Pop Culture Hound

Tasters – for the week of November 30, 2011

ARCHIE #627: Archie meets KISS Part 1 (Archie Comics) – There’s really not a lot to say about this. It is what it is. But it does have an amazing Francavilla variant cover that’s worthy of framing. If nothing else, buy it for that!
 
BATMAN: ODYSSEY #2 (DC Comics) – This comic is a lot like Marmite: you’ll either love it or you’ll hate it. This time around the Dark Knight Detective investigates Neal Adams’ Hollow Earth theory and rides a giant Man-Bat. Just because.
 
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #1 (DC Comics) – Once again Nick Spencer proves he’s a much better fit at DC than Marvel. I don’t know what it is exactly, but his aesthetic seems to fit this universe more. Sadly this is the run-up to the end, but it will make a nice complete run when it’s finished.
 
DAREDEVIL #6 (Marvel Comics) – Matt Murdock goes from the Man Without Fear to the Most Dangerous Man Alive when he comes into possession of a strange artifact. I really didn’t see that one coming. Neither did he.
 
FF #12 (Marvel Comics) – If Hickman is planning to use FF as a spotlight for the kids (as he does in this issue) then he may be on to something. Splitting the formerly unwieldy cast between two books actually makes sense in this case. Plus, Junior Doom! What’s not to love?
 
THUNDERBOLTS #166 (Marvel Comics) – You could call this issue Hyde in Plain Sight as the ‘evil’ Thunderbolts continue their jaunt through time and wind up in Ripper-era London. Cue strange dialogue and generic street scenes that don’t seem quite right.

 
FLASH GORDON: ZEITGEIST #1 (Dynamite Entertainment) – Returning to the character’s pulp roots, this book was much better than expected. Daniel Indro’s art is gorgeous, perfectly evoking the wartime era with a modern sensibility – and his Dale Arden is a delicious cross between Lois Lane and The Rocketeer’s Betty. Fun, engaging stuff that leaves me wanting more.
 
STAR WARS: CRIMSON EMPIRE III #2 (Dark Horse Comics) – I’ve often found Dark Horse’s Star Wars comics to be a little hit and miss for me, but Crimson Empire III is right on the money. Dark Horse publisher and occasional writer, Mike Richardson, is no stranger to the property, but the real draw for me is comics veteran Paul Gulacy who uses a wonderfully clean and kinetic style to tell the story. Recommended.