MONDOmagazine

Adventure Comics #3
Geoff Johns, Michael Shoemaker (w), Francis Manapul, Clayton Henry (a), Brian Buccellato, Brian Reber (c). DC Comics.

I don’t need to tell you that the art is gorgeous in this book; however, what is interesting is that Manapul is finally given some art duties that don’t revolve entirely around an idyllic country setting — instead we’re given some time on (and under) the streets of Paris, France. The story was a little light: the beginning featured cameos by Superboy’s old rogues gallery making a goofy appearance courtesy of Krypto the Superdog and his weird attempt at helpfulness, before settling into reconnecting Superboy and the previous Robin. I enjoyed seeing those old villains show up, and I’ll refrain from drawing a picture of just how happy Superboy finally saying “tactile telekinesis” made me. The interaction between Superboy and Red Robin was really well done — it addresses who they are now after everything they’ve been through, and they come through supporting each other. It was really sweet. Plus, there’s a fun Legion backup with everyone’s favourite odd couple — Sun Boy and Polar Boy! — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 4 out of 5

Blackest Night: Batman #3
Peter J. Tomasi (w), Ardian Syaf (p), Vicente Cifuentes (i), Nei Ruffino (c). DC Comics.

The gritted teeth, then slow pull back to Batman inside a crashing Batplane with shattered glass and debris all around is beautiful, as well as a slow build up to the surprise that the Black Lantern Flying Graysons have constructed a circus tent (and small apartment) where a cemetery was. All in a fiendish plan to enrage Batman and Red Robin before killing them. It seems way too elaborate for a bunch of zombies to pull off, but then again, why am I surprised that Batman’s enemies are constructing an elaborate death trap? It’s kind of how things are done. Deadman goes to get help from Jason Blood, who says, “I am not joining in this current calamity.” Which I found funny, like when the X-Men pretty much said “Civil War? We’ve got our own problems thanks.” Not like that stopped Wolverine.  As the first of these Blackest Night tie-ins to finish up, I was curious how it would work. Staying alive is as far as it goes, which isn’t bad at all. However: that’s not how the REAL Batman would have handled it. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Booster Gold #25
Dan Jurgens, Matthew Sturges (w), Dan Jurgens, Mike Norton (p), Norm Rapmund, Mike Norton (i), Hi-Fi, Guy Major (c). DC Comics.

Pretty simple issue that, as an epilogue for the previous story arc, has Booster Gold connecting with the new Batman. It’s too bad that I can’t remember how they originally met up a few issues ago, but I guess that time line has been erased? I’m not sure, the only problem with Booster Gold is that it can get away from its own time travel philosophy — like how Booster Gold engages in the idea that it wouldn’t be right to go back in time and kill Hitler AFTER he’s already explained that the past can’t really be changed… even though his job is to keep the past from being changed. Also, if there are certain “events” that time travellers love to check out, wouldn’t there be a ton of people hanging out there getting in the way? Maybe even future you if you ever wanted to revisit a certain place and time. I wasn’t crazy about the Blue Beetle back-up story, but when a high-school kid knows flooding an area with tachyons will stop a time traveller, that’s pretty awesome. You just know he “learned” that from Star Trek. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Deadpool #900
Jason Aaron, Mike Benson, Victor Gischler, Charlie Huston, Joe Kelly, Duane Swiercznski, & Fred Van Lente (w); Kyle Baker, Shawn Crystal, Sanford Greene, Rob Liefeld, Damion Scott, Chris Staggs, & Dalibor Talajic (p); Kyle Baker, Shawn Crystal, Nathan Massengill, & Dalibor Talajic (i); Kyle Baker, Rob Liefield, & Lee Loughridge (c).Marvel Comics.

This massive 100-plus-page commemorative issue of Deadpool celebrates 900 issues of Merc-with-a-Mouth madness and also includes a reprint of “classic” Deadpool #1. Wait, has it really been 900 issues? I guess that doesn’t really matter. I mean he’s been everywhere; he might as well have 900 issues under his belt. This heavy issue packs 7 different stories from different writers, each taking a different spin on the character. Some of the stories, like Joe Kelly’s and Victor Gischler’s stories play on Deadpool wacky nature by delivering more crazy stories that certainly got some chuckles out of me. Others like the ones by Mike Benson and Charlie Huston take a more introspective take on the character. Each story had its own charm, although my personal favourite was “One Down,” the story by Charlie Huston. As mentioned before, it takes more introspective look at Deadpool as he argues with two voices in his head about the nature of his existence. It’s not typical of the character, but I really enjoyed it. Essentially, I think Marvel did a great job in gathering a bunch of different writers and artist to all help and give their own take on the Deadpool character. Definitely worth, as far as I’m concerned, the hefty $4.99 price tag.

Sandra’s rating: 4 out of 5

The Incredible Hercules #136
Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente (w), Reilly Brown (p), Nelson DeCastro (i), Guillem Mari (c). Marvel Comics.

I’m so happy that I decided to add this title to my haul. It’s absolutely hilarious and just makes me warm inside. The story is a little out there, but very fun. I mean, I certainly have no qualms about Thor and Hercules dressing up as each other and then beating on the other. The dialogue between them is so entertaining and, yes, their fight quickly spirals down to cheap shots and wedgies, but that’s just part of the charm. Hercules just has the most perfect facial expressions; they make me laugh out loud I love them so much. Pak and Van Lente write a great story and paired with Brown’s art, it’s just an awesome read all around. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s rating:  4 out of 5

JSA Vs Kobra #5
Eric S. Trautmann (w), Don Kramer, Neil Edwards (p), Michael Babinski (i), Lyon, Passalaqua (c). DC Comics.

It’s really weird that all of the Justice Society jumps out of a plane on the second page — out of the 22 characters only 8 of them can fly. That seems pretty ostentatious to me. I mean, that really just slows down the Flash. And look at Sandman holding his hat on his head! He’s not supposed to be funny like that — plus he can travel anywhere he wants through the planet; so again, they’re kind of slowing him down here. Aside from that silliness, pretty good issue. A lot of action, and the good guys are putting up a good fight. There’s a wasted story-telling opportunity with this book where they could have examined the feelings and implications of both sides in a conflict being absolutely positive that they will win, like it’s fate. Maybe they’ll touch on that in the last issue, but still it could have been a good theme to run throughout. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5

The Marvels Project #3 (of 8)
Ed Brubaker (w), Steve Epting (a), Dave Stewart (c). Marvel Comics.

I loved last issue, I liked this issue — but I know this is going to read so much better in trade paperback. There are about six plot threads moving throughout this book at the moment, all of which are interesting to me, but it means each of them only gets a short window of stage time. However, special mention has to be made for Epting’s art, which is fantastic. There’s one panel of 20-year-old Nick Fury and it’s exactly how Epting’s modern Fury would look when he was a kid — tough and years older than he should be. I also love that when he lays out the iconic battle between The Human Torch and Namor he uses panel techniques from the time. The panels are more angular and he’ll throw in circular panels too. That’s not his typical style, so it’s neat to see him subtly slip it in to evoke the golden age of comics. It’s a great book, but would recommend trade-waiting for anyone who isn’t as obsessed with Ed Brubaker as I am. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4 out of 5

Nomad: Girl Without a World #2 (of 4)
Sean McKeever (w), David Baldeon (a), Chris Sotomayor (c). Marvel Comics.

Reading this comic takes me back to teenage drama from high school. Of course my teenage life was much simpler than Rikki Baines’. I didn’t have to deal with brain-washing class president candidates and I sure didn’t have to juggle an afterschool job with school and other extra-curricular activities like being a superhero. I have to hand it to McKeever — despite this being a story about a mid-90s Heroes Reborn character now living in the Marvel universe, I feel as though it’s a pretty smooth transition and he writes the character as being down-to-earth and pragmatic. Rikki Baines is a very likeable character and I want her to do well. Not only is she in a completely new universe away from all the people she knows and loves, but the only friend she’s really made in this universe doesn’t seem like he’s going to be a friend for much longer. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Red Robin #5
Christopher Yost (w), Ramon Bachs (a), Guy Major (c&i). DC Comics.

This is such an awesome book — it’s all ninjas and intrigue, and a step away from “The Search for Bruce Wayne,” which is good. We’re introduced to Tam Fox, a sheltered child of Lucius Fox, who has come out to find Tim, and is now in the clutches of the League of Assassins. She’s terrified, bewildered, and hilarious. “No, no. It’s fine. You’ve got a meeting to go to. Hired killer ninja meeting. That’s fine.” The only trouble with the story itself is that Yost is really stubborn about telling us the story in a non-linear fashion — there was an argument for why he did it in the previous story arc, but now it’s excessive. He uses it to tell the story of this little girl, who will probably show up next issue as a villain, and really it’s something that could have been done in a few pages at the beginning and then forgotten about — if it was even necessary at all. Tim keeps asking himself “What would Batman do?” but finally realizes “You know what? Batman isn’t here, so I’m doing things my way, the best that I can.” And I think that’s a good message for everyone to consider when Batman isn’t around. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 4 out of 5

Spider-Woman episodes 1-5 (motion comic)
Brian Michael Bendis (w), Alex Maleev (a). Marvel Entertainment.

Look what just got released in Canada in one large sum! Thanks, Marvel, for releasing all of this in time for the conclusion of the series. I’m really glad they didn’t dole it out in two-week installments. So, anyway, how did the great experiment turn out? You know, okay. This isn’t the future of the medium, but it’s an interesting diversion on the way there. I heard an interview where Bendis said he thought of the motion comic as more of a “book on tape” and in many ways that really saved the series for me.

With every episode the series got better. The voice acting improved, the pacing became less stilted, and the whole processes became more enjoyable. The best, most interesting way they used the animation was on Spider-Woman’s pheromone powers and her fancy iPhone thingy. The ending of the series is very weak — with the Avengers sweeping in as a deus ex machina to save the day. I get what Bendis is trying to do with this ending, but it’s a little weak to have the day saved by someone other than the title character in their inaugural story arc. The rating does go down a lot for a really weak ending that is just lazy writing no matter what format it’s in. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3.5 out of 5

The Unwritten #6
Mike Carey (w), Peter Gross (a), Chris Chuckry and Jeanne McGee (c). Vertigo.

Okay, so have you heard anything bad about this series? Because I sure haven’t. Anyone who doesn’t like the series is wrong. They’re just wrong. This book has something for everyone in it as long as you have a pulse and two synapses to rub together. It’s filled with cool ideas, expert plotting, impressive art, interesting characters, humanity, twists — everything that makes fiction exciting is in this book. If someone told me five months ago that Magneto would appear in Uncanny X-Men this week I would have said, “Oh, yeah. Of course. That’s bound to happen sooner or later.” If someone told me five months ago that in issue six of The Unwritten Tom Taylor would be in prison, accused of mass murder, I would have said, “What, no. I don’t think that’s where this series is going.” I’m glad to be wrong about that, but happy to be right about my decision to buy The Unwritten. Seriously, go buy the crap out of this book. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 5 out of 5