Gen13 #37 and #38 - WildStorm

In this issue Pathcutter and the rest of the Gen13/Gen14 find their hidden oasis . . Pocatello. Or, I guess I should say, rather . . the city finds them. They're traveling through the wasteland, when all of the sudden . . they're in the city. Well . . it wasn't exactly that fast. They thought they had found a sheltered area and set up camp for the night. When they woke up . . they were in the middle of the city . . surrounded by armed citizens. And seeing as how the 'post-humans' were responsible for the fate of the rest of the world . . these townsfolk don't really extend the hand of friendship. Anyways, as it turns out . . Pathcutter's whole motive for coming here was that he was looking for his sister. Before the world ended, they were a super-hero team by the name of Hide & Seek. Apparently his sister's powers are cloaking in nature. When she gets hurt, or passes out, she goes into defensive mode and her body cloaks everything within a few mile radius. Which is how Pocatello has stayed off of everyone's radar. They've been keeping her in a medical coma, forcing her powers to work. So while Caitlan and the rest of the team are trying to sort things out with the Mayor and Sheriff . . they're the 2 people that seem to be the most in charge, Pathcutter heads off to find his sister. They end up offering the team a home here, but in exchange they need their help protecting them and their citizens from a nuclear testing facility in the nearby town of Idaho Falls. One of it's scientists have made it to Pocatello, and he's very mutated from the radiation he's had to absorb. He's been trying to contain the facility and prevent meltdown, but . . it got to be more than he could handle. So when the team takes off to go take care of this problem, Pathcutter steals his sister and tries to bring her back to consciousness. Of course in doing so he opens up the town to outside threats. The Mad-Max group of characters that Kaizen-X was leading is there ready and waiting. Apparently Pathcutter was working with them. We don't really know that yet, but . . there's not really any other explanation. So Bobby ends up looking like a flaming skeleton, when the reactor blows. And the rest of the team, after coming across Pathcutter . . or rather, Hide & Seek trying to make a getaway with his sister, ends up heading back to Pocatello and right into the fight with Kaizen-X. I thought this story was ok. Phil Hester did a decent job with it. I don't suppose there's much he could do, as he doesn't really have much to work with here. With Bobby probably out of the picture now, Caitlan is really the only one of the original Gen13's left. And while these other characters are interesting, there hasn't really been a whole lot of development on their part. And we kind of know right up front that some of them are just cannon fodder. To me it's just sad because these were a bunch of characters that I really liked in the beginning . . back in the day. But now they seem miles away from there. Anyways, Cruddie Torian does the art. His style of art fits this book perfectly. To bad it's probably too little . . too late!

Gen13 #36 - WildStorm

I'm kind of on the fence about this book right now. While the rest of the WildStorm Universe if off trying to do something . . I'm not sure what . . but something to try to bring their world back together, the Gen13 misfits are basically out wandering the wasteland. But I will say that I'm thrilled that Phil Hester has taken over the scripts on the book, and I think Cruddie Torian is a great addition as the resident artist. It just seems like there's not a lot of direction here, right now. Our little montage of Gen13's and Gen14's have recently hooked up with a caravan on their way across the country in search of the hidden city. It's supposed to be a city that's been untouched by the ravages of the world. Anyways, on their way they're attacked and captured by a cult of sentient robots. They hate all flesh and want to kill them. But . . Lance has a plan. He's one of the Gen14's. He absorbs things, as well as their physical properties. He thinks that if he touches the robots he'll be able to absorb their essence becoming a man/machine, replaced their old leader Spartan. It works, and with his resurrection as a machine, they view him as their new god. His first decree is to let the humans go and spread his seed. But he'll be staying behind. Anyways, we also find out that Kaizen Gamorra's son is also wandering these lands. He's trying to build an army so that he can become the new ruler of the world. And he's doing it one child at a time. Basically, he raids camps or towns, steals the children and kills off everyone else. But he runs into the caravan and tries to get information form them about the hidden city. He ends up fighting Caitlan for their release, but then plants a mole among their people as they leave. He's convinced that they'll lead him to the hidden city. All in all . . it's ok. But other than this search for the city, they don't really have any direction. It's really just been a bunch of adventures and encounters thrown together with this quest being the string that binds them all together. And a rather thin string at that. They don't even have any idea if this city really exists or what they'll even find when they get there. To me, the best thing this book has going for it is that it's different from the other 'super-hero' stuff out there. So that's a plus. It is a pleasant distraction.

Gen13 #35 - WildStorm

This was an interesting book . . with some of the Gen13 members now aboard the Carrier, the team has become kind of a hodgepodge with Gen13 and Gen14 members. So right now the team includes Fairchild, Burnout, Ditto, Runt, Hardbody and Windsprint. Ok . . there's more Gen14 character than Gen13, but . . I think it's still an interesting mix. We're also introduced to a new character this issue . . Pathcutter. We don't really know to much about him, other than his name, but . . I'm sure as this story unravels we'll be learning more. Basically, our team is on a trek across the wasteland right now. They might still be heading back towards Tranquility. I'm not sure. Anyways, they come across a wagon-train of sorts. They end up protecting them from this biker-gang that's been harassing them, but really . . all they want is some supplies. Pathcutter seems to be the leader of the caravan, and they're on their way to Pocatello. It's some small city in Idaho that seems to be relatively unscathed from the disasters. But before they get there they have to travel through the territory of some kind of robot-cyborg group. So Pathcutter hires our band of misfits as security. More like cannon-fodder if you ask me. He can send one group in to distract the cyborgs, while his group does an end-around. I'm not sure if he's that devious, but . . I guess we'll find out next issue as we seem to be in the thick of things by the end of this one. The thing I've always liked about this book . . and these characters, is that even when things are down . . they aren't all 'doom & gloom'. That's not necessarily true of the last year or so, but . . besides that time, this group usually stays upbeat. Or at the very least they use their sarcastic humor and wit to distract them from the realities of the world. Phil Hester seems to be getting us back towards that groove. So, to me . . this book has definitely made a positive turn. Even though the world they live in really hasn't. I'm also enjoying Cruddie Torian's art. In my book J Scott Campbell with always be the defining artist of this title, but . . I've long since given up hope that he'll ever, ever be back on this book. Cruddie is not a bad substitute. He's got a little bit of the same feel. I can definitely see some influence there. So, overall . . I enjoyed the book. I'd have to say that this is one of my top 5 books, as far as 'most potential', right now.

Gen13 #34 - WildStorm

This issue we see the effects of what's going on in London from one of the foot-soldier's point-of-view. Runt has been left behind. He's one of the Gen14's that hooked up recently with their cousins the Gen 13s. And, having recently come to London, but having not made it aboard the Carrier . . he's left in the midst of the chaos ensuing around it's departure. He's essentially become a soldier in a war that he has no idea why he's fighting in. And the only thought that keeps running through his head is . . 'I don't want to die.' Then he happens to run into Diva, previously of StormWatch. They end up forming a friendship, out of necessity. And of course . . Runt thinks he's in love with her. Anyways, they're all sorted and sent to one of the icecaps. That's where the terraforming engines are, so they've been sent there to destroy them. But then they're brought into a mission together by Brass. He wants Runt to distract the Kherans while Brass and Diva destroy the building that's supplying the force field around the engines. I'm a little confused about what happened to Brass, but he does get off a shot that disables the force fields. However, it' repairable. So with Diva being heavily attacked, it's up to Runt to finish the job. Which he does, although he's hurt, but . . Diva is hurt more. She appears to be on the brink of death. So now Runt has a reason for fighting. 'I'm going out there and try and do a little more for you. And if I live, I'm going to tell everyone what you did . . you. Isabella. Not Diva. I'm going to do whatever I can.' I wasn't sure as I was reading this story, but . . I liked the progression of Runt's character through it. He was basically fighting out of necessity, in the beginning. But by the end he had found his reason for trying harder . . to be his best. He found his cause. Even if it wasn't why everyone else was fighting, it's what pushed and motivated him. Because of this transformation, I thought Adam Beechen did a great job of guiding him, and us, through it. I also liked Cruddie Torian's pencils. They kind of had an early J Scott Campbell type of feel to them. You can definitely tell that he was an influence. However . . I am wondering what the future holds for Gen13. I mean . . they're split up right now, all over the place. I'm not sure how this title can have a future. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Gen13 #33 - WildStorm

Ok . . it seems like we made a little progress this issue. By that, I mean . . I thought we made a big improvement in the creative talent. This issue is brought to us by Adam Beechan and Cruddie Torian. Rafael Albuquerque did the cover. Anyways, I really liked Cruddie's work. He's new, so he needs some experience, but . . he shows a whole lot of potential. It seems like he's been influenced by the 'Image' style of art. I can see J Scott Campbell influences, as well as Art Adams. And a few other 'Image' influences here and there. But for the first work I've seen from him, I thought he had a great handle on the characters. On thier way back across the country, the Gen13/14 crowd has come across a settlement in Wyoming. Actually, they come across a fire-fight, which involves a group led by Pike and what looks like a bunch of pirates or rebels. Pike has a new group he's put together. They're some kids that have gained powers similar to the ones of poeple he's worked with, so he's given them new, similar costumes and names . . Kid Backlash, Crimson, Union and Void. Anyways, they've come across an old I/O base and have set up a settlement called New New Haven. It appears that the other group has also found an old base and are using the weapons they've found to try to get the shield generator, that Pike's found, away from him. The Gen's end up helping them out, and then show them how to use the computers in the base. Caitlan tells him that if they use the computers right, they should be able to find all the other I/O bases, as they're all connected. However, something isn't working right and they've only got about a 40 kilometer radius of connectivity. But there's still a few bases within that range, so . . in the end they end up helping Pike and his group of refugees. However, after that they decide not to stay on and rather continue their journey back across the country. This is going to lead them through Authority #18 and WildCATS #19 before they come back for the next issue here. Overall . . it looks like it's going to be a pretty exciting year for WildStorm and it's cast of characters. I can't wait to see what 2010 holds in store for them.

Gen13 #32 - WildStorm

I haven't made any secret of the fact that I haven't been very happy with this book since this whole Teenaged Wastland story-line first started. I didn't really liked the story. And I definitely wasn't a fan of Mike Huddleston's art. But, I stuck with it because I love these characters. Well it looks like we finally may be getting a change. I don't know if it'll be good or bad, but in 2 months when issue #33 comes out, Adam Beechen and Cruddie Torian will be taking over on the creative chores. The kids have made their way all the way across the country, in search of Tranquility . . only to find that what's left of it is a crater. So, with issue #33, and the new creative team, they'll begin their trek back across the country with their new team members in tow. Because of their recent adventure up on the floating base, they've discovered that they have some previously unknown cousins floating around . . Gen14. Not all of them made it through the adventure, but . . the couple that are left have decided to join Gen13 on their trek. In a joke, Roxy tells them that they'll meet in the middle and call themselves Gen13.5. I don't think that will stick. But . . whatever. Like I said, hopefully we'll get a better storyline on the way back across the country. I like what I've seen of Adam's work before this, so . . . then again, I never really had any complaints about Scott Beatty's stories. Before this. In conclusion . . the best part about this book . . it wraps up and finishes the Teenaged Wasteland story-line. Yay! It's finally time to move on.

Gen13 #31 - WildStorm

I'm still not overly thrilled with this book. Scott Beatty's stories are ok. But I'm really not getting in to Mike Huddleston's art. It is just not my cup of tea. Although I only have to deal with it for 1 more issue because with #33, Phil Hester and Cruddie Torian will be taking over the creative reigns. Anyways, our teens are up on Palatine Hill, the floating island, being trained by the Paladins. The training was offered last issue, although they really weren't given much of a choice. I think the Paladins are looking for new recruits to their ranks, and by training them, they'll see if any of these kids are up to the cut. While they're up there, they're also worried about Caitlin and Sarah. The Paladins have a scrying pool, and they see that Caitlin, although hurt, is receiving medical attention from the Fearsmiths because they feel sorry for them. Megan and Dr Cross are acting like they're her children . . and they're all upset that their 'mommy' is hurt. So you have to start to ask yourself . . who's the 'good' guys here, and who's the 'bad' guys? Sarah is wrapped up in a whole different situation, but . . it doesn't look like she's missing the rest of her 'homies' right now. It looks like she's got a bit of a romantic thing brewing. But they really need to worry about their own situation. First of all . . I don't think the Paladins necessarily have the 13's best interests in mind. I'm not sure what they're up to, but somethings going on. Secondly . . Sludge, or Goo, or whatever her name is came from the Gen14s. And at the end of this issue, they land on Palatine Hill. I'm not sure who they're working for, but I think, basically . . they've been told that one of the teams needs to be re-processed . . killed, or melted down to genetic materials, or something . . the 13's or the 14's. I don't know. Like I said the story really isn't to bad. I'm just having a hard time getting past my feelings for the art. But . . we'll see what happens next issue . . how this whole Teenage Wasteland thing is wrapped up. And then . . after a short hiatus . . again . . we'll see how the new team handles these characters. I think my main frustration is because I really like these kids. There's been a lot of good books, and stories . . not recently, but . . there's been some. I'd like to see that again. I want to have fun reading this book. I don't think that's to much to ask for. Do you?

Gen13 #30 - WildStorm

This issue we finally move past the " . . cannabis-fueled, post-apocalyptic skate-park" of the last couple of issues. It was interesting, but overall kind of a waste of time. However, it did introduce a new member to our little clan here, Breakdown . . or, Goo? I guess she's a Gen14. This issue the team, or 'family', is stuck in an RV with Megan and Dr Cross. They've been following our group for a little while now, but they basically pulled their butts out of the fire at the skate-park. Dr Cross is trying to help Caitlin recover from her recent injuries. He thinks that she may have the Warhol virus, but . . we don't know that for sure yet. But his real intent is to try to use the Gen13's attributes to help him with his aging problem. Megan and he are both clones, but his body has gone into this rapid aging thing. Anyways, on their way to Tranquility, they've come across this town in Iowa, Alice, which seems to have it's own team of protectors, the Fearsmiths. But they're really just operatives of someone called the Redeemer. He has this floating island, Palatin Hill up in the atmosphere where he's got all these young 'supers' he calls the Paladins. "It's the safest place on Earth right now. We're the Paladins and we're going to train you how to properly use your super-abilities." So he's offered them training, plus a place to stay, new uniforms, and . . real food. What's not to like about this place? Other than that they were forced to come here? Well, at the end of the issue Redeemer decides it's time to teach these kids their first lesson . . . humility . . as he knocks Grunge across the room. This story-arc, by Scott Beatty, looks to be a lot more interesting than the last, but . . Mike Huddleston is still the artist. I just don't feel like he's right for this series. That, or his art does absolutely nothing for me. The other problem we have is . . there's no issues listed after #31. I don't think the book is cancelled, but . . I think it's going to go on a short hiatus. Much like it did when the kids jumped into this post-apocalyptic era. The previews are posted through September now, and there's nothing listed. That sucks! I know I've given this book a hard time the last few issues, but . . I still like these characters. I think they're fantastic, but . . they're not living up to their potential right now. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Gen13 #29 - WildStorm

I like these characters. I really do. But the story-line that they have running through this book right now is a little . . strange. The kids are trying to make it across country to Tranquility. They figure that's the safest place for them. Well, Megan and Dr Cross are hot on their tales. The problem is, Megan is an adolescent, and Dr Cross . . is even younger. They've both been regrown out of clones, but they haven't reached maturity yet. They wanted to track the Gen13's so they had to set out in their current states. Anyways, the kids have come across a skate-park, SK8-GRA-LA. There they've come across mass hysteria, cannibalism, and someone who claims she's a Gen14, Holly Denton, Meltdown. Megans got most of them captured in some type of bubble, Sara is flying off who know's where, and Eddie is about to become part of the soup-of-the-day. Anyways, they get out of all of this, with Meltdown's help and then Megan and Dr Cross show back up in their rolling lab. Apparently Megan is offering to help them get away from all of this madness. Unfortunately there's 2 things I don't like about this book right now. The first is the story. I've appreciated Scott Beatty's talent in the past, however . . on this book I'm a little clueless as to what the direction is. The second thing I don't like is the art. I'm not criticizing Mike Huddleston's talent, but . . I just don't get it. He has a certain style that I think doesn't fit this book. Maybe it's just to be different, but to me . . it's not really working. However, as I said, I do love these characters, so I'm trying to stick around hoping that it'll get better. Nothing so far, but . . I'm gonna' keep hoping.

Gen13 #28 - WildStorm

Anymore, this issue is just starting to annoy me. I don't know why. It's just not where I expected it to be. Sometimes that's a good thing . . a different direction isn't always bad. But here . . I don't know . . it's not terrible. I just feel like someone is scraping their nails against a chalk-board or something. Does anyone even get that reference anymore? The kids are in a skate-park, as they work their way across America. Burnout is blind . . kind of. Caitlin is trying to figure out what this girl wants, she calls herself Breakdown and say she's a Gen14. Grunge is the master of the half-pipe, but when the person he beat is put in the soup . . literally . . he has a streak of consciousness and tries to talk these kids into doing the right thing . . instead of skating and partying all of the time. Freefall's been attacked by Megan and Doctor Cross. They've regenerated bodies and they're probably at about a 4 year old level now. They're following the kids across the country also. Finally, Sarah seems to be on some kind of spirit-walk. I'm not sure what that's all about, or what it has to do with anything, but . . I'm sure we'll find out more next issue. Scott Beatty is writing this book. I really enjoy a lot of Scott's work. This one though . . seems to be all over the place. And I'm definitely now a fan of Mike Huddleston's art. It just doesn't do it for me. If this is the direction that the book is going to continue on, I think they need to just give it a rest. Put a fork in it. It's done!

Gen13 #27 - WildStorm

I actually enjoyed this issue more than I have recent ones. I'm still not thrilled with Mike Huddleston's art, but . . you get what you get. Right? Anyways, the kids come upon a make-shift skate park. Actually, a post-apocalyptic skate-park, this a Lollapallooza theme called SK8-GRA-LA. You know, a play off of Shangri La. In a license plate kind of form. Anyways, Megan and Dr. Cross are still following our gang, but we find out that there's also a Gen 14 member there, Holly Denton. She's a molecular disassembler. I'm not sure why she's there, or how they'll meet, but she definitely seems to know our gang. Anyways, they're here because Eddie heard about their half-pipe . . the Meat-grinder. What he doesn't know is that they mean that literally. This whole thing is set up like a 'Woodstock' kind of thing, and they serve soup daily. Apparently, it's made from the people that try to skate the Meat-grinder . . but fail. Anyways, I just found the whole issue rather humorous and whimsical. Like I said, I enjoyed it a lot more than I have recent ones. I'm not sure what Scott Beatty did different this time, but . . it works. Anyways, welcome to the Teenage Wasteland.

Gen13 #26 - WildStorm

Aaarrgh!! I hated this issue. Scott Beatty wrote it and Dan Hipp did the art. The art was terrible, and . . the story wasn't a whole lot better. Sorry Scott. I appreciate your talent and I think you do a lot of good work, but . . this, unfortunately, wasn't one of them. But that's just my opinion. Basically the story is about another group of Gen's. There's this military command that wants to learn what to do in situations where they're dealing with post-apocalyptic mutants . . the Gens. So they have this guy that basically keeps pushing out clones for them. They give them a couple of days to get acclimated and a feeling of self, and then . . . they take them out into a mocked up urban fighting scene and hunt them. It's wrong for so many reasons, but I fail to understand how these troops are actually improving if they keep facing the same Gens and they already know about their powers. They know exactly what they can do. Hell, if you have a monkey perform brain surgery day after day, eventually he'll probably get good at it. And, on top of all of this, we don't see any of our Gen13 characters this issue. I understand that we're getting a glimpse of some of the other stuff going on in the world in which they live, but . . this is their book. Where are they? I'm sorry. I know this is a book that's always gone through a lot of creative changes, but . . this one really didn't work. I really don't know what else to say.

Gen13 #25 - WildStorm

You know . . on one hand, I really hate what they're doing with this book. I don't really like the art, and the story is just all over the place. However, on the other hand . . . with the end of the world taking place here . . and our kids just trying to survive and find their place in the new environment . . much like StormWatch, the Authority, or WildCATS . . I guess it's nice to have a bit of an upbeat comic that isn't as sombre and depressing as the other ones. I mean, those teams are made up of heroes. So, I would expect their stories to be more in line with the super-hero genre. But, these kids? They aren't heroes. They're just some kids that we're made up from Playdough, and given powers. They've come to rely and trust each other, because . . well, there's really no one else out there like them. Well, I guess I should say, there may be some more of I/O's projects running around out there, but if so . . . they haven't come across them yet. So, really . . they're just trying to make it through the day like the rest of us. Well, a day in the Teenage Wasteland . . I guess. There are some funny moments in this though. Roxy is about to get attacked by a boy she tried to borrow a cigarette off of. "The dating scene's been harsh since the world ended. But when you get that itch you just gotta scratch it." Then he gets the 'no means no' speech as she sends him flying through the sky-light into the storm outside. Meanwhile Grunge, who's trying to cheer Roxy up by turning himself into a giant piece of candy, has attracted something else entirely . . . some giant mutant rodents. I guess they just can't resist a big piece of human shaped candy. He works his way through all of it too . . . Tartie-Sweetz, Taffy, Gummi Yummis, jaw-breakers and who knows what else. The rest of the team are in the mall talking to some of the other refugees when they all start to change . . as did the guy who tried to attack Roxy. It appears that they've all been infected by the Warhol-virus. Not that the kids know what that is. But while fighting them, I think that Caitlin may have been infected. But anyways, now they're on a mission. They've decided that they're heading for Tranquility. But it's on the other side of the country, so they'll be making some stops along the way. Scott Beatty does the story. I liked it. I guess I'd just like to see something a little less . . frantic. But . . it's ok. But I'm still not thrilled about Mike Huddleston's art. It just doesn't really do it for me. Again, it's ok. I just feel like I could be enjoying the book a whole lot more.

Gen13 #24 - WildStorm

I was actually disappointed by this title. Yes is was the usual mindless drivel that's made up this book since the beginning, but . . this one just wasn't all that funny. At least when Grunge and Burnout are acting like idiots . . they're usually funny at the same time. You know, like Martin & Lewis. But this time, although they were trying to be funny, it was just mostly . . . mundane. I think what's throwing the whole thing off for me is Mike Huddleston's art. I mean . . it's not terrible. But, it's also not really doing this book any kind of justice. We're in the Teenage Wasteland storyline and this chapter is called Mallrats. You can take that title literally. This whole chapter is spent with them foraging around a Mall. But then they're surprised when other people show up. I mean seriously. It's a mall. When the end of the world hits, the survivors will thrive on Grocery Stores, Restaurants, Convenient Marts, and Malls. Of course more people are going to show up, and of course they're going to be some of the dregs of society. Did they really expect anything different? Anyways, that's not really important. They're trying to survive and without any attainable food source, they settle for refreshing their clothes. After a week or so of this, you'd think they'd start looking for a YMCA or Urban Fitness or something. Something with showers and a way to get rid of their funk. I have to say I was kind of disappointed in Scott Beatty's story. I really expected better of him. But it is Gen13, and they are the clowns of the WildStorm Universe. Right?

Gen13 #23 - WildStorm

I hate to say it, but I really didn't enjoy this issue. All the other teams in the WildStorm Universe are doing what they can to help the survivors, and trying to figure out what exactly is left of the Earth. These kids? They're just goofing around, trying to make it to their next meal. Grunge gets this idea where he asks everybody what their idea of the end of the world was . . and then we get a 2 page thing on their dream. It was kind of silly . . and pointless. But I guess they're just trying to keep things light until they can find some shelter . . or some other live survivors. They may get their wish because on the final page they come across . . the Mall. I know . . silly. Anyways, I usually like Scott Beatty's stories, but this one . . just didn't do it for me. And I really don't like Mike Huddleston's art. It's ok . . I guess. I just don't feel that it's right for this series. I love these characters, and I know they're a light-hearted bunch, but . . considering everything that's happened in this world . . I just think their brevity is inappropriate. God! Now I sound like my dad when I was growing up. Sorry! I'll just leave it at . . this definitely wasn't one of my favorite issues in this series. In fact, it was probably my least favorite to date. I would just really hate to see this book get cancelled or slip off into oblivion. It scares me that with many more issues like this . . that could be a possibility. I did however like the Marc Slayton back-up story. I'm glad that someone's finally taking all these I/O rejects out of their misery. They didn't ask for this existence. Hopefully he'll make it out of here alive, join up with Team7 . . and do something about Tao. Could there be a Team7 book down the pike somewhere?

Gen13 - World's End #22 - WildStorm

First of all I just want to say that I really like these kids. I've enjoyed this book, or I should say these characters, ever since their inception . . way back when. I've enjoyed watching them take on their different adventures through all the changes in creative talent and even venue. But, and it's hard for me to say this, I really don't like Mike Huddleston's work on this book. I find it to be sophomoric and adolescent . . at best. And that's really the best thing I can say about it. I like the story . . I like where all of this is going, but . . the artwork is really driving me crazy. Honestly, this is not a personal attack against Mike. Obviously the guy has talent. And I'm sure on the right book he'd be a superstar. But . . I don't think this is the right book. I'm enjoying Scott Beatty's story. I like the way he's handling these characters and his treatment of them. Plus we all know Scott does a great job with the team books. I would just really like to see a different artist come aboard. A guy can wish . . right? Anyways, in the back-up, it looks like Dane's going to go and rejoin Lynch with the rest of his Team-7 compatriots. But before he does so he's going to go on a suicide mission right into the heart of the night tribes. He wants to hit them right in their seat of power. He's decided, "If I live through that . . I'll do whatever you want." Christos Gage and Brandon Badeaux handled this chapter. It's going to be interesting to see how this all washes out.

Gen13: World's End #21 - WildStorm

Well, the kids are finally back. It's 6 months from the time they left, in their time, but they're back. The issue starts out much in the same way as all the others. Grunge is wisecracking, Roxy is trying to hold it together, and Caitlin, as always, comes across as the mother figure. Meanwhile there was a problem with their transportation. The field opened for them to step out of the teleporter, but, just as they were about to the High blew up one of his doppelgangers. Unfortunately, Bobby was looking at it at the time. So, he may be blind. We're not really sure if he's going to recover or not. And with the energy burst it knocked out the systems power so, since they couldn't get out, they were relegated to a back-up file. It isn't until a Ratcatcher back at I/O is trying to make a 'decomposition battery' that there's enough juice for them to get out. But, like I said, it's 6 months later when it happens. When they finally get out of the basement of the I/O headquarters they find out that New York City has been destroyed. I liked Christos Gage's story, but I wasn't overly impressed with Mike Huddleston's pencils. He does a different style here, and unfortunately . . I don't like it. The back-up story, about Lynch, is brought to us by Christos and Trevor Hairsine. Now this is some art that's incredibly detailed. Lynch finds Tao's safe-house and in it finds out that he was holding someone captive. Maybe he did orchestrate the world's end, as Lynch surmises, because the captive he has is Void. She's the one that tried to put a stop to this whole thing ahead of time. Did he stop her so things would continue to play out? We'll have to wait for the PhD book to find out that answer. Overall I thought it was an ok book. I just didn't particularly like the art in the Gen13 story. But that's just me.

Gen13 #20 - WildStorm

This issue wraps up the previous few issues where IO has gone after the escaped Gens . . kind of. What I mean is, they've tracked them, they've observed them, and now when at any time it would seem like their main goal should be their re-apprehension, and obviously taken back for deprogramming . . . they've decided to make something akin to an MTV reality show out of it. But it's also a pay-per-view reality show. Apparently since they can't use thier talents for covert ops any more, they've decided to do something like a web-cam broadcast, selling the show to viewers and letting them pay for when and how they're killed or beat-up, or whatever. So they get other Gens . . from different series, obviously . . to act like their friends. And all of this is so that they can gain their confidence, and then when instructed . . they can kill them. Oh yeah, and the actors playing their friends, have bombs planted in their heads, just in case they decide not to do what they're told. Good incentive plan. It doesn't do much for employee retention . . but at least they follow orders. Anyways, this issue wraps all of that up. And honestly . . . it was lame. It was predictable . . and it was lame. And besides that . . did I mention it was lame? I love this book. Not this particular issue . . but, these characters, and this series . . I love 'em. I was so disappointed in this issue. Because of all the stuff going on in the WildStorm Universe, I think this was supposed to be the last issue. But according to the next issue blurb . . it'll be back in 2 months. Which I really am glad. Personally, I just hope they've made some creative changes for when they come back. The part that really bothered me? The artwork of Wes Craig. I really thought this guy was showing some promise in the Revelations mini-series. I really thought he was showing some growth. Then in this series . . . there's actually a dead guy on page 12 with X's for eyes. I was really disappointed. If this truly was the end of the series . . it would've been the worst final issue ever. Well . . maybe not . . but it would've been close. Please, put some creativity behind these characters. They're a great bunch of kids, and they deserve at least that much.

Gen13 #19 - WildStorm

Finally! After all this time . . finally we get to see these kids in action . . sort of . . together. Ever since they came to town, IO's taken a "separate and defeat" type attitude with them. Caitlin's really been the only one who didn't take things at face value, and thought that something may be up. She tried to warn the others, but no one wanted to listen. They were all just happy to be hanging out in their new lives with their new friends. I think, they didn't want to believe that anything was wrong. But, being who they are, and being where they came from . . I don't think they're ever going to have that luxury. The mistake, I think, came when IO ordered each of the leads in the separate projects to take out the Gens. These guys are nothing if not survivors. Right up until thier new friends tried to kill them . . they honestly believed that everything was copacetic. Right now, I think that is their biggest weakness' . . their naivety and lack of "real-world" experience. Well . . they're getting a good dose of it in this issue. Now they're trying to take the game back to them. They're trying to take the initiative and take the fight back to IO. Or at least to the part that's in charge of their "15 minutes" operation here in the city. At the end of this story, the only thing that stands between them and accomplishing that, is a bridge, a helicopter and a whole bunch of bullets. Next issue we'll see how they make it out of this one. Carol Barberi is the artist on this book right now. I like the feel that he has for this story and these characters. I also think that Simon Oliver's story really feels like we're taking this team back to it's roots. You know . . like when they came out the first time . . way back when. I really like this book. I hope it survives the re-invention of the WildStorm Universe. Please!

Gen13 #18 - WildStorm

I have to say, I like, so far, how Simon Oliver is handling these characters. He's a bit on the serious side. They don't seem as fun-loving right now. But, that being said, they are in a pretty serious situation right now. As always, I think Carlo Barberi is doing a fantastic job with the art. It really is the perfect feel for this book. I think Drew Geraci's inks are aiding in that also. Things are really starting to come to a head for this who I/O, Dept. PSI, thing. They've been choreographing all the various stories up to this point, but I don't think they gave the kids enough credit. Especially Caitlin. Now that she has more of a clue as to what's going on . . with her self doubts over her observed suspicions gone, she really has a new clarity . . . she's decided to take a more pro-active position. It seems she wants to take the fight to them. But first, she has to get all of her friends back together. But the various story-lines are helping with that part. Everyone, in their own separate ways, have been betrayed by their supposed new friends. Now they've all worked their way back to the hotel their staying in and are comparing notes. Luckily, Caitlin is one step ahead of them so far. She covers their entrance in to the hotel, so they can disappear from the cameras, and then gives them a meeting location on Grunge's hot-dog wrapper. Ingenious! Now they just have to figure out what they're going to do about this assault on their lives, and privacy. Not to mention that they all feel betrayed by . . basically, all the people around them. You know what they say about the wrath of a woman scorned. I love this book. My only concern is that it seems like the landscape of the WildStorm Universe is getting ready to go through some major changes. I'm concerned about what's going to happen to this book. I guess only time will tell.