Posts Tagged ‘ Manhunter ’

Tuesday seems to be developing into the day I post my reviews so…

Batman and Robin #2 – Another good issue, and I know this is being overwhelmingly positively reviewed but…(and you knew there’d be a but)…I really don’t like Damien and that’s souring the whole book for me. I understand that I’m not supposed to, but when there’s very little likable about a character, why bother reading about them?

Batman: Streets of Gotham #1 – Better late than never! A good set up issue, but I need more Hush like I need an axe in the head. I know that he’s become Dini’s pet bad guy over the past year or so, but let it go already. The Manhunter back-up was a good start to Kate’s Gotham adventures, but had very little weight to it.

Gotham City Sirens #1 Nice art, but once again there’s very little of note going on. Catwoman’s weak as a kitten (ho ho) so decides to set up house with Ivy and Harley, because obviously nothing could possibly go wrong with that – and that’s about it. Sure there’s a random bad guy thrown in but…that’s it.

Green Lantern Corps #38 – Good, but underwhelming intro to Blackest Night. The Guardians continue to be bastards, and nobody really seems to mind aside from Kyle and Guy. Suspect that’ll come back to bite them in their little blue asses.

Justice League: Cry for Justice#1 – Nice art, shame about the cliched writing. Every character wants “…Justice!”, which appears to be another way of saying “…Revenge!”. Overwrought, over played, and distressingly unsubtle. Although it does have a talking gorilla, so there’s that.

Agents Of Atlas #7 – I’m teetering on dropping this, as much as I like it. I’m just not sure where it’s going exactly. Right now, it feels oddly directionless – it seems desperate to define itself by reference to its guest stars. Next issue may make it or break it, Gorilla Man or not.

Amazing Spider-Man Family #8 – As good as ever, and per Bleeding Cool, not exactly cancelled, which is good news.

Captain America Reborn #1 – I don’t even have an opinion on this. It reads well, it looks good, it makes some sense…but I need to let it play out a little more before I make a decision one way or the other on the book. Something just feels iffy to me, using time travel as a plot point – even if it was heavily telegraphed in the early days of this volume of Captain America. And if that was Steve pulled out of time, who was buried in his coffin?

Fantastic Four #568 – Splash pages galore as the Marquis of Doom and his hooded disciple knock the team around a bit and then Reed shows him what a real man is. And then Reed gets the crap kicked out of him by a whole bunch of alternate versions of the Torch, the Thing and Sue. What? Ridiculous, borderline incoherent, but a very good looking book.

Invincible Iron Man #15 – Good issue, if a little light on action – but the plot moved forward nicely anyway. It’s the first time that the loss of Tony’s memory and intelligence hit on an emotional level, too, with a simple “Who’s Happy?” showing just how bad things are getting.

Uncanny X-Men #513 – Pointless posturing as Norman Osborn consolidates his power and clumsily muddles through some exposition as he introduces his own team of X-Men, and Cyclops ponders his next move. Honestly, I don’t know how this is the same guy writing this and Iron Man right now.

War Of Kings #5 – Continues to be an example of how to do a crossover right. And, of course, it all seems to boil down to the two leaders duking it out. I’m intrigued for what’s next for these characters, and hope that we get an Inhumans regular series out of it, or at least something starring Ronan and Crystal, who are really the break out stars of the story.

I also picked up Buffy but haven’t a chance to read it, so next week for that. I know, you can’t wait!

There are 5 key ads for the new Countdown and the tag lines are:

• Jimmy Olsen Must Die!
• Seduction of the Innocent – with an image of an Eclipso’d Mary Marvel
• The Search for Ray Palmer – and the world’s smallest man will be the biggest piece of the puzzle
• Villains Defiant! – with two villains chained togethere
• Unto Man Shall Come A Great Disaster - Darkseid lives!

Other reveals:

• Manhunter is NOT cancelled – AGAIN!
• Kyle Rayner is not dying
• 3 or 4 spin offs from 52
• Kingdom Come is required reading
• There’s a story to be told with how Faust gets out of his pact
• Countdown will not be a direct sequel to 52 but one character will feature in its early stages
• Flash is not as directionless as you may think (although that seemed like a cover)
• The next Wonder Woman writer after Jodi Picoult can’t be named yet but is set. Didio teased: “Who would you like it to be?” Oddly, nobody said Joss Whedon which I thought was the obvious answer…

Looks like I flunked my plan to post every week day – although in my defense, yesterday was a holiday and I posted twice at one point last week so the average worked out…

Anyway, some interesting things and thoughts…

Marvel’s Omega Flight has been reduced to a five-issue mini. I actually don’t think that this is necessarily a bad idea – too many books get launched as full ongoings only to have the plug pulled 6 or 12 issues in. At least this way there’s a defined end-point, and – according to writer Mike Oeming – a shot at an ongoing.

DC has pulled the plug on Firestorm as of #35. I have to admit that I haven’t followed the book since OYL, mainly because it irked me that they spent all this time bringing back Professor Stein then had him missing after the one year jump. Even so, I’m sorry to see this go – I think that it suffered unfairly from a lack of support after the original Firestorm’s death in Identity Crisis, and it face an uphill battle because of that. Add to that that Jason Rusch is one of the few lead non-caucasian characters published by the big two, and I think it’s doubly sad that the title is going.

I understand that Blue Beetle and Atom - also featuring non-white leads – are also on shaky ground sales-wise. Is this a sign that there’s not a big enough readership to support minority characters, despite the clamour for them?

Sean McKeever has signed with DC – this is especially surprising as he was just announced as the writer on the new ongoing Spider-Man Family and Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane is a critical darling. Rumors abound that he will be working on a New Gods title, despite his denial. Personally I’d love to see him take on a Lois Lane book, but that may just be me…

There’s even more stuff spinning out of Civil War. Now I’m as big a Marvel fan as anyone but this is getting a bit much even for me.

The first issue of Warren Ellis’ take on Thunderbolts was really good – not a surprise as I’m a big Ellis fan – and I’m looking forward to seeing Songbird and Penance getting more facetime. Speaking of Penance…I’ve still not fully processed what has happened here to my one of my favorite under-appreciated characters. When I have, I’ll have something to say.

I should say that I succumbed to the T-bolts variant cover. I’m weak, dammit, weak!

Agents of Atlas ended with a bang. A great mini with great art – now can we please see a reunion between Namora and Namor in his upcoming mini? Please? Pretty please?

Manhunter has been confirmed as bowing out as of #30. Here’s hoping that Kate sticks around in Birds of Prey for a while.

JOHN OSTRANDER IS BACK ON SUICIDE SQUAD!!!

JSA is going from strength to strength. Looks like the new Starman is indeed the Starman of Kingdom Come – and as such, I think that he’s Thom Kallor of the Legion. Which Legion, I have no idea…

Of all the DC books I’m picking up right now, I’m enjoyin Superman the most. Seriously, it’s all kind of good.

Well, maybe not quite that good, but pretty damn close.

Last week’s books may well have constituted one of the best single weeks that I can remember, with hardly a mis-step amongst them.

Supergirl #12 finally had someone pointing out to Kara what a whiny little cow she’s being. The fact that that person was newcomer Terra (soon to be starring in her own mini courtesy of this issue’s guest creative team of Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray and Amanda Conner) just added to the fun – this is someone greener than Kara, and she still put her in her place. Great stuff.

Justice Society of America #1 is being lauded all over the place, and rightly so. As I posted over on Kalinara’s blog:

Pros: Maxine being a gushing fangirl and yet obviously having a lot more depth (her depression, having no friends…she’s coming across a little too healthy)

: Jessie and Rick and Jessie’s new costume

amage being a bitter bad-ass

:Ted and Alan and Jay being Ted and Alan and Jay

: Mr America’s look and reaction to his, er, tragedies

: Starman not being your prototypical hero – and being aware that he’s losing it

: Power Girl’s reaction to Maxine

:Courtney being…well, Courtney

:Coming this year in JSA!

Cons: Not a goddamn thing. Sooo much better than the JLA relaunch that it’s not funny.

52 #31 upped the ante with the death of Captain Comet and a look at new villainess Lady Styx and her cubes of doom (okay, they’re not called that but damned if that’s not what they are) who eats Green Lantern rings as snacks. Seriously. Looks like things aren’t going to be easy for the space-faring heroes… And the ‘who is Supernova’ takes a giant leap forward. I’m going to guess that he is indeed Booster Gold, and the Booster who died previously was in fact Daniel Carter (in fact I’ll go so far as to say that Daniel is the Booster we’ve seen since 52 #1…

Detective #826 had a note-perfect Joker taking Robin on a joyride with Batman only making a brief appearance in the best single issue of Paul Dini’s run yet.

Manhunter #26 returned in grand style in an extremely packed issue. My only concern is that it may have been a bit too packed for the new readers it was aiming for. Even so,looking good…

And Nightwing #127 continued to remind me that Wolfman and Jurgens actually get this character.

Elsewhere, Spider-Man: Reign kicked off in grand style with a Peter Parker that I felt genuinely sorry for – I’m not sure what exactly happened to MJ all those years before but I think that it’s what pushed Peter into retirement. It captured Peter – and the city’s – desperation in a really effective way. Comparisons are already being drawn to The Dark Knight Returns and it’s not hard to see why.

Beyond #6 sent off one of my favorite new characters in grand style with a promise that despite appearances this wasn’t the end, so that’s good to know. One of the most fun minis this year…

…a title it needs to fight over with Agents of Atlas #5 which focused on the origin of Venus and showed just what Namora can do when she lets rip, not to mention the fact that she has slightly icky feelings for a certain royal cousin of hers!

In another two other great minis, Doc Strange proved what a bad ass he can be (Dr Strange: The Oath #3), while the new White Tiger still hasn’t realised that the current DD is actually her uncle and former babysitter, Danny Rand (White Tiger #2).

In Uncanny X-Men #481, new boy Korus hooked up with Rachel while Darwin mashed some face as he tried to save Xavier from a particularly nasty looking torture machine.

And Eric proved himself to be a tool not once (getting it on with his dead best friend’s girlfriend on said best friend’s grave), not twice (hanging out after a lousy date waiting for sex) but three times (moving into said date’s apartment while ant-sized and cheerfully watching her shower). Yep, the Irredeemable Ant-Man is starting to live up to his moniker in #3 of his book!

On another planet, Incredible Hulk #101 gave even more hints as to who’s going to be the main target of the green behemoth’s rage when he gets home (hint: he wears red and gold) even as the big guy made some more unlikely allies in his war against the Red King.

Finally, in a galaxy far, far away, Luke and Tank seem to have reached the end – finally – of their friendship in the long-delayed Star Wars Rebellion #5.

Not a bum note in the lot!

Just a (very) quick post to remind you that a couple of hi-profile titles hit the shelves today headed up by female characters.

DC’s Manhunter is back with #26 after a brief hiatus – Kate (who’s also appearing in Birds of Prey right now) will apparently be defending Wonder Woman in the matter of Maxwell Lord’s murder – you can read my Top 10 Reasons to Buy Manhunter by making with the clickety-click.

Supergirl also hits the stands today with #12 – and despite my earlier rant chances are that I’ll pick it up. Not because I’ve changed my mind, but because this is a guest-creator issue by the excellent Palmiotti and Gray team guest-starring the new Terra. Or at least it is according to #11′s next issue blurb, although DC’s site says otherwise. If the site’s right, the recently much-maligned Cassandra Cain Batgirl returns in this ish. Either way, I’m probably getting it. Which just goes to show how incredibly weak I am.

EDIT: Okay, the next issue blurb was right according to Newsarama – which means it’s on the list.

Over in the Marvel camp, White Tiger #2 hits stands. #1 was generally well-received but to be honest, I found it only so-so – right up until it was totally redeemed by the tailor shop scene, which made me think that I really wouldn’t mind seeing the writing team of Tamora Pierce and Timothy Liebe take on a Spider-Man mini-series. Just a thought.

Oh, and the now-completely-spelt-out-for-you Justice Society of America #1 gets a relaunch today, and Stargirl – for my money the best female creation of the last fifteen years – is expected to be front and centre as always.

Man, I miss Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.…

The book’s return after a brief hiatus maybe 3 weeks away but I thought this might be a good time to run down 10 reasons why you should give Manhunter a try on it’s return:

1) It’s one of only six DC and Marvel ongoings to have a solo female protagonist that I can think of (the other three being Supergirl, She-Hulk, Wonder Woman, Ms Marvel and Spider-Girl) and of them – with the exception of Spider-Girl – I think you could succesfully argue that this is the least T&A of all of them.

2) The Manhunter legacy is a big one in the DCU – originally created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, there have been many Manhunters over the years – and creative alumni include Walt Simonson, Archie Goodwin, John Ostrander, Kim Yale, Steven Grant and Kurt Busiek. Marc Andreyko has managed to carve out an original character – Kate Spencer – and make her stand proudly with the previous Manhunters!

3) Kate has a great supporting cast – including former Manhunter Mark Shaw, former headliner of her own series Cameron Chase, former Infinity Inc’er Bones (now director of the DEO), her son, her ex-husband, his new wife, and – of course! – Dylan, the Tech Wonder! Beat that, Batman!

4) Kate shows up in the new Birds of Prey cast, starting with #100 – available today!

5) She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty, taking out annoying D-lister Copperhead – permanently – on her very first outing!

6) In her civilian guise, Kate has a rep as one of the best metahuman lawyers in the States. She’s defended Dr Psycho, and her next client looks like it’ll be Wonder Woman – for the murder of Maxwell Lord!

7) Not only is Kate connected to the DCU through the Manhunter legacy, but she’s just found out that she’s got other connections – her paternal grandparents are the original Phantom Lady and Iron Munro (who were actually the main suspects of being Damage’s parents waaay back in his own book). And that means she has a cousin from Opal City by the name of Jack Knight! Add to that the recent introduction of the new Phantom Lady, Stormy Knight (groan!), in Battle for Bludhaven and Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters, and you’ve got family popping up all over the place!

Upcoming guest stars – Kate’s hosting Wonder Woman and Batman in the months to come – and who’s that on the cover to #27 (Hint, he’s Blue, he’s dead, and he’s on the right!) ??!?

9) There’s a downloadable sneak peek of #26 available on DC Comics website…or you could just click here!

10) It’s the new little book that could – originally cancelled at #25, Manhunter has been given a new 5-issue lease on life till #30 -which may or may not be the last issue. So show some support for the most interesting female character in comics today!

You may – or may not – have noticed that I haven’t posted those little week in review things I do for my comic purchases for a while. This hasn’t been for lack of purchases – although I have been getting a bit later in the week with them – but more for lack of stuff to say.

I’ve been enjoying a lot of the books that I’ve picked up (which is always a good sign) but I find that I’ve been tearing through a lot of them with very little to say after them.

So I’m remedying that now by just listing some thoughts down…not necessarily in order…and not a Civil War comment in the bunch!

1. Supergirl has improved exponentially with the latest issue to hit stands, #9. Now granted that’s not difficult as, let’s be honest, this has been a turd of a book for some time. Now free of Greg Rucka’s Candor arc (with a C not a K), this ish was a treat, looking at how Kara’s finding her way in the world. Guesting a load of characters who don’t steal the limelight from the lost maid of steel (with the possible exception of potential love interest Boomerang), this is a solid read. Looks like I’ve finally stopped wavering.
2. Robin – this is a good read – and once again, Boomerang guest stars. I really like the guy, despite not reading Outsiders anymore. Robin himself, though, has been best-affected by the OYL overhaul if you ask me, and for the first time in a long time (geez…since Chuck Dixon left, I guess) I’m actually looking forward to the next issue instead of being ‘meh’.
3. JLA – yes it has a longer name but I’m damned if I’m typing it. Solid first issue, with nice dynamics from the big 3 as they vote on a team – even though one’s forming without them. Although I’m really not sold on Batman calling Red Tornado ‘Reddy’.
4. X-Men – Astonishing, Uncanny and Adjectiveless have all turned in great recent issues – the creative switches on the latter two are really paying off, and Whedon and Cassaday are firing on all cylinders on the former. So….what the hell is going on? Is it all in Emma’s head or what? Oh, and I’m not convinced that Colossus is getting out of the 24 issues alive.
5. 52- for a title that I was on the verge of dropping this has been a huge turn around. It’s now the top of my pile every week. I’m not sure what happened about six weeks ago, but it’s like everything is just clicking now. Impressive stuff.
6. Star Wars KOTOR – I’m liking all of the SW relaunches, but this one takes the cake so far – really good fun even if it’s in an era that I’m completely unfamiliar with. Solid book.
7. Hunter Killer – wow. I thought they’d given up on this, then #6 rolled out a few weeks back – and it was very very good, deserving of a second immediate read which hardly ever happens. I’d recommend this to anyone, anyone at all.
8. The Escapists – surprise of the summer for me! A 6 issue limited series from Dark Horse penned by Brian K Vaughan framed with the same kind of conceits as the book on which the character is based, this is working on all kinds of levels for me. Highly, highly recommended.
9. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man – PAD seems to be bringing back the classic Mysterio – about time this got cleared up as by last count there were 3 of them running around, including the dead one.
10. Sensational Spider-Man – meanwhile, over here Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is bringing back a lot of classic villains – Chameleon, Molten Man, Electro…after his first arc brought in Puma, Lizard, Stegron and the Black Cat amongst others, I’m a little concerned that he’s blowing through the classic rogues too quickly, but I’m having fun while he does.
11. Heroes for Hire – okay, kind of CW related, but this was a great first ish this week – and hey, Shang Chi and the Daughters of the Dragon in one book can’t be beat. Fun book with a good premise – I’ll be interested to see where it goes after the war is over.
12. Superman – fun fun fun. Both Superman books are in great hands right now, but the Busiek-Pacheco Superman gets the vote from me. Best it’s been in quite a while.
13. Thunderbolts – long time readers of mine will know that this is one of my fave books. And that hasn’t changed. The last issue, basically a set piece between Zemo and Cap’n A scored highly with me by referencing my all-time fave Avengers storyline, Under Siege. A change is coming to this title soon – and I’m curious as to what it will be. I think a new team will be rising following the Grandmaster arc…
14. Wonder Woman – it’s good but I think a lot of it has been spoiled by other books. I mean, we all know Diana is taking the crown back thanks to JLA. Not only that, but the fact that Dr Psycho is running around after getting his ass kicked in Manhunter is also irking me (although maybe that arc is set after this arc which would make sense given how Manhunter #25 ended…). Great art though.

Agree? Disagree?

Okay, so a day later than planned but still…here we go! Some spoilers may happen if you haven’t read stuff yet…

52 #11 – Okay this is better! Batwoman makes a splash and we focus on two of the more interesting sub-plots (Renee & The Question and Ralph Dibny) rather than the dull ones. Good work, and enough to buy me in for another month.

Battle for Bludhaven #6 – this series was a mess, and this issue is no exception . BUT – two good things came out of this; Captain Atom seems now to be sealed in the old Monarch armor from Armageddon 2001 (he was originally supposed to be the villain there, but DC changed their mind at the last minute) and secondly, what lies beneath Bludhaven has sparked my interest – I mean, I thought this had been introduced into the DCU in the most recent Superboy series, but I’ll take it here instead…Command D!

Flash #2 – And we’re done. I’m sorry, but as much as I kinda like Bart, I have zero interest reading him as the Flash right now. Sorry guys, but this book just isn’t working for me. A pity, as I was on the first volume solidly since Mark Waid’s first run, but….see ya.

Justice League of America #0 – Alright, I liked this. More a book about the trinity than the JLA, this still worked well – and I dug the flash forwards – let’s see what the future might hold: Hal Jordan’s wedding – and Bruce and Diana are already hitched – maybe to each other? Luthor fighting the trinity over Connor’s death; Clark mourning Pa Kent – and sealing up the tunnel from his room to the edge of Smallville (hey, wasn’t that pre-Crisis Superboy’s tunnel? Interesting…); Diana giving up her immortality to be with her man (who isn’t Batman, so who knows?); the Trinity sundered – maybe permanently – following someone’s funeral; the discovery of a second Earth (so Earth-2 take three?); Batman finally dies in a similar way to the Dark Knight Returns? Wow. It’s a hell of a read and a great pre-cursor to the new title. Great stuff.

Manhunter #24 – So-so issue; if Dr Psycho has been on trial and is now apparently powerless OYL, why is he popping up all over the show (Wonder Woman and somewhere else I don’t remember). I’m glad the book is going to get to #30 but I’ll be surprised if it lasts past that…

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #20 – This is a nigh-perfect superhero book but it somehow leaves me a little bit empty sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sticking with it but I’m not quite feeling it at the moment.

Star Wars: Rebellion #4 – Its Star Wars. What’s not to like? Looks like the Tank sub-plot is drawing to a close…and I actually didn’t see that coming with Jorin Sol. Fun book. Although I wish Solo was in it.

Cable and Deadpool #30 – hee hee! Deadpool getting beat by Squirrel Girl! Cable meeting with Cap! And Daredevil….or is it?…with a really cute clue as to his real ID (unless its a fake out):
From Cable & Deadpool a few months back…

and from C&D #30:

Thanks to the guys over at CBR forums!

CIVIL WAR #3 – this is shaping up to be great, and neither the pro or anti sides are coming up smelling like roses; on the anti, Cap zaps Iron Man and on the pro, Iron Man beats Cap severely. Can’t anyone play nice. Best bit in the issue for me was not the return of Thor (although I’d like to know why he’s pro-reg!), but the great characterization of Hercules rushing to Cap’s defence (“Out of my way you filthy traitors!) Plus Cap has a ‘tache in his new secret ID!

CIVIL WAR: X-MEN #1 – the first bum note in CW for me. I didn’t like this much at all, but I’ll get it because I’m lame.

DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON #6 – great end to a great series. I’ll be getting 5 if it carries on in this vein – Colleen and Misty have never been better!

SHE-HULK #8&9 – yes, Chris is posting me #8 first print but I decided to pick up the second print too – and I’m glad I did. Loved seeing Justice and Rage again, plus check-ins on the other warriors, and Shulkie’s marriage to John Jameson was really good fun. I also loved the dinner with Jolly Jonah, too – Slott really has a handle on comic book humor! And finally, I loved Pug’s wishful thinking – and I’m not entirely sure he’s wrong…

FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #10 – Wow. In all the fuss over Amazing, I’m fairly sure this book is getting over looked a lot at the moment – and that’s a damn shame; PAD and Ringo have brought back Uncle Ben (not ‘our’ Ben, before you get your knickers in a twist!) and then added more twists – now we have Ben knocking about in the core reality, but its not even clear that its the Ben who was brought here from another reality – confused? Read the issue and you will be!

X-FACTOR #9 – A good week for PAD fans as X-Factor not only confront Quicksilver but also the Astonishing X-Men in a really, really good issue. Madrox’s face-down of Cyclops was classic, as is Madrox’s rescue of Aegis (a New Warrior I never liked from the second crappy series). Add to that X-Factor taking a stand against the registration act, and you’ve got one great issue.

UNCANNY X-MEN #476 – Ed Brubaker’s second ish continues on his strong start, as the team talk with Cyclops and steal a ship. And Warpath – like I said, a character I’ve always liked – is turning into a real star here. Plu, Billy Tan just keeps getting better!

It’s been a pretty strong week (and a big one) for me -but I’ve dropped Flash, Supergirl & LSH needs to pick up, and I’m dubious on the Uncle Sam etc series thanks to Bludhaven.

Time to go see if I can fit them somewhere…

It can’t be a coincidence that a new Phantom Lady, also carrying the Knight surname, has shown up in Battle for Bludhaven recently – and her father appears to be a senator behind the dubious machinations of Father Time there.