GeekMom Comic Book Corner — August 1st, 2012

Happy Comic Release Day! Welcome to another installment of GeekMom Comic Book Corner, where we recap our adventures in comics for the week.

Dakster Sullivan – Green Lantern: New Guardians #11
In this month’s issue, our heroes are ticked off and ready to kick some tail. After coming to their own conclusion that Larfleeze stole the lantern rings, they headed back to The Hall of Orange Lanterns to deal with him. The battle that ensues is intense, but really easy to follow. Without spoiling too much, we lose a member of the team who I have to admit has grown on me.

As the battle comes to an end, we find out that it wasn’t Larfleeze who stole the rings at all. The one responsible has been doing one heck of a job putting it all into motion. The only question is … why?

I’m really enjoying this series, because with each issue we see the characters grow. The individual members are starting to develop friendships with each other and it feels good to be reading about such strong individuals. Even Red Lantern Bleez has shown she has a heart from time to time. Of all the friendships, I’ve really enjoyed seeing Arkillo (Yellow Lantern) and Saint Walker (Blue Lantern) team up. It was an unlikely friendship to start, but it appears to have gotten stronger with each battle they face together.

Tony Bedard and Tyler Kirkham Batt are doing a great job, keeping the reading experience a pleasant one. I currently have a modest ten series on my pull list and this is one is one of the easier ones to follow.

I’ve heard that this series will be tying into the Green Lantern series, as well as the Green Lantern Corps series. Since I’m caught up on the Green Lantern, I can already see where this is heading. If you are not currently reading either of the series, I would HIGHLY recommend you at least pick up the New 52 Green Lantern series.

I would recommend this for age 10 and up. You can pick it up on Comixology or at your local comic book store.

Kelly Knox – Mass Effect: Homeworlds #3

Last week brought the third issue in Dark Horse Comics’ Mass Effect: Homeworlds limited series. The stories add even more history and tales of Commander Shepard’s companions in Mass Effect 3, direct from the game’s writers themselves. While some have not been worth the time — sorry, James Vega, but you’re not all that interesting — I was happy to see my old buddy Garrus Vakarian grace the cover of Homeworlds #3.

We see a young Garrus in this issue, clashing with his strict father and confiding in his mother on Palaven. (Mass Effect diehards like myself reading this scene might be excited to see the rare appearance of a female turian.) The plot covers the events before the first Mass Effect game and the second, filling in gaps in Garrus’ history.

Rebecca Angel – Polterguys Vol. 1 by, Laurianne Uy

Let’s hear it for small presses! There are big names in the graphic novel world and it’s hard to get noticed. I was happy to receive a copy of Polterguys Vol. 1 by the creator herself, Laurianne Uy. And even happier that it was an entertaining read.

The story is about Bree, a social awkward freshman at college with dreams of becoming a doctor. Although she can’t seem to get along with regular people, ghosts are no problem. She shares a house with five guys who happen to be dead. They are all very cute. The story is light, the romance is all looks and smiles, and the heroine is smart. I recommend it for tweens, but there’s nothing objectionable for younger, and YA will enjoy it too.

Kay Moore – Catwoman (2002 – 2008) Issue #5

After the cornucopia of action and art last week in Catwoman (2002-2008) issue 4, this week issue 5 introduced new story twists and characters. Selina comes to the realization that her neighborhood is now hers to protect. Holly takes Selina to see the son of a friend from their old days who is in danger, and when a drug pusher moves in on the neighborhood, Catwoman takes unusual steps (and leaps and punches) to address the threat to her people.

Like many of you, I am a fan of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series — I own the DVDs for the entire series, and my kids turned me on to the Buffy comics from Dark Horse that extend that storyverse, with executive producer oversight by Joss Whedon. I missed some of the recent issues but was happy to catch up with Buffy and the gang in Season 9, Number 12.

Buffy’s world is a different place than it was in the TV show, or even in the earlier comics, yet she still struggles with issues of her place amongst those less gifted, whether indeed she is gifted or cursed, and how to make a living wage when her business card reads “Slayer.” She attempts to resolve some of these questions by going to work along with Kennedy as a bodyguard, but, as usual, trouble and demons follow her. Buffy recruits a new and enviable ally when a savvy foe from her past threatens, introducing an intriguing blend of dark hell dimensions and familiar mundane technology.

This issue is suitable for ages nine and over, but Buffy in general has intense angst, horror, and mild sexual content, making it uncomfortable for some young teens and children.

Sophie Brown – Assimiliation2 Issue #3

Assimilation2 Issue 3 sees the Enterprise and their new hitchhikers employing one of the Doctor’s favorite tactics for dealing with large groups of enemies — running away. A search of the Historical Database takes up most of the issue as we all learn about a previous meeting between the Cybermen and Enterprise, only this time it’s Captain Kirk’s crew facing off against our metal friends. You can’t have an old Trek crew without also introducing an older Doctor and so the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) also makes an appearance. The panel in which Spock inspects one of the Doctor’s jelly babies is worth the cost of the whole issue.

Looking for something else, readers? Check out this week’s listed books:

Action Comics #12 (CP) Amazingly Stupid MAD TP Animal Man #12 Batman No Man’s Land Vol. 3 TP (NE) Batwing #12 Before Watchmen Nite Owl #2 (Of 4)(CP) Detective Comics #12 (CP) Detective Comics #12 Dial H #4 Earth 2 #4 Flash Archives Vol. 6 HC G.I. Combat #4 Green Arrow #12 Hitman Vol. 7 Closing Time TP House Of Mystery Vol. 8 Desolation TP I Zombie #28 (Final Issue) Justice League International #12 (Final Issue) Looney Tunes #208 Red Lanterns #12 Smallville Season 11 #4 Stormwatch #12 Superboy Vol. 1 Incubation TP Superman Action Comics Vol. 1 Superman And The Men Of Steel HC Swamp Thing #12 Sweet Tooth #36 Worlds’ Finest #4

Age Of Apocalypse #6 Avengers Academy #34 Avengers The Trial Of Yellowjacket TP Avengers Vs X-Men #9 (Of 12) Avenging Spider-Man #10 Daredevil #16 Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe #1 (Of 4) Defenders #9 First X-Men #1 (Of 5) Fury MAX #5 Hawkeye #1 Incredible Hulk Regression TP Invincible Iron Man #522 Iron Man Revenge Of Mandarin HC (PE) Muppets #2 (Of 4) Peter Parker Spider-Man #156.1 Punisher By Greg Rucka Vol. 1 TP Thing Classic Vol. 2 TP Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #13 X-Factor #241 X-Force Child’s Play HC (PE) X-Men #33 X-Men FF TP X-Men Iceman HC (PE) X-Men Operation Zero Tolerance HC

Acronym Key:  VC = Variant Cover  / HC = Hard Cover / TP = Trade Paperback  / CP = Combo Pack  / PE = Premier Edition

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