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The Good Stuff #31: Superman Disguises as Clark Kent! Superboy-Prime Whines His Way Back! Great Artwork! The Green Goblin Wants to Show Spidey “New Ways to Die!” JLA vs. Amazo AND MORE!
Posted: Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Posted By: Kevin Powers
The Good Stuff. Of course, that all comes down to personal opinion and what your general tastes are. Here at the Comics Bulletin, you can speak your free mind and discuss this blessed art-form with other individuals who are just as passionate about comics as you are. At Comics Bulletin, we pride ourselves on great reviews, fantastic features and a spectacular atmosphere for discussion. Our reviews are second to none covering every corner of the industry from the big guys to the little guys. But sometimes a comic book that doesn’t achieve a certain mark features a scene or a moment that really stands out. A 2.5 bullet book could have the best scene of the week’s stack, but the overall book could come up short in a reviewer’s opinion. So here it is, a column devoted to those moments, a “best of the week” type thing that acts as an addition to our extraordinary reviews. Feel free to agree, disagree, call for the tar and feathering of Kevin Powers, but take a second to check it out; maybe you missed some of the Good Stuff and you can grab it with this week’s stack.
Good Stuff #31: Superman Disguises as Clark Kent! Superboy-Prime Whines His Way Back! Great Artwork! The Green Goblin Wants to Show Spidey “New Ways to Die!” JLA vs. Amazo AND MORE!
Where is it?Amazing Spider-Man #568
Written by: Dan Slott
Cover by: Alex Ross
There are readers who love “Brand New Day” and readers who hate “Brand New Day,” but the bottom line is that Amazing Spider-Man still sells well. While I prefer Spidey being with and married to Mary Jane, I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t enjoy the majority of “Brand New Day” ideas. But I saw all the “Spider-Man Faithful,” as I call them, the old time fans who swore off Spider-Man after “Brand New Day,” buying up both covers of Amazing Spider-Man #568. The cover that sold the most and seemed to attract the readers back to their old favorite was the Alex Ross variant featuring everyone’s favorite nut-job, Norman Osborn. “New Ways to Die” is the latest story-arc that will bring the Green Goblin and Venom back to their original stomping grounds. The variant cover by Alex Ross is fantastic, evoking thoughts of chaos, madness and making the old Spidey fans crack a big smile once more. What’s even better about this issue is that Norman doesn’t come alone, he brings the Thunderbolts.
Where is it? Captain America #41
Written by: Ed Brubaker
Art by: Steve Epting
Who is it? Bucky-Cap in all his Glory
Due to my love and loyalty to Steve Rogers, no matter how temporary his death may be, I still won’t call Bucky “Captain America.” However, the final page of this issue is absolutely gorgeous. Bucky’s journey of assuming the mantle of Captain America comes to a close as he makes himself public and declares “I am Captain America.” While I would venture to disagree with him, Steve Epting, Rick Magyar and Frank D’Armata most certainly bring a definitive look and moment to Bucky’s tenure as Cap. Not because he is declaring that he is Captain America, but because on this page he actually looks like Cap, minus the altered costume. I love the way Bucky seems to leap off the page, dodging bullets, his legs positioned as if he’s about to kick someone square in the jaw, and looking as if he’s ready to toss the shield while bullets bounce off of it. However, what really makes the image superb is the way it is framed. There’s a white circle around Bucky running off the page that he seems to be jumping through. Whether you like Bucky as Cap or not, this is a fantastic image that should make any Cap fan pay top dollar for prints and posters.
Where is it? Flash #243
Written by: Tom Peyer
Art by: Freddie Williams II
What is it?: The Master of the Speed Force, Wally West, The Flash
The latest story-arc in The Flash has been hit or miss with me. It kind of jumped all over the place, started off a bit weak but picked up when the focus was taken off the ludicrous “Wally out of work” idea and focused on the kids’ rapid aging process. In this issue, Wally fantastically uses the Speed Force to effectively end the rapid aging of his two children and return them both to their pre-teen states. It was a great sequence that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Wally will always be the master of the Speed Force. This issue also concludes Tom Peyer and Freddie Williams II’s run on the title and they go out in spectacular fashion. There are some readers who are critical of Williams II’s work, but I have actually enjoyed it quite a bit. The final page of this issue, and also the send-off of Peyer and Williams II’s run, is actually one of the best Flash pin-ups I have seen in a while. It’s colorful, well-drawn and rendered in a way as if Flash is jumping off of the page. What’s even more is that the classic lightning bolts rushing off the yellow part his costume look greats, as if Wally is channeling the Speed Force with great ease. I really love this image, definitely poster worthy and print worthy for Williams II.
Where is it? Brave & The Bold #16
Written by: Mark Waid
Art by: Scot Kolins
What is it?: A Pair of Spectacles is all he Needs
Sure the team-up between Superman and Catwoman was a little outlandish and the era of Catwoman’s costume was a bit off, but the issue was a lot of fun. I’m also enjoying every second of Scot Kolins’ artwork so you won’t find me complaining about this book. This issue involves Superman looking over Gotham in Batman’s absence and an underground auction for rare and hard to obtain villain artifacts. One such artifact is a map of an unnamed cave in Gotham, rumored to be the Batcave. Superman meets up with Catwoman and gets dragged down to this auction to investigate what’s happening and to make sure the Batcave is protected. So when the two arrive at the auction, Catwoman puts on a classy dress and puts together a disguise for Superman. That disguise? A suit and tie, messily parted hair and spectacles. I couldn’t help but chuckle at this moment, Superman was actually disguised as Clark Kent. Sounds kind of funny to say, but it’s true and no one had a clue. Brilliant.
Where is it? Marvel Saga: Your Universe
At my comic store, my boss always tells me that he thinks the greatest invention in comics is the inside cover blurb in most of Marvel’s books. The “Previously in…” that covers the basics of every series and story arc. With that in play, you don’t necessarily have to start every story-arc from the beginning or have to be completely caught up on everything going on in the character’s world. Lately, Marvel has started to release freebies called Marvel Saga which usually get stuffed into Comic Shop News and tossed in the bag of comics. I’ve got to tell you though, these little freebies are BRILLIANT. The three that have been released are Secret Invasion, Daredevil and now Your Universe and each one catches readers up to speed on the titles involved. This week Your Universe is released and it’s essential you check it out if you are lost in the Marvel Universe or if you want to get onboard, or if you want to jump back in. If you don’t shop at a comic store, or if you don’t read comics, just go with the bandwagon – which happens – then you can check the book out FOR FREE on Marvel’s Digital Comics Unlimited. So once you finish reading this column, go to http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.4669.FREE%21_Read_Marvel%7Ecolon%7E_Your_Universe”>Marvel.com get caught up with every Marvel event and character that has their own title, you might find something you like.
Where is it? Justice League of America #
Written by: Dwayne McDuffie
Art by: Allan Goldman
What is it? JLA vs. Amazo
If there’s one thing Dwayne McDuffie can do well with the Justice League, it’s all out battles. Last week he concluded his arc involving Amazo and transitioned right into a new arc focusing on Animal Man and Vixen. However, before he did that, the JLA took on the newly improved Amazo in a battle that took up nearly three quarters of the issue. And with McDuffie and his JLA fight scenes you are almost guaranteed an entertaining time. Add in the fact that Allan Goldman provides some clear and fluid pencils; well we’ve got ourselves a good fight. Every member of the JLA gets their shot, including a rare display of Black Canary’s power. It was fun to watch Amazo adapt and use each power effectively against different members of the team. The action and the artwork was fantastic and the central focus on Zatanna trying to figure out how to use her powers to stop Amazo added a great deal of suspense to the battle.
Where is it? Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds
Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: George Perez
Who is it? Superboy-Prime
I have really enjoyed the way Geoff Johns writes Superboy-Prime ever since Infinite Crisis. He writes the character in a way that makes readers hate him and want him to die. He’s obsessive, whiny, annoying and a complete brat. We haven’t seen him since “The Sinestro Corps War” but he makes his return in this issue as the Time Trapper sends him to the year 3008. There, Prime finds a world of heroes inspired by Superman, the Legion, he finds that in the villain wing of the Superman museum, his statue is collecting dust in the back. He becomes infuriated and starts destroying everything. While he can’t go back into the back and destroy Superman, he decides he’s going to destroy everything Superman has inspired. Johns has kept this character consistent since he re-appeared in Infinite Crisis and this issue is no different. Here we are treated to the whiny, obsessive and bratty Prime, but he’s the villain of the week because he’s insanely dangerous and there needs to be 3 different Legions to take him down.
Where is it? Moon Knight #21
Written by: Mike Benson
Art by: Mark Texiera
Who is it? The Guy who had a Half Moon Carved into his Forehead.
A few issues ago, Moon Knight beat the crap out of a gang of hooligans and carved a half moon into one of his victim’s foreheads. Fast forward to last week’s issue where Marc Spector is off fighting crime sans his Moon Knight outfit and is soon going to be hunted down by the Thunderbolts. One of the major players of this series, as well as the man pulling all the villain’s strings, the Profile, approaches Moon Knight’s victim in prison. The Profile is essentially recruiting those with seemingly nothing to lose and a vendetta against Moon Knight to become new villains. This particular character could be interesting given what the Profile can tell about people and the situation that the man is in. The Profile essentially gives him a choice, risk dying in prison, or risk dying on the streets, getting revenge on Moon Knight. This character has the potential to be rather unique and he’s already got his trademark carved into his forehead. The only question now is whether Mike Benson will recreate a classic villain like Moonshade or Midnight, or if he’ll give birth to an entirely new concept for Moon Knight to battle. The potential is endless.
Where is it? Robin #177
Written by: Fabian Nicieza
Art by: Freddie Williams II
What is it? Red Robin
Ever since “Kingdom Come” I have really liked the concept of Red Robin. Whether it is an older Dick Grayson or even Jason Todd, I think the idea is not one that should be wasted. With that said, the last time we saw Red Robin, Jason Todd had assumed the identity but then dropped it following the conclusion of Countdown. So with Batman out of the picture, dressed in yellow and purple and having Bruce Wayne out of the equation, there is some question as to who will protect Gotham and even take up the mantle of Batman. However, now the big question isn’t who will take up the mantle of Batman, but who the hell is Red Robin? As we learn in this issue, it’s not Tim Drake nor is it Jason Todd. Is it Dick Grayson? That’s entirely possible as I don’t think Dick will take up the mantle of Batman, but at the same time, I don’t think Nightwing would drastically change his persona and become Red Robin. Or Maybe this was DiDio’s botched “One Year Later” plan and we’ll see Tim Drake become Batman, Dick become Red Robin and Jason become Nightwing. Or maybe Red Robin is Hush. This is by far the best mystery to come out of “R.I.P.” in the best book related to “R.I.P.” and I am really intrigued to find out who Red Robin is. I just hope it’s not the Batman of Earth-51 as seen in Countdown.
Written by: Mark Powers (no relation)
As proven by the recent closing of Virgin Comics, it’s difficult for smaller publishers to exist in the same realms as powerhouses such as Marvel, DC and Image. However, one company that has held their own pretty well is Chicago based Devil’s Due Publishing. They’ve had major licenses like G.I. Joe, but have also started to come into their own with solid and consistent books like Hack/Slash. However, one DDP title that I have really enjoyed, and which got even better this week, is Drafted. The basic premise is simple; an alien race comes to Earth to draft humanity into fighting their war against a larger and more dangerous threat. There’s an ensemble cast of characters, each distinct and easy to follow and there’s an unprecedented level of humanity featured in the series. It is consistently solid and one of the best books DDP has ever put out. This latest issue adds a bit of a twist to the series as it would appear the aliens are experimenting with injured humans and creating weapons. I’m really interested to see where this series goes from here on out.
Categories Without a Description!
Luckiest Guy in the Marvel Universe: Cyclops, Uncanny X-Men #501, Emma Frost is HOT
Coolest Concept: A portal into the Marvel Universe in a basement where old comics were found, 1985 #4
Best History Lesson on the Legion: Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds
Confrontation Hinted at That I Most Want to See: David Cain vs. Deathstrike Batgirl #3
Biggest Relief: Gregg Hurwitz opens with a solid first issue following Garth Ennis’ epic run, Punisher MAX #61
Picks of the Week
Moon Knight #21
Captain America #41
Robin #177
Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #1
1985 #4
Uncanny X-Men #501
Rann/Thanagar Holy War #4
Drafted #10
Books I’m Looking Forward to This Week
Justice Society of America #18 – Slowly building to a major change in the make-up of the JSA, this is the classiest and one of the best titles in DC’s arsenal.
DC Last Will & Testament - I hate the way Final Crisis is going and how someone feels the need to shake-up the DC Universe, however, with Meltzer and Adam Kubert on the title, I’m not complaining.
Final Crisis: Rogue’s Revenge #2 - Again: Johns, Kolins, Keystone City, and the Rogues. ‘Nuff said.
Amazing Spider-Man #569: New Ways to Die! The Thunderbolts! The Real Venom is coming back!
Secret Invasion: Spider-Man - Jackpot, Skrulls, Spider-Man. I can’t think of a reason not to get this title.
Black Panther #40 : The Skrulls TRY to invade Wakanda
X-Force #6 – The Most Bad-Ass book on the shelf.
All things Secret Invasion - I’ve had a lot of fun with all the Secret Invasion tie-ins and this week, all the Avengers books hit.
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