FBOTU’s Weekly Comics Load: Cousin Oliver Has a Crowbar

By Chance

July 12, 2010 at 10:14PM EDT

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Does it feel weird to anyone else that we’re halfway through summer and there are no big crossover events going on right now? Brightest Day? Kind of. Return of Bruce Wayne? Eh. Believe me, I’m not complaining. I’m still wiped out from Blackest Night and Siege and Dazzler. I plan to enjoy this calm before whatever storm is next. How about you? Be sure to let us know what you’re reading, either in the Comics Forum or right here in the comments section. Now, on with the Load!

The Amazing Spider-Man #636 Somehow, between moving, traveling and generally not paying attention, I missed the first two issues of this “Grim Hunt” story arc. And I haven’t been able to find them. So, if someone out there could bring me up to speed on this whole resurrection business, I’d be most grateful. More importantly, though, have I missed any of Evil Aunt May’s wicked bons mots? Please, please don’t tell me she’s been cured.

Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #1 I’m trying to imagine how powerful it would have been for me, as a kid, to see the beautiful moment of love and tenderness between Wiccan and Hulkling in this issue. They get interrupted, of course, before any actual kissing occurs, but it’s still a gorgeous moment and a gorgeous piece of art. It’s hard to imagine the same company that’s publishing Rawhide Kid is also publishing this.

Batman and Robin #13 Oh ho, that Damian. You’ve got to watch the little scamp every second or he might just pick up a crowbar and end 60 years of the Joker’s tyranny with one blow to the temple. Either Damian is going to make an enemy for life out of this, or the Joker’s going to walk away from this actually afraid of Robin. Either way should add a little more drama to the mix, don’t you think?

The Boys #44 The Hughie/Annie thing has been going on for months now and probably could have gone on for several more. It was high time to move this plot forward, though, so I’m glad we get a really strong issue, with a great unexpected twist at the end.

Brightest Day #5 I kind of like that Brightest Day has turned into a soap opera about the lives and loves and dead straight people. I’ve only ever found living straight people to be mildly interesting, so I’m glad they’ve thrown some reanimated corpses into the mix to liven things up a bit. Aquaman and Mera and Hawkman and Hawkgirl share some passionate kisses and shocking revelations, while Boston Brand and friends hang out in the cemetery (because no one got enough of that during Blackest Night). I can’t wait to see what these crazy kids get up to next!

Rawhide Kid: The Sensational Seven #2 There’s a page in this issue, where the Kid and Sheriff Seth share an awkward moment, recalling a brief affair, that actually feels somewhat genuine and hints at a much more interesting story than the one being told. Before you get too excited, though, I should point at that another character is gagging in the background and Sheriff Seth gets gunned down by friendly fire on the next page, eliciting exactly no response from the Kid. I read and re-read those pages several times, trying to figure out if I missed something, then closed the book and officially moved on with my life. I suggest everyone else do the same.

Red Hood: The Lost Days #2 I suppose it’s a bad thing that I find myself identifying with Jason Todd. Is it his status as the ultimate outsider? Heck, even Dick implies he’s the Jan Brady of the Bat family. Or maybe I just like whackjobs yearning for redemption. Whatever the case, I’m hoping Jasonpalooza carries on for a while, because he makes for a great thorn in Dick’s side and a constant reminder of the dark side of the Dark Knight.

Red Robin #14 We get a second helping of Damian this week! In this issue, Tim wisely puts him on a list of supers who may need to be taken out at some point. This doesn’t sit well with the little tyke at all. Luckily Big Daddy/Big Brother Dick shows up to keep everyone in line. The dynamics between all the Bat boys are a lot of fun. Throw Jason into the mix, and you’ve got a house full of psychologically damaged folks, all seeking attention. It’s like a season of Big Brother. Just wait until crazy-ass Bruce gets back!

That’s it for this week, kids! Happy reading!