Sunday, June 28, 2009

I.M.O. Review: Justice Society of America # 28 (DC Comics) By Eddie R



As real as it gets

To me, this issue of Justice Society is exactly why I like the series. Even though sometimes it does get bogged down with either some very campy storylines, or polar opposite ones which have darker overtones, there is one thing which is consistent: It feels real and believable.




Justice Society of America # 28 opens with the dramatic exit of the Spectre and the rest of the JSA, who are crossing over to a limbo, where the missing JSA members from the previous issue are being held by Kung. The way the news media, outside the JSA headquarters, acts when they see this grand exit is exactly what I would expect to happen. I mean, it’s kind of hard to ignore a pink elephant in the room, especially if he’s The Spectre.

As for the JSA members who were abducted, they are having a hard time trying to figure out if they really have been transported to the middle of the Second World War, or is it just an illusion created by Kung? All their senses say that this feels real, but is it? And if it is, will this adventure do any damage to the timeline?

The best part of this issue for me was the revelation of how Kung and the Spirits got out of their limbo in the first place. I enjoyed seeing how a previous storyline was tied into this one, and how the spirits escape route was well planned out. Even the vessel, which Kung chose once as a means of convenience, seemed to feel appropriate. Although I am surprised at how out of all the members of the Marvel Family, Kung chose the oldest and most unreliable. No wonder he had to change bodies again.

Another highlight for me was to see the Spectre return to the JSA. There is just something electric about him which feels right when he is working with this group. And I feel that it is this spark which is the only thing lacking in the JSA roster. With so many new recruits coming aboard, I guess I long for a touch of something familiar.

The end of the story is a bit heartbreaking though , as Atom Smasher tells Stargirl something which she doesn’t want to hear, but must accept. Atom Smasher must accept the reality of this situation also, but you can tell that even though the story might say “The End” in the final panel on the page, it feels like it really isn’t in this case.

8/10

Eddie R
Review Co-Editor
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I.M.O. Review: Justice League of America #34 (DC Comics) By Eddie R



Crisis Averted

Justice league of America #34 is the conclusion to “The Dharma Initiative” storyline.

Finally coming face to face with Starbreaker, the JLA manages to pull itself together long enough in order to take down the Cosmic Vampire. It is during this battle where we learn some interesting background information about Starbreaker: The larval state of his species is apparently what we would call a Sun Eater. And this revelation is what I would call the highlight of this entire story arc.




Another development I would like to point out is the female Dr. Light seems to be cured of her fear of darkness. Now, I have always felt this was kind of an ironic situation. You have someone with complete control over the power of Light, but yet was fearful of what lurked in the shadows. To me, that doesn’t do much for the character. However, I am very happy to see how Dr. Light has evolved during this story arc. She appears to be much stronger and more confident, almost to a point where she could possibly lead the team. But with everything being up in the air at the moment, I have my doubts this would ever come to pass.

As for the conclusion of the story, I have to say it feels weak and over used. A Crisis on Infinite Earths type of merger between two parallel worlds should only be used on a grand scale, not as an afterthought in order to conclude, or explain a badly written storyline. I have a hard time believing Dharma has that kind of power and skill in order to do something like this , which BTW I have only seen one other DC character be able to pull off and make it believable: The Spectre.

I just hope now that since this Crisis has been averted, the next major one will actually bring some concrete results.

6.5/10

Eddie R
Review Co-Editor
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Boom Studios For July 1st



Boom Studios has released their upcoming titles for July 1st.


FINDING NEMO #1
Written by Marie Croall
Drawn by Erica Leigh Currey
SC, 24 pgs, FC, (1 of 4), SRP: $2.99
Diamond Code: MAR094133
The biggest selling DVD of all time comes to comics! Nemo, Dory and Marlin have become local heroes, and are recruited to embark on an all-new adventure. Their reef is mysteriously dying and no one knows why! Facing dangerous waters and incredible odds, Nemo travels the great blue sea to save the one thing that matters most of all–home.


MUPPET ROBIN HOOD #2
Written by Tim Beedle
Drawn by Armand Villavert Jr.
SC, 24 pgs, FC, (2 of 4), SRP: $2.99
Diamond Code: MAR094139
The Muppets tell the Robin Hood legend for laughs, and it’s the reader who will be merry! Robin Hood (Kermit the Frog) and his band of outlaws steal from the rich and give to the poor. But much to the Merry Men’s disbelief, Maid Marian (Miss Piggy) has stolen Robin’s most valuable possession—his heart! Series features “A” covers from David Petersen, the Eisner Award-winning creator of Mouse Guard!


TOY STORY: THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER #2
Written by Dan Jolley
Drawn by Chris Moreno
SC, 24 pgs, FC, (2 of 4), SRP: $2.99
Diamond Code: FEB094144
Woody and Buzz are back! Andy has a new addition to his room—a circuit-laden egg. Is this new gizmo a friend or foe? While Woody and Buzz welcome the mysterious stranger, Rex is terrified of it, plotting to destroy the orb before Andy comes home! Can they do it? Story by Eisner Award-nominated writer Dan Jolley!


DEAD RUN #2
Written by Andrew Cosby, Michael Alan Nelson
Drawn by Francesco Biagini
SC, 24 pgs, FC, (2 of 4), SRP: $3.99
Diamond Code:
“All Speed. No Limits.” The end isn’t near… it’s here. America has become a wasteland, leaving the few cities that remain transformed into impenetrable fortresses. NICK MASTERS a driver, the best there is. If you need something picked-up, delivered, or disposed of, Nick’s your man. But when he fails to deliver… all hell breaks loose. Part two of the epic saga that redefines the science fiction action genre. From the writer of HEXED and FALL OF CTHULHU, Michael Alan Nelson, collaborating for the first time with EUREKA creator Andrew Cosby!


IRREDEEMABLE #4 (B)
Written by Mark Waid
Drawn by Peter Krause
SC, 24 pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
Diamond Code:
What if the world’s greatest hero decided to become the world’s greatest villain? The Plutonian’s deadly rampage continues. His former comrades-turned-victims are beaten, tired, and searching for hope. A “twilight of the superheroes”-style story that examines super-villains from the writer of KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE!


FARSCAPE: STRANGE DETRACTORS #4
Written by Rockne S. O’Bannon, Keith DeCandido
Drawn by Will Sliney
SC, 24 pgs, FC, (4 of 4), SRP: $3.99
Diamond Code:
FARSCAPE creator Rockne S. O’Bannon is back! TV’s science fiction masterpiece FARSCAPE continues with the same hit writing team from the first sold out mini-series! Chricton has discovered the cause of why everyone on Moya is out for each other. To cure them, he must shrink down go on… a fantastic voyage you will never forget!


MR. STUFFINS #3
Written by Johanna Stokes, Andrew Cosby
Drawn by Axel Medellin
SC, 24 pgs, FC, (3 of 3), SRP: $3.99
Diamond Code: APR090730
“My teddy bear’s a secret agent!” This is it! What everyone’s been waiting for: a teddy bear vs. the huge military robot smackdown! The fate of the Tyler family rests in Mr. Stuffins hands…er, paws. Paws of fury that is! Series Features “A” covers By MOUSE GUARD’s David Petersen.

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