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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Issue #110: Catch Up Week #26, Part I: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, February 2, 2011:

Covering for a co-worker's vacation put me a month behind on my reviews, so I will be breaking this post into parts in order to avoid  writing a War And Peace length post. I wouldn't want to read that. I've learned from past blog posts. I begin with the comics I bought just about a month ago, which were released on Wednesday, February 2, 2011:

Superman: 80-Page Giant 2011 #1 (One Shot) (DC)
Legion Of Super-Heroes Annual #1 (One Shot) (DC)
Invincible #77 (Skybound/Image)

Superman: 80-Page Giant 2011 #1 (One Shot) (DC) *  *  *  *


Sometimes, these 80-Page Giants can be inconsistent, but I was pleasantly surprised about this one. I enjoyed most of the stories. The first one was about how Jor-El discovered Krypton was doomed, another about Perry White and Wildcat sitting in a bar reminiscing about old times, a Jimmy Olsen story about an army of Olsen clones, a Supergirl story about how being a superhero crimps your dating life, a Lois Lane/Lana Land team up about how returning someone's lost credit card can have unexpected consequences, and a Conner Kent Superboy story about how to blow off steam. The only one that didn't grab me was the Bizarro Superman story. It had too much Bizarro speak. It was worth the cost.

Legion Of Super-Heroes Annual  #1 (One Shot) (DC) *  *  *  *


Writer Paul Levitz and artist Keith Giffen reunited for this annual. I missed their classic Baxter series run, although I do have a few issues of that run. My first consistent run of the Legion was the 5 Year Later Legion of the early 1990's, co-written and drawn by Giffen. This Annual introduces the new Empress of the Emerald Eye. The main Legionnaires of the story were Lightning Lass and Shrinking Violet. Other Legionnaires came to assist them in their fight against the Empress and the Emerald Eye. For the most part I enjoyed Giffen's art, but Lightning Lass and Shrinking Violet did seem a little too stocky and imitative of Kirby's style. But the story
was great, and the conclusion promises to lead to future consequences, i. e. story lines.The end of the issue has a clever review of Legion history told in the form of a game board.

Invincible #77 (Skybound/Image) *  *  *  *  *


Without spoiling the story, I'll just say that I didn't like the ending, but it was one of the best superhero stories I've ever read. That may sound like it doesn't make sense, but if you read this issue you might understand. I wanted the Viltrumite War to end in the typical superhero comic book fashion. But the way Kirkman and Ottley ended the issue seemed more true to life. Because I don't like it, I'm coming back to see how this twist ending will steer future issues. Well done, Mr. Kirkman and company.

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Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

Preview #35: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, March 2, 2011:

Wow, time flies when you're having fun with comic books!

John Byrne's Next Men #4 (IDW)
Powers #7 (Icon/Marvel)

Two great titles. Also, Powers has been green lit for a series pilot on the FX cable channel. No details yet, as far as I know, about when it will air.

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Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

From The Comic Shop #22: Sunday, February 28, 2011:

Action Comics #898 (DC)
Terry Moore's Echo #28 (Abstract Studios)

I also got 300 bags and boards from Acme Comics, since I finally had some extra spending money to get them. Now I have to find the time to bag and board the box full of comics that I haven't properly filed away yet.

I know I'm behind in reviewing my comics; I'm still catching up from the week I covered for a co--worker's vacation. I've missed a few Preview and From The Comic Shop posts.But don't worry. Soon, I will catch up on my reviews. Stay tuned.

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Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

From The Comic Shop #21: Thursday, February 17, 2011:

Two weeks ago I worked all week to help cover for someone's vacation, so I was unable to go to the comic shop until then, on the third day of three well earned days off in a row. So I had a big stack in my file from Acme Comics in Longwood, Florida.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, February 2, 2011:


Legion Of Super-Heroes Annual #1 (DC)
Superman 80 Page Giant #1 (DC)

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, February 9, 2011:


Adventure Comics #523 (DC)
Cinderella: Fables Are Forever #1 (of 6) (Vertigo/DC)

This title wasn't on my pull list at Acme, but I couldn't resist it. I never picked up an issue of the first Cinderella mini-series or the trade paperback collection, and I found it irresistible to turn down this first issue of the second mini-series about the Fables version of Cinderella as super spy. I'm sure I'll enjoy it as much as any other issue of Fables I've read.

Superman #708 (DC)
Next Men #3 (IDW)

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, February 16, 2011:

Fables #102 (Vertigo/DC)
Legion Of Super-Heroes #10 (DC)

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Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

Issue #109: Comic Books For The Weeks Of Wednesday, January 19 & 26, 2011:

Comic book for the week of Wednesday, January 19, 2011:


Legion Of Super-Heroes #9 (DC)

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, January 26, 2011:


Action Comics #897 (DC)
Fables #101 (Vertigo/DC)

and from the special edition $1.00 rack:


Magnus, Robot Fighter #1 (Dark Horse Comics 1 for $1.00)
Mata Hari #1 (Radical Premiere $1.00)

Comic book for the week of Wednesday, January 19, 2011:


Legion Of Super-Heroes #9 (DC) *  *  *  *  *

This issue contains three stories. Brainiac 5 accompanies Reep Daggle, Chameleon Boy travel to Reep's homewrold of Durla in an attempt to get to the bottom of the Durlan assassins who have bee attacking UP Council members.Timber Wolf and Tyroc guard the Council when everyone is surprised by an unexpected speaker. Tellus assists SP Chief Cusimano in finding where the Durlans took Chief Zendak. The issue ends in a break in the case, but you'll have to read it to learn what it is and who discovered it. Paul Levitz and team continue to knock it out of the park. The Legion has the best stories right now, as far as I'm concerned, and that's from someone whose favorite character is Superman.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, January 26, 2011:


Action Comics #897 (DC) *  *  *  *


What a difference between two issues. Last month's issue was so bad, I didn't bother to get the second part of the story in Secret Six. This month's issue has to be my favorite of the entire Lex Luthor storyline so far. Robot Lois apparently put herself back together, or else Lex had her rebuilt. I really don't care if Lex's building was blown up or not, so I'll move on to this issue. Lex's hunt for the Black Lantern energy globes leads him to the Joker's cell in Arkham Asylum. I don't know what was more frightening, Joker's insane logic, or the fact that Lex Luthor understood him perfectly. This was a conversation between Madness and Insanity.  There wasn't a lot of action, but this issue was a perfect example of how dialogue can move and develop plot and hold a reader's interest. It certainly did mine. The issue ends with a peek at who Lex's next encounter will be with, and it looks interesting as well.

Fables #101 (Vertigo/DC) *  *  *  *  *


This was my first monthly issue of this title. I have previously bought the first two volumes of Fables. As expected, I was not disappointed. This new story opens in the Fables' business office, with the Magic Mirror, Frankenstein's Head and a talking monkey. By the end of the issue we learn which fairy tale the monkey comes from, and follow the beginning of his quest, thanks to a little clever verbal prodding by Magic Mirror. I still feel like I'm coming in during the middle of the story (as should be expected after 100 issues) but that's part of the fun of jumping into an excellent series like Fables. I look forward to catching up what I've missed and answering some questions I have in the story, like how did the Business Office get in such a mess? Why did I wait so long to begin following this series? My loss, but I look forward to following the Yellow Brick Road and catching up on the paperback volumes.

From the $1.00 special issue rack:


Magnus, Robot Fighter #1 (Dark Horse Comics 1 For $1.00) *  *  *  *


This is a reprint of the first issue of the original Gold Key series, published in 1963. The art and coloring are simpler, yet Russ Manning's art is clean and does a good job of telling the story. Robots in the distant future have lulled humanity into a false sense of security and silently taken over, similar to the movie Wal-E. The issue is the origin of Magnus and how he developed his abilities to fight the despot robots. It's a comic book from a simpler era, when comic book production was cruder, but the story holds up well even today. This original series has been reprinted in three volumes, and is available on Amazon.com.

Mata Hari #1 (Radical Premiere $1.00) *  *  *  *


This one shot issue introduces the Mata Hari graphic novel scheduled to be published this Spring. The issue reprints the first 15 pages of the graphic novel, then has a 6 page text piece, with photos, written by the author  about her place in history. He presents some interesting historical theories as well as gives some background about WWI. I don't think I will be able to afford the graphic novel when it does appear, but this issue does do a good job of creating interest in the hardcover edition. I would recommend it on the basis of this issue.

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Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

Preview #34: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, February 2, 2011:

Legion Of Super-Heroes Annual #1 (DC)

I think the big story in this issue involves Saturn Queen, who was on her way to Takron-Galtos at the end of Adventure Comics #522. This special issue was also delayed twice, I believe. As good as the Legion has been under the authorship of Paul Levitz, it should be well worth the wait.

Invincible #77 (Skybound/Image)

After the big revelation at the end of last issue, I can't wait to see what Mark discovers in this latest one. The Viltrumite War is as good as any "event" series published by Marvel or DC, maybe even better. It's just not for the faint of stomach.

Send e-mail to mypulllist@gmail.com.

Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.