JUSTICE LEAGUE #75 DC COMICS
It’s hard not to have spoilers when they’ve been advertised for months and are plastered across the d*mn cover. And while overwhelming media coverage and the fact that this is yet another case of “The Next Big Thing to Start off the NEXT, NEXT Big Thing” , I will give writer Joshua Williamson credit. His story features many familiar and well loved plot devices such as the emergency beam out, and the sole survior crashing to Earth to let everyone know the plan has failed. Rafa Sandoval’s pencils with Jordi Tarragona inks do a fine job of illustrating the brief pre-story but that’s all this is. After the rallying of the good guys and the explinations and backstory, the Justice League is basicly killed in three pages. Luckily, Black Adam escapes to warn the others in a big 1 page panel of destruction that lets you know about the first one-shot and the first mini-series issue where you can keep reading. Sigh, remember when a DC Justice League Crisis story could be told in 2 to 3 issues and make complete sense? I do and frankly, the thought of another multi-series storyline that won’t do much except set up plot points for the “NEXT,NEXT,NEXT Big Thing” just gives me a headache. Sorry guys but this one is only getting a 6 out of 10 Grahams but not for a lack of trying.
BLUE BARON ENTER BLOWBACK #1 SITCOMICS
The newest of Sitcomics’ overstuffed Binge Books, this one brings back fan favorite the Blue Baron. The story of a 300 year old super-hero that accidentally switched bodies with 13 year old Ernie Rodriguez. And with a creative team of Darin Henry, Ron Frenz, and Sal Buscema, its all good. This title reads like a comic from the 1960-1970’s from the big 2 companies of the day. Radioactive villains, school schenangins, dire concequences of being a super-hero, they are all here. We go from our hero with the 13 year old personality mugging for the newscameras after a battle to a sobbing child after he discovers that a man is in a coma due to a super fight. And each instance is treated with realism and care. This comic reminds us why we started reading comics in the first place. I give it a 9 out of 10 Grahams.
GODZILLA RIVALS VS KING GHIDORAH #1 IDW COMICS
Adam Gorham sure know his Godzilla! Better yet, he knows his Toho films! Because in a book filled with cameos from such kaiju as the giant mantis from Son of Godzilla and Jet Jaguar, (and if you’re really paying attention MechaGodzilla and MechaKong!) we get the return of Dr. Ogilvy Hu! The super-villain of Toho’s 1967 King Kong Escapes! And yes, that was his real name, Dr. Hu (Who)!
Unfortunately, while a great story about an alien planet arena where kidnapped kaiju battle to the death for the alien’s amusement, the actual battle between Godzilla and King Ghidorah is brief. Much like a movie of the time, the storyline that sets up the battle takes up way too much of the screen time when what we all came to see was the fight. Still, with all the extra little cameos in this one, it’s too good to pass up. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.