What I’m Getting Wednesday

What the hell happened to the second generation of the Silver Age in the DCU? The reason I ask this question is because we are witnessing the wholesale dismantling of an entire decade of effort to current the next generation of heroes at DC and I loved it. No Kyle, Connor and Wally where not the same type of characters of Hal, Ollie and Wally, but that was what made them great. You can only do the same story so many times and once you build up a huge history the continuity of a character can drag him down. DC and Marvel seem to think we just keep the same characters forever and screw any real continuity. Ultimately I think it chases people away as they realize after a while nothing really happens so they leave comics for other things. I’m more of the exception and have that eternal hope something will change. But Kyle is now a second string Green Lantern, Wally is being pushed off stage and Connor was just change in the GABC series to be a character with no archery skills and has super healing and a high pain tolerance (Wolverine light). Granted great writers and artists can tell stories that will sell with Hal, Ollie and Barry, but could great writers and artists give us the next generation and then we could allow some real change to occur?

The books that I’m looking forward to the most this week are:

Bad Planet #6 - This book is so late and comes out when ever it comes out. I have no clue what takes it so long, but it is a great series. It is a smartly written, beautifully illustrated “B” sci-fi flick from the fifties. I hope they get around to collecting this in a hard cover format. What’s inside “THE FIRST HALF OF THE BAD PLANET SAGA CONCLUDES! It's a spine-tingling cliffhanger that will leave you with your hair standing on end, praying that the Earth has a quick and painless end. Plus Nikola Tesla's inventions set the stage for an unwitting hero.”

Brave and the Bold #19 – David (Strange Embrace) Hine is the writer and this is his first work at DC. I have enjoyed his other work at Marvel, so I’m anxious to see how he does in the DCU. The company line “A strange child channels the Green Lantern oath and scrawls it on a wall. It's a summons from forces located in another galaxy. A fantastic civilization that has its own Green Lantern requires immediate aid and their only chance for survival rests in the hands of Hal Jordan and the Phantom Stranger!”

JSA Kingdom Come Special Magog – The JSA Superman special was excellent and this promises to expand and move this storyline to a conclusion. I appreciate that the JSA is being given three one shots to get this story to a rapid conclusion as the story line has dragged on too long. The hype “He was Lance Corporal David Reid of the Justice Society of America until he was killed in action and resurrected by Gog as his herald - MAGOG. But who is David Reid? Does he truly believe in Gog? And to what lengths will he go in order to find justice in this world?”

Scalped #23 – This series is vying to be the top series for 2008 for me as every issue has been an emotional charged tour de force. This is absolutely the best thing that Jason Aaron, a very good writer, is writing. Trades be damned I want a hard cover. The word “Young Dino Poor Bear returns to the spotlight, while Chief Red Crow tries to pull himself out of the cycle of violence that his life has become. At the same time, Poor Bear finds himself just starting down that same dark road.”

The rest of the list:

Ambush Bug Year None #4 (of 6) – It is very rare that I drop a mini-series after four issues, but this book needs to be funny again or it may suffer that fate. The company line “How can the DC Universe survive a year without Ambush Bug? This question may or may not be answered, cats and dogs may or may not live together, this copy may or may not make any sense and we may or may not take a journey through the world of 52.”

Atomic Robo Dogs of War #4 (of 5) – I’m always happy to see another issue of Atomic Robo. I still think it was a mistake to do a five issue WWII story, as it may lose this book some of its audience. The word “August, 1943. Atomic Robo's motors are frozen, The Sparrow is trapped in his iron grip, and their train is hurtling out of control off a bombed out bridge! What, that's not enough for you? Fine, we've got the Monster Soldiers of the Third Reich! How about a first fight between a robot and a super mutant with trees and vehicles as melee weapons? We'll even throw in Sparrow squaring off against Otto Skorzeny, and Robo making a startling discovery!”

Batgirl #5 (of 6) – This series has been used to give Batgirl a place back in the Batman family after they screwed her character up with some goofy stuff after the one year later jump. I find it ironic that it is happening right before RIP. What’s inside “Batgirl has learned the identity of David Cain's target, but her Bat-family collides with her biological family as she races to prevent the murder of someone very close to her heart. Will the teen heroine thwart the evil man who raised her and ultimately find the redemption she so badly wants?”

Conan the Cimmerian #5 – This first arc has been way too long and too much about Conan’s grand-father. This story should have been a separate mini-series as a bridge between the two series instead of making it the story to re-launch Conan. One of the few mistakes I have seen Dark Horse make. The company line “A child that Conan's grandfather saved from death many years ago-now an old man-seeks to return the favor, but can he get to Conan and Caollan before Horsa's warriors capture their Cimmerian prey? And what good is an old man against Aesir soldiers and the vicious witch Olva? Thorgeir the Berserker gets his second round with Conan, and Caollan shows just how tough and wily a Cimmerian woman can be in battle--even when outnumbered. Richard Corben contributes stunning flashback scenes featuring Connacht, Conan's grandfather. In this issue, Corben brings us to a dark, seemingly hopeless time in the older Cimmerian's life, when he was betrayed and enslaved.”

Dynamo 5 #18 – This series feels like it just started a few months ago and here we are on issue #18. One of the best super-hero group books on the stands and feels a lot like a new take on the Fantastic Four in some ways as they are an extended family. The hype “The new Dynamo 5 team faces their greatest challenge as Tower City becomes overrun by an army of super-villains. Meanwhile, the original team begins to realize they've made a terrible mistake.”

Firebreather #3 – This series feels like the issues are coming out rather slowly. I could be wrong as with as much as I read weekly timing is as much about how well I remember a series as anything else. I’m still only half sold on the series, but will give it a little more time to keep me interested. The word “The first action packed arc nears its earthshaking climax. The violent world of Belloc starts to threaten Duncan's adopted hometown. Duncan has sworn to defend his friends and family, but will he have to become a murderer to do it?”

Flash #246 – This series needs to come to an end now as a mercy killing. I love Wally and his family, but no one is getting this book right and we have the impending Flash:Rebirth coming up anyway, so I sure this series will end then. The company line “As Queen Bee circles in closer for the kill, everything The Flash holds dear starts slipping away from him. His powers, his wife – what's next to go?”

Gauze #1 – Arcana Studios is one of those very small press companies that still manages to produce some books from time to time and I always like to try and check out their offerings. The hype “Elizabeth Morgan has been on the run from a serial killer for the past two years. Under the protection of the police, Elizabeth relocated to New York City to await the killer's apprehension. But after the murder of a young girl and her parents on the outskirts of Nashville, Elizabeth must once again leave everything behind and seek safety in a new life!”

Ghost Rider #29 – Well I tried another Ghost Rider book that was about Danny and not written by Jason Aaron and it did not work, but this series rocks and is all about Ghost Rider vs Ghost Rider. The company line “This is it, Flamehead fans. The battle you've been waiting years for. Johnny Blaze vs. Danny Ketch. Brother against brother. Ghost Rider against Ghost Rider. Talk about your epic showdowns. This is one for the ages, and it's still only part two of the exciting new arc, "Last Stand of the Spirits of Vengeance."”

Goon #30 – Eric Powell has really delivered on giving us more Goon then ever this year. This is a continuity driven story and we are building to its climax. The word “The war with Labrazio is reaching its boiling point as Franky faces his greatest moral dilemma. And it has nothing to do with his pants!”

Hellblazer #249 – Andy Diggle brings his run on Hellblazer to its conclusion. Andy has made John into the hard edge bastard that he was in the beginning. He has morals, but they are flexible. What’s inside “Andy Diggle's final issue! John Constantine's journey of self-discovery comes full circle as he returns to the Ravenscar mental hospital he spent years at to face down the individual who has been manipulating him from the shadows. But this rogue has been hiding in the last place Constantine would ever think to look.”

Invincible #55 – This is another series that has really come back to life. I think Robert Kirkman’s renewed focus on his creator owned material has paid off is spades for this book and Walking Dead as both books are at the top of their game. The hype “Omni-Man has been awaiting execution in a Viltrumite Prison for months, but Allen the Alien has different plans for Invincible's father. The stage is set for the final confrontation with the Viltrumites - and it all starts here!”

Jack Kirby’s Demon Omnibus HC – I was not a big fan of the Demon when Kirby was first doing the book, but have become more of one over the years. So I’m looking forward to adding this to my bookshelf. This volume contains “One of Jack "King" Kirby's most memorable creations returns in this title collecting the entire, original 16-issue series from the early 1970s! Part man, part elemental fury, Etrigan the Demon was bound to Jason Blood by Merlin to defend Camelot, only to become a demonologist in the modern-day DC Universe.”

Marvel Masterworks Iron Man Volume #107 – More Iron Man material from the early years of Marvel. I was a little iffy on getting this volume as it is not the strongest material. This volume contains “Step back from the big screen and jump into the tales that made Marvel’s Iron Avenger one of the world’s most-famous super heroes! It’s a new era for comics’ most of sophisticated scientist/socialite, Tony Stark, as Archie Goodwin, E.C. Comics great Johnny Craig and the iron man of IRON MAN illustrators, George Tuska, take you on an amazing set of adventures! Just to warm you up, we’ve got Happy Hogan transformed into the Freak, one of Iron Man’s earliest enemies back to settle a score, a wild adventure into the far-flung future and a good, old-fashioned bash-’em-up with the Crusher teamed with a twisted-metal duel with the buzzsaw blades of the Gladiator. And now, the main course! Iron Man’s oldest and evilest of enemies, the Mandarin, returns and pushes the Golden Gladiator to the breaking point. First, he pits Iron Man against the Incredible Hulk in a battle of the titans that only one will walk away from, and then he tears him down with his discovery that Tony Stark is Iron Man! It’s an all-time Iron Man classic that’s so great that for good measure, we’re also bringing you the carnage of the Controller, a threat so awesome that it brings Iron Man together with Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. to stop it! Collecting IRON MAN #2-13.”

Moon Knight #24 - The last issue made such a good impression I remember exactly where it left off, with Venom about to pounce on Moon Knight as Moon Knight has been led into a trap. The company line “With the Thunderbolts hot on Moon Knight’s trail, Norman Osborn pulls out his WMD. Bullseye is on the clock, he’s got a lock on his target, and he’s crazy as a rabid dog. But then again, so is Moon Knight…”

Pax Romana #4 (of 4) – This will probably be the densest book of the week as we conclude our alternative past and future book. Hickman really is the thinking man’s writer as his books are more intellectual in what they question or examine then they are an adventure. The word “The wars of unification have ended and Rome is stronger than ever. Was it enough to change the future and push humanity to new heights? Find out in the epic conclusion of PAX ROMANA.”

Rann Thanagar Holy War #7 (of 8) – This series has felt way too long, especially given the two specials thrown in and the extremely detailed origin of Synnar last issue. The hype “Preparations for the final cosmic conflict continue! Meanwhile, the Weird and Starfire make a deal with the devil in order to save Rann.”

Robin #180 – Hard to believe DC is canceling this series and in fact they are canceling all three Bat books that Chuck Dixon started. Of course it is all due to the "Battle for the Cowl" and once that is decided some form or re-launch will come out of that. The word “As the Gotham youth gangs run rampant and the "blue-flu" sweeps the indignant Gotham police force, Robin faces off against a surprising yet familiar foe. And what role does Spoiler play in this opponent's grand scheme?”

Samurai Legend #3 (of 4) – Marvel’s reprint of this book has been a real pleasure. A great story and wonderful art, the first two parts were great. The company line “Takeo, the samurai without a master, and his companions in misery are hunted by the most powerful and cruel of the Shadow Sisters, Furiko. But instead of running away, Takeo is determined to face his foe. Using all manner of tricks to cross a country filled with enemies, Takeo hopes to foil the occult plans of the XIIIth Prophet and Akuma. But the latter is advancing toward the imperial palace. At his side, an army that grows more and more powerful as he progresses threatens the Empire. Despite their courage and loyalty, the Emperor’s forces are no match for the innumerable enemy clans that seek to topple the monarchy " spelling a chaotic and uncertain future for Takeo and his country!”

Stormwatch PHD #16 – This series is doing okay right now, but I’m still curious to see them establish more or a cohesive picture of what they can do now that the world has been torn up. The word “A Soviet-era WMD is en route to the U.S. to exact an obsolete mission of annihilation! Can the combined forces of StormWatch and Jon Drake stop this incredible danger?”

Supergirl #35 – The “New Krypton” story has been well done, but we just gave Supergirl a new identity last issue and now with her parent’s back how will that all play out? The hype “In "New Krypton" part 5, the new creative team continues to shake up Supergirl's life as Kryptonian-human relations are strained even further! The turmoil forces Supergirl to make a terrible decision: does she stand with the Kryptonian, the people she's longed to be reunited with, or with the humans, the race she's sworn to protect? On top of that, one of her greatest foes is reactivated with a burning hatred for anyone from Krypton – Rao help us all!”

Tangent Superman’s Reign #9 (0f 12) – This series feels like it is limping to the finish line. The art team is not as strong as the team that started the book and the series is all over the place and feels like it lost its focus. The company line “It's Batman and Batman vs. the world! The Tangent Batman's group of "Outsiders" must hold their ground against the Tangent Superman's armada!”

Terra #2 (of 4) – Last issue was not bad, but I’m confused as to why this girl has the same DNA as the prior Terra. I wonder if DC is planning to do anything with this character or is this a throw away mini-series. The word “From the pages of TERROR TITANS and the minds of Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Amanda Connor comes a new rock-slinging heroine! As Terra's earth-shaking stunts grab the attention of the world, a new threat rises from beneath the surface. Will Terra live to fight another day, as she takes on the blaze and fury of Pyrite and the Lavarians? And what is the secret behind this new mover and shaker's powers? Guest-starring Power Girl and Doctor Mid-Nite!”

Thunderbolts #126 – Andy Diggle jumps on board and thank goodness because I was ready to jump off. I’m interesting to see Diggle do some straight super hero work and sad that DC did not give him the chance. What’s inside “The new creative team of writer Andy Diggle (Losers, Green Arrow: Year One) and penciler Roberto De La Torre (IRON MAN: DIRECTOR OF S.H.I.E.L.D.) shake up Marvel’s most unpredictable team! The events of Secret Invasion have taken Norman Osborn out of Thunderbolts Mountain…and when the cat is away, the mice will play! Bullseye owes Songbird big time – and now it’s time to settle up! A huge upheaval is coming for the T-Bolts, and the beginning tremors are felt here!”

Trinity #25 – This is still a good story, it is just not featuring the three stars the company sold the series on. The hype “The heroic Trinity is long gone and their legacy fades by the minute. But where exactly are Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman – and will they ever return? Don't miss the halfway point in this action-fueled, weekly series exploring the three greatest heroes of all time!”

Walking Dead HC Volume 4 – This and Invincible are great series and I love that they put out the 12 issue hard covers of these series. This volume contains “This hardcover features another 12 issues of the hit series along with the covers for the issues all in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long time fans, new readers, and anyone interested in reading a zombie movie on paper that never ends. Collects THE WALKING DEAD #37-48.”

X-Men Legacy #218 – More of the “Original Sin” story line. I’m becoming a little ambivalent about this book as I have fallen off most of the X-Titles. The word “Wolverine and Professor X face off against an unholy alliance of enemies old and new, as Sebastian's Shaw's schemes come to fruition. But the greatest danger arises from the most unlikely source, as Xavier's determination to atone for past sins takes him into Daken's scarred and traumatized mind.”

That's it for this week. Three hard covers make it a higher dollar week for me, but as the economy slowly sinks in the west I have to take a harder line on all of the books I’m picking up and it is causing me to drop a book after one issue a lot more then before.