Legion of Super-Heroes #37 — Writer: Jim Shooter; Penciller: Francis Manapul; Inker: Livesay
Shooter hasn’t changed that much from when he was writing Avengers for Marvel or Harbinger, etc. for Valiant; he’s pretty much Storytelling 101: He introduces everyone, gives each character one or two attitudes/obvious qualities, and then starts throwing problems at them. The imagination’s there, and he’s done his research (he knows current Legion history, and he’s not just coasting on the fact that he was writing stories about these people 40 years ago) but it can all come off a tad mechanical. Still, he’s almost always compelling reading, especially after a few issues, so I’m on board with this for at least a while.
Batman #672 — Writer: Grant Morrison; Penciller: Tony Daniel; Inkers: Daniel, Florea, Glapion and Irwin
Back from the Ra’s Al Ghul thing (which turned out, frankly, to be a waste of time and energy for everyone), and now resuming the main storyline, about the “other,” murderous Batmen. Our hero gets beaten up and shot, and things look bad, but the last-page splash should make a number of long-time fans’ pulses quicken (it’ll also make other long-time fans groan out loud, but you can’t please everyone). If nothing else, Morrison’s sometimes-surreal style should mesh well with this character, and next issue should be interesting….
Captain America #33 — Writer: Ed Brubaker; Penciler: Steve Epting; Inker: Butch Guice
Still moving briskly along, very smoothly told; one thing to admire about Brubaker’s plotting is how all the scattered characters and pieces are now coming together, confirming that there’s been a Master Plan all along. You get the feeling that he’s only partway through the uber-story, too; we all know Steve Rogers will eventually be back (and there’s a small clue about that in one line of dialogue here), but at this rate the story could chug along happily for another couple of years without anyone missing him too much.
Action #860 — Writer: Geoff Johns; Penciller: Gary Frank; Inker: Jon Sibal
OK, although this third part of the story has a lot of padding — a clear case of Writing for the Trade Syndrome, since the creative team looks to be stretching to five or six issues a story that, say, Cary Bates and Julie Schwartz would have delivered in a leaner, more satisfying three.
Green Lantern #26 — Writer: Geoff Johns; Pencils: Mike McKone; Inks: Andy Lanning, Marlo Alquiza and Cam Smith
Getting back to normal after the big blowout crossover conclusion last issue; Johns starts some new plotlines with the Guardians (that whole Ten New Rules thing is already getting irritating, isn’t it? Especially since we’re still on Rule #1?), and re-establishes some of the rest of the cast. Not that much happens, but after the previous issue everyone needed to take a deep breath and relax anyway, so I’m perfectly willing to wait and see where we’re going next.
X-Men #206 — Writer: Mike Carey; Penciler: Chris Bachalo; Inkers: Tim Townsend and Jon Sibal
I’m still reading this, although this is the point in these big events where I start looking at my watch, thinking about how long it’s been taking and wondering when it’s all going to be over — especially when the plot, as here, involves everyone chasing after something, a set-up that can be extended endlessly. Still, the art’s nice, and actual things seem to be beginning to happen this issue, so maybe events will start to accelerate from here to the end, and then we and the X-Men can all start getting on with our lives again.
Brave and the Bold #9 — Writer: Mark Waid; Penciller: George Perez; Inkers: Bob Wiacek and Scott Koblish
A weird story — the main plot’s on the Challengers and the Book of Destiny, but then that involves rushing us through three different team-ups from various points in the past, as if Waid had story notes for them but hadn’t been able to flesh them out into full-length episodes. Worth reading, as always with Waid and Perez at the controls, but this whole “Megistus” bit is getting old, and looks to have at least another three issues to go, too (more “Writing for the Trade…”).
Stuff I read and bought, but don’t have anything new to say about, so go read the past reviews in the archives if you want to know:
Punisher #53 — Writer: Garth Ennis; Art: Goran Parlov
Crossing Midnight #14 — Writer: Mike Carey; Pencils: Jim Fern; Digital Inks and Colors: Jose Villarrubia
Marvel Zombies 2 #2 — Writer: Robert Kirkman; Art: Sean Phillips
Ultimate Spider-Man #117 — Writer: Brian Michael Bendis; Penciler: Stuart Immonen; Inker: Wade von Grawbadger
Jack of Fables #18 — Writers: Matthew Sturges and Bill Willingham; Pencils: Russ Braun; Inks: Andrew Pepoy
Death of the New Gods #4 — Writer/Pencils: Jim Starlin; Inks: Art Thibert
Daredevil #103 — Writer: Ed Brubaker; Artists: Michael Lark, Paul Azeceta and Stefano Gaudiano
Usagi Yojimbo #108 — Creator: Stan Sakai
Phil Mateer
