Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 07/29/09

With Kirk out on his impromptu vacation, I’ll be taking the reins for this week’s Post-Crisis Previews. It’s certainly a lighter week than last week’s avalanche of new issues, but there are still some great books to check out this week including the first issue of Mice Templar: Destiny and the debut of Justice Society of America’s new creative team. My pull list for this week is dominated by DC and severely lacking in Marvel books, so feel free to suggest any issues from the House of Ideas that might be worth picking up. I’ll let you mull that over as you check out the previews after the jump!


Star Wars: Legacy #38
Written by John Ostrander
Art by Jan Duursema, Dan Parsons, and Brad Anderson
Cover by Chris Warner

Living a pirate's life is as easy as bilaberry patogga when you're an ex-Jedi with loyal compatriots -- especially if you're stealing from Black Sun pirates who are stealing from the Empire. Well, it is until both sides figure out your game.

Now under the scrutiny of Black Sun and the Empire, Cade Skywalker and crew are anxious to get away from Tatooine. Agents Gunner Yage and Morrigan Corde are hot on Cade's trail, one of them still having a chip on her shoulder from a past encounter. And Black Sun's Vigo is planning something special for Cade and the Imperial agents. If only the Mynock's engines would start, all this trouble could be left behind . . .

Ryan: After building up a lot of momentum over the last few storylines towards the momentous battle between Cade and Darth Krayt, it’s strange to see this series begin to shift gears towards its next major movement. Even so, there are few books that can deliver the consistency of this title.

As a side note, the writer of this series, legendary creator John Ostrander is suffering from glaucoma and will lose his eyesight if he cannot pay his medical bills. A pantheon of creators, led by Gail Simone, are working hard to raise the money to help defer the cost of his treatment. All funds beyond what is necessary will go to The Hero Initiative. I normally am not one to solicit like this, but for all the great stories Ostrander has given us, this is our chance to give back. You can learn more about John’s situation and how you can help at http://www.comix4sight.com/.

Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #3
Written by Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Various
Covers by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter

In this 3-issue miniseries, writers Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi (GREEN LANTERN CORPS) reveal the secrets behind the Lanterns of BLACKEST NIGHT! Bear witness to Blue Lantern Saint Walker’s pilgrimage of hope, Star Sapphire Carol Ferris’ sacrifice for love, Green Lantern Kilowog’s courageous beginnings, Red Lantern Vice’s source of rage, Orange Lantern Blume’s bizarre creation, and the first appearance of the mysterious Indigo, leader of the Indigo Tribe!

Ryan: This miniseries has been a mixed lot in terms of quality, which has me uneasy about the final issue. If there is anything that can get me excited, though, it is the promised exploration of Kilowag’s origins. As he is my favorite member of the Green Lantern Corps, I’m excited to see what spin Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi will put on his beginnings.





Detective Comics #855
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by JH Williams III
Co-Feature Art by Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams III

“Elegy” part 2 of 4 by Greg Rucka and JH Williams III! Batwoman captures her enemy, a madwoman known only as Alice who sees her life as a fairy tale and everyone around her as expendable extras – including Kate! But when the tables are turned, Batwoman finds herself in a hallucination slamming the present into a collision with the past, and the hints of a threat that will claim the lives of every man, woman and child in Gotham City.
And in the all-new co-feature starring the Question, Montoya's quest to find a missing young girl turns deadly.

Ryan: I was nearly run out of town by the angry mob after writing a rather harsh review of the first issue of Greg Rucka and JH Williams III’s run on Detective Comics. They’ve go the skills to tell a great story, it’s just matter of applying them effectively. I hope for my sake they do, as I can sense my readers readying their pitchforks and lighting their torches. Unfortunately, with the solicitations promising hallucinations, I fear that we could once again see Williams putting style over substance in this potentially trippy issue.



Justice Society of America #29
Written by Bill Willingham & Matthew Sturges
Art by Jesus Merino
Cover by Jesus Merino

A new era begins for the Justice Society of America as writers Bill Willingham (FABLES) and Matthew Sturges (BLUE BEETLE) take over the series with new artist Jesus Merino (SUPERMAN ANNUAL) just as two new recruits make their debut with the team! Strange happenings at the JSA Mansion are weird precursors to an all-out attack on all members of the team — all but one! And what is the strange connection that new members King Chimera and All-American Kid might have with the turmoil?

Ryan: Up until this weekend's announcement, I was very excited about the release of this issue. I’m a huge fan of both Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges, but I’m uneasy about the idea of splitting the JSA into two teams (the current Justice Society of America written by Willingham and JSA All-Stars written by Sturges). As long as this issue doesn’t jumpstart a gimmicky split and remains focused on quality storytelling, this could easily become my pick for Book of the Week. It is certainly in capable enough hands.




Teen Titans #73
Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Co-feature Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Joe Bennett & Jack Jadson
Co-feature Art by Yildiray Cinar & Júlio Ferreira
Cover by Joe Bennett & Jack Jadson

In the first feature, the team attempts to rescue Wonder Girl from the new Fearsome Five, as Calculator enacts his revenge on the team for not protecting his children. In the 10-page co-feature, Ravager faces the drug problem that could kill her!

Ryan: I was blown away by Bryan Q. Miller’s first issue, which featured some of the best character writing this series has seen in far too long. Sean McKeever’s Ravager co-feature wasn’t quite as successful, but I look for him to bounce back here; the strongest part of McKeever’s run as writer on Teen Titans were his Ravager issues, so I know that he is capable of what we’ve seen.





Wonder Woman #34
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopresti & Matt Ryan
Cover by Aaron Lopresti

“Birds of Paradise” part 1 of 2! After the status-shattering events of WONDER WOMAN #33, the world's most sensational team reunites, as Wonder Woman and Black Canary go undercover among some of the worst villains of the DC universe! It's gonna be a bad day for some bad men when the two toughest women in comics join forces!

Ryan: I’ve been chomping at the bit waiting for Gail Simone to revisit the cast of Birds of Prey and I think that a guest appearance by Black Canary is just what this series needs to jumpstart it after the disappointing end to the recently-concluded “Rise of the Olympian” storyline. Despite being a huge fan of Simone’s work, I’ve been on the fence about this title for some time; however, if there is anything that can redeem the title, it’s Black Canary and Wonder Woman teaming-up to run rampant across some villains.




Mice Templar: Destiny #1
Story by Michael Avon Oeming & Bryan J.L. Glass
Art by Victor Santos & Michael Avon Oeming
Cover by Michael Avon Oeming

The second chapter in the saga of the Mice Templar begins here!
The Templar have fallen, leaving the natural world in the grip of tyrants and ever-increasing chaos. The promise of restoration for the Templar and the salvation of all creatures now lies in the paws of the newly-knighted Karic. But as sinister powers seek to thwart him, others are desperate to use his mission for personal agendas. Now Karic is anxious to complete his training so that he might rescue his family from slavery. But his new master is Cassius, a bitter Templar exile who does not believe in Karic's destiny. Their journey takes them to the legendary Haunted Wood, a dead forest inhabited by Diabhlan, ancient evil spirits hungry to feed off of living souls.

Ryan: I’m having a very hard time expressing my excitement over this issue without giggling like a school girl and flapping my arms uncontrollably. Mice Templar is one of the most fascinating and ambitious titles of the decade, hands down. It is has been far too long since the last volume ended. If you haven’t checked it out, Mice Templar Vol. 1: Prophecy is a must read and you should do everything in your power to pick it up before Wednesday so you are prepared for the second volume of this intelligent, thought-provoking, character-focused, action-packed epic.

Related Posts