Sunday Reading 11-20-11

Welcome Comic Bloc readers to another addition of Sunday Reading.  Kind of a small week for the Comic Bloc writing staff, but that’s no problem as long as we have titles that did it right. This week we take a look at: Birds of Prey #3, Ultimate Comics X-Men #3 and Legion of Super-Heroes #3.

Legion of Super-Heroes #3

Now this is starting to feel more like the Legion. I think that starting number 1 off with such a different cast than what people expected was a hard sell and it seems to have taken a few issues to finds its footing, but here it is. I loved the way the characters were handled this issue with just the right mix of old and new and their interactions with each other.

The Dominators reaction to facing the Legion and deciding to move forward, since these aren’t really the dangerous ones, was well played especially since those Legion members really took it to them. Comet Queen one brief outburst of pure excitement was well timed and really added to the moment. The use of Element Lad trying to stop the Renegade was nice, especially because it wasn’t just an easy fix, and even more so because it turned out he wasn’t even needed, a fun and funny moment.

The pacing was nice with just the right amount of characterization and action. The multi-layered threat makes a true challenge to the Legion and here’s hoping this book continues on this track.

Ultimate Comics X-Men #3

Next up we have Adam Schiewe taking a quick look at the Marvel’s Ultimate Universe. I for one may have to check this book out, for some crazy reason I have a place in my heart for Maggot as an X-Men. To see him show up in the Ultimate U might be enough to lead me over there. Here’s Adam’s thought on the issue:

“If there was one thing that could sell me on this book it was Ultimate Maggot, and now he is here. I loved the character in the late 90’s and I love the new take on him in the Ultimate Universe. This book gets better with each issue as we start to see what the “team” is up against and I don’t think I’d be lying when I said it’s the Ultimate book I most look forward to each month. “

Top Recommendation: Birds of Prey #3

Besides what Adam has to say about this book, I have a lot of friends that are enjoying this book and are trying to entice me to take a look. Katana is one of those characters I have always followed around since her time on the Outsiders and I guess with this new book they have added some layers and subtext to her characters that a lot of my friends think I should check out. That plus what Adam has to say is a pretty strong sell:

“This book is a femme fatale noir book with superpowers and invisible enemies that make you explode with nursery rhymes. It has some of the most intriguing use of Poison Ivy’s powers I have seen in a while, makes a new character feel more developed than most who are a decade old and has a fast passed plot that makes you want the next issue now. This book is what comics should be and is what I would argue the best revamped concept in all the new 52. Birds of Prey was always a fun book, but this take is different, fresh and exciting in more ways than the last volume ever was. There is supposedly a big event happening in the next issue, and with how this book has been playing out so far I do not doubt it will be something bigger than we’d expect from this title.”

Like I said a small week for Sunday Reading , hopefully you found enough books to keep your interest this week, but I for one prefer the quality over  the quantity. Feel free to take a moment and comment on your great books for the week too, we can’t read them all we just cover the ones we do.

Till next time I’m your host Skip Scherer (lionknight) and I’ll see you on the Bloc.