Episode #89: Catch Up Week #21: Comic Books For The Weeks Of Wednesday, March 5, 19 & 26, June 3 & 16, 2010:

I finally cleared out my file at my local comic book shop, Acme Comics http://acme-superstore.com/, in Longwood, Florida. For a few weeks there, everything seemed to come in at once each week, more than my budget could keep up with. Hopefully, titles will be published more spread out during the month in the future.

Comic book for the week of Wednesday, May 5, 2010:

Terry Moore's Echo #21 (Abstract Studios)

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, May 19, 2010:

DC Universe Legacies #1 (of 10) (DC)
The Legion Of Super-Heroes #1 (DC)

Comic book for the week of Wednesday, May 26, 2010:

Superman: War Of The Supermen #4 (of 4) (DC)

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, June 3, 2010:

Adventure Comics #12/ 515 (DC)
Terry Moore's Echo #22 (Abstract Studios)
Invincible #72 (Image)

Comic book for the week of Wednesday, May 5, 2010:

Terry Moore's Echo #21 (Abstract Studios) * * * * *

With only nine issues left in the series after this issue, the action and tension continues to build toward what promises to be a spectacular climax. The issue begins by following Dillon, who makes a stop before heading back toward Julie and Ivy. The two women have been captured by the severly injured Hong Lu. But Ivy isn't totally defenseless. And as is usually the case, the issue ends in a surprise. There hasn't been a bad issue in the whole series.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, May 19, 2010:

DC Universe: Legacies #1 (of 10) (DC) * * * *

This miniseries is DC's latest look at the golden age of comic books. Since Len Wein is the writer, I figured that the title would be a good read. I wasn't disappointed. Artist Scott Kolins drew the framing sequence, which showed an elderly Paul Lincoln reminiscing about the beginning of the history of superheroes, back in the late 1930's. Andy and Joe Kubert drew the flashback sequence, which covered most of the issue. there was a second story, also written by Wein, which featured Dr. Fate and the Spectre. Their story was covered by golden age character reporter Scott Scanlon.

My favorite part of the issue was the first story, which showed a young Paul Lincoln and his friend, Jimmy, as street urchins in Suicide Slum in Metropolis. They survived on the street as being runners for one of the mobs. They are eyewitnesses to some of the first costumed vigilantes attacking thier bosses' operations. We see first the Crimson Avenger, who was a cross between the Shadow and the Spirit. Then we see Sandman and the Atom. The issue ends with Paulie faced with a decision.

Legion Of Super-Heroes #1 (DC) * * * * *

The Legion is back, and it's about time! Sharing Adventure Comics with Conner Kent Superboy just didn't cut it. Paul Levitz returns to his most famous title, for the first time in about twenty years. At least in this first issue, he hasn't lost a step as a storyteller. It picks up after the end of Legion Of 3 Worlds and the Superman And The Legion Of Super-Heroes in Action Comics. It's an oversized issue, and the pages are bursting at the seams with the several plot threads that weave together to form the story.

The story begins by showing what happened to Earth Man after he was captured. Saturn Girl revisits her home world of Titan, and Ultra Boy and Cosmic Boy face the Earth politics that entangles the Legion. Saturn Girl faces some personal issues, while the rest of the Legion struggle to cope with the demands EarthGov places on them. The issue ends with the entire Legion facing a crisis, and Pual Levitz writes an essay about returning to the Legion. It was a fitting return for the Legion. Long Live The Legion!

Comic book for the week of Wednesday, May 26, 2010:

Superman: War Of The Supermen #4 (of 4) (DC) * * * *

This final issue wraps up the war between New Krypton and Earth, over several fronts. The action was nonstop up to the end. The conclusion was bittersweet, but it was a satisfying climax. After reading the whole story I thought that it could have been at least two issues longer and still be a great story. But with the New Krypton story extending over two years, it was probably time to wrap up the story. Overall, the whole extended storyline was a good Superman tale.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, June 3, 2010:

Adventure Comics #12/515 (DC) * * * *

With the Conner Kent Superboy getting his own title, Adventure Comics has renewed its connection to the Legion Of Super-Heroes. It is becoming a title of early Legion stories, sort of a ret-con of Superboy's first Legion adventures, now that Clark Kent once again was Superboy in his youth. In this issue Clark skips school to spend the day in the 30th Century. It seems that Superboys like making lists, and Clark has his own. Part of his time with the Legion is enjoying things that he would not be able to cut loose and enjoy back in Smallville. In between, there are a few emergencies that Superboy proves himself a natural at responding to. Having grown up in the 1960's and 1970's reading Superboy and Legion stories, it's great to see them returning to that younger era of the Legion. This modern look at the early Legion does not stray too far away from the original stories in an attempt to fit in with modern storytelling.

Terry Moore's Echo #22 (Abstract Studios) * * * * *

Dillon's Dad finds out what he is involved with. And, Ivy is the wrong person to get angry with you. Some more facts are coming out about the mysterious alloy, and it is becoming more disturbing with each revelation. The series is setting up to an incredible climax.

Invincible #72 (Image) * * * * *

The Viltrumite War begins with a vengence, and with evey story involving Viltrumites, there is a lot of ketchup on the pages. Once again writer and co-creator Robert Kirkman isn't afraid to do anything to his characters, and this issue is no exception. The war is far from over, but already there are casualties. There is no telling where Kirkman will take the story, but I'm enjoying the ride, as always.

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