I took a little bit of time off from work this week (I took the whole damn week off) and managed to recharge my batteries. I didn’t do nearly as much reading as I would have liked, but as my wife keeps pointing out to me; I caught up on my paperwork, took care of a pile of stuff I’ve just been shunting aside, slept late nearly every day, finally got to see Man of Steel, managed to get in a little housework, all on my own time, and didn’t leave my air-conditioning for the brutal heat and humidity at all.
So the Man of Steel… Well, I think it was the best Superman movie I’ve seen but I was very disappointed in its lack of originality. Throughout the entire movie, scene after scene, I was brought back to something else. Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Independence Day, the Matrix… the list goes on. I also thought some of the CG was too visible and, I have to admit this was my wife’s biggest complaint, the fact that Clark’s key was still compatible with a scout ship that was thousands of years old. Some of our tech isn’t compatible with what preceded it, never mind thousands of years. It took me a long time to figure out what this movie was about and when I finally thought I had it, I was eagerly looking forward to experiencing J. Michael Straczynski’s “Earth One” on the big screen. Upon seeing the movie it seems more Mark Waid’s “Birthright” and that didn’t bother me at all. For me, ultimately, I wish I could have just sat there and enjoyed a Superman movie instead of constantly thinking of or experiencing the feeling of so many other movies. I will say I absolutely loved that there was no Kryptonite or Lex Luthor, two of the most overused props ever.
What finally ended my downer week however, was as I was in the basement cleaning a little of the mess that’s accumulated, I discovered that the last few Denver Broncos coke cans had exploded and made a mess. I had cans from both Superbowls and the playoff series. Had. No more. Oh well, life goes on. Speaking of life going on, let’s take a look at some of the comics that are scheduled to ship this week.
Having just enjoyed “Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison”, I’m now looking forward to Star Wars: Purge trade paperback, $17.99, by Haden Blackman and Marco Castiello. Darth Vader hunts down and eliminates the Jedi that managed to survive Order 66. Dark Horse Comics didn’t need to make this a miniseries; it probably would have worked just as well as an ongoing.
DC Comics has added the Absolute Blackest Night, $125.00, to its high end Absolute line of books. Written by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi with art by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert it’s that good.
Continuing a theme; Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis, with Joe Prado present the start of the “Trinity War” in Justice League #22, $3.99. It’s the Justice League vs the Justice League of America vs Justice League Dark.
Marvel Comics promises that Wolverine #6, $3.99, by Paul Cornell and Alan Davis is an issue you don’t want to miss. It’s sold out so if you miss it hope for a second printing or wait for the collection.
Valiant Entertainment’s shipping out their highly anticipated Quantum & Woody #1, $3.99, by James Asmus and Tom Fowler. Two estranged brothers plus a life-altering science experiment give us the worst superhero team ever. I missed the first incarnation of this book but the cult like followers have been rabidly waiting for this day.
X-O Manowar #15, $3.99, by Robert Venditti and Lee Garbett brings King Aric back to Earth for a new story arc that starts with a confrontation with the Eternal Warrior.
And there are plenty more that are not listed. For a more complete list, feel free to visit your local comic store or favorite site. If you’re interested in more of what I think, follow me on Twitter at Mycomicstore001 or like my Facebook page.
Michael R. Murray is a full time Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service who after a week off from work feels better about himself and where he’s at in the world, but is still not looking forward to returning to work, anticipating already, the stress that’s waiting for him.