MONDOmagazine

Adventure Comics #10
Sterling Gates, James Robinson, Eric Trautmann (w), Travis Moore, Eduardo Pansica, Pier Gallo (p), Julio Ferreira, Eber Ferreira, Pier Gallo (i), Pete Pantazis, Blond (c). DC Comics.

Let me be perfectly clear: I’ve read a lot of Superboy comics. Nearly all of them. So when something is said that doesn’t fit in with what’s happened before, and it’s something that I just can’t rationalize away, then I get all clutchy inside. So when a narration box has Superboy thinking “wow, so this is flying with a Legion flight ring, never did that before” then I’m sorry, my comic book guy hat comes on. Superboy issues 75-79 were all legion flight ring powered. See. I’m a nerd, I hope you’re happy. Really frenetic issue, but that’s all part of not really having any place in this majour story crossover. They built an epic moment between Superboy and General Zod that they managed to ruin with the phrase “touchdown”. You can never go home again… – Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 2.5 out of 5

Batgirl #9
Bryan Q. Miller (w), Lee Bargett (p), Jonathan Glapion, Richard Friend (i), Guy Major (c). DC Comics.

They… did it to me… again!! I have now bought two issues of Batgirl in a vain attempt to not miss anything between the Red Robin/Batgirl crossover that have nothing to do with the crossover. Am I crazy? Why even crossover at all if you’re only going to do it for the first issue, and do a poor job of that entry? I guess the conclusion I’m after will be in next month’s Red Robin. As for this particular Batgirl comic, I don’t know, the whole thing strikes as amateur. Like really obvious gags that I don’t think fit in a Bat-book. There’s a great meta moment when a guy with explosives strapped to his chest asks his hostages why they’re even still living in a city like Gotham. Oracle has started creating her own mini batcave for convenience sake, but we all know it’s really to make sure she’s nowhere near the batcave when Bruce Wayne returns. The mandate from above must have read “In regards to the Batcave: no girls allowed.” — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 2 out of 5

Black Widow #1
Marjorie Liu (w), Daniel Acuña (a). Marvel Comics.

This isn’t a bad issue; it’s just not as good as it had to be. As a series launch you have to hook the reader — doubly so in a market so hostile to books with female leads. When the mystery nor the protagonist come off strongly, it’s not a great sign. I see what Liu was trying to do with trying to impress the reader with Black Widow — and it is cool — it’s more an issue-six hook than a issue-one hook. Ultimately, Black Widow #1 did not make me want to come back for #2, though, given that I love Queen and Country (another spy series with a female lead) and that series’ first issue is by far the worse issue, I will be in for the second. Come on, Natasha, it’s do or die. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3 out of 5

Booster Gold #31
Dan Jurgens (w), Dan Jurgens & Norm Rapmund (a), DC Comics

This was a nice wrap-up to Jurgens’ run. I find it satisfying when a creator gets to say a proper goodbye to their time on a book, especially when someone as influential to the book as Jurgens is to Booster Gold is leaving. I could have done with some more of the plot threads wrapped up (who was Black Beetle anyway?) but I enjoyed this more thoughtful, emotional ending that was used here. Classy exit, Jurgens. – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Brightest Day #0
Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi (w), Fernando Pasarin (p), Various (i), DC Comics

I’m really looking forward to this series, especially after reading this issue. Ever since 52 ended I’ve missed the weekly DCU book. Let’s not talk about Countdown. This issue didn’t so much focus on the story that will be coming up as the characters that will be featured. I guess this is why it’s issue #0 rather than 1, it’s sort of a primer leading us into the series. I totally enjoyed it, but I would say this is one for the DC fans only. Those who love these characters and are digging the direction the DCU is going will find a lot to like here. If you don’t fit that description you probably want to stay clear. – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4 out of 5

Daredevil #506
Andy Diggle & Antony Johnston (w), Marco Checchetto (a), Matt Hollingsworth (c). Marvel Comics.

I like a lot of what’s going on here but there’s something. Something missing. I like that this is a bit of a different flavor for Daredevil, a bit more on high-action and mystic ninjas. I like the art and think the writers get Murdock’s voice. But it’s not the same comic that I’ve loved so much for eight years. It’s hard letting go, you know? — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3.5 out of 5

Daytripper #5
Fabio Moon & Gabriel Bá (w + a). Dave Stewart (c). Vertigo.

Oh, hey. Yeah, I’m still picking up Daytripper. Yep, it’s still pretty good. Yeah, still done-in-one tales of the many deaths of Brás del Oliva. Uh-huh, I still recommend picking it up in trade. Yeah, don’t bother with the issues. Yeah, you have a good day too. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4 out of 5

The Flash #1
Geoff Johns (w), Francis Manapul (a), Brian Buccellato (c). DC Comics.

Yes, this book was awesome. They’re working hard to differentiate Central City from all the other fictional towns in the DC universe, and although it’s a little much all at once, it’s a good thing to do. The setting to a book is just one more character that has to draw us in for us to love the book, right Starman? Johns and Manapul accomplish something else entirely new in this book — they make Iris Allen adorable. The way she looks off into the distance after the Flash zooms by, and when she pouts a bit over a deal she made with Barry in the past- it’s gold. The only thing I didn’t like was the two page “sneak peak” of a Flash event for 2011, with little misleading moments of what that story will entail that’s meant to get us speculating nice and early. I’m getting really sick of these, Johns has used them far too much. But that doesn’t effect the awesomeness of the actual comic here. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 4 out of 5

Green Arrow #32
J.T. Krul (w), Dederico Dallocchio (a), DC Comics

Am I crazy for wanting to try the relaunch? I didn’t dig this, but I’m not ready to give up on Krul, yet. Then again I think my biggest problem here was the artwork: the characters were stiff and the semi-painted look (or whatever that was) didn’t work for me at all. I’m hoping that when the relaunch comes there isn’t much time spent dwelling on this dark period for the character and we just move on into the new era. Let’s see if my faith in Krul is justified this June with Green Arrow #1! – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 2 out of 5

Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers: Unleashed #2
Chris Eliopolous (w), Ig Guara (a), Marvel Comics

This issue is pretty much 22 pages of Frog Thor. That means one of two things: you love this comic or you don’t love things that are awesome. – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 5 out of 5

New Mutants #12
Zeb Wells (w), Ibraim Robertson (a), Brian Reber (c). Marvel Comics.

I really hope you like reading my reviews about the X-Men because this crossover is going to last another 11 weeks. So, part of my problem with this issue is that it focuses a lot on the New Mutants team who I just don’t care about. I know there’s lots of people who love their stories from the 80s, but I haven’t read any of them so my ignorance has led to boredom. So, the issue is solid, but it didn’t get me as excited as the last two chapters. Though it’s about time the rest of the X-Men knew about the Warren/Archangel thing, so I’m happy that’s finally happened. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3 out of 5

Secret Six #20
Gail Simone (w), J. Calafiore (a), DC Comics

Gail Simone is ROCKING this storyline! Ever since the “holy shit” cliffhanger last issue Secret Six has quickly become one of the most exciting comics on the stands. This story is better than the book has ever been. Is it next month yet? – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4.5 out of 5

Siege: Captain America #1
Christos N. Gage, Federico Dallocchio (a), Giulia Brusco and Rob Schwager (c). Marvel Comics.

I liked this issue a lot better when it was called Captain America: Who Will Yield the Shield. It’s all the same character beats, all the same plot beats, and not nearly as well drawn or written. The Captains America fight a low-rent supervillian and help a family of dumb, dumb people (so dumb they should not be conceived of nor helped) in the wake of Siege #3 — these men have bigger fish to fry. And, man, Bucky is whiney about it. Too goddamn whiney. Dallocchio has a Jae Lee thing going on but he’s no Jae Lee yet. But Jae Lee wasn’t Jae Lee a few years ago, so give him time. But for right now, the issue I read, this comic is not worth your time or dollars. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 1.5 out of 5. Crossover rating: Skip it, nothing to see here.

Siege: Loki #1
Kieron Gillen (w), Jamie McKelvie (a), Nathan Fairbairn (c). Marvel Comics.

This issue is everything I was hoping the Thor tie-ins to Siege would be — and it’s awesome. It’s Loki’s angle on all his mischief (and mayhem) and a couple neat reveals on other developments Loki had a hand in. It’s a mini-tour of the Marvel Universe with a compelling character at the centre of it. McKelvie’s art is great. His clean lines, expressive characters and a great layouts make him an artist suited to my tastes. Seriously, after this issue, I’m hoping Marvel releases a Loki ongoing solo series with this team. That would be so awesome. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4.5 out of 5. Crossover rating: Essential/Better than the main book.

Siege: Young Avengers #1
Sean McKeever (w), Mahmud A. Asrar (p), Scott Hanna & Victor Olazaba (i), Marvel Comics

I feel bad for Sean McKeever, and pretty much all of the writers who’ve been handling these Young Avengers fill-in books. You know, the ones that exist because Marvel wants people to remember that the Young Avengers exist, but can’t really do anything with them since they’re being saved for Alan Heinberg’s return someday (soon? I hope?). It’s gotta be tough writing a quick tale about characters while still having limited control over what happens to them, even tougher when you also have to tie into an event. So here we get the shocking revelation that Wiccan likes Norse mythology. Yep. Honestly, though, McKeever does a good job here, he just doesn’t have a lot to work with.  – Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3 out of 5

Sonic Universe #15
Ian Flynn (w), Tracy Yardley (p), Jim Amash (i), Jason Jensen (c). Archie Comics.

If you add up the score I should like this comic alright — I historically like expository dialogue, classic clichés, all that stuff. But it’s thrown at us in such an obvious, formulaic style. At some point maybe I should just admit that I’m not the audience for Sonic the Hedgehog comics. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 2 out of 5

The Unwritten #12
Mike Carey (w), Peter Gross, Kurt Huggins & Zelda Devon (a). Vertigo

You know Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh? He looks angry, right? Well imagine a story where Rabbit has finally had it with the Hundred Acre Wood, makes himself a crossbow, and won’t rest until he gets out of there. Pretty awesome. And that is in fact the story we’re getting with this month’s Unwritten. Although that in itself would be enough, they add just a quick allusion to the main Tom Taylor story. This isn’t a fill in issue, it isn’t an imaginary story, it’s a peak into the kind of threats that are immediately present in the Tom Taylor adventure. Man, that rabbit looks angry. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 4 out of 5

Web of Spider-Man #7
Fred Van Lente, Tom DeFalco, Joe Casey (w), Phillip Briones, Ron Frenz, Jim Mahfood (p), Phillipe Briones, Sal Buscema, Jim Mahfood (i), Jodi Wynne, Bruno Hang, Justin Stewart (c). Marvel Comics.

The Kraven story I feel is going over my head — once again I’m burdened by my lack of historical knowledge concerning Russia. I can guess a bunch from the context, but it’s kind of taking me out of it. The story is about Kraven meeting the mystery woman who’s been featured in Amazing Spider-Man’s background for the last couple of years, and the attraction between them, but the art is far too cold and savage. It doesn’t make her look like someone to love, so it’s all just informed attraction. The last backup features Peter Parker working as a photographer, so I’m glad how important it was to tell that story of him losing that job. Because these guys were clearly out of stories involving Pete as a photographer. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3 out of 5