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This is a huge week in comics. DC’s 52 week, 52 issue opus concludes with 52 #52 (can I put anymore 52’s in one sentence?). Marvel also dropped the opening salvos of what will be a massive World War Hulk event. As one epic ends, another begins. There will be 21 books reviewed this week, 5 of them being DC, 1 being IDW and the rest (15) being Marvel. Marvel took the majority of my money this week. I also picked up the Marvel Zombies vs. AOD Variant Cover to #1 which I saw and just had to have.
Spoiler Warning
-52 Week 52-
The much anticipated conclusion is here. I was less than blown away with issue 51 (especially with #50’s World War) and I read #52 with great anticipation but not knowing what to expect or if I’d be satisfied. I have to say, overall, 52 was a very good DC event. It’s greatest accomplishment is that it was always on time since even one book shipping late may have ruined it. The writing was solid all around and the art for the most part was pretty good. This final issue, though not the best of the series, was a very good closer. We see what finally happens to Mr. Mind (he’s trapped within Skeets then dossed to Week 1 Day 1 and captured by Sivana), there are 52 Earths in the multiverse turns out to be the big reveal and travelling through those Earths was pretty cool (seeing the Wildstorm universe, the Kingdom Come universe, and Earth-2 missing their Kryptonians). Supernova is now on the scene as well as Booster Gold. Supernova turned out to be the ancestor Skeets threw in limbo earlier on. Skeets is alive again thanks to Will Magnus, Batwoman is not dead and Montoya is firmly in place as the Question and it seems Ralph and Sue are solving crimes as ghosts. Every character was tied up nicely and that’s good. Steel and Natasha are together and Black Adam is still in hiding looking for his magic word. The book ends with Montoya asking if we are ready as she shines the bat-signal in Batwoman’s apartment. She is still healing so I anticipate we will see her in the near-future. It wasn’t the best closing book I’ve ever read but with time 52 could go down as one of the most ambitious events pulled by any comics company and will be seen as a success. Even if you haven’t read 52, this is only $2.50 and was a solid read the whole way through.
-Incredible Hulk #106 & World War Hulk Prologue-
The big summer event for Marvel fires its opening salvo with these two books. As a note, read Hulk #106 first, then the Prologue. So the Incredible Hulk starts off with Jen and Mastermind Excello meeting, and Mastermind trying to convince Jen to join his side. He already has Hercules and Angel on his side. Jen also learns that Doc Samson was involved in the whole ordeal and she punches him into New Jersey. Prologue continues with Jen meeting with Samson and talking about who really started the war, the Hulk, or Iron Man and Reed Richards. We get both points of view and it really sets up the rage Hulk is feeling with the sentiments on Earth of the Illuminati. There’s also a back-up story of the mini-marvels doing their version of Planet Hulk and a reprint of Mastermind Excello’s first appearance. Both books were fantastic in setting up what will be an Earth shattering event and they both have me stoked for WWH Part 1.
TPL Quickies
Marvel
-All-New Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Update #2- I love getting these and seeing how many first appearances I know and remember. This update covers Adam II to Zodiak and I knew 15 of the 48 first appearances.
-Avengers: Initiative #2- MVP is dead and its being kept a secret from everyone, even Justice. The kids go on their first mission against Hydra in Texas (and the Rangers can’t stop them) and Trauma has a new mysterious mentor. Not really interesting and I think this should’ve stayed a mini.
-Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #20- We learn the secret of Miss Arrow, she is Spider-Man’s other from The Other. She steals Flash for sustenance. Also in this ish, Betty tells Peter she still loves her. I wasn’t blown away but Peter David has kept FNSM an enjoyable read and actually paying off The Other storyline (finally) at least justifies me buying the original event. Even though it’s in the third-string Spidey book.
-Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #4- Crain and Ennis team up as Ghost Rider kills two more of the men who killed Caleb. Parham shoots the arm off another of the killers and Ghost Rider tells him to leave. Only Reagan remains of the original killers. The book ends with a red fog and riders storming by. I love the art and the whole mood of the book is great. Better than the original Crain/Ennis mini.
-Darktower #4- The saga continues as Roland risks his ka-tet by staing for his love, Susan Delgado. Meanwhile, the Big Coffin Hunters are moving in on Roland and gang for the kill. Awesome comic with some of the best art and story around. There are some back-ups, too, like how the comic goes from script to finished form, the laughing mirror story, and a Stephen King Q&A from the NYC Comic Con.
-Iron Man #17- Iron Man is urged by Duggan to go on a covert mission to China and they end up fighting mindless drones. Meanwhile, Maya (Tony’s lover and inventor of Extremis) is about to perform an autopsy on an importmant recovered in China when something bursts out of his chest. Major yawner as the book is crawling towards bringing Mandarin back.
-Loners #2- This issue focuses on Ricochet, the guilt he feels over the death of his friend, how he doesn’t feel like a hero and how he decides to fight the MGH ring himself. He defeats Delilah and unknowingly releases Penance (the original Generation X one). This was a very good, well-written tale of Ricochet, a character I didn’t know much about but now feel like I know his whole histroy.
-Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness #3- The Ash we saw killed was from the Zombie’s MU, not the one we know and love. Dazzler, Scarlet Witch and Ash look for the Necromancer book and find it is in Latveria, home of Doctor Doom. Appearances by Zombie Power Pack and non-infected Nextwave makes this one of the most fun books you’ll read on the market. Highly recommended.
-Ms. Marvel #15- There is a convoluted AIM plot to kill or help MODOK who returns here and sics Wonder Man against Ms. Marvel. MODOK is dying and needs a genetic device (called G-TAC) to save him. Really confusing. The only good thing about these Ms. Marvel’s are the amazing Greg Horn covers.
-Omega Flight #2- Sasquatch has been kidnapped by the Wrecking Crew and the Canadian government enlists Talisman (Shaman’s daughter) to help a new squad of Flight, including USAGent and Arachne, to save him. The big reveal of Michael, who killed Talisman’s father, as a new member enrages Talisman. Good issue though the build to the final battle with the Wrecking Crew is a little slower than I would like.
-Sensational Spider-Man Annual #1- This is a sweet little tale of Peter Parker and Mary-Jane, recounting their meetings at a beatnik bar where currently MJ is about to be arrested by her old bodyguard and now SHIELD agent until Spidey makes the save. It’s a nice look at the relationship history of Peter and MJ, possibly building to events in One More Day?
-Thunderbolts Presents: Zemo Born Better #4- Zemo comes face to face with his father and is then brought back to the present to confront a man with Zemo blood, looking to kill Zemo for his past misdeeds. This was actually a very good mini-series, traveling back to see all the Zemo’s in history and Helmut’s battle with his family legacy. Definitely recommended as this book truly delivered.
-Wonder Man #5- This yawner of a mini concludes with Huan killing herself to save the Avengers. Horrible art really hurt this one and the fact that none of the themes are played on in the current MU makes it a total waste.
DC
-Checkmate #13- Sasha captures the Outsiders one by one, save Nightwing, for reasons unknown to us. Nightwing confronts Sasha at the end of the issue. Very good build-up to what should be an awesome Checkmate/Outsiders story.
-Shazam and the Monster Society of Evil #3- Shazam and Mary ae kidnapped in human form by Sivana. Billy escapes to fight some monsters but now must save Mary, who is seemingly trapped inside one of the robotic creatures by Sivana’s men. The pacing of this books has been great and its just a fun book to read.
-Superman #662- Superman ponders Arion’s prediction, meeting up with Sirroca (who Supes ends up naming!) and learning about Khyber, who Sirroca says he killed. He also ponders the mysterious third Kryptonian the Auctioneer mentioned, though it isn’t Power Girl, Krypto, or the new one from the Phantom Zone. The New Gods show up at the end. Good expository story showing Superman that is leading to what could be a strong arc.
-Teen Titans #46- This is an all-out battle between The Titans and the Titans East. The Titans (with Flash and Nightwing) defeat Slade who reveals at the end (to the readers) that he set this whole thing up so Rose and Joseph a real family. Yes, it was an act of love. I was more than satisfied with the ending, and with the Titans accepting Rose and Joseph into their family.
IDW
-Transformers: Official Movie Prequel #4- The prequel ends with the Decepticons trying to find the All-Spark and letting Bumblebee go to see if he has any leads. It continues in the movie of course. As a prequel it wasn’t bad. It doesn’t answer too many questions but leaves
more hanging for the movie event of the week of July 4th.
The Awards
-Book of the Week- I have to go with 52 #52. Did you solve the mystery? I don’t know what the mystery was (52 earths) but I was more than satisfied with the final issue and it should create some awesome stories from DC.
-Dissappointment of the Week- Wonder Man #5 just plain sucked. From the horrible art to the silly plot twists, this was truly a waste of time.
-Best Cover- I’m actually going for a two-fer here, one reprint and one original this week. First off, props to Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness #1 Variant cover. These Suydan covers have been genius and there’s a wealth of Marvel covers to choose from. He hits homeruns with everyone. For the proper award, Incredible Hulk #106 is just a striking image of the rage the Hulk feels and how he intends to take out his anger. Just a very strong cover.
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