Comics Briefly: Age of X: Universe #1, American Vampire #13, Dollhouse, Jimmy Olsen, Wonder Woman #609




Favorite Book This Week: Jimmy Olsen

All books new in stores on 3/30/11


Age of X: Universe #1
Avengers Writer: Simon Spurrier, Pencils: Khoi Pham, Inks: Tom Palmer, Colors: Sonia Oback
Spider-Man Writer: Jim McCann, Artist: Paul Davidson, Colors: Antonio Fabela

Neat idea: this issue (one of two) follows other Marvel Universe characters in the alt-world of Age of X. The Avengers are broken, evil and/or deranged. Sue Storm's story is particularly fractured and interesting. I look forward to the second half. It will hopefully link up with the intro frame from this, which implies nasty things for the Avengers' fate next time. The Spiderman-story is complete in this issue, and it's short, sweet, sad and satisfying.


American Vampire #13 (Ghost War Part One)
Writer: Scott Snyder, Artist: Rafel Albuquerque
Colors: Dave McCaig

Oooh, I like this new story arc. The focus is on Pearl's husband Henry, and his story is poignant and complex. My only complaint is that I want to know what happens next now!


Dollhouse One-Shot: Epitaphs
Story by Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen
Art: Cliff Richards, Colors: Michelle Madsen

(This is a prequel to Epitaph One.) Overall this was a really solid little piece of story. I did feel a bit like I should go watch the episode to be clear on the characters, though. (Except Felicia Day's Maggie. I remember her.) I really enjoyed the various characters trying to deal with the sudden new reality. And the end/hook for the ongoing series was great. (Side note: there's going to be an ongoing?)


Jimmy Olsen One-Shot (Jimmy Olsen's Big Week)
Writer: Nick Spencer, Artist: RB Silva, Inker: Dym

Oh man, I've been waiting for the end of this storyline ever since DC booted Jimmy Olsen as the backup feature on Action Comics (and I therefore quit collecting Action Comics). If you missed the feature last fall, this issue collects the entire arc in one triple-size book! It's so much fun: I love the writing, I love the art, the book just makes me happy. There are a couple of missteps in the art, which I only mention because a couple pages right at the climax were really jarring, and otherwise the art is so amazing that any flaw is really noticeable. I still highly recommend this as a sweet, funny romp and the best modern age/silver age mash-up I've read.


Wonder Woman #609
Writers: JM Straczynski and Phil Hester, Penciller: Don Kramer
Inkers: Sean Parsons and Wayne Faucher

I...didn't hate this. Eight issues of suck so far, but this one... was actually kinda good! I know, I'm shocked too. They're making progress towards restoring Wonder Woman's timeline/history, there were some neat comic-ish multiple-world ideas thrown around, and a kick-ass ending sequence. Dr. Psycho (revealed in the final panel last issue) isn't a villain I'm familiar with, but it looks like this is a really interesting take on him. At least alter the ugliest parts of that costume (maybe the often-hideous bicep garters), and we could be in business!

Comments

  1. ZakMarch 30, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    Does the Jimmy Olsen book have material that wasn't in the original Action Comics issues? Kinda seemed like you're saying it does

    ReplyDelete
  2. LindsayMarch 30, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Yes! DC only printed four parts, I think, before switching to the shorter issue length and ditching the backup feature. (Do you recall the charity date auction? That was the last one.) So it's a reprint of the first four, plus the rest of the story: seven segments in all.

    ReplyDelete

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