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Detective Comics #801
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer and Layouts:
David Lapham
Pencils: Ramon
Bachs
Inks: Nathan
Massengill
Known for the past few years by his work on the series Stray Bullets,
David Lapham has proven that he knows a thing or two about crime noir
(actually quite a bit more if you’ve ever had the chance to
read the title). This issue is kicking off a year long run for Lapham
on this title and in my opinion; he is off to a very good start. In
this first installment of the City of Crime story line, Lapham introduces
(or better re-introduces) a character from past Batman stories that
seems to have been somewhat forgotten over the past few years, Gotham
City. For a long time the setting of Gotham was as integral to the
Batman stories as the other characters themselves. It invoked a mood,
the atmosphere given off by the setting, dark and uninviting, coupled
with the people who called Gotham home, it was as much a part of the
stories at Batman, himself. When the earthquake hit years ago, the
city was ravaged and rebuilt, but it never became what it once was,
it was merely a setting. Lapham, brings it back to life. This issue
shows Batman interacting with many of the citizens of the city, preventing
several “petty” crimes, but he fails to stop one of them,
one that haunts him. As Bruce Wayne, Batman, was at a socialite gathering
“celebrating” the reclamation of the water district of
Gotham, where by chance he encounters Haddie McNeil, 14 or so years
old, socialite want to be. A brief conversation takes place and through
it a connection is formed, seemingly out of pity. A short conversation
which makes a discovery made later that much more unsettling and personal.
There is no super-villain in this issue, outside of the evil that
people do to each other; which helps frame a promising start to, hopefully,
a solid year long run on this title.
-KEVIN-
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Y: The Last Man #29
Publisher: DC Comics
Vertigo Imprint
Writer: Brian
K. Vaughan
Pencils: Pia
Guerra
Inks: Jose
Marzan, Jr.
Having come to this series about two years into it’s run, all
I can do is be mad at myself for not finding it sooner, but since
I have, it’s become one of my monthly favorites. A plague has
wiped out almost all the males on the face of the earth, I say almost,
because near as I can figure there are two “Y” chromosomes
left, our protagonist, Yorick, and his simian companion, Ampersand.
Now its time to figure out why exactly the managed to survive the
plague, but it seems that Yorick, may not be around much longer. In
the past two issues he took gravely ill after losing his necklace
that seemed to hold a ring that they thought protected him, one of
his “allies” Agent 335 tries to recover the ring from
the Setauket Ring, while Dr. Mann hurries to try and save Yorick from
what seems like impending death. Along the way Agent 335 is up against
the proverbial wall with the Setauket Ring and Yorick’s sister,
Hero, while Dr. Mann makes a discovery and comes to a realization
that could turn the tides for finding out what caused the plague.
There is actually a lot of information contained in this current issue
that can catch new readers up to speed although it is part three of
the current arc. I recommend checking it out either monthly or by
picking up the trades. Brian K. Vaughan does another splendid job
along with his art team this month. I recommend you also try Ex-Machina
or the upcoming Runaways for more Vaughan goodness. -KEVIN-
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She-Hulk #10
Publisher: Marvel
Comics
Writer: Dan
Slott
Pencils: Paul
Pelletier
Inks: Rick
Magyar
If you really want to get to the heart of what makes the She-Hulk
tick, I mean really get to the roots of her origin and motivation
behind being a hero, this is not the issue for you. Nope, not even
close. This the 10th issue of the current series, which will cease
publication with issue 12 only to be picked up again a short time
later with a new #1 (you’ve got to love the Marvel marketing
department) but if that is what it takes to sell what I consider on
of the best books currently put out by Marvel, then I’m not
going to argue. This issue has very little She-Hulk in it, in fact
the focus of this issue is Titania, whom has a particular dislike
for the She-Hulk. It’s amazing how with a good story and art,
that you don’t even really notice that the main character of
a book, doesn’t really appear. Titania’s story, gives
us a bit of background as to her real origins and motivations (Secret
Wars- remember that goodness?). You get more information in this one
issue than I think has come out since her first appearance almost
two decades ago. It’s easy to see why she holds such a grudge.
Poor Mary “Skeeter” Macpherran, the runt of the litter,
always picked on, she always wanted to stand out like the popular
kids, and always dreamed that she would. One small white lie and she
got her wish, but it came back and bit her, until The Beyonder and
Dr. Doom, stepped in and ultimately granted her wish, but it didn’t
turn out quite the way she had hoped. She-Hulk became her first failure,
once she was granted power and it haunted her with each altercation.
This issue does a great job in filling in the back story that I believe
will be essential for the next few issues and the coming new series.
This is another book that people should check out, it breaks away
from the conventions of the paced for trade mentality and actually
delivers a story each month. -KEVIN-
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Firestorm #8
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Dan
Jolley
Pencils: Jamal
Igle
Inks: Rob
Stull
Firestorm, he’s that nuclear guy with the flaming head right.
The only thing I knew about him was from the few times I encountered
him while he appeared in other books I read. He was the “fusion”
of a teenager and some scientist- I can’t remember either of
their names, that’s how limited my exposure to the character
is. Anyway, a few people had mentioned that I should check the book
out, there were some big things going on with the character, the fact
that it is written by Dan Jolley (who also writes Bloodhound- check
that out a cross plug) helped me to finally give the title a try.
This issue takes place after a crossover with Bloodhound (how convenient)
where Jason Rusch (the new Firestorm) had to bond with his father
and nearly got him killed, which has put a strain on their relationship,
especially after his father lost his hand due to the adventure (at
least that is how I am reading it, please correct me if I’m
wrong). Things aren’t going well at the Rusch house when the
doorbell rings and Lorraine Reilly, claiming to be an associate of
the JLA, tracks Jason down. She’s investigating the disappearance
of Ron Raymond (tht’s the name I couldn’t remember), the
first Firestorm. After their conversation, it’s confirmed that
Jason’s father doesn’t want him around any more. Jason
goes out and bonds, apparently while the old Firestorm was a permanent
combination of Ron and the doctor, this version, Jason can bond with
any random person, and depending on the personality of that person,
it can influence his actions while Firestorm. Unfortunately he chooses
to bond with a homeless man who does not have the most upstanding
morals. So the mental fight between right and wrong goes on while
the debate over whether or not Firestorm should step in and attempt
to cure a suicidal woman of cancer. Once the decision is made, the
repercussions are immediate. I have a feeling that this series would
take a few issues to get into, but I also think that this issue would
be a good starting place, there is enough information there to figure
out what may be going on and encourage a return visit next month.
-KEVIN-
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