Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat #1

   There are characters that I like but I'm hard-pressed to explain why.

   Patsy Walker is one such character. She has a long history with Marvel - allow me to quote my summary from a review in 2008 (it's rerun season) with some minor updates:

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   Patsy started her comic book career as the title character in a teen comic, styled in the vein of of Archie Comics. She and her pal Hedy even made a cameo appearance in Fantastic Four Annual #3, wherein Reed and Sue were married. 

   She reappeared in, of all places, the short-lived series that starred the newly-furry former X-Man, The Beast. She followed him into The Avengers, where she took ownership of The Cat's costume and renamed herself Hellcat (which seems odd, since she's such a good girl that you wouldn't expect her to say the word "hell." This is the hero who says "Jeepers," after all). 

   From there she eventually made her way into The Defenders, and after that it all gets kind of fuzzy, but I believe she married the Son of Satan (never a good career move) and was eventually killed. Silly, I know. 

   Thankfully, Kurt Busiek cashed in some reincarnation chips and Patsy was reborn as her flighty, fun-loving old self. She's made some guest appearances and was featured in a few mini-series over the years, and she guest-starred in other books, including the recent She-Hulk title.

   Which brings us (more or less) up to date.

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   Now Patsy has her own title, an all-ages book that's  - well, the word "different" springs to mind. 

   She loses her job working as an investigator for She-Hulk's law firm, she makes a new friend, runs into an old friend, makes a shocking discovery and makes a surprising plan for her future.

   This is an all-ages comic (though it feels more like a teen comic) - it's very much in the style of DC's Batgirl, with expressive art, lots of humor and an upbeat, fast-paced feel to it.

   It's not exactly aimed at a geezer like me, but it's fun and it's great to see a "lighter" title lining up against all the grim competition.

   I also like that the series is tying together the character's history and cast. There's a lot of potential here, and I hope this will bring Hellcat into the forefront of the Marvel Universe.

   We'll see!

Grade: B

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Dark Knight III: The Master Race #2

   There were concerns about this series in fandom.

   The first Dark Knight series is justly recognized as a classic story - one that changed the industry.

   The sequel was almost universally reviled, despite featuring the same creative team.

   So what to expect this time around from Dark Knight III: The Master Race?

   So far... it's very good!

   Written by original creator Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello, this issue focuses on two stories - one about the recently-captured "Batman" - who is actually (I assume) the grown-up Robin from the original Dark Knight series; and the other about a new threat being released onto the world - one that seems much too big for even a Batman in his prime.

   There's also a "mini-comic" included that gives us some insight on Wonder Woman and her newest challenges.

   The series works because it feels more like a natural continuation of the DC universe - in other words, it follows in the footsteps of the original series.

   The art by Andy Kubert and Klaus Jansen is tremendous, capturing the feel of Miller's original style without being a slavish imitation.

   The same is true for the art in the mini-comic by Eduardo Risso - it's excellent work.

   So if you've been hiding from this series, you might want to reconsider - so far, it feels like the original.

Grade: A-

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Justice League of America #6

      After last issue's fill-in issue, it's nice to see Bryan Hitch back in the saddle, writing and drawing this ever-growing story about the Kryptonian god Rao and his attempts to change the Earth.

   Of course, the Justice League of America figure out that this would-be savior isn't all he seems - but they're scattered across time and space, and there are many mysteries to solve.

   As always, the art is "wide screen" with some amazing, powerful sequences.

   The story's still a bit of a slog - we can see where it's heading (more or less), but it seems to keep veering off-course, as we duck down side alleys. (Why is the Flash in 1961? Why the attack on Olympus?)

   Of course, it might all pull together by the end - but there are lots of loose threads to gather.

   Oh, and ignore that cover - there's no Batman in this story.

Grade: B+

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Guest Review: The Private Eye: The Cloudburst Edition Hardcover

   How's this for a great Christmas present? A long-time pal of mine (we don't say "old pal" at our age) sent in this guest review to give me a day off during the holiday. He prefers to remain Anonymous - so thanks, Anon! He writes:

   I am not a gambler. I’m bad at math and I don’t like losing hard-earned money. I recently took a $50 gamble on The Private Eye: The Cloudburst Edition Hardcover, published by Image. 

   I’m pleased to report that this gamble paid off. Is this book worth $50? Absolutely, if you like your science fiction in a near future format, brightly colored artwork, and a plot that pays respect to classic film noir movies, but also modernizes every aspect of the story. 

   Brian K. Vaughn’s writing makes this bet the least risky. Known for such great writing as Saga, Y: The Last Man as well as some cutting edge television programming, Vaughn takes us to a world that is both familiar and strange at the same time.

   Marcos Martin, who seems to be the heir apparent to great Steve Ditko, leads the art. If you missed his Spider-Man run, you need to get it. Martin makes full use of this hardcover’s widescreen format for maximum effect.

   Marcos’ art also helps with the story’s setting, which is a brilliant commentary on today’s Information Age. After the “Cloudburst” (when everyone’s most secret information was made public when the Cloud broke), the people in this future all wear mask and costumes to hide their identity. These disguises range from a hood and bullet mask to holographic projections. 

   With the twists and turns of both film noir and science fiction, the reader enjoys a wild ride that does pay off, but, of course, not in the way you expect. 

   I’d suggest that you would enjoy The Private Eye more than a big stack of the new $4 comic books that most folks are making these days. But, then again, what do I know?

   NOTE – Some folks read comics online, which is weird to me. The Private Eye originally appeared as an online comic, which can be found at http://panelsyndicate.com/comics/tpeye.

"Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens" - Movie Review

  I had to hold off a few days to see Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens so I could see it with my entire family (including my two sons and their wives) - I believe it's the first Star Wars movie I didn't see on opening day (he said, hanging his head in shame).

  We all enjoyed it a lot - and I was amazed that no one had spoiled the (numerous) surprises in the film. As someone said, it just shows how much everyone loves Star Wars - they want everyone to enjoy it!

   So my next challenge is to write a spoiler-free review for the blog - and my pal Mark Cannon emailed this to me as a Christmas present (thanks, pal!):

   "If you are a fan of the original Trilogy, you should love it. 

   The makers have realised the benefits of decent pacing, reasonable dialogue, good actors and minimising the use of CGI. 

   It’s not perfect, and you’ll probably hope that the next film veers a little more from the original template - but that will just make you all the more eager to see Part VIII.”

   Thanks, Mark! 

   I agree! The film introduces characters new and old, sets up a new storyline (without throwing away the old), mixes in the heart and humor and history of the series and lays the foundation for future movies. 

   Kudos to the cast, crew and creative team for breathing new life into this beloved series. It's a heck of a lot of fun and highly recommended!

Grade: A

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New Comics Day

  Here's what I picked up at the comics shop today:

- Astro City #30 - A meeting of the minds.

- Daredevil #2 - A visit from some old "friends."

- Dark Knight III: The Master Race #2 - The person behind the mask!

- Justice League of America #6 - Hey, Bryan Hitch is back!

- Patsy Walker aka Hellcat #1 - I've always liked this character.

- Saga #32 - Getting the band back together again.

- Spirit #6 - The answer to the question: what happened to the Spirit?

- Superman #47 - Who is Hodor_Root?

   And that's it! 

Jirni #5 (of 5)

   Any series manages a bit of a stumble from time to time, and for Jirni, this is that issue.

   The purple-skinned heroine has been the subject of two mini-series so far, following her adventures as she searches for her mother and the secrets behind her ability to change from an ordinary mortal into a powerhouse.

   It's been (mostly) sword-and-sorcery action, with the occasional side mission.

   This issue wraps up the latest such adventure, as Jirni seeks to rescue a small army of women who are being brainwashed by an evil mastermind.

   It's a by-the-numbers story with no real surprises along the way - and it doesn't really do anything to get the hero closer to her ultimate goal - but the art is very good and the tease for the next series promises more answers and adventures.

Grade: B

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Weirdworld #1

   Following up on the mini-series that started as a Secret Wars spinoff (of sorts), Weirdworld returns with a new creative team and a new dynamic.

   It lives up to its name, but sadly it doesn't continue the storyline from the previous series - at least, not yet.

   The focus here shifts away from the star of the previous series, Arkon (I think that's him on page three, but I'm not sure - he isn't seen again in this issue).

   Instead we meet Becca Rodriguez, a young woman who finds herself in a world of madness after her flight to Mexico somehow crashes on Weirdworld.

   She faces all kinds of horrific monsters - and a possible female ally. And a certain familiar sorceress is also getting involved.

   The first series worked because of the quest basis for the story - and it focused on an interesting hero. I'm not sure this series can survive without those elements.

   The first issue needs to grab the reader and hook 'em good. This issue isn't bad - there are some good moments - but I'm not hooked at all.

    As the Magic 8-Ball might say: for this series, the future is cloudy.

Grade: B-

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The Uncanny Inhumans #3

   It's not a typical comic book, but The Uncanny Inhumans continues to offer up an intelligent storyline with compelling characters and terrific artwork.

   And what a pedigree! It features members of the Inhuman Royal Family - Black Bolt, Medusa and Triton - working with the Human Torch (Fantastic Four) and the Beast (X-Men), facing the apprentice of Kang the Conqueror!

   If you can find a book with a better Lee / Kirby lineage, buy it!

   Complicating the story written by Charles Soule is that the apprentice they're facing is the son of Black Bolt and Medusa - but through the time manipulations of Kang, he's no longer a child. Instead, he's a menace who threatens to end the Inhuman race forever!

   The issue looks amazing, with Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten crafting powerful character designs and stunning action sequences. The only flaw - and it's terribly minor - is that I'm not crazy about their redesign of the Torch.

   But that's a minor complaint about a smart, well-written series that I'm enjoying so much.

Grade: A

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All-New X-Men #2

   There's a lot to like about the new version of the All-New X-Men - great art, I really like the characters (the original, teenaged X-Men, minus Marvel Girl, plus the new Wolverine), I like the idea of the team roaming the country helping mutants, and - so far - I like the story.

   The story focuses on young Cyclops, whose grown-up self has become a hated pariah (though we're not exactly sure why - and we don't know what happened to older Cyclops).

   We meet a new team of mutants who talk about fighting for the legacy of "The Ghost of Cyclops," and that doesn't give them much credibility with the younger Scott Summers.

   The only problem with this issue is that it doesn't move the bar much from the last issue.

   That's typical for comics these days, so it's not unusual for the story to be stretched out a bit.    

   So far I like the new series, but the ending of this issue felt a lot like the ending of the first one.

Grade: B+

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Justice League #46

   The problem with "event" books is that they sometimes spin out of control - and that curse seems to be falling on "The Darkseid War," and event-in-a-single-series (mostly) in the pages of Justice League.

   It started quickly with an Earth-shaking confrontation between Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor, their armies, and the JLA. That escalated to including new and powerful characters like Grail, some of the New Gods, and the transformation of several heroes into ever newer Gods.

   That change led to some spin-off titles, and now we're back with side battles, splinter missions, a mystery around the Anti-Monitor, and the return of... let's just say a well-known concept.

   But it's too much. There are so many characters, so many battles, so many characters running off on side-stories that it's just too much to keep up with (even for a long-time reader like me) - it's 10 pounds of stuff in a 5-pound bag.

   Of course, it could all be sorted out in the long run - Geoff Johns is a terrific writer and certainly capable of doing it - but he'd better start sorting soon or there any not be many left to see the final solution.

   The art is by Francis Manapul, a fantastic artist with a unique, kinetic style - but the jumbled story mixed with his style makes it difficult to follow events from panel to panel or page to page.

   This issue sets up Act 3 in the series, which is typically when things get resolved. Here's hoping!

Grade: B

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Squadron Supreme #1

   In a moment of cross-company fun, Marvel and DC had fun with each other's characters by creating familiar-looking super-teams based on their competitors.

   In an issue of Justice League in the '70s, the team faced heroes from an alternate reality - it was a thinly-disguised version of the Avengers.

   The same month at Marvel, they created a team called the Squadron Sinister to fight the Avengers - and it was obviously based on the JLA.

   Eventually, a heroic version of the team from yet another alternate reality, and the Squadron Supreme was born.

   That team was (presumably) lost when all the alternate Earths were destroyed in Secret Wars. But now it's back, and it's a complete mess.

   Rather than the team being survivors from a single Earth, each "hero" is from a different world. How did they survive the destruction of their worlds? No idea.

   It's a team of powerhouses - Hyperion (think Superman), Nighthawk (Batman), Doctor Spectrum (Green Lantern), the Blur (Flash) and Power Princess (Wonder Woman) - but they're also ruthless and brutal.

   So they go on a rampage that destroys a city and ends with the gruesome death of one of Marvel's longest-running heroes.

   How long will this death "hold?" I'm guessing about a year, but who knows?

   I get it, they're trying for a different tone - and they succeed there - but this isn't a team I have any interest in. Super-heroics in which the "heroes" kill and destroy at will?

   Nice art by Leonard Kirk and terrific cover by Alex Ross, but otherwise, not much to recommend here.

   Sounds like they should have stayed with the "Squadron Sinister" title.

Grade: C+

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The Classics - Journey Into Mystery #85

   When Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Larry Lieber and Joe Sinnott created Thor in Journey Into Mystery #83 (published in 1962), they forgot one thing: a proper origin.

   In that first appearance, Thor was more superhero than mythological god. Dr. Don Blake discovers a stick hidden in a cave in Norway, and when he strikes a rock with it, he's transformed into a powerhouse with the power - and hammer - of Thor.

   But he still spoke and thought like Don Blake, so apparently he just had the powers of Thor - he wasn't actually the ancient god.

   Or was he?

   Two issues later, the creative team (with Dick Ayers replacing Sinnott as inker) took us to Asgard, where Thor's wicked brother Loki escapes his strange prison (he was inside a tree) and comes to Earth, where he confronts Thor - who recognizes him!

   They fight, as Loki uses his magic and wits to try to overcome his brother. At the end of the fight, Thor sends Loki back to Asgard to face justice - but how did he know where it was?

   In the months and years ahead, the "superhero" version of Thor would continue to fade, and when Lee and Kirby took the reins back from the writers and artists who worked on the character for about a year, the mythological version became the "real" Thor - and that's when the character really earned his spot at the top of Marvel's heroes (and he became one of my favorites).

   Thor's "true" origin wasn't revealed until 1968, in Thor #158 - but that's a review for another day.

Grade: B+

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New Comics Day

   Here's what I picked up at the comics shop today:

- Uncanny Inhumans #3 - Father vs. son.

- Justice League #46 - New gods and newer gods.

- Squadron Supreme #1 - A shocking (and senseless) death.

- The Mighty Thor #2 - Battle of the gods!

- Weirdworld #1 - A wild ride begins.

- All-New X-Men #2 - The ghost of Cyclops!

   And that's it!

Peanuts Every Sunday (Reprint)

   In the early 1960s, reprints of comic strips were haphazard - but very welcome by fans.

   The Peanuts strips were in great demand, but only in recent years have we finally seen collections that reprint the strips in chronological order.

   When I was a kid (again, early '60s), pretty much the only source was a series of paperback books which chopped up the strips and printed them in an odd, pasted-together format (you can read my review of one right here).

   Titan Comics has been reprinting those original paperbacks, and this may be the best of the bunch: Peanuts Every Sunday.

   It includes a collection of Sunday strips (though not in color) that were originally printed from 1958 to 1961. Best of all, each pages reprints a Sunday strip in its original format - no cutting and pasting here.

   It's prime work by Charles Schulz - he was really hitting his stride with these strips. It's great work and well worth tracking down - and it's a great way to sample early Peanuts strips at a great price!

Grade: A-

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The Troop #1

   Grim and gritty comics have (sort of) a bad reputation these days, mostly because they've been overdone - and for a while, virtually every hero had to take a dark turn.

   There's more balance in the industry these days, so there's plenty of room for the dark side of things - and you get it in spades (along with a cracking good story) in The Troop.

   It starts slow, mysterious and bloody as hell.

   An idyllic family gathering is disrupted by a paramilitary invasion, and slaughter follows - but one member of the family has special gifts that allow her to survive, and then she's rescued by a mysterious benefactor.

   That scenario plays out at different locations, as powered young people are pursued and rescued - but their challenges are just starting. And why are they being pursued, and how are they being discovered?

   All questions that hold promise for the future of the series, with the caveat that these are not stories for young readers - there's brutal violence, nudity, adult language - you get the picture.

   Kudos to writer Noel Clarke and artist J. Cassara for crafting a terrific first issue - the story and dialogue are compelling and the art is powerful and striking.

   So if you can handle the rough stuff, The Troop is highly recommended.

Grade: A

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Unity #25

   I'm sorry to report that this is - for now - the final issue of Unity.

   The comic starring Valiant's super-team always had a rare honor in my house - it always moved right to the top of my reading stack.

   That's because it was consistently excellent, with sharp writing, strong artwork, and an interesting (if odd) mix of heroes.

   For the final issue, that all flies out the window. Mostly.

   Instead, they've assembled a small army of writers and artists to have fun with the team - mostly through the wacky focus of Woody & Quantum.

   So what you get, mostly, is a lighthearted mix of silliness and slapstick. It's fun for what it is - but I'd much rather have more of the original concept.

   Ah well.

Grade: B

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The Scarlet Witch #1

 It’s long been a shame that The Scarlet Witch has been treated so badly, since she’s one of the Marvel Universe’s first female characters - first a reluctant villain, and shortly thereafter, an Avenger.

   (Let’s see, the first Silver Age Marvel heroine would be the Invisible Girl, then the Wasp, then Marvel Girl - then the Scarlet Witch. Is the first major female villain the Enchantress?) 

   (I should add that Wanda was not intentionally a bad guy - Magneto tricked her and her brother Quicksilver into joining the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.)

   Anyway, she’s been treated badly in recent years - possessed by evil forces, driven mad, did away with mutants, caused the destruction of the Avengers (they got better) - and now she’s better and starring in a new solo comic, and it’s terribly dreary.

   It focuses on Wanda the witch as she investigates a strange murder and uncovers its mystic roots. 

   It’s all done in a dark, Vertigo-style story that’s all dark and horror-filled. Her costume has been redesigned (for the zillionth time) - it looks like something she might wear to a workout class. With a cape added. 

   I’m not sure what’s up with her signature headpiece - it’s become a red pen squiggle.

   So, grim and gritty, glum and gloomy. Wanda deserves so much better - she should be an “A”-list hero, not a second-rate Doctor Strange. 

   I’ll pass.

Grade: B-

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The Twilight Children #3 (of 4)

   There are certain comics that fans (like yours truly) will buy just on the strength of the names of the creative team - and a comic that brings together Gilbert Hernandez and Darwyn Cooke is a “must-buy.”

   So I’ve been following The Twilight Children  - and both of the creators, happily, are living up to their “living legend” status. 

   The four-part series focuses on the people on a small tropic island - and the mysterious events that have changed lives, including a large, mysterious orb of light that pops up in the darndest places.

   It’s a series loaded with rich characters, from the inquisitive scientist who finds more than he bargains for, to the hot housewife who always gets what she wants, to her jealous lover, the irritated sheriff and an exotic woman who may not be from our planet.

   It’s a lot of fun trying to unravel the puzzles, and the story keeps you happily off-balance.

   The art is wonderful. Cooke is a tremendous artist, of course, but each page just ripples with energy and life and spirit. His style is unique and delightful.

   So where is the series going? I have no idea. Isn’t that great?

Grade: A

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Secret Wars #8 (of 9)

   The Secret Wars series has been doing an excellent job of amping up the excitement, and with just one issue to go, the confrontations fill the pages!

   Writer Jonathan Hickman delivers here, with battles that are shocking (a giant Ben Grimm against a Galactus puppet), epic (armies of the living fight an army of the dead), tense (Star-Lord may be in over his head), touching (long-lost lovers are reunited - sorta) and long overdue (as Dr. Doom faces Thanos).

   The art by Esad Ribic and color artist Ive Svorcina is stunning (as always), with sweeping vistas, larger-than-life battles and more than a few surprises.

   This series has been building for years, and it's great to see those storylines paying off - though I have to admit, I have no idea how the creative team is going to manage to wrap this all up in the final issue.

   Can't wait!

Grade: A

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The Classics - Justice League of America #9

   The Justice League of America first appeared in 1960 as a tryout in Brave and the Bold #28 - it was another reboot effort from DC, bringing back the classic Justice Society of America team.

   But editor Julius Schwartz didn't like the word "Society" - in an interview with him in the late 1980s, he told me that kids didn't know what a "Society" was - but they knew what a "League" was, thanks to the National Football League and Little League - so he made that change.

   So they created the JLA, and the team soon graduated into its own title. But there was something Schwartz, writer Gardner Fox and artist Mike Sekowsky forgot: an origin story!

   The first issue doesn't bother to mention how the team was formed - it simply existed.

   So nine issues into the regular series, they corrected the oversight by telling honorary member / sidekick Snapper Carr (and new member Green Arrow) the story of how they first gathered.

   The flashback starts with individual adventures, as each hero encounters a different alien that crash-lands in a meteor - each alien is made of a different substance, including stone, glass, mercury, and wood! The creatures were sent to Earth to wage war - against each other!

   The aliens try to build an army by converting the local animals into matching substances, but the individual heroes manage to stop them - until they converge on another meteor, and they're all transformed into walking trees!

   It's interesting that the story focused on the five "secondary" heroes - Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter. Superman and Batman are included, but only make a cameo of sorts at the end, though Superman manages to contribute a classically bad pun.

   Superman confronts a diamond creature, and using super-pressure he converts it back to coal. Snapper is puzzled - Superman typically could turn coal into diamond with super-pressure - so how did he reverse the process? Superman replies, "Quite simply, Snapper... I simply rubbed the Diamond being -- the wrong way!"

   (Well, I laughed.)

   As the heroes gather at the end of the adventure, Batman suggests they form a club or society. Flash adds, "A League against evil!"

   But there's actually another origin for the JLA - in the late '70s, writer Steve Englehart created a terrific addition to the mythos - but that's a review for another day!

Grade: A-

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New Comics Day

   Here's what I picked up at the comics shop today:

- Batman #47 - Problems with plants.

- Black Knight #2 - Enter: the Uncanny Avengers!

- Guardians of the Galaxy #3 - A knock-down, drag-out battle royal.

- Scarlet Witch #1 - In her own title for the first time (I think).

- Secret Wars #8 - The Thing vs. Galactus! Doom vs. Thanos!

- Starfire #7 - Hey, it's Dick Grayson - he's everywhere!

- Twilight Children #3 - A great, mystery-filled series.

- Ultimates #2 - How do you solve a problem like Galactus?

   And that's it! 

All-New All-Differet Avengers #2

   Given that Mark Waid is writing it and Adam Kubert is drawing it, I expected to love the All-New All-Different Avengers.

   Somewhat to my surprise, I find that, two issues in, I only like it (well, I like it a lot).

   Perhaps that's because the whole thing is a big ragged so far, as the assorted heroes gather to fight an alien powerhouse named Warbringer (yeah, I never heard of him either).

   Joining the team that isn't really a team yet are Iron Man, Captain America (the Falcon), Spider-Man (the Ultimate one), the Vision, Ms. Marvel, Nova and a certain other powerhouse who joins in the fun.

   The issue is action-packed as the alien invader scours the city looking for some mysterious artifacts. There's a lot of fighting, some quipping, and even some possible romantic sparks between... well, that would be telling. But it's fun.

    The jury's still out as this opening story (and the gathering of the team) wraps up next issue.

   So far it's been good - we'll see if next issue moves the needle into the "great" category.

Grade: A-

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We Can Never Go Home #5

    This issue wraps up  the initial story for We Can Never Go Home, and you have to admire a series that uses the recap page to say that a lot has happened and you should just wait and buy the collection instead of this issue.

   It's good advice, but it doesn't take away from this raw, unique series.

   It focuses on the grim reality facing two young people who are on the run. One is the teenager named Duncan - a smart young man with mysterious gifts - and his friend Maddie - a smart young woman with great strength and near-invulnerability.

   They've been on the run from two forces, including a sinister government agency (with its own super-powered agents) and an evil drug runner with a sadistic streak and his own super-powered flunkies.

   This series has been a real surprise, with lots of unexpected story twists - it's a brutal story about young people making bad decisions and then having to live with their mistakes. The action scenes are rough and not aways easy to watch.

   The story is by Matthew Rosenberg and Patrick Kindlon, and it's impressive - although they may have gone a twist or two too far. But better too much than not enough.

   The art is by Josh Hood and Brian Level, and it's powerful stuff - raw and rude and compelling.

   So if you haven't been following the series, and you can deal with the Tarentino-style violence, pick up the collection. Or this issue.

Grade: A-

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The Totally Awesome Hulk #1

   I think Marvel has lost its mind.

   Of all its marquee (Avengers) heroes, at least half of them have been replaced. So the Falcon is now Captain America, Thor is now a woman, Wolverine is now a woman, and the Hulk is now... "Totally Awesome."

   Yep, for reasons yet unclear, Bruce Banner is out of the picture, so now wearing the big purple pants (I mean, shorts) is Amadeus Cho, one of the world's smartest humans - and a young man on a mission.

   Don't get me wrong, I like Cho (I like smart characters who are written like smart characters) and he's set up in an interesting job as a tracker of monsters.

   Writer Greg Pak makes a welcome return to the Hulk (I believe Pak created Cho), and brings with his the outstanding artwork of Frank Cho.

   Cho is a powerful artist, with impressive character (and monster) designs, a great sense of humor and, of course, he's one of the best in the business at drawing beautiful women. It's no surprise that the opening action sequence takes place on a beach.

   So is Marvel crazy like a fox? They have a strong concept and a great creative team, but is the Hulk Banner - or whoever is wearing the gamma-irradiated body? Perhaps we'll find out as this story rolls on.

Grade: A-

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Daredevil #1

   Finally Daredevil has a big monkey off his back! For years the character has been hindered by the fact that his secret identity was revealed to the world.

   That handicap has finally been removed by new writer Charles Soule (though how it happened is still a mystery), so Matt Murdock has a new life and a new focus.

   Sadly, it seems the supporting cast built up by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee have been lost, but the good news is, DD is back in New York where he belongs.

   Now Matt Murdock is a Prosecuting Attorney - the low man on the totem pole at the District Attorney's office - while Daredevil works to keep the streets safe.

   There are new characters to introduce - heroes and villains - and the issue is a model of efficiency, balancing action and character interactions - just giving us enough to spark our interest.

    The art is by Ron Garney, and it's terrific - raw and striking with powerful strokes and great designs. The color design by Matt Milla is interesting - muted, with reds and browns and not much else. It gives DD's world a unique look, though I'm not sure how it'll hold up in the long run.

   But I'm impressed - the creative team had a tough act to follow, but the new series is off to a strong start!

Grade: A-

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Jessica Jones - TV Review

   Running a bit late but I finally got a chance to see the first episode in Marvel's NetFlix series, Jessica Jones, which is based on the character in the Alias comic book by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos.

   It's been getting some well-deserved rave reviews, and it's easy to see why - it's a raw, rough-and-tumble look at the "adults only" underbelly of the Marvel universe (which is to say, this isn't a show for kids).

   The focus is on the title character, a smart private investigator who works a dirty job to make a living - and is obviously much more than she seems to be. Through clever editing and a fast-paced, multi-leveled story, we see glimpses of her powers - and flashes of the dark figure in her past who nearly destroyed her life.

   The show is as much about horror as a detective story. You get the sense of a net drawing around Jessica, as she's forced to confront a monster from her past, and struggles with demons and her own nightmares.

   Jessica is brought to life in brilliant fashion by Krysten Ritter,  who exudes the character's dark, sexy and intelligent side, all while reflecting a tragic, traumatic past.

   There are lots of Easter eggs for longtime fans, from casual mentions of other heroes to the inclusion of Luke Cage (who'll have his own series soon) and "Trish" Walker (I prefer the name Patsy).

   While there's definitely a hopeful, heroic side to the story (and a bit of humor), be warned that this is not the usual upbeat kind of story we've come to expect from Marvel. Instead, the focus is on the street-level character and the deadly world she lives in.

   It's a powerful, compelling story - highly recommended!

Grade: A

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All-New X-Men #1

   In the vast ocean of X-Men titles, starting back up after the (still running) Secret Wars, I have to admit that so far - of the ones I've read - my favorite is All-New X-Men.

   The main reason for that is because it actually includes most of "my" X-Men team (the one I read when I first got into comics).

   The featured players include Cyclops, the Angel, the Beast and Iceman. (Note that Marvel Girl, sadly, is missing.)

   They're the original team, brought through time to the present - and now stranded here.

   Added to the team is the new Wolverine (formerly X-23), Kid Apocalypse and Idie Okonkwo.

   We start the issue with the team scattered across the country. Most of them are enjoying a holiday of sorts, getting ready to get down to the task of helping other mutants.

   Cyclops is wandering alone, apparently saddened by the fate of his future (present-day to us) self - and no, we don't know what that fate is.

   Can someone tell me why Marvel hates Cyclops? He was always my favorite X-Men - the team's leader and strategist, he is the mutant Captain America - dynamic and forceful - but they always want to make him into a jerk and a monster. I don't get it.

   Anyway, the issue sets up a conflict between the team and a renegade group of mutants who are using the symbol of Cyclops to further their criminal goals - setting up a great clash with the All-New crowd.

   The story is by Dennis Hopeless, who has a good grip on the characters - they're all district and personable - and the art is by Mark Bagley and Andrew Hennessy, a terrific team creating dynamic layouts, intense action scenes and strong character designs.

   Sometimes the best strategy with a series is to get back to the basics, and while that's not the whole story here - the team doesn't live at Xavier's school anymore - it feels like a fresh start, and that's good enough for me.

Grade: A-

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The Classics - Showcase #4

   It is, quite simply, the most important comic in the modern age of comics.

   I'll grant that the first comic ever printed (reprints of newspaper comic strips) and the first appearance of Superman in Action Comics #1 are probably the most important of all time - but this issue of Showcase, which brings us the first appearance of the Silver Age (and Modern Day) Flash, may be even more important.

   By the late '50s, superhero comics were fading fast. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman were the only mainstream heroes. Aquaman, Green Arrow and the new kid, the Martian Manhunter, were barely hanging on. The Justice Society were long gone.

   Timely (Marvel Comics) had already given up on superheroes - it probably wouldn't have taken much to convince DC to do likewise.

   But they had a new tryout title named Showcase. After issues focusing on firefighters, animals and frogmen, they needed something for the fourth issue. Just as the topics changed from issue to issue, so did the editors. The fourth issue would fall under Julius Schwartz's control.

   He decided to give superheroes another shot, so he recruited writer Robert Kanigher and artists Carmine Infantino and Joe Kubert - all of whom had worked on the Golden Age version of The Flash.

   But he didn't want to just bring back the "old" Flash - that one had been cancelled, after all - so he asked them to update the character and the costume.

   Infantino delivered, providing a sleek, streamlined, modern costume. Gone was the winged helmet and the two-colored uniform, and in was an identity-concealing mask and a cool chest logo.

   His origin was virtually unchanged - a mysterious bolt of lightning splashes unnamed chemicals on him - and just like that, he's the fastest man alive!

   He also had a new identity - he was now Barry Allen, a somewhat shy police scientist. (And how prescient was that? The CSI TV shows are the hugely popular now - Kanigher was way ahead of the curve!)

   His first foe was silly - the Turtle, the slowest man alive - but the second story in the issue was a nifty science fiction tale pitting the Flash against a criminal from the distant future!

   The issue was a hit, and led the way for the return (and updating) of other heroes - Green Lantern, the Atom, Hawkman - and eventually, the rebirth of a team comic, renamed the Justice League!

   Without the success of the Flash, DC's hero rebirth might not have occurred - and that's what led Timely's owner, Martin Goodman, to urge Stan Lee to give superheroes another try, which led to the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the Avengers - you get the idea.

    And that's why I maintain - the most important comic of modern times is Showcase #4!

Grade: A

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New Comics Today

   Here's what I picked up today at the comics shop:

- All-New Avengers #2 - Putting the team together.

- All-New Inhumans #1 - Collecting Inhumans.

- All-New X-Men #1 - It's the new (old) X-Men, together again.

- Daredevil #1 - A new start for DD!

- Doc Savage #1 - Entering the spider's web.

- Doctor Strange #3 - What's happening to the magic?

- Totally Awesome Hulk #1 - The title aside, this has Frank Cho on the art, so I'm there.

- Invincible Iron Man #4 - This issue contains just a smidge actual Mary Jane Watson content.

- Miracleman #5 - A spy story.

- Paper Girls #3 - Who can you trust?

- Red Wolf - Bringing justice to the old west!

- Star Wars #13 - Fight for your life!

   And that's it!

And Now, This Commercial Break

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   So keep us in mind when you place those orders - and have a wonderful holiday / Merry Christmas / Happy Hanukkah / Cheerful Kwanzaa!

   OK, end of plug - back to the reviews!  

Guardians of the Galaxy #2

   Starting up again after the (not yet published) events of the Secret War, the Guardians of the Galaxy has a new look, as Star-Lord (Peter Quill) is tackling his career as the newly-elected Emperor of the planet Spartax (replacing his father).

   His former teammates (which now includes Kitty Pryde, Venom and the Thing) stop by for a visit just in time for all hell to break loose, as a recent destructive event comes back to haunt them.

    During the Black Vortex mini-series (if I recall correctly), the home world of the Kree Empire was destroyed - and Hala, the last of the Accusers (or is she?) has arrived to get her revenge on the Guardians.

   It was a good move, because the new status quo of the series wasn't really working for me - and this throws it all into chaos.

   I should have had more faith in writer Brian Michael Bendis, and I'm certainly enjoying the artwork by Valerio Schiti, with lots of cosmic-scale events and double-page splashes (and I really like this version of the Thing).

   So, with a powerful opponent and lots of action on the plate, it feels like this series is getting back on course.

Grade: B+    

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