MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2006 #1, February 2007 (Volume 1)

The Pros: The AIM story that runs throughout the entire issue, the freakin’ hilarious Fin Fang Foom story, and a very interesting tale about Ben Grimm and Anhilius. An added bonus, a Marvel Handbook report on Santa’s role in the Marvel Universe.

Let's not forget to praise this beautiful Norman Rockwell inspired cover of Santa Hulk. So adorable. So fun.

The Cons: It’s a 48-page special. However, 18 pages are filled with either reprints of old Holiday Specials or ads. So, in reality it’s a 32-pager. Had I paid the full $3.99 cover for this issue, I would be soooooo pissed.

 

"Batman: The Order of Beasts"

Someone is killing Britain’s elite and it’s up to the Batman to discover who’s behind the murders and why. Did I mention that these aristocrats happen to dress up at characters from The Wind in the Willows?

The mystery is pretty good, but it gets really weird really fast. Churchill makes an appearance, and then disappears from the story. I understand that this plot had something to do with the Nazis trying to win the 2nd world war, but I really feel like something is missing.

This really needs the director’s cut treatment.

 

"Star Trek #21 (DC Comics 1989-1996, 2nd Series)"

Despite the fact that this plot has been done to death, the twists and turns make this conclusion really pop. I actually like it. Not the best ever done, but it’s a much better offering than some previous issues.

Worth Consuming.

 

Making a Heart for God

For this selection, I didn’t choose a book that seemed to be the most intellectual, most politically correct, or most bionically sound book. This time around, I went for a subject that interested me and that I had little knowledge about. “Making a Heart for God”, is a look at a week-long retreat at a Trappist Monastery in Kentucky. First of all, I didn’t know anyone could actually stay at one of these places and not have to become a monk. In fact, you don’t even have to be Catholic! I was amazed at how monasteries were turning into vacation destinations for anyone who can grab a reservation. You don’t even have to be male to stay either.

The book is written out as a schedule of participants’ weekly activities (or lack thereof). As the itinerary is laid out, stops are made chronicling the monastery’s history and doctrines are examined. The visitors and monks read, pray (a lot!), worship, work and make money for the order to stay solvent, and they relax. The big surprise was how secular all of this could be, while still trying to pursue Heaven.

Worth Consuming

"K-Pax II: On a Beam of Light"

The character of Robert Porter is some much more interesting than prot. Finally, we get to the root of just what made human become alien. There still is a ton of patients to keep straight, but it’s very engaging. I cannot wait to read K-Pax III.

Worth Consuming.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Like many other comics adaptations, this one leaves out quite a bit of relevant information. This one doesn’t even have director’s cut scenes, What’s up with that?

Sadly, I had seen this before and hated the ending. I also thought the use of a lead lined refrigerator to save Indy from an atom bomb was a cop-out plot device. So, with these flagrant fouls already against the book- I can’t rate this as a book worth consuming.

 

"JLA: Another Nail"

Now that Superman has finally come, the DCU faces its first crisis. A real page turner here! Honest. There are some great cameos by the Doom Patrol, Powergirl, Black Orchid, and The Phantom Stranger. And thankfully, the crisis ends with Barry Allen still alive!

The best part is Batman’s penance for the death of the Joker at his hands in The Nail. The outcome is awesome!