My pull list for the week of 2/20/08:
Invincible #48 (Image)
The Umbrella Academy #6 (of 6)
My pull list for the week of 2/27/08:
Nexus #100 (Rude Dude Productions)
Dan Dare #4 (Virgin)
Legion of Super-Heroes #39 (DC)
Project Superpowers #1 (Dynamite Entertainment)
Justice Society of America #13 (DC)
Action Comics #862 (DC)
My pull list for the week of 2/20/08:
Invincible #48 (Image) * * * *
Robert Kirkman, the writer of Invincible, is quickly approaching issue #50, and the action is picking up as the title approaches that milestone. I'm looking forward to the story in that issue, as Kirkman promises a big story involving Invincible confronting Cecil Stedman, his boss. Issue #48 has a scene where Cecil visits Invincible's mom, discussing the emerging super powers of Invincible's half-brother, Oliver. The way Kirkman writes, he usually has a page or two dedicated to a scene that develops a story point that will emerge as a major plot point in a future issue. This first scene has that feeling to it, and it promises to be a very interesting story in an upcoming issue. Dr. Seismic escapes from the super secret prison overseen by Stedman, and sends his minions agains every super hero in the Image universe. It draws the attention of Invincible, and the issue ends in a cliff-hanger.
I gave this issue four (*)'s instead of the usual five for Invincible. The last half of the issue is a super battle, and it was interesting, but it didn't grab my as much as the early scenes of character development.
The Umbrella Academy #6 (of 6) (Dark Horse) * * * *
This issue concludes the first mini-series of this title. The big battle that was set up during the first five issues takes place in this issue. It was definitely not a disappointment, but I didn't find the battle itself as interesting as the character development of the first five issues. The ending, however, was up to par with the other five issues, and it brought to a conclusion the story that began this series. Later in the year, Dark Horse will publish a second mini-series, and will come out with a trade paperback of this first mini-series which will include the Free Comic Book Day issue that I missed. I'll look out for that, if I can't find a copy of that free issue in the back issue bin at Bad Apple Comics (http://www.bacomics.com/).
My pull list for the week of 2/27/08:
Nexus #100 (Rude Dude Productions)
Dan Dare #4 (Virgin)
Legion of Super-Heroes #39 (DC)
Justice Society of America #13 (DC)
Action Comics #862 (DC)
Nexus #100 (Rude Dude Productions) * * * *
This landmark issue of Nexus was too tempting to pass up. I've always enjoyed Steve Rude's retro art style, especiall on the World's Finest three-issue miniseries from the 1990's. I've heard of Nexus, but have only read a few issues. It is an over-sized issue containing two stories and a text article detailing the history of the character of Nexus. The first story continues the plot of unrest on Ylum, and Nexus helping take care of his newborn child. The second story is a hilarious story about a page in Washington, D. C. in the year 2480. It contains two caricatures of politicians, a lecherous senator resembling Sen. Ted Kennedy, and another senator resembling Sen. Hillary Clinton.
I've picked up the recent issues, which have been published by Rude Dude, bringing the character of Nexus back onto comic book racks. I always enjoy a dcience fiction comic book. But because of my tight comic book budget I'll have to drop it. I still read another si-fi title, Dan Dare, which I will review next.
Dan Dare #4 (Virgin) * * * * *
In this issue, the plot that the Prime Minister is involved in, as well as the fates of Dan Dare and Digby and the Marines on the colony world. At the end of the issue we see, for the first time in this Virgin Comics series, something not not work out in Dare's favor.
This title continues to hold my interest. I guess my enjoyment of military si-fi, especially the Honor Harrington novels by David Weber, is showing. Each issue wraps up the story from the previous issue, introduces a new part of the story, and sets up for the next issue very nicely. Every time I finish an issue I can't wait until next month for the next issue. I recommend this title to anyone.
Legion of Super-Heroes #39 (DC) * * * *
Princess Projectra continues to deal with the consequences of being a princess without a planet, a mysterious figure is on the "bridge" at Legion HQ, the Legion team on Neptune's moon wrap up their mission, and another Legion team is involved in an interesting case of pest control in New Beijing on Earth.
Jim Shooter's return to the Legion is starting to get more interesting. At first I wasn't sure if it would, or if it would start to get a little boring. It's becoming more than just Legion battles in each issue. There are some intrigues in the plot that promise some great issues in the near future.
Project Superpowers #1 (Dynamite Entertainment) * * * * *
Issue #1 opens with a scene that reminded me, intended or not, of the trade paperback Watchmen, even containing a mention of a "Dr. Moore". We are introduced to two more public domain golden age superheroes, Black Terror and Dynamic Man. The Green Lama and Fighting Yank, introduced in issue #0, continue their quest for the magical urn. We are also shown how one of the heroes has changed, in a shocking way, in this moderm world.
This title continues to get better, and issue #0 was fantastic. The Alex Ross covers don't hurt either. If anyone is interested in comic book history, pick up this title, as well as the Image and Marvel titles that are doing the same thing: bringing back golden age heroes that have fallen into obscurity. I'm not picking up the other two, only because of budgetary reasons, but I'll keep getting this title from Dynamite. It certainly is.
Justice Society of America #13 (DC) * * * * *
Another title with a great Alex Ross cover. The Kingdom Come superman teams up with "our" Superman, and in an Alex Ross painted flashback, we see the Kingdom Come Superman discover the murder victims at the Daily Planet, including Lois Lane, at the hands of the Joker. And the JSA begin their search for Gog.
This Kingdom Come prequel story is getting better and better. As long as JSA continues this storyline, I'll be getting this title.
Action Comics #862 (DC) * * * * *
Part five of six of the Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes story is even better than the previous four. With each successive issue I say the same thing. I have no doubt that issue #863, the sixth and final chapter of this story, promises to be the best of all of them. We discover Brainiac 5's involvement with the Legion/Justice League plot really was, and the best part of the issue, the re-introduction of the Legion of Substitute-Heroes. Also, we discover the real reason for the Legion "tryouts", and why the present members of the Justice League in the 31st century were rejected as Legion candidates. The means by which Earth's Sun has been converted into a red star is revealed. The U. P. is about to invade Earth, and a powerless Superman shows the real source of his "power" by taking the fight with Earth Man "outside".
This Legion story is my second favorite story of current Superman comics, after All-Star Superman. Geoff John's script and Gary Frank and Jon Sibal's art are fantastic. If you can't find back issues of this story, be sure to pick up the trade paperback whenever it is published.
Check out my podcast: Superman Fan Podcast, at www.supermanfanpodcast.com, and send e-mail about the podcast to: supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.
To send e-mail about my pull list, write to: mypulllist@gmail.com, and I look forward to reading about your pull list.
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