Comic Book Quick Reviews: Katana, Deathmatch, and Cable and X-Force

Cable and X-Force #4

Synopsis: Witness the massacre that makes Cable and X-Force criminals. They can't go back from here?

Review: This series is getting better. The story line is picking up steam providing some great action with the group battling some grossly infected humans. The best part is how the characters interact with each other. A great team book involves unforced chemistry between members and this book has that. 

Deathmatch #2


Synopsis:The battle royale continues as the world’s greatest superheroes are forced to fight each other to the death in a mysterious, otherworldly prison. Who will be crowned the victor in this month’s grudge match? More importantly, who will be the loser? And will the cabal of Sable, Meridian, Sol Invictus, and the Manchurian be able to decipher the mysteries of the prison before one of them is selected to enter the arena? Written by industry legend Paul Jenkins (SENTRY, INHUMANS) and drawn by comics superstar Carlos Magno (PLANET OF THE APES, TRANSFORMERS), DEATHMATCH is a dark, psychological deconstruction of the superhero genre that can’t be missed


Review: After super heavy exposition in issue #1 the second issue of 'Deathmatch' is way more fluid and the characters are starting to take shape. This 'Hunger Games'-style story line filled with super heroes forced to battle each other in a tournament run by unknown forces is fun despite entering a comic book with it's own universe of heroes that are completely  new. 

Katana #1

Synopsis: From the pages of JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA and BIRDS OF PREY! KATANA is a former assassin on a noble quest to restore the OUTSIDERS to their former glory! Will she succeed, or will she be overcome by the power of her sword, the SoulTaker?

Review: Intriguing story told from a first person perspective and great artwork. Another great female-led DC title. Despite the many operating problems at DC they do have a knack for creating some creative books with female leads. Katana is trying to keep a low profile in San Francisco while she battles an old foe. The art by Alex Sanchez reminded me of Frank Miller's Ronin and Ann Nocenti does a nice job of expressing Katana's inner dialogue with personality and determination.