Captain America #28 (Marvel) w. Ed Brubaker; a. Steve Epting, Mike Perkins.
The Red Skull’s daughter, Sin, is running the Serpent Society, and is committing bloody mayhem to get the resources to sneak onto the SHIELD helicarrier to break loose Cross-Bones, who’s in custody there. Meanwhile, the Winter Soldier (Bucky) is trying to find a way on board, too, so he can take out Tony Stark. Standing against Bucky is the Falcon and Sharon Carter, the latter having nightmares about how she was manipulated into killing Cap. It’s all dark, grim and gritty, and getting a bit too muddled for anyone’s good.
Castle Waiting #7 (Fantagraphics) w/a. Linda Medley
The new series hasn’t quite clicked yet. A discussion of the manly art of self-defense. A goat who goes where she pleases. Recollections of adventures from past generations. A discussion of the propriety of the word “dwarf.” Excavating into a wall. It’s all very nice, but presumably it will all eventually mean something. That said, it’s all more interesting and pleasant and lovingly crafted that most of the stuff out there.
Catwoman #69 (DC) w. Will Pfeifer; a. David Lopez.
Selina is trying to lay low, let her friends who got hurt because of her be safe once more, while still dealing with her child. But with all the Amazon Attacks! foofoorah, Batman recruits her to infiltrate the Bana. She steals something radioactive for them to prove her bona fides; they double-cross her, and one of them threatens to blow up a big chunk of the city … and ends the issue triggering the bomb. Huh. Aside from the AA! annoyance, a decent issue.
Checkmate #16 (DC) w. Greg Rucka; a. Bennett, Prado, Jadson
A long series of flashbacks going into how Sasha Bordeaux — former Bruce Wayne bodyguard, then Checkmate agent, then OMAC tool — got reestablished in Checkmate as the Black Queen. Cool stuff. Mr. Terriffic struggles with his romantic feelings toward Sasha (she thinks he’s spiffy because, as someone invisible to electronic detection, her OMAC enhancement don’t auto-flag all his kill points, which I have to admit would be kind of offputting in most relationships). Meanwhile, Beatriz and Tora are reunited, which is sweet, as Bea keeps trying to deal with less-than-heroic background. A bit of downtime, and less complex than most Checkmate issues. Is Rucka finally hitting his stride here?
(listening to: Jones, Tom, “It’s Not Unusual” from Mars Attacks!)
(listening to: Beatles, “I Feel Fine” from One)
(listening to: Jaccottet, Christiane, “Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 – Variations 22-24” from Great Piano Moments, Vol. 2)
(listening to: Fitzpatrick, James & Prague Philharmonic, “The Wind and the Lion – Suite” from Jerry Goldsmith – 40 Years of Film Music)