Issue #78: Catch Up Week #16: Comic Books For The Weeks Of Wednesday, December 23, 2009, January 6, 2010 & January January 13, 2010!

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, December 23, 2009:

Superman #695 (World Against Superman #21) (DC)
Invincible #69 (Image)
Powers #2 (vol. III) (Icon/Marvel)

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, January 6, 2010:

Terry Moore's Echo #18 (Abstract Studios)
Superman: World Of New Krypton #11 (World Against Superman #22) (DC)

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, January 13, 2010:

Adventure Comics #6/509 (DC)
Action Comics #885 (World Against Superman#23) (DC)

Yeah, I started the year off on a slow foot, but I'll catch up on this post and strive to stay on schedule for the rest of the year. Consider that a resolution. And, on the weeks between paydays when I'm out of my comics budget until the next payday, I will post a review of the 1990's Blackhawk issues as I wrote on a previous blog issue. So let's get started.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, December 23, 2009:

Superman #695 (World Against Superman #21) (DC) * * * *

Mon-El battles Parasite and Bizarro this issue, meets with Perry White and still has time for a date. This issue also picks up after the end of Jimmy Olsen Special #2, where he was shot and fell into Hob's Bay. At the end of the issue Natasha visits her comatose uncle in the hospital. Normally I would give this issue 3 to 3 1/2 ( * )'s, but the Jimmy Olsen plot raised it a notch.One of my favorite parts of this whole extended World Without Superman storyline is the multi-layered levels of intrigue going on here, both on the parts of Gen. Lane and members of the Daily Planet staff.

Invincible #69 (Image) * * * *

An old villain makes its appearance on Earth while Invincible and Atom Eve battle the villain Universa, who is featured on the cover. The Guardians Of The Globe attempt to battle this new threat but need Invincible's help. Atom Eve's powers are still inconsistent, but there may be another reason for it beyond her recent resurrection. There are some character moments but mostly it's superhero action done in the always satisfying Kirkman style. It's fun to watch the heroes have to think on their feet and not have all of the answers going into the fight. Not every superhero is Superman, you know.

Powers #2 (vol. III) (Image) * * * *

Christian's girlfriend Heather is starting to have some questions about Christian, while his current murder investigation is beginning to hit a little too close to home to his past in the 20th century. He and his partner Enki Sunshine pay a house visit after getting a lead on the Nazi button found at the crime scene, with an unexpected result. One thing I love about the latest series is that it is beginning to show glimpses of Christian's past superhero identities, this issue from several centuries ago to during WWII. I won't spoil them with any details here. I'll let you enjoy them on your own. While issues of the older volumes have focused on Walker's long past, this current volume seems to take it to a new level, and it really adds something special to the current series.

Comic books for the week of January 6, 2010:

Terry Moore's Echo #18 (Abstract Studios) * * * * *

The crazy old man is still on Julie's trail, and he runs into some HenRi employees, Ivy gets deeper involved with Julie's situation and we see the latest developments in Mr. Liu's recovery from the injuries he sustained when HenRi attempted to capture Julie and the alloy. The tension between the various sides builds with each issue. Terry Moore's consistently excellent storytelling promises to deliver a bang of a climax, pun intended.

Superman: World Of New Krypton #11 (of 12) (World Against Superman #22) (DC) * * * 1/2*

Adam Strange continues his visit to New Krypton and continues to help Kal-El with his investigation. But tensions among some of the guilds are building, and the ending ends with a cliffhanger that leads into an action filled final issue. I knocked a half ( * ) off of my rating because the announcement of a three issue mini-series Last Stand Of New Krypton will immediately follow this series. I'm disappointed DC went this route. While the first six issues of W. O. N. K. were excellent, there were a few of the later issues that have been a little slow, not advancing the story as much. It would seem that it would not have taken much to tighten the plot of this series and conclude with whatever story that willbe told in Last Stand. But, I'll see if the last issue of this series and Last Stand will change my mind. Maybe it will have more story than could have fit in this series. I hope so.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, January 13, 2010:

Adventure Comics #6/509 * * * *

Lex Luthor shows up, and we learn some details about his family and his past. He sends Superboy off on a quest after Conner Kent calls Luthor out on his claim that Superman kept him from showing the worlf his greatness. Luthor meets his challenge and still shows how cruel he can be. And Francis Manapul's art is growing on me. The only minor detail I didn't like is why a superhero has to cause needless property damage when he clobbers the villain. I expect the villain to do it, he's the bad guy. Or maybe I'm just getting old. It's a very little point and didn't take away my enjoyment of the story.

Action Comics #885 (World Against Superman #23) (DC) * * * *

This issue had it all, action, character development, intrigue. The Science Police act on a tip and show up at S.T.A.R. Labs to arrest Nightwing and Flamebird. General Lane doesn't want to be left out of that catch and there is another sleeper agent. The ending certainly would seem to tie into the coming War Of The Superman storyline. I'll just leave it at that. While I will be glad to see Superman return to Earth and his regular titles, the current story running in Action is living up to it's name.

Among the titles coming up for the week of Wednesday, January 27, 2010:

Supergirl #49 (DC)
Superman #696 (DC)

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