Another solid good week of comics. While no Infinite Crisis or Deadly Genesis books came out, we did have the conclusion to one of a historical storyline.
My pick of the week is
Captain America #14. Simply a great conclusion to a great storyline. No thud of the week, which is a shocker since Uncanny X-men came out. On to the reviews:
Captain America #14
The Good: Well, the climatic confrontation between the Winter Soldier and Cap finally happens. While Bucky is out for the kill, Cap is definately out to save his former partner. Can Cap save Bucky? What will happen to the cosmic cube? And just who is the russian guy talking to? All this will be answered.
As we all know, The Winter Soldier storyline is probaby the best written solo story in a while. Only Wolverine's Enemy of the State comes close. While this is a very good and satisfying conclusion to the storyline, it also leads to . . .
The Bad: Ok, the story lacked the guts to do anything original or unexpected (except for the very last page, but even that wasn't too surprising). In a storyline where the VERY unexpected happened time and again, we end it like this? While I'm sure some others will be more than pleased with the ending, it simply seemed the expected thing to do. Unfortnatley Enemy of the State/Soldier of S.H.I.E.L.D. had a much better conclusion, with Wolverine finally winning a fight he had not much of a chance of winning. Don't get me wrong, it was good. But I expected something more than this was.
The Ugly: Other than for dashed expectations, nothing ugly here. I still think Brubaker has a lot of good Cap stories to tell.
Legion of Super Heroes #14
The Good: Its amazing to think this title has been out just as long as Cap. I can best describe this as a throwback series, if you will. In an era of six issue story arcs, Legion of Super Heroes instead focuses mainly on self-contained issues, with a small back up story. Even the letters column is a comical story into itself, as two Legionaires talk and read a handful of letters. In an age where most comics can't stand on their own but must be seen as part of an arc, its is refreshing to have a title where you can at least enjoy the issue you have.
But, is it good? I would say yes. I nice, consistent series has been written so far, and you definately need to start with issue one. But I think Waid does a good job using the many, many members of the team along with developing the pretty extensive plot he had written. This issue is an "aftermath" issue, where the characters try to regroup after the last issues big battle. A new character appears, some characters try to sort out past problems, and a new plot line develops. Is Legion of Super Heroes a consistantly good read?
The Bad: But, is it one of the best reads on the market? I don't think so. Yes not every title is a While I can recommend the series, I do feel you do need to start from the beginning if you haven't done so already. That in itself may make some not want to start now. However, with a certain Kryptonian joining the series very soon, that may be a better jumping on point.
The Ugly: I still can't tell most of these guys apart. ANd Waid's dialogue tries to be too hip for its own good sometimes.
Uncanny X-men #469
The Good: Just when it seemed a lost cause that Claremont could write a decent story, he actually manages to do so with this one. In many ways, this story is an issue where both the X-men and Claremont have to deal with the new mutant world Marvel has forced on them. Sentinals, the very symbol of mutant oppression, are now their guardians. Their school is nothing more than a refugee camp. And now they are viewed more as threats to national security than heroes.
This is the issue I have been waiting for, an actual issue of the x-men dealing with the new Marvel world. Even Storm pops us to finally give us what's going on with her, other than planning her wedding I guess. While I'm still upset Claremont sidetracked post-HOM continuity with the boring Shi-Air/Marvel Girl storyline, at least this issue was good and relevant.
The Bad: Wish Bachalo's art was used here, instead of being wasted with the last three issues.
The Ugly: Actual quote from editors on the letters column: "we always knew scantily clad girls + aliens + actions = a good comic." Great, good to know good plot, dialogue, character development, and story are not necessary at all.
Detective Comics #816
The Good: The finale of the two part Zsasz storyline, where Batman must fight both the Gotham police and the Zsasz before he kills Alfred. Nothing severly noteworthy, just a good fun story (with an awesome scene where Batman backlips into the batmobile) with some good art. And after the aweful "the body" 12 part storyline, this will do.
The Bad: Nothing too important either. Definately a filler two issues until DC can reboot the series somehow.
The Ugly: Waiting for someone to finally make this title good again.
Thanks for reading. TPB to follow
Trade Review
