Monday, February 27, 2017
That was a fun opening number for the Oscars telecast last night but I went to bed right after that. I haven’t watched an awards show live in years. I can catch up with any interesting bits as folks share them later. Being an old coot is a lot simpler these days.
February is on its way out and March is coming in like a lion with another cold snap for us here in Ottawa. Did that movie win anything? It hit me that I have three and a half more months to wait before I can go fishing again. Poopypants.
Elektra #1 – Matt Owens (writer) Juann Cabal (art) Antonio Fabela & Marcio Menyz (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). This one is called “Always Bet On Red” even though her new costume is mostly black. I love the new costume and the art is very nice. I see some similarities to Jamie McKelvie’s and Kevin Maguire’s styles and they are done well. The story is a little weak and those in the know will spot the villain right away. I’ll read more as long as Juann draws it.
Kamandi Challenge #2 – Peter J. Tomasi (writer) Neal Adams (art) Hi-Fi (colours) Clem Robins (letters). This one made me feel like I was back in the seventies again. The distinctive art will do that to you. If you remember last issue’s cliffhanger you’ll be surprised at how Peter solves the problem. The mention of New Gods gave a hint to how Kamandi was going to get out of this issue’s tight spot and it’s another cliffhanger on the last page. I don’t know if I’m going to read the rest of this 12-issue Challenge because the situations are kind of silly. I am curious to see what other creative talents are lined up to do the rest though. I just have to wait and see as each issue hits the racks.
The Old Guard #1 – Greg Rucka (writer) Leandro Fernandez (art) Daniela Miwa (colours) Jodi Wynne (letters). I have been enjoying Greg’s work on Wonder Woman and he’s got another wonderful woman in this new book named Andy. She leads a team of mercenaries but these battle tested warriors have a very handy advantage. There are hints to this advantage in the first few pages but it’s still cool when you finally see what it is during their mission. This one gets added to my “must read” list.
Uncanny Avengers #20 – Gerry Duggan (writer) Pepe Larraz (art) Dono Sanchez Almara with Protobunker (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). Mostly a Deadpool comic as he tries to fight the Red Skull who has control over his teammates. I think the Skull’s ego will be his undoing.
Wonder Woman #17 – Greg Rucka (writer) Liam Sharp (art) Laura Martin (colours) Jodi Wynne (letters). You don’t want to miss part 2 of “The Truth” as transitions are happening with some major players. That weapon featured on the cover of The Old Guard #1 is called a labrys, a Greek battle axe.
Starstruck: Old Proldiers Never Die #1 – Elaine Lee (writer) Michael Kaluta (art) Lee Moyer (colours) Todd Klein (letters). Weird futuristic comic books never die either. This creation first hit the racks in 1982 and me being a huge Kaluta fan I bought and read them. I couldn’t really keep up with Elaine’s stories but I didn’t care because Mike’s art was so pretty. 35 years later and this story still baffles me. I won’t be reading the rest of this because it’s too spacey, like far out man spacey. I got to admit though that the art is still beautiful.
Scarlet Witch #15 – James Robinson (writer) Vanesa Del Rey (art) Jordie Bellaire (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). This is a book that would benefit from a more consistent look. There have been different artists on this title since it hit the racks and some have been more appealing than others. James’s writing is some of his best work and Vanesa tells his story very well visually but I don’t think a lot of fans would pick this up just from flipping through this issue checking out the art. It’s too bad because this character has gone through some cool changes since this title started.
Spider-Woman #16 – Dennis Hopeless (writer) Veronica Fish (art) Andy Fish (inking assistant) Rachelle Rosenberg (colours) VC’s Travis Lanham (letters). This is one of those super hero versus super villains fight where it looks like the bad guys are going to win. You wonder how the good guys will survive and you keep waiting for it to happen and you can go phew. Spoiler alert: no one dies.
Detective Comics #951 – James Tynion IV (writer) Christian Duce (art) Alex Sinclair (colours) Sal Cipriano (letters). Part 1 of “League of Shadows” finds Batman framed for murder. I like this story’s villain who we haven’t seen for a while. There was a “what the?” moment when Batman gets shot fleeing the crime scene. I thought his costume could prevent bullets from penetrating. I guess they all don’t.
Champions #1.MU – Jeremy Whitley (writer) Ro Stein & Ted Brandt (art) Frank D’Armata (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). I have been picking and choosing which Monsters Unleashed tie-in books to read and I picked this one because I really like this new young team. Most of this issue is the team fighting a team of bad guys hired by Roxxon Oil to stop an environmental protest. The monsters only crash land near the end and the two teams team up to save the day. My favourite thing about the Champions is that they’re young but have that sense of responsibility that makes them heroes. I would recommend reading this Monsters Unleashed tie-in.
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #15 – Robert Venditti (writer) Ethan Van Sciver (art) Jason Wright (colours) Dave Sharpe (letters). Very few artists wow me almost every time I open up one of their comic books and Ethan Van Sciver is one of them. The detail he puts into every panel is astounding. I tend not to read team books but the solo adventures are keeping me interested. I am looking forward to seeing Guy Gardner duke it out with one of the bad Yellow Lanterns next issue.
Hulk #3 – Mariko Tamaki (writer) Nico Leon (art) Matt Milla (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). The tease continues with just one brief glimpse of She-Hulk. I like seeing this slow process of Jen’s recovery and the building suspense of the mystery killer. The anticipation of her Hulking out and finding out what the connection is between the killer and one of Jen’s clients keeps me reading.
Action Comics #974 – Dan Jurgens (writer) Patch Zircher& Stephen Segovia (pencils) Patch Zircher & Art Thibert (inks) Ulises Arreola (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). Whoa, way to make the mystery Clark Kent creepy there Dan. We’re talking crazy stalker guy. This story crosses over with the Superman book so we only have to wait a week to find out what happens next. I like that.
Spider-Gwen #17 – Jason Latour (writer) Robbi Rodriguez (art) Rico Renzi (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). I had to read this for part 4 of “Sitting in a Tree” but I’ve got to admit that I like the way Jason handles these kids. Add a guest appearance by one of the Champions and it’s a winner for me.
Inhumans vs. X-Men #5 – Charles Soule & Jeff Lemire (writers) Javier Garron (art) David Curiel (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). One more issue to go. I just want to see how Charles and Jeff resolve this conflict. My guess is that Forge and Moon Girl will figure out a way to trap all of the Terrigen cloud and somehow keep it from killing all the mutants. That way nobody dies.
Amazing Spider-Man #24 – Dan Slott & Christos Gage (writers) Giuseppe Camuncoli (pencils) Cam Smith (inks) Jason Keith (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). This is a “Clone Conspiracy” tie-in. Please make it stop. The world has been saved so I hope they scale things back a little because I am getting jaded about these big events.
Infamous Iron Man #5 – Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Alex Maleev (art) Matt Hollingsworth (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). If this doesn’t convince you that Victor Von Doom has gone good then nothing will. This reunion of mother and son was very interesting especially when you get to the last panel. I don’t know how Brian keeps coming up with these “what the?” moments but I’m glad he does. It’s just no fun waiting for the next issue when that happens.
Spider-Man/Deadpool #14 – Joe Kelly (writer) Ed McGuinness (pencils) Mark Morales (inks) Jason Keith (colours) VC’s Joe Sabino (letters). Nightcrawler guest stars as Spider-Man has a crisis of conscience. He can’t figure out how to beat the mash-up killer Itsy Bitsy except for going all Punisher on her. I don’t know if I’ll read issues #15 and #16 because they are going to be crossovers with Deadpool. Something to do with Wade’s demon wife Shiklah. I’ll try to remember to pick up #17 off the racks when the Itsy Bitsy story resumes.