MONDOmagazine

Amazing Spider-Man #610
Marc Guggenheim (w), Marco Checchetto, Luke Ross, Rick Magyar (a), Fabio D’Auria, Jeremy Cox (c). Marvel Comics.

The two different art teams lead to some pretty jarring divides between different panels — none more obvious than the very first page where the past is supposed to mirror the present. Two interesting thing to note: Peter leading Screwball to the Parker homestead as a distraction doesn’t work, that puts her in danger and threatens the old secret identity, not a smart move for a smart guy. The second thing I wanted to bring up is that the whole premise of how Spider-Man “figures out” that Ben Reilly — his own clone — didn’t kill the bad guys family (thus sending the bad guy on a quest for revenge) is based on the idea that Peter himself wouldn’t kill anybody. But even while Peter is musing over that during the epilogue, Kaine, another clone of Peter Parker, is actually killing someone, nullifying Peter’s logic from earlier. But that is actually a sort of inconsistency that I like — it reveals a short sightedness, and ego, in Peter that has something of a long standing tradition — in fact it sounds an awful lot like the logic behind how he “figured out” he was the original Peter, not his own clone, back in the 70s! — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5

Assault on New Olympus
Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente (w), Rodney Buchemi (a), Guillem Mari (c). Marvel Comics.

Ah, looks like Herc is starting to become quite the comic book whore and I’ve got no problem with that. Herc returns with kid Zeus and is quickly recruited by Athena and Amadeus to stop Hera from trying to return the world to the time of the gods. This was one very enjoyable issue. The dialogue between Spiderman and Hercules was as funny as expected, but I’ve got to say that Herc takes the cake in battle of the witty. It was also adorable to see a tiny Hebe standing beside a gigantic Herc. So cute. All in all, I take this issue as being a great segue back into the main series. – Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Astonishing X-Men #32
Warren Ellis (w), Phil Jimenez (p), Andy Laning (i), Fran D’Armata (c). Marvel Comics.

The stink of Simone Bianchi still rests heavily on this title. If the first six issues of Ellis’ arc hadn’t taken a year to come out, this story would have still taken place in something that resembled X-Men continuity and seemed relevant. As it stands, it’s a story that happened well before the X-Men’s current status quo. I know a lot of people had this complaint in the Whedon days too, but it bothered me less then. Probably just blinded by love. Anyway, this isn’t so bad for an Ellis superhero title. I feel he’s trying a lot harder to give the characters their voices, though he does make them a lot more sexually charged than other writers. Not a huge complaint, but it’s odd to see Beast so horny during battle. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3 out of 5

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #30
Jane Espenson (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owens (i), Michelle Madsen (c). Dark Horse.

The newest issue of Buffy hit Heroes-level terrible. Things happen that are explained terribly, past continuity mistakes are addressed only to make them more of a mess, characters act wildly out of sync with previously established behaviours, and the big fight happens off panel. If I didn’t know any better I’d assume this issue was ghostwritten by Jeph Loeb. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 1 out of 5

Captain America Reborn #4 (of 5)
Ed Brubaker (w), Bryan Hitch & Butch Guice (a), Paul Mounts (c). Marvel Comics.

All I can say is, “WHAT?!” That’s all there is to say about the issue. I knew something huge was coming, but this was completely unexpected. I don’t even know what to say I’m still shocked about it. Brubaker is just such an amazing storyteller. I can’t enough of his work. The story has become so intertwined, but still continues have a great flow. I don’t even know what to say it’s so good. My original review was just going to be “AWESOME”, but I figured I should try show my love for this issue in more than just one word. I just hope it ends in an epic way as well. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 4.99 out of 5 (I’m reserving the .01 for the last issue.)

Deadpool Team-Up #899
Fred Van Lente (w), Dalibor Talajic (a). Marvel Comics.

While Deadpool and Hercules aren’t the new Iron Fist and Luke Cage or Wonder Man and Beast, this is a decently fun comic. Unfortunately the two characters don’t really add up to much when put into a story together. There are halfhearted attempts to draw parallels between the two heroes, and the mandatory fight when they meet, but I feel that there was a real missed opportunity here in not having them annoy each other. There’s a funny gag with Deadpool’s narration at the end. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3 out of 5

Donald Duck and Friends #347
Fausto Vitaliano (w), Andrea Freccero (a). Boom Studios.

This is a fun little opening to a story. Good thing, too, because if you can’t make a fun story about Donald Duck as a secret agent I don’t know what’s wrong with you. Freccero’s art is nice and clean, while still being expressive, and Vitaliano has a lot of fun setting up the idea of Donald as a sleeper agent. I’m a bit disappointed not to see any of Donald’s signature anger on display here, but maybe that will come into play later. So far I’d say that this title is a winner among Boom’s new Disney line. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Doom Patrol #4
Keith Giffen (w), Justiniano (p), Livesay (i), Guy Major (c). DC Comics.

“Oh man, weird, I’m not getting any DC stuff this week.” “Oh, you’re not getting Blackest Night stuff?” “Well, yeah, but not every single thing that comes out!” “Ah, but if you get this Blackest Night Doom Patrol tie-in you’ll get a collectible ring with it.” “… Sold.” They trapped me with the promise of a Sinestro Corps ring! But at least things could have been worse; it’s actually a really good comic! Negative Man has a fun Deadpool vibe about him, Robot Man is in denial about his humanity and how much his “condition” is bothering him, and the Chief is emanating selfishness even when he should be scared out of his mind. Justiniano’s creepy art fits so well with the Doom Patrol universe, his Black Lantern designs are great, — and I especially enjoy his Black Lantern Negative Woman, who looks like she walked off of a Mummy movie set. – Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Ghost Riders: Heavens On Fire #4
Jason Aaron (w), Roland Boschi (a). Marvel Comics.

They should’ve just called this miniseries “Jason Aaron’s Wacky Villain-o-Rama.” Once I realized that that’s what’s really happening here it became a lot easier to just sit back and enjoy the ride. This issue Aaron takes a go at Madcap and the unfortunately-very-similar-to-DC’s-more-popular-character Scarecrow. I feel like so far this mini Aaron hasn’t quite hit upon the greatness of his run on the regular title. He’s been tantalizingly close a few times (especially last issue) but so far it’s not happening. I suspect it’s because we’re moving so fast through this story that the moments of coolness aren’t getting the time to breathe that they need. Hopefully the machine-gun-toting nuns next issue will help with this. Don’t get me wrong, though, this is good stuff. I’m just hard on it because I expect so much of Aaron. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

The Marvelous Land of Oz #1 (of 8)
Eric Shanower (w), Skottie Young (a), Jean-Francois Beaulieu (c). Marvel Comics.

The comic book gods have been good to me this week. I’ve been looking forward to this issue for a while and it’s certainly everything that I’ve expected. The story is absolutely adorable and the art is right there with it. I’m falling in love and it’s with a comic book. It certainly isn’t the first time this has happened, but this certainly is a worthy love. Shanower has definitely started on a very cute and wonderful story that takes place in the Land of Oz. Tip leaves his scary guardian with his new friend Jack the Pumpkin and together I’m sure they are bound to encounter some very magical and special adventures. Young’s art is a little scratchy, but it definitely adds to the sort of feel that the story is going for. I’m definitely happy about picking this one up. — Sandra Yao

Sandra’s Rating: 4 out of 5

Nova #31
Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Andrea DiVito (a), Bruno Hang (c). Marvel Comics.
You know when I said that the regular awesome artist from Nova wasn’t on the previous issue? Well, I guess that was some kind of filler arc, because we’re back to said awesomeness! The art is so clean it could be a cartoon’s still frame. As per usual, when you think you know the extent of the challenge for Nova to overcome in the issue, you’re wrong, and tons of twists are thrown at him making things impossible. In fact, has Nova died at the end of this comic? Looks like I’ll have to tune in to the same Nova channel next month to find out. Check it out! — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Secret Six #15
John Ostrander (w), J. Calafiore (a). DC Comics.

I always love when titles take a moment to do these one-shot character-study issues. In the case of Secret Six there’s an added bonus: John Ostrander returns to do a one-shot focusing on the character he famously wrote in Suicide Squad. Surprising no one, the issue is fantastic. Ostrander absolutely nails the issue, fleshing out a side to Deadshot I didn’t know was there. The flashbacks are engaging and seamlessly done, and the story wraps up beautifully at the end. Everyone who loves a great one-shot should pick up this issue. If it helps you buy it, Batman makes an appearance. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4.5 out of 5

Sonic the Hedgehog #206
Ian Flynn (w), Steven Butler (p), Terry Austin (i), Matt Herms (c). Archie Comics.

Uh, why is Sonic drooling on the cover? Shouldn’t he look more heroic? I don’t know what they were thinking with this cover becasue the inside stuff is cool. Sonic does the super speed thing and wipes out an army of ninja bats, and really, that’s all I want! There’s a good gag that’s kind of a call back to Looney Toons characters moving off screen and coming back really fast for some fun effect or other, grabbing an anvil or sack or dynamite bird seed, or mallet or whatever. Not only does it stand out in that way, but it’s also made of a very simple composition; flat ground, all side view- it’s almost something I would draw. That’s not necessarily an insult, but it is really weird to see. In fact, they almost do a “that’s all folks” at the end- I like it. Old school. – Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5

Strange Tales #3
Various (w + a). Marvel Comics.

Well, the good times couldn’t last forever. The problem with the anthology is that it can be a hit-or-miss experience. The first two issues of these miniseries were so, so much hit compared to miss.  It was an overwhelming amount of quality. This collection is more miss than hit — but the hits are some of the best of the miniseries. The return of Michael Kupperman to the series made my heart sing, with an even stronger entry than his Namor story; and speaking of Namor Becky Cloonan’s Namor short was hilarious — as was Jeffery Brown’s contribution. But Corey Lewis and Dylan Ccrae’s Longshot story was so skattershot and filled with references that it was just a jumbled mess and Jonathan Jay Lee’s Punisher story was so far away from the tone of the rest of the series that I wonder why they included it. Still, it was a great experiment and I hope they do it again. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 2.5 out of 5

Stumptown #1
Greg Rucka (w), Matthew Southworth (a), Lee Loughridge (c). Oni Press.

Sorry, Rest of the Comics I’m Going to Buy in November, but this is the best book of the month and it’s only the first week. I know some of you will be very good too, but this is Stumptown, baby, get used to it. My expectations were impossibly high with this book. First, it’s Greg Rucka creating a new crime book and that’s the best kind of comic; second, there was a really hilarious teaser website; third, the preview art knocked me out of my chair. Rucka is known for his strong female characters and he’s created — perhaps — his strongest female character yet. She’s much different than Carrie from Whiteout, Tara from Queen and Country or Kate Kane in Detective Comics. She’s much more plucky while remaining incredibly funny. You know, just buy it. If you only listen to me once in your life do it now. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 5 out of 5

Sweet Tooth #3
Jeff Lemire (w + a), Jose Villarrubia (c). Vertigo.

Well, now it’s impossible not to love the title character of this sweet and disturbing comic. He’s such a great cross between naive and wise. Gus aka Sweet Tooth’s navigation of this post-apocalytpic landscape is filled with a great sense of wonder and dread, and Lemire balances the two with great care. There are times when the art is a little unpolished for my liking, but there’s a lot of character in his depictions so I can overlook it. Plus an ominous dream starring cute forest creatures — the best kind of ominous dream. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4 out of 5

Ultimate Spider-Man #4
Brian Michael Bendis (w), David Lafuente (a), Justin Ponsor (c). Marvel Comics.

So I’ve been hating on Ultimate Spider-Man forever, right? And I keep waiting on the next issue to see whether or not I’m going to quit with this series? Well, the camel’s back may officially be over-strawed. You know how it isn’t cool to talk with your mouth full on account of it being gross looking and you can’t really make yourself understood and food is flying in all directions (hypothetically, I’m a most conscientious dinner guest after all) — well why is it okay to have comic characters at dinner talking with their mouths full? It’s a static image of grossness over here that I do not want. After that we’ve got some serious Twilight-level drama going on to the point that Peter Parker is glad he gets to swing off as Spider-Man to fight the Hulk and escape that scene. I can sympathize with that. There’s a “Stepford Wives” moment devoted to a panel of Mary Jane and Gwen looking at each other with a completely brainless expression on both their faces, like they’ve shut down as soon as Peter left the scene. That wasn’t necessary. Argh! Aunt May shouldn’t be the coolest character in Spider-Man! That does not fem-pute! – Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 2 out of 5

X-Men vs Agents of Atlas #2
Jeff Parker (w); Carlo Pagulayan, Gabriel Hardman, Chris Samnee & Carlos Rodriguez (p); Jason Paz, Hardman, Samnee & Terry Pallot (i); Wilford Quintana & Veronica Gandini (c). Marvel Comics.

Any way I slice it, I’m a little disappointed by this issue. The resolution of the conflict between the X-Men and Agents of Atlas is paint-by-numbers from an age long ago. The two teams kiss and make up so much that I thought for a while that they should probably just get a room and save us all the trouble. Parker is clearly aware of this and throws in a great line about how in “a couple of years the fish woman will be teaching at the school.” He even gives it to Iceman, which is really generous. No one gives Iceman lines. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3 out of 5