3.5 Razors

Justice League: Generation Lost #18

/ / Comics

It’s easy to forget, but Maxwell Lord is one devious bastard. He sends Power Girl out to destroy the Justice League International, but it’s not enough to simply put down Captain Atom and the team for what happened with Magogg. No, he makes Power Girl believe she’s fighting a murderous Superman an the A-list Justice League of America gone bad so she won’t hesitate, won’t stop, and won’t pull any punches.

Like I said, Maxwell Lord is one devious bastard.

By the end of the issue, when the action has finally stopped a few things are clear. We know Power Girl is now a part of the team, we know how Maxwell Lord is remains forgotten by the rest of the world (it has to do with the collective conscious of the world helping to make someone who remembers him immediately begin to forget), and we know Power Girl can beat up anyone she damn well chooses. Worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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Darth Vader and the Lost Command #1

/ / Comics

darth-vader-and-the-lost-command-1-coverSet shortly after the events of Revenge of the Sith, this new mini-series sends Darth Vader on a mission into the mysterious “Ghost Nebula” to track down a missing Star Destroyer commanded by the son of Moff Tarkin.

In this first issue writer Haden Blackman gives us a glimpse into the mind, dreams, and regrets of the man who was once Anakin Skywalker as well as his growing pains at assuming his new role as the Emperor‘s right hand. One interesting note here is the early scene suggesting Vader’s mechanical limbs take far more (painful) maintanace than has previously been suggested.

The early scenes work well and as does the last half when the comic shifts into full-on action mode as Vader’s troops attack the planet of Atoa. The feel of everything is right here, even if the Atoans themselves are a bit disappointing – although we do get a glimpse of something more in the final page. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse $3.50]

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Doctor Who #1

/ / Comics

doctor-who-1-coverIDW finally brings the Eleventh Doctor to his own monthly comic. The first issue surrounds Rory‘s misuse of the magic phone aboard the TARDIS which leads to spamming of an epic scale.

Although the set-up is rather silly, writer Tony Lee gets the tone of the characters right including Matt Smith zaniness and his mix of acceptance and incredulity at the situation which includes a magic talking stapler (I kid you not!).

If I have one complaint its the inconsistent art of Andrew Currie where Amy Pond is concerned. The Doctor, Rory, and the various aliens and spam creations come off well, but the quality of Amy seems to vary wildly over the course of the comic.

As first issues goes it’s certainly a bit of fluff, but it’s entertaining enough for Who fans to pick up. It’s not going to bowl you over, or compare with the best of Series Five, but it just may help tide you over until Doctor Who returns to the airwaves this Spring.

[IDW $3.99]

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Powergirl #20

/ / Comics
  • Title: Power Girl #20
  • Comic Vine: link
  • Writer:Judd Winick
  • Artist:Sam Basri

powergirl-20-coverPower Girl fights her way through the new Cadmus research facility, battling all manner of genetically enhanced monsters, looking for answers to who had her cloned and why. What she finds are two old friends.

Maxwell Lord makes another appearance, stopping Power Girl’s rampage and putting her on a collision course with the Justice League International to seek revenge after Captain Atom‘s apparanent murder of Magogg (which was also staged by Lord).

However, it’s the appearance of another Superman supporting character that’s the real surprise. I’m not the biggest Krypto fan out there, but I’ve got to admit this is a pretty good moment – as is Maxwell Lord’s reaction to seeing the clone.

Those looking to see Power Girl do what she does best (kick some serious ass) will get exactly that here, along with a quick cameo from Batman and the reappearance of a Kryptonian’s best friend. Worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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Batman #706

/ / Comics

Sensei has abducted Lucius Fox and his daughter with the hopes of prying the secrets of a brotherhood his father once belonged. Meanwhile Batman and Robin find themselves sidetracked by a sneak attack by the Riddler and his daughter Enigma.

There’s much to like here, but one thing which troubles me. The entire issue is jam-packed with as many periphery Bat-characters as could easily fit into one story (each with their own introduction) including those mentioned above as well as Catwoman, Catgirl, I-Ching, Peacock, and Reaper. The entire issue feels like an attempt to create a new jumping-in point for those who haven’t been reading the title. The problem is this is part-three of an on-going storyline. So why this attempt works, it feels a bit awkward.

The story itself works pretty well as the various stories hint without giving too much away. Filled with action, this actually is a mystery story (in several different ways) for Batman to solve. It’s also nice to see Grayson’s detective skills highlighted.

[DC $2.99]

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