Archive for February, 2006
February 13, 2006 | Comics
JSA #82
DC Comics
$3.50 ($2.50 US)
*** 1/2 (out of five)
It’s hard to say what’s weirder to see after a long absence: Batman and Superman in the Justice Society or Paul Levitz writing a comic.
Both odd occurences coincide in this month’s issue of JSA, in what on the surface appears to be an untold tale of the superteam’s past, but what could have much deeper ramifications in the ongoing Infinite Crisis going on in the DC Universe.
Levitz, along with h superstar artist George Perez, continue the mixing of DCU histories began in Infinite Crisis #4 when Power Girl presents the aging Ma Kunkle — the former 1940s superhero, Red Tornado — with Lois Lane’s notebook, detailing an untold adventure of the JSA that features Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Of course in modern DC history, that heroic trifecta never belonged to that team and never existed in that era.
As the story reaches its bittersweet conclusion, Power Girl’s confusion over her twin histories threatens to boil over as she wrestles with the notion that she may have to choose who lives and who dies in the DCU in the very near future.
This book is classic Levitz, a longtime writer before moving upstairs to become DC’s president and publisher. Its sweet, swift and gives you everything you need to know as the Crisis continues its way through the DCU.
No Comments »
February 13, 2006 | Comics
Jeremiah Harm #1
Keith Giffen, Alan Grant, Rael Lyra
Boom! Studios
$3.99 US
*** 1/2 (out of five)
They are some of the vilest scum in the universe — and they’re hiding here among us.
After a daring and explosive breakout at the 024-Prime maximum-security penal array, Dak Moira and Ayoma Skiver are free. Looking to get off the grid for a while they decide to hole up at some little backwater planet called Earth.
When prison official realize the embarrassment Moria and Skiver’s escape will cause them and the danger level involved in retrieving them, they turn to the one man that knows them best, fellow inmate and noted human, Jeremiah Harm.
This filthy, violent and bloody tale, written by fan-favourite Keith Giffen (Defenders, 52), along with Alan Grant and art by Rael Lyra and Joe Prado, is an impressive debut issue from Boom!, one of the hottest new publishers on the comics scene.
No Comments »
February 13, 2006 | Comics
Rann-Thanagar War Special #1
DC Comics
$6.75 ($4.99 US)
*** (out of five)
One hero dies, another is reborn.
As Infinite Crisis continues sweeping through the DC Universe, a collective of Earth-based heroes, led by Donna Troy, gather in the far reaches of space to prevent the universe from being torn asunder (and don’t you just love that word?).
Anyone who has read IC #4 know just what the gargantuan hands reaching forth from a tear in space is (I’ll not spoil any more here that I have to), but our heroes remain oblivious as they try to hold back two sides of an inter-planetary war while investigating and trying to stop the big mitts from doing their job.
Among those leading the charge are Green Lantern Kyle Rayner and Jade, the leader of the Outsiders, former lovers whose feelings for each other have not faded much over the passage of time.
But when a discharge of energy from the rift strikes one of the heroes down, a tender goodbye and one last gift may help tip the scales in the heroes favour.
This integral part of Infinite Crisis is not to be missed.
No Comments »
February 13, 2006 | Comics
Bomb Queen #1 (of 4)
Jimmie Robinson
Image Comics
$4.15/$3.50 US
*** (out of five)
Bomb Queen rules New Port City with an explosive-clenched fist and nobody is going to stand in her way.
The foul-mouthed, homicide-happy, trashy villain has become an icon to the city’s residents. But when would-be mayor Woods begins his campaign for office on an anti-Bomb Queen ticket, things look like they’re about to detonate.
This latest effort from writer/artist Jimmie Robinson (Amanda & Gunn) isn’t high art — as a matter of fact it’s a tad pedestrian and predictable. But sometimes you just need a little scantily clad, profane, murderous fun and Bomb Queen can certainly provide that.
No Comments »
