbook, there is no plot and no true play by play. Instead of a standard Play By Play, I will tell you what you find in this handbook. But you will have to buy the book to get all the details!
This issue begins with a section devoted to character profiles. The character profiles featured here include Beast Man, Buzz-Off, Clawful, Count Marzo, Dekker, Evil-Lyn and Evilseed. Following the character profiles are the vehicle profiles, showcasing the Attack Squid, Bashin’ Beetle, Bat Flight-Pak and Battle Hawk.
The second half of this issue features a comic book profile, showcasing MVCreations’ Promo Comic, the Target Two-Pack Comic, the Gameboy Advance Comic and the Dream Halloween Comic. Wrapping up this issue is a Season One guide, covering the first 6 episodes of the animated series.
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2. Superman/Batman #4 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Writer Jeph Loeb delivers another superb issue featuring two of the biggest icons in comics! Not only does Loeb continue to weave an incredible tale that reveals the remarkable similarities between Superman and Batman, he also delivers the most action packed issue of this series to date. In this issue, Superman and Batman have to take on the DC Universe…or at least a formidable part of it!
With an asteroid from the planet Krypton heading toward Earth, President Lex Luthor has declared Superman Public Enemy #1. With a warrant out for Superman’s arrest, Luthor leaves his apprehension up to a newly formed group of superheroes: Black Lightning, Power Girl, Katana, Captain Atom, Starfire, Green Lantern John Stewart and Major Force. Not one to leave his friend in a lurch, Batman stands by Superman’s side, making himself an accomplice and a target for Luthor’s force.
As Luthor’s squad of heroes try to apprehend Superman, a titanic brawl breaks out! Have you been longing for an old fashioned superhero brawl? This is the best superhero brawl this longtime Comic Fanatic has seen in ages! Watching Superman trade blows with Power Girl, Captain Atom, Green Lantern and Starfire and Batman taking on former Outsider Katana, Major Force and Black Lightning are amazing sights to behold! The only thing more amazing is who Superman and Batman face in addition to this impressive force: Hawkman and Captain Marvel! And the outcome of this battle will blow you away!
Artist Ed McGuinness illustrates some of the best work of his career in this issue. McGuinness gets to show off his skills with the stars of this book, Superman and Batman. However, it’s the guest stars that will impress you the most, especially Black Lightning and Katana! And wait until you see McGuinness’ illustrations of Superman and Batman battling Captain Marvel and Hawkman!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
A near perfect comic book. Only one instance of mild language and some superhero violence keep this from being an all ages issue. The only rant I can find is why can’t DC reduce the price of this book to the more affordable $2.25? I like the glossy, heavier stock cover, but this book is a big seller! DC would still make plenty of money by cutting us a break on the price of this comic!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Superman and Batman are confronted by President Lex Luthor’s team of superheroes: Captain Atom, Power Girl, Green Lantern John Stewart, Major Force, Katana, Starfire and Black Lightning. Superman is instructed that he is under arrest and should give himself up. Batman is informed that if he interferes, he will be arrested for aiding and abetting a fugitive. Not known for giving up, Superman and Batman stand their ground and the war is on!
Despite being outnumbered seven to two, Superman and Batman get the better of their would-be-apprehenders. Superman battles Captain Atom, Green Lantern, Starfire and Power Girl, while Batman tackles Katana, Black Lightning and Major Force. As the battle goes on, Superman and Batman enact “plan B”, with Superman whipping up a tornado. Superman uses this distraction to allow him to fly away with Power Girl, while Batman makes his escape with Katana. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor does something rather shocking back at the White House…
Batman and Katana use the JLA teleporter to travel to Tokyo, while Superman and Power Girl fly in. It seems that Power Girl and Katana have been playing “spy vs. spy” while on Luthor’s force. They inform Superman and Batman that they have allies in John Stewart and Black Lightning, but the others are questionable. Suddenly, those three questionables (Starfire, Captain Atom and Major Force) show up in Tokyo!
Katana “handles” Major Force, unwittingly endangering all of Tokyo. Suddenly, the heroes must team up to save Tokyo from a fate worse than Godzilla! Once the crisis is averted, Superman’s would-be-apprehenders are all taken out of commission! In fact, Captain Atom may be taken out of commission for good!
With Luthor’s force out of action, it looks like smooth sailing for Superman and Batman, right?! Wrong! Back at JSA headquarters, two of the big guys are dispatched to take down Superman and Batman: Hawkman and Captain Marvel! While Power Girl and Katana rush to the only person who can stop the oncoming asteroid, Superman and Batman are confronted by Hawkman and Captain Marvel! If you thought the previous battle was something, you ain’t seen nothing yet! And this battle doesn’t end the way you would expect it to!
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3. Wake The Dead #2 (IDW Publishing) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
As a child, my introduction into the world of monster movies came through a late night creature feature on an old independent television station via my tiny black and white TV. Around 2 o’clock in the morning, this station was airing the original 1931 black and white classic “Frankenstein” starring the great Boris Karloff. Needless to say, this was long before I became the night owl that I am now. But being an imaginative child, I came up with the bright idea of throwing ice cold water in my face to stay awake long enough to watch this movie. (Yes, this was before the days of VCRs!) Ninety minutes later, I was cold, drenched and hopelessly hooked on monster movies and Frankenstein for life!
That black and white classic led to me checking out not only its sequel, Bride Of Frankenstein, but also any other Frankenstein movie or book, including the original novel by Mary Shelley. And that love for monster movies and the Frankenstein story has never died. Thanks to writer Steve Niles’ Wake The Dead, I’m rediscovering that love all over again!
Wake The Dead takes the Frankenstein tale and applies a modern spin. For the lack of a better description, you could call this Ultimate Frankenstein! Niles’ tale finds the mad doctor role played by young Victor. With this Victor, Niles accomplishes what other Frankenstein writers/movie makers couldn’t do. Niles makes you believe that the doctor is the true monster. Victor is a totally unlikable character that readers will love to hate and root against.
Victor is assisted by Iggy, whose father just happens to be a funeral director. The boys recently had another partner, William. However, at the end of the last issue, William was found hanging from the ceiling of his room, a victim of suicide. Despite his friend’s death and a host of other troubles, this may be just what Victor was needing to make his twisted dreams come true!
Artist Chee illustrates an impressive issue. Chee’s strengths are the gory funeral home and laboratory scenes. These are highly detailed scenes taken straight out of a gory horror movie! Take this incredible art and combine it with the compelling story from Steve Niles and you’ve got one of the best Frankenstein movies ever - on paper!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
No rant at all here. Just keep in mind that this is a mature readers only issue thanks to some truly gory scenes and strong language.
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, William is laid to rest after hanging himself. At the funeral, his pal Victor isn’t mourning. He’s asking Iggy what it was like to cut his head off in his father’s funeral home! Iggy informs Victor that his father has a funeral director’s meeting that night, and they should be able to “get the rest” later.
After the funeral, Victor works out his “grief” by sleeping with the sheriff’s daughter. However, before Victor can get dressed and leave, Sheriff Wolfe comes home and catches him! After beating up Victor and chewing him out, Sheriff Wolfe tosses him out of his house!
Victor joins Iggy at the funeral home, where they “harvest” the “good parts” of the three teens involved in the horrific car crash from Wake The Dead #1. The boys load up a trash bag with body parts and Victor heads to his lab, where his work is briefly interrupted by William’s distraught father. Once Iggy arrives, the boys realize they have the perfect body parts to create a new life. The only thing that is missing is the perfect head with the perfect mind…or is it?!
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4. The Ultimates #12 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Writer Mark Millar delivers another over-the-top, Hollywood blockbuster style comic book with this issue of The Ultimates! Imagine what would have happened if the Avengers took on the aliens in “Independence Day” and you’ll get the gist of this issue!
The Chitauri, the Ultimate Universe’s version of the Skrulls, have begun to invade Earth and it’s up to The Ultimates to stop them. The result? One of the most incredible battles in the history of this title, the Ultimate Universe and comics in general! Wait until you see Thor take on the aliens! The only thing more impressive is Captain America’s battle with the leader of the Chitauri! If you thought Cap’s tussle with the Ultimate Hulk was something, you ain’t seen nothing yet!
Without a doubt, the stars of this issue are Thor and Captain America. For the first time, the reader begins to get an idea of just how powerful the Ultimate Thor truly is. While we already knew that Cap was tough, you won’t believe how tough Cap is in this issue! And Cap has one of the best lines in comics when he is asked to surrender to the Chitauri. The bloody Cap points to the “A” on his mask and asks, “You think this letter on my head stands for France?!”
Artistically, what can you say about Bryan Hitch that hasn’t already been said? Hitch is one of the most detailed artists ever to illustrate a comic, and that is depicted nowhere better than in this issue, especially with Thor’s battle with the aliens! Incredible work!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
This is not an all ages issue due to some mild language and a lot of violence. This may very well be one of the most violent issues of The Ultimates to date. However, the only true rant here goes to this book’s late shipping. Has The Ultimates ever shipped on time?! This excellent title should already have 24 or more issues to its name, not just 12! As this issue hit the stands, The Ultimates #13 was already late. This title is too good to be this consistently late.
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Thor shows the Chitauri that it’s “hammer time” by laying the smack down on the aliens’ ships big time! While Thor lays waste to the aliens’ ships, the Chitauri leader Kleiser agrees to go one on one with Captain America.
Cap begins the battle by skewering Kleiser with a jet! As Cap ejects from the jet, the plane crashes into a fuel tank, engulfing Kleiser in a huge explosion! But the flames and the jet aren’t enough to stop the Chitauri! Kleiser emerges from the flames to confront Captain America one on one!
As Thor takes down more Chitauri ships, Nick Fury comes to Cap’s aid, using an invisibility gizmo to sneak up on Kleiser. Even after shooting Kleiser in the head at point blank range, the Chitauri keeps coming!
As Cap continues to battle the unstoppable Kleiser, one of the Chitauri ships begins to crash down onto a nearby city! And only one, weakened Ultimate stands in its way. Meanwhile, S.H.I.E.L.D. has an shocking “secret weapon” that they have just dropped on the Chitauri…
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5. Action Comics #810 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
I’m as surprised as anyone to find an issue of Action Comics on This Week’s 10 Best. Given the recent run of disappointing stories in this title, this is probably the last book that I would have expected to be writing a praise filled review about this week. Surprisingly, this issue was one of the best reads that I’ve had in a long time!
In what is his last outing as writer of this title, Joe Kelly goes out with a bang. Kelly delivers one of those now rare, touching, stand alone, holiday tales. Superman shows his wife, Lois Lane, what it’s like to ring in the new year in every time zone, something that Superman has been doing since before he took on his superhero identity. What follows is a touching and enlightening trip around the world as we see Superman take the time to answer the letters and requests of some of his “fans.”
Kelly perfectly captures what makes Superman “super.” Kelly shows us that in many ways, this alien is more human than most humans. We’ve always heard that with great power comes great responsibility. This issue shows the reader that with greater power comes greater responsibility and greater compassion. It’s comic books like this that remind me why I became a Comic Fanatic. And it’s issues like this that make me glad to still be a Superman fan.
Artistically, this issue is a jam fest joy to behold! This issue features the always impressive artwork of artist Pascual Ferry and Duncan Rouleau, along with the retro/animated style of Dave Bullock and artist Renato Guedes. Very impressive to look at, and even more impressive to read. Don’t pass up this issue!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
No rant at all here. This is a great all ages read that any Superman fan should love. If you are looking to hook a new reader on Superman, hand them this book and tell them to get ready for some big things from Big Blue in 2004!
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The Play By Play:
This issue opens with Superman taking his wife, Lois Lane, with him on his trip across all 25 time zones to ring in the new year. Along the way, Superman hands Lois a stack of letters filled with requests that only he can handle.
Superman helps a lady deliver a child in Greenland by flying in the necessary medical care. Next up, in one of the more touching stops, Superman helps bring a smile back to the face of a woman who has lost her family in a car accident, and Superman helps her boyfriend make the perfect wedding proposal.
After a brief stopover in Metropolis for some quality time, Superman and Lois head to Smallville. Ma Kent informs Lois that Clark has been traveling the time zones and doing charity work on New Year’s Eve since he was 19, something he picked up from his father watching over him.
The time zone trip next takes Superman and Lois to Australia, where Superman stops a man from committing suicide. Next up, Superman makes a stop at an orphanage in Japan, where he brings the kids his own special fireworks.
The sentimental trip takes a serious turn when Superman has to stop a bombing in China. The sentiment returns when Superman makes a stop in the Mideast to remind the troops stationed there that they aren’t forgotten. Superman’s trip is wrapped up with a stop in Italy, as he grants a dying man his last wish.
After a well deserved rest, Superman begins the new year like he does every year - fighting crime. However, Superman’s first super villain of the year is somewhat different, and how Superman handles the situation is different, as well.
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6. Ultimate Spider-Man #50 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Ultimate Spider-Man turns 50 issues old, and we get the big gift: an impressive, extra-sized tale from writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mark Bagley. And this is the tale that introduces the Ultimate Black Cat! However, that’s not the most surprising part of this comic!
Bendis’ tale introduces a very likable version of the Black Cat. For us Black Cat fans who have been waiting for ages for Kevin Smith to finish his Black Cat miniseries, this issue is a really special treat! This is almost enough to make me forget Smith’s incredibly late, unfinished miniseries…almost!
The Ultimate Black Cat looks and acts a lot like the original Black Cat. Bagley illustrates a truly beautiful Black Cat, only altering her costume a little - mainly around the mask - while keeping the costume tight and very revealing! This Black Cat is clearly a younger Black Cat, possibly close to Peter Parker’s age.
Bendis plays up the fact that the Ultimate Black Cat has bad luck powers that enable her to make her getaways and accomplish her “jobs.” The Black Cat’s bad luck power even affects Spider-Man! And before the two possible foes go their separate ways, Bendis and Bagley set up that possible romance with a loving look from the Cat to Spider-Man.
While the introduction of the Ultimate Black Cat would be enough for a 50th issue celebration, Bendis delivers the biggest shocker at the end of this issue after Peter and Mary Jane spend some quality time together. Just when it looks like something is going Peter’s way, Mary Jane’s father finds and reads her diary! And you won’t believe what he discovers and what this will mean for Peter and MJ!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
No rant here. This is one of the best issues of Ultimate Spider-Man this year. And that’s saying a lot, since this is consistently one of the best comics on the shelves every month! Now, if Marvel would just do something about those flimsy covers…
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The Play By Play:
This issue opens with the Black Cat going about a little cat burglary. Using her high tech gizmos and her bad luck power, the Black Cat makes off with a strange, ancient tablet. However, just as she is about to make her getaway, the Black Cat meets Spider-Man!
The Black Cat gives Spider-Man a merry chase, using her bad luck power to throw our hero off balance and nearly to his death! When Spider-Man finally catches up with the Black Cat, she hands him an Ultimate butt whooping! But as she makes her escape, the Black Cat shoots Spider-Man a loving look…
Later, Peter Parker spends some quality time with Mary Jane, where the two discuss everything from Peter giving up being Spider-Man for awhile to marriage! This loving moment is interrupted by Aunt May who informs Mary that her father has come over. What does MJ’s father want? He has found and read her diary! And you won’t believe what he has discovered! Nor will you believe what this could mean for Peter and Mary Jane!
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7. Formerly Known As The Justice League #6 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
The good news? This is another exceptional comic book from the twisted geniuses Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis and artist Kevin Maguire. The bad news? It’s the last issue of this extraordinary miniseries! But there’s more good news on the way…
This miniseries has been steeped in 80s nostalgia. Comics just aren’t written this way anymore. Maybe they should, though! Giffen and DeMatteis could have left this miniseries as a simple nostalgia comic and sold a ton of copies. However, these guys have made this much more than a nostalgia comic. This miniseries has been an entertaining, action packed, hilarious look at some of the B-level superheroes of the DC Universe. And after 6 issues, these heroes can now be considered to be A-list all the way in my book!
This miniseries wraps up with the Superbuddies in turmoil, as you would expect. Manga Khan is set to invade Earth with his alien robot horde unless Maxwell Lord turns over L-Ron to him. As an incentive, Khan is willing to trade G’nort, the former Green Lantern, for the robot sidekick! Meanwhile, Booster Gold and Blue Beetle are at each other’s throats in a dispute that may doom mankind! It’s a good thing that the JLA are standing by just in case things don’t go well - that, and because they know what to expect from these Superbuddies!
Giffen and DeMatteis deliver possibly the funniest issue of this miniseries with this issue. From G’nort and his “waste disposal” problems and Batman’s unusual behavior to the hilarious pokes at comic books and 80s nostalgia, this issue shows that superhero comics can also be laugh out loud funny!
This final issue is made even more amazing by the always incredible artwork of Kevin Maguire. The master of the facial expressions masters another issue here. Maguire gets to shine with his illustrations of Fire and Mary Marvel. Plus, we get to see Maguire take on the JLA! That in itself is worth the price of admission!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Only some mild language and innuendo keep this from being an all ages issue. No real rant here. I had planned on ranting that this was the last we would see of the Superbuddies and the team supreme Giffen, DeMatteis and Maguire, but…remember I mentioned earlier about some more good news? It is confirmed at the end of this issue that in a few months we can expect a sequel to this miniseries called I Can’t Believe It’s Not The Justice League!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, the Superbuddies’ headquarters has been surrounded by Manga Khan’s robots. As Fire, Mary Marvel, Elongated Man and Sue Dibney look on - and look away while G’nort “lifts the ol’ leg” - Maxwell Lord tries to bargain with Manga Khan. Khan wants L-Ron returned to him or he will attack Earth. However, Max doesn’t want to give up his robotic sidekick…until Khan claims that he can make Max fully human again!
As the JLA secretly watch the events play out - and Batman secretly enjoys it - Booster Gold and Blue Beetle get into an argument. Beetle can’t believe that after all of these years Booster hasn’t changed, and has only gotten worse. Booster takes a swing at Beetle, only to connect with one of Khan’s robots, causing that robot to domino into others!
As Khan’s forces begin to move out, Max tries to surrender, while Sue suggests that the Superbuddies take Khan prisoner! It falls to the least likely of the Superbuddies to save the day. Will the JLA even have to lift a finger? Before all is said and done, the Superbuddies gain a new member and a new chapter!?!
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8. Incredible Hulk #64 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Writer Bruce Jones’ current storyline reaches a fevered pitch with this issue that finds the Hulk running wild against his newest threat, the Krill! If you thought you’ve seen the Hulk go on a rampage before, wait until you see what the Hulk does in this issue!
Jones delivered a huge shocker by revealing that Bruce Banner’s mysterious ally Mr. Blue was none other than Betty Banner with some plastic surgery. Betty has joined Bruce’s recent lover, the Abomination’s wife Nadia Blonsky, at her café just as the Krill crash the party! The Hulk arrives to save the day, not realizing that the Krill were designed to take his blood and return it to the clandestine forces who have been hunting him!
Doc Sampson and Sandra Verdugo arrive in a helicopter to aid the Hulk, but the Hulk mistakes the chopper for the enemy and causes it to crash! As the lights go out, the Krill move in and one Krill manages to bite the Hulk, draining a much wanted sample of his blood! As Doc Sampson, Sandra, Nadia and Betty battle off more Krill, the Hulk has to stop one super fast Krill as it heads back to Home Base! And wait until you see what the Hulk does when he reaches Home Base! The only thing more shocking is who the Hulk finds waiting for him there!
Jones delivers one of his best outings yet on this title with this issue. This issue is a fast moving, action packed comic that comes to a screeching halt with a last page shocker. Without a doubt, this is the most action the Hulk has seen in a long time. And the reader gets this feeling that everything is about to come to a head with the next issue.
Artist Mike Deodato, Jr. blows me away with his work in this issue. Deodato gets to illustrate beautiful women, which any Deodato fan will tell you he is very capable of doing. However, Deodato shines in this issue with his depictions of the Hulk and the Hulk’s destructive actions. Deodato’s Hulk is truly a monstrous creature, and the cover to this issue is only a hint of what the Hulk is truly capable of in this book! Thank you, Mr. Deodato, for reminding us just how powerful the Hulk truly is!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
This is not an all ages issue due to some mild language and violence. However, I have no real rant here. This is one of the best issues of the Incredible Hulk that I have read in ages!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, the Hulk is in hot pursuit of a Krill that is heading back to Home Base with a sample of his blood. As the little lizard-like android outruns the Hulk, back at Nadia’s café Nadia, “Mr. Blue” Betty Banner, Sandra Verdugo and Doc Sampson are surrounded by hundreds of the bloodthirsty Krill!
The escaping Krill reaches Home Base with the Hulk not far behind. Once the Krill enters Home Base, the Hulk brings the house down - literally! The Hulk rips open the mountain that houses Home Base with his bare hands!
Back at Nadia’s café, Doc Sampson is down to one round of ammunition. Doc uses Nadia’s blouse (leaving her topless), a broken shotgun and a pistol to create a homemade shotgun. As the Krill close in, Doc Sampson has to find a way to defeat the bloodthirsty androids with one bullet!
At Home Base, the Hulk fights off dozens of incoming, armed choppers to make his way inside the base. Once inside, the Hulk is greeted by a laser cannon and the last person in the world he would every expect to see alive again…
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9. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi - Infinities #1 (Dark Horse) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
I love a good alternate reality tale. A good example of a good alternate reality tale is Marvel’s Exiles series. An example of a great alternate reality tale is Dark Horse’s Star Wars: Infinities miniseries. Already, Dark Horse has shown us the alternate versions of “A New Hope” and “The Empire Strikes Back.” Now, writer Adam Gallardo and artist Ryan Benjamin bring us the alternate version of “Return Of The Jedi.”
The Infinities miniseries take the well known Star Wars movies and ask the question “What if one little thing changed?” The result is a very different set of events in a very familiar environment. If anything, Infinities shows us what it would be like to have a new Star Wars movie with a different ending!
The small change in this take on “Return Of The Jedi” involves C-3PO. While working as a translator droid for Jabba the Hutt, Threepio is damaged during the crucial negotiation with the bounty hunter Boushh, who is actually Princess Leia in disguise. When Threepio is unable to translate what the bounty hunter is saying, an all new set of events begin to happen, including Boba Fett making off with Han Solo, who is still frozen in carbonite! And before this first issue is over, two major characters will die!
Artistically, Dark Horse couldn’t have picked a better artist to illustrate this comic than Ryan Benjamin. Benjamin illustrates these long familiar characters perfectly! Benjamin’s illustrations look just like they stepped off a movie screen from 1983 - maybe a little better!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
This is a great all ages book that in itself earns no rant. The only rant is the same rant that other Star Wars fans have toward Dark Horse about shipping their Star Wars comics so late. While this issue is only three weeks late, Star Wars: Empire is three issues behind and Republic is two issues behind. This franchise is much too popular for these books to continue shipping this late.
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The Play By Play:
This issue opens with the bounty hunter Boushh and “his” prisoner Chewbacca standing before Jabba the Hutt. As Boushh negotiates with Jabba, C-3PO translates…until Jabba angrily knocks Threepio to the ground. As Threepio hits the ground, his head bounces off of his body and the translation comes to an end! With no one to translate, Princess Leia panics, removes her disguise and pulls out a thermal detonator!
Once the detonator is revealed, chaos erupts in Jabba’s court! A Gamorrean Guard shoots Leia in the shoulder, causing her to drop the detonator. As everyone scatters, Jabba is left to crawl to safety. As Threepio yells for help, Boba Fett makes his getaway with Han Solo, who is still frozen in carbonite! Leia tries to stop Fett, but her shot instead hits the frozen Han!
Once Leia realizes that Fett has gotten away with Han, she tries to go back for Threepio, but Lando Calrissian insists that there is no time. As Lando, Chewbacca and Leia escape, Jabba’s Palace goes up in a fiery explosion! Meanwhile, Boba Fett escapes the palace with Han in his ship, Slave I!
After a rendezvous with Luke Skywalker, it is decided that they should split up to see if they can find where Boba Fett has disappeared to. As Luke, Leia, Chewie and Lando look for information in some of Tatooine’s seedier spots, Luke has missed an important meeting with an old friend who is dying…and the Death Star nears completion over Endor!
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10. JSA: All Stars #8 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
What would This Week’s 10 Best be without a comic book written by Geoff Johns?! Johns was assured of a spot on This Week’s 10 Best when it came down to this book or Hawkman #22. This one got the nod, but just barely. This 8 issue miniseries wraps up with more than a few shocking revelations, the biggest being the identity of the villain who has been behind the kidnapping of the original JSAers. No one - and I mean no one saw this one coming!
Before we get to the discovery of the identity of the villain behind this miniseries, we are treated to some of Johns’ best storytelling to date. Johns shines a spotlight on Dr. Fate as he confronts the woman who is actually his mother, Hawkgirl. Fate reveals the shocking revelation that he has had: he will be the one who kills Hawkgirl in the future! Speaking of Fate, wait until you see what happens when the Spectre dons the helmet of Dr. Fate! But that’s nothing compared to what the Spectre does to the villain of this story!
This whole miniseries has been about the younger, newer members of the JSA living up to the legacy of those who came before them. In this issue, these members have no choice but to face their personal demons and pasts, and live up to that legacy. Before this issue is over, the original JSAers - and the reader - will realize that not only can the JSA inspire the younger members, they can also be inspired by them.
Artistically, this is a very impressive issue. Artist Sal Velluto has always been one of my favorite artists, and I can honestly say that Velluto’s work has never looked better than in this issue! Velluto illustrates every single member of the JSA perfectly. Overall, this is without a doubt one of the best JSA stories of the year - story-wise and artistically!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to some very mild language and a little violence, this is not an all ages issue. However, no real rant here. This is the JSA at their finest!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Dr. Mid-Nite and Hourman ponder over the inert body of Sand, wondering about the strange crest that seems to have disabled him. Meanwhile, Dr. Fate confronts Hawkgirl over his disturbing vision that she will die at his hands.
Back at JSA headquarters, Star and Mr. Terrific are joined by the other JSAers, as Dr. Mid-Nite reveals a shocking discovery about the mysterious crests. The crests open, and instead of being an upside down “V”, the crests are actually a “W”. Just as the JSA begin to piece the mystery together, the Spectre arrives to see if the team is ready to face the villain called Legacy. However, Dr. Fate realizes that this isn’t the Spectre! It’s Legacy in disguise!
Legacy transports the JSA to the prison where he is holding the original JSA members and the Spectre. As the JSA battle Legacy, Dr. Fate tosses his helmet to Hawkgirl and instructs her to give it to the Spectre! Once the helmet is in place, the Spectre is able to free himself and the other imprisoned JSAers. Once free, the JSAers attack Legacy, forcing the villain to reveal his true identity! This one’s a real shocker! The only thing more shocking is what the Spectre does to this villain!
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