‘This is what Clint Barton does when he’s not an avenger.’ That one line says it all. That’s the reason why I love this book, because it’s about Clint and not his alter-ego Hawkeye. Sure, he’s what you would class as a superhero, yes he’s part of a superhero gang that fights crime and generally prevents the Earth from being messed up. But this is an exploration of his down-time, his ‘Clint time’
Finally. It’s over. Villains Month draws to a close and like the lame duck that it is Bane #1 comes stumbling over the hill to usher in the end of this completely pointless promotion. I’m not even sure what DC were trying to achieve here, other than sneaking in first issues of villains that then pick up in the various spin-off books that they pull out of the air when running one of their main events.
This week, there’s no special guests or challenges, it’s back to the classic Inter-Comics Podcast. Dan, Free & Jack discuss all the week’s comic news and their best & worst books of the week.
Hello again! Not as many swears this week guys and gals. Shit. However, a couple of weeks ago, you lovely lot voted on which X-Men book I should read first. I gave you a selection Days of Future Past, Broodfall, Astonishing X-men Vol 1, Age of Apocalypse and The Tomorrow People. You voted justly and the winner by a mile was Joss Whedon’s (Praise be to the geek God!!!) Astonishing Xmen Vol 1: Gifted.
Malekith’s rampage across the Nine Realms continues unabated. Alflyse, queen of the Dark Elves has sought refuge amongst the Dwarves of Nidavellir to escape his murderous cull of all those who oppose him. Even the queen’s champion, the finest swordsman in the land is unable to oppose him.
Zero Year continues in Batman #24 with a double-sized (and priced) issue that wraps up Bruce Wayne battling the Red Hood gang, and shows the emergence of two very key figures in the Batman universe. One of whom you can probably guess from the cover image – yes, Batman makes his first full appearance in Zero Year, or at least the Batman we know.
This week the triumphant trio welcome a fourth member as they explore the crazy world of videogames. But don’t worry, they return to reading comics very quickly.
Garth Ennis. A name synonymous with weird, dark, funny comics. He’s written Judge Dredd, Hellblazer, Preacher, The Punisher, Hitman, and The Boys. It’s the later we’re concerned with today! Having won two Eisner awards and been nominated for ten, I was expecting damn good things from The Boys.
So, we’re onto the third issue of the superhero legacy thriller from scribe Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, Superior, Old Man Logan) and superstar artist Frank Quitely (All-New X-Men, All-Star Superman). After teasing and setting up the pieces for the last two issues as to what sort of world our story is taking place in, Millar finally smashes all of what he has established in one swift blow and changes the whole dynamic of the book.
Red Sonja #3 continues the march set out after the soft-reboot of the character by Dynamite Comics. Sonja continues her journey into exile after her defeat at the hands of a rival female warrior. Suffering from plague and dying of exposure to the snow, Sonja struggles to stay conscious as the fever overtakes her.
The Inter-Comics team come face to face with the Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D, endure the Fantastic Four films and look back at villains month.
The other day, Mr postman brought me an absolutely amazing nugget of brilliance. For the poultry sum of £3.50 I ordered Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s “The Killing Joke” Deluxe Edition, ranked #03 in IGN’s best Batman stories of all time, ever, ever, ever, ever so nerr. Or whatever it was called. It’s pretty, oh so pretty. The Dust jacket is all purple and gilded, then remove that and you have a beautifully embossed hardcover, with that famous final scene on it, and a delightful Joker card on the back.
Villains Month from DC marches on as the spotlight falls on the Riddler for this standalone issue of Batman. Batman is missing and Wayne Enterprises is left to defend itself from the wrath of former employee Edward Nygma. The Riddler is back in town to reap a revenge against those who tormented him when incarcerated at Arkham Asylum, whilst simultaneously pitching his wits against a supposedly foolproof security system.
The Justice Leagues are dead. Earth is left defenceless. And from across the gulf of the Multiverse comes the Crime Syndicate of Earth-3 intent on conquering our world. Composed of evil counterparts of each member of our Justice League, the inhabitants of this world are given an ultimatum: fall into line or be destroyed!
There are times in your comic reading life when nothing but cape comics will do. When the stresses of the real world make you crave tales that bear no resemblance your day-to-day, it’s a relief to find you don’t have to stoop to reading bad comics. Marvel are my publisher for superhero books at the moment, DC have almost completely dropped the ball and while Image has amazing titles not many of them would be considered ‘superheroes’.