I've got a cold this week people, so I have to quick squeak this out before my body decides that it is time for a nap, so let's just dive right into What Looks Good...  AUTHORITY #15 $2.99 (Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning / Simon Coleby)One of the cool things, for me anyway, about the Authority was that really they were kind of like the Justice League without all of the ethics rules. They tried to forcibly make the world a better place, usually by punching people, often in the face. It seemed that the team could do anything, beat anyone. They were just bigger and better than anyone else. Now? Not so much. You'd think that a long-time fan like me may not like that, but I do. It's nice to see a team humbled from time to time, to have them brought low so that you can see their real character, their real fortitude as a team. To find the true measure of a person, or in this case, a team of people, you have to see how that team does at their absolute lowest, not when they are ruling the world, velvet glove or no. The world ended. The Authority allowed that to happen. Sure, they tried to stop it, but it happened nonetheless. They failed. And now they are trying to bring back some sort of semblance of order to what remains of the world. But some of the team has been abducted by the remnants of The Establishment (LOVE them), while others have been overtaken by Gamorran forces. And where is the Midnighter? This team is at anything other than their peak and yet they still TRY to fight the good fight? However will they get themselves out of this one? I honestly don't know, but it's been one heck of journey so far.  BATMAN AND ROBIN #5 $2.99 (Grant Morrison / Phillip Tan)Does anyone think that the return of the Red Hood is anyone other than Jason Todd? Sure, for a while I was thinking that Todd would be coming back as Red Robin. It kind of made sense; during the "Hush" storyline we saw who we thought was Todd in a Robin-esque uniform that included red and black elements. Obviously we know now that during "Hush" we weren't seeing Jason Todd; we also know that Tim Drake has taken on the "Red Robin" persona. Likewise, we saw Jason Todd take on the "Red Hood" persona a couple of years back, so it makes sense that it is him, but who knows, we might yet be surprised. But who is Scarlet? Thoughts? Let me know on the message boards if you have a guess (but if you know already, well, leave that to yourself; keep it spoiler-free people!).  MAGOG #2 $2.99 (Keith Giffen / Howard Porter)The first issue didn't necessarily light me on fire, but I have to admit that there is a lot of potential for this series. If you're not familiar with Magog he is the anti-hero of Kingdom Come (which, if you haven't read you really should do so now; it's definitely a classic). He was supposed to be an amalgamation of everything that was wrong with superheroes in the 90's; in fact, I believe his look was based on Cable. Now, I won't ruin Kingdome Come if you haven't read it (after all, I just told you to grab it), but let's just say that something bad happens and it has something to do with Magog. He might be a superhero, but really, he's not a nice guy. You know how Guy Gardner can be a real dick at times? Yeah, well, Magog was worse. Or, should I say, will be worse. You see, Kingdom Come exists in a possible future. So what we're seeing here, and previously within the pages of Justice Society of American, is the creation of the superhero Magog. He is not yet the person that he might yet become later in Kingdom Come, but yet, you can see already how he MIGHT become that person. For me therein lies what I am liking about this book; we know where this character COULD end up, but maybe, just maybe, with the right influence by the right people he might become a better person, and ultimately, a better hero because of it. We'll see.  PLANETARY #27 $3.99 (Warren Ellis / John Cassaday)No other comic book could come out this week for all I care (but, judging by the number of words I have already typed, I do care about other books), because for me there could be no other book that I am salivating for more. It's hard to believe that this book, this journey, began over 10 years ago. Wow. That means we've gotten about 2.7 issues a YEAR. That's a touch more of a lag than the title's bi-monthly schedule would have lead one to believe. But really, I'm not complaining. It might sound like I am, but really, I'm not. Because this book is QUALITY, through and through. Sure, I would have loved it if I could have sat down and read the book in a more timely fashion, but despite all of the delays over the years this book has been consistently awesome, long delays just whetting the appetite more and more, making the anticipation for each chapter grow to an almost maddening level. Yet, here we are, the end of the road. I almost wish that there was more of a delay so I wouldn't have to say good-bye to this title, because, yes, it was that good. A part of me wants to say that I envy the reader that picks up the collections now that the story has been completed, but really, I don't. Each new issue was a revelation. That said, I do plan on grabbing the collections in the next few months and sitting down one cold, winter weekend and reading the entire series from start to finish. There are great runs and then there are great runs; books like Preacher, Sandman, Marvelman, and many others. And now I think we can safely say that Planetary can be added to that list. GREAT STUFF!!!!  ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #3 $3.99 (Brian Michael Bendis / David LaFuente)We're only three issues in, so I won't ruin the first issue for you, but man, leave it to Bendis to bring back a former nemesis just so that he can kill him off, paving the way for a new nemesis. To say I was shocked is understating it. And yeah, I had drifted away from the previous incarnation of this book, but that first issue brought me right back where I belonged and again, I am in love with the characters, the dialogue, and creative team. It just feels "real" without coming across as gritty and dark like other books can; there's life in this book, and really, I'm digging it so far. Good stuff!  VENGEANCE OF MOON KNIGHT #2 $2.99 (Gregg Hurwitz / Leinil Francis Yu)With the first issue I went on about my love for the character of Moon Knight, so I don't need to do that again. Let's just say that the writing and the art on this book are top notch, as well as the idea that Moon Knight can accomplish what he wants without killing, and without registering as a superhero. There's LOTS Of potential with this book; I mean, look at this cover: Moon Knight, a man that essentially is just that, a man, versus The Sentry, a hero with the power of a god. Yet, Moon Knight plans on taking him on, but not with strength, but with his mind. Interesting. I can't wait to see what happens.  BLOOM COUNTY: COMPLETE LIBRARY HC VOL 01 $39.99 (Berkeley Breathed)I am a child of the 80's, and even so, I did not discover the brilliance that is/was Bloom County until near the end of its run. Perhaps it was because I was in Jr. High when I first found the title in the late 80's, so it's most likely that much of the humor would have been lost on me before then. Still, I quickly began to devour the title in the daily strip, and grabbed a few collections along the way. I remember loving everything that I read and being saddened when the book came to a close. Yes, it was replaced by Outland, and later, by Opus, but our local paper didn't get either of those, so for me the magic died in 1989. But now it is being collected into handsome, hardcover volumes, and here I am, along with my wife a DINK (Double Income, No Kids), so I seem to have plenty of disposable income to waste away on a collection like this. Or, if my wife happens to read this, it would make for an EXCELLENT birthday gift next week for me. Will these strips hold up to the tests of time? I'm not sure; all I do know is that there's a soft spot in my heart for Bloom County and right now a stroll down "Memory Lane" sounds like a great way to spend a rainy weekend. Love it. What comics did you get geeked out about this week? Just stop by the WLG message boards (see link below) and share! See you next week! Peace! -Diaz |
