Broken Frontier

Astonishing X-Men #16

The Hellfire club has reunited, and subsequently disabled the majority of the X-Men. Now, with Cyclops unconscious, Colossus knocked out, Beast gone native, and Wolverine in a child-like state, only Kitty Pryde stands against the villains.

Many people feel that Astonishing is the best X-title on the shelves right now, but looking solely at this issue, it would be hard to support that argument. Not that this issue doesn’t have its moments, but the overall issue needs what came before and what comes after to really make it a vital issue. There are a few moments where Whedon does show his usual brilliance, such as when Kitty shows confusion over the issues big reveal, and when he digs in at the frailty of the X-Men in general. Plus, the fight scene involving Kitty Pryde is tremendous. It’s really great to see her fighting through walls, a use of her powers that seems to be ignored frequently.

Not that this is a horrible issue, and if you’ve been reading Astonishing all along, it does move the plot along. However, if you’ve never read this series before, you’d be better off buying a paperback of the beginning of the series and see what you’ve been missing.

- Adrian f. Zettlemoyer

Red Sonja #13

The manifestation of Borat-na Fori is brought into the world, while Sonja is given directions from the goddess. We also see some more of Red Sonja’s beginnings.

Oeming does a great job of writing tales of warriors and gods; he really has a grasp on epics. Behind his pen, Red Sonja is earning the greatness that is expected from the warrior queen. The artwork adds to the feeling of this book, with the grotesqueness and bloodiness of the vulgarities brought forth from the dark ones adding to the overall feel of the book, as does the beauty seen in the goddess and Sonja herself. The one problem with this issue is that the pacing of some of the action scenes is a bit stunted, and makes following the action a bit difficult. Thankfully, when the action slows down, the story allows the reader to catch up.

In Red Sonja, the reader gets a great example of modern storytelling in the classic mythology vein. With the return of the ultimate evil, Red Sonja is gearing up for more exciting swordplay and mysticism.

- Adrian f. Zettlemoyer

Tales Of The TMNT #26

Donatello feels he’s been cheated on an online game, and investigates the facility that has provided his fellow gamers a leg up.

Normally, when comics show scenes that are taking place in a videogame, the scenes come off hokey and cringe-worthy. Sadly, the scenes in this issue end up with much of the same fate. Luckily, it’s only a couple of pages, and then the story returns to the real world. The plot does a nice job of tying in a real world issue – that of online gaming gold-farming – and making a social statement on the truth behind that issue. In the end, the plot has thrown a cold eye on the world, and the answer isn’t easily swallowed. For people who only remember the Ninja Turtles from the fluffy kid shows and movies, this issue reminds the grittiness that was and is the original product.

While it’s great to see the turtles being taken seriously, this issue isn’t necessarily a good issue for someone trying to see what the comic-book version of the turtles are all about. The plot and art are simply average.

- Adrian f. Zettlemoyer

The Ultimates Annual #2

Captain America recruits the Falcon to assist him in taking down the electronic ghost of Arnim Zola.

Traditionally, the Marvel Annuals have been reserved for stories that were bigger and more grandiose then allowed in the continuity of the normal series, and often they were intended to be better. With the recent re-releases of the Annuals, it looked like Marvel had returned the Annuals to greatness. Sadly, when you make an Annual from source material as amazing as the Ultimates, you have very large shoes to fill. And Huston doesn’t quite live up to the task. While the story isn’t terrible, it’s just not all that interesting, even when acting as a think piece on racial relations through the years. When the action is centered in the past, the story does fair a bit better. Even the art, which is good on any scale, can’t live up to the expectations set from Ultimates proper.

It’s a shame that the final product doesn’t turn out better, as with the lengthy delays we could use some good Ultimates action to hold us over. Sadly, all this issue manages to do is remind us just how good the regular series is.

- Adrian f. Zettlemoyer

Ultimate Spider-Man #99

As Ultimate Spider-Man gears up to hit the century mark, all kinds of craziness ensue as the clone saga hits high gear.

Oh my word, this is a mind-blowing issue. While Ultimate Spider-man has been a wonderful read from issue #1, the past few arcs the book has appeared to be on coast. It certainly looks as if Bendis has shifted into high gear here. With all the Peter Parkers on the loose and Gwen Stacy back from the dead, things could get incredibly convoluted. Luckily, Bendis is a master at his craft, and manages to keep things under control from a reader standpoint. There are so many different angles to the story and yet he still finds time for a revelation in the middle of the chaos. Bagley’s artwork remains phenomenal, as we’ve come to expect from the reliable journeyman.

With next month’s issue being a monumental issue, you should pick this up just to get prepared. What’s great about this issue is that it really stands on its own, being thrilling and immensely readable, without acting as a simple pre-100 build up.

- Adrian f. Zettlemoyer