Welcome, faithful readers – or to the people who randomly found, welcome for the first. We’re doing some clean up this on things we missed over the NYCC plus some news that came in the days that followed. Then we’ll get to the reviews, where many books come to an end and others simply get CHOPPED. So let’s get to it at:
October 18th, 2015
“You know, Parker, this isn’t that bad.” – J. Jonah Jameson
Comic Book News: I’m very excited about this announcement Tom Taylor will be taking over Batman/Superman and Green Lantern: Edge of Oblivion. Given Mr. Taylor’s excellent work on Injustice: Gods Among Us and Earth 2, I can’t wait to see what he can do in the regular DC Universe. Also announced is a new Wonder Woman digital first series called The Legend of Wonder Woman. Captain Marvel is going to be coming out as young adult novel which is excellent. Meanwhile Howard the Duck and Squirrel Girl will be crossing over with each other because – well, why not? Marvel will exploring the history between Star Wars Episodes I and II with Obi-Wan and Anakin – hopefully, we’ll see the history behind the Separatists. Meanwhile, Brian Azzarello will launch a creator-owned series through Aftershock called American Monster.
Movie News: In the lone bit of movie news, Rosario Dawson has been cast as Batgirl in the upcoming Lego Batman movie.
TV News: Paul Reubens will be reprising his as Oswald Cobblepot’s father in an upcoming episode of Gotham. Meanwhile, the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents (the franchise that won’t die) is going into development as a film and tv series. You get a brief glimpse of Punisher and Elektra in the new Daredevil Season trailer. Speaking of Netflix, Luke Cage is going to be a continuation of his story from Jessica Jones and not a prequel. Supergirl has has cast Chris Vance as Non, the silent right hand man of Zod. Meanwhile, Fox has two X-Men series in development – the Hellfire Club and Legion. And all I can think is, why can’t we get an original X-Force show? Powers Boothe will be re-joining the Marvel Universe as one of the World Security members. Hack/Slash has abandoned its film endeavors and is now trying for a TV series. Oh, and if you have young daughters, you should definitely check out DC Super Hero Girls.
Superman: Lois and Clark #1
By Dan Jurgens with art by Lee Weeks
I was really excited when I heard this was coming out and this first issue didn’t disappoint. It was like meeting an old friend after years apart. The chemistry between Lois and Clark was there immediately and Jonathan was great wrinkle. I could have done without the power fluctuations, but it couldn’t be all easy. I loved this book and I love the fact that the Superman – that the Clark Kent I grew up is back. It was a solid start, but I have a bad feeling about this. The book opened with Superman not having to involve himself with the League’s first fight with Darkseid. Which means he’s been here for everything in the last five years including Forever Evil. So where was he? And how long can DCU have two men flying around called Superman? As I said, I have a bad feeling about this.
New Avengers #1 (Marvel Comics)
By Al Ewing with art by Gerardo Sandoval
I actually think this was the best Avengers book to come out this week. It was fast paced, fun, full of banter, and generally everything I like in my superhero comics. Even the addition of the “secret spy” was a genius twist. It’s nice to see when the writer doesn’t treat the characters or the readers like idiots. The only thing bad about this issue was the art. While I’m sure Mr. Sandoval does great work, this was not among his best. It felt rushed and didn’t convey the action well. If he can clean up, I think Marvel has a great book on their hands.
Assassin’s Creed #1 (Titan Comics); Batman #45 (DC Comics); Batman/Superman #25 (DC Comics); Batman & Robin Eternal #2 (DC Comics); Bat-Mite #5 (DC Comics); Chewbacca #1 (Marvel Comics); Constantine: The Hellblazer #5 (DC Comics); Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (Marvel Comics); Harley Quinn #21 (DC Comics); Injustice: Gods Among Year Four #24 (DC Comics); Justice League of America #4 (DC Comics); Justice League United #14 (DC Comics); Ms. Marvel #19 (Marvel Comics); Spider-Man 2099 #1 (Marvel Comics); Starfire #5 (DC Comics); Star Trek/Green Lantern: The Spectrum War #4 (IDW Comics); Switch #1 (Top Cow); The Twilight Children #1 (Vertigo)
Captain America: White #3 (Marvel Comics); Earth 2: Society #3 (DC Comics); Marvel Zombies #4 (Marvel Comics); Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens: Shattered Empire #3 (Marvel Comics);
Sam Wilson: Captain America #1 (Marvel Comics)
By Nick Spencer with art by Daniel Acuna
Captain America has always been a company man. Absolutely. He always toed line and followed orders… well, except that time he was striped of his title and became “Cap”. Oh, and there was the time he quit and became “Nomad” for a while. Oh, and there was Civil War where he decided to break the law to do what he felt was right. But other that he never expressed his opinion at all… ever… right? No, that’s complete and utter bullshit. Depending on the writer, Steve Rogers has always had and voiced opinions, so the premise of this book – that Sam Wilson will do something different from Steve – is also complete bullshit. And that so many people in the superhero world would turn their back on him (aka Maria Hill and Steve Rogers) is another example of a writer throwing everything about a character out the window to suit their own needs. But the two things that really bug me about this book are: 1) they never tell us what Sam’s beliefs are, which is a complete cop-out since they are so vital to the book. And 2) so when Steve Rogers was Captain America, money was never issue, he always got where he needed to be. And actually, it was the same with Bucky Barnes too and for most of his run, he was on the run from the government. Now that Sam Wilson is Captain America, suddenly, money is an issue. He has to fly coach and the government doesn’t trust him. Man, why that sound like a tired and well worn cliche? And by the way, I like Falcon and I like the idea of him as Captain America. The problem, I don’t think the writers like the idea. Because they keep trying to convince that he’s worthy of the title. Stop trying to convince us – we didn’t need convince that Steve Rogers was good enough and he’s background was as a 90 pound weakling. Sam Wilson was a hero before he was Captain America. He’s worthy. Write like he is.
Uncanny Avengers #1 (Marvel Comics)
By Gerry Duggan with art by Ryan Stegman
Ok, let me say this again – no one cares about the Inhumans and no matter you do, they will not EVER replace the X-Men. Especially when I have no idea that the character is supposed to be an Inhuman. Second – someone needs to decide if Steve just looks old, but is still combat ready or if he’s actually a 90 year old man. Seriously, if he’s still running around with the Unity Squad, why the hell isn’t he Captain America still? Oh, and by the way, having your characters say they don’t want some one on the team isn’t the best way to make ME want him on the team. And I agree with Rogue and Spider-man – get Deadpool off this Goddamn team. As for the book itself? The art was bad, the story bad, and I don’t care about any of the poorly drawn or characterized characters. So this will probably be the next short lived series of the “Uncanny Avengers”.
Spider-Gwen #1 (Marvel Comics)
By Jason Latour with art by Robbi Rodriguez
So for one thing, the name really sucks. Spider-Gwen? We couldn’t up with anything else to sell this concept? And honestly, what does this offer that the ten other Spider books don’t? We have alternate universe Spiders in the upcoming Web Warriors; we have a better female Spider in Spider-Woman; we have the criminal plot line in Silk; and we even have twice the teenaged angst in Miles Morales: Spider-Man and the upcoming Spidey. Heck, Spider-Gwen (ugh) is even in Web Warriors. It’s a flash in the pan character that Marvel is trying to make money off of and I don’t need to throw at it. So I’m out.
A-Force (Marvel Comics)
Marguerite Bennett, G. Willow Wilson, Jorge Molina, Laura Martin
Civil War (Marvel Comics)
Charles Soule, Leinil Francis Yu, Gerry Alanguilan, Sunny Gho
Marvel Zombies (Marvel Comics)
Simon Spurrier, Kev Walker, Frank D’Armata, Jason Gorder, Guru-eFX
Ms. Marvel (Marvel Comics)
G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona, Ian Herring, Jacob Wyatt, Elmo Bondoc, Takeshi Miyazawa
Well, that’s it for this week. Feel free to leave your opinions in the comments – who knows? I might even read them and respond. Also, you know that’s viral youtube musical hits that crop up from time to time? Well, I’m looking for them, so if you know any new ones (I know most of the old ones), link them in the comments.