What I Bought 4/5/06

I was thinking about getting the new Moon Knight, but they were all gone by the time I got there today, so oh well. And I've stepped away from Ultimate X-Men until the current storyline is over. Hopefully, it'll be good enough afterwards that I can pick it back up. On with the books I actually bought.

Teen Titans #34 - Johns seems to be going with the approach of throwing a whole bunch of changes at us, and seeing if at least some of them are well received. I'd say that's a "no" from me. And it's not even a 'no' with excalamation marks, just sort of an "I'm tired of this" 'no'. The roster appears to have gone through massive upheaval, and the people we're left with, well, I'm underwhelmed. Ravager? Kid Devil? And who are these two dorks? I'm betting Cyborg wishes he could just shut himself down again, and when he woke up, everything would be cool.

Wonder Girl looks. . . older, by more than a year. Maybe it's the jeans. I'd say she has reason to be mad at Tim, based on Robin, he wasn't there for her when she needed him. I wonder, right as Cyborg woke up, K.D. and Ravager were talking about Tim trying hard to find a friend. Someone who had been a Titan. I tend to discount the "one of his best friends" comment, because how the hell would either of them know? My gut response is they meant Batgirl, because I'm sure Ravager hasn't forgotten the beatdown she got from Cass, that ended with her own sword in her throat, which might explain the "bitch" comment. I'd also say Tim has completed his descent in Batman-esque "doing weird and ethically questionable stuff without consulting with the potentially affected loved ones".

I guess the Brotherhood of Evil is OK though, and I'd said I'd give it three issues, so I will, but this was not very good. 1.5 out of 5.

Annihilation: Silver Surfer #1 - So I'm guess I'm on board with Annihilation, at least for now. Here we get the Surfer viewing the devastation, and deciding whether or not this is worse than all the stuff Galactus did, that he helped with. Ultimately he concludes it is, and he gets his butt in gear, but not before bidding a melancholy farewell to another former Herald.

So Annihilus has at least one guy, this Ravenous fellow, that is on par with a Herald. Actually, it sounds like there's at least two, since there are apparently multiple search teams looking for Heralds. So that's some serious power on his side, in addition to sheer numbers. I'm thinking someone is going to have to rally the Kree, Skrulls, Shi'ar, the Ovoids, whoever's out there, if this is going to be stopped. Not a big fan of Arlem's art. I know we're supposed to be viewing a war of sorts, so some grittiness is expected, but it's still Outer Space, couldn't it look a little prettier?

I think my prediction for Thanos' role may have been off-base. Yet, early it still is! I may yet be proven to be far-seeing! Decent introductory issue, 3 out of 5.

The Punisher #32 - I think Garth Ennis is slipping social commentary into this book about the state of America. Or it may just be that the reason this red-headed fellow turned on his employer's, leading to his predicament was simply a conveinent excuse to get Frank wrapped up in larger stuff again. It's hard to tell, but if it is commentary, Millar might want to make note of a somewhat more subtle method. Geez, who ever thought I'd use that word in conjunction with Garth Ennis?

I am more impressed with Frank's soon-to-be opponent after this issue. Clearly just the sort of no-nonsense ass-kicker needed to challenge Castle. He does have his goofy side, in darkly pornographic way, so he kind of reminds me of the Russian. This is not a bad thing, as long as there are no giant boobs. Again, I'm surprised to see myself type such a thing.

The C.E.O.'s trophy wife frightens me. 4 out of 5.

New Excaliber #6 - I like that this issue demonstrated the group trying to spend some time on combat, maybe learn each other's abilities, how to use them together. Based on the fact that by the end of the issue they once again are getting pantsed by their opponents, I'd say they might want to spend a little more time on that.

And for some people's (not mine) enjoyment, Dazzler gets burned! Or zapped. Something like that. And why is Black Tom back to normal? He was all tree guy the last time I saw him. This is going to tie in to House of M and Onslaught Reborn isn't it?

It was nice to see that X-Factor isn't the only group investigating what happened to mutants. Or planning to investigate, when they stop getting beaten up by every third-rate villain around. Of course, they have to get by the Illuminati to solve the puzzle, and that won't be. . . oh, right. Never mind. Shouldn't be any difficulty. Was Pete Wisdom's comment about how hard it is for him to give up smoking a backhand shot at Marvel's (Quesada's?) "no smoking, no drinking, but evisceration is OK" rule? If so, I whole-heartedly approve.

Things are happening in this book. 4 out of 5.

Spider-Girl #97 - I don't think a scene has ever emphasized the original Hobgoblin's skill quite like his escape from prison did in this issue. The strength he displayed, as well as the casual way he went through the guards, and this dude has been locked up like that for some time, he couldn't have been fresh. When he gets his "sea legs" back, watch out, May'll have her hands full.

I'll call it right now, Phil Urich doesn't survive the end of this title. He's going to hear the Hobgoblin is on the loose, figure it's some imposter, and go after him. Even with his amped up powers, he still treats it like a game and Kingsley is going to skin him alive, no problem. I think the Scriers may regret setting Hobby loose, based on the look on that one guy's face as Kingsley walked out of the prison, it was very "Holy shit! I better not make this dude mad!"

I'm not sure what it says that May is feeling all this anxiety over the premonition she saw of herself being killed, and so to combat the anxiety she switches to her black costume, because she wasn't wearing it in the vision. I am pretty sure it indicates a lack of thinking things through as I would imagine a premonition could be somewhat colored by the eyes of the person seeing it. Of course, i could just be talking out of my ass. Still, it seems to have taken care of some of her doubts, and that's good, can't be having doubts with Hobgoblin back on the block.

I forsee May having problems with her friend Courtney, as Courtney's boyfriend, Moose, keeps turning to May for advice instead of Courtney, and even saying so to Courtney. 4.5 out of 5, for the badass Hobgoblining alone.