This Week In Comics: 03-17-04

[Marc]

Welcome to This Week In Comics for Mar. 17th - Mar. 23rd, 2004.

For those who are new: Every week there is a thread titled "This Week In Comics" in the Comic Book Culture Forum. Here you can discuss the material you've bought and talk about comics in general (news you've read on comic news sites, the state of the industry in general, upcoming issues you're excited about, etc.). If it's potentially spoilerific, then use your common sense and cover the text with the spoiler code (or provide spoiler space).

If you have any feedback/comments/suggestions... just contact your friendly neighborhood comic moderators!


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Highlight of the Week!



http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2004-03/batman-superman/t-superman-secretidentity3.jpg (http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2004-03/batman-superman/superman-secretidentity3.jpg)
SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY #3
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen

The miniseries chronicling the life of a real-world Clark Kent who gains the powers of the Man of Steel continues! Pursued by agents of his own country who want to "draft" him into service, Clark has one overriding concern beyond his own freedom: The safety and security of his wife and children!


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Forgot what's out this week? No problem! Just check out Diamond Comic's Shipping List (http://www.diamondcomics.com/shipping/shipping_031704.txt).

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So...what do you want to talk about this week?

[Thanos]

Batman Adventures #12 A+

Batman: Gotham Knights #51 A+

Captain Marvel #21 B+

Daredevil #58 B- I still think this title is a tad bit overrated. I'm trying hard not to fall asleep during this storyline. It's been incredibly slow moving. Don't get me wrong, it's a good story, but it's slow. And what is with the inking.

Fantastic Four #511 A+ What a great way to sum up a spectacular arc. Just incredible. The way they handled the idea of Heaven and other theological ideas was pure genius. And the way they presented God was funny and made sense. Excellent, excellent issue.

Punisher: The Movie #3 (of 3) D I didn't throw up, so I'll give it a D.

Superman/Batman #8

Thanos #8 B Interesting issue. The most interesting point being the Beyonder is coming into play.

[wolverine0815]

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #626
ROBIN #124
SUPERMAN BATMAN #8
NEW X-MEN #154
THOR #76
THOR SON OF ASGARD #1 (Of 6)
WEAPON X #19
WOLVERINE #12
X-TREME X-MEN #43

[wonderfly]

HUGE week for me! I wasn't even able to buy all the new comics that came out...maybe I'll go back on Saturday or something and buy them...but so far, I got:

EDIT: I went back to the comic store yesterday, (after getting paid) and have added into my list below some additional new titles I picked up:

Abadazad #2: Another fine issue, filled with humorous moments and intriguing mysteries. Seeing just how different a fairy tale book can be from the real thing makes for interesting reading, but I'm ready for the real quest to begin, (this still feels like we're in the prologue a bit). But with likeable characters and beautiful artwork, this is a true gem of a read! This is a kid's fantasy novel that's enjoybable enough for a mature reader like myself to enjoy. Grade: A-

Amazing Spiderman #505: *yawn* Another Filler issue, (a plot that has no bearing to the overall plot of Stracynski's run on the book, which apparently has something to do with magic)...and it was kinda preachy to boot, (will the young boy decend into a life of street gang violence? "Oh, the suspense!" Or rather, "Ask me if I give a rat's ass!" C'mon Stracynski, you've got some good plots in that head of yours, don't put all of them into Supreme Power at the expense of Spidey!Grade: C-

Captain Marvel #21: Man, I'm really bummed out to learn that this title is being cancelled. In my opinion, it's just now getting good! For a brief bit in this issue, we see Captain Marvel in his truly most fearsome guise yet. But at least he's learned from his past mistakes in dwelving into the Realms of Insanity. And thus, this time traveling epic continues onward, and the last page cliffhanger leaves me wondering, "Where is the Marvel Universe Future taking us now?!? Grade: A-

Daredevil #58: Another talking issue, (no action this time around). Still, Bendis keeps things interesting thanks to the great dialogue between characters, (dialogue has always been Bendis' strong point). Other than that, though, I don't think this was one of his better issues. Grade: B

Fantastic Four #511: Not much can be said without giving the whole plot away, but WOW, it's touching stuff like this that makes comics worth reading. At the gates of Heaven, our heroes have some Revelations of their own...comics haven't been this thought provoking and self aware in some time! Grade: A+

Inhumans #11: Another good issue out of this somewhat different foray into the Marvel Universe. This issue is noteworthy for escaping some of the cliche's of "the dying loved one" plot syndrome. The story devotes the first 6 pages to the life of Terrence Haller Jr., the story's villian, and succeeds in elevating him above a one-dimensional caricature. I would say it is neccesary to spend so much time detailing each and every painful moment in Haller's life. Thus, when the time comes for him to make the harsh choice that will put him on the same level of morality as, say, the Kingpin, we find ourselves sympathetic to his plight, while at the same time detesting him. A rare event in comics. Grade: A+

Knights of the Dinner Table #89: Another fun issue of my favorite spoof of Dungeons and Dragons. This time around, the main story was actually funnier than the back up stories! (the same couldn't be said for some of the last few issues). Nitro playing the role of the evil sword "Tremble" was a fine way to shake up the Knight's gaming session. And Sara reverts to evil again, for the briefest of moments. :) Grade: B+

New Mutants #10: You know, I'm still unsure of why I like this title so much...it's so..."teen drama-ish" (how's that for a new word?) But I do like it, and the characters are interesting, (though a bit one dimensional at times). And I love the fact that they've brought back so many of the old gang from the original New Mutants title, (Rayne, aka "Wolfsbane" is the focus this issue). This is a somewhat silly title, but enjoyable none the less...Grade: B

New Xmen #154: The End. Grant Morrison says "Adieu" to us Xmen fans, but not before going out with a universe shattering bang! Still can't figure out just what all happened here, but I get the gist of it all. The universe has been saved. Our heroes may live 'happily ever after' after all...but the Xmen universe will never be the same again. Morrison, I loved you and I hated you, but I will say, your run on Xmen has been...unique. I loved Silvestri's artwork, and I might have given a higher grade, but I still can't figure out all of the numerous plot lines that were supposedly "resolved" in this issue. Grade: B+

Thor #76: And so, the final storyline of Dan Jurgen's foray into a future where Thor is Tyrant of Earth kicks into high gear. The Gauntlet has been thrown down. The challenge has been proclaimed. Who is more worthy? Thor or Magni, his son from the future? I hope this storyline has repurcussions in the main Thor title upon being finished. I'd hate to never see Magni again. Grade: B+

Thor: Son of Asgard #1: Well, it's a tad simplistic of a start. All of our favorite Asgardians are here, and in full Teenage mode. The writer of the this title is supposedly a Japanese writer, and thus, while the action scenes move at a brisk pace, keeping you enthralled, the plot is somewhat generic. Still, it's about time we finally see Thor undertaking some Dungeons and Dragons type of Fantasy Quest. I'm in for the long haul on this miniseries. Grade: B-

Wolverine #12: Ah. A "Dream sequence" issue. And just as mindboggling as the latest New Xmen issue was...was the Pheonix influencing Wolverine's dreams? Wierd, yet strangely enjoyable. Grade: B

Reviews to follow as I read them...

[wonderfly]

Does anyone know when Hulk: Grey #6 is coming out? Or did I miss it somehow?

[jeffrey 228]

Well since I am new to this as well, I will say that I have gotten the Oringinal Teen Titans #9,

Given the time that this is the second of the Raven series wich is of 5 comics yet to be released yet but I will say this story id getting interesting, but still wondering where has Raven gone too ever since she vanished.

[Clayface]

Does anyone know when Hulk: Grey #6 is coming out? Or did I miss it somehow?

Nope, you didn't miss it. According to the Diamond Shipping List (http://www.diamondcomics.com/shipping/expected_032404.txt), it'll ship next Wednesday.

[Conekiller]

Wasn't Transformers/GI Joe #6 supposed to be out already? I havn't seen it if it came out already..:sad: And the last 1603 for that matter

[Clayface]

Wasn't Transformers/GI Joe #6 supposed to be out already? I havn't seen it if it came out already..:sad: And the last 1603 for that matter

I have no idea when/if TF/GI Joe #6 will ship.

According to the solicitations (http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2004-03/marvel.php), 1602 #8 isn't due out in stores until March 31st.

[screw on head]

picked up dc: new frontier #3 (of 6). this is probably my favorite issue yet. i loved that surreal opening sequence, it worked so well. that spread page was beautiful, which displayed how well cooke's mastered this style and has managed to keep dead on anatomy in his characters. i'm very impressed in the way he does backgrounds and what details are kept as black linework or a soft color line. all the suicide squad scenes were energized and just plain cool. i loved the scene with j'onn in the movie theater, which was a clever situation to put him in. i liked seeing the fleisher superman on the movie screen. my favorite scene was between batman and j'onn. batman's lines were dead on, i mean, cooke knows exactly how to write dialogue for him. i love the shot of j'onn in his alien form, resting on the countertop and just reflecting on what a presense batman is. i'm not all that taken by hal's story, and the ending was nice. this was my favorite issue yet, and i have a feeling it'll follow it's trend of getting better each issue.

[Condiment King]

New

BATMAN ADVENTURES 11 - Wow. This is why this title should reign on! This is the single best animated issue I've ever read to date! I love the Riddler's character in this series to death and this is definately a step up from his more reserved form in #2. In this issue, he's more like flaunting the power he has in Batman's face. Batman has to "play his game". I love it. :cool: Backup was on par with the main story. A+

GREEN LANTERN 174 - Things seem to be wrapping up for Kyle's universe or maybe crumbling based on the plot advances of Terry and Jade. You gotta hand it to Raab though, his villains can be pretty awesome. Shiro (I believe), the bounty hunter. But blast it, Amon Sur has sucked from the beginning and I refuse to take him as a Lex Luthor-esque villain that just won't go away. D+

Back issues

BATMAN ADVENTURES 5 - My subscription ran out at 4 and I've been reading since 8 so I thought I'd fill in the gap here. Pretty consistent and my favorite issue from Slott's arc thus far. I've always been a fan of this particular villain anyway. A-

[Hatter]

God. My wallet is BLEEDING. I really shouldn't have bought that Hellboy TPB, but my jerk of a little brother was going to pick it up if I didn't.


FANTASTIC FOUR #511
NEW X-MEN #154 (Book Dropped - there's no way I'm letting Austen tarnish my run. Grant crafted a wonderful ending, I'm leaving it at that.)
SUPERMAN/BATMAN #8
TEEN TITANS #9
BATMAN ADVENTURES #12
WONDER WOMAN #202
DC: THE NEW FRONTIER #3 (OF 6)
KISS KISS BANG BANG #3
HELLBOY: WAKE THE DEVIL TPB

[Antiyonder]

Batman Adventures #12
Smallville #7

The Sensational Spider-Man #19
The Amazing Spider-Man #425
The Batman Adventures #20

[Jor-El]

BATMAN ADVENTURES 12 — DC Comics, you are the worst company in the entire world for cancelling this book to make room for your new The Batman series. I can't believe how incredibly stupid you are. This is probably the best Batman book ever written and you're just getting rid of it for positively NO DISCERNIBLE, LOGICAL reason. This issue was fantastic and nothing was wrong with it at all. A++ I want to see more like this (although I personally would've vastly preferred the originally-planned Riddler cover to this ugly Nightwing cover.)

DC: THE NEW FRONTIER 3 — Good, but not as good as last issue. 3 issues into a 6 issue miniseries and we haven't seen too many costumed characters yet, which is fine but I'm aching to see more of Cooke's takes on some of these guys. His Superman is just too good, his Wonder Woman is cool, his Batman is great, J'Onn is awesome, and although Barry Allen looked maybe twelve years old last issue, I liked it anyway. But things look like they're really heating up now with all the focus on Hal Jordan. I'm just waiting to see him get the ring. Too bad I have to wait for May. A+

SUPERMAN BATMAN 8 — I'm with Randomguy: SUPERMAN BATMAN 8 was the first good issue of the book since the second issue. That said, why can't Michael Turner restrain himself from drawing naked or half naked women? I get that Kara was confused and probably not terribly accustomed to Earth ideals of shame and modesty, but the readers are. As if it wasn't enough that a beautiful blond girl was walking through the alleys naked, he then had to show her standing next to Superman with Superman's cape strategically covering only the minimum amount that he needed to cover. As many of you know from my many past posts, I'm offended by this. It seems to me that Michael Turner is subconsciously (or maybe consciously) a woman-hater and is saying (subliminally or otherwise) that all women are naked and vulnerable in front of men, regardless of how much power they display. But I'm interested in this story. My only reservation is that this is going to end up to be just like last story-arc; lately, what Loeb has been doing (as evidenced by Hush and the first two issues of SUPERMAN BATMAN,) is setting up what-promises-to-be a great story and then after the initial set-up, dropping it flat on its face; Loeb is good at introductions, terrible at middles (indeed, sometimes his stories lack middles completely), and finishing off the story with an ending that leaves you wondering just how pressured by deadlines he actually was. Anyway, B+ for the story: I thought that the story itself was great, but some of the dialogue between Batman and Superman was annoying and trying too hard to be funny; either a book is funny or its not, and SUPERMAN BATMAN is not funny. D for the art because woman-hating garbage like this pisses me off and shouldn't be allowed in comics. This is more offensive than just the usual long legs and oversized boobs: this is just making a woman directly into a sex object. Get over yourself, Michael Turner. Why don't you go out and have a relationship with a real woman instead of indulging yourself in drawing women that you can't get (but only because the women you draw can't even physically exist)?


Also, Randomguy, I'm with you on the fact that SPIDER-MAN: BLUE was "horribly bland." I stopped caring about it 3 issues into the series, but continued buying until the last issue was however-many-months late. To this day, while I have read the last issue, I don't own it.

[Chazz Adams]

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #134 - I laugh my ass of a Jon Gray gives us a picture of Tails eating from a box labeled "Drano Cookies". :D

BATMAN ADVENTURES #12 - I'm gonna miss this series.

FANTASTIC FOUR #511 - I'll bet Kirby would've been honored.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #505 - Not as great as recent issues, but I'm sure it'll be better next month.

PVP #5 - Shame on me for taking so long to get this thing. It's one of the funniest comics on the stands.

[Mattashell]

All my comments are up.

[JTurner954]

New issues

Batman Adventures #12: For the second month in a row, I had trouble purchasing Batman Adventures. From now on I go to Tate's even though they are more expensive with new books and thirty minutes away. Onto the book itself, I liked it even though I was disappointed with the somewhat predictable story. I was also sad because The Riddler only showed up in a few panels (Riddler is my favorite villain). Fortunately, Nightwing stole this issue so the ride was still fun. In the tradition of the previous issues, the backup story was very good (and yes, I liked Issue #9's backup too.)

Summary: B (Nightwing gets a solid A)

Big O Volume 6: I was going to pick it up, but then I learn it will be available next week. I'll read one story per month just like I did with Volume 5 and watch the anime DVDs inbetween. Note: This was the last book published during the first season. Ariga is now working on stories to coincide with Season 2.

I also went to the aforementioned Tate's Comics for their bi-annual sale: 3 comics for $1.00 under the tent outside, 50% off back issues inside, and 11% off everything else (to celebrate 11 years of buisness.) This time around they provided live entertainment: A martial arts exhibition and a bagpipe player ... a bad bagpipe player who didn't always stay in tune. In addition, he decided to go inside the shop to play the one song that celebrates the joy of buying comics: "Amazing Grace" :rolleyes: . He was a few feet away from me and his music gave me a headache :mad:

In the end, I bought 13 comics for less than $7.00 (Superman #100 and Amazing Spider-man #365 were the highlights.) The staff was very nice and the line was short since I paid via cash. Oh, and they had 6 copies of Batman Adventures #12 :).

Back issues

Action Comics #705 (December 1994): Superman kidnaps the supercorpse in an attempt to perform his own test to prove there's only one man of steel and that Mxyzptlk is behind this charade. Along the way, the SCU activates the giant Kryptonian suit that Luthor used in Action 701 to stop Superman from getting far. Mxy appears to say he's innocent while over at New Genesis. the one behind the clone is revealed.

Nice issue exploring a side of Superman I've never seen before: paranoia. For instance, he was about to punch Maggie Sawyer before Mxyzptlk showed up just so the "illusions" would disappear (definitely not the Superman I'm use to). I wonder how the mastermind behind this fake Superman pulled all this off. Dead Again should be coming to a close very soon.

Summary: B

Amazing Spider-man #344 (February 1991): Spider-man is investigating a warehouse where a drug deal is expected (it involves cocaine but it's legal because it's marked for agricultural purposes). A masked man named Cardiac destroys the shipment from happening for purposes which are not quite known yet. Rhino is hired by a Mr. Hammer to eliminate this new threat. There is a cameo with Eddie Brock and Cletus Kasady hinting at the return of the Venom symbiote.

The issue was ok. I originally bought this book to learn about Cardiac and see how Venom breaks out of prison. The setup has me interested so let's see how this story develops.

Summary: C+

Next month

Batman Adventures #13, Batman #514, Man of Steel #40, Spider-man #7, and Amazing Spider-man #345.

Thanks for reading.

[Zebi]

I got some trade paperbacks today:

Spectucular Spider-Man: Countdown TPB
Amazing Spider-Man: Until the Stars Turn Cold TPB (ASM Vol. 2 #40-45)
Spider-Man vs. Doctor Octopus TPB
(includes ASM #3, Marvel Tales #38-40 [aka ASM #53-55], ASM #130-131, ASM Annual #15)

I also found out today that there are some new Marvel Mini-Mates, including one of Doctor Octopus (picture (http://www.popcultureshock.com/newsviewer.php?id=309&p=2))! :anime:

[Stu]

I got a couple this week

Amazing Spider-Man - Another filler issue. See talkback for full comments

Daredevil - The Man Without Fear's book continues to shine with yet another superb issue. It's nice to see Urich and his wife try and find him, instead of the cliched "when will he get home?" story. The hospital scene was a bit weird, although the breakdown has been evident since the book was relaunched, paticullary the suicide attempt in Guardian Devil, shortly after Karen's death. I agree with Mattashell, this is moving a little too slow for my liking. Daredevil would benefit from being bi-weekly more than any other book I've ever read. ****

Batman Adventures - See talkback thread. Another outstanding issue, featuring 2 of my favourite villians from the cartoon and the return of one of my favourite characters. Wish they'd used the Riddler cover, but, to hell with it. Book of the week.

Batman/Superman #7 - Meh. This is Batman and Superman book. If I want to read about Superboy and Robin teaming up, I'll read Teen Titans.

Batman/Superman #8 - Do we really need another Supergirl? The issue was a good read but still, I'm not seeing the point. Hopefully the arc will pick up when Darkside returns.

Batman: Gotham Knights #51 - Hush kicked the crap out of the Riddler. There's only so many times you can see a brutal fight scene in a Batman book until it becomes the norm. I liked the issue, but the ending was crap. And that cover is god awful...not as bad as last months however. Still, it has to be said, is there any need for 3 villians in this arc?

The hunt for She-Hulk #1 continues...

[Conekiller]

Sonic the Hedgehog #134: Jon Grey's work was great. it's nice to see some on-model fluidtiy in these characters. the "brooding Antoine" images are incredible. My only gripe was some of the dramatic scenes came off as too silly due to the cartoony-ness of the style. My 6 year old brothe laughed at the panel where Sally SMAKKED Sonic, which was supposed to be a dramatic turning point for the narrative.

X-Treme X-men #43 I'm so glad this series is ending in 2 issues. GET RID OF KORDEY! The story wans't bad, but again, the awful, overly inked art marrs the end result.
Transformers War Within DarkAges #5: Good ish, but I kinda would have liked a re-cap on the first page like in previous issues, instead of the ad they ran. I wonder what Experiments Shockwave has been doing to Blitzwing. has he prefected the triplechanger priocess yet, or is it a developping technology. I also wonder what the choices for Jetfire, Grimloc, Hotspot and Blitzwing signify for The Fallen.

[Antiyonder]

The Spectacular Spider-Man #200

X-Man #10-13

[Clayface]

Hey Conekiller: According to the Diamond Comics Distributors shipping list (http://www.diamondcomics.com/shipping/expected_033104.txt), the last issue of Transformers/GI Joe is coming out March 31st.

[wonderfly]

Well, I finally have read all of the comics from this massive week, and all my reviews are up, and thus, it's time I made my Pick of the Week!

You know, there were two main contenders for this week's prize, and I originally thought I'd be giving the highlight to a title that's boldly gone where few dare to tread: to Heaven. Yeah, kudos's should go to Fantastic Four #511 for being such a savvy read. There were some real moments where you could tell Waid and Weiringo were speaking from the heart.

But on the other hand, I have to give credit where credit is due. I never thought I'd still be picking up this title, having predicted I'd drop it by issue #6. But instead, it just keeps getting more and more interesting. I think my change in attitude towards this title came at the moment I realized it's NOT a superhero title. It's about people with powers, strange and menacing, but they're not out to save the universe. It is a Drama, (sometimes a Soap Opera-ish Drama), but it's fascinating read, no matter how you classify it.

As for this particular issue, well, not much more needs to be said then what I have mentioned in my issue review earlier in this thread. Well, I could mention that the action does kick up some, (FINALLY) at the end, and I for one don't think the person who died on the last page is truly dead, (though it'd be a neat twist if he was), but really, it's the villians here who steal the spotlight. From the Misguided business tycoon, (the already mentioned Mr. Haller), to the cold and abstract assasin Mister Chase, to the twisted scientists under Mr. Haller's employment, we see some true glimpses of evil here.

Now to see if our quirky protagonists know how to stand up to the evil and play the part of the hero. Too bad this series ends next issue.

Definently worthy of an A+