Final Crisis #2: As the behind-the-scenes stories of DC were seemingly beginning to outperform their fictional output recently, along comes Final Crisis #2 to remind us — and clue some of us in — that Grant Morrison’s had this thing pretty well set for awhile, and the story proceeds apace. This issue is a bit more straightforward than the debut (read: more action, fewer cavemen), and the overall thrust of the story becomes a lot more clear. Art is exemplary throughout, which is part of what made the announcement of Carlos Pacheco fill-in pages on #4 on so disappointing — it would be nice if DC could have just one big event book with consistent art and writing alike. Still, I enjoyed this issue from the awesome introductory Japanese superhero sequence to the last-page reveal and as the roller-coaster heads into the first big hill I’m digging the ride.
Green Lantern #32: In the more-than-capable hands of Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis this has become one of the most consistently dependable high-quality books on the stands month in and month out (more or less, with a few delays here and there), to the degree that it has become one of the few DC books even diehard Marvelites seem to pick up — and can pick up, thanks to the relative accessibility of the series. This issue is no exception, continuing the tightening up and recasting of Hal Jordan’s origin while tying firmly in to recent GL stories and effectively foreshadowing future events (Atrocitus’ oath is pretty goofy, though). A great book for pretty much anyone who likes good comics.
Captain America #39: This is the Marvel book that’s so consistently high-quality month in and month out that even diehard DC fans pick it up, although actually this month’s art isn’t quite up to the level of excellence set by Epting/Perkins/Guice. It’s not damaging, fortunately, as Ed Brubaker’s script provides yet another great chapter in his continually unfolding megaplot. Recommended.
Superman #677: Starman writer James Robinson makes his return to regular monthly comics writing with this issue, kicking off in fairly consistent tone with what Kurt Busiek was doing immediately prior in this series. Promising, but nowhere near the level of awesome of Johns and Frank over on Action Comics nor quite as strong as Busiek’s work yet — especially considering Busiek’s Superman work is still around for comparison in the form of Trinity, which incorporates some plotlines Busiek had intended for Superman. Hopefully the promised upcoming reintertwining of the Super-books will be to the benefit of all, and in any case I almost always enjoy Robinson’s work so I’m looking forward to seeing where he goes from this fairly standard first act.
New Avengers #42/Mighty Avengers #15: More Secret Invasion “What really happened” Skrull infiltration backstories, for Spider-Woman and Hank Pym respectively. Interesting stuff, though I am starting to feel like it is kind of getting to be a bit much of this kind of thing and that Secret Invasion is a “one step forward, two steps back”type of event. Of these two issues, New gets the edge due to its slightly sharper script and beautiful Jim Cheung artwork, though Romita Jr/Janson/Palmer aren’t too shabby over on Mighty either. Let’s face it, if you’re buying one of these, you’re buying the other, and if you’re not buying one you’re not buying either — at least until the SI Avengers trades come out.
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