Broken Frontier

All-Star Superman #11

By Tonya Crawford

Superman is dying but he has geared up for his final challenge – Superman vs. Solaris the Tyrant Sun tag-teamed with a superpower endowed Lex Luthor! A recipe for epic smackdown if ever there was one… but can Superman live long enough to win?

All-Star Superman is arguably the best work Grant Morrison is currently producing (the jury remains out on Final Crisis but that’s just me). He has restored the early Silver Age über-powerful Superman but given him a heart and soul that matches the size of his powers. Morrison has also peopled this world with crazy ideas, mad science, and characters who are courageous, caring, and (in the case of the villains) wildly unpredictable. With only one more issue left this series looks like it is definitely headed out with a bang, not a whimper. Along for this wild ride is artist Frank Quitely. While Quitely’s style is definitely an acquired taste it is undeniable that he has a talent for keeping up with Morrison’s wild concepts and for giving everything the epic scope and grandeur it deserves.

This series may be winding down but the action, the adventure, and the intelligence are definitely not slowing down yet. What will the endgame prove to be?

Grant Morrison (W), Frank Quitely (P), Jamie Grant (I), DC Comics, $2.99

Angel: Revelations #1

By Lee Newman

Warren Worthington seems to have the perfect life. He is captain of the track team - setting new records - and dates the hottest cheerleader. However, changes a little more drastic than puberty are happening.

Aguirre-Sacasa writes a compelling character study here. That’s saying something since long-time readers know that mutants aren’t my favorite breed of meta-being and Angel even less so, he just seems so boring. Fortunately this first issue is filled with enough emotional turmoil and a nifty religious subtext to catch my fancy. The fact that Adam Pollina turns in some of his finest work to date doesn’t help me in not wanting to like it either.

This book was probably severely under-ordered and was no doubt buried in the mountain of new books at your local comic shop this week. Rush back now, you’ll be happy you spent the 12 or 15 dollars in gas!

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (W), Adam Pollina (A), Matt Hollingsworth (C), Marvel, $3.99

The Astounding Wolf-Man #6

By Tonya Crawford

Gary’s family is falling apart so the only thing he can do is… go out super-heroing. This leads him to a confrontation with an angry new metahuman AND the super-hero team out for his blood!

Writer Robert Kirkman could win some award for the ridiculous number of super-heroes and villains he seems to create with ease. Here he introduces the angry Impact and re-introduces and fleshes out Mecha-Maid. As a tribute to his talent, all it takes are a few panels for readers to understand volumes about the robotic heroine. Likewise, all it takes are a few panels to show the cracks in Gary’s formerly idyllic family and set-up for a possible splintering. Throughout all of this, artist Jason Howard continues with an angular, animated style. While Howard is strong with figures and action, however, his backgrounds continue to be a bit lacking.

With the announcement that this series will finally be going monthly, fans should be well pleased. This should also turn up the heat on this slow-seeming plot and finally bring it to full boil.

Robert Kirkman (W), Jason Howard (A), Image Comics, $2.99

Daredevil #107

By Lee Newman

So Dakota North is investigating a Death Row case and is asked to involve Matt Murdock. Will Matt be able to pull out of his depression and help before it all gets too dangerous for the P.I.

Among all the hoopla this week over the start of a Summer event, another important comic book event occurred. Greg Rucka joined Ed Brubaker for writing duties on Daredevil. I’ve tried to jump on board with this title for a couple years now and had finally resigned myself to picking up the Bendis Omnibus and being done with the single issues. Then one of my favorite writers had to go and join one of my other favorites in the writing chores. I may just stick it out this time. Nice mystery. Nice set up to the new arc.

I added this one to the pull list kiddies. You should check it out too, anything that helps me wait out new Queen and Country. Now write me some The Question!

Ed Brubaker & Greg Rucka (W), Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano (A), Marvel Comics, $2.99

Northlanders #6

By Steve Kanaras

This issue of Northlanders is the calm before the storm of the impending battle between Sven the Returned and his Uncle Gorm. Hakker offers a less bloody resolution, but Sven is determined to seeing it through. Finally accepted by his people as a true Norseman, a greater challenge may await Sven as the sea brings a new visitor.

Despite the bloody opening, this is a quiet issue, setting the stage for the battles to come. Wood continues to contrast the atheistic Sven with the superstitious Norsemen. The raven is viewed as a portent to the tribesman to delay the battle, but Sven is dismissive. I am curious to see who finally wins out in this ideological battle, whether Wood allows the outsider with the more modern ideals to revolutionize this ancient society or whether tradition will hold sway.

Wood's use of modern language, particularly the swearing, is particularly jarring. While all societies have equivalents to the colorful phrases we employ, to see them in print in this book actually serves to pull you out of the historical setting, and detracts from Gianfelice's rendering of the 10th Century Norse world.

This issue is a good build to what promises to be a gory climax to the first story arc in the coming chapters.

Brian Wood (W), David Gianfelice (A), DC/Vertigo, $2.99

Secret History of the Authority: Hawksmoor #3

By Lee Newman

The guy who can talk to cities gets to talk to a woman for a while. He also reveals quite a bit about his past and we find out a piece of the puzzle of why San Francisco is reluctant to talk to him.

I’ve been digging this book, but Coasta hasn’t exactly been rocking the Casbah with the action - it’s kind of been a slow burn. To be honest the first half of this issue is more of the same, but about midway through, he turns the throttle on full blast and this book becomes a heck of a lot of fun. Secrets are finally revealed and the answers to questions from issue one turn out to be rather shocking. Fiona Staples is still hitting with a minimalist style, but it has grown on me and I can’t imagine the book looking any other way.

This is one of those books that seems to be kind of pointless but then hits you firmly in the face and says "Hey you! Pay attention to me!" Oh and it’s a call well worth answering. Authority fans beware, if this isn’t on your radar, get that thing to the shop pronto. It’s obviously malfunctioning!

Mike Costa (W), Fiona Staples (A), DC Comics/Wildstorm, $2.99