Cable & Deadpool #32
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Artist: Staz Johnson
$2.99

While Civil War has been decidedly mediocre, the related crossover tales in Marvel’s monthly titles have been surprisingly good. The latest Cable & Deadpool is no exception, keeping the title’s trademark humor and action while incorporating the more intriguing elements of the larger story without all the ponderous themes. Deadpool relishes his role as superpowered merc hired by the government to take down other superheroes, and it’s fun stuff to read, even if the irony is ridiculously obvious. With Cable’s semi-balanced view on superhero registration (it’s good in the short-term, bad in the long-term), there’s a wrinkle thrown into Marvel’s dumb “Who’s Side Are You On?” marketing campaign.
KFR Rating: B

Marvel Team-Up #25
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Andy Kuhn
$2.99

As the series finale of the great Robert Kirkman’s Marvel Team-Up, issue #25 seems a bit rushed, with a lot happening and getting resolved a little too fast. But it’s a joy from start to finish, with all the goofy superhero action one would want from a book with this title. Kirkman throws nearly every star of the Marvel Universe into the story — see cover — fighting a mute hulking bad guy. This issue won’t change the world, but it’s the type of comic that could make your little brother a fan for life and put a smile on your face.
KFR Rating: B+

Wolverine: Origins #7
Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Steve Dillon
$2.99

Wolverine: Origins has been the most disappointing comic of the year, turning out to be a maddeningly decompressed, contrived and nonsensical mess. That reality makes issue #7 a true stunner. We finally get some significant events from Wolverine’s past, witty dialogue and a brisk pace that keeps the reader interested throughout (plus a terrific Mike Deodato variant cover). The format of the series is now obvious: 5-issue arcs that feature one drawn-out fight in the present, interspersed with revelatory flashbacks. This makes for an often bad monthly (see issues 1-6), but just maybe, when Marvel publishes the whole series in an omnibus 10 years from now, it’ll make for a solid read.
KFR Rating: B+

Gen13 #1
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Talent Caldwell
$2.99

An enjoyable restart for one of the Wildstorm Universe’s flagship titles. It’s a tad confusing at times — namely due to ill-defined intentions of the bad guys — but Gail Simone introduces each team member individually, successfully conveying their separate backstories while driving the plot forward, and there’s also a clever use of internet chat-room talk that adds to the creepiness of the opening scene. Talent Caldwell’s pencils are a little too close to Michael Turner’s, but fittingly recall the style of early ’90s Image. A definite step-up from the poor Wetworks relaunch.
KFR Rating: B

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