| Quickies (April
09, 2008) |
THE ALL-NEW ATOM #22 (DC): I am enjoying the new
direction of TANA better than the previous one. Sure it might have lost some of
its humor but not all. More importantly the action feels much more mature, much
more dangerous, and dare I say, much more heroic. (3.5/5)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON EIGHT #13 (Dark Horse): The first half of
the issue focuses on Xander and his chum, ahem, master, Dracula. It brings the
reveal of the powers of the shape-shifting vampires from a few issues back. The
latter half brings those vampires back along with Buffy & Co.’s pursuit of them.
Good but not quite pulse-pounding. (3.5/5)
THE CLOCKWORK GIRL #3 (ARCANA): This series just seems to get better with
each passing issue and I for one hope that there is a sequel coming up. Tesla
and Huxley’s friendship develops even further right until the moment where real
life (i.e. the enmity of their creators/fathers) comes in between them. The
ending has an ominous tone to it. (4.5/5)
DETECTIVE COMICS #843 (DC): Another ‘guest’ appearance for another of Paul
Dini’s pet characters, Zatanna. As for the baddies it’s the Penguin, the *new*
(lame) Ventriloquist and another of those ‘no-brand’ gangster-businessmen that
populate Gotham by the dozen. As with the last time around I am still not
feeling the Batman-Zatanna camaraderie, forget about the romantic innuendoes.
(3.5/5)
JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #44 (DC): In this issue of this soon to end series
the Mirror Master gets a ‘focus’ story much different from the junkie one that
Geoff Johns gave him in the mainline Flash title a few years back. Not
only is he not a murderer (least of all of his father), MM is a family guy here.
He steals for his family and his big heist here is for his son’s operation. His
son by the way is also the ‘narrator’. (4/5)
MIDNIGHTER #18 (Wildstorm): Keith Giffen’s run on has been hit or miss for
me, with the misses outnumbering the hits. This issue gives a mark to the hits
but even though I am enjoying all the action I’d appreciate learning a bit about
who this guy is and why is he doing what he’s doing. Lets it comes soon rather
than being kept as a secret right until the very end. (3.5/5, almost 4)
NIGHTWING #143 (DC): I didn’t expect Talia to be behind this particular
(clone/zombie/whatever) operation and wasn’t surprised to see that it wasn’t
her. As with the previous few issues’ this one too scores high with the
brother-(at-arms) family dynamic between Dick and Tim. Did miss Rags Morales’
art though. Hope he comes back soon. (4/5, almost 4.5)
SECRET HISTORY OF THE AUTHORITY - HAWKSMOOR #1: The issue kicks off with an
Authority mission but soon enough it’s onto ‘Flashback’ mode as Jack
recalls/narrates something from a few years (1994) back. The rest of the issue
sets up from there with a quick catching up/intro to Jack’s powers. Good start.
(4/5)
TEEN TITANS #57 (DC): Last month it was Kid Devil, this time it is Ravager’s
turn as she goes up against the Terror Titans’ flunkies. As for Robin and Wonder
Girl, please just put a bullet in the ‘romantic chemistry’ between those two for
it is just not there (organically). Eddy Barrows’ art continues to develop, as
does McKeever’s writing as they become comfortable with the
team/characters/title. (4/5)
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