First off, did anyone read Wizard's awards? I gotta hand it to them, handing out best single issue to All Star Superman #1, that's either gutsy or just the hype machine rolling. Still, it is an issue that gets better every time your read it. I officially take back my negative review of it just a few weeks ago. Moorison, you rock.
In a week where Ronin was revealed, Wonder Woman takes to fight against Omacs, Namor shows he a powerful adversary and a depowered mutant already gets their power back in
X-men, my pick of the week is . . .
Batman #647.
But first, at Miamiloco's request, my shortest review ever, and purely just a personal opinion of the issue and not an attack on the writer:
Black Panther #10
The Ugly: If a white man would have written this issue, he would have been fired by now for using ugly sterotypes. We get Puff Daddy-wannabe rapper pretty much spouting racists remarks, hitting girls and using guns at a club. Sorry, not for me, and totally over shadows a so-so story being written anyway.
Ultimate Fantastic Four #25
The Good: Man, there is so much to love in this issue. Lets start with Greg Land's art, who does another fantastic job art wise. You could stare at some of his panels for days. Some of his characters aren't as good as others, but his Namor is powerful and his Sue Storm sexy.
But, there is story here too, and Millar is in the middle of another good arc after Crosover. Ultimate Namor has arrived, and he doesn't disapoint. He is just as powerful, and arrogant, as you would expect. He also wastes no time trying to hook up with Sue, whisking her away to Times Square at first chance. But, don't expect this to be a simple re-hash of his original orgins. The big reveal at the end shows there is more to him than you might have expected, and that only spells trouble for the FF.
The Bad: Greg Land is great, but his Johnny Storm is too much a pretty boy.
The Ugly: Hmm, I think Reed Richards is working on a project that just may come in handy for the next issue. What a coincidence!
New Avengers #13
The Good: David Finch. Plain and simple. I become a bigger and bigger fan of his with every issue, and now think his Silver Samurai is the best I've ever seen. I read this series simply to see his work.
But, don't worry, Bendis (formerly referred to in these pages affectionately as BendiZZZZ) writes a great story. Actually, the best arc of the New Avengers so far, and one of the better reads on the market. And to think I thought about dropping this title during the Sentry Arc. Intrigue, drama, mystery, betrayl, secrets, and witty dialouge. Pick this up!
The Bad: Sentry wasn't in this, so I shudder to think how bad this will be when he does pop up.
The Ugly: Oh yeah, Marvel, next time you want to keep a secret identity a secret, don't mass publish it in a book a month before the title hits shelves. The Echo as Ronin "mystery" wasn't that great to begin with, but I hate having things revealed that far in advance.
Generation M #1
The Good Maybe the DeciMation thing might be good yet. Let me tell you this, this series starts like nothing you were expecting. Did you imagine Chamber and Jubilee would meet after M Day and try to figure out what happened to them? Well, that isn't the plot at all. Its starts off slowly, with a drunk reporter wanting to write a "Mutant Diary" in the paper, a chance for depowered mutants to tell their story. And a sad tale it is, as many died when they lost their powers. Water mutants drowned, fire mutants burned to death, flying mutants fell to their death. But, anti-mutant hysteria is not dead, and neither is the Mutant Regitration Act. While the reporter's "Mutant Diary," focusing on a comatose, and mutilated, Chamber, proves to be a hit, she learns soon not everone wants to hear the mutant side of the story. And some are taking this to deadly levels.
I do not know how big a part Chamber, Jubilee, and the Blob will play in this mini, but I do know Jenkins has written an intriguing plot that demands I read the next issue. If you are into DeciMation, pick this up!
The Bad: The art by Ramon Bachs will not blow you away.
The Ugly: Nothing, the only thing ugly here is a panel of Chamber when his powers go off. Ouch!
Batman #647
The Good: Poor Judd Winick! How could he have imagined Brubacker would be bringing back Bucky in the infinately superior Captain America at the same time he brought Jason Todd back to the pages of Batman. Really bad timing!
But, at least it is still a good, and sometimes great, read. As you may know, Jason Todd is alive and well (seemingly) and making a criminal empire of his own as the new Red Hood, killing all in his path. Unfortanatley, that path is blocked by Blask Mask, who currently is king of Gotham's underworld. Black Mask joins the Luthor's Society of villains at the request of Deathstroke, who promises to send some of his underlings (Captain Nazi, Hyena, and a secret third member) to kill the Red Hood.
Will Jason survive? Will Batman come to his former side-kicks aid? Read and find out.
While the comparisons to Cap will be valid, I will mention this has one things going for it that does make it stand out, and that's humor. Yes, Black Mask is one of he more entertaining bat-villains to read, and is even more entertaining when he is angry. While Batman is taking this as bad as you might expect, the little touches of humor make this title a fun read.
And the last panel!!!! Jason, you are soooooo gonna get whooped!
The Bad: Nothing, I enjoyed this title immensely this month.
The Ugly: Please explain sooner or later how Jason walks among the living again!
Well, that's it. Thanks for reading, and let me know what you thought about any of the books I reviewed.
