Comics from 18/07/2007 : part 4

Birds of Prey #108 : So, that's it ? More than half a year of build-up of Spy-Smasher, and she's dealt with through just a half-hearted fist-fight and a flimsy "I have a lot of superhero friends" speech ? Admittedly, that double-splash page was impressive, but I can't help thinking that Simone had more ambitious plans for this plot. Anyway, the rest of the issue offers adequate closure for Simone's run, and the Misfit coda is great. On the whole, a high OK.

Wolverine Origins Annual #1 : Or rather, a fill-in issue with a guest artist, as annuals tend to go these days. And Andrews' art certainly is beautiful, but it is marred by a clumsy plot trying to retcon every Wolverine supporting character ever into the Great Conspiracy (tm). And wasn't Tai already dead, anyway ? A low Eh, because I can't even be bothered reacting negatively to it.

Shazam: The Monster Society of Evil #4 (of 4) : This is how Captain Marvel should always be written : whimsical, fantastic, and above all FUN. Smith understands everything about the appeal of the character (though his "the government is eviiiil" vibe with Sivana is a bit much), and delivers a Very Good ending to his tale. It's a bit light on plot for four doublesized issues, but the beautiful art more than makes up for it.

Robin #164 : Dodge goes around recruting lots of wannabe supervillains (Macro and Micro ?), and it works quite well. Okay, it uses some crap concepts of the current run, like Robin's stupid snitch, but it builds the tension adequately. I hope that last assassin is not Cassandra Cain, because it would be really obvious, but so far, so Good.