Saturday, April 07, 2007

This Week In Comics: Apr 4, 2007

Avengers: The Initiative #1
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Stefano Caselli

I couldn't be more pleased with this book. In the course of one issue, Slott manages to introduce to several new characters and surprisingly, gives us a reason to care for them. By the end of this story, I was comfortable with the characters. And as quickly as you can say BLAM, he shatters you're perceptions and makes you realize that this series is going to be a lot different from what you were expecting. Over-powered badasses, lovable losers, government conspiracies, and suspense, it's all here. But the it's sense of uncertainty, the sense that anything can happen because we're dealing with mostly new characters, that will keep me coming back.

Detective Comics #831
Writer: Paul Dini
Artist: Don Kramer

Paul Dini is the man, and if you think otherwise, you have no soul. The mastermind behind Batman: The Animated Series continues to prove that he can write some of the best Batman stories around. With far too many stories focusing on the actions/evil nature of Batman's rogues gallery, it's easy to forget that they are people, with feelings and personalities. While I'm not familiar with most of Harley's actions in the DCU proper, it seems as if Dini is going back to Batman: TAS and writing a story that pegs her as someone who really wants to be a good person. We also get to see a flashback that shows Arnold Wesker as someone more than a trouble psychopath, proving that Batman does have one of the most interesting rogue's gallery in all of comicdom. Dini is a great storyteller, so don't let these issues pass you up.

Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America: Wolverine
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Leinil Yu

In a five-issue mini-series depicting the five stages of grief one goes through when a loved one dies, I can't think of a better person to right this story than Jeph Loeb. With his son passing away less than two years ago, he understands these emotions better than anyone. And it seems fitting that Wolverine would experience denial. With all the crap that Wolverine's been through, it's easy to see why he would think Cap's death was nothing more than a conspiracy. While certain elements in this book seem pointless, such as the inclusion of Daredevil, Loeb manages to tell a tight story. All without the use of a single caption box, so that's definitely a plus.

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