WAR FOR EARTH-3 #2 DC COMICS
Honestly, this is another example of a pointless waste of talent employed to accomplish nothing. Multiple super teams, multiple betrayals and double-crosses and in the end, Amanda Waller and her Earth 3 version of a Justice League disappear into the Multiverse. Talon gets offed by a Waller Neck bomb for no good reason except to have a member of the Suicide Squad live up to its name. And everybody else just goes home. Match and Noctura get a second chance at life. Whooptie Doo. Honestly, as someone who remembers when Earth 3 first appeared in the pages of Justice League of America #29, they kinda wrecked it. I give it a 3 out of 10 Grahams.
ASTRO CITY THAT WAS THEN #1 IMAGE COMICS
This is what comics can be! Astro City was always the home of touching stories about the human condition. And even though it’s been awhile, the traditional team of Kurt Busiek, Brent Eric Anderson, and Alex Ross show that they still have it. And also that Astro City has many more stories to tell. Heralding back to the days when Robin went off to college and left Batman and the Teen Titans gave up their costumed identities, the Astro City sidekicks are left to think about their futures after a devistating tragedy leaves the world questioning the idea of teen sidekicks. Heartfelt and deeply moving, this is a great reminder of what the comic page can do for a reader. Welcome back Astro City, I look forward to visiting you again. This one tops the list with a 10 out of 10 Grahams.
RISE OF DRACULA #4 SOURCE POINT PRESS
Another thought provoking chapter of this story as the new Dracula takes her place at the head of the table. Not wanting the role, the new Dracula shows that she is the new leader in both thoughts and actions. This title is really out of left field and most probably flying under most people’s radars. Which is a shame as the new Dracula’s speech to the nation is amazing and disturbing on multiple levels. This is a series that is worth your time to seek out. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
SENSATIONAL WONDER WOMAN SPECIAL #1 DC COMICS
A terrific trio of stories featuring the Amazon princess. I am a big fan of the updated version of classic Wonder Woman villain, the Blue Snowman. So getting a new story featuring her is always a treat. And while all three stories are filled with social relevance, they don’t get too preachy. And with Dr. Fate joining in the second story, I’m really getting my fill of the Golden Age here. The finally story by Stephanie Phillips is a wonderful look at high school life as Wonder Woman finds herself trapped in the body of a teenager. Seeing teenage Diana playing dodgeball to WIN and argueing with her history teacher about the true facts of the past are well written and very true to character. File this one under “Good examples of what a good creative team can do with Wonder Woman.” I give this one an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
