Saturday, February 27, 2010
FBOTU’s Weekly Comics Load: Namor Fantasies Not Included
Small Load this week, I’m afraid. I’m in the middle of packing, moving and generally being exhausted all the time. My friend Jessie at Bayside suggested I take caffeine pills. I might have to do that. In the meantime, I’m keeping this week’s rants, tirades and fanboy gushings to a minimum. You can help me fill in the blanks by sharing your own reading list in the Comics Forum, or right here in the comments section. Now, on with the Load:
 | Batman and Robin #9
Do bats jump sharks? It’s sad, really, because I was so totally on board with the whole new Batman storyline, from R.I.P. through Battle for the Cowl to the new Batman and Robin series. I have no problem with characters doing things completely out of character, as long as there’s some sort of foundation for it. I understand that there’s a big plot point that has to happen here, but it’s a long, strange path to the well. Dick’s bizarre behavior, the inexplicable use (and abuse) of Batwoman, the Lazarus pit. Seriously, I was expecting Fonzie to show up at any moment. |
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 | Blackest Night #7
It’s the penultimate issue and there are some big surprises in store. For instance, the little blue Guardians have rainbow-colored guts. I might have to put that image on a t-shirt and wear it to Pride this year. What else? Lex Luthor reveals his raison d’être, and it’s more on the Iago side than the supervillain side. Hal Jordan may not be the guy who gets everyone out of this mess, as previously believed. And finally, who the hell is inside the lantern? Please let it be Betty White. |
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 | The Flash: Rebirth #6
Time travelers are always showing up to try to kill me and save the future of humanity. Apparently, I become quite the potentate in a few years. Yay! Potentate! So, I sympathize with poor Iris, who always seems to be in peril, no matter what time period she’s in. And it’s just like old times as Wally and Barry team up to put an end (albeit temporarily) to Thawne’s murderous exploits. This miniseries ends with this issue, and Barry is back with friends, family and the Justice League. All that’s left is to decide who gets to use the name and wear the little red tights. |
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 | Teen Titans #80
Cassie’s pretty strong, right? She’s Wonder Girl. Why doesn’t she punch Gar in the throat and silence him forever? I think I would have done that a long time ago, you know, if I were Wonder Girl. Then, after punching Gar in the throat, I would go make out with my boyfriend Conner. Then I’d invite my boyfriend Conner to punch Gar in the throat. Then we’d make out some more. Good times, good times. |
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 | Wonder Woman #41
More Achilles! Hurrah! I was afraid we’d never see him again. In a bit of questionable humor, Diana attempts to set him up with “Patrick Cleese.” Get it? Patrick Cleese. Patroclus. And since that ended so well, what exactly is Diana suggesting here? “Here’s a new boy toy, Achilles. Hope this one doesn’t die!” I’m not complaining, though. I can’t wait to see what sort of mischief Achilles gets up to in future issues. Also, I hope they don’t give him a big makeover. I like his shaggy blonde surfer locks. He looks kind of like a cross between Owen Wilson and Riot from the Stingers. |
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 | X-Factor #202
Rictor and Shatterstar manage to survive another story arc. Well, sort of. They get separated. But better that than death. The Fantastic Four are reunited, thanks to the X-Factor gang, but probably the most shocking revelation in this issue is a look inside Sue’s fantasies. If my husband were a big, rubbery nerd, I’d probably starting dreaming about Prince Namor, too. Then again, if Reed can stretch any part of his body… I suppose that probably makes him someone else’s fantasy. I’m guessing Wolverine. |
That’s it for this week, kids! Happy reading!