This week’s Triple Shot gives us the Batgirl of the future in Batman Beyond Unlmited, a buddy vampire comedy adventure in Blood Brothers and the Dreadnoks return in G.I. Joe Special Missions.
BATMAN BEYOND UNLIMITED #18
WRITER: Scott Peterson
ART: Annie Wu
Publication Date: July 17, 2013
Price: $3.99
Publisher: DC Comics
UPC: 76194130753401811
Buy it HERE
Terry McGuinness isn’t the only one suiting up in Neo-Gotham in the future.
In fact, the Bat-Family is extended to a Batgirl and even the original Metal Men. In the current status quo of the Batman Beyond Unlimited series, the police commissioner is none other than original Batgirl, Barbara Gordon, about the same age (probably a bit younger than, actually) as Batman’s mentor Bruce Wayne.
In the Crown Point section of Neo-Gotham, the water supply has been poisoned by a super-steroid.
Current Batgirl Nissa Gibson and Babs team up to take down the Roake Corporation who is spiking the punch. Lots of good action here in this one, as plain-clothed Babs teams up with the high schooler for some big punches and hand to hand combat teamwork. New Batgirl handles herself well, in cocky Batgirl fashion, almost getting herself into too much that she can handle and figuring it out in the end.
The backup story stars The Metal Men, who have been on ice for decades, after the passing of Doc Will Magnus. Bruce Wayne reassigns them as agents of the Bat-Family, as Bruce, Terry and Nissa take on the Undercloud network. It’s great to see The Metal Men in action, a delightful and anachronistic surprise in this story set in the future.
BLOOD BROTHERS #1 (of 3)
WRITERS: Mike Gagerman, Andrew Waller
ART: Evan ‘Doc’ Shaner
Publication Date: July 17, 2013
Price: $3.99
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
UPC: 76156822884700111
Buy it HERE
Nick and Tree are vampires who have had each other’s back for 1000 years. Being immortal ain’t easy, especially with the price of black market blood so high these days.
Their solution?
Sleep all day and be bounty hunters at night for Cedric’s Bail Bonds.
There’s a rift between the two dudes, though.
Nick has been dating Jill for over a month, longer than the two have agreed to date mortals for.
Also, the mind controlling Quadilla vampire may be awakened from his sleep soon, so the two better be on their toes!
Blood Brothers is a balls out hilarious vampire buddy comedy sure to satisfy your hunger. It’s got what Buffy and True Blood have, and also a bit of humor in the vein of Simon Pegg’s Spaced in the flashbacks. They’ve been at the signing of the Constitution, had an orgy at the Sistine Chapel, and partied with Genghis Khan.
All four fangs way up for this book, with artwork by the amazing Evan ‘Doc’ Shaner.
G.I. JOE SPECIAL MISSIONS #5
WRITER: Chuck Dixon
ART: Will Rosado
Publication Date: July 17, 2013
Price: $3.99
Publisher: IDW Publishing
UPC: 82771400438000511
Buy it HERE
Special Missions was not the book I was expecting when first solicited.
The underwater story arc about the Baroness’ money in the ocean or some such was such a bore, I considered dropping the book.
Van Lente’s exciting new take on the Joes in the main book is really fun, and though I am a fan of the last seasons of the book, and Chuck Dixon in general, I just was not feeling this one.
What I expected was one issue literal special missions to add to the mythos as one-shots in between the main story arc, like the original Marvel run on the book.
The salt-water soaked first four issues (was it only four, it seemed like an entire year…) drew out the story way too long. Much like this review. And with no Shipwreck in this book, why are we in the ocean so much?
Issue #5 has a lot going for it, for one, we’re on land, in an exotic location, the Australian Outback.
Secondly, Zartan returns to the cover and the pages and he is not alone! Our grape soda and chocolate covered donut eating pals, the Dreadnoks are back, baby! I’ll take four issues of these guys punching each other in the arm over whatever it is we just sat through.
The Chinese have downed a satellite in The Outback, and the Joes and Dreadnoks are in hot pursuit of the special cargo. The Dreadnoks have the upper hand, having been camped there for longer. The Joes better watch out, because Road Pig is with The Dreadnoks and is swinging his cement block around.
This is a fun issue, not standalone, introducing Dreadnoks and putting the Joes in real danger, on land. The pressure is on for Roadblock, as he may need to rescue his fellow Joes from a sticky situation!
