Issue #65: Catch Up Week #12

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, July 15, 2009:
Action Comics #879 (New Krypton #33 / World Without Krypton) (DC)

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, July 22, 2009:
Supergirl #43 (New Krypton #34) (DC)
Final Crisis: Legion Of 3 Worlds #5 (of 5) (DC)
Invincible #64 (Image)

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, July 15, 2009:

Action Comics #879 (New Krypton #33 / World Without Superman) (DC) * * * *

This issue features the battle between Nightwing and Flamebird against the monster army, which attacks not only Nightwing and Flamebird, but also Az-Rel and Nadira Va-Dim because they are all Kryptonian. Flamebird reveals a whole new side of her, and the story of the Krypotonian "Bonnie and Clyde" is wrapped up, for now. Lois Lane also appears and makes her first discovery during her investigation about what happened to her sister Lucy. (I don't want to spoil past issues in case someone hasn't read them yet.) Lois's scene is what bumped this issue from three (*)'s to four. The battle scenes weren't bad, but the majority of the story was just the fight. There wasn't much room for any character moments. If I were younger I might be more wrapped up in the fight scene. Maybe I'm just showing my age. This issue also begins the Captain Atom co-feature, which seems to be a Captain Atom story in a Johyn Carter of Mars type of story (at least that is the vibe I get). This is the first Superman title to jump to the $3.99 price tag. I'll hold off any review of the Captain Atom story until I've read some more chapters.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, July 22, 2009:

Supergirl #43 (New Krypton #34) (DC)
Final Crisis: Legion Of 3 Worlds #5 (of 5) (DC)
Invincible #64 (Image)

Supergirl #43 (New Krypton #34) (DC) * * * *

There are no super hero battles in this issue, no epic cosmic conflict threatening existence, just Kara Zor-El's birthday. According to Kryptonian tradition, this birthday is special, because she is now of age to become a member of one of the kryptonian guilds. But her mother seems to be sending her on what Kara feels are punishment jobs. Kal-El (Superman) makes a cameo during an investigation about where Superwoman had been living on Kandor. One mystery is solved, but it leads to another. The main focus, beyond Kara's guilding day, is her relationship with her mother. Maybe I'm showing my age, but I enjoy theses "character" issues more and more. The conflicts are of a much smaller scale than superhuman fights, but the end of this issue is no less satisfying. This development in Kara's life leads me to want to read the next issue to find out what's next in her life. Isn't that what a good comic book issue is supposed to do?

Final Crisis: Legion Of 3 Worlds #5 (of 5) (DC) * * * *

The cover I got was the Dawnstar cover, which I preferred to the alternate, which I don't remember now. This long overdue issue was worth the wait. I'll have to get the previous four issues to read the whole story again. The multi-era battle is not so cosmic that it's hard to comprehend. There is a cool double page spread of every Legionnaire from every continuity, so that every reader should be able to find their favorite Legionnaire. The end of the battle is very clever, and the consequences to a number of Legionnaires will more than likely lead into the upcoming Adventure Comics, scheduled to be released on Wednesday, August 12. I will be putting the new Adventure Comics on my pull list at my shop Acme Comics http://acme-superstore.com.

Invincible #64 (Image) * * * * *

After reading my previous reviews you might think I don't enjoy a great super hero battle issue. That is not the case, as this issue of Invincible is an example of a well told super hero battle. This issue is the conclusion of Invincible's battle against the Viltrumite called Conquest. The consequences of this battle, with the fate of Earth at stake, as a target of the Viltrumite empire, has been the crux of the battle. Reading a super hero story where the hero is tested to the limit of his powers, and beyond, is something I enjoy. Robert Kirkman is not afraid of putting any of his characters through the meat grinder in order to tell a great story, and Invincible is no exception. This issue, and this whole storyline for tat matter, is not for young readers, or the faint of stomach. The violence is explicit, but is not shocking for its own sake. And like any other Kirkman story, there are a few surprise plot threads woven into the story. As for the conclusion of the battle, the only thing I can think to say to Invincible is, "Now, that's using your head." And the inside back cover teaser, showing next month's cover, says, Funeral For The Fallen. And like any other Kirkman issue, the end of this issue leaves me wanting to read next month's issue.

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