This Week’s Reviews: 2nd Week of May 2009

So yesterday I saw X-Men Origins: Wolverine. While I pretty much hate the character, I kind of liked the movie. There’s really nothing I can add to any other review, as the only complaints I’ve had (jacket origin? magic bullet?) are the same ones as everyone else, and I just don’t have enough interest in Logan to really give it that much attention. (I do wonder when I’m going to get to that Race to Witch Mountain review, though. All I can say about that movie here is that I didn’t feel ripped off, but it wasn’t all that spectacular, either. Does anyone care about my opinion of either movie otherwise?)

In the meantime, here’s something I can review rather easily: this week’s comic haul. Some notes about that, too. Doctor Who Classics I didn’t pick up in favor of another comic, but I’ll have it for next week. Also, the comic shop didn’t have the History of the DC Universe book and I passed on the TMNT: Heroes in a Half Show comic from Archie, since I have most of the issues they collected. The rest are here, and as usual, the spoiler-free version will be posted up at ComiXology.

Sonic the Hedgehog #200

PUBLISHER: Archie Comics (July 2009)

WRITER: Ian Flynn

PENCILER: Tracy Yardley!

INKER: Terry Austin

COLORIST: Matt Herms

LETTERER: John Workman

COVER: Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante

(managing) EDITOR: Mike Pellerito

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Victor Gorelick

Last issue (which I also picked up last week), Eggman/Robotnik had lured Sonic into a trap to finally finish their battle. In his giant spider-robot, Eggman is determined to destroy Sonic once and for all. In a longer battle than this synopsis makes it appear to be, Robotnik loses both the battle and his last link to sanity. (Even Sonic feels a bit sorry for him.) Snivley puts the dastardly Doctor in a padded room, and the Freedom Fighters have won. How long, however, is yet to be determined, as Snivley and the Dark Egg Legion welcome their new boss: the Iron Queen!

What they got right: Each 50th issue is the big Sonic/Robotnik battle, so here it is again. Now I’ve been out of the Sonic loop for quite a few years, ever since Archie tried shoehorning three separate stories into one normal-sized comic. (At the time, there was a story for Sonic, Knuckles, and the “Tales of the Freedom Fighters” stories.) Now that they’ve seemed to both drop that nonsense and created a new jump-on point for the readers, I may well be making my return to Mobius. I wonder if my old place is still up for rent?

What they got wrong: To be honest, this battle didn’t seem as epic as early Sonic/Robotnik big battles. Sure, there’s no “Ultimate Annihilator” here, but the fight seems to end rather quickly, and just ends with Dr. R.’s mind snapping off. I don’t know, it just feels lacking.

Special note: It’s been a long time since I’ve gone through my Sonic comics, but while I do recognize the Iron Queen, I’m hoping next issue gives older and returning readers a refresher course while giving new readers a proper introduction.

Recommendation: A good time to return to the Sonic comic for me, but I would track down #199 before reading this comic.

Marvel Adventures: Super Heroes #11

featuring: Thor

PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics (July 2009)

WRITER: Louise Simonson

PENCILER: Jon Buran

INKER: Jeremy Freeman

COLOR: Sotocolor

LETTERER: Dave Sharpe

COVER: Grummett & Mari

PRODUCTION: Joe Sabino

CONSULTING: Ralph Macchio

EDITOR: Nathan Cosby

Loki tricks a frost giant named Bragmir into attacking Thor. To hedge his bets, the god of deception also sends a fire demon, hoping the two will team up against his foster brother. However, the frost giant hates fire demons more than Thor and actually teams with the thunder god instead. Thor returns him to Jotunhelm (that spelling did NOT come from memory), and sings his praises as a true warrior in front of his clan and father, earning the boy the respect of his people.

What they got right: The “origin story” of MA Thor and Loki are revealed here. It’s a functional story, and it shows that even between Norse god and frost giant, mortal enemies, there can be respect and understanding. Also, no sex change for Loki.

What they got wrong: Of course, anyone transferring from Marvel Adventures to Marvel Proper is going to be confused by that last one, but that’s 616’s failure, not MA. I don’t think the part with the kid in Blake’s office works as well as the writer thought it would, and so the scene at the end with Jane feels just as tacked on. Also not a fan of the character models used.

Recommendation: I’m not a good judge, since I’m not really a Thor fan, but while nothing spectacular, it does it’s job.

Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers #1

PUBLISHER: Marvel (July 2009)

WRITER: Chris Eliopoulos

PENCILER: Ig Guara

COLORIST: Chris Sotomayor

“FROG THOR ORIGIN THINGY”: Colleen Coover

LETTERER: Nate Piekos

COVER ARTISTS: Karl Kerschl or Romain Gaschet (depends on the cover you picked up)

PRODUCTION: Irene Lee

CONSULTANT: Ralph Macchio

EDITOR: Nathan Cosby

Reed Richards has learned that one of the Infinity Gems may be on the Blue Area of the Moon that is home to the Inhumans, and pays them a visit. He brings up their potential for corruption against weak minds just as Lockjaw, the Inhuman’s teleporting pooch, finds the mind gem. (Make of that what you will.) He decided to bring together other animal heroes to find the other gems. The rest of the team includes: Throg, a human cursed to live as a frog who finds a sliver of Thor’s hammer during his own brief froggy period; Lockheed, Kitty Pride’s dragon friend; Redbird, the Falcon’s crime fighting companion; and Neils, Speedball’s super-bouncy cat who now wishes to be called Hairball. Also tagging along is Ms. Lion, who you may remember from the old Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends series, although here “she” is a “he” (but still Ms, and yes that’s addressed–sort of). Their first mission takes the Pet Avengers to the Savage Land where they find another gem–and a dinosaur!

What they got right: A fun little story with the pets of the Marvel Universe taking center stage. A quest for the Infinity Gems should keep them busy and make for a tour of the various Marvel places of interest. Most of the choices are a good idea. There are so many ways for this to go well, especially with the team that’s been assembled.

What they got wrong: Why wasn’t this marked as a Marvel Adventures title? There are continuity errors that keep this from being a 616 title, and if this issue is any indication there’s no reasons kids wouldn’t love it. (Ignore those no-fun folks who would foolishly avoid this and label it “kiddie fare”.) As to the choices, I have no problem with Throg, but there are parts of his origin that just seem like too many hoops to jump through to believe. And while I know they needed a sixth member for the sixth gem, why Ms. Lion? (Whom you will note isn’t on the cover. Does anyone know Ms. Lion unless they’ve seen Amazing Friends? You know, where she was a FEMALE dog, and not a male one? And why is “he” written as a complete moron? I suspect even people who liked Amazing Friends Ms. Lion will not like this character. Totally missed the opportunity to use Devil Dinosaur or Sabu here.

Recommendation: Frankly, my complaints are minor, as this looks like a roller coaster ride to come. Let’s just hope it doesn’t remind me why I hate roller coasters.

The Phantom: Ghost Who Walks #2

PUBLISHER: Moonstone (2009)

WRITER/PHANTOM GROUP EDITOR: Mike Bullock

STORY CONSULTANT/EDITOR: David Michelinie

ARTIST: Silvestre Szilagyi

COLORIST: Bob Pedroza

LETTERER: Josh Aitken

COVER “A”(left): Joe Corroney

COVER “B”: Rick Leonardi & Terry Austin with Renato Guerra

PHANTOM CONSULTANT: Ed Rhoades

The port is in chaos, and the terrorists are planning to make it worse. Another suicide bomber takes himself and a news crew along with him. While taking Diana out of the danger zone (their friend is already dead), Kit comes across a group of the terrorists plotting to take the rest of the port with them and defeats them. He then goes to Mozz’s nephew to track down the head of the cult. Unfortunately, the ace hacker is found out by a master hacker working for Kazi, and his forces attack our heroes.

What they got right: I’m normally not a fan of “ripped from the headlines” stories, and it’s obvious what Mike’s “muse” is. However, he does such a good job doing it, that it holds your attention. Besides, it’s the Phantom. This issue also introduces Chane, who appears to be a possible Harold (or Lucius Fox in the current movies) or Oracle to the Phantom’s Batman. He should be an interesting addition to the team, although it does pull the comic books away from the comic strips.

What they got wrong: Nothing comes to mind. I do wonder why they have the Phantom’s word balloons suddenly taking on a purple outline, though.

Recommendation: Phantom fans should be reading this. So should everyone else. And be sure to take a look at the “Behind the Mask” article for this issue. I’m thinking of posting it here to the site, since exploring the hero archetype in fictional realms are definitely connected to this site’s goals.

Astro Boy: The Movie–Official Movie Prequel #1

PUBLISHER: IDW (May 2009)

WRITER: Scott Tipton

ARTIST: Diego Jourdan

COLORIST: Tom Smith/ Scorpion Studios

LETTERER: Robbie Robbins

EDITOR: Tom Waltz

COVER “B” ART (left): Ashley Wood

After defeating a giant monster with a drill for a nose, Astro Boy returns to the Ministry of Science building to rest. However, he’s off again when an earthquake hits Metro City, which results in the sinking of the lab! Astro heads down after him, but crashes and develops amnesia. While trying to remember who he is and what he’s doing under the earth, he’s captured by a hidden-the-shadows enemy, who plans to bring him to the “Grand Imperator”.

What they got right: This movie is set before the upcoming CG movie, and sets up Astro Boy’s world. It does a good job of setting up the movie world, and the art is well done. Like the Boom Kids Pixar titles, they use the CG models as a template, but aren’t trying to make it look like a CG comic (which would have been cool) when it’s not.

What they got wrong: I’m not sure how this is a prequel. Perhaps the movie isn’t going to be Astro’s origin story, as I thought. Also, are they really breaking out the “amnesia” bit?

Recommendation: I have to see a few more issues before I can officially “bag” or “burn” this series. But I’m still keeping my eye on it. I had the same thought when Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures first came out, and that turned out to beat Fanboy as my favorite comic ever.

Best Scene of the Week

Lockjaw & The Pet Avengers #1

At this point, Lockjaw wonders if Devil Dinosaur would sign up.

A lot of good reading, and a movie that I enjoyed more than I thought. A good use of whatever money the government let me keep this week. Plus my cable company just added Boomerang (Cartoon Network’s old cartoon’s home) to my channel lineup. Let’s hope next week goes as well.