Ultimate Power #8
It sure doesn’t feel like this series is coming to a close next issue. This issue brings to light the bad pacing of this series, as the early issues moved too slow and introduced nothing, and now the last few issues are racing to the end. It doesn’t help that there were twelve billions characters running around before the old version of the Squadron Supreme showed up. There’s just not enough time for everything that’s going on. Greg Horn‘s art is still what it is though, and if you can get over the stiffness of it, it’s enjoyable enough. I have to say that what should have been a big fun action story has collapsed under its own weight. —2 out of 5

PULL LIST 10-31-07 Ultimate Power #8 Justice Society of America #10 Countdown to Adventure #3 Jack of Fables #16 Wasteland #13

Justice Society of America #10
“Thy Kingdom Come” actually starts here after last months prelude issue, but this is still kind of a non-start. KC Superman is introduced to the team and ends up splitting the group a bit as they’re not sure what his appearance means. Is he a new Earth-2 Superman, or is he a new Superman (boy)-Prime? Most of the issue is spent talking about events most fans will know, the last few pages though set up about four or five subplots for this arc. It’s written in the new DC house style, that is: Explain everything readers know multiple times, but don’t explain major plot points that are based on minor continuity points from years back. This tendency is really starting to bug me and is a major reason I’ve dropped most every DC I was reading a year ago. The art looks great and we get a few pages of Alex Ross drawing the KC universe, but the stories just kind of a let down. Hopefully an actual villain will show up next issue to liven things up. —2 out of 5

Countdown to Adventure #3
Now here’s kind of a fun little series. Is it the greatest thing ever? No, not really, but the art is decent and there’s some great character interaction, and lots of action. Adam Strange, Animal Man and Starfire are still dealing with the return of Lady Styx as her virus makes a lot of people on Earth and Rann go a bit crazy. The action is good, especially Adam’s mid air fight with his evil replacement. The character bits are great too, although I hope they don’t plan on ruining Animal Man’s marriage. I’m having fun with this, which is what counts in my book, although I wish they would split off the back half with Forerunner, as I don’t care or even bother reading this part. Eh, small price to pay to read about characters I really fell in love with during 52. —3 out of 5

Jack of Fables #16
Another one off story as Jack regales his companions with the tale of how he became Jack of the Lanterns for a time. We see how Jack pulls a John Constantine move by selling his soul to a variety of different incarnations of the devil in order to extend his life, which doesn’t really make sense, having established that Jack is a popular fable and therefore virtually immortal. Forgetting that, it’s another fun story, builds up the Jack’s son story further, and is as always hilarious. Fill in art comes from Andrew Robinson who does a decent job, and whose work certainly fits the mood of the issue. Another great outing for this fun series. —4 out of 5

Wasteland #13
The second arc comes to a close here as main character Michael and Abi make their escape from the town of Newbegin as it breaks down in riots. This sets up a new status as Michael and Abi begin their search for a fabled land that has been talked about for the whole series. Anthony Johnson has crafted a whole world and little by little he reveals it to the reader. The only problem is that there are a few too many characters running around and they can get a bit confusing. Other than that this is a great series. I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here. —4 out of 5