Star ratings are from 1 (Do Not Like) to 5 (Faboo).
RACHEL RISING #18 (Abstract – Terry Moore w/a) – Yumpin yimminies, I have no idea what's going on in this book (RR is, like much of Moore's work, best read in collections), but there's about five great comics all rattling around in, with a huge dollop of "freaking crazy" on top. The dead are rising, the risen dead are falling, the living are in big trouble, and the immortal are not terribly thrilled about things. Remarkable stuff, even with the too much going on. ***
THE SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN #1 (Marvel – NIck Spencer w / Steve Lieber a) — This has a vibe (visual and storytelling) much like Hawkeye, introducing us to the new Sinister Six, from the perspective of Boomerang. There's a tragic light-heartedness to this tale of super-villainous losers (well, losers so far), that had me both chuckling and feeling sorry for them. A nice first issue, enough to make me want more. *
AVENGERS ARENA #12 (Marvel – Dennis Hopeless w / Kev Walker a) "Game On, Part 5" — Hopeless burns a tiny amount of his brutality cred by saving someone everyone thought dead … but wins it back by beginning to break the logjam of hopelessness and despair amongst Murder World victims and readers alike. I keep hating this coming book, and enjoying it more. Though this was, on some level, the most "conventional" issue to date, it was still kicking ass and engraving names. **
YOUNG AVENGERS #7 (Marvel – Kieron Gillen w / Jamie McKelvie a) — Some period of time later, the YA are still on the run from the creatures that have taken over their parents, Loki is still both magic teacher and deeply mistrusted, and there's lots of smooching going on. Throw in a mysterious disappearance and some mysterious character bits, and this isn't the greatest of YA issues, but certainly in keeping with the offbeat weirdness that is this title. Triffic stuff. **
HAWKEYE #12 (Marvel – Matt Fraction w / Francesco Francavilla a) — Barney Barton, Hawkeye's older brother and also the villain known as Trickshot (of late a Dark Avenger) comes a-calling on Clint. But it might be an adventure just meeting up with him. Typically understated but deeply personal adventure-drama for this title, which always feels like a movie should be made of it. **
DAREDEVIL #28 (Marvel – Mark Waid w / Javier Rodriguez a) — Like Hawkeye, there's a ton of illuminating flashbacks here, as Waid introduces a character from Matt's early life, and the challenge Daredevil faces in what to do about him. A very personal story, glibly written by Waid (as usual), with a nice comic book twist at the very end. **
AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (Nickelodeon – Gene Luen Yang w / Gurihiru a) "The Search, Part 2" — The search for Zuko's mother continues, with an oddly ever-growing cast of characters, some Azula craziness, some Aang/Zuko verbal sparring, and a deepening mystery that explains a lot about Ozai, the missing Ursa, and their two very different children. These were the most outstanding questions from the original Last Airbender saga, and Yang (in close collaboration with the series creators) is coming up with a very believable story that looks and feels like the actual cartoon. Good stuff. **
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I'm glad I was able to convince you to try Superior Foes of Spider-Man! 🙂
But… only * ???
I was surprised by the character's return in Avengers Arena #12. But unlike most character "resurrections," this didn't feel cheap. It wasn't a media event or done to placate irate fans. Indeed, it happened in the issue that featured our responses to the death (note that I said "our" – my letter was printed!). This was planned and is an integral part of the story. I'm OK with it. (Two *s for this and Hawkeye? Only one comic got three? Did something strip a couple of asterisks from each rating?)
No, it should have been three stars … I forgot that G+ uses asterisks for formatting. I have fixed.
I agree that it was a fully justified, well-scripted, and integral part of the story. It was still a resurrection, which, even if well done in this case, almost flies in the face of the AA credo.
Hmm. Yes, it was certainly implied that all these deaths were "real, not a dream or imaginary story," as the covers of some old DC comics would say. I'm inclined to cut Mr. Hopeless some slack because the death really upset me (as you know if you read my letter in this issue). 😉
You were not the only one.