offtherack100

Off The Rack #100

Monday, July 23, 2018

The rains finally came. I hope it’s enough to save farmers’ crops. Now we don’t have to worry as much about wild fires like what’s happening in northwest Ontario and parts of BC. We have friends living close to both fires and I’m worried they may be in danger.

 

kickass6

Kick-Ass #6 – Mark Millar (writer) John Romita Jr. (pencils) Peter Steigerwald (digital inks & colours) John Workman (letters). An unbelievable getaway concludes this story. I was very happy with the way this ended. Mrs. Lee’s story continues on September 19.

 

runaways11

Runaways #11 – Rainbow Rowell (writer) Kris Anka (art) Matthew Wilson (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). This is a good issue to start with if you want a very good comic book about family. There’s no big super villain threat or world shattering event, just the kids trying to live their odd lives and loving each other. I want to be Molly’s granddad.

 

lifeofcaptainmarvel1

The Life of Captain Marvel #1 – Margaret Stohl (writer) Marguerite Sauvage (art flashbacks) Carlos Pacheco (pencils present day) Rafael Fonteriz (inks present day) Marcio Menyz (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). It’s time to give Carol Danvers another crack at the racks with this new book. Marvel’s Captain Marvel has come a long way since the Kree in the green costume first hit the racks in 1967. The original was named Mar-Vell and was a Kree soldier so the super hero name was a no brainer. It was a big deal for me when Mar-Vell died of cancer. That story by Jim Starlin was a milestone. Carol Danvers has had many transformations since she first appeared soon after Mar-Vell did. She went from being Ms. Marvel (1977) to Binary (1982) to Warbird (1998) and finally to Captain Marvel (2012). Lots of costume changes too. I vaguely remember Carol receiving her super powers and taking on the mantle of Captain Marvel and now she is even starring in her own Marvel movie hitting theatres next spring. There’s a rich history if you want to go back and read those old stories but the creative team did a splendid job of starting this new series off with all you need to know to see what Captain Marvel and especially Carol Danvers is all about. I like the new costume. Still not a fan of the sash.

 

batman51

Batman #51 – Tom King (writer) Lee Weeks (art) Elizabeth Breitweiser (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). Cold Days part 1. I laughed when I got to the final panel. Saw that coming when the jury started their deliberations. So forget the wedding that wasn’t. This new story is the murder trial of Mr. Freeze. He is accused of killing three women and it was the Batman that had him arrested. Guess who got called in for jury duty? Two things tickled my fancy. Lee drew the prosecutor looking like a certain blind attorney and with Bruce Wayne sequestered someone has to keep Gotham City’s criminal element fearful. Substitute Batman gave me a chuckle. Tom King solidifies his position as one of my favourite comic book writers right now.

 

themagicorder2

The Magic Order #2 – Mark Millar (writer) Olivier Coipel (art) Dave Stewart (colours) Peter Doherty (letters). This issue starts off with the origin story of Cordelia Moonstone and it’s a hoot. She’s one of the good guys but only because of family. When we jump back to the present, the evil magicians continue to kill the good magicians. This war with magic is a treat to read. I hope there’s a variant cover for #3 because the one printed in this issue is super sexy and would shock some people.

 

oldmanhawkeye7

Old Man Hawkeye #7 – Ethan Sacks (writer) Ibraim Roberson (art pages 1 – 19) Marco Checchetto (art page 20) Andres Mossa (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). Flashback 45 years to find out why Clint has a vendetta against the Thunderbolts. This issue is a great example of the difference between a comic book with a “Parental Advisory” warning and one with a “Teen+” warning. Showing what the bad guys do to the good guys during this super hero versus super villains fight would upset delicate sensibilities. I can’t wait to see Clint get bushwhacked.

 

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Tony Stark: Iron Man #2/602 – Dan Slott (writer) Valerio Schiti (art) Edgar Delgado (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). I don’t know why Alexander Lozano (cover artist) swiped Steve Ditko’s Amazing Spider-Man #33 cover for this issue since Iron Man doesn’t even come close to being caught in this situation. There are a couple of mysteries that make me want to keep reading. One is something cryptic about Tony’s resurrection and the other is an old character who shows up unexpectedly.

 

thor3

Thor #3/709 – Jason Aaron (writer) Mike del Mundo (art) Marco D’Alfonso (colour assists) VC’s Joe Sabino (letters). If you’re sad that the wedding of Batman and Catwoman was called off, come on over to this comic book to witness Hela and Balder’s nuptials. The War of the Realms in Hel has turned out to be a lot of fun. When they get to the part of the wedding ceremony where they ask if anyone has any objections to the union, you won’t believe who does. There’s a lot going on in this story and I can’t wait to find out what happens when Thor goes knock, knock, knocking on heaven’s door.

 

immortalhulk3

The Immortal Hulk #3/720 – Al Ewing (writer) Joe Bennett (pencils framing sequence) Ruy Jose (inks framing sequence) Paul Mounts (colours except where indicated) VC’s Cory Petit (letters except where indicated). I like this new creepy and eerie take on the big green galoot. This issue is called “Point of View” and is about four witnesses’ accounts of what happened in a church during a hostage situation involving the Hulk. There’s the cop’s story with Leonardo Romero (art); the bartender’s story with Paul Hornschemeier (art, colours & letters); the old lady’s story with Marguerite Sauvage (art & colours) and the priest’s story with Garry Brown (art). It’s funny how attitude changes what people see. The issue ends in Vancouver, Canada (Hello, The Comicshop) with a call from Walter Langkowski AKA Alpha Flight’s very own Sasquatch. Oh, and what a great cover eh?

 

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Avengers #5/695 – Jason Aaron (writer) Paco Medina & Ed McGuinness (pencils) Juan Vlasco with Mark Morales and Karl Story (inks) David Curiel (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). Turns out this is “The Secret Origin of the Marvel Universe” so pay attention all you Marvel fans. This is so ridiculously over the top it’s funny. Jason keeps ramping up the threats and the heroics with no end in sight. This reminds me of when Galactus first appeared. I want Jason Aaron to write a Ghost Rider book and a solo Loki book. If  David Curiel doesn’t win an award for Best Colorist of the year he will be robbed. As far as super hero comic books go, this issue gets a 10 out of 10.

 
 

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