New Comic Day 12.22.2010

Last new comics before Christmas, folks!! Of course, this all but guarantees a big week.

Batman Annual #28 $4.99

Written by DAVID HINE
Art by AGUSTIN PADILLA
Cover by STANLEY "ARTGERM" LAU

This year's Batman annuals collide in a 2-part story involving both Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson as Batman! In this second part of the story, when a Batman, Inc. recruitment trip to Paris, France leads to a murder mystery, the heroes deduce that the assassinations are connected to a strange cult leader. But will this religious figure take them one step closer to solving the bizarre murders? Or are The Question, Bruce and Dick getting one step closer to becoming the next victims? Continued from this month's DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #12!

Sue me, I bought the Detective Comics Annual, and now I need to see how it wraps up.

I ought to trust my gut more.

Batman, Inc. #2 $3.99

Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by YANICK PAQUETTE
Cover by JH WILLIAMS
Variant cover by YANICK PAQUETTE

The dynamic new era of Batman continues! The Dark Knight and Mr. Unknown – the Batman of Japan – go up against Lord Death Man. It's going to be a fight to the end that could see the failure of Batman, Inc. before it's even begun! 

I'll eat a little crow here. Batman, Inc. #1 was pretty damn good. I'm still skeptical of the whole thing, but I'll ride out the first arc, at least. The art is quite delicious, and I especially want to high-five Morrison for writing a great, interesting Selina Kyle in #1. This may be a good book, but the concept still feels wrong.

Green Lantern Larfleeze Christmas Special #1 $3.99

Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by BRETT BOOTH
Cover by GENE HA

It's BRIGHTEST (CHRISTMAS) DAY! What do you want for Christmas? Orange Lantern Larfleeze wants everything – including Santa Claus himself! And nothing, not even the heroes of the DC Universe can to stop the Orange Lantern from getting what he wants! Plus, you won't want to miss the strange holiday season shenanigans starring the rest of the Orange Lantern Corps! Superstar writer Geoff Johns and artist Brett Booth team up for an unbelievable sleigh ride adventure!

I've been looking forward to this one for a while. One of the best things to come out of the whole Blackest Night cycle was Orange Lantern Larfleeze. I'll try to be brief on this. The Lantern Corps rings have a color spectrum that corresponds to an emotional spectrum. (Green = Will, Yellow = Fear, etc.) Orange is greed and envy. There is only one, actual, Orange Lantern, because he just can't share. He wants everything he sees, and no one else can have it.

Well, what happens when that guy finds out about Santa Claus?

I'd guess HILARITY ENSUES!!

Seriously, Geoff has done wonders with this character, who's been described as a deadly version of Gonzo...Yes, The Muppet Show Gonzo. I always have fun reading about him.

Justice League of America #52 $3.99

Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by MARK BAGLEY, ROB HUNTER
& NORM RAPMUND
Cover by MARK BAGLEY & ROB HUNTER
1:10 Variant cover by DAVID MACK

With Washington, D.C. in the hands of The Omega Man and the full extent of his horrific power revealed, the JLA is forced to make a difficult decision. Is there no choice for the World's Greatest Heroes but to team with the World's Worst Villains – the Crime Syndicate – in order to save both Earths? How will this desperate action be affected by Ultra Man's betrayal of everyone. . . and the reappearance of Dark Supergirl?

So, Marvel announced that Mark Bagley was returning to Ultimate Spider-Man this Spring. Good news, I like that. Exciting, fun.

I think it's also a nail in the coffin of my following this title. That is, unless something really cool happens. Robinson's not had a great track record on that score.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #151 $3.99

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: DAVID LAFUENTE, Sara Pichelli

After the shocking status quo game changer from last issue's 10th anniversary special, Spider-Man must now undergo afterschool super hero training—and the lessons start here!!! Plus Peter Parker gets a new girlfriend? And you won't believe who she is. They’ll be guest stars galore in this action packed adventure as Spidey gets schooled!

So, Ultimate Spidey is no longer a free agent. He's under the thumb of S.H.I.E.L.D., and they mean to train him to not make so many mistakes.

I love this turn of events. It's great because it completely fits with the established Ultimate Marvel Universe, and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s place within it. Plus it'll be great to see Peter deal with his costumed persona no longer being an escape from the pressures of school and real life. It is school, now, all over again.

Of course...we also have Bagley's return and "The Death of Spider-Man" in the Spring...

Wednesday, and you know what that means...

Comic Books!

As always, my "light" week of only two titles last week means...a heavy week follows. To follow-up on last Wednesday, I did not pick up any additional books. My rationalization was that Batman: The Widening Gyre will, no doubt, be released in trade paperback, and I THINK I can wait for that. Plus, I thought I should hold to a "light" week when I had the chance.

So, here we go...

Batman and Robin #5

Written by Grant Morrison
Art and variant cover by Philip Tan and Jonathan Glapion
Cover by Frank Quitely

This series continues to impress, if for nothing else, in the strong editorial reins that has kept it on time with big-name, notoriously slow artists working on it. Morrision must be way ahead on scripts , so that guys like Tan and Quitely (who did the first arc) can work months ahead.

Jonah Hex #48

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art and cover by Cristiano Cucina

"The Six-Gun War" part 5 of 6. Is it wrong of me to be chomping at the bit for this multi-part epic to run it's course so that Palmiotti and Gray can get back to the "done in one" stories they craft expertly for the artists that come in for each issue? Still the most consistantly enjoyable title on the market.

Justice League: Cry for Justice #4 (of 6)

Written by James Robinson
Art and cover by Mauro Cascioli

Is it over yet? I mean, seriously...I hope to God when Robinson gets a super-dynamic artist like Mark Bagley, as he will when he takes over the regular Justice League of America title, next month, I think, that he brings something more to the table than he has with this mini. Tons of potential here, an odd congolmeration of heroes, and a couple of "Big Seven" stand bys in Green Lantern and Green Arrow to drive the bus. This ought to work better.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #3

COVER BY: DAVID LAFUENTE
WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: DAVID LAFUENTE
INKS: David Lafuente Garcia
COLORED BY: Justin Ponsor
LETTERED BY: VC - Cory Petit

I thought I'd stick with the credits as Marvel lists them. Who am I to not credit the letterer?

A lot of people hate Brian Michael Bendis, with venom. I say he has a voice that is nicely different from other writers, and as long as he's doing this title and Powers, which I buy religiously in trade paperback, he's on the side of the angels. I'm soo happy the Ultimatum crap did not throw him completely off track. It seems he said, "ok, you screwed up everything, but I can put my little corner of the Marvel Ultimate Universe back in shape so quickly your head will spin."

And, he did.

Bless you, BMB.

Buckaroo Banzai: Hardest of the Hard #1

Written by Earl Mac Rauch
Art by Shawn Van Briesen

OK, so this is a bit of a pisser for me. I LOVE Buckaroo Banzai. Love the movie, love the novel, and love most of the comics. Moonstone has picked up the licence, and is producing books. Well, it seems that THREE Buckaroo Banzai books have been released, and I did not tget them. I am hurt and pained over this. Hurt and pained, I tell you!!

I have no idea what this book is about, at all. Still buying it.

***MAYBE LIST***

Batman Annual #27

Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by J. Calafiore and Mark McKenna
Cover by J. Calafiore

Oh, hey, look...Azrael is back! This, along with Detective Comics Annual #11, will lead into the new Azrael series, and is supposedly "important" to the "Batman Reborn" arc.

I never overly cared for Azrael. So, an unlikely purchase, honestly.