I’m still recovering from yesterday, when I went to ConnectiCon 2009, which is why this is late tonight. That was only one day. I can imagine what would have happened after all three. I’m hoping next year I can actually get a room there or nearby, so I can take a nap or something when there aren’t any panels I want to check out. I’ll review my trip on Wednesday and Thursday, including pictures I took (with a crappy camera) and some stuff I picked up.

But before I collapse, let’s review this week’s comics. Five comics for the week, including one “back-issue” that I didn’t get last round. If you’ve been checking for the mouseover jokes, I don’t have the mental energy for it. Sorry.

Spoiler-blocked versions posted at ComiXology.

Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! #6

DC Comics/Johnny DC (September 2009)

WRITERS: Art Baltazar & Franco

ARTIST: Steven DeStafano

COLORIST: David Tanguay

COVER: J. Bone

ASST. EDITOR: Simona Martore

EDITORS: Dan Didio and Rachel Gluckstern

Wait, Didio was part of the editing on this comic? Or did they just merge the Editor-in-Chief title into the comic editor title for space?

The Marvels are summoned by the Wizard Shazam, who tells them that the eyes of the statues are opening, and warns them that Dr. Sivana has escaped prison. Billy decides to ditch school until he find the evil doctor, and accompanies the WHIZ news team to investigate a monster sighting, which may be tied to Sivana or Mr. Mind (from The Monster Society mini). Instead, they find King Kull, a super-intelligent caveman who has a device that can turn wood into metal. Captain Marvel finds a way to use the weapon against the would-be conqueror, but Sivana has plans for the villain’s “body”.

What they got right: I’m not all that knowledgeable about the Shazam! universe, so I can’t compare this version of Kull to a previous one, except I pretty sure he was in the Booster Gold episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold. He does seem to be a formidable foe for Captain Marvel, and a caveman who has technology more advanced than ours? Silly, but works with in the Billy Batson world.

What they got wrong: Most of the character models are well drawn (Mary comes off looking like a Kewpie doll), with some amazing artwork. So why is that “wrong”? Because it’s wrong for this title. Whatever problems I thought the last issue had with a poor rendition of the Kunkel models for the Marvels, at least Vaughns made it look all cartoony. This is more like the old comic designs, only the lines are too dark. Also, I didn’t know the Rock of Eternity was in outer space, as it seems to be depicted here.

Recommendation: The art is good, but doesn’t quite match the series. The story is decent, but feels like a filler story more than a continuation of the “Sivana is back” plot. None of that keeps it from being a good read, though.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold #7

DC Comics/Johnny DC (September 2009)

WRITER: J. Torres

ARTIST: J. Bone

COLORIST: Heroic Age

LETTERER: Travis Lanham

ASST. EDITOR: Harvey Richards

EDITORS: Rachel Gluckstern & Michael Singlain

COVER: Scott Jeralds

After teaming with the Olympian, Batman is called in to help find the missing Doom Patrol. Beast Boy (the only member not caught) is sure General Immortus (the villain from last issue) is behind the kidnappings, but as they rescue the team members, he realizes that the real culprit is Mad Mod. He’s used the knowledge gained from the Patrol’s special costumes to create a battlesuit he plans to market to super villains. Together, Batman and the Patrol are able to take him down.

What they got right: The writers continue to make use of the lesser-known DC characters, although the Patrol would be know to the younger readers if they’ve seen the Teen Titans cartoon. It’s from the cartoon that Mad Mod gets his design, but then again I haven’t seen him in the comics to say that for certain. Still, it’s the voice I heard, and he’s my favorite Titan villain from that series, so I liked seeing him.

What they got wrong: Even if this series does take place separately from the Teen Titans cartoon, and therein the Teen Titans Go! spin-off comic, Beast Boy hasn’t been part of the Doom Patrol in any version for a long time now. So I have to wonder about his inclusion in the team. Also, maybe the “Secret Files” section should include the opening cameo characters, as I doubt anyone in the target audience knows who the Olympian is. I know I didn’t until I looked it up online.

Recommendation: Still a comic worth reading.

Sonic Universe #6

Archie Comics (September 2009)

WRITER: Ian Flynn

PENCILER: Tracy Yardley!

INKER: Jim Amash

COLORIST: Jason Jensen

LETTERER: Teresa Davidson

MANAGING EDITOR: Mike Pellerito

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Victor Gorelick

Still 30 years in the future, King Sonic and Queen Sally compare notes with Silver the Hedgehog about recent events and their possible effect on the future. Meanwhile, the Dark Presence takes the Prowers prisoner, although Mina does get their kids to safety. Then they launch a takeover of the castle, including the internal defenses. Sally takes an unconscious Silver and the kids to the panic room while Sonic joins up with Lara-Su and the Prower kids to meet Vector’s son, and the Presence brings Shadow back to life!

What they got right: These are definitely older versions of the characters, alternate timeline or not. Sonic is actually more mature (even noting he can’t handle chili dogs like he used to), but he’s still Sonic the Hedgehog. Dimitri seems to have mellowed over the years, even if Lien-Da hasn’t. Apparently Sonic has time-traveled in the past (relatively speaking), but whether it’s a story I missed (I know only of his travels to other dimensions) or they just haven’t told yet I can’t say. But like Sonic says, best not to think about it.

What they got wrong: Nothing, really. While it’s not a stand-out story, it’s gotten past the set-up stage of last issue. OK, maybe I’m wondering why Shadow is needed at this point. Isn’t his story done?

Recommendation: I’m almost hoping to see 30 Years Later become a spin-off comic, or at least a story that Sonic Universe visits again in the future.

Astro Boy: The Official Movie Prequel #2

IDW Publishing (June 2009)

(I missed this comic when it came out, but luckily the store still had some.)

WRITER: Scott Tipton

ARTIST/COVER “A”: Diego Jourdan

COLORIST: Tom Smith

LETTERER: Robbie Robbins

EDITOR: Tom Waltz

COVER “B” (shown): Ashley Wood

Astro Boy awakens, only remembering his name, in the castle of the underground kingdom of Chiazza. The king and his people are at war with the Luchertos over the power source to the entire kingdom, a power which weakens Astro when he’s near it. Our hero agrees to help protect the power source from their enemies, but is the king as good as he seems?

What they got right: I like the art, and it’s a good story. Either I’m tired, or there isn’t much more to say about that.

What they got wrong: Nothing really.

Recommendation: Great art, a function story, though not exactly standing out, and all points hit. It’s a good read.

Astro Boy: Official Movie Prequel #3

IDW Publishing (July 2009)

WRITER: Scott Tipton

ARTIST/COVER “A”: Diego Jourdan & Jorge Santillan Studios

COLORIST: Tom Smith

LETTERER: Neil Uyetake

EDITOR: Tom Waltz

COVER “B” (shown): Ashley Wood

Astro continues to take down the Lucertos, and they keep coming to try again. Finally, they succeed in digging under the city and stealing the power source from underground. Astro zooms after them and meets up with the female leader of the Lucertos, who tells him that he’s on the wrong side, and to stay out of it. “We’ll find you soon enough.” Astro is able to chase them off and recover the power source, which makes him week again. Then a voice calls for help from within the power source, and something happens when he touches it, just as Doctors Elefun and Tenma arrive.

What they got right: The whole story is told from Astro’s perspective, so outside of what little insight a fan may have, we learn what’s going on along with Astro. Last issue brought some concerns about the king, and although that may not make the Lucertos the good guys, there’s obviously something going on that both Astro and the readers are in the dark about. It keeps the story interesting.

What they got wrong: Nothing much. It stands out more than the previous issues, but only just.

Recommendation: I may appear lukewarm in my written reviews, but I’m enjoying this mini very much. Does it make me look forward to the movie? We’ll have to see.

Best Scene of the Week

Sonic Universe #6

I'm single and I found that amusing.

And now to regain my energy so I can return to work tomorrow. ConnectiCon was fun, and I picked up a few comics there as well. Once I get through my usual articles, I’ll tell you about those and show off all the cosplayers I could get–before my camera crapped out–later in the week. That should give me time to get my head together.