DEJAH THORIS #0 DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
This zero issue is a wonderful introduction to the new series. Amy Chu’s story is spot on and Pasquale Qualano’s take on a young Dejah Thoris is appropriate for her age in the story. However, the concept is a bit of a double edged sword. On the one hand, we have this unique look at a more innocent, inquisitive Dejah. But for years, we’ve been reading the stories of the uber sexy and hard boiled Dejah. Reading this younger more naïve Dejah had me yelling at the page that the Dejah I know would never have made those mistakes. Judge for yourselves as its only two-bits. I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
X-MEN BLUE #19 MARVEL COMICS
Like overtly complicated, time travelling without rules, paradox generating, storylines with disguised villians that are supposed to give you that Twilight Zone ending, well you’ve found it. If you simply saw Art Adams fabulous cover and thought, I haven’t read an X-Men book in awhile, you are gonna be loooost! And when did young Bobby Drake/Iceman’s head look like frozen Baby Groot? Definitely a book that doesn’t lend itself to new or infrequent readers. However, if you are a regular X-men reader, this episode probably got you going. I give it a 6 out of 10 Grahams.
MIGHTY CRUSADERS #2 DARK CIRCLE COMICS
Exactly what an issue two is meant to be. Ian Flynn’s story continues to expand and add to the personalities of this new Crusaders team. We also get introduced to a new group of super villains as well as a old one. (Old Crusaders fans ought to be able to recognize that statue.) Kelsey Shannon’s art is a good match for the title. All in all a good start for this title. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
THE ARCHIES #4 ARCHIE COMICS
Ok. Call me old. Call me sentimental but the truth is that any book featuring a cameo by the Monkees will always catch my attention. And Alex Segura and Matthew Rosenberg’s imaginative story has made this the most enjoyable read this week. Having the new version of the Archies return to their comic roots after smacking Archie in the head with a shoe was a stroke of genius. What follows is a perfect blend of classic Archie art and storytelling with the zany television antics of Davy, Peter, Mike, and Mickey. And then wrap it around with a flashback cover by Greg Smallwood and you have got yourself a keeper. I give it a 10 out of 10 Grahams.
AVENGERS #675 MARVEL COMICS
In a universe where everyone is an Avenger, who really cares. This is one of those books I just want to hate from the get go. I mean, “classified”, really. But the truth of the matter is that part 1 here show a lot of potential. It reminds me of the first issue of Crisis on Infinite Earths. The skies have turned red and various groups of heroes are trying to deal with local devastation. And so the call cries out, “Avengers Assemble”! And while there is a lot here that I can’t go into due to spoilers, I will just that I lend my support to the internet speculation that new character Voyager is Sun Girl returned to us from Marvel/Timely’s distant past. I can only hope that when this is all over, continuity restores itself. Scarlet Witch gets back into her red one-piece, Professor X swings by and recovers his stray X-men, New Mutants, etc., and Steve Rogers gets back to being the real all-American Captain America. I begrudgingly give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.