Comic Book Day - 04/19/06

Ok, well I never got around to writing a comic post last week, so here's a double.

I think I'm actually going to stick to this format from now on; Mini-review of the previous week, buy list for the current.

Anywho, from last week:

• Captain Atom: Armageddon #7 (of 9): I’m really enjoying this book and it’s introduction to the WildStorm universe. I’m a big fan of the darker side of superheroes and this series is really doing it for me. It’s also been a treat to see Atom portrayed as a real powerhouse for a change rather than a second-rate hold-over from a defunct comic company. I mean, we’re talking about a guy with the ability to absorb an almost infinite amount of raw energy and rechannel it into to almost any form. In this issue, for instance, Atom uses it to harmlessly neutralize an opponent by rearranging the atomic structure of her liquid nano armor, leaving her naked an unconscious. He also uses it to temporarily throw himself a week into the future by warping the space/time. That’s some crazy shit, right there, and much more interesting than simply shooting energy bolts from his hands.
• Crisis Aftermath: The Battle for Bludhaven #1 (of 6): This kinda sucked. I’m not even sure what it’s about, really. In Infinite Crisis, the Society (as in Secret Society of Super Villains) destroyed the city of Bludhaven by dropping some sort of living nuclear bomb dude on it. Jump ahead a year, and the government has had the place in lockdown, seemingly conducting genetic and nuclear experiments on some of the city’s survivors. Or was it some rogue group? Or the villains? I dunno. The art was kind pedestrian and the characters were ones I’ve only heard of in passing. It just didn’t hold my interest.
• DMZ #6: As a little background on this book, it’s set in near future Manhattan during the second American Civil War. Most of the United States has been taken over by the Free States and the line dividing the sides has been drawn right through the middle of New York City. The main character is US journalist who has been embedded (read exploited, abandoned, and left for dead) in the Demilitarized zone that was once the borough of Manhattan. The book is somewhat political, but mostly in an abstract kind of way and seems to be speaking more to the situation in current war-ravaged regions rather than saying anything about the situation stateside. In this issue Matty, the journalist, is essentially kidnapped by the Free Staters and taken to New Jersey to identify a prisoner of theirs and report his new information back to his superiors. The story here is good, but it’s the little details about this book that make it great. I’m not really sure how to describe it, but it really does feel like New York, despite the completely unfamiliar circumstances of the setting. If your in the market for a self-contained book that’s got more to it than the usual spandex title bouts, I’d definitely recommend this one.
• Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #24: I’m digging Firestorm. The book has a very light feel to it; it’s fun. And this issue was hilarious. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a comedy book, it’s just got some witty dialogue and goes places from which most DC titles tend to stay away. This issue, in particular, pounced pretty heavily on race relations and sex, with a laugh out loud line acting as a coda to the latter.
• Nightwing #119: Dick Grayson as male model. ‘Nough said.
• Superman #651: Third installment of the current cross-over arc with Action Comics, filling us in on Clark’s life now that he seems to have been without his powers for over a year. At the end of the last issue, Hal Jordan gave Clark a Green Lantern ring to help him get back in the game, so I was kinda hoping to see a big GL Supes tear-assing around Metropolis, but no, Clark tried it on and all we got was a green, floating Clark. Seems he doesn’t even think of himself as Supes anymore. A bit disappointing, but it certainly does make for an interesting and attractive direction for the rest of the story. Add that to the incredibly, refreshingly diabolical Lex Luthor running around collecting warehouses full of Kryptonite, and you’ve got a pretty decent issue. Oh, Hawkgirl and GL Hal Jordan kicking the asses of the Pranksters goofy creations and Toyman’s psychotically hilarious Operation (the children’s game) themed lab table for Luthor’s experiments on Metallo didn’t hurt either. Solid.
• Amazing Adventures of the JLA: To be honest, I haven’t gotten around to reading this compilation book just yet. Probably do it tonight or tomorrow.

And as for what I’m wasting my money on Today, here’s my list:

• JSA Classified #11
• Justice #5 (of 12)
• Manhunter #21
• Squadron Supreme #2

And I might pick up Wolverine Origins #1, but only if I can follow the first couple of pages without any trouble. I know slightly more than dick about the current state of the regular Marvel Universe.

Picture via Superdickery.

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