Comics Briefly: Avengers Academy #12, Darkwing Duck #11, Power Girl #23

Favorite Issue This Week: Arrgh! The three books I bought this week were all awesome, but so different in tone, it's almost impossible to compare them. My favorite might be Avengers Academy #12, for the way the issue interacts with the continuing series, but it's very close.

All Books new in stores on 4/20/11

FYI: Graphic Novel in stores this week: Darkwing Duck 2: Crisis on Infinite Darkwings (Collects Second Story Arc) If you were a fan of the cartoon show, you need to be reading this comic.


Avengers Academy #12
Writer: Christos Gage, Penciler: Tom Raney
Inker: Scott Hanna, Colorist: Jeromy Cox

This was a fantastic issue. Carina (cosmic chick) has temporarily given the students the appearance and abilities of their older selves, and not everyone is pleased with what they learn about their possible futures. Everyone got some nice character moments, plus a brutal battle. Some of the best writing of teenage characters in comics is in this book, although the art is often a little shaky.


Darkwing Duck #11
Writer: Ian Brill
Artist: James Silvani, Colorist: Lisa Moore

This book is 22 packed pages of awesome. I had to count to check that it wasn't an extra long issue, so much happened. Gosalyn and Honker take on Ammonia Pine, Morgana and Launchpad investigate the zombified townspeople, meanwhile Darkwing and Steelbeak reach the heart of F.O.W.L. Headquarters. This continues to be one of the most reliably enjoyable books I collect. Easter eggs in the art for Disney fans just give it that extra edge of fun.


Power Girl #23
Writer: Judd Winick
Artist: Sami Basri, Colorist: Jessica Kholinne

I read the preview for this issue online and was so tickled that I picked it up. Superman and Zatanna guest star, and both are used well. The art is clean and playful, which matches the tone of the writing. I don't know much about what's been going on with Power Girl, but I really enjoyed the quick pace and snappy dialogue in this issue.


Also Considered:
Supergirl #63
Written by James Peaty; Art by Bernard Chang

After last month's rather boring issue, (writeup here) I only flipped through this one in the store. I think the reveal on the villain was boring, and other than that nothing happened in the whole issue. Maybe I'll check out Supergirl again in a couple months; there's a new creative team taking on the next arc.