The Good , the Bad , and the Ugly [8-15-09]

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Last week was kinda fuck up on my part. I had forgot to review Peter Milligan's "Greek Street". It slipped my mind and someone told me about that . I guess I can blame it on a brain fart. Anyhow weirdly it was a decent sized week for me . Shocking me since I know my pull list isn't that big or I rarely make off the beaten path pickups at the LCS. Anyhow....its time to go ahead and review some books.


OK SPOILERS AHEAD.....


LAST CHANCE.......


OK.......HERE WE GO !



THE GOOD


Justice League : Cry for Justice #2 of (7): Ok now this book has some pissed. And some are angry that Robinson hints that Hal Jordan had a 3 way with 2 female characters in the DCU. That being Lady Blackhawk and Huntress. And some are angry at Robinson using this as a defense to say "Well his Superman run blows balls , and this proves here he blows balls."

Anyhow the issue review starts 1st. Oliver and Hal are on a roof in Gotham discussing things and that line Oliver brings up with a "Good Show , Ole Boy" at the end. Anyhow we learn that even though Hal Jordan & Bruce Wayne weren't best buddies , they had a respect for each other. Hal , respected Bruce. He may not have feared him but he respected him.

So after some standing there and discussing the old days and a brief fly over from Dick Grayson as Batman , Jason Bard makes his appearance. He was Batman's Private Detective and he details that Batman made him pretty rich and he feels he must do this free tip. He tells Hal and Ollie there is a building full of bad guys across from them led by Prometheus. Seems Prometheus is working on a major score and he's weirdly employing B/C List villains.

Elsewhere we see the Atom , Ray Palmer and old Flash ...Jay Garrick ...discussing a break in at the Flash Museum and how technology for the Time Treadmill was taken. They get joined by Captain Marvel , or Shazam , but he feels better being called Freddy Freeman. So anyhow Robinson shows he knowlodge of DCU past....as he details that Ray Palmer was once de-aged as a teenager and knew Freddy from his time in the Teen Titans . Also he details why his luck with women and all has been horrible. But as Jay tells him the world will see the best of Ray Palmer still.

They know things are leading a certain way towards what they all learn is Prometheus . There is talk of things stolen by Opal and Metropolis as well for some plan Prometheus has. Garrick leaves Palmer and Freeman to go to Gotham to follow the bad guy trail.

At Blackhawk Island , Congerilla and Mikaal (Alien Starman) battle briefly and finally wear themselves out to talk. Both seem to realize that they aren't bad guys and Congerilla perfers being called by "Bill" and discusses martini's . They realize the trail of this Prometheus leads to Gotham as well. And in a cool scene , Bill reveals he can fly a plane baby.

At the end of the issue we see that Hal and Ollie have kicked maximum ass as everyone is knocked out. Javelin is less than happy being called a C-List villain and tosses it to kill someone. Instead Supergirl shows up on the last page to block that as Hal , Ollie , Ray , and Freddy have came togethor as a group. In the extras , Robinson details how he wants to give Ray Palmer something to smile about again and details his highs and low points. Another extra is the Magog #1 2-3 page preview.

So is it worth it.....well....YES. Fans can proclaim that even though Robinson's Superman run is boring , this isn't at all. The scenes and art by Mauro Cascioli just pop at you. So detailed and the dialogue seems to fit the characters the entire way. Ollie is the charming rogue who will at times get on Hal's case. "Cold , you were out in Space !"

You wanna know why Prometheus is gathering these things and how innocent people are being murdered along the way. Also I wanna make a point about Hal Jordan. This Hal Jordan seems more "real" to me than the action star in his monthly book. Why is that ? Because Hal seems to express more and has a character here. Did he do wrong in his time ? Sure....sure he did.

Hal and Ollie were the original "Hard Travelin Heroes". They fought for justice hard , but at the end of the day ....partied a lot harder in the good ole days. Now older , they can look back and laugh at times. And many do that. Hal Jordan is a test pilot who could likely end up like his old man. Its no lie that I'm sure many would go party like it was their last day and had wild sexual things due to drinking and all happen. Plus tack on Hal's history of nailing an under-age space girl (Arisa) and his alcoholic past (Emerald Dawn) ....this isn't an angel. Its not like Robinson's stretching to make this leap for Hal Jordan or Oliver Queen. Plus like we see with Palmer and the others , Robinson seems to be making a point to accept the DCU past of the characters. And with Congerilla being awesome as well....makes this a good book.


Deadpool #13: When we last left Wade Wilson , our favorite Merc....with 2 monthlies (Heh) , he had became HUGELY RICH now. Thanks to Bullseye. But he had a condition. Don't make waves and keep a low cover awhile. So after a week of boredom , Wade blew his own brains out.

But now Wade has a plan baby. He's got a plan to have some fun and make even more loot. He shall become ...A PIRATE ! GRRRRR.... Pirate Deadpool is all ready to start his evil looting and pillaging spree as he buys another boat from 2 Russians. Seems he suck the last one. They explain it was a submarine. But Deadpool doesn't care he has $$$$ and he wants that boat over there. LOTS OF GUNS......LOTS AND LOTS OF GUNS !! , must be added he demands. He will pay even more. The Russian's fall for demented rich clown who pays so well. Wanting to kiss him.

Anyhow Pool realizes he needs some help so he calls BOB , of Hydra ! Bob is basically in hell and as soon as Deadpool calls ...takes his offer. He soon regrets that as Pool decides he should dress up as a giant pirate and squawk before each sentence. If he misses it he gets beaten with a wooden stick. They land on an island as a sick Bob needs medical attention.

They meet a blind girl tour guide and Bob falls for her. But as they sit and discuss things , the other bad ass pirates show up. To steal Wade's glory...uh oh. Bob thinks fast and tries to convince Pool to do it and has the girl do it....as Deadpool is less than happy with Bob. Uh oh....

Good funny issue. Pirate Deadpool as an issue will remind people of Joe Kelly's zanyness at times. The issue where a bored Deadpool decides he shall become a feared pirate and soon beats up poor Bob is one of the funniest I have read in a long time. Good job Daniel Way.


Amazing Spider-Man #602: Ok now this issue seemed to do the wisest thing....completey forget 90% of what #601 did. Beyond Peter missing Mary-Jane to meet and talk. The wisest move people ? Acting like Peter didn't have a drunken 1 night stand with his room mate and acting like a total dick , more worried about meeting MJ. That was forgotten pretty quick. Thank the gods.

It also marks the return of The Chameleon . Who at one time was one of Spider-Man's favorite rogues. He hasn't been around in a long....long time. Van Lente seems to have made the effort to play up that the Chameleon will play a terrorist more. His old face morphing powers are gone as well. As he now uses the Question's type of spraying a mask/coat/rubber sealent over someones face and using it to make masks. He even shows this by killing a victim brutally in a chair with acid at the bottom.

Peter gets a job with Glory Grant working for JJJ's mayoral office. Which are the best scenes as JJJ and Peter still have issues to work out . Glory is less than happy that Peter makes a joke at a time he should be more serious. Meanwhile ...somewhere the Chameleon watches and knows he has to make his move.

We see Harry Osborn who isn't doing so well money wise as he closes the Coffee Grind late one night as Mary-Jane suprises him. She tells him they need to hit a club and try and relax and wants to invite Peter to help Harry out in a way if they can. So she decides to call...

At the end the Chameleon drugs Peter and drags him to his lair. Ready to make his terrorist move on NYC. Peter's face is copied and he's dropped into the acid bath. Mary-Jane is calling as Chameleon-Peter picks up and answers....ready to meet her .....OHHH NO.

It was a good issue and Chameleon as this terrorist rogue works . It really does and I think of the bad guys the ASM team have revamped post OMD , Chameleon is perhaps the best. Plus the story pulls ya back ....and makes you wanna read #603. To seee where it goes....so good job Marvel finally.

end of part #1....part #2 coming.....

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Adventure Comics #1(504): In this issue of the revamped , return of Adventure Comics monthly after 25+ years away , we get Superboy and the LSH taking the title. Connor Kent has returned to life after awhile away. He just wants to live and as he tells Superman later in the book ..."I feel like I did when I crawled outta that test tube from Camdus for the 1st time."

He enrolls in school , works at the farm for Ma Kent who tells him Pa Kent would be proud. We get a funny scene as him and Bart Allen destroy the monuments of them outside Teen Titans HQ. As he says ..."This is to warn them the Titans are back at full strength !"

We see him get along with Krypto. Who is so cute in this...a fact that when he goes to save a girl , Krypto steals his thunder. The girl is so impressed and coos "A dog with a cape...its so cute...." Who knew Krypto was such a turn on for girls ? Ha. We also see the development of a new rogue show up....in Smallville swamp.

In the backup we see that Starman is pretty addled. He is flying from a burger place , telling the birds as he flies , they could join the Legion of Superheroes. He somehow crashes into a bowling ally and thru sure accident throws a bowling ball thru the wall. He meets up with Tellos who suprises us...as he's back in the past. He tries to cure his problems ...but the disease has progressed so far. We get a preview of whats ahead in the book...and big Legion of Superheroes things are ahead it seems.

Its a good fun read and its great to see Superboy back in the DCU. Hopefully Adventure Comics lasts. The cover is pretty cool too as it has both numbers ala the old Marvel deal.


Greek Street #2 : Peter Milligan be praised. This is pretty much becoming a fun , great book featuring ancient greek myths spun in a new way. So .....kids this review is RATED R. Not for kiddies....

Greek Street #2 opens as this beautiful bathing black girl details the story of Greek Street thus far. Eddie was fresh outta the Orphanage. He found his mother ....after drinking and screwing her. He then accidently killed her. Now guilty as hell he tosses the body and runs to Greek Street. Eddie's guilt grows and he tries to cut his penis off.

Harold Furey is forced to cut his own sons face up , or risk a war with the Limms he can't win. And the body of a young woman was pulled out of the canel awhile ago...and taken to the morgue to be examined. The Doctor is working on her as the room explodes....

Lord Menon and his wife Esther are having family problems as Esther accuses him of cheating . She slaps him angry and apologizes and says she'll have a boob job , tummy tuck and vaginal reconstructive surgery even for him. They don't realize their daughter Sandy awakes and starts talking aloud. She then tries and dive off the 2nd floor as her father saves her by catching her !

In the hospital Gene Furey is seen by those who work for his dad who wanna know who did it. But he claims he couldn't see. His dad meanwhile guilty tears up his office...PISSED. The strippers hear him going into a rage and they all realize they can't say a word or get involved. Their strippers , keep their heads down as the sayin goes , they wonder about Mischa ...but she hasn't called in.

Since well...she is fucking dead. Anyhow the explosion was due to the harpies. Who take the body with them and they debate if the Gods have truelly given up on them. The harpies dance and start chanting to their god ...as the dead body...dissapears from their van ! We see that Mischa has became an un-dead monster and kills an asshole bf.

Eddie meanwhile has managed to save his penis barely. His guilt still ways on him as a driver pulls up and says he has a job he can do for the Furey's. The job is simple....tail Lord Menon and see if there is anything he is into they can use to blackmail him. Since they want his power and connections for help. Final page has Menon with 2 naked strippers ! Ohhh boy.

Its a good fun read and I love the mixing of the Greek myths with the current mobsters , monsters and intrqiue. Its a good fun read by Peter Milligan people. It and Unwritten have became my favorite new books each month from Vertigo.


The Walking Dead #64: "Fear the Hunters" part 3 of 5. The Hunters have made themselves a fine dinner of Dale's foot last we saw. They are enjoying it as they detail coldly their plans for eating human flesh. Dale suddenly busts out laughing as they stare confused believing shock or the loss of his other leg has done it. Dale then laughs and admits .."Your eating tainted meat you dummies...I was bitten !"

The Hunters get pissed. They spit and some wonder if they'll turn as a result. They realize they need to plan for the food they'll get from the others. Inside the church we see that Abraham and Rick clash a bit over his tough attitude. Andrea is saddened and reveals she really does love Dale. Even if the old guy doesn't believe it. She then asks Rick if he killed Ben. Which we all know as he tells her....is a NO.

The next morning the Hunters leave Dale outside as a trap . One Rick realizes was to lure them to get them in the open. He whispers to Andrea and the others to run for the church as he starts firing. One bullet from them hits Glen in the leg as he gets pulled inside. Abraham claims they are screwing with them...as a pissed Rick says thier gonna realize "Their fucking with the wrong people..."

The issue also comes with Viking #1 as a flip book too. So thats a plus. It also sets the stage for the next 2 parts of what should be an explosive arc in "Fear the Hunters". With the Walking Dead making it to AMC soon as a TV series...ya gotta admit the comic has done its job. Another monthly winner from Robert Kirkman.


The Unwritten #4: In this one , Tommy Taylor uses the removable doorknob he has found to open the door. To go inside. Mathilde Venner shows up (the lady leading the Writing group earlier) and warns Tommy if he goes into that room he'll set horrible things in motion. Lizzie , the girl with Tommy knocks him inside and shuts the door as they soon find a map of places and notes.

Pullman shows up and savagly kills everyone there at some point. He uses his sickle and tells one writer they make him sick with their lies. As he fries his face on a kitchen burner. Venner is last but chooses instead to take her own life rather than let Pullman do it.

Tommy emerges as he realizes something crazy is going on as he encounters Pullman who beats him up and wants to kill him. Instead the cops arrive and Pullman suddenly dissapears. As Tommy Taylor gets arrested for this massacre. At the end him and cops stare stunned as there is a cat with wings on a tree....staring at them !

Its pretty wide open and makes you wonder where this Tommy Taylor story will go next. Carety has really lured me with this book. Good job man.


THE BAD

Blackest Night #2 of (8): I just wanna go out and say this....Blackest Night #2 was a lot better than #1. And in some cases it could make a case for being a GOOD book. But in a lot of cases it somehow gets a few knocks against it and falls into the BAD spot here. So here we go....

Ray Palmer dials Carter back and finally has an answer from Zombie-Carter. Anyhow ....after an explanation on why he'd never let old feelings for Jean Loring go , Zombie Carter wants him to come by.

Anyhow we see a scene where Don Hall (Dove I) won't rise. He is at peace and the Black Lantern ring can't raise him. His brother Hawk however isn't so good and says he's gonna have to do this for his brother.

We see Tempest and Mera go to bury Aquaman's body back with his people. Instead , Arthur rises as a Black Lantern and starts ass whupping them both. Tempest soon encounters Dolphin and Tulia. Both claiming to be in love with him as Black Lanterns. The funniest part of this is them argueing ... 'I was his 1st..." 'Well I had his baby !" It shouldn't be funny in this , but is written in such a way ya have to laugh ...as even in death girls as zombies will compete with each other .

Elsewhere we see the Phantom Stranger lead the Bloodpact to this grave site . Of course they are with the Spectre and soon enough the Spectre gets taken over in quick fashion by a Black Lantern ring. Really.... the fucking Spectre of all people gets taken over by the un-dead ? Really ?

Back at the lighthouse battle , Tempest is fighting for his life. He somehow uses his magic to freeze Dolphin's head. Then shatter it. Tulia however sneaks up and yanks his heart out....bitch. Anyhow he becomes a Black Lantern. Mera realizes the odds are against her as she makes her getaway. Weirdly somehow Dolphin must have talked to the same guy who helped Ronnie Raymond get a body back. As her head has returned.

end of part #2 ....part #3 coming...

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Hal is busy battling with Martian Manhunter with Barry Allen . He admits he allowed himself to be pulled from the battle to help Barry concoct a plan to use flammable gas to explode a car on the Manhunter from Mars to try and win. This does nothing as we see that the Black Lantern Justice League has showed up with Martian Manhunter , Ralph and Sue Dinby , Hawkman and Hawkgirl , and Ronnie Raymond. Who continues to defy reality as he has a body somehow...since he fucking exploded in Identity Crisis back in 2004. Hawkman must have forgot about meeting Ray Palmer that quick.

Its got some great action sequences and scenes that make you go HOLY FUCK....a lot. But the fact is its full of head scratching bad writing. From Ronnie Raymond's body suddenly returning. To Dolphin's head returning after being shattered. Plus the Spectre ? Really ? Anyhow it was this close to being a good book . Had it been one dumb little thing odds are it would be in the GOOD pile. But hell....it was pretty bad as a #1. So shocks me it did better.


Uncanny X-Men #514: Now this one....well I blame it for being part of a crossover with really little explanation on whats happened in Dark Avengers. Either way to explain ....Norman Osborn has formed his own Dark Avengers. Somehow Emma Frost is leading this team of Cloak & Dagger , Guardian , Dark Wolverine , Namor , and Dark Beast. The team heads out to stop Simon Trasks new smaller type Sentinals , that use humans. A shocking discovery shows Trask has killed them to serve him. This after Wolverine and Bullseye nearly wanna kill each other .

Elsewhere Cyclops finally recruits Moonstar , one of the Stepford Cookoos , Domino , and Pysclocke for a mission. Each one has a job to do. They are to do it quick. Cyclops tells Pixie they have are heading out and the X-Men watch Emma's team in battle. Cyclops tells them to study them. The game will end soon , they will face them in combat and beat them. Since they all fight as loners....unlike the X-Men who are a team.

Domino finds Wolverine and X-Force as Wolverine emerges with his new black suited look for the 1st time in Uncanny. Damn....nice.

And we see the Science team with Beast , Madison Jeffries and Dr. Nemesis under the water in a sub. Because as they admit , if Cyclops plan happens , this will be the last they'll see of the X-Men in California.


Not a bad issue. Its an easy to follow thing. Its that the crossover isn't the easiest thing to follow. The plots are good and you really wonder what Cyclops plan is for Norman Osborn. You also wanna know why the science team is in a sub as this shit is falling. Either way.....not an altogethor BAD issue. Just one ya wish was easier in a crossover with a book your not getting to be a better read.



THE UGLY


No books for the 2nd week on The Ugly List. This must be a record for me. Wow....

[Linkara]

To be fair, I get the impression that the Black Lantern ring got to the Spectre through Crispus Allen. Corrupt the host, corrupt the Spectre.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Originally Posted by Linkara

To be fair, I get the impression that the Black Lantern ring got to the Spectre through Crispus Allen. Corrupt the host, corrupt the Spectre.

True....but being the Spectre , and being someone who punishes the dead and the corrupt spirits. I had thought he was beyond being used like that. Wild....

[Linkara]

Originally Posted by SUPERECWFAN1

True....but being the Spectre , and being someone who punishes the dead and the corrupt spirits. I had thought he was beyond being used like that. Wild....

Oh, I don't know - remember when Eclipso manipulated him during Day of Vengeance? ^_~

Also, I never read any of the Spectre's solo series, but I get the impression he must have had weaknesses or limitations that could be exploited, otherwise he's basically nigh-omnipotent. XD

[Michael P]

Originally Posted by SUPERECWFAN1

We see Tempest and Mera go to bury Aquaman's body back with his people. Instead , Arthur rises as a Black Lantern and starts ass whupping them both. Tempest soon encounters Dolphin and Tulia. Both claiming to be in love with him as Black Lanterns. The funniest part of this is them argueing ... 'I was his 1st..." 'Well I had his baby !" It shouldn't be funny in this , but is written in such a way ya have to laugh ...as even in death girls as zombies will compete with each other .

Yeah, stupid misogynistic cliches sure are hilarious!

[ScottyQuick]

They ACTUALLY killed off Dolphin?

FFS, I thought it was a joke.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Originally Posted by Michael P

Yeah, stupid misogynistic cliches sure are hilarious!

Perhaps Johns met the dialogue to be better , but here it was pretty funny to see 2 zombie girls in this basically compete with each other as they kick Tempest's ass. I admit...I laughed at the dialogue for how it comes across misogynistic as it comes out on the page.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Originally Posted by ScottyQuick

They ACTUALLY killed off Dolphin?

FFS, I thought it was a joke.

Yeah , I believe K-Dawg was the one who told me on YABS in a thread she was killed off. I have no idea if she was killed off panel or not. But she's in this..... as Black Lantern Dolphin !