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Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America – Wolverine

The fall out from Cap’s death continues, as we find out how the Marvel Universe will react to the death of Steve Rogers. This issue, written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Leinil Yu left me feeling a bit like I’d wasted my money after I finished it. For one, the dialogue seemed off to me…with Wolverine not really sounding like Wolverine…and quite a bit of “fill us in to the history with dialogue” bits that made the issue play off in a kind of odd, old-school fashion.

The art is nice, but there isn’t a ton of story within these pages. Basically, Wolverine doesn’t believe that Cap is dead, and tries to break into the S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ to see for himself.

Wolverine does seem to share the fans skepticism about Cap actually being dead…and the book tried very hard to convince us that he is, in fact, gone.

Now, if the Marvel execs had tried half this hard in interviews about Cap’s death to convince us that he was actually gone, I would be more convinced.

If you’re really into following this death story, then you’ll probably want to pick this up for completions sake, but other than that, I’d drop my $2.99 on something else.

Supergirl #16
(w) Kelly/Sable (a) Garza

This is my first time reading Supergirl (this version of her, at least) and I’m not really sure this was the best issue to start with. The story within it is interesting, and the artwork is a strange blend of Scott McDaniel and Jim Lee, but (as it is with most DC titles these days) I’m just not sure what the hell is going on.

This issue features the “Origin” of this version of Kara – but I’m not sure that’s what we’re actually reading. The story is entirely told from the perspective of her father who is telling her the “truth” behind her life on Krypton…although it appears all of this is happening while she is unconscious and floating in space. Without giving everything away, Jor-El is portrayed as a cold, self indulgent (almost) villain in this story, and looks very much like the movie version of the character. While Kara’s father looks like Superman, dressed in blue and red and yellow, with “S” symbols on his shoulders and his forehead.

I’m not really sure if this is supposed to a Krypton from an alternate universe, or just the twisted version of her father’s insanity, but whatever it is…it is interesting.

I will probably pick up issue #17, and I am going to have to look this version of Supergirl up online to try and figure this all out. It’s compelling…but it shouldn’t require this much homework to feel caught up with a series.

Omega Flight #1
(w) Oeming (a) Kolins

I’ve never been a fan of Alpha Flight. I’ve never had anything against them either. I’ve just never really gotten into the Canadian super-team. I am, however, a big fan of USAgent (what can I say…it’s a sickness), so I was interested to give this title a shot to see what was happening with it. When the series was changed from a series to a mini-series before the first issue even came out, it was enough to give me pause, but I thought I’d take a look at it anyway.

After reading the first issue, it’s not hard to see why it was turned into a Mini. In fact, I’m almost surprised it’s even being published. It’s not that the book is terrible, it’s just not particularly interesting, and I can’t figure out WHO the market for this book actually is…

Fans of the old Alpha Flight will hate it because almost all of the original Alpha Flight team is dead. Instead they are being replaced by American B and C list heroes. I somehow doubt that was exciting for long time fans.

Americans are probably not going to like it because most of it is spent talking about how we’re screwing everything up, and we’re bringing down their grand team. I’m not a flag wearing, super patriot by any means, but I get enough America bashing just being ON the Internet, I’m certainly not interested in plopping down my $2.99 to read about how all of us suck.

Plus, very little actually happens in this issue…except that Sasquatch (the only survivor of the Alpha Flight massacre) agrees to be on the team and talks to another former member that won’t join. They go over who most of the roster will be…and that’s about it. There is nothing here all that compelling. I’m – again – not sure who is going to buy this book. It seems to alienate everyone who might be into it. Don’t expect to see this thing go past the mini.

Avengers: The Initiative #1
(w)Slott (a)Caselli

Now this was an interesting start. The book started pretty slow, setting up all of the characters…basically a New Mutants of the Avengers, styled team of kids…but towards the end of the book things take a disturbing turn. The “line” between good and bad seems to be getting more and more blurry these days, and towards the end of the book, the actions takeng here make me question the entire Initiative as a force for “heroes”. It stinks of government control, and it makes me think of everyone from Tony Stark all the way down.

I will most likely pick up issue two, as the first issue leaves us with some questions that I would very much like the answers to. Good job to the creative teams. This is an interesting beginning. I don’t know exactly where it’s going…but I’ll give it a few issues to see…