The Order #2 ~ A really strong second issue that, more even than the debut, convinced me that this is a book that deserves to be read. The focus is on Becky Ryan, aka 'Aralune', the team's shapeshifter, but as with the first issue (spotlighting Anthem, the team leader) many characters get really worthwhile moments as the issue progresses. The storytelling is intelligent and sincere, and a lot is packed into 22 pages in all sorts of ways - there's interesting ideas about the setup and management of superheroes, a clever villain concept, pointed social commentary that bites without coming off as preachy... And then there's Aralune, who goes from a fairly blank slate to a multi-faceted character with hopes and fears and courage and scars, and a semi-tragic history that's all too understandable. I don't know if she's going to make it as a hero, but I like her - I want her to succeed, because I care about her. Achieving that in a single issue takes real talent. The art is very capable in the face of some tough challenges - there's a high panel count, and a lot is asked of the artists in the process of telling the issue's involving story, but they do what's needed, and produce a book that looks good and tells its story well. This week, for me The Order went from a book I'm sampling for its first arc, to one that I'll stick with long-term unless it takes a dive.
Bomb Queen III #4 ~ It was delayed several times - something to do with a colourist, I gather - but it was worth the wait. This third Bomb Queen miniseries has felt a touch underwhelming compared to its predecessors, with lots of new characters coming in, and various concepts flying about in haphazard fashion, but this issue pulls it all together and delivers with a bang greater, I think, than anything BQ has done before. Jimmy Robinson's script isn't flawless - the dialogue can be a bit stilted at times, and here and there a bit more proofreading would have been nice - but it's strong where it needs to be, delivering a darkly fascinating set of ideas wrapped up in a gory guilty pleasure of a supervillain package. Robinson's art is perfect for the book as always, and I have high hopes for the next miniseries (which, thanks to the delays on this one, starts next week).
Wonder Woman #9 ~ An old issue I picked up this week - Heinberg's opening issues of Wonder Woman (#1-4) were so thoroughly disappointing, with such an abominable lack of insight and imagination, that even knowing he'd gone after #4, I couldn't bring myself to pick up more issues right away. Now Wonder Woman has done its penance, and I'm gathering up the various issues between then and now - I should be up to date by next week, when #12 comes out. Such is the price of being a completist... This issue is part of the Amazons Attack storyline, which is no great shakes itself (the word 'mistake' comes to mind), but hey, at least the art's pretty. I'm getting real sick real fast of Superman and Batman seeming as if they're meant to be superior to Wonder Woman though - if that's a conscious direction on DC's part, it's a bad one.
World War Hulk: Gamma Files ~ Another in the series of handbooks which Marvel have been putting out to coincide with various events and storylines - this one, naturally, picks characters relevant to the Hulk, both 'historically' and in the present World War Hulk miniseries. I haven't yet fully read it - I confess, I mainly bought it because it features She-Hulk and Caiera, two favourites of mine (poor Caiera) - but judging by what I've read so far, it's quite in keeping with its sister handbooks such as the Civil War Files and Mighty Avengers Most Wanted Files. For someone who knows their history, they're good books to have to shine a light on some lesser-known corners of characters; for someone who's a newcomer, and looking at the Files just because they're reading World War Hulk and are curious, I have no hesitation in recommending this.
In other titles, I glanced through Countdown #36, but no show for Renee or Batwoman. Lots of Zatanna, which normally would tempt me, but it's mostly just her and Mary Marvel going through the paces of a predictable and boring plot that anyone with half a functioning brain cell should have seen coming a mile off.
I also took a look through the current issue of Buffy: Season Eight (I forget the issue number - the one with the 'decoy'), and... god, I just don't know where to begin. It made me feel physically sick, and I don't mean that in a good way - it was highly crafted, but spiteful to its subject and contemptuous of its readers, with an exploitative, unworthy storyline delivered purely for emotional impact, in a way that I personally feel is thoroughly dehumanising. I felt hints of this sentiment during season seven of the TV show, but this... this is just abominable, it's a cruel, sadistic parody of what Buffy once was. (And, not that she's been sighted yet, but I'm now hoping they don't bring Tara back, because I don't want the people who produced this issue anywhere near my mosy beloved heroine.) Okay, that's my Buffy rant done, I promise I won't mention it again.
Next week's list includes Wonder Woman #12, Bomb Queen IV #1, and Incredible Hulk #110. I'll see you then! (I hope, if the Buffy rant didn't drive you off thinking 'This guy's crazy'.)
