Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Weekly Rankings For 07/10/08

Here are this week’s comics ranked prior to reading them, based upon past performance and advance information released on each issue:

6. Transformers: All Hail Megatron #1
5. Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Gods #1
4. Green Arrow/Black Canary #10
3. Huntress Year One #5 (of 6)
2. Secret Invasion #4
1. Action Comics #867

Here are the rankings after the first read through with a mini-review:

6. Transformers: All Hail Megatron #1
McCarthy, Guidi & Scherwinski

In the latest reboot of the Transformers line…wait! Another reboot? Well, it sure feels like it. This comic seems to ignore all the previous work IDW has put out there. You need to look no further than the shock on the faces of the humans when they see the Decepticons or Starscream’s comment to Megatron about being on the front lines so early. Hello? They were here already for over a year. Oh well. As far as this issue goes it sets up for the Decepticons to rule the Earth. Starscream and Megatron are up to their usual power struggle and there doesn’t seem to be any hope for the human race. The artwork is really great. All of the Decepticons have their own unique look to them. This is your jump on point.

5. Action Comics #867
Johns, Frank & Sibal

This one takes the frustration tag of the week. I loved parts of this story very much. The interaction between Pa Kent and Clark, Superman learning information from the crystals, Clark’s interaction with the Daily Planet peeps, the new background on Brainiac and his drones are all outstanding parts to this comic. However, there is a lot about this issue I was baffled about. First, the involvement of Supergirl. She comes across as if she is a lost runaway about to be taken in by someone looking to take advantage of her. If this is what this character is all about then she needs to get the hell back into her own title. Second, Ma Kent comes across as a senile newbie in the world of Super Hero parenting. Superman has already DIED, why would she get so upset about him going abroad for a few weeks. Next, the ending was awful. I couldn’t make heads or tails of the last four pages. It appears Superman flew into the sun, while standing on the planet. Seriously, that is what I took it to mean. Then he woke up captured. Finally, the artwork. Superman has the facial expression of Plastic Man’s droopy face for half of the book. It looks like he is about as confident as C3-PO. This issue was a step back from the first issue in the arc by a significant amount.

4. Secret Invasion #4
Bendis, Yu & Dell’Otto

The thing I like about this issue is that it captures the feeling of desperation very well. The narration for the first few pages really helps set the tone that the Skrulls have this thing locked up and that the capes can’t save the planet. It’s very believable. There were parts that I didn’t quite understand, such as the whereabouts of Mr. Fantastic (or is it him?) and abandonment of Mary. However, I loved the trust that is shown in Iron Man and I loved the last page. Personally speaking, this arc is giving exactly what I was looking for: a war with mystery. I’m not looking for a new status quo here. I’m looking for issues to make me keep coming back and I think this one delivers.

3. Green Arrow/Black Canary #10
Winick, Norton, Faucher & Chiang

If you are looking for the mystery of Connor to be solved then this is not the title for you. This comic is great in telling a story that goes issue to issue without much movement on the main plot. This particular comic gives a nice look at Batman and it does so in an overly playful way. Someone throws an air born attack device and Team Arrow all starts choking then you see Batman with the gas mask on and he takes out the bad guy. This issue is loaded with this kind of involvement. I liked this issue for that type of play on the characters. The interaction between Speedy and Batman is also enjoyable. This issue doesn’t make good use of Plastic Man and doesn’t have a ton of lines from Black Canary, but it’s still a light, slightly funny comic. If you like your Green Arrow or Batman to be deadly serious then this isn’t for you. I know that the missing body of Connor is looming over the whole series, but Gilligan didn’t get off the Island and I still watched the TV every time it was on.

2. Indiana Jones and The Tomb of the Gods #1
Williams, Scott, Massengill, Atiyeh & Harris

An excellent start to this series. Indy was given one of three pieces of a key and with the Nazis hunting down the others, Indy decides to pursue. This issue moves very quickly and reveals plot points along the way. It delivers excellent artwork and makes use of Indy’s first use of his whip and then the first scene in his classic garb to highlight just how great the art captures all things Indy. Two complaints are that his dialogue doesn’t feel too classic and the issue launches right into the main plot. With Indy, you come to expect him to call women “sweetheart” or “doll” and he doesn’t do that here. Also, in the first three movies, each opens with a small story to establish or re-establish Indy and to give some action. This one starts right off with the main plot and you play catch up the rest of the issue. Minor points, but still it took me a little off guard. This comic is excellent though.

1. Huntress Year One #5 (of 6)
Madison & Richards

Huntress walks the line between hero and villain and she does so with the Catwoman. This issue is dead-on in that it captures some key characters in Gotham perfectly. Batgirl and Catwoman both interact heavily with Huntress and give her some food for thought with regard to the whole revenge track Huntress is heading down. This comic had some great images and moments. Tony’s treatment of the cat was an excellent example of symbolism, irony and symmetry. The story telling has so many layers to it and yet it keeps it light in some spots. How great was it when Bruce “fired” Batgirl? A classic series with a classic issue.