Comics are awesome.

[Dominic]

I am not going to defend everything about Byrne's body of work.


Okay, last week's comics:


New Avengers #9:
At first, I could not remember if I reviewed this already. Then, I could not even remember if I had read it. It looks like the pacing differences between "Avengers" and "New Avengers" are evaporating. A bunch of stuff happens, and then Mockingbird gets shot. The cover has little enough to do with the contents of the comic inside.
Grade: C/D


Osborn #3 (of 5):
Pacing wise, there is nothing wrong with this book. The premise and execution are sound. The art is appropriate in tone. But, for some reason, this series is not jumping out and saying "booogah oooogah" the way it should. Worth picking up if you see it though.
Grade: B/C

[Dominic]

Cobra #12:
Last week, I put off going to the comic store despite TF ongoing #16 being on the shelf. This week, I found myself near the comic shop...and went in despite the only book on my pull-list being TF "Infestation" #2. Guilt motivated me to buy at least one good book this week. Costa being the writer on "Cobra" made it an easy choice. This issue wraps up Costa's first major arc on "GI Joe", and nicely sets up for the upcomign "Civil War" arc. Worth picking up if you can bring youself to trust IDW.
Grade: A


Dom
-notes the irony of being tempted the very same week that temptation's folly is made so clear.

[Dominic]

late note:

The artist's signature credits the cover of "Cobra" #12 as a homage to an old Byrne cover, though I am unsure which one.


Dom
-at least they gave credit.

[Sparky Prime]

Brightest Day #20-
The "Aquawar" concludes with this issue, as does Aquaman's part in Brightest Day. This issue is pretty much all action continuing what began in the last issue. And if this issue is any indication, I think Firestorm and Martian Manhunter will see a similar fate if/when they complete their missions. It's interesting the White Lantern ring didn't present any alternatives this time around, but I assume that's because of Deadman's protests. With only a few more issues left of the series, I'm really looking forward to seeing how things will wrap up.

Green Lantern Corps 57-
Firestorm makes his guest appearance picking up from Brightest Day. Unfortunately, it wasn't as much of an appearance as I was expecting. He helps out the Green Lanterns a little but then they end up going their separate ways. I felt the conclusion of the Weaponer storyline was a little weak. He went to all of this effort just to get revenge on Sinestro for what he did to his people and then once he regains their respect, he turns his back on them and joins Sinestro's Crops. But on the other hand, it does tie into what he'd said in an earlier issue about his people once being conquerors and his wanting to become that again. I was also disappointed that they pretty much forgot about his shield with the White Lantern energy, which I think is a fairly big oversight with how powerful it is.

Green Lantern #62-
Hal and the other Lanterns attempt to stop Krona, but his mastery of the Emotional Spectrum makes him too powerful for them. It's interesting to see just how knowledgeable Krona is about the spectrum, and what he claims to have invented and discovered that is used by the Green Lanterns. It certainly doesn't match the Guardian's story of events, suggesting yet another thing they've lied about. It's no wonder that next up is the War of the Green Lanterns. The other interesting part of this issue is how Hal continues to refuse help from anyone but the other Lantern Corps. Should be interesting to see how these things continue to play out.

[Dominic]

You know that characters have no credibility when the bad guy is contradicting them, and you just assume they were lying the whole time.


Dom
-was thinking "the Guardians lied" even before finishing Sparky's post.

[Sparky Prime]

-was thinking "the Guardians lied" even before finishing Sparky's post.

The Guardians have long been well known to be jerks that aren't upfront about the truth of the past... I wouldn't say they have no credibility, but they aren't the most reliable leaders the Green Lantern Corps could have either.

[andersonh1]

Brightest Day #20-
The "Aquawar" concludes with this issue, as does Aquaman's part in Brightest Day. This issue is pretty much all action continuing what began in the last issue. And if this issue is any indication, I think Firestorm and Martian Manhunter will see a similar fate if/when they complete their missions. It's interesting the White Lantern ring didn't present any alternatives this time around, but I assume that's because of Deadman's protests. With only a few more issues left of the series, I'm really looking forward to seeing how things will wrap up.

Green Lantern Corps 57-
Firestorm makes his guest appearance picking up from Brightest Day. Unfortunately, it wasn't as much of an appearance as I was expecting. He helps out the Green Lanterns a little but then they end up going their separate ways. I felt the conclusion of the Weaponer storyline was a little weak. He went to all of this effort just to get revenge on Sinestro for what he did to his people and then once he regains their respect, he turns his back on them and joins Sinestro's Crops. But on the other hand, it does tie into what he'd said in an earlier issue about his people once being conquerors and his wanting to become that again. I was also disappointed that they pretty much forgot about his shield with the White Lantern energy, which I think is a fairly big oversight with how powerful it is.

Green Lantern #62-
Hal and the other Lanterns attempt to stop Krona, but his mastery of the Emotional Spectrum makes him too powerful for them. It's interesting to see just how knowledgeable Krona is about the spectrum, and what he claims to have invented and discovered that is used by the Green Lanterns. It certainly doesn't match the Guardian's story of events, suggesting yet another thing they've lied about. It's no wonder that next up is the War of the Green Lanterns. The other interesting part of this issue is how Hal continues to refuse help from anyone but the other Lantern Corps. Should be interesting to see how these things continue to play out.

I bought the same three comics this week. Thoughts on the issues later, but I generally agree with your reviews here.

[Dominic]

Ironman/Thor #4:
Part of me might be a touch biased against Abnett following "Infestation" and his lack-luster showing with "Prospero Burns". But, this issue is middling at best. Given the strong high concept of the series, "middling" is "lacking". Diablo's origin reads like a paint by numbers coloring book. Abnett drops the ball with Thor's dialogue once or twice. Given that Thor is the sort of character Abnett has more than a fair amount of experience writing, this is especially irksome.
Grade: (for the series) C

Avengers #10:
Damn, there is nothing happening in this book. The only real pacing issue will be solved when the series is reprinted as a compilation. But, there is not much happening beyond "OMFG, the Hood is stealing the Infinity gems!!11!!" in this issue. It does not even read like Bendis doing a proper riff so much as it reads like just another comic. Not worth a special trip to the store, or adding to anything but the thinnest pull lists.
Grade: C

Dom
-has had worse hauls.

[Mako Crab]

Well my childhood just got raped. Just learned that Professor Xavier was ogling Jean Grey as far back as the very 1st issue of the X-Men. And I guess it became a rather large plot point in recent years again. I'm so glad I never knew about that stuff while reading the X-books. Man.

[Gomess]

Well my childhood just got raped. Just learned that Professor Xavier was ogling Jean Grey as far back as the very 1st issue of the X-Men. And I guess it became a rather large plot point in recent years again. I'm so glad I never knew about that stuff while reading the X-books. Man.

It was never a real plot point back in the day. There was one brief reference to it, and then it got dropped. Much like Beast's Noo Yawk Tuff Guy personality. He suddenly becomes erudite in issue #3.