Issue #2 My Pull List for the week of December 19, 2007

I haven't picked up my comics that were released on Friday, December 28. I will have to wait until payday next Friday, January 4. Here is what is in my pull list file:



Action Comics #860 (DC)


Atom Eve #1 of 2 (Image)


Countdown #18 (DC)


Ultimate Power #9 of 9 (Marvel)


Next week, I only have one comic on my pull list for January 2, 2008:


Countdown #17


Meanwhile, I'll share my thoughts on the comics that I picked up for the week of December 19, 2007. I didn't pick them up until after Christmas because there was no allowance to spare after Christmas shopping.

I will rate them from ****** Greatest to * terrible.




Pull List for the week of December 19, 2007:


Countdown #'s 20 & 19 (DC)


Nexus - the Origin (Rude Dude)



Metamorpho #6 of 6 (DC)


Superman #671 (DC)


The Umbrella Academy #4 of 6 (Dark Horse)




Countdown #'s 20 & 19 * * *

Countdown is starting to pick up the pace as it approaches the end of the series and 2008's "Final Crisis" mini-series. Mary Marvel flirts with the "dark side", and Jimmy Olsen flashes another power briefly when he's endangered. We finally learn the secret of the female "boot camp" on Paradise Island. These seem to be the biggest plot lines moving through Countdown. One drawback to Countdown is that instead of alternating storylines with each issue as in 52, Countdown advances each storyline in every issue. Some storylines get a page or two. It's hard for a story to get a flow that way. Perhaps it will get easier reading theses shorter storylines by reading the completed series .

These latest issues have the feel of characters and situations moving toward the climax, or at least to the starting point of 2008's "Final Crisis" event series. I'll be glad when these events are finally over. After Final Crisis I hope to keep from getting hooked again on DC and Marvel's publicity for their next big event. As much as I enjoyed most of the ending of 52, I'm getting burned out on these event mini-series that don't really end, but just lead to the next "big" event.

Three *** will probably be all I give Countdown until the final issue. How I like the ending will determine my rating for the series. I gave 52 ****. As I said in my original post, I enjoyed Rene Montoya's and Ralph Dibny's stories the best. WWIII and the return of the multiverse I didn't like as much. WWIII had too much fighting and not enough story. I'm not sure what to think about bringing back the multi-verse. I'm sure I'll have to wait until Final Crisis to resolve that storyline. But why does DC have to bring it back. Crisis of Infinite Earths was fantastic. How can bringing it back create a better story? I guess we'll find out this year, or not.



Nexus - the Origin (Rude Dude) *****

I've only read a few issues of Nexus but I love the character and story. Steve Rude's art is modern and dynamic, yet has a retro look to it, as if it belongs next to silver age art like Curt Swan's (my favorite comics artist). Steve Rude's art on his World's Finest mini-series from the 90's was fantastic. I've never seen a bad page of Steve Rude art. This over size issue, as the title suggests, details the origin of the hero Nexus, and where the supporting cast came from. We read their origins as well. For readers not familiar with the character, it's a perfect issue to jump in with. It doesn't refer to past storylines, since it pre-dates all of them, and shows the character's motivations which are expressed in the 99 other issues that have come out. Rude Dude plans on independtly publishing the continuing series in the coming months. They came out with issue 99 last year and plan on continuing the plot where they left off from the Dark Horse issues. It will definitely stay on my pull-list.



Metamorpho #6 of 6 - Year One (DC) ****

This mini-series reprised the early Metamorpho issues of his '60's title, starting with his origin and highlighting some of his early villains. Issue #6 repriese Justice League #42, where Metamorpho is given an offer he can't refuse. He currently appears in Batman and the Outsiders. I don't read the title because of my budget, but I love Metamorpho. After Superman and Batman, in that order, my next favorite are Metamropho and Ralph Dibny, the Elongated Man, in a tie. I gave it four **** only because it was a reprise of the original stories. I would recommend it for readers who aren't familiar with the character and want to read about him in a modern setting. If you want to read Metamorpho's original stories, pick up Showcase: Metamorpho. It collects his earliest stories from the 60's. If you enjoy 1960 silver age comics you won't be disappointed. The original Metamorpho artist was Ramona Fradon, the female artist who would later draw the Brenda Star comic strip.



Superman #671 (DC) ****

This issue contains Insect Queen: Part I, a story that reprises a character from the 60's Superman silver age. She appeared mostly in Legion of Super-Heroes stories. I gave this issue four **** because it is another reprise of past characters, but then isn't most of Superman a reprise of past stories, pre-crisis? It starts out with Lana Lang in the President's office of LexCorp, and then moves to Superman giving a novel twist to throwing the first pitch of a baseball game. Lana faces a threat and Superman intervenes, which sets up the next issue.The source of that threat will be revealed. At least on face value the Insect Queen seems to contrast with the original character from the '60's. I'm looking forward to reading how this story will develop, although I'm more interested in Action's retooling of Superman's history with the Legion of Super-Heroes.



The Umbrella Academy #4 of 6 (Dark Horse) *****

This mini-series continues to amaze me. The characters are recovering from their battle at the amusement park, and the fallout of their past relationships with each other is still affecting them. We see what happens to Vanya (#7) at the hands of the Orchestra Verdammten, and the set up to the final battle the Umbrella Academy will face at the end of this mini-series. This is one title I like to save for last, but it's hard when I know how good it is.



This weekend I'll read the comics on my list for December 28 and January 4, and then I'll be able to get current on my blog. After that I would like to share a blog reviewing 2007 in comics, with the "event" mini-series and my regular titles. Until then I look forward to reading about your pull list.
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