Monday, March 12, 2018
The Jee Gang gathered at brother Kelly’s house Sunday evening for a traditional Chinese dinner to finally celebrate the Year of the Dog. It was a lot louder than usual with extra children home. The cousins were here for the reception thrown for our niece Samantha and her new husband JD. They had eloped to Guam back in November but Sam is now home again from Japan. My sister Ava hosted a fun filled party at the Sala San Marco for her daughter and son-in-law Saturday night with the younguns dancing the night away. It was so nice to finally meet JD. His Mom flew up from Puerto Rico and his sister from Florida to join us. We left early to drive my Dad home after he finished his dance with his grand daughter. Dad was so happy and proud. I haven’t seen him smile that big in a long time.
It’s March Break. Why not go down to your friendly neighbourhood comic book shop and get some fun and exciting reading to keep the kids quiet for a little bit. Comic books promote reading and will stimulate their imaginations. The stores will be very appreciative.
Oblivion Song #1 – Robert Kirkman (writer) Lorenzo De Felici (art) Annalisa Leoni (colours) Russ Wooton (letters). I missed the boat on Walking Dead so this new book is my introduction to Robert Kirkman’s writing. It starts off with a guy hunting people in a post apocalyptic city with big scary monsters. Turns out this hunter is a guy on a crusade. There are a bunch of twists in this debut that hooked me and the art has a European look that suits this story. I want to see what happens next.
Infinity Countdown #1 – Gerry Duggan (writer) Aaron Kuder (art) Jordie Bellaire (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). If you’re a dyed in the wool Marvel fan like me it’s hard to resist this Infinity Stone story just for the sheer number of super heroes in it. This issue features the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Nova Corps. Everyone’s favourite talking tree will surprise you and I hope the change is permanent but I doubt it. The final scene in Madripoor with another hint to the return of Logan starts a subplot that I’m eager to follow. I wasn’t going to follow this cross over event because I’m already into Avengers: No Surrender, but they sucked me right in.
Batman #42 – Tom King (writer) Mikel Janin (art) June Chung (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). Poison Ivy has everyone on the planet mind-controlled except for Batman and Catwoman and one unfortunate soul who cannot eat vegetables. This is a cautionary tale for vegans. I think Selina is going to be crucial to the resolution of this story.
Strangers in Paradise XXV #2 – Terry Moore (story & art). This issue is cool because it connects Strangers in Paradise with Terry’s other major story Rachel Rising. It ends in quite a cliffhanger.
She-Hulk #163 – Mariko Tamaki (writer) Diego Olortegui (art) Frederico Blee (colours) VC’s Travis Lanham (letters). I’ve followed Jennifer Walters from Savage She-Hulk #1 with that cover by John Buscema that’s a part of this issue’s cover, which hit the racks in 1980, the first year I worked in a comic book store. Jen’s been through a lot since then and I have watched her with interest. I enjoyed this run but it looks like it is ending. That’s too bad.
Superman #42 – Patrick Gleason & Peter J. Tomasi (writers) Patrick Gleason (art) Alejandro Sanchez (colours) Rob Leigh (letters). Bizarroverse part 1. I’m not a fan of Bizarro. Translating the opposite language is super annoying. The first thirteen pages nearly turned me off completely but Patrick Gleason’s art and Superboy’s presence saved this issue. I’ve become quite fond of Jonathan Kent so I will hang in there to see what happens.
Daredevil #599 – Charles Soule (writer) Ron Garney (art) Matt Milla (colours) VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters). Between the killer Muse and Mayor Wilson Fisk, Matt has his work cut out for him trying to save lives in New York City. There’s a costume change that old Horn Head makes at the end of this issue that isn’t explained. I liked the new mostly black look and will miss it if the change stays. The next issue will be chock full of guest appearances.
Avengers #683 – Jim Zub, Mark Waid & Al Ewing (writers) Paco Medina (pencils) Juan Vlasco (inks) Jesus Aburtov (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). No Surrender part 9. It’s Jim Zub’s turn to be at the top of the writers rotation. The fight to save Jarvis’s life is won just in time for a startling secret to be revealed. I liked how this issue focused on the Beast and Nadia/Wasp without having to throw in a whole lot of other Avengers. There was an obscure one on the first page that I had to use Google to help refresh my memory. I learned something cool about the name Tara while doing that research. I love learning new things.
Amazing Spider-Man #797 – Dan Slott (writer) Stuart Immonen (pencils) Wade von Grawbadger (inks) Marte Gracia (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). Go Down Swinging part 1. One of my favourite penciller and inker teams does this issue and I hope they stay on for the whole story. I loved how Dan kept me guessing throughout this issue. I know it’s a cheap trick but it worked for me and it ramps up the threat that the Green Goblin is to Spider-Man even more. I can’t wait for the next issue.
Captain America #699 – Mark Waid (writer) Chris Samnee (art) Matthew Wilson (colours) VC’s Joe Caramagna (letters). Cap continues to fight in 2025 against the king who doesn’t look much like the current #45 but we get it. The Hulk and the Thing guest star. My allegiance to this book is being slowly eroded and the last panel made me lose hope for reading future issues. The next one is going to be the milestone issue #700 so I will check it out but it better be good or else I won’t be coming back.
X-Men Red #2 – Tom Taylor (writer) Mahmud Asrar (art) Ive Svorcina (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). The Hate Machine part 2. The team goes to Delhi, India to rescue a young technopath while anti-mutant sentiment escalates. I like any team that has Laura/Wolverine and Gabby/Honey Badger on it. The one page Logan appearance wasn’t anything to write home about. I think he’s just travelling around the world getting the lay of the land and seeing how things have changed since he died.
Spider-Man #238 – Brian Michael Bendis (writer) Oscar Bazaldua (art) Brian Reber (colours) VC’s Cory Petit (letters). The new Sinister Six steal a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier. I was not impressed with this issue. It just goes to show that not every Bendis book turns out to be a gem. It still moved the story along and gives us a hint to what Miles will be involved with after Brian leaves Marvel so this issue wasn’t a complete letdown.
