Brave and the Bold #29

J Michael Straczynski has done it again. Every time he slips from my attention, he comes out with another superb story.

I wasn’t even born when Brother Power the Geek #1 first hit the stands, my first exposure was in the pages of the original Who’s Who in the DC Universe, just as I was learning my way around the DCU. I found the idea of him, well, quirky to say the least. Kitsch. A symptom of the post-Werner (Seduction Of The Innocent) sillyness that swept the comics industry. Endearing maybe if you read it as a child, a very young child, but not for a young teenager in the Eighties. Happy days. I was so sure of my maturity, a good sign that I possessed very little of it.

So when I finally encountered the animated mannequin; given life by lightning and the gift of “wet and bloodied ‘hip threads’” hung upon it by a pair of hippies squatting in a tailors shop; it was at the capable hands of Neil Gaiman, in Swamp Thing Annual #5, way back in the early nineties. Gaiman turned him into a form of elemental, returning to earth after being fired into space by Govenor Ronald Reagan. Yet another being created by the Earth to defend itself, Power was now a doll elemental, connecting with human simulacra such as dolls, dummies, statues, etc. He could be called a toy elemental, or even a trash elemental. I remember a scene where Brother Power was leading a herd of lost socks, in fact that has alway stuck in my mind.  I never looked at laundry in the same way again. He returned in another Vertigo one shot, and then was never seen again.

And after a very long wait, he returns this week in Brave And The Bold #29, teaming with Batman. One may think that this is an unusual pairing, but it is not the first time they have encountered each other.

The highlight of the issue for me is more the contradiction between the two personalities, rather than between the two eras of today and the sixties. Still, Brother Power is based upon an idealised version of the sixties hippy culture, and the flashbacks are quite illuminating. The story walks a fine line between kitsch and relevance, if tending to the preachy a little.

However, this is what I enjoy about the current DC. Unlike the eighties they no longer throw the baby with the bathwater. After all, there was a reason why they didn’t go out of business in the kitsch years, and the preponderance of super boys, girls, cats and monkeys has a certain charm when handled right.

So I will be looking for a herd of crime-fighting socks in the future! I hope it’s not too long.

I really should check the shipping lists rather than just working through my pile of comics.

I had totally forgotten that S.W.O.R.D. #1 was coming out last week, and so it was a pleasant surprise when I found it. When I first saw the advert for it, I thought ‘Hmm, that sounds ok’, not really expecting a lot. The art seemed alright, nothing special, but Kieron Gillen’s ‘words’ as attributed in the credits touched parts of my inner geek that other comics haven’t reached. (Words? WORDS? What happened to plot? Script? Writer? I know Marvel can be patronising, but still…….!)

The issue starts with our beloved Henry Peter Gyrich being his usual paranoid, xenophobic manipulative self, trying to usurp Agent Brand simply because she is half alien. I’m sure that the fact she is sleeping with a mutant doesn’t help either. You know, I do remember the odd Avengers story where Gyrich had a good side, his own moral code of right or wrong, however twisted he may be. I can’t see him viewing Norman Osbourne as anything other than another freak, just like the Avengers or the X-Men.

However, Gyrich’s usual antics are not what arose my geek, but the appearance of a character who has been away for far too long. Preeeeeeeeeee-senting…

S.W.O.R.D. #1

Now Death’s Head I has a rather convoluted history. I missed his first appearances in Strip, but rather first encountered him in the Transformers UK comic (which is a different timeline to Marvels US published Transformers, long story but has a little to do with Spider-Man among other folk). Then, as here, he appears in gigantic form, pursuing Galvatron, the future (erm, that would be past now, surely? 2006?) form of Megatron.

Subsequent to this, he was shrunk to human size by the Doctor. Yes, that Doctor, in the pages of Doctor Who Magazine. But in this issue, I don’t think that has happened yet, if at all. However in the pages of the Official Handbooks, Marvel do now seem to recognise published history for characters they no longer have the license for, such as Rom, Micronauts and more importantly here, Transformers and Doctor Who, both now living at IDW.

On that note, how is Bug still in Marvel and a member of the Guardians of The Galaxy? Can anyone tell me? What on Earth went on with the licensing there?

Death’s Head irreverent nature make him an extremely annoying character in his own strip, but when juxtaposed with other characters I think he is a lot of fun, and a welcome return to the Marvel Universe. IMHO, he performs the role so much better than Deadpool does.  I wonder if he came through The Fault? The return of Monarch Starstalker shows that The Fault can now help throw strict continuity to the wind, and return to fun continuity. Lords knows, as good as Dark Reign is, it was well named, and Marvel needs a bit of fun. And may Stan Lee wash my mouth out, I no longer mean X-Babies.

Speaking of The Fault, this week we see Realm Of Kings #1, and Realm Of Kings:Inhumans #1. Let’s see what other rabbits can be pulled out of the hat.

Confession time. I hang my head in shame, although not entirely unexpected.

The idea of the X-babies meeting up with the characters of the late Star Comics is far better in concept than it is in execution. I should have known.

IDW's Doctor Who #5

Still, I have had my fill of ludicrousness with last weeks Marvel Zombies, so I am happy. Funnily enough, the reprint of Planet Terry’s first issue offered in X-Babies #2 as a back up strip was far more enjoyable than the story itself.

Realm Of Kings: Imperial Guard had a good start, even if the Guard were suddenly mysteriously at ease with following Gladiator’s Majestorship (oo, look, I made a word!). Nothing really happened in this issue, it was just a primer setting up the interpersonal politics and dropping the bombshell that a team is to probe into The Fault, alongside the Starjammers, who only appear on the final page. Still, it shows promise.

The only thing that surprised me in this issue is the characterisation of Hussar, who all of a sudden has revealed a kinder, more reasonable side to her personality. We’ve not seen that before, she had always seem to be cut from more bloodthirsty cloth.

But for my recommendation of the week, I’m going to depart from the Big Two, and look to IDW.

Now I have been a Whovian since I first learned to hide behind the sofa from pepperpots with sink-plungers sticking out of them. I followed the Doctors adventures when he was cast into the wilderness by the BBC and the license was picked up by Virgin. If you didn’t know, the eighth Doctor had quite the career in books and audio plays before the relaunch four years ago with Christopher Eccleston as the Time-Lord. I saw Gallifrey split into duplicates, and saw Faction Paradox learn how to break every law of time. You could say that on this I was a continuity buff, proudly wearing my anorak for no-one to see.

IDW’s Doctor Who series, now on its fifth issue brings together elements of both the original Doctor(s) and the relaunched version. In their current storyline, they have the Krillitane making a bid to dominate or overthrow the Shadow Proclamation with thelp of the rhino-headed Judoon, all newer elements; while the Sontarans, Draconians and the Ogrons are all caught in the crossfire. The latter two I don’t think we have seen since Jon Pertwee travelled the corridors of the Time Vortex.

In fact, the defeat of these other races at the hands of the Doctor in the past make them very unwilling allies in the current plot, and I love it. If you fondly remember the years of Jo Grant and Sarah Jane Smith (the first time around), then this is a series not to be missed.

Marvel Zombies Evil Evolution #1

Okay last week was not as slow as I initially thought, when at the bottom of my pile I discovered Marvel Zombies Vs Apes: Evil Evolution #1.

It was convoluted, one could say continuity heavy, composed from a facile idea, and wiped itself from continuity before the story had even ended.

I loved every single minute of it! Sheer idiotic genius. I think this weeks full-on return of Planet Terry in X-Babies #2 (they are not MY X-Babies!) will have to be a total masterpiece to compete in any fashion. I’m not going to hold my breath for that.

In fact the whole wiping from continuity thing doesn’t bother me at all, as I was horrified when at one point Monkey Speedball became infected. I really like Monkey Speedball, I liked his interactions with the Initiative, and I want to see a lot more of him. Hell, he may even be an essential ingredient in Robby Reeds rehabilitation one day, as I really don’t like what Marvel have done to him. I don’t want Penance (even though the plotline does make sense), I want my Speedball back! Still, if all I can have is a monkey, I can live with that for the time being.

Monkey-Speedball seems to me like a character that has serious potential, and captures me in a way that Howard the Duck never did. Then again, I like my comics to be fun, but not ludicrous, but that’s just personal taste. Less Bwah-ha-ha, and more of the odd chuckle.

Geek moment here. I say the wiping from continuity thing doesn’t bother me, except for the fact that it flies in the face of how time and dimension travel works in the Marvel Universe. Just as we saw the Zombie-world trapped in a loop at the end of Marvel Zombies Return, (not that that really adheres to the rules either, after all, where did the infection come from?), that loop has now been broken. The early part of the story can be considered to be the alternate reality (Zombie-Ape world, which is still out there) and the time-travel revision returns us to what is considered to be the mainstream Earth(s) of Earth 616, Zombie World and Ape-World. So the infection is still out there and travelling in the Multiverse. Due to its all-consuming nature, we shall see more of it.

And if you take the recent struggle against the Magus dominating all the timelines as seen in Guardians of the Galaxy as a precedent, then surely Kang or Immortus would need to take action. Or are we to have a zombie Time-Keeper?

What to watch out for this week? Realm Of Kings:Imperial Guard is out, continuing the story from the recent special. I like the way these characters have been treated in the new Cosmic Marvel, their three issue mini several years ago did nothing to satisfy me. They have grown far beyond mere Legion rip-offs, and I think this series will prove it.

X-Force #1 continues the X-Necrosha storyline (more zombies – YAY!), and REBELS #10 with the struggle against Starro. Both of these I am looking forward to immensely.

Oh, and did I mention the X-Babies?

The Great Ten #1

Well Zombie-Watch is a little quiet this week, with the only zombie-action I have caught so far being the Doom Patrol crossover. I’m in two minds about the Doom Patrol series, I really enjoy the characters, and of course the classic Vertigo series, but I have yet to be sold on the current incarnation.

Having the Chief come face to face with his alleged former wife Celsius of the (not so) New Doom Patrol is intriguing, as I do not think they have been seen together before. I recall Chief saying to his team-mates a few years ago (post-INVASION!) that she never was his wife, just a very troubled woman, but then again truth and the Chief do not seem to frequent acquaintances.

This is a set up issue however, containing little more than the requisite “Oh My God! Zombies!” moment. Still with losing pages to the rather uninspiring Metal Men back up strip, there is very little room for much else.

I have to say that I am not really impressed with the art either. After the tradition established by the Vertigo series, the Doom Patrol art should be quirky, however Justiniano’s pencils and Livesay’s inks do not give these zombies the detail we have seen in other titles.

The one title I have really enjoyed, and have been awaiting since its announcements is The Great Ten #1. Not being a great follower of manga, Final Crisis Aftermath:Dance did not do a great deal for me. I assume it was heavily manga-influenced, but the insightful look into Japanese style-heroics did not really do enough for me. I know the series was supposed to have its facile elements, in fact that was probably the point of it, but still, I didn’t connect with it at all.

The Great Ten promises to be different, launching straight into an indepth examination of the Accomplished Perfect Physician. Rather than shying away from controversial topics, it dives immediately into the topic of Tibet (with an admittedly ‘Free Tibet’ slant, but that is not something I disagree with at all). As a first issue, the situation of Tibet is acknowledged, but it remains to be seen whether it will be explored in further depth.

However, the whole issue screams ‘China’ (or at least a western understanding of such, I would love to know what Chinese readers think of it), far more than Dance screamed ‘Japan’. Written by Bedard (what ever happened to first names?), this looks to be a very promising series. I really want to get to know these characters, and I really hope that the sensation of China I perceive is a genuine one, rather than simply a western view. I would say propaganda, but I think that is too strong a word to use here. We shall see. I hold high hopes for it at least.

New Mutants #6 Cypher returns in X-Necrosha

This week, Zombie Watch returns, with a whole new dimension!

When I first read of the X-Necrosha crossover in the solicitations three months ago, I was unimpressed. Now you know I love a good zombie as much as the next man, but I saw this X-crossover as simply a competitor to the Blackest Night, little more than a cheap marketing ploy. As if Marvel Zombies was enough. And let’s not get started about the eventually arriving Marvel Zombie Apes, or is that Marvel Ape-Zombies?

I could not of been more wrong. Forgetting that X-Necrosha was in my pile, I read New Mutants #6 first, as next to the Titans, the New Mutants have been my longstanding favourite team. I was also pumped to see the return of Doug Ramsey (Cypher), a character whose return has been dangled in front of us for years, such as the creation of Douglock, who it transpired was Warlock himself, but initially only having access to Doug’s memories.

I was not disappointed at all. Although Doug did cave in the skull of fellow New Mutant Magma on the direction of Selene, what really shone was the use of Cyphers gift of translation. Beneath every speech bubble that Cypher heard was his own interpretation of what was being said, which makes this issue an excellent jumping on point for new readers. The politics between the members is illustrated nicely, and there were a few points that really made me laugh. Take this interpretation of one of Dani Moonstars statements: “It is important that you see me speak for our team. I need you to know I still matter.” Beautiful! With just a few narration boxes, we can see how much some of the Mutants have changed, and how some still cling to their teenage insecurities.

So, I went back and read X-Necrosha #1, and I loved it. These are not your average zombies, but the bodies of many of the mutants dearly departed, reanimated by the technovirus. The original personalities and memories remain intact, but I doubt the question of their souls will even be raised. As I understand it, these are new beings, simply with the memories of the originals, which if they survive this storyline should lead to yet more heart-wrenching drama. In the meantime, they are under Selene’s domination, but carrying their own personalities, many are champing at the bit.

For the first time to my knowledge, the origin and nature of the Black Queen Selene is explored with some detail, and I believe it is worth the wait. I have never really taken her seriously in the past, even her exploits in Nova Roma (Magma’s hometown) never made her appear to be more than a throwaway villain. The long forgotten classification of External (immortal mutants), of which Selene is the sole known survivor is not even touched upon, but is implicit throughout the story.

Another return I fondly welcomed was that of the original Hellions, Emma Frost’s students from the now destroyed Massachusetts Academy. As these students come face to face with Emma, the horror aspect of this is revealed, although I am grateful to say it is not overplayed. These beings make the Black Ring Bearers seem quite two-dimensional in comparison.

Oh, and Destiny is back. You can’t miss this.

Guardians Of The Galaxy #19

I was going to title today’s column ‘Pointless Comics Books’ after reading the finale of The Last Days Of Animal Man. I said before how much I like Buddy Baker, but after reading all six issues, I feel cheated. Gerry Conway, pleasant as his writing is, is no Grant Morrison, so the appearance of the yellow aliens (who I would like to see more of) did nothing to satisfy me, or give me a reason why I have bought the entire series.

However, Blackest Night has continued apace, enough for me to forgive DC. In the conclusion of Blackest Night Titans, we have seen it’s not just the assembled corps of the emotional spectrum that can conquer the Black Rings, but also Dove (formerly of Hawk and Dove, erm, twice) has access to a power that is equally as devastating to the Black Corps. This is not without precedent either, after her role in the downfall of Extant back in JSA a few years ago.

What has really blown me away however is the latest Guardians Of The Galaxy, and the culmination of the Adam Warlock/Magus storyline. Despite the previous issue seeming a little tenuous, the conclusion more than justified the arc with a big story. One surviving Time Keeper; Kang leading an army of Starhawks (with a cute little aside between him and Mantis); a Cosmic Cube and Phyla Vell / Martyr (yes, it’s a silly name) receiving her comeuppance.

Looks like I was right the first time when I observed the Magus will not be featuring in the Realm Of Kings storyline. I should be disappointed, but after this issue, I’m not. We all know that Adam Warlock will be reborn, and thus so will the threat of the Magus, but that is in the future.

I also like how it is left open that Phyla-Vell may have got everything horribly wrong. The Champion of Life has been defined as the Magus (as he opposed Thanos in his own timeline) as well as Warlock. Maybe she killed the wrong guy. Still, it’s all moot now.

Thunderbolts #137, Not zombies, honest guv

Thunderbolts is not a title that I have been reading regularly since it renumbered itself, however after picking up the last three issues, I may have to change that.

In the latest issue (#137), there was none of the original cast that I remember (although they have featured in previous issues), but nor did I care. However, if you are an old-time fan of the duo Power Man and Iron Fist, this is an issue not to be missed. The cover headline states they are joining the Thunderbolts, however they look more like refugees from Marvel Zombies.

I don’t want to give away the entire plot of the issue, but suffice to say that Norman Osbourne arranges for the capture and brainwashing of Danny Rand, in order to turn him into a weapon against Luke Cage, for revenge over something I obviously missed happening. (There’s only so many comics even I can read!). This tests their friendship and teamwork to the limit. Well, briefly.

The other ‘Bolts I am psyched about are the Ant-Man and Paladin. Now I have always liked Paladin ever since he dated Janet van Dyne back in the late eighties and also worked with Captain America for a while (in the Superia Strategem, oh how I loved Mark Gruenwald’s stories) and I feel he is a character who deserves a lot more attention and detail. I have still to find it in these pages however, but it seems everyone gets their turn. I’m even liking the Ghost!

As for Ant-Man, he is successful in escaping Osbourne’s clutches, but the escape route he has to take? Euuwwwww! I’m not gonna spoil that one for you, just don’t read this issue while you are eating.

Tomorrow, Zombie Watch begins again, with the climax of Blackest Night: Titans, Green Lantern #47 and Blackest Night #4 hitting the stands. I can’t wait!

Mighty Avengers #30 - Finally they are starting to regroup

I’ve really enjoyed the issues of Mighty Avengers recently, and this weeks #30 is no different, although I do have a few reservations about it. The road to redemption for Henry Pym is a long one, and one he should have started a long time ago. The fact that he was replaced by a Skrull at some indeterminate point not withstanding, how many times has he broken down and tried to kill his team-mates? Beaten his wife? Created a machine dedicated to the eradication of all organic life?

So, nice to see the Macroverse after its scant attention in the pages of Fantastic Four, although it’s remarkably like the Dimension Of Manifestations as seen in Quasar and home to the beings that became the Magus Dopplegangers in the Infinity War.

Still, Scientist Supreme? Eternity trusts Pym? Avengers Forever intimated that Immortus may have been behind Pym’s breakdowns, and Eternity sees that as a qualifying factor?

Mind you, it was well worth seeing Eternity punching Pym out. I don’t want to spoil the issue if you haven’t read it, but what a scene.

The threat of the Unspoken is still gaining in importance, but what I didn’t like was that there was barely a tacit mention of Loki posing as the Scarlet Witch. Are all the Young Avengers under the same spell as Cassie now?

One other taster was the full page advert for the Realm Of Kings! Now that I am looking forward to.

Looking at January 2010’s solicitations, it doesn’t look like Dark Reign is coming to an end anytime soon, but events may well be coming to a head.

Siege #1 cover, released in January

In January, Osbourne launches the Siege Of Asgard, with a central series and numerous tie-ins, the seeds of which have apparently already been laid. I think I need to go read my Thor issues. I rather hope that this will be more poignant that the Dark Reign:The List issues, which so far have been little more than amusing stories of Normans failure.

It’s nice to know there is light at the end of the tunnel, but that light won’t be dawning until at least April, as Siege is a four issue series. However, today’s release of Dark Reign: The List Avengers is included in the Road To Siege Hardcover, so I think that this will be one not to miss.

With the upcoming Necrosha, and Nation X, and the already commencing Realm Of Kings, it looks like the age of the uber-story is here for the duration. Great for continuity freaks like myself, but not so easy on the wallet. I hope once the dust settles from the Dark Reign, Marvel will allow each series freedom to pursue their own plotlines, but the solicitations don’t yet seem to reveal the threat posed by Adam Magus, the new, evil form of Adam Warlock. If they are paying homage to the original timeline of Jim Starlin’s Warlock, then I feel that may yet be waiting in the wings.

So in comparison, Blackest Night is certainly cheaper, but certainly not lower quality. And January’s solicitations have revealed what I knew! Nekron is the big, big bad. The only release this week is Blackest Night:Superman #3, I only hope this series in it’s final issue manages to be as relevant as the excellent Blackest Night: Batman.

My other recommendation for today? Zenescope’s Escape From Wonderland #2. If you haven’t picked any of this series up so far, you have missed a treat. The Wonderland they portray is even more twisted than in the original novels, and if you like your classic stories with a twist, this is the one for you.

Action Comics #882

It’s been a good week this week.

I plugged REBELS in my last column, so I will say little more that pick up #9, where we learn what R.E.B.E.L.S stood for the first time round, Adam Strange, Captain Comet and Kanjar Ro join the fight, and the Omega Men travel to one of Starros home galaxies.

What really caught my attention was Action Comics #882. While the hunt for Supergirl, Chris and Thara heats up after they have been framed by General Sam Lane (always been such a lovable guy) and his agents Reactron and Metallo, it is the back up strip starring Captain Atom that has started to reveal its secrets. Trapped in a world of magic, a former enchanted slave of Mirabai The Forlorn, an ally of Lane’s, and it looks maybe responsible for his time as Monarch during Countdown. I had rather thought there was a lot more to Monarchs tale than had been revealed so far. Just being put in armour did not seem enough to send him so completely over the edge.

Now this is just a guess, but I assume she is tied in with the Lords of Chaos and Order if they still exist, considering Monarchs first incarnation was Hank Hall, carrying the powers of both Order and Chaos within him after the first death of Dawn granger – Dove.

Of course this is before he absorbed the powers of Waverider, became Extant, who was merely a pawn of the yellow fear demon Parallax possessing Hal Jordan. An unwitting agent of Parallax, Extant was also responsible for the creation of the Team Titans timeline, the Time Trappers interference in creating the second Terra, Mirage and Deathwing not withstanding.

Extant met his end in an arc of the JSA in a little universe he had created himself. Then again, Hank Hall has just returned as a Black Lantern, so depending on what the fates of these undead Lanterns will be, there may be more to add there. After all, is Hawkman dead again?

So Mirabai was responsible for Monarch II, erm make that III. In fact it’s IV, considering prior to Infinite Crisis in the pages of Extreme Justice, it was revealed that Monarch was the original Captain Nathaniel Adam (only in Action Comics it’s now Allen), and that Captain Atom was only the alien metal imprinted with Adam’s, erm, Allen’s personality and memories.

That’s what I like about Captain Atom/Monarch. He’s always been such a straightforward, simple character.

Considering this is being written by James Robinson, I am hoping that many of these plot threads will be touched upon, after all it is not like Mr Robinson to ignore the slightest detail, you only have to look at Justice League: Cry For Justice to know that.. And lets face it, there’s a minefield full of them here.

Oh, and if you want to know who the Black Beetle is, pick up Booster Gold #25. I hope this one is a lie. Oh, and for the most hilarious Thor/Hercules fight ever, read the Incredible Hercules #136

REBELS Annual 1, the Warlord Starro

I’ve always liked Starro as a villain.

There’s something about a giant mind controlling starfish that you just can’t hold a candle to. My first exposure to him was during my first exposure to the entire DCU, during the CRISIS On Infinite Earths. What a jumping on point eh?

In my early teenage years, I picked up #9 of CRISIS, as Brainiac gathered his army of villains without number to take over three of the five remaining earths. This was my first exposure to that lovable tyrant. In Brainiacs satellite Starro lumbered in the background, appearing again later in the massive battle on Earth-S. That was all I knew, but my curiosity was piqued.

My second exposure was in a back issue of Captain Carrot And His Amazing Zoo Crew. In no way could this be described as impressive, but I immediately loved the series and held them close to my heart ever since. The pathetic and endless puns amused me, small things for small minds I suppose. I very relieved in the climax of Final Crisis as the Zoo Crew were returned to humanoid form – can we have another series please?

Anyway, this appearance really didn’t do Starro any justice, but he rose in my estimation when he managed to con Justice League Europe into assisting one of his invasion attempts. That was my first glimpse of how all-encompassing he promised to be.

Where he really rose to prominence however was (of course) in the capable hands of Grant Morrison in the pages of JLA, where even the Sandman Lord Morpheus himself was forced to get involved. Cold, inhuman, hungry, unstoppable, Grant portrayed Starro in a manner that I don’t think anyway using a giant starfish had accomplished before. This made the appetite of Starro as voracious and implacable as the Borg of Star Trek.

So it was with some dismay that I read in recent issues of REBELS that there is a humanoid warlord in control of the Starros. The Dominion has fallen, and the Gil’Dishpan (who when I first saw them were called Dispan. Dishpan? DISHPAN?!? What the hell sort of name is that? Oooh, watch out, the evil Dishpan is coming for you! Sounds more like a nemesis for Betty and Veronica). Then out of the mists comes this warlord guy.

Fortunately, as revealed in last weeks REBELS Annual, it is not as simple as that, and Starros inhumanity has been preserved.. This warlord is like a cross between Marvel’s Overmind and the Spirit Of Vengeance, the final survivor of a telepathic race so filled with the hate of his entire race for the conqueror Starro that he dominated the group mind. Even so, he is driven for Starros hunger to be everything.

If you haven’t been picking up REBELS, here is space drama to rival the War Of Kings. Oh, and Vril Dox is as manipulative as ever, if maybe a little humbled. If you were a fan of the original L.E.G.I.O.N./R.E.B.E.L.S series, you can’t miss this. Space Opera is doing really well in comics currently, and as readers, we are all the better for it. Keep it coming.

X-Babies #1 Cover

It’s here! It’s finally here!

X-Babies #1 hit the stands yesterday, and I couldn’t get to my comic store fast enough. On a general level, I loved it, except……

These are not the X-Babies that I know. Where was Ricochet Rita? Where was Wolvie and Stormy? Or Baby Bishop? Just how many troupes of X-Babies are there wandering around the Multiverse? This is not the set who met Excalibur, or the group that met the X-Men! I feel cheated! And what about the Mity ‘Vengers? Are we ever going to see those little critters again?

Still, all of my questions vanished with the long awaited (by me at least) return of Planet Terry at the end of the issue. That Mojo has been deposed (again), this time by a programmer who wishes to create educational shows (education? From my TV? Who would want that?) is certainly a departure from the revolt of the Spined Ones, or the rise to power of the rival Mojo II.

In Exiles it was implied that there is only one Mojoworld, and one Mojo. Still, that continuity is a mess, and only one Mojo, but at least thousands of divergent Longshots? Mmmm, that makes sense.

This weeks offerings are a mixed bag. Jim Starlin’s Strange Adventures mini comes to a conclusion, of sorts. A continuation of a plot line that began in Hardcore Station, we see Synnar’s quest for omnipotence, depending on six heroes, the Aberrant Six; Comet (formerly Captain); Eye, a character who hasn’t been explored enough; Adam Strange; The Weird, Starman Prince Gavyn and Bizarro (replacing Hawkman after his untimely demise at the hands of a Black Lantern).

This was not what I call a conclusion, and although it promised to be other earlier, it seems like a re-run of Thanos’ quest for power but in the DCU. The only good thing to come out of this series is that the Weird returned to Earth. Starman under goes a transformation at Synnar’s hands that seems pointless. A waste of a good character if this is to remain permanent, I hope it is soon rectified. We had to wait a long time to see the return of Synnar, but I rather hope that this plotline does not drag on for another few years.

My highlight has to have been Superman:World Of New Krypton #8. After facing an attack by the Thanagarians, which has yet to be fully explained, an old face reappears at the end of this issue angry about the Kryptonians stealing the moon of Callisto to provide their artificial world with a moon. Welcome back to centre stage Jemm, Son Of Saturn!

Considering that the Kryptonians grew their planet, why on earth shouldn’t they have the ability to grow a moon? It seems like the Solar System is getting to be a very populated place, and it is nice to see the Saturnians again, and Jemm healthy and in control of himself.

Now, I wonder if we will see the return of the blue-skinned Venusians that Hal Jordan assisted early in his career? In fact I lose track of just how many different Venusian races there were in the Golden and Silver Ages, now that must have been one busy planet!

Other recommendations? Justice League Cry For Justice #4 – Do not miss this!

Justice League Of America 80 Page Giant #1

And the award for Most Bizarre Relationship goes to:-

Cheetah and Snapper Carr, mascot of the Justice League!

JLA 80pg giant #1 (I’m sure it should be #4) was released last week, in a story that was reminiscent of the high points of the Silver Age and a traditional Gardner-Fox Justice League story. Epoch the Lord Of Time casts the team (obviously before the latest schism in membership) across the ages, allowing such stars as Cinnamon, the Black Pirate, the Shining Knight and the Crimson Avenger to team up with the League, plus a wonderful little short featuring The Bride (who I’m convinced is a fairly new character). I have no doubt said before how much I love seeing the characters that once filled the comics of the Golden and Silver Ages still receiving attention, and this one issue does not let us down.

However, it was the framing sequence that made it for me. Snapper Carr, the luckless mascot of the League, who during Final Crisis:Resist was a saviour for Mr Terrific and the remains of Checkmate until his, erm, urges got the better of him; seems to be letting those urges lead him astray once more. He never was known for his sense of character.

Or it seems his sense of location. The issue begins with Snapper meeting Barbara Minerva after he calls her, in the old JLA mountain base. Perfect venue, wouldn’t you say?

Now I have always liked George Perez’ reinterpretation of the Cheetah. Despite later stories trivialising her, Minerva was always a complex character, mercenary but not heartless, held in bondage to the fertility god Urzkataga (who always reminded me of the aspidistra Great Uncle of an old show called the Adventure Game, in his part-time role as a drug dealer and pimp), focussed on her goals but apart from when driven mad by her god, lacking the maniacal qualities of many super villains that spring to mind. However, relationships with super-villains never tend to work out, just look at Speedy/Red Arrow Roy Harper and the assassin Cheshire, but still, I hope this one plays out for years. It will all go wrong, even without Snappers bad luck and judgement. However, would we like to see a young Snapper-Cat?  Hopefully it won’t go that far, but then, she does serve a fertility god.

Then again, I thought he was the jealous type.  I mean, how can Snapper compete with a potted plant?

I don’t want to spoil the story, or reveal just how Snapper remains as luckless as ever, but when Minerva asks him towards the end if he wouldn’t rather be a super-villain considering that he seems so good at it made me laugh out loud.

It’s a while since a comic made me do that. Now the dark and gritty fad seems to have been relegated to where it belongs and today’s creators feel free to draw on the better parts of each decade, I find I am now enjoying nearly every comic I read, rather than it being hard work. Long may the quality, and humour, continue.

Blackest Night - Titans #2 A mothers love

Zombie Watch returns today with full effect!

By far the greatest of the Blackest Night crossover series so far is Blackest Night: Titans. I said this after reading the first issue, and now the second issue has hit the stands, that claim has only been reinforced.

Now my judgement might be biased, I have been following the Titans in all their incarnations for over twenty years. That fact however qualifies me to say that this is a good Titans story. It has been said elsewhere in Blackest Night that the hosts for the

Black Rings were chosen for their emotional impact, and this issue has it in spades. This was what I felt was missing from the Superman tie-in series, but then team books are more disposed to emotional interaction, especially if you have been following the characters for a long time. Basically, this mini is not to be missed by Titans fans.

I started reading the Titans at the time of the Judas Contract, where Terra, (Tara Markov, Geo-Force’s younger sister) infiltrated the Titans at the behest of Deathstroke, captured Changeling’s heart and then proceeded to betray them all.

Of course then there was the Terra who was a member of the Team Titans, and not a creation from an alternate timeline due to the machinations of Monarch/Hank Hall/Extant in the lead up to Zero Hour (and no, I’m not going to try and explain that one here!). She was not the original Tara, but an innocent girl genetically sculpted by a virus to become a duplicate of her. She was later killed by Black Adam in World War III

But now, we see the original back, again after Gar’s heart, accompanied by Lilith, also known as Omen, who makes some very good points about the Titans history, if a little skewed in perspective. Still, one has to admit, the Titans have left a trail of bodies behind them over the years.

The highlight for me however has to be the return of Donna’s late husband and son, Terry and Robert. That was one comics death that really hit me, I had watched the romance blossom between Donna and Terry over the years, and despite the fact it first seemed like the wish-fulfillment of a middle aged man (did I read you wrong Mr Wolfman?), the relationship grew, exhibiting a depth that caused me to become very fond of Terry. When Terry and Robert were cast aside by the writers, in a meaningless car accident, I confess, I was actually upset. It seemed like such a waste, and served only to emphasise how little connection Donna had with the life around her, after numerous continuity re-writes that were nothing to do with her per-se, but she fell victim to them. Wonder Woman rescued her from a burning building. Then she never existed, so it was the Titan Rhea. Then it wasn’t. Then she was a shard of Donna’s soul housed in a mystic doppelganger.

It took John Byrne in the pages of Wonder Woman to make it all make sense. Thanks to the evil Dark Angel, all of Donna’s histories are true, as she was sent ricocheting through time to live a life of misery and loss again and again and again.

So now, Donna is given a connection back to her old life. Her first instinct is to give her baby a hug, after all he will never grow up to be the megalomaniacal Lord Chaos now.

But of course, her baby is hungry, and wants to feed.

No Hero #7 Cover

Just how much has Warren Ellis been writing over this last year?

I’m suspending Zombie Watch (sort-of) for this column, just to draw attention to Mr Ellis’ prodigious output, mainly from Avatar.

Last week saw the release of No Hero #7, a story of super-powered men controlling the planet clandestinely, until they invite what is revealed to be a complete sociopath into their midst. Dripping with Ellis’ traditional warped sense of humour, he has engineered our sympathy for the lead character, only to rip it to shreds in the last two issues. You don’t want to see what the lead does with a teammates spine. If it weren’t so horrifying it would be funny. But as a finale to the series, I was blown away, with a remaining sensation of satisfied melancholy that stayed with me hours after reading. (God, that makes me sound emo!)

Now I do feel it is a shame there is no ‘Mature readers only’ label on the cover, for this is not a story that I would want a child of mine reading, but then maybe I am becoming more conservative in my old age. Still, Warren Ellis has been around long enough for anyone to realise this is not for a fourteen year old, and to strike fear into the Concerned Mothers Of America. (Are they still going by the way?)

If you have missed this, I highly recommend seeking out the back issues or grabbing the trade when it finally comes out.

Another helping of Ellis can be found in Avatar’s Gravel. There’s a little less gross-out in this storyline, and a lot more intrigue, and again the central character offers up surprises for the reader. When all the characters seem jaded in attitude, it is a nice surprise that as a reader, I do not feel the same way. Ellis seems to have a handle on mercenary attitudes, twisted with displays of compassion that only become apparent later. Then again, the contribution from Mike Wolfer may make all of the difference here.

Gravel has twelve issues on the stands so far, well worth a look.

Oh, and just a quick note on Zombie Watch. The conclusion of Marvel Zombies Return, and the next issue of Blackest Night: Titans hit the stands later today. As much as I am looking forward to them, I have just about had my fill of zombies already. Still, not long until the X-Babies return.