The Ettatorial for the Week of 1-28-09
A fairly large week of releases this week, with one book missing (Amazing Spider-Man Extra #2) due to selling out at the local comic shop. I had hoped that this week’s picks would include Final Crisis #7, the last issue of DC’s mega-event. Sad to say, but the last issue was a large disappointment, much like the rest of the series, with a plot that skipped around too much and a story that just honestly made no sense to me. It’s sad that this one story that DC has pinned their line and universe on really didn’t seem to do what it intended to. While I saw flashes of brillance in some of the moments of the series, including the last issue, there was just too much that didn’t make any sense. Maybe in re-reading the book will grow on me and make more sense, but I think that a book should make the reader have a good handle on what happens the first time and not depend on repeat readings to comprehend what happened. Instead, let’s look at a couple of books that did make the cut for books of the week.
First up is Daredevil #115. The final part of “Lady Bullseye” goes out like it came in, an intelligent and action packed story that has reinvigorated the series (at least for me). While the arc has been almost a team book, this final chapter has more of a Daredevil-centric sense that the series needs. That’s not to say that the supporting players don’t get their moments, as new character Master Izo and Iron Fist both have some great moments to shine. The final wrap-up and revelation of just what the Hand’s intent is is both logical and thought provoking, and provides plenty of potential for the future.
The other pick for the week is Avengers: The Initiative #21. The first issue of Christos Gage’s solo writing on the series, along with new (regualar?) penciller Humberto Ramos is a good one. While the Initiative and it’s recruits are still reeling from the shock of the Skrulls invasion and the restructuring of the program, everything else decides to hit the fan. While I was curious if Gage could bring the same Marvel history and continuity to the book that out-going co-writer Dan Slott did, this issue calmed any such fears. Gage utilizes plots and moments as far ranging from Dan Jurgens’ Thor run to Avengers hydro-base to Typhoid Mary’s history in Daredevil. Not only that, but all these moments and mentions further the story without burying whats going on or confusing new readers. The book continues to be what I consider a important Marvel book, that is to say it’s a book that celebrates all points from Marvel’s publishing history and does so in a manner that can entertain fans of any of Marvel’s characters. Solid work all the way around.
So there you have it folks, your picks for the week. We’ll see you back here next week, same time, same channel.
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