In which I discuss five of the seven comic books I purchased yesterday.
Midnighter #13
With this issue, I realized I had become exactly the sort of comics reader I despised, as I have no idea why I'm still reading this title. I enjoyed the first six issues and can't tell you what happened until the first installment of this arc (which I really liked) and now have no idea what's happening. It's not that it's bad, really - Giffen's dialogue and action move right along, but it seems to be awfully generic. Kind of sad, really, especially considering that central character overcame the broad-brushed critique of being Gay Batman (OK, gayer Batman) in Stormwatch and The Authority fairly quickly.
Justice League Unlimited #39
It's a shame that the tie-in comic for a now-cancelled Justice League show run by Dwayne McDuffie is a better read than an actual Justice League comic written by Dwayne McDuffie, isn't it? Also, Detective Chimp, Gorilla Grodd, Batman cracking a joke, and a complete lack of the lesson-giving that's plagued this title. Buy it, love it.
Super-Villain Team Up: MODOK's 11 #5
After the lack of MODOK the last issue exhibited, my hopes for this title had drooped a bit, like a willow tree in monsoon season. However, the final installment in this series brings the hyperencephalitic Kirby creation front and center in the wrap-up, allowing us all to realize that he truly reigns supreme. The double and triple-crosses in this title pretty much guarantee this will read better in a collected format as keeping track of who's screwing whom in the dozen cast members over the course of five months is more laborious than it should be.
Criminal #10
Speaking of double-crosses in comics, I'm so very into Criminal that each issue is akin to a dose of storytelling meth. Both Brubaker's interests and strengths are front and center as Marvel's best writer wallows in the genre that made him: taut plotting, dialogue that's cut down to its essence, and just enough narration to push the story forward when it needs it. Of course, it wouldn't work nearly as well if it weren't for Sean Phillips' uniformly excellent visuals. This final issue shows the cast of the current story arc being claimed by The Life, each in a different way.
Lower Regions
By basically transcribing a completely mental D&D session into comics - down to healing potions and backstabbing, which must be this week's theme - Alex Robinson's made the only Red Sonja comic I'd want to read. For $7, it's a perfect stocking-stuffer for the gaming nerd(s) in your life.
With this issue, I realized I had become exactly the sort of comics reader I despised, as I have no idea why I'm still reading this title. I enjoyed the first six issues and can't tell you what happened until the first installment of this arc (which I really liked) and now have no idea what's happening. It's not that it's bad, really - Giffen's dialogue and action move right along, but it seems to be awfully generic. Kind of sad, really, especially considering that central character overcame the broad-brushed critique of being Gay Batman (OK, gayer Batman) in Stormwatch and The Authority fairly quickly.
Justice League Unlimited #39
It's a shame that the tie-in comic for a now-cancelled Justice League show run by Dwayne McDuffie is a better read than an actual Justice League comic written by Dwayne McDuffie, isn't it? Also, Detective Chimp, Gorilla Grodd, Batman cracking a joke, and a complete lack of the lesson-giving that's plagued this title. Buy it, love it.
Super-Villain Team Up: MODOK's 11 #5
After the lack of MODOK the last issue exhibited, my hopes for this title had drooped a bit, like a willow tree in monsoon season. However, the final installment in this series brings the hyperencephalitic Kirby creation front and center in the wrap-up, allowing us all to realize that he truly reigns supreme. The double and triple-crosses in this title pretty much guarantee this will read better in a collected format as keeping track of who's screwing whom in the dozen cast members over the course of five months is more laborious than it should be.
Criminal #10
Speaking of double-crosses in comics, I'm so very into Criminal that each issue is akin to a dose of storytelling meth. Both Brubaker's interests and strengths are front and center as Marvel's best writer wallows in the genre that made him: taut plotting, dialogue that's cut down to its essence, and just enough narration to push the story forward when it needs it. Of course, it wouldn't work nearly as well if it weren't for Sean Phillips' uniformly excellent visuals. This final issue shows the cast of the current story arc being claimed by The Life, each in a different way.
Lower Regions
By basically transcribing a completely mental D&D session into comics - down to healing potions and backstabbing, which must be this week's theme - Alex Robinson's made the only Red Sonja comic I'd want to read. For $7, it's a perfect stocking-stuffer for the gaming nerd(s) in your life.
