It’s New York Comic Con weekend, and I’ll spend this week collecting information about the event and coming up with my own viewpoints. However, this means moving this week’s plan to next week so I have time to do it all right. (See end of the review.) There’s also some interesting news coming out of ComiXology, and new features, but I’m not sure what I’m allowed to divulge at this time. Stay tuned to the Pull List and This Week’s Reviews, and I’m sure I’ll be able to say something by then. However, you can still catch my spoiler-blocked reviews up there.
Speaking of the reviews, they’re a lot shorter than expected. My comic store was shorted when it comes to Adventure Comics #0, and they ran out of some of the others. However, three comics were made available to me, and that’s my minimum for the weekend. So let’s get to them.
Transformers: All Hail Megatron #7
WRITER: Shane McCarthy
ARTISTS: Guido Guidi & E.J. Su
COLORISTS: Josh Burcham (assist: Benjamin Maier)
LETTERERS: Chris Mowry & Robbie Robbins
EDITOR: Denton J. Tipton
As the Swarm closes in on the Autobots we finally learn what happened to Optimus. Apparently there was a traitor among the ranks (possibly cerebro-shell controlled like Beachcomber in Spotlight: Blaster–or I think that’s what we’re supposed to infer–but nobody told the Autobots) and led them straight into an ambush. Prime was damaged trying to save his subordinates. There also seems to be some disention among the Decepticons in the form of Thundercracker, who isn’t happy with how the Insecticons were created (which may explain his issues with Bombshell in a previous issue). Ironhide and Sunstreaker are convinced that Mirage is the traitor, and Ironhide beats the sludge out of Mirage, ripping his symbol off of him.
What they got right: We get a lot more in the way of explanations this issue. We learn how the force arrived on Cybertron, how Optimus is damaged, and how Megatron got his hands on the Matrix. We get evidence that the whole “Headmaster Sunstreaker” mess hasn’t been forgotten. While I’m not happy from an in-story perspective to see the Autobots fall apart, it does work from a writing perspective. It feels real for the situation.
What they got wrong: We still have yet to learn how Kup went from the looney bin, back in Spotlight: Kup and reports Prime got while still stationed on Earth, to being Patton currently. Also, I really want to know what the humans are up to back on Earth.
Recommendation: It’s nice to get that war story I’ve been wanting for years, instead of the “epic sci-fi” we’ve been getting. Also, we’re getting less action and more story, but I do hope we get some action again soon. If you’ve been missing out on this series, issues 1-6 are out in TPB, so get yourself caught up.
Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade #3
WRITER: Landry Q. Walker
ARTIST: Eric Jones
LETTERER: Travis Lanham
COLORIST: Joey Mason
EDITOR: Jann Jones
Just another day at Stanhope, for Linda Lee, anyway, when a meteor crashes near the school and gives everyone superpowers. Linda (not wanting to reveal herself) and Lena end up with a bunch of non-supers, learning their new role as victims, when people start losing their powers. Lena has a machine that remotely drains meteor powers, while Belinda (who, like Linda/Kara, is immune to the meteors) keeps giving them back to improve her popularity. Kara’s only hope is to use Kryptonite to allow herself to be powered by the meteor, thus gaining the ability to go back in time and fixing the problem. However, she can warn herself (and us) about the principal, the timeline reboots and none of it ever happened. And something is definately up with the principal. (dun dun duuuun)
What they got right: As one reviewer put it, this series is finally catching it’s stride. Now that our cast is set up, they’re getting down to business. The sight gags and easter eggs (such as time-travelling Supergirl returning with a Legion flight ring) are a great touch, and whether it was Landry or Eric’s idea (they were a team in the indie kids comic market, as I recall), that shows love for the character and her history. They so know what they’re doing. Also, Superman cameo in one of her “worst case scenarios”. Nice to see he isn’t forgotten.
What they got wrong: Nothing really comes to mind, which I usually only say about Marvel Adventures. Even the odd science works here, because it is a more comedic take on the series. I give this comic an A+.
Recommendation: (looks at cover) #3 of 6? Didio, you ignorant slud! Make this thing a regular series already! A great comic for girls (makes up for the “Mixx” fiasco), not to bad for boys (who might be more comfortable with Billy Batson, but they still might enjoy it), and there are more than a few older fans that prefer this to the current version that allegedly targets their…ok, our/my age group. This is money in the bank, and a way to draw in new readers. Ok, I recall reading you don’t care about new readers, but I’m assuming you do want money.
Darkhawk: War of the Kings #1
a War of the Kings event tie-in
WRITER: C.B. Cebulski
PENCILERS: Harvey Tolibao & Bong Dazo
INKERS: Harvey Tolibao & Joe Pimentel
COLORISTS: Jay David Ramos & Rain Beredo
LETTERER: Cory Petit
ASST. EDITOR: Michael Horowitz
EDITOR: Bill Roseman
It’s just another day for Chris Powell. Running late for work, still dealing with anger management issues. However, Chris Powell is also Darkhawk, now security chief for Project PEGASUS. However, when the U-Foe Vector breaks out and tries to take Darkhawk’s chest amulet, the Darkhawk body takes over and tries to kill him, then strikes one of the PEGASUS workers. After meeting up with the former Turbo, another Darkhawk (there aren’t supposed to be any more Hawks) crashes in front of them, and another object falls from the sky, and seems to have destroyed Chris’s home, mom, and brothers!
What they got right: Giving Darkhawk a comic again. I was a fan of the original series, although at least he finally got a happy ending. The Darkhawks look good. I do like that the wings are back. I missed the wings when his robotic body was upgraded. Also, we get a reprint of Darkhawk #1, which is good, since the main story only lasted through my first bowl of cereal this morning.
What they got wrong: Pretty much everything else. I haven’t seen a Darkhawk story since #50 came out, and I’m guessing the writer and artists stopped before that. Chris isn’t supposed to have an amulet anymore and can change at will. The body looks more like his early body, rather than the upgraded one, and unless all this was explained in an earlier story, somebody needs to read through the rest of the series. Also, while the Hawks looked good and Vector was passable, I wasn’t all that fond of the art otherwise. It didn’t feel like a Marvel comic.
Recommendation: Unless your a Darkhawk addict like me, you may want to avoid the series, unless you really want to catch the whole War of the Kings event. I don’t know if you’ll need it, since I’m pretty much avoiding most of 616 these days. All in all, I’m disappointed.
Best Scene of the Week Award
Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade #3
Actually, Kryptonian cheese disagrees with me
Leave to Kara to end the review on a high note. As for that graphic novel I’ve been hinting about the past few weeks? I finally finished it, and I’ll be spending the next week writing posts for the following week. (Just to make sure I have time to do it all in one week.) So stay tuned for a week-long review of…nah, I’ll tell you next week. 🙂
BW Media Spotlight 