DARK CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #4 DC COMICS
After the moral abomination that was issue #3, I was surprized when this was in my pile for reviews. But after the initial thumb through, it had enough to peak my interest. Many of the plot points here are nothing new. Heroes trapped in their own minds, in perfect worlds of their own making. All we are missing are the Black Mercy plants. Some pep talks from older to newer heroes. Super-Villains fighting one another. Been there done that so no points there. But what puts us back on some sort of track is Joshua Williamson’s use of dialog and his revisiting of popular parts of the DC Universe. Barry Allen and Hal Jordan are together again and are reminscent of their 1960’s-1970’s characterizations. The witty banter between the two men reminds us that these guys have been friends forever. And while I still bear a grudge against the “we were just waiting for a call” reintroduction of the JSA, Alan Scott shows why he is Da Man and the grandpappy of all heroes. Not exactly how the surprize cliffhanger is going to work out and still annoyed by the extensive one-shots this series is generating, I’m glad to see some of my DC represented here. I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
NEW CHAMPION OF SHAZAM #2 DC COMICS
Not as much of a barnstormer as the first issue, Writer Josie Campbell continues to harvest from the vast history of Shazam’s Fawcett Comic years. And that is always a good thing. (Can anyone say Herkimer? Anyone? Anyone? Ok, how about Alligator Man?) And while the action is good, the story gets bogged down in a little too much drama for me. And after hearing some of the former Shazam kids moaning about not having their powers anymore, it does make me feel like that’s why Mary got to be the new champion. But with only 2 issues to go, it makes me wonder about all the sub-plots that issue #1 introduced. Hopefully, this series gets to progress after issue 4. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
FEARLESS DAWN SHORTS #1 ASYLUM PRESS
I love Fearless Dawn! I love Steve Mannion! This world of political correctness is out the window when Steve allows us a glimpse into his world. Zombies (the gruesome EC kind)! Big realistic guns! Dinosaurs killed by tanks driven by Bettie Page! Catfights with Helga Von Krause! Steroid using soldiers pounding an alien to a bloody pulp! This one has got it all. This is a wonderful collection of brief interludes in the world of everyone’s favorite tight short wearing heroine. The best part is that, although this book is definately not for everyone, it acts as a terrific refresher course for those regular readers of Fearless Dawn and also acts as a collection of brief introduction to new readers. If you like your zombies with bits of flesh hanging off their faces, the final fate of Jack the Ripper, or cigarette flicking alley fighting, this is something you should be reading. I give it a 9 out of 10 Grahams.
SURVIVAL STREET #2 DARK HOUSE COMICS
I’m not sure whether to be happy about this or not but James Asmus and Jim Festante’s story continues to get darker and more bleak as we discover how our puppet neighbors were discovered and how they came to America. And as the gang take on the great state of Texas and the WRA, the strange and twisted concept of gun rights that begin at conception really make a statement. There is some REALLY dark social satire going on here and I really do appreciate it. In a world of phonies and figureheads, there is such a thing as bad press. And while this is still a top rate title, I can’t help but point out that if you’re in a good mood when you sit down to read it, it will ruin that mood. Honestly, this definately has some reflections in the real world. I give it 9 out of 10 Grahams.