Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers #1

Writer – Joe Casey
Artist – Nathan Fox, Jim Rugg, Ulises Farinas
Colours – Brad Simpson

If you are a fan of science fiction, then this book is for you.  What Nathan Fox, Jim Rugg, Ulises Farinas and Joe Casey have done is take Jack Kirby’s classic property and bring it screaming into the present with a modern take that is probably the most fun to be found in a book that features true science fiction, heavy on the science.  The very first page of the book starts out like you are reading a book from Ray Bradbury or James Blish but then you turn the page and it is big screen action reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica, Babyon 5 and Star Wars.  The gang is all here as well including Klavus, Tarin, Orca and Mister Mind and all get introduced, as does our captain, well and good.  There is no guesswork involved in trying to figure out who is who and Casey not only accomplishes that quite well, but the whole book from start to finish.  The script is taut, suspenseful and smart and it is no surprise given Casey’s history of great books from Wildcats to his very own Sex from Image Comics.  The man knows how to write and if this issue is any indication of the rest of the series, it will definitely end up being one of the best, if not the best titles put out by Dynamite today.  The book is all action and the pacing is rapid-fire.  There is not a first issue that has been this engrossing or this entertaining in quite some time.  The artwork is absolutely beautiful on all fronts as well and our team of artists do a fantastic job.  They nail the look of the characters and their uniqueness, the science fiction spectacle they put down on every page is amazing and they even give Captain Victory a haircut.  If you happen to go and pick this book up, and if you are not then do so, it will almost seem like you are discovering comics again for the first time.  It is that good.  A win in every column that counts.

5 out of 5

Batman Eternal #18

Writer – Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Tim Seeley, Ray Fawkes, John Layman
Artist – Andy Clarke
Colours – Blond

Batgirl, Batwoman and the Red Hood are in Brazil to get answers to they subway mystery and who exactly framed Jim Gordon.  The investigation takes them to a factory that employs children in the making of toys that resemble the Bat-family and to the man running it.  Back in Gotham Lt. Bard is making his way into areas of the city that do not get a lot of representation from the cops when a couple of people, one who happens to be hurt, make their way into the sewers.  Luckily Batman was keeping his eye on Bard and so the two of them head into the underground labyrinth to find out just what is going on and eventually, also end up teaming with Killer Croc.  This was a decent issue with some great artwork by Andy Clarke.  It is great to see Batgirl’s investigation proceeding, but it does not really lead anywhere or make any headway during the issue.  The banter between the three heroes was fun though and that partly made up for the lack of anything really happening.  Having Bard and Bats seemingly patch things up is good for Gotham and for them as well as they will more than likely end up working together more often than not.  Also nice to see are some more classic villains making their appearance such as having Killer Croc in the issue, and not being his usual brutish self.  Hopefully there will be some more tangible story advancement next issue.

3 out of 5