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Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss “Sgt. Rock the Lost Battalion” #1, “Adventure Comics Special Starring the Guardian,” “Kull” 1, “Ultimatum” 1. Late in posting as Kyle had to go to Minneapolis to shoot some Rockettes.

Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss the conclusion to Mark Millar’s “Marvel 1985,” the prelude to “Blackest Night,” “Rage of the Red Lanterns,” and the next part of “Original Sin,” “Wolverine: Origins” No. 29.

Kyle Roberts and Matt Price review New Krypton Special, G.I. Joe 0 from IDW and Wolverine: Manifest Destiny #1.

The only “Ghost Rider” issues that I was ever into were the 1990s issues featuring Danny Ketch.  Since then, I’ve gone back and read some of the Johnny Blaze stuff, and it has its moments, but for me, the best Ghost Rider was reluctant hero Danny Ketch.

At first, his origin was simple - mystic motorcycle makes him the Ghost Rider.  Then, it got infinitely more complicated. Somewhere along the line I stopped reading.  The book got canceled.  Johnny Blaze came back.  Then, recently, in “Ghost Rider,” writer Jason Aaron brought back Danny Ketch.  He seemed to have become a bad guy in the time since we saw him last, which didn’t thrill me.

Now, writer Simon Spurrier and artists Javier Saltares and Tom Palmer explain what happened to Danny Ketch to get him to that point in “Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch.”  In the miniseries, Ketch is down on his luck. He finally managed to free himself of the Ghost Rider curse, but now finds himself empty.  He craves adventure, and maybe something else.  He calls the technomancer who freed him from the curse, and begs her to give it back. But it’s beyond her power.

As the issue concludes, Danny gets a taste of power from a mysterious benefactor, but not enough to quell his craving, or to keep him safe from harm.

It seems like Spurrier and crew will set up some reasonable motivation for Ketch in this series, and allow readers to empathize with him despite some of his questionable actions in the main “Ghost Rider” series.

The art by Saltares is reminiscent of his 1990s run on Ketch’s series, and is a welcome addition to the miniseries.  Saltares’ presence makes this feel like the official successor to the 1990s “Ghost Rider” run.  But you don’t have to have read that run to fit in here; Spurrier recaps what’s necessary, and moves into the modern-day story.

While it’s too early to decide whether I’ll be sold on the new Ketch status quo, it’s nice to see the character revived and not left on the dustbin of history.  As it is, it’s a promising start.  (On a selfish note, if the series does well, it’d be more likely to spur reprints of the Howard Mackie-Saltares-Mark Texiera issues, which I’d like to see.)

– Matt Price

Kyle Roberts and I hit on some of the week’s biggest comics, including Action Comics 870, Deadpool 3, Dragon Prince 2 and X-Men Original Sin.
I’m aware that as I post this, the date is wrong on the vodcast.

– Matt Price

Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss this week’s comics, including “Supergirl” 34 by Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle. Also on the list: “Batman” 680, the newest part of Batman R.I.P.; “Cable” #7 from Marvel; and Boom! Studios’ “Challenger Deep” #2.

Oklahoma’s Sterling Gates is getting some nice ink for his work on “Supergirl” 34, released this week.  I reviewed it here for Nerdage.  Now other sites are getting in on the action, and it’s looking like “Supergirl” could become a breakout hit.

IGN: Let’s say it all together now just so we’re all sure we’re not dreaming: Supergirl finally might have found a place in the DCU.

Comic Book Resources: This book is perched on the edge of a new beginning, and I sincerely hope that the team is able to capitalize on the momentum it is certain to gain from being part of the impending “New Krypton” storyline.

Comics Bulletin: Sterling Gates has done a nice job with setting this series up for a potentially good future. If he can keep pace with Robinson and Johns then there is no telling how good this book could become.

iFanboy: It gives you hope that this Supergirl might end up proving that yes, the world really does need a Supergirl, and that she is worthy of the title after all.

Bendis Board review group: Raydawggie says: Seeing Supergirl play off the various members of the cast makes it a lot more interesting than having her randomly guest-star in the Outsiders or visit a post-apocalyptic future. It’s mostly a character-building issue before all hell breaks loose with New Krypton, but I think that’s what’s needed. 9/10

Supergirl Comic Box Commentary: This issue is what ‘bold new direction’ issues should be … a recap of the character and a bunch of hooks to grab the readers and keep them coming back for more. A+

Blogcritics: Mel Odom: Kara Zor-EL is a genuine teen girl who doesn’t fit into our world. One of the most powerful beings on the planet, Gates shows readers how vulnerable Supergirl is. Despite the fact that bullets bounce off her and lasers might provide a tickle, public condemnation cuts into her deeply.

Superman Homepage:  This is, by far, the best this book’s ever been. It takes the nonsense and mistakes of the past 33 issues, references them in a way that makes sense, and uses them to propel the story (and character) forward.
 

In his first issue of “Supergirl,” writer Sterling Gates provides a take on the character that’s the freshest of the current series. 

Under fire from gossip columnist Cat Grant, Supergirl questions her place in the world, and discusses her problems with Superman, Wonder Woman and the Teen Titans.  She comes to a conclusion that sets up a new status quo.

Gates has a good ear for dialogue, and handles the variety of characters who show up in “Supergirl” #34 with aplomb.  Gates’ vision and affinity for Supergirl comes through strongly.

Gates is ably assisted by artist Jamal Igle, an underrated DC Comics mainstay.   Igle’s style fits in well with what Gary Frank is doing on “Action Comics,” but Igle’s line is even smoother.   Igle’s take on Superman and Clark Kent have me excited that Supergirl will cross over more with the Man of Steel — his Clark Kent channels the goofy/clever dynamic the character needs.  His Superman — described in sketches as Chris Reeve meets Clint Walker — seems both iconic and fresh, a hero hailing from the heartland of America.

He’s also got a good handle on Supergirl — she’s teenager rather than sexpot; Igle and Gates seem to want to downplay the Britney Spears aspects of the character and instead examine more what’s going on in the character’s head than what’s up her skirt.

– Matt Price

Hello? Is this thing on? (taps the mike)

A few years ago, you couldn’t pay me to read an Avengers comic. What had once been a team of big guns had become Wasp, Namor, some guy who breakdances with lightning, Fake (but not clone) Thor and Iron Jarvis or something.

Nowadays, I get them all. But while New Avengers and Mighty Avengers are fun (even though it’s been all Secret Invasion backstory for a few months), my favorite is Marvel Adventures Avengers. And you know this, because I tell you all the time.

But maybe I’m not making my argument clearly enough, so let’s turn to Issue 28, Verse 15: Yea, did Jeff Parker and Paul Tobin split up writing duties for this issue with two stories that are interconnected. And it was good. Verily.

This issue introduces the Marvel Adventures version of Luke Cage and also does a bit of universe building. Luke, like his 616-counterpart, likes cleaning up the streets and lecturing fools who be trippin’. So when the Avengers come a-calling, he’s not very interested.

This is Jeff Parker at his best. The story is clean and simple, without too much continuity, but there’s a lot of funny asides and running jokes for those who like to keep up. Luke pretends he’s never heard of the Avengers, but once at the tower, he wonders where Storm is. (Which prompts Giant Girl, towering over all of them, to ask, “Do guys think I’m not approachable for some reason?”)

If Bendis ever gives up on the Avengers proper, I am praying that Jeff Parker is tapped to take over. He’s got good ideas, he can balance the team dynamic and his writing is just plain funny.

Tobin is no slouch, however, as his story involves Captain America, Spider-Man, Storm and a cat from another dimension. There’s one giant leap, storywise, when music attracts a creature from the Negative Zone. It’s not exactly canon, but it moves the story along.

Honestly, when I get my comics, this one is near the top of the pile and, unlike some series that are good for a shocking revelation and that’s it, Marvel Adventures Avengers are the kind of done-in-one stories that you can re-read without getting bored. And I plan on re-reading these for a long time to come.

- Greg Elwell