The Incredible Hulks #619

As much as I've been enjoying The Incredible Hulks, I can't shake the feeling that the Chaos War crossover is a poor fit.

That's probably because the Hulks seem to be firmly rooted in the mainstream of the Marvel Universe (which is mostly science fiction in nature), while the Chaos War is more mythological and magic-based. Or maybe it's just me.

The crossover has provided some powerful opponents for the Hulk family - in this case, it's the return of the Zom-possessed Dr. Strange, and the Chaos-controlled Abomination.

The bad guys are searching for Rick Jones' wife Marlo (who makes a welcome return in this issue) because of her brief former link to the personification of Death.

As a result of the Chaos War, the dead are rising again and confronting (or aiding) the living. It all feels just a little too freshly-borrowed from the Blackest Night, though in fairness, that series certainly wasn't the first to bring back dead characters.

At any rate, there's a lot of fighting, yelling and smashing going on here, but it all feels like a sidebar to the main series - interesting, but just marking time.

The script by Greg Pak is excellent as always and the art by Paul Pelletier and Danny Miki is outstanding - but frankly, I'm looking forward to the wrap-up to these events over in the excellent Chaos War mini-series.

Then the Hulks can get back to working out their own problems.

Grade: B+

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Morning Glories #5

This issue of Morning Glories wraps up the first storyline in this dark but fascinating series.

So far we've been introduced to the main characters - six teenagers who are enrolled in a mysterious school. They're cut off from their families and the outside world, and subjected to a number of strange and deadly tests.

The purpose of all this continues to be a mystery, but it's an intriguing one. But don't think this is a "Harry Potter" type series, aimed at young children - it's grim, horrific and sometimes gruesome.

There are mysterious forces at work here, and it remains to be seen whether or not the trials these teens face are for their own good - or just part of some sadistic plot.

Whatever the case, the mystery is compelling, the characters are interesting, and I'm anxious to see where it goes from here. Kudos to the creative team - writer Nick Spenser and artist Joe Eisma - for crafting the year's most surprising book. (Also, the covers by Rodin Esquejo are outstanding.)

Like the TV show Lost, we'll have to wait and see if they can "stick the landing." But so far, so good.

Grade: A-

DC Universe Legacies #8 (of 10)

The holiday rolls on, so here's another short review.

The DC Universe Legacies series has been recounting the history of DC, as seen through the eyes of a retired police officer.

As much as I've enjoyed the series, I have to admit that the closer the timeline moves to the present, the less interesting I find it.

This issue focuses on the return of Superman after his death (and I must admit I still don't quite understand how he returned from the dead, even after reading this issue and the originals), Batman's return from a horrible injury and Green Lantern's turn to evil.

The comic is expertly done, with Len Wein writing and Dan Jurgens and Jerry Ordway providing excellent art - but I didn't care for these stories when they first appeared, and I'm still not crazy about them.

It was a time in comics when tearing down the hero was the thing to do. I especially hated what they did to Hal Jordan - one of my all-time favorite heroes - and I actually stopped reading Green Lantern until he returned to the role.

The back-up feature here is very interesting. It's a retelling of the first appearance of the New Gods, written by Wein and drawn by Frank Quitely, who does outstanding work as always.

This issue doesn't work as well for me, but your mileage may vary. Still, it's well worth picking up - history can't always be to our liking, I suppose.

Grade: B

Fantastic Four #586

Merry Christmas, all! Hope you're having a great holiday!

(Let's make this review a quick one so I can get back to the A Christmas Story marathon!)

Writer Jonathan Hickman has been waving several big stories over his run on the Fantastic Four, and those threads reach their breaking point with this issue.

Mr. Fantastic is dealing with Galactus (though someone should tell cover artist Alan Davis that Reed no longer wears the short-sleeved uniform). The Invisible Woman is caught between two warring undersea nations. The Thing and the Human Torch are facing an overwhelming alien invasion.

And next issue, one of the four will die. (I'm still guessing the one killed will be the Human Torch, but that's just a wild guess.)

The art by Steve Epting is excellent, loaded with lots of big events and intense moments.

As I've said before: you really should be buying this series. It's big, bold and daring - and it keeps moving in unexpected directions, pushing the boundaries of the super-hero saga. What's not to like?

Grade: A

Batman, Inc. #2

The new series titled Batman, Inc. features Bruce (Batman) Wayne going around the world to recruit an international team of Batmen.

I'm impressed with how Grant Morrison manages to include elements from the Silver Age adventures of this hero, but keeps it fresh, edgy and modern.

The story is set in Japan. The villain of the piece, Lord Death Man, actually has roots in a mostly forgotten long-ago adventure, but here he is reinvented as a horrific killing machine, and several innocent victims (and at least one hero) suffer as a result of his attacks.

Batman is aided in this adventure by Catwoman, who has an agenda of her own, and the mysterious Japanese hero, Mr. Unknown. It's an entertaining romp (though sometimes a grim one), with lots of twists and unexpected events.

The art is by Yanick Paquette and Michael Lacombe, and it's very good, with lots of dramatic action scenes, great characters and loads of detail.

So far, this series has been a lot of fun, and I'm anxious to see if the result is really the "Batmen of All Nations" approach.

The Silver Age rides again! (And I'm all for it!)

Grade: A-

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Secret Avengers #8

We're at the halfway point in this story that brings back Shang-Chi and his father Fu Manchu (he whose name cannot be spoken in the actual comic for legal reasons), and the plans of the bad guys are starting to become clear (although we're still not sure why anyone would want to bring Fu Manchu back to life).

The action centers around two big battles - one a violent attack on the ground in Hong Kong, and the other a battle high in the sky.

Writer Ed Brubaker continues to weave an interesting mystery here, and he introduces a little-known hero from World War II who makes a formidable opponent for Steve Rogers - and a potent ally for the "other" Nick Fury.

I'd pick up this comic just to see Shang-Chi in action again, but it's also a darned good adventure, with the good guys finding themselves facing a serious challenge.

There's not much more to say about Mike Deodato's fantastic art that I haven't raved about before - but he continues to turn in Hall of Fame work here.

I'm really enjoying this book, and the storyline is much more in line with what I would expect from a "Secret" team - covert operations, working behind the scenes to protect the world, lots of hoo-hah action - you get all that and more in this series.

Good stuff!

Grade: A-

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'Twas the Last Comics Day Before Christmas...

Big day! I got:

- Secret Avengers #8 - Taking on Fu Manchu (sorta).

- Batman, Inc. #2 - Traveling the world, making friends.

- DC Universe Legacies #8 (of 10) - It's a new wave.

- Fantastic Four #586 - One issue away from a death.

- Incredible Hulks #619 - More Chaos War stuff.

- Invincible Iron Man #33 - Race against the clock.

- Kull: The Hate Witch #2 - Back to Atlantis!

- Morning Glories #5 - The wrap-up to the first stoyline.

- Ultimate Doom #1 (of 4) - Can Reed really be the heavy here?

- Ultimate Spider-Man #151 - Enjoy Spider-Man on the cover, 'cause he doesn't appear inside the comic (although Peter Parker does).

- Warlord of Mars #3 - That poor girl on the cover is going to catch a cold.

- Wonder Woman #606 - Relaxing at home.

- Uncanny X-Men #531 - A new team of X-Men?

And that's it!

The Classics - Fantastic Four #52

This issue of The Fantastic Four was smack in the middle of the long run that Stan Lee and Jack Kirby enjoyed on this series.

And by this point, both creators were at the peak of their powers. They had just wrapped up a long series of connected stories that introduced the Inhumans, brought Galactus and the Silver Surfer to the Earth for the first time, and this issue marked the first appearance of the Black Panther.

Cover dated July 1966, the Panther seems to be the villain in this issue. He lures the Fantastic Four to Wakanda, his kingdom in Africa, where they find themselves in an amazing, futuristic setting.

The Panther appears and attacks the team, quickly separating them and defeating the
heroes one at a time. Each battle is a pure delight, as the Panther triggers special traps and uses his own skills to overcome Marvel's "First Family."

If there's a weakness in this comic, I can't find it. The action is inventive, the story rockets along at top speed, there's plenty of humor (The Thing is one of the few heroes who can be funny even while he's losing a fight), the dialogue is terrific, the characters are memorable, and the ending is a real surprise.

This story is memorable for another reason - it's the first to feature a black super-hero. I don't remember feeling any kind of surprise about that - it makes sense that an African Prince would be black, after all. But it was a ground-breaking event - though of course Gabe Jones, as a member of Sgt. Fury's Howling Commandos, was also a black hero, just a non-powered one.

It's always a delight when a creative team really starts to click, and Lee and Kirby were on fire by this point in their careers. Lee's wordsmithing was never better, and Kirby was at the peak of his skills (ably assisted here by the great Joe Sinnott on inks - in my opinion, Joe is the all-time best Kirby inker).

Each issue seemed better than the last - just an amazing achievement in comics. As a 10-year-old, by this point the FF was my favorite comic book of them all - and it would hold the title for years.

Grade: A+

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Wynonna Earp: The Yeti Wars

This collection is like a breath of fresh air in the fetid swamp of modern-day comics.

Wynonna Earp, for those who came in late, is the descendant of a certain well-known western lawman - but in the modern world, she's not fighting against bad guys in black hats. She spends her time fighting against the supernatural forces that prowl the underworld.

She was dreamed up by "Real Man" Beau Smith, and her adventures tend to be raucous, violent and lots of fun. (In a year that has movies based on Cowboys and Aliens and The Green Hornet, how has this character not been scooped up for one of Hollywood's leading ladies?)

In this collection, the violence includes a pack of murderous, Hulk-sized Yeti (or as we called them when I was a kid, Abominable Snowmen).

The trade is a wild and wooly action romp from beginning to end - one part action film, one part comic adventure, a smidgen of professional wrestling and the sense of fun of a classic Jonny Quest cartoon - a heck of a fun combination!

The art on the main feature is by Enrique Villigran, a pro who's vastly underrated - he has a classic line, a great feel for action sequences, and he creates some gnarly monsters.

There's also a backup feature, Blood in the Harvest, drawn by Manuel Vidal, and his art is more stylized but moody and effective.

If you're looking for navel-gazing or deep thought, shop elsewhere - but if you're looking for a fun read and lots of action, this is the book to check out.

Grade: A-

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Mighty Samson #1

There aren't many comics that I missed when I was young - even if it was just an issue or two, I picked up just about every super-hero-related comic book printed in the '60s.

But somehow I never got an issue of Mighty Samson. It's all a dim memory now, but perhaps I thought the comic was based on the Biblical figure.

If that's what I thought, it turns out I was wrong. Instead, it's an adventure set in the future - 500 years "after the end of the world." Humanity has been reduced to a barbaric state, and monsters roam the wild lands.

We meet Sampson at his birth, where he demonstrates amazing strength, and then the clock jumps forward 19 years to his adventures as a powerful adult (though one with limited intelligence).

The first issue focuses on the backstory and setting the stage for future adventures, and we really don't know much about the title character yet, although he doesn't come off as particularly likeable or heroic - just powerful and impulsive.

The story is a relatively straightforward update of the title's first issue from 1964, which was written by Otto Binder and drawn by Frank Thorne - two great talents. (That first issue is reprinted here.)

The new version is written by Jim Shooter and J.C. Vaughn, with art by Patrick Oliffe. I like the art here, and Oliffe provides strong art and clear storytelling.

I'm sorry now that I missed the original series - it's a good, post-apocalyptic setting with characters that show a lot of promise. Hopefully this will do well and the original stories will get the reprint treatment they've afforded Magnus, Robot Fighter and Doctor Solar.

We can hope!

Grade: B+

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John Byrne's Next Men #1

As a big fan of just about every comic John Byrne has worked on, I'm glad to see the long-awaited return of the Next Men.

The group had starred in a 30-issue series back in the early '90s, and when it was canceled Byrne said it would be back... eventually.

So it took a while, but happily that day has arrived. But the long run of the original series and the long gap between means the first issue has to cover a lot of ground - and it does.

Byrne actually manages to condense the original 30 issues of the series into a single story, bringing us up to date and back to the cliffhanger that left the original series hanging.

For those who came in late, the Next Men are five young adults who live in a virtual reality world. When they awaken into the real world, their super powers manifest in a disturbing way.

Nathan (Scanner) has super-vision, but his eyes have mutated so he must wear special glasses to protect them. Jack (Brawn) is incredibly strong, but he is a danger to everyone around him, because he could easily crush them accidentally. Bethany (Hardbody) is invulnerable, but can't feel anything. Danny (Sprint) can run at amazing speeds, but his legs are huge. Only Jasmine (Bounce) seems normal with her amazing agility.

It's a real-world take on super-heroes, and while it can be grim at times, it's also loaded with great stories and characters.

Byrne's art on this series is outstanding. I've been a fan of his art since I first saw his work in an issue of Charlton's E-Man, and he just keeps getting better. His characters are lively, animated and each stands out from the other. His backgrounds and landscapes are incredibly detailed, and his skills as a storyteller are excellent - each panel and page flows into the next.

New readers may feel a bit of whiplash in reading this issue - there's a lot packed in there - but it's an outstanding series and I couldn't be happier that it's back.

Finally!

Grade: A-

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Uncanny X-Force #3

I picked up the first issue in this series, liked it fine, but didn't pick up the second issue - I think I was suffering from "mutant overload."

But I was talking with my friend Clint the other day and he asked if I was reading the Uncanny X-Force. When I said no, he told me he was really enjoying it - and that it had revived his lagging interest in comic books.

So I figured I'd give it another shot - and I have to admit, it is a well-crafted comic.

The story by Rick Remender has the "Black Ops" branch of the X-Men journeying to the moon, where the (literally) newly-reborn Apocalypse is being tutored in the ways of evil.

But he's just a child, so the question is: does he have any choice about his fate? And are the members of X-Force justified in killing a child who may become a monster?

Wherever Apocalypse goes, his four horsemen are never far behind, and their origins are revealed here as they take on - and take down - the X-Force team.

It's an exciting, often grim conflict as the two teams square off, and there are lots of surprising twists and turns along the way.

The art by Jerome Opena and color art by Dean White is very impressive. It's dark, lush, intense and perfectly suited to the story.

I'm glad I listened to Clint and gave this series another shot. It would be easy for the creative team to make this just another grim and gritty title - but instead they've made it much more.

Instead of a super-hero comic, they've crafted something that's a lot closer to a war comic. It's different, it's dark, and it's a darned good read.

Grade: A-

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Green Lantern #60

I've always been a fan of the team-ups between the Silver Age Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and The Flash (Barry Allen) - but this issue doesn't quite deliver that.

What we get instead is a version of the old Marvel schtick where the two heroes fight each other. (Should I admit that I love that bit? Always have.)

As always, there are extenuating circumstances. GL isn't really fighting The Flash - he's actually fighting the demon Parallax, who has possessed Barry's body.

That leads us into a fast-paced battle between the two, as Parallax tries to break Hal both physically and mentally.

It's all part of the ongoing battle between the Lanterns (so many colors!), and we finally get an answer about who the mysterious figure is who's capturing the entities - and we get some hints about what that individual has in mind.

Doug Mahnke continues to turn in some outstanding artwork, although this issue features four different inkers providing finishes, so that makes it a bit uneven - but still a cut above most art teams.

I'm glad to see some answers in this issue, and I hope this means we're moving toward a resolution to the whole multi-lantern storyline. It's been an interesting ride, but it definitely feels like it's been going on a bit too long - or that we at least need a bit of a break before moving on to the inevitable war.

Still, Green Lantern continues to be one of DC's best comics, bar none.

Grade: B+

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Avengers Academy #7

Ever so often a comic arrives and I think, "Isn't that nice - they made this one just for me!"

That's what I thought when I picked up this issue of Avengers Academy, which (as you can plainly see) features the return of Giant-Man!

Hank Pym is famous for having several different identities over the years, and my personal favorite is this one. He's been Ant-Man, Giant-Man, Goliath, Yellowjacket, Dr. Pym, Yellowjacket again, and most recently, The Wasp. (Did I miss any?)

Naming himself after his "deceased" ex-wife always seemed creepy, so I'm thrilled that he's finally going back to his roots.

I suspect part of the reason has to do with the new Avengers cartoon (which is actually quite good). Giant-Man is one of the key characters, and his characterization in the cartoon is perfect. He's incredibly capable, both as a scientist and as a super-hero, and obviously in love with the Wasp, who seems to be his exact opposite - flighty, impulsive, funny, emotional - they're the classic romantic comedy couple who seem to be mismatched but are actually perfect for each other.

(It's a shame Brian Bendis, the writer of the regular Avengers comic, is so committed to the idea that the two are a doomed couple who should never have been together. It damages the potential of the couple almost as much as the execrable story where Hank lost his mind and slapped the Wasp.)

This issue focuses on Giant-Man, and is a real delight as he tackles a powerful opponent who should be out of his league - but as we see in this story by Christos Gage, when he's written intelligently, there are few foes that this hero can't handle.

The art is also outstanding, as Mike McKone teams with inkers Dave Meikis and Scott Hanna to turn in some strong artwork. He has a great sense of scale and has a lot of fun with the action sequences.

This issue is almost perfect, although it hesitates and stumbles a bit at the end, as the creative team backs away from what would have been a bold move - but I suppose they have to save something for the future issues.

With an outstanding cast of characters (both classic heroes and the young ones in training) and a strong set-up, this comic just keeps getting better.

It's not the best Avengers comic out there, but it's close to the top - and that's high praise indeed.

Grade: A-


CORRECTION: Apparently the art for this issue was actually provided by Tom Raney, not Mike McKone (which shows what I know about art) - there was an error in the credits. Sorry for the mistake!

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Comic Book Day Again

Here's what I picked up today:

- Avengers Academy #7 - The return of Giant-Man. Finally!

- Brightest Day #16 - I refuse to call him "Blaquelad."

- Chaos War #4 (of 5) - The war of the gods heats up.

- Conan: The Road of Kings #1 - Roy Thomas back on Conan? Sounds like a good idea to me!

- Doctor Solar #4 - More fighting with gods!

- Green Lantern #60 - Teaming up with (or against) the Flash!

- Mighty Sampson #1 - It's Gold Key week!

- John Byrne's Next Men #1 - Well, it's about darn time!

- Uncanny X-Force #3 - Because my pal Clint told me I should be reading it.

- Wynonna Earp Yeti Wars - Gotta love any comic with monkeys in it! (Yeti are monkeys, right?)

And that's it!

The Classics - DC Showcase Doom Patrol #2

It's something of a cheat this week as I review the recently-published second volume reprinting 20 issues of the Doom Patrol from 1966-68.

It's a tough review, because I have a real love/hate feeling about these DC Showcase reprints (I feel the same way about the Marvel Essential reprints).

I love them because it's great to be able to pick up reprints of so many issues, many of them hard (or impossible or just really expensive) to find. They've reprinted comics I never thought I'd see again, including the Elongated Man, Wonder Woman's Silver Age adventures, Metamorpho, the Haunted Tank and the Doom Patrol.

I'm always glad to see these reprints and I eagerly buy them up. But sometimes I hate reading them.

There are a couple of reasons for that.

These stories weren't meant to be read one right after the other - each comic was published with the idea that there would be a month between each issue. Reading one right after the other leaves me feeling overloaded with that character - and the lack of a break between stories just magnifies any flaws in the story, where things don't quite match up from issue to issue.

And of course, sometimes the comics aren't as good as I remember. These issues of the Doom Patrol are a great example of good ideas gone bad.

How I loved the series when it first started! It was dark, dangerous and edgy, and the art was lush and well-rendered. That's all changed by the time we get to the issues printed here - and I have to admit, I don't think I read any of these when they were originally published. By this time I had given up on most of DC's books and was spending almost all my money on Marvel's comics.

It's easy to see why I left. About 20 issues into the run and this comic had completely changed in tone and style. I assume these changes came about by demand of the editors, because writer Arnold Drake was a darned good writer.

But these comics are not his best work. They're jokey, campy, loaded with bad attempts at modern slang, the attempts at adding soap opera elements is ham-handed, the action is plodding and the villains are just goofy - like Mr. 103, Mandred the Executioner and Videx, Monarch of Light.

They tried adding new heroes, but they were dull, too - Mento and Beast Boy (though the latter was eventually brought back, given a personality and renamed Changeling).

Artist Bruno Premiani provided the art for virtually the entire series (though most of the covers were by Bob Brown), and the quality was strong throughout, though not quite up to those first issues.

And those covers! I had heard long ago that one of the reasons Marvel was beating DC in sales at this time was because DC's covers always depicted the heroes losing. I didn't believe it until I read this collection - it's true, almost every single cover shows the Doom Patrol being beaten or overpowered - or running away in fear - from the villain. I'm not sure that's why the comic failed, but it probably didn't help!

It's no surprise that the series was canceled in 1968, although you have to give them credit for doing the unexpected with the final issue - they actually gave the series an ending.

The series started with so much promise and ended so badly - but it's still interesting to see the arc play out. And that's why I enjoy these Showcase books, even when the stories inside fail to impress.

I'm still glad to support the effort - otherwise we might never see these stories. Good or bad, they're part of comics history and they should be available for future generations to read and enjoy. (Or not enjoy.)

Grade: C+

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Thor #618

Finally, this issue addresses a problem this series has had for I don't know how many years.

Several years ago Thor's father Odin, the ruler of Asgard, was "killed" and exiled to some strange version of the afterlife, wherein he fought a never-ending battle with Surtur the Fire Demon (if I'm remembering correctly).

The idea was to put the throne in Thor's hands and spin some stories out of that situation. To be honest, I always thought it was a terrible idea, right up there with Spider-Man unmasking and teen Tony Stark.

Most ongoing comic books are all about the appearance of change without actually changing anything permanently. That's why Spidey unmasking was a bad idea (it cut that character off from his supporting cast and his civilian activities), teen Tony was a bad idea (do I even need to explain that one?) and "killing" Odin was a bad direction.

Odin is necessary to maintain Thor's home (Asgard), the status of his friends and fellow warriors, to provide impetus for missions, answers to questions, provide a judge to render punishments and perhaps an occasional tender family moment.

With Odin gone, Thor had all those things hanging around his neck, and writers had to go through contortions to relieve Thor of those responsibilities. The smart thing to do, of course, would be to return Odin to the throne - and perhaps that's what we're seeing unfold in the latest issue.

We also see Thor returning from his last mission - returning Loki to the land of the living - and now he and the Asgardians learn about an invasion that threatens the nine realms.

Up to now, Matt Fraction's story has been laying the foundation for the coming war. With this issue, the plot really starts bubbling.

The art, as always, is terrific. Pasqual Ferry creates some amazing vistas, strange and terrible creatures, and some great heroic shots of the title character.

This story's been a bit slow in developing, but if it ends up bringing Odin back (as I'm hoping), then it'll be well worth the wait.

It takes a while, but usually companies wise up eventually. They erased everyone's memory about Spider-Man's identity, and we haven't seen teen Tony in decades. Just one more to hit the trifecta...

Grade: A-

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The Flash #7

Any good hero needs a good villain, and that's presumably the reasoning behind turning over the latest issue of The Flash to the history - and possible future - of one of his enemies.

The focus here is on Captain Boomerang, the recently resurrected member of Flash's Rogue's Gallery. As a result of the events in Blackest Night / Brightest Day, not only is that character back among the living - he also has a new power. He can generate energy boomerangs that explode on contact, and he throws them with pinpoint accuracy.

It actually seems a bit early in the run of this title to be taking these side-trips, but the story by Geoff Johns is quite good and makes the character more than just a one-note opponent for The Flash.

The art is by the outstanding former Flash artist Scott Kolins, and his work just keeps getting better all the time.

As a result of some surprising moves by Boomerang, the groundwork is laid here for future issues - and we still have to see how his fate plays out in connection to the White Lantern.

So, a solid issue, though one with precious little actual Flash content - but any Flash fan (or fan of the old Suicide Squad) will enjoy it.

Grade: B+

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The Incredible Hulks #618

Fresh off one (almost) world-smashing adventure, the Hulk Family (I'll never get used to that idea) finds itself right in the middle of another apocalyptic event - the Chaos War.

For those who haven't been following that story, the god known as the Chaos King has destroyed the Dream Dimension, throwing every mortal in the world into eternal sleep. Then he destroyed the Underworld, which somehow has eliminated death, so everyone in the world isn't injured despite the world-wide destruction - they're just sleeping.

The Hulks are somehow unaffected by the sleeping curse, so they spend their efforts trying to stop the destruction, only to find themselves dealing with a mysterious ally - and facing a dead opponent who escaped from the Underworld (that's him on the cover).

The problem with all this magic-related stuff is that it defies logic - anything can and does happen. But the story has a couple of "grabber" moments, as the Abomination proves to be even more deadly than usual - and another unexpected opponent puts in a return.

With lots of shocks, this story ties in well to the ongoing Chaos War story. Writer Greg Pak does his usual outstanding job managing all the characters, and artist Paul Pelletier and Danny Miki turn in some outstanding artwork - dark, detailed and powerful.

The creative team has this series hitting on all cylinders, as the stories careen from one big adventure to the next - which is why it's one of the best books out there right now.

Grade: A-

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Thor The Mighty Avenger #7

I have to take some of the heat for Thor The Mighty Avenger being canceled.

When the first issue came out, I didn't buy it. (You can't buy everything.)

But then my friends started telling me how good it was. By the time the fourth issue came out, I decided to take the plunge and pick up all four issues (my comics shop still had copies on the shelf - good for me, bad for the title).

I was glad I caught onto the comic - it was (and is) an absolute delight. A fresh, fun look at the Marvel version of Thor, it washed away all the past continuity and recast the basic concept.

That's not easy to do - the Ultimate series is littered with the bodies of comics titles that creative teams decided to "improve." (They didn't.)

But writer Roger Langridge has been clever about what he kept and what he discarded. He kept the basics of the mythology, while jettisoning the concept of the alter ego, Dr. Don Blake. He kept the sweet romance between Thor and Jane, put Thor (and the reader) in the dark about why Thor has been sent to Earth, and shows the Thunder God being a down-to-Earth hero of the people, doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do.

It's funny, touching and just plain fun to watch Thor discover this new world and fall in love with Jane Foster.

The art is a perfect match for the series - Chris Samnee has a fresh, original style that evokes the feel of a Kirby and a Ditko without aping their styles - but it has that classic comics aura around it. This is an artist to watch.

Sadly, we'll have to watch him elsewhere, because the powers that be have decided next issue is the last for this series. Perhaps the sales will spike or the chorus of fans will make themselves heard, and we'll see more of this excellent version of Thor.

Here's hoping!

Grade: A

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Lady Mechanika #1

The interest in Steampunk continues to grow, and while Lady Mechanika may not be the first comic book to be based in that genre, it may end up being the most successful.

There are a few reasons for that: the title character is sexy, the setting is mysterious, and the art is terrific.

The book is written and drawn by Joe Benitez, and he's at the top of his game here with incredibly detailed art bringing the characters and mechanics to life.

The adventure is set in the city of Mechanika in England in 1879. It's a city designed and built by scientists as a showcase for advanced, steam-powered machines.

It's also home to more than a few mysteries, not the least of which is the woman known as Lady Mechnika, who seems to be equal parts machine and human. She is already a legend in the city, fighting against dangers both scientific and supernatural in origin.

This is actually the second issue in the series (don't get me started on the silliness of comic books that start with issue #0), but it spends most of its time setting up the story.

It starts with a bang, as a girl with strange, mechanical arms is being chased through the woods by a small army of mercenaries. She makes it to the city, where Lady Mechanika enters the story - and that's about it.

But it's a solid starts for the series, and it'll be interesting to see where it all goes from here, as we learn more about this strange alternate world.

It's too soon to render a final judgment on the series - but so far, so good.

Grade: A-

The New Avengers #7

While reading this issue it occurred to me - I'd really like to see writer Brian Bendis try his hand at a full-fledged comedy.

His work usually has quite a bit of humor in it, but this issue of The New Avengers is mostly comedy and it's very funny. It would be great to see him tackle a "pure" comedy. (Or perhaps he has already - does Fortune and Glory count?)

This comic is a "decompression" issue that cleans up the mess left behind by the last world-shaking story, it resolves some difficulties and it sets the stage for future issues.

We see friends offering a helping hand, facing mundane issues like how to pay the bills, some surprising past romantic involvements are revealed, the team tracks down its own "Jarvis" and the search begins to find a babysitter for Luke Cage and Jessica Jones' baby.

The art by Stuart Immonen and Wade Von Grawbadger is fantastic as always. It's a credit to Bendis that he knows when to get out of the way and let the expressive art tell the story - or sell the joke.

I'm not sure if this book works well because of the great characters involved, or if it's just the creative team hitting on all burners - but I'm really enjoying this series, and this comic - despite having no action scenes whatsoever - may be my favorite issue yet.

Grade: A

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A Cold Day for Comics

Braving the chilly weather, here's what I picked up today:

- The New Avengers #7 - Cleaning up a mess and finding a babysitter.

- Doc Savage #9 - This has been much improved.

- First Wave #5 (of 6) - Things are hopping here, too.

- The Flash #7 - Focus on the Rogues.

- The Incredible Hulks #618 - The Abomination returns - but isn't he dead?

- Lady Mechanika #1 - Steampunk and comics - a great combination!

- Thor #618 - Is Odin finally back?

- Thor The Mighty Avenger #7 - Still can't believe they're canceling this book.

- T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #2 - Hanging on here.

- Alter Ego #98 - I do like the added color.

And that's it!

The Classics - Marvel Universe #1

If I recall correctly (as always, there are no guarantees that what Chuck remembers is historically accurate), this issue of Marvel Universe was the first of its kind - an encyclopedia capturing the heroes, villains and locations that were part of Marvel's mythology.

Cover dated January 1983, I remember the delight of picking up this issue and studying every entry. The writing is nothing to get worked up about - it's all very academic, after all - but the art was exceptional.

Each issue of this first series featured a wrap-around cover by Ed Hannigan, each one depicting the individual characters listed inside, and each one spilling over onto the next issue's cover.

(My computer's acting up so I'm not able to stitch the front and back covers together - and my scanner's not big enough to manage it, either - but I'll add the back cover so you can imagine the full effect.)

The interior art was a real mix, with some top artists (usually) handling the characters in the series they were working on at the time - so you get John Byrne drawing the Avengers and Alpha Flight in this issue.

But you'd also find some unusual artists at work - for example, writer and editor Mark Guenwald demonstrated his art skills by drawing three different characters.

This series would be terribly dull to anyone who didn't care about the history, people and places that make up the Marvel Universe - but for fans, this 12-issue "Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe" was a dream come true!

I should have studied some of my college textbooks with the same devotion that I poured into this series!

Grade: A

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Irredeemable #20

Perhaps the greatest strength of Irredeemable is that you never know what's going to happen next.

Up until last issue, the world lived in fear of its former protector, the Plutonian. Since the first issue of this series, that incredibly powerful character was an object of terror to humanity - destroying cities and individuals on a whim.

Even the planet's other super-heroes couldn't stand against him - and several lost their lives in the effort.

Just when all hope of stopping him seems lost, a new element enters the story, as an alien race appears and attacks the Plutonian.

The aliens had fought against the heroes of the world years before, and were turned away by a dark secret. Now, their technology seems to offer the first real chance of defeating the Plutonian.

Of course, there's a lot more to writer Mark Waid's story, and it takes some unexpected twists along the way.

The art this time around is split between Peter Krause and Diego Barreto, and their styles are close enough that the difference between them isn't too jarring. As always, the art is strong and effective - although there are a few odd sequences in there (but there's a reason for it).

Common (comic book) wisdom holds that you can't have a successful comic that stars a villain - but Waid gets around that by making this comic as much about the supporting cast as the former hero whose actions are "Irredeemable."

Almost two years in and it's still a compelling read - and I still have no idea what's going to happen next. Isn't it great?

Grade: A-

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Ozma of Oz #2 (of 8)

It seems strange to realize that it's more difficult to write upbeat, positive reviews.

It's easy (and, to be honest) more fun to slam bad comics - they're just begging to be brought down a peg. But when it comes to the great stuff, one quickly runs out of superlatives.

And that's just where I am with the series of Oz books being crafted by writer Eric Shanower and artist Skottie Young.

The latest issue is the second chapter in the adaptation of Frank Baum's Ozma of Oz book, and it's a real delight.

The writing shows the love Shanower obviously has for these characters, and the art spills over with enthusiasm and energy.

Herein we have Dorothy Gale once again transported to the magical land of Oz, accompanied by a talking chicken named Billina. They immediately encounter the terrible Wheelers (you can see them on the cover), and they make an amazing discovery.

To tell more would be to spoil the surprises that each reader should discover on his or her own. Suffice to say that this is a terrific series that's true to the original stories while providing a delightful new look at the classic tale.

What else can I say? Oh yes: highly recommended!

Grade: A

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Adventure Comics #521

Considering what a big fan I am of writer Paul Levitz's work on the Legion of Super-Heroes in decades past, I'm surprised to find that his modern-day work just seems... ok.

Maybe he's stretching himself too thin, since he's writing both Adventure Comics and the Legion's regular title.

Up until now, the stories in Adventure were focused on the early years of the team, and did a good job bringing new readers up to date. With this issue, we're back to the "present-day" Legion (if that term applies to a team from the future.

Most of the story is devoted to the search for a new Green Lantern. Instead of the creature Dyogene just going up to the new candidate and presenting the ring, the mystery of "which Legionnaire will wear the ring?" plays out for most of the issue.

It all seems anti-climatic, so the whole story kinda falls flat.

The art by Geraldo Borges and Marlo Alquiza is good - solid superhero stuff.

I'm actually more of a fan of the back-up story that stars The Atom, as that hero unravels a mystery from his past and tries to keep his technology out of the hands of the bad guys. It's a bit slim, but as written by Jeff Lemire and drawn by Mahmud Asrar and John Dell, it's very entertaining.

The story ends on a cliffhanger, and this is the last issue of Adventure for the backup feature, but the story will conclude in the Atom Special #2.

I'll be looking for that comic - but I think I'm done with Adventure Comics - at least for now.

Grade: B-

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Heroes for Hire #1

Here's a title that stretches all the way back to the first appearance of Luke Cage - his original comic was subtitled Hero for Hire.

In later years it was used by various groups, but the idea never really took off. And to be honest, I'm not sure if this will be any different. But it's an interesting take on the idea.

Here we have Misty Knight working behind the scenes to coordinate an odd mix of heroes in a battle against the bad guys.

The idea is that she helps those heroes or offers them some valuable information in return for their assistance. And the lineup for this issue is pretty impressive, although the cover is deceptive - not all those characters are involved (and some of them aren't particularly heroic, for that matter).

The series is ably written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning - though I have to admit, the series felt like any other run-of-the-mill comic until the last page, when they apply an unexpected twist.

The art is by Brad Walker and Andrew Hennessy, and it's good throughout - dark and fluid, with some good action sequences.

The problem would seem to be the lack of consistency. The opening story uses a bunch of heroes, each tackling a different part of the "crime of the issue," so the characterization is mighty thin - it's just a series of guest stars.

But the twist at the end is clever enough that I'll probably give it another issue or two to see where it goes. There's promise, but I'm not sure it there's enough to sustain the series. Time will tell.

Grade: B

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Wolverine: The Best There Is #1

Here's the good: a great cover by Bryan Hitch.

And... that's about it.

I have no idea how this comic came about, but here's my guess. Some guys at Marvel played the X-Men Origins: Wolverine video game, which was surprisingly good, although it was very gory.

Of course, the gore shouldn't be a surprise, since the main character has those big, sharp, unbreakable claws - what else are they good for? Still, the comics tend to sanitize these things a bit.

So someone decided, "Let's do a Wolverine comic that's like this game - brutal, graphic violence, blood and guts." So they did.

Writer Charlie Huston provides lots of graphic, disgusting situations for the title character. Wolverine is all through the comic, but never acts in character.

The story shows plenty of violence but draws the line at profanity - so you have numerous word balloons with key words garbled. Buckets of blood are ok, bad words are out. Got it.

There's a lot of death, a good bit of blood and virtually no humor at all. Oh, there's a big (and dopey) Edward Scissorhands swipe.

The ending makes no sense at all, and frankly, I'm not even sure what was happening there. But it doesn't really matter, because by the time you get there you're just anxious for it to be over.

The art by Juan Jose Ryp isn't bad, but the accent here is on gore and filth - not really my thing, so he doesn't get much of a chance to make a good impression. The action seems jumbled and too many times I wondered, "What's going on here?" In one scene I thought, is Wolverine being electrocuted or pelted with rats?

Obviously, this isn't my kind of comic. I had to laugh at the oversized warning on the cover, "Parental Advisory! Not for Kids!" Yeah, that'll stop kids from picking this up.

You know, my dislike for this comic isn't really connected to the gore - it didn't bother me in the video game because it fit the story. But here, there's no real story - just an attempt to shock (or gross out) the reader with graphic violence.

Waste of time and money. Stick with the game.

Grade: D

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Comics on a Thursday

A light week this time around (for a change). Here's what I picked up today:

- Adventure Comics #521 - The Atom storyline moves elsewhere after this issue, so this is my last issue.

- Brightest Day #15 - Things get grim and gritty on Mars.

- Heroes for Hire #1 - Giving it a try, just out of sentiment.

- Irredeemable #20 - An interesting twist here.

- Ozma of Oz #2 (of 8) - Great art, great story.

- Wolverine: The Best There Is #1 - Poor Wolverine, glad to see he finally got another comic of his own.

The Classics - Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld #1

(The holiday has pushed New Comics Day back to Thursday, so here's another Classic review to tide you over.)

This is a series that's not what it seems. Just from the title, you would expect Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld to be a comic for girls.

The title alone pegs it as a fantasy tale, and the art was by Ernie Colon, who was most famous for drawing comics like Richie Rich. So when I bought the first issue (it's cover dated May 1983), I thought it looked interesting, but figured it probably wasn't a comic for me.

But it was actually a surprisingly dark fantasy. The comic centered on a young girl named Amy Winston who is transported through a mystic door into the Gemworld, where she is a grown woman, a princess, and the last hope to stop the evil Dark Opal.

It could have been a simple, run-of-the-mill fantasy tale, but writers Dan Mishkin and Gary Cohn crafted a surprisingly dark story. Amethyst faces capture and is nearly raped. Several characters are killed, and (for an '80s comic) the blood flows freely.

Colon's art is a revelation - much darker, more detailed and stylized than his usual work, he crafts an amazing, bizarre world and populates it with all kinds of strange creatures - it may be the best work of his career.

This was the first issue of a 12-issue series, and I remember enjoying it a lot. It wasn't a big hit with the fans (probably for the same reasons I listed above), but it's quite good and well worth tracking down - and I imagine those back issues could be had pretty cheaply.

This series definitely falls into the category of an unfairly overlooked classic.

Grade: A-

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The Classics - Amazing Adventures #34

This comic had me worried.

By the mid-'70s, Amazing Adventures had been turned over (as of issue #18) to the adventures of Killraven, Warrior of the Worlds.

It was a clever reworking of H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds, as the Martians returned to attack the Earth in modern times (2001) - and they were successful! The Martians conquered the Earth, and little opposition was left.

Killraven was a fighter who managed to escape the pits and made his way across a transformed America, aided by a small band of Freemen (or Mud Brothers).

After the first three issues, the comic was written by Don McGregor, whose style broke many of the usual comic book rules. Instead of concentrating on minimal dialogue and captions, McGregor filled the panels with florid descriptions, thoughtful musings and carefully crafted essays.

It really made his work stand out, and many fans (like me) tracked down everything he worked on. With this title, he was crafting a new world, breathing life into original characters, and it was all very adult and challenging, while staying true to its action / adventure roots.

He was perfectly matched with artist P. Craig Russell, a unique artist who was equally at home with pastoral scenes, futuristic vistas and action sequences. He really brought the characters and the strange, altered world of the future to life.

Together they really made you care about the characters - and that's why I was worried. It was announced ahead of time that a character would die in this issue - and what agony, wondering who it would be!

This issue is cover dated January 1976, and at the time I wasn't paying attention to the fan press (such as it was), so there was no knowing who might be the target. It was a tribute to the creative team that they made us care so much! I remember my friend Jeff and I worrying about who would die.

Of course, we knew Killraven wasn't in danger - his name's in the title. We were most afraid that the victim would be Old Skull, a sweet (if somewhat dim) character who provided a lot of the comedy relief.

After a long wait (the series was published bi-monthly), the issue finally arrived and we witnessed the attack on Killraven's "Nuclear Family" by Skar, a merciless killing machine.

I won't spoil what happens, but the issue was an amazing accomplishment by both writer and artist - a shining example of what comic can be in the hands of a top-notch creative team.

There's a reason why Killraven keeps showing up in modern-day comics, even though his title was canceled late in 1976.

It's because we remember how good it was.

Grade: A+

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