Issue #11: Comics for the Week of March 12, 2008

Friday, March 14 was payday, so I picked up the titles on my pull list, on my way to work, from Bad Apple Comics (www.bacomics.com). This stack included my titles that came in last week.

Comic books for the Week of March 5, 2008:

Secret Invasion Saga #1 (Marvel)
Invincible Presents Atom Eve #2 (of 2) (Image)
Echo #1 (Abstract Studios)
Justice League: The New Frontier Special (DC)
Powers #28 (Icon)

Comic books for the Week of March 12, 2008:

Fantastic Four #555 (Marvel)
Superman #674 (DC)

Coimic books for the Week of March 5, 2008:

Secret Invasion Saga #1 (Marvel) * * *
This was a free comic that Sydney at my comic shop put in my file. It contains a history of the skrulls, from the early issues of the Fantastic Four up to the beginning of this latest "event" mini-series from Marvel. I particularly enjoyed some of the Kirby art from the 1960's. It was an interesting issue, but it doesn't interest me enough to pick up; not because it doesn't look good, but because after Infinite Crisis, Civil War, 52 and Countdown, I'm burnt out with "event" series for a while.

Invincible Presents Atom Eve #2 (of 2) (Image) * * * *
This issue concludes the origin story of Atom Eve, her family and her early dealings with the secret government super-hero agency now headed by Cecil Steadman. It's a good issue. The art is more even than the early pages of issue #1, and the story has a bittersweet ending, but I like the art of Invincible a little better. Atom Eve shows herself as a dangerous foe in this issue, moreso than even in the pages of Invincible. I would recommend this 2-part story to anyone who enjoys reading Invincible and would enjoy learning about the back story of one of the minor characters.

Echo #1 (Abstract Studios)* * * * *
This first issue of the new independent series by Terry Moore was one I eagerly awaited. I came in late to Strangers In Paradise, around issue 75, so I only caught about the last fifteen issues. That was enough to make me want to pick up the trade paperbacks. Echo #1 opens with a secret test in the desert of a woman flying a high-tech suit and jet pack. There is a mysterious explosion in the sky over another woman who is photographing some desert flora. She is hit by a hail of weird, mysterious pellets that don't bounce. They just stick to anything they hit, including her skin. We learn her name is Julie, but that's about it. It is enough to hook me for issue #2. Terry Moore seems to have created a series that, instead of following in the footsteps of Strangers in Paradise, is completely different but no less interesting. It looks like another hit for Terry Moore.

Powers #28 (Icon) * * * * *
My only complaint about Powers is that it doesn't come out quickly enough. Even if it was monthly, issues could not come out fast enough. Powers is one of my favorite comic books, and I am in the middle of re-reading the entire series, beginning with the original Image issues. This latest issue opens with Calista, the current Retro Girl, volunteering to go undercover for police to find the mysterious "powers" killing the city's teens. Christian vehemently objects, for reasons you'll have to read the trade paperbacks of this title to find out. I don't want to spoil anything about this series for anyone who has not read Powers. We also see the descent of Christian's former partner, Det. Deena Pilgrim, who has been "infected" with super powers by a super criminal. One thing that makes Powers so good is that writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Avon Oeming are not afraid to put any of their characters into the most impossible and risky situations they can think of. They definitely don't hold back. This title is for mature readers, and is definitely not for younger comic book fans. Otherwise I highly recommend Powers. It goes beyond super powers and is as much a noir crime comic as it is a superhero book.

Comic books for the week of March 12, 2008:

Fantastic Four #555 (Marvel) * * * * *
This is the second issue of Mark Millar's and Brian Hitch's run on the FF, and this issue is no letdown. They continue the separate storylines with each member, Reed visiting the Nu-Earth project run by an ex-flame and her husband, and Johnny Storm beginning his stint as the lead singer of a rock band on a reality tv show, and a run-in with a super villain that has a romantic ending. We learn the reason for the construction of Nu-Earth, and something goes wrong. Millar-Hitch is one of the comic creator teams I look out for when I learn they are working on new projects. Millar always tells an interesting story, and Hitch has a very photo-realistic style that continues the lineage of Curt Swan and Neal Adams. This run looks to be one that will rank with the best of the Fantastic Four, including the great Lee-Kirby stories from the 1960's. Don't miss picking up these issues.

Superman #674 (DC) * * * * *
Note: If you're wondering what Lois and Clark's address is in Metropolis, you'll find out on the second page. I won't tell you here, you'll have to check out this issue. We find out that one of Superman's powers is doing extreme home make-overs. We also fing out a little more about Mon-El's world Daxam, and this issue begins a storyline where Superman has to deal with Daxamites. Superman and Action Comics are redefining Superman continuity with his relationship with Mon-El and the Legion of Super-Heroes from the 31st century. Since I am also a big Legion fan, this is one reason I am enjoying Superman comics right now.

I also do a weekly podcast: Superman Fan Podcast, which can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes can be found at www.supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about this podcast to: supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

To send e-mail about My Pull List, write to: mypulllist@gmail.com
I look forward to reading about what's on your pull list.