MONDOmagazine

Booster Gold #20
Keith Giffen (w), Pat Olliffe and Dan Jurgens (p), Norm Rapmund and Rodney Ramos (i), DC Comics

I’ve missed the Booster Gold done-in-one stories. It’s a comic that cries out for it, but for some reason we haven’t seen one in over ten issues. In this case, Booster goes back to the fifties and winds up involved in some covert Cold War-era stuff. The issue isn’t anything spectacular, but it’s a fun break from the ongoing story. Also, the last scene pushed this issue up an extra half point, it was awesome. — Owen K. Craig

Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5
Isaac’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Dark Reign: Young Avengers #1
Paul Cornell (w), Mark Brooks (a), Marvel Comics

Wow, I really like this new team. I think I like them even more than the old Young Avengers. I wouldn’t want to be friends with them, because they’re huge jerks, but I find them fascinating. I hope the series is about them and that this isn’t a fake-out first issue which will then shift focus, because I want to learn more about these characters. Cornell and Brooks have created the most interesting new team in the Marvel Universe since the Runaways and I can’t wait to see more of them. So, yeah. I liked this book a lot. — Owen K. Craig

Owen’s rating: 4.5 out of 5

Deadpool: Suicide Kings #2 of 5
Mike Benson (w), Carlo Barberi (p), Sandu Florea (i), Marte Garcia (c), Marvel Comics

I don’t even know how I feel about this issue. When I first caught a glimpse of the cover, I was already starting to dread what was to come on the inside. The Punisher vs. Deadpool storyline makes for an interesting plot development and for some action-packed fight scenes. It was also fun to see Punisher get a little loose and play dress-up in order to gather information on Deadpool’s whereabouts. Generally speaking though, the issue didn’t blow me away and I found myself laughing less than usual at Deadpool’s antics and speech. However, there was a little glimmer of hope when one of my favourite Marvel boyfriends comes to the rescue of Deadpool. Perhaps there is some hope yet. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Fables #84
Bill Willingham & Matthew Sturges (w), Tony Akins & Andrew Pepoy (a), Vertigo

I still don’t really know what to make of this crossover. It’s sprawling, it’s funny, it’s metatextual…but at this point it’s still kind of awkward. Maybe it’s because the Jack Of Fables book has taken the character of Jack and removed him so far from the original Fables concept that Jack no longer feels at home in a Fables book — but everything about this issue felt off as far as an issue of Fables goes. None of that, of course, means that I can’t enjoy this issue. I definitely enjoyed it, it was as funny and gross as any issue of Jack Of Fables. And maybe that’s the point, to mess with our expectations of each series. Still, I can’t help but feel a little weird reading this after the sombre events in Fables of late. Oh, and as of issue 4 out of the 9-issue crossover, we’re still spending a lot of time on tangents. — Owen K. Craig

Owen’s rating: 3 out of 5

Final Crisis Aftermath: Escape #1
Ivan Brandon (w), Marco Rudi (p), Mick Gray (i), DC Comics

I suspect this is one of those stories that starts slow but by the time you’re finished becomes something amazing. I really hope I’m right, because I am intrigued and want to stick around to see what happens. Within this first issue not a whole lot happens. What Brandon and Rudi do is they set a mood. They set it really well. I’ve heard The Prisoner mentioned as an influence for this book and that is certainly noticeable. This book is The Prisoner as told by Jack Kirby in the DC Universe. So if that sounds like something you’d enjoy, and you’re willing to be patient, then check it out. I know I want to stick around, because even though I wasn’t nuts for this first issue I suspect it will be worth my while. — Owen K. Craig

Owen’s rating: 3 out of 5

Green Lantern Corps #36
Peter J. Tomasi (w), Patrick Gleason (p) Rebecca Buchman with Prentis Rollins (i), DC Comics

This issue was divided into three sections. The problem is that the section I cared the most about, the prison riot in the sciencells of OA, got the least amount of development. The scene with Sinestro was kind of cool, but got handled pretty un-dynamically. That should have been an amazing scene, but it was devoid of tension and drama. Similarly, Sodam Yat’s showdown with Mongul (who I think we’ve seen enough of for a while) was (at best) not exciting and (at worst) a little confusing. I know Tomasi can do better than this, so I was pretty disappointed in this issue. — Owen K. Craig

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

Howling Commandos #1
Jesse Alexander (w), John Paul Leon (a), Marvel Comics

In this one-shot issue of Howling Commandos, Sgt. Nick Fury leads his team into what appears to be one of their most dangerous missions yet. After parachuting into enemy grounds and being given strict orders to not engage the enemy, what does the team do? Engage the enemy, of course. It’s an action-packed read with betraying babes and umbrella stunts by Fury that would shame Mary Poppins into finding another use for her umbrella. The writing is great and definitely gives off the essence of real men at war, and John Paul Leon’s art is just impeccable. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 4 out of 5

Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers #1 of 4
Chris Eliopoulos (w), Ig Guara (a), Chris Sotomayo (c), Colleen Coover (a), Marvel Comics

HEART! I totally HEART this. It’s so nice to see something so fun amidst all the gloom of “Dark Reign”.   Did I ever mention that some of my favourite movies growing up were Homeward Bound I and II? Needless to say, I am a total sucker for talking animals and even more so when they’re in cute little outfits and embarking on an adventure of their own. Lockjaw sets out to recruit a group of anthropomorphic creatures in order to retrieve the Infinity Gems and ensure that they don’t fall into the wrong hands.  The dialogue is silly (in a good way) and very entertaining. Guara’s art is fun and perfect for the storyline, and Coover’s five-page addition of Throg’s history gives the issue an extra little flair. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Owen’s Rating: 4 out of 5

Oracle: The Cure #3
Kevin VanHook (w), Julian Lopez and Fernando Pasarin (p) Bit, Norm Rapmund and Fernando Pasarin (i), DC Comics

Were you hoping something would happen this issue? You’re out of luck. Oh, sure, they wrap up a plotline with Calculator…sort of. But the last page is nothing more than a teaser for an upcoming book: “Next… Batgirl #1”. And no, this series does not address whether or not Barbara Gordon will become Batgirl again. (Oh, please, no.) I don’t really have anything nice to say about this series, it’s full of choices different than the ones I would have made. I think Calculator works best when he’s not super-powered (that decision was made over in Birds of Prey, but I still think it was a bad one); I don’t have much interest in a series where the bulk of the action happens online; I have a hard time feeling for a character constantly referred to as “Cheese-Fiend”; and I don’t think it’s in a book’s best interest to have two pencillers and three inkers working on it. I like Oracle as a character, but this series gets a big thumbs-down from me. — Owen K. Craig

Owen’s rating: 1 out of 5
Isaac’s rating: 2.5 out of 5

R.E.B.E.L.S. #4
Tony Bedard (w), Claude St. Aubin (p), Scott Hanna (i),  Jose Villarrubia (c), DC Comics

It’s a good story, but steeped in DC mythology — space adventure DC mythology. It won’t help you to know what the different colours of kryptonite do to Superman in this book, so this isn’t for the casual reader. There’s been a lot of build up towards the reveal of a big surprise villain, which may have been revealed in the form of a little girl who is actually a merciless shapeshifter. It’s a cool scene, but it’s just difficult to know the correct significance of these events. That’s due mostly to trying to keep up mystery in the story, but also the art doesn’t give anything away. It’s “good” art, incredibly intricate, but not dynamic. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 2.5 out of 5

Secret Six #9
Gail Simone (w), Nicola Scott (p), Doug Hazlewood (i), Jason Wright (c), DC Comics

When a comic makes Catman a soulful, sympathetic sidekick to the big bad Bane, and has Ragdoll dressed up as Robin,  you know that it is an amazing comic. There are a lot of great quotes here. Any time you have a guy screaming, “Don’t crack my spine!” before being thrown out a window, it remains hilarious. I hope you’re taking notes out there. In a classic callback to Adam West’s Batman (there are a number of them here), there’s a panel with Catman, Bane, and Ragdoll climbing up the side of a building. The only way that it could be better is if the panel was horizontal instead of vertical… but maybe only I would find that funny. The addition of a really cool Nightwing appearance is good too, because the guy-who-will-be-Batman has to look good somewhere. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 4 out of 5
Owen’s rating: 4 out of 5

Secret Warriors #4
Brian Michael Bendis and Jonathan Hickman (w), Stefano Caselli (a), Danielle Rudoni (c), Marvel Comics

I love a good final-page splash. A splash page that just hits the right beat, and makes you scream for more. I can think of a handful of issues where it’s happened (Preacher, Y: The Last Man, and even Ultimate Spider-Man), and those are the moments that stick with you. This issue gives you another moment like that. I won’t say what it is, just that it’s awesome. The rest of this book is similarly great. I really like the flavour and direction this title is taking. Fury’s Catapillers are an interesting bunch of characters and I’m genuinely concerned about a few of them (poor Yo Yo). I seriously recommend checking this series out — it’s the best of the new crop coming out of Dark Reign. — Miles Baker

Miles’ Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Sonic the Hedgehog #200
Ian Flynn (w), Tracy Yardley (p), Terry Austin (i), Matt Herms (c), Archie Comics

Two hundred is a huge milestone for the Sonic comic. It has been around since I was a little comic reader, and it does the heart good to see how strong it is. Since the team of Flynn and Yardley took over the book (25 issues ago?), it’s been a solid read month in and month out. This issue was really odd though, involving a giant fight between Sonic and Robotnik (which is perfectly illustrated, fun and animated, with really clever layout design. It just feels fast! That’s a good thing for a Sonic comic.) that culminates in a whimper, with Robotnik going nuts and vegetative, and Sonic feeling weird about the whole thing. It was kind of a Paul Jenkins moment, but really interesting to subvert our expectations of a big anniversary issue. The introduction of a new villain at the end leaves the comic to an exciting future. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5

Titans #13
Sean McKeever (w), Angel Unzueta (p), Wayne Faucher (i), DC Comics

You lose a lot of points with me when the word balloon of the victim is pointed at the threatening bad guy. Coincidentally enough, you also lose points when you do it again, in the panel just before that first one. I’m a harsh dude. There are some pretty funny faces in this comic that I enjoy, but that isn’t because anyone is doing a good job. What has often been a problem with Titans-style teams (actually this has been an issue with the current Justice League, or at least it was when I stopped buying it) is they just all clump together, travel to a disaster, and continue standing around together. You want the depowered Red Devil to still be on the team? Good, so do I, but that doesn’t mean he gets to stand next to the Flash when the showdown happens without so much as a batarang to his name. He’s liable to get shot, which is what happens. Not that that makes sense with the Flash around, catching bullets is his thing. Flash should just save the day and finish up the crossover. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 2 out of 5

Ultimate Spider-Man #132
Brian Michael Bendis (w), Stuart Immonen (p), Wade von Grawbadger (i), Justin Ponsor (c), Marvel Comics

Everything feels like it’s winding down for the Ultimates line of books. I’m not sure what’ll happen, but it feels like they’ll be gone. If that’s the case, I’ll kind of miss the little mensch that is Peter Parker. Just flipping through this issue, yes, the dialogue bugs me. “This — this is so cool.” Everyone everywhere all sound the same. However, if I ignore the words, it’s a great story, with fantastic art. I can’t stress that enough — Stuart Immonen is a treasure, and has trapped me into this book ever since he took over the art duties. It’s actually a full comic, just with the art alone. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Unthinkable #1
Mark Sable (w), Julian Totino Tedesco (a), Juan Manuel Tumberus (c), Boom Studios

In the wake of 9/11, the U.S. government puts together a think tank of the brightest, craziest people they can find, to think about the worst possible threats to the United States and the world. They think about the unthinkable. It’s an interesting premise, but the book whizzes by it. It’s got other things to worry about — like the unthinkable actually happening. This issue does a lot of heavy lifting in terms of setting up a series and moving it along briskly. I actually wish that it was an ongoing epic rather than a mini-series, because a lot of the ideas here could support a lot of issues.  As a result, the pacing suffers a bit — too much in too little time, perhaps. But it’s an interesting series and I’m curious about where it will go. The real highlight of the book is Tedesco’s art, which reminds me a lot of Michael Lark; and I like to be reminded of Michael Lark. — Miles Baker

Miles’ Rating: 4 out of 5

The Unwritten #1
Mike Carey (w), Peter Gross (a), Chris Chuckry (c), Vertigo

I had high expectations going into this title. Something about it grabbed me from the first time I heard about it. Maybe it was the cover, maybe it was the creators, maybe it was the $1 price point for the first issue: I knew I had to buy it. I’m glad that my gut was right. This is a fantastic first issue of a promising new series. The story centers on Tom Taylor, the son of a famous author who created a Harry Potter-like character (in both fame and fantasy setting) named Tommy Taylor. Tom is now living off that residual fame, though is extremely dissatisfied with his life. However, things get a little more interesting when Tom might actually be Tommy Taylor brought to flesh. That concept alone would be enough to sell me on this book, but then it’s backed up with amazing writing and expressive art. Carey really shines when he writes the Tommy Taylor sequences — he channels J.K. Rowling perfectly. And Gross’ art is exactly to my taste: clean, effective, good times. Seriously, go buy this book now. Right goddamn now. — Miles Baker

Miles’ Rating: 5 out of 5
Sandra’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Owen’s Rating: 5 out of 5

X-Factor #43
Peter David (w), Marco Santucci & Valentine De Landro (p); Marco Santucci, Pat Davidson, & Patrick Piazzalunga (i); Jeromy Cox (c); Marvel Comics

Ever since picking this up a few months back, I have never been disappointed or cursed the name of the person who recommended I give it a try. This issue is no exception.  Madrox had been in the pits since issue #39, and it was a very nice turn of events when he was welcomed with such open arms in the future. Future Cyclops also gives him an assignment that’ll help Madrox to get out of his head and into his work. The big romantic moment, spoiled on the cover between Layla and Madrox, was sweet and should lead to some intriguing future developments. Overall, a great issue and can’t wait to see more. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Miles’ Rating: 5 out of 5
Owen’s Rating: 3 out of 5

Young Liars #15
David Lapham (w and a), Lee Loughridge (c), Vertigo

I’m going to admit that I’ve been buying Young Liars out of habit recently. I have not been reading the issues very closely because I’ve decided that it’s going to probably read better all in one sitting. It’s been so scattered and non-linear — which is what I love about it — that it’s a little frustrating to read on a month-to-month basis. However, this issue is one where it all starts coming together. Lapham has to start to wrap up this story and it looks like he’s getting closer and closer to giving us some something that may feel like closure. Which is really impressive. That said, it’s a little hard to review this issue in terms of series context. However, the writing remains entertaining and Lapham’s art is a complete joy to look at. It’s a good issue, but, with the series ending in a few issues, I’d recommend getting the trades once it’s over. — Miles Baker

Miles’ Rating: 3 out of 5