Issue #32: Comic Books For The Week of Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Project Superpowers #6 (of 7) (Dynamite Entertainment)
Legion of Super-Heroes #46 (DC)
Fantastic Four #560 (Marvel)
Superman #680 (DC)
Powers #30 (Icon/Marvel)

Sadly, my local comic book store, Bad Apple Comics, is closing its Leesburg location at the Lake Square Mall. The good news is that the closing is temporary, until early next year, when the company hopes to open a smaller location with cheaper rent on the US Hwy 441 corridor between Mount Dora and Leesburg. In the meantime, the store manager will be working out of the Orlando location, and has arranged for us Lake County customers to pick up our comics at his home. That is great, because the other options were to drive to the Orlando store (an hour's drive) or having them mailed (for a small fee). I will miss going to a comic store for some months. It made for a nice break in the middle of the week when I could take maybe fifteen minutes to just walk around the store and chill, look for titles I may have missed or eye a graphic novel that's on my wish list but out of my budget range.
My wife is planning a birthday party for me, and if I get any money or gift cards I might hit Bad Apple's clearance sale. First, however, I plan on ordering the DVD The Mindscape of Alan Moore, which will be released next Tuesday, September 30, wiht any birthday money I might get. Secondly is the upcoming book by Dave Gibbons, Who Watches The Watchmen, about the creation of the most well crafted comic book series ever created, in my opinion. Beyond the grim and dark tone of the story, Watchmen is a treasure trove of storytelling techniques and panel layout for any hopeful comic book creator. But enough digression, let's get to this week's comics.

Project Superpowers #6 (of 7) (Dynamite Entertainment) * * * * *
After setting up the story for most of this first mini-series, the action and plot are now rushing to a conclusion next issue. The good news is that the story is not rushed haphazardly. The fate of the Fighting Yank is coming to a head. We learn about the power behind the Dynamic Family and plans to counterattack the heroes. This issue finds the heroes cornered, setting up the final issue of this mini-series to end with gangbusters. I can't wait until the next issue comes out . After this first mini-series Black Terroris scheduled to begin publication next month, October 2008, with Project Superpowers Chapter Two to follow.

Legion of Super-Heroes #42 (DC) * * * *
Ultra Boy and Saturn Girl face some consequences from the situation Invisible Kid found them in at the end of last issue. Lightning Lad and Element Lad wrap up their meeting with the U. P. President, who admires the Legion, in contrast to her advisers. Phantom Girl helps Princess Projectra adjust to life without a home planet. There is another development in the Princess' life later in the issue. Ultra Boy cleans up Metropolis from some rowdy would be auditioners to the U. P.'s Young Heroes. And the Legion find out that the worst may not be over.
According to some comic book web site reports, Jim Shooter might have already left DC after turning in his scripts for this run on Legion. This storyline is measuring up to the best of past Legion stories. The plot is very dense, with plenty of character moments for many Legionnaires, and lots of super-powered Legion action. However Shooter ends this story I don't think I will be disappointed. It is a story any Legion fan will enjoy.

Fantastic Four #560 (Marvel) * * * * *
After the jaw dropping conclusion to last issue, after reading this issue I had to pick up my jaw off of the floor. The origin of the New Defenders is revealed, as well as the end of the world, as the cover headline suggests. We also learn the reason for nanny Tabitha Deneuve's unusual relationship with the Richards children, especially Valeria. And Ben's new girlfriend has some domestic problems of her own. Mark Millar and Brian Hitch are doing for the FF what Geoff Johns has done for Superman in Action Comics. This is the best FF story I have read in a long time, and I am so glad I decided to subscribe to this title when Millar and Hitch began theirrun on this title.

Superman #680 (DC) * * * * *
Alex Ross cover painting of Krypto the Super Dog is worth 5*'s by itself. What also puts an extra (*) for this issue is that Superman uses his brain. This is something that isn't used enough in Superman stories. He doesn't have to be portrayed as a super genius as in the silver age, but Superman should by shown having to use his brain, not just crashing through the latest villain of the month. He figures out the reason for Atlas' advantage over him, and finds a tactic to counterattack Atlas. And Lois has second thoughts about her past feelings toward Krypto. James Robinson is climbing up the pedestal for Superman to stand next to Action Comics as the best Superman stories of recent memory. I think Robinson is putting his unique stamp on Superman.

Powers #30 (Icon/Marvel) * * * * *
Even though Superman was published this week I knew that Powers would be the best read of this stack, as it always is, which is why I saved it to read last. I didn't know how great this story would be. The crisis of the powers virus is over except for burying the dead and healing the vistims. Deena faces the consequences of her months long life underground and awol from the police force. Things are settled quickly by the city in a manner true to life. Deena and Christian have a heart to heart that they have not often enough in the past. In their conversation we learn a dark aspect of being super powered heroes that the public isn't aware of enough in this Powers world. At the end of the issue a long standing question about Deena's past is finally answered. This storyline ends in a satisfying fashion, but in typical Powers fashion, not a happy one.
The next storyline, involving a Powers "Rat Pack", and involving Walker's super powered past, has me anxious for next month's (hopefully) issue. There are a few titles that I have known I would never be disappointed when the newest issue is published. Superman titles have gone up and down in quality, but Planetary and Powers have always been excellent titles with every issue.

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