BLACK CANARY BEST OF THE BEST #2 DC COMICS
Ok, I fully admit that this issue ended in my review pile due to the Ryan Sook cover. I mean, really that cover tells you everything you need to know about the character! As the Canary/Lady Shiva fight continues, we are treated to a Rocky-esque showing off Dinah’s life long training. As well as the mental teeter-totter of the coolness of having a super-hero parent versus the dangers and unsurety of having a super-hero parent. Only to have those points interrupted by panels of bloody fists and face-kicks. This title is a magnificent little peek at the foundations that the DC Universe has to offer. 9 out of 10 Grahams.
METAMORPHO THE ELEMENT MAN #1 DC COMICS
Writer Al Ewing gets it! It’s as simple as that! And teaming him artist Steve Lieber, who obviously studied the 1965 series and the art styles and layouts of the late, great Ramona Fradon in-depth was genius. Starting off our story with a Prince Ra-Man flashback (Oh, for pity’s sake! Google search it you children!) Mister 3!? Urania Blackwell, the Element Girl?! C.Y.C.L.O.P.S. ?! This title just sings with 1960’s nostagia! And how about those informative element facts cleverly weaved into the story! I learn new things while being entertained? It’s the best of both worlds. Throw in the usual cast of characters from Stagg Industries and this one’s a keeper! 9 out of 10 Grahams.
GEIGER #9 GHOST MACHINE/IMAGE COMICS
It’s always glad to see that an independant comic concepts has staying power. The current storyline concludes here and things are shown to be ramping up for the future. Their time in Grover’s Corner has come to an end and the King has been dethroned (and how!) We get to see some of Geiger’s weaknesses as well as an incredibly tragic backstory. And (HEADS UP, SPOILERS!) the future brings back Junkyard Joe! But that’s not all as the Ghost Machine titles reach double digits, the crossovers are beginning. Whether it’s Junkyard Joe finding the bodies of the King and his knights or the redcoated bar customer asking about the Burning Man, it’s clear that big things are coming! 8 out of 10 Grahams.
REDCOAT #8 GHOST MACHINE/IMAGE COMICS
A wrap-around cover! An interesting one-shot tale of 1873 and a cannibal family! And not just any cannibals but the legendary first family of cannibal killers, The Benders! (Again, Google search it!) A shame that they found Simon Pure at the door. I appreciate that Geoff Johns and Bryan Hitch know their (somewhat distasteful) histroy and found a way to incorporate it into their story. And again, the Ghost Machine universe is about to start overlapping as the Northerner and Johnny Appleseed show up in the Epilogue. Along with a mention of Geiger, which is only fair as Redcoat popped in the latest issue of Geiger. Things are getting bigger and better at Ghost Machine! It’s always good to see a newer independant comic universe doing so well. 9 out of 10 Grahams.