It's been all quiet on the comic book front this week as fans from all of pop culture are seeing Star Wars in droves. It's a pretty great film, you should go see it too.
But a few things have happened. There have been some tidbits of Deadpool production work dropped, including some script pages and some movie posters.
The previously animated-only Vixen from the DC Comics CW Seed series of the same name will be making her way to Arrow and the Legends of Tomorrow were shown off in a series of character posters.
Lastly, we got a new bit of concept art from Captain America: Civil War, and we're pretty sure it misnames War Machine as War Hammer. Who even is War Hammer?
No matter which side you're on, let's take a look at this week's offerings:
Marvel Comics
Ultimate End #5
After launching in 2000, the Ultimate Marvel universe has come to an end, sort of. On the piecemeal planet of Battleworld, God Doom created Manhattan, an amalgam of the 616 main Marvel universe and the 1610 Ultimate universe. In this city there are more than one of each character, almost like the Noah's ark of the superhero world, if they all tried to kill each other.
So, after four issues of mostly needless exposition, we get what we all came for: the end. But it's not really the end, and did any of us expect any different? Sure, most of the beloved Ultimate characters are gone, like weird robot mech Iron Man, but we had to get Miles Morales over into the main world somehow. But how they do it I will leave to you, reader.
Ms. Marvel #2
There's something so darn special about this series because it can do almost anything. It can introduce new heroes and villains without seeming corny while staying completely enveloped in the greater Marvel ecosystem. In this case, we're talking about HYDRA.
In this issue, the terrorist organization has set up shop in Jersey City under the front of a neighborhood revitalization program. Except instead of, you know, revitalizing, they are implanting nanotechnology in the brains of its residents to control them. Ms. Marvel gets knocked out, her best friend Bruno gets brainwashed and everything is about to get real.
Darth Vader Annual #1
In the Darth Vader comic's first anniversary issue, good ol' Darth continues to prove just how ruthless and commanding he is. In this issue, Vader travels to a distant planet that has recently cut ties with the Empire. Bad idea. So, what does Vader do? Well he uses his unique style of conversation to convince the planet to stay with the Emperor.
It's a brutal look at what it means to be one of the most feared men in the galaxy. Vader isn't completely cold, though, and that's the scariest part. He is able to appeal to emotion solely to crush the capacity of those who deny him. In this case, he tosses a rock to a princess and tells her it's all that's left of her home planet, Alderaan.
Other releases to look out for: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #3, Kanan #9, All-New Inhumans #2
DC Comics
Justice League #46
As most of the members of the Justice League are off dealign with their newfound god powers, we get a bit of storytelling from Wonder Woman on the origin of Darkseid's children and the Anti-Monitor. Not too much happens in this issue, but it serves to flesh out the war that has been going on for the last few months of issues.
Things get really interesting when God Superman grabs Steve Trevor by the neck when he tries to make a move on Wonder Woman. DC really seems to be enjoying shaking up their characters and ignoring continuity. But hey, that's comics for you!
We Are Robin #7
As the Robin War rages on we finally get the fight we've all been asking for: Red Robin vs. the Red Hood. When the Talons of the Court of Owls tell Jason and Tim to fight to the death or the young Robins die, they seem to have no choice. That is, until they channel the acrobatic prowess of none other than Dick Grayson, the original Robin.
This issue is probably one of the best of the Robin War event so far. It shows the Robins actually working together, but it also shows Damian warming up to Duke, who I'm still convinced will become the main Robin to Gordon's Batman sometime in the near future.
Superman American Alien #2
Well, I'm convinced. Max Landis knows how to write Superman, well, young Superman at least. In this issue Clark Kent goes on the hunt for some murderers who seem to have killed for no reason. And for an upstanding small town boy like Kent, that's just not going to fly. So Kent accidentally heat visions one of the killers' arms off. It's... different.
But the real success here is how real this character finally feels. Sure, he's not blasting off into space or flying through Metropolis, but Clark Kent is real, seeming human teenager trying to keep his powers in check. It's the perfect way to tell a story that hasn't been told in a really long time.
Other releases to look out for: Batgirl #46, Batman Europa #2, Martian Manhunter #7
Winner - Marvel Comics
With one of the key Secret Wars tie-ins now over, it's finally setting in that the event is coming to a close. And that's a good thing, since it makes room for more of the new series, like Ms. Marvel, who did more than enough to solidify Marvel's win this week. Between her series and the continuously stellar Darth Vader book, it was a clear victory.
But DC put out some great work this week, especially Superman American Alien, a definite standout. It seems these two keep going back and forth, but hey, that's good for everyone.
Indie Spotlight
Huck #2
Huck is becoming just what it needs to be. From the first issue, we're introduced to a character that writer Mark Millar wrote to shun Superman, and we got that. In issue two, we learn a little bit more about what makes Huck so different. He's strong, fast and resilient, but he's also damn good at tracking people down.
So, he finds a woman's missing husband, who has been living a life with another family and children and he rescues a man captured in Afghanistan and beats up some bad guys. The real shocker comes through on the last page, though. Check it out for yourself.
Other releases to look out for: Clean Room #3, Descender #8, I Hate Fairyland #3
