Green Lantern #34

Well the Secret Origin retcon is over, finally. I love seeing it retold but really, it pretty much violently shoves the Blackest Night into continuity. The individual characters are wonderfully portrayed, but the overall addition to the story feels forced. Next month, more backstory with Sinestro. I can't help but wonder, when are we finally get some standard GL action with Hal? Right now, the space opera goodness is all in Green Lantern Corps.

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The Authority #2

We get to see what a soulstorm is this issue... reality in the Wildstorm is pretty messed up these days. The story stays good and Eidolon shows up! We get a quick look at each character and how they are handling the end of the world. Shen weeps when she can't save people, Jack has lost hope, and Angie just keeps trying to start the Carrier back up. It's almost heart-wrenching, knowing how powerful they used to be. I'm still excited to see how they recover.

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The Fringe #1

So to tell the backstory for his upcoming show, J.J. Abrams is publishing Fringe. The story so far, generic super-smart science kid invents a way to transfer memories, but things don't go well. It's hard to get an idea of where the series is going, but if the whole premise of the series is to re-tell Face-Off, then count me out.

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Editor's Note: Secretly switch GayGamer Castle's coffee supply to decaf... Here's 9 reviews from Jono!

War Heroes #1 (2nd printing)

If I was reviewing this book strictly on concept alone, I would give it a Buy It, without a doubt. Using superpowers to entice Americans to sign up for the military? Genius! So why does Mark Millar have to ruin everything with such a generic set up? It's a reoccurring theme of his: high concept, poor execution (see 1985, Kick-Ass, Fantastic Four, etc). There are too many characters are introduced that we don't really feel attached to as readers and we can only predict that the military's superpowers idea can only end badly.

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X-Men: Manifest Destiny

This book is saved only by Tabitha "Boom Boom" Smith's third: the other two sections (one involving Iceman and Mystique fighting yet again and the other involving a rather somber Karma story) are rather forgettable. In Boom Boom's story, the former Nextwaver made me literally laugh out loud with some of the best lines of dialogue since...well, Nextwave. When talking about newly introduced villain, Nuwa, Boom Boom exclaims: "I mean, Nuwa? That doesn't even mean anything! Why can't she be like most bad guys and have a name that tells you their powers? So it's like 'I'm Magneto!' and you're like 'Cool. I'll take off my jewelry'". Her story is actually worth the price of admission alone.

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Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #2

The blasphemous book (mainly because it completely disregards Brand New Day and all that nonsense) continues to shine! Terry Moore does an excellent job in taking us into the world of Spider-Man via Mary Jane as they struggle through high school. Though it's not exactly a must read, it is pretty enjoyable. You know, if Marvel's goal with Brand New Day was to make Spider-Man more accessible...why didn't they take this approach? This is more believable and entertaining than a lot of comic books out there. I'll never understand.

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Invincible Iron Man #5

I love this book. I love Salvador Larroca's art. I love Matt Fraction's incredible take on Iron Man (combining the most popular elements of the movie with what was already in comic continuity and creating a compelling story). If you're not reading this book, I would highly recommend checking it out. Ezekiel Stane is one of the most evil villains ever introduced within the pages of a Marvel comic book, slaughtering hundreds of innocent people with his terrorist attacks just to get under Tony Stark's skin. It's a haunting look at how far someone will go to exact revenge.

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Titans #4

So the story doesn't really hold up too well in terms of quality. So the females are drawn as hypersexual creatures with more curves than a slinky. But goddamnit, these characters just feel RIGHT together. To me, it's the best combination of characters that the DC Universe has to offer and their dynamic as a group is pretty interesting. If only the book came out on a regular basis so that the story didn't feel as if it was in stasis, then maybe we would see the story becoming better. Only time will tell, but I'll still recommend this book, if only for the strong characterization.

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Dead of Night: Devil Slayer #1

Now, I know nothing about Devil Slayer or the Dead of Night comic book series so I have nothing to compare against this book. It's a rather slow start as we get the story of Danny Sylva as he returns to the war in Iraq for a third tour. Brian Keene, author of The Rising and City of the Dead (which were both mildly above decently enjoyable) does a good job invoking Danny's mood and jadedness to the war, but as I mentioned before, he takes a long time in getting anywhere. The only hint of horror that we get is the last splash page (which to be honest, is kind of horrifying). I'll be checking out issue #2 just to see where this goes...but I wouldn't recommend purchasing issue #1.

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Savage Dragon #137

I'm a sucker for interesting covers. Which is why I picked up the Barack Obama incentive cover for this issue. I've actually never read Savage Dragon before so I was taking a bit of a risk in reading it...the result? Well...hmm...there are some interesting and clever ideas in here but I just couldn't really get into the story. Obama plays no part whatsoever in this issue, which isn't really surprising. I can see the type of reader that this series would appeal to, but it's just not my cup of tea.

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X-Men: Return of Magik #1

All right so there isn't exactly anything new about any of the material in this issue, as it's just a collection of stories already featured in X-Men Unlimited #14, New X-Men #37, and X-Men: Divided We Stand #2. It's a good primer for the upcoming sequel to 1989's classic X-Men: Inferno crossover, X-Men Infernus (set to debut in December 2008). X-Men: Infernus promises to bring back Magik into the mainstream Marvel Universe, so Illyana fans rejoice! The stories featured in this collection are touching, and reminded me of how excellent New X-Men was (R.I.P.). I'd definitely recommend checking this out...unless of course you've already read the aforementioned issues of X-Men.

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Sub-Mariner: The Depths #1

Wow. This was an unexpected surprise. Who knew that the Sub-Mariner could be genuinely portrayed as terrifying? The art by Esad Ribic (Silver Surfer: Requiem) is fantastic, and he makes the ocean seem to be this creepy, haunted place that Sub-Mariner reigns over. Set in the mid 20th century, the story involves a man set out to debunk the myth of the Sub-Mariner and Atlantis. It may be my fear of the ocean talking, but this was a truly suspenseful comic book and I can't wait to find out what happens next!

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer #18

The Fray arc's almost over? Wow, it barely feels like it just started. There was a lot more interaction with Mel and Buffy this time around, but it still feel like it's not quite enough. Also, we get a little more insight into Future Willow. This issue sets up the next one's big finale very nicely.

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Angel: After the Fall #12

A certain character that played an important role in the show returns this issue. I won't say who, but I will say that it's about time. Unfortunately, this happens just as Angel gets ready to die at the hands of Gunn. There's a LOT of good revelations here that have been building up since before the first issue.

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Secret Invasion: Front line #3

The shit continues to hit the fan, as more casualties emerge from the skrull invasion. Something about this issue feels a little...off to me, however. A couple of the situations seem a bit unrealistic (which is ironic, I know). I'll try to keep it spoiler free, but how did a group of people not survive a single skrull, while one guy somehow gets the crap kicked out of him until the skrulls get bored and leave him alone? I still recommend it, since the inconsistencys weren't enough to make me not care about the characters.

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Manhunter #34 ~ Manhunter runs into some of the members of the Secret Six, her son finds out a bit of his family history as well as something about himself, and believe it or not, a gay couple actually kisses. On panel. No, really! Like it was totally normal and everything. (Maybe we should organize a drive to send tons of this panel to Marvel to give them a hint.) Anyway, that aside, Manhunter continues to be one of my favorite DC books, the story and art are consistantly good. Buy it.

Detective Comics #848 ~ Hush's plan continues to unfold and Catwoman's part of it. Batman confronts Scarecrow and another part of Hush's plan. Detective is still the most interesting book in the entire RIP tie-in and Dustin Nguyen's art is absolutely fantastic.

Buy it.

Ms. Marvel Annual #1

Don't let the title fool you, it's more of Spider-Man Annual (With Ms Marvel). Regardless, the book itself is a lot of fun and has some of the best Spidey banter in awhile. It's kind of odd that Ms. Marvel isn't quite as interesting as she normally is in her book (considering it's written by her regular writer, Brian Reed); but then again, it doesn't help it's told from Spidey's perspective; we're not getting her usual commentary. Aside from that, the slightly odd art (it kinda grows on you), and the little girl comment; it's a LOT of fun to read.

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Freedom Formula #1

Four pages into this I threw it across the room. The setup for the rest of the post-apocalyptic tale was so contrived that when it was revealed that it was, in fact, a RACING STORY (something I had failed the grasp upon reading the title) I couldn't take it anymore. The only reason I picked it up in the first place was the art, and the only reason I finished reading it was for this review, and let me say that while reading it... I threw it across the room twice more. Stereotypical archetypes, same tales of woe told before and better, and then lines like this... "I'll stick my estrogened foot up your ass!" It hurts.

BURN IT

Air #1

As a one shot, this comic is pretty darned good. It follows the tale of a stewardess working in a post-9/11 time when a mysterious group, and an even more mysterious man, enter her life and bring with them intrigue and adventure. Overall it's a bit dreamlike, insomuch that the whole time insane situation after insane situation is happening the main character just kind of takes it all in stride, almost unrealistically so. But overall the story is well enough that I enjoyed it as it was. I don't know if it's good enough that I'd pick up the next issue, as this one is pretty okay enough on its own and feels complete.

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El Diablo #1

A botched arms deal with H.I.V.E., a betrayal, and a hardass federal agent turn Chato Santana's life upside down all in the course of this debut issue. The chain of events leads the injured gang leader to the comatose Lazarus Lane and things really start to get interesting. What I found refreshing about El Diablo, is that unlike most of the origin arcs we see these days, Chato's costume/powers appear by the end of the first issue instead of five months later. Jai Nitz delivers one of the most accessible books I've read from DC in a while, and Phil Hester's artwork is always a pleasure to see. On the down side, parallels to Ghost Rider are unavoidable, right down to the spirit of vengeance concept and skull motif. El Diablo might be DC's answer to Ghost Rider, but I'm interested enough to check out the next issue.

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Necronomicon #1

Boom publishes some of the best horror titles in the industry. Necronomicon is no exception. As with any good horror, it's the characters that should shine, with the horror elements providing the catalyst for development. In 1924, Henry Said comes to America from the Middle East to study at Miskatonic University. Through his struggles with racism and cultural assimilation (the guy's got three jobs!), he befriends Maxey, a jock he tutors. Things get stranger as Maxey introduces Henry to a Theosophist society of wealthy elites who take an interest in Henry's linguistic skills. Enter the Necronomicon. But the Theosophists aren't the only ones after it! Messner-Loebs and Andrew Ritchie have produced an intriguing and eerie first issue narrated in the form of a letter to Henry's father. Lovecraft would be pleased...IA! IA! CTHULHU F'THAGN!

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