Weekly Awards For The Comic Books From September 24, 2008

All right, let’s go ahead and dish out The Revolution’s weekly awards.
The nominees for the Che for the best read of the week:

Captain America #42
Daredevil #111
Fantastic Four #560
Legion of Super Heroes #46
Nova #16
Project Superpowers #6
Superman #680
Wolverine: First Class #7

The Winner: Fantastic Four #560

This past week was fantastic! We got spoiled with so many excellent reads. It is going to be extremely difficult for me to pick just one title for the Che this week.

Daredevil #111 was a great start to the new story arc. Brubaker delivers such a technically sound comic book. However, the fact that Lady Bullseye is such a lame villain prevents me from awarding the Che to this issue. I read Karen’s take on Lady Bullseye over on Girls Read Comics. Karen imagines what the discussion must have gone like at Marvel’s offices about the creation of Lady Bullseye. I found it to be hilarious. And I have to say that I pretty much totally agree with Karen’s take on Lady Bullseye’s character. You can read it here.

Wolverine: First Class #7 was another fun read. Van Lente is doing a fantastic job on this title. Van Lente has a good sense of humor and is able to deliver such accessible and new reader friendly issues. What has impressed me the most is how Van Lente has tapped into that special vibe that Wolverine used to have back in the day before Marvel totally ruined his character. Van Lente has also completely nailed the chemistry between Logan and Kitty.

Nova #16 was a wonderful Secret Invasion tie-in issue. DnA continue to do a fine job on this title. Nova #16 provides the reader with plenty of action as well as some nice drama and Richard gets to be re-united with his mother, father and brother.

The best part of this issue was when DnA took a little jab at Bendis when Nova first arrives at P.E.G.A.S.U.S. and Nova’s brother has to test Nova to make sure that he is not a Skrull. Robbie comments how he hopes he does not have to hold Nova’s “Skrullified” body and scream melodramatically “Noooooooo!”

It seems that DnA were making a little comment on how the majority of Secret Invasion has proceeded so far. Oh yeah, the stunning return of Quasar at the end of this issue was also pretty cool.

Project Superpowers #6 was another strong read. Krueger continues to impress me with his work on this title. The reader gets treated to a fine blend of action and drama. Krueger has delivered an incredibly well plotted story. This is a complex and deep read that has numerous interesting plotlines that are all coming together in an enjoyable fashion. I find all of these various Golden Age characters to be rather intriguing.

Superman #680 was a fantastic read. I know that many readers may not have enjoyed this issue. But, I am a big fan of Krypto so I loved how Robinson managed to re-establish Krypto’s place within the DCU. Part of what made Superman so much fun were all the wacky sidekick characters that graced the pages of his comic books. And Krypto was my favorite one of them all. Robinson is obviously a dog person because he did a wonderful job handling the love and devotion a dog has for its human.

Legion of Super Heroes #46 was incredible read. Shooter just knocked this issue out of the park. I have enjoyed Shooter’s run up to this point, but this issue was his best one so far. Shooter gives the reader everything you can get in a comic book. There is drama, action, adventure, humor and mystery. Shooter’s character work continues to be spot on as he simply knows and understands the various Legionnaires like no writer has since Levitz penned this title.

Shooter also does an amazing job juggling multiple plotlines at the same time. Shooter is one of the few writers who does not get overwhelmed by the Legion’s large roster. Shooter has been able to keep all the various Legionnaires busy with their own plotlines. It is an absolute shame that DC is canceling the Legion of Super Heroes with issue #50. But, that is a rant that I shall engage in at a later point this week. I can promise that.

Now we arrive at the two issues who are locked in a death match for the Che: Fantastic Four #560 and Captain America #42. I found both issues to be impressive reads. Captain America #42 was a fine ending to Brubaker’s epic story. Brubaker neatly ties up the various plotlines and at the same time plants the seeds for several interesting new plotlines. The reader gets a clear sense of the direction that Brubaker will be taking this title.

Still, there were some aspects to Captain America #42 that some readers may dislike. I found the direction that Brubaker takes the 1950’s Captain America in to be incredibly unoriginal and boring. Also, the fact that there was no resolution with the Red Skull plotline may irritate some readers.

Therefore, I went ahead and gave the Che for the best read of the week to Fantastic Four #560. Millar keeps cranking out insanely entertaining reads. Millar has managed to get me to like a title that I have never had any interest in before. The best part is that Millar has succeeded in creating a setting where literally anything can happen. This makes the reader constantly wondering just what in the world is going to happen next.
Also, Fantastic Four is very new reader friendly and quite accessible. I

would think that Millar’s Fantastic Four would have mass appeal to the comic book reading populace.

And now the nominees for the Sequential Methadone Award for the worst read of the week:

Hulk #6
New Avengers #45
Teen Titans #63
Ultimates 3 #5
Wolverine: Origins #28

The Winner: Ultimates 3 #5

Hulk #6 was a dumb read. This story is just pathetic. This issue was poorly plotted and lacked internal logic. The only thing that kept me coming back was the mystery surrounding the identity of the Red Hulk. And we don’t even get that questioned answers with the end of this story arc.

However, my love for Kaiju (Gotta like all the giant monsters in this issue), the kick-ass action scenes and the great artwork in this issue was enough to rescue this issue from winning the Sequential Methadone Award.

New Avengers #45 was a disappointment. Bendis gave us another dull Secret Invasion tie-in issue that read like pure filler. Clearly Bendis is simply wasting time until the conclusion of Secret Invasion. There was nothing about this tie-in issue that I found interesting nor did it increase my enjoyment of the Secret Invasion event.

The efforts to shoe-horn the Skrulls into the House of M event failed with me. It felt forced and cobbled together. And Spider-Woman’s character in New Avengers #45 did not mesh with how she acted in the House of M issues.

Teen Titans #63 was another disappointing read. I find Bombshell to be a completely uninteresting character so that immediately hurt my chances of enjoying this issue. But, the larger problem is the writing on this title. The character work is paper thin. The dialogue is cheesy at best. The stories are shallow and uninteresting.

This title has absolutely no direction or purpose and the past two issues have begun to read like fanfiction. This title has plummeted since Johns left. At this point, I am ready to just drop the Teen Titans until there is a creative team change.

Wolverine: Origins #28 was another disappointing read. Way continues to deliver a sub par read on this title. Wolverine: Origins is a fine example of why Marvel should have never given Logan his memories back.

However, I had to give the Sequential Methadone Award for the worst read of the week to Ultimates 3 #5. This issue was just a hideous read. What an absolute mess this title has become since the departure of Millar and Hitch.

Ultimates 3 #5 presented the reader with dialogue that was outrageously over the top at moments. The character work has been non-existent. Every character is presented more as a caricature rather than a fully fleshed out person. The story itself is simply dumb. There is very little that I find enjoyable about Ultimates 3.

So congrats to Fantastic Four #560 for winning The Che Award of the week and “congrats” to Ultimates 3 #5 for winning the Sequential Methadone Award for the week.

Comic Book Review: Captain America #42

Brubaker’s Captain America is one of Marvel’s best titles. Brubaker has done a masterful job with the current story arc. Captain America #42 is the finale to Brubaker’s current story involving Red Skull/Lukin and Kronas. There is no doubt in my mind that Brubaker is going to deliver a fantastic ending with Captain America #42. Let’s do this review.

Creative Team
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Pencils: Steve Epting & Luke Ross
Inks: Rick Magyar, Steve Epting & Fabio Laguna

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

Synopsis: We begin with Captain America breaking up the assassination attempt by Sin. Captain America plows his way through the Kane-Meyer guards. Sin kicks Captain America and then Sin makes a quick getaway. The Kane-Meyer guards then attack Cap once again.

Captain America thinks how he is not going to fail. Not today. Cap thinks how this is how Steve must have felt. That the uniform carriers a weight, but it is not a burden. It’s a responsibility. Captain America then takes down the Kane-Meyer guards.

We cut to Sin on the rooftop of the building. Sin is panicking that her father is going to kill her for screwing everything up. Sin decided that she must do something to redeem herself in her father’s eyes. Sin then looks down to the alley and sees the limos for the Presidential candidates and the police escorts getting ready to leave the area. Sin then says that it is time for a contingency plan.

We slide over to the Red Skull’s base and see Black Widow and the Falcon beating up some AIM soldiers. Falcon comments that the Red Skull must have set off the base’s self-destruct program. The entire base is exploding and collapsing. Black Widow says that Sharon’s GPS signal is coming from down the hall.

We cut to Arnim Zola’s lab where Zola zaps Sharon and then hooks her into his machine. Zola comments that this procedure will definitely hurt Sharon. Red Skull tells Zola to hurry. The Red Skull states that he does not plan on being trapped by his enemies or being trapped in Lukin’s body any longer.

Zola then fires up the machine. Sharon wakes up and wonders what they are doing to her. We see a white energy glowing from the machine and around Sharon.

We cut to the 1950’s Captain America strapped into a chair in a room full of monitors. He yells out that he is Captain America and that they cannot treat him this way. Due to the self-destruct program, we see the room collapsing on top of the 1950’s Captain America.

We shift back to Captain America still kicking ass on the Kane-Meyer soldiers. Cap thinks that he is wasting too much time on the foot soldiers and that he needs to catch up to Sin quickly. We see Sin on the roof with a rocket launcher.

We hop back to Zola’s lab where Sharon is still bathed in the bright white energy beams. Sharon wonders what she is seeing in the light. Sharon thinks that she is seeing something alive and that it is growing. Sharon then wonders “Is that my…is that…” Sharon then says “No.”

Sharon then manages to break free from the machine. Sharon then collapses to the ground. Zola comments that Sharon broke the connection which shorted out the machine. Zola says that he could repair the machine, but that they do not have enough time. That the SHIELD agents will make their way to the lab at any moment.

Red Skull snaps and yells “Stupid, stupid woman!” and kicks Sharon several times. Red Skull spits that his plans are ruined. Zola answers that Skull’s plans have simply been delayed. Red Skull counters that he now has no way out of Lukin’s head. Zola answers that that is not true. Zola tells Skull to come with him.

We cut to Captain America arriving on the roof of the building. Cap sees Sin with the rocket launcher and about to fire it at the limos of the Presidential candidates. Sin tells Captain America that he is too late and she fires the rocket launcher. Captain America screams “NO!”

We slide back to Red Skull’s base. Black Widow and Falcon find Sharon’s GPS tracker on the floor of the medical bay where she was being held. Falcon wonders where Sharon could be.

We then shift to Sharon walking down the hall of Red Skull’s base. Sharon grabs a gun off an unconscious AIM soldier. Sharon thinks how she cannot let the Red Skull get away with all of this. Not after all that the Red Skull has done.

We cut to Red Skull and Arnim Zola hurrying down a hall of the Red Skull’s base. Red Skull tells Zola to wait a minute and let him get his bearings. Skull says that he just cannot get over it. Lukin then pulls of the Red Skull mask. Lukin says that Zola is a genius. Zola answers that Lukin is overstating the obvious.

Lukin begins laughing. We then hear a “blam” from a gunshot. Lukin turns around and sees Sharon standing there. Sharon then shoots Lukin three times in his chest. Lukin falls to the ground. Lukin mumbles “But…but…but…I was…but…I…” Lukin then dies.

Sharon then whispers “Okay…good enough…I’m done now…” Sharon looks like she is about to pass out. Zola states that Sharon has “No concept, girl…of how utterly futile…how utterly futile…”

But before Zola can finish we see a piece of metal come ripping through Zola’s torso. We see the 1950’s Captain America standing over the fallen Zola. The 1950’s Cap spits “Fascist freak…psycho!” Sharon mumbles for the 1950’s Cap to please tell her that he is one of the good guys now.

We cut back to Bucky thinking how he is about to do the stupidest thing he has ever done. We see Captain America leaping in front of the rocket that Sin just launched. Cap thinks that he hopes that Stark was right about the impact resistance on Cap’s new uniform. The rocket hits Cap’s shield and explodes. The blast takes down Sin. Captain America then falls off the rooftop and falls down to the ground and lands on top of one of the limos.

Captain America slowly gets up off the limo and gets his bearings straight. The Secret Service agents then get control of the situation. They Secret Service agents find Sin unconscious on the rooftop and they proceed to arrest her. The Secret Service agents then tell Captain America “Nice work, Cap. Good save.”

Captain America stands up and looks around. Suddenly, the media are surrounding Cap and taking pictures of him and asking him to smile for the pictures and then to give a statement. Bucky thinks how for a second he remembers when it used to be like this all the time. All the soldiers cheering on Steve and him. Bucky thinks how for a second it does not feel all that long ago. Just for a second.

We slide back to the Red Skull’s base with Black Widow and Falcon finally finding Sharon collapsed in the hallway. Black Widow wonders if Sharon took out both Lukin/Red Skull and Arnim Zola. Sharon wakes up and hugs Falcon. Sharon tells Sam that she did it. Sharon says that she killed Steve. Sam answers that Sharon was under the control of the Red Skull. Falcon then says that it is okay. That the good guys won.

We shift to Epilogue One two days later on the SHIELD Helicarrier. We see Tony tells Falcon that Sharon does not remember being pregnant with Steve’s child. Tony says that Sharon deserves to know about the pregnancy, but that he does not want to unload that on her at this critical moment. Sam agrees and decides that he will take care of Sharon and when she has recovered and is strong enough then he will tell her about the pregnancy. But, not today.

We cut to Epilogue Two with Black Widow meeting Senator Wright. Senator Wright says that he was being controlled by Dr. Faustus. Black Widow counters that Wright was deep in Kronas’ pocket well before Faustus implemented his mind control on Senator Wright. Black Widow tells Wright to resign from the Senate and pull out of the Presidential race or else she will expose him and Wright will be publicly branded as a traitor and linked to domestic terrorism.

We shift to Natasha at Bucky’s loft with the two of them on the sofa watching the news. We see a news report of Senator announcing that he is resigning from the Senate and pulling out of the Presidential race. The news report then shows footage of the new Captain America saving the Presidential candidates.

Bucky quickly turns off the TV. Natasha comments that Bucky is a star and that the people love him. Natasha tells Bucky to enjoy it while he can. Bucky comments that he cannot believe how close Red Skull got to having his own President in the White House.

Natasha smiles and says that she likes seeing Bucky like this. Struggling with this Captain America thing. Natasha says that she does not think that it is supposed to be easy. Bucky answers “No, Steve just made it look that way.” Natasha states “You will, too…someday.” Natasha straddles Bucky and then they start kissing. (You better triple wrap it before you hit that, Bucky. Seriously, there are two people in the 616 Universe that I would never council anyone to sleep with: Tony Stark and Natasha.)

We cut to Times Square in New York City where the 1950’s Captain America is walking around and staring at everything. The 1950’s Cap thinks how it is not easy being Captain America. That it never was, but at least back in his day the world made sense. But, that this place does not make sense. It is so fast, so decadent, so wrong. That this is not his America. But it will be someday. (Oh, lord. Unoriginal. Brubaker is going to screw the pooch with this character. I can just feel it.)

We slide to Epilogue Three where we see Zola on one of his computer screens in one of his bases. Zola says that one day “he” will forgive him. Zola says that there was no other choice. There was no time for options. Zola promises that it is only temporary. Zola says that he always remains loyal to his oaths. Zola states that he swears that he will be back for Red Skull soon and that he will fix the this.

We then see the Red Skull inside of one of Arnim Zola’s robotic bodies. The Red Skull stammers “No…no…no…” End of issue.

Comments

The Good: Captain America #42 was a fine ending to Brubaker’s epic story. Brubaker treats the reader to what is actually a rather fast paced issue compared to what we normally get on this title. Brubaker cranks up the intensity and crafts an issue that has plenty of energy that makes this a rather furious ending to a story that has been moving at a slow burn for most of the time.

Captain America #42 was masterfully plotted. This continues to be Brubaker’s greatest strength. It is impressive how Brubaker can craft so many detailed plotlines and allow them to blossom and grow in an interesting fashion and then tie them all together in a logical and entertaining fashion.

All the various plotlines slide together in a neat fashion in this issue. And equally impressive is how seamlessly and deftly Brubaker puts into place the new plotlines for this title. The new plotlines sprout nicely from the ashes of the old story that concluded in this issue.

This is proof that Brubaker has a clear direction and purpose in mind with where he wants to take this title over the course of the next year or two. Brubaker’s long term vision is fantastic. Especially in a day and age where many writers seem to be just making up the story as they go along with no clear master plan in mind at all.

Brubaker continues to deliver strong character work. Each character is nicely fleshed out and have their own unique personalities. The dialogue is well crafted as always. The dialogue has a great flow and creates plenty of nice chemistry between the different characters.

Brubaker does a fine job with Sharon Carter in this issue. It was nice to see Sharon finally kicking some ass. After having to play the role of the helpless victim and get abused over and over, it was great to see Sharon grabbing the spotlight and reminding the reader that she is a very deadly and capable SHIELD agent.

I liked that Sharon was able to summon the strength and willpower to break free of Arnim Zola’s machine and ruin the Red Skull’s plans. However, what I loved the most is that Brubaker let Sharon deliver the killing blow to Lukin. That was an absolutely fantastic scene. I liked how Lukin was celebrating finally being freed of the Red Skull only to get taken out by Sharon. Sharon displayed some true grit as she got her revenge against Lukin.

I enjoyed seeing the 1950s Captain America suddenly busting onto the scene and saving Sharon by taking out Arnim Zola. I liked seeing the 1950’s Captain America resolute in his belief that he is Steve Rogers. I dig this character and think that he has so much potential. Brubaker can do some interesting things with this character. Unfortunately, it appears that Brubaker is going to go the lazy route with the 1950’s Captain America.

Of course, in any finale you need more than just good character work and nice dialogue. You need plenty of cool action. And we certainly get that as Bucky delivers some pretty bad-assed action scenes. Bucky’s ballsy move to protect the Presidential candidates from the rocket that Sin fired was pretty sweet.

Brubaker continues to do a wonderful job growing and nurturing Bucky’s character. In Captain America #42 we see the maturation of Bucky as he finally fully accepts his destiny and the duty that has been placed upon him to carry on the mantle of Captain America.

Even though Bucky has been wearing the Captain America uniform for a while, before this issue we have simply been reading about Bucky. Bucky never viewed himself as Captain America. The reader really did not view Bucky as Captain America. In Captain America #42 we finally get Captain America. This is the moment where Bucky truly becomes Captain America. And the reader completely buys into this transition and finally allows the mantle to be rightfully passed from Steve to Bucky.

It was great to finally see Bucky fully accepting the role of Captain America. The light bulb finally goes on inside of Bucky’s mind as he actually gets “it” and experiences “it.” And that “it” is what being Captain America is all about.

Bucky stops struggling with the Captain America suit and shield that have felt so heavy on his body up until this issue. Bucky realizes that even though the suit is heavy that it is not a burden. It is a responsibility.

For the first time, Bucky stops thinking how unworthy he is compared to Steve Rogers. Instead, Bucky actually feels what Steve must have felt every time Steve put on the Captain America uniform and picked up his shield. Bucky’s epiphany was perfectly crafted by Brubaker and had quite a powerful impact on the reader.

The reaction from the media and the Secret Service agents after Captain America’s daring rescue was perfect. I loved Bucky standing there receiving all this love from the agents and the media members. Bucky has been through so much during his stint as the Winter Soldier. Bucky, a patriotic hero, was perverted and used as a tool by America’s enemies.

Bucky has suffered enough trauma so it was nice to finally see Bucky getting some much deserved and needed love from the public. I liked the touch that it reminded Bucky of what it was like during World War II when he and Steve would soak up the cheers from the soldiers.

Brubaker does a wonderful job tying up all the loose ends and putting a bow on this story with the three epilogues at the end of this issue. The reader learns in epilogue one that Sharon really was pregnant and did suffer a miscarriage. Sharon’s character has been through so much and it looks like she still has some dark days ahead of her still.

Epilogue two neatly took care of Senator Wright. It was also nice to see Natasha and Bucky together. I actually dig these two as a couple. And after all of Bucky’s years of isolation as the Winter Soldier it is nice to see him experience some happiness and companionship with Natasha.

Brubaker was also wise to have Bucky pay his proper respect Steve in this scene. Bucky compliments Steve on how easy he made being Captain America look. Brubaker has done an incredible job every since Steve death of making him a continuing strong presence on this title. This is one of the few instances in comic books where the death of a character actually increases that character’s presence on a title.

Bucky’s statement that it is not easy being Captain America is echoed by the 1950’s Captain America as he walks around New York City. Brubaker does a nice job contrasting the two men who will be vying for the role as the one true Captain America. The inevitable showdown between Bucky and the 1950’s Captain America has the potential to be very intriguing.

Epilogue three was awesome. Brubaker swerves the reader by revealing the Red Skull in one of Arnim Zola’s robot bodies. That was pretty cool and I did not see that coming at all. This was a neat twist that allows Brubaker to place the Red Skull on the back burner for a bit before bringing him back out and heating up this plotline once again.

The Bad: Captain America #42 had a few flaws. The use of the 1950’s Captain America in epilogue three did nothing for me. I was hoping that Brubaker was going to do something unexpected with this character. Instead, the direction that Brubaker appears to be taking with the 1950’s Captain America is predictable, unoriginal and boring.

Seriously, do we need yet another Golden Age character who views America as prurient, decadent and immoral? Are we so insecure in modern day America that we need to pat ourselves on the back by constantly wrecking and deconstructing previous generations and their views of America? I have already had my fill of this type of writing on titles like The Twelve.

Now, even though I enjoyed the twist with the Red Skull being placed in one of Zola’s robot bodies, I understand that some readers might not be so impressed. I would imagine that the fact that there was no resolution with the Red Skull plotline will irritate some readers.

We go from Red Skull being trapped inside of Lukin’s body to Red Skull being trapped inside of a robot body. And we still have the Red Skull depending on Arnim Zola to some how come up with a plan to give him his own body. This means that there was essentially no progression of this plotline. This might not be enough of a pay-off for readers who have been patiently waiting for some type of interesting resolution to this long running plotline.

Overall: Captain America #42 was a strong finale to Brubaker’s wonderful story. Brubaker delivers a balanced issue that provides for plenty of entertainment as well as mysteries for the reader to mull over. It seems that Brubaker is not going to let up on this title and that we have many interesting stories still to come on Captain America.

Captain America #42 Review

Creative Team
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artists: Steve Epting and Luke Ross
Inkers: Rick Magyar, Steve Epting and Fabio Laguna
Colorist: Frank D'Armata

Issue Rating
Story: 8.8/10
Art: 8.6/10
Overall: 8.7/10

Issue Summary
Captain America (Bucky) bust into the communication room and stops Sin and her crew assassination "attempt" on the Presidential candidates. As Senator Gordon Wright, Red Skull's secret candidate, is helped out the building Bucky makes quick work of Sin's crew as she is able to make her escape to the roof of the building. Before Sin can make her escape all the cops arrive at the building putting an even bigger wrench in her plans to get in her fathers good graces again.

Outside of Red Skull's base Natasha and Falcon are their way through AIM members with the help of some SHIELD soldiers in order to make it inside the base.

Inside of Red Skull's base Red Skull and Professor Zolo prepare an operating table and drag Sharon Carter's body onto the table after knocking her out with a stun gun. It seems that Red Skull and Lukin are finally tired of sharing the same body and with Steve Roger and Sharon's unborn baby's death Red Skull plans to use Sharon Carter as his new host body. When Sharon comes to Zolo's body transfer device is already active.

Elsewhere in the same building a capture Grand Director, who still believes himself to be the real Captain America, is shouting at the top of his lungs to let him because he is Captain America. Suddenly an explosion is set off inside the building by SHIELD.

Back at the building were the Presidential debate was broken up by Sin's assassination attempt Bucky continues to mow down Sin's crew while Sin prepares to shoot a parking lot filled with people, cops, and cars with a rocket launcher.

Shifting the scene back to Red Skull's base the Skull's transfer into Sharon's body is going according to plan when the explosion that hit the room with the Grand Director finally hits them and machine they were using is destroyed. In the aftermath of the unsuccessful body transfer Red Skull is yelling at Zolo that he cannot believe he has to continue to share a body with Lukin. Zolo tells Red Skull to follow him to activate his backup plan.

Finally reaching the roof of the building Bucky gets their in time to see Sin preparing to lauch her rocket launcher at the crowd. Bucky starts to run at Sin in order to stop her from killing all those people.

Meanwhile, in the now destroyed Red Skull's base Natasha and Falcon are finally able to track down Sharon's abandoned GPS tracker wondering were in the hell she is. Sharon on the mean time is wandering the destroyed base halls and grabs one of the knock out guards gun in order to find and shot Red Skull with.

Speaking of the devil, it seems that Zolo was successful in seperating Lukin and Red Skull with Lukin back in control of his body telling Zolo he is a genious. As Lukin praises Zolo Sharon appears and shots Lukin three times in the chest not knowing Lukin and Red Skull are not sharing a body anymore. As Lukin is dying Zolo is about to berate Sharon for what she has done Zolo is stab through his robot by the now escaped Grand Director. Sharon than faints before she can ask Grand Director a question due to all the drugs Zolo and Red Skull pumped in her body.

Back at the roof of the Presidential debate building Bucky is unable to stop Sin from shooting her rocket laucher. With no other choice, Bucky jumps in front of the rocket headed towards the crowd hoping his shield and the suit Tony gave him protects him from getting seriously hurt by the blast. The rocket explodes upon making contact with Bucky's shield and aftershock of the explosion launches Bucky into a cop car and Sin against a wall. A knocked out Sin is arrested by some SHIELD agents. As Bucky comes to he is greated by a SHIELD agent a bunch flashing cameras with people asking questioned by the crowd. Bucky starts to think back to how this is how it used to be when Bucky and Steve were partners.

Elsewhere Falcon and Natasha finally find Sharon and wake her up. As Falcon is holding Sharon, Sharon starts crying and admits to Falcon that she is the one who killed Steve. Falcoon tells her it will be alright as he continues to hug her.

In the aftermath of Red Skull's failed plans we get three epilogues that show us where the main characters of the story are. In the first epilogue Tony confirms that Sharon indeed had a miscarrage to Sam as Sharon sits in the next room. It also seems that Doctor Faustus made Sharon forget that she was even pregnant in the first place. Sam tells Tony that he will take care of Sharon while she recupperates from these events and will hold off in telling Sharon about her miscarrage until she is ready.

In the second epilogue Natasha is in Senator Wright's office telling him that if he does not drop out of the Presidential race all of his dirty secrets of working with Red Skull and Kronas and will be labeled a traitor if he doesn't drop out. With no other choice Wright agrees to drop out. Later at Bucky's apartment Bucky and Natasha are suggled infront of the TV watching Wright's official announcing his withdrawl fro the Presidential race and Bucky as Captain America's first national appearace. As Bucky turns off the TV Natasha tells Bucky to enjoy the spotlight while it last because while Steve made being Captain America look easy it will be a while before Bucky can do the same. Bucky and Natasha then start to make out as we see the Grand Director walking through New York City in a trench coat and hat wondering were he is headed.

In the finale epilogue we see what happend to the Red Skull. From the looks of things Zolo transfered Red Skulls brain into a similar robot Zolo himself is in. The issue ends with Red Skull's disbelief in his new body.

Highlights of the Issue

"Honey I'm home!"

"I'm the Goddamn Captain America!"

"You know that is going to hurt in the morning"

"First impressions are everything and Bucky definietly made a splash as the new Captain America."

"Who says the good guys don't get the girls."

"I don't think this is what Red Skull had in mind for a new body"

Review
Captain America #42 was another great issue by Brubaker and Epting that brings "closure" to the "Death of Captain America" arc that has been going on for the past year and a half. I know that many people may be upset that this did not bring an actual end to Red Skull but the way Brubaker decided to end this long story arc is a fitting way to end this great story and leaving open the eventual return of Red Skull in future stories.

Now before I start praising this issue lets me just say this that for those who are expecting a big ending that resolves all the plotlines that have been building since the first issue than you are going to be disappointed. Because while Red Skull, Zolo, and Faustus plan of destroying the USA from the inside fails all three villains are still alive in some form. Also because Bucky never actually got to fight or even come face to face with the Red Skull many people are expecting for a story of this magnetude there is no actual final resolution to Bucky getting revenge on those that were behind the death of Steve Rogers.

But again for anyone that has been reading Captain America, and to the same extent Daredevil, should trust Brubaker enough to know he has long-term plans to were he wants to take the various characters. But if you are someone that is not satisfied with getting an actual ending to every plotline than I recommend getting this story when it comes out in trade paperback form since Captain America is read much better in one sitting.

The great thing about this story has been how Brubaker has developed Bucky from being the Winter Soldier to Captain America in a way that it feels natural. Like many people I was hesitant of the idea of someone other than Steve Rogers being Captain America but Brubaker has shown that my hesitation of a new Captain America was for nothing. Brubaker has shown that Bucky as Captain America is much more interesting than Steve being Captain America and I know that some long time Marvel purest may think this is blasphemy but that is how great Bucky has been in his new role.

What makes Bucky a great Captain America is that what Natasha told him that even today he was succesful in taking down Red Skull and his crew and is now in the spotlight that times will not always be that way and he is still going to have to grow more into his role as the new Captain America. Bucky along with the reader knows this and there will be a time were Bucky will fail as Captain America and it will be interesting when his first failure happens and how he will feel he let Steve down. But right now it was nice to see that Bucky does get a victory because since he has returned he never has had a victory and it was nice that in the end he was able to spend time with his girl after all the crap he went through.

Outside of Bucky, Brubaker has also done an excellent job building up the supporting cast of this title specifically Sam and Sharon. Before Steve's death Sam has been a D- or C-list hero but not anymore and he has now gone to being a B-list with potential in being A-list if his character development continues in the pace it is going. And Sam taking care of Sharon after all the Red Skull put her through not only shows how good of a friend Sam is with Sharon but also just how much respect he has for Steve to take care of his girl.

After all the torture Sharon has been through she will need friends like Sam to pull her through. I hope that Sharon does not turn all emo for several arcs because that will get old fast. I want to see Sharon return to her Sharon Carter Agent of SHIELD persona and not someone that is a shell of herself. But with Sharon having her memory of the death of her and Steve's unborn baby being wiped out it place Sam, Tony, and Bucky in an interesting spot when the truth is revealed to her and who it will be that actually tells her. In any case I expect we will see a little emo Sharon before Brubaker returns her to her old self.

Enough of our heroes lets talk about the other side of the what made this story great: the villains. It is amazing that for the past 42 issues of Captain America their has been really only one villain behind everything and that is Red Skull. I can't rememeber if their has ever been a story this long that has used the same villain for more than 8 issues. And for Brubaker to use Red Skull as the main antagonist for 42 issues shows how great of a story teller Brubaker has been. It is only fitting that Red Skull does not die and that he will return in some form or fashion.

And even though I was expecting a big brawl between Bucky and Red Skull I actually think it is smart that Bucky first victory as Captain America is not against the Red Skull but against his daughter Sin. Because for all the skills Bucky has it seems to soon for Bucky to take down an A-list villain like Red Skull. It would make the Red Skull look a bit weak to be taken down by a "rookie" Captain America. Seeing Red Skull ending up like Zolo is a fitting end to all of Red Skull's master planning that still leaves open Red Skull to gain a new body and torture everyone close to Steve after rethinking his strategy.

I kind of feel bad that Lukin died only moments after getting rid of Red Skull from his head. Even though Lukin is an evil bastard like every villain it was to bad that we may not see what a Lukin free of the Red Skull would be like. If he would have continued to be a villain or find redemption for what Red Skull made him do. But now we will never know.

It is interesting to see that the the Grand Director is still alive after this story. Now that he knows that he is not Steve Roger's or even the real Captain America it will be interesting if he will accept that or take revenge on everyone close to the Captain America name as revenge for what he has been through. Seeing him walk through New York City makes me feel bad for the guy and I hope that in some way he does find happiness and who he actually is.

This issue brought another partner for Steve Epting to help in the art chores in Luke Ross. I didn't even realize that Ross was actually helping out Epting on the art and I thought Epting drew the whole issue. It's amazing that almost every artist that helps Epting with the art chores is able to channel their inner Epting and mirror his artwork were you do not notice Epting is getting help or not even doing the art for the issue. It has been Epting's dark and gritty art that has made Brubaker's whole story so great and mixes with Brubaker's writting style perfectly. The Bucky action scenes in this issue were some of the best action scenes I have seen this book. Great work by Epting and Ross on this issue.

A Certain Point of View: Superman is Still Relevant

It has been argued around the internet, and around the bunker, that Superman, the big blue boy scout, is past his prime. Batman has eclipsed the original superhero, so they say. They say that he is boring, bland and too nice. From my point of view, this is wrong. Superman is as relevant, as important, and as exciting as he has ever been. Here is why.

Superman can still set an example. When even more and more of the DC Universe have a more pragmatic morality (and those stories have their place) the idea of a hero you can look up to, one that sets an example of good, a hero that can inspire holds strong appeal.

Sure, with Superman's powers, and his intelligence, there is an element of power fantasy in enjoying his stories. Its nice to see the villains get theirs. Comforting even.

How Superman sets the example is having all of that power yet being quite selfless in its use. His morality, his ethics, even his tactics are self limiting, yet he never takes the easy way out. Power tends to corrupt, as the quote goes, but not in this case. Given the situation in the world today, we need more examples of that, I fear.

Superman can be boring. If he isn't written correctly. I have no experience as a comic book writer, but I'm sure the marketing demands alone have diluted his strength as a character. Not to mention having to appear, for quite a long time, weekly.

Superman is a big deal. He has been treated like television, when he is cinema. He is the one that started it all, he has endured, and when he appears it should be special. Its no surprise that some of his best appearances recently have been in limited series like Kingdom Come or All Star Superman.

Superman can be exciting, and he will be again. His humanity, his compassion, his strength of character and of body, are all ingredients for superb storytelling. He is larger than life, and can still be an inspiration to us all. Current storylines are starting to build back some of those essential elements of the Man of Steel, just in time for his 75th anniversary. Let us hope it continues.

Comic Book Review: Hulk#6

The Revolution has been let down by the new Hulk series. The art by Ed McGuinness has been a good fit for the series. Unfortunately, Jeph Loeb has not delivered on the story side of things. Since we have not reviewed this book since issue 3, I thought it was time to see if Loeb has managed to craft a story to go along with McGuinness' art. Loeb has written some great stories in the past, so maybe he just needed some time to settle in.

Creative Team
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Pencils: Ed McGuinness
Inks: Dexter Vines

Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: On the Golden Gate Bridge...Iron Man and friends(the Human Torch, Ares, She-Hulk, Namor, and the Thing) are talking to the green Hulk. Iron Man wants to help the Hulk. Hulk says that A-Bomb(Rick Jones-the new Abomination) is his only friend. Green Hulk's fight with the red Hulk has triggered the San Andreas Fault. San Francisco is falling into the bay.

Hulk explains that he "not hurt city. Red Hulk did." Ares tells him that he does not care what he calls himself, Hulk should be happy that they are offering to help instead of whipping him. Namor interrupts Ares but it does not stop him. Hulk tells "broom head" to shut up. Ares says that no one calls him broom head and lives. So Hulk yells broom head at him. Torch says here we go...

Hulk says that Iron Man lied. They are here to fight Hulk. Namor and Iron Man take hold of Ares and tell him to back off. Iron Man says they are after the red Hulk. Hulk will listen since they hate the red Hulk. A-Bomb lands in front of the Thing. The Thing tells A-Bomb that he is an ugly cuss.

She-Hulk tries to tell Hulk that they think the red Hulk is Leonard Samson. Hulk doesn't care who the red Hulk is. He is going to smash the red Hulk. He leaps away. A-Bomb says to wait for him. Ben Grimm comments that A-Bomb is a corny name, but then he calls himself the Thing.

Iron Man orders the group to stabilize the region. Namor uses his horn to summond giant sea creatures to hold up a damaged bridge.

A hole is the ground in Monument Valley. Red Hulk is climbing out. He is surprised that he survived jumping from the moon to the earth. The green Hulk is waiting for him. Red Hulk wants to know if the green Hulk is back for more. Green Hulk takes him by the throat and says he is here to finish the red Hulk.

The 2 Hulks start beating on each other. Red Hulk is ready to punch the green Hulk when Thor's hammer flies in and hits red Hulk in the face. Thor begins to beat up the red Hulk.

A-Bomb arrives. Green Hulk wants to know how A-Bomb found him. He says he can find Hulk like Hulk finds red Hulk. Green Hulk says that Thor cannot beat the red Hulk. He is only one who can beat him. The madder he gets the stronger he gets. This is not true for the red Hulk. The madder he gets, the hotter he gets.

Thor zaps red Hulk with lightning bolts. Green Hulk jumps the red Hulk. A-Bomb asks Thor to let the green Hulk fight. He has to win this fight. Thor will let green Hulk fight, but if he dies the red Hulk's blood will be spilled by Thor's hands.

Red Hulk trash talks the green Hulk as he thumps him. Red Hulk asks if the green Hulk wants to die as a coward. His eyes are glowing. The red Hulk gets hotter and starts to swing wildly. In his weakened state, the red Hulk is flattened by 1 blow from the green Hulk. Green Hulk says there is only 1 Hulk and he is green.

Thor says he has been away for a dark time. But he wants to be friends with the Hulk. Hulk smiles and the 2 shake hands. Thor flies away. As Hulk leaves he tells A-Bomb that Rick will always be Hulk's friend. A-Bomb wants to know why Hulk calls him Rick. A-Bomb turns back into Rick. He says that Bruce needs to know the truth. The red Hulk is ... and he is blasted from behind by Leonard Samson. He says that Rick can't be telling secrets like that. He drags Rick away.

General Ross walks up to the red Hulk. He says that they gave him everything he needed to destroy the green monster. He failed them and himself. Now, he is on his own. Thunderbolt Ross walks away.

Comments
The Good: Some great action shots of Hulk versus Hulk and Thor versus Hulk. McGuinness draws a classic version of the Hulk in action. His art is a good fit for this comic.

I loved the inclusion of the giant sea creatures that Namor summonds. I recall them from a old issue of Fantastic Four. Using them to help hold up the bridge was a good move.

I thought this was one of the better scripts Loeb has done on this series. The Thing's comments about A-Bomb's name was great.

The Bad: We were led to believe that the red Hulk was Doc Samson. The revelation that he is not Doc Samson was surprising but disappointing. Six issues in and we still don't know who the red Hulk is.

The lack of normal people weakens the book. It seems like everyone has super powers. Without the contrast of normal to super powered characters, it lessens the originality of the people. This reminds me of the Dragon Ball Z cartoons.

Did I miss something here or is this the first time the red Hulk got hotter as he got madder? This seemed to come out of left field. I also find it hard to believe that he could beat Thor.

Overall: Not bad but not anywhere near the quality of the Peter David days of the Hulk. Anyone writing the Hulk needs to read David's books.

Comic Book Review: Fantastic Four #560

The Revolution absolutely loves Millar’s Fantastic Four. This has been such an entertaining read. Millar ended the last issue with an absolutely stunning hook ending. I am extremely curious to learn how these new Defenders managed to capture Galactus. I am confident that Fantastic Four #560 will be another good read.

Creative Team
Writer: Mark Millar
Pencils: Bryan Hitch
Inks: Bryan Hitch & Andrew Currie

Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10.
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10.

Synopsis: We begin in New York City in the year 2509 A.D. The world is a wasteland. We learn that the world did not die in the early part of the twenty-first century. The Earth survived another five hundred years thanks to the work of Reed Richards. When the end came, twelve billion people died. Half of the world’s cities drowned and disease became rampant. The rich and the powerful disappeared over night. (Thanks to Nu-World.)

The world’s remaining heroes banded together to protect those who were left behind on Earth. However, they all knew that it was hopeless. Therefore, Banner built his machine.

We slide to Florida in the year of 2509 A.D. We see all the world’s heroes gathered around a giant machine. Hulk states that he has found a way to get every single person out of this dying Earth. Hulk says that the machine is not a ship and that they will not be travelling off-world. The Hulk reveals that they are all going back in time.

The other heroes are skeptical of the plan. They argue that bringing eight million people into the past would throw the past into chaos. Hulk says that the heroes seem to care more about the people in the past than the people in the past every cared about them.

Hulk continues that first they will send a few people into the past in order to establish a base. There they will build a much bigger time machine and bring everyone from the future into the past. The Hulk then says that the only problem is where they can find a power source sufficient enough to power the initial jump. The Hulk asks if anyone knows about what might be left over in Attilan.

We then cut to the narration stating how since the Earth was dying that it was only a matter before “he” showed up. And that “he” would be pulsating with all the energy that the heroes needed for the Hulk’s time machine. We then see Galactus arriving on Earth and preparing to feed on the dying planet.

We zip back to the present at the Defenders’ secret base. Johnny cannot believe that the six Defenders alone were able to take down Galactus. One of the Defenders retorts that there used to be one hundred and forty-seven Defenders before they fought Galactus. The six Defenders present are all that remained after that fight.

Hulk then introduces the Defenders. The Hulk reveals that he is Robert Bruce Banner, Jr. The last surviving son of the Hulk. We have Natalie, their most powerful telepath. Alex Ultron, the 16th version of Ultron designed and built by Henry Pym. The Hooded Man is the Hulk’s stepfather. And Lightwave and Psionics rounds out the team.

Psionics tells Johnny to put everything into perspective. That Johnny will help power a time machine that will save eight billion people from the end of the world. Psionics says that no matter what happens to Johnny; at least he will know that he saved billions of lives. Psionics then asks that isn’t that what super heroes are supposed to do?

Johnny quips that he cannot answer that question without sounding very selfish. Johnny asks Doom how Doom feels about being used as a battery for the world’s largest time machine. Doom growls that whoever orchestrated the Defenders’ plan to capture him will die by Doom’s hand.

Johnny tells the Hulk that Doctor Doom will be gunning for the Hulk. The Hulk replies that he is not the Defenders’ leader. That their leader should be due to arrive in another ninety minutes.

We cut to New York City, with the rest of the Fantastic Four investigating the scene of the brawl between Johnny and the Defenders. They survey the massive damage and Reed comments how the police stated that the fight only lasted for one minute and a half. Sue is upset and Reed promises that they will find Johnny.

We shift to Deb on the phone with her mother talking about going to David Letterman with the Thing. Deb arrives outside of her apartment and hangs up the phone. Outside of her apartment is her ex-boyfriend, Jason.

Jason asks if Deb was out with the Thing, again. Jason says that Deb is just embarrassing herself by going out with the Thing. Jason says that everyone is laughing at Deb. Deb tells Jason to leave her alone. Deb then goes into her apartment and slams the door shut. Jason looks angrily at the door and spits that he will not be dumped for the Thing.

We hop over to the Baxter Building where we see Mrs. Deneuve entering Reed’s lab. She asks Reed what is he working on. Reed answers that he has created nanoscopic tracers that he can inject into the members of the Fantastic Four. That the tracers cannot be removed. And this will enable any missing member of the Fantastic Four to be tracked down.

Mrs. Deneuve smiles and softly laughs. Mrs. Deneuve tells Reed “Don’t ever change.” Suddenly, Reed’s lab equipment flies apart and plows into Reed knocking him through the lab’s walls. Reed falls to the ground unconscious.

Mrs. Deneuve then tells the Baxter Building’s computer to recognize her voice pattern and orders the computer to seal-off Franklin’s room and establish an audio link. Mrs. Deneuve then tells Franklin that he may hear some noise, but that he should not be alarmed. That this is only a security drill. And that Mrs. Deneuve has instructed the computer to give Franklin as much candy and bad TV that he can handle.

Mrs. Deneuve then approaches the Thing and She-Hulk. Suddenly, a massive hole is ripped in the building and the Thing and She-Hulk fall through the hole and crash down into the street below.

Invisible Woman and Valeria come running onto the scene. Sue exclaims that they are under attack. Mrs. Deneuve calmly instructs Sue to put Valeria down. Sue is stunned that it is Mrs. Deneuve who attacked them.

The women then square off with their force field powers. Mrs. Deneuve exclaims that she has been doing this a lot longer than Sue. And with that, Mrs. Deneuve’s force field overpowers Sue’s force field. Sue falls to the ground unconscious.

Mrs. Deneuve tells Valeria to not worry and that her mother will be just fine. Valeria asks what about the rest of the world. Mrs. Deneuve responds that the rest of the world should have been more careful of the future that they left us.

Mrs. Deneuve tells Valeria to tell Reed to not bother looking for her. That their headquarters is invisible and could be anywhere in the world. Mrs. Deneuve says that Reed would only embarrass himself. (Oh, no you didn’t! You did not just call out the genius of Reed Richards!)

Mrs. Deneuve then radios her headquarters and tells them that their leader is returning back to base in twenty minutes. Mrs. Deneuve adds that the Fantastic Four have been neutralized and the final component has been seized from Reed’s lab.

Mrs. Deneuve then begins to leave the Baxter Building. Valeria then screams out “Mom, please! Think about what you are doing!” We see Mrs. Deneuve flying off on her invisible discs. Mrs. Deneuve answers “I’ve had five hundred years to think about it, darling.”

Comments
The Good: Fantastic Four #560 was another great read. Millar treats the reader to yet another wild ride. Just when the reader thinks that Millar cannot top himself he manages to go out and do just that with the next issue. Millar has made Fantastic Four an absolute blast to read.

This is a title where absolutely anything can happen at any given moment. Millar has the reader’s head on a swivel as the reader has no idea what Millar is going to throw at them next. Millar has certainly captured the exciting thrill ride that you get with a really good summer blockbuster movie.

I like the apocalyptic future that Millar shows us in this issue. And I totally dig the concept of taking the eight billion survivors into the past in order to save them. That is a pretty neat twist. Often, in stories where the earth is dead or dying the solution is to go off-world to live in a space station or another planet. The idea of going back into the past is rather intriguing. I am interested to see where Millar goes from here.

Millar is excellent at imagining bizarre possible futures for the Marvel Universe. Miller has treated the reader to such delightfully interesting and entertaining future versions of Earth not just in this title but also over in Wolverine as well. Marvel has their own version of DC’s Multiverse in the Omniverse. I know that it gets little attention and is not a big deal like DC’s Multiverse, but Millar would be a fine writer for Marvel to tap in an effort to flesh out the Omniverse. Just imagine the bizarre alternate worlds that Millar would cook up.

Fantastic Four #560 is such a balanced read. Millar gives us drama, action, mystery and a stunning surprise ending. The issue has a good flow as Miller progresses the story at a measured pace. Fantastic Four #560 is also a strongly plotted issue. Millar usually delivers well plotted reads and Fantastic Four has been no exception. Millar has excellent long range vision and is able to meticulously plot multiple story arcs.

The end result is a story that continually evolves in a natural fashion as each story arc seamlessly folds into the next one. The strong plotting also keeps Fantastic Four #560 a well focused issue that moves with a clear point and purpose. Millar does not get sidetracked with pointless scenes or wander about aimlessly.

I am enjoying the multiple layers of plotlines that Millar is treating the reader to with this title. Millar is able to plant the seeds for future story arcs in an organic fashion. I enjoyed the scene with Deb and her ex-boyfriend, Jason, which lays the foundation for the Thing’s story arc. I am looking forward to how Millar handles the Thing’s character when Ben gets his chance to stand in the spotlight.

Millar pulls off some fine character work in this issue. All of the various characters are nicely fleshed out. Miller has continually displayed an impressive feel for the personalities of the Fantastic Four members. Miller also serves up plenty of fine dialogue. Miller is able to craft nice serious and dramatic dialogue as easily as he can deliver the humorous lines.

I continue to enjoy Millar’s handling of Johnny. Probably my favorite part of this issue is when Psionics goes on about how Johnny may die powering the time machine, but that he will be saving eight billion people in the process. And after all, isn’t that what being a super hero is all about. Johnny’s response that he cannot answer that question without sounding very selfish was spot on.

Johnny is a hero and would risk himself to save a person in danger, but that does not mean that he is going to willingly let himself be sacrificed in this plan to transport eight billion people from the future into our present. This is a neat little moral dilemma for a character that usually does not spend much time and effort thinking about anything deeper than what girl he is going to hook up with next or what party he is going to attend.

I loved Millar’s explanation of how the Defenders captured Galactus. Miller is a writer who is talented and wise enough to know that sometimes less is more. The short statement about how there were one hundred and forty-seven before the fight with Galactus and now there are only six was more than enough to get the point across to the reader about the magnitude and scope of the battle.

There was no need for Millar to deliver some big splashy flashback scenes or cook up a convoluted story and explanation for how the Defenders captured Galactus. All of that is irrelevant. Instead, Miller gives just enough information and allows the reader’s imagination to handle the rest. This was an excellent move. Plus, the arrival of Galactus on Earth, while timely and convenient, made perfect sense and was logical given that Galactus always descends upon dying worlds.

Fantastic Four #560 is not packed with action, but the bit of action that we do get is excellent. The ending to this issue provides enough action to keep this issue a lively read. Plus, it was pretty damn cool to see the two Invisible Women squaring off against each other.

Miller delivers a stunning hook ending with the surprise reveal that Mrs. Denevue is actually an old Sue Storm. Incredible. Miller does a great job hinting at this during the course of the issue leading up to the shocking reveal. I did not see this coming.

And it was rather shocking how Sue is so willing to attack her husband and then steal from him as well as capture her brother to use as a battery in an attempt to save the people in the future that very well may lead to her brother’s death. Clearly, the old Sue Storm does not value her family as much as the people who were left behind after Earth collapsed.

I am intrigued by this old version of Sue and am eager to learn more about her. I am also interested in learning how Sue is still alive five hundred years later. I am also curious to learn how the Hulk’s son would also still be alive.

The Bad: I know that people look differently when they get old, but how does Sue, Reed, Johnny and Ben not recognize that Mrs. Devenue is just an old Sue Storm?

Overall: Fantastic Four #560 was a great read. Millar keeps upping the ante with each issue. There is certainly plenty of substance in this story for readers who desire complex stories to chew on. And at the same time there is enough entertainment and action for fans who just want a fun and exciting read. You definitely do not need to be a fan of the Fantastic Four in order to enjoy this story. I have never had much interest in the Fantastic Four before and I have enjoyed Millar’s run immensely.

Comic Book Review: Daredevil #111

Daredevil continues to be a steady performer under Brubaker’s stewardship. Daredevil is always a quality read. Brubaker is set to kick off a new story arc involving the mysterious Lady Daredevil. As a general rule, I strongly dislike derivative characters. So, my personal bias will probably prevent me from enjoying this story arc as much as your typical comic book reader. Let’s go ahead and hit this review for Daredevil #111.

Creative Team
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Pencils: Clay Mann
Inks: Stefano Gaudiano

Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: We begin with Lady Bullseye (God, I hate that name.) in New York City and thinking about how this used to be Bullseye’s city. Lady Bullseye then begins to stalk her prey.

We cut to Matt and Dakota meeting with Danny Rand at his office building. Matt brought Dakota here for Iron Fist to use his powers to heal Dakota’s shoulder from where she got shot. Dakota is not a believer and is highly skeptical of Danny’s ancient arts.

Dakota slips her shirt down past her shoulder and Danny lays his hands on her. Danny summons up the power of the Iron Fist and uses his chi to heal Dakota’s shoulder. Dakota comments that her shoulder is a bit stiff, but that it feels much better. Dakota thanks Danny and comments that she is now a believer. Danny responds that he likes Dakota and that she would really drive them crazy in K’un-Lun.

We then shift to Lady Bullseye outside of Rand’s office building where she is watching Matt and Dakota leave the building. Lady Bullseye thinks that it is worse than she thought and that she will have to alter the plan. She thinks that “they” will not like it, but she does not care. And that Bullseye would not have cared, either.

Lady Bullseye then thinks how nothing truly matters and then Bullseye’s betrayal stings less. She thinks how she never really knew Bullseye that well anyway and that she is a very different creature from Bullseye. (True. Bullseye is one of the best Marvel villains of all time and you are a cheap rip-off.)

Lady Bullseye likes to study the ripples that violence and murder creates. She likes to see the grief tearing through the target’s friends and family. That each death touches so many lives and it makes her smile. (Yawn. Still just a lame derivative character.)

Lady Bullseye thinks how Bullseye was different. That Bullseye never noticed that side of their art. That Bullseye just moved forward never looking back. That Bullseye was like a force of nature.

We flashback to Tokyo many years ago. We see Bullseye just unleashing all sorts of unholy hell on a bunch of Yakuza thugs. Lady Bullseye is one of the captive women being held in cages by the Yakuza and being used as sex slaves. Bullseye continues to absolutely destroy the Yakuza members. Lady Bullseye thinks how she had never seen anything so beautiful as Bullseye on that day. Of course, Lady Bullseye was already insane at that point from all the torture. She was used and broken.

During the brawl, a dead Yakuza member falls next to Lady Bullseye’s cage and she reaches out and grabs the keys off the dead thug’s body and unlocked her cage. Lady Bullseye kills a Yakuza member with the set of keys. Lady Bullseye thinks how from that day on no man touched her without her permission.

We slide back to the present with Matt and Dakota walking through Central Park. Dakota is still talking about Danny’s impressive Iron Fist abilities that he used to heal her. Matt comments that he is sorry that he did not get Dakota to Danny sooner. Dakota comments that it is okay. That since she was stupid enough to let herself get shot that she deserves to feel some pain or else she will never learn anything.

Matt thinks how amazing it is that Dakota can take everything in stride. Matt thinks how he feels guilty for Dakota getting shot, but that Dakota just shrugs it off and lets Matt off the hook. Matt thinks that he is not sure if Dakota knows what that means to him.

Suddenly, Matt’s super senses pick up a mugging in the park. Matt asks Dakota to hold his coat while he goes and deals with the muggers. We cut to Lady Bullseye attacking three thugs. Lady Bullseye kills two of the thugs. Lady Bullseye then tells the last thug that she will let him live if he will tell her who killed his friends. The thug responds that he will say it was whoever she wants him to say it was.

We shift back to Matt’s brownstone where he and Dakota are practicing martial arts forms together. While they are going through the forms Dakota asks Matt if he should be out stopping other muggings. Matt responds that he does not go out every night.

Dakota says that Matt is lying. Dakota then says that she is well versed at lying. And it is not just from being a private investigator. Dakota states that it made perfect sense for her to go from model to private investigator. That now Dakota looks at other people’s secrets and lies. But, back when she was a model, that she was the lie. All smooth surfaces and no cracks.

Matt responds that he knows that feeling. Matt says that so much of his life has been about how people see him and not wanting to let them see too much. Dakota adds that it is because Matt cannot see anyone at all. Matt answers that she is correct.

Matt says that in his mind he could always see that look on his father’s face; the one that must have been on his face when he found out that Matt was blind. That look that said Matt’s father had failed.

Dakota then comments that her shoulder is still stiff. Matt then begins to massage Dakota’s shoulder and tells her to concentrate on her breathing. Dakota then asks Matt what are they doing. Matt responds that he does not know. The two then kiss. (That’s my boy.)

We cut to Lady Bullseye meeting with Lord Hirochi of the Hand. Lady Bullseye informs Lord Hirochi that she has done what he asked. Lord Hirochi says that the Hand has suffered too many defeats and cannot afford another one.

Lady Bullseye then says that the first two people on Hirochi’s list, Iron Fist and The Black Tarantula should be easy enough to target. Hirochi then asks what about Logan and “the old man.” Lady Bullseye answers that neither have been seen.

Lady Bullseye then adds that Matt Murdock was easy to find. Hirochi states that Murdock must be kept away from their business. That the Hand has much to do before they can risk exposure. Lady Bullseye answers that they do not need to worry about Matt Murdock. That Matt will be occupied for a few days, at least.

We shift to the next morning with Matt waking up in bed with a naked Dakota sleeping next to him after a long night of S-E-X. Matt wonders what he has done. (Um, nailed a totally hot chick?) Matt feels guilty that he just cheated on his own wife. (No, you get a pass if your wife is clinically insane and in a sanitarium.)

Matt then thinks that the worst part about all of this is that it does not feel wrong. Matt puts on his pants and trudges to his front door. Matt thinks that there are lots of things that he will have to pay for. Things that he has done as Daredevil. Things that have happened because he is Daredevil. But, this one is all Matt Murdock.

Matt opens the front door and reaches for his newspaper. Matt thinks what the hell is he doing to do now? We see the front page of the Daily Bugle with the headline “Daredevil a killer claims witness.” We see a smaller headline that reads “Hell’s Kitchen hero said to slay two.” End of issue.

Comments
The Good: Daredevil #111 was another good read. Brubaker does a fine job kicking off this new story arc involving Lady Bullseye. Daredevil was a well crafted story. Brubaker cranks out some strong writing by delivering a technically sound issue.

Brubaker employs his usual slow burn approach with this new story arc by moving Daredevil #111 at a controlled pace. The story is not slow and never wanders. Instead, the measured pacing is an excellent literary approach that creates plenty of tension and excitement in the reader concerning this new story arc.

Daredevil #111 is a well plotted issue. And that is no surprise since Brubaker’s greatest strength is his strong plotting abilities. Brubaker has excellent long-term vision and is able to deliver tightly written and well focused story arcs. Brubaker does a fine job setting the stage for this new story arc. Brubaker does his job meticulously laying a solid foundation for what is an intriguing story arc that has multiple interesting sub-plot lines.

Brubaker also delivers some kick-ass action in this issue. I loved the scene with the real Bullseye kicking some serious ass on the Yakuza thugs. It made me wish that we were getting Bullseye in this story arc rather than Lady Derivative. This short action scene just reminded me of what a bad-ass Bullseye is.

Brubaker cooks up plenty of excellent character work. Brubaker does a fantastic job with the complex relationship between Dakota and Matt. Brubaker is able to turn up the heat and whip up some serious chemistry between these two characters. I love this pairing and I hope that Brubaker keeps Matt and Dakota together for a good long while.

I certainly view Dakota as a massive upgrade to Milla. I never liked Milla. I have always found Milla to be by far and away the dullest and most boring love interest that Matt has ever had. On the other hand, Dakota has always been a pretty cool character. And I see her as a better match for Matt.

I am not too worried for Dakota’s health. The woman problems that Matt has had has become a bit of a joke. And after awhile, this reoccurring theme losses its impact and entertainment value. I simply do not believe that Brubaker would be so painfully unoriginal as to blatantly ape Bullseye killing Electra by having Lady Bullseye kill Dakota. That is way too amateurish and uncreative for a writer the caliber of Brubaker.

Brubaker did a fine job handling the drama and burgeoning romantic interests between Matt and Dakota. Brubaker nicely investigates both characters’ outlook on life and how they feel that they have been living a lie. Brubaker makes it clear that both of these characters need to be with someone who they can just be themselves with.

Brubaker really handles this burgeoning romance very well so that it never felt cheesy or forced. Instead, this romantic relationship organically blossoms in a believable and realistic fashion.

I thought it was a brilliant move by Brubaker to do his best to draw multiple distinctions between Lady Bullseye and Bullseye. This smart tact to take with the introduction of Lady Bullseye’s character was designed to win over readers like me who despise derivative characters.

Brubaker wastes no time immediately trying to give Lady Bullseye her own distinctive personality, style and motivation that is independent of Bullseye. This is a smart approach since readers like me view derivative characters like Lady Bullseye as nothing more than cheap knock-off characters that are the product of lazy and unoriginal writers.

I dig the various characters that Brubaker is bringing into the mix with this story arc. I love the addition of Iron Fist, the Black Tarantula and Logan. It was cool to see Danny in this issue using his newly expanded Iron Fist abilities to heal Dakota’s injury. It is nice to see that Marvel is keeping these street level heroes in each other’s comic books. And it is also nice to see Iron Fist getting panel time in issues outside of his own title.

Brubaker teases the reader by mentioning a fourth target called “the old man.” I am certainly curious to learn the identity of “the old man.”

I always enjoy the Hand. They are quality villains who have really taken a beating lately. It will be interesting to see if Brubaker can reconstruct these villains and build them back up once again as a real force within the 616 Universe.

Clay Mann and Stefano Gaudiano combine to deliver some solid artwork. This style of art is not what I would like on a classic super hero title, but it is perfect for a gritty and realistic urban based hero like Daredevil. The artwork is a fine match to the mood and tone of Brubaker’s story.

The Bad: Personally, I thoroughly hate Lady Bullseye. There is absolute nothing about this derivative character that I like at all. I find her origin to be rather lame. As a general rule, I despise derivative characters. And Brubaker fails to win me over with his strong attempt to differentiate Lady Bullseye from Bullseye. All that Brubaker’s attempt to show the differences between the two characters did was make me realize how much cooler Bullseye is than Lady Bullseye.

I found Lady Bullseye’s motivation to be overly dramatic and cheesy. Her desire to watch the ripples of her murders affecting the family and friends of her targets was just silly and too over the top for me. Bullseye being just a pure bad-ass force of nature is exactly why I dig his character so much more. All I can wish for is that Bullseye shows up at some point in this story and kills this pretender with a playing card.

Brubaker also failed to show me how this woman, who had been held in captivity for so long, would somehow have the strength, knowledge and ability to kill a Yakuza member with just a key. I would imagine that if she had some type of metahuman abilities that she would have fought her way out of captivity at some point.

Still, I did not let my personal dislike for Lady Bullseye influence my scoring of this issue. The facts remain that this was a well written issue and that most readers will enjoy Lady Bullseye.

The hook ending with Daredevil being framed for murder did nothing for me. This is a pretty generic plotline that has been overused in general. And after having to deal with Matt being arrested and sitting in jail and then trying to clear his name for the past couple of years I am not ready to have to see even more legal problems for Daredevil.

Overall: Daredevil #111 was a well crafted issue that does a great job kicking off what should be a pretty interesting story arc. Brubaker treats the reader to such a balanced read as we get equal amounts of drama, character work and action. Daredevil is a title that should have broad appeal. If you like street based heroes then you definitely need to give Brubaker’s Daredevil a try.