Vixen:Return of the lion/ G. Willow Wilson (et al.)

ISBN: 9781401225124

Mari McCabe, aka Vixen, has the powers to mimic and possess the abilities of any animal. Yeah, it means she can fly if she ‘thinks’ Falcon.

In this collection (issues 1 to 5), Vixen returns to her native Africa to investigate a murderous warlord. Turns out the leader is the same man who killed her mother. But surprisingly Vixen, in spite of her powers, was unable to defeat him. She despairs but is helped by a missionary, who helps her discover that she has more power and strength than she realises. The climax has the Justice League involved (Superman, Batman etc.) where they are tricked and almost kill each other in the process.

Marvel knights 2099/ Robert Kirkman (writer) [et al.]

ISBN: 0785116133

A collection featuring the future (year 2099) versions of Daredevil, Black Panther, Inhumans, Punisher, and Mutant.

Some surprises (i.e. WARNING — mostly plot-giveaways!); a 100 years from now…

• Daredevil is actually the Kingpin
• Black Panther fights (a new) Doctor Doom, and wins. But actually he’s bought off by the evil Doc Doom.
• OK, I’m not really familiar with the Inhumans… they have left earth on a mega spacefaring ship. Evil brother reveals his, well, evil plot to his elder.
• The Punisher is a woman. She’s dying. Teaches her son the skills of the murder trade. Will he take up the family legacy?
• Mutants are outlawed. Those with the mutant genes are “cured” with a drug. A young mutant understudy (under a robot version of Reeds Richard) ponders if he should try to lead a normal life.

Warned ya, didn’t I?

But then I’m not really giving away anything that Marvel.com hasn’t already!

See:
Daredevil (Marvel Knights 2099)
Black Panther (Marvel Knights 2099)
The Punisher (Marvel Knights 2099)
Mutant (Marvel Knights 2099)
(couldn’t find the entry for Inhumans)

The Rocketeer: The complete adventures/ Dave Stevens; coloring by Laura Martin; lettering by Carrie Spiegle

ISBN: 9781600105388

Mention “rocketeer” and I think of the 1991 Walt Disney movie first.

It’s not until I came across this graphic novel that I learned that The Rocketeer was writer and illustrator Dave Stevens’s 1982 creation.

It’s 1938. The lead character, Cliff Secord, ends up possessing a rocket pack. You quickly learn that the Nazis are after the pack. So is the US government.

From what I recall of the Disney movie, the screen adaptation was quite faithful to Steven’s original. But the graphic novel has an extra (I think); of the pursuit of a mysterious killer, from Secord’s past.

The end page has a write-up and photo of Dave Stevens. Mentioned that he died of Leukemia on March 11, 2008.