AVENGERS #683 MARVEL COMICS
SPOILERS!!!! After abandoning this long and somewhat dull storyline, I got suckered into this All-Jarvis issue. Unfortunately, we get very little in the way of Jarvis’s memories of the Avengers. Couple that fact with the almost instantaneous healing of the dying Jarvis and even the big reveal that Voyager (the retconned Avenger) is a fraud can’t boost this issues potential. And why does the Beast now look like Jim Carrey’s Grinch? Sorry, Jarvis. Even an issue about you dear chap can’t help. I give it a 4 out of 10 Grahams.
GREEN LANTERNS #42 DC COMICS
Ok, I’m torn on this one. While, on the one hand I appreciate the modern ideas being interjected here (such as a religious order claiming a section of space as a sanctuary an the Green Lantern Corps having a legal researcher among their ranks) I can’t help but miss the good old days when Hal Jordan would just zoom into a Space Sector, meet up with the local ring slinger, and do what needed to be done. Tim Seeley’s storyline is still strong and interesting. It just provides me with another reminder of how complicated the world has become since I was a kid. I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
FRANKENSTEIN ALIVE, ALIVE! #4 IDW COMICS
This final chapter of Steve Niles and Bernie Wrightson’s epic is a truly touching reminder of why the Frankenstein Monster is the most “human” of the monsters. He stands as witness to all of mankind’s issues and shows the same lack of understanding and moral dilemas that we would all have if we faced these situations. And when you reach the last page, you realize, like the monster, that there are no real answers and all we can do is stand on the edge of the cliff and wonder. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
Justice League #40 DC COMICS
All right, I fully admit it. I scooped this one up solely on the fact that the cover is filled with those little headshots used back in the late 60’s and early 70’s. However, Priest’s script is a very good commentary on how the heroes see themselves and each other. And while the arguments presented here are nothing new, they are still interesting. I enjoyed the silent battle of wills between Batman and Cyborg. Cyborg looking to Batman for his two cents and Batman’s refusal to give it. As if saying what was going on in my head, “You’re a Teen Titan not a member of the JLA, Cyborg. Figure this out and prove me wrong.” And although he does come up with a solution, I’m still not satisfied that he’s a proper JLA member. I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
INCOGNEGRO RENAISSANCE #2 BERGER BOOKS
Damon Runyon meets Mickey Spillane as Mat Johnson’s tale of murder and mystery in Harlem reaches the next point. Warren Pleece’s art compliments the story. How can Zane figure out the mystery when no one is talking and he’s getting conked on the head? If you like Max Allen Collins, you’ll love this. I give it a 9 out of 10 Grahams.
