• Captain America #31
• Teen Titans #15
• JSA #65
• MK Spider-Man #6

• Terra Obscura vol2 #2
• JSA Strange Adv. #2
• Wolverine The End #5
• The Batman Strikes!

The second volume of Terra Obscura turns up the heat a little. This is shaping up to be at least as good as, if not better than, the previous volume. So good, in fact, that I’m contemplating searching for previous issues of books involving these characters. I’m seriously THAT impressed by the stories about these characters, and if the other issues that have featured them are even half as good as this series and the last, it would be well worth the effort and expense.

This issue our characters continue to deal with the time anomalies caused by the returning ship belonging to Captain Future. (NOTE: One thing does bother me just slightly about this book…and that’s that characters who haven’t been identified are called by their “civilian” names. That’s a cool touch, and hearkens back to the simpler times of the 70’s, but I would love to know what their costumed names are before learning their real names.) The current day heroes of S.M.A.S.H. are visited by their counterparts from the 1940’s through the courtesy of a time warp of some sort. A couple of things about this seem odd, and raise the question of when these stories are actually set. Ms Mask’s (Diana’s) past self is a teenager, but her current day counterpart appears to be in her 30’s. Fighting Yank II is said by her from-the-past father to be a toddler, but they’re from the 40’s and she’s now in her 20’s. This leads to the conclusion that this story is not set in the current day (2004), but rather in the 60’s.

The other subplots that dominate this issue have to do with Tom Strange’s developing relationship with Princess Pantha and the possible rekindling of a relationship between Diana and her former (much younger!) lover Tim. We also see that the Woman In Red has changed her identity and outfit slightly, and there’s a malevolent revelation regarding one of the minor characters in the book. What’s really unusual is the fact that more of the past heroes than not were dead in the present (Fighting Yank I, George Chance, Lance Lewis, and Captain Future).

I’m really glad that I picked up the first series, and moreso now for the second. Normally I stick with mainstream Marvel and DC heroes, but this has proven that broadening my horizons can be very rewarding. Next issue: the Teens of Tomorrow! -TMC-

In this issue, Johnny Thunder continues on his quest to become a famous author and his teammates continue to battle their latest foe, Lord Dynamo. We get another great look at the interaction between buddies / rivals Wildcat and Atom (I love the way these two are characterized in this series, especially Wildcat’s continual references to Atom’s lack of height). We also discover a morbid secret regarding Lord Dynamo’s cyborg army after a huge battle in which several members of the team took a beating but also managed to capture a couple of the cyborg soldiers. Johnny Thunder tells his origin story to his new writing partner, Mr. Williamson, who contradicts many of the “facts” in Johnny’s story.

The villain of the piece, Lord Dynamo, is apparently trying to conquer America through kindness; he provides artistic treasures, among other amenities, for the general populace for free just to prove his benevolence. Little does the public suspect that he’s using an army of cyborgs as well. The end of this issue involves Lord Dynamo’s ultimatum for his continued benevolence, and the promise of wondrous miracles to come, but it means two members of the JSA will have to give up the source of their powers. Will they be able to convince the public that it’s not worth the price, especially when Lord Dynamo isn’t what he appears to be…? Only next issue…and the others that follow…will tell.

All in all a good, solid read. I’m interested to see how this plays out. -TMC-

This is the penultimate chapter of this “The End” limited series, and promises some interesting things in the conclusion of the story next issue. A lot happens in this issue: we see the X-Men of the future where this story is set; we discover that John Howlett is apparently not dead, not to mention some other interesting facts relating to him; we get to renew our acquaintance with Logan’s friend George; and best of all, we get to see Logan rip it up and intimidate a bunch of toughs in a bar fight. Some things never change no matter how old you get, I guess…We also discover that Logan’s adamantium skeleton may not be everything it’s supposed to be in a brief sequence that takes place after the bar fight.

Next issue is the climactic finish, theoretically to both the series and to Wolverine. There’s obviously going to be a battle royale, and we’ll finally discover the truth about the Howlett brothers. At least that’s what it appears, as Wolverine prepares to storm the castle and John instructs his men to let him do it, and to let Logan come directly to him. Should be a whiz-bang finish, single combat between John and James (Logan’s real name), apparently…to the death.

I still think this series would have flowed better, and been more enjoyable, if it was released after it had been completed on a monthly basis rather than on the bi-monthly schedule they did it on. I think if I can find the time I’ll have to go back and re-read all six issues at once to see if it works better that way. -TMC-

This is the premier issue of the newest book based in the DC Animated style, and stars the characters featured in Kids’ WB’s new show, “The Batman.”

Having read and reviewed the first issue of the new “Justice League Unlimited” book, I have to say I regret not having gotten into the animated books’ universe a long time ago. I thought this book flowed very well, and the art style and characterization both remained 100% true to the show. We’re treated to a preview of sorts here, as the story’s villain is The Penguin, whom we haven’t seen in the show at this point. So it’s almost like a sneak peak!

The issue is a self contained story, which I liked. It’s also very simple and straightforward, with no continuing subplots to worry about. The story is fast paced and easy to follow, and the art is clean and simple. Truth to tell, it reminds me very much of the books from the mid-to-late 1970’s or the early 1980’s (kind of before the Claremont 439 hanging subplots style of writing and the grim and gritty format took control of the genre). I also thought it was kind of funny that they made sure to reference the Bat-Wave technology in the book (this is the tech that Batman’s equipment in the show is based on, and is also featured in some of the toys from the show’s toy line).

I really enjoyed this book, and I’m thinking that I’m going to abandon some of my mainstream books to start picking up these two books and some of the Marvel Age books (which are a simplified version of the some of the original published stories from the dawn of Marvel’s flagship books). A solid, enjoyable read, made more so by the fact that I was determined to hate everything about the new show and was pleasantly surprised when I actually liked it. I think I’ll have to give Teen Titans Go!, the book based on that show, a whirl now… -TMC-