MONDOmagazine

Avengers Academy #1
Christos Gage (w), Mike McKone (a), Jeremy Cox (c), Marvel Comics.

This issue has a lot in common with Avengers: Initiative. That’s a good thing. After all, the first issue of Avengers: Initiative got me very excited for the second and the same thing happens here. There’s a cool batch of new characters and a great twist at the end. In fact, the only thing that bugged me was the main character frequently commenting on how small her breasts were when McKone drew her with average-sized breasts (although I guess they are small by comic-book standards…). I totally dug this book and can’t wait for issue two. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4 out of 5

Batman #700
Grant Morrison (w), Tony Daniel, Frank Quitely, Scott Kolins, Andy Kubert, David Finch, Richard Friend (a), Ian Hannin, Alex Sinclair, Tony Avina, Brad Anderson, Peter Steigerwald (c). DC Comics.

Morrison continually impresses me with his legitimizing of the campy history of Batman — additionally it’s hard not to love the commentary divided between the three/four main Batman stories: the cheesy action packed science fiction of the fifty’s and sixties, the relatively “realistic” era of the 70’s and 80’s with Batman and Robin fighting against common criminals and uncommon intellectual challenges (with a great reference to the Dark Knight Returns using a gang of “mutants”, and a quick visual gag consisting of Batman shaving away his stubble on a roof top), the third story is a ruthless Damian Wayne Batman an easy reference to the antihero days of the 90s (and often contemporary era) as well as hinting to the very origins of “The Bat-Man” character, and finally the section denoting the possible futures for the legacy of the Batman mythos wherever it may turn. Ultimately, it is very clearly a Morrison work, so maybe it’s not your cup of tea, but if you’re an old school Batman fan, not just in it for the occasional movie (great as they are) but have read a Showcase Batman book or two, then you will want this book. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 4.5 out of 5

Booster Gold #33
Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis (w), Chris Batista (p), Rich Perrotta, Prentis Rollins (i), Hi-Fi (c). DC Comics.

Though I worry about Giffen and DeMatteis getting too stuck in the JLI past nostalgia, well, they haven’t worn out their welcome with me yet. The artwork is really clean but with the inclusion of soul (for clean without soul check out Mike McKone or Freddie Williams II) that makes it great and fun. Cyborg shows up to give the old “Boy Booster, you sure do suck” speech BUT Booster is totally sick of it and completely shuts down Cyborg. It’s a great moment; Cyborg has long since gotten on my nerves, thinking he’s the cock of the walk because he gets to save the Teen Titans all the time. Whatever. Ma Hunkel could save the Titans with two pots tied behind her back. Anyway, it’s a really fun comic, but unfortunately it doesn’t accomplish much because of the frustratingly strict and (so far for me) nonsensical rules about time travel they’ve got going on in this series. But at least it’s consistently frustratingly strict. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Captain America #606
Ed Brubaker (w), Butch Guice (a), Dean White (c). Marvel Comics.

Guice has really upped his game over the last two years. He’s gone from “aw, crap, Epting isn’t drawing this one?” to “Shit, yeah, it’s Guice baby!” And this issue is a marked improvement. I hope this creative team sticks around on Captain America, because it’s delivering the goods on the story, character and art fronts. And, really, that’s, like, all the fronts. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4.5 out of 5

Daredevil #507
Andy Diggle & Antony Johnston (w), Marco Checchetto (a), Matt Hollingsworth (c). Marvel Comics.

The release of the last Brubaker/Lark Daredevil omnibus last week didn’t help this issue. Like, this is fine, I’m interested, I can see how we can grow together as a series and a reader — but I’m not over the last creative team. I want to be, Daredevil, I cherish our time together, but I’m stuck in the past. I think there’s a future for us. But then you announce your plans to do a crossover with Billy Tan drawing and my heart sinks. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3 out of 5

Heroic Age: Prince of Power #2
Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente (w), Reilly Brown (p), Terry Pallot (i), Val Staples (c). Marvel Comics.

I started picking up Incredible Hercules when they moved Agents of Atlas as a back up feature but I think this is my first time actually getting to review this book. I might be wrong. Anyway, all the other writers on this site love this series so what do I think? Mixed. On many levels they are all right. This is a pretty great series, but I’m not addicted the way I am to other things I buy. Like, take this issue, it has the standard hero vs hero fight that bores me to tears. Yet, it’s a really well done one. There’s emotional gravitas to the fight. That’s amazing because it so rarely happens. I see how it’s well crafted and it often makes me laugh. I like the characters and think they are interesting. Part of this might be the very serviceable but generic art, maybe it’s that there are lots of characters I don’t really know — I’m not sure. I’ll let you know if I figure it out. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 3.5 out of 5

Justice League: Generation Lost #3
Judd Winick & Keith Giffen (w), Fernando Dagnino (p), Bit & Raul Fernandez (i), Hi-Fi (c), DC Comics

Listen, I love the JLI more than most people, but I really want this book to move on beyond the JLI cameo each issue. When your Booster Gold tie-in issue is more interesting – and relevant to the plot – than the main book then there’s a problem. I didn’t dislike the book, but it’s not holding my interest much. If it doesn’t pick up soon I may wait for the trades. It probably reads better in big chunks. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 2.5 out of 5

Nemesis #2
Mark Millar (w), Steve McNiven (a), Dave McCaig (c), Icon Comics

I still kinda like this book. I’m as shocked as anyone, as I don’t like much of Millar’s work, but this is now two issues in a row that I dug. I guess I just like it better when Millar’s not trying to make any sort of statement and just goes for balls-out craziness. Maybe I should try out the Old Man Logan trade. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

Secret Six #22
Gail Simone (w), J. Califiore (a), Jason Wright (c), DC Comics

This book is mean. Really, really mean. But that’s why we love it, right? It’s weird, though, because Gail Simone is a nice lady. After this story we know a bit about Catman’s childhood and it’s messed-up. Plus bad things happen to bad people, there’s a reference to Cry For Justice and Ragdoll stands up straight. It’s pretty cool. I still miss Nicola Scott, but Calafiore is a great replacement. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

S.H.I.E.L.D. #2
Jonathan Hickman (w), Dustin Weaver (a), Christina Strain (c), Marvel Comics

I think there’s an art to telling a story where the reader doesn’t know what’s going on but it still fascinated. Hickman, for example, rocks that. I don’t understand a lot of what happened in this issue and I was mesmerized. Seriously, I love this book and I don’t really know exactly what I read. Part of the credit goes to Weaver’s artwork. Gorgeous. Not only does he draw amazing night skies, renaissance-era contraptions and creepy hats but the character work is top-notch. On top of that Hickman has amazing storytelling skills and design sense. I loved the text page and even (seriously) the recap page. This is a beautiful book that’s worth waiting two months for. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 4.5 out of 5

Tales Designed to Thrizzle #6
Michael Kupperman (w + a) Fantagraphics.

Do you know what is fantastic? If you guessed Tales Designed to Thrizzle then you guessed right. I’m not sure what the sales figures are on this series but they can’t be nearly as high as they should be. Every issue is a collection of short comedy bits drawn in a variety of styles, but with a certain off-beat humour that totally appeals to me. If you’re a fan of any Adult Swim cartoon you should be reading this. In fact, they actually adapted it into an Adult Swim pilot and it’s totally awesome. Watch it here and laugh with me. Laugh with me for days. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4.5 out of 5

Uncanny X-Men #525
Matt Fraction (w), Terry Dodson (p), Rachel Dodson (i) Justin Ponsor. Marvel Comics.

This issue finally addresses a pretty big plot hole in Second Coming — the absence of Charles Xavier, the most important mutant ever. I can’t really say it’s a weakness of the series though. There are a lot of plot elements going on and I don’t think the story would be any better with Xavier in it any sooner. He wouldn’t have had a lot to do. I only raise the because I’ve heard some fans complaining that Xavier was missing. Listen up, Fanjerks, this crossover is better than we deserve. Relish it. — Miles Baker

Miles’ rating: 4 out of 5

Uncle Scrooge #392
Paul Halas & Tom Anderson & others (w), Xavier Vives Mateu & others (a), Boom Studios

This book was hilarious, completely nuts and a great callback to the classic cartoon series from our childhood. One of my favourite things about reading Disney comics as an adult (in addition to the epic adventure, of course) is light touch that allows for a completely crazy line or moment that you would never find in a book that takes itself more seriously. There is a moment in this issue when everyone is boarding a plane and Launchpad notes, “woah, we’re all wearing hats.” I burst out laughing. It’s these moments that I treasure in my beloved Uncle Scrooge comics. I’m looking forward to more.

Owen’s rating: 3.5 out of 5

The Unwritten #14
Mike Carey (w), Peter Gross (a), Chris Chuckry (c). Vertigo Comics.

I was trying to explain the concept behind The Unwritten to some people today, and I think it’s fair to say it’s a complicated book. Capitalizing on the real world fascination with best selling books like Harry Potter and the Twilight series while delving far into the fantastic realm of a literary enthusiast — a world where (as we’re all told in a corny fashion while growing up) anything is possible. It’s in that vein of thought, that anything is possible, that we’re thrown for a complete loop: wait, is she just crazy? Has this entire story been a delusion from the mind of “Lizzie Hexam”? And the fact that I can sit back and ask that question, even after 13 issues of magic door knobs, evil non-glitter vampires, and the personification of a dark twisted – it amazes me that I could be “untricked”. Plus, we’re shown that we’ve barely scratched the surface of the world this tale is set in. — Isaac Mills

Isaac’s rating: 4 out of 5

Young Allies #1
Sean McKeever (w), David Baldeón (p), N. Bowling (i), Chris Sotomayor (c), Marvel Comics

It’s great that McKeever’s dialogue and character work are back on track after his stint at DC. These are great characters and their conversations are fun. My issue here is that after the first issue I don’t understand what this book is. So far it’s, “a bunch of young(ish) characters are in the same area and will probably hang out and fight crime together”. Which is fine, I guess, but it doesn’t make much of a splash as the first issue of a new series. It’s hard not to compare this issue to other first issues of Marvel teen hero books like Runaways, Young Avengers and, yes, Avengers Academy and unfortunately it falls short. There’s a lot to like here, but it could benefit from more clarity about what the book is. — Owen Craig

Owen’s rating: 3 out of 5