I’ll be doing full-length comments on some of the books below, but until I get around to it, here are some quick thoughts:
BIRDS OF PREY 69: Atrocious cover aside, one of the big strengths of this book is the subtle, shifting dynamics of the characters. Simone has wisely put some chinks in Oracle’s armor, giving Barbara some flaws while not undermining the character’s essential nobility. Oracle is straddling the fence on Huntress, realizing Helena deserves a chance to contribute while harboring personal animosity towards her. On Helena’s side, she’s showing remarkable reserve in the face of Oracle’s snide remarks and sometimes shaky judgment.
CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE FALCON 5: It’s very Priestly, really, complete with dicey government conspiracies and shocking twists. I really only picked this up because I’m a sad fanboy who will trail almost anywhere after the Scarlet Witch. She doesn’t seem very much like herself in the brief glimpses Priest offers, a factor I fear is leading someplace fairly unsavory for the character in the DISASSEMBLED scheme of things.
OFFICIAL HANDBOOK MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS 2004: This will no doubt be an invaluable reference for new readers drawn in by DISASSEMBLED so they can have some vague idea of who these characters are as they’re picked off one by one. What other purpose could it be intended to serve, honestly, except maybe as a nostalgia piece before Bendis redefines the team? And, given the preview of AVENGERS 500, a schematic of the mansion seems to be rather beside the point, doesn’t it?
POWERS 1: Paul O’Brien does a very nice job articulating my biggest narrative problem with this issue. The suggestion that there’s no one on the heroic side of the powers equation who would ignore the ban for sixth months seems like a bit of a stretch to me. The evil doers have apparently spent the duration of the ban establishing themselves in the brave new world of virtually unenforceable prohibition. Surely there’s a super-hero or two iconoclastic enough to carry on with business as usual, unless they’re all particularly passive aggressive for vigilantes.
SUPREME POWER 11: Sometimes, the mere suggestion of breasts just isn’t enough, I guess. Zarda and her boobs tell us a little bit more about themselves, as there’s really only a little bit to tell. Instead of having any kind of origin of her own, she’s become a spin-off of Hyperion, and she’s looking forward to clothing optional world domination. Gary Frank earns my contempt by keeping naked Hyperion wrapped in a sheet for the duration of the issue. Does no one care about fan service for gay men, straight women, and bisexuals, too?
YOUR AND MY SECRET Vol. 1: It wasn’t new this week, but I picked it up along with the monthlies. After my disappointment with SEVEN OF SEVEN, I enjoyed this promising if imperfect manga collection. An aggressive young woman and a passive young man switch bodies, and (mostly) comic identity crises ensue. It’s not quite as complex as I’d like, but there are plenty of interesting ideas and some nice narrative twists. Flaws aside, it made me want to know what happens next.