Runaways #27 — Writer: Joss Whedon; Penciller: Michael Ryan; Inker: Rick Ketcham with Jay Leisten Here’s why I like Joss Whedon: at the beginning of this episode, the main characters have been transported back to New York City in June, 1907, and they verify this by buying a newspaper off a street kid. Now, a lot of writers would have tried to fake whatever headline the kid is crying out, but Whedon took the time to research just what news event would have been front-page material at that time (the hunt for Typhoid Mary) and so what the kid’s saying, … Continue reading →

Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #5 — Writer: Jeph Loeb;  Art: John Cassaday Cap’s actual funeral takes up only half of this issue’s 22 pages — the rest is a series of single- and double-page pinups of various stages of his career (plus a few panoramic shots of the funeral itself). If you’re a Cassady fan, this will be worth it for the pretty art; if you’re looking for any kind of actual story, you won’t find much. This would be a nice tribute book if Steve Rogers actually stayed dead, but I think we can all agree … Continue reading →

Thunderbolts #115 — Writer: Warren Ellis; Artist: Mike Deodato, Jr. End of the first big story, as the T-Bolts fight three minor heroes in Phoenix, Arizona. Lots of action, as alliances shift and agendas are advanced, and the story comes to a satisfyingly non-grim conclusion (well, unless you’re Bullseye). As with last month’s issue, though, I’m obligated as a Phoenix resident to point out that the setting and buildings are East-Coast generic, with water towers and TV antennas on the rooftops, and look nothing like the Phoenix area (there aren’t even any local landmarks or visual references thrown in). Since … Continue reading →

Countdown #44 — Writers: Paul Dii and Adam Beechen; Pencils: Carlos Magno; Inks: Jay Leisten You know, the thing about 52 was that we knew it was telling a complete story — the story of that missing year — and so had a beginning, a middle and an end. That left room for satisfying character arcs: the Dibnys, Montoya, Isis (well, OK, that deathbed philosophical reversal was really stupid), the Steeles. With Countdown, though, we’re moving toward a beginning, so whatever happens to the characters is only a start; nothing’s going to be resolved. Is this worth 51 comics? Well, … Continue reading →

Uncle Scrooge Adventures: The Barks/Rosa Collection Volume 1 — First Story: “Land of the Pygmy Indians,” by Carl Barks; Second story: its sequel, “War of the Wendigo,” by Don Rosa Those credits should tell you all you need to know — Barks was, without question, one of the top five comics creators of the 20th century. Rosa isn’t quite at that level, but only because he’s following a trail that Barks already blazed. Yes, this book is $8.50, but it’s a high-quality package, and it offers better adventure-comics storytelling than all the Civil Wars and Countdowns ever published. Try it … Continue reading →