And we’re back for another roundup of what’s going on with new comic releases this week, this time featuring the redheaded stepchild Robin, Wolverine once again getting his orientalism on and the crossover no one was expecting if they didn’t already know about the Star Trek/Transformers/GI Joe/Ghostbusters/Zombies crossover from early this year.
Red Hood and the Outlaws #2
Image via JD Hancock
After the internet-wide fallout from the first issue of this, were we actually going into issue #2 expecting a change from the rampant T&A and isn’t-Jason-Todd-just-so-cool-and-dreamy-and-damaged moments. Seriously, he’s the only character here with a hint of personality beyond “the crazy sidekick” or “the alien chick in the skimpy bikini.”
It’s a shame too, because the art’s actually quite nice. Actually, very nice, especially compared to some of the disappointments that have come out of the New 52. Stormwatch, I’m looking at you.
So, tune in for the Jason Todd Angst Show if that’s your thing. It’s not the best the Bat Family has to offer at the moment, but I could definitely see this appealing to one or two demographics. Still haven’t decided whether that’s more horny teenage boys or die-hard Jason fangirls, though.
Wolverine #17
We’re starting to see the fallout of the Schism event on the X-Men universe here. Apparently Wolverine is going back to Westchester to carry on Professor X’s work in keeping young mutants out of trouble (and alive most of the time). But it looks like he might still have some unfinished Black Dragon-shaped business to finish up in San Fran…
And so starts another arc where a short white Canadian dude is head of the Chinatown underworld. It definitely reads like one of those traditional Kung Fu action flicks, complete with all the tropes you know and either love or are slightly uncomfortable with. Plus lots of Wolverine snikting Kung Fu underworld types.
One thing, though: Gorilla Man is the main costar in this, which is pretty awesome if you’re missing him like hell from the Agents of Atlas days. If you haven’t read the entire Atlas run, go and track down a trade now, because it was probably one of the most underrated series of the past ten years at least.
In all, it looks like this title might finally be picking up from a shaky start, though that all depends on whether you’re into paint-by-numbers Kung Fu action or not. And hey, it’s a valid genre.
Star Trek/Legion of Superheroes #1
IDW and DC are teaming up in this really really retro crossover between everyone’s favourite Enterprise crew with a Shatner on it and everyone’s favourite superteam going with -boy, -girl, -lad and -lass naming conventions.
*SPOILER* They’re starting off with the traditional parallel universe setup. But you know what? It works. After all, Trek has a time-honoured tradition of throwing a parallel universe into the mix, so I could almost see it being a real episode.
In all, maybe not the most inventive crossover the comics industry has ever pulled off, but we’re still looking at a pretty solid trad scifi caper here, at least from what can be seen in a first issue. The next issue is going to be the main test of that when both teams meet face to face. As for art, it’s servicable enough (though some reaction faces are probably more hilariously bug-eyed than they’re aiming for, particularly with the Star Trek pages). I’m definitely following the next five.
Any comics you particularly enjoyed this week? Share with us in the comments section below.
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October 20, 2011
Comics