Handpicked Comic for 4/1/09: War of Kings #2

War of Kings #2 Abnett, Lanning & Pelletier

This was the first and best book that I read this week. Here's the set up. The Inhumans are now the Royal Family of the Kree, as they were always destined to be. The Shi'ar are ruled by Vulcan who would just as soon as kill you as look at you. So they're at war now to become the supreme power in the universe. (I think that's the simplest summary I could have given. Way to go me!)

Last issue, Vulcan launched an attack against the Kree by attacking during Crystal's wedding to Ronan. (Which will bond the Inhumans and the Kree together.) This issue focused on the Kree's response, which kicked ass!!

My favorite scene was Crystal calming the masses in the infirmiry. It's not very often that the Inhumans are depicted as the royalty that they are, so this was refreshing. This scene shows Crystal stepping into her role as Princess and taking it seriously. She's run from it for so long that it was nice change to see her accept it.

I laughed outloud to Medusa's response to Crystal being called "the People's Princess". Her haughty "Pah!" spoke volumes and referenced the argument between the sisters in "Inhumans: Secret Invasion" (Yay, continuity!)

I got a thrill out of the combination of Kree and Inhuman technology. The Kree Sentries combined with the echo-tech was brilliant. I'm glad that Maximus is being used for a different purpose other than battling Black Bolt. He's a mad genius!! Use his genius!!

The issue ends with Vulcan stating that he is going to kill Lilandra immediately. Honestly, he could and I'm starting to think he should. That would really shake things up. Then maybe Deathbird (after she heals) would finally see Vulcan for what he is and she would rule the Shi'ar. Or Gladiator will somehow step up and rule the Shi'ar. Do I think that Vulcan will really kill Lilandra? No. I think that Gladiator will snap and fight against Vulcan. But, we'll see...

Finally, you should be reading this book. If you like big, cosmic, political, war stories this is for you. And that's why War of Kings #2 is your Handpicked Comic for April 1st! No foolin'!

My Comic Picks For 4/1/09

Flash: Rebirth #1 - Geoff Johns works his magic on Flash. If this is half as good as Green Lantern: Rebirth, it will totally be worth it. Also, Ethan Van Sciver on art. I can't wait to see what he does to make each speedster's "speed force" individual.

DC Comics
Geoff Johns & Ethan Van Sciver



Franklin Richards April Fools - This light-hearted book is nice break from the sometimes too serious world of comic books. It's not on a monthly schedule so it doesn't break the bank. This is a perfect book for kids. I don't save these books. I give them to the kids in my class. They love it!!

Marvel Comics
Chris Eliopoulos

New Avengers Reunion #2 of 4 - This mini-series tells us the story of Mockingbird and Hawkeye's reunion. For those of you not in the know, Mockingbird has been dead for oh, maybe 10 years. (But not really as it turns out, I'm not going to get into all of that right now.) I always loved these two characters in West Coast Avengers, so I'm sold on this book. I like Bobbi's new costume too.

Marvel Comics
Jim McCann & David Lopez

Secret Warriors #3- Nick Fury, Hydra, and tons of new characters. Not really things that I look for in a book, but I heard all the buzz and tried it out. It's actually pretty good. I'm still trying to keep the characters' names straight, but pretty good. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this revelation: Shield was a branch of Hydra. What?!

Marvel Comics

Jonathan Hickman, Brian Michael Bendis & Stefano Caselli

War of Kings #2 of 6 - Abnett & Lanning's Annihilation series kicked butt, Abnett & Lanning's Nova series kicks butt, Abnett & Lanning's Guardians of the Galaxy kicks butt, So guess what? Abnett & Lanning's War of Kings mini-series kicks butt.

P.S. If you haven't read Abnett & Lanning's The Legion or Legion Lost from DC you really should!

Marvel Comics

Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, & Paul Pelletier