This Week in Comics – 8/24/2011

This week in comics, DC Comics is saying goodbye to an old favorite with a special story and for other publishers, the return of old characters in two new series. DC Comics released a new Superman story in the far future of Superman Beyond. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles returned to comic form under the IDW banner with an altered origin and all the same great action. Kevin Smith (yes, of the Silent Bob fame) kicked off a new The Bionic Man series from Dynamite. 

Superman Beyond #0 – DC Comics – DeFalco; Frenz; Buscema – $3.99

The times of Superman and Batman have long since passed. In the same universe of Batman Beyond, Superman Beyond takes a look at the a future where Superman has disappeared for a long time and a new Justice League is watching over mankind. Superman is not gone, just on retirement in the far reaches of the universe. He returns to Metropolis just in time for the arrival of a new super villain.

The story flows, has some witty one-liners, but does not encompass the usual drama of a Superman story. The art is more like the animated Superman TV show than other Superman comic series, however is still fits within the level of plot that is being told. While I liked the story I do not think it was worth the cover price.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 – IDW – Eastman; Waltz; Duncan – $3.99

The heroes in a half shell have returned to where they started! Part of the creative team behind the turtles, Kevin Eastman, is back writing about the four giant, mutant, ninja-trained, teenage turtles and their master Splinter. The first issue is told as a narration by Splinter as he, Michaelangelo, Leonardo, and Donatello face off against an old foe and his henchman. After a quick fight and the retreat of the villain, Splinter flashes back to the lab where he and the turtles were kept in their natural (smaller) form 18 months prior. The lab is performing secret tests on the animals much to the surprise of a new intern by the name of April O’Neil. Flash forward to present day again and we find Raphael wondering an alley hunting for food in dumpsters when he overhears a dad beating on a young boy named Casey nearby. Raph has no choice but to intervene.

This is not the cartoon version of the turtles so many of us fans grew up with. The artwork is reminiscent of the old TMNT books keeping the same single-colored bandannas and weapons as before. The origin of the turtles is only slightly teased in this first issue but it seems Eastman is going to modernize the beginnings of the heroes while keeping all the favorite characters around – April O’Neil and Casey Jones, even General Kragg got a mention!  This book was worth the price and should be the start of a great new chapter in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe.

Kevin Smith Bionic Man #1 – Dynamite – Smith; Hester; Lau – $3.99

Most people know what I am talking about when I say the Six Million Dollar Man – a man – half robot, half man, all bionic. Kevin Smith and Dynamite are returning the Bionic Man, Steve Austin, to the graphic pages in a modern story for the mature reader. The first issue introduces Austin as the world’s greatest test pilot about to retire and marry the woman of his dreams. He has flown the most advanced planes back from near-fatal crashes over and over again, but today his luck might run out. In a bionics lab nearby, a mysterious sword-wielding man kills everyone inside and destroys all the research without leaving any clue as to why.

Like a comic book should, the story is loaded with questions that will need to be answered over the course of the series and will draw readers into the next issue. Does Austin get to marry his dream woman? Who or what attacked the bionics lab?  The artwork is sharp, detailed and colorful. Spend the $4 to get this issue.

There you have it, two new series started and another one sending off an old character before his universe relaunches. Check back next Wednesday as DC Comics ends its current universe with Flashpoint #5 and relaunches their world with Justice League of America #1.