Issue #60: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, June 24, 2009!

Sgt. Rock: The Lost Batallion #6 (of 6) (DC)
Superman #689 (New Krypton #31, World Without Krypton)

Sgt. Rock: The Lost Batallion #6 (of 6) (DC) * * * * *

This mini-series that combined WWII history with fictional DC war characters comes to a fantastic end. Johnny Cloud of the Losers makes an appearance, bringing key supplies to the haggard Lost Batallion, along with a needed morale boost, before the final battle that will break out the Lost Batallion (no spoilers here since this is actual history). The issue ends with some post war history about some of the characters, including some conjecture about the ultimate fate of Sgt. Rock, and an epilogue by an elderly William Killroy. This has been an excellent series which showcased army veteran Billy Tucci's exquisite research. It doesn't overwhelm the story, but provides a "rock" hard foundation to build the story on (pun intended). If you haven't read any of the issues or just a few, I would strongly recommend getting either back issues or the trade collection to come.

Superman #689 (New Krypton #31, World Without Superman) * * * *

This issue reintroduces Morgan Edge to Superman continuity. Edge owns Metropolis TV station WGBS and issues some strong statements doubting Mon-El's motives as Superman's replacement in Metropolis. Meanwhile, Mon-El continues his travels around the world, but can't keep from getting involved with local battles with supervillains wherever he goes. The Guardian has one more encounter with 31st century Legionnaire Tellus. And John Henry Irons continues showing his new friend Tom around the Ironworks. It was great to see Mon-El's encounters with various super heroes arpund the world, some, if not all, of whom are minor characters in the DC universe. The different plot threads between General Lane, Mon-El, the Guardian and the Science Police, and John Henry Irons make for interesting reading, and keeps me interested in this title from issue to issue.

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Issue #59: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, July 17, 2009!

Supergirl #42 (New Krypton #30) (DC)
Action Comics Annual #12 (DC)
Invincible #63 (Image)

Supergirl #42 (New Krypton #30) (DC) * * * *

This issue shows several characters dealing with the death of the person who had been Superwoman. Lois begins following the trail of a story that will probably lead to things even she suspects. The story of Reactron continues. Supergirl makes a decision about where she needs to go to learn more about Superwoman, and Lana receives some health news. While this was the epilogue of the Superwoman story, the consequences will be felt in the following storylines. Through the trials she faces, Supergirl is slowly maturing into an adult superhero, and we get to read it as it happens. That is why I will continue to subscribe to this title.

Action Comics Annual #12 (DC) * * * *

This 48 page annual tells the full story how Lor-Zod (Chris Kent) and Thara Ak-Var became the modern Nightwing and Flamebird. What is different about this story is that it is told mostly in captions, with little dialogue. We also learn more about the religous guild, flamebird and the phantom zome, as well as some possible explanations about Chris Kent's transformations. This issue fills in the backstory of Nightwing and Flamebird. It begins with Brainiac's capture of Kandor and ends with how Chris Kent made it out of the Phantom Zone. It is a great story, showing Thara and Chris's individual struggles and how they become a team. This issue does a great job of developing the Phantom Zone and another segment of Kryptonian society.

Invincible #63 (Image) * * * * *

Any issue that contains a Viltrumite character is always bloody, and this is more so tan most. The Viltrumite named Conquest is slowly beating Invincible to a pulp, and enjoying himself. IN this issue something truly shocking happens to a supporting character. I'm not a big fan of a lot of comics with graphic content, but this title is different. Writer Robert Kirkman is never afraid to put his characters through the ringer, or the meat grinder. But the way he does it develops the characters. He shows the consequences of super hero battles. Instead of the stylized violence of the average super hero battle, Kirkman shows the physical price that is paid between hero fist fights. However, Kirkman doesn't show graphic violence for its own sake. He always is focused on character develpoment and advancing the story. I wonder how this story will lead to Omni-Man's coing war against his own people?

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

Issue #58: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, June 10, 2009!

Fantastic Four #567 (Marvel)
Action Comics #878 (New Krypton #29 / World Without Superman

Fantastic Four #567 (Marvel) * * * * *

This issue is part two of four of the story Doom's Master. It continues Doom's confrontation with his mentor that began at the end of last issue. I read a preview on line at one of the comic book web sites, but did not expect the plot twist that happened in the middle of the issue. It was very shocking, to put it mildly, and bodes ill for the FF. Millar and Hitch have crafted a challenge to the Fantastic Four that I wonder how they will overcome it, or if. And I wonder how Doom will return this time. 'Nuff said.

Action Comics #878 (New Krypton #29 / World Without Superman) * * * *

The Kryptonian Bonnie and Clyde continue their rampage while Gen. Lane continues to strategize against the Kryptonian "threat", while Lois gets to know Thara better. Ever the reporter, Lois picks up some tips along the way herself about what's going on with the big picture. Nightwing and Flamebird catch up to the Kryptonian Bonnie and Clyde, with a little bit of unexpected company. Greg Rucka is weaving another great Superman story with artist Diego Olmos. There are a lot of plot threads developing in the New Krypton / World Without Superman story and I can only wonder how this over arcing storyline involving the Super- titles will conclude. It promises to a very satisfying tale.

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Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com , http://www.gcast.com/u/Billy_H80/http_supermanfanpodcast_gcast_com_rss_xml.xml , http://archive.org and most other podcast aggregaters. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com . The podcast theme is Plans In Motion composed by Kevin MacLeod, part of the royalty free music library of http://incompetech.com .

Issue #57: Comic Books For The Week Of June 3, 2009!

Batman And Robin #1 (Batman Reborn) (DC)
Superman: World Of New Krypton #4 (New Krypton #28) (DC)

Batman And Robin #1 (Batman Reborn) (DC) * * * * *

Being such a huge fan of Morrison and Quitely on All-Star Superman I had to check out at least issue #1 of this new title. Needless to say I will be adding this title to my pull list at Acme Comics http://acme-superstore.com . I did not read either the Batman R. I. P. or Battle For The Cowl, but that does not make it confusing to read this issue. It begins in the middle of the authorities, led by a new, hi-tech Batmobile, chasing a getaway car driven by an unusual thief. I haven't read Batman comics regularly in a number of years, but if you are remotely familiar with Batman history, you won't have any trouble connecting with the new Batman and Robin. They have relocated the Batcave to Gotham City itself, in a move similar to one I read about in a 1970's Batman story. Damian, the new Robin, acts like the grandson of Ras al' Gul that he is, and makes a young Jason Todd seem like a boy scout. The end of the issue introduces a new threat to Gotham in a very ghastly manner. This issue had a great mix of action and character development. It is the comprehensible Grant Morrison who writes this issue. That one I enjoy.

Superman: World Of New Krypton #4 (New Krypton #28) * * * * *

The Green Lantern - Kal-El conflict develops in a way that isn't expected, or necessarily depicted on the cover. It does involve a super villain wanted by both the GL's and General Zod. One of the problems with Kal-El trying to influence things from the inside is when his aims conflict with those in authority. At the end of this issue, Kal's conflict with General od appears to have come to a head. Pete Wood's art is excellent as always, as is the story by Robinson and Rucka. This issue left me wanting to come back next month to read what happens next.

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

Issue #56: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, May 27, 2009!

Late pick off the shelf for the week of Wednesday, May 6, 2009:

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (vol. III) Century: 1910 (Top Shelf) * * * *

The $7.95 price tag, although it is over ninety pages long, kept me from picking it up the week it came out, because I wasn't able to get to Acme Comics (http://acme-superstore.com/) until two weeks later. I had too much to get out of my pull list file to be able to add this title to the stack. I had a little extra cash the next week so I could finally buy this eagerly anticipated issue. It was great to be able to buy the latest issue of TLEG as soon as it came out, instead of waiting for the collected edition a year later. I wasn't disappointed. This first issue is not as different as Black Dossier but it differed from the first two volumes, mainly because of all of the singing. Yes, you read correctly, this wasn't a typo. I don't know if the lyrics are directly from the Threepenny Opera or merely inspired by it, but it's an interesting way to tell the story. We are introduced to the latest additions to the League, and the death of an elderly member of the League from the past. This issue introduces Jenny Diver, who was referred to in The Black Dossier.

The word that best fits this issue is experimental. I haven't read a comic book in a long time that had characters singing throughout the issue, except for a Mad Magazine musical Star Trek spoof from the mid-1970's. The lyrics advance the story, about a mysterious threat that the new League is trying to discover in time to stop it. I'm not familiar with some of the new members, but Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill do a good job of exposing the reader to mre recent literary figures. And the League's adventures seem to get stranger and stranger, which keeps me coming back for the next issue.

Comic book for the week of Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Superman #688 (New Krypton #27 / World Without Superman) (DC) * * * *

This issue picks up where 687 ended, with Mon-El's powers cutting out on him. He gets some answers from Dr. Light, who seems to have a side practice of super hero medicine. And the plot of the Guardian's involvement with a Legionnairre is developed a little farther. There are several scenes of super hero action as well. What made this issue most interesting to me was the dceisions Mon-El was faced with about his life. I won't spoil it here, but Mon-El's continuing adjustment to life on Earth, and what he faces, is what I find most interesting about this storyline in Superman.

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

Issue #55: Catch Up Week #11!

I finally made it back to my comic book store, Acme Comics http://acme-superstore.com on Saturday, May 23, 2009. So I have a few weeks to catch up on. Let's not waste any time and get to work.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, May 6, 2009:

Superman: World Of New Krypton #3 (of 12) (New Krypton #24) (DC) * * * * *

Last issue ended with the potential of civil war breaking out on New Krypton. General Zod has a choice to make: either solve it by force or give Kal-El a chance to negotiate a settlement. Later, Superman shows that having super powers is not the end-all of being a good soldier. What makes me give this title 5 * 's continues to be how Superman's unique character shines through the plot. This title continues to make me say, "Thank goodness Superman was raised by Kansas farmers." This story cotinues to show that what makes Superman unique is as much his midwestern ethics as it is his super powers. What makes Superman Superman comes from Earth, specifically the midwestern farm belt, as it does from Krypton. And Pete Wood's art is excellent as usual, and puts him on my list of great Superman artists, along woth cover artist Gary Franks.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, May 13, 2009:

Terry Moore's Echo #12 (Abstract Studios) * * * * *

Ivy follows the trail of destruction after Julie's clash with the crazy old man with the metal hand, and the aftermath with Julie and Dillon. We also return to Julie's sister Pam in the mental institution. These issues are quick reads, but in this case it's not a bad thing. The action is quick and to the point,yet still able to pack in plenty of character development. Plus, there is always at least one scene that adds another layer to the mystery as it resolves a plot point from the last issue. This developing story is greater than the sum of its pages.

Action Comics #877 (New Krypton #25 / World Without Superman) * * * *

We see Lois' reaction when she realizes her "stepson" Chris Kent is back. And we also learn that there is more to Lois Lane than we realize. We also see more machinations of General Kent. Let's not forget Ursa, not to mention a new version of Bonnie and Clyde. The World Without Krypton story, especially in Action, is developing into a very complex story that more than makes up for the absence of Superman from Earth. I'll be glad when Superman returns to Earth, but until then World Without Krypton in Action Comics will fill his boots.

The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #6 (of 6) (Dark Horse) * * * * *
My Chemical Romance is not my style of music, but lead singer Gerard Way does write a great non-super hero comic book. This title might be too bizarre for some, but it's not as explicit as some, even thought there is some blood and gore. The adult Umbrella Academy try to save President Kennedy from being assassinated by an alternate version of one of their own. The character development and interaction is the foundation around which the action revolves. And, like the original mini-series, the story concludes in a melancholy fashion for them. Gabriel Ba's art is excellent as always, and fits the unusual story being presented. The back cover was a great imitation of a yellowing back cover of a '50's or '60's cheap paperback action novel. After reading this, I'm looking forward to the next mini-series. And that's what a comic book is supposed to do, make me want to read the next issue.

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, May 20, 2009:

Fantastic Four #566 (Marvel) * * * * *

What kind of person would be a mentor to Dr. Doom? Why, a very frightening creature. His new pupil is still a mystery, as well as his mentor, but his interaction with Doom is unforgetable. Val's blog which serves as the introductory page sumarizing the last issue is a very clever plot device. Doom meeting his master is not the only shocker. The issue opens with another shocker. And there is an interesting scene with Ben and his fiance Debbie. Who would have thought that there would be a menace to the Fantastic Four greater than Dr. Doom himself? Continued next issue (the greatest phrase in comics).

Supergirl #41 (New Krypton #26) (DC) * * * *

This issue concludes the Who Is Superwoman? storyline running in recent issues of this title. The previous issue ended in a shocker with the revelation of Superwoman's identity, but this issue ends in an even greter shocker. Also, Lana's health crisis leads her to the emergency room. The name of the hospital was a cool "easter egg" as the name of a past DC Comics editor. I was left wondering if Cat Grant was drawn too uncomfortably to Lana's real relationship with her "neice" Linda Lane (who Cat doesn't know is secretly Supergirl). I'm left wondering what the repercussions will be for not only Supergirl, but for Gen. Lane as well. I had originally thought about dropping Supergirl after this story's conclusion, but I think I will continue to collect this title until the end of the New Krypton title. This is the way to do a crossover. While Supergirl, Action and Superman are not necessary to enjoy the World Of New Krypton mini-series, they have separate stories that are related to NK but all of them tie together to tell a great multi-layered story. While I am obviously collecting all of these titles, the stories in each title can be enjoyed separate from each other for those who are not interested in all of the titles, or can only afford certain titles.

Invincible #62 (Invincible War: Aftermath: Conquest Part Two) (Image) * * * * *

Invincible gets no rest for the weary, as an old and grizzled Viltrumite has come to Earth to test him on the heels of the war against alternate Invincibles. Judging from the next issue teaser it does not promise to go well for Invincible. The tension builds even more, pointing to an even more brutal next issue. We also discover what happened to the bodies of the dead alternate Invincibles. Robert Kirkman is not afraid to put his main characters through the grinder. Playing it safe is not in Kirkman's style of plotting. That's what keeps Invincible one of the titles I save to read last every month to savor it even more.

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Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com , as well as http://www.gcast.com/u/Billy_H80/http_supermanfanpodcast_gcast_com_rss_xml.xml and at http://archive.org . Send e-mail about this podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com .

Issue #54: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, May 13, 2009 & A Review Of STAR TREK!

Umbrella Academy: Dallas #6 (of 6) (Dark Horse)
Action Comics #877 (DC)
Terry Moore's Echo #12 (Abstract Studios)

I am having to wait until next week to go to Acme Comics http://acme-superstore.com/ , when payday comes, so for this issue I will share my thoughts on the latest Star Trek movie. My wife and I, and our daughter, saw it on Thursday, May 14, 2009. My wife was wanting to wait for the DVD, but her friends at work had such glowing reviews about it she had to see it at the theater. I knew I wasn't going to be able to wait for the DVD, especially after hearing a number of podcasts have an almost unanimous praise for the movie.

When I first heard that the new Star Trek movie would be a prequel about a young Kirk, Spock and crew, it left a bad taste in my mouth. It seemed that it could be another disastrous example of movie executive logic, which is an oxymoron. But being a trekkie I held out a little hope that my first impression might be wrong. The early trailers and TV commercials were more hopeful, and early preview reviews added some more hope. But I was still cautiously optomistic because past movies have looked great in previews but have not held up well after being released, like the Star Wars prequels or Superman Returns.

After buying our tickets and sitting in the theater I was looking forward to seeing the movie. I was not disappointed. In fact, I would put this movie as my #3 favorite Star Trek movie, after Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. The story was an almost perfect balance of action and character development. The early scenes showing the growth of Kirk and Spock as boys did a good job of setting up the characters. It moved quickly through their Star Fleet Academy years, but spending enough time developing them as cadets. After showing them as seniors, and then jumping into the main plot of the movie, it's almost non stop action, yet as the best Star Trek episodes and movies do, the development of the stories open a window into the development of the characters, and shows them maturing through their actions.

The cast did an excellent job of portraying younger versions of the Kirk, Spock, McCoy and crew we have become so familiar with. They weren't as polished or assured, except for Kirk of course, because they are shown as younger Starfleet officers. And this prequel also does a great job of not rendering the past episodes and movies as meaningless or saying "This didn't happen." It honors past Trek, with many "easter eggs" for old fans, while taking this new Trek in a new direction that old fans like me can still enjoy.

My favorite actor in this movie was Karl Urban, who channeled DeForest Kelley as Dr, McCoy perfectly. He combined the irascible and blunt McCoy, who let the young Kirk and Spock know what he thought, with his medical genius. It wasn;t until the next day when I realized that he also played a Rohan prince in the Lord Of The Rings movies.

Leonard Nimoy as the elder Spock fit in the movie without making it feel as if the movie stopped to spotlight a popular Trek character, which Star Trek: The Motion Picture did ad nauseum. How he fit into the plot of this movie was also well done.

While the original Enterprise, and the bridge, equipment and uniforms were updated it was still similar enought the the original series design. It was apparent with all of the visuals and story elements and dialogue that the producers respected the source material. They did a tip of the hat to all that has come before in Trek while taking it into a new updated direction. It was not necessary to know anything about Star Trek to enjoy this movie, and it will be a perfect vehicle to hook new Star Trek fans and add new blood to the Star Trek franchise.

J. J. Abrams has set the bar high for the inevitable sequel. This movie shows he has the potential to carry the Star Trek franchise into the 21st century. I'll be among the first in line to buy my ticket to the next Star Trek movie, and it won't be soon enough.

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