This week was (relatively) light for me, comic wise, but it was made up of quality to make up for lack of quantity. We had so many great issues this week, that’s I’m not going to give any one book Pick of the Week status, because I couldn’t choose! Here’s what I thought about comics, this week. Feel free to agree, disagree, or send me money, I’m easy.
Kevin Keller #6: I really wish this book was monthly. While it’s a little far-fetched that George Takei would visit Riverdale due to Kevin’s essay, the actual message of this issue, one of tolerance, diversity and equality brought a tear to my eye. This book is great.
Action Comics #15: If you define Grant Morrison by his boundless imagination and high concepts, this is the issue for you. The New 52 version of Mr. Mxyzptlk is awesome. I don’t know if his status quo is going to let me be a recurring nuisance for Superman, but I really hope so.
Doctor Who #3: An adventure with Rory and the Doctor while Amy is on holiday! Will they be buddies, are kill each other? The jury’s still out on that, but the voices of the characters in this book is pitch-perfect, and I’ll continue to pick it up.
Thunderbolts #1: I wasn’t sure if I’d like this book, as I’m not a big fan of anti-heroes, but this was compelling enough to get me to continue reading. We also learn the only way to get Frank Castle to be a team player. Hint: It ain’t pretty.
Detective Comics #15: Pretty interesting that the New 52 Clayface is the original Basil Karlo version. It’s kind of funny that going back to the original after so long is actually a fresh take at this point. Also, Emperor Penguin is a bit on the nose, but Ozzie will clip that bird’s wings for sure soon.
Human Bomb #1: Oh, he’s a human bomb so obviously we have to tie it into terrorism in our post 9-11 world. Despite me hating that aspect of the story, the rest was actually pretty interesting. I want to know why there are human bombs. I’ll pick up the next issue.
All New X-Men #3: I like this series better when it focuses more on the original team, and not Cyclops’ Wackos or whatever they call themselves. You can’t have one without the other though, and it looks like they’ll actually confront each other next issue, so it had that going for it.
Avenging Spider-Man #15: 8 year-old me loves this book. Devil Dinosaur versus Demon Dinosaur with Spidey mixed in? Yes please. I did enjoy this issue more than the last, but it probably could have been a done in one.
Dial H #7: I love the off-kilter superheroes that show up in these pages. Daffodil Host? That gets a bwah-ha-ha from me. The new conflict is set up this issue and it takes place in Littleville, setting of the original DIal H stories. I still hope it means Robbie Reed shows up, but if not, the book is good enough on its own.
TMNT Color Classics Micro Series #2 Michaelangelo: A Christmas-themed reprint of one of the earliest TMNT stories. I know Mikey has the reputation for being the “party dude”, but this issue proves he’s also the heart and soul of the TMNT. Also, Klunk is awesome.
Earth 2 #7: Aside from the team building between Hawkwoman and Green Lantern, this issue was a near insurmountable wall of text peppered with “Hey, here’s our interpretation of Insert Golden Age Superhero Here. In other words, bleah. We do learn the fate of Mr. Terrific though, if you used to follow that series.
Amazing Spider-Man #699: So last issue, we get Ock in Pete’s body and this issue is the opposite. It raises some very interesting questions as to whether or not their whole Freaky Friday situation is making them rub off on each other. At any rate, I can’t wait for #700.
World’s Finest #7: I would definitely buy a Robin/Huntress title if it was anything like this issue. It’s a weird brother/sister dynamic, but it works. The Power Girl stuff was OK too, and it looks like Apokalips rising!
Avengers #1: I’m not sure whether I liked this book or not. It’s an admirable premise, taking the Avengers most people know from the movie and building a larger team around them, but it’s getting into the realm of Marvel’s cosmic stuff, and that’s never really done it for me. Time will tell.
Iron Man #3: We continue Tony hunting down rogue Extremis in this issue with an interesting, humanizing twist. You still get a cool battle scene, and some seriously kickass newtype Iron Man armor as well. Also, it may have been a one off joke, but I seriously want to see a superstar Doombot DJing in Latveria.
Invincible #98: The blurb on the cover calls this story The Death of Everyone. Reading it, it looks like not only is that not hyperbole, but it’s being done in a way that makes sense in the context of Invincible as a whole. Also, Mark (Invincible) Grayson makes terrible, terrible decisions.