Killing not so Softly: Did Green Arrow do the Right Thing?
The dust has more or less settled, literally and figuratively, on the residents of Star City and the members of the Justice League, as the events in Justice League: Cry for Justice #7 and Justice League: Rise and Fall are now out in the open. Perhaps one of the more shocking Justice League stories ever conceived, Cry for Justice had a swath of violence and loss cut through the DC hero community, courtesy of the villain Prometheus, a man capable of anticipating the powers and skills of his adversaries. Prometheus’ plan to destroy several prominent cities in the DC universe hits many of the heroes hard, as the targets are their home cities. In a desperate choice, the League lets Prometheus go in exchange for information on the devices set to destroy the cities, but not before Star City, the home of Green Arrow, falls.
And that’s when Green Arrow takes matters into his own hands. SPOILER ALERT! Read more
Frankencastle Resurrects a Stale Punisher
What I’m telling you is a clear case of “it’s not you, it’s me”. After falling in love with comics in middle school during a fateful trip to a used bookstore, which just happened to come on the heels of seeing 1989’s Batman on the big screen, I dove into comics and auditioned, harvested and read just about every character conceivable, finding something interesting and cool, even if it was transitory, about each one, until I had finally, in my 7th grade mind, arrived at my favorites. Many favorites have come and gone since, except for one man, one character I can’t get my head and heart around.
The Punisher.
For the life of me I couldn’t get into this guy. I totally understand the rage he has going and the sense of vengeance he harbors against criminals for the loss of his family, but the guy just never did anything for me. He’s been on this Earth longer than I have, and he’s been in just about every Marvel Comics book at some point or other and starred alongside his share of heroes, but for me, he just never clicked. I’ve tried, believe me! I’ve read mini-series, and MAX series, and The Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe, and still nothing made me warm up to him. For over twenty years now, ever since discovering his comics, I’ve given chance after chance, but the skull shirt, the attitude, the villains he fought all just couldn’t rouse me, but then I picked up Dark Reign: The List: The Punisher. Read more
Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box Starts With Mix of Fiery Action, Glacial Development
Top Cow is releasing an ambitious project over the next few months, one that will certainly be a staple of their summer lineup, and it all started with the recently released Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box #1, a project that continues the Broken Trinity work from before with the promise of globetrotting adventure and the feel of an Indiana Jones story, as a search for precious artifacts, beginning with the eponymous Pandora’s Box, begins here. For fans and readers of the Broken Trinity series, this first issue will quickly pick up and reintroduce you to the world of the bearers of the Ember Stone and the Glacier Stone. New readers may find the suddenness of the issue a bit unclear, but overall the story has potential to make an impact, even though a sense of immediacy and characters doesn’t always feel developed. Read more
Comic Book Previews for February 24th, 2010
Wait. Stop moving. What’s that sound? It sounds like the dropping and thudding of several large, major issues of comic books this week! Speaking of hammers, Marvel kicks things off with a major Siege tie-in this week in the pages of Thor #607. While all the fighting is going on in Asgard, what’s going on in the town of Broxton, Oklahoma, the town just below Asgard? Good questions, as several unexpected baddies and do-gooders arise in this issue! Another hot issue dealing with Siege this week is Thunderbolts #141, which sees Norman Osborn’s special team of black ops, the Thunderbolts, called to action in Asgard, only to find the Mighty Avengers smack in their way. It’s a battle you’ve been waiting for when these two teams slug it out here! Read more
Comic Book Previews for February 17th, 2010
You may be feeling a little post-Valentine’s bloat, brought on by candy, rich dinners or other delights. What better way to burn off some of those excess calories by walking, running or sprinting down to your local comic book shop for this week’s hot releases??! Marvel kicks things off this week with a couple of biggies! First up is the long-awaited Doomwar #1. His assault on the land of Wakanda fully underway, Dr. Doom kicks things into high gear against TWO Black Panthers, the Fantastic Four, and innumerable X-Men! Can they stop his global threat? The event that’s been building in the pages of Black Panther begins here! In another part of the Marvel universe, the battle for Asgard continues in the pages of Dark Avengers #14. The secrets of the Sentry are spilled here, but how will it all affect the battle for the home of the Norse gods? Read more
Marvel Issues Apology For Captain America Gaffe Involving Tea Party Movement
Marvel Comics has found itself in the midst of a, pardon the use of the expression, tempest in a teapot. In the latest issue of Captain Amierca, issue 602, current Captain America, Bucky Barnes and The Falcon are attempting to infiltrate a group called “The Watchdogs”, an anti-government militia group that has begun to swell in its numbers as of late. That in itself is not the sole source of controversy. What has caused a stir is the appearance of several protest signs that, unintentionally or not, point to the Tea Party movement that has popped up in parts of America. Cap and Falcon are observing an anti-tax gathering, and several of the signs in the crowd indicate anti-tax and governement sentiment. One sign that stands out ties directly to the Tea Party movement, and that link has caused a minor wave of uproar amongst Tea Parties for this depiction, which puts them on the opposite side of a popular American superhero.
Wonder Woman #40 Takes Series in a Bold New Direction
When Wonder Woman began its most recent relaunch just over three and a half years ago, it took great pains to establish itself, cleverly, in a new light for a new time and cultural landscape. The lead story focused on who exactly would be Wonder Woman, following the events of Wonder Woman’s murder of Maxwell Lord in order to stop his manipulation of Superman. Donna Troy stepped into the role for a short time, but eventually Diana returned to the role she was destined to fill. Skipping ahead now to issue forty, we find a new evolution and direction for the Amazon, one that appears to be leading her into heavy social issues territory.
Gail Simone recently revisited the mythological roots of Wonder Woman in a sprawling story arc involving her homeland, the gods and the true heritage of Wonder Woman. Now, Simone turns her attention to the seeds of doubt, mistrust and xenophobia that undermine society, beginning with Wonder Woman #40, and it’s been one of the most dynamic and emotional shifts in the series thus far. Read more
Comic Book Previews for January 27th, 2010
We’re back for another week of stunning comic book action and this week is a BIG one!!! Leading off the week of big releases is the final, yes the FINAL issue of Kick-Ass, the Mark Millar-penned series featuring the adventures of an everyman (boy) making a name for himself in the superhero realm! Kick-Ass #8 will bring it all to a close, and just how will the series top itself, considering all the violence, action and shocks it’s delivered so far? You’ll have to pick it up to find out! Speaking of finales, another big one comes from Marvel as well this week with Captain America: Reborn #6 bringing to a close the battle for the body and mind of Steve Rogers! How can the Avengers stop the Red Skull’s sinister plans? Read more
Comic Book Previews for January 20th, 2010
We’re diving right in this week, as we’ve got several big, exciting, bold and fresh stories and titles for you to rush out and get this Wednesday when all the new comic book goodies arrive in stores! DC Comics leads us off this week and our first stop is a look at the pages of Green Lantern Corps #44 as Red Lantern Guy Gardner, yep, you read that right, goes into his full on rage in this issue, a tie-in to Blackest Night! The Flash has lots of deceased enemies, a fact that comes screaming back into the forefront this week, as Blackest Night: The Flash #2 drops. How many Rogues will return in this issue to make life difficult for not only Flash, but the surviving Rogues as well, specifically Captain Cold! The Atom attempts to do something that many have tried but few have dared or succeeded in: enter the mind of The Joker! He does that in this week’s intriguing The Brave and the Bold #31. Can The Atom learn something that Batman struggled to for years? Read more
Comic Book Previews for January 6th, 2010
Happy New Year, comic book fans!!! Perhaps you’ve made some resolutions for the newest decade of the 21st century. Weight loss? Better time management? Read more comics? Number three is always an easy one!! Thankfully the good folks in comic book publishing are here to help hold you to it! Marvel kicks things off with the highly anticipated Siege #1! One of the events that we’ve been told has been in the works for years as Norman Osborn sets his sights on Asgard, home of the Norse gods!! Loki’s hand is certainly in the midst of all this, and perhaps an even bigger issue is at hand here: is nothing out of Osborn’s iron grasp? Begin reading here to find out!! Speaking of worlds, the newly formed mutant island Utopia is opening its arms to X-Factor this week in the pages of Nation X: X-Factor #1. Will the mutant detectives accept the offer, though is the big question! Read more
