***Book of the Week***
Cable #17Writer: Duane Swierczynski / Artist: Paul Gulacy
What?!? Cable is actually good?!? I know, right? The last issue sucked, but this one builds upon the threads set up in that one magnificiently. For the first time, Hope actually seems like a dynamic character on her own, instead of just Cable's burden. I loved every panel of her in the clean city avoiding detection and building a relationship with Emil. In fact, that budding relationship is what drives this issue. Cable's inevitable reunion with Hope is just as rewarding to read, seeing as how both are totally different people now. I was a little disappointed that his technorganic virus wasn't really addressed though. His escape plan brings us full circle to the beginning of the arc, but this time Hope's frustration actually makes sense. Another pleasant surprise is Gulacy's improved work, making this issue less cartoony and having Hope look more her age. The most promising thing about this issue, though, is that the escape effectively sets up plenty of new and fresh ideas for future stories.IGN - 6/10
Comic Book Resources - 2/5
Blackest Night #2
Writer: Geoff Johns / Artist: Ivan Reis
This book was an amazing read. Every scene of action was intense and packed with emotion and Aquaman's fight with his old kingdom is definitely the highlight of the issue. Throughout its duration, Johns does a brilliant job reminding us of his importance to the Atlanteans and perfectly conveying their horror about his new form. Ivan Reis is a huge reason why the fights work so well. He completely captures the intensity and chaos of every battle while also drawing beautiful characters and backgrounds. My only gripe with this issue is that the whole thing is filled with fights. No matter how awesome they all are, it still left me wanting more. What's Scar up to? How do you kill a Black Lantern? What is Black Hand's new power? None of these get addressed this issue. Oh well. At least there were some incredible fights to enjoy.IGN - 9.3/10
Comic Book Resources - 4.5/5
Green Lantern Corps #39
Writer: Peter Tomasi / Artist: Patrick Gleason
I found this book to be nothing more than supplementary material for Blackest Night. Basically, it's an issue devoted entirely to "here's some other stuff that's happening in the Green Lantern neck of the woods." That's not an entirely bad thing though. I was happy to get back to Mongul's conquest of Korugar (and the Sinestro Corps for that matter) and the panels depicting the rings resurrecting the Lantern crypt were amazing. Sadly, Gleason's art continues to be inconsistent. Mongul's panels look beautifully dire, but throughout the rest of the book characters' faces change too much from page to page. Overall, I enjoyed this issue only because I like Blackest Night so much. It just doesn't stand on its own though.IGN - 8.8/10
Comic Book Resources - 3.5/5
Amazing Spider-Man #602
Writer: Fred Van Lente / Artist: Barry Kitson
The first thing you'll notice when reading this is that this issue doesn't really serve as a continuation of the last. It's a little jarring initially, but that unease quickly evaporates when you see how awesome the Chameleon is depicted here. He quickly steals the show when you see his horrifying methods of assuming a new disguise, which could actually serve as its own horror movie. The rest of the issue doesn't work as well. We get to catch up on Harry Osborn and get a glimpse of Mary Jane, but we don't find out anything about her in what is supposed to be her story arc. Kitson's art works well though. His imagery of the Chameleon is perfect and every other character is depicted rather well. Overall, Van Lente does a great job creating a cool new story with Spider-Man's oldest villain, even if he does lose focus on Red-Headed Stranger.IGN - 8/10
Comics Bulletin - 4/5
Ms. Marvel #43
Writer: Brian Reed / Artist: Sergio Arino
Moonstone continues to kick ass in this series. As a matter of fact, I'm starting to wish that she'll never leave it. The return of Ms. Marvel has been confusing at best and stupid at worst. Apparently she's been split into two people - one who is the ultimate warrior (but can still be beaten by a pregnant Menace) and one who is the passive civilian (Catherine Donovan). Thankfully, Moonstone provides the desperately needed entertainment. In the opening sequence she uses a civilian to help her vent her frustrations and then just kills him. Awesommmmmmme!!! She doesn't stop there either, as she makes a strong case that she may deserve her own series too. Arino's art does a fair enough job this issue. Most of it is oddly shiny, but no one comes off as disfigured or ugly. I enjoyed this issue of Ms. Marvel despite her lack of any impact, but I'm going to need her to start being cool again real soon.Comics Bulletin - 2.5/5
Uncanny X-Men #514
Writer: Matt Fraction / Artist: Terry Dodson
This may be the first issue of Utopia that I've actually liked. The premise of the Dark X-Men is still a dumb idea but Fraction shifts the focus from that idiocy to the X-Men this issue and it pays dividends. Cyclops devises a strategy to overtake Osborn's X-Men and Avengers while keeping both us readers and his team in the dark about the specifics, but I love the bits and pieces that are revealed. Apparently he's creating three teams specifically chosen to fight both Dark teams and free the captured mutants. I look forward to finding out why Cyclops chose who he did and seeing how his plan plays out. Dodson's art is its usual cartoony style with every blonde looking exactly the same. That doesn't detract from Cyclops's great plan though, which just might make this series one of the few successful crossovers I've ever read.IGN - 8/10
Comic Book Resources - 2.5/5
Comics Bulletin - 3/5
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