The Back Stack: February 21, 2012

And here we are again, Grave Diggers.  Welcome to another edition of The Back Stack!

Since the last couple were bogged down in the beginning with news bits, and there isn’t really anything I want to talk about in depth this week, so what do you say we just dive right into things?  Besides.  It’s a big week.

The Amazing Spider-Man #679.1.  I’ve said before that I’m not a supporter of the Marvel.1 initiative, which is supposed to make comics more accessable to readers by offering “.1” issues of their different titles periodically.  They basically amount to being one-shot stories that often act as preludes to upcoming story arcs.  Sometimes they’re good, but most of the time they’re just bad, forgettable, or have little to do with what’s happening right now.  Even worse, the .1 issues are often required reading later on when those story arcs finally come to fruition and they don’t tell you everything you needed to know going into the arc.  This issue is not very different by comparison.  We learn who was in laboratory #6 at Horizon labs.  It was Morbius the Living Vampire in what honestly feels like a bit of a letdown and, honestly, kind of forced.  I mean, seriously, who lets a known fugitive vampire into a high-tech science lab like that?  Apparently, the moronic head of the lab!  Way to go there, Einstein!  Forget that one of your employees is “connected” to Spider-Man, one of his mortal enemies!  The issue basically, as you’d expect, gives you a prelude to a team-up between him and Lizard, which I actually think has the potential to be pretty interesting, considering Lizard’s revamping.  This issue, though, felt like it was made just so Peter Parker couldn’t have a good life and only seemed to make trouble for him at his dream job in an asinine way.  There was a brief moment of seeing his new boss being doubted by his employees, but it was severely downplayed.  At the very least, it didn’t win me over to the .1 initiative.

Verdict – Pass

The Avengers #22 is another example of false advertising on the cover.  This time, we have an apparent fight between Gorgon, out of his role as Wolverine, duking it out one-sidedly with Captain America.  Instead, we have Captain America being flirtatiously interrogated by Madame Hydra.  Whoops.  I’m sorry, but is it too much to ask for covers to not be out and out lies?  Anyway, this issue was made to show the dominance the H.A.M.M.E.R./Hydra/A.I.M. alliance has over the Avengers.  Stark is in an energy field, Spider-Woman is behind bars, Red Hulk is in some bizarre operation, and even Vision gets thrown through the doors of Avengers Mansion by the peculiarly augmented Norman Osborn.  It does make me wonder more what is up with Osborn’s new powers, but I can’t say the issue itself was particularly interesting.  The story overall was pretty weak, honestly.  It did continue some story arcs, including Quake stepping up to hunt down Osborn, the U.S. Government interested in what Osborn has to offer, and proving that these villains were serious business.  Unfortunately, as I said, the overall story of the issue was kind of weak overall.  Not bad, but it’s just more build-up, which we’ve had for a bit now.  All I have to say is that the build-up better be worth it.

Verdict – Cautiously Recommended

Avengers X-Sanction #2.  I finally got this issue via a second print release.  Since it was a slated second printing release, I decided that I would review it for you all.  And, it was pretty good.  Since I went ahead and read #3, it didn’t exactly surprise me, since I knew what happens to Iron Man, but it’s interesting to see the flashbacks Cable has with his time with Hope.  It’s not a necessary issue, but it’s a good one.  If you’re a stickler for a complete story like I am, it is money well spent.

Verdict – Recommended

Batman #6 was fairly light in comparison to other issues in terms of story development, but it made up for it in the action department.  Batman is at the mercy of Talon, assassin for the Court of Owls.  He’s held up for members of the Court of Owls, as well as their apparent leader.  Batman’s sheer will sees him though, but he’s obviously been spooked by his trials with the Court of Owls.  He’s also apparently dying pretty rapidly, which doesn’t help him in his escape attempts.  The double-cliffhanger was pretty good too, but a falling was the artwork.  I wasn’t a big fan of the feral-looking Batman in this.  I may have missed something, but why did Batman have fur and fangs?  Was the artist taking the name Batman seriously?  We have Man-Bat for that… at least I think we might.  While I wasn’t happy with the way Batman was drawn, for the sketchy style that I’m definitely NOT a fan of, it is drawn very well and suits the mood each time.

Verdict – Highly Recommended

Unfortunately, now we come to the entirely opposite end of the DC spectrum for this week.  Blue Beetle #6.  Unfortunately, this will be the last issue of Blue Beetle I pick up of the current DCnU run.  We’ve had four prominent teen superhero books in the relaunch including Teen Titans, Supergirl, Static Shock, and Blue Beetle.  I started the relaunch picking up all of them.  Personal opinion, Static Shock has been the best of them, followed by Supergirl.  Teen Titans hasn’t been BAD, but it’s a far cry from the 100-issue series we lost in the relaunch (and, yes, I proudly own all of them, for better or worse with some issues).  Static Shock has had its share of drama, but you got the feeling that it was still a lighthearted book at its core.  Supergirl may have had a meandering first couple issues, but it’s slowly picked up steam.  Blue Beetle was probably the one I was looking forward to most, particularly thanks to Linkara’s tribute from his web show, Atop The Fourth Wall.

Since then, there was certainly a promising, if not entirely safe, start, but slowly, we begin to see that this series wasn’t going to be like the series fans once knew.  The old Jaime Rayes Blue Beetle books were known for being fun, solid, superhero action with Jaime having a heart and a strong connection to his family and friends.  This one, not so much.  Yes, we see he wants to protect them, but we don’t get to know them very well.  It’s more of a depressing mess than anything else.  Action has taken center stage, and it isn’t even good action.  You know, I’d actually be surprised if the creative team didn’t have meetings to ask one another “how do we make this guy’s life suck more this time?”  This.  Isn’t.  Fun.

As for the issue itself.  It SUCKS.  Jaime is forced to fight Paco, which would be an interesting concept if it weren’t for the bass ackwards relationship Jaime has with the scarab, the ruse Jaime puts on to supposedly protect his family (which contradicts the old series’ status quo almost entirely), and, well, again, it’s just depressing.  I can only suggest you check out the last run of Jaime Rayes’ Blue Beetle run from the old DCU.  As for this one?  Avoid it at all costs.  As much as I harp on Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man nowadays, at least they TRY to be fun, even if they don’t always succeed.  It’s why I stick with them, but won’t stick with this.

Seriously, Static Shock gets cancelled and we have to keep THIS book?  Well, they can keep this book, but I’m not.

Verdict – Pass (personally dropping)

Daredevil #9.  I’ve loved this new run of Daredevil.  I still want an “I’m Not Daredevil” sweater or t-shirt.  That thing was hilarious!  As for this issue, it begins the mystery of Matt Murdock’s father’s corpse being stolen from underground by the Mole Man.  It turns out that the Mole Man is looking for someone in particular and has been just steeling random caskets in hopes of eventually finding it.  This issue is probably one of the weaker the series has seen so far, but for this series, it’s still not bad at all.  Good action, good characterization, some humor, and we get some development with the Black Cat and her relationship with Daredevil, which will likely lead into the next big storyline for ol’ hornhead.  She was hired by someone last issue to steal the Fantastic Four 4 that Daredevil acquired and se see her conflict in stealing from someone whom she’s starting a relationship of any kind with.  Since it seems like this storyline is made to be a launch pad for the next one, I don’t expect the stolen caskets storyline to go very long.  As much of an interlude story as this is, it does manage to keep me entertained and, sometimes, that’s all you need.

Verdict – Recommended

Fear Itself:  The Fearless #9 of 12 features the battle between Valkyrie and Storm.  Wait, WHAT?!  A cover that actually features an event from inside the book?!  Stop the presses!  What a concept!  All kidding aside, we get more details on the Valkyrie’s desire to find the hammers and a new sense of desperation from Sin, the Red Skull’s daughter.  The fight between Valkyrie and Storm was a little quick in my opinion, but Storm seems to have a habit of being a glass cannon in the Marvel Universe at times.  This story is all about Valkyrie’s sacrifice in finding the hammers and the impending final battle between her and Sin.  This was a significant step up from previous issues as we begin to wind down the series and it makes for a good jumping on point as it explains just about everything that’s gone down and will go down henceforth.

Verdict – Recommended

Ghostbusters #6 introduces the boys in grey (hey, the movie’s term, not mine.  Their costumes looked more beige-brown to me) duking it out with a very powerful Native American spirit who inhabits selfish hearts.  I’m certain this was some sort of knock about the early European settlers in America, but it’s veiled well enough that you won’t roll your eyes at the jab.  The unique thing about this ghost, though, is that he’s able to possess people, something we’ve seen little of, but a mechanic that has huge potential in the Ghostbusters universe, and we see it explored to good detail towards the end.  We learn a bit more about what Egon’s been up to, namely writing a book that is said to invoke the senses, particularly of women.  We get some good characterization for Winston in this issue too, which makes me happy since he seems to usually get glossed over in favor of the other three.  Ghostbusters has been a solid read the whole six issues and while it isn’t the BEST book on the shelves, it’s definitely one I think deserves to succeed.

 By the way, I’m calling it now with Ghostbusters.  Minor spoiler alert.  We see Kylie eating Chinese take-out while talking to Ray about her discoveries in regards to the ghost.  She gets a fortune cookie that gets prominently shown.  The fortune reads “Much happens to the west.”  Obvious foreshadowing, so I’m anxious to see if that has any meaning.

Verdict – Highly Recommended

Green Lantern Corps #6 concludes a very action-oriented story arc involving the keepers of the lanterns.  It’s a very action-heavy book and, generally speaking, I wasn’t entirely thrilled with the first arc.  It wasn’t bad, but I found it generally uninspiring until we finally got to learn more about the keepers themselves.  The last couple issues were the best, the first issue was kind of strong, but I think this is the weakest of the Green Lantern books, not counting Red Lanterns.  One major gripe I had with this book, though, was that John Stewart killed a fellow Green Lantern who cracked under pressure and was ready to give the keepers the means to invade Oa.  Major issues I take with this include Jordan using what was left of his power to break him and another Lantern free and, oh yeah, A HERO KILLED ANOTHER HERO!  I mean, good grief!  That was incredibly rash, including the fact that he broke him and the other guy out almost immediately!  It’s almost like he was waiting for an excuse to kill that guy!  I’m never teaming with John Stewart as long as I live!  I’m afraid I’ll rub him the wrong way and he’ll snap my neck the first chance he gets!  Seriously, superheroes don’t kill their teammates, especially if they’ve the means to get out of it!  This issue alone keeps me from recommending this book in earnest.

Verdict – Pass

The Invincible Iron Man #513.  A decent issue that does well to continue the alliance of Mandarin and Ezekiel Stane… and the rest of Iron Man’s rogue’s gallery.  This one did a good job of mixing action with story and didn’t use characters for the sake of using them.  It is somewhat on the mundane side, but still rather enjoyable.  We see some good spots given to other heroes who show up, so it isn’t exclusively the Iron Man show.  It’s not one of the great issues, but it’s well-balanced.  I’m looking forward to the endgame of Mandarin and Stane, which is more like Mandarin’s endgame since Stane is more or less a mind controlled puppet.  Either way, I like to see how it plays out.  This issue was clean cut and straightforward, which I enjoyed.

Verdict – Recommended

The New Avengers #21 was another action-heavy issue this week, but this one felt more impactful and the battle was better executed than in Green Lantern Corps.  This one had the New Avengers taking on the Thor clone known as Ragnarok.  Ragnarok was always a good strong opponent who was always a threat to anyone he took on and this battle had some good moments for several characters, but lost in the shuffle seemed to be Ms. Marvel, who I don’t think had one single line or significant action through the entire fight.  Honestly?  She’s someone whom I’d suspect would have a better chance against Ragnarok.  Still, good moments, especially with Iron Fist, and it ends with the gauntlet evidently being thrown and the US Government seizing Avengers Mansion.  Very good issue and it really sets the stakes higher than they do in the regular Avengers.

Verdict – Recommended

Queen Sonja #27… last issue I lamented the fact that one of the concubines was explicitly topless in one scene and I warned you guys that it may have been questionable.  Well, if that little bit bothered you, this one may be even worse as they drop the pretense and go full-on brothel mode.  There is some modest action bits, but nothing spectacular.  Honestly, I think they spend too much time on the sex stuff, even if it was made just to establish the front for a black magic circle gig.  We learn that assassins have infiltrated Sonja’s castle and that some of her trusted allies could potentially be plotting to kill her, so how does she answer?  She finds one of her enemies who HAS been conspiring against her, cuts him up, and leaves his corpse on display.  What a wonderful ruler!  My subtle sarcasm aside, Queen Sonja remains a decent book, but when we actually see Sonja be diplomatic, it doesn’t fill you with the feeling that you’re reading about a HERO and this issue’s excessive sexual overtones can be off-putting for some.

Verdict – Pass

Supergirl #6 was a breezy read, but an enjoyable one.  At six issues in, we FINALLY have a turning point for Supergirl as she escapes the dying city of Argo and returns to Earth, just in time to defend it from one of the killers who seems to have originated from Krypton.  This is probably going to end up being her coming out party… SIX ISSUES IN.  Took them long enough.  Good issue, but like I said, it’s taken a long time to get here.

Verdict – Recommended

We end the weekly pull list on Uncanny X-Men #7, a book that seems to buck a trend of “light reads” this week with a very solid work that makes good use of the 32 pages it has.  We advance the story of the life-forms that inhabit this land, but don’t get any updates as to Colossus’, Magik’s, Namor’s, or Hope’s situations, which is fine since there is good focus on the rest of the team and the mission.  Characters play off one another well and the rematch with the Immortal Man is entertaining.  Of all the X-Books since Schism, Uncanny X-Men takes its rightful spot as the crown jewel of the franchise and nothing changes here.  While Wolverine remains the most popular X-Men, his absence is far from hurting this book.

Verdict – Highly Recommended

This week I pulled TWO trade paperbacks.  Yeah, I was feeling ritzy!  I think it was well worth it though, so let’s get to them.

Power Girl:  Old Friends concludes the Power Girl run of trade paperbacks with a fun, if not slightly rushed, series finale.  It isn’t without a hiccup as the first story revolving around Maxwell Lord’s return isn’t finished in the trade, requiring the Brightest Day: Generation Lost hardcovers which are ludicrously expensive by comparison of a trade paperback.  Still, what stories we DO get are great Power Girl stories.  The best thing about Power Girl was that while she was a Superman family character, she never once seemed to be in the character’s shadow… something that may not be the case come the release of World’s Finest.  She had personality, she was lighthearted, she was sensible, and while she had a very fan service-y costume, it was never about the sexualization of the character.  Power Girl was a ton of fun during her series’ run and the comic book shelves are no better off without her title.  This is the fourth and final of the Power Girl trades for this series and I encourage you to seek them out because this is writer Judd Winick at his best.  Yes, his Catwoman series left much to be desired (at least from issue #1) but Power Girl I think is an example of some of his best work and a definitive example of how to do a female superhero who can be sexy AND powerful.

Verdict – Highly Recommended

Sonic Universe Vol. 2:  30 Years Later was the second 4-issue story arc from Sonic Universe.  Sonic Universe’s big failing, much like Mega Man’s failing, is that they’re all running under the notion of a one-size fits all trade structure, where every story is going to end up being four issues, and really, most of the arcs don’t need to be four issues.  This one, though, makes good use of all four issues.  Sure, some scenes go a little long and some of it is just filler, but overall it’s a pretty solid story.  A lot of people criticize the “X Years Later” stories, even from way back when controversial Sonic writers Ken Penders and Karl Bollers wrote the book, but I always found them intriguing.  Since we know the main story probably won’t ever have such advancements, it’s something that is fun to look at in terms of interpretations of what the future could hold.  A stand out to me was the idea of Tails and Mina Mongoose becoming an item down the line… which I can actually see, even though Mina is dating that dipstick Ash at the moment, another anthromorphic mongoose.  It seems all the ex-Freedom Fighters automatically have two kids, though, which does make me tilt my head and think that maybe it was just for the sake of symmetry to the old Freedom Fighters and nothing more since a couple of them don’t really leave an impression other than you know they’re there.

However, the story structure is one of the strongest in Sonic Universe and it amounts up to a very satisfying read.  Yes, there are nitpicky moments, this IS Ian Flynn we’re talking about, but I think this is one of the best stories he’s done that’s lasted longer than one or two issues, and that says something.  It doesn’t make up for a lot of the crap he’s done over his entire run by any stretch, but it just goes to show you that the potential is there and that’s why I stick with Sonic comics… that and I was an avid fanboy of the Sonic (and Mega Man) games and, to a degree, still am.  Hey, at least I’m being honest!  So, yes, 30 Years Later is one of Sonic Universe’s better stories and it’s well worth a glance through, especially if you don’t mind reading a children’s book.  Sonic doesn’t compare to the recently discontinued Darkwing Duck these days, but I feel that this series still has a rightful place on the comic rack and this trade speaks volumes as to that sentiment.

Verdict – Highly Recommended

And so ends the week.  Not as strong as previous weeks in terms of the weekly pulls, but a couple great trade paperbacks and a couple standout single issues keeps it a worthwhile week.  Still, disappointments are disappointing, especially with Blue Beetle and Queen Sonja, but this stuff happens sometimes.  Don’t worry though, folks.  Looking ahead to my pull list, there are some reliable series’ coming tomorrow.  As for you guys who may be looking for older stuff to add to what you pull on Wednesday, I encourage you to take a look at my previous entries and see what I’ve been enjoying.  But I do strongly recommend Aquaman and Avengers Academy, because they have ben arguably the strongest books on the shelves.  And, if you have a local comic book store, I encourage you to make the trip out there and buy from them rather than buy digitally, since the comic book shops are still the beating heart of the comic book industry.  But, that’s just me and it’s your money.

Next week on The Back Stack, I hope to have the new issue of Sonic Universe that was solicited for last week, but didn’t show up as well as, hey look, Aquaman and Avengers Academy!  And Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles too!  Also, we’ll see if X-Men and Teen Titans can redeem themselves, if Superman can get back on track, and Red Sonja team with Witchblade.  All this and more next week on The Back Stack!

Cheers;

Master Graveheart

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