Issue #110: Catch Up Week #26, Part II: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, February 9, 2011:

 Superman #708 (DC)
Adventure Comics #523 (DC)
Cinderella: Fables Are Forever #1 (of 6) (Vertigo/DC)
John Byrne's Next Men #3 (IDW)

Superman #708 (DC) *  *  *  *


Only four more issues before we can ground the Grounded storyline. However, this issue is the first one, other than the one that featured Perry White and the Daily Planet, that I really enjoyed. We get a peak into Superman's influence in the far flung future. I don't know if it's J. Michael Straczunski's plot, or Chris Roberson's script. This issue ties in the repercussions  from the end of the New Krypton storyline, about eight issues late, but at least it's part of the motivation of Superman's quest. This peak into Superman's future was my favorite part of the issue, but the guest appearance of Wonder Woman, in her current continuity, wasn't bad. We're beginning to get closer to learning the truth behind the mysterious woman who has been following Superman, and it doesn't bode well for the Man of Steel.

Adventure Comics #523 (DC) *  *  *  *


This issue begins the Legion Academy storyline. We're introduced to Glorith, a familiar name to longtime Legion fans, but in a new guise. She leaves Sorcerers' World to attend Legion Academy. We are introduced to her fellow cadets, who have a wide range of personalities. Former members of the Legion of Substitute Heroes are also part of the supporting cast, which is a nice touch. This issue does a good job of introducing the cadets and their instructors, and setting up the storyline. Older Legion readers like me wonder how the new Glorith's character will develop, and how it will compare to past incarnations. This is equally as interesting as the Legion title proper. Levitz and crew are batting 1,000.

Cinderella: Fables Are Forever #1 (of 6) *  *  *  *  *


I missed the first Cinderella mini-series, From Fabletown, With Love, but I began reading this first issue of her second mini-series without feeling lost. It begins in a similar fashion to a classic James Bond film, with Cinderella, Fabletown's resident spy, deep in action. In this issue she learns that her greatest enemy, the Silver Slipper is still alive. We are also introduced to new fables from a different part of the world. There's a lot of action and intrigue, and this new crisis for Cinderella is set up very well. I'm looking forward to reading how this story unfolds.

Next Men #3 (IDW) *  *  *  *  *


In this issue we are finally introduced to the final member of the Next Men's first series who had yet to make an appearance in this new title, the invulnerable Bethany. Unlike the other members of the group, she has not aged or been bounced through time. She has a conversation to the black space suited figure who had rescued the Next Men from the apocalyptic ending of the original series. We also see the other members, in various eras of time, face different crises. It doesn't feel like we are any closer to solving the mystery that was introduced in the first issue, but the story is moving along in an interesting way. This series has quickly joined that short list of my favorite titles.

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