Thursday: Coda
The rest of the day – and so far, the evening – has been quiet.

I neglected to mention a late birthday present from Chris and Mary: Star Fleet Battles: Captain’s Edition Basic Set. I had mentioned that I used to play it in college and, being set in the Star Trek universe, it piqued Chris’ gamer’s curiosity. I don’t know how or where Chris dug it up, but it put a rather large smile on my face. Mary, apparently unaware of what it was, asked,”So… what did he get you?” My response: “Wood… in a box.”

Four-Color Coverage
Of this week’s haul, only four titles really seemed to stand out:

  • All-Star Superman #9 – It’s a shame that this title has gone to bimonthly release. Of course, if it means that we continue to get the great stories that Morrison has been pulling out of his hat, then the wait is worth it. The story picks up as Superman returns to Earth from Htrae (Bizarro World) to find that he’s been… replaced… by two Kryptonian astronauts who escaped the planet’s cataclysm.
  • Madame Mirage #1 – This series from Paul Dini is a noir take on the superhero genre. When laws were passed to ban vigilantism, the heroes submitted (and some were jailed), while the villains went underground to consolidate their power and – using the law to their advantage – formed corporations and syndicates, through which they could “offer their services.” Someone is unwilling to turn a blind eye and let the “former” villains run amok. That someone is the elusive Madame Mirage.
  • The New Avengers #36 – I’m still having a hard time with the art in this book. And I will be quite glad when they “shit or get off the pot” with the Skrull invasion storyline… which won’t happen until the “Secret Invasion” crossover is over. But… this story intrigued me because two-thirds of it is told by Luke Cage to his wife, Jessica Jones, while they’re lying in bed. The Venom “invasion” of New York. The aftermath. The meeting with the officially-sanctioned Avengers team. And, to his credit, Bendis makes the retelling sound like two people lying in bed talking.
  • Thor #1-3 (collected) – The Odinson has returned. And he’s choosing to set up shop in… Oklahoma?! Yep, you got it. Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain! And Asgard? It’s back, too… hovering a few yards above the ground. In Oklahoma. Now all that remains is to locate the lost gods. And, Tony Stark (futurist, Director of SHIELD and Iron Man) drops in for a visit. Let’s stop and look at this situation: When you’re THE guy who said, “Hey… see that dead God of Thunder over there? Go get me some DNA so I can clone him,” and the dead Thunder God comes back, how happy do you think he’ll be to see you? Hint: “Not very.” And Thor proceeds to beat on the armor-plated Avenger like nobody’s business. (To be honest, I bought the issue because I had seen a preview of that fight a few weeks ago.) J. Michael Straczynski – yes, the Babylon 5 guy – is writing this one. I’d dare say that the book is in capable hands.

Stray Toasters

Namaste.