Metropolis

Hey Ho!  I trust everyone had a great Valentine’s Day weekend, whether you shared it with someone special or just sat in the dark eating a tub of Blue Bunny ice cream and playing World of Warcraft by yourself.  This missus and I finally got out of the house for some alone time, for the first time in months.  We went to see an 80s hair metal cover band, Whips And Kisses, and hang out with old friends.  It was everything I expected and more.  WnK have some serious fans who aren’t afraid to show it.  The next time they play (you can also check them out sans wigs and tights as The Ducks), you should really check them out. 
 
Now – on to the comics….
 
MASQUERADE 1 – Phil Hester’s script really surprised me.  I was expecting this to be my least favorite of the adequately written Alex Ross’ PROJECT SUPERPOWERS books, but it turned out to be a fun whimsical retro book that has the spirit and feel of the 1940s and 50s, but with that modern sensibility that makes things like a giant Nazi robot powered by human souls (Soul Power!) just a fun throwback with a modern twist.  GOOD STUFF!  

 
DOCTOR WHO CLASSICS: SERIES TWO 3 – I really really really do not like Charlie Kirchoff’s attempt to do a Dave Gibbons style cover. GOOD.
 
STAR WARS: CLONE WARS 4 – My son’s enthusiasm for The Clone Wars, and my already ample enthusiasm for Genndy Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars cartoons, has me savoring each and every adventure Obi-Wan and Annakin get into, Ahsoka be damned.  In my mind the it sorta feels like Lucasfilm’s version of an ULTIMATE or ELSEWORLDS version of the STAR WARS universe.  Anyway – this mini-series (which has been expanded to a regular series) has the dynamic duo of S.W. and their Batgirl, Ahsoka, fighting the enslavers of Ahsoka’s people.  Just like the cartoon it isn’t too dark, but does a good job of exploring the atrocities of war in that galaxy far far away.  FANBOY FUN!
 
BOOSTER GOLD 17 – Not much happens this issue with the exception of Booster tricking Barry Allen into going back to his lab to be struck by a lightning bolt of destiny and then teaming up with his own past self.  OKAY.
 
R.E.B.E.L.S. 1 – Much much better than I would have expected.  I was a fan of Vril Dox (aka Brainiac 2; aka The “Good” Brainiac) from back in 1989, so that alone made me try this out sight unseen.  Color me surprised when Tony Bedard and Andy Clarke made this inaugural issue one full of intrigue and excitement.  Vril Dox is portrayed in total synchronicity with the character I knew way back when, as a master manipulator and brilliant tactician.  Vril is on the run from his own universal police force for reasons that are unknown and hot on his trail are a group of bounty hunters looking to bring him back. Clarke’s art is of that old school IMAGE-style ultra detailed, but with a fluidity that was pleasantly unexpected.  All in all – FANBOY FUN!!!
 
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL 26 – Whoever’s idea it was to try and bring KING TUT, the villain of the 1960s BATMAN TV show, to the comics page, should be kissed.  Whoever’s idea it was to NOT go with the fat guy with the funny beard look (like he had on the TV show) and the harem of hotties feeding him grapes – shame on you!  OKAY. 
 
NIGHTWING 153 - This being the final issue of the series, I was expecting the book to go out in a confused jumbled mess as the creative team tried to wrap up loose ends and sub plots before shuffling uncomfortably off the stage.  Instead we get a loving tribute to a devoted ward as he remembers his mentor and his legacy.  Very well done!  BUENO EXCELLENTE! 
 
BATMAN 686 – An open letter to Tyson Cromeens:
Dear Tyson, I DO NOT agree with your assessment of this issue being “a steaming pile of poop” or “garbage”.  When I open the book I was expecting, based on your unfair assessment – the Gaiman of ETERNALS and MARVEL: 1602 fame.  Two books that I did not like, despite the creative caliber attached.  What I found when I opened BATMAN686, aka WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CAPED CRUSADER, was an elseworlds-style imaginary story (or is it?) was a thought provoking and heart-warming love letter to my favorite character in all of comics, The Batman.  Note that use of “The” in that statement.  The Batman found in these pages, as villains and friends alike reminisce, is The Batman found in the pages of Bob Kane and Dick Sprang’s heroic detective.  Each tale that the aforementioned villains and friends tell are totally out of continuity and wrapped in as much mystery (who is the spirit of Bruce Wayne talking to? Why are these tales wildy contradictory?) as the ones the man they speak of is known for solving. In all this was the BEST BATMAN comic book I have read in the past two to three years. It was beautiful.  A work of art drawn with care by one of those Kubert guys.  It was utterly BUENO EXCELENTE!!!!  P.S. Tyson, you’re an idiot.
 
DARK AVENGERS  1 – I passed this up when it was released a few weeks ago, but decided to try it out – just cause.  The premise is that Norman Osborn has been placed in charge of the nation’s security (i.e. the seat vacated by Tony Stark and Nick Fury before him) and he comes up with a crew of Avengers that are devoted to him.  His Avengers are all criminal types or morally ambiguous types.  Thus…Dark Avengers.  My main reason for picking this up is that Marvel Boy (Grant Morrison’s M.B.) is one of the team members.  I know that no one will do M.B. like Morrison did, but I still like to keep up with what Marvel does with him for some reason.  This issue was all set up, but it was a fairly interesting set up as we follow Osborn approach various Marvel baddies and enlist them to his cause with promises and new identities.  Wolverine’s goofy son is posing as Wolverine in his brown (and best) costume, Moonstone is posing as Ms. Marvel in her 70s era costume, Bullseye is dressed up in Hawkeye’s costume, etc.  It’s a twist on the original premise of THUNDERBOLTS where a bunch of villains became heroes, but where that series explored the ramifications of the villains actions as they became more and more the heroes they were pretending to be – I’m betting the opposite happens here.  All in all Bendis has a nice little book on his hands.  GOOD STUFF.
 
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 10 – Vampire missiles – shot from the moon.  Dracula and Doctor Doom – on the moon!  VAMPIRE MISSILES, DOCTOR DOOM AND DRACULA – ON THE FREAKIING MOON!!!  FANBOY FUN!!!
 
GREEN LANTERN CORPS 33 – This was a very dense and text heavy lead-in to the Blackest Night crossover, aka the saving grace of DC Comics.  Very light on action and very heavy on depth and emotion.  All in all a nicely done prologue. I’m looking forward to this. GOOD STUFF.
 
GRAVEL 9 – This just might be my favorite issue of this series.  Not much happens beyond William Gravel starting to investigate the death of another magician, but Mike Wolfer has hit a nadir in his scripting and artwork.  Particularly I enjoyed seeing inside Gravel’s head and getting a little backstory about more than his being a Combat Magician for the S.A.S. And I soooo did not see that last page coming.  I’m actually worried about the ramifications of that last page.  GOOD STUFF.
 
INCOGNITO 2 – I’m saying this one more time, for those of you who weren’t listening last time – you NEED to READ Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ comics.  CRIMINAL is probably one of the best titles on the stands right now, and this series, INCOGNITO, is a really great twist on their previous super-villain epic, SLEEPER.  See – I didn’t steer you wrong on SLEEPER did I?  Listen to me – you need to read this.  We have a former super-villain in the Witness Protection Program and as his past catches up to him, his present falls apart.  Best book I read this week!  (Well, with the exception of BATMAN 686. Sorry, Ed.)  BUENO EXCELLENTE!!!