Both the Flash and Captain America have their funerals this week.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
DC COMICS
All New Atom #13 (Countdown): 4 out of 5
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Mike Norton and Dan Green
Ryan Choi searches for Ray Palmer. In a microscopic world where two sects argue over whether Ray is a savior or demon, Ryan finds himself in the middle of a civil war. As he points out, such things can last forever. Surely that's not a dig at a rival comics company.
Countdown 43: 4 out of 5
Written by Paul Dini, Jimmy Palmitotti, and Justin Gray
Art by David Lopez
Most of the plot-threads intersect as most of the key players attend the Flash's funeral. Jimmy Olson, Jason Todd, Donna Troy, the good Monitor, the Trickster, and the Pied Piper are all in attendence. The latter two are their incognito and attempt to slip out unnoticed, but they are intercepted by Multiplex and Deadshot, the latter's Secret Six teammate nowhere to be seen (well, almost). Meanwhile, Holly makes an unlikely friend at the woman's shelter: Harley Quinn (another Secret Six member?). And Monarch shows Forerunner the Stormtrooper army he wants her to lead against the Monitors, who apparently had someone else wipe out Earth 34, which persumable is the homeworld of the Forerunners. Mary Marvel doesn't appear in this issue. The bottom line, this series continue to build towards something, and while good in quality, lacks the tension it needs to really stand out as the backbone of the DC universe.
Outsiders #49: 2 out of 5
Written by Judd Winnick and Greg Rucka
Art by Matthew Clark and Wayne Faucher
As the conclusion of a crossover, this issue is extremely anticlimatic. The "big bad" gets away without a fight, and what little fighting there is against mostly mooks and has hardly any tension. This is Winnick's last issue, and Batman taking over the reigns makes way for the "big" roster shakeup when the new creative team comes aboard. And considering that they're making a five-issue mini-series event, you might want to not run adds that reveal the new team. As of right now, I could take or leave this title. I definately won't be getting the mini-series (although I may pick it up as a trade). Will I get #50 though? Only time will tell.
Supergirl #19: 3 out of 5
Written by Joe Kelly
Art by Art by Alé Garze and Marlo Alquiza
Joe Kelly wraps up his run on this title, and this entire issue is just wrap-up of loose ends and a thank you to the fans. The new Supergirl hasn't been a great success. Joe Kelly breathed some life into the character, but his leaving could mark the end of the book.
Welcome to Tranquility #8: 4 out of 5
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Jason Pearson, ChrisCross and Georges Jeanty
This issue is a collection of three flashbacks which reveal some backstory on Tommy, Zombie Zeke (a new character I think, although he may have been there in the background), and the Emoticon. The latter two are origin stories, while the first isn't particularly signifigant.
MARVEL COMICS
Fallen Son Death of Captain America Iron Man: 4 out of 5
Written by Jeph Loeb
Art by John Cassaday
This might as well be titled Falcon as he hogs the spotlight in this issue, not Iron Man. The bulk of the issue contains Sam Wilson's oft referenced eulogy in Captain America #26. Nonetheless, this is one of the few decent issues in this series (the only other one being the Captain America issue). The heroes all say a final farewell to Cap (and Tony's cred as a jerk rises as he doesn't allow amnesty to the unregistered heroes so they could also pay their respects).
Loners #4: 4 out of 5
Written by C. B. Cebulski
Art by Karl Moline
This issue features Julie Power. There are a couple refences to her being a lesbian (since she looks like and has similar powers to Runaway's Karolina, a similar sexual preference was inevitable). It is revealed that she has been hidding behind the "dumb California blonde" persona and starts to openup more to her teammates. Plus: Darkhawk and Turbo hookup. This series has great characterizations and definately would make a strong ongoing series.
Ms. Marvel #17 (Civil War Initiative): 5 out of 5
Written by Brian Reed
Art by Aaron Lopresti
This series is not to be underestimated. A great miss of humor and superhero drama. And it features the one and only M.O.D.O.K! I liked this issue so much, that it is...
New Warriors #2 (Civil War Initiative): 4 out of 5
Written by Kevin Grevious
Art by Paco Medina
This series is off to a slow start. Night Thrashers seemly return from the grave is unexplained (is he's a skrull?), and we still haven't met the majority of the New Warriors. We do, however, meet another member of the team--Jubilee! Is the whole team comprised of former X-Men?
Runaways #27: 5 out of 5
Written by Joss Whedon
Art by Michael Ryan
Teenage superheroes: check. Joss Whedon: check. Lesbians: check. Need I say more? Well, they Runawars are trapped in the past and get caught up in a gang war, with Gert's parents at the head of the one group. P.S. I think Xavin MIGHT be a skrull. I don't know why, but I just have a hunch that he is one. You can't trust anyone in the Marvel universe these days.
Ultimate Power #6: 3 out of 5
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Greg Land
As the Ultimates and Squadron Supreme square off, Doctor Doom makes his move for the nanoprobes which gave the Squadron their power. Unfortunately, this series continues to live up to its potential, and I'm not sure why I keep buying it.
Uncanny X-Men #488: 4 out of 5
Written by Ed Brubaker and Mike Carey
Art by Salvador Larroca and Mark Bagley
Storm leads a small group into the Morlock tunnels and unveils a prophecy scribbled onto the walls. Did Destiny stay in with the Morlocks? Or is this another precog? Also, Masque, Erg, and Skids make a terrorist attack on a subway car where Masque uses his flesh-warping power to turn the inhabitants into "mutants." Plus Nightcrawler and Professor X begin their search for Magneto. This arc is a big improvement over the disasterous Shi'ar arc.
The Endangered Species backup is completely uneventful. The various villains give their responses (which pretty much are variations of go frak yourself with a few exceptions). Beast heads to Wundergore to meet one-on-one with High Evolutionary, only to be intercepted by the New Men.
And that wraps up things this week.
NEXT WEEK: Countdown 42, Deadpool GLI Summer Fun Spectacular, New Avengers #32, World War Hulk Gamma Corps #1, and more!
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