My Week In Comics 3-9-11

A week after I had nothing to buy, I ended up with five books -- thanks to one featuring a storyline tie-in and another being the final issue of a miniseries. So we'll get to them first...

The Outsiders 37: This is the tie-in book, that story being the "Reign of Doomsday." Much of the book was about the Outsiders themselves, though, and not only was I not interested in that aspect of it, I didn't like the writing throughout very much at all. But hey, just like in the recent Steel special, Doomsday displayed new powers and easily absconded with a severely wounded, if not dead, Eradicator. If you're familiar with the post-death of Superman period in the comics, he had four replacements. Two, Steel and the Eradicator, have now been attacked by Doomsday. So obviously Superboy and Cyborg Superman are in Doomsday's sights.

Victorian Undead II -- 5 (of 5): While this whole "Sherlock Holmes vs. ______" idea was fun, I think it's sort of run its course. After defeating zombies, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and, in this concluding issue, Dracula, I'm not sure they can keep going back to the well. Or can they? Holmes vs. Frankenstein? The Mummy? The Wolfman? For now, my Holmes fix has to come from...

My Week(s) In Comics 2-9-11, 2-16-11

I'm two weeks behind in this so I'm not going to write a lot about each of these. There are times when I feel like I'm not inspired enough and maybe I shouldn't bother writing about my weekly comic book haul. However, unlike many comics creators, publishers, fans, etc., I believe continuity is important. So, starting with the 9th:

Superman 708: Still not into this walking-across-America thing but developments here at least hint at a possible explanation for Superman's mental malaise. Plus he meets Wonder Woman for the first time (well, first time since her whole timeline was changed in her book so that she's not a famous hero and no one knows who she is).


DC Comics Presents: Superman - Sole Survivor 1: A reprint of four comic books in one issue, a couple of stories, from 1998 and 2001, that somehow I missed before. The second one was actually more interesting, telling the story of a scientist who, when his planet is about to explode, launches his only child into outer space to save his life. Krypton? No, in this story it's Earth.

Victorian Undead II -- 4 (of 5): Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula, part four. Unlike last issue, lots of action. No actual appearance by Dracula, though. Unfortunately, he's in Buckingham Palace.

As for the 16th...

My Week In Comics 1-12-11

Overdue! Overdue! This is not a library book but it's still overdue. Plus I bought a book that had been released a week prior, because I read an article about it. Let's deal with that first...

Starman/Congorilla 1 (of 1): This is a special one-shot tied into a storyline in the current Justice League of America series. In the current iteration of the JLA these two are members. I don't buy that book so I don't really know how it's tied in beyond what is explained in this book. Why did I buy it? Well, the article I read referred to this Starman character being gay, and the story in part deals with his not-too-healthy way of dealing with his grief over his lover's murder. And then another hero is brought back to life after being dead for a while. (I know, shocking!) And guess what? He's also gay. Can a "Justice League: Valentine's Day Special" be far behind?

Superman 707: On his Walk Across America trying to reconnect with the regular folks, Superman is in Des Moines, Iowa and still having doubts about what he's doing. If that isn't bad enough, the way he deals with a dispute between the workers and management at a chemical plant (after dealing with an explosion and fire there) makes Lois really mad. If he were going home that night he'd be sleeping on the couch, let me tell you.

Secret Six 29: This continues the story from Action Comics 896, the confrontation between Lex Luthor and Vandal Savage just before an explosion in the LexCorp building. While wrapping that up, it also provides a little backstory for Savage and his daughter Scandal. This is loopily narrated by Ragdoll, who thinks everyone was killed in the explosion.


Victorian Undead II - 3 (of 5): This entire book, except for the last couple of pages, consists of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, and then Holmes' brother Mycroft, comparing notes on Dracula with Professor Van Helsing and his associates. There's a lot of talk but not so much plot advancement.

My Week In Comics 11-10-10

Here's a novel idea: post this on the actual day I bought the books! Oh, and by the way, I've finished the final two Scott Pilgrim volumes -- Vol. 5, Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe and Vol. 6, Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour. The last volume was only released in July, a month before the movie, so the film was obviously in the works for a while. Interesting. And, as I think I've said before, the differences between the books and movie aren't a detriment to the enjoyment of the film. Speaking of enjoyment...

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne 6 (of 6): ...or lack of it...this series ended up as kind of a mess. Confusing at times, and ending kind of abruptly. The best Batman moment this week came at the end of Red Robin #17, which I didn't buy but looked through at the store.

Comic Book Guy: The Comic Book 5 (of 5): This, on the other hand, I definitely enjoyed. Would it be a real spoiler if I revealed that Comic Book Guy wasn't actually dead? I suppose not. But the explanation is fun. Now, if someone can explain to me how Dr. Nick survived the giant shard of glass in "The Simpsons Movie" I'd really appreciate it.

Victorian Undead II -- 1 (of 5): So we've already had Sherlock Holmes vs. zombies and Jekyll & Hyde. Now, Holmes and Watson investigate a shipwreck and find themselves in danger. Meanwhile, Queen Victoria is also in danger, though she doesn't know it yet, as a certain Count from Transylvania is ushered into Buckingham Palace. Yep...now it's Holmes vs. Dracula!