Star Wars: Blood Ties - A Tale of Jango and Boba Fett #2 [2010]

STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES – A TALE OF JANGO AND BOBA FETT #2

Count Dooku sends Jango Fett to assassinate someone who happens to be his clone from Kamino. Jango carries out his mission only to realize that the clone had a child named Conner Freeman. Jango promised his son Boba to explain what had happened however the events from Attack of the Clones prevented the conversation. Many years later Boba is asked by the Banking Clan to assassinate one Conner Freeman who has been collecting an inheritance from his father Jango. He accepts the bounty and heads off to collect it. Great issue as it ties the pasts of both Jango and Boba Fett together and only the audience knows what is going on. Many more Star Wars: Blood Ties limited series are promised for 2011.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Artifacts #2 [2010] by Ron Marz

ARTIFACTS #2

Sara Pezzini sister is shot dead by Aphrodite IV and her child Hope is kidnapped. Both the Darkness and Angelus arrive to console and offer support for Sara as well as the mysterious Tom Judge. The dialogue and artwork is excellent as it provides the storytelling method necessary to reintroduce of the characters that will be taking place within this series. No need to go back and familiar yourself with these characters as all the bio is provided within this hearty issue.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

The Darkness: Four Horsemen #2 [2010]

THE DARKNESS: FOUR HORSEMEN #2

Jackie Estacado is asked to even the score with a biker gang possessed by the Four Horsemen. The book opens up as the town of Ginsberg is suffering from the mayhem of the Horsemen. The Darkness confronts the Horsemen head on however with no avail as they are Death and cannot be killed. Now the Four Horsemen touch Jackie Estacado and he screams into the darkness.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Amazing Spider-Man #644 [2010] by Mark Waid

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #644

Doctor Octopus assembles a variety of villains to retrieve the child of Norman Osborn and Lily Hollister AKA Menace. Spider-Man rescues the child with an army of villains following him with no where to hide as everything is caught on camera. Spider-Man runs off while fighting against the combined forces of his rogue gallery including the Freak, Vulture, Rhino, and Mysterio.

Meanwhile Tombstone retrieves the Shocker and follows Carlie Cooper. Spider-Man finally gets a break and hands off the baby to Harry Osborn. Harry informs him that the child has died and an enraged Spider-Man swings off to make the villains pay. However Spider-Man is unaware that the Chameleon was dressed as Harry Osborn.

Terrific surprise ending by Mark Waid as he wrestles with a multiple of Spider-Man villains. Great pacing with lots of action that does not feel decompressed as other Marvel Comics. Looking forward to this arc as Brand New Day comes to a close.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – 5 OUT OF 5

Action Comics #893 [2010]

ACTION COMICS #893

“KNEEL BEFORE GRODD”

Lex Luthor is searching for the black ring energies all over the world and now he travels towards Gorilla City home of Gorilla Grodd. Grodd kidnaps Lois Lane only to find out that she is an android. Lex sneaks his way into Grodd’s City to access the black ring energy. While attempting to escape on an helicopter, Lex is shot by Grodd and he falls to his death. He wakes and finds himself face-to-face with Sandman’s sister Death.

The back-up feature has the first appearance of Chloe Sullivan with a terrific story. Not too impressed with Paul Cornell’s direction with Action Comics as I was from the very beginning. He seems to structure the story to include more guest villains than concerning himself with the actual story to sell the book. The back-up was terrific as it focused on Jimmy Olsen with writer Nick Spencer with artwork by Ed Silva.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5

Witchblade #138 [2010] by Ron Marz

WITCHBLADE #138

Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic take the present day tale of various Artifact bearers and present them in a fairy tale form. It was a brilliant way to tell the history of the Top Cow Universe in a unique and fresh form. We got a subtle reintroduction of Kenneth Irons who may have hired Aphrodite IV to kidnap Hope. The book is presented in splash pages similar to Superman #75 featuring the Death of Superman. The final page brings us to the present as the story is told by Sara’s sister Julie who was killed within the pages of Artifacts. Terrific issue retelling the history of these characters.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Ultimate Spider-Man #14 [2010] by Brian Michael Bendis

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #14

As the Chamelons wreak havoc on Peter Parker’s life, J. Jonah Jameson is shot in the head as he became aware of the true identity of Spider-Man while Aunt May sends Iceman and the Human Torch to stop the duplicate Spider-Man and bring Peter safely home. Both Iceman and the Human Torch capture both the Chameleons and imprison them at S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters inside the Triskelion. J. Jonah Jameson is taken to the ICU however while recovering he whispers one word: Parker.

Great finish to the Tainted Love arc combining humor, action, and dialogue that only Brian Michael Bendis can deliver at his best. David Lafuente brings the classic cartoonish animated feel to the Ultimate Spider-Man book. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Thor #615 [2010] by Matt Fraction

THOR #615

A quantum cosmologist explains that if Asgard is on Midgard then something replaced it. We are given a brief glimpse of Alfheim one of the nine worlds before it is attacked by unknown forces of Ano-Atox. 

NINE WORLDS

In Heaven

Muspellsheim – Home of the Fire Demons (Surtur)

Alfheim – Home of the Ice Elves

Asgard –Capital City of the Norse Gods

On Earth 

Vanaheim – Home of Vanir

Midgard – Home of the Humans

Jotunheim – World of the Giants

The Underworld

Svartalfheim – Home of the Dark Elves

Hel – Realm of the Dead

Niflheim – Realm of Ice Elves

Matt Fraction becomes our GPS through Norse mythology. This is beginning of the saga explaining why Asgard is on Earth and what is wrong with the nine worlds. This cosmic balance will affect Earth as it is part of the nine worlds. Much like his Invincible Iron Man story arc Most Wanted, Fraction will surely lead us to Thor #625 and bring Thor back to his roots by uprooting the World Tree. Great start to his story arc as he uses his storytelling strengths to enhance the characters within Thor. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Fantastic Four #583 [2010] by Jonathan Hickman

FANTASTIC FOUR #583

The Fantastic Four deal with the Forgotten City of the High Evolutionary while Valeria Richards discovers a conduit that her father used to contact the a pan-dimensional group called the Council who are made up of parallel versions of Reed Richards. She uses the conduit to find the Council however they are under attack by both the Doombots and the Celestials. Valeria returns with the surviving members of the Council who later disappear to various corners of the Earth. Later she makes a deal with Doctor Doom to restore his lost intelligence after the events of World War Hulks in exchange for him helping her father Reed Richards. Meanwhile Silver Surfer travels beneath the Earth and finds the corpse of Galactus.

Jonathan Hickman writes a story that will tie his previous arcs together to conclude with the last stand of one of the First Family. Steve Epting provides the quality work seen from Captain America. Enjoying how the writers are keeping the characters consistent within the Marvel Universe as the consequences faced by Doctor Doom within World War Hulks lead into Fantastic Four’s Three.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Avengers #5 [2010] by Brian Michael Bendis & John Romita Jr.

AVENGERS #5

The Next Avengers star in the unofficial sequel to their Next Avengers Heroes of Tomorrow DVD as half of the Avengers are brought into the future. Meanwhile the other half deal with multiple time rifts opening in the present and their consequences. The future Tony Stark explains to the present Tony Stark exactly what to do which leads them to a time loop a la Groundhog Day facing Apocalypse and his horsemen. This time when they go back to the future and they come face-to-face with Ultron at his prime.

Brian Michael Bendis unfold an Avengers time travel story that begins slowly however comes together as the final issue approaches. Bendis gives us clues into what awaits us in the Marvel Universe by copying Geoff Johns pages of Booster Gold.

FUTURE MARVEL EVENTS

- Three (Fantastic Four)

- Man Without Fear (Shadowland)

- Five Lights (Uncanny X-Men)

- Iron Lad Returns (Avengers The Children’s Crusade)

- All Hope Lies in Doom (Fantastic Four)

- Traitor Within (Avengers Academy)

- Galactus Seed (Fantastic Four)

- Schizm! (Unknown Marvel Title)

- Yesterday’s X-Men (Uncanny X-Men)

- Steve Rogers vision (Captain America)

- Ultron War (Avengers)

John Romita Jr. does really pours on the action as he draws the present and future Avengers. Great time travel story wrapping up next issue and bringing consequences the Avengers will face in the future. The Red Hulk will join the team starting in Avengers #7 which will begin the story of the Hood Parker Robbins hunt for the infinity gems that bring also bring the Illuminati together and reveal their existence.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Avengers Academy #4 [2010]

AVENGERS ACADEMY #4

Scared Straight concludes as the Avengers cadets pay a visit to the Raft home of the Thunderbolts. Hazmat causes an electromagnetic pulse causing havoc as she, Veil, and Mettle pay a visit to Norman Osborn. The confrontation ends with Osborn revealing he can cure them when he gets out. We briefly witness the origin of Mettle.

This is a fun series with great art by Mike McKone and writing by Christos Gage as the duo bring personalities toward a new set of Marvel characters. These characters have intentions that are thoroughly thought out and displayed throughout the series. Looking forward to this title every month more than the main Avengers book.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Superman/Batman #76 [2010]

SUPERMAN/BATMAN #76

Following the events of Final Crisis, Superman brings the body of Bruce Wayne to Doctor Mid-Nite of the Justice Society of America and brings his cape and cowl to Richard Grayson within the Batcave. A private funeral is held by the core member of the Justice League without uniforms and Clark attends without his signature glasses. The confrontation between Superman and Grayson brought an intense moment as Superman loses his cool after the loss of both his adopted father Jonathan Kent and his friend Bruce Wayne. 

Judd Winick does an incredible job telling the transition story between the Bruce Wayne Batman and the Richard Grayson Batman including how the change affected Superman. Winick portrays Richard Grayson as the voice of reason when he was confronted by Superman within this terrific stand-alone issue.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Green Lantern Corps #52 [2010]

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #52

Permanent changes are made to the Alpha-Lanterns as Tony Berdard brings Revolt of the Alpha-Lanterns to a close. The Cyborg-Superman faces an army of a billion Grendans while attempting to regain his humanity. The face-to-face confrontation between Alpha-Lantern Boodikka and Hank Henshaw was truly a surprise as it heightened the sense of drama and unpredictable nature of this story. Writer Tony Bedard is truly a worthy successor to the Green Lantern Corps. Artist Ardian Syaf captures the emotions of Hank Henshaw perfectly as he faces Boodikka without his alter-ego the Cyborg-Superman. Going to miss his work as he moves over to Birds of Prey while artist Tyler Kirkham and inker Batt come on board to tell the tale of the vendetta between the Weaponer of Qward and Sinestro.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

The Flash #5 [2010]

THE FLASH #5

The Reverse Flash Task Force of the 25th century called the Renegades wants to arrest Barry Allen for the murder of Mirror Monarch. The Renegades take the Flash into the 25th century for his trail while the identity of the real killer is revealed.

Really wanted to enjoy this issue however it is way too choppy to understand. Very disappointing issue as it does not progress the story forward and only serves as a setup for the final issue. We got a distraction from the Brightest Day as we are reminded that Captain Boomerang needs to throw the boomerang at Dove. A delayed issue that may have forced Geoff Johns to cut corners as his duties at DC Comics Entertainment increased.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 4 OUT OF 5

Millar & McNiven's Nemesis #3 [2010]

MILLAR & McNIVEN’S NEMESIS #3

Nemesis allowed himself to become captured to draw out Blake Morrow’s children. He emotionally rapes the parents by doing something inconceivable to them. Mark Mark Millar is providing an emotional roller coaster ride for Blake Morrow before he faces off against Nemesis.

This was a very predictable and straightforward issue except for the surprise moment with the children. Steve McNiven’s art becomes the centerpiece material that holds the story together as it is beautifully illustrated to bring out the colors and characters. Looking forward to this character’s adaptation to film by director Tony Scott. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Incredible Hulks #613 [2010] by Greg Pak

INCREDIBLE HULKS #613

On the Planet K’al (Jarella’s homeworld) Hiro-Kala, son of Hulk feeds on the three billion year old Worldmind’s energies and it retaliates by attacking with the WarMind Protectors, ancient warrior spirits from K’ai’s bloodiest era. Hiro-Kala tricks the Worldmind by enslaving the world, destroying the old power, and bringing the Planet K’al into Earth’s solar system.

On Earth Bruce Banner has some relationship issues with Betty Ross and works it out through their alter egos Hulk and Red She-Hulk. The quarrel ends with the arrival of Super-Solider Steve Rogers and Amadeus Cho informing Bruce of the arrival of Planet K’al. Bruce refuses to help them and Skaar reveals to him that he has another son - another monster.

Much better sequences than the first part of Dark Son where it seemed that the cup was half empty rather than half full. Would have been better storytelling if the last issue started off with a full introduction of Hiro-Kala and ending with Planet K’al heading towards the solar system. While this issue focused on Hulk and his family and ending with the reveal that his other son is coming. Instead we get four separate parts that lowers the tension of the story to keep continuity in check. The story itself is very intriguing and after looking over the false start this feels like a worthy addition to the Hulk mythos.

RECOMMENDED - 4 OUT OF 5

Marvel Universe Vs. The Punisher #4 [2010]

Marvel Universe Vs. The Punisher #4

In the post-apocalyptic Marvel Universe, the Punisher must save the world from a world he killed to regain salvation. The Punisher deals with “Patient Zero” Spider-Man for peace if the Punisher can save the pregnant Mary Jane from the clutches of the Kingpin. He teams up with the Spider-Man tribe to retrieve Mary Jane however walks into a trap.

Jonathan Maberry brings the story to a close however leaves room for a sequel. Maberry brings the action and mayhem of the Punisher by understanding what really makes him tick and bring closure to him. This book is definitely worth the price of admission however I kept craving more especially with artwork by Goran Parlov. The creativity poured into these issues really deserved to be showcased as one of the Best Limited Series for 2010.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Amazing Spider-Man #643 [2010] by Mark Waid

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #643

Doctor Octopus assembles a variety of villains to retrieve the child of Norman Osborn and Lily Hollister AKA Menace. Spider-Man rescues the baby and runs off with the villains following as well as the rest of New York watching through various media outlets.

Mark Waid writes a compelling story with a vast array of characters and juggling Peter Parker’s personal life. All the supporting cast are included with more characters on the way as we continue Origin of the Species. Terrific issue that enhances the pace of the story.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5