The Mighty Thor #19 Review

After two full issues and a prologue chapter, it's clear that Everything Burns is not overly friendly to Thor fans who have only been reading The Mighty Thor. This crossover is building on seeds laid mainly in Journey Into Mystery, to the point where many of the key developments in this chapter might go completely over the heads of those who haven't been reading JIM. And it certainly isn't welcoming for those hoping to dive into the Thor franchise head first. That said, the crossover is a thrilling read for the initiated and an example of how to handle event-level storylines. And really, if you haven't been reading JIM before now, you deserve whatever miseries life chooses to heap upon you.

The previous chapter of Everything Burns set the stakes marvelously high, as it seemed Loki and Thor were untied against the entirety of Asgardia. Kieron Gillen and Matt Fraction step back from that ledge somewhat, allowing Thor to play the diplomat for once. That's not to say the writers don't deliver some enjoyable moments of Thor beating on his allies, but the focus quickly shifts towards mounting a united assault on Surtur's forces. I didn't mind the change of focus, except that the overall sense of plot progression is a bit lacking compared to the previous two chapters. Also slightly disappointing is that the writers gloss over the battles raging across the Nine Realms, with many only unfolding across a single, hurried panel.

Regardless, there's plenty of juicy material to dive into with this chapter. A new flashback scene explores the fallout of Odin's arranged marriage ad how it didn't exactly patch up relations between the Aesir and Vanir as planned. There's also some more heart-wrenching interaction between Thor and Loki. As much as this material might be redundant in light of the previous chapter's Thor/Loki scenes, their bond really forms the heart and emotional center of this storyline. And then there's the twist ending. This image sums up my reaction best:

As before, Alan Davis is the artist tackling the Mighty Thor side of the crossover. Unfortunately, the transition from Davis to Carmine di Giandomenico and back is less than smooth. I really wish the editors could have found two artists whose styles are more of a match. Still, it's hard to complain about seeing Davis tackle the Thor universe again, even if it's only for half of a story. He captures all the emotional drama and epic action the writers throw at him. This is the best The Mighty Thor has looked since Olivier Coipel helped launch the series.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and IGN Movies. He can't wait until he's old enough to feel ways about stuff. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

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Action Comics #0 Review

If this month's #0 issues are all about looking back and shedding light on the origins of various heroes in the New 52, where does that leave Action Comics? Grant Morrison's relaunched series has essentially been one big origin tale from the start. Luckily, Morrison finds room before the events of issue #1 to explore Clark Kent's very first adventure as Superman and the theft of his indestructible cape. While Action Comics #0 doesn't really need to exist in the larger context of this run, it delivers enough memorable character moments that it's well worth  read regardless.

The best compliment I can give this issue is that it feels more consistent and cohesive than the majority of Morrison's previous issues have been. The plot is relatively simple by Morrison standards, so rather than cutting between scenes and points in time intermittently, Morrison is able to follow the journey from point A to B in a more methodical manner. Issue #0 opens where one of the recent backup stories left off, with Clark ordering his first batch of Superman T-shirts. From there, we see him settle into his role at the Daily Star, interact with Jimmy Olsen, and put his growing abilities to the test for the first time as Metropolis' new defender.

Again, it's the character work that makes this issue. Morrison once again shows how easy it is to craft a compelling Clark Kent -- one who is both human and relatable yet also powerful and noble. Clark enjoys a definitive Superman moment in this issue that pays homage to his Golden Age, "man of the people" roots. But Jimmy Olsen also has a strong showing in this issue. Morrison sheds a great deal of light on what drives the character in the New 52 universe. The result is a more down-to-earth and independent-minded take on Jimmy than the flamboyant globetrotter Morrison wrote in All-Star Superman.

Issue #0 doesn't add much to the greater picture. The script acknowledges the recent revelations about Cark's landlady and her 5th Dimensional origins, but apart from that the book could just as easily have shipped a year ago to kick off Morrison's run. The subplot involving the stolen cape doesn't amount to much. What this conflict does accomplish is reminding readers that Morrison's Superman is as concerned with the individuals of Metropolis as he is with alien invasions and Justice League matters. It takes a deft hand to pit Superman against a child abuser and not have the results turn out hokey or preachy, but Morrison manages it.

Issue #0 benefits from a much more consistent visual style than the series tends to offer. Ben Oliver fills in for Rags Morales this month. While there's a certain sterility and coldness to Oliver's work (some of the smaller details Morales worked into his panels are sorely missed), there's a lot to be said for clean lines and an overall much smoother presentation.

Sholly Fisch delivers another backup feature to complement the main tale. Interestingly, this story delves into Morrison's ongoing mythology much more than these backups have tended to in the past. Fisch doesn't focus on Superman here, but rather the origins of the Captain Comet/Neo-sapiens subplot from recent issues. Again, this material isn't necessarily that vital, but it adds a bit of color to previous stories. It's nice to have one issue that slows down the breakneck pace of the series and focus on the characters before Morrison begins his final push.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and IGN Movies. He can't wait until he's old enough to feel ways about stuff. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

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Green Lantern #0 Review

While most of the other zero issues are serving to reflect on the past of its titular characters, Green Lantern #0 is instead looking at the future. Here, Geoff Johns introduces us to the mysterious new Green Lantern of Earth, Simon Baz. Happily, Johns builds a fantastic new representative of Sector 2814, constructing a stellar issue that uses the modern socio-political climate as a way to showcase Baz’s ability to overcome great fear. This issue is a triumph of not only character building, but turning a negative of the real world into an inspirational positive.

We’re introduced to Baz and his family as they are being persecuted for being Muslim in the wake of 9/11, and later, Baz himself accused of being a terrorist. This is, of course, untrue, but he falls deeper and deeper into the interrogation rabbit hole. Johns showcases Baz’s strength of character by allowing him to admit that he is, in fact, a criminal (he was stealing a car), and that upon learning the car he jacked carried a bomb on board, he had heroic intentions. Johns is able to rely on the very real climate of a post-9/11 America to let readers infer certain aspects of Baz’s younger years, leaving him ample space for a well-written interrogation scene that reveals more about both Baz and the agents interrogating him.

Green Lantern #0 is another example of Johns taking his epic Green Lantern run in a wholly unexpected direction that also serves as a stellar jump-on point for newbies. Though it’s only been one issue, I fully expect Baz – if he survives for a while, of course – to become another successful addition to Earth’s Green Lanterns. For continuing readers, yes, there’s also a brief one-page look at just what the hell happened to Hal Jordan and Sinestro in Green Lantern #12.

Dough Mahnke delivers a solid issue, and gets to explore some different territory outside the norm of his usual Green Lantern work. This is a book filled mostly with real-world situations (predominately the aforementioned interrogation scene), and Mahnke really gets to show off his knack for hitting dramatic beats and constructing solid facial emotions. Johns has an uncharacteristically dialogue-centric script, but Mahnke does a stellar job of pacing his pages so the visuals are still just as interesting as the words, where a lesser artist would struggle to make talking heads as dynamic as this.

As much as I’ve dug the buddy cop elements of Green Lantern as of late, Green Lantern #0 seems to be pushing the boundaries of the mythology much like the early days of the War of Light did a few years ago, but from a very new and very specific character-centric approach. Welcome to the DCU, Baz.

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. Follow Joey on Twitter, or find him on IGN. He loves superhero pets so hard.

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Think Tank #2 Review

This is grand comic booking. Think Tank #2 is really, really great. Two issues in, and this series has me hook, line, and sinker. The story, the characters, the dialogue, the artwork, all of it is terrific. Whereever this series is going, I'm going with it. Get on board with Think Tank, folks. It's a book you need to read.

The story behind Think Tank is a semi-real one. Matt Hawkins builds a believable world, and he even puts notes at the end that explain the unbelievable parts (it's scary to read how much of this stuff really exists). That's great and all, but what makes Think Tank work is David Loren. He's the kind of character that you can't stop reading about. He's conflicted, brilliant, and a total a-hole. It's hard not to love him and that's what makes this series grab hold.

It's hard to not undersell Rahsan Ekedal's artwork. You have see it; to read it. His washy grey tones give the book a near perfect flow. Ekedal delivers the goods, panel after panel, page after page. This is a colorless book that will have you seeing red blood. His careful line work is so detailed, so wonderfully rendered, that you'll never notice that the world is so grey. Even if you have no interest in this story – and you really should have interest in this story, guys – do yourself a favor and stare at Ekedal's art for a moment or two. It's worth a stare.

Benjamin has seen the original Die Hard fifty times. No joke. Follow Benjamin on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

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Outrun Stormtroopers on the Aerofex Hoverbike

Resurrecting a 50-year-old design that was abandoned for stability issues, the engineers at Aerofex have built a working hoverbike prototype.

The stability fix Aerofex came up with is an elegant solution: knee-level control bars let the pilot manipulate roll by leaning, leaving the handlebars to control pitch and yaw. The system is purportedly intuitive enough that anybody with good enough balance to handle a motorcycle can pilot it without training.

The current prototype limits altitude to 15 feet and speed to about 30 mph - but those limits are cautionary. An older version could reportedly fly as fast as most helicopters.

Unfortunately, Aerofex isn't planning to release the manned version of the hoverbike anytime soon. They're focusing instead on developing an unmanned drone version, which they expect to be testing by the end of 2013.

Jon Fox is a Seattle hipster who loves polar bears and climbing trees. You can follow him on Twitter and IGN.

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