Take It Or Leave It – March 19, 2014

Welcome to Take It Or Leave It, where each week we pick out some of that week’s newest comics and give you our opinion on whether it was worth the price and you should take it, or if it was better left sitting on the shelf.

Just time for a quick Take It Or Leave It this week, and it’s a pretty good week at that. I haven’t made it through my whole pile, but the books I did read were all well worth the cover price! So without anymore gabbing lets get started!

Alphabetical by Publisher

DC Comics | Image Comics | Marvel Comics

Batman and Aquaman #29 The Batman and … title has been really hit or miss since the Death of Damien last year. Some of the issues like Batman and Batgirl or Batman and Nightwing were great emotionally charged reads. Others like Batman and Red Robin and Batman and Catwoman were just missing something. So when I heard Batman and Aquaman was coming I had my reservations, they weren’t necessary though. Tomasi tells a action packed story, with just enough of that emotional punch that’s needed when dealing with the death, and stolen body of Damien. I’m not saying this is the best issue of the series, and there are plenty of things I would rather see coming out of this series, but it’s at least moving the plot along with whatever Ra’s is up to. After all, the story is called ‘The Hunt For Robin’, there are a lot of possible interpretations to that, and we’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out. Verdict: Take It Score: 7/10 Reviewed By: Chris

Red Hood and the Outlaws #29 Last month I was excited to see Red Hood and the Outlaws back on track as a fun, action packed ride with a group of friends who aren’t exactly heroes, but that are trying to do good. And luckily enough it’s keeping up that trend, now that all the serious stuff is over with the League of Assassins, and Jason having his memories wiped we’re back to space ships, aliens, swords, and all kinds of other fun stuff. If you’re new to Red Hood and the Outlaws, than this would be a good place to jump on, and from here we can only hope that things continue to be fast, fun, and action packed. Verdict: Take It Score: 7/10 Reviewed By: Chris

Aphrodite IX #9 The real story is finally starting to pick up with Aphrodite, over the last few issues we’ve seen scenes of other IX’s doing something. And well we kinda know what’s happening now. It’s an interesting story, and Aphrodite certainly isn’t going to be to keen on joining up with her ‘brothers and sisters’ especially not knowing her own memories. Anyone who checks solicitations will know that this series is going to be wrapping up soon too. So we can expect so huge revelations in the coming months. But fear now, after a Aphrodite / Cyber Force crossover a new book with all our favorite characters from this future world will be hitting the stands. Verdict: Take It Score: 8/10 Reviewed By: Chris

Sex Criminals #5 You might see a book titled Sex Criminals and think it’s something that should be wrapped in a black poly bag and labeled Adult Only. And while it is definitely an adult book, it’s far more raunchy comedy than anything else, and boy is it a good one. The story of Suze and Jon is so crazy and unrealistic, but still feels real. The characters just have this sense like if this stuff were really happening, this is exactly how they’d react. And there’s no weird cartoon sex going on, well there is, but not the porn kind. The biggest problem with this book is they’re going on an extended break, the next issue won’t be out until June! Things were just getting to their climax, pun totally intended. The ‘cops’ are onto them, things are going sideways fast, and feelings are starting to get in the way of great time freezing, pooping in plants, sex. Verdict: Take It Score: 8/10 Reviewed By: Chris

All-New Invaders #3 I think I’ve mentioned before, but Winter Soldier is one of my favorite characters. I didn’t really start reading a Captain America book until Bucky had already taken up the mantel, and was on trials. From there I ended up going back to see exactly how Brubraker got this hero of the 1940’s to this point, and as you probably already know, it was awesome enough that they’re putting it into a movie! Anyway long story short, I’ll pretty much buy any book with Winter Soldier in it. So I’ve obviously been reading All-New Invaders, and while it hasn’t been the book I was expecting it to be, it’s been a fun ride. Things are really getting worked up by issue 3, and more characters from the 1940’s are showing up. I feel like those Golden Age heroes don’t often get the recognition they deserve. Sure you’ve got Cap, and Batman, and Superman, and Namor is always lurking around some corner of the Marvel Universe. But what about Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch, or so many other awesome characters. Well All-New Invaders is using them, and they’re making it a fun ride in a modern setting. One of the best parts about this is, unlike Cap, all the other guys have experienced the past 70 years. Sure Bucky was frozen for decades at a time, and Hammond hasn’t always been…put together? But we’re not just getting a bunch of heroes misplaced by time banding together. It’s heroes, who have one hell of a history together, who would die for one another, coming together decades after helping to protect the free world in WWII. And they’re doing it not just to save the world, but to help each other out. Namor is captured, the others have been attacked, and now together they’re going to save their friend or die trying. I know this is getting a little wordy, but these are really some of the best characters in comics. It take something special for a character to last 70 or 80 years, and all these guys have in one form or another. Now to get real about it for a minute, it’s not the best book on the stands, but it’s fun and that’s how comics were supposed to be back when these guys were punching Nazis, and I’m okay with that. Verdict: Take It Score: 7/10 Reviewed By: Chris

Ms. Marvel #2 So the last book for the week certainly wasn’t the weakest! I didn’t really know what to expect from this new Ms. Marvel. It’s always hard to really find yourself getting interested in an entirely new hero, especially a teenager, when you’re no longer a teenager yourself. In just two issues though Kamala has really found an interest voice thanks to creators G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona. Things like family, religion, and culture, all place a huge part in the story. It’s not 1962 anymore, a teenager getting bit by a spider and getting powers doesn’t have an easy time staying out late fighting crime. Well not that Pete ever had an easy time. Kamala’s journey is going to be an interesting one, and we haven’t even seen in getting sucked into the wide world of super heroes that are all around her. Her biggest fears and problems are still just what you’d expect, what do her peers think of her, and how can she make her parents happy without disappointing herself. Add a set of crazy shape shifting powers to that, and I smell a character that can easily stand the test of time and stick around for a good long while. Verdict: Take It Score: 9/10 Reviewed By: Chris

Chris talks a bunch on PodQuest each week. He's also been known to write about stuff from time to time. You can Email Chris or follow Chris on Twitter @Just_Cobb or Facebook

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