Scarabs= Extra Terrestrial Technology

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #9
Written by Keith Giffen and John Rogers
Art and Cover by Duncan Rouleau

This was another fun issue of Blue Beetle and the art wasn’t too bad. I guess I am not one for cartoony art and usually this book has way too much cartoony art, but Duncan does a decent job here. This series never lets me down, it always has at least one fun part to it and this issue was all fun. The virtual “Beetle Cave” is a really fun and cool idea. Although, it does seem like a heck of a lot of people know that Jaime Reyes is the Blue Beetle. I guess it isn’t too bad though, I mean most people who know his ID seem trustworth. Brenda and Paco are great characters and I am surprised how fast the writers of this series have managed to develop a solid family of supporting characters around Blue Beetle. The idea of the scarab being alien in origin didn’t surprised me because it has been rumored for so long, but it still doesn’t quite explain why the Jaime Blue Beetle looks so different from the Dan Garret Bluee Beetle. I am itching to know the answer to that question. I look forward to the next storyline where Brenda and the Blue Beetle go to the worlds of the New Gods.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes 19 - 24

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #19
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Barry Kitson

This was fun little mystery and I have to admit, I didn’t guess who was behind the murder at all. I was actually quite surprised by it. That is good writing. We get a lot more insight into the character of Chameleon this issue and I am beginning to really like him. Good issue.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #20 Written by Mark Waid and Tony Bedard
Art by Barry Kitson

This book is a lotta fun and I love when they talk about what has happened to the world from the present until the 31st century, maybe that is because I am a continuity/history buff. I don’t know. What I do know is that I enjoyed this issue although Cosmic Boy falling in love with Supergirl does seem a little forced. Supergirl’s reaction to hearing of Bizzaro-Brainiac was funny and I loved the story of how B-B created Big City.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #21 Written by Mark Waid and Tony Bedard
Art by Barry Kitson

I am glad the Dream Girl isn’t actually ressurected, if she was, it would make death seem meaningless in this series. Instead, we see Brainiac 5 realizing that not everything in the world can be solved with science. Another thing I enjoyed this issue was the idea of an upcoming election of a new leader. I can’t wait for that. It was also fun to see Supergirl acting like it is all still a dream.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #22 Written by Mark Waid and Tony Bedard
Art by Barry Kitson

The relationship between Shadow Lass and Karate Kid was very similar to a relationship that I just recently got out of so this issue really hit home for me. I enjoyed it a lot. See I knew that the Cosmic Boy-Supergirl thing was forced, and it turns out Waid wanted it that way. Cosmic Boy’s reaction to Supergirl is because of mere physics, not love. I have to say this is one of the most underrated series out today. I highly reccomend it.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #23
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Barry Kitson

I actually felt bad for Supergirl in this issue, I mean she has been through a lot and waking up only to find out that it wasn’t a dream and her home planet really was destroyed and her cousin really is superman and she really was thrusted into the future against her will to work with the legion. That must be hard news for her take. But I think the legion did the right thing in making her see the truth. Now, seeing as I know nothing about the pre-reboot legion, I know nothing about the surprise character at the end, who happens to be Mon-El I believe. Time to do some research.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #24
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Barry Kitson

This issue continues this series with great success, I still think this is series is highly underrated. I love the monologue about Kandor’s history since it was bottled and it makes perfect sense why they would not want Kandorians knowing what happens to Kryptonians once they leave the red sun. It also made me smile to see Supergirl deciding to stay with the legion. Brainiac 5 can be a real jerk sometimes though. The ending was good too, I look forward to next issue.

That’s It?

Hawkgirl #58
Written by Walter Simonson
Art by Joe Bennett
Cover by Howard Chaykin

I have come to the conclusion that I just hate Hawkgirl’s current mask, it is not appealing to the eye. I definitely do not like it. I think that why I am unsatisfied with any artist that comes on to this book, the stupid chaykin designed mask. It is fugly. Now besides that, this issue wasn’t bad persay, I mean it was enjoyable but, it was very decompressed. Not much happened, Hawkgirl realizes that she still has some powers without the Nth Metal (I guess that was kinda cool to find out) and she escapes from the asylum that she was being imprisoned in. I feel like more could have happened in one issue. This whole storyline is moving way too slowly. Oh and since when can Hawkgirl’s wings be controlled remotely? I was not aware of that. Has it always been that way? That definitely confused me. So to conclude, this wasn’t bad, it was just way too decompressed.

A Brand New Era For The Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey #100
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott, Doug Hazlewood, Paulo Sequiera and Robin Riggs
Cover by Jerry Ordway

It’s exciting to see a book like Birds of Prey reach its 100th issue, it is like the little engine that could. Gail Simone and Chuck Dixon before her have created a great series out of the adventures of Oracle and her agents. Here is to another hundred issues! This issue introduces a new era for the Birds, with Dinah leaving the team it looks like Oracle is turning the Birds into a who’s who of DC females as shown by the cover of this issue (which is great by the way.) It was fun to see all the lady super-heroes get their invitations into the Birds. But what about Gypsy, wasn’t she going to be a permanent member now? She is not even mentioned in this issue. Strange. While I enjoyed the main story, I enjoyed the back-up a lot more. I love how Dinah tells her life story to Sin. I am actually kindve excited to see that Dinah and Ollie might get back together, even though I know it has been hinted a million times in the past. Will their always be Black Canary back ups in this series? I guess time will tell but I certainly enjoyed this one. Fantastic milestone issue.

Superman/Batman 28 and 29

Superman/Batman #28
Written by Mark Verheiden
Art by Ethan Van Sciver

This was a dark issue, darker than this book usually is, some people might complain about that but I loved it! This issue was suspenseful and cool, Martian Manhunter has gone crazy and has elevated powers and now he is going after Batman and Superman. While it may seem like the superhero gone rogue thing has been done too many times before, but it really works in this issue. Verheiden pulled it off. Van Sciver’s art is wonderul as usual too. By far my favorite quote this issue must have been, “Your fine, is someone else’s two weeks bed-rest” - Superman to Batman.

Superman/Batman #29
Written by Mark Verheiden
Art by Ethan Van Sciver

In this issue we find out that it wasn’t really Martian Manhunter last issue but a different shape-shifter. This creature is apparently part of a bigger plot and is able to control Green Lanterns, which is why it is able to control Kilowog and Hal Jordan this issue. I don’t know if I liked this issue quite as much as the last but it was still good. Certainly a lot better than anything Loeb wrote when he was on this book. The art is fantastic and I am wondering who exactly is behind all this craziness. I look forward to next issue.

Wonder Woman 2 and 3

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #2
Written by Allan Heinberg
Art and Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

Heinberg continues this series’ debut arc this issue, a little, but it does not matter because he certainly deliver this issue. This was more fun super-hero action. This issue we find out that Bruce Wayne set Wonder Woman up with the Diana Prince ID. It is hard to accept the idea that no one recognizes Wonder Woman because she has glasses on and her hair is up, but I suppose if it works for Superman, it can work for Wonder Woman. Great issue.

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #3
Written by Allan Heinberg
Art and Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

This issue was fun, just like the last two, but I have to say that the lateness of this book is getting rudiculous. I know Allan has other things to do but if you sign on to write a comic book, in my opinion, you should be ready to have it on time. End of rant. Besides that, the art in this is wonderful and the story is fun. I am not that familiar with Circe as a character but she seems like a cool villain, it interesting to find out she is the reason why Wonder Woman’s villains are getting upgrades. Wasn’t Cheetah a regular woman last issue. Why does she look all Cheetah-like again? Is that Circe’s doing, I am not sure.

Hats Off To Gibbons

Green Lantern Corps #6
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art and Cover by Gibbons and Michael Bair

I think this book has great art, and what’s amazing is that Gibbons manages to write a good story and do great art. Hats off to him. Ranx is an interesting villain and I wonder if he is a Gibbons-created character or not. I like him. It is sad to see Korugar turning its back on Natu. She seems pretty upset about it and considering she is my favorite character in this series, it upsets me as well. I feel bad for her. Guy is actually likeable in this series, unlike he was in the JLI days. That makes me happy, I never thought I would ever like Guy Gardener. Oh and since Geoff Johns isn’t uitlizing John Stewart over in the main Green Lantern book, I think its time John co-starred in this book. He is a high profile character now and I think he should star in at least one monthly book. He is just too big of a draw, to not have him in a book would be missed oppurtunity.

Cutting Wires

Catwoman (Volume 3) #61
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

Like all issues of Catwoman since Pfierfer took over the book, this was good. I am sad to see that Film Freak will be gone for a while (I imagine he will be back someday like all great villains.) He was a really fun villain, even though he was an evil fucked up bastard. During this issue, I couldn’t help but thinking, does Catwoman work best as a hero or a villain? And I think she works best as in the middle, I feel like she is being portrayed too much as a super hero of late. Maybe she should try to steal and stuff more often. I know people think oooo but she can’t, that would be like taking the character back a step. Naw, I think that she could steal once in a while and not be going backwards. Oh and I think that she should start acting like a cat more, like Michelle Pfiefer did in Batman Returns. Maybe I am prejudice because Michelle was the reason I ended up liking Catwoman in the first place. I don’t know. Will and the artists still, besides my little rant, created a good issue here. The art is great, and the finale to this storyline was pretty good. I was glad they didn’t do the which wire is correct type of thing with the bomb, it was refreshing to see that not happen. I wonder if Selina is right, in real life does it really not matter which wire you cut?

Robin 152 - 156

Robin #152
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

Beechen is a great Robin writer, I do not blame him for what happened to Cassandra, I blame DC for that. I am glad that I finally get to see Beechen write Robin in a better storyline this issue. This was another great issue, Beechen just really gets Tim Drake. I like the friendship between Zoanne and Tim that is being set up, and I even liked the moments between Bruce nad Tim. The idea of Robin searching through old super-villain hideouts is too cool for school (:

Robin #153
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

The banter between Robin and Boomerang in this issue seemed so real. I liked it a lot. Boomerang’s comments about how weird Batman’s villains were was great as well. There were a lot of great lines in this issue. Owen is written much better here than he is in the Outsiders I think. Although, I am pretty sure that already I can tell that Beechen is a better writer than Winick so that is understandable. Great issue. Oh and the art is good too. I wonder if we will see more of this “Dodge” kid.

Robin #154
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

Tim Drake is one smart little dude, I mean he is way beyond the skill that Dick had when Dick was his age. I guess that is why Tim is my all-time favorite Robin. He beats out Stephanie, Dick, and Jason any day of the week. It really shows his skill in this issue. I love how he manages to fight and think of ways to make it look like Tim Drake is not Robin at the same time. The cover to this issue is fantastic and I can’t way to see Robin’s reaction to Dodge getting involved. That annoying kid is starting to get on my nerves, but I think he is supposed to. Robin is still one of the most improved comic books since the one year later jump.

Robin #155
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

The cover to this issue was beautiful, but doesn’t t seem too similar to last issue? Strange. Anyways, this issue was very good. Beechen continues to hit them out of the park. Tim being upset that Dodge is in a coma is understandable but, Bruce is right, it is not Tim’s fault. It actually upset me, I was actually kinda starting to like Dodge. I think the kid means well, even though he got carried away and cocky.

Robin #156
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

This was a well-written touching story about suicide, and it wasn’t too preachy! A lot of stories like these in comics could seem lame and preachy, but not here, Beechen is a good writer so he pulled it off. I liked how Robin dealt with his problems by talking to a suicidal teen. I actually know someone who went through the same thing as this guy when he went to college. But I have to say, Robin’s life has been a hell of a lot harder than that suicidal guy. I hope Dodge gets out of his choma. Or maybe not? Maybe he works better as a character in a coma that Robin goes to when he needs to talk to. We’ll see I guess.

Shadowpact 3 - 7

Shadowpact #3
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Cory Walker

This was a fun conclusion to this storyline. It establishes that what was only a few days for the Shadowpact, was a whole year outside of the blood barrier. Way cool. I doubt that this will be the last time we see the Pentacle, they are just too cool of villains for the shadowpact to stay in limbo. Oh and I didn’t realize how powerful Nightshade really is until this issue.

Shadowpact #4
Written by Bill Willingham Art by Steve Scott

This was a stand alone day in the life story of Blue Devil, although the rest of the Shadowpact was mentioned, they don’t make an appearence. I always hate when comic issues do that, the stars of the title should all be in the issue. But besides that little nitpick, this was a fun story. Mr. Green and Mr. Grey were funny villains and I hope Willingham brings them back sometime.

Shadowpact #5
Written by Bill Willingham Art by Steve Scott

This was another fun issue, picking up where issue 3 left off. It was fun to see what happens to each member’s belongings since they have been missing for a year and though dead. Makes me wonder what would happen if I dissapeared and came back. The final scene with Ragman is great and I look forward to learning more about this new villain with an awesome name, Dr. Gotham.

Shadowpact #6
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Cory Walker

Just in the first few issues of this series alone, Willingham has managed to create some fun villains for the shadowpact. And in this issue the wild huntsman and Blue Moon are added to that list. The scenes with the oblivian bar were fun as well. I think it is safe to say that the Phantom Stranger is the official narrarator of this series and I think he works great in this role. This is the most fun book that DC is putting out.

Shadowpact #7
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Tom Derenick

I actually do not have that much to say about this issue except it was a lot of fun, just like this book always is. I wonder of Derenick actually read last issue, because Nightmaster was not wearing those clothes before. The congregation’s light attack was pretty cool. Oh and I hope Rex the Wonder Dog becomes a permanent member of the team.