Iron Man/Captain America: Casualties of War
This one-shot has the feel of a fill in story. While Cap and Iron Man do meet up, most of the issue has them reminiscing about the past with a lot of Marvel history crammed into just 38 pages. Everything from Tony Stark’s alcoholism to Captain America becoming a cop is covered although my personal favourite Iron Man/Cap scene (Avengers 170 in case you were wondering) isn’t mentioned. The fact that Marvel hasn’t put any of its heavy hitters on the book adds to the feeling that this is just treading water for the delayed Civil War title. Writer of the recent Union Jack limited series Christos N. Gage seems to have been tasked with cramming too much into a single issue and while some of the exchanges work many just don’t ring true. Jeremy Haun’s art is so full of flashbacks it puts you in mind of a TV show that has run over budget, forced to come up with a contrived story made up of clips from previous episodes. Grade: C
Justice League of America 0-5
This title doesn’t so much dip a toe in DC Universe continuity as wallow in it like a hippo in a mud pool. Yet it doesn’t alienate the uninitiated, instead it adds depth to the characters and their relationships and a richness to the storytelling not found in many monthly comics. Best selling novelist Brad Meltzer clearly has an understanding of the team dynamic with some well written scenes between the three cornerstones of the group, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Favourite bit – the scene where Arsenal tries to beat his dad, Green Arrow’s distance record with Green Lantern creating the target. It’s a moment that shows how you use the history of your characters to make them more human. As well as a first rate writer this title also boasts one of the best artists currently working in comics, Ed Benes. This is an epic series and the Brazilian penciller is the perfect choice, he does BIG stories that still have room for small intimate moments. Grade: B+
Justice Society of America 1&2
In much the same way as JLA this uses DC history to it’s advantage but while the League features many of DC’s best loved characters this series uses some less well known names. Mr. Terrific, Hourman and Liberty Belle may never have had a movie franchise or TV series but writer Geoff Johns doesn’t let his less that stellar cast stop him creating a team book that can hold its head up high among the likes of The New Avengers and the aforementioned JLA. In lesser hands a character like Mr. America might have come across as dated but it speaks wonders for Johns mastery that when America makes his dramatic entrance to JSA HQ at the end of issue 1 I was praying this wouldn’t be the last we’d see of the apparently dead hero. It’s nice to see that DC haven’t skimped on the art, with Dale Eaglesham’s work a match for Ed Benes’ on the League. For a self-confessed Marvel fanboy like me to be singing the praises of not one but two DC team books should give you some idea of just how good these two titles are. Grade: B+
Article comments
1 - Wotan
Concerning DOCTOR FATE, the following article on his 1960's revival may be of interest:
2 - Aku
Thanks. I have been looking or a comic to pick up of late (It has been a looong time). I might give one or two on your list a try.