Happy Holidays, everyone! For some stupid reason, Christmas is on a Wednesday this year, right in the middle of the work week. I’ve got to go back to work the day after Christmas! Anyway, before that happens, we get to read some new comics like Absolute Batman and G.I.Joe.

Comic Book of the Week goes to another stellar issue of Wonder Woman, this time with a big Detective Chimp cameo to drive it all forward.

Meanwhile, my decision to wait on Dragon Age: The Veilguard paid off because it was on sale this week for 40% off! So I snatched it up and am giving that a try. I’m very much enjoying both Skeleton Crew and Creature Commandos, so I’ve got plenty to watch and enjoy. And this Wednesday I’ll be heading home for Christmas with the family! Everything is humming along nicely.

Also, if I haven’t mentioned yet, Gamer Girl & Vixen Vol. 2: Tyrant Lizard Queen is finished and heading to the printers! So anyone who backed our Kickstarter or would like to read my comics, stay tuned for more info on getting a copy of my comic!

Comic Reviews: Absolute Batman #3, G.I.Joe #2, Power Rangers Prime #2 and Wonder Woman #16.

Absolute Batman #3
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Colorist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Third issue in, still strong and entertaining.

Batman and Alfred make their escape and Bruce digs deeper into the Black Mask and his secret prison site, called Ark M. Black Mask has offered Batman a ton of money to back off for a bit and there’s a lot of pressure for him to take the deal. We also get to know young Selina Kyle a bit more, and the nefarious plans for mayoral candidate Hill!

Comic Rating: 8/10 – Very Good.

There are a lot of pots on the fire in this issue and all of them are pretty entertaining. I really like the tone Snyder and his art team are going for with this comic, and it elevates the storytelling nicely. This is Batman at its core, with all sorts of new takes on classic ideas swirling about, making for an overall entertaining comic. The “Ark M” play on words is a lot on the nose, but it’s the sort of thing I’m here for in a big way. And building the relationship between Alfred and Bruce like this definitely works for me. And the stuff with Selina as a child is good as well; though hopefully it doesn’t ruin anything about her eventual adult introduction. But that’s probably me worrying about nothing. This story is building nicely, with a solid surprise ending to this issue that propels things nicely.

TL;DR: This series continues to build nicely, with a lot of big movements in this issue in particularly.

G.I.Joe #2
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Tom Reilly
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Rus Wooton

The Energon Universe continues unabated.

The first mission is a complete failure, with Rock ‘n Roll killed in action and COBRA getting away with the Shard. Clutch is missing and presumed dead, and everybody is heavily injured. Duke is also on edge after such a devastating loss, and he doesn’t take it well when the commander introduces a cocky new team member: Risk. Meanwhile, a certain someone isn’t so missing and presumed dead after all.

Comic Rating: 8/10 – Very Good.

I liked this issue a little better than the previous one because I like some of the story choices — but definitely not all of them. I like that the Joe’s first official mission is a failure and that some of the members are now out of commission with injuries. I don’t like that they killed Rock ‘n Roll, easily the most entertaining of the bunch. He was funny and boisterous and every good team needs someone like that…but now he’s dead and that kinda sucks. But I believe that was the point. The team did poorly right out of the gate, and now we’ve got Risk and perhaps the real Joe team is built from this failure. I can get behind that as a story choice.

As for the issue itself, it’s a strong one. The action is real action this time instead of a training session, so it hits harder. I love everyone being unfamiliar with COBRA’s new laser technology. After the battle, we get some solid character-driven scenes, with the introduction of Risk, Duke’s anger and COBRA’s reaction to it all. I love Cobra Commander’s aloof personality in the Energon Universe. It’s a great contrast to Destro and makes him a more interesting villain all around. So something good is definitely building with this series and I’m getting more excited to see it pay off.

Also, as I like to mention, whoever is in charge of the Energon Universe is not doing a very good job. In last week’s new issue of Transformers, the Decepticons very publicly and openly destroyed Tacoma, Washington. These giant robots are not operating in secret…but all the G.I.Joe comics seem to think they are. It’s a weird disconnect.

TL;DR: The second issue is stronger than the first as more of the overall story and direction becomes clear.

Power Rangers Prime #2
Writer: Melissa Flores
Artist: Michael Yg
Colorist: Fabi Marques
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire

I’ve had the look of the new Prime Rangers spoiled for me because BOOM! has already released upcoming covers. They look awesome, especially drawn by Dan Mora, but it’s too bad they were spoiled. Thankfully, their IDs haven’t been, so we don’t know which of these characters might yet be the Prime Rangers.

For reasons he has not yet revealed, Jun helps Mark stay out of trouble, and then Orion helps Lauren escape their apartment building when the Eltarian guards come searching for her. They all regroup at Jun’s apartment, where his roommate, Valentina, doesn’t take too kindly to there being a stranger/Ranger around. She goes out for some air and calls her boyfriend, Mark, to tell him everything. Well Mark is a VR Trooper and he loads up his team to go bag a Power Ranger.

Meanwhile, Rita Repulsa is on Earth and she and her monster fight off a squad of guards. She takes one of them, the human Bulkmeier, as a prisoner, so that she can learn more about this planet. Once she learns more about the human subjugation, she invites him to join her and fight for freedom.

Comic Rating: 8/10 – Very Good.

Solid second issue that does a lot to keep building all of our new characters, while spreading out the story. Personalities are developing, relationships are coming together and the threats are growing in all directions. As always with stories like this, I wish people used their names more often so that they would actually stick, or that we had a character glossary in the front of the book, but it’s fine. We’ll get to know the names in time. It’s character that’s important right now and it’s working nicely. I like these characters and I like how everyone is coming together. And I very much approve of holding off on them becoming Rangers until they’re all properly set up. It’s going to be much more impactful.

I’m also holding out hope that the book surprises us with which characters become Rangers. This issue would have us believe it will be Lauren, Mark, Jun, Orion and possibly Valentina…but I’m hoping for some big twists. Only Valentina dresses in casual Ranger color clothing so far.

I especially loved the Rita Repulsa stuff. BOOM! is committed to turning Rita into the best character in the franchise, and this relaunch has given them the chance to start her with a clean slate. She’s cool and tough and hot, and makes a big impression in this issue. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about repurposing existing characters into new roles here, like the use of Bulk, but perhaps it will grow on me. Either way, teaming up him and Rita immediately works perfectly to build the story. The only question is whether or not she’ll be the villain or…the Zordon?!

TL;DR: An excellent second issue continues to build the characters, establish the world and grow the story is some really neat directions.

Wonder Woman #16
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Bruno Redondo
Inker: Caio Filipe
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Clayton Cowles

This issue veers wildly away from the usual, but it’s nonetheless a super fun read!

While Diana tends to her new baby, Detective Chimp shows up at the home of the Sovereign investigating the murder of Steve Trevor. Such begins a delightful back and forth as Detective Chimp winds his way around the crime and has the Sovereign on the backfoot. And just when he’s uncovered everything, Chimp tags in star reporter Clark Kent to expose it all.

Comic Rating: 9/10 – Great.

I’m loving this part of the ongoing story as much as I have the rest! I love how King has laid it out. After murdering her boyfriend, The Sovereign expects Wonder Woman to come at him with all the fury of a woman scorned. He’s ready for that. But he’s a petty misogynist and has no idea what’s coming for him. Wonder Woman is busy with the more important task of raising this new child and introducing her to her grandmother. Meanwhile, she’s sent out her agents to come at Sovereign sideways. Last issue was all about the Wonder Girls taking down his financial holdings. And this issue has Diana sending Detective Chimp to actually investigate the murder like it was a crime. Sovereign expects the superhero fisticuffs after the death of Steve Trevor, but Wonder Woman comes at him like it’s a crime…and uses the wonderful Detective Chimp to get it done.

And then when Chimp runs into the obvious walls of arresting and holding the Sovereign accountable for murder, he turns to the Fourth Estate to actually bring some level of justice to the villain. As a reporter myself, I love that! I love how Wonder Woman is fighting him on levels he couldn’t anticipate or fight against. It’s a wonderful circumvention of expectations, both ours and his. And King just writes a very entertaining and enjoyable Detective Chimp, especially since Chimp is clearly toying with the Sovereign the entire issue. It’s just a delight!

The only complaint/nitpick I have is how suddenly humanized the Sovereign is in this issue. So far, he’s been this almost mythical being, a king on his untouchable throne. But now, seemingly all of a sudden, he’s a dude with a house that Detective Chimp can just visit. He’s a guy who likes to go horseback riding or who goes out in person to cemeteries. Or who won’t just assassinate Detective Chimp or Clark Kent. And then there’s a backup story detailing his origins, and now all of a sudden he has a sister that Clark Kent finds. It’s all a little weird, but it doesn’t detract but how much fun this issue was to read.

TL;DR: A very fun guest star heightens the overall creative and fascinating direction this storyline is taking, compared to the bigger picture. A delightful issue of a villain getting his comeuppance.

The comics I review in my Hench-Sized reviews are just the usual comics I grab from Comixology any given week, along with a few impulse buys I might try on a whim. So if there are any comics or series you’d like me to review each week, let me know in the comments.

——————-