TITLE: Psylocke
AUTHORS: Christopher Yost, Chris Claremont
PENCILLERS: Harvey Tolibao, Jim Lee. Cover by David Finch.
COLLECTS: Psylocke #1-4, Uncanny X-Men #256-258
FORMAT: Softcover
PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics
PRICE: $19.99
RELEASED: June 9

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

A bitchin’ babe with a pair of swords and telepathic powers. Doesn’t get much more kick ass than that, does it?

I didn’t know much about Psylocke going into this book. She was always that character in the X-Men video games I had no idea about. But when the consciousness of pilot Betsy Braddock was transferred into the body of a Japanese ninja, the genesis of Psylocke began. That psychic transfer was initiated by Matsu’o Tsurayaba, leader of a ninja clan called The Hand (not to be confused with The Foot Clan, who the Ninja Turtles fight). When Tsurayaba has Psylocke’s original body destroyed, severing her last tie to her former life, she seeks him out, intending to kill him.

Little does she know that Wolverine also has an agenda involving Tsurayaba, which will bring them into direct conflict.

Image from comicvine.com.

That’s the cliffnotes version of the story. If you’re not a Marvel buff and you let yourself get bogged down by all the continuity, the story can get needlessly confusing. Thankfully, Christopher Yost does a good job of acknowledging the past while remaining in the present. After the main story, they threw in a three-issue story arc from Chris Claremont (who originally created the Betsy Braddock character) and Jim Lee’s run on Uncanny X-Men in 1989/90, which adds a little perspective, but a bit of confusion as well. Still, the Jim Lee art alone makes the retro issues a worthy inclusion.

Psylocke straddles between the “journey of self discovery” and “rage-filled murder quest” story archetypes, and actually does it quite well. With only four issues, Psylocke’s journey is short, but packs a punch. Her flashbacks are interesting, while giving us the exposition we need. The fights are good, though we spend just a little too much time with a pyrokinetic who’s also felt the wrath of Tsurayaba. And of course, the confrontation between Psylocke and Wolverine is fun.

Meanwhile, Harvey Tolibao’s art is pure magic. He draws an awesome Psylocke, and a fantastic Wolverine. The colorists also compliment his pencils very well. This art team could do an amazing silent issue on any title.

Image from 4thletter.net.

Yost writes Psylocke as someone who believes she knows it all, and has lost it all. The main characters she meets during her journey are the same way. Through them, she comes to see that her life, her journey, has not ended. She still has miles to go. That’s a pretty cool message, and an unexpected one coming a book about a telepathic ninja.

I’m impressed, Christopher Yost. I’m very impressed.

RATING: 8/10

Front page image from panelsonpages.com.

For more from Christopher Yost, check out Red Robin: The Grail and Red Robin: Collision.

TITLE: Justice League: Team History
AUTHOR: James Robinson
PENCILLER: Mark Bagley
COLLECTS: Justice League of America #38-43
FORMAT: Hardcover
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $19.99
RELEASE DATE: September 8

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

This book ought to be called Dude, Where’s My Justice League?

Some of the creative decisions surrounding Justice League of America in the past year or so have really left me scratching my head. Certain characters have been in the League for a little while, then left, only to be replaced by other characters, who then leave, and are replaced again. The cast/team line up has been in a constant state of flux.

I feel like James Robinson’s would-be epic, Justice League: Cry For Justice, is partially to blame for that. First they were going to make that book into it’s own series, then they decided to just make it a miniseries, and that seems to have screwed things up. Robinson was put on the main Justice League book, and proceeded to give us an almost entirely different team.

Still, he and Mark Bagley put on a decent show with Team History.

The book begins in the aftermath of Cry For Justice, with Vixen, Plastic Man, Dr. Light and Red Tornado contemplating whether the Justice League should even exist in its current incarnation. Soon, the events of Blackest Night kick in, and Zatanna must confront her zombified father. Meanwhile, Vixen and Gypsy face their old teammates from the Detroit Justice League, and Dr. Light deals with her villainous counterpart of the same name.

Cover to Justice League #38. Art from comicartcommunity.com.

Then we jump post-Blackest Night, and only Dr. Light and a bodyless Red Tornado remain on the team. So Robinson throws Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Green Arrow, Batman (Dick Grayson), Donna Troy, Cyborg, Starfire, Mon-El, The Guardian, and The Atom together. Plus, we get Congorilla and Starman, who were featured in Cry For Justice. They take on, among other threats, a trio of villains who gain access to the Justice League Watchtower.

For my money, the first part of this book overshadows the second. Robinson does a really nice job with the confrontation between the good Dr. Light, and the sadistic rapist Dr. Light. He taps into some of that Identity Crisis magic really well. The fight with the Detroit League is fun too. I was pleasantly surprised.

The book gets a little convoluted during its second half. The assemblage of the team is done well enough, but the bad guys are introduced via a series of flashbacks that left me scratching my head. I knew who/what the threat was, I just wasn’t sure how they got to be a threat or why.

What frustrated me the most about this book, is that the new team seems to start imploding before their first adventure is even over. The events of The Fall of Green Arrow/The Rise of Arsenal start to take over, and there’s a big question mark left hanging over the entire team. Plus, based on events that have taken place since Justice League #43 was published, it’s looking like at least a couple of these heroes won’t be sticking around for the long haul.

Team History is a decent book on its own, but it left me frustrated at the lack of consistency in the Justice League’s roster. Heck, even the characters themselves seem to be getting frustrated. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have even complained about the Teen Titans, and saved my frustration for the League.

Seriously…will the real Justice League please stand up?

RATING: 6/10

Front page image from acomicbookblog.com.

TITLE: Red Robin: Collision
AUTHOR: Christopher Yost
PENCILLERS: Marcus To, Lee Garbett
COLLECTS: Red Robin #6-12, Batgirl #8
FORMAT: Softcover
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $19.99
RELEASE DATE: September 8

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

If you’re a Tim Drake fan, Collision is going to be an integral book in your collection. It’s just that simple.

When we open the book, Red Robin has just returned overseas after the events of Blackest Night. Working with Ra’s al Ghul’s League of Assassins, he’s taking on a group of ruthless killers called the Council of Spiders. All the while, he’s keeping an eye on Tam Fox, Lucius Fox’s daughter, who came looking for the missing Tim Drake.

But Tim’s relationship with Ra’s goes south quickly, as the immortal terrorist sends his assassins to Gotham in an attempt to erase Bruce Wayne’s legacy by killing the ones he held dear. Alfred, Dick Grayson, Damian, Jim Gordon, Leslie Thomkins, Lucius Fox and Selina Kyle are just some of the characters in danger, and Red Robin and Batgirl have to save them all.

One of the most interesting things about Tim Drake, in my opinion, is how much he’s evolved over the years. He’s just over 20 years old, which is still pretty young in terms of comic book characters. But we’ve already seen him transition from chirpy apprentice, to confused and doubtful teenager, to up-and-coming detective and crime fighter, to full-fledged superhero. By the end of this book, you know Tim isn’t at Bruce Wayne’s level yet, but there’s also little doubt he WILL get there.

I loved the way Christopher Yost puts you directly into Tim Drake’s head, and allows you to feel a small measure of that stress and tension he feels. This is displayed beautifully in a fight scene where Tim is trying to hold off members of the Council of Spiders, while at the same time trying to keep Tam Fox alive. Under Yost’s direction, Tim thinks like a ninja and a hero, but he still has that sense of uncertainty, vulnerability and humor which allows audiences to relate to him. This angle has been done before, but I’ve seen few writers in the modern era do it as well as Yost does here.

With this story, Yost takes that uncertain, vulnerable character and examines his relationships, both old and new. We get really nice glimpses into his rapports with his ex-girlfriend Stephanie Brown (Batgirl) and his surrogate brother Dick Grayson (Batman), as well as his newer associations with Ra’s al Ghul and Tam Fox. This book is a true state-of-Tim-Drake address.

Image from comicmegastore.com.

The book also plants a couple of seeds for future story arcs with Ra’s and Tam, both of which are quite intriguing.

One of the only criticisms I can throw at this book is a minor, yet humorous one. One of the members of the Council of Spiders is a guy who wields a pair of sickles. He’s portrayed as very dangerous, and is involved in two really dramatic fight scenes during the book. But his name is…Sac. I kid you not. A villain named Sac. I honestly hope he shows up in future books, because the one-liners write themselves. What if Sac is his last name? What if his first name is Harold? In this issue! The rematch of the year! Red Robin vs. Harry Sac!

But I digress…

Red Robin is unquestionably one of the better developments out of Batman-land in recent years. This book convinced me that if Tim Drake had become Batman after Battle For The Cowl, he could have been just as effective a replacement for Bruce Wayne as Dick Grayson is now. And that my friends, is saying something.

RATING: 8.5/10

Front page image from acomicbookblog.com.

TITLE: The Unsinkable Walker Bean
AUTHOR/ARTIST: Aaron Renier
FORMAT: Softcover
PUBLISHER: First Second Books
PRICE: $13.99
RELEASED August 17

By Lora Van Marel
Staff Writer, One-Woman Show

This is the story of Walker Bean and his nautical adventure. Walker is very close with his grandfather, but when his grandfather gets mysteriously ill after looking at an enchanted skull, it is Walker’s mission to return the skull to its rightful home.

At first glance it seems like Walker is modeled off of a young Indiana Jones and filled with adventure, but as the story progresses Walker’s character seems to simply be a child forced into this sea voyage in order to save his grandfather’s life. This makes his character more relatable to the children that are the target audience of the book. His weaknesses make the story far less entertaining. After about the third page the reader is already bored with all of Walker’s crying, because he never stops crying!

Image from firstsecondbooks.com.

The story is a typical adventure tale filled with battle scenes, evil lobster women, stowaways, mythical creatures, and magical items. It was creative, but nothing really stuck out as being truly unforgettable. No big twist ending or epic surprises, it just stuck to the typical formula. Children will find this comforting and be entranced by the story, but it wasn’t amazing.

The illustrations are very cartoonish, reminiscent of the art from Where’s Waldo? The characters and backgrounds are all very generic and on large full page panels there is so much detail that the reader might even feel tricked into looking for Waldo.

This book was written for children. Reluctant readers will be drawn to this adventure story because it will be far simpler then reading a large novel. Kids will not pick up this book over superhero, Bone, or even Babymouse graphic novels and it will not hold the attention of adults.  It’s basically just a mediocre read.

RATING: 3/10

Front page image from firstsecondbooks.com.

TITLE: Irredeemable, Vol. 3
AUTHOR: Mark Waid
PENCILLERS: Peter Krause, Diego Barreto. Cover by Barry Kitson.
COLLECTS: Irredeemable #9-12
FORMAT: Softcover
PUBLISHER: BOOM! Studios
PRICE: $16.99
RELEASED: July 2010

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

There’s a page in this book that shows The Plutonian, during his hero days. He’s underwater, pulling a sunken ship up to the surface by a massive chain.

The only dialogue on the page is: “Do you know what an average day was for me? Can you even imagine?”

Things like that are what make me love this series. That’s right! I said love! I love, love, LOVE Irredeemable. It’s rich with human emotion, action and conflict in the best possible ways. It’s the most realistic superhero book I’ve ever read. The only real complaint I have about it is that the issues fly by too fast.

The third collected volume in the series kicks off with Charybdis revealing to the rest of the Paradigm that he now has super powers to rival the Plutonian’s, as the US government sinks to a new low to try and stop the all-powerful mad man. Meanwhile, The Plutonian meets with someone he believes to be his dead partner, Samsara. By the end of the book, Bette Noir finally tells all about her relationship with The Plutonian, and we finally find out where the former hero’s arch nemesis Modeus has been hiding.

Image from comicculturewarrior.files.wordpress.com

As I’ve stated before, The Plutonian, whose real name is Tony, is an obvious metaphor for Superman, and that metaphor just gets stronger and stronger with each passing issue. In this book we get a closer look at the isolation Tony has felt over the years. It’s the same isolation we’ve seen Superman feel at times.

But Irredeemable is more than a “What if?” story about Superman. It takes the common hero/villain archetypes and unapologetically tears them apart. There is no black and white in the world these characters live in. Not anymore, at least. It’s entirely gray. Almost every character we’ve met in this book has some kind of major flaw, or psychological weakness. They’re super-powered beings, but they’re so incredibly human. They’re some of the most human characters I’ve ever encountered in a comic book. That’s what makes Irredeemable so fantastic. You can legitimately relate to so many of the characters on a personal level.

Even The Plutonian, as diabolical as he’s become, is relatable. We don’t actually see this happen, but there’s a scene where a member of one of young Tony’s first foster families recalls him trying to hold a baby. But with his enhanced strength, he accidentally squeezes the baby too hard, and…yeah. As readers, we don’t use those memories to justify what Tony has done. But it makes us understand how monsters are born. And how unbelievably cool is that?

The book is unapologetically disturbing at times. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Irredeemable is in your face, balls out storytelling at its best. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can’t wait for more.

RATING: 10/10

Front page image from danpanosian.com.

By Eric Stuckart
Creator, Destroyer

About a month or so back, I heard about Red, the upcoming Summit Entertainment film hitting theaters October 15. And seeing the trailer, I saw the DC logo, so that piqued my interest. So, like any good comic book reader, I decided to go out and pick up the trade paperback.

After reading Red, the three-issue story by Warren Ellis and pencilled by Cully Hamner, I was confused, very confused. Now I’m well used to Hollywood using and abusing our favorite comic books and malforming them into whatever story they want to sell. We’ve seen it happen with the biggies like Batman, Spider-Man and X-Men, among others. Hell, I could go on forever.

But now, something more nefarious is happening. The well is starting to run dry, so they’re going for the more ‘fringe’ stories, stories that should probably be left alone. Hell, after what they did to Jonah Hex, I shouldn’t ever have faith in Hollywood’s idea of what a comic book movie should be. But then again, the last twenty years also brought us such cinematic classics like Dick Tracy, The Phantom, and Monkeybone, so it’s obviously been a longtime practice for the guys in their think tanks to come to the conclusion that this is what viewers want.

Back to Red, I’m really confused as to how it’s going to be made into a film that has any sense of reverence to the source material when they’re playing it off like an action-comedy, bordering on a buddy-cop type of film. Perhaps I’m being presumptuous, as I’m only going on the trailers I’ve seen for the movie, but I think it’s safe to say that they’re not going to capture the cold blooded nature of the comic in any way, shape or form.

In Warren Ellis’ book, it tells the story of Paul Moses, a retired CIA Agent living out his golden years in seclusion, punctuated only by the occasional letter from his granddaughter, who lives in England, and a weekly phone conversation with his ‘handler’ back at his former headquarters. Michael Beesley, the newly appointed Director of the CIA is shown a number of files as part of his initiation. Learning of what atrocities Moses had committed—we never find out what exactly he did—Beesley decides that the only way to keep these secrets safe is by assassinating Moses. This plan goes belly-up; Moses turns out to be harder to kill than planned, and he goes out for vengeance. The story only has four characters worth mentioning, and is tidily wrapped up in its three issue run.

How Erich and Jon Hoeber managed to stretch this story out into a screenplay for a feature length film is beyond me. Even more confusing is how they apparently must have sat back and thought that the story wasn’t epic enough with one badass to go out for blood, that they needed three more. So basically, somehow the story was mutated to include not only Bruce Willis as Moses, but Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren as members of some sort of elite team that they all used to be part of. Somewhere in there they wrote in a love interest for him, in the form of Mary-Louise Parker, because all badasses need a girl on their arm while they’re capping motherfuckers. Even moreso if they’re part of the Viagra league. That just goes without saying.

Now I’m going to be honest here, the movie looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun, and I’m sure it’ll be enjoyable at the very least. The talent that they have going into the film is at least of a higher caliber than that of, say, The Losers, another comic adaptation that kind of came out of the blue. My problem is the fact that something like this shouldn’t be named Red, or based off of the comic at all. Hell, if they really had to flesh out the story to be some kind of ridiculous action flick, they could have still done it with just Bruce Willis. Considering how many people would go see it just based on his presence, they could have attempted to do it somewhat in the spirit of the film. Just look at how many people love the Die Hard movies.

But if they did that, it wouldn’t be a guaranteed payoff. The comic, while not the most violent out there, is definitely something that would earn a film adaptation a hard R if done in the spirit of the book. And there’s something to be said about Ellis’ version of Moses, who does a lot more shooting than he does talking, but that’s an acceptable risk in my opinion. Red is the type of book that could have been recreated word for word, and unlike Watchmen, which had way too many twists and turns to be easily recreated in the film medium, this would have adapted perfectly. Hell, the book itself could have been used for storyboards.

But, Hollywood had to be the greedy pig that it is, and go for the easy bucks. It’s easier to market an action-comedy with a PG-13 rating than it is an R rated revenge movie, especially if it’s something of this nature. I’m well aware of the difficulty that Summit would have trying to advertise a movie about a man that goes, Lone Ranger style, and takes down an entire building of CIA Agents. Aside from the action movie crowd, that just doesn’t happen unless you’ve got the money behind the project already, or you go full-on and dive into the cheese. As much as I love action movies as a guilty pleasure, I’m well aware of the fact that the only way they get made is for the spectacle, not the substance, unless that substance tastes like Velveeta.

TITLE: Wolverine #1
AUTHOR: Jason Aaron
PENCILLER: Renado Guedes. Cover by Jae Lee, variant covers by Steve McNiven and Marko Djurdjevic.
PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASED: September 1, 2010

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

If there’s one character in comics who’s got some demons, it’s Wolverine. And he’s going to kick off the fourth volume of his ongoing series by facing them. All of them.

Nice lead, huh? See what I did there?

The character Wizard Magazine once called “the best comic book character of all time” (which I’ll debate for all time) starts this issue talking to Wraith, on the steps of the church which the latter presides over. Logan talks about how things appear to be looking up in the world, even for him, though he’s naturally cynical. Wraith asks him what he’s truly afraid of…his faith being broken, or rewarded?

Then all hell breaks loose…perhaps literally. Wraith’s church is attacked by Wolverine…or at least something controlling Wolverine’s body. Logan’s girlfriend Melita is then attacked at her job at the San Francisco Post, only to be saved by, of all people, Mystique. She tells her Wolverine is being hunted by a group that hates him even more than she does. We get a shot of this group, and apparently they’re being led by a very old man. Their other targets appear to include Cyclops, Jubilee and X-23. The issue closes with a shot of Logan in the depths of hell.

The concept of Wolverine in hell is a little cheesy. But I think it can work. Especially if Logan is confronted by some (if not all) of the countless people he’s killed over the years. What’s really interesting to me is the idea Wolverine’s hope and faith being tested. Considering he’s likely one of the most cynical characters in American comics, it’ll be interesting to see how Jason Aaron plays with that idea, especially with Logan in the fiery depths.

Renato Guedes does a commendable job on this issue. His work is so detailed. It suits Wolverine well. And if the story somehow turns to crap, fans can at least enjoy his renderings of Wolverine slashing up demons.

We also get a nice back up story featuring the Silver Samurai (who oddly enough is also on the mysterious groups hit-list), illustrated by Jason Latour. It’s a surprisingly touching story about legacy, and courage in the face of death.

I’m not the most avid Wolverine reader, but I enjoyed this issue. I’m interested to see where they go with it. I’m not salivating over it, but they’ve got my attention.

***

TITLE: Freedom Fighters #1
AUTHORS: Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti.
PENCILLERS: Travis Moore, Trevor Scott. Cover by Dave Johnson, variant cover by Shane Davis.
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASED: September 1

I’ve seen the Uncle Sam character appear around the DC Universe before, but this is my first real foray into one of his monthly books. I wasn’t disappointed.

The book kicks off with Black Condor and Firebrand taking on a group of meta-human neo-Nazis at a casino run by Native Americans. Then we get The Human Bomb trying to stop an asteroid from colliding with Earth, only to realize it’s inhabited by a primitive race of…hairy things. At the same time, The Ray and Phantom Lady take on Plasmodia, an otherworldly being that has taken control of a small town in West Virginia. After all this wraps up, the team is summoned to the White House, and the President tasks them with finding pieces to a weapon of mass destruction the Confederate army apparently developed during the Civil War. They go looking for the first piece, and are attacked by a strange group of creatures, which leads us into our cliffhanger.

I found myself really enjoying the “American spirit” aspect of this title. The ties to the Civil War, World War II, American bigotry mixed with American pride. It’s got a nice feel to it. And I’m naturally curious to see what kind of WMD could have been developed by the Confederate army. My guess is it’ll be something mystical or magical in nature.

Travis Moore commands the pencils well, especially during the opening brawl with the neo-Nazis. It’s been awhile since I enjoyed a comic book fight like I enjoyed that one.

Money is understandably slim these days, but Freedom Fighters is definitely worth consideration. If you didn’t pick the issue up, flip through it the next time your in a comic shop. You might be surprised.

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

We may need another Bat-Signal.

The New York Post reported today that starting this October, there will be two Batmen in the DC Universe: Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson.

The Bruce Wayne character was presumed dead in early 2009, but returns this fall. Grayson, who was once Robin the Boy Wonder, and later Nightwing, has been in the role since last June.

“Just as readers were getting comfortable with the idea of former sidekick Dick Grayson playing the role of Batman, along comes Bruce Wayne’s triumphant return to the Cape and Cowl,” DC Comics editor Mike Marts told Newsarama. “Is Gotham City ready for two Batmen? Is the world? And who’s to say the fun will end there?”

Grayson will remain the star of the Batman, Detective Comics and Batman & Robin monthly titles. Bruce Wayne will be the star of Grant Morrison’s new Batman, Inc. title, as well as David Finch’s upcoming Batman: The Dark Knight. Morrison’s title will feature Batman “branching out” into a wider role, teaming with other heroes.

“Grayson’s role really is the protector of Gotham City,” DC Comics Co-Publisher Dan Didio said. “But we thought it only made sense for Bruce Wayne, a billionaire, to take a more global view.”

To avoid confusion, Bruce Wayne’s costume will once again bear a yellow oval over the Bat emblem on his chest. Dick Grayson’s costume will remain the same.

Damian Wayne, Bruce’s son and the new Robin, will presumably remain paired with Grayson, but will interact with his father as well.

“So aside from the new interaction between the two Batmen, there’s the interesting relationship between Bruce and his son,” DiDio said.

Batman Inc. #1 comes out Nov. 3. Batman: The Dark Knight #1 comes out Nov. 24.

TITLE: Superman: Secret Origin
AUTHOR: Geoff Johns
PENCILLER: Gary Frank
ISSUES: Superman: Secret Origin #1-6
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
GRAPHIC NOVEL RELEASE: December 15 (tentative)

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

The question we need to ask ourselves about Superman: Secret Origin isn’t whether it’s good. We’re pretty much talking about the ORIGINAL origin story. Everybody knows Superman’s origin story. My mother knows Superman’s origin story. If it weren’t a good story it wouldn’t have endured for 75 years. The question is, what have Geoff Johns and Gary Frank done with it that’s fresh and different?

Johns essentially uses the same formula he used in Green Lantern: Secret Origin. We open the book with Clark in Smallville, follow him into Metropolis, and we see his first days in the suit. Along the way we meet the supporting cast, i.e. Lois Lane, the Kents, Jimmy Olsen and Perry White. Lex Luthor is the main villain, but like Green Lantern, he also squeezes in the origins of two other villains: The Parasite and Metallo. Same formula, different characters and theme.

What jumps out at you from the get-go is Gary Frank’s art. He’s as good with facial expressions, eyes in particular, as anyone I’ve ever seen. His scenes between young Clark and his father, as well as Superman and Lois are very strong. They almost have a fairy tale quality to them, and that’s fitting for a story like this.

Issue #1, page 40. Image from comicbookbin.com.

The over-arcing theme of the book is hope, perseverence and human comaradery in the face of an overly cynical world. Much like Superman: Birthright, the Mark Waid/Leinil Francis Yu story that was published a few years ago, when Superman first appears he is met with fear and skepticism from the general public, and the paranoid United States government goes on the defensive. Johns’ pre-Superman Metropolis is also dirty and corrupt. Lex Luthor is deemed “the most important man in America.” As the only news outlet in the city not influenced by Luthor, The Daily Planet is struggling to keep its head above water.

Obviously, the appearance of Superman changes everything. Johns portrays the character not simply as a beacon of hope, but a symbol of honesty, purity, and faith the human spirit. It’s what the character should be, and ironically it’s also why a lot of readers call him a wuss.

What was so off-putting about this mini-series is that Waid’s Birthright only came out in 2003/2004. Johns cited the fans were asking for a new, definitive origin story for the character that would line up with events in modern continuity, which include characters like the Legion of Superheroes. Characters like Cat Grant, who were re-introduced in Johns’ run on Action Comics, are also included.

On the other hand, I’ve had people suggest to me that comic book writers can’t resist re-telling an origin story to suit their own ideas. And you’ve got to admit, Secret Origins caters to a modern continuity largely influenced by Johns.

In any event, I can’t in good conscience give Secret Origin a bad review because it rehashes the most well-known story in all of comics, especially when that rehash is done WELL. It’s predictable, but the core characters are well-rounded, the art is gorgeous, and the central theme is strong. Though I still ultimately question the need for it, the book accomplishes what it’s meant to, as anyone can pick up Secret Origin and be able to understand what Superman is about in the 21st century. Hopefully it will stay in-continuity for a few decades.

So Geoff…what are your thoughts on an Aquaman: Secret Origin?

RATING: 8.5/10

TITLE: Dracula: The Company of Monsters #1
STORY: Kurt Busiek
AUTHOR: Daryl Gregory
PENCILLER: Scott Godlewski
PUBLISHER: BOOM! Studios
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASED: August 25

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

Have to admit, I’ve never ever been much of a Dracula fan, or a fan of vampires in general. With the Twilight craze at its peak, that’s not likely to change soon. But I have a feeling the Twilight tweens could stand to take a look at this title if they’d like to know what vampire with some balls is like.

Our main character is Evan, an employee of his Uncle Conrad’s multi-million dollar corporation. Lately, Conrad has tasked Evan with translating numerous centuries-old parchments relating to Dracula. Evan doesn’t believe in any kind of mystical forces, but is later shocked to see that Conrad plans to use the information from the parchments to resurrect Dracula, whose skeleton is mystically entombed in Athens, Greece. This issue also dives into some of Dracula’s pre-vampire history,

Page 12. Image from brokenfrontier.com.

One thing I can appreciate about this book is that it’s based in the world of the original novel by Bram Stoker. It’s not bound by any modern, or popular interpretation. If nothing else, that gives this title a bit of credibility that it wouldn’t have otherwise.

The premise of this title is Dracula-Meets-Corporate-America, in a “Who is the real monster?” scenario. This issue certainly provides the right amount of intrigue to bring readers back for round two, even though we’re not exactly sure what Conrad wants with Dracula, or what sort of Dracula we’ll get once he’s resurrected. But Busiek and Gregory have laid a nice foundation with this issue. Whether they can follow it up is anyone’s guess.

Interestingly enough, this isn’t a miniseries. It’s a new ongoing. I’m wondering what they’ve got in mind for once they get past the initial story arc. The title has potential, that’s for sure…

***

TITLE: Star Wars: Blood Ties #1
AUTHOR: Tom Taylor
PENCILLER: Chris Scalf
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE DATE: August 25

I’d forgotten how good Star Wars comics can be when they’re done well. And this one is certainly done well.

The book opens with Boba Fett surrounded by gunmen, not to mention a rancor. He flashes back to his days training with his father, Jango Fett. We see that Jango refused to allow Boba to be weak, as he sends him to pull a tooth from one of the galaxy’s most dangerous monsters. Then, when Count Dooku send Jango to assassinate someone who “represents a danger to our operation on Kamino.” Fett goes in for the kill, but is shocked when he sees his target’s true identity.

Page 2. Image from darkhorse.com.

What immediately stood out about this issue was the art. I’d never seen Chris Scalf’s work before. But it’s beautiful, and really suits the Star Wars universe. He seems to do almost everything well. The faces look like the actors from Attack of the Clones and carry emotion perfectly, the action sequences look beautiful, and the story flows well.

I’m a sucker for backstory content, so this issue appealed to me from the get-go. In Clones, we didn’t have time to gain a lot of insight into the father/son dynamic Jango and Boba had. That’s probably for the best, as Daniel Logan’s acting wasn’t easy to watch. But this story gives us the chance to explore that without the cringing. It’s clear that Jango and Boba love each other dearly, but the tough-love scenarios young Boba is forced to go through make for a nice, meaty story.

As a Star Wars fan, I’ll probably be coming back for more on this one. I was never as big a Boba Fett fan as a lot of people are, but you can’t deny the character’s appeal, and this story offers a great chance for us to get a look under the helmet.