Strangers in Paradise (Vol 4) certainly keeps up with the quality of writing and art in the other three volumes. Moore does not disappoint there.

However, what does drag on and drags the narrative down is the once again off-and-not-quite-on nature of Katchoo and Francine’s relationship. As much as the readership and the narrative wants Katchoo and Francine together, it does get tiring. And I can see why, when talking about Strangers in Paradise with other fans, they’ve stopped part way through the tale and throw up their hands in frustration.

Don’t worry, gentle readers, I already own the next two volumes so I’ll be finishing it.

At one point, Moore even throws in a grown-up Ashley as a lampshade on the frustrating nature of Katchoo and Francine’s relationship. In Ashley’s world, she’s written a book, called Strangers in Paradise about the romance and trials of her two mothers, Francine and Katchoo. An editor tells Ashley that her book needs more polish, especially on the drawn-out and repetitive nature of Francine and Katchoo’s break-ups and reunions.

An older Francine and Katchoo assure their daughter that real life is much more complex and tedious than a book. And as Ashley assures them that she wants to stay true to their story, they both admit that not everything Ashley thinks happened really did happen. Particularly, Katchoo not really knowing why David came into her life until much later, and Ashley thinking she told David she knew after the plane crash when he was in the ICU.

Besides this foray into the distance future (?), the bulk of Strangers in Paradise (Vol 4) focuses on Francine’s pending marriage to Brad Silver and her pregnancy. As her wedding to Brad gets closer, Francine’s feet get colder. She considers all the possible options of which path she could take in her life. Does she marry Brad? Does she run off to live with Katchoo? Does she keep the baby and how would its life be impacted by her staying with Brad or being with Katchoo? Will Katchoo be in her life if she stays with Brad? How will her mother react?

There are several long fantasy scenes where Francine plays out each scenario in her head. In the end, she decides she needs to move back to Houston and figure out who she is. Francine also decides that she wants to keep the baby and raise it herself. In essence, Francine does need to figure out herself. Not just if she’s straight or gay or bisexual. She’s molded herself around the men in her life — her father, Brad, Freddie — and Katchoo and her mother. Since Strangers in Paradise started, Francine’s never been by herself.

Casey plays a huge role here in both bringing Katchoo and Francine back together and driving them apart again. Casey goes on vacation to Hawaii — immediately, picking up a hunky guy to spend her vacation with — and pushes herself back into the lives of Katchoo and David, who’ve been living there for a while. Casey works as such a great foil in that she’s incredibly perky and she has no clue about the Parker Girls and the mob plots. As Katchoo and Francine are barely talking, Casey becomes their go-between, dropping bits of important information like that Francine moves back to Houston.

But Casey also drives them apart. When Katchoo and Francine start officially dating, Katchoo becomes tired of waiting for a physical relationship and ends up at Casey’s house. It’s vague whether or not Casey and Katchoo slept together, but Francine thinks they did. And that’s all that matters.

And in the perfect storm, Katchoo doesn’t chase after Francine and Francine goes back to her home crying, only to find Brad and his famous musician brother Griffin Silver on her doorstep. She decides to go back to Brad.

For both Katchoo and Francine, their lives becomes the post-them version. Casey also plays a role in keeping them further apart as she deletes a message from Francine on Katchoo’s phone. A message telling Katchoo that Francine miscarried and needs Katchoo’s love and support.

On Francine’s wedding day, Katchoo shows up (having just been given the message) and begs Francine one more time to be with her or to say goodbye. Francine chooses goodbye. She’s going to marry Brad. To which all the readers throw down the book in annoyance.

While Vol 4 was mob-lite as Katchoo destroyed the Six in the last book, it does have a few dangling threads. After being rejected by Katchoo after their one-night stand and not talking for months, David moves back to Japan. He seems to spend his days meditating high up on a mountain with his girlfriend. Though it’s implied he’s also back in the family business. No doubt letting Tambi run it.

But then Tambi shows up with a gun, telling David that she’s going to kill him as he didn’t do what she asked and she has no more use for him. Turns out Tambi sent David to impregnate Katchoo so their family could have an heir.

David compromises with Tambi by having sex with her to impregnate her. The sex scene between Tambi and David is played off as kind of brutally comedic. It’s odd and uncomfortable. There are turkey basters for a reason, people. Tambi later finds out she’s not pregnant after her time with David.

Additionally, Tambi sends a woman named Cherry to protect Katchoo. Katchoo doesn’t pay much attention to her sister’s warnings about a killer being out there who takes out former Parker Girls. So Cherry sits on the sidelines, protecting Katchoo without her even knowing.

Turns out that Francine’s new therapist and Freddie’s client turned Casey’s newest gym client is a former Parker Girl out for blood. As Vicky Weiss plans on killing Katchoo (and Casey), Cherry and Becky take out Vicky without Katchoo even realizing.

Also Sara Bryant, a young FBI agent, decides that she’s going to find all the remaining Parker Girls. It’s unclear what she’s gunning at. Almost just to see if the legends are true about them. But she squirrels her way into Katchoo’s life (undetected even by Tambi) as Katchoo’s new model/studio assistant.

Overall, I found Strangers in Paradise (Vol 4)’s plot to be repetitive. At least when it came to the central conflict being if Francine would choose Brad or Katchoo. And somehow, I’m not surprised that the book ended with Katchoo walking away from Francine as Francine gets married.

In this tale from Wonder Woman #2, Deception promises to recapture Wonder Woman for Mars after Greed comes back a failure. He promises to play Wonder Woman for a fool, and truthfully, he made a pretty good play with Wonder Woman’s naturally trusting and honest nature.

The kooky Deception also seems to be the only one to really employ people versus just bribing or forcing them to do his bidding. Sure, they’re all slaves of Mars and chained, but he seems to get better results. Especially compared to Greed who had a hard time even with evil people like Hitler. Deception has a “lie factory where hundreds of slaves work day and night writing plots, deceptions, false propaganda, fake publicity and personality camouflage.” He also has things called phantasms, which are basically empty people shells that his astral body can take over.

Deception plays Wonder Woman in the Mars drag show every third Thursday of the month.

Meanwhile on Earth, Wonder Woman sells war bonds. In fact, Wonder Woman takes the record for selling the most war bonds. Everyone wants to buy them from her, and soon, she’s tired out. Luckily, there are some Hawaiian dancers there to entertain the audience of war bond buyers.

Then Naha, a Hawaiian dancer, staggers toward Wonder Woman with a knife in her hand. Naha’s been stabbed, and she leaves Wonder Woman holding the knife. The police assume Wonder Woman murdered Naha and take her off to jail. Wonder Woman, being of a trusting and honest nature, says she did not kill Naha, but allows herself to be taken away. She even lets them take her lasso, as is prison policy, so she can’t hang herself. While in her cell, Wonder Woman points out that only guilty prisoners hang themselves, and she mocks how weak the bars are. Won’t she be popular out in the prison yard.

Wonder Woman always tells the truth. It wasn't Wonder Woman with the knife on the dancefloor.

Soon, a man claiming to be her lawyer bails her out. He takes her back to his house. Where it turns out he’s a Japanese spy! Oh, snap, didn’t see that one coming. (Warning: as the Japanese are the bad guys, there is some yellowface.) Wonder Woman lassos the spy. However, it’s not her lasso; it’s a fake. The real lasso is slipped around Wonder Woman and held by Naha.

Naha knows Wonder Woman is a crafty prisoner and isn’t going to leave her alone. She says that she understands Wonder Woman’s strengths better than the men because she’s a woman.

This is what they call a woman's intuition.

Naha binds Wonder Woman’s hands and takes her aboard a yacht. They attempt to make everything look normal by making Wonder Woman wear a trench coat and fake arms and hands so no one notices. No one notices Wonder Woman dressed for a rainy day in the late fall and Naha wearing her belly-showing dancing outfit.

Then there’s some good times where Naha binds Wonder Woman’s feet and puts tape over her eyes and mouth. Oh, Marston, opening your cabinet for everyone to peer inside at the bondage fun. This is the moment where Naha makes her mistake; she leaves Wonder Woman alone.

There aren't really words.

Wonder Woman first send a metal radio message to Etta telling her to get the girls and go to Norfolk and look for a bound woman in the ocean. Then her strong lip muscles pull the tape off. And when her robust eyes go to do the same, Wonder Woman laments that she’s just too vain to pull up that many eyelashes with the tape.

Wonder Woman just can't sacrifice her lashes for America.

She then uses her mouth to open the porthole — which has to be the dirtiest panel Peter’s has drawn yet — to jump through the porthole and into the ocean.

Here's another empty caption.

Naha spots Wonder Woman escaping from above and jumps into the water. Turns out Naha was a champion swimmer back in Hawaii. While she can’t quite catch Wonder Woman, because Wonder Woman’s eyes are still covered, she’s swimming in circles. Wonder Woman sense Naha and lifts her in the air with her feet and kicks her into Etta’s speeding boat. Once the tape’s removed and she’s untied, Wonder Woman proceeds to punish Naha by spanking her. Yes, I think Wonder Woman just got a new girlfriend this issue.

Naha gets some deserved punishment before they can date.

As her new girlfriend reforms, Naha reveals to Wonder Woman that she’s been working by force for Deception. Wonder Woman and Etta go back to Naha’s apartment where Deception has hidden his phantasms, including one he made of Wonder Woman. Together, Wonder Woman, Etta, and Naha go back to Hawaii with the phantasm and with a message for the military that the Japanese are going to air attack, instead of attacking by convincing native Hawaiians to join their side like previously thought.

Etta goes into a deep sleep, and her astral form goes inside the Wonder Woman phantasm. As Etta pretends to be Wonder Woman and watches the hula at a Festival of Flowers, she’s kidnapped by Japanese spies. They tie Etta in the fake lasso, and Etta acts like she’s under the rope’s spell.

But when the spies leave Etta tied up by the shore for Deception, the real Wonder Woman shows up. Deception is upset, but he knows when to cut and run. However, as he calls up his space torpedo (kidd you not) from the ocean, Wonder Woman throws a huge rock at it and smashes it into pieces. Deception must go back to Mars in shame on a slave ship. Etta just complains that Wonder Woman’s too skinny, and she’s hungry for some candy.

Together, Wonder Woman and Etta in Wonder Woman's phantasm claim victory over Deception. With the right to eat lots of candy.

Muppet Snow White #1 by Jesse Blaze Snider and Patrick Storck

I’m really enjoying this title. I wasn’t entire sold on the relaunch of the Muppets‘ franchise. But these writers and artists are doing a great job at being true to the characters.

I love the set-up that they’re making a Snow White movie. As always the Muppets are cast perfectly into the character roles.

Miss Piggy is perfect as the evil Queen. I love her yelling at Fozzie Bear, who plays the mirror. “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, isn’t moi the fairest of them all?” I love that she threatens to karate chop him. Also that when she sent Sweetums (the Huntsman) after Spamela Hamderson (Snow White), she doesn’t mean literally rip her heart out. Piggy just wants to be the fairest in the 5 mile radius around the castle.

I also loved Gonzo the Great and Rizzo the Rat as the overly enthusiastic Grimm Brothers. They do such a wonderful job at sparring and setting the stage for the story. The rewrites work so well. One thing I adore about the Muppets is that while it’s written for children, there’s still humor just in there for us adults.

The best part by far was the clear remix of “Heigh-Ho” done to the tune of the Ramones’ “Blitzkreg Bop” by the Electric Mayhem (the Seven Dwarfs). It was so clever. In a way that I hope children ask their parents about the song.

Muppet Snow White #2 by Jesse Blaze Snider and Patrick Storck

Gonzo and Rizzo running around this comic in the 5-miles around the kingdom to keep up with the narrative was a nice gag. Though a gag, I’m glad that the writers had to the foresight to keep only to this comic. There’s public transportation!

Then there’s the auditions for the seventh dwarf to join the Electric Mayhem as Scooter (Dopey) leaves. It was a lot of fun and a great way for the Muppets to add to the plot without overriding it. Plus, Statler and Waldorf get to be judges of the talent. If they want to spice up American Idol, they should hire the Muppets.

I love Uncle Deadly killed Spamela by tightening her corset up. Awesome commentary on the ridiculousness of princess’ outfits without being too anvilish.

Miss Piggy’s rejoicing over being the most beautiful women in a 5-mile radius was awesome. And another great commentary of the ridiculousness of beauty standards, particularly playing on the Miss America pageant this time. And I loved the Swedish Chef wanting to make a poisonous pineapple. Very cute.

Muppet Snow White #3 by Jesse Blaze Snider and Patrick Storck

Muppet Snow White continues to be fun. However, this issue lacked something. Perhaps, it was just that we all know this part of the tale had to end with Snow White eating the poisonous apple and falling “dead.”

The Electric Mayhem put on their show, and there’s much-to-do when Gonzo and Rizzo can’t seen to get in the club to see them. Well, until Gonzo breaks the fourth wall and asks if “The Readers” are on the entrance list.

Spamela has figured out that Crazy Harry is going to blow up the concert. Her mission is to warn everyone. But when the Electric Mayhem see her, they start to sing a tribute song and Crazy Harry does indeed blow them up. However, not well enough, as this is the Muppets and no one is going to die. That would just be not family-friendly.

Spamela eagerly moves the plot along when Miss Piggy shows up at her doorstep with the poisoned apple. Mostly because she knows Kermit, her prince will arrive sooner. However, Miss Piggy will have none of this. She doesn’t care about being the most beautiful one anymore, just that Spamela doesn’t steal Kermit from her.

The ladies scuffle, but Spamela ends up with the apple in her mouth. Thus, dying.

The best part of this tale is the ending. When Kermit shows up to claim Snow White and kiss her, Miss Piggy swoops down on a dragon and steals him away.

Muppet Snow White #4 by Jesse Blaze Snider and Patrick Storck

The ending to Muppet Snow White was a bit chaotic. While completely in the spirit of the Muppet Show, hanging a lampshade on all the explosions and throwing penguins, just didn’t work for me. I wanted something more satisfying. Something more true to a clever re-telling.

Miss Piggy’s conversation with a tied-up Kermit and Fozzie in the mirror was by far the most entertaining part of issue #4. Miss Piggy was very over-the-top and perhaps the best characterized out of all the Muppets. I loved her dragging Kermit to the alter, and Kermit not really protesting because it’s Piggy. Also liked her both divorcing her first husband and wanting to make sure she was married to an attractive guy, even if she was going to ditch him for Kermit.

The other part I really enjoyed was Rizzo and Pepe making money off people kissing Snow White. That was pretty awesome.

But like I mentioned in my intro, the chaotic and slash-dash ending just seemed silly. Explosions don’t work the same way in comics — especially funny explosions — as they do on TV.

The New Avengers #1 by Brian Michael Bendis

I still don’t get why they relaunched this title. Except knowing that fans always buy #1 because they think it’s going to be worth something some day. Yeah, keep trying there, fans.

I liked about half this comic book. Luke lining up the team was my favorite half. The whole Daimon Hellstrom and Doctor Strange as zombies and going after Brother Voodoo was the part I didn’t like.

Luke’s pride played in great with not wanting to accept handouts from Steve and also not wanting to be under some registration. I love that Luke borrowed cash from Danny. Danny who somehow pulled it out of his crotch in his Iron Fist green onesie. Also they’re totally married, and Jessica’s completely understands their true love.

Victoria Hand is a welcome addition to the team. I’m glad to see Bendis not toss her out with the regime change. I think she makes a good foil for the superheroes. Victoria has vision and plans that the typical superhero who’s concerned about saving kittens up trees doesn’t. She watches the bigger picture. Sure, they take down big villains, but they don’t think about the future. I hope that Victoria will fit nicely into the team. Especially if she’s pinned nose-to-nose with Jessica.

Likewise, I enjoyed the roundtable. Those Wolverine is in 12 places at once joke will never not be funny. The “family time” is what I enjoy about Bendis’ team comics. I’m one of those who doesn’t get upset when his dialog gets really Bendian.

The Doctor Strange portion was what I didn’t enjoy. I didn’t really follow what was happening, and I felt like if Bendis was trying to set up a mystery, he was annoying me instead of intriguing me. I like Brother Voodoo more than Daimon and Doctor Strange. But the plot just didn’t hold me. And there’s no reason why the Eye of Agamotto ended up in Luke’s hand.

The New Avengers #2 by Brian Michael Bendis

I really don’t think the New Avengers need the Thing on their team. I mean, if you need heavy-hitters, you already have Jessica Jones, Ms. Marvel, and Luke Cage. Do we need a fourth smash-and-bash? Of course, having a Jewish person does add to the diversity quota. Now all we need is Carol to finally confess her love for Jessica Drew. Then Bendis can call it “The Newer Diverse Avengers.”

Anyway, back to the story… I love Jessica Jones in this. Because she gets involved when Luke is involved. However, I do question the sanity of handing Danielle over to Spider-Man. I mean, look how often has his not-real daughter’s series got canceled?

I don’t think I’m very enamored with the story in general, but I do like all the character bits and side-parts.

Unfortunately, I just don’t think Bendis’ writing style is always suited for team books, especially when it comes to plot. He’s much better there on single character titles. But his group dynamics, where they all sit around eating breakfast together, those are my favorite bits of his team books, and The New Avengers #2 certainly has those.

The New Avengers #3 by Brian Michael Bendis

The best of this comic was Victoria Hand. I loved her and her big gun coming to save the New Avengers. This seems very in key with Victoria’s character. She was the only one who could effectively take down the energy demon things. Which I don’t think are demons, but are angels. Not very creative, in my opinion.

Unfortunately, while I’m normally a huge fan of Immonen’s art, I didn’t really care for his take on Victoria. She seems almost too soft. Too many round corners on her.

The fighting seemed a little duller here than in the past two issues. Maybe I’m just not a fan of the Thing and Spider-Man snarking back and forth. Neither character is a favorites of mine, and together, they just seem like one-line quip over-kills.

As much as I’m glad Danny’s not dead and that they’re using him in a plotline, I’m once again not enamored by this sorcerer plot. I hope that Doctor Strange and Hellstrom don’t stomp all over Brother Voodoo with their “I know best” attitudes.

Hitler makes his first appearance in Wonder Woman #2. We must be in the time where Hitler was making his rounds so every hero could punch him in the face. I’m greatly disappointed to report that Wonder Woman does not punch Hitler.

Instead, Hitler eats a rug. Yes, eats a rug. It seems that he’s under Mars’ control, and without Mars’ influence onto him, he flounders around in paranoia and second-guesses his generals. In a way, Marston writes a very mentally ill Hitler who’s a slave to Mars compared to a psychopath. I think we’re supposedly to find him comedic and pathetic, but this isn’t my type of humor.

Bad dog. Bad dog.

Anyway, together Wonder Woman and Steve spy on a top-level Nazi meeting. Hitler and the other Nazis plot to steal the US Treasury’s gold, a plot suggested by Mars’ agent Greed. Mars has sent Greed to Earth in order to capture Wonder Woman to bring her back to Mars, the planet. Steve and Wonder Woman hide in the 13th half-floor, spying from above. I’m sure there’s a Being John Malkovich joke in there somewhere.

Yes, they bypassed the tunnel to become Malkovich. Wonder Woman's pretty sure she'll live forever anyway.

Unfortunately, for both of them, a bomb goes off and everyone scatters. Hitler and the generals run off, leaving Wonder Woman and Steve in a middle of a pile of rubble. But they go back to America, in the invisible jet, with the knowledge that the Nazis plan to steal America gold. Wonder Woman also notes that the astral form of Greed was at the meeting, whispering to the Nazis. You see, Steve and her can see astral forms since their vision has been opened due to their mission in astral bodies.

Once back in the US, Diana reads in the newspaper that Holliday College is closing. The school owes $50,000, which the college treasurer has embezzled and run off with. Diana changes into her Wonder Woman costume to go help Etta come up with a solution. In the narration, Marston informs us that this Holliday College plot is tied directly into the Hitler stealing US gold one. Thanks for the spoilers!

Anyway, Wonder Woman comes up with a wonderful money-making idea to save Holliday College: a fundraiser. A fundraiser where the girls from Holliday College and Wonder Woman play baseball against the team which wins the World Series. That’s right, professional baseball players against the girls from Holliday College. Even with Wonder Woman, there’s still no “I” in team.

In the DC-universe, the World Series is between the Pups and the Sockems. Wonder Woman approaches Pups’ Ball Club President Jake Dough about the charity game during the last World Series game. Greed is right behind Dough’s shoulder, telling him that he should put on the game and then take all the money for himself. Dough agrees to have the Pups play Holliday College if they win.

But things aren’t looking good for the Pups. The Pups are down one, and it’s time for the final batter of the game. Dough’s fretting and making deals with Greed when Wonder Woman steps in and says she’ll win the game for the Pups if Dough agrees.

That’s right, no one blinks an eye when Wonder Woman walks onto the field, picks up a bat, and hits it out of the park to win the World Series. I suppose no one said comic books were supposed to be believable.

That's right. Our Wonder Woman wins the World Series. I bet they'd just argue about chromosomes and if she was oxygen-doping nowadays.

Then it’s the Holliday College girls vs the Pups, World Series champions thanks to Wonder Woman.

Holliday College famous for its professional baseball training, along with bdsm-structured sorority houses.

Wonder Woman pitches really quickly, striking out most of the Pups. And Etta complains about having to run around the bases and thinks another girl should do it for her. (At least, she didn’t have her bon-bons with her.)

I'm just going to pretend Etta really hates baseball. (Even if she was the one listening to the World Series on the radio, which gave Wonder Woman this idea to start with.)

When Wonder Woman goes up to bat, the bat explodes upon impact with the ball. Wonder Woman flies up in the air and lands across the field. Then a “hand from nowhere” (the same one which gave her the bat) gives her a glass of some brown liquid. She immediately passes out. Etta takes her to see the Holliday College nurse.

Even explosions throw off Wonder Woman. Take note, villains.

Turns out the entire thing was an evil Nazi plot. Because we didn’t see that coming. The Nazis tie up the nurse and drag Wonder Woman off. They wrap her in asbestos, put her in a mold, and pour molten gold over her body, all but her head. They find Steve and plan to do the same for him. Then they’re going to transport all the American gold, Wonder Woman, and Steve to Mars.

But once the Nazis leave Wonder Woman alone, she regains her Amazonian strength and busts her gold covering like a vase shattering on the floor. Before going to rescue Steve. I hope Steve wasn’t breathing that asbestos.

Wonder Woman busts through the gold like that one time my brother dropped a log on my mom's 10-gallon fish tank.

Together, Wonder Woman and Etta capture the true crook, Prexy Deacon, the president of Holliday College. Greed convinced him to steal his own school’s money, kill and frame the treasurer, and help the Nazi’s steal American gold. Prexy goes to jail, and Greed goes back to Mars, defeated. But with a warning that Mars will send Deception and Conquest.

Etta should really change her sport from baseball to American football. I could believe her beating pro-footballers.

But Holliday College will still be up and running with $102,000 from beating a World Series professional baseball team.

Golden baseball gloves for everyone!

Spitfire #1 by Paul Cornell
Review by Erica

I didn’t read Captain Britain and MI: 13 so I don’t know the big history about Spitfire being turned into a vampire. Or a half-vampire like Blade. Or whatever. I also don’t have the emotional context of her and Blade’s blooming relationship. I have read other stuff with Jacqueline, mostly about her World War II adventures with the Invaders.

Lark Bertram-Hayes serves as a great foil for Jac and her change. Lark is what Jac could be. A bored society vampire with too much time on her hands and a memory that stretches back into history.

While I feel like Cornell has all the makings of a really good tale here, it falls short. And this could be because one issue did not seem long enough for this tale. Every time, Cornell gets into Jac’s head, she seems to skirt away from him. For a moment, there’s a brilliant insight and then it’s gone.

Spitfire’s exchanges with Blade had the same kind of resonance. Sometimes, he treated her like a girlfriend and other times, she was treated like a child he indulged. I get that Jac’s a new vampire. I get that she doesn’t have the fine control of herself and new powers that Blade does. However, she’s live an entire life before being regenerated; she’s in no way a child.

I like the hope that Jac won’t turn into Lark. But, overall, this comic didn’t feel cohesive.

Spitfire #1 by Paul Cornell
Review by Jason

This is the first issue to feature a character from the Captain Britain and MI: 13 series that was so undeservedly short lived. This was probably the best series to spin out of the Secret Invasion story arc, and I had very much enjoyed its beginnings. However, when Paul Cornell was forced to tie up the story in the last few issues, they really left me more confused than satisfied.

With the Spitfire one-shot, I was really hoping for a decent comic that would remind of why I liked the series so much in the first place.

It seems that Pete Wisdom and MI-13 are still doing their thing in the UK. Early in the issue, Wisdom and Faiza make a brief appearance before Spitfire and Blade go off on their own. Pete even says that the Braddocks are probably off “snogging,” which really creeped me out until I realized that he’s probably talking about Meggan.

There are many things I liked about this comic. The characterizations of Spitfire and Blade are great. Spitfire is actually the focus of the story, and although Blade is present in the entire issue, it’s still obvious that he’s only a supporting character. There was just enough MI: 13 to work as a good throwback to the series. The plot, while not mindblowing, was interesting.

However, I just didn’t like this comic. It just didn’t flow. It’s not that the dialogue was bad, and it’s not that the art was horrible, but I kept feeling like I couldn’t get into the pacing of the story. And really, I’m not 100% sure why. It’s not that any one thing was clearly at fault, it’s just that none of it really fit together well enough to make a cohesive whole.

Invincible Iron Man Annual #1 by Matt Fraction

The story of movie director Jun Shan and his wife Chuntao was extremely sad. In fact, this may be the most depressing comic book I’ve read in a long time. (At least a fictional one.) Fraction wrote one hell of a story about the Mandarin and his quest to have his biography — his version of his life — put on the big screen.

I also really loved Di Giandomenico’s art. His art is just dark enough and horrific enough to portray what’s going on. I appreciated that as the Mandarin turns Chuntao into a whore and Di Giandomenico doesn’t go all t&a like lesser artists might’ve. Instead, she’s incredibly sad.

If this is Fraction relaunching the Mandarin as a legitimate villain, then this is fabulous. It’s really important to not just have the Mandarin going up against Iron Man, especially since Iron Man’s Vietnam-Cold War origins and him having an originally stereotypical Asian villain can be tricky to avoid the racial pitfalls when writing him. Which is why Shan, as another Asian man, being the one whose life is destroyed by the Mandarin makes this tale powerful. Pitting Iron Man as an obsession of the Mandarin’s and putting the Mandarin in the Iron Man movie without feeling cheesy is also incredibly effective.

The Mandarin’s tale of himself off-set with the story about how he actually grew up worked well. His delusions about being a hero compared to the reality of what he knows he did was great. As his lies about being part of Mao’s Communist Revolution. I think it’s interesting that the Mandarin almost gives himself a Tony Stark-like background, rich dead Western parents. Which rather makes him a good foil for Tony.

I love Shan, the film director, as the truth-seeker here. I love how despite the horrible threat of death — and his wife’s death — Shan still wants to tell a good story, a true story. Let his camera speak, like any artist would. I also love that he never gives up hope. Even if the ending of this story is heartbreaking. And seemingly inconsequential to the Mandarin.

If you haven’t been reading Fraction’s Iron Man, I highly suggest picking up this issue. It’s basically a one-shot, so you don’t have to worry about story lines. Both Fraction and Di Giandomenico gives 100%. Beautiful and haunting.

The Invincible Iron Man #28 by Matt Fraction

This issue felt like mostly filler.

Rodey and Tony blast off in their suits to Japan to stop the terrorist. Of course, they only find themselves in a PR nightmare as the Hammers have taken care of the threat with Detroit Steel. Basically, Tony comes off as an ass.

Then when he and Rodey return, Maria chews out Tony for making a fool of himself. Obviously, she’s really missing the man he became as he went erasing his brain and fears that he’s reverting back to his old, playboy self. The on who started Civil War, resulting in Steve Rogers’ death. Which I think Fraction and Larroca point to brilliantly here by Maria remembering when she slept with Tony and Tony asking her if there’s anything about the time he doesn’t remember that he should know about. She, of course, tells him no.

While I love Mrs. Arbogast, I found myself a little bored with the dudes that Tony’s bringing on. They all rather blended together. Too many newish characters (I say newish as I’m sure some (or all of them) are from his 47 year history in comics) for me to keep track of.

But I’m really just excited about next month and Pepper’s return as Rescue. Huzzah.

The Invincible Iron Man #29 by Matt Fraction

Maria still being residually pissed at Tony is awesome. And how they just don’t care anymore if they yell at each other in public. Plus, it’s not like either of them have secret identities to protect.

I love Pepper so much, and I’m so happy for her that she has Rescue back. She has such great determination, quickly adjusting her new center of gravity. I like how Rodey was the one there for her when she woke up. Because Rodey is awesome like that and can focus on what’s actually important.

The Invincible Iron Man #28 almost got five stars from me. But I find Tony’s and Pepper’s repulsor technologies repealing each other to be a little bit too heavy-handed of a metaphor about their emotional states. This is too much, Fraction.

On the other hand, Tony romancing Justine Hammer is beyond perfect. Now I can’t wait for those double-layered conversation sparring.

The first was the local comic book store, Comics Dungeon had a Ladies’ Night on August 14th. There were cookies and comics. Lots of gabbing about our favorites books, and I met a lot of lovely ladies.

The following are some photos with me in them, snagged from Comics Dungeon’s Facebook page.

Jennifer K. Stuller signing her book, Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors

Gabbing about comics and being geek

OMG, ladis in the comic book store!

The second happening is the initial planning for Geek Girl Con. The convention date is TBD 2011 in Seattle, but will be a whole lot of fun. I’ll be directing marketing efforts for the convention. So stay tuned for more information.

Hawkeye & Mockingbird #1 by Jim McCann

I loved this to bits. I thought McCann’s miniseries, New Avengers: Reunion about these two was fabulous, and I’ve been so excited for this issue ever since the series was announced. I was very much, just get Siege over and done with so I can have my shiny new Hawkeye & Mockingbird series.

I love McCann’s Mockingbird, who is so incredibly detailed about her plans to stop villains, but completely impulsive with her personal life. Which fits perfectly with Clint’s impulsive nature toward everything. And I suppose after the mini where Bobbi didn’t trust Clint about anything, it’s time for Clint not to completely trust her. Or at least not trust her to give him all the information he feels is important.

The bits with Clint training with Steve worked brilliantly, especially since in many ways Clint tried to step-up and take the void left by Steve. I love Bucky throwing him off. Brilliant multi-layered conversations here.

I’m completely enthralled by the plot surrounding the new Phantom Rider and the case that Mockingbird’s trying to crack. While I didn’t read the early issue with her father, I love the Phantom Rider’s styling, especially compared to how they drew her father. I cannot wait for the next issue.

Hawkeye & Mockingbird #2 by Jim McCann

First, I love that there’s marketing snippets on the front cover. McCann’s selling this book like none other, and I love it because it deserves it. And it’s high time that comic book marketing stepped it up.

I love the flashback about Bobbi letting her family believe she died. It’s so her. She doesn’t like outsiders to be hurt, especially her family. Bobbi cares in a way that’s refreshing to see in a comic book where real people end up as collateral damage.

Poor Clint just can’t get it right. Of course, anyone with a lick of relationship sense could’ve told him this. Odd that he never asked Steve for advice about this part of the plan. Susan has a right to be pissed at Bobbi, and Bobbi at Clint. Plus, Clint has horrible sideburns and a bad turtleneck jacket combo that makes him all ’70s pimp.

And of course, the first thing that happens is Crossfire shoots Susan. I hope for everyone’s sake that she lives.

Yeah, Bobbi needs to learn that her glasses don’t hide her secret identity very well. She’s not Superman, after all.

I love how both Bobbi and Dominic Fortune can’t resist going into the warehouse. Even if it’s totally a giant trap. I always love characters like this. They just can’t resist the mystery.

Hawkeye & Mockingbird #3 by Jim McCann

I figured that this book would somehow involve a choice that Mockingbird must make between Clint and Dominic Fortune. I just wasn’t expecting it this early. But, of course, it’s not really a choice. It’s Crossfire and Jamie Slade making her watch as two men that she cares about die while she can’t do a thing about it.

One thing I love about McCann’s Mockingbird is just how strong-willed she is. I’m glad to see that she could break it enough to move. Of course, I don’t think any of them are actually dead from that explosion. Just makes a pretty cliffhanger.

I like the sort-of ambiguity over whether or not Jamie is actually evil. Or if it’s just her grandfather’s (?) ghost controlling her.

I’m hoping that future issues also explore the other members of Mockingbird’s team a little more. Overall, these first three issues have been a fun romp, and I’m definitely going to keep reading.

Wonder Woman #2 comes with an introduction about the creative team. Here William Moulton Marston takes off his mask and reveals the man behind the pen name. He’s also pictured with H.G. Peter and two editors. Unlike Wonder Woman #1, this shows an all-male team, instead of making motions of the women involved.

In the first story, Marston sets the stage with a conflict between Mars (Ares) and Wonder Woman. In the tradition of the lies adults tell children, Marston explains to his young readers that World War II rages on at the behest of Mars. Mars craves war and wants to keep it on the planet. Whereas Aphrodite, Wonder Woman’s goddess, only wants love, and unfortunately, Mars is currently winning this battle.

But, of course, Aphrodite has a great champion who’s currently turning the tides of war toward peace. Wonder Woman.

Mars figures he must take out Wonder Woman, and he plans to use Steve Trevor as bait. Mars is correct that Wonder Woman will go right into his trap in order to save Steve.

The issue starts with Steve getting a secret message about a mission he must go on. Not even Colonel Darnell knows where he’s going. Diana is suspicious. As Wonder Woman, she meets up with Steve before he goes. But Steve won’t even tell his beautiful angel what his mission is.

Unsurprisingly, Steve disappears. Oh, he’s such a damsel in distress.

Wonder Woman prays to Aphrodite to tell her where Steve is and guide her to rescue him. Aphrodite shows up for a chat and reveals that Steve’s been captured by Mars. But that only dead people can go to Mars’ realm on Mars, the planet. Yes, Hades is apparently on Mars. I don’t know either.

No, Wonder Woman doesn’t ponder if Steve’s dead or how he got there without being dead. She just plows on through knowing that Mars probably set this as a trap to catch her. Aphrodite gives her a bottle with a potion in it which mimics death (a la Romeo and Juliet) and sends her off to Etta’s.

Once asleep/dead, Wonder Woman becomes a slave of Mars. This involves proving her strength over the guards and the other slaves from time to time in order to get closer to Mars. She seems to find it somewhat amusing.

Wonder Woman finds herself tricked. Into spankings. Oh, Marston.

When Mars watches her beat-down his favorite male slave, Satan, in a weird jousting with swords while riding backwards on a horse contest, he decides she needs further examination.

Riding her horse backwards with the greatest of ease, Wonder Woman out jousts Satan.

Mars discovers that she is not Etta Candy (the name she gave at the not-so pearly gates of Mars), but Wonder Woman. He tries to hide this knowledge. But Wonder Woman eavesdrops on him. Because Mars is letting Wonder Woman get her guard down, she’s unchained and has her own slave girl.

The girl (who’s never named) leads Wonder Woman down to where Mars is keeping Steve hostage. Steve is super skinny and weak as he hasn’t been fed for days. But when they run from the guards, Steve seems to perk right up. Unlike the slave girl, whom Wonder Woman tosses over her shoulder to carry.

Apparently, the 'dead' can be starved.

Steve and Wonder Woman escape by stealing one of Mars’ spaceships. (The slave girl chooses to remain on Mars.) But the whole part of how they go from being dead on Mars to being alive back on Earth is completely hand-waved. One moment, they’re escaping on a spaceship, and the next, Steve’s waking up in the hospital and Wonder Woman is in Etta’s bed.

And suddenly, Steve's kicking a nurse with his erect leg (?) and Wonder Woman's getting kisses from Etta.

Because Wonder Woman never wants this to happen again, she lassos Steve and commands him to never go into danger without her. Yeah, I think we learn a little bit more about Marston’s cabinet of curiosities here.

She should also command him to love her. Even when dressed as a secretary while she's at it.