Aquaman, Sword of Atlantis 45-47
After stating last month that I felt revelations about Arthur Curry/Aquaman were just around the corner comes the news that writer Kurt Busiek is leaving the book with issue 49. Five issues may seem like enough to tie-up all the loose ends but issue 45 takes us little closer to the truth and issues 46 and 47 are a two-part fill in story. The fill in tale is a passable murder mystery but it sadly lacks the awesome artwork of Butch Guice. Guest artist Phil Winslade does a decent job but my patience has run out with this title and Mr Busiek meandering storyline. Grade: C
Action Comics 844 & 845
Superman gets a ‘son’ as another spaceship arrives from Krypton with a child inside. This is a far better super-powered kid story than that told in the Superman Returns film but then given the talent involved that’s hardly surprising. Regular Action Comics writer Geoff Johns is joined by Superman: The Movie director Richard Donner for what could (should?) have been Superman 3 had Donner not fallen out with the Salkind’s. Brought to life by Adam Kubert this promises to be one of the best Superman adventures for some time, full of action but with enough emotional depth to make you care about the characters. Grade: B+
The Authority 1
A downed submarine is just the start of Grant Morrison’s rebirth of one of Wildstorm’s biggest successes. Will it reach the highs of the Warren Ellis/ Mark Millar run on the title? Only time will tell but he does enough here to leave you wanting to know what happens next. Gene Ha’s art has a real world look to it that’s not often seen in the superhero genre and it makes a refreshing change. Grade: B
Batman Confidential 1
This starts off in fine form with Batman arriving to late to stop a vicious killer from murdering a woman in her apartment but he does manage to save her child. Sadly, after a wonderfully dark and action packed opening the story looses its way getting bogged down with company rivalries as Bruce Wayne finds himself competing for a government contract with Superman’s favourite villain Lex Luthor. Whilce Portacio’s art starts off on a high but gradually deteriorates, his reliance of black round the eyes to show who the villains are or how obsessed Batman is gets overused, with Luthor’s black eyes making his face almost skull like. The robot that arrives at the climax is hardly going to be pushing for a place in the 100 greatest comic villains list either but hopefully things will pick up next issue. Grade: C+
Article comments
1 - Bill Sherman
Gotta admit I'm looking forward to Whedon's comic book continuation of the Buffy saga . . .
2 - Joy
Awesome!! I love comic books! And it's really great to read something from someone who knows so much about them!!! =)
3 - Rohan Venkat
Was surprised to see that your forthcoming list doesn't include Civil War #6, just recently out on the east coast, an issue I'm really looking forward to.
I remember discussing about the fact that Civil War was leaning very much to the anti-registration side, and probably wouldn't change anyone's mind past the first few issues. I now feel that I was wrong, because from this last month's glut of (often filler issues to replace the late Civil War ones) Civil War tie-in issues, I'm quite surprised to say that I'm on the pro-registration side now.
That is to say, I'm on the leave America, but if you stay in the country then register side, because, for one, I don't see Congress ever repealing the law, and also, I have complete confidence in Tony Stark's belief that if the superheroes don't do this now, then the American Government would have done something much worse (a sky full of sentinels watching our every move) to them.
So while I don't agree with the pro's ideology, if the heroes choose to continue staying in the States, then I'd suggest they register. And this change in my ideas comes right after my favorite character switches from pro to anti.
Of course, if I were American I might not have the same belief, since I'd want to stay in my home country, and then I'd be anti.
Sorry for the excessively long comment.
4 - Ian Woolstencroft
Bill,
I’m trying not to get my hopes up too high for the Buffy mini series but it will definitely be interesting to see where Joss takes the story now that there is more than just one slayer (well there was already more than one but now there’s a LOT more than one).
Joy,
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it and I hope you’ll come back next month. :)
Rohan,
Glad you’re still enjoying Civil War, I am too. It wasn’t included in the forthcoming titles section only because I use that section to spotlight new series and major events in regular titles (like Spider-Man this month). If it was a list of the regular titles coming out each month that I'm most looking forward to Civil War would be right at the top (with Desolation Jones).
I agree that in recent months we’ve seen the viewpoint of the opposing sides from a more even perspective. Cap’s side could almost be viewed as terrorists, although the only time they’ve attacked anyone has been either defending themselves or trying to free captured comrades.
From your comment I’d say you'd be off to France with Mr Grimm. ;)
5 - manfred
I have read that JMS will quit Spiderman after this summer leaving only a final story of Mary Jane and Peter Parker , penciled by the big man himself; Joe Quesada. Too bad he has had a magnificent run.
Great review by the way overall , as usual.
By the way will you review: Spiderman: Reign 1 and X-23: Target X ?
6 - Ian Woolstencroft
Thanks Manfred,
I hadn't heard that JMS was to quit Spidey. I seem to remember a few years ago there was a rumour he was to leave, with Kevin Smith set to take over, but that never happened (Smith did a Spidey/Black Cat Limited Series instead) and I hope this turns out to be false as well. I know he is going to be doing the Thor relaunch and he's gone on record as saying that was his reason for leaving the FF.
As for Spider-Man: Reign and X-23: Target X both will be reviewed at some point, although it may be the first few issues or even the complete series. I'm tending to read new titles a few issues at a time in order to get a truer "taste" of what they have to offer.
Next month currently looks likely to include: Justice League of America 0-5, Gen 13 1-3, Immortal Iron Fist 1-2, Impaler 1-2 and Justice Society of America 1-2 plus a few others.
It's nice to know I've got a couple of regular readers in you and Rohan.
7 - manfred
I could accept Kevin Smith as a worthy successor for JMS. I read the Evil men do limited series.
If the rumours are true then Marvel will have a hard time finding a decent replacement for him I think.I just hope it wont be Brian Micheal Bendis, no offense but we get so much of that guy already.
And thank you for writing the reviews :)
-manfred