Issue #80: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, February 10, 2010!

Powers Coloring/Activity Book (Image) (published in 2001)
Powers Encyclopedia (Icon/Marvel) (published November 25, 2009)
Invincible Presents Atom Eve & Rex Splode (Image)
Action Comics #886 (World Against Superman #27) (DC)

Powers Coloring/Activity Book (Image) (published in 2001) * * * *

I was surprised, when I went to Acme Comics in Longwood, Florida http://acme-superstore.com/ to find this activity book in my subsription file. I had this in Powers: Little Deaths, vol. III of the then Image title, as part of the extras in the back of the volume. It is modeled after actual coloring books real police departments use to give to children brought into their stations or school presentations. This one combines real safety tips with content colored by life in a world where super heroes actually exist. It was a clever presentation of a small slice of a super hero universe. Even though I already had seen this in the trade paperback, I enjoyed getting it in its original form.

Powers Encyclopedia (Icon?Marvel) * * * 1/2

This issue was originally published on November 25, 2009. I didn't get to the comic store the day it was released, and Acme was sold out by the time I got there (I hadn't asked for it to be put on my pull list, and the regular Powers series had not resumed publication). The helpful staff put in a back order for me, but I eventually gave up hoping for a copy. I figured that it sold out. When I went to the store last Saturday, Marc, one of the Acme employees, told me that it had sold out, but one of their subscribers cancelled his store subscriptions. So it was a pleasant surprise to finally get a copy. I haven't yet read the entire book cover to cover, but have read some of the selections. Just about every named character that has appeared in both Powers' Image and Icon/Marvel runs is listed. One minor drawback is that there is no added background information about any of the characters that was not revealed in the stories themselves. It would have been nice to read a brief summary of parts of their lives we did not already know. but that's a minor quibble. It would be an excellent resource for any new readers to the Powers universe, but is full of spoilers, because it summarizes each character's entire history so far in the series. So reader beware. Otherwise, it's a fun look at past stories for each character.

Invincible Presents Atom Eve & Rex Splode #3 (of 3) (Image) * * * *

This issue concludes the mini-series about Rex Splode's origin and the beginning of his partnership and relationship with fellow superhero Atom Eve. This issue shows with Eve and Rex dealing with the afterath of the destruction of the facility that created Rex's powers, and bringing in one of Eve's old nemeses. We also see how Rex got his costume that we were familiar with during his career, and the ultimate fate of his family. this was an enjoyable look at the background of some of Invincible's closest superhero friends. I was glad I read it.

Action Comics #886 (World Against Superman #27) (DC) * * * *

This was a very different issue. We get a glimpse into Kryptonian mythology and the legend of Nightwing and Flamebird, which ties into the story of Chris Kent and Thara, the current Nightwing and Flamebird. Thara also sees the consequences of the recent deal she made. Their story seems to be speeding toward a big climax heading into the upcoming War Of The Supermen mini-series. This was a very dense issue, with a lot to sink my teeth into. The Captain Atom second feature is getting much better, but I will be glad when he gets returned to the normal DC Universe and is over the schizophrenic plots that pretty much derailed the character for a long time. He's fallen a long way since my favorite Captain Atom stories in the 1990's Justice League Europe. Also a pleasant surprise were the Doc Savage and The Spirit black and white previews at the very back of the issue. If I could fit them into my comic book budget I would probably give these two titles a try. But I'll have to pass.

Comic books scheduled for the week of Wednesday, February 17, 2010:

Supergirl #50 (DC)
The Tick: New Series #2 (New England Comics)
Invincible #70 (Image)

Invincible is always one I save for reading last because I know it's going to be an excellent issue.

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