WLG #197: New Prey!

By Michael A. Diaz

This week is especially small for me, so I won't waste all that much time with this introduction, but there is one SEMI comics related thing that I wanted to get off of my chest.

Did anyone else think that the season finale of Heroes was just “meh”?

Don't get me wrong, I am definitely addicted to the show now (it's in my top ten; true, it's no Battlestar Galactica or The Shield, but on the other hand it's also not Mutant X either, which is a GOOD thing) but in my personal opinion I thought the past few previous episodes had more excitement, more drama.

I realize that the show is not technically a comic, but come on, it is certainly RELATED to comics.

What did you think?Now this:

Standard Disclaimer: For those of you new to the WLG experience, here's how it works: Every week I check out the release schedule from the Diamond Comics Shipping List and decide which comics that I am going to spend my hard-earned money on. Yep, my money. That's good, because it helps to maintain my objectivity. If I spend money on a comic book and it turns out to be crap I'm going to be upset.Add to that the fact that I thought that Spider-Man 3 was also just “OK” I have to say that I am looking forward to something comic-wise that will kick my rear. Any thoughts as to what that could be coming on the horizon?

The closest thing that I can come up with is Tranformers (the movie).

Again, just thinking out loud.

Like I said, it's a small week for me this week, so let's jump right into What Looks Good...

DC

BIRDS OF PREY #106 $2.99 (Gail Simone / Nicola Scott)

You know, when Black Canary left this title there was more than just a small part of me that thought that maybe this title wouldn't be as good without her. It's not that I'm the biggest fan of the character. In reality, my only other real knowledge of her comes from her brief appearances in the Giffen/DeMatteis/Maguire issues of Justice League. Other than that, well, I never read much about her until Simone began writing this book

I never thought it would happen, but yeah, I miss her. Luckily she's been showing up in Justice League of America and Green Arrow, but you know what? Birds of Prey is doing just fine without her. I know that from the beginning it was really supposed to be Oracle's team, but like I said, I came to the book late in the game; I just assumed that the book was supposed to be a Black Canary book.

Well, the last several issues have shown me that this is a true team book. Often I hear the argument that there aren't enough interesting female superhero characters. Well, if anything I think that Birds of Prey proves that statement to be complete BS. There ARE interesting female superhero characters, it just takes someone with balls (yes, ironic pun intended) willing to take on female characters in an engrossing and real way.

Good stuff.

MARVEL

NEWUNIVERSAL #6 $2.99 (Warren Ellis / Salvador Larroca)

I find it hard to put it into words exactly why I like this title so much. Perhaps the easiest way is that I saw the POTENTIAL that the original New Universe had, only it wasn't fully realized for any number of reasons. Ellis, though, seems to have seen that potential as well, just as he was able to use his book Planetary to explore the past 50+ years of pulp entertainment (book, movies, and comics) here he is taking a great bunch of ideas that were allowed to die on the vine and give them new life. In short, Ellis isn't afraid to show us what comics COULD be.

This is was the New Universe COULD have been and I thank him for showing it to me in a different light.

Was there something that did it for you this week? If so, stop by the What Looks Good message boards (see link below) and spread the love, my friend.

Until then,

Peace!

-Diaz