This Week In Comics: Feb. 28, 2007

Action Comics #846
Writers: Geoff Johns & Richard Donner
Artist: Adam Kubert

Forget kneeling before Zod. After reading this issue, I was literally shaking in my booties.

The book starts out with Zod, Ursa, Non in the Fortress of Solitude. And from these first few pages, we learn why Zod and company hate Jor-El, thus leading to their hatred of Superman. What's great about this portrayal is that it isn't a rehash of the character(s) from the Superman movies. Zod is no longer a military madman who wanted to rule Krypton. He wanted to save his planet, and because of Jor-El's actions (or inactions) he was unable to do so, and the rest is history. Ursa also seems to have a more active role, and if you read Action Comics Annual #10, you know that Non is much more than the monosyllabic brute he once was.

Another great thing about this issue is the lack of down time. Less than two full pages after we leave Zod at the Fortress, the action begins, making up for the fact that this is the third issue in an arc that started in October. The three antagonists are as powerful as Superman and they aren't afraid to show it. With the rest of the Phantom Zone villains making an appearance (props to Jax-Ur, I actually remember him from the animated series), we know Superman's boned, cause the shit has already hit the fan. Ending with a chilling final page, it's a damn shame that we won't see the next issue in this arc until sometime in June (hopefully).

Civil War: Frontline #11
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Artist: Ramon Bachs

I enjoyed this issue, but is it a case of too little too late?

Throughout Civil War, there were two ways you could look at the event: as a resident of the Marvel Universe, or as a fan. As a resident of the MU, I understand the need for the superhuman registration act. From this standpoint, the SHRA is a no-brainer. And this point was brought across quite poignantly in this issue through Sally Floyd, much to Captain America's dismay, but it needed to be said. Now as a fan, I rallied behind Cap and his troops. I wanted him to win, because let's face, Iron Man was portrayed as a villain, whether it was intentional or unintentional. Jenkins finally addresses this issue, and frankly, if this was said during the event itself, Stark would be seen in a totally different light.

If you had been following this series, you were probably annoyed with certain aspects of the last couple issues. For months we were teased with a "big revelation" that would change the way we saw Stark. And for the most part, Jenkins did deliver. While the actions portrayed in Civil war were pretty black and white, what we learn here can only be expressed as shades of gray. While some may view Stark's actions as careless, I see it as a testament to the faith he had in himself and his colleagues, and that he was willing to do whatever it took to do what he believed in. When all is said and done, it looks like Iron Man and Captain America really aren't that different.

Iron Man #15
Writers: Daniel & Charles Knauf
Artist: Roberto de la Torre

I had second thoughts about buying this issue. But after reading it, I'm sure glad I did.

"It started with the suggestion box outside the cafeteria..."

Suggestions boxes, gourmet chefs, casual Fridays, and on-board daycare. It takes a special kind of man to do this of the most badass organizations in the Marvel Universe, and that man is Tony Stark. After reading that Stark had become the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. in the pages of Civil War (lets face it, it really wasn't that much of a surprise), I was uncertain about the direction his book would be taking, especially after reading the lackluster tie-ins. Thankfully, the Knauf brothers didn't shy away from Stark's duties, and gave us a story full of promise. We're given a great issue that shows the kind of potential that a post-Civil War MU has in store for us. I'm also glad that, contrary to what we got out of Mark Millar, Maria Hill hasn't (yet) been reduced to Stark's lap dog. While she's obviously at odds with Stark, it's nice to see that she isn't being completely humiliated.

Justice #10
Writers: Jim Krueger & Alex Ross
Artist: Alex Ross

I don't really have that much to say about this comic. Basically, I bought it because it's pretty.

The story is serviceable, but it just doesn't have the impact as previous issues in this series. While I really don't have any problems with this book, because Alex Ross is infatuated with the Silver-Age versions of these characters, it's almost hard to care. Note I said almost. I still care. As for the art, Alex Ross does an awesome job as always, but it felt a little jumbled this issue.

Wolverine #51
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Simone Bianchi

Good God Damn Wolverine has some huge claws. It seriously doesn't even make sense. Do you see the cover? It's like he has katanas shooting out of his forearms!

But seriously, this issue is more of the same. Bianchi's artwork is great as usual, but Loeb's voiceover work is just a tad bit much. Someone has seriously got to but a moratorium on Wolverine internally contemplating about either how badass he is or how troubled he is. In either case, we've heard it before.

There's nothing necessarily bad with this issue, but I think that for an arc focusing on two of the most viscous men in the MU, there should be more blood and guts (and spit and ass too!). The explosions are pretty though, and that's always cool. That aside, we essentially move nowhere fast. We still don't know anything about the Lupines (and neither does Wolverine), Sabertooth and Logan still haven't killed each other, and according to the last page, we have a Harry Potter situation of our hands. Overall, this is a fun but pointless read.