Jan 10th Comic RoundUp

posted by JediSheltie @ 4:03 PM

Heh, considering I'm now on my second day of ice-enforced vacation from work, the tardiness of this update is pretty pathetic, I know. Actually, not a very busy week, it was, with one notable exception, which... well... didn't work out so well.

Justice Society of America #2

Issue two brings more goodness, more agreeably brief and well-handled back-stories, and some meta-Nazi's being beaned in the skull with a mace (and bonus flail). Since Mr. Johns doesn't have an ice storm to blame for his recent tardiness on Action, it's good to know that most of the first 12 issues of this comic are pretty much in the can, because I'm starting to like this one even more, and don't really feel any particular cravings for delays.

We're introduced to Nathan Heywood (the Fourth, i guess), heir to the “Commander Steel/Steel” legacy. This Steel (from the moronic “Detroit” JLA), not this Steel, with whom I'm a bit more familiar. The mystery around who killed would-be member Mister America deepens, as the knowledge of who killed him only leads to the further question of who ordered the hit. Wildcat and his newly discovered “kid” do some really awkward bonding, and the new Starman gets to his roots... Kingdom Come.

I'll take a moment to shamelessly shill for Kingdom Come. Though vast in scope, at the core it is a Superman story, and a really great one, at that. Besides, now you need to know all about it to understand JSA, so, naturally, you'll run right out and buy it. Geeze, were I cynical and in marketing, I'd almost consider it a ploy. On the other hand, using marketing ploys for good things has to be good, right?

Johns weaves threads through at least 4 different plots without letting you become too lost, which is quite an achievement. Eaglesham and Jose's art is again up to task, bringing out the emotion in the characters as well as the powerful kinetics of a meta-human engagement. Since there's no delay on this particular horizon, I look forward to what's on deck next month.

Star Wars: Legacy #7

Stop me if you've heard this one... The Jedi Order, keepers of peace for... a longish time, are virtually wiped out in an act of treachery perpetrated by the Sith. The Galactic Empire, ruled by a Sith Lord, ruthlessly represses the people, wages war, and hunts Jedi.

Yes, it's 137 years after the Battle of Yavin and the galaxy is a very familiar place.

I probably sound a bit snarky. Yes, on the whole, the core concept of this series, which is known as the “Reset Button,” does rub me a bit wrong. That being said, I am kind of enjoying it, actually. Shout-outs to the greatest RPG ever, not-withstanding, the actual story is pretty well done and compelling at this point. I'm sure a lot of people who are crying bloody murder over it aren't actually reading it. I can see why, especially if, like I did in my opening, you choose to look only at the similarities and how it kind of renders massively “moot” the entire original canon.

The central protagonist, Cade Skywalker, isn't named Skywalker by coincidence. Yep, he's the Legacy, and training to become a Jedi in his youth then that whole “betrayal/destruction” thing happens (yes, again). Cast off on his own, he transforms from Luke to Han, becoming a bounty hunter, smuggler, “rouge-of-all-trades” type with his own ship and crew. While he grows up, Darth Krayt and his Sith crew shore up power. In the “yes, there are differences” category, the Sith Lords are not just 2 any longer. Not only that, but Krayt usurped the throne of the “rightful Emperor,” thus creating a schism in the Empire. Krayt's major threat isn't a Rebellion, but a group of Imperial forces loyal to the deposed Emperor Fel. And they have “Knights.”

History and Skywalkers, destined to intertwine, apparently, thrust Cade into the middle of this conflict, as he now has the daughter of Emperor Fel under his protection. She is hunted by the Sith with Imperial forces, as they hope to trail her back to her father, in order to kill him and quell the distention in the Imperial ranks.

That's about as nutshelly as I can get here. Issue 7 is, in fact, where Cade, a bit disenfranchised with his heritage at this point, finally whips out a saber and acknowledges his place in the world. If you can get past the central premise of the world in which the story takes place, it's a really good story. If you can't, then you'll be skipping this whether I tell you to or not.

Superman & Batman vs. Aliens & Predator

LightSide JS: Superman & Batman vs. Aliens & Predator will probably be pretty popular, you should ask the fine folks at the comic book shop to put it on your pull list such that you are more likely to receive a copy.

LazySide JS: Please... I drop by right after I get off work, they'll have some copies left.

LightSide JS: Perhaps, but what if they do not? You arrive rather late in the day, after all.

LazySide JS: Yeah, so I'm gainfully employed, unlike the average comic reader. I'll be there at 6, latest, I'll be fine. Those stupid slips are annoying to fill out.

LightSide JS: Yet, it would guarantee you a copy, for such a small effort.

LazySide JS: Why don't you leave me alone, go get exterminated, and plunge the galaxy into darkness, you're good at that.

LightSide JS: That only happened once.

LazySide JS: Dude, did you read the review up there?

LightSide JS: EU doesn't count.

LazySide JS: Look, trust me, okay... They'll have a copy. I had a, you know... premonition. Force stuff. Now scram.

LightSide JS: Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future.

LazySide JS: I said scram!