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Posted on Jan 27, 2005 - 11:57 PM by Admin |
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January 19, 2005 was another big Comic Book Wednesday filled with lots of great new releases! Daredevil continues to live in the “Golden Age”! Firebreather returns to battle the Iron Saint! Wonder Woman has to prove her mettle against the JLA! Eric Red’s Containment brings us zombies in space! And Identity Crisis fallout lands in the pages of Teen Titans, Manhunter and Adventures Of Superman! These big events and more are all part of This Week’s 10 Best!
1. Daredevil #69 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Brian Michael Bendis’ Daredevil has been one of Marvel’s - and for that matter, the entire industry’s - most consistent books! Intriguing, exciting stories filled with plenty of twists and turns have made this comic unlike any other on the shelves. And Alex Maleev’s art continually sets this book on a pedestal far above all others!
Together, Bendis and Maleev click as one of the greatest creative teams in the history of comics! However, over the course of the recent “Golden Age” storyline, for the first time since Bendis came aboard this title, I have felt that the art overshadowed the story…that is, until this issue! That magical “click” is back! Maleev’s art is more stunning than ever - both with the usual artwork and the “Golden Age”-style! And Bendis’ story has pulled me in once again!
In this storyline, Daredevil’s past comes back to haunt him as the man who was the kingpin before the Kingpin gets out of prison and comes looking for revenge! Nothing for Matt Murdock to worry about, right? Alexander Bont is as old as dust! However, the aged Bont has gotten his hands on the drug MGH - Mutant Growth Hormone! Plus, the super-powered senior citizen has blackmailed Melvin Potter into helping him, in his more famous super-villain identity as the Gladiator! With Daredevil hogtied, beaten and unmasked and with Bont set on exposing Daredevil’s identity to the world, you could say that Matt has plenty to worry about!
In this issue, we discover how Bont learned about Daredevil’s identity and how he became a super-powered senior citizen. Bendis also takes us back in time - with a big assist from some amazing “golden age” artwork by Maleev - to show us how Bont landed in jail. Plus, Bendis reveals how Bont was able to “persuade” Melvin Potter to don the Gladiator gear again.
While I really enjoyed the various flashbacks that fleshed out this story, it was another aspect of this book that earned it a spot on This Week’s 10 Best! In the midst of the Bont flashbacks, Bendis throws us a stunner by revealing that a late superhero may be returning from the grave with an all new twist…and with the training of Daredevil!
Bendis’ thrilling story is beautifully brought to life by the amazing artwork of Maleev, who once again treats Comic Fanatics to some of that classic “golden age” art! The only thing missing from these stunning pages is the musty smell of those old yellowed pages! Meanwhile, Maleev brings the cockiness of Matt Murdock/Daredevil and the anger and power of Bont to life is some truly believable ways!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Maybe not for the youngest readers, this is an otherwise rant free issue. Some Comic Fanatics have complained that the numerous flashbacks have made this story hard to follow. While it does get a little confusing at times, the only problem I had with the flashbacks in this issue is that we are left wondering what is actually going on in the present (or at least I think it is the present…), as Bont and the Gladiator are set to drag Matt Murdock out into the public and expose him as Daredevil.
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, we flashback to Alexander Bont’s final days in prison, when he learned that Matt Murdock was Daredevil - which leads to a flashback showing how Bont landed in the slammer. Before getting out of prison, Bont plans his revenge with the help of the drug MGH, Mutant Growth Hormone!
Back in the near-present, Matt is confronted by FBI Agent Del Toro, who has come seeking advice. It seems that Del Toro has inherited a legacy…a legacy that just happened to belong to her late uncle…who just happened to be a superhero! Now, Del Toro is wanting Matt to explain why he plays the role of a superhero and how she is supposed to live up to her legacy. And Del Toro is willing to give up everything to get the answers she is looking for - including her job and her case against Matt!
As for Bont, two days earlier he is out of prison, now a super-powered senior citizen with a mad-on for Matt Murdock. His first stop? To blackmail Melvin Potter - a.k.a. the Gladiator!
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2. Hawkman #36 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Oh, how close I came to never reading this current Hawkman storyline, possibly the best yet! When I was faced with cutting back the monthly stack, I foolishly placed this book among the “cuts”. Well, that lasted all of one month! Once again, it was my all knowing Comic Book Guy to the rescue!
My Comic Book Guy filled me in on the new storyline that had just kicked off in Hawkman. Once I heard what was going on in these pages, I immediately started kicking myself…that is, until my Comic Book Guy forwarded on what I was missing! Sure enough, writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Joe Bennett were putting together what could very well be the greatest Hawkman epic of all time!
I’m from the old school of Comic Fanatics. I like my superheroes with tons of cool super-villains. One of the reasons why I always had a hard time getting into previous Hawkman series was a lack of cool super-villains and my unfamiliarity with Hawkman’s rogues’ gallery. Well, Gray and Palmiotti more than satisfy the dark side desires of this Comic Fanatic with this storyline that features several cool villains! And to satisfy the horror fanatic in me - who can’t seem to put down the new Resident Evil 4 videogame, despite it scaring the bejeebers out of me - this duo throws in a city full of the walking undead…including Hawkman’s recently deceased girlfriend!
The city of St. Roch has been overrun by zombies, not to mention a few of Hawkman’s villains. The only one who has the answers that Hawkman and Hawkgirl are looking for is Deadman, who ends up inhabiting the body of Hawkman’s former girlfriend, Domina Paris! But will these answers come in time to save St. Roch from a zombie horde?! And just why are many of Hawkman’s villains getting together?!
Gray and Palmiotti deliver a fun comic filled with tons of action! With enough zombies to make writer Robert Kirkman smile, this issue is a thrilling read from beginning to end! And just when it appears that this exciting storyline is coming to an end, the mastermind of this super-villain get together arrives to save the villain responsible for the St. Roch zombie-fest! However, the biggest thriller in this issue may very well be the ominous warning Domina gives Hawkman before disappearing into the hereafter!
Hawkman, Hawkgirl and the entire cast of this comic have never looked better thanks to the art of Joe Bennett! Long one of my favorite artists, Bennett seems to have found the one comic he was born to illustrate with Hawkman! In addition to illustrating one of the best takes on Hawkman and Hawkgirl ever, Bennett is an artist who can illustrate some truly incredible action sequences! And wait until you see the Bennett-illustrated zombies!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to mild language, violence and a little zombie gore, this is not an all ages read. No rants here. Writer Geoff Johns brought me back to Hawkman, and it appears that Gray, Palmiotti and Bennett will keep me here with an epic storyline that may be the best Hawkman tale yet!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Hawkman is stunned to find himself under attack by a back-from-the-dead Domina Paris! As Hawkgirl comes to his rescue, Hawkman deals with more zombies and orders his partner not to kill his former girlfriend - again! Hawkgirl manages to hold her own, until Domina’s attack ceases…thanks to a little body hopping by Deadman!
As Hawkman joins Officer Grubs in protecting St. Roch from rampaging zombies, Hawkgirl and Domina/Deadman arrive with some answers about why the dead are walking. With Domina/Deadman and Grubs in tow, the Hawks fly to the Tower Of Silence, where they encounter Trygg and a mysterious glowing orb.
As Hawkgirl distracts Trygg, Hawkman shatters the orb, apparently saving the day. However, the villainous mastermind behind it all arrives to rescue Trygg. And with the zombies no longer walking, Deadman allows Hawkman to share one final moment with Domina before she rests in peace. However, instead of finding peace, Hawkman is given an ominous warning! Meanwhile, Hawkman’s villains are still out there…plotting!
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3. The Symbiotes #3 (Drive Comics) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
You’ve heard of the little engine that could? Well, this is the little book that will! Actually, The Symbiotes is not such a little book, clocking in at an impressive 48 pages with no ads for only $2.95! In addition to showing the “Big Boys:” how high quality comics at an affordable price should be done, the folks at Drive Comics are showing Comic Fanatics one of the greatest, most sprawling sci-fi epics to ever grace a comic book page!
Lots of Comic Fanatics are talking about this comic book’s art. It should come as no surprise that this amazing, revolutionary art by George Lippert is attracting lots of readers. Heck, even Invincible artist Ryan Ottley is a fan, according to a quote on this issue’s cover! Go ahead and let the stunning art lure you in! You’ll soon discover one incredibly deep sci-fi/superhero story by writer Davis R. Vaughn that will bring you back for more!
Over the course of this miniseries’ first two issues, Vaughn and Lippert have introduced Comic Fanatics to a vast and wonderful sci-fi world that these creators have only begun to touch on. One of the many stars of this story is a police officer for the Human Empire named Khalid, who is hiding something about himself from his fellow human officers. And Khalid begins to question his chosen profession while on a mission on his home planet of Palga.
Raiders arrive to save Khalid and his fellow officers from a massacre at the hands of the horrific aliens called Vah’hrats. However, since the Human Empire only considers saving human life a priority, innocent Palgans are caught in the crossfire, forcing Khalid to take sides against the Raiders! Just when it appears that our hero will fall victim to the Raiders, he is rescued by a most unlikely ally!
In this issue, Khalid takes a big step toward becoming a member of the rebel group of superheroes known as the Symbiotes, when he is rescued by one of their own. In fact, Khalid’s time with these rebels brings out a shocking revelation that even he didn’t suspect! Meanwhile, it appears that the leader of the Human Empire - Raja Deimos - has two powerful and extremely evil allies with the answers to it all!
Vaughn weaves a tale that no reviewer could do justice to. This is some heavy reading, but in a good way. Not Claremont-wordy, but this story is so rich, vast and character-filled, you will want to take your time reading this one! Plus, if you are like me, you will want to take a second trip through just to enjoy the gorgeous digital art! Thankfully, each issue begins with a thorough recap page that will catch readers up and set the stage for each new issue.
As for that art that everyone is talking about, Lippert brings real meaning to the phrase “leaps off the page!” This issue and the first two issues have looked like motion pictures captured on high quality paper! The characters look incredibly lifelike and the action sequences are amazing! Surprisingly, Lippert’s digital art seems to put this motion picture on paper in motion! Unlike a lot of digital characters, the ones found in The Symbiotes are all vividly colored and incredibly lifelike creations!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to mild language and some brief nudity, this is not an all ages read. No rants here. I can’t recommend this book enough. Vaughn and Lippert are creating one of the best sci-fi tales to ever grace a comic book page. And with each comic’s low price, high quality production and high page count, I feel like I owe Drive Comics for each issue! Next time you grouse at paying $4.00 or more for a 20-something page comic, keep this comic book in mind. No other comic on the shelves today is produced any better, and you get 48 pages - with no ads - for $2.95! Add that to an incredible story and stunning art, and Drive Comics is set to make a huge impact on the comic book industry!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Khalid has been targeted after he stopped the Raiders from killing innocent Palgans. However, before the Raider can pull the trigger, Pasique - a speedster Symbiote - rushes in to save Khalid! Meanwhile, it appears that one of Khalid’s fellow officers is a traitor, as he gives up information about Khalid to a mysterious character!
Before Pasique can leave Khalid to fend for himself with his broken jaw, she is contacted by her fellow Symbiotes, who tell her to bring the Human Empire officer back to their ship. As Pasique rushes Khalid aboard, the rest of the Symbiotes cover their escape in an explosive manner!
Elsewhere, the leader of the Human Empire - Raja Deimos - receives some shocking information about the Symbiotes from his two powerful and clearly evil allies, The Mind and The Witch. Meanwhile, Khalid meets the rest of the Symbiotes…and thanks to the Symbiote Adnan, he makes a shocking discovery about himself!
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4. Firebreather: The Iron Saint (Image) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Not too long ago, Image piqued my interest by announcing a new line of superhero comics. As a lifelong superhero Comic Fanatic, I was eager to try each of these new superhero comics. And two of those books stood out as something different, fresh and exciting: Invincible and Firebreather. Thankfully, Robert Kirkman’s Invincible was launched as an ongoing series. Sadly, the character I enjoyed the most - Firebreather - was only part of a miniseries. So, it was with great anticipation that I welcomed the news that Firebreather would be returning, albeit in only a one-shot.
Since the original Firebreather miniseries, I have followed creator Phil Hester’s career as an artist over in the pages of DC’s Green Arrow. And with my sketchy, aged memory, I had almost forgotten just how talented this incredible artist was as a writer. This one shot? One of the finer comics I’ve read in ages!
Firebreather is a teen named Duncan Rosenblatt, who is half human and half dragon - the product of a tryst involving his human mother and a 300 foot tall dragon called Belloc! As you can imagine, it’s not simple for Duncan to lead a normal life. Between his physical appearance and his father’s desire for his son to become the king of monsters, Duncan gives all new meaning to the phrase “teen angst”!
This time around, Duncan and his friends are on a school field trip to England when he runs into his greatest challenge yet - the mythical Iron Saint! The Iron Saint is an indestructible suit of armor that will possess someone in order to do one thing - kill dragons! Since dragons are extinct, Duncan is the closest thing to the Iron Saint’s desired prey! And what will Duncan do when the Iron Saint possesses his best friend?! More importantly, what will Duncan do when he discovers the field trip was all part of a long thought out plan for revenge, thanks to actions taken by his father years ago?!
Hester delivers a fun read - something this industry could use a whole lot more of! Duncan is a character the reader can relate to, and a character that the reader will easily fall for and care about. Firebreather is such a great character with tons of still-untapped potential, the reader will be left begging for more! And Hester introduces a cool villain in the Iron Saint. Sure, the Iron Saint reminded me of the classic Scooby-Doo villain, the Black Knight…that is, until I saw what Hester’s Iron Saint could do!
If you missed the original Firebreather miniseries, this one-shot is still a must read. This stand alone, extra-sized comic features a recap page that will bring readers up to speed on everything they need to know to fully enjoy this book. From there, Hester gives Comic Fanatics an amazing tale that’s easily accessible to new and old Firebreather fans.
Hester’s fun and entertaining tale is brought to amazing life by artist Andy Kuhn. I honestly couldn’t imagine anyone else illustrating a Firebreather tale besides Kuhn…unless Hester himself took a stab at it! Kuhn’s artistic style defines this character as much as Hester’s story. Combine Kuhn’s art with Bill Crabtree’s colors and you have one of the freshest looking comics on the shelves today!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to mild language and very mild violence, this is not an all ages read. The only rants I have about this otherwise perfect comic book is the steep price for this one-shot. A price tag of $6.95 is likely to turn off a lot of Comic Fanatics, who otherwise would have enjoyed this book. However, my biggest rant is that we still don’t have a Firebreather ongoing series - something I have been wishing for since the conclusion of the first miniseries!
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The Play By Play:
Thanks to a field trip, Duncan Rosenblatt and his friends and classmates are in England. While seeing the sites, Duncan and his pals learn the history of a mythical suit of armor known as the Iron Saint. It seems that this indestructible suit or armor finds a host with the sole purpose of killing dragons, and if the blade of its sword ever draws human blood, it will turn to dust. Luckily, dragons are extinct. Unfortunately, Duncan is the next best thing!
Duncan and his best friend Dre soon discover that the Iron Saint is much more than just a legend. Dre is drawn into the Iron Saint and against his will, begins to battle Duncan! Duncan is able to use his firebreath to free Dre from the armor…but Duncan’s troubles are just beginning!
Duncan soon discovers that one of the people whom he liked and trusted has been planning for years to get him on British soil just so the Iron Saint could kill him, in order to force his father Balloc to break a truce with humanity…and allow this person to exact an age old revenge on the older dragon! And this person knows how to use the Iron Saint armor to grow hundreds of feet tall and become more than a match for Duncan!
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5. Adventures Of Superman #636 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Here’s the surprise of the week, for numerous reasons. Since the Superman titles received new creative teams last year, this has been the one Super-book that has disappointed me the most. While the art was always sharp, the stories always left me less than satisfied. And I never understood why, since Greg Rucka was constantly wowing me over in Wonder Woman. Well, this may be one of the best Superman comics that I have read in years!
One of the other surprises when it comes to this book is the fact that this is an Identity Crisis tie-in. Well, “tie-in” is selling this book short. In all honesty, this book should be called Identity Crisis #8! It is THAT involved with the events of Identity Crisis!
All of the storylines that didn’t interest me in this series before now begin to make sense. The Parasite Twins? Replikon? Xlim? They are all products of a new villain named Ruin. In this issue, we discover that Ruin may be one of Superman’s most powerful bad guys yet! And Ruin apparently knows all of Superman’s secrets!
When Ruin leaves Superman wounded, he also leaves him with a warning that he will kill his friends and loved ones! This is where the Identity Crisis factor comes into play! It seems that the Justice League’s dark secret hasn’t been such a secret over the years with Superman! However, Superman has kept this secret from his two trusted friends, Wonder Woman and Batman! And one of those two is none too happy to kind out Superman kept this secret…and even less happy that Superman didn’t go one step further!
This issue will make Comic Fanatics look at Superman and another Justice Leaguer in a different light! And before all is said and done, DC’s big three may no longer be the close knit group of friends that they have been for decades! This issue is THAT earth-shattering!
Rucka’s writing on this issue may be among some of his best writing to date! If you didn’t know better, you would swear that Brad Meltzer had just continued Identity Crisis over into this issue. Rucka takes what Meltzer gave Comic Fanatics and runs with it! And this issue’s last page guarantees that Rucka is just getting warmed up!
Another surprise - and another reason why this book reads like Identity Crisis #8 - is the fact that Identity Crisis artist Rags Morales handles the art chores! Forget what DC printed on the cover! Morales works his artistic magic here in so many impressive ways! If you liked what Morales did in the sold out Identity Crisis miniseries, you are going to love what this talented artist does in this soon-to-be sold out issue!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to some violence, this is not an all ages read. No rants here, aside from the incorrect artists’ tag on the cover. This issue was one of the more pleasant surprised from DC in years! Rucka clears up one dangling plotline from Identity Crisis - did Superman know about the Justice League’s big secret. Meanwhile, Rucka keeps Comic Fanatics wondering if Batman knew all along! Look for this issue to sell out soon as soon as Comic Fanatics discover that this is really Identity Crisis #8!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Superman has come face to face with the mysterious villain known as Ruin. Ruin weakens Superman with a hefty dose of Red Kryptonite and proceeds to batter Big Blue! Ruin leaves Superman near death and informs him that he could kill him at anytime…but first wants to see him suffer after he kills Superman’s friends and loved ones! Once Ruin leaves, Superman discovers a bulletin board covered with pictures of everyone important in Clark Kent’s life!
In Gotham City, Batman receives the unwanted aid of a blind Wonder Woman as he is taking down armed thugs. But Wonder Woman hasn’t come to Gotham to save Batman. Wonder Woman informs Batman that Superman has summoned them to the Fortress Of Solitude immediately for an important talk.
Once they are at the Fortress, Superman reveals the events of his run in with Ruin. It’s then that Superman makes reference to “it’s Doctor Light all over again” and not wanting to make the same mistake twice. With the cat out of the bag, Superman has to tell his two trusted friends the Justice League’s darkest secret that he has also been hiding for years in order not to tear the League apart!
Superman is stunned when one of his allies suggests that the League and Superman should have gone one step further and killed Doctor Light! When neither Wonder Woman nor Batman can offer a solution to Superman’s Ruin problem, Batman suggests that Superman look at everyone who knows all of his secrets. Superman’s #1 suspect? Lex Luthor! However, it appears that Ruin is working WITH Luthor!
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6. Containment #1 (IDW Publishing) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
You might not have known this about this book since it’s not evident from the title, nor is it apparent from this issue’s cover…but this is a book about zombies! Thankfully, my sketchy memory recalled a little solicitation copy that I read a few months ago, or I might have passed this little gem by.
As regular visitors to The Comic Fanatic.Com are well aware of, I am a huge zombie fanatic! And this book hit me just at the right time! Combine a great, claustrophobic story by writer Eric Red with the fact that I have finally gotten my hands on - and am totally consumed with - Resident Evil 4, and I have been on a zombie frenzy for about a week now!
Now, Containment is not your average zombie tale. Imagine George A. Romero meets “Alien”! Yep! It’s zombies in space! And in space - as we all know - no one can hear you scream! And no one can hear those bloodthirsty zombies’ moans…
Our heroine is Commander Stark, a tough as nails gal who is brought out of a sleep containment unit six years too early when she is attacked by another crew member…who just happens to be a zombie! Stark soon learns that more than a few members of her crew have become members of the walking dead. However, a few crew members have managed to survive. But in deep space - 200 million miles from Earth - and 6 years from their destination on Saturn, what hope does a few startled space explorers have against a small army of the undead?!
Red writes a very claustrophobic story, made even more so by the dark art of artist Nick Stakal, I will admit that at first this issue reminded me more than a little of an “Alien” movie. You know, a ship in space, a cute gal in her panties and monsters somewhere onboard. Well, once the first zombie appears, any similarities between this tale and a Sigourney Weaver movie come to an end! But I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised to see this tale on the big screen soon, based solely on the strength of this first issue!
Stakal turns in a very impressive performance in this issue. I admit that I wasn’t too impressed with Stakal’s work in the Hyde one-shot, so I was not expecting much here. However, I was pleasantly surprised by just how well Stakal’s art complimented Red’s story. Stakal has a dark and moody style that brings out the claustrophobic nature and true horror of Red’s story perfectly!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to language, violence and nudity, this is a mature readers only read. No rants here! I love a good zombie tale, and this one is off to a great start! Red delivers a zombie tale that is anything but your typical walking dead story, and even manages to explain how these crew members came to be zombies!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, a N.A.S.A. Explorer is on a 32 year long course to Saturn. Inside the ship, Commander Stark is brought out of her sleep containment unit six years too earlier when another crew member attacks her! However, this crew member isn’t the same as he was the last time Stark saw him! This crew member is a zombie!
After Stark makes her getaway from the attacking zombie, she soon discovers that more members of her crew have broken out of their sleep containment units. And trails of blood lead Stark to believe that these crew members are also zombies!
After another run in with a familiar looking zombie, Stark revives the remaining members of her crew, all the while praying that they come out of their sleep containment units the same as they went in!
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7. Wonder Woman #212 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Since Greg Rucka took over the writing chores of this title, Wonder Woman has never been so exciting and surprising! Rucka has not only made Wonder Woman a monthly must read, but this writer has returned this character to the icon status that she has long shared with Superman and Batman!
Rucka has spent much of his run building up Wonder Woman into the iconic character many Comic Fanatics knew this Amazonian princess should be. Now, Rucka has started to tear down this character, in order to show us just how much of a heroine Wonder Woman is!
As a result of her battle with Medousa, Wonder Woman is now blind. At the time, I thought this blindness was a one issue only deal and Wonder Woman would be back to normal in no time. Not so! Wonder Woman is still blind, even after the best efforts of the finest Amazonian healers! Now, with this new handicap, Wonder Woman has to adjust to a new life, while her JLA teammates question whether Diana is fit to fight alongside them!
In this issue, the JLA put Wonder Woman through a strenuous test to see if she should still be part of the team. Along the way, some of Wonder Woman’s trusted friends do some of the most shocking things to her, in order to put her through the wringer. However, these tests are nothing compared to what is waiting for Diana at the end of this issue!
Rucka once again delivers a powerful and surprising read. I was stunned to see certain members of the JLA go to astonishing ends to test Wonder Woman, including Superman shooting at Diana with a pistol! Meanwhile, Rucka keeps the emotion in this book, as Wonder Woman attends the funeral of a young boy killed by Medousa. And big props to Rucka for not making Wonder Woman wallow in despair over her new handicap. Instead, Rucka has given Wonder Woman almost no time to catch her breath since her battle with Medousa…and her life is only going to get more complicated!
James Raiz fills in on the art in this issue and does an impressive job. Aside from Superman, I was impressed by each member of Wonder Woman’s JLA “test squad”! Raiz is an expert at illustrating beautiful women, and gets ample opportunity to show off this amazing skill in this issue - from Wonder Woman, Veronica Cale and Circe to Black Canary and various Amazon beauties! And that J.G. Jones cover is simply stunning!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Maybe not for the youngest of readers, this is an otherwise rant free issue. Rucka continues to keep this book at the top of my monthly “must read” list, and it appears that he is gearing up for another Wonder Woman epic! As long as Rucka keeps churning out these surprising tales, I’ll be around!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, the blind Wonder Woman has agreed to undergo a test put forth by her fellow JLAers to see is she is still fit to fight alongside them. Wonder Woman has little trouble handling her teammates, even when Batman launches a surprise attack…and Superman finishes things off with an even more surprising move - shooting at her with a pistol!
On Olympus, an Amazonian party tries to make a move against Zeus…a move that is ill-advised when Zeus reveals his champion! However, the Amazons claim to have a champion of their own!
Speaking of that champion, Wonder Woman has left the JLA to discuss her fate, while she attends a memorial service for a young boy killed by Medousa. However, Wonder Woman has little time to mourn before she is whisked away to face Zeus’ champion - completely armed…and still blind!
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8. Wolverine #24 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
New writer Mark Millar has certainly shaken up this title with his opening storyline! It has been a long time since a Wolverine comic has read this good and contained this much excitement! And if you thought the earlier issues of the “Enemy Of The State” storyline were something, you ain’t seen nothing yet! This issue is the big one…so far!
Millar has shocked Comic Fanatics by killing Wolverine - no, really! - then having him resurrected and brainwashed by Hydra! Now, Wolverine has one mission - to hunt down other Marvel Universe superheroes, kill them and allow Hydra to resurrect and brainwash them, too! Although he was unsuccessful at killing Reed Richards, Wolverine did manage to steal some of his inventions for Hydra’s use! Now, Wolverine’s attentions have been turned toward Daredevil!
The brainwashed Wolverine has led a small army of Hand ninjas into Matt Murdock’s apartment, unaware that Elektra and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are looking on nearby. However, Elektra and the agents are unaware that they are also being watched by the Gorgon! Meanwhile, no one is aware of this issue’s twist ending…and Hydra’s true target!
Millar truly caught me off guard with this issue’s ending. Millar gets the reader all wrapped up in the amazing battles between Wolverine and Daredevil and Elektra and the Gorgon. When the real Hydra plan is revealed, it catches you completely unaware! And Millar further shocks readers by apparently killing Wolverine again!
As a longtime Wolverine fan, I can honestly say that this is the most enjoyable Wolverine comic I have read in decades. The possibilities of a brainwashed, murderous Wolverine loose in the Marvel Universe are endless! Even the possibilities I can imagine, Millar continually surprises me by delivering much more than I would expect! And, rumor has it that Wolverine is still supposed to be on a killing spree when he visits his own X-Men teammates! So, this storyline is only going to get more and more exciting!
I can’t say enough good things about artist John Romita, Jr. One of my all time favorite artists, Romita is always on top of his game, and never more so than right here in this issue! Romita illustrating Daredevil and Elektra seems like the good ole days, and I just can’t get enough of the Romita illustrated Wolverine! Everything in this issue is amazing, from the superheroes to the action to the gorgeous Romita/Richard Isanove cover!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to mild language and tons of violence, this is not an all ages read. No rants here. Wolverine is once again a must read comic book and with Millar and Romita at the helm, this book is only getting better!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Wolverine has led a small army of Hand ninjas into Matt Murdock’s apartment to “recruit” Daredevil for Hydra, totally unaware that he is being set up and Elektra and armed S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are watching from a nearby rooftop! However, Elektra and the agents are unaware that they are also being watched…by the Gorgon!
As Wolverine, Daredevil and the ninjas trash Matt’s apartment, Elektra is in for the fight of her life with the Gorgon, who has easily dispatched all of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents! As for Wolverine, he is surprised to find that Daredevil is such a match for his skills!
As Elektra’s battle with the Gorgon draws to a stunning close, the battle between Wolverine and Daredevil comes to an even more surprising end, when Wolverine accidentally impales himself! Temporarily freed from the Hydra brainwashing, Wolverine reveals the true plan to Daredevil! However, this revelation comes far too late for anyone to stop Hydra from achieving their goal!
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9. Teen Titans #20 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Still haven’t gotten your fill of Identity Crisis goodness?! Well, you are in luck this week! In addition to the aforementioned Adventures Of Superman #636, this issue of Teen Titans has some deep Identity Crisis ramifications - tying up two loose ends!
Readers of Identity Crisis will remember the brief appearance of Lex Luthor’s super powered armor. Identity Crisis readers will also remember the dangling plotline of what happened to that super powered armor! Well, that plotline is tied up in this very issue!
In this issue, the Teen Titans are asked by the JLA to handle some trouble in Opal City while the Elongated Man is absent following the death of his wife. This particular trouble involves the missing Lex Luthor armor and the villain known as the Electrocutioner! However, this Identity Crisis plotline isn’t the only draw in this issue.
Writer Geoff Johns shows in this issue more than any other that this team is a family, despite the age differences between the older Titans and the teen Titans. Johns strikes a fine balance between a heart wrenching story and flat out superheroics, as the team says goodbye to one team member. Meanwhile, Robin finally tells his teammates about his father’s death and begins the healing process.
And what would an excellent Teen Titans issue be without one of those traditional Johns last page shockers! This time around? Johns delivers not one, but TWO last page shockers, thanks to two epilogues! In the first epilogue, we discover who was wanting the Luthor armor and why. And in the second epilogue, one of the villains from Identity Crisis rears his angry head!
Hot on the heels of the announcement that he has signed a Marvel exclusive contract, artist Tom Grummett once again thrills Comic Fanatics with his amazing take on the Teen Titans! Grummett has long been one of my favorite artists, and I have always felt that he was born to illustrate this team. Luckily for me, Grummett’s tenure at Marvel has him working on another one of my favorite team books - New Thunderbolts - at least for as long as sales will allow.
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to mild language, this is not an all ages read. No rants about this book itself, although I do have a few for DC. I imagine that many readers of Identity Crisis who don’t normally buy books like this or Adventures Of Superman might be a little upset that to get the complete Identity Crisis story, they have to pick up these individual issues.
The other rant has bothered me since the conclusion of “War Games.” After the death of Robin’s father - a major event that occurred in the pages of Identity Crisis - that death was never reflected on in the pages of Robin’s own series, or in any other Bat-book. It was mentioned in passing in Robin, while he was at Stephanie Brown’s funeral in a November issue. Now, it’s January and we finally get to see the resolution of that storyline. Jack Drake’s death would have carried much more impact if DC would have focused on it when it happened…rather than wait until months later.
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Robin watches from the shadows while one of the Titans says goodbye to Cyborg. Once Cyborg is alone, Robin tells him that he needs some time alone to go on a camping trip with his dad. A week later, Robin’s dad was murdered by Captain Boomerang.
Meanwhile, the Teen Titans try to live normal lives at Titans Tower, with Raven doing her best to dress and act like a normal teenage girl. However, Beast Boy makes Raven’s efforts even more difficult. Elsewhere, Superboy has learned about what happened to Robin’s dad through Superman, and he wants to offer a shoulder to lean on. But Robin isn’t ready to talk about it.
The Titans are called into action by Cyborg, who informs them that the JLA need them to take care of some trouble for Elongated Man in Opal City. This trouble just happens to involve the villain known as the Electrocutioner and the missing Lex Luthor super powered armor! And you will never believe who is paying big bucks to get the armor…and why! Plus, wait until you see which Identity Crisis villain shows up at the end of this issue!
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10. Manhunter #6 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Did somebody say something about Identity Crisis?! Believe it or not, there is ANOTHER book out this week that has a little something to do with the events of the Event Of 2004! In the pages of Identity Crisis, Shadow Thief murdered Firestorm. Now, Shadow Thief has to go to court…and I’m not talking about “The People’s Court!”
Writer Marc Andreyko has created one of the most exciting and lovable characters to hit the scene in years in Kate Spencer/Manhunter. And that still strikes me as ironic, since Kate is a character with so many dislikable characteristics. Kate is a career driven single mom who doesn’t seem to be cut out to be a mother. However, over the course of a handful of issues, Andreyko has made the reader feel real sympathy for Kate and her plight to be the mother she wants to be.
If you like the Kate Spencer character, you will love this issue! Most of this issue focuses on Kate, rather than her costumed alter ego - Manhunter. In fact, Manhunter only appears on four pages! As for Kate, she is part of a famous murder case stemming from the death of Firestorm at the hands of Shadow Thief! And here’s something you don’t see everyday…the JLA are subpoenaed to appear in court as witnesses!
As for Kate’s Manhunter persona, there’s still just enough action in this issue to feed your superhero need! It seems that the trial of Shadow Thief is big news throughout the DC Universe, including in the super-villain world. Fearing that Shadow Thief might spill his guts about his fellow bad guys, the shadowy Calculator from Identity Crisis dispatches the villain known as Shrapnel to take care of him! It looks like Kate has her work cut out for her in both of her lives!
Once again, Andreyko delivers one of the most well written comics on the shelves today. I like this book and believe in it so much that when I look at the sales numbers, I just can’t understand why more people aren’t giving this book a try. It’s books like this one that make me wish I had mutant mind powers. Then, I could send out tons of subliminal messages for folks to buy this book and keep this excellent title on the shelves for a long time to come!
Artistically, Jesus Saiz turns in another impressive outing. Saiz excels at making the reader believe that Kate is a real, down to earth character. And in this issue, Saiz almost makes you believe that Kate has two different and distinct personalities. While in her civilian life, Kate is all serious, worried and career driven. However, when she dons the Manhunter guise, Kate almost seems to be having fun! And wait until you see Saiz’ take on the JLA! Very impressive!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to mild language and some violence, this is not an all ages read. No rants here. Manhunter is one of the best comics on the shelves today that more people should be reading! With all of the fallout from Identity Crisis, Comic Fanatics who aren’t reading this book are truly missing some important stuff here!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Federal Prosecutor Kate Spencer is making the talk show rounds in preparation for a major trial. Shadow Thief has been arrested for the murder of the superhero known as Firestorm, and it’s big news in the DC Universe! In fact, the trial has also drawn the attention of the Calculator, who decides to dispatch a villain to prevent Shadow Thief from talking too much!
While Kate deals with another unexpected surprise – an unwanted voice from the past – the JLA receive an unlikely visitor at the Watchtower: Michael Johnson, a worker for the Federal Prosecutor’s office. It seems that the JLA have just been served to appear at Shadow Thief’s murder trial!
Back in Los Angeles, it appears that something is finally going right for Kate…until the villain Shrapnel arrives to take out Shadow Thief! Kate has no choice but to suit up as Manhunter! But can Manhunter survive long enough to protect Shadow Thief?!
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