Action Comics #999

THE FURY OF GENERAL LANE

Written by Dan Jurgens
Penciled by Will Conrad
Cover by Kaare Andrews
Published March 14, 2018
   Jon excitedly answers the door. Granddad Lane has finally come to the Kent residence, but he doesn't waste much time to immediately dog out his daughter, Lois. Not just about blowing his cover on secret missions through the press, but about Jon's secret father, Superman.

Thanks for saving me, but Superman sucks!

   Meanwhile, Supes uses the opportunity to blow up some asteroids for the good of earth. Reflecting on recent events, the Phantom Zone is essentially the cruelest prison a being can be stuck in. Superman searches through the asteroid to find something... or someone.

Now WHERE did I leave my wallet?!

   Back in Metropolis, Sam Lane shows his appreciation for being rescued from his own prison by continuing to rail against Superman. Jon does his best to change his grandfather’s mind but it’s to no avail. His point? Just because an indestructible alien is a good guy now, won’t keep him from becoming evil somewhere down the road.

Apparently Sam didn't see Batman v Superman in that jail...

   At the same time, Superman works to save Hank Henshaw, who through really no fault of his own became the evil Cyborg Superman. He opens the orb that has cruelly held the mass murdering villain and hopes he’s learned a lesson. It becomes evident pretty quickly that he has not. He attacks the Man of Steel but after a brief battle, he finally decides to listen. He’s created a way to keep the Cyborg in prison but through a cool way he can just constantly relive his memories, which I guess is a lot better than the hell he’s been in. Leaving him in suspended animation, Superman rolls out.

Everything good here? Ok, bye.

   Back at the Kent’s, Sam has had enough and decides to bail on his newly reunited family when Clark strolls in. With goodwill on his mind, he works to heal the wounds between the estranged general and his daughter. He re-introduces them all and the fresh start warms the icy situation. They all happily enjoy the company and this one shot story of redemption comes to a happy conclusion. 

Clark talked sense into him with the quickness.

   So just like that, the Dan Jurgens era comes to an end. To his credit, it's not easy to be the guy who's book is about to get taken over by probably one of the biggest names in the business. Especially with as much fanfare as Bendis is getting. I was never really expecting too much with Dan, as this book has been on the DC backburner for a long time. But he did pretty good, and in the end helped expand a legacy that Jerry Siegel himself would be proud of. I give this one an 8/10.

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All New Wolverine #32

THE ORPHANS

Written by Tom Taylor
Penciled by Djibril Morrisette-Phan
Cover by David Lopez
Published March 14, 2018
   When Amber Griffin and Laura Kinney were both little girls, they had a similar story to tell. But while one was a scared kid in a new school, the other was a mind controlled assasin. While Amber is introduced at school, X-23 murders a presidential candidate. Shortly before learning her father was killed, Laura ran the secret service agent through with her claws.

So this is how Batman started too...

   Today Laura works to make things right. She shows Amber the files she’s put together, revealing that she’s discovered the identity of the corrupt Nazi lobbyist that arranged the hit. They plan to ambush him at his tropical island hideout.

I got all of this in the X-Men library.

   Once there, Laura shows her the large suitcase and super secret Hawaiian shirt she packed just for Amber. While Laura moves to do recon, Amber heads for the bar but is discovered pretty quickly. She agrees to go with the hired goons but not before ordering another drink.

Lemme grab some more booze...

   Later, Laura goes to meet her but is told she isn’t there. She follows her nose to where the former victim has been taken, and cuts through a wall to get there. He knows bullets won’t kill her so he orders his bodyguards to fire towards a buffet, forcing the mutant to back off. They speak and Amber explains to the crook that this was about her own revenge, not X-23’s. The terrible shirt electricutes the fugitive and Laura incapacitates the guards.

Well, it WAS a loud shirt.

   They walk to a waiting boat with the lobbyist in the suitcase. Amber shows Laura the actual Nazi-stomping boots she’s packed and they both put them on. Opening the suitcase, they look to kick some revenge into their target. And with that, this quick little tale of revenge comes to an end.

Here comes the pain!

   So who would have thought, an X-23 story without the annoying Gabby quips or Jonathan the Talking Wolverine could be pretty decent? Apparently Tom Taylor decided to spend more time on X-Men Red, unfortunately taking that title down a notch but benefiting the All New Wolverine. Fresh off mailing it in last issue, this one excels, showing us just what an amazing character subject is capable of. While I’m sure it’ll be fleeting, I’ll give props where they’re due. I give this one a 9/10.

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X-Men Red #2

THE HATE MACHINE pt II

Written by Tom Taylor
Penciled by Mahmud Asrar
Cover by Travis Charest
Published March 7, 2018

    Lakshay Singh shows Trinary the fortified walls of her new bunker. He knows what she did, but with Jean Gray allegedly blowing off someone's head last week, she's no longer the lead story. Still she vows to be released soon.
   That release will likely come at the hands of the X-Men, but with anti-mutant outrage at a high point, they currently find themselves in Wakanda after seeking asylum. Gabby makes herself at home and discovers Gentle, one of the world's strongest mutants who must meditate to control his powers.
   Jean is interrupted by word they've just received an encrypted message. Trinary, a mutant technopath explains she hacked into male CEO's bank accounts and redistributed the money to women, but now she's likely been captured.
   The team immediately heads to India to free her. There they find Lakshay and telepathically trick him into bringing them into Trinary's prison. With Jean controlling him, the team breaks in and frees her before Marvel Girl gets distracted. The crowd outside riots and she puts them all to sleep. Something's wrong though, and the few armed rioters who don't fall asleep fire a machine gun at her.
   Nightcrawler sprints to her aid, bamfing ahead of the rest of the team. When he gets to her, she's quited the assailants but allowed Lakshay to dial up an emergency code. A sentinel rumbles to life with mutant destruction on it's mind. What will happen next? We'll have to wait to find out as this issue is left to be continued.
   So with the loss of young Jean recently in the pages of Venom, we've gained the old one back to lead a different team of mostly women...? Ok. I get it and that's cool. Still, do we need yet another X-Men Color Crew to read when the other titles are already somewhat coasting? X-Men Gold already has the sensitive Nightcrawler angle, and though issue 3 teases Gambit, he's already dusted off his X-Membership in the pages of Astonishing. This title is going to need more. I'm already usually unimpressed with Tom Taylor in the pages of Wolverine. If he's going to write another book, he better look like sharpening his pencil. I give this one a 6/10.

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Venom #163

POISON-X finale

Written by Cullen Bunn

Penciled by Edgar Salazar
Cover by Will Robson
Published March 7, 2018
   As the X-Men and Starjammers float in deep space, Cyclops can no longer sense Jean. But on the other side of the ship, she's still there, onlycorrupted by Poisons. Venom springs into action, protecting the mutants from being infected by Kraven and his parasites. Unfortunately the same can't be said for Killer Thrill's crew.
   Angel backs away from the barbs until Jean is able to grab all of them in a TK field. As they close in, they're zapped by Cyclops who arrives just in time. One even takes Iceman's boyfriend's form but Venom explains it's a trick. As Scott deals with the fact she's no longer truly there, Jean and Killer Thrill are now gaining strength.
   They fight Corsair's crew who are able to cover the X-Men as they escape. Venom explains to Scott that Jean is no longer with them. The poison has essentially killed her. Meanwhile Henry calls Danger to retrieve them via Blackbird and Bobby forms an ice tunnel to get them there.
   As they leave, it sinks in to all of them that Jean is truly gone. Cyclops blows up the tunnel and scatters the poisons into space. One grabs Angel and he flames on to kill the symbiote along with the parasite.
   The fight lasts a few more blows as they all make their way to the ship. Eventually they're all retrieved and safe at port care of Corsair. The X-Men return to earth short a member, and the Starjammers return the Klyntar home. When they get there though, the planet is deserted. The story continues in Venomized, but for Venom and the X-Men, this story has come to a conclusion.
   So that's kind of a weird way to kill an X-Man. I know it's been done like that before, especially since these characters have all died more times than I can count. Still, it's weird that Jean Gray from the 60's is gone. Just like that. In space. And in the Venom book. Weird... I give this one a 9/10.

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The Walking Dead #177

NEW WORLD ORDER pt III

Written by Robert Kirkman
Penciled by Charlie Adlard
Cover by Charlie Adlard
Published Mar 7, 2018

   Rick coaches Mikey on getting in touch with his feelings through poetry. Meanwhile Eduardo is relieved of watch, but when going to Earl's shed for a new spear, finds Dante and Maggie getting it on. He takes off, but Maggie is already freaked out and embarrassed.

We live in the post apocalypse, and THIS is what freaks you out?!

   On a hill outside the Commonwealth, the governor's son Sebastian hangs out with his side piece. post picnic. As they start making out, two walkers roam up to them before catching an axe to the back of the head. Mercer, the Governor's main security trooper, has to put up with the kid berating him while we see how many walkers he actually had to take out.

...and you will know us by the trail of dead.

   At the Commonwealth, Elodie tearfully reunites with her mother Michonne and they catch up. She apologizes for not being there for her daughters, getting the scoop on just how the people are there before later learning that Colette didn't survive. Before finding the Commonwealth, her sister refused to do some kidnappers' bidding and was killed for it. Later Elodie got her revenge - like mother, like daughter.

Because we're savage AF.

   At city hall, Sebastian walks up to his mother and gives her an earful over Mercer's spying. She's clearly dealing with a spoiled brat of a son as Mercer falls on his sword, apologizing and obviously taking it on the chin.
   The issue wraps with Mercer taking off his armor in the locker room, confiding to his buddy that running detail on the boy isn't easy. The more they talk, the more they disclose a plot to overthrow the governor before it becomes clear that Siddiq was listening in the entire time. What's gonna happen next? We'll have to wait for the next issue as this one is left to be continued.

It's cool. I can be part of the secret too...

   Obviously when you're dealing with what amounts to a horrifying soap opera, you still have to spend a little time developing the characters. Even if you're just a fan of the show, you know there's some episodes where it's gonna be Rick walking across a field or Michonne looking at CD's, or Carl recounting some Doctor Who episodes.. or whatever. The Commonwealth looks to be a pretty promising story arc and I'm cool with letting it gain a little background. I give this one an 8/10.

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Star Wars #44

MUTINY AT MON CALA

Written by Kieron Gillen
Penciled by Salvador Larroca
Cover by David Marquez
Published March 7, 2018

   In the wake of stopping the excavator, the rebels have found their way to Mon Cala, home of Admiral Ackbar to search for more alliances. Grand Admiral Urtya surfaces, and while he and Princess Leia negotiate, Han points out an Imperial patrol ship that's just so happened to discover their meeting.

What a coincidence...

   They destroy Urtya's ship, and as the rest of the group makes a run for it, Han hides a grenade while as he plans to get everyone out of trouble. He explains the entire meeting is a smuggling operation, and as he fakes a bribe, throws the explosive into their transport.

Well I don't have any money, but I do have this cool grenade...

   They all use the diversion to run into the woods, hoping to avoid the man eating plants. Leia keeps talking with the Mon Calan as they all make a run to the boat. Climbing aboard, Chewie blasts the cannon at the remaining stormtroopers and they make their getaway. 

This is why you never get out of the boat.

   Leia explains they need a fleet. With the destruction of Alderaan and Jedha, it doesn't have to happen again. But Urtya counters with it being Mon Cala's sacrifice... With their king still in imperial custody, he turns her down. With their scouting trip a failure, they return to space. Leia takes the spurning hard, and as they return to the Mako-Ta Space docks, she has an idea. She tells C3PO to open a secret channel to undercover rebel Queen Trios. Their gonna break the Mon Calan king out of jail. How will they do it? We'll have to wait to find out as this issue is left to be continued.

The ship must have Verizon.

   Once again, this series proves that it's a way to expand the Star Wars cannon more than even the films can. Though all true fans mourned the loss of Ackbar in Episode VIII, Kieron Gillen works to make his role still important, officially explaining just how much closer General Leia and her military companion were leading up to the attack on the resistance fleet. As usual, I dig where this is going. I give it a 9/10.

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Spider-Man #238

SINISTER SIX REBORN pt V

Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Penciled by Oscar Bazaldua
Cover by Patrick Brown
Published March 7, 2018

   The new Sinister Six, plus unwilling participant Lana, plan their Helicarrier heist. There's a 27 minute hole in which it's ungaurded. Lana seems less than enthused, but Lori assures them. In addition, Iron Spider lays out the deal he made with Spider-Man.

Go-Go Gadget Neck!

   Meanwhile, Miles explains to Ganke that Uncle Aaron is back from the dead, when Barbara eavesdrops, overhearing that Miles is headed to get Lana. Later, Hobgoblin watches Red Hulk leap away. The team assembles, getting into position aboard the carrier while Lana texts Miles her location. Everyone does their part and the Helicarrier launches, gaining altitude when suddenly Spider-Man kicks Hobgoblin off his glider.

Traitor!

   Unfortunately for everyone, including Spider Man, Red Hulk returns. They fight and it becomes apparent the Goblin ratted Iron Spider out, but Hulk is confused. As they fight, Sandman blows them off the carrier while Ceres cloaks it remotely. Spider-Man zaps Hulk and they fall into the East River, all but ensuring the Sinister Six's escape.

You just gonna let Red Hulk die over there?!

   With their getaway complete, Lori berates her daughter for Spidey's intrusion when Sandman intervenes. They all go to the bridge. Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Rio and Jefferson meet with Cable so she can make sure everything is on the up and up. What happens next? We'll have to wait as this issue is left to be continued.

Mad Mom.

   So is the stage being set for Miles to no longer be a Champion? Either way, a mother's intuition always wins out.. at least when you're a 16 year old superhero. This issue and story arc really has it all. Legendary villains, a b-squad Avenger, and even Cable. What more could anyone ask for? I give this one an 8/10.

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