100 Bullets #82 (vertigo/dc) *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*
Whenever Echo Memoria shows up you know it's all bad. Continuing from the previous issue, this one has more great flashbacks of young Mr. Shepherd, while the other thread is centered on Echo and that mysteriously important painting, both of whom/which we first met in the Counterfifth Detective. It's just amazing how far ahead this story seems to be planned. Have I ever mentioned that this is my favorite comic?
(Azzarello/ Risso)
Batman #664 (dc)
I really don't remember Knightfall too fondly, and this was way too familiar. Watch Morrison flip it on me next issue and blow my mind, though. I hope.
(Morrison/ A. Kubert)
Daredevil #95 (marvel)
(Brubaker/ Lark)
the Dark Tower: the Gunslinger Born #3 (marvel) *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*
I am glad to report that this issue did not disappoint, which is a distinct danger after being so blown away by the previous one. Roland meets his love interest, and also makes a mortal enemy! Also, we're introduced to John Farson, the tyrannical villain we've heard so much about. All in all the plot thickens.
(David adapting King/ Jae Lee & Isanove)
Detective Comics #831 (dc)
Dini turns in another great single-issue story, it was fun to read and memorable.
(Dini/ Kramer)
DMZ #17 (vertigo/ dc)
This really felt like the last issue. I don't mean the previous issue, but the series conclusion. I don't specifically remember seeing new issues solicited; I'll have to look into it tomorrow. If it is indeed over, It was a good run and I have to admit it's kind of a relief in terms of having one less title per month. (Wood/ Burchielli)
Fables #59 (vertigo/ dc) *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*
This issue took a break from the ongoing saga and consisted of all one or two page stories by different artists which each addressed questions that readers have actually asked. I laughed out loud at least seven times while reading this. Even though it was kind of a filler issue I enjoyed it immensely.
(Willingham/ various artists)
Fallen Son: the Death of Captain America #1 (marvel)
This is the first of five Fallen Son one-shots, this one starring Wolverine. It's titled "Denial", so it seems obvious that each issue will be titled after one of the stages of greiving.
Co-starring Daredevil, with quick appearances by Bucky, Dr. Strange, Hank Pym, and Iron Man.
I'm not particularly a Wolverine fan, and although I'm usually annoyed that he's supposed to be the badest motherfucker in the marvel u, he really talked and acted like it here throughout. I thought the whole thing was pretty bad-ass.
(Loeb/ Yu)
Green Lantern #18 (dc)
This issue begins a new story arc exploring the origin of the star sapphire... or star sapphires, that is, as they are apparently a race with a homeworld and everything. Art for this arc is a big departure, stylistically, from the series so far, but I didn't hate it. Of course it was thrilling, as this is one of the most action-packed monthly series out.
(Johns/ Acuna)
I'd say the best thing about this issue is that this comic now has a back-up, Tales of the Sinestro Corps! Last issue we saw Amon Sur's near-victory barely avoided when his brand-new power ring carried him away for Sinestro Corps training. We now catch up with him back at bad-guy headquarters where he learns about some of the most fearsome of his new corps-mates. We'll be meeting a new one every month from now on, I hope.
(Johns/ Gibbons)
the Immortal Iron Fist #4 (marvel) *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*
This is rapidly becoming one of my favorite superhero comics. It stars the Fist we all know, Danny Rand, but also delves into the long history of the long history of the Immortal Iron Fist and a few of the people who have born the title in the past. Flashbacks to Fists-past are done by different artists than the main story, intentionally jarring changes that give a very mythological or historical feel to them. Back in the present, Danny is up against a hostile takeover of his father's company by a coporation that is apparently controlled by Hydra!
This issue, he is joined by Orson Randall, the first westerner to become the Iron Fist, who is poised to become a mentor figure as he shows Danny just how little he knows about his potential capabilities and the legacy of Shou Lao the Undying. Shou Lao is an immortal dragon, if you don't know, and also the source of the power of the Iron Fist. We are also more fully introduced to Davos, an old-school Fist villain who is far more menacing than ever in his return here. His kung-fu is strong.
I am getting long-winded, here, so I will just say that this full of action and mystery, very well written and illustrated, and totally unique. I am super pleased.
(Brubaker & Fraction/ Aja & Foreman)
the Incredible Hulk #105 (marvel)
The big finale of Planet Hulk.
This issue served very well to set up World War Hulk and it has you rooting for him to righteously smash puny humans.
(Pak/ Pagulayan)
the Irredeemable Ant-Man #7 (marvel)
This issue has guest art by Cory Walker, reuniting the original creative team of Invincible.
I was pretty entertained throughout, but I couldn't help feeling disappointed by the end. Now that the first story arc is over I'm not sure if I'll stay interested, which sucks because I've been so excited about this title so far. Either way I certainly need another issue or two to decide.
(Kirkman/ Walker)
Madman Atomic Comics #1 (image) *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
This series makes a good starting point for new readers because they recapped his whole origin and adventures so far, but it didn't feel like a rehash for us already-fans, because it was all done in such a way that it was integral to setting up the insane premise for this new story--
I have to see where this is going, it is only the first issue, after all.
The art is Allred's finest to date on his main character. After all he's been honing his skills on the Atomics and X-Force/ X-Statix in the years since Madman has been on hiatus, and now Frank and the gang are looking slicker than ever! Before someone calls me on it, I do realize that some of the panels in this issue (especially of his origin) are taken directly from older issues going all the way back to his first mini. But now they have his super-polished inking and they're colored, so I maintain that it looks better now.
Besides every character from Madman, also appearing briefly in this issue are the Atomics, Big Guy, Hellboy, Savage Dragon, Superman, the Moth, Nexus, and finally Santa Clause. Plus it includes two pin-ups, including one by Eric Powell that almost made me drool on the comic.
(Michael Allred)
Midnighter #6 (wildstorm/dc)
This issue was entertaining on it's own as a complete story, but it confused the hell out of me in regards to the character.
Since the first five issues were a time-travel story arc, the cover to this new one led me to believe that Midnighter would be visiting Japan in the days of the samurai. Instead, this story centered on a totally different Midnighter and Apollo, two other guys who were indeed samurai. They were never given names, but it was obvious who they were supposed to be. So far they have never been those immortal identities that passes on to different people through the ages. In fact I'm fucking positive they were genetically engineered by Henry Bendix, the Weatherman as living weapons for Stormwatch Black.
Disregarding the fact that I don't know where the hell Ennis is going with this, it was a great read. I always love single-issue stories, and this one was full of bloody violence and man-love. Basically the essence of Midnighter.
(Ennis/ Fabry)
*HIGHLY RECOMMENDED trades*:
Absolute Batman: the Long Halloween (dc)
Certainly among the best modern batman stories, this is an oversized slipcased hardcover to celebrate it's tenth anniversary. It's a crime-noir style murder mystery, and we mostly see Batman playing the detective, although he spectacularly kicks ass when appropriate. Much of the story focuses on the Falcones, Gotham City's Corleones, but bats' outrageous rogues make appearances as well. I'm pretty sure this is not technically canon dc universe, since Loeb and Sale have basically created a new batman continuity in their collaborations. If you've never read it, I recommend you pick up the trade paperback which is still readily available. Don't spend the $75 unless you already love it.
(Loeb/ Sale *drool*.)
Cross Bronx trade paperback (image)
A very different murder mystery than Long Halloween, this one is dark, twisted, and packin magic, featuring a brutally avenging ghost. The star of this tale is a skeptical old cop who's lost his faith and his connection with his wife. He has to learn the hard way that a creepy old grandmother's curse is no bullshit.
(Oeming)
