Writer: Roger Stern
Art: Lee Weeks
Colors: Dean White
Back-up story:
Writer: Mark Waid & Tom Peyer
Art: Todd Nauck
Colors: Andres Mossa
Price: $3.99
In part two of this three part story written by veteran Spider-Man writer Roger Stern, Spider-Man finds himself in a little tiff with the newest version of Captain Universe – a cosmic entity that has used multiple hosts, including Spider-Man – while defending Juggernaut.
Because of a currently unrevealed explanation, the Juggernaut has ruined the life of Captain Universe’s current host and is out for his blood. Spider-Man, being the stand-up guy that he is, is having none of it and defends Juggernaut – despite the two beating each other to a pulp in a classic Spider-Man tale written by Stern weeks ago. By the end of the issue we’re left on a cliffhanger and are still left in the dark about the identity of Captain Universe and how Juggernaut ruined his life.
Stern’s writing on this issue, and the previous one, has been great. He brings an old school style to the title that makes reading this issue incredibly enjoyable. Stern’s past experience writing for Spider-Man shows, and he’s got the character’s voice and actions down pat. My only gripe is with his characterization of Captain Universe.
While I’m unfamiliar with the character, Stern’s Captain Universe comes off as a jerk. In two issues so far, the Captain has done nothing more than declare his hate for the Juggernaut and to tell Spider-Man not to get in his way. Hopefully next week’s issue will add more depth to the new Captain Universe.
Lee Weeks art on this title is just spectacular (HA!) with Dean White on colors. The art is reminiscent of John Romita Jr. and White’s previous work on the title but differs in that Romita Jr’s art is a bit more angular, while Week’s is more rounded. The art, like the writing, has a nice old-school feel to it and is perfect addition to the comic’s growing library.
The biggest problem I had with this issue is the addition of the back-up story by Mark Waid & Tom Peyer. While the story is okay and the art is decent, there is just no justifiable reason to have this story in the issue other than to jack the cover price from $2.99 up to $3.99. It’s even more ironic when it’s about Peter Parker’s current unemployment and lack of money.
Next week’s issue is currently priced at $2.99 – hopefully Marvel doesn’t add another back-up story just so they can squeeze more money out of us.
Green Lantern #53
Art: Doug Mahnke
Inks: Christian Alamy
Colors: Randy Mayor
Price: $2.99
The newest issue marks one of the first post-Blackest Night stories to hit the market. While we don’t deal much with the immediate aftermath of the Blackest Night, It is touched upon lightly in this issue with the literally explosive entrance of Sinestro. We are also introduced to a possibly new and mysterious villain telepathically pestering Hector Hammond.
This new villain is currently shrouded in darkness but appears to be in possession of the Parallax entity – I’m hoping that he doesn’t end up as a previously established villain that most regular comic readers completely forgot about.
Nothing much of note happens in this issue. Like most comics on stands these days, the cover art for this issue has nothing to do with the interior and it mostly serves as a set-up for a new storyline that spans across four titles – and I’m not looking forward to having to buy them in order to understand the story.
Geoff Johns writing is same as it always is, and while nothing that stands out happens – I particularly like the panel where Saint Walker is going to each grave that was desecrated during the Blackest Night and personally apologizing to each and every one of them while the Flash is in the background putting them back into the ground at super-speed.
Again, Doug Mahnke’s art is just a wonderful thing to behold. The way he has the Flash fixing the graves at super-speed is drawn great and I loved the expression he gave Hal Jordan after Carol Ferris makes a reference to their past relationship.
Next month we delve into the mystery of whole will be the next White Lantern – yes, there is a corresponding power battery and no, I’m not going for the obvious joke here – so hopefully things are going to begin to ramp back up.
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