Comic Book Reviews - May 11, 2005

Green Lantern: Rebirth #6 Final Issue
If there is a revolving door to the after life, it exists in the comic book industry. Hal Jordan went mad and tried to rewrite time and space(in his image) in the early 90’s. In the late 90’s he gave his life to stop a cosmic phenomena called “the sun eater”.Then a couple years later, his errant soul was chosen as the anchor to God’s Wrathknown as The Specter. Using his indomitable willpower Jordan transformed the spirit of vengeance into a spirit of redemption. The fans spawned this mini series; countless Green Lantern fans wanted Hal back. So Geoff Johns brought him back. I was really apprehensive about this storyline when I first heard of it over a year ago (they was some serious hyping going on), as it had potential to be a steaming pile of termite droppings.

I was impressed by this series. It’s full of esoteric DC universe references that only long time readers can understand, and at the same time it has a flair of youth full exuberance to it. Definitely worth reprinting as a collected edition, which I am sure, it will be.

Ultimate Secret #2
Another mini series set in “the Ultimate” universe, a ‘new look’ at classic Marvel Characters and storylines. Some hate it, as many classic characters have different attitudes or origins now. Some love it (myself for one), as the storylines are more in tune to what Marvel Comics first wrote about in the 60’s.
Of course I may be biased, as this book is written by Warren Ellis, and heralding the coming of Galactus or “Gah Lak Tus” to the Ultimate Storylines. One of my favorite writers in the industry taking a fresh look at one of the all time best comic book storylines. It’s an issue 2, answering precious few questions and leaving us with more.

JSA #73
An Alex Ross painting of Captain Marvel graces the cover of this “in between issue”, as we wrap up one storyline and bridge to another. A new face takes on the mantle of an old villain, a hero fallen from grace begs forgiveness, and an insidious evil tempts a once honest man.
Stay tuned next month when…

Superman/Batman #19
Another bridge issue, May seems to be a good month for that. Batman and Superman spend a day monitoring the activities of Supergirl. As do a pair of villains in a nicely scripted and plotted piece of sequential art. And they still don’t know if she’s really a Kryptonian or not. As well written as this issue is, and as much as I enjoyed it. Jeph Loeb, enough is enough. Answer the question already. There is only so long that a mystery can linger before if becomes stale.
If this series has another “non-continuity story” as it’s next arch, it will lose a lot of its power. If it stays in tune with the rest of DC’s titles and follows their summer story arch, this series might be ‘the series’ to watch.

Supreme Power #16
Several issues back Mark Milton revealed his super powered presence to the American people, severing his ties to the US Government. Now the General makes his move, to take Milton apart. Showing that power is not always the ability to fly faster then a speeding bullet, or to be more powerful then a locomotive.

JLA #113
Kurt Busiek’s run on the worlds greatest super hero’s continues. Many bad guys, many good guys, Batman scowls, Superman punches things, and the Flash gets an ominous and cryptic line to end the issue with a cliffhanger. If you like the JLA, you’ll like this. If you don’t like JLA you won’t like this.

Fables #37
Thirty-Seven issues and going strong! When I first picked up an in house add for Fables I was curious, I didn’t think that it would go on this long. A series about Fairy Tale characters surviving in the modern world, I assumed the worst. I assumed that we’d be seeing a “white-wolf” rehash of the Brothers Grimm’s, I am glad that I was wrong. The characters are refugees from their home stories, as an evil adversary has taken over the worlds of legend.

In this issue Little Boy Blue has stolen the Vorpal Sword and the Witching Cloak from Fabletown (a little noticed borough of NYC) and has returned home in search of his true love; a young maiden in a red riding cape. The occupying forces have uncovered his presence, and have gone to their superiors to report his incursion, and a one of the adversary’s minions is revealed.

Ultimate Fantastic Four #18
The First Family of Comics written by Warren Ellis. After 18 issues I am still not sure about this series. The characters are younger then the icons’ that I’m accustomed to. And the 4 issue story arcs are very formulaic.
Chapter 1, Bright Shiny new plot!
Chapter 2, Reed gets the team into trouble
Chapter 3, Ben gets the team out of trouble by bashing something
Chapter 4, Reed and the team are hailed as intellectual pioneers for their actions.
I’m surprised, as the stories still don’t carry much weight; even after 18 issues. I believe that I am done with this series. As two pages of cute dialogue to end a lackluster 4-issue arc isn’t worth it.

Ex Machina Special Edition
Less then one year under it’s belt and this series is still fantastic. This was a reprint of issue #1, with a fantastic price tag, Free.
If you want to pick up a new series, I cannot recommend this highly enough. Civil Engineer Mitchell Hundred gets super powers from an odd artifact found in the Hudson River, has a short lived career as a super hero, and is now the Mayor of NYC. All three stories are being told at the same time.
The book is free, pick it up already.


Desolation Jones #1
Warren Ellis’s brand new book, which I’ve been hearing about for a month now. I feel that Ellis holds back when he writes a character created by someone else. His writing shines best in his own creations. This book will disappear off of the shelves before we know it. Partially because of the writers name, but mostly because of the work itself.

Rising Stars,Voices of the Dead #1
Another spin off series from Rising Stars, why didn’t I learn my lesson with the last spin off? The main character can see and hear the dead, and the dead know that he can. They call out to him, desperate for the attention of the one person who can give it to them. In the main series, Lionel is a solitary man who shuns the world. In this ‘untold tale’ he has set up shop as a paranormal investigator. Why I bought this is beyond me.

I also picked up the Final issue of the Adam Strange mini series, Breach #5, and Hawkman #39 which I haven't gotten to yet.

written May 11, 2005; Title links are for the collected editions of the storylines if they are available.