MONDOmagazine

Amazing Spider-Man #601
Mark Waid (w), Mario Alberti (a), Andres Mossa (c). Marvel Comics.

There’s a lot of weird stuff going on with this issue. It’s ALMOST the first time Mary Jane has made her reappearance, but they couldn’t really give us the actual conversation between that meeting except in a brief flashback. Much like her first appearance, it’s an event that can’t possibly live up to it’s own hype. The drunken hook up with Michelle Gonzales, who Peter Parker doesn’t generally get along with, let alone anything else, is the kind of stuff that Peter would be torturing himself about later, but he’s so completely thrown for a loop by Mary Jane that he doesn’t focus on it at all. Kind of out of character — he’s supposed to worry about the consequences of all his actions! I didn’t say it was healthy, just that that’s in his character. And am I the only one disturbed by the use of the word “deets”? A sweet back-up by Bendis and Quesada is a nice surprise. Really, I wouldn’t have expected it. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5
Owen’s rating: 3 out of 5

Agents of Atlas #9
Jeff Parker (w), Dan Panosian (a), Elizabeth Dismang (c). Marvel Comics.

Oh, apparently I missed an issue of Agents of Atlas while I was on vacation. No matter, at least there’s a recap page so that I’m not totally lost on this issue. Thanks, Marvel, I’ll go back and pick up the other one because you weren’t jerks about picking up every issue. Anyway, I wasn’t totally taken with this issue of Agents of Atlas, largely based on the art. I looked up Panosian, mistaking him for a newcomer to comics, and was shocked to learn that he has a 20-year career under his belt. Probably not the best sign. It’s inconsistent and overly lined. But I like the direction the title is following; there’s some nice pay off to some flashbacks introduced in the first issues of the series. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3 out of 5

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #27
Jane Espenson (p), Georges Jeanty (a), Any Owens (i), Michelle Madsen (c). Dark Horse.

I love Jane Espenson. Her episodes of Buffy are some of my all-time favourites. I read her blog for years when she was updating it. She’s a good writer and an interesting person. But I don’t think she’s a very good comic book writer. I’ve given her a lot of chances over the years — but I just can’t get behind her comic writing. The pacing is just so off. Last issue was paced crazy-fast, and this one crazy-slow. All the characters stand around talking for an entire issue. A whole issue of exposition — 20 out of 22 pages devoted entirely to exposition is too many. I’d also argue that this issue represents the worst work that Jeanty has put forth on the title. He’s a great artist, but this is not an example of that. To be fair, he didn’t have a lot to work with. This isn’t right — I don’t feel right not recommending Buffy — I always recommend Buffy. But not this time. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 1.5 out of 5

Captain America: Reborn #2 (of 5)
Ed Brubaker (w), Bryan Hitch (p), Butch Guice (i), Paul Mounts (c). Marvel Comics.

There will be a special place for Ed Brubaker in heaven. There’s just so much to love about his comics these days. Everything — everything — in this comic is interesting. Every scene, every character makes me want to read the next page really bad. Hitch is proving page by page that he’s as good as everyone says he is and winning me over in the process. This is a kinetic read even during the softer beats. If you weren’t thrilled with the first issue of this over-hyped comic, pick up this issue. This issue deserved that hype. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4.5 out of 5
Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Chew #3 (of 5)
John Layman (w), Rob Guillory (a). Image Comics.

It makes me sad to think that there are only two more issues to this series. It’s truly one of the weirdest and best things you will be able to get your hands on in this mortal coil. In this particular issue we are introduced to food critic Amelia, a “saboscribner.” This means that she is able to recall and describe food in such a way that readers are able to feel as though they are eating and tasting the food for themselves. Her loss of passion for food due to the government’s poultry ban has unfortunately left half the city projectile vomiting after her latest review. It seems that she’s taken up reviewing the city’s best D-rated restaurants. Tony Chu has been given the mission to arrest her, so it’s too bad that he’s in love with her. It’s hard to describe all of the different plot lines that are being pulled in, but it’s safe to say that this series has definitely been living up to its weird, out-there reputation. The artwork is bright, a little repulsive, but altogether awesome. I love when a series really dedicates itself to being something different. I look forward to reading more of it. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s rating: 4 out of 5

Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #2 (of 6)
Victor Gischler (w), Bong Dazo (p), Jose Pimentel (i), Matt Milla (c). Marvel Comics.

I love Deadpool. There are few others series out there that can make me actually laugh out loud. This particular series of Deadpool is thin on the plot, but definitely lays the humour on thick. In a sort of spin-off of the Marvel Zombie 4 series, Deadpool is hired by A.I.M. to retrieve an important artifact in Savage Land. It just happens that this particular artifact is Deadpool’s zombie head from the alternate zombie universe. I mean, for the price of one issue, you get two Deadpools! Albeit, one is just a head, but equally as entertaining as the whole one. There isn’t much else for me to say. I mean, it’s a fun read and the art style really works well with the zany nature of the story. It’s great for an easy read and good laugh. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Doom Patrol #1
Keith Giffen (w), Matthew Clark (p), Livesay (i), DC Comics

I swore to myself I’d never do this. I said to myself that I wouldn’t make a habit of buying a four-dollar book just for the backup feature, but the Giffen/DeMatteis/Maguire Metal Men co-feature story was so good I think I’m going to stick around for at least a second issue. Now, to be fair, the Doom Patrol story was pretty good, if a little confusing for Doom Patrol newbies. I like the therapist character and Negative Man has an awesome character design, but I think Matthew Clark (who is doing pretty well here, don’t get me wrong) has some work to do in capturing the whimsy of Giffen’s writing. I’m excited to see where the Doom Patrol story goes, but let’s be honest… when I toss down my four bucks next month it’ll be for more Metal Men. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Ghost Riders: Heaven’s On Fire #1
Jason Aaron (w), Roland Boschi (a), Marvel Comics

Jason Aaron is the freaking man! I’m excited for more Ghost Rider! How did this happen? I’ll tell you how, by filling every page with awesomeness. Angel-shaped throwing stars, a Russ Meyer reference, Anton Satan, a guy with a giant eyeball for a head, “save the antichrist, save the world”… this is gold. Boschi’s art is great and appropriately moody, although I was disappointed to see one particularly anatomically questionable woman. Still, considering how much fun this comic was I can overlook it this time. This comic is wall-to-wall awesomeness, so fans of awesomeness would do well to check it out. And hey, why not dig up the rest of Aaron’s Ghost Rider run from the back-issue bins. That’s what I did, and don’t I sound happy about it? — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4 out of 5

Invincible Iron Man #16
Matt Fraction (w), Salvador Larroca (a), Marvel Comics

Remember last month when I was bemoaning the repetitive nature of this story arc? Well played, Fraction. An issue focusing on how bloody weird Madame Masque is does well to break the cycle. The scenes with Madame Masque, Pepper and Tony are extremely creepy, and made me squirm as she tries to manipulate the situation. Bonus points for hinting at her relationship with The Hood. Taking a breath from all the chase stuff to give us a nice one-act in the shack? I say, “Hell yeah.” — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4 out of 5

Irredeemable #5
Mark Waid (w), Peter Krause (a). Boom Studios.

Waid and Krause continue to weave an intricate story in this latest instalment of Irredeemable. The psychology behind the Plutonian’s intentions is slowly being revealed, but yet it still remains a strange and fascinating mystery. It’s also hard to pry one’s eyes away from the carnage he seems to leave behind everywhere he goes. It’s amazing to see how much a single man can affect the lives of so many on Earth. He’s got the rest of his once allies scrambling for answers, still looking back to moments that could give them clues as to what brought him to his current state. I don’t know if the use of flashbacks as the primary way for readers to piece together the backstory is really the best idea. It really requires more effort on my behalf, but I suppose it’s more rewarding as well. The plot is thickening and tensions are arising between the superheroes. I take all this as being good signs for future issues. It also only cost me 99 cents. Hoorah. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Jersey Gods #6
Glen Brunswick (w), Dan McDaid (a). Image Comics.

Brunswick and McDaid rocked this issue. Right on the heels of a dynamite finale to the last storyline comes a dynamite opening to a new one. What makes this comic great is when earthly, everyday issues are combined with cosmic, superhero ones, so when Barock has to stop a rival from crashing an airplane while he’s out house-hunting it works beautifully. On top of that, there are many quieter moments that make for great reading, like Barock’s love of hamburgers or McDaid’s character work on Zoe as she tells her parents she’s engaged. Great issue. If you haven’t read this comic then you should check out the first trade, out now. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4.5 out of 5

Jonah Hex #46
Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Grey (w), Cristiano Cucina (a). DC Comics.

I’ve been following this book since it launched, for a couple of reasons: first of all, as much as I love superheroes, I’m always happy to see another genre on the racks, especially a Western. Secondly, I like comics that can tell a complete story in a single issue. That said, I was worried when the current six-part storyline kicked off. Three issues in my only complaint is that it’s retelling a story from the original Jonah Hex run. Otherwise it’s been a real epic, bringing together many of DC’s Western characters together with Palmiotti and Grey’s own creations. If we’re lucky, Pow Wow Smith will show up before the conclusion. — James O’Connor

James’ rating: 3.5 out of 5

Justice League: Cry for Justice # 2
James Robinson (w), Mauro Cascioli (a). DC Comics.

The painted art is beautiful here, but it seems to descend to the computer generated with Supergirl’s appearance at the end. They break a couple of word bubble rules that even makes me have to take a second look, rearrange things, and figure out who’s talking first and about what — and that’s not a problem I usually have to deal with. The literal “cries for justice” from last issue have been replaced with characters slightly more aware of how over dramatic they sound, before descending into a duet of characters saying “Justice” simultaneously. I do really enjoy hearing James Robinson editorialize at the end about his experiences with these different characters while growing up. That’s a sweet job if you can get it. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5
Owen’s rating: 2 out of 5

North 40 #2
Aaron Williams (w), Fiona Staples (a). Wildstorm Comics.

This issue confused me. I liked the first issue a lot, but it seems that Williams, Staples, or both, forgot how to tell a story cohesively with this one. Scenes are shifted without it being clear to the reader what’s happening and characters act out in ways that seem confounding rather than intriguing. A second flip through the issue started to clear things up, but generally I prefer to be able to follow a comic on my first read-through. I hope that the next issue is more readable, because I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 2.5 out of 5

Secret Six #12
Gail Simone (w), Nicola Scott (p), Doug Hazelwood (i), DC Comics

I still pretty much feel the same about this issue as I did the first two parts of this story: it’s good stuff, but I’m not 100% feeling this plot. I mean, it’s Gail Simone’s Secret Six, so that guarantees a certain level of quality, but when there’s something about me and this story arc that aren’t quite gelling. I have a good feeling about the next issue, though. I hope I’m right. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Superman: World of New Krypton #6
Greg Rucka & James Robinson (w), Pete Woods (a). DC Comics.

James Robinson, Geoff Johns and Co. have turned the Superbooks into a sprawling, interconnected epic. And even though I can’t afford it, I’ve been picking up every single book since New Krypton started. So, did I enjoy this issue? Certainly. General Zod, New Krypton’s beloved military leader, was shot last issue and though the culprit is caught, we don’t really learn anything here. It’s mostly an in-between issue. So, even though it’s got a “1″ on the cover for some reason, it’s not a great starting point for new readers. If you’ve already been picking up everything with an “S” on the cover, though, why stop now? — James O’Connor

James’ rating: 3 out of 5

The Red Circle: The Hangman
J. Michael Straczynski (w), Tom Derenick (p), Bill Sienkiewicz (i). DC Comics.

I can’t help but wonder, if DC still had the classic Multiple Earths, what would the Red Circle Earth be like? All clean and whitewashed, like the Archie books? Stuck in the fifties? I guess we’ll never know, since these new Red Circle books are set in the main DCU. A twist like that may have made them worth picking up. As it stands, based on this issue the DCU has just gotten some new, fairly generic characters that they can kill off in the background of their next crisis.  There’s nothing particularly wrong with Hangman, but there’s nothing particularly engaging about it either. It’s a perfectly entertaining and forgettable 22 pages, and I expect more from a name writer like Straczynski. I mean, this is a character called the Hangman, and he doesn’t even kill the generic villain near the end of the book. No teeth at all. — James O’Connor

James’ rating: 2 out of 5