Warning: Be prepared for a few mild spoilers, several poorly turned phrases, any number of weak analogies and oddly drawn conclusions, and at least one run-on sentence.
Cable & Deadpool #’s 15 & 16 - There are times when I read Fabian Nicieza's work and think, “This guy totally gets it.” And times I think, “This guy has totally lost it.” It’s not uncommon for me to think both while reading the same issue. One problem I have with Nicieza is that his humor sometimes falls flat – not the best thing when writing a Deadpool book. I take it in stride though; I figure Deadpool’s constantly running his mouth and not everything he says is going to be witty or funny, as much as I want it to be. What I don’t want is for Deadpool to be annoying and he’s often tread that ground in this series, although in these two issues it’s not so much Deadpool that’s annoying as the “reality hopping” plot devise that's been abused far too often. Pretty much a big “eh” for both issues although the finale of 16 is interesting enough to get me to buy 17 – but my support for this title is definitely on an issue to issue basis.
Defenders #1 - Good stuff, I loved the dialogue – and such large portions. Giffen and DeMatteis are in full stride here, as they deftly walk that line between outright camp and in-character humor. Marvel better get a bullpen rotation going for the lettering on this book or they’re going to lose Dave Sharpe to carpel tunnel syndrome. And is Kevin Maguire now a package deal with G&D? His ability to capture the appropriate goofy facial expression certainly plays well with the script. My only complaint is that Namor looks a little shiny or plastic-y, kind of like, er, shiny plastic…I guess – a little odd to my eye. Anyway, this should be a fun run.
Desolation Jones #2 - Just about the only book on the market that is so well written, well characterized and visually intriguing that I don’t care about plot points or the books “direction”, I’m just enjoying the ride. Absolute, hands down pick of the month.
Detective Comics #807 - Truth is, I’m buying too many monthly books. Particularly too many Batbooks. So it’s nice to have one I can drop without so much as a look back. And heck, in a year or so, should I start reading it again, they’ll still be playing out this interminable “City of Crime” storyline.
The Goon #13 - Bought this on Zilla’s recommendation and it was pretty entertaining, in a Harold Gray meets Stephen King sorta way. Definite add to the monthly read and back issue acquisition list.
Last Hero Standing #’s 4 & 5 - Saw this one through only because I bought the first couple of issues and the completist in me couldn’t let a weak premise and poor dialog stop me from filling out the series. Since this is a “What if” book I immediately cut it a certain amount of slack, but in any reality this doesn’t really stand up. Too many “new” heroes that get no development or are underdeveloped; the unfulfilled promise of the title -- the early issues start off like that old Avengers classic where the Collector is nabbing Earth’s superheroes but quickly degenerates into a couple of confusing, uninspired battle scenes -- at no time do we ever get down to a “last hero standing”, or even a last 30 heroes for that matter; and you almost need a violin playing at the melodramatic finish. But…the book says it’s aimed at all ages and it is. It’s fairly accessible as long as you don’t ask a lot of questions and probably great for a younger audience.
Manhattan Guardian #3 - As readers we’ve instilled a great deal of trust in Grant Morrison’s Seven Soldiers project. Let’s face it, this baby is Grant’s comic book sandbox and we should expect that some of this just isn’t going to work. And that was my reaction after a first pass the MG #3, Well, that didn’t work. Then I reread it and thought, Brilliant. And it was. Even with lines like, “Imagine science on heat, baying like a hound beneath a red-hot moon,” and a seemingly pedestrian hero-fights-robots-run-amok story, Morrison was able to layer the Guardian, strengthen the secondary characters and set the table for what appears to be the first solid link to the greater Seven Soldiers plotline in issue #4. Or maybe I just took way too deep a sip of Morrison’s cool-aid. Either way, September 7th is far too long a wait for the big finale of this one.
The Ultimates 2 #7 - What she said.
Villains United #3 - Continues to be fun. Simone’s doing yeoman’s work balancing a cast of both developed and undeveloped characters. I question whether the “good” bad guys would leave so many of the “bad” bad guys alive but I understand that we can’t have a whole table full of even second rate villains killed in a few panels. What would they do in the next issue of AQUAMAN? Anyway, I like the little war-within-the-war that’s going on with the Villains and I’m still finding this to be the best of the pre-INFINITE CRISIS minis going. (Admittedly, the bar is not very high at this point.)
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