CAPTAIN AMERICA #614Writers: Ed Brubaker & Sean McKeeverArt: Butch Guice, Stefano Gaudiano, Filipe Andrade, Chris Sotomayor et alMarvel $3.99Stewart R: I pick up a fair few Marvel books each month with $3.99 slapped on the front and I have never really flinched too much at handing over that increased sum of money for 22 pages regardless of the quality of the content. That said, the jump from a tasty $2.99 price point for my monthly Captain America comic to an inflated $3.99 so many moons ago really stuck in the throat for some reason, possibly because the main story took a small dip in form following the Captain America: Reborn debacle and because I had no interest in the Nomad back-up whatsoever. The fact that I was getting close to 30 pages of comic action seemed to pass me by as month on month I picked up Brubaker’s premier Marvel title and failed to find the enthusiasm for it that had gripped me for a good couple of years. Oh, how things have changed...From the brooding Marko Djurdjevic cover to the final emotional page of McKeever’s Nomad chapter this is an issue of Captain America to relish. Brubaker kicks things off by showing just how powerful and dangerous Sin’s ultra Nazi henchman Master Man is when he’s unleashed upon Black Widow and Falcon who are trying to track down the Red Skull’s unbalanced daughter. That initial sequence adds an extra dimension to the courtroom fun to follow as the Trial of Captain America gets stuck into a good bout of witness testimony. There’s some brilliant fun to be had as Bucky’s defence attorney, the irrepressible Bernie Rosenthal, starts to take apart the prosecution’s case pointing out the nefarious backgrounds of each and every character swearing to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. You certainly know that when Norman Osborn’s asked to testify, someone is definitely clutching at straws!I love a good courtroom drama and Brubaker keeps things brisk and snappy, ensuring we don’t get too bogged down in the litigation, and all the while keeping the tension high as we’re not left any more confident about the eventual outcome of the case. This isn’t the same situation as when a character dies and we all know that they’ll be alive and kicking at some point down the line; this case goes right to the heart of who Bucky was, is, and where his future lies - who knows how Brubaker will lay things out? Certainly this issue’s high point, where Dr Faustus takes to the stand, shows that anything is possible as the master of hypnotism and psychological manipulation goes about the job of defending Bucky in his usual pompous and devious manner.
This is where this book has really picked up in recent months. The story is not just about Bucky being Cap; it’s about the group that is there to help and support him when he truly needs it; it’s about Steve Rogers not being able to fully let go of his ‘sidekick’ and allow Bucky to be his own wielder of the shield; it’s about what it actually means for both the man and the people he’s sworn to protect to be the voice and the fist of justice and freedom. When you add into that equation some truly intriguing and well rounded villains who just seem to get smarter and more intimidating then there really isn’t much to go wrong.Luckily for us too, Butch Guice has been on hand to deliver Brubaker’s enthralling tale to the page and his ability to mix action sequences with slower, emotionally complex scenes has really been highlighted during this arc. Bucky and Faust’s ride in armoured transport is a prime example of Guice pencilling at the highest level, capturing the earnest look in Bucky’s eye while maintaining Faust’s mysterious and calm manner - it’s gripping and entertaining stuff. The only slight blemish is once again a noticeable difference from inker to inker - and this title tends to use a fair few! - that can be distracting on occasion, but it's a small and forgettable niggle.After 22 pages of that quality I’d be happy enough but then we’re treated to 8 pages of fantastic material with the Nomad back up and, my word, I don’t think my opinion has ever changed so drastically. From initially hating its intrusion into one of my favourite comics, feeling it to be incredibly out of place with its mismatched tone compared to the main drive of the book, Sean McKeever and Filipe Andrade have really drawn me into the world of this crime-fighting, time-displaced orphan. The art is distinctive, the tension palpable and emotionally charged. I’ll even admit right here that I got a little wet in the eyes reading the last page this issue, it was that good! McKeever’s Rikki is similar to Brubaker’s Bucky in many ways, doubting herself and her abilities and always trying to measure up to ‘greater’ heroes. There should be no doubt though that this is one triumph of a Captain America issue and it’s good to see this book rise back to the top. 9/10
While we may not always have the time to review all the comics we get every week, we do try and provide a snapshot of the latest releases, mixing the good with the not so good.
This week also sees the latest instalment of Matt C's Secret Wars Project.
DETECTIVE COMICS #873
Writer: Scot Snyder
Art: Jock & David Baron
DC $2.99
James R: This title just gets better and better. When this creative team was announced I thought it was a great bit of comics alchemy and the finale of the first arc, 'The Black Mirror', bears that out. Dick has to escape from both Guiborg and the dark corners of his own psyche. As with the previous two instalments, it's beautifully paced, and after years of comic arcs stretched over six or seven issues, it's wonderfully refreshing to see this one wrapped up in three. I'm also a total Bat-geek, so I love it when they break out a new Bat-suit, and Snyder and Jock deliver a very cool new outfit amidst a brilliant climactic fight sequence. Add in the best of the DC’s 'Iconic' covers (for my money, anyway) and you have a total win of a comic. It's going to be great to see the Jim Gordon tale return next month, and I'm all a-tingle at the thought of what Snyder has got up his sleeve for the next arc proper. I say again, this is a great time to be a Batman fan. 9/10
Matt C: Scott Synder’s first storyline for Detective comes to a close with the same emphasis on creepy atmospherics that has moved it into pole position in front of all the other Batman titles. Dick Grayson is slowly coming to the conclusion that Gotham is plummeting to depths of immorality that it’s never quite reached before. It’s a thought that gives even this hardened crimefighter pause, and thanks to some freaky visuals from Jock, the reader will probably be nodding his head in agreement. If you like Gotham when its presented as a veritable cesspool of a city then this is where you need to be. Fantastic cover too. 8/10
UNCANNY X-FORCE #4
Writer: Rick Remender
Art: Jerome Opeña & Dean White
Marvel $3.99
Stewart R: Sweet Baby Apocalypse, this is superb!! Seriously, tear down to your local comic book shop and ask for back issues or pre-order the trade paperback this instant! Remender captures an immense feeling of urgency from the get-go in this issue, finally tipping things back to a knife-edge balancing act after lasts issue’s pummelling that the black-ops mutants took. The interaction and teamwork between Wolverine and Fantomex is enthralling and gives an extra level to the visceral beating that they lavish upon the hordes of Apocalypse-followers. Once again Remender uses Fantomex’s powers to throw off the villains AND the reader, allowing Opeña to conjure up some brilliant visuals as everyone bears witness to the worst of deaths that may or may not be visited upon our heroes. When X-Force finally near their goal Remender then ramps up the tension by the boat-load, showing us and this morally-dubious team that the greatest threat to their mission may come from within. This has been a four-issue kick-start of supremely high quality and I honestly cannot recommend this enough. Unmissable. 10/10
G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #162
Writer: Larry Hama
Art: S.L. Gallant, Gary Erskine & J. Brown
IDW $3.99
Stewart R: Oh dear, this isn’t what I expected and it shows that Larry Hama is better at some things than others when it comes to writing G.I. Joe comics. There’s too much of a comedy feel this time around as Hama wheels the Dreadnoks into view, queuing up gags involving chocolate covered donuts and how they threaten to bring Cobra’s latest mission to a standstill. It’s this leaning towards the funny bone that rips any serious sense of tension set up in the previous issue right out of the story and casts it to the wind. There’s also far too much exposition and narration from various characters to explain how the story has gotten to this point, as if IDW have turned round to Hama after last issue and said “Make this next issue a jumping on point NOW!”. That said, there is a great punch up between Baroness and Lady Jaye that highlights that when Hama scales back the unnecessary conversation pieces he really can deliver neat action sequences. Gallant’s simple art, Erskine’s heavy inking and Brown’s rich colouring, while sufficient to tell the story, unfortunately seem to accentuate the comedic failings of Hama and I’m sat here longing for Agustin Padilla to get a shot at this title again soon to drag a feeling of seriousness and vague realism back to the proceedings. 3/10
CAPTAIN AMERICA #614
Writers: Ed Brubaker & Sean McKeever
Art: Butcj Guice, Stefano Gaudiano, Bettie Breitwieser, Filipe Andrade et al
Marvel $3.99
Matt C: Back to its best, no question. Is that because there are Nazis in it again? Could be - there are no other group of comic book villains (it's best to make the distinction clear between them and their real world counterparts!) more ideologically opposed to everything Cap stands for than those swastika-wearing bastards! With the Red Skull out of the picture it falls to his newly-disfigured daughter Sin to pick up where he left off, but as she's more unhinged and unpredictable than her father there's no way to know exactly what her plans really are, beyond disrupting Bucky's high profile trial. The scenes with the manipulative Faustus are the highlights, but the whole thing rattles along at such a breakneck pace that you feel breathless once you put it down. Brilliant stuff, and the back-up Nomad feature is a bit of a humdinger too. 8/10
James R: Unfortunately, familiarity is breeding contempt with this title. When Ed Brubaker re-booted it, I was one of its most vociferous fans, loving the mix of espionage, action and insane Nazis. I also thought his introduction of Bucky - first as the Winter Soldier, and then as Cap - was utterly masterful, and one of the bravest moves of recent times. However, in the last year or so, I found that the book had lost it's edge, both in terms of art and story. I dropped it after the 'Fifties Cap Tries To Blow Up The Hoover Dam' arc, but was persuaded by Matt C to give it another shot. I did, and sad to say, it's the last round in the chamber for me. My problem is that it's become Cap by numbers: each arc contains a fight sequence with goons that Cap skittles over with no real hint of danger, and then there’s a terror plot uncovered that threatens to blow up a particular part of America. This month: The Statue Of Liberty! I would have loved the whole issue to be the court case - it would have been interesting to see Brubaker discuss the implications of the responsibility of any soldier, let alone Bucky, but gah, it's done and dusted in five pages. On top of this, I just can't get on with Butch Guice's art - he's obviously talented, but it's just not to my tastes. I know my co-reviewers are loving this title, but for me the book needs a new direction. 5/10
SIXTH GUN #8
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Art: Brian Hurtt & Bill Crabtree
Oni Press $3.99
Stewart R: This is one of those titles that probably still languishes in the ‘under the radar’ category but it really should be catching a few more people’s attention as Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt are doing an exceptional job. Drake’s journey into Louisiana’s darkest swampland seeking assistance to rid himself of the blight of the Six Guns is wonderfully gloomy and atmospheric, and the secretive and imposing Henri Fournier is a great addition to the story. This is one of the first times that Bunn has exposed Drake’s emotional underside, his cool head finally falling away as his predicament starts to take its toll on body and mind. Throw into the mix some gun-slinging action against some ferocious swampland inhabitants and an intensifying mystery in Kirby Hale’s growing interest in Becky and you’ve got the ingredients for an engrossing comic read. 8/10
Matt C: I very much enjoyed the first arc of this series but always felt that the central protagonist, Drake Sinclair, was the weak link. It often seemed like Bunn hadn't fully decided how to portray him: roguish scoundrel or hardened antihero. I'm all for a bit of ambiguity but Drake came across as rather two-dimensional compared to the more rounded and fleshed out members of the cast. However, the events witnessed in the precious storyline have obviously taken their toll on him; he's become a much more fascinating character as the obsession to free himself from the curse of the guns takes over. Becky continues to be enchanting, and her blossoming romance with Kirby Hale seems a little too good to be true, so I’m guessing there's a twist due sometime soon. Hurtt brings an exaggerated quality to the proceedings but also the right sense of danger and lawlessness that you'd want from a supernatural Wild West tale. The two Damned miniseries from Bunn and Hurtt suggested they were creative partnership full of potential - The Sixth Gun has confirmed that’s definitely the case. 8/10
X-MEN #7
Writer: Victor Gischler
Art: Chris Bachalo & Tim Townsend
Marvel $3.99
Stewart R: There’s been a certain wave of opinion that suggests that Marvel put far too many X-books on the shelves these days but to be honest, with quality currently running as high as it is across the various titles and series, that argument may find it hard going presently. Certainly Victor Gischler has tucked six great issues of X-Men under his belt and has another decent effort here as he partners up with Chris Bachalo and Tim Townsend to send a clutch of everybody’s favourite mutants off to New York. The initial montage of X-do-goodery is a really nice touch as Scott’s hired PR rep, Kate, sets out her vision and plan to get the X-Men out into the public eye and their popularity on the rise. Gischler delivers some nice chat between Cyclops and Wolverine regarding the outcome of the recent vampire war before we’re jetting off with Logan and Co to the sewers of Manhattan where Bachalo gets to have some fun with the panel layout, demonstrating just how his style differs when dealing with close-ups and wide-shot views. I have to say that his work does get a little over-simplistic in a couple of places but I’ll put that down to necessity considering he’s also colouring this time around. The last few pages are a delight as the X-Men fight off a wave of Lizards and that final panel suggests more witty banter to come next issue. 8/10
SCALPED #45
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: R.M. Guéra & Giulia Brusco
DC/Vertigo $2.99
Matt C: A new arc begins in this peerless series and once again it's a thrill to witness Aaron weave such deft, substantive characterisation through this rich, violent, compelling tapestry he's created. Here we see Chief Red Crow's political power threatened by a far more virtuous member of the tribe who helped raise Red Crow and is dismayed to see the path Crow has since walked. This leads to a scene where Red Crow gets to say something as beautifully, brutally poetic as "Sometimes your father is just a guy who fucked your mother. He doesn’t define who you are. " It's that kind of unflinching, unsentimental honesty that keeps this book at the top of my pile every month. Guéra's art really draws the darkness out the damaged souls that populate Scalped - you can tell these people live their lives on the edge. Some are aware that their actions have pushed them beyond the point of no return, others are sociopaths that don't care either way. It's all in the details in their faces. Astonishing work, as always. 9/10
SECRET AVENGERS #9
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Mike Deodato, Will Conrad & Rain Beredo
Marvel $3.99
James R: Okay, so I might not be on board with Brubaker's primary Captain America title, but man, I'm loving this! In a strange way, it's a similar reading experience to Ellis' Nextwave for me - it's unabashed fun, with the sense that anything can happen in 22 pages. This month Steve Rogers attempts a hostage swap with John Steele... and everything goes smoothly, and it's frappuccinos all round! No, of course not - it all goes to hell and it's high-octane action all the way. With every passing month, I'm becoming a bigger fan of Mike Deodato's art - he grasps the dynamics of action perfectly, and the able assistance of Will Conrad makes this book look fantastic. One gripe though: jeeping feck Marvel, enough with 'Marvel .1' pages! I would have rather read another couple of Brubaker pages than any puff-piece Quesada has to contribute. 7/10
MARVEL SUPER HERO SECRET WARS #4
Writer: Jim Shooter
Art: Bob Layton, John Beatty & Christie Scheele
Marvel $0.75
Matt C: After such a strong start the series does seem like it’s coasting a bit here; we pretty much get what the Beyonder ordered i.e. punch-ups between the heroes and villains. Obviously there’s a certain thrill in seeing the Molecule Man dump an entire mountain range on top of the good guys, and the way various characters bounce off of each other is undeniably entertaining (although to be fair, Shooter doesn’t get all of the characterizations right) but really it’s a case of waiting for someone to deviate from the scheduled programme. After some impressive pencil work in the first three issues, Mike Zeck steps aside temporarily to allow Bob Layton to have a crack at things (with inker John Beatty ensuring there’s visual consistency). My preference would always be Zeck, and Layton’s panels seem to get cramped quite frequently, but he does a decent enough job of things all the same. The final page indicates that Galactus will be shaking things up next issue, which should give it a much needed kick up the backside. 7/10
New comics are released Wednesday in the States and guess what, in the UK too! Well except Fantastic Four #587 which was released Tuesday... but then is that still new?? Enough of this brain ache, here's a brief look at our expectations for the books we're picking up this week.
Stewart R: Wow! A year already? Has it gone that quickly? Oh yes ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 52nd instalment of Incoming... which marks the year anniversary of when I first decided to start taking a little look at my pull-list and sharing odd thoughts and hopes about what was coming out that week. Well I can tell you right now, this is one heck of a Wednesday to celebrate the 1st birthday!Top of the pile for me as I imagine it will be for quite a few of you as well will of course be the title of the week and certainly the first big comic story for 2011. Fantastic Four #587 is here and while it may already have found its way into some of your willing arms on Tuesday you can bet that over the course of the coming days thousands of people will be grabbing a copy to find out just who Jonathan Hickman has decided must meet a premature and heroic end. I’ll say right here that Fantastic Four has never been a comic that I’ve been drawn to - always coming across in my mind as a light and airy team book where I’d rather be getting some gritty, desperate action in an X-Men comic or other sci-fi alternative - but it is an important title in Marvel’s roster and I’ve obviously experience, and a little affinity for, the characters from the various crossover and all encompassing events that they’ve appeared in. Matt C’s review and the fairly large internet buzz has convinced me that this issue at least needs to be added to my list as an important character meets their end. *sniff*Only one mention of the X-Men so far but it seems that Marvel are going absolutely X-potty this week with no fewer than 11 titles dedicated to mutants of one variety or another which you have to say is a just a touch of overkill. I myself am picking up only 3 and avoiding the new heavy hitter in Age of X: Alpha as I never picked up The Age of Apocalypse. Mike Carey is a pretty darn decent X-writer (and the one man who seems to get and know how to use Bobby Drake to his full potential in my opinion) but I'm not the biggest fan of alternate reality stuff when it comes to the big characters and teams of Marvel’s canon it has to be said. I will of course be picking up the one comic currently looking at Apocalypse in the current reality , Uncanny X-Force #4, which will mark the end of a highly enjoyable first arc from Rick Remender and Jerome Opena. This has been a total revelation and a complete success so far and I seriously doubt that this final chapter to the arc will be anything less that X-cellent!
Uncanny X-Men #532 also makes the list with Matt Fraction, Kieron Gillen and *gulp* yes, Greg Land doing a decent job of throwing Cyclops and Co into Quarantine as the flu-like symptoms persist on Utopia and the secretive Sublime Corporation throw their own X-Men wannabes into heroic action. That plot thread is interesting in itself but whisking Emma Frost, Kitty Pryde and Fantomex off on a little jaunt to deal with the huge, conniving form of Sebastien Shaw is where the draw is going to be for me this week. Watching Emma try to fix the transgressions of her villainous past is enthralling at the best of times but it seems that Fraction and Gillen have taken a leaf out of Joss Whedon’s book and seen that Kitty is the perfect foil and friend to have Frost bounce and rub up against. Hmmm, that sounded like I was going off on a sexy tangent there; must be too much exposure to Greg Land’s pencils in recent months!But wait, there’s even more!!! Artistic supremo Chris Bachalo is back and getting stuck into Victor Gischler’s X-Men #7 and I cannot wait! Gischler did a superb job with the vampire-filled first arc but now he gets a chance to move the X-Men out of San Francisco as Cyclops decides it’s time to get pro-active once again - honestly, it’s all he seems to have been doing for the past few years - and send his team into the field when no-one else is qualified to handle the job. This particular time it means that Bachalo gets to not only draw the mutants that he handles so very well but also his most recent success in The Lizard as the X-Men head to New York to deal with a threat below the streets of the Big Apple. I’ve been counting the days since I heard about this several months ago and I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on this comic on Wednesday.Wow, a little Marvel-centric for the most part so far but the other publishers out there have offerings that I’ll be handing over my cash for. Scott Snyder has a busy old time of it this week with both Detective Comics #873 and American Vampire #11 hitting shelves and I will be hard pressed to pick which one of his titles I should read first. He and Jock have been turning the ‘creepy’ dial up several notches with Detective Comics as Dick Grayson finds himself outnumbered and quite possibly ‘out to tender’ as he’s besieged by the patrons of a fiendish auction house in the dark depths of Gotham’s underbelly. That last issue with the whole weird gas-mask motif was really quite chilling and ensures that this week’s issue is a must read. AV has also been hitting those high notes of comic quality in recent months - heck, through the whole run really - and I can only imagine what sort of heartbreak we could be in store for as Pearl and Henry have to fight off a bloodthirsty Vampire gang.
Oni Press have The Sixth Gun #8 out this week and I breathed a heavy sigh of relief last month when the start of the new story carried on the great Wild West supernatural feel that the first six issues had delivered. Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt have crafted themselves an intriguing world filled with rounded yet flawed characters and you should certainly be looking here if you’re in the mood for something new. When it comes to older things there’s always G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #162 which has things being turned upside down as the brainwashed Snake Eyes ends up working for Cobra while his ninja nemesis Storm Shadow has defected to the Joes! Larry Hama is the real deal when it comes to all things G.I. Joe and bringing him back along with this trusty title was one of IDW’s big wins in 2010 and I reckon it’s a decision that will keep paying dividends through 2011!
FANTASTIC FOUR #587
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Steve Epting, Rick Magyar, Mike Perkins & Paul Mounts
Marvel $3.99
Matt C: No, I’m not going to spoil it for you. If you’ve not read this issue yet, and have managed to avoid the slowly building number of sites that are revealing exactly who dies (many are putting it as the headline!) then you certainly won’t get me ruining things for you. I will say that I wouldn’t have put money on this particular character buying the farm. If they indeed do buy the farm.
Anyone expecting this to be a giant full stop at the end of all the plotlines Hickman’s been playing with for the last year and a half is going to be disappointed though. Some things are dealt with in a conclusive manner (including one of the stupider ideas Mark Millar came up with), while others are taken to the next stage, and others still are not even touched on (Doom, for example, is nowhere to be seen). What Hickman does, as he has pretty much has done since he took over writing the book, is aim for the bigger picture. These characters are at the forefront of contemporary superhero science fiction, just as they should be, but they’re also an extremely close-knit family unit – FF stories are always a balancing act, but Hickman generally manages to come up with the right mix of family drama and awesome spectacle. A death in the family is obviously going to skew the dynamics of the team, and the way I’m looking at it is that Hickman is setting himself a challenge, seeing if he can still provide compelling Fantastic Four tales while one of the founding members is temporarily out of the picture. And yeah, even though I have no inside knowledge, I do mean temporarily! This is comics after all - we know the character who doesn’t make it to the end of the issue will be back sooner or later!
We’ve got a new book (a rebooting, renumbering relaunch!) due after things wrap up next month in #588 and while I hope Hickman continues with the various storylines already in motion I’m also hoping that we’ll see a larger emphasis on teamwork going forward. One of Marvel’s First Family ends up as wormfood (or so we’re led to believe!) in this issue, but what I’d like to see addressed, what I’d like to see in amongst the soul-searching, is the notion that if they’d all stuck together rather than going off and doing their own thing repeatedly (one of the key traits in Hickman’s run) then maybe they’d still be a Fantastic Four instead of a Fantastic Three. The death of a loved one usually brings people together – I trust we get to see something along those lines in FF #1.
Predictions for the future aside, Fantastic Four #587 is a great read - perhaps it won’t be able to withstand the spotlight out of context (it doesn't have the cultural reach and impact of Captain America's death) but for those already onboard there’s plenty to enjoy, from Epting’s wonderful panel composition, to Galactus in full-on preventative-revenge mode, to an absolutely delicious (and hilarious!) scene between Sue and Namor. If you were to ask me to pick Marvel’s top superhero titles at the moment then I think Hickman’s Fantastic Four would stand alongside Fraction’s Invincible Iron Man and Brubaker’s Captain America. Thrilling and emotionally engaging, this issue proves that almost 50 years on since Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben were bathed in cosmic rays, the Fantastic Four still possess a unique ability to charm, excite and captivate in equal measure. 8/10
While we may not always have the time to review all the comics we get every week, we do try and provide a snapshot of the latest releases, mixing the good with the not so good.
This week also sees the lastest instalment of Matt C's Secret Wars Project.
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #500
Writer: Matt Fraction
Art: Salvador Larroca, Frank D’Armata, Kano, Nathan Fox, Javier Rodriguez, Carmine Di Giandomenico & Matthew Wilson
Marvel $4.99
Stewart R: At a time when many comic readers are mildly rejoicing at DC’s move to the $2.99 price point, albeit at the expense of two pages of story, it’s also good to see that when Marvel bring out their monumental $4.99 issues they really do feel like value for money right there between your hands. Certainly this title is where I look for quality and consistency for my dollar/pound each month as Matt Fraction’s efforts normally always have me closing the last page feeling like I’ve gone through something of a reading workout. This anniversary issue takes a fortune-tellers look into a possible future laying ahead for Tony Stark and his family as the legacy of his greatest work and his greatest foe have come to spell near-doom for all of humanity. Fraction does a lovely job of linking the present with the future events that we see by tying it all under one simple premise: what if you designed the deadliest weapon of mass destruction ever known and then managed to forget about it? To that end we get some Salvador Larroca work where he deals with Tony trying to prevent his idea and design from spreading to unwanted hands in the modern day, while the rest of the art crew deal with the far-flung and desolate future from Tony’s perspective as well as the surviving members of his family. The art is a little jarring when it jumps from location to location, such is the difference in styles on show, but it doesn’t manage to spoil the thrust of Fraction’s story. It’s quite the tease showing us a potential and believable Iron Man future that we’d never expect to see due to the nature of the industry and extremely prolonged chronology that is inherent to these bigger characters and properties. That said, I shouldn’t think that Matt Fraction has gone down this path at this time without good and purposeful reason. Yet another perfect jumping on point for the uninitiated and a recommended read. 8/10
Matt C: A milestone event, or another excuse to renumber a title and generate sales? Whichever it is, it's a pretty good read, although perhaps not up to the same standard as previous issues. Fraction splits the story between present and future: in the here and now, Tony teams up with Spider-Man to track down some dangerous tech he came up with before he rebooted his mind; in a potential future, Tony and his descents are experiencing the results of the aforementioned tech falling into some ten-ringed hands. I guess because it feels like a slight excursion away from what's been happening in Tony's life of late rather than something that moves things forward (as well as playing with the idea that the future is an unwritten book) it doesn't carry the same weight as the stories we've seen recently. It's certainly a worthwhile addition to the collection with Fraction delivering another tight, intelligent script, but while the art is generally of a high standard, having three different artists deal with the future-set scenes (as opposed to solely Larroca on the present day sequences), while understandable considering the three separate plot strands, is occasionally jarring, particularly Fox’s panel's which are sometimes a touch confusing. It's still arguably Marvel's most consistent superhero title, so even a slight dip in quality is nothing to worry over. 7/10
James R: Hefty! Marvel celebrate 500 issues of Iron Man with this giant-sized spectacular, which sees Tony Stark calling on Peter Parker for some help and inevitably a team-up against a Starktech weapon that's fallen into - surprise, surprise - the wrong hands. Meanwhile, the Tony Stark of the future and his children make a desperate last stand against the Mandarin. On one hand, I loved the ambition of this issue - shuttling between the two times worked really well, and the hints about what Tony may have to face in the next few years of this title were handled with customary gusto by Fraction. However, the dystopic future section seemed a little muddled and confused - I re-read it twice, and I was still perplexed at the actions of Tony's son, and as to how his daughter Ginny Stark survived. Perhaps I'm getting old and stupid (well, ok, yes, I am old & stupid!) but given the epic blockbuster feel of this issue, I would have liked a little more clarity. Still, it's pleasing to see the Iron Man title in such rude health, here's to another 500 issues (or another thirteen relaunches!) 7/10
MEMOIR #1
Writer: Ben McCool
Art: Nikki Cook Image $3.50
Matt C: McCool's other Image title, Choker, has seen its release schedule slow to a crawl since the first couple of issues, but the dark humour and invention displayed in his scripts have meant that, along with the obvious pleasures of Ben Templesmith’s art, it's been worth keeping track of and marked the writer as someone watch. With that in mind, Memoir made its way onto my stack this week with its promise of an intriguing variation on the old mysterious-event-in-a-small-town chestnut. It's a typical set up, but perhaps a bit too typical, with the expected outsider (in this case, a journalist) arriving to unearth exactly what happened to the residents of Lowesville, a place that barely registered before the entire community lost their collective memory. Unfortunately the hook just wasn’t there for me to have me chomping at the bit to see what happens next – the parameters of the mystery are too loosely defined to make this a truly engaging read. Cook’s art magnifies the weirdness of the townsfolk to good effect, turning them into a population of grotesqueries, but the whole thing comes across like one of those TV sci-fi pilots we've seen in recent years that try and generate the same level of edge-of-you-seat interest that Lost garnered (and generally fail). Possibly it could flourish, but I don't think I'll be around to find out. 5/10
SCARLET #4
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Alex Maleev
Marvel/Icon $3/95
Stewart R: Interesting! While I thought the final events of the last issue would certainly see Scarlet’s situation escalate I didn’t expect Bendis’ look at what happens next to be so emotional and intimate. Scarlet’s actions have big societal implications, and Bendis’ highlights this throughout this issue, but he doesn’t throw Scarlet into the middle of it all, instead he has her watching from the sidelines and contemplating everything she’s set in motion including her own personal fallout in her family life. We also get to meet another character who breaks the fourth wall to get across her feelings on her job and position as an investigating officer in the ‘Scarlet’ case and that should definitely be an intriguing plotline to follow through future episodes. Maleev’s photo-realistic art style once again ticks the ‘win’ box although just a couple of facial expressions seem to be out of place or a little on the extreme side. Shaping up to be a book of real substance this one. 8/10
James R: Hmm. I really want to like this, I do! In principle, all the ingredients are there: the team behind a classic run of Daredevil delivering a grimy, urban crime tale with just a soupçon of Fight Club about it that, as a fan of Azzarello and Brubaker, I should really eat up, but four issues in and I'm really not feeling this series. This month, Scarlet's fight against corruption begins to catch on with the public, and we see how the authorities are responding to the challenge. It still looks very nice, but really, there's not much going on here. Bendis expects us to believe that hundreds of people are rallying to Scarlet's cause because they're mad as hell too, but we get very little evidence of why she's having such an effect. What makes Scarlet so different from the crazy guy who took hostages at the Discovery Channel and declared that they needed to make more programmes about controlling the birth rates? Killing a couple of people and releasing a manifesto to the media might give you a few column inches for a day or two, but does it make you a hero to the masses? If it does, well then show me how! Amidst this, Bendis continues his Mamet love-in with a few pages of law-enforcing trash talking, and well, it's just okay. I expected more from this series and it's running out of time to convince me that it's worth continuing with. 4/10
Matt C: Scarlet overcomes the danger of audience forgetfulness by burning red hot with provocative intensity, ensuring the events in each issue sear themselves onto your brain while you wait for the next one to arrive. For me, this is Bendis reclaiming his mojo, and along with his impressively structured, vivid storytelling, we get some career best work from Alex Maleev, whose art here bristles with emotion, violence and overriding sense of excitement. As things begin to snowball, and Scarlet's actions see her as the figurehead of steadily growing movement, those tasked with tracking her down find that hurdles are being put in the way by those others who don't want the truth coming out. It's compulsive stuff, and I'm eager to see how far Bendis will take this idea - there's real momentum building behind it now, so hopefully he'll take it all the way. 8/10
INFINITE VACATION #1
Writer: Nick Spencer
Art: Christian Ward
Image $3.50
James R: One of the reasons I love comics is that every now and then a series comes along which totally surprises me in terms of both story and illustration. The Infinite Vacation certainly ticks that box for me. Nick Spencer introduces us to a world where the multiverse is available to us all… for the right price. If you can afford it, you can visit the dimension where you're the King of The World, or married to the sexiest woman (or man!) who ever lived. Conversely, you could also end up in a dimension where you're a total scumbag being violated in a prison! I would have taken a look at this from the high-concept pitch alone, but I was really impressed with the themes that Spencer introduces in this first issue: Are our lives governed by fate? Are we destined to always end up in the same places whatever decisions we make? The story's protagonist, Mark, is haunted by the notion that a worryingly high proportion of his alternate selves are dying, and he's just fallen in love with a woman who is a 'Deadender' - a group of people who campaign against jumping into the lives of your parallel selves. The Hard Sci-fi Fan part of me is a little reticent about going overboard about this first issue; despite the three-page photo-panel-TV ad introduction, there's not much about how this whole idea 'works', but I hope Spencer divulges a little more in the upcoming issues. Christian Ward's art is nothing short of spectacular, reminding me of both J. H. Williams and Jonathan Hickman in places, and it's certainly the most visually striking book I've picked up this month. A winning start then, let's hope Spencer and Ward have chosen to invest in the dimension where this book comes out on time and fulfils the enormous promise of this first issue. 8/10
Matt C: I wanted to like the first issue of this new mini from Image a lot more than I actually did. The premise is a cracker: a world where you can buy your way into an infinite number of alternative realities and get the chance to live the life of a wholly different ‘you’. But, while it’s a brilliant high concept, the practicalities of making the narrative’s internal logic consistent and credible is where it becomes unstuck early on. Obviously it’s sci-fi, and as such requires a certain suspension of disbelief, but the way the reality-jumping is portrayed here raises a few too many feasibility questions that no amount of techno-babble can disguise. Certain writers (Fraction, Ellis) can pull this kind of thing off with ease and have the reader buying into the concept without any issues, but Spencer’s approach isn’t as assured and is therefore unable to cover up any plotholes that start to appear. But! But, once the human drama element kicks into full gear towards the end it starts to become far more engrossing and Ward’s blindingly psychedelic illustrations add a whole other dimension(s) to the proceedings. With the heavy exposition out of way the main story arc should get a chance to shine from here on in, and as it really is such an irresistible pitch, I’ll be back for round two at the very least. 7/10
SUPERIOR #4
Writer: Mark Millar
Art: Leinil Yu, Gerry Alanguilan, Jason Paz, Jeff Huet, Sunny Gho & Javier Tartaglia
Marvel/Icon $2.99
Stewart R: Another conflicting issue from Millar sees Simon’s first glimpse of the cutthroat and risky world of journalism as buxom ball-buster Maddie Knox throws herself into mortal danger in order to catch the scoop of the century. It’s hard to tell whether Millar is trying to make us think that he’s having a wry poke at a superhero and Hollywood cliché or if he actually thinks it’s the best way to tell the story. Regardless, he then brings things back to focus on Simon’s childhood and how he still has to deal with the bullies who continue to make his life difficult, albeit for only the briefest of moments. It’s a neat scene which once again portrays how a young teenager would probably react to a friend being attacked if he did have super strength, speed and flight. There are also decent scenes which deal with the actor who formally played Superior and how his life has fallen to pieces, along with a brief return to Simon’s parents’ concern and anguish for their missing son. The ending suggests that we could be in for a tense final two issues - I’d certainly like to predict where this is going to end up but with Millar’s writing it’s best to steer clear of any Nostradamus-type foretelling and wait for it to hit you in the face instead! 7/10
M
ARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS #3
Writer: Jim Shooter
Art: Michael Zeck, John Beatty & Chrstie Steele
Mavrel $0.75
Matt C: This issue sees a bit of step down in terms of quality. A lot of soul-searching on the part of the heroes who miss their loved ones back home (in other words, a lot of moping about!), the X-Men deciding to split from the main group of heroes, Doom asserting his dominance amongst the villains, and Galactus doing his own thing that will eventually become a problem for everyone. Doom manages to create two new female supervillians, Titania and Volcana, (although it's not entirely clear exactly where he found the two ladies to begin with!) while Magneto proceeds to woo the kidnapped Wasp. In other words, there are few things going on here that just seem a bit off. Zeck's art is fine but after the preceding two classic covers, this issue's one is a bit of a generic Bronze Age job. It's serviceable but indistinguishable from countless others during the same period. Basically, we see a lot of repositioning of certain players going on here, which is necessary but not entirely gripping, at least not in comparison to what's happened so far. 7/10
New comics are released Wednesday in the States... and guess what, IN THE UK TOO!!! (Still a great feeling a week on!) Here's a brief look at our expectations for the books we're picking up this week.
Stewart R: I’ve managed to keep my eyes covered, fingers in my ears and have been shouting the occasional “LALALAnotlisteningLALALALA” whenever Amazing Spider-Man #651 has come up this past week so as not to ruin the surprise of how the first arc of Big Time wraps up. It's been a difficult task following the delayed delivery to these shores but thankfully my challenge to remain oblivious to the events contained within draws to a close in but a few hours time when I pick up a copy at my trusty local comic book shop and also pick up Amazing Spider-Man #652 at the same time! Oh yes, the sweet joy of being able to see Stefano Caselli’s first efforts as part of the ASM artistic team as he brings us the first chapter of The Revenge of The Spider Slayer. I think Dan Slott has made the right decision to bring old, favourite villains back into play in this new era for Spider-Man, albeit with some measured and purposeful evolution that certainly keeps things interesting. Dredging up forgotten members of a hero’s rogues gallery can often make it seem like a writer is struggling to conjure up some originality in his work but Slott certainly looks like he could be a veritable fountain of ideas and reinvention when it comes to bringing back familiar faces and I look forward to seeing how he uses Scorpion and Alistair Smyth through the length of this arc.It’s certainly a case of slim pickings for me this week when it comes to any other publisher besides Marvel as Green Lantern Corps #56 appears to be the only non-House of Ideas title that I’ll be purchasing this Wednesday. The last issue by Tony Bedard and Tyler Kirkham really did restore my faith that this was still an exciting and important title to be picking up and with us heading slowly but surely towards this Spring’s War of the Green Lanterns I’m expecting Bedard to really start pushing Kyle and John Stewart’s feelings and thoughts about the current state of the Corps to the foreground over the next few issues. Of course those guys have to first deal with the arrival of the Sinestro Corps on Qward and whatever maelstrom of crap they’ll bring with them to the fight against the Weaponer. I’d make a guess that the Corps of Fear may just be an introductory procession before Sinestro himself pays Qward a visit but in the unpredictable world of comics who can tell??
So back over to Marvel we go but we’ll steer clear of the main office first and head over to their Icon imprint which brings us two glorious titles this week. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Superior #4 wouldn’t mark the end of the series and in actual fact there will be two further chapters for us to enjoy after this before Mark Millar and Lenil Yu wrap up this highly entertaining meld of Superman and Big. The last issue ended on a typical Millar dark twist but was perfectly timed following a whirlwind episode of super strength and speed heroics from young Simon as he used his new found powers for good and to save lives. You just know that with Millar he could flip the entire board over and show us that we’ve been playing a completely different game to the one we believed we were playing at any second, and that’s arguably made him the success he is today. I just hope that he doesn’t flip that board too vigorously with Superior for fear that he spoils what has been one of his most promising stories to date.The other Icon comic of note this week is Scarlet #4 but it already seems an absolute age since the last issue was in my hands so I’m struggling now to remember what transpired at the end of it. Oh yes, I forgot, she did THAT! Come now, I’m not going to go into too much detail fellow comic readers and spoil what could be a thrilling read for you should you pick the series up in trade or collected form some point down the road. Suffice to say that the fan could well be obliterated by the amount of faeces likely to be bombarding it following Scarlet’s controversial and somewhat brutal actions. Despite the length of time to have passed between issues I’m still getting quite excited about finding out what the heck happens next and what sort of world-changing ride Brian Michael Bendis is planning on taking us on as his protagonist starts down her bloody path to change the very way that society works.
Only one more comic in my basket this week folks and what could it possibly be? At $4.99 it should certainly be a jam-packed affair and I’m sure the extra digit being added to the numbering will increase the weight of the book by a fair amount. Of course I am talking about Invincible Iron Man #500 by Matt Fraction, Salvador Larroca and a host of other guest artists. Fraction has gotten to this point by plotting intelligent and involving stories and writing succinct and believable dialogue for a everyone’s favourite metal suit wearing, playboy (former) billionaire, so it comes as no real surprise for one of Marvel’s best and brightest writers to really mix things up when it comes to a milestone issue like this. Fraction is going to throw the reading public many years into Tony Stark’s future to see just what toll the incoming decades - not to mention nefarious plots to defeat or destroy him - could possibly take upon his already battered and bruised body and psyche. The odd preview piece dotted around the net suggests that a certain ten-ringed foe could well have an influence over the stories found in this bumper issue, which raises that bar of awesome a foot or two higher, and there’s no doubt that this comic could round out the comic-reading week nicely.Dear comrades, may your brains be massaged by magnificent plots and your eyes receive kisses of illustrated delight this Wednesday!
While we may not always have the time to review all the comics we get every week, we do try and provide a snapshot of the latest releases, mixing the good with the not so good.This week also sees the lastest instalment of Matt C's Secret Wars Project.
WHO IS JAKE ELLIS? #1Writer: Nathan EdmondsonArt: Tonci ZonjicImage $2.99Matt C: Having the hero (or anti-hero) of a story partner up with a ghostly sidekick is a fairly well-worn idea in fiction, but it's still offbeat enough that there's plenty of leeway for a few new tricks to be applied. Case in point: Who Is Jake Ellis? This debut issue is all about set-up, but it's an arresting read, cleverly constructed, and by placing itself on the wrong side of the law there's a definite edge added to the proceedings. The titular question doesn’t get answered here, and I wouldn’t expect anything to be revealed until at least halfway through this five-part mini, but there’s enough intriguing titbits to compel you to return for the next issue. Zonijc’s firm linework helps the story glide along, and his noirish colour palette sets just the right tone. A great debut, and potentially another winner for Image. 8/10James R: Who is Jake Ellis? Allow me to tell you who he is - he's very closely related to Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)! Any readers beyond Great Britain, please let me explain: Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) was a ‘60s TV show about two detectives, one of whom is killed on a case. Rather than departing to the great beyond, Hopkirk hung around to assist his partner on cases and warn him of danger. As I read the first issue of this mini from Edmondson & Zonjic, all I could think of was that show. The comic follows an incredibly similar premise - the ghostly figure of Jake Ellis advises the mysterious Jon (is he a hitman? CIA agent?) things like when to make a run for it and who is about to betray him. Edmondson delivers a compelling read - the redux opening is particularly cool, but will he find a new angle on this story? - and Zonjic’s art is fittingly European in style (and for me, reminiscent of Javier Pulido's work on Human Target). I'm always a sucker for a short, punchy miniseries, but I'll hold off on a stronger opinion until the story unfolds next issue. An interesting read nonetheless. 7/10Matt T: It's been a while since I've reviewed a comic (mainly due to the postal system in 'that London', as well my own laziness) but by golly this title has inspired me to get back in the saddle and start spewing forth! First issues are rarely particularly inspiring, as you have to hope the tone is preserved and plot threads are explored while ignoring any weaknesses that pop up. Who Is Jake Ellis? didn't give me any reason to think the second issue will be a gamble, as the writing and art were of a superbly high level. Telling the story of what is essentially a secret agent with an invisible/imaginary friend this opener mixes in action, intrigue and more than a hint of mystery, with an impressively noirish feel. The art is kept simplistic, but still combines dialogue with explosions perfectly well. There are also more than a few suggestions of what the future may hold so I'm definitely in for issue #2. 9/10
GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD WARRIORS #6Writer: Peter J. TomasiArt: Fernando Pasarin, Cam Smith & Randy MayorDC $2.99Stewart R: There’s always a problem to be overcome with stories that involve detailed premonitions of future events and that’s to keep the journey to those revealed moments as interesting and captivating as possible. Thankfully, Mr Tomasi is a talented and prepared writer who excels at bringing readers comics filled with well-planned plots and interaction with emotional depth, so even though we can see the destination, the way in which we get there remains a delicious mystery. This time around he explores the cracks of mistrust beginning to show amongst some of the closest Green Lanterns while possibly revealing small parts of the path that will lead us the inevitable 'War of the Green Lanterns'. I love the reactions from Arisia and Kilowog in response to Guy’s confession, and Pasarin really captures the anger and disappointment in the Lanterns’ faces. I’ve already a sneaky suspicion about where Tomasi is taking this and part of the fun is going to be in finding out whether I’m right. 8/10
CAPTAIN AMERICA: MAN OUT OF TIME #3Writer:Mark WaidArt: Jorge Molina, Karl Kesel, Scott Hanna & Frank D’ArmataMarvel $3.99Matt C: I read an interview with Mark Waid recently where he said he felt the script for this issue was the best he'd ever written. I have to say that I don't agree with that claim - Waid's written many fine comics in his time, and I wouldn't even place this issue anywhere near the top ten. Which is not to say it's in any way bad, it just doesn't spring out and scream "Classic!". The series continues to deal with and expand on Cap's reawakening in the modern world, and now he's accepted it's not all a dream, he decides he needs to find a way back to his own time. He hears Reed Richards has access to a time machine but Iron Man tries to persuade him of the potentially catastrophic consequences if he were to return to a past where he shouldn't exist. Waid effectively captures Cap's reactions to the modern world (expect for a bad Radiohead gag) where the technological and societal advances since the 1940s seem to him like they've come straight from the pages of a science fiction novel. So far Man Out Of Time has been a decent series with some good insights into the iconic character, but it doesn't really tell us anything we don't already know and compared to what Brubaker is currently doing with Cap (in various guises) it does seem a more quaint than gripping. 7/10
BATGIRL #17Writer: Bryan Q. MillerArt: Pere Perez & Guy MajorDC $2.99Stewart R: One of the big successes for the Batman Universe in the past couple of years has been the playful rivalry that has sprung up between Stephanie Brown and Damian Wayne, which adds an extra level of unpredictability to any encounter that brings them within close proximity of each other. Bryan Q. Miller certainly realises that they both have traits that the other lacks to some degree; for Stephanie, it’s that belief in her abilities and worth as a crime-fighter; for Damian, it’s having missed the regular childhood and upbringing that prevents him from being able to interact with people. This issue is a great example of this almost sibling-like relationship in action as the bickering pair team-up to take down a group of kidnappers. Miller seems to be having fun with his character work, putting in some nice nods to cherished films here and there, and ensuring that this is the Bat-title where it seems right to have the heroes involved in and producing the comedy. The plot is certainly second fiddle to the character work but it still allows Pere Perez to capture some cool action alongside various facial expressions, and he’s a worthy successor to Lee Garbett on this book. 7/10
THE UNWRITTEN #21Writer: Mike CareyArt: Peter Gross, Vince Locke & Chris ChuckryDC/Vertigo $2.99James R: Thank God for The Unwritten this week - I only had two comics on my pull list! I almost had to hand in my Geek Badge in shame! Mike Carey and Peter Gross' Vertigo title continues to produce the goods. This month, Tom finds himself trapped within the pages of Moby Dick whilst Lizzie and Richie come under the sinister influence of the Puppet Mistress (in what is one of the creepiest sequences of the series to date). The book seems to oscillate from the outstanding (the amazing ‘Beatrix Potter' issue, or the ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ issue) to the standard. This issue is definitely in the former category. To begin with, the Moby Dick pages look fantastic - the finishes applied to Gross' artwork by Vince Lock give the images a terrific antique feel - and I was fascinated by the idea that Tom is trapped within an established narrative that can't be changed; if you're inside a story, can you alter how it ends? As mentioned, the introduction of the Puppet Mistress has made the 'real world' story far creepier than it is when Pullman is involved, and it does what all good monthly comics should do - make you want to read the next issue straight away. 8/10Matt T: I'm more than a little impressed that this book has gone on so long without a) disappearing up it's own arse, and b) keeping the mystery behind it so fresh. Part of that is Savoy, the cynical journo who, in spite of being slowly turned into a vampire, is wonderfully dismissive of his friend being stuck inside a work of fiction, as well as the fact that Carey has left the narrative with enough wiggle room to throw in a couple of twists while maintaining the inner logic. I'm happy to stay on course for the conclusion, as there's a fair few threads to be resolved and each issue spins off in an unexpected, but still satisfying, direction. 8/10Matt C: Tommy Taylor is now trapped inside Moby Dick, and by that I mean the novel itself not the actual whale! The basic pitch of a Harry Potter-esque character existing in the 'real world' and the mystery behind his connection to his fictional counterpart doesn't even scratch the surface of just how smart, complex and ingenious this series actually is. The notion of stories on the printed page actually existing in another reality, and the inherent power of the written word, could be overwhelming for a less confident writer, but Carey has proven that he implicitly understands his subject (and that he's very well read!); he knows exactly what kind of world he's created and how to mould it correctly. The way he flicks from rather archaic, literary prose to a more contemporary, often profane lexicon is masterfully achieved. Gross's dexterous art style bends from the straightforward 'real world' to more elaborate 'fictional worlds' with ease, and his work goes a long way to make the central concept convincing. It's easy to be bowled over by the architecture of this series, but it's the warmth, humour and intelligence that makes it so successful. 8/10
CASANOVA: GULA #1Writer: Matt FractionArt: Fabio Moon & Cris PeterMarvel/Icon $3.99Stewart R: ‘When Is Casanova Quinn?’ A good question there and something suitably bonkers that fits this book and this comic world created by Fraction, Ba and Moon down to the psychedelically-coloured ground. Fraction moves things on a couple of years from the end of the Luxuria arc with Cas having chosen to stay in one reality with the friends he’d made whilst acting as a double (or was it triple??) agent and remaining E.M.P.I.R.E.’s top superspy. As the question suggests, this is going to turn into a time-hopping bundle of fun, but Fraction spends this first issue introducing some new characters while expanding the roles of others and casually keeping the titular character’s involvement to an effective minimum. He also maintains that amusing level of techno-babble that purposefully aims to baffle you and adds to the sense of mystery about this entire universe; it’s one of the first comics I’ve actually liked because I've not a clue about what’s going on half of the time! Fabio Moon, illustrator of the Daytripper series, steps into the pencil and inking shoes of his brother and manages to capture the brilliantly bizarre science fiction feel that his brother depicted during the first arc while keeping his own unique style visible amongst the wacky haze of mirth and six-armed beauties. It won’t be for everyone but it’s certainly worth picking up to see if it’s your thing. 8/10Matt C: I’ll be eternally grateful to Marvel for republishing this series (in colour!) having foolishly passed it by when it was originally released by Image. I did pick up a single issue partway through an arc, but I couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on so I left it that. To be honest, there are points here where I still can’t figure out what the hell is going on, but then I’ve come to realise that’s part of the beauty of this gloriously unhinged series. The beginning of a new storyline sees Casanova disappearing on an undercover mission, leading to the question: “When is Casonova Quinn?”, resulting in the usual bonkers dose of mindbening, alternate-reality/time-travelling/espionage hijinx. Fraction’s script is as hilariously inventive and madcap as ever and, taking over from is brother Gabriel Ba, Fabio Moon produces panels packed with wonderfully exaggerated characterisations, fantastic sci-fi designs, and just an all round sense of unadulterated fun. More please. 8/10 
BATMAN AND ROBIN #19Writer: Paul CornellArt: Scott McDaniel, Rob Hunter & Alex SinclairDC $2.99Stewart R: It seems that I’ve been bashing Paul Cornell a little for his writing style over the past few months but I have to say that he really does do a fine job with this final issue of this arc. It seems to me that he prefers the freedom that comes with writing the villain of a piece up against a hero - or pair of heroes in this instance - who are established characters with lesser room for development and who have to tread a line of familiarity. To that end, The Absence is the star of the show and a very interesting adversary she proves to be, putting Dick and Damian into a handful of impossible positions and showing that she’s one step ahead of them at every turn. The only problem I can see is that by focusing so brilliantly on the antagonist of the piece Cornell casts the Dynamic Duo as helpless, almost bordering on incompetent. This doesn’t quite feel right following their earlier successful detective exploits, but it doesn’t manage to rip the fun out of this enjoyable read. McDaniel’s art is a good fit for this book - the panel where Dick sees right ‘through’ the Absence is great - but occasionally the angles and viewpoints are a little confusing. In fact, I think it may have confused colourist Alex Sinclair as it appears that Robin manages to free his hands at one point only to have them tied up again moments later... oh wait, that’s supposed to be Batman! (insert ‘winking’ smiley emoticon here, folks!) 8/10
STARBORN #2Writer: Chris RobersonArt: Khary Randolph & Micth GeradsBoom! Studios $3.99Matt C: While there are a lot of elements in Starborn that seem instantly familiar from countless other sci-fi tales (“Everything you know is a lie!” etc), the comic is working so far because it’s so much damn fun! As office drone Benjamin Warner watches what he thought was his great unpublished novel come to life (leaking mnemonic implants are the cause, apparently!) the hot girl next door he grew up with pulls him out of the alien firing line while laying down exposition on the fly. I’m still putting the success of the story down to Chris Roberson and the wit and panache he brings to the table (I seriously doubt Stan The Man was heavily involved beyond the ideas stage), but huge kudos should also be directed at Khary Randolph for his funky, electric artwork. Neither Soldier Zero or The Traveller did the trick for me, but if Starborn keeps on rolling along at this kind of speed, then I’ll be sticking around. 8/10
HEROES FOR HIRE #2Writer: Dan Abnett & Andy LanningArt: Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessy & Jay David RamosMarvel $2.99Stewart R: I wasn’t sure, having read the debut issue, that this was going to be a series that would suck me in and hold my interest. I’ve given it a second try and I’m afraid to say that it really hasn’t... Nah, just kidding! This is actually shaping up to be an intriguing story as this second iinstallment expands on Paladin’s current involvement with Misty Knight’s new heroic business while bringing in two characters I haven’t had much experience of in the past - Silver Sable and Ghost Rider - to deal with some mystical mercenary nasties. Paladin proved to be one of the brightest heroes to come out of Andy Diggle’s (and subsequently Jeff Parker’s) Thunderbolts team and it seems that DnA are going to make him an integral part of this story (which certainly appeals to this particular reader). I’ve raved about Brad Walker’s work in the past and after an uncertain first issue I’m happy to report that these 22 pages are a treat for the eyes. I’ll be back for more next month. 7/10
MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS #2Writer: Jim ShooterArt: Mike Zeck, John Beatty & Christie ScheeleMarvel $0.75Matt C: Another brilliantly iconic cover form Zeck, and the opening splash page is one hell of a memorable image too. Things head off in a predictable manner as the villains make their first strike against the heroes, and while it’s hugely satisfying for an old fanboy to watch the first ever clashes between various characters, as before, the real thrill is certain individuals who aren’t singing from the same hymn sheet as everyone else. Yes, I’m primarily talking about Doctor Doom again, as the Latverian despot is hatching plans far more ambitious than simply rising to the Beyonder’s challenge. Elsewhere Galactus (perhaps the most incongruous member of the assembled good guys and bad guys) proves he’s above petty mortal concerns, and his actions suggest he’s about to get back to the business of eating planets. Then you have Magneto, who’s inclusion on the side of the heroes was a brave, surprising but ultimately understandable decision on Shooter’s part (his motivations for his criminal acts were for the betterment of mutantkind rather than personal gain) and it’s something that provided other creators with a lot of juicy material for years to come. Again, he has his own agenda here, one that’s not fully revealed as yet, which makes him one of the more interesting players on the board. I’ve known people who’ve avoided Secret Wars, believing it to be twelve issues packed full of hero versus villain fights, and while there is a lot of that going on, there’s a whole lot more happening that makes the story a far more interesting and thrilling proposition. 8/10
CAPTAIN AMERICA #614
This is where this book has really picked up in recent months. The story is not just about Bucky being Cap; it’s about the group that is there to help and support him when he truly needs it; it’s about Steve Rogers not being able to fully let go of his ‘sidekick’ and allow Bucky to be his own wielder of the shield; it’s about what it actually means for both the man and the people he’s sworn to protect to be the voice and the fist of justice and freedom. When you add into that equation some truly intriguing and well rounded villains who just seem to get smarter and more intimidating then there really isn’t much to go wrong.
