There are new comics in comic books shops every Wednesday, plus new ones on the iPad and other portable devices with nice screens. Some of these comics are about video games, some aren’t. I’m here to recommend a few.
Comics You Should Consider Buying (from comics shops)
Rocketeer Adventures #1 Why is the Rocketeer popular? I don’t know. Is he even actually popular, or is he just like the Green Hornet, a character who is repeatedly revived because three people think it’s a good idea? Well, none of this matters, not when you’ve got an anthology issue containing stories by MIke Allred, Kurt Busiek, John Cassady and Michael Kaluta, along with a Mike Mignola pin-up. Doesn’t matter what the subject matter is. That’s something I’d buy.
Flash Omnibus Vol 1 Back when Geoff Johns was first writing the Flash series, back before he brought back Barry Allen for reasons that have yet to have amounted to a great story, he was doing quality Flash comics like these. This $US75 volume collects a lot of his work with the Wally West version of the fast-running hero: Flash 164-176, The Flash Our Worlds at War, The Flash: Iron Heights and The Flash Secret Files #3. Official summary: “In this volume, Wally West finds himself without his super speed in a darker, mirror version of Keystone City. Can a powerless Flash defeat Captain Cold and Mirror Master to save the city he loves? Plus, The Flash is shocked to learn that a strange cult is killing all the people he has ever rescued. Featuring art by fan-favorites Ethan Van Sciver, Scott Kolins and more!”
Uncanny X-Force #10 About two months ago, I bought my first X-Force comic ever. It was good, which stunned me, because I thought the X-Force had no reason to exist, let alone put me out $US4. This is what I learned: These guys are secret X-Men. Wolverine is their leader. They do dark stuff. OK. And issue #8 was good. Then, last month, I read #9. Not good. Had the world corrected itself and made X-Force irrelevant to my life again? Maybe, but the summary for the new one is intriguing: “A reporter prepares to release photographs of X-Force killing military personnel leaving the squad with one of the hardest choice of their lives, how to deal with her? Nothing can prepare you for the ending, or the ramifications as X-Force are forced to unite with a former servant of Apocalypse! Ramping up to one of the biggest chapters in X-history, and yes, you’ve heard it before— but nothing will ever be the same.” (By the way, this comic is written by Rick Remender. He also wrote Bulletstorm.)
Comics With Video Game Connections (new this week in comics shops)
DC Universe Online Legends #8 Official summary: “Inspired by the best-selling SOE game, the epic series continues! After an epic disaster is inflicted on Metropolis, Superman works to pick up the pieces – literally. But can he overcome his concern over Lois’s disappearance? And as Brainiac and Luthor regroup, their plans start to coalesce in a surprising direction as the war for the future begins!”
Deus Ex #4 Official summary: “The danger rises to explosive levels as the psychotic cyborg Durant continues his war against Sarif Industries. With the future of human evolution hanging in the balance, Adam Jensen engages in a relentless hunt for his former friend and current nemesis.”
Sonic The Hedgehog Archives, Vol 15 Official summary: “Let the World Tour begin! Dr. Robotnik may still be missing, but that doesn’t mean life is easy for Sonic the Hedgehog! It’s adventures and mysteries galore as Sonic has his first encounter with the cyborg simian—Monkey Khan! Also featuring the beginning of the epic ‘World Tour’ saga as Sonic and Tails take off to find the vile wizard Ixis Naugus! You can’t pass up on this volume full of first appearances and major turning points for hero and villain alike!”
Sonic Universe #28 Official summary: “Fractured Mirror,’ Part Four. The Freedom Fighters have fallen! Now the only one left to save this dark world is Silver the Hedgehog! It’s psychic power versus chaos power as our hero from the future goes all-out against the terrifying Enerjak! Don’t miss the cataclysmic conclusion to the Silver Saga!”
Star Wars: The Old Republic Volume 2: Threat of Peace Official breathless summary: “A look at the era of Star Wars: The Old Republic, written by one of the writers behind LucasArts and BioWare’s wildly anticipated massive multiplayer online game, Threat of Peace unveils a galaxy on the brink of destruction three hundred years after the events of Knights of the Old Republic! For decades, the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire have been at war. The Sith have gained control of the Outer Rim, but their efforts to penetrate the Core Worlds have so far been thwarted. Now, representatives from both sides attempt to negotiate a peace treaty-but deception by the Sith puts the Jedi in an unfortunate position. Collects Star Wars: The Old Republic #1–#27, which appeared originally online at swtor.com.”
And Over On The iPad…
The Comics app from Comixology, which works on the iPhone or iPad and on Android and your computer too, lists a new batch of comics each week, some brand-new, some slightly old. There aren’t any huge additions to the shop this week, mostly just new issues to strong ongoing work. There are a couple more issues of Grant Morrison’s superb Batman & Robin run, the Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips noir issue of Hawkman from 2004, another collection of Invincible (the 13th; I haven’t read the series, but I know it’s well-liked), more of Brian Michael Bendis’ New Avengers, more Sandman, more Scalped, more Alan Moore Swamp Thing, more Nick Spencer T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, a whole lot more Peter David Young Justice (was it any good?) and very recent issues of DC and Marvel’s big War of the Green Lanterns and Death of Spider-Man stories. Also: Keith Giffen’s fun Starlord mini-series is now in the shop, along with a book called Days Missing from Archaia (I don’t know that publisher but the Comixology people seem excited to have them on board; I’ll let you know how it is in next week’s column.)
I should also mention that the Dark House iPad app is now stuffed with comics. They don’t make it easy to figure out what’s new in a given week, but they do have a lot of books in there, including 42 issues of B.P.R.D., 33 issues of Hellboy, both full Mass Effect mini-series and a whole lot of other comics I haven’t read. Someone, tell me what’s good in there!
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