What I Bought 5/1/2010 - Part 2

More reviews!

Deadpool #22 - Deadpool's riding a bus in Georgia when some hoods try to rob it. Deadpool's attempt to stop it is thwarted by White Lightning, a big hillbilly with batteries strapped to his chest. Upon awakening from being electrocuted, Deadpool surmises the local sheriff is part of the criminal enterprise and sets out to shut it down, with encouragement from one of the deputies. Surprise, surprise, he actually pulls it off rather well. No dead bodies, no expectation of applause or gratitude, he shuts them down and goes his merry way. OK, he does kind of threaten the ATF guy who had cuffed him, but the guy was gonna let him go anyway, not being suicidal and all.

I liked this more than expected. Maybe because as a single-issue story, Way didn't drag it out unnecessarily. Admittedly, it plays out similarly to his stint with the X-Men, where he appears to be screwing things up, but in reality has it all well in hand, but it's still nice to see Deadpool handling things with a modicum of competence. Tan Eng Huat was the penciler, and his style is close to what Paco Medina and Carlos Barberi had been doing, while still being different. His characters are rounder, and his Deadpool is more slender, more angular. Huat's also able to convey a hint of menace in Deadpool, even when he's just smiling, which is a nice touch.

Guardians of the Galaxy #25 - Various groups of Guardians of the Galaxy in the future are arguing about whether the dangers to their timelines are over or not. Many think they are, at least one Starhawk is convinced they aren't, as video logs by Star-Lord have recently appeared in their library that weren't there before. In the present, the Guardians contend with Berserk Naked Thanos, who yes, did kill Phyla-Vell last issue. Tough luck for her. The team gets its rear handed to it, because this is Thanos we're talking about, and he may be tougher than ever. Especially since he isn't happy about being alive again. Star-Lord manages to drop him long enough for the telepaths to shut his brain down, and now they have to decide what to do with Thanos. Besides get some pants on him.

This is OK as far as final issues go. It can't provide too much closure, since it leads into Thanos Imperative, but we do see the team deal with regaining some team members, and cope with losing some others, and resolve to go forward. Brad Walker pencils the issue, and does his usual solid job. Abnett and Lanning entertain me with the character bits as usual. Moondragon's grief, Drax kind of losing it over Thanos being back, Star-Lord's casual approach of Thanos, the grudging concern Rocket showed for Cosmo, and of course, 'Groot am ow.' That was funny.

Nova #36 - I'm pretty sure that cover was solicited for one of Nova's Secret Invasion tie-in issues, then they changed it up for some reason.

Nova and Darkhawk go to Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S., because it's on emergency lockdown. Turns out Evil Quasar from the universe on the other side of the Fault is there, controlling the scientists, making them build a "Horrorscope" for him. Its purpose was to find something, and having found it, Evil Quasar scoots off to inform his master, after he critically injures Darkhawk. Also, he's lead a gatekeeper from his world to the Earth-616, so Rich has to destroy that first, giving Quasar some lead time on him.

Sucks about Darkhawk. He's been having such a rough go of it the last couple years, I was hoping he'd get to be a major player in Thanos Imperative. He still might, I have to figure the amulet being fused to him will convey some advantage, but it might be awhile. As a (potentially) final issue for this series, it also only sort of works. Nova deals with the immediate threat (the Horroscope on Earth), but there's still the larger concern. Still, the series ends (or goes on hiatus) as it started, with Richard opening a stargate and hauling butt to a major threat, promising all concerned he is responding. Nice bit of symmetry. Andrea DiVito pencils this issue, and its fine. The Gatekeeper is gross-looking, though not as terrifying as I've heard Lovecraftian things are supposed to be. Then again, it would be hard to draw one thing that would properly freak out everyone, and I imagine if I came face to face with the Gatekeeper, it would be considerably more terrifying.

Power Girl #11 - "War on Terra"? Ouch. Oh well, puns, what're you gonna do?

Would appear Satanna was in on Ultra-Humanite's plan, since she knew where Atlee-in-Humanite's-body was. We don't learn this until U-H uses Terra's powers to good effect against Power Girl, all while dissing her life and intelligence, because he's an evil, evil man. Power Girl does subdue him eventually, then heat visions Satanna's arm off, prompting Angry Badger Scientist to nearly throw up. Terra's people get her brain back in the right body, and even given U-H an new version of his human body, minus the genetic issues his original one had. Is he grateful? No. He's a evil, evil man remember?

Power Girl's approach to Satanna was interesting. For as much as she believes in second chances, she does have her limits, and that's fine. It's been a struggle for her to build a life, then hold on to it, so she is understandably protective of it. Also, I like how Power Girl is amazed by Terra's home, but it's old hat to Terra, and she wants to get back to the surface. Also, the Angry Badger Scientist said 'Rue the day'. I don't care what Satanna says, that's good dialogue right there. I would use it every day if situations allowed. As usual, I don't know what I can say about Amanda Conner's art. I love it, it's awesome, she makes Terra look suitably creepy and malicious when U-H is in there, and Ultra-Humanite look suitably scared and friendly with Terra's brain inside.

Let's see, Amazing Spider-Man #630 narrowly edges Power Girl for Best Use of an Earthquake to Prompt Heroic Action. Avengers vs Atlas easily defeats Guardians of the Galaxy for Time Travel Discussion Hurts My Head. Deadpool tops Batgirl for Best Defeat of Idiot Criminal With Stuff Strapped to His Chest.