Daredevil #108
Part Two of Cruel and Unusual continues immediately where the previous issue left off with Matt Murdock telling Donovan he wants to be his lawyer. As with #107 Dakota North gets a lot of face time in this issue and the team of Brubaker/Rucka write her fantastically well yet again, and even have her kicking some ass as opposed to getting her head smashed into a car. A few panels of Luke Cage never hurts a book either. The art is great as usual, and is especially good in the panels which involve Dakota chasing someone around and kicking ass. Three separate surprises in the last few pages including an old friend [read enemy] from the Frank Miller days. I was glad to see Daredevil get back on track last month, and this issue was even better so I'm sure the second half of this arc will be incredible.
Thunderbolts #121
Well I figured Warren Ellis' finale on Thunderbolts would be action-packed and it was, but unfortunately it wasn't much else. Moonstone fights with Doc and Robbie, Green Goblin fights with Songbird, and the rest of the Thunderbolts are no where to be found except for one reappearance towards the end of the issue which I'm sure is no surprise to anyone who has been following the book. A weak ending to what was an incredible run by Ellis. With Ellis departing and a bunch of Secret Invasion tie-in issues coming up I'm not sure whether I'll continue to read Thunderbolts.
Runaways #30
Man was I excited when I heard that Joss Whedon was going to be writing Runaways, and man did that excitment die fast. I suppose the biggest factor was the fact that the book came out when it wanted to instead of on a regular monthly basis. However, Whedon was also telling a story that I simply wasn't that interested in. I didn't like the fact that he was introducing so many characters considering he was only supposed to be around for six issues, and when it never came out on time I found it harder to keep track of all these new faces. So for all of the big 1907 war scenes I didn't have a good idea of what was going on, but the moments with the Runaways are done well. There is a wonderfully touching twist to the story that will probably hit harder once I read this run in one sitting and know what is going on, and Chase has some great scenes at the end where he talks about Gert. So while I wasn't the biggest fan of this arc I'm sure it will read better in trade or in one sitting with my single issues. Stoked for another new #1 for Runaways come August.
Uncanny X-Men #499
While I'm writing this I'm listening to a Word Balloon podcast and Brubaker and Fraction so I am incredibly excited for those two to work together on this book starting with the highly anticipated #500. However, most people have not been pleased with this current Hippie storyline, but I've actually enjoyed it thus far although this issue is probably the worst of the whole arc. Due to two different artists working on this issue I actually felt like I was reading two different books because the art styles are totally different; it simply didn't work. We basically have two big fight scenes in this issue and then we finally get the official move to SF that we all knew was coming. Like I said I've enjoyed this arc more than most people, but I guess it just ran a little too long because this final issue didn't do much for me.
Captain America #39
This issue starts out really strong with some clever dialogue that puts Senator Wright's storyline in a unique perspective. Then we get some scenes with Bucky and Sam that feel somewhat unnecessary, but I like what Brubaker did with this other Captain America and Senator Wright. It reinforces just how much Captain America means to this country which is an important concept for the story to convey to the reader. However, what makes this issue are the scenes with Sharon Carter which are awesome. If only we had some more time with her instead of four pages of Bucky and Sam trying to kick each other. Again I still feel like this book is moving just a tad too slow for my tastes plus the fill-in artist for this issue just didn't do anything for me.
Immortal Iron Fist #16
My favorite of the week in a very busy week. I am incredibly sad to know that this is the last issue of Iron Fist from Matt Fraction. I'm confident Duane will do a good job even though I hear his Cable series didn't start out so great. But back to Issue #16, wow. After such a crazy arc that recently wrapped up it is wonderful to get such a close and perfectly written story about Danny Rand. Not only that, but this issue also changes a lot for the character. In just one issue we see excellent scenes showing Danny with kids, Jeryn, Misty, Luke, the other Immortal Weapons, and himself. Thankfully this issue is entirely done by David Aja which of course adds to its greatness. This issue will certainly end up being one of my favorite single issues of the year. Excellent work.
Superman #677
So since I will have some extra income starting in September I figured I should add some books to my pull list. After reading some interviews with James Robinson and hearing about how good the first issue of John's Brainiac arc in Action Comics was I suddenly have two new books to look forward to each month. Perhaps it is because I have a dog of my own, but the first few pages of this issue made me fall in love with Krypto; Robinson did an excellent job with these scenes. The dialogue between Superman and Hal Jordan was handled nicely too, and kind of boiled Superman down to his essence. Most of the issue deals with members of the Science Police, and these scenes are okay, but they will seem like kind of a waste unless these people play an important role in this storyline. We get pretty much standard fare here with the SP, a big strong guy beating everyone up and demanding Superman to face him, but Robinson has me convinced I should stick around on this title. The art really impressed me too so hopefully we don't have to deal with fill-ins anytime soon.
Next week Warren Ellis starts on Astonishing X-Men, Batman RIP continues, and Dark Tower: Long Road Home comes to an end. Take care.
6/19/08
Comics from June 18th
Wolverine #66
I generally don't like Wolverine, but I have been eagerly waiting for the Old Man Logan story arc to start because of how much I enjoy the work of both Millar and McNiven. After having read the first issue I am pretty much in the same boat. The issue was enjoyable to read and to look at, but it didn't do much besides set up the basic facts which I already knew from reading solicits and hearing people talk about the story. That complaint aside the writing and art were both up to expectations, and I particularly enjoyed Millar's use of Western-styled dialouge; it really helps to distance the story from other books which take place in the here-and-now of the Marvel Universe. Unfortunately, this dialouge is sometimes thrown off track by somewhat cheesy lines that reference to other Marvel characters or events. Thankfully this didn't happen often, and it is in no way a major problem for the issue, but what makes them more bothersome than they should be is that I can't buy them within the context of the story which is supposed to be fifty years after all the other Superheroes of the Marvel Universe have died. Fifty years after all that has happened Hawkeye is really going to say "Oh, please. If Sabertooth could see you now." eh at least I don't think so. Minor things aside a great issue albeit one that doesn't do much but set things up. Can't wait to pick up Part Two.
DMZ #32
Another solid issue of DMZ's current Blood in the Game arc which deals with an upcoming election and "People's Candidate" Parco Delgado. More so than other arcs this one has thus far shown Matty coming into his own which has been a pleasure to read. It's hard to find bad things to say about this book, so I guess all I can really say is that I hope this arc doesn't signal the end for this particular storyline because there are so many things that Wood can examine here not to mention the fact that it would be nice to still be reading this storyline as it gets closer to November and our own Presidential election. Another round of one-shots would be great to look in depth at how the end of this arc impacts specific characters especially if it brings about the kind of change to the world of the DMZ that it looks like it is going to. It has been great watching Matty grow throughout these last four issues, but I'd like to see more from other characters particularly those like Zee who are more closely tied to the DMZ than our favorite reporter. It is understandable that Wood can't cram all those things into this arc, but I hope they get dealt with eventually.
Scalped #18
This issue of Scalped is a one shot about Officer Falls Down who readers of the series might remember from when he was set up by Red Crow and nearly killed. Even with a guest artist, who did a good job but was a bit too sketchy for me, all the things you loved about previous Scalped one-shots are here; in depth character study and an isolated story that still feels relevant because it moves along the over arcing storyline of the series. Again like in other issues of Scalped Aaron isn't treading new ground and telling the type of story that has never been told before, but that is irrelevant because of how well the story is told and how real and intriguing the characters have become over the past year and a half. If you aren't a fan of this series then I'm not a fan of you.
Time to go to work. Take care. - Jesse
I generally don't like Wolverine, but I have been eagerly waiting for the Old Man Logan story arc to start because of how much I enjoy the work of both Millar and McNiven. After having read the first issue I am pretty much in the same boat. The issue was enjoyable to read and to look at, but it didn't do much besides set up the basic facts which I already knew from reading solicits and hearing people talk about the story. That complaint aside the writing and art were both up to expectations, and I particularly enjoyed Millar's use of Western-styled dialouge; it really helps to distance the story from other books which take place in the here-and-now of the Marvel Universe. Unfortunately, this dialouge is sometimes thrown off track by somewhat cheesy lines that reference to other Marvel characters or events. Thankfully this didn't happen often, and it is in no way a major problem for the issue, but what makes them more bothersome than they should be is that I can't buy them within the context of the story which is supposed to be fifty years after all the other Superheroes of the Marvel Universe have died. Fifty years after all that has happened Hawkeye is really going to say "Oh, please. If Sabertooth could see you now." eh at least I don't think so. Minor things aside a great issue albeit one that doesn't do much but set things up. Can't wait to pick up Part Two.
DMZ #32
Another solid issue of DMZ's current Blood in the Game arc which deals with an upcoming election and "People's Candidate" Parco Delgado. More so than other arcs this one has thus far shown Matty coming into his own which has been a pleasure to read. It's hard to find bad things to say about this book, so I guess all I can really say is that I hope this arc doesn't signal the end for this particular storyline because there are so many things that Wood can examine here not to mention the fact that it would be nice to still be reading this storyline as it gets closer to November and our own Presidential election. Another round of one-shots would be great to look in depth at how the end of this arc impacts specific characters especially if it brings about the kind of change to the world of the DMZ that it looks like it is going to. It has been great watching Matty grow throughout these last four issues, but I'd like to see more from other characters particularly those like Zee who are more closely tied to the DMZ than our favorite reporter. It is understandable that Wood can't cram all those things into this arc, but I hope they get dealt with eventually.
Scalped #18
This issue of Scalped is a one shot about Officer Falls Down who readers of the series might remember from when he was set up by Red Crow and nearly killed. Even with a guest artist, who did a good job but was a bit too sketchy for me, all the things you loved about previous Scalped one-shots are here; in depth character study and an isolated story that still feels relevant because it moves along the over arcing storyline of the series. Again like in other issues of Scalped Aaron isn't treading new ground and telling the type of story that has never been told before, but that is irrelevant because of how well the story is told and how real and intriguing the characters have become over the past year and a half. If you aren't a fan of this series then I'm not a fan of you.
Time to go to work. Take care. - Jesse
6/6/08
Comics that came out June 4th
Secret Invasion # 3
Eagerly awaited this one especially all the Skrull related promotion at Wizard World last weekend, and it starts off real well with an opening two pages focusing on Maria Hill and Jarvis. We also get to see "Yellowjacket" round up some folks from the Initiative which is cool, but the book could have used more scenes like this instead of so many pages of the Young Avengers and Initiative superheros getting the crapped kicked out of them. The interaction with "Spiderwomen" and Iron-Man is wonderful and shows a side of the Invasion which doesn't involve beating the hell out of second rate heroes. Also, the reveal at the end of this issue is a little over-sized. A mediocre issue, but hopefully it starts to pick up next month when some of the heavy hitters get involved.
Omega the Unknown #9
Don't really know what I can say about this issue. If you haven't been reading this mini-series up until this point you will be completely lost. More than anything I've read recently this series has been full of crazyness, and that is exactly why I love it. If you want to get in on it you might as well wait for the trade at this point, this is something that will read much better in a collection because it can be somewhat hard to follow. A great unconventional super-hero book that doesn't try too hard, it simply works.
Criminal #3
Tracy Morgan is a firm believer that "The Power is in The Pussy" and the main character of the last stand alone issue of the second volume, who we've seen before, apparently agrees. We alreayd know her fate, but that in no way takes away from this story which works even if you haven't read issue #1. The story moves along pretty fast yet the reader still has time to connect to the character in a significant way due in part to excellent writing of brutally honest internal dialogue which you don't get in books from other imprints. In fact, the fact that things move so fast helps since it matches how quickly downhill things went for the character. Aside from one corny line of dialogue , "Just let me put the head in...", Brubaker's writing was spot on as usual. Criminal is probably my favorite book to read each month, and I can't wait for the start of the next multiple part arc.
The Invincible Iron-Man #2
After seeing so much of him in other books and events I have been wanting to read an Iron-Man book for some time, but never felt like getting caught up on Iron-Man Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. I waited and waited and then like a gift from God came an all new Iron-Man book by one of my favorite writers right now Iron Fist's Matt Fraction. With the other Iron-Man book getting a new creative team this is the only one I'm interested in anymore after only two issues. Fraction writes the hell out of it and the art is ridiculous. After only two issues this book has already moved up near the top of my ranks for mainstream super-hero books. Don't hesitate start reading this series RIGHT NOW.
Kick-Ass # 3
You can't argue with a book written by Millar and drawn by JRJR. Instead of reading this book as a "real-life" super hero book, which is how I often hear it talked about, I just sit back and enjoy it. Dave, the story's main character, is a likable character and Millar's writing is usually pretty humorous which helps because this character could easily be pretty annoying if not written right. The end of this issue is absolutely insane and I feel like it wouldn't work if you bought into that "real-life" super hero book stuff. I don't feel like this book is reinventing the wheel, but so far it has been entertaining so check it out.
I have to go so I'm not writing a review of Dark Tower #4, but of course it was great.
Career Suicide show tonight at Disgraceland.
Bye bye.
Eagerly awaited this one especially all the Skrull related promotion at Wizard World last weekend, and it starts off real well with an opening two pages focusing on Maria Hill and Jarvis. We also get to see "Yellowjacket" round up some folks from the Initiative which is cool, but the book could have used more scenes like this instead of so many pages of the Young Avengers and Initiative superheros getting the crapped kicked out of them. The interaction with "Spiderwomen" and Iron-Man is wonderful and shows a side of the Invasion which doesn't involve beating the hell out of second rate heroes. Also, the reveal at the end of this issue is a little over-sized. A mediocre issue, but hopefully it starts to pick up next month when some of the heavy hitters get involved.
Omega the Unknown #9
Don't really know what I can say about this issue. If you haven't been reading this mini-series up until this point you will be completely lost. More than anything I've read recently this series has been full of crazyness, and that is exactly why I love it. If you want to get in on it you might as well wait for the trade at this point, this is something that will read much better in a collection because it can be somewhat hard to follow. A great unconventional super-hero book that doesn't try too hard, it simply works.
Criminal #3
Tracy Morgan is a firm believer that "The Power is in The Pussy" and the main character of the last stand alone issue of the second volume, who we've seen before, apparently agrees. We alreayd know her fate, but that in no way takes away from this story which works even if you haven't read issue #1. The story moves along pretty fast yet the reader still has time to connect to the character in a significant way due in part to excellent writing of brutally honest internal dialogue which you don't get in books from other imprints. In fact, the fact that things move so fast helps since it matches how quickly downhill things went for the character. Aside from one corny line of dialogue , "Just let me put the head in...", Brubaker's writing was spot on as usual. Criminal is probably my favorite book to read each month, and I can't wait for the start of the next multiple part arc.
The Invincible Iron-Man #2
After seeing so much of him in other books and events I have been wanting to read an Iron-Man book for some time, but never felt like getting caught up on Iron-Man Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. I waited and waited and then like a gift from God came an all new Iron-Man book by one of my favorite writers right now Iron Fist's Matt Fraction. With the other Iron-Man book getting a new creative team this is the only one I'm interested in anymore after only two issues. Fraction writes the hell out of it and the art is ridiculous. After only two issues this book has already moved up near the top of my ranks for mainstream super-hero books. Don't hesitate start reading this series RIGHT NOW.
Kick-Ass # 3
You can't argue with a book written by Millar and drawn by JRJR. Instead of reading this book as a "real-life" super hero book, which is how I often hear it talked about, I just sit back and enjoy it. Dave, the story's main character, is a likable character and Millar's writing is usually pretty humorous which helps because this character could easily be pretty annoying if not written right. The end of this issue is absolutely insane and I feel like it wouldn't work if you bought into that "real-life" super hero book stuff. I don't feel like this book is reinventing the wheel, but so far it has been entertaining so check it out.
I have to go so I'm not writing a review of Dark Tower #4, but of course it was great.
Career Suicide show tonight at Disgraceland.
Bye bye.
6/2/08
Comic reviews from LAST week plus Wizard World
All Star Superman #11
Issue #10 of this amazing series was easily my favorite of the run up to now so it was only natural that this one was going to be a let down on at least some level. While far from my favorite issue of this run #11 still was better than most of the books I got this week. Like other issues of ASS #11 is as much about Lex Luthor as it is about Superman, and the issue shines regardless of which character is the center of attention. I'm blanking on what more to say about this book if you follow comics in the slightest you have heard by now how incredible this run has been so just go buy it already.
Daredevil #107
Mr. Fear is out of the picture for now and Matt is about to back to life in the courtroom. Wow, that sounds awful when I look at it, but this issue was far from that. Former partner Greg Rucka has joined up with Brubaker for this issue [and will stay on for this 4 issue arc] and it has certainly paid off for now. Being down in the dumps is nothing new for Matt Murdock, but the beginning of this issue wonderfully shows us just how far he has fallen with the help of a certain New Avenger. The main story centers around said New Avenger trying to convince Dakota and Foggy to let Matt take on the case of a man on death row who has confessed to multiple be- headings. Matt actually takes a back seat to Dakota through much of the issue which is fine because the scenes with her are written very well. The art in this book has been good for a while, but it really stood out for me this issue probably due to the use of very cinematic cuts, particularly the first scenes with Dakota and the scenes of Matt alone in his apartment, with dialogue-less panels which if you read my Scalped review you know that I absolutely love. So, a great issue which made excellent use of supporting cast and has me excited for the rest of this arc.
Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1 aka Astonishing X-Men #25
Just about everybody has been both anxiously awaiting and dreading this issue which marks the end of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday's take on the famed team of mutants. The series started off with one hell of first arc then faltered a bit in the middle, but managed to pick back up again for the latest arc on the Breakworld. Minor spoiler here. When I finally sat down to read this issue I was pretty surprised to open up to a splash page of Spiderman. I mean this is Giant Size Astonishing X-Men which cost 5 bucks and the first thing I see is Peter Parker, not into it. Unfortunately the rest of the Marvel U get much more face time in this issue, and none of them add anything interesting to the story. Yeah they move the story along [sort of] but why make them part of your plot line if most of them just end up standing around. In the finale of one of the most impressive X-Men stories in years I don't really want to see a bunch of people who aren't X-Men and have not had a single thing to do with the previous 24 issues. That being said I still really enjoyed the issue and thought it was a fitting ending to a great story that began all the way back with issue #1. Cassaday's art is incredible as usual, and Whedon's dialogue and memorable one liners are there too. The most enjoyable aspects of the issue for me were the scenes between Beast and Agent Brand who will hopefully pop up more frequently throughout the Marvel Universe or at least in the X-Universe since she is a really intriguing character. There has been better issues of Astonishing X-Men [Issue #23] but Whedon does an excellent job of wrapping up an excellent run. Congrats.
Iron Fist: The Story of the Iron Fist Bei Bang-Wen
This issue is another one shot looking at one the previous Iron Fists written solely by Matt Fraction without the help of Ed Brubaker. I don't have much to say about this issue since I didn't really enjoy it very much. Don't get me wrong it wasn't awful, but it was probably the worst issue of Iron Fist thus far. Granted it was only a one shot, but both of the main characters lacked any kind of depth to pull me into the story or to make me care about them. I'm sure Fraction's last issue on the book which will return to the world of Danny Rand will be excellent, but don't feel bad if you skip on this one.
Batman 677 [Part Two of Batman RIP]
Since I've been reading Morrison's run on Batman from the beginning the first issue in the Batman RIP arc didn't satisfy my desire enough [even though it was great] because it spent a lot of time recapping what has been going on in the book over the last year and some odd months, so thankfully for me I only had to wait 2 weeks to get my hands on issue #677. To start Tony Daniel's art is brilliant, he is really taking his work to the next level so far on this story arc. In the issue we get to see Batman become even more hell bent on figuring out what the Black Glove is and what they have in store for him. In one panel Daniels has Batman standing looking at a computer screen and his head is cocked slightly to the right in such a way that he seems to almost be in a trance, his obsession with the Black Glove is on that type of level. As readers we are privy to Dr. Hurt's plans which seem like they will make for an interesting storyline and also potentially piss off a lot of readers if what Grant has him uncovering turns out to actually be true. The scenes between Bruce and Jet which are the focus of the issue are great especially a certain point she raises towards the end of the issue, and it is great to see someone finally confront Bruce about the road his life has taken for so long. The shit finally starts to hit the fan at the end of the issue, and I personally can not wait another month to get the next issue. Why can't Batman come out bi-weekly for the next 4 issues, please? Since my wish won't come true I'll just use the extra time to reread some of Morrison's previous arcs which are of key importance to this story, and I suggest you do the same.
So, Wizard World was this weekend. I was in attendance all three days and I certainly enjoyed myself and some of the great deals I got on books. The guest list didn't have me too pumped on the con, but the panels were still enjoyable especially the Marvel Knights retrospective with Joe Q and Jimmy and the laid back panels on Sunday both with Marvel and DC where everyone just sat around and talked casually about all things comics. There were no big announcements which was kind of a bummer, but I am excited for the Lady Bullseye we got a sneak peek at as well as Greg Pak's upcoming Magneto origin story. Definitely worth the $48 admission and overall a good way to have spent a weekend.
I'll put reviews up Thursday or Friday for this week's books and a show review of Friday's Career Suicide/Straight Jacket Nation show at Disgraceland at some point on Sunday.
Issue #10 of this amazing series was easily my favorite of the run up to now so it was only natural that this one was going to be a let down on at least some level. While far from my favorite issue of this run #11 still was better than most of the books I got this week. Like other issues of ASS #11 is as much about Lex Luthor as it is about Superman, and the issue shines regardless of which character is the center of attention. I'm blanking on what more to say about this book if you follow comics in the slightest you have heard by now how incredible this run has been so just go buy it already.
Daredevil #107
Mr. Fear is out of the picture for now and Matt is about to back to life in the courtroom. Wow, that sounds awful when I look at it, but this issue was far from that. Former partner Greg Rucka has joined up with Brubaker for this issue [and will stay on for this 4 issue arc] and it has certainly paid off for now. Being down in the dumps is nothing new for Matt Murdock, but the beginning of this issue wonderfully shows us just how far he has fallen with the help of a certain New Avenger. The main story centers around said New Avenger trying to convince Dakota and Foggy to let Matt take on the case of a man on death row who has confessed to multiple be- headings. Matt actually takes a back seat to Dakota through much of the issue which is fine because the scenes with her are written very well. The art in this book has been good for a while, but it really stood out for me this issue probably due to the use of very cinematic cuts, particularly the first scenes with Dakota and the scenes of Matt alone in his apartment, with dialogue-less panels which if you read my Scalped review you know that I absolutely love. So, a great issue which made excellent use of supporting cast and has me excited for the rest of this arc.
Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1 aka Astonishing X-Men #25
Just about everybody has been both anxiously awaiting and dreading this issue which marks the end of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday's take on the famed team of mutants. The series started off with one hell of first arc then faltered a bit in the middle, but managed to pick back up again for the latest arc on the Breakworld. Minor spoiler here. When I finally sat down to read this issue I was pretty surprised to open up to a splash page of Spiderman. I mean this is Giant Size Astonishing X-Men which cost 5 bucks and the first thing I see is Peter Parker, not into it. Unfortunately the rest of the Marvel U get much more face time in this issue, and none of them add anything interesting to the story. Yeah they move the story along [sort of] but why make them part of your plot line if most of them just end up standing around. In the finale of one of the most impressive X-Men stories in years I don't really want to see a bunch of people who aren't X-Men and have not had a single thing to do with the previous 24 issues. That being said I still really enjoyed the issue and thought it was a fitting ending to a great story that began all the way back with issue #1. Cassaday's art is incredible as usual, and Whedon's dialogue and memorable one liners are there too. The most enjoyable aspects of the issue for me were the scenes between Beast and Agent Brand who will hopefully pop up more frequently throughout the Marvel Universe or at least in the X-Universe since she is a really intriguing character. There has been better issues of Astonishing X-Men [Issue #23] but Whedon does an excellent job of wrapping up an excellent run. Congrats.
Iron Fist: The Story of the Iron Fist Bei Bang-Wen
This issue is another one shot looking at one the previous Iron Fists written solely by Matt Fraction without the help of Ed Brubaker. I don't have much to say about this issue since I didn't really enjoy it very much. Don't get me wrong it wasn't awful, but it was probably the worst issue of Iron Fist thus far. Granted it was only a one shot, but both of the main characters lacked any kind of depth to pull me into the story or to make me care about them. I'm sure Fraction's last issue on the book which will return to the world of Danny Rand will be excellent, but don't feel bad if you skip on this one.
Batman 677 [Part Two of Batman RIP]
Since I've been reading Morrison's run on Batman from the beginning the first issue in the Batman RIP arc didn't satisfy my desire enough [even though it was great] because it spent a lot of time recapping what has been going on in the book over the last year and some odd months, so thankfully for me I only had to wait 2 weeks to get my hands on issue #677. To start Tony Daniel's art is brilliant, he is really taking his work to the next level so far on this story arc. In the issue we get to see Batman become even more hell bent on figuring out what the Black Glove is and what they have in store for him. In one panel Daniels has Batman standing looking at a computer screen and his head is cocked slightly to the right in such a way that he seems to almost be in a trance, his obsession with the Black Glove is on that type of level. As readers we are privy to Dr. Hurt's plans which seem like they will make for an interesting storyline and also potentially piss off a lot of readers if what Grant has him uncovering turns out to actually be true. The scenes between Bruce and Jet which are the focus of the issue are great especially a certain point she raises towards the end of the issue, and it is great to see someone finally confront Bruce about the road his life has taken for so long. The shit finally starts to hit the fan at the end of the issue, and I personally can not wait another month to get the next issue. Why can't Batman come out bi-weekly for the next 4 issues, please? Since my wish won't come true I'll just use the extra time to reread some of Morrison's previous arcs which are of key importance to this story, and I suggest you do the same.
So, Wizard World was this weekend. I was in attendance all three days and I certainly enjoyed myself and some of the great deals I got on books. The guest list didn't have me too pumped on the con, but the panels were still enjoyable especially the Marvel Knights retrospective with Joe Q and Jimmy and the laid back panels on Sunday both with Marvel and DC where everyone just sat around and talked casually about all things comics. There were no big announcements which was kind of a bummer, but I am excited for the Lady Bullseye we got a sneak peek at as well as Greg Pak's upcoming Magneto origin story. Definitely worth the $48 admission and overall a good way to have spent a weekend.
I'll put reviews up Thursday or Friday for this week's books and a show review of Friday's Career Suicide/Straight Jacket Nation show at Disgraceland at some point on Sunday.
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