This Week In Comics: 10-29-2003

[Cyber E.]

Birthday Money + 20% off back issues = expensive week

-ACTION COMICS #766
-ACTION COMICS #805
-ASPEN COMICS #1
-ASSASSIN SCHOOL #2
-AQUAMAN #10
-AVENGERS #72: Ah, finally. Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins are together again. We are following up on the loose end from the Red Zone story, in which She-Hulk was affected by the poisonous gas. Now, in tradition of her cousin, she is drifting away trying to keep her monster inside. Kolins offers his great art once again, aided by a wonderful script by Johns. We are allowed a glimpse inside Jennifer's mind as she is copping with this new revelation upon us. I would have given this issue an A, but after such a great tale [compared to #71] this deserves an A+
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #51: I've heard much talk about this issue, and I see what the hype was about. I had the major shock of the book spoiled for me months ago, so it wasn't as much of a punch as it should have been, but it Jason Hall layed out a great issue. It had a small plothole, but it was better than most B:GA issues. A+
-BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #16: The mystery of Halos origin and past is slowly being revealed in a story arc titled The Truth About Halo. Like most of the series, the writing is standard and the art is shady, yet a little crisp. Nothing spectacular, but it still offers a good read. C
-FANTASTIC FOUR #33
-THE FLASH #4
-THE FLASH #203
-GREEN LANTERN #3
-GREEN LANTERN #42
-GREEN LANTERN #43
-GREEN LANTERN CORPS #216
-JUSTICE LEAGUE TASK FORCE #0
-JUSTICE LEAGUE TASK FORCE #1: The usual formation issue. Leader is in the first few pages, later on has to recruit the members of the team for some sort of operation. While this has been done to death, I couldn't but enjoy it. I mean, you have four out of the big seven right here, along with Gypsy and Nightwing. Slow start, but still good. B+
-THE OUTSIDERS ['85] #1
-THE OUTSIDERS ['86] #6
-SILVER SURFER #2
-WIZARD #146 - ALEX ROSS COVER
-VAMPI: VICIOUS #1
-VENOM #7

Comments should be up around Sunday.. after I regain the ability to see again.

[Joker85]

I just got Catwoman #24 today.

[Mattashell]

Dragon's Lair #3: On his way to rescue Princess Daphne from Singe's lair, Dirk must face an army of the living dead. Once again, the glorious true to Bluth's original art doesn't make up for the fact that this book is niether exciting or fun. This time around it gets a bit trashy as well. **

The Flash #203: Ignition Part III: Crash & Burn: While Wally is rediscovering his super-hero identity, a series of gimick-based cop-killings strike Keystone's finest. The writing's fine, but I just don't think I like the direction this title is going in. Also, I'm starting to get bored. ***

Green Lantern #170: Greetins From Sector 2814: Kyle's friends recieve a message from him in space. I only give a work less than one star if it's incomplete, btched or misrepresented. Since this issue was nothing but a recap of the events of the past few, mediocre issues, it falls into that third catagory. I don't appreciate paying $2.25 for an "incase you just tuned in." Especially since there's nothing monumental a reader would "need to know" anyway.1/2

JLA #89: Trial By Fire Conclusion: A Nuclear explosion takes out a North Koream city while the JLA, with the help of Plastic Man and Scorch, face Furnus in final battle. A fine ending to what's possibly the best arc since I started reading JLA back around Golden Perfect. I'm sorry, Kelly's had his share of stinkers, but he can write some of the time, and I can't hate him like some people do. ****Pick of the week!

Namor #8: In Deep Part 2: Namor hobnobs with rich Americans, while the Atlantean people become impatiant with Henry Pierce's lack of action in sealin leaks near his oil rig. This book has charm, and that's what's kept me on it. but with it's new cover price, ultra-slow pace, and lack of any real excitment I may not stick around much longer. I want a grown up Sub-Mariner book. ***

New Mutants #6: (Just Like) Starting Over: A reluctant student joins the school and our clique. Dani has second thoughts about teaching. What the...?! This book was going quite well and then they put out this piece of crap? The art looks like it was drawn by a four year old, and the dialogue reeds like it was translated from a foriegn language. Also nothing really much happens. *

Paradise X Vol 1 (TPB) I will not get to this TPB this week. Look for my thoughts in a future thread.

Silver Surfer #2: Communion Part 2: as Denise Waters seeks answers in her daughters abduction. She discovers stories of similar cases. I admit it. The story's pretty good. But this isn't the Surfer I know. He has important things to do and doesn't waste his time with games. ***

Space Ace #2: Borf's brother, Gorf, shows up seeking vengence, with a reverse-infanto ray. This is good clean fun, but unfortunatele, an awfully light read. ***

Voltron #5: Revelations Part Five of Five: With Sven and his Blue Lion out of action, the remaining Voltron Force members must face the ro-beast. Meh. After an incredible reimagining of the Voltron Force origin story, the arc ends on a blandly predictable note in an issue that's all action and no substance. **

[JTurner954]

This week I read Uncanny X-Men #199-200. I was curious to see how Magneto became a member of the X-Men and eventually leaving so I wanted to see how it was done. I'm glad there wasn't a decision from the trial since Magneto's actions did prove (to some anyway) that not all mutants are as bad as they seem on the surface. I also liked the sequence with Charles Xavier and Magneto in the finale of Issue #200 where Magneto is given leadership of the X-men. At the same time I find out about Rachel Summers who came from a future where most mutants were killed (I have the feeling Bishop will be involved soon) and will try to prevent that from happening in the present. Looks like Chris Clairemont deserves the praise he receives after all (this is my first time reading a story of his).


I also attended a comic book sale where I bought around 40 comics for $20. Among the most notable were X-Men #25 (Wolverine loses his adamantium) and DBZ GN Volumes 11 and 12 (starting where Goku becomes a Super Saiyan and ending at the point before the Androids arrive).

[Jor-El]

I guess it's quality and not quantity.


THE FLASH 203 — A solid A issue. No further comments.

[Conekiller]

GiJoe Vs Transformers #4 of 6: intersting subplot with the US govt wnating to use the TFs as tools, no worse than Cobra.

Spiderman #500

Transformers More than Meets the Eye #7 of 8: good stuff, can't wait for #8, or a Beast Wars one.

Most Recent X-treme X-men: I've lost count , but the issue wasn't bad, more mutant/human legal ramifications, and an excuse to have MovieMystique (read: nudity) in the ish. the Title page spread semi-redeemed he newer artist top me, only a bit. I want Larocca back.

Sonic the Hedgehog#128: the mystery of Tails' parents and why the aliens are messing with Robotisizing revealed. Plus, Sonic is finally home.

[Fernus]

JLA #89 - Great ending to a great story arc.

[Samhaine]

Catwoman 24 - Bound to be great
Flash 203 - going to be good
JLA 89 - who knows, really? But it's my next to last issue, so I hope it's alright
Voltron: Defender of the Universe 5 - I had Voltron sheets as a kid. You know I'm digging this series, but it's been moving painfully slow. I won't be getting the next miniseries.
X-Treme X-Men 33 - it's, it's,....X-TREME!!!!! But this should be my last issue of this series as well. I just cut about 40% of my books, and I couldn't convince myself that $3 is a worthwhile investment for this book. I cut out so many others, too.

[Hatter]

AVENGERS #72
SILVER SURFER #2 - Still as slow as a snail, but the new artist's fantastic.
THOR: VIKINGS #4
CATWOMAN #24 - I'm conflicted as to whether or not to continue reading this title. On one hand, I want to see where the plot's going. On the other hand, the new artist is absolutely horrendous. So we'll see.
FLASH #203
FABLES #18 - Someone, please, kick me in the ass for not picking this title up sooner. I'm an idiot. I'm picking up the trades as soon as possible.
ASTRO CITY: LOCAL HEROES #3
WIZARD #146

[Antiyonder]

Avengers/JLA #2

X-Men #84 (The Hunt For Xavier Part 6 of 6)

[wonderfly]

Sorry, this is later than normal...this whole week has been busy...

I got:

Avengers #72: Man, this title keeps getting better and better! I'm loving it! And Johns is going to leave this title?!?! Anyway, this title finally explores an idea that I think has never been tackled: What if She-Hulk was just placed in the role of her counterpart The Hulk. A fugitive Jennifer Walters? A truly neat concept. Also, it's been forever since Jennifer/She-Hulk had her character explored. I blame John Bryne for that, by turning her into a farce. Jennifer is a shy, timid girl, whereas She-Hulk is the wild part of her personality. Some great potential here! And Kolins art rocks! Only one minor complaint: the last 3 pages. Um, if Banner can keep his pants on when he transforms, then can't Jennifer keep something, at least more along the lines of her first comic back from 1980, (just a shirt at least?) Still, a great read! Grade: A+

New Mutants #6: The bubblegum feel of this book continues. It's tasty, but the sugar leaves your mouth quickly after putting the issue down. Without giving too much away, one student leaves, and another one joins. This book still feels like it's just starting out, and that it hasn't found it's place yet. Give it time. Hopefully, the upcoming artist change will help this book out even more, as this current artist, (though he/she started out strong) is weakening, if such a thing is possible. I lowered the grade a tad because of the art. Grade: C+

Silver Surfer #2: A nice follow up to the more wordy Issue #1. This new artist's rendition of the Surfer is just as cool as the first issue's artist, (though for different reasons) and there's a mystery here at work which I'm finding intriguing...for now. I'll stick around for the next little while. And I have to admit, I found I was reading true suspence in the computer scene in that wouldbe rapists' house...Grade: B+

Thor: Vikings #4: You know, I shouldn't enjoy this title, but it's fun! I LOVED the interaction between the three time displaced Viking descendants. Great stuff pointing out the imagery used on the Nazi WW2 fighter plane. And Ennis even finds a moment to interject a bit of moral clarity, (something he only occasionally remembers to do in Punisher): the 3 recruits know they have to do something upon seeing the child murdered by the undead vikings...A fun read all around, (if you ignore the gore). Grade: A

Wizard magazine #146: Eh, some nice articles, but the same old same old from Wizard. Still, they're review of current titles out is always welcome...it's not much different from what we do here. Grade: B

Reviews to follow as I read them.

[Clayface]

Voltron: Defender of the Universe 5 - I had Voltron sheets as a kid. You know I'm digging this series, but it's been moving painfully slow. I won't be getting the next miniseries.

I haven't read the latest issue yet, but I'll put up comments as soon as I get to it. I agree that the mini-series has moved kind of slow, but I'm enjoying anyway. I just wanted to point out, after this, the next Voltron title will not actually be a mini-series, but rather an on-going series. You can read the press release here (http://www.devilsdue.net/forums/showthread.php?t=13070).

[Nick K.]

Wasnt Ultimates #12 supposed to come out? I wanted to get it but i dont think it came out!

[Cyber E.]

I really don't know. I thought it was supposed to come out last month, but it didn't. I can't find anything about it getting delayed. I know that Ultimates #13 is delayed until January, so maybe #12 got pushed too?

[Nick K.]

Yea Marvel.com keeps on lying! I want to read it already. This is worse than the wait for season 2 of JL!

[Conekiller]

Add Trouble #4 of 5 to my purchases.

[Mattashell]

Better late than never, my comments are up.


SILVER SURFER #2 ... Its moving a bit too slow for my tastes.

Yeah, well that's an understatement, considering how long this title's been delayed. LOL

VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE #5 ... I could just hear the voices on the TV characters when the famous lines were said:

That's just the trouble. Whenever I read Pidge, I hear his TV voice, and that's got to be the worst cartoon voice of all time!

"Form feet..and legs. Form arms...and body. And...I'll form the head!" :cool:


Yeah, but I'm peeved he didn't mention anything about "Infracels", "Dynotherms" or "Megathrusters".

Voltron: Defender of the Universe 5 ... You know I'm digging this series, but it's been moving painfully slow.

Really? That's funny, I thought the retelling ogf the origin story could have used a slightly slower pace. It felt a bit rushed to me.

[Eddie G.]

JLA #89... Plastic Man the way he should be, great ending.

[Antiyonder]

Meant to post this on Friday:

Cable #66-68

[wonderfly]

I found in the back issue bin today the recent Flash #201...the one I heard was sold out around the country, (which I heard here on this very message board). It was the last copy my comic shop had, so I snatched it up along with issue #202...here's to hoping Johns' DC stuff can excite me the way his take on Avengers has excited me! :)

[wonderfly]

Well, my reviews are now all up, and that means it's time for my PICK OF THE WEEK!

In the end, it was a pretty obvious choice this week, no real compitition against the front runner, though I do have to give kudos to runner up Thor: Vikings #4 for being such a damn fun read. Still, unlike last week, I knew going in which would be my favorite, and sure enough, it was everything I asked for and more. And so, without further ado:

My pick of the week goes to: Avengers #72

Johns is proving he's just as much a continuitity master as Busiek ever was, though his take on the Avengers has a more "gritty" feel to it. Still, his examination of 2nd string characters continues with She-Hulk. I've been waiting for this story for some time, as I knew that SOMEWHERE there was a serious drama story She-Hulk could be at the heart of again, (and John Bryne's years of making her a comical farce be damned!)

The mirror gets reversed as we get to see dark aspects of what life would be like if it was Jennifer Walters on the run from the authorities, as opposed to the classic "Banner on the run" storyline. She-Hulk's creation at the tail end of the 70's strikes me that her original concept was about female empowerment, (and other feminist issues). Certainly she was written that way. Here, we see a Jennifer Walters who is anything but strong...she's meek, afraid, and desperate, everything she hates being. In this issue, we have a woman who's 'empowered', but no longer in control of that power. Fascinating stuff, which also hearkens back to the main lesson learned in any Marvel comic: that whole "Power and Responsibility" thing. ;)

I'm really looking forward to where Johns' final issues are going, and Scott Kolins' art looks great! A definent A+ rating, and worthy of my Pick of the Week!