Issue #21: Comic Books For The Week of Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Wildguard Insider #2 (of 3) (Image)
Project Superpowers #4 (of7) (Dynamite Entertainment)
Mythos: Captain America #1 (Marvel)
Fantastic Four (#558) (Marvel)
Superman #677 (DC)

Wildguard #2 (of 3) * * * *
Lily Hammer sees strange apparitions that ask her very pointed questions during her appearance at a late night talk show, a woman who was attacked by a super villain explains her connetion to her attacker to Four, who then has a talk with Freezerburn. At the end are two "Where Are They Now?" features with Astro-Girl and Power Temp. There isn't a lot of immediate action, except in flashback, but seeing super heroes dealing with the aftermath of their heroics makes for interesting character development.

Project Superpowers #4 (of 7) (Dynamite Entertainment) * * * *
The Dynamic Family leave New York, overrun by vegetation at the hands of the Green Lama. The Flame and Hydro surrender to authorities in Hollywood. We learn more about the spirits that guided Fighting Yank, and Green Lama transports everyone from Shangri-La to New York, including Black Terror, calling it New Shangri-La. The Scarab and Samson find a horrific "hospital" with monstrous patients. The Dynamic Family has ties to something called the "F-Troop Squadron". We learn more about the Devil, and Pyroman comes to the aid of the Flame and Hydro. The story is really beginning to move along, as most of the character introductions are done. The story threads are beginning to appear, but judging by the back cover we aren't done with hero introductions yet. In the back are features on the heroes Pyroman and The Flame, as well as a two page spread of more Golden Age character sketches done by ALex Ross. I wonder how much of a climax issue seven will have room for with so many heroes introduced in the first four issues, plus a second mini-series to begin later this year. It still is fun to get a look at some of the obscure characters from the golden age of comics. I had no idea there had been so many.

Mythos: Captain America (#1) (Marvel) * * * * *
This is the second issue of Mythos. The first retold and expanded the origin of the Fantastic Four. This issue does the same for Captain America. Cap is about to slug someone, and in the reflection of his original triangular shield, we see the terrorized expression of Adolph Hitler. A very clever reprise of the cover of Captain America #1. The title page notes that Captain America was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Captain America's origin is expanded, showing Steve Rogers' family life before he volunteered for the super soldier experiment. It then highlights Cap's wartime adventures, his time in suspended animation, and his reawakening to become leader of the Avengers. The ending is especially touching, and hearkens back to the beginning of Steve Rogers story.

Fantastic Four #558 (Marvel) * * * *
The cover shows a battered Doctor Doom, and the ominous title, Starting This Issue: The Death of the Invisible Woman". Dr. Doom, in the Thing's arms, calls for Reed's help. They are immediately attacked by the group that apparently had originally attacked Dr. Doom. Ben is easily dispatched, and his girlfriend and the nanny candidate take Franklin and Valeria to a safe room. We learn who Johnny's bad girlfriend is working with. And Valeria and Mrs. Deneuve, the nanny candidate forge an unusual bond, which creates a mystery about Valeria. The Millar-Hitch story continues to rank among the best FF stories, right up there with Lee and Kirby.

Superman #677 (DC) * * *
This issue has an impressive Alex Ross cover of Superman lifting the Daily Planet globe, hinting at an actual event inside. And the story title, In The Shadow of Atlas, ties into the cover as well. The issue begins with Superman and Green Lantern talking in outer space while Superman plays catch with Krypto. It is a nice character scene between a man and his dog, and the tohoughts we are privy to of Hal Jordan. The scene shifts to Metropolis, presumably while Superman is in space, and the Metropolis Science Police battling a giant monster rampaging through Metropolis. We are introduced to the team through the thoughts of one of its members, Travis DuBarry. Then we are introduced to Atlas, who calls for Superman in a challenge. The battle takes up most of the issue. It's an introductory chapter of a new storyline, and is thus a light read. The best part of the story is the opening scene. The rest is an introduction to Superman's next antagonist. It wasn't a bad issue, just an average one. The opening scene shows promise for new writer James Robinson's handle on character development. I remain hopeful for the rest of the story, and hope that Atlas doesn't develop into just another villain of the month.

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