BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #1 DC COMICS
While this one-shot (like the others) does not particularly move the storyline ahead, it does have some interesting concepts. The problem is the page count. There just not enough room to explore some of the more interesting concepts and so they are glossed over in a page or two. The other problem I have is that I’m almost convinced that this is going to be “Bobby Ewing in the Shower” ending. This whole story so far has had the feel of this being Batman’s worst nightmare given shape. Always the planner, Batman has proven that he was ready if any other hero went rogue and could take them down. This is what keeps Bruce awake at night. The idea that he could go off the deep end in so many ways. And since the new Dream character has already been implied as to showing up at the end of the story, I hope Batman doesn’t get woken up and the world is what it used to be. I would definitely call shenanigans on that. I give it a 6 out of 10 Grahams.
PUPPET MASTER CURTAIN CALL #1 ACTION LAB
I have always been a big fan of the comic adaptations of Charles Band’s Full Moon movies and in particular the Puppet Master series. However, like everything else, there are only so many times you can go back to the well. The bouncing back and forth between good and evil, human and puppet, Toulon alive, Toulon dead, has all been done. And while this series picks up on plot points from Action Lab’s previous titles, I really don’t see a lot of original concepts here. And while it will be nice to see Six-Shooter, Jester, and the rest in action one last time under the Action Lab logo, maybe they are needing a rest. I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
FALCON #1 MARVEL COMICS
Luckily, I was given the opportunity to get a chance to read this with this second printing. The storyline brings the Falcon back to his old school day of working the streets with the gangs and the corrupt politicians. While acknowledging that he is an Avenger and the recent fill in for Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson is back to dealing with the common man which in all honesty is where he belongs. And his new partner is a nice touch of the past as the heroic name of the Patriot has a long and intertwined history with Captain America. I am also glad to see that the concept that the Falcon is a mutant and therefore has X-men ties is largely being ignored. And while his current outfit is a bit high-tech for my tastes, it beats the Captain America knock off suit he had been wearing. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
MIGHTY THOR #701 MARVEL COMICS
The Death of the Mighty Thor storyline continues as the War Thor battles Mangog. The battle scenes are intense and the story continues moving forward. Malekith seems much more interesting and Loki-like here than in his initial appearances. The presentation here has definite connections to the Thor epics of the 1970’s and it shows. And from my perspective is welcome. I give it 8 out of 10 Grahams.
NOT BRAND ECCH #14 MARVEL COMICS
While the whole idea here was torn straight from my early days, I had every intention of granting this puppy a 10. But while the stories are humorous and allow the writers and artists to make fun of recent Marvel trends, this reads more like the old What The? issues of the 90’s than the classic Not Brand Echh. And even though our beloved Forbush Man is back no of the old cast is here. Charlie America, Mighty Sore, the Fantastical Four, Silver Burper are nowhere to be seen. And while the assembled artists and writers do a fine job, I’d have loved to have seen one or two pages reminding us of the good old days. The Watcher is right when he points out that satire books don’t really sell well so a shout out to us older guys might have been a better plan. I can only gibe this one a 7 out of 10.
