Comic Book Review: Supergirl and the Legion of Super Heroes #36

The Revolution has enjoyed Bedard’s fill-in run on Supergirl and the Legion of Super Heroes as DC burns some time before Shooter and Manapul take over this title. Normally, filler story arcs rarely make for enjoyable reads. Bedard bucks the trend and does the most he can with the temporary run that he was given on this title. Also, I know that no matter what I’m going to adore Supergirl and the Legion of Super Heroes #36 because this is the moment I have long been waiting for. The moment where the Legion rightfully re-claims their title back from the vile clutches of Supergirl. Let’s go ahead and hit this review.

Creative Team
Writer: Tony Bedard
Artist: Dennis Calero

Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: We begin with Supergirl brawling with Evolvo Lad in his caveman form. Evolvo Lad shrugs off her best punches. Supergirl frantically contacts Brainiac 5 for advice on what to do next because she is an incompetent leader and a total bimbo. (Ooops, I totally editorialized that last bit. Sorry.)

Brainy tells Supergirl that she and her team can handle the situation without his help and that he is busy at the moment. Brainiac 5 tells Supergirl to stop whining and fight like Legionnaires. (God, I love Brainy.)

Lightning Lad then blasts the ground under Evolvo Lad which causes him to crash to the floor of a hidden underground lab. Inside the lab is a transmatter portal with a picture of Earth. Supergirl stares into the transmatter portal and sees the Marvel family brawling with Black Adam during World War III.

Supergirl demands that Evolvo Lad give him answers immediately or she will smash his machine. Evolvo Lad then evolves back into his future space-age form. Evolvo Lad tells the Legionnaires that he will answer all her questions. Saturn Girl senses more trickery and tells Lightning Lad that she thinks Evolve Lad called in reinforcements Saturn Girl asks Garth to do a perimeter sweep.

Lightning Lad flies off and Saturn Girl thinks that she had to send Gath off so she could handle this situation in a manner that he wouldn’t approve of. Saturn Girl mentions that she caught a word in Evolvo Lad’s mind: Chronexus. That true time machines don’t exist and that Brainiac 5 had invented a Chronexus that allows one to see past events. (See Action Comics #850.)

We learn that Brainiac 5 and Evolvo Lad worked together and turned his time-viewer into a true portal. Evolvo Lad says that the plan was for him to convince them that he was a genuine threat. That he was to lie that he had sent some sort of chrono-bomb through the portal. That Supergirl would volunteer to save the twenty-first century. But, that it is a one-time, one-way journey.

Supergirl is shocked, shocked I say, that Brainiac 5 would set her up like this. Supergirl vows to have Brainy arrested. (For what? For immediately making the 31st Century a vastly more intelligent place to live the minute you leave and go back to your own time period?)

Saturn Girl tells Supergirl that Brainiac 5 is right. That Supergirl has to leave. That Supergirl is here by mistake and that she belongs with Superman setting the example that inspired the legion in the first place. (Um, no, the inspiration for the Legion was Clark Kent, thank you very much.)

Supergirl is hurt and upset that she is out of here just like that. Lightning Lad then re-appears on the scene. Supergirl sarcastically congratulates him that he was the runner-up and that he is now the Legion leader. She tells him to take care of Imra and for him to watch his back. And with that, Supergirl flies through the portal back to the twenty-first century. (Thank god! Thank god! We are finally free! Hallelujah! I thought this day would never come! The comic book gods finally took pity on my suffering!)

We cut to Saturn Girl back at headquarters confronting Brainiac 5. Saturn Girl said that she came here to confront him and found him sleeping. Dream Girl then appears and tells Brainy that he is asleep right now and that Saturn Girl is invading his subconscious and that he deserves it.

Saturn Girl is stunned that Nura is here. Brainy states that Nura now lives on in his dreams. Brainy tells Saturn Girl to get out of his head. Nura tells Brainy that Saturn Girl should stay. Dreamy then punches Brainy and yells at him that she told him that everything with Cosmic Boy would be fine. That he will be back when the time is right and to not waste time looking for him.

Brainiac 5 responds that the Legion faces mortal threats and the UP teeters on the verge of collapse. That he saw three opportunities to shore up their defenses. First, Brainiac 5 had to clear Cosmic Boy’s name of the war crime charges. Furthermore, Mekt and his Wanderers were 87% likely to take over the Legion from within.

So, Brainy struck first. He planted false evidence blaming Mekt for the wiping out of the Dominators. And in the process the Legion gained a powerful ally in Tenzil Kem who will help them with future legal entanglements. Brainy then comments that Tenzil would make a great Legionnaire. (Hell yeah he would!) Saturn Girl disagrees.

Brainiac 5 then says that he sent the team to Lallor in order to save a world form collapsing into chaos and to undo a tragic mistake from their past. That the Legion failed Wildfire when he first tried out for the team and now they have given him a second chance at life. That if Wildfire joins the team then they will have a new Legionnaire whose power rivals that of Ultra Boy or Supergirl. And that in the process, Brainy had Timber World’s powers vastly improved by the exposure to Wildfire’s anti-energy.

That Evolvo Lad was instrumental in helping the Legion to achieve their true duty to Supergirl which was to return her to her proper era. The only thing Brainy regretted was that Supergirl’s memories of the Legion were wiped out as she went through the portal. That knowledge of future history is dangerous.

Dreamy then hugs Brainiac 5 for all of his smart thinking. Saturn Girl then exits Brainiac 5’s mind in order to leave him alone with Nura.

We shift to Lightning Lad in Cosmic Boy’s office. Star Boy walks in and tells Garth that it is time to make his role as new Legion leader official. We then see all the Legionnaires assembled together and cheering Lighting Lad. They all fly off into the air. The monologue mentions how the Legion represents the single most fervent hope and dream of underagers galaxywide: A chance to show the adults who’s boss. End of issue.

Comments
The Good: Honestly, Supergirl and the Legion of Super Heroes #36 really only deserved 7 Night Girls out of 10. However, the fact that the tyrannical reign of Supergirl ends in this issue, I simply had to give this issue a perfect score of 10 Night Girls.

I dig how Bedard got rid of Supergirl. The little red S leaves feeling hurt and betrayed. She leaves with no fanfare at all. It is appropriately low-keyed and anti-climactic. I much prefer this exit to a huge dramatic farewell scene. I also like that Supergirl loses her memory of the Legion. I just wish I could lose my memory of her on the Legion.

I enjoyed how Bedard revealed Brainiac 5’s plans and how all the various seemingly dissimilar missions all fit in together. It is cool how everything comes together and makes perfect sense. Brainiac 5 finally accomplished the Legion’s long term goal of returning Supergirl back to her proper timeline.

At the same time, Brainiac 5 boosts the Legion’s firepower that took a hit with the departure of Supergirl by adding Wildfire to the ranks and by increasing Timber Wolf’s powers. All while making good to a character in Wildfire whom the Legion failed in the past.

Oh yeah, Brainy also cleared Cosmic Boy’s name, got rid of Mekt and the Wanderers and had the Legion gain a powerful ally in Tenzil Kem. Brainy comes off looking like a total stud at the end of this issue.

I love how Bedard writes Brainiac 5. Bedard plays up the egotistical, cold and jerkish side of Brainiac 5, while at the same time re-enforcing to the reader that Brainiac 5 is a true Legionnaire. Brainiac 5 is a consummate Legionnaire. All that Brainy cares about is the Legion and its well being. Brainiac 5’s tactics may be distasteful and undesirable at times, but his loyalty to the Legion should never be questioned.

Brainiac 5 displays his compassion and sense of responsibility toward Wildfire with his decision to send a team to Lallor. This is important since the reader should never lose sight of the fact that deep inside of Brainiac 5’s cold and calculating exterior lies a good heart.

I’m glad that Saturn Girl learned about Brainiac 5’s secret visits from Nura during his dreams. I’m, curious to find out if Saturn Girl tells the rest of the Legionnaires about Dreamy’s current state of being. Personally, I hope that Shooter manages to bring Dream Girl back.

Now, since Wildfire has always been one of my absolute favorite Legionnaires, obviously I’m psyched that he will be joining the team. Hopefully, Shooter will junk the lame E.R.G.-1 name and give him his proper codename of Wildfire. I also like the fact that Bedard takes the time to remind the reader that Wildfire is a heavy hitter in the same category as Supergirl and Ultra Boy. I think that his power level is sometimes overlooked.

Bedard teases the reader with the possibility of Tenzil Kem joining the Legion. I would be ecstatic is Shooter had Matter Eater Lad join the Legion. I have always thought that Tenzil was one of the most iconic Legionnaires. His goofy powers and his quirky personality always summed up exactly what I enjoyed so much about the Silver Age Legion.

I like the idea of having Lightning Lad as Legion leader. Garth isn’t the consummate leader like Cosmic Boy so it should make his term interesting as he feels his way into his new position.

Dennis Calero serves up some solid artwork. I loved Calero over on X-Factor, but he was certainly not an artist I would have even chosen for a title like the Legion. Having said that, Calero’s unique and dark style worked well with Bedard’s story arc. I wouldn’t want Calero to be the regular artist on this title, but his artwork was an enjoyable change of pace.

The Bad: Even though I enjoyed this issue, I will admit that this was a bit of a slow and muted ending to Bedard’s run on this title. The only other thing that slightly annoyed me was the ending monologue where Bedard states that the reason the Legion was formed to show the adults who’s boss. I find that to be so lame. I have hated that juvenile theme ever since Waid three-booted the Legion. I find this such an immature reason for a team to exist. This makes the Legion look less mature and more kiddie in nature.

Personally, I much prefer the original reason that the Legion banded together. That the founders were inspired by Superman’s legend and sought to protect the innocent and to spread peace and tolerance throughout the universe. This original inspiration for the creation of the Legion makes them seem much more noble and impressive and less like DeGrassi in the 31st Century.

Overall: Supergirl and the Legion of Super Heroes #36 was a long time in the waiting. I am beyond thrilled that the Legion has finally reclaimed their own title. I always thought it was an incredibly dumb idea by Didio to have Supergirl hijack this title. Like DC doesn’t shove the little red S down our throats on just about every DC title.

Let’s check out the sales numbers for the Legion from the issue just before Supergirl took over this title up to the present.

#15: 31,600
#16: 47,400-OYL-Reign of Supergirl begins.
#17: 44,800
#18: 45,500
#19: 43,900
#20: 41,700
#21: 39,800
#22: 36,700
#23: 41,554
#24: 33,985
#25: 33,288
#26: 32,300
#27: 31,387
#28: 31,493
#29: 30,874
#30: 30,757
#31: 30,366
#32: 29,816
#33: 29,313
#34: 28,285
#35: 27,341

I remember when Supergirl first hijacked the Legion’s title and all the Supergirl fans managed to turn their attention away from their other idol, Hannah Montana, and defended Supergirl hi-jacking the Legion by stating that Supergirl was the hottest thing in the universe and “U r stoopid” if you don’t agree.

I remember stating that the Legion would receive a temporary sales boost and that within one year, the Legion’s sales numbers would be less than they were before Supergirl took over the Legion’s title. And look at the numbers. The Legion enjoyed an initial 15,800 unit bump.

Then the sales number dramatically dropped with ever issue since that point with the exception of one uptick with issue #23. And, look at that, exactly 12 issues later, the Legion was posting sales numbers lower than what they got before Supergirl took over the title. Exactly one year later. Imagine that. I’d be lying if I said that I don’t love being right.

And now, the latest issue of the Legion has posted 4,259 unit loss from the issue just prior to Supergirl taking over the Legion. After the initial 11 issues of Supergirl's reign on the Legion, the following 9 issues have all posted lower sales number than the final Legion issue before Supergirl took over the title. As I said in the beginning. This was a stupid idea by Dan Didio to have Supergirl take over the Legion’s title. It did nothing to improve the Legion and actually managed to decrease readership. Way to go Dan. Hey, at least Dan hasn’t given the order to “blow shit up” over on the Legion. Yet.

The Legion’s poor sales numbers is nothing that could be remedied by adding Supergirl to this title. The fact is that the Legion gets poor sales numbers because DC has completely obliterated the Legion’s continuity over and over. I can’t think of another title that has such continuity issues. The constant blowing up of the Legion makes fans hesitant to purchase the title since it is extremely difficult to know what is going on and which history is in place or not.

To solve the Legion’s problems, DC has to do it the old fashioned way. Not the cheap quick fix move of placing Supergirl on this title. No, DC has to place a writer who can actually deliver a well written and compelling story which is something that Waid failed miserably to do during his run on this three-boot. And I think that a writer with the pedigree of Jim Shooter just might be the answer to the Legion’s problems.

Now, I like to be positive and look forward to the future. And I do think that the future is bright for the Legion. While I do have some reservations about returning to an old grizzled Legion writer to bail out this title, I do think that the old school/new school team of Shooter and Manapul has the potential to give us the best Legion of Super Heroes that we have gotten since 1986. I’m going to hope of the best and remain positive. Bring it on Shooter and Manapul. Show us what ya’ll got.

Comic Book Review: Countdown to Final Crisis #22

Countdown continues to spiral downward with each issue. The Revolution is stunned at how quickly this title has collapsed. Now, to be sure, Countdown was never a particularly strong or impressive read. However, it was slightly better than average and showed some potential to be a pretty good story. That clearly is not the case. Maybe it was just a case of wishful thinking on my part. Instead, Countdown to Final Crisis is de-volving into a mindless kill-fest. I would hope that Dini could right this ship with Countdown to Final Crisis #22, but I am afraid that we will get more slaughtering with this issue. Let’s go ahead and do this review.

Creative Team
Writers: Paul Dini, Tony Bedard & Keith Giffen
Pencils: Carlos Magno
Inks: Rodney Ramos

Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 1 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 4 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: We begin with Black Mary telling Eclipso that she has been lying to her just like everyone else. That Eclipso tried to sell her to Darkseid. Eclipso counters that she was trying to give Black Mary Apokolips. That Black Mary could be Darskeid’s concubine and gain his trust. Then she could use her god-like powers to dethrone Darkseid and rule Apokolips and the universe.

Mary shouts that Eclipso is still lying to her. Mary grabs Eclipso’s purple gem and uses it to blast Eclipso. Then Mary looks into the gem and comments that she sees yet another lie.

We cut to Apokolips where Jimmy is hard at work in the fire pits along with the other slaves. The Overslaver promises to gruesomely torture Jimmy every day. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Jimmy spies a figure in a tattered cloak. Jimmy goes over into a nearby cave to investigate. The figure in the cloak grabs Jimmy and tells him to be quiet. The figure in the cloak is none other than Mister Miracle.

Mister Miracle tells Jimmy that he has been using the Mother Box to track down Big Barda’s soul. Unfortunately, he can’t find her. That they are all lost. That the Fourth World is counting down. That there came a time when the New Gods died.

Jimmy tries to give Mister Miracle a pep talk about not giving up. Mister Miracle comments that Jimmy’s powers are based on fight or flight. That someone wants Jimmy alive and that works in his favor. Mister Miracle asks Jimmy if he trusts him. Mister Miracle flies Jimmy up into the air and then drops him toward a fire pit.

We shift to Mister Mxyzptlk appearing back at his girlfriend’s apartment. Mister Mxyzptlk tells her to seal the Fifth Dimension off. That he is there and that he is the end. We see everything fade to white as Mister Mxyzptlk says that he can never go back there.

We slide over to Trickster and Piper stowed away on a train. We get the usual litany of gay jokes from Trickster. Suddenly, Deadshot appears on the scene and starts blasting away. The two Rogues decide it is time they stopped running and finally took care of Deadshot.

Piper and Trickster nail Deadshot with some battery acid that was stored on the train car they are in. The two Rogues then push Deadshot out of the car’s door. Deadshot blindly grabs a hold of Trickster. Deadshot proceeds to pound Trickster’s face into the moving ground.

Deadshot then lets go of Trickster and as he is falling to the ground he fires off a couple of bullets and blasts several holes into Trickster and kills him. (Yes! More senseless blood and gore! Dan “death count” Didio demands it. After all, this is a more shiny, positive and happier DCU!) Piper is horrified as he holds Trickster’s body. End of story.

We get a two page back-up story about the origin of Deadshot. End of issue.

Comments
The Good: Countdown #22 was another pedestrian read. However, that isn’t to say that there weren’t some aspects of this issue that I enjoyed. I was psyched to see Mr. Miracle again. It is always cool to see Mr. Miracle in action. Of course, I’m sure that Mr. Miracle was introduced into this story just so he could be killed off. At any rate, I look forward to seeing more of Jimmy and Mr. Miracle in action together.

And speaking of action, the reader definitely gets plenty of that in Countdown #22. The reader certainly won’t be bored reading this issue. Dini and Bedard cram tons of action from start to finish in what is a fast paced issue.

Magno and Ramos deliver some solid artwork. Once again, about the only area that Countdown has proven to be superior to 52 is the level of artwork that we get with each and every issue.

The Bad: Dini and Bedard serve up some unimpressive dialogue. It was nothing more than your average standard issue comic book dialogue. All of the characters come across as flat and one-dimensional. And all the characters speak in relatively the same generic voice. The generic dialogue made Countdown #22 a bit of a dull read.

The scene with Black Mary and Eclipso was boring. We get more of the same tired dialogue about how Mary can’t trust anyone and about how Eclipso is Mary’s friend. Blah, blah, blah. Enough already. We have been reading this exact same dialogue over and over ever since Eclipso first approached Mary.

And it was annoying that it took Black Mary this long to finally take out Eclipso and take the gem. At least this finally gives this plotline some form of progression. However, the fact remains that this plotline has floundered around like a fish out of water. I have no idea what is the point of this plotline and I’m quickly losing any and all interest I originally had in Black Mary’s plotline.

The vast majority of the scene involving Jimmy Olsen was dull. We had to suffer through several more pages of the Overslaver threatening Jimmy, whipping him and promising even more gruesome torture in the future. Enough, I got the point in the last issue. Hopefully, the introduction of Mr. Miracle into this plotline signals to the reader that we are finally going to get some movement with this plotline.

Evidently, the 5th Dimension is now gone. We saw everything fade to white. I can’t tell if that meant Superman-Prime followed Mr. Mxyzptlk and destroyed the 5th Dimension or if it was in fact sealed off forever from the rest of the Multiverse. Either way, I didn’t find it particularly entertaining nor could I grasp what the purpose of this plotline involving Mr. Mxyzptlk was. Was this just a random plotline cooked up to junk another aspect of the DCU? Whatever the purpose, this plotline seemed pointless. Maybe this just goes along with Didio’s mandate to “blow shit up.”

However, the absolute worst aspect of Countdown #22 was the bizarre twist that the Trickster/Piper plotline took. I still don’t get the point of Trickster’s death. A death of a character can be a powerful plot tool if used judiciously and if it serves a clear purpose. It can be used to make a dramatic scene even more powerful. It can be used to make a character like Bart Allen seem to be even more of a hero than people gave him credit for.

Trickster’s death came across as just another meaningless and pointless death. It came across as a transparent effort to artificially create tension in the reader since the story itself is too weakly written to do that on its own. Trickster’s death was just another of Dini’s efforts to beef up the body count on Countdown. After all, if tons of characters get slaughtered off then it must mean that this is a really important and big event, right? I mean, why rely on strong storytelling to create the aura of a big event when you can just rely on the crutch of countless deaths?

Compare this to Messiah Complex. Now, I concede that Countdown is much large in scope, but Messiah Complex is a huge event for all the X-titles which are the big money makers for Marvel. Right now, Marvel has made Messiah Complex feel like a monstrous event that is pivotal in the history of mutant kind in the 616 universe. And have they had to resort to a pointless high body count to create this feeling of a big event in the readers? Nope. Now, someone may die, and Hellion did get gravely injured, but we are five issues into the event and no one has been killed off.

Look at Civil War. That was a huge event and how many deaths did Marvel feel was needed to pull it off? Just one. Black Goliath. And the fact that there was only one death during Civil War made it much more intense and powerful death. Since the reader wasn’t overwhelmed by a high body count, the single death had a serious impact on the reader. The point is that when you over saturate the reader with death after death, then these deaths lose any and all meaning as well as any dramatic impact on the reader. That is why deaths of characters should be wisely used and kept to a minimum in order to retain the massive impact that a death of a character is supposed to have on the reader.

Honestly, what has been the point behind the Trickster and Piper’s plotline? I feel completely ripped off at this point. We have been following these two Rogues on a journey constructed of nothing more than a calamity of errors. While it was entertaining at some points, it certainly made the reader wonder what the purpose of this plotline was. I felt that the Trickster/Piper plotline was DC taking the opportunity to flesh out and evolve to minor characters like they did over in 52. Evidently, not. Trickster’s death just confirms my suspicions that this plotline never had any point to begin with other than an excuse to kill off some characters.

And that is the general feeling I’m getting with Countdown. That there is no greater point or purpose to this entire story other than to “blow shit up.” Countdown is becoming more and more like a story I would expect a thirteen year old boy with ADD to write. DC has long battled the conception that Marvel’s comic books are more mature than DC’s comic books. Well, a juvenile title like Countdown certainly doesn’t help DC dispel that conception at all.

Overall: Countdown continues to be a massive disappointment. Compared to the phenomenal 52, Countdown is pure garbage and a waste of paper. It is obvious that Dini only had enough material for maybe 25 to 30 issues max and has been forced to stretch the story over the span of 52 issues.

I would only recommend Countdown to readers who dig kill-fests and “blowing shit up.” If you dig that type of story then you need to run, not walk, to your nearest comic book shop and buy Countdown. You will be in heaven. However, for the rest of comic book readers that actually want a well crafted story I would recommend not wasting your hard earned money on Countdown.

Comic Book Review: Action Comics #859

I was impressed with the debut issue of this new story arc involving the Pre-Crisis Legion of Super Heroes. I hope that Johns is able to resist using this story arc as an opportunity to “blow shit up” like Didio has commanded over on Countdown with respect to the Multiverse. I would hate for the Pre-Crisis Legion to be brought back just for Johns to have a plethora of characters to kill off. Let’s hope that Johns can keep this story arc rolling in a positive fashion. Let’s go ahead and do this review for Action Comics #859.

Creative Team
Writers: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Gary Frank
Inks: Jon Sibal

Art Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 5 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 5.5 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: We begin with the three original Legionnaires, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl busting into the Batcave. The Batcave is in ruins. The Legionnaires are looking for proof that the planet Krypton existed. That Batman kept a Kryptonite ring to safeguard himself against Superman. Lightning Lad talks about how the Legion has been marked as criminals. Saturn Girl comments that the entire universe is at stake. That if they fail, then the universe will go to war all in the name of Superman.

Suddenly, the Justice League busts into the cave. The Justice League of Earth consists of Earth-Man (the leader), Tusker, Spider-Girl, Golden Boy, Storm Boy and Radiation Boy. Earth-Man says that the three Legionnaires are aliens and that they are under arrest. The Legionnaires brawl with the Justice League of Earth. Eventually, the Justice League defeats Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl.

We cut to Dawnstar tending to Superman’s wound to his hand. Colossal Boy mentions how Earth has seceded from the United Planets and has outlawed all aliens from Earth. That Colossal Boy’s wife, Yera, and the rest of the Legionnaires are all missing. Superman then demands to know what happened to his legacy in the future. Wildfire comments that Superman isn’t going to like what they are about to tell him.

We shift over to the Human Cultural Center which is the headquarters of the Justice League of Earth. We see a classroom of human students of all different races listening to the teacher talk about how Superman was given his powers from Mother Earth to become humanity’s protector against extraterrestrial threats. That the darkest age of the legend of Superman were the Legion Years. This is when a boy from Braal, a boy from Ranzz and a girl from Titan formed the Legion and came to Earth and reminded everyone of the legend of Superman, but claimed that Superman came from Krypton.

That Earth then opened their hearts and welcomed other aliens from throughout the universe and allowed them to form the Legion of Super Heroes in Metropolis. In doing so they allowed an alien invasion under their very noses. That the Legion rejected many applicants over the years. The one common theme of all the rejected applicants to the Legion was that they were all human.

One of the rejected applicants, Absorbency Boy, discovered the truth about Superman during an archeological dig in the arctic. There he found an ancient crystal tablet that documented the true story of Superman. That Superman was not an alien and that Superman made it his life’s work to defend Earth from aliens and to bring peace to all humans. Absorbency Boy became Earth-Man and started spreading the true gospel of Superman. Then Earth-Man formed the Justice League of Earth.

Right on cue, the Justice League members walk by the classroom with the three original Legionnaires captured in stasis tubes. Earth-Man has the stasis tubes placed in a room with other Legionnaires who are also stored in stasis tubes. Earth-Man then absorbs the powers from Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl.

Suddenly, Earth-Man is notified that Wildfire, Dawnstar and Colossal Boy broke into the Legion headquarters and that someone dressed like Superman was with them and that they found remains of a time sphere. Earth-Man is visibly upset and says he will be right there.

We cut to Superman, Wildfire, Dawnstar and Colossal Boy standing outside of Alien Holding Camp 6736 that looks like the original headquarters of the Legion of Super Heroes. Dawnstar says that Brainiac 5’s trail leads them to this camp. And that Dawnstar also senses other Legionnaires inside Camp 6736. End of issue.

Comments
The Good: Action Comics #859 was a rather average read. I didn’t dislike it, but I can’t say that I particularly enjoyed this issue. It is possible that part of my lack of enjoyment of this issue is my own fault. I had extremely high expectations of this story arc since it dealt with my favorite incarnation of the Legion of Super Heroes: the Pre-Crisis Era Legion. And usually when you have high expectations you are simply setting yourself up for disappointment.

Action Comics #859 is a well paced issue. Johns is moving this story arc along at a pleasant pace. I dig how Johns is letting this story unfold. The pacing is fast enough that the reader doesn’t get bored or worry if the writer has a point to the story. Nor does the pacing seem too rushed where the reader feels that the writer is trying to cram too much into each issue too quickly.

Johns has excellent long range vision and always impresses me with his ability to construct detailed long story arcs. This current story arc is no exception. Johns laid a strong foundation for this story arc with the last issue. Johns does a great job building off his foundation as each question that is answered naturally blossoms a new question to take its place.

Johns makes sure that we get some nice action in this issue. It was cool watching the original three Legionnaires throw down with the Justice League of Earth. Johns hasn’t given us a ton of action on this story arc to this point. I suspect that he probably has plenty of action in store for us with the back half of this story arc.

The Justice League of Earth was a neat spin on the Justice League of America. While none of the characters wow me, they are certainly serviceable villains. I also appreciate that Johns took the time to use some old minor characters to fill out the roster of this team. I dig the fact that Earth-Man is using his abilities to absorb the powers of all the captured alien Legionnaires. This makes him a force to be reckoned with and a proper monster villain.

Frank and Sibal deliver some serviceable artwork, but it is nothing special. As a matter of fact, I found their effort on Action Comics #859 to be much weaker than what I enjoyed over on Squadron Supreme.

The Bad: The dialogue in Action Comics #859 was decidedly average. It certainly was not as good as what Johns usually serves up. It seemed like Johns was simply going through the motions in this issue. The dialogue made this issue a bit of a boring and bland read.

There is also an alarming lack of chemistry between the various Legionnaires as well as between Superman and the Legion. On other titles like Green Lantern, JSA and the Teen Titans, Johns has always displayed strong dialogue and excellent chemistry between the characters. Perhaps Johns simply knows and understands the characters in those titles much better than he does those in the Legion of Super Heroes.

For the most part, I found the Justice League of Earth to be rather one-dimensional and lackluster. Seriously, this JLE might was well be the Nazi League of Earth. They come across as nothing more than Nazi villains in a slightly different package. Even the red Superman arm band looks just like the red armbands of the Nazi SS troops. Sorry, but I just find Nazi villains to be terribly boring and uncreative. And that includes the Justice League of Earth which is clearly just a collection of Nazi themed villains with a slight re-make to better fight the Legion’s time period.

And Earth-Man might as well be named Captain Nazi. Seriously, did Johns have to make the leader of this Neo-Nazi group a blue-eyed rubio? That is so stereotypical and terribly played out. I found Earth-Man to be about as interesting as I do Master Man from Captain America. Seriously, Johns continually shows off a remarkable lack of creativity and originality when it comes to his villains. I just don’t dig very black and white villains who have no depth or texture.

I find the entire warping of Superman’s legend to be unbelievably lame. It is just a stupid plotline. So, one of the human rejects from the Legion goes to great lengths to concoct a bizarre take on Superman’s legend, somehow manages to get the entire Earth to buy into his nonsense just so he can get rid of the super team that wouldn’t let him on the roster? It just doesn’t work for me.

Warping the Superman legend in order to create some bizarre anti-alien sentiment on Earth in order to get rid of the Legion of Super Heroes seems unnecessarily convoluted and goofy. Johns completely fails to get me to buy into this plotline.

And I’m not too sure what kind of commentary Johns is trying to make with this the anti-alien plotline with aliens being arrested and put into internment camps and the Earth pulling out of the U.P. It is sort of a mix of the Patriot Act, post 9/11 international policy, the illegal immigration issue with a dash of Nazi Germany on top. Whatever it is, I find it to be clumsily put together and very awkward.

And I’m just not buying that Earth would turn so anti-alien in the Legion’s future considering how advanced Earth society has always been portrayed in the Legion comic books prior to Crisis on Infinite Earths.

I absolutely hate the new costume designs. They are flat out hideous. These unnecessary costume changes makes this Legion seem less like the Pre-Crisis Legion and more like a combination of the TMK Legion, DnA Legion and Pre-Crisis Legion. This robs much of my interest in this version of the Legion. With the costume changes as well as the drastic changes made to the Pre-Crisis Legion and their universe this might as well not even be the Pre-Crisis Legion at all.

I’m just sick of DC constantly blowing up the Legion. And I’m sick of every version of the Legion descending into a dystopian future. What was so cool about the Pre-Crisis Legion was the general positive and bright feeling that the Legion gave the reader about the future. Sure there were problems, but the overall feeling that the reader got from the Legion is that people learned to get along and work together and actually make great strides in solving many of the societal ills that plague us now.

I hope I am wrong, but I have a bad feeling that Johns is bringing back the Pre-Crisis Legion just so he can “blow some shit up” as Dan Didio would say. If Didio brought back the Multiverse just so DC could engage in a kill-fest and blow up Earths left and right, then it doesn’t seem farfetched that Johns would do the same thing with the Legion in this story arc.

Overall: I guess most of my disappointment over this story arc is due to two reasons. The first is that I simply got way too excited over the thought of seeing my beloved Pre-Crisis Legion once again that my expectations were just way too high. Johns would have had to channel his inner Paul Levitz in order to give me a story arc that would have really satisfied me. Johns would have had to give me Legionnaires in their Pre-Crisis uniforms with a universe that was just as it was right before the Crisis occurred.

Second, this story arc painfully reminds me of the fact that you can never go home again. Ever since the first Crisis ripped apart my beloved Legion and then the fan fiction writers of the TMK Legion went ahead and finished the job of obliterating my beloved Legion, I have always longed for the return of the Pre-Crisis Legion. When it was released that the Pre-Crisis Legion would be returning over in the JLA/JSA crossover, I thought that my prayers had finally been answered. I was stunned. I really never thought I would see the ultimate version of the Legion ever again.

The fact is that this isn’t the Pre-Crisis Legion. They don’t look the same, they don’t act the same and their universe is totally and completely different. And it was ridiculous of me to ever think that I would get that same feel from Johns’ Legion that I got back from Levitz’s Legion.

I’m not too sure if readers who aren’t big Legion fans are going to really get all that interested in this story arc. Johns requires the reader to have a pretty extensive knowledge of the Legion’s history prior to 1986 in order to fully enjoy the story.

New Comic Books for November 29, 2007

DC COMICS

ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN THE BOY WONDER #8
BATMAN #671
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #2
COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE #4
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #22
DEATHBLOW #8
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #18
SUPERGIRL AND THE LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #36
SUPERMAN ANNUAL #13
SUPERMAN BATMAN #43
TEEN TITANS #53
TRIALS OF SHAZAM #10

MARVEL COMICS

DAREDEVIL #102
MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #7
MOON KNIGHT ANNUAL #1
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #116
X-MEN #205

This week’s batch of new comic books heads our way on Thursday. It appears that I will have a total of 17 titles headed to the Bunker tomorrow. That is insane. I’ll have to be very judicious in deciding which titles to review.

I haven’t been posting as much as usual since I left for Miami for Thanksgiving. I’m back at the Bunker and I have taken a fresh look at The Revolution. I came close to closing the doors at the Bunker and shutting down The Revolution. I have had fun doing this blog and promised myself that once the negatives outweighed the positives of doing this blog then I would immediately quit.

I decided that instead of ending The Revolution, I’d shake things up a bit and try to get myself excited about blogging again. Part of that includes shorter reviews for issues thereby allowing me to post reviews on more issues than I have been able to do lately. I don’t think such detailed synopses are really warranted.

Another change will be that on the Tuesday of each week, I will hand out my award for the best comic book I read that week and the award of shame for the worst comic book that I read that week. I realized that I needed to single out and praise (or lambast) the issue that I thought was the absolute best of the week or the absolute worst of the week.

The award given to the best comic book of the week is called, quite simply, The Che. The award given to the worst comic book of the week is called the Sequential Methadone Award. I wish I could take credit for the name “Sequential Methadone” but that honor goes to a loyal follower of The Revolution, Captain Qwert, Jr. when he applied that term to the New Avengers. I hope the good Captain won’t mind me using his term for my weekly award of infamy to the worst read of the week.

All right, let’s talk about the new comic books headed our way this week. Which DC comic book am I most looking forward to reading? That is a tough choice. This is a huge week for DC. And they are offering up several great reads this week. Despite all the obvious over the top dialogue and the feeling that we are reading Sin City: Batman, I still find All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder to be a fun read. And I’m sure we will get plenty more of the goddam Batman in All Star Batman #8.

I’m also looking forward to Batman #671. To be honest, this Ra’s al Ghul story arc really hasn’t taken off like I thought it would. Maybe we have just been suffering through a slow start. This issue is a critical moment for this story arc that will determine if Morrison is going to be able to turn this pedestrian story into something special.

I’m excited to read Teen Titans #53. McKeever is doing a phenomenal job with his debut story arc about the Titans of Tomorrow. I have no doubt that this will be a fantastic issue.

However, the comic book that I’m most looking forward to reading is Supergirl and the Legion of Super Heroes #36. Why? It is quite simple. This is the issue where the Legionnaires finally overthrow the tyrannical reign of the oppressive Supergirl and reclaim their title that is rightfully theirs and theirs alone. Ding dong the bitch is dead. Supergirl is finally going to be off this title and I couldn’t be any happier about it.

Which DC comic book am I least looking forward to reading? I can’t say I’m particularly excited to read Countdown to Final Crisis #22. This title has taken an alarming nose dive over the past month. It is shocking at what a truly horrendous read this title has become. I have no hope for getting a satisfying ending out of Countdown nor do I have much hope for Final Crisis.

Yet, the comic book that I am least excited to read is Trials of Shazam #10. Winick has gagged up some pathetic reads on this title. This has got to be one of the worst reads on the market. I don’t think that any writer could do a poorer job re-imagining the Shazam universe even if they tried.

Which Marvel comic book am I most looking forward to reading? There are quite a few great reads headed our way from the House of Ideas. Daredevil #102 should be a quality read. Brubaker always turns in consistently good reads on Daredevil. This is certainly one of the most complex and intriguing titles that Marvel publishes.

Ultimate Spider-Man #116 should be a very entertaining issue. It is always fun when Spidey locks horns with the Green Goblin.

However, the comic book that I’m most looking forward to reading is X-Men #205. I am completely enthralled by the Messiah Complex story arc. This “big event” just crushes anything that Marvel has done over the past several years including House of M and Civil War.

Which Marvel comic book am I least looking forward to reading? Honestly? None. All five Marvel titles headed to the Bunker look to be great reads.

I’ll try my best to start posting reviews as soon as possible. I hope everyone enjoys their new comic books for this week.

Sean Taylor: RIP: 1983-2007

I am beyond depressed this morning. Yesterday, I heard the news that Sean Taylor had been shot in his home. Taylor has a house in the Palmetto Bay area of Miami. It is a nice suburban area. However, the sad fact of life in my old hometown is that crime is rampant and there are no safe areas in Miami. Evidently, Taylor was a victim of a home invasion. Intruders broke into his house and shot him. His girlfriend and one year old daughter were also in the house, but luckily, they were not attacked.

Taylor was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital, the teaching facility for the University of Miami School of Medicine. There he was in surgery for hours. Before I went to bed last night, I saw that he had finally opened his eyes and was squeezing the doctor’s hand in response to questions. I thought that perhaps Sean Taylor might get lucky and survive this terrible ordeal. However, I woke up this morning and found out that Sean Taylor passed away around 5:00 this morning.

I don’t really have the words to describe what I’m feeling right now. I remember running into Sean Taylor on campus at the U from time to time. I know that on the field he seems like a monster. But, off the field, Sean was a quiet guy. Sean was always very nice and polite. He was certainly much different than many of the other Miami Hurricane football players who were very cocky and loud.

I was excited when my favorite NFL team, the Washington Redskins, drafted Taylor. I always like it when the Washington Redskins draft some of my fellow Miami Hurricanes. Taylor was a monster in the NFL just like he was in college. Taylor had the type of talent that could have made him a perennial Pro-Bowl player as well as a possible Hall of Fame player. Seriously, Taylor was one of the most physically gifted safeties that I have ever seen play.

Unfortunately, all of that is now lost. Sean Taylor is dead at the young age of 24 years old. He had so much life before him. And he had a new baby daughter who had really changed his view on life and how he should conduct himself. Taylor had begun to grow and mature greatly. No one deserves to die at such a young age.

The Redskins have lost a valuable teammate. But, more importantly is that a family as lost a son and a brother. And a one year old girl has lost her father. That is the real tragedy. And all of it happened because of a stupid, senseless and idiotic act of violence. I love my hometown of Miami, but I hate the culture of violence that has a death grip on that city. Crime is rampant in Miami and the culture of violence is something that is glorified and worshipped.

Honestly, I feel sick. I don’t know what else to say. Rest in Peace, Sean Taylor. Only 24 years old and with so much promise.

I want to let the man’s actions speak for himself. Check out the highlight reels of Sean Taylor. It is always fun watching Taylor just blow up Seminoles and Gators.



Or perhaps you might enjoy watching Taylor make Terrell Owens piss his pants?



My favorite is when Taylor just blew up that punter at the Pro-Bowl.

Comic Book Review: Captain Marvel #1

Captain Marvel #1 is a comic book that I have been long forward to for a long time. As a kid I was a huge Captain Marvel fan. And I’m talking about the real Captain Marvel: Mar-Vell. The stud Kree warrior created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan. However, it was Jim Starlin who got me to fall in love with Captain Marvel when I was a little kid. Starlin’s Captain Marvel was an incredible Sci Fi title. I remember buying all the back issues I could of Starlin’s Captain Marvel.

So, obviously, I’m happy that we are getting to see Mar-Vell back in action once again. The only other version of Captain Marvel that I have enjoyed was Peter David’s Captain Marvel centering on Genis-Vell. All the rest have been pale imitations of the man, Mar-Vell. And even Genis-Vell failed to live up to the high standards set by Mar-Vell.

Even though this is only a temporary return by Mar-Vell, which completely sucks, I’m still going to enjoy the precious little time I get once again with the original Captain Marvel. Let’s go ahead and hit the review for Captain Marvel #1.


Creative Team
Writer: Brian Reed
Pencils: Lee Weeks
Inks: Stefano Gaudiano

Art Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: We begin with the final battle scene of Civil War in which Captain Marvel makes a brief appearance to save a woman from being crushed by some debris. We then cut to the present with Mar-Vell narrating a monologue about who he is and how he died from cancer. Mar-Vell is at the Louvre staring at a painting named “Alexander in Babylon” by Charles Le Brun.

Suddenly, a costumed criminal named Cyclone busts into the museum and attacks Captain Marvel. Captain Marvel powers up and in a flash of light knocks out Cyclone. Captain Marvel thinks how he could catch the unconscious Cyclone before he falls to the ground and dies. Captain Marvel decides not to grab him and Cyclone falls to his death.

We cut to SHIELD Agent Sante meeting with a SHIELD psychic in a café in Paris. The psychic links Agent Sante with Iron Man for a private conversation. Iron Man informs Agent Sante that Captain Marvel was in some kind of accident that pushed him forward in time past the point where he died from cancer. That Mar-Vell went missing and SHIELD believes he is in France.

Iron Man states that he is worried about Mar-Vell’s mental state. That he is also worried what will happen to history if Captain Marvel dies in the present instead of when he is supposed to die from cancer. Iron Man instructs Agent Sante to find Captain Marvel.

We shift to a cult member of the Hala Brotherhood preaching on a city street in Manhattan. Evidently, the Hala Brotherhood views Captain Marvel as their messiah who has returned from the dead. That Captain Marvel spoke to Mother Starr. (Mother Starr is the woman that Captain Marvel saved from debris during the final battle of Civil War.) That Captain Marvel told Mother Starr that this isn’t how their world is supposed to be. Mother Starr knew that humans had failed him and that he was so sad at what they have become that he went away into the sky. That they must make Captain Marvel happy again so that he will return to them for good.

We hop over to the Church of Hala where a reporter is trying to get a meeting with Mother Starr. One of the cult members tells the reporter that she is too busy to meet with him. The reporter leaves his card and asks that the cult member tell Mother Starr to call him.

We slide over to Agent Sante meeting with Mar-Vell at the Louvre. Mar-Vell is once again staring at the same painting as before. Mar-Vell tells Agent Sante that the painting has been calling out to him. Mar-Vell comments how Alexander died at the age of thirty-two in his bed from either malaria or poison. That Alexander did not die on the battlefield. Agent Sante comments that Captain Marvel is about thirty-three.

Agent Sante tells Mar-Vell that Iron Man is concerned that Captain Marvel will get himself killed here in the present instead of going home and dying in his bed in the past. Captain Marvel comments how after he was shunned by his own people, he had a chance to make Earth a better place. That he had a chance to set right many wrongs and all he accomplished was inhaling some toxic fumes and getting cancer. That it wasn’t very heroic and it wasn’t the death of a soldier. Mar-Vell comments that if Iron Man wants to bring him in then Tony had better send the Sentry to do the job.

We cut to New York City two days later where a giant robot is attacking the city. The Mighty Avengers are battling the robot, but are having no success. The giant robot kicks ass on the Mighty Avengers.

Captain Marvel narrates another monologue about how he didn’t tell Agent Sante that there are holes in his memory. That the painting of Alexander the Great seems to cover up those holes. That there is something in that painting that he feels he has yet to see. Something that he was meant to see. Captain Marvel says that before he came to the present that he was in the Negative Zone and that he doesn’t remember what he was doing there. That this is where his feelings of lost begin and those feelings of lost are only soothed by the painting of Alexander.

Captain Marvel suddenly, streaks onto the scene and blasts a huge hole through the head of the giant robot. Captain Marvel thinks how he did not want to world to see him. That he does not want them to remember how he died. In his bed. On his back.

We see Captain Marvel standing on top of the defeated giant robot. The crowd and the Mighty Avengers are stunned. Captain Marvel thinks how he was wrong. That he may die soon, but today he is alive and today he stands tall as a warrior and says “I am here.” “I made this happen.” End of issue.

Comments
The Good: Captain Marvel #1 was an excellent read. I was impressed with Brian Reed’s effort on this issue. Reed turned in a well crafted issue. Captain Marvel was a dramatic read that burned with intensity and passion. Yet, at no point was the issue over the top or heavy handed like how other comic book writers get when they try too hard to be dramatic.

Reed served up some strong dialogue. I found Mar-Vell’s inner monologues to be well crafted and poignant. They offered the reader a raw and uncensored look into Mar-Vell’s soul. All of the characters spoke with nicely written voices and the dialogue in general had a pleasant flow.

Captain Marvel was a nicely paced issue. Reed employs the slow burn approach to this issue and it pays off handsomely. This slow and steady pacing to the story creates an intense, yet restrained read that builds excitement inside of the reader. Reed wisely concentrates on introducing the reader to Captain Marvel’s character and who he is rather than mindless action scenes.

And it is more important that Reed makes this title new reader friendly. Captain Marvel died in 1982. That is twenty-five years ago. That means that there is a huge percentage of the current comic book readers out there who know nothing about Mar-Vell at all. And to make this mini-series a success, Reed must get new readers hooked on this title.

Of course, just because that Reed’s primary focus is on re-constructing Mar-Vell’s character and making him interesting to new reader, doesn’t mean that he completely ignores any and all action scenes. We get two brief action scenes in this issue that are just enough of a shot of energy that keeps this issue from being too slow of a read.

Reed does a fantastic job handling Mar-Vell’s character. Reed returns to Mar-Vell’s roots in order to re-define his character for new readers. Mar-Vell is a warrior first and a hero second. Reed does such a great job capturing the essence of Mar-Vell as a warrior who seeks glory in battle and the opportunity to make Earth a better place and to right wrongs that he finds.

Reed manages to make Mar-Vell a tough bad-assed character without making him another psycho like Punisher and Wolverine. Mar-Vell is beyond being a solider like Captain America. Mar-Vell truly is a warrior like you saw from the days of Alexander the Great. Mar-Vell truly finds glory on the battlefield.

I dig the connection that Reed establishes between Captain Marvel and his life and that of Alexander the Great. This was a brilliant literary tool to get new readers to quickly understand the type of character that Captain Marvel is and how he views life. This move also sets the stage for the main source of internal conflict that rages inside of Captain Marvel: his distaste for his un-heroic death.

And I have to agree with how Reed is handling Mar-Vell’s view of his death from cancer. I always hated Captain Marvel’s death. I thought he went out like a bitch. It was so anti-climactic and un-heroic. It had such a random feel to it. I know that Marvel is not going to allow Mar-Vell to live in our present. But, at least Reed is acknowledging the lameness of Captain Marvel’s death.

I liked the short and brutal fight scene between Captain Marvel and Cyclone. I found this to be an effective way to show that Mar-Vell is a warrior who does not feel the need to save his enemy when doing battle. If you are going to engage Mar-Vell on the battlefield then you’d better be prepared to kill him or die.

I also liked the Church of Hala. Cults are always entertaining and there have been real life cults based on more ridiculous things than the return of Captain Marvel from the dead. I think this is a neat little plotline. I’m certainly curious to see what these cultists are up to and how Captain Marvel deals with them.

I loved the ending to Captain Marvel #1. Reed drops a little bomb on the reader by revealing that Captain Marvel is suffering from amnesia and has no idea what he was doing in the Negative Zone just before he was transported to our present. It should be interesting to learn more about this plotline.

I also found the final two pages to be an incredibly dramatic return of the one true Captain Marvel. Being an absolute warrior, Captain Marvel is going to embrace what little of life he still has left and will no longer hide himself. His stunning return should certainly cause some ripples through out the 616 Universe.

Lee Weeks and Stefano Gaudiano combine for artwork that isn’t anything special, but it gets the job done and is certainly better than average. I probably would have preferred an inker other than Gaudiano who has a more sleek and smooth style to pair up with Weeks’ pencils. The artwork was a bit inconsistent with some scenes looking rather poor while other scenes looked great.

The Bad: I have no complaints with this issue.

Overall: I was completely impressed with Captain Marvel #1. Now, I’m trying to temper my enthusiasm about this title since I am obviously biased toward Mar-Vell’s character. And I want to recommend this title not out of my feelings of nostalgia, but because this is actually a well crafted title worth your money.

And I do feel that Captain Marvel is worth giving a try. Reed does deliver a well developed Mar-Vell and a story with several interesting plotlines. Captain Marvel should appeal to readers who enjoy a blend of strong character work and well timed action scenes.

Comic Book Review: Countdown to Final Crisis #23

The Revolution was completely unimpressed with the last issue of Countdown to Final Crisis. It appears that Dan Didio is going to use the Multiverse as a toy created to be blown up. And it seems that Final Crisis will be just another excuse for a bloodbath that will eclipse what we got in Infinite Crisis. Whenever the master plan to a storyline is “let’s blow shit up” I can’t say I’m all that impressed with the creativity or originality. Let’s hope for the best that Countdown #23 is a better read than what we have gotten lately. Let’s hit this review.

Creative Team
Writers: Paul Dini & Keith Giffen
Pencils: Tom Derenick
Inks: Wayne Faucher

Art Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 2 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 4 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: We begin with Superman-Prime talking about the “Gods” who flew to the end of this particular universe to find out what was past the Source Wall. In that endeavor, the gods got stuck in the Source Wall. Superman-Prime re-iterates his desire to find his Earth in this new Multiverse. Superman-Prime rants on about how the Earths he has seen have all been bad copies of his Earth.

Superman-Prime flies into his own version of the Fortress of Solitude. There we see that Superman-Prime has Mr. Mxyzptlk captured. Superman-Prime tells Mr. Mxyzptlk that he should help Superman-Prime get rid of all these “dumb” Earths. Mr. Mxyzptlk retorts that he can’t do anything since Superman-Prime had Annataz steal his magic powers from him.

Superman-Prime walks over to Annataz who is cowering in the corner. Superman-Prime caught her on Earth-3. There she was using her magic to torture kids. Superman-Prime tells Annataz that he is going to kill her last because she is so pretty.

Mr. Mxyzptlk then asks to know who Superman-Prime is. Superman-Prime then re-tells his origin for the millionth time. He says that he is grown up now and is Superman. Mr. Mxyzptlk retorts that Superman-Prime has not gotten older. That his muscles are swollen with power. That his cells are storing energy from the recent “encounter: that brought him here. That is what has allowed Superman-Prime to easily fly through the Multiverse. That soon Superman-Prime’s muscles will shrink back to normal once he has used up all that extra power.

Superman-Prime then uses his heat vision to burn his “S” logo onto Mr. Mxyzptlk’s face and yells that he is Superman and that Mr. Mxyzptlk is dead. Superman proceeds to beat the hell out of Mr. Mxyzptlk.

Mr. Mxyzptlk laughs at Superman-Prime and says that he is the Trickster God and that he will never help Superman-Prime. Superman-Prime breaks off a crystal and tells Annataz to cut out Mr. Mxyzptlk’s heart while Superman-Prime holds him down. (Ah, yes. There is that shiny, happy and more positive DCU that Didio talked about.)

We cut to Eclipso and Mary Marvel. Mary is mad that Eclipso tried to sell her out to Darkseid. That she doesn’t want to get mixed up with that kind of evil. Eclipso responds that Mary could accomplish much as court mystic once she gains Darkseid’s trust. Maybe even be his successor.

Eclipso tells Mary to trust her. That Eclipso won’t let her down. Suddenly, the asteroid that Eclipso and Mary were on explodes. It was vaporized by Lord Havok’s ship. We see Lord Havok’s fleet quickly destroying a fleet of Dominator warships. We learn that Monarch has displaced Forerunner and that Lord Havok is now Monarch’s second in command.

We shift back to Mr. Mxyzptlk lying on the ground with a crystal shard through his chest. Suddenly, Mr. Mxyzptlk springs back to life. Annataz then tells Superman-Prime that he will never be able to find his perfect universe. Annataz calls Superman-Prime a fraud. Superman-Prime realizes that the two magic based characters will never help him.

Superman flies outside of the Fortress of Solitude. Annataz quickly gives Mr. Mxyzptlk his magic powers back. Mr. Mxyzptlk tells Annataz to come with him. That Superman-Prime is sure to kill her. Annataz says that she will stay. That this is karma’s way of getting back at her for all the cruel things she did on Earth-3.

Mr. Mxyzptlk teleports away. Superman-Prime then uses his heat vision to destroy the Fortress of Solitude and kills Annataz. We see Mr., Mxyzptlk watching the destruction. Mr. Mxyzptlk said if he wasn’t so weakened from his ordeal that he would go over there and turn Superman-Prime inside out. But, at this point, all Mr. Mxyzptlk do is make a quick exit. End of issue.

We get a two page back-up story about the origin of Mr. Mxyzptlk. End of issue.

Comments
The Good: Errr, this will be a challenge to satisfy The Revolution’s Rule of Positivity with Countdown #23. Um, well I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Mr. Mxyzptlk. He is such a classic Silver Age character. It is always cool to see him in action.

We did learn more about how Superman-Prime has become so powerful and physically grown so much since he escaped from the Green Lanterns. I was wondering what was going on with his sudden increase in muscle mass as well as his seriously amped up powers.

Derenick and Faucher combine to provide some average, but serviceable artwork.

The Bad: I found Countdown to Final Crisis #23 to be a terrible read. I’m stunned at what a sudden turn for the worse this title has taken. And that is particularly alarming since, theoretically, this title should get better and better as it races to its conclusion and the beginning of the Final Crisis event.

The pacing on Countdown has come to a screeching halt. Absolutely nothing happens in this issue. Countdown #23 is a total waste of paper. This issue comes off as nothing more than pure filler designed to kill time. It is becoming painfully obvious that Dini simply did not have enough material to warrant a weekly year long title.

All we get is Superman-Prime re-telling his origin for what has to be the hundredth time since Infinite Crisis. I cannot imagine that there are any readers left out there who don’t know Superman-Prime’s origin by heart at this point. This re-telling of Superman-Prime’s origin was a painfully obvious tactic to waste time.

We also get treated to the same boring and tired rant about the Multiverse and how lame the other Earths are and how he wants to find his perfect Earth. I get it already. Can we move on at this point? I don’t think we need to re-hash this same tired rant with each and every issue that Superman-Prime appears in. It is already becoming repetitive and unimaginative. The move of giving more of the same boring rant from the last issue of Countdown contributed to Countdown #23 seeming like another stalling tactic.

Other than the re-telling of Superman-Prime’s origin and his same old ranting, the only other thing this issue gave us was the brutal torturing of Mr. Mxyzptlk. Yay. I found the torture scenes to be simply pointless. The reader has already had it pounded through our skulls with the subtly of a sledgehammer that Superman-Prime is a violent bad man. At this point, I’m numb to anything that Superman-Prime does that is supposed to “shock” me.

All the scenes between Superman-Prime and Mr. Mxyzptlk seemed pointless. We saw Mr. Mxyzptlk getting captured by someone way back in Countdown #31. Then we got nothing else about this plotline. We learn in this issue that it was Superman-Prime who kidnapped Mr. Mxyzptlk. But, who cares, because in the first issue we learn that Superman-Prime has Mr. Mxyzptlk captive we see Mr. Mxyzptlk refusing to help Superman-Prime and then we see Mr. Mxyzptlk make a grand escape.

It seemed like a rather unnecessary plotline. And it ended just as quickly as it began. It basically boiled down as an excuse to have a torture scene. After all, this is Didio’s new brighter and more positive DCU. The scenes of Superman-Prime torturing Mr. Mxyzptlk were boring and predictable. This entire plotline didn’t do anything to advance the story of Countdown or to make it any more interesting. I guess this was the best way Dini thought he could introduce Mr. Mxyzptlk into the story and align him on the side of our heroes against Superman-Prime.

Oh yeah, Superman-Prime killing Annataz was predictable and boring. I’m sure Annataz will just be another kill in what is sure to be a long list of kills that Superman-Prime is going to rack up in this bloodbath.

Superman-Prime’s dialogue is getting more and more over the top and is making him more of a laughable character than a monster villain. I’m already beginning to have a hard time taking Superman-Prime seriously with some of the horribly cheesy dialogue that he cranks out.

The Marvel scene was dull and repetitious. How much longer do we need to see Mary talking with Eclipso and waffling over accepting her dark powers or not? This scene simply read as a pure time waster. Just another effort to stretch out a plotline that clearly was not designed to run for 52 weeks.

And the logic that Mary uses to explain why she wouldn’t want to get involved with Darkseid was laughable. Let’s see Darskeid is too evil to join up with. But, having Eclipso as a mentor is okay. Yeah, that makes sense. I understand that Darkseid is the ultimate bad guy, but Eclipso is a pretty major villain and, last time I checked, brutally murdered Sue Dibny. So, sorry, I don’t buy that Black Mary would be okay with having the psychotic Eclipso as a mentor but would balk at working with Darkseid.

And when did Lord Havok displace Forerunner as Monarch’s second in command? And where is Forerunner? This is another major criticism that I have with Countdown. It seems like so much of Countdown’s story takes place on a myriad of other titles and mini-series. It is unreasonable to ask a reader to collect every DC title under the sun just to follow the Countdown story.

Overall: Countdown #23 was a very disappointing read. It seems that this title is suffering from a precipitous drop in terms of quality writing. I’m getting less and less interested in the upcoming Final Crisis now that it appears that it is going to be nothing more than a kill-fest where the writers can use the Multiverse to “blow shit up.” At this point I have practically no expectations of getting a wonderfully constructed story out of the end of Countdown or the impending Final Crisis.

Comic Book Review: New Avengers #36

New Avengers continues to dumbfound The Revolution. I am surprised that Marvel’s flagship title has sunk so far. And considering this is Marvel’s premier super team, their answer to the JLA, it is stunning that the quality of the stories has been so poor. And it has been that way ever since the beginning of Civil War. I simply can’t have any false hope that Bendis is going to turn this title around with New Avengers #36. Let’s go ahead and hit this review.


Creative Team
Writer: Brain Michael Bendis
Artist: Leinel Yu

Art Rating: 3 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 2 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 2.5 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: We begin with Luke Cage telling Jessica all about the Secret Avengers’ fight with the Venom symbiotes. All of the Secret Avengers got infected by the Venom aliens except Luke Cage and Wolverine. However, Wolverine was useless since he continually went back and forth from normal to Venom as his healing factor would heal himself up and then get possessed again by the alien symbiote.

Luke fought on his own and was getting overwhelmed when suddenly the Avengers appeared on the scene and gave him support. During the story, Jessica interrupts Luke to ask him if Carol Danvers asked about Jessica and if Tony Stark tried to arrest Luke. Tony said Carol was too busy to talk and Tony was too busy fighting to try arrest anyone.

Iron Man then suddenly whipped up some device that got rid of all the Venom symbiotes. The battle was over and the heroes won. We then see Luke and Jessica in bed at Dr. Strange’s house. Jessica says that she wants to move out of Dr. Strange’s house.

Jessica then asks if the Avengers fought with the Secret Avengers once the Venom aliens were defeated. Luke answer that what is so cool about the Secret Avengers is that they immediately went around helping citizens who were hurt during the fight. That Tony and the other Avengers just stared in amazement. (At heroes saving people? Yeah, hard to imagine that.) Then the Avengers let the Secret Avengers go.

Luke comments that Spider-Woman was there with the Avengers and that Tony must know all about the Skrulls. Luke then says that Tony has to be a Skrull. (Naturally.) Jessica then begins to freak out how anyone could be a Skrull. That Dr. Strange could be a Skrull and could have faked the spell that he performed to show all the true inner natures of the Secret Avengers to prove that none of them were Skrulls. (Oh boy. Are we going to get another round of the “You’re a Skrull! No, you’re a Skrull” game?)

Jessica wonders what Spider-Woman told Tony. Luke answers that they will find out soon since Wolverine is paying Spider-Woman a visit. We cut to Avengers Tower. Carol tells the Avengers that in one hour they invade Latveria. That SHIELD discovered that Dr. Doom dropped the venom bomb on New York. Carol gives everyone an hour to get ready to head out.

Spider-Woman decides to go take a shower. While she is naked and standing in the shower, Wolverine suddenly appears behind her and puts his claws up to her neck. (Oh, c’mon. Seriously? Logan had to wait for Jessica to be naked and wet in order to have this conversation? I guess Spider-Woman can be thankful it wasn’t Luke Cage. He would have started off his questions with a kick to her vagina.)

Wolverine asks to know what Spider-Woman told Tony. Spider-Woman answers that she told him that they have been invaded by the Skrull Empire. Spider-Woman says that she did not give up the Secret Avengers to Tony. That Tony thinks there are Skrulls on his team of Avengers.

Wolverine then asks if Spider-Woman knows anything about Parker Robinson aka the Hood. Spider-Woman says no. Black Widow, in her bra and panties, opens the bathroom door to ask Jessica if she has any deodorant. Wolverine then decides it is time to leave and jumps out the window. Spider-Man is right there to swing by and catch Wolverine.

We cut to the Secret Avengers assembled in New Jersey outside of the bank that the Hood had Deathlok rob an issue ago. Wolverine says that he was following Skrulls and the trail led him to the Hood which led him to Deathlok which led him here to the bank. The Secret Avengers decide they need to go spend some time beating up bad guys.

Wolverine tracks the Hood’s trail back to their secret hideout. There we see the villains counting all their money. It is the same scene from last issue. Hawkeye says that they are too outnumbered to attack the Hood and his people. Luke answers that they can do this if they play it smart. Dr. Strange smiles and says they could call for back-up.

We cut to the Hood and the other villains watching the news report about the Venom attack on New York. Suddenly, Luke Cage busts through the wall. Behind Luke we see the rest of the Secret Avengers, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, The X-Men, Doc Samson, Daredevil, Hercules, Nighthawk, the Punisher and the Silver Surfer. Oh yeah, and Howard the Duck. End of issue.

Comments
The Good: Man, Bendis’ New Avengers always taxes my ability to satisfy The Revolution’s Rule of Positivity. And New Avengers #36 is no exception. Let’s see, I will admit that seeing Howard the Duck alongside all the other heroes in the final page of this issue made me chuckle. You gotta love it whenever Howard makes a cameo appearance in any Marvel title.

I also liked seeing Angel in his red costume. He is currently wearing his traditional blue outfit over on the X-Men. I have always associated his red outfit with his stints with the Champions and the Defenders. I also liked seeing another Defender, Nighthawk, in the big crowd shot.

We did learn that Tony thinks that there are Skrulls on his team. At least we now know that Tony is preparing for the inevitable war with the Skrulls and is confident that numerous characters in the 616 Universe are actually Skrulls.

The Bad: I found New Avengers #36 to be an atrocious read. I honestly can’t imagine how Bendis could make this title an even slower read even if he purposely tried to do so. The pacing on New Avengers is just brutally slow. This is one of the most plodding story arcs I have read in a long time.

Seriously, it seems as if Bendis is actively trying to see just how slowly it is humanly possible to move along a story arc. Basically nothing at all happens in this issue. And to top it all off, we end New Avengers #36 at the exact same moment in time where we ended New Avengers #35! I feel like I’m trapped in a mobius strip with this story arc.

Bendis did a terrible job handling the Venom alien fight. I really thought that this Venom alien fight was going to be at least an issue long. Instead, all we got dedicated to this big fight was a total of five pages. The Venom alien fight scene felt sloppy, hurried and truncated.

Worst of all is that Bendis chose to deliver the Venom alien fight in a passive manner by having Luke re-cap it while talking to Jessica in bed. This approach was a terrible idea since it robs the fight scene of any action and impact on the reader. Instead of being a dynamic fight scene, it comes across as a muted and passive re-cap.

Also idiotic, was the scene after the Venom fight. The idea of Tony and Carol standing there with mouths open in shocked amazement while the Secret Avengers worked to help with the rescue in the aftermath was simply moronic. Once again, Bendis can’t resist playing Tony for a fool. Seriously, did Stark doink both Bendis and JMS’ moms at the same time? These two guys just need to get over it all ready when it comes to their bizarre obsessions with Tony Stark.

Tony and Carol have proven over and over to be true heroes and would never be standing around watching others do their job. Nor would anyone ever be surprised that the Secret Avengers would do their job as heroes and rescue people. Absolutely no one has ever questioned whether the Secret Avengers wanted to help people. The Secret Avengers simply did not want to be registered.

Really, having Wolverine “question” Spider-Woman with his claws out and while she is naked and in the shower was just way too much. Look, I dig a little cheesecake as much as the next guy. And some T&A factor is all right, but it needs to be worked into the story better than this scene was done. It just came across as idiotic that Wolverine would choose the moment that Jessica is all wet and soapy to go and “question” her.

And the use of the claws was over to top and unnecessary. This isn’t Magneto that Logan is questioning. And we all know that it was an empty threat anyway as Logan isn’t going to gut Spider-Woman.

Also, having Logan whip out his claws and sneak up from behind Jessica while she is in the shower doesn’t make Logan look cool. It makes him come across as a real pervert. Like a combination of a Peeping Tom and a rapist. I know that Bendis thought this would be a really entertaining and cool scene by using the same logic Bendis used when he had Luke Cage kick Electra in the vagina and had Wolverine get his dick shot off by the Hood. And once again, this shower scene is only “cool” or “funny” if you are a thirteen year old male.

I still find the Hood to be an incredibly lame villain for the Avengers to be wasting their time dealing with. The Hood is still a villain better suited for a title like Daredevil and not the Avengers. At this point, Bendis has completely failed to get me even remotely interested in this plotline.

I found the ending to be rather boring for two reasons. One, it is exactly where we ended New Avengers #35 which leaves the reader with the frustrated feeling that we wasted an entire issue with New Avengers #36. Second, we all know that it is Dr. Strange creating all the heroes backing up Luke.

I know a lot of people dig Yu’s artwork. Not me. I still find it to be incredibly ugly. Having said that, New Avengers #36 was probably the best looking issue that Yu has given us so far.

Overall: New Avengers #36 was another pathetic read. I know that some people dig this title. I’m at a loss for what could be found entertaining with what Bendis is doing on this title. This is one of the slowest moving titles on the market. I feel like Bendis is pulling a joke on the reader by seeing how little he can do on each issue and still get readers to come back for more.

I just can’t recommend New Avengers to anyone outside of die-hard Avengers fans or loyal Bendis fans. There are so many other titles currently on the market that are far more deserving of your hard earned money than the New Avengers.

New Comic Books For November 21, 2008

DC COMICS

ACTION COMICS #859
CHECKMATE #20
COUNTDOWN SEARCH FOR RAY PALMER GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT #1
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #23
COUNTDOWN TO MYSTERY #3
DETECTIVE COMICS #838
FLASH #234
LEGION OF SUPER HEROES IN THE 31ST CENTURY #8

MARVEL COMICS

CAPTAIN AMERICA #32
CAPTAIN AMERICA CHOSEN #4
IRON MAN DIRECTOR OF SHIELD ANNUAL #1
NEW X-MEN #44
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #19
X-MEN EMPEROR VULCAN #3

The week of Thanksgiving sees a total of 14 titles headed to the Bunker today. Actually, today is going to be cool since I’ll be able to go to my old comic book store that I used to go to as a kid. Now, the store is pretty gross. It is a combination of your grandmother’s dusty and messy attic with the general aura of a porn store.

I’ve been back in Miami for a day and the craziness has already started. What is really great is how there are so many of us crammed in this tiny house that you can’t fall asleep until everyone goes to bed. And let me tell you that isn’t easy with a loud family like mine. And then you have to get up as early as possible to be one of the lucky few to get a hot shower. The hot water heater for this house barely can crank out enough hot water for one, maybe two showers. Then it is shot for the rest of the day.

On the plus side, I got a huge plate of arroz con pollo when I walked through the door. It tasted fantastic. And no one has gotten shot on my block since I got here. That is always a positive. And I met up with some friends back on the campus of the “U” which was a blast. I forgot how much I missed the insanely lovely Latinas down here.

Which DC comic book am I most looking forward to reading? There are several nice titles headed our way from DC. And hopefully, none of them contain any dead Titans in them. Detective Comics #838 should be a good read. This issue continues the massive Ra’s al Ghul story arc that is weaving through the Bat-family titles. While this story hasn’t been anything Earth-shatteringly spectacular. It has provided for plenty of solid action and entertainment.

However, the title that is going to win this coveted position of the DC comic book that I’m most looking forward to read is Action Comics #859. Why? C’mon, I think it is obvious. It is all about the Legion of Super Heroes, baby! We are going to get plenty of sweet action centering on the one true original Legion. I love that DC is taking the effort to re-establish the Legion of Super Heroes back into their rightful position within Superman’s history. Now, if DC can simply avoid slaughtering Legionnaires like they do Teen Titans, then I should be one happy camper with this issue.

Which DC comic book am I least looking forward to reading? After the past issue of Countdown, I can’t say that I’m all that excited to read Countdown to Final Crisis #23. I hope Dini manages to give us something other than an uncreative and boring kill-fest like the last issue.

However, the title that wins this dubious award this week is Flash #234. I just can’t get into what Waid is doing on this title. Waid is talented, but he just can’t get me hooked on the adventures of the West family. This opening story arc has been slow and boring. I am not too sure that Waid is going to be able to quickly turn around this title.

Which Marvel comic book am I most looking forward to reading? Well, there are several nice selections headed our way from the House of Ideas this week. I don’t normally collect New X-Men. However, since New X-Men #44 is a Messiah Complex issue I’m getting it this week. I have enjoyed this story arc and don’t want to miss a single issue.

Iron Man Annual #1 should also be a good read. Gage really impressed me with some strong work when he filled in for the Knaufs on Iron Man for the World War Hulk tie-in issues. I’ll dismiss Gage’s poor performance on House of M: Avengers last week as an aberration.

Of course, the Marvel comic book that I am most looking forward to reading is Captain America #32. I know I must sound terribly repetitious when it comes to my praise for Brubaker’s Captain America. But, the fact is that Brubaker has made Captain America one of Marvel’s most impressive reads. And Brubaker manages to do so in an amazingly consistent fashion. I cannot remember the last time I wasn’t impressed with an issue of Captain America.

Which Marvel comic book am I least looking forward to reading? Long time followers of The Revolution know exactly what title I’m going to say. Wolverine Origins #19. Way and Dillon continue to completely bore me on this title. There are few things in the world worse than having to slog your way through a Daniel Way penned issue.

I’ll try my best to start posting reviews as soon as possible. I hope everyone enjoys their new comic books for this week.

Comic Book Review: Thor #4

Last issue of Thor was JMS’ obligatory “punk out Iron Man” issue. Now that he has gotten that over with, hopefully we can resume what was an enjoyable read over the first two issues. I’m sure that Thor #4 will be a solid read and I look for JMS to pick up the pace on this story. Let’s go ahead and do this review for Thor #4.

Creative Team
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Pencils: Olivier Copiel
Inks: Mark Morales

Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 5 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 6.5 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: We begin with Dr. Ernest Lereaux of an organization called Doctors without Borders visiting the motel that Donald Blake is staying at. Donald greets Dr. Lereaux and Dr. Lereaux says that Donald’s presence is needed.

We cut to Donald Blake at a mobile hospital in Africa treating some of the locals. We get a long monologue about how terrible war between the different tribes is and how the locals suffer. Evidently, the Ngare is an aggressive tribe that is killing the local villagers. We get more political blah blah about what is the U.N going to do about and what can be done to stop tribal warfare in Africa.

We then meet three mercenaries who were hired to provide protection for the doctors. One is a big German. The other is a blonde from England and the third is a dark haired guy from America. The three soldiers joined the doctors’ group two years ago all at the same time. All three requested this specific village in Africa to be stationed in.

Suddenly, a young girl comes screaming toward the village. Dr. Lereaux runs toward the girl. The girl’s jacket blows off and we see her arms tied behind her back with a large bomb strapped on her chest. She blows up and Donald and Lereaux get knocked around.

The Ngare soldiers then attack the village and open fire on everyone. The three guards fight valiantly. Blake knows that they can’t win this fight. Blake transforms in Thor. Thor proceeds to kick some serious ass. The Ngare soldiers then surrender.

Thor approaches the three guards. He asks them if they knew why they all joined the doctors’ group at the same time and all requested to be stationed at this specific location. Thor tells them that the village they are stationed in is named Umeme Mungu which means Lightning God.

Thor then fires up his hammer and transforms the three soldiers into their proper Asgardian forms. They are revealed to be the Warriors Three: Fandral, Volstagg and Hogun.

Thor tells his fellow Asgardians that they need to take the fight to the Ngare. Suddenly, one of the town elders appears and gives us the same speech that we got over in Squadron Supreme #3 when they were sent to Africa on a mission. The elder goes on about this being Africa’s problem and that they don’t need white men helping them. That Africa must solve their problems from within and cannot be solved from the outside especially by white men.

Then the elder states that hopefully nations outside Africa can find ways to keep the tribes apart until they can find ways to live together. The elder points to the direction where the Ngare live. Thor then uses his hammer to split the earth and create a giant chasm in between the Ngare’s land and the innocent villagers’ land. This way the two tribes are separated.

We cut to Thor, Fandral, Volstagg, Hogun and Hemdall in Asgard. Hemdall comments that Thor is moving slowly in awakening Asgardians and is only awakening the ones he wishes to awaken and not the others. Thor comments that they will not mention their names in Asgard. That they are going to remake a happier future for Asgard.

Thor does agree that they have to speed up the search for the other Asgardians. That they don’t know what might happen to an Asgardian if his human host dies. Thor asks if Hemdall can speed up his quest and lead Thor to the Asgardians faster than fate has carried Thor to this point. Hemdall says that he can. End of issue.

Comments
The Good: Thor #4 certainly had its positive moments. Without a doubt, it was great seeing Fandral, Volstagg and Hogun once again. That put a big smile on my face. I have always liked the Warriors Three and it is nice to see them back and better than ever. I never liked it when Marvel junked all of the Asgardians, so I’m having tremendous fun watching JMS bring everyone back.

I liked the final scene in this issue. It was rather thought provoking. Hemdall tactfully points out the obvious that Thor is clearly picking and choosing who he wants to re-populate Asgard with. Evidently, Thor is viewing this opportunity as a chance to create a perfect Asgard that will be superior to what came before. It is only natural to try and do better than the past and to strive for perfection. And it is understandable that Thor would want to re-make Asgard into a utopia free of the ills that plagued it the last time around.

However, you know that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And Thor is taking it upon himself to re-populate Asgard based on his own morals and desires. It is an interesting ethical debate. Does Thor owe it to Asgard as a whole to make an effort to bring back all the Asgardians rather than just the ones that he likes and agrees with? I’m curious to see if this turns out to haunt Thor in the long run.

JMS was smart to use Hemdall to play the role of the reader by commenting about the slow pace of Thor’s quest and the need to pick it up. The reader is thinking that very same thing after the fourth slow issue in a row. I hope that this was JMS telling the reader to stick around because the story will move faster from now on.

I never enjoyed Copiel’s artwork when he was drawing the Legion of Super Heroes. But, Copiel has continually impressed me with each issue of Thor. Copiel’s style of art works well with the fantasy based characters of Asgard. In Thor #4, Copiel and Morales combine for some great artwork. And Copiel definitely draws an impressive Thor. Seriously, when you see Copiel’s art there is no doubt in your mind that you are looking at a bona fide god.

The Bad: Thor #4 certainly has its fair share of warts. The monologue that runs through much of this issue was simply too preachy for my taste. I found the monologue, as well as some of the dialogue, was a bit cheesy and overly dramatic. JMS has a penchant for being too heavy handed and it certainly showed in this issue.

As a general rule, I rarely enjoy any comic book writer when they get on their soapbox and start preaching social or political commentary to me. Whether I agree with the preaching or not is irrelevant. I don’t read comic books to get political or social commentary. I’d watch CNN, MSNBC or FOX News if I wanted that. The scenes in Africa felt oddly out of place and a bit forced.

Maybe it is just me, but when I buy an issue of Thor I’m not really interested in getting discussions on the political and social landscape of African nations. And to make it even more of a boring read, it is practically the same speech that we got over in Squadron Supreme #3. Evidently, this must be JMS’ cause de jour. When I pick up an issue of Thor I just want to read about some Asgardian gods engaging in tales of fantasy and adventure as well as plenty of serious ass-kicking by a giant Norse god of thunder.

And unfortunately, action was in very short order with Thor #4. Now, regular followers of the Revolution know that I am certainly not averse to an issue with little to no action in it. Some of the best issues over in X-Factor, Captain America and Daredevil contain relatively no action. Strong character work and well crafted dialogue can always carry an issue. However, JMS serves up some weak dialogue and character work in this issue and cannot carry the issue and make it a quality read in the absence of any real action.

All we get is a whopping total of three pages of sweet Thor action. The rest of the issue was just a serious snoozer. Other than the three pages of Thor kicking butt, the rest of the issue jut bored me to tears.

Now, I have enjoyed the steady and measured pace that JMS gave this title with the first two issues. I felt it created a wonderfully restrained story with plenty of tension and powerful emotion. It helped to convey the magnitude of the re-birth of a god. However, after four issues, this pacing that JMS is employing is getting slow and the story is beginning to get a bit plodding and boring. JMS definitely needs to kick the pacing up a notch of two.

And JMS also needs to introduce some other plotline other than just re-awakening an Asgardian with each issue. We need some other source of tension and mystery in addition to Thor’s search for his fellow Asgardians. Thor #4 gave us the dramatic return of the three Warriors, and that is about it. We can only go but so many issues with the exact same formula as issues #3 and #4.

Overall: Thor #4 was an above average read, but this title is certainly on a downward trend since issue #2. Of course, if you don’t mind a bit of preaching about political issues from a comic book writer then you will certainly enjoy Thor #4 more than I did. However, if you are more like me and are just getting this title to read about a fantasy based storyline with exciting action and adventure then you will probably be disappointed with what JMS gives us with Thor #4.

JMS is at a critical point on this young title. You simply can’t expect readers to stick with a new title if after four issues it appears that the writer is in no hurry to get anywhere with the story. I still have faith in JMS to make Thor a good read and I still firmly believe that Thor has all the ingredients to be a good read.