Thursday Morning Superhero

In non-comic related news, there is amazing Kickstarter in its final days that is worth your time and attention.  Pandasaurus Games is running a campaign for Dinosaur Island, a game that has you creating your own Dinosaur theme park.  Featuring a color scheme and graphics straight out of the 90's, this is a game that pulls on all sorts of nostalgic heart strings.  Check out the campaign here.  In addition to being excited about building my own dino theme park, this week's books were phenomenal!

Pick of the Week:
Darth Maul #2 - When you combine Darth Maul and Cullen Bunn you know you are going to get a series that is going to be a lot of fun.  This issue brings that together, and mixes in a little but of Cad Bane for good measure.  As Maul attempts to find an appropriate outlet for his rage, Darth Sidious seeks to take him farther down the path of the dark side.  Maul is instructed to lay low, but the desire to seek revenge on the Jedi is too great.  While I really enjoyed watching Maul fight without overtly demonstrating his use of the Force and his light saber, this book really shines in the scenes where Sidious is manipulating Maul in order to fuel his hatred.  One thing that the comics have done an amazing job with is making the Sith a true force to be reckoned with.  Hearing Maul talk about his fear of Sidious and what would happen if his secret plans are discovered casts Sidious into an all new light.  In the movies he appears more fragile, yet in the comic book the fear is palpable.  There is a reason why Sidious was able to work under the noses of the Jedi and manipulate formidable Sith Lords like Vader.   I hope Bunn continues to explore the relationship between Sidious and Maul in future issues.

The Rest:
Dept H. #12 - The plot gets thicker as we learn that the crew has been exposed to a new strain of the H-virus and are quarantined on the base, which is currently hanging on by a thread.  While Jerome may have found the cure for the original H-virus, it appears that the research process may have exposed everyone to something else.  This underwater whodunit gets more and more complex with each issue, and the potential motives for the various crew members seem to grow with each issue.  I a not sure who I suspect, but I do know that Mia and her father may be the only decent humans that have set foot on the base.  I don't want to spoil what happens at the end of this issue, but it left me absolutely speechless and really shifted my thoughts on who may have killed Mia's father and what their motive might be.  This is a truly mesmerizing series and the art from Matt Kindt and the colors from Sharlene Kindt provide a surreal setting that is appropriate for a mystery of this magnitude.

Birthright #23 - We learn a little bit more about why Lore was allowed to attach the Nevermind to Mikey.  It seems that Lore has struck a deal with Mikey and may have more in mind then simply destroying the mages who are on earth.  In addition, his daughter seeks him out and it isn't clear whether she opposes him or wants to join him.  All this time Rya, who is pregnant with Mikey's child, is dealing with the struggle of stopping Lore and saving Mikey.  I am not sure how many issues this series is slated for, but it feels like we are racing towards some sort of finish line and I am on pins and needles wondering how this is all going to work out.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #68 - When we last left the turtles it looked like Slash, under government control, captured the mutanimals and possibly killed Seymour and Mutagen Man.  Old Hob managed to escape to warn the turtles, but it might be too late as it looks like the captured mutanimals may be the next victims of governmental brainwashing. In addition to the peril that the mutanimals find themselves, the government soldiers have tracked down the turtles' new lair and are preparing an all-out assault.  I sure hope that Splinter and the foot clan, who he is currently leading, can intervene and provide some much needed support.  Between the tension that the turtles have with Splinter and the mutanimals, and the fact that they will need to unite in order to take down the government operatives, this series is getting quite intense.

Valiant High #2 - Valiant's ComiXology exclusive high school take on its universe continued this week and this series is an absolute blast.  I have dipped my toe in some Valiant books and have enjoyed them, but feel motivated to take a closer look after reading this book.  There seems to be a mysterious dynamic between Principle Haruda and Gilad, who has been a sophomore as long as anyone can recall.  This book opened up with a no holds barred version of dodge ball, featured a mysterious janitor, and included references to both Buffy and Veronica Mars.  This is a nice light and entertaining series that everyone should give a chance.



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Joe Hill and company have teamed up with Israel Skelton to raise money for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and other charities.  Proceeds from items containing the Biblio Key that can be purchased here will raise money for some extremely valuable causes.  I have a couple of keys (and some great Chew items!) from Skelton Studio and have been blown away by everything.  Hill promises that the Biblio Key will make an appearance in a future Locke and Key issue and the keys in this sale are limited to 600 and contain multiple signatures, including Hill and Locke and Key artist Gabriel Rodriguez.  Go buy an amazing collectible and support a worthy cause!

Pick of the Week:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #66 - I am a huge fan of Alopex and am thrilled to have another issue that revolves around her story after she vanished a few issues back after trying to kill Splinter and the Turtles.  Alopex's development throughout this series has been an absolute joy.  She was an interesting villain working with the Shredder, but evolved into more than a mutant fox who was a foe to the turtles.  She became a character that I invested in, only to have Kitsune take control of her mind and force her back towards the darker side of things.  Raph and Angle have tracked Alopex to Alaska and are making one last attempt to help her rid herself of the demons that plague her.  In addition to the development that Alopex has had throughout the series, her impact on Raph is noteworthy and has really changed the dynamic of him and his relationship to everyone else.  It is nice to find closure in this arc and I cannot wait to see what lies ahead now that this book is closed.

The Rest:
Saga #42 - This issue was a giant punch in the gut and I curse Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples for making me feel things.  The final pages of this issue are extremely powerful and will haunt my dreams for the weeks to come.








Dept. H #10 - Matt and Sharlene Kindt's underwater Whodunit continues this week as we gain some valuable insight into what could be motivation for the murder.  Through a heartfelt flashback, we learn about Mia's childhood and how her father's devotion to his exploration came at the expense of her mother and other relationships.  This issue was a nice break from the drama that is currently happening in the underwater lab, and shined some valuable light on what Mia was like as a child.  I love the breadth of characters that the Kindt's have delivered and have enjoyed peering into the past in an attempt to uncover what is happening in the present.

Daredevil #16 - I continue to enjoy the hell out of Charles Soule's run with the Man without Fear.  If you recall, Daredevil put a bounty on his own head to deal with the grief of what happened to Blindspot, only to find out that Bullseye ended up taking someone up on the offer.  In addition to punching a lot of baddies in an attempt to make sense of what happened, Daredevil speaks to a Catholic priest to attempt to put everything into a proper context.  Turns out this priest is a member of The Ordo Draconum, a militant Catholic order founded in the 15th century.  Through his self reflection via the priest's advice and through stopping Bullseye, Daredevil is ready to move on and wraps things up confessing his true identity to the priest.  I am excited to see what the next arc will bring us!

Star Wars #27 - In an odd flashback of an issue, we continue with the story of Yoda and things have taken an odd turn.  It seems the planet that was calling to Yoda is inhabited only by children and has a mountain that seems to be made up of a blue rock that is filled with the force.  This draws Yoda to the mountain, only to lead to his capture by another group of children who chain him up in chains made up of this mysterious blue rock.  While it was far from my favorite issue in the series, there is enough mystery to bring me back to learn more of this mountain.




POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012. 

Thursday Morning Superhero

As I am starting to write this post I am reminded that this is one of the last editions of Thursday Morning Superhero in 2016.  Our annual Holiday Gift Guides will grace our page next week and then it will be a spring to leave 2016 behind and move on to 2017.  Since there isn't a dedicated comic book guide, I want to share one more tasty pick for your comic book reading loved one.  Even though it is an older title, I can't give a higher recommendation to Invincible by Robert Kirkman.  A good buddy of mine lent me the first few trades and it is like no other superhero title you will read.  Go find a used copy on the cheap and spread the comic book love this season!

Pick of the Week:
Daredevil #14 - Charles Soule sure knows how to pen a dark Daredevil story.  When we last left, Blindspot had been taken captive by Muse after freeing some hostages.  Feeling lost and responsible for what might happen to Blindspot, Daredevil challenges himself to hone in on what makes Muse unique so he can pick up his scent or heartbeat out of the millions that surround him.  The sheer terror of this issue should not be understated.  We are taken to Muse's lair where he keeps his victims and turns them into art.  In a scene straight out of a horror movie, Muse is showing Blindspot his works of art when Daredevil breaks things up.  I won't get into any spoilers, but what happens next left me absolutely stunned and will have serious repercussions moving forward.  Soule's run with Daredevil is quickly becoming one of my favorites and I cannot wait for issue #15.  One of the best ongoing series on the market today.

The Rest:
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #15 - We are treated to a fun one-shot this week featuring an intelligent cat (aren't they all!) and a battle against Taskmaster.  This comic never ceases to surprise me, and this issue included one page cat dream comics (which were great!), cats taking over social media, and the unrelenting power of Squirrel Girl's tail.  I don't like giving my friend Jeff much credit, but steering me towards this series was a great call.





Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #65 - This week we are treated to a legitimate comic book holiday special.  Pulling on the nostalgic heart strings of Christmas specials from your childhood cartoons, the turtles get together and throw a holiday party as a distraction to what is going on with Splinter leading the Foot.  You know it is going to be a good party when Michelangelo is hosting and Pigeon Pete and the other mutanimals show up.  There is a nice surprise at the end and this comic is a jolly good time for all.

Old Man Logan #15 - When we last left Wolverine he had just been bit by Dracula and it is unknown if his healing power are quick enough to fight off the bite of this vampire.  His rescue mission definitely takes a hit as it appears that Jubilee is still under control of Dracula.   The Howling Commandos, about whom I know virtually nothing, are a fun team and I met Orrgo and couldn't be more delighted.  I was a bit surprised to see this story line wrap up in two issues, but what an exciting pair of issues it was.  While it is well known how much I love Jeff Lemire, I was equally blown away by the art that Filipe Andrade, Jordie Bellaire and VC's Cory Petit delivered.



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012. 

Thursday Morning Superhero

If you are anything like me you need a good escape from reality.  Fortunately there are quick a few nifty comic books out this week that will provide you a brief break from the madness.  It is always a good feeling to escape with some classics.

Pick of the Week:
Captain America #7 - The fist issue in a new arc is upon us and is a safe jumping on point for those who may have turned their back on Captain America when Nick Spencer turned him into a Hydra agent.  He isn't really a Hydra agent, but thanks to a cosmic cube he believes that he has always been working for Hydra.  In the new arc, Cap is once again trying to take down the Red Skull.  Despite working for the same team, Captain America feels that he would be a much stronger leader and could take Hydra to new heights.  Thus begins Captain America teaming up with some unexpected partners in his quest to gain control of Hydra.  Good stuff.

The Rest:
Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Adventures #1 - This week we were gifted with another fun DC/IDW crossover between two of my favorite fandoms.  It seems that the portal in New York has once again been activated and is pulling villains out of Arkham Asylum and dropping them in the sewer.  Last time saw the Turtles in Gotham, this time the Dark Knight is going to visit the Big Apple. The shift in scenery has led to a shift in tone, as this series is off to a lighthearted start.




Daredevil #13 - Muse has to be one of the most interesting villains I have read in some time. While this issue didn't include much Daredevil, it was a thrilling ride as Blindspot made the choice to save some lives even though it meant pursuing Muse solo.  Charles Soule has really brought back a dark tone to this series and it has been a breath of fresh air.  This issue is a high octane ride that has me clamoring for the next issue.

The Avengers #1.1 - In a fun throw back title from Mark Waid, Captain America is "leading" a new team of Avengers.  Wasp, Iron Man, and the others needed a break and have assembles the trio of Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver to lend Cap a hand.  The public isn't too keen on enlisting people who once worked for Magneto and the team has some issues with chemistry that make their first test a challenging one.  Looking forward to reading what Waid has in store for this rag tag group.





POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012. 

Thursday Morning Superhero

Every time I venture to a new convention I am never sure what to expect.  Next weekend I am going to attend my very first Mondo Con, and I am already not doing very good.  I have failed to secure any event tickets and will either try to find some stand-by tickets or just check out the glorious art prints that will likely be out of my budget.  Regardless I am excited to see what this corner of fandom is like.

Pick of the Week:
Darth Vader #25 - I have been waiting for this issue for quite some time.  Again it must be reiterated that the comics do a better job than the movies in demonstrating the sheer terror in Darth Vader's power and this issue did not hold back.  Vader exacts his revenge on Cylo in a most glorious fashion before returning to find out that Dr. Aphra has sold him out to Palpatine.  She told him about the heist and how he slaughtered members of the Empire to cover his tracks.  The way Kieron Gillen brought this series full circle fills me with confidence in terms of how Marvel is going to fill in the gaps with this series.  Gillen had this planned from the beginning, and took us along on this journey to set Vader up in a way that I couldn't have imagined.  This series is officially ready for the collector's edition hardcover.

The Rest:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #63 - I still can't get used to Splinter being the head of the Foot, but I will say that I have more faith in the rat than his children do.  The Turtles are not as sure as it looks like Splinter is leading the Foot into a massive battle.  Couple that with the fact that Harold has been kidnapped by the Phantoms who are attempting to force him to develop technology for their cause.  In some ways this feels like the competing factions in the Walking Dead.  We have the Foot, the Phantoms, and the Purple Dragons.  Things are going to get messy.



Old Man Logan #12 - This book continues down its dark and gritty path to the point when a young boy with telekinetic powers appears to be holding Logan's fate in his hand.  This boy, the leader of the Silent Order, has seen the future and knows his fate is to be killed at the hands of Wolverine.  Not knowing that Wolverine has been busy changing the future with the trail of bodies he has left in his wake, Logan makes a desperate move and takes the boy hostage and he negotiates his release.  Pretty pumped to read the conclusion of this arc in the next issue.  Jeff Lemire has really done a nice job on this title.

Daredevil #12 - I have really enjoyed the gritty undertones in Charles Soule's run with Daredevil.  In the latest arc, Daredevil is trying to solve a mystery that involves a mass murderer who has been leaving "art" installations around town.  The first mural, painted of human blood, led Murdock to a scene involving murdered Inhumans.  The killer, who the media refers to as Vincent Van Gore (sorry), appears to have the upper hand.  When you factor in the fact that the Inhumans are taking the lead on the case and are not willing to help, Daredevil has to work against two foes in this hunt.  This arc seems tailor made for inclusion in the Netflix series or a movie.



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012. 

Thursday Morning Superhero

This weekend I will take my first delve into the world of Dungeons and Dragons.  I don't know how I avoided this game throughout my nerdy life, but I look forward to finally going on my first adventure.  The reading I have been doing has made me wonder what comics would make for a good role playing game.  I didn't back the Sixth Gun rpg kickstarter, but may have to look into it.  Locke and Key would be amazing, as would this week's pick of the week Chew.  I just wonder if there would be enough demand for it.

Pick of the Week:
Chew #58 - What just happened?  Just when I think John Layman is going to zig, he zags and keeps me in total suspense.  I was convinced this was going to be a tragic issue in which Tony Chu was forced to eat his wife to save the world.  As I type this I feel like Layman has been playing me like a fiddle all along.  That is too simple for someone like him and I have no idea how the end of the world will be prevented.  Curse you Layman!!!  I think what I will miss most of all when this series reaches its end are the absurd food related abilities that Layman creates.  This issue features three brothers who are vireholitoriams (derived from the Latin words for manly, vegetables, and human), individuals who get enhanced strength from specific vegetables.  That may sound random, but Tony Chu has a strong connection to beets and enjoys the bite he takes out of the youngest brother who is powered by beets.  Small touches like this make it one of the most bizarre and enjoyable books and one that will be missed.

The Rest:
Dept. H #6 - It feels like we are nearing the end of this mystery, as Mia appears to have her list of suspects narrowed down.  Matt and Sharlene Kindt do a masterful job weaving in flash backs to really develop their characters in a condensed time frame.  Through the lens of Mia as a child, we learn so much about her upbringing and her eclectic dad (whose murder she is 6 miles beneath the surface trying to solve).  The design of the underwater gear remind me of the robots from Laputa, in Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky.  In a stellar follow-up to Mind MGMT, the Kindt family is a force to be reckoned with.



Batman #7 - The new arc, Night of the Monster Men, kicked off to a gruesome and appropriately titled debut.  In what felt like a cross between Attack of Titan and what happens to Tetsuo in Akira, Gotham is plagued by a giant baby courtesy of Hugo Strange.  Enlisting the help of Clayface, who is helping out the good guys, Batman, Batwoman, and Night Wing have their hands full.  On top of this surprise attack, a hurricane is hitting Gotham and many of its residents need to be evacuated from the flooding.  This arc looks to be high in intensity and will hopefully be a lot of fun.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #62 - It feels to finally be current with this series and a lot has gone down.  For a quick update, Splinter has taken out Shredder and is now the leader of the Foot Clan.  The Foot are supposedly loyal and doing good, but Michelangelo has had his doubts.  In this issue Raph was finally able to convince him to set aside his differences and rejoin his family.   It was a feel-good moment that was quickly dashed as Splinter and the Foot have an all out attack planned for a rival gang.  I don't like the look of the new Splinter and worry that he is being corrupted.




POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012. 

Thursday Morning Superhero

The two books that I enjoyed this week remind me of what a wonderful time it is to be a comic book reader.  It also reminds me of the diverse offerings that readers have and how they appeal to such a wide variety of individuals.  On one hand, Saga has one of the most diverse cast of characters that many people will be able to relate too.  It is a series I often recommend to people who are considering joining us on the dark side.  On the other hand, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a throw back to the classic comic book and one that can bring in old school fans.  It doesn't pull any punches and manages to deliver a solid story with some high octane action.

Pick of the Week:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #1 - I recently discovered how good the IDW reboot of this series actually is and am almost current!  I saw that  anew series was debuting this week and I had to check it out.  Taking place after the events of the main series (I was spoiled a bit and am ok with that), there is a new threat to the turtles and some new mutants to boot.  A lot of new series like to ease you into things, but this book puts the pedal to the metal as the turtles are helping April try to connect with Stockman to figure out what sounds like ancient mutants.  There is a good sense of mystery and a strong threat facing the turtles as they embark on a new journey.  Kevin Eastman still has his influence on the series and writer Paul Allor, artist Damiam Couceiro, and colorist Ronda Pattison do a great job maintaining the gritty and dark feel of the original series.  After watching a lot of the new cartoon with my son I am quickly reminded of the dark origins of the turtles.

The Rest:
Saga #37 - While I have to hand it to Brian K Vaughan for his incredible ability to create massive universes, Fiona Staples does a phenomenal job making art that is both incredibly shocking on one page somehow fit with art that is incredibly cute a couple of pages down.  Her ability to provide the visuals for this series and the diverse set of characters, technologies, worlds, and story lines is nothing short of amazing.  The crew's attempt to make it to Squire is cut short as a malfunction in the tree ship is forcing them to land on a potentially hostile comet.  It seems that there can be no peace for these characters as they strive for a sense of normalcy.  What is discovered on the comet, I have a gut feeling, is likely not what it seems.

All-New Wolverine Annual #1 - I'm not the biggest fan of annuals, but wanted to read more about the new Wolverine.  If you didn't know, the new Wolverine is Laura Kinney, a clone of the deceased Logan.  I've read a bit about her and want to check out the new series and was a bit let down by this issue.  It isn't discouraging me from reading more about the new Wolverine and I think is more of a side-effect of the nature of the annual.  It is a one-off story that tries to do a bit too much.  In this story, Larua has traded identities and powers with Gwen Stacey.  Toss in some interdimensional travel and revenge gone wrong and you have your one-shot.  I remain intrigued by the new Wolverine and look forward to reading more of her adventures.  It can only go up from here!



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012. 

Thursday Morning Superhero

I am still recovering from the fun I had watching Captain America: Civil War last week.  While not my favorite Marvel or even Captain America flick (see Winter Soldier), the movie was just a lot of fun.  Dean summed things up nicely in his review, but I would have added a bonus point for Vision's sweater and docked a point for being about 20 minutes too long.   I hope you all had a successful Free Comic Book Day and are back in the swing picking up your pull lists.

Pick of the Week:
Southern Bastards #14 - The new arc to Southern Bastards is a doozy.  Turns out Earl Tubbs has a daughter who wants to get to the bottom of his death.  She just returned from serving in Afghanistan and doesn't pull any punches trying to reclaim what was taken from her father, but is up against a lot of racist opposition.  Jason Aaron doesn't hold back in addressing the race relations in Alabama, and at many times in this issue I felt uncomfortable.  That is meant as a compliment as witnessing discrimination, from the perspective of the individual facing it, is a powerful thing.  Entitled "Homecoming", this looks like it may be the best arc in what has been a fantastic series.  I cannot recommend this enough.  Aaron is brilliant in capturing the racial undertone in this small town, and Jason Latour does a phenomenal job portraying Roberta's struggle as she tries to understand why her father died.

The Rest:
Batman: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6 - This surprising series reached its conclusion this week, and while it isn't the strongest finish I've read, it was fitting.  The big surprise last time was that Shredder introduced the mutagen to Gotham's greatest villains.  Mr. Freeze as a polar bear had to be my favorite twist, but the payoff in this issue was a bit of a let down as things had to wind up quickly.  I think extending this to one more issue would have really helped things out.  Overall a great mini-series, but it ultimately felt like a rushed ending and what could have been an amazing payoff was a bit underwhelming.


Batman #52 - The torch has officially been passed.  No stranger to Batman, and author of the crossover with the Ninja Turtles, James Tynion IV has earned the right to pen the main Batman storyline.  In a quasi-origin story, we learn how motivated Bruce Wayne is to be the best Batman he can be.  It also was a touching story the further demonstrated how strong the bond is between Wayne and Alfred.  While the story wasn't anything ground breaking, it sets the scene effectively for "Rebirth" and demonstrates that Batman is still in good hands.

Darth Vader #20 - While I continue to enjoy this series, it is starting slow down significantly.  In a very anticlimactic issue, Vader has a pow wow with the Emperor on a Super Star Destroyer that is quite ridiculous looking.  The takeaway from the performance review is that Vader, due to the fact that he kills anyone that gets in his way, is the savior of the Sith.  Still trying to track down Aphra to hide what happened I don't know how many issues ago, it looks like the two will finally be reunited.  I get that political maneuvering is always going to be part of this universe, but it is the part that I like the least.  I sure hope that things pick up soon as this has been my favorite of the new Star Wars titles at Marvel.


The Fix #2 - This comical series about corrupt cops from Nick Spencer, Steve Lieber, Ryan Hill, and Nic J. Shaw improved upon its solid first issue.  After their failed attempt at a heist of a retirement home,  the two inept detectives hatch a plan that involves Roy shooting his partner in the hand.  Mix in Roy trying to frame a co-worker for a murder I am guessing he committed and you have a very surreal, bizarre, and entertaining series.  I am still not sure where the overall story is going, but I know that reading about the antics of Roy and Mac is highly entertaining and I look forward to really getting to know the cast of characters that are involved.  There is an air of mystery similar to Morning Glories, but not in an evil school way.






POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

The mystery to why J.J. Abrams gave C-3PO a red arm has been revealed.  It always felt like a gimmick to sell toys (I somehow resisted picking any C-3PO merchandise up and focused on Rey, BB-8, and Finn), but it ended up being one of the most guarded secrets in the film.  Thanks to what I think is a one-shot story, we now have the true origin of the red arm and it is quite underwhelming.

Pick of the Week:
Batman: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 - I was worried this crossover was merely a gimmick, but whether you say you got Batman in my TMNT or you got TMNT in my Batman, it is wonderful.  We are racing towards the epic conclusion, and things are looking grim for the good guys.  Shredder and the Foot Clan have taken over Arkham, Leonardo is going into shock and will revert back to an actual turtle soon, and if that isn't enough, The League of Assassins is heading to Gotham as well.  This may have been my favorite issue thus far, as it brought Robin into the fold (in a very memorable encounter in the Batcave with Donatello and Michelangelo) and delivers the best cliffhanger yet.  James Tynion IV is absolutely crushing this story and Freddie Williams II, Jeremy Colwell, and Tom Napolitano have done an amazing job capturing the feel of these two series and bringing it to life.

The Rest:
Heart Throb #1 - In one of the most unique comics I have read in some time, Heart Throb managed to really deliver a pleasant surprise in the end. Callie Boudreau has suffered from congenital heart disease her entire life.  She has always been an outcast, but thanks to advances in technology (this book is set in 1977), she has a successful heart transplant.  Given a five-year extension on life, we see her try to make sense of this new lease on life.  In what feels like it is going to be an emotional story that could go anywhere, she meets a mysterious man at the bar.  Up to this point it appeared as though this was the material for an oscar nominated film starring someone like Jennifer Lawrence.  The twist at who this man was changed things, and then the direction he took her was completely unexpected.  Cannot wait for the second issue.

Darth Vader #19 - Vader successfully helps overthrow and install a loyal follower on the planet of Shu-Torun.  By flushing out and destroying the resistance, Vader just secured a major mining operation for the Empire.  In what should be a day of celebration, Vader learns that Dr. Aphra, his secret ally, has been found.  That news should be good, but when he learned who found her and is holding her, he isn't very happy.  While I didn't care much for the mining story, the twist that sets up the new arc is a great one.  Darth Vader continues to be my favorite of the ongoing Star Wars comics.

C-3PO #1 - I am not sure if this is an ongoing or if this was just fan service, but we now know why C-3PO had a red arm through most of The Force Awakens.  I normally try to avoid spoilers, but I feel there are enough readers that would like to know without purchasing this comic.  If you want to avoid any spoilers, then you should stop reading this recap.  Prior to the events in TFA, Admiral Ackbar has been captured by the First Order.  The only lead on where he is being held is in the memory bank of Omri, a droid that is being escorted by C-3PO and a rag tag group of droids following a crash.  Yada, yada, yada, some swamp creature rips of C-3PO's arm and Omri has a change of heart.  He sacrifices himself to save a rescue beacon allowing the mission to be completed.  C-3PO takes Omri's red arm and delivers the news to Poe, thus saving Ackbar and giving him a red arm for 90% of a movie.

POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.   

Thursday Morning Superhero

I was saddened a couple of weeks ago when I learned the Penny Powers vs the Maniacal Meatloaf Monster was canceled.  It looked to be a great all-ages comic book featuring a strong female lead.  You don't find too many books like this and when I read the description I knew it would be great for my son and daughter.  I am happy to report that it has been relaunched, with a smaller funding goal, with a switch to softcover to save on costs.   It is already over 50% funded and you can order your own signed copy for only $15!  There are other great tiers as well so please check this out so my kids can read this once it prints by clicking here.  Did I mention she has a cat sidekick?

Pick of the Week:
Saga #35 - While we are left with a literal cliff-hanger, it appears that Brian K. Vaughan is about to bring together the various storylines that have been percolating for the past few issues.  The Will is getting closer to finding the location of Prince Robot and his madness appears to be growing stronger.   Meanwhile, Alana and Marko launch an ambitious plan that requires the cooperation of Prince Robot in order to rescue Hazel from where she is imprisoned.  I feel like I'm racing towards the end of a Guy Ritchie film and all of these bizarre stories will come crashing together.  Fiona Staples continues to deliver some of the best illustrations in the industry and we have an appearance of another Lying Cat.  While this title is about as far away from an all-ages comic from the Kickstarter I mentioned in the open, this is a comic that should appeal to a wide variety of fans and is an excellent book to bring your non-comic reading friends into the fold.

The Rest:
Darth Vader #18 - Vader is in quite a jam on the planet of Shu-Torun.  He set up what he thought would be a supportive regime, only to have it backfire on him.  I am sure he has a plan to finish what he started, but the most interesting development in this issue is what Dr. Aphra's droid, Triple-0, offered as a way to make the droids more effective in battle.  This issue has the first sign of Battle Droids, but the issue is they are machines and thus not sensitive to the Force.  Triple-O has designed an engine that runs on human blood, but fails to convince Vader that this is a good option.  I am sure this will happen at some point, and am curious what a Force sensitive droid will entail.


Daredevil #5 - Charles Soule knows how to create tension.  In the last issue we learned that Blindspot's mother was working as Tenfingers right hand lady.  This issue tells us just how evil Tenfingers is, as he is willing to have his entire following executed after he fails to destroy the Fist, a monster he summoned and failed to stop. While Daredevil attempts to stop the Fist, Blindspot's mother is hell-bent on fulfilling Tenfingers request while Blindspot tries to save everyone.  I don't want to spoil anything, but the ending leaves a bit of a divide between Daredevil and Blindspot.  Should set up an interesting arc that will involve Electra.  Soule had big shoes to fill after Mark Waid wrapped up his Daredevil run, and appears to be adequately prepared to carry the torch.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Deviations #1- This one-shot comic revisits the brilliant City Fall arc, which included Shredder brainwashing Leonardo.  While Splinter and the other Turtles were able to save him, this comic asks the question what if all of the Turtles were brainwashed?  In a very emotional issue, we witness the struggle as Splinter refuses to fight against his own sons.  It is brutal at times, but a reminder to how strong of a character this rat is.  In an interesting twist, Shredder's own daughter betrays him as she doesn't agree with the sudden promotion of the Turtles amongst his ranks.  Without spoiling anything, Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow, & Tom Waltz pull off a great one-shot that anyone, even if you haven't been reading this stellar series, can enjoy.



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.   

Thursday Morning Superhero

I feel there aren't enough young female superheroes to root for.  Not that I need a female superhero to get my daughter reading comics, but I want both of my kids to read about strong female characters as they grow their interest in the wonderful world of comics.  Last week I noticed a Kickstarter that seemed to fill that void.  Enter Penny Powers vs. the Maniacal Meatloaf Monster.   Written by Charles Dowd, Penny Powers is about a fourth grader named Penelope Powski and her cat Pepper.   In what sounds like an empowering all ages book, I am hopeful it will fun and spawn a series that my kids will enjoy for years.  

Pick of the Week:
Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 - Time is running out for the turtles and Splinter.  They need to find a way back to their universe before the mutagen completely reverses itself.  Shredder has had allies since his arrival in Gotham, and now the turtles have finally won over Batman's trust.  One thing I really love about this series is it combines the dark and the grittiness of Batman, which hearkens to classic TMNT, but maintains the humor of turtles.   Things really hit the fan though, as Casey Jones makes his triumphant return to help the turtles, only to lose the prized possession he had brought across the interdimensional void to prolong the turtles life.  Not only did he lose it, but it is in the hands of the Shredder and heading towards the one place in Gotham you would not want something like that to go.  The next issue is going to be bonkers in this amazingly well-done crossover.

The Rest:
The Haunted Mansion #1 - When I heard that Marvel was turning one of my favorite rides into a comic book, I was a bit skeptical.  When I heard that one of the best horror authors, Joshua Williamson, was penning it, I was intrigued.  After reading the debut I am pleased at how Williamson, Jorge Coelho, and Jean-Francois Beaulei managed to capture the magic of the ride and fit it onto the comic book pages.  There are some subtle, and not so subtle, references to the ride which is sure to please the Disney fan.  The story revolves around Danny, a 15-year old who has to face his fears and enter the mansion.  I won't spoil what compels him to overcome his fear and set foot in the building, but with Williamson at the helm, this should be one enjoyable book.  It is fun to see a lighter side of the man who brought us the Nailbiter and Ghosted.

Descender #11 - It has been a while since I reviewed an issue of Descender, so a brief refresher is in order.  10 years ago, massive robots dubbed harvesters appeared around the 9 core worlds.  After causing mass destruction, the robots vanished and mankind has since banned all robots.  Upon the discovery of Tim-21, an android that appears as a human child, Dr. Quon and Captain Telsa must flee and find themselves at the heart of the robot resistance.  In this issue, we learn that Psius and his followers, who lead this resistance, worship the harvesters as gods and have big plans for their revenge.  We even meet another child unit who appears as a twin to Tim-21.  It seems that the secrets that Tim-21 and Quon hold are the only things keeping them alive.  Great sci-fi adventure that is extremely well written by Jeff Lemire, drawn beautifully by Dustin Nguyen, and features some of the best lettering I have seen recently by Steve Wands.  Good stuff.

POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.