Thursday, June 16, 2011

Darkwing Duck #13

WHAT TIME IS IT? ITS DARKWING TIME!


Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Ian Brill and James Silvani
"Done in One:" After my brilliant Darkwing Duck article last week (You need to read it if you haven't), I had to come back and review this issue as soon as possible. After 3 four issue parts and an epic Annual, the series has its first single issue with a new villian, for which there has never been a more apt name.
Summary: After the final panel of the last issue, the apparent disappearance and/or death of Morgana, Darkwing is massively depressed, andseeking a psychic to contact the other side for answers and help. The opening panel once again has a Disney cameo, this time O'Malley the alley cat. While darkwing is busy, we are introduced to Carmichael Q. Anthony, a monkey, and the pitcher for the local baseball team. Unfortunately, he suffers from an OCD problem where he cannot throw the same item more than once. he is quickly fired after he has run out of balls and is throwing a fish, a banana, a blender, and a dalmation puppy (cameo). He is fired from the team and is contemplating suicide (yeah, I told you last time, this thing is dark in places). There's a knock on his door and he finds a present when he opens the door. Attached is a note suggesting he "start playing a new game" and inside, Carmichael finds a trenchcoat. Upon reaching inside, he pulls out a multitude of objects, showing that it is a bottomless coat of stuff. As he rejoices, the ink from the note slips off and stays on his hands. He then covers the wall in objects in the shape of Darkwing's head, and announces his new job: killing Darkwing. Then there's this:

Nightmare fuel


Cut back to depressed Darkwing, as he watches television at home. The local museum is opening up a wing devoted to superhero gadgets (mostly gas guns) in honor of Darkwing. Of course, this is interupted by our villain- One Shot. This is a stroke of brilliance on every front- Bullseye+ Deadshot+ apt name for a one shot comic villain. Darkwing shows up to stop him, but is outmatched and the mayor is kidnapped. Darkwing is plunged further into depression and Gosylen runs away as she's figured out who One Shot is. Of course, she is captured, but it is interesting to find that what we saw as One Shot talking to himself, was actually the coat talking out of his mouth. Darkwing shows up to confront the villain and save his daughter and, now driven by a purpose that overwhelms the depression, Darkwing actually finds a way to defeat him. By tricking him to throw something enormous, like an H-bomb, the item is too heavy for him to hold, and it crushes him (this is a weak ending, I admit), the bomb is set to go off in a minute, and upon realizing the coat is bottomless, they throw the bomb in there. One Shot is arrested, and the coat is taken into evidence. There is a great bit of dialogue from the news anchor here though: "His coach has said 'Anthony donning a disguise and drawing on the power of a supercoat which can draw objects from one, or perhaps more, dimensions of space and time? I really should have seen this coming. All the signs were there.' Anthony will be taken to Quackwerks Detention Home for the Criminally Crafty, but will not expected to play on their already legendary softball team." The real surprise here is the mayor resigning, leading Darkwing to seek the office.
UPDATE: After rereading the issue again, I found another piece of brilliance and it "threw" me. I don't know how many of you remember the second Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, Secret of the Ooze. That was actually a test... I would never be friends with anyone who doesn't remember that film... Anyway, my point revolves this scene:


If you can't read it, that sucks, because its a great line, but really, its ok. You just need to focus on this item in the middle of the far left. The scene could have just had that item with no words and the reader go "Well, that was just another item." But no, they go the extra mile to make sure you're childhood is being tickled: Yeah... TGRI, the fictional mutatagen making company from TMNT II. Thing is... I'm pretty sure that the turtles are owned by another company entirely. Not sure how many times I can say to go read this book. Darkwing Duck NEVER disappoints to do everything right.


High Points: This thing is fantastic from start to finish. No real complaints.


Low Points: Except the goofy way that One Shot is beaten... its just dumb.


Verdict: A+. What can I say that hasn't already been said? START PICKING UP THIS BOOK. Its amazing.

Batman and Robin #24

Judd Winick and Greg Tocchini

"The Streets Run Red, Part 2:" Oh, Jason Todd. Where to begin... Picked as the second Robin, Jason was universally hated by fans for being brash and in a vote, the fans decided that he should die, and a crowbar wielding Joker and explosion later, he was dead. Jump 15 years, Jason comes back by... you know what... no one knows.. he just came back. But he was also batshit insane. Taking the identity of the red Hood, Jason took to the streets to deliver brutal justice to criminals. Constantly wavering between good and evil, Jason was finally captured and imprisoned by Batman (Dick Grayson) and Robin (Damien Wayne) after killing a gang boss with the help of his partner Scarlet, a disfigured girl. After nearly being killed in prison, Jason is busted out by a group of animal mercenaries... yeah, I was confused too.
Summary: We open to Bruce and Jason in the Batcave on one of his first nights as Robin, where Bruce explains that its not about being fluid and staying calm, but taking control of any situation. Cut to present time, jason is being taken by the animals who assure him that he's safe which of course makes him go nuts and beat them all up. They then beat him down, saying that they are being paid to bring him in unharmed, but they don't mind beating him if necessary. Batman and Robin appear and take down the mercenaries with Jason. Jason's interaction with the two is really great and its a really defining moment for the character. Jason prepares to kill one of the mercenaries when he gets a phone call from the person who paid to release him. This mystery woman wants Jason to come, and if he doesn't, she will kill Scarlet. Batman and Robin grab Jason and get out of there, and prepare to go after Scarlet. Dick and Damien have a great moment together, reminding us how much it will suck when these two are no longer partners after the reboot. Jason gets his costume, which I personally love, and they head out to save the day.

High Points: Jason is a great character here and nobody seems to get Jason like Winnick, and it shows. Dick and Damien are also great.

Low Points: So my problem comes with the story. I don't care. I don't care about the animercs (shoulda come up with that earlier... its brilliant.) and I never cared for Scarlet.

Verdict: B+. Great characters in a story that is bland. Nothing new here really. But definitely worth a look, especially if you like Jason. Did you feel like the human/animals/mercenaries were properly represented here, Panda?

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Green Lantern Prequels

Since the movie is releasing at midnight tonight, I figured I better get on the ball with these, and just do a massive post with all three. Simple stories for the most part, they do a lot to build up a characterization for these guys. Apparently, Sinestro and Hal Jordan are each getting prequel issues, but they come out next week... so what's the point? So rapid-fire reviews on these...


"To Build a Better Lantern" by Peter Tomasi


The Kilowog story is a good setup for the character, establishing him as a hardass drill instructor, but sadly, he's only in a third of the story. The story also has a subplot, which is more of the plot, that shows Atey, a pre-cognitive Green Lantern, going to the Guardians and warning them that something bad was coming. This establishes another important part of the Green Lantern mythos: the Guardians are dicks. Cutting back to Kilowog and his recruits, they are attacked late one night by The Spider Guild (every comic, cartoon, live action, or anything series has a Spider guild... Every. Single. One). After they all are killed and or webbed, Kilowog deactivates the simulator. He then chastises the rookies but is called off for an emergency. He meets with Tomar Re, who tells him that Abin Sur is dead... and that there's a new Green Lantern chosen from a backwoods primitive world. Spoiler: Its Hal Jordan of Earth. Duh. The art here is nice and although I'm not crazy about the character design here, I get that its supposed to look like the movie. Overall B+


"Forbidden Planet" by Marc Guggenheim and Cliff Richards


Tomar Re is really given a lot of personality not afforded to him in the comics in this issue and its nice. He is shown to be patient, intelligent, and fascinated by primitive cultures. He is given a mission from Salaak to go out and hunt down a wanted killer, who has killed over a billion people living on a distant moon. As he heads out to help with the relief efforts, the damage upsets him so much that his skin begins to glow reddish (foreshadowing?) with rage as he chases off after the criminal's ship. He takes out the boosters and the criminal escapes the crashing ship, and begins firing. Tomar hears something, that we do not know, but it does cause him to worry, and as we all know, fear weakens Green Lanterns. As he is being beaten, Tomar finds the courage to capture the criminal. The criminal points to his ships wreckage, showing some surviving hostages. Tomar has to make a choice as he doesn't have enough power to carry all of them. He calls for help to come for the survivors and takes the criminal, hoping he will be forgiven if anything happens to those people, and hopes that his choice hasn't brought about the world's doom. Its a good issue and the art is better than Kilowog's but the story seems to be missing something. A-

"A Small, Unremarkable Planet" by Michael Green and Patrick Gleason


Abin Sur's entry is a prime example of a great story with just bad dialogue. We meet Abin, 20 years ago, catching up with a fleeing smuggler, who is actually just trying to get supplies to his people, so Abin lets him go. However, something that was latched on the ship pulls off and crashes to Earth, a planet Abin has never been to, but is too primitive for his tastes. We then meet the real hero of this story in Private Amanda Waller, a soldier over in Desert Storm. She heads out upon hearing the crash and checks out what's going on, while Abin slips into the Earth, unnoticed. Turns out this piece is actually a mechavore, that bonds with all machines it can. So, after a few moments, we have a tank-humvee-assault rifle washing machine-plane creature, that will henceforth be called Thawp. Thawp is chasing after Amanda, trying to kill her as Abin just watches. I will repeat: The "greatest Green Lantern" just watches as a woman is chased by this creature. It works out, since Amanda doesn't need help. Tricking the creature to get close to a truck full of live ordinances, and upon attacking Thawp is blown up, knocking Waller out. Abin thinks this is fascinating, and grabs all the pieces and jets out to throw them into the sun. Amanda is found, and because of what she's experienced, she is inducted into the Department of Extranormal Operations. This ending for her seems really forced and I'm not a fan at all of it. Cut to the present, where Abin is dying and releases his ring to find the best replacement. The art here is just ok, but its a decent story. B.


That does it for this segment. Off to the midnight premiere later. Take us out, Cardboard Predator...



Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Duke Nukem Forever

Tom Waltz and Xermanico

"Another Hole in the Wall:" Duke Nukem, professional badass, has had a number of games over the last couple decades. However, for the last 15, his games have been in limbo, leading many to feel the chances for the character's return were out the window. Then, Tuesday, Duke Nukem Forever launched. This is the story of what Duke's been up to in since we last saw him.



Summary: We open up to Duke heading for a dive bar in Roswell, New Mexico that specializing in the three B's: Beer, Babes, and Boobs. Taking a seat near the stage at the joint, Duke orders a beer and sits back for the show. The majority of the comic takes place with the waitress, bartender, and a patron at the bar, as they trade ideas on if that really is Duke, and where he has been for the last 14 years. The waitress once heard this story from one of her friends that spent some time with him a few years back in Hawaii. We then cut to the beach where Duke is being fawned over by numerous women when the SMART (Synthetic Mutated Attack Robot Terrorist) Sharks appear. Cue some wonderful new and classic Duke lines, followed by gratuitous violence. After all the sharks have been killed, a luau happens and we are led to believe all of these women then went to Duke's for "bedroom limbo." The bartender still doesn't believe that Duke even exists, so the patron tells his story. Duke is at the White House, being honored for saving the world again, when aliens attack (surprise). Once again, we get the cheesy Duke dialogue mixed with hardcore violence. Then Duke apparently has an orgy in the Lincoln bedroom (What's this guy's appeal, again?). The bartender still doesn't believe any of this stuff, when two pig creatures emerge from a portal, wanting to take all the women. Three guesses what happens next. After dispatching the beasts, Duke leaves the bar, without paying, and when the bartender asks for a tip, at least, Duke spurts out a line of dialogue, straight out of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, or a Bronte sister: "Yeah, I gotta tip for ya, you fat moron... Always bet on Duke. Its time to show those damn, dirty aliens that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas... stays dead." Simply brilliant. And in case you forgot where this story takes place, don't feel bad, so did the writer apparently.

High Points: If you are a Duke Nukem fan, this thing is for you, no question about it. The character feels just like his classic game counterpart. The art is actually nice as well, but nothing special.

Low Points: Not a fan? Odds are you will hate it for all the same reasons the person above loved it.

Hail to the "King" Count: 6

Verdict: B. I was harsh on this comic because I thought it was awful, corny, and way too violent, but that's exactly what Duke Nukem is. This is apparently a precursor to Duke's new comic series, so if you like this, be sure to check out Duke Nukem: Glorious Bastard. Care to add anything, kid from Back to the Future III?


Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Static Shock Special One Shot

Henderson, Cowan, Ramos, Rollins, and Staniski

"I Am the Future:" Static Shock was a creation of Milestone Comics, a branch of DC Comics. A black teenager with electric powers, Virgil Hawkins, Static became such a huge hit, a cartoon was made about him, and was very successful. Tragedy struck earlier this year when Dwayne McDuffie, 49, Static's creator and head of Milestone Comics, passed away, and it was a huge blow to all of comics. Dwayne was integral to the DC animated universe, and wrote many great things in his career with DC. This issue serves as a fond goodbye.

Summary: Virgil and his family are waiting outside of a prison for his uncle to be released after being falsely imprisoned for ten years. He is, of course, innocent and he is an uncle that Virgil has always looked up to. After being arrested, Virgil did everything for his uncle to help get him free from prison. He even goes to the law offices of McDuffie, Cowan, Davis, Dingle- named after the four creators behind Milestone. After years, it had finally paid off. Not long after he gets out, while he and Virgil are jogging and discussing life, they are stopped by a car full of gang members. The leader is man who was actually responsible for the crime his uncle paid for. The leader is also a "bang baby"- people like Static, who got powers after an accident in the city- with a forcefield. Virgil is beaten up and his uncle taken. We see the events that led to the bad blood between the two men. Virgil becomes Static and goes after his uncle and saves him, maintaining his anonymity. After bringing his uncle home, for a "Welcome Home" party, Virgil tells his uncle about his secret life. His uncle is so proud of him, and is having a great time at the party, and dancing when he begins to fall, groans, and is dead before he hits the ground. He never made it to his 40th birthday. Turns out he had always had chest pains and just thought it was heartburn, and it was actually a heart attack. (This is very similar to what happened to McDuffie) After the funeral, Virgil realizes how to beat the gang leader. By changing the frequency of his powers he could short out the forcefield. Defeating the leader, and bringing him to justice, Static has a fond moment with his uncle a the gravesite. There are two backups that are absolutely beautiful here. The first is Dwayne walking through a comic shop while Static and another character of his, Rocket, eulogize the man, and welcome him to their world. The next bit is a collection of artwork and a nice story about him.

High Points: This things is a fantastic tribute to a great man, the art is not the best, but its the way his comics looked, and that's more important.

Low Points: When this thing was announced, I figured it would give away some of the sales to the family or something charitable, but no... did not happen.

Verdict: A. Great stuff here, and if you were a fan of his work, you should pick this thing. Its truly beautiful in places. How did you feel after finishing it, Vander Beek?


Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #1

Jimmy Palmiotti, Joe Bennett, and John Dell

"Seperation Anxiety:" Deathstroke the Terminator, Slade Wilson, is a mercenary that has a metahuman ability that he can read movements and uses 90% of his brain. Usually functioning as a Teen Titans villain, Deathstroke is one of the deadliest foes in the DC universe. In the wake of Flashpoint, Deathstroke takes up piracy and a crew, taking advantage of the sunken treasures of Europe.

Summary: We open to a wreckage of a ship, where Slade is hanging onto a piece of wreckage, bleeding. Cut to one week previous, Slade is heading his ship into a battle with Warlord (a character that usually appears in the center of the earth, serving as a human king fighting snake creatures). After both a naval battle and some kickass swordfighting, Slade's crew get what they need and get back to the ship. Icicle, a crewman for Deathstroke freezes Warlord's ship, and all those on it. Warlord himself however, escapes on jet ski. The cargo is revealed to be a young girl, but not Rose, Slade's daughter, which infuriates him. A crewman of Warlord's is taken aboard and interrogated, and comes out missing his fingers and horribly disfigured. He is promptly thrown off the ship. Slade's fallen crew members are given a proper sea burial, before the head to a metahuman prison. After finding out that Rose was moved from there just a day before, he searches the prison for more crew members. Clayface, Machiste, the Fisherman, King Shark, Sonar, and Eel join up with Slade's operation. The prison is promptly blown up. The freed prisoners celebrate with the crew onboard. We see that they are being watched by Aquaman and Ocean Master... the two Atlanteans attack declaring "No Survivors." Deathstroke is rammed with a trident and falls overboard.

High Points: The art here is great and you'd be hard pressed to find an anti-hero better than Deathstroke. This is extremely well written and is a nice showcase of characters.

Low Points: The ending to this comic is basically shown in Flashpoint #2... so that's kind of a bummer.

Verdict: A. Its a great comic, and a pretty good jumping on point for this new world. If you like cape comics, without all the capes, I think this is a great book to pick up. Awesome gif time?

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #1

Tony Bedard, Ardian Syaf, and Vicente Cifuentes
"Part One:" Aquaman... what can I say... under-rated in many things... over rated in even more. He can talk to fish and is the king of Atlantis. One of the founding Justice League members. In the world of Flashpoint, he's a despot.

Summary: This will be brief... it wasn't that good. and it jumped around in time. 8 months-We see sunken Rome, as Aquaman admires the world that he has sunken. 11 months- We see Geo Force, king of Markovia, who after losing his sister, Terra to Wonder Woman's armies forge a treaty with the Atlanteans. Present- Aquaman is preparing for war with the Amazons, with a nuke. Apparently, Terra did not die, and was recruited by the Amazons and killed Mera, Aquaman's wife. 10 months- geo Force meets with Mera to forge his treaty. We find out here that Aquaman originally was to marry Wonder Woman, but had her mother killed at the wedding. Present-We see that the treaty with Mera was a lie, and it was a trap to trick Geo Force into becoming a weapon for them. Aquaman plans to use Geoforce to trigger the nuke and sink all of Brittain, killing the Amazons. 8 months ago- We see Rome destroyed and sunk by Geo Force's powers wepaonized by Aquaman. Present- Aquaman plans on killing Terra, and then killing Geo Force once its all over.


High Points: It ended.


Low Points: I started it... downhill from there.

Verdict: D-. Listen... stop trying to make Aquaman a badass. Without some form of tragedy, it doesn't work. At all. Any messages for DC, James?


Image and video hosting by TinyPic