Issue #49: Catch Up Week #9

This issue I catch up on the last three weeks of March 2009. Between covering for someone on vacation and other things I didn't get to my comic book shop (Acme Comics http://acme-superstore.com ) until the last week of the month. So here goes.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, March 11, 2009:

Top 10 Season 2 #4 (of 4) (America's Best Comics / Wildstorm / DC)
Action Comics #875 (DC)
Top 10 Season Two #4 (of 4) (America's Best Comics / Wildstorm / DC) * * * *

This issue did not read like the end of a mini-series, in a good way. Not all of the plotlines were wrapped up. Various characters dealt with problems common to law enforcement, from the pressures of the job, being counselled by a police psychologist and dealing with a prisoner escape from the presinct holding cells. Even the commissioner from another dimension had his own problems to deal with. The ending left me looking forward to the next issue, but since this is the last issue of a four issue mini-series I'll have to look forward to the next mini-series.

Action Comics #875 (New Krypton #17 / World Without Superman) * * * * *

This is the first issue of the World Without Superman storyline. We learn who Nightwing and Flamebird are early in the story (no spoilers here) and their mission of searching for Kryptonian sleeper agents on Earth. Of course many people are interested in their exploits, from Allura, General Zod and Ursa, to General Lane and his reporter daughter Lois. One of the strengths of Superman continuity is the strenght of the supporting cast. During the Death Of Superman storyline of the 1990's, the supporting cast were able to carry the Superman titles. I have no doubt that the same will hold true for the current World Without Superman story.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, March 18, 2009:

Supergirl #39 (New Krypton #18) (DC)
Invincible #60 (Image)

Supergirl #39 (New Krypton #18) (DC) * * * * *
The battle between Superwoman and Reactron concludes, with a surprising result. Supergirl finds herself caught between being unwanted unwanted on Earth and the harsh demands of her mother. Inspector Henderson gets a break in the investigation of Agent Liberty's murder. Supergirl has become a fully formed character in the New Krypton storyline, and the emotional roller coaster she has been through is really developing her character and has made her title an equal to the other Superman titles, and the New Krypton story continues to excel.

Invincible #60 (Image) * * * * *
The cover will catch your eye. It is a double gatefold cover. Both the front and back fold out to show every super hero Image publishes or has published. The price is a dollar higher, but it is an oversize issue, and it barely contains the story. To Image's credit, other publishers would have probably turned this story into a mini-series. The title, The Invincible War, says it all. Levy Angstrom's band of alternate Invincibles from other dimensions attack Earth. It takes all of the heroes of the Image world to combat them. Not all of them have speaking parts, but all of them are shown in the heat of battle at various cities around the world. Casualties mount on both sides, and not all of the main Invincible cast come out of the battle unscathed, and some not at all. The world wide damage is almost incomprehensible, and the consequences to Invincible will probably be heavy. Will the world's population turn on him? This is another question co-creator and writer Robert Kirkman has shown no qualms about exploring. This issue is not for sensitive or younger readers, but is a great story. It does not follow the cliched super hero battle, showing two costumed characters beat on each other with little or no physical damage. Characters are hurt or killed and there is a lot of blood spilt. It shows the true cost of battle. The end of the issue left me ready for the next issue, to see how Invincible picks up the pieces.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, March 25, 2009:
Top 10 Special #1 (of 1) (America's Best Comics / Wildstorm / DC)
Fantastic Four #565 (Marvel)
Superman #686 (DC)
Umbrella Academy: Dallas #5 (of 6) (Dark Horse)
Back Issue Bin Special: Superman & Batman: Generations 3 #6 (of 12) (Elseworlds / DC)

Top 10 Special #1 (of 1) (America's Best Comics / Wildstorm / DC) * * * * *
Girl Two apparently has left police work, after facing her doubts about being able to handle the pressures of law enforcement, and become a defense attorney. There are no battles or police operations, just Girl Two going through her day preparing cases and defending her clients in cour. This is a character driven story, which makes up for the lack of action in the plot. Girl Two does not just go through the motions, but digs under the apparent facts to solve her case. We also get a peak into her personal life. She comes across as a Perry Mason in a female android body. If character development interests you as much as super hero action, this issue will not disappoint.

Fantastic Four #565 (Marvel) * * * * *
The FF finish their Christmas trip to Scotland, and they would have fared better celebrating the holidays at home. The town they visit has a dark secret, as shown in the first scene of the previous issue, and the end when Valeria disappears. The whole family works together to defeat the true threat, and Ben's fiancee has the best line of the book near the end of the issue. The end hints at some tough times for the FF that will start to be revealed next issue. Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch continue what Stan Lee and Jack Kirby did so well, combine super hero action and the every day routine of a family's life. I'll keep reading through their run on the title.

Superman #686 (New Krypton #19 / World Without Superman)
Superman makes a cameo in his own title, even though his face is not shown. He recruits some help in watching Metropolis and in keeping an eye on Mon-El. He gets a civilian job in his secret identity as Jonathan Kent, but you'll have to read the issue to find what it will be. The supporting cast in the Superman issues of the World Without Superman story, who will protect Metropolis in Superman's absence, have the potential to carry the title on their mighty shoulders. After you finish reading the issue, read the D C Nation page at the end of the issue. I don't usually mention this feature but this time is an exception. Dan Didio writes about comic book artist George Perez being honored with George Perez Day in Orange County, on February 28, 2009, during Orlando's MegaCon. I know that he lived in Sanford, but I'm not sure if he still lives there. But it's nice to know one of the comic book industry's greats lives in the same area of central Florida.

Umbrella Academy: Dallas #5 (of 6) (Dark Horse) * * * * *
This issue continues an excellent story, and is always the title I save to read last, because it never fails to be the best issue of the week. Seance, Kraken and Space Boy are in 1963, but on the opposite side of the world from Dallas, their intended destination. They are involved in a very unusual adventure, as usual, in an attempt to get to Dallas. Number 5 and the group of assassins prepare for their operation at the Book Depository, to carry out their planned assassination of President Kennedy. There are some surprising character developments for some of them, and next month's concluding issue promises to be another action packed story. And I know I will read issue #6 last, as usual.

Back Issue Bin Special: Superman & Batman: Generations 3 #6 (of 12) (Elseworlds / DC) * * * *
I own the original Superman & Batman: Generations mini-series, and some of Generations 2 and 3. This issue brings me closer to filling the holes in both series. Generations 3 involves a plot by Darkseid, as well another mad scheme from Luthor's brain, and the descendants of Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne. The main part of the story involves the relationship between Lara Kent and a Green Lantern, and its ups and downs. What attracted me to this story is the multi-generational saga of Batman and Superman. All three mini-series, part of the Elseworlds imprint, are among my favorite stories in the long line of "imaginary stories" that have been a DC tradiotions since the 1960's. John Byrne has added some excellent stories to their legacy.

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