Posted in: Comics | Tagged: All Star Western, amazing spider-man, aquaman, astonishing x-men, batman inc, Comics, dark knight, fantastic four, hawkman, hero, secret avengers, youngblood

Eleven Thoughts About Eleven Comics – Fantastic Four, HERO, Batman Inc, Youngblood, Amazing Spider-Man, Aquaman, Dark Knight, Hawkman, All Star Western, Secret Avengers, Astonishing X-Men,

As you read this, I am currently flying through the air to the Phoenix Comic Con. But before I hit the airport, I hit the comic shop. And these are a few of the things that caught my eye.

There are plenty of wonderful things in the new HERO comic from Image, from a new Kevin Eastman Turtles story, to Dave Sim drawing Elephantmen.. but the pieces that will tug the heart most, are comic strips created by the very people that the HERO Initiative charity has helped. Such as Russ Heath.

The transmogrification of Chris Burnham into Frank Quitely continues, from solid blood splatter, to inset tiny panels, to those tiny twisted details that make every page a joy. And we have a new addition to the Bat Family. I really really hope it becomes permanent.

It was nice to have a break from reading Bat characters fighting Talons. To prepare you for what is to come…

Youngblood #71 is… weird. It is still incredibly simplistic, to levels that offend any level of intellect, but it does have nice touches, repeatedly, generally through moments of dialogue wisdom and juxtaposition of meaning. Such as the above. Hopefully those will increase.

This is a Fantastic Four comics I'm really unsure about. A story that seems to rely on a twist that seems inherently obvious, and then when the "what" turns into the "who", the implications are massive. Why aren't the Fantsastic Four training groups all around the world to do what they just did, after all, it's a matter of life and death. And the individual in question is special to them and gets special treatment. It's as if humanity is Fantastic Fours slaves, living and dying by their whim… was that intentional? It doesn't seem reflected anywhere other than in audience reaction.

Whereas Amazing Spider-Man pulled a bait and switch that I was miles away from guessing, and I feel so much more rewarded as a result, when it's all so logical. And Dan Slott continues to pull off Avengers battles more convincing than in another, higher profile, event. And, unlike the FF is taking the issues of super technology head on.

I get easily confused by Black Manta. This issue of Aquaman doesn't exactly help. But it is so, so pretty. And sometimes that's enough.

Dark Knight has a novel take on the whole Night Of The Owls by, instead of looking at the whole night, or even a few hours, it takes a couple of minutes, if that, and extends it. A bit like Robin's neck on the cover. Context, character, motivation… And the despair that it all leads to nothing. Batman's involvement is both central and minor, and all the better for it.

Another of the Rob Liefeld cosmic revamps for Savage Hawkman, And again we get an incredibly simplistic plot that feels so tired and overused. It is saved by some extraordinary art however, and a very bold, aggressive and fearsome character on the page.

While many of the Night Of The Owls books have taken a trip to the past, All Star Western is staying right there, in a time it seems where the Talons weren't quite as formidable as they are now, but just as representative of a society on the make. And a very refreshing take from Jonah Hex on the whole thing.

Secret Avengers gives us the New Mar-Vell Family, just at a time when DC are abandoning their claim to that, or similar, name. So, we get a Phoenix-related fight on another planet which may indicate the way it cold go on Earth, in a rather unexpected fashion. And a rather disappointing Captain Britain. Time for his vindication next issue, I'm sure. Must be. Come on.

With all the fuss about the marriage proposal inAstonishing X-Men #50 released yesterday, did no one else notice Kyle's response? Looks like we have a longer journey to saving the date than we thought…

Comics courtesy of Orbital Comics of London. Who are about to run a Dan Parent/Archie exhibition…

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