Who Is The Ventriloquist?

Detective Comics #827
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Don Kramer and Wayne Faucher

This issue marks the debut of the all-new ventriloquist and I hope she stays around for a long time to come. Dini continues his line of great one-shot stories of Batman too with this issue. So far Dini has not failed me and I do not suspect he ever will. Kramer’s art is fantastic and almost perfect for Detective Comics. Although Morison’s Batman run is getting more attention, this is the better of the two series. The new ventriloquist, Sugar, still has scarface but she is still very different from Arnold Wesker. She is confident and more violent. She is not so much afraid of scarface as Wesker was. Albeit, I suppose she is just as nuts as he was. I hope she sticks around. It is hinted that we are supposed to know her from somewhere, or at least Batman is. I wonder wonder who she truly is.

Uh….What?!

Robin #158
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Frazer Irving

Wow! This story could have been good, it I wasn’t distracted by the weirdest art I have seen in a long time. Irving barely even draws backgrounds or anything, Gotham City is apparently just a big orange light in Irving’s eyes. I really really really really did not like the art this issue. It really takes away from the enjoyment of the story and the story isn’t that strong to begin with. I liked that Klarion and Robin have struck up a sorta friendship but that was about it. I am glad this arc is over and we can get to some more Robin action. Oh and maybe some normal art. Robin has been really good since Beechen took over (minus the Cassandra Cain thing) but this arc was not his best, and I think the art made it a lot worse. Hopefully next month things will start looking up.

Checkmate 9 and 10

Checkmate (Volume 2) #9
Written by Greg Rucka
Art and Cover by Jesus Saiz

This series is brutal and can be incredibly confusing, but it sure is good. Especially this issue, which unexpectedly guest starred the Shadowpact (Who I love). I love how the Checkmate is really no-holds-barred and they do things the JLA or any superhero team wouldn’t be caught dead doing. I am not sure why Sarge Steel and Sasha are so pissed at eachother this issue, but they are at odds through the whole thing. The introduction of the Thinker to the cast is a great move by Rucka, I like the character already even though I am barely familiar with him.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #10
Written by Greg Rucka
Art and Cover by Jesus Saiz

The pulled it off! They got a mole into Kobra! I was worried through the whole issue. This was certainly suspenseful and hats off to Rucka for creating that suspense. I really liked this issue. Maybe it was the magic I don’t know, but it was really cool. Both Shadowpact and Checkmate kicked ass this issue and there was a lot of tension and surprise. The only thing I am worried about is did Sasha say that the Thinker could not be the White King’s bishop? That would suck if he got kicked out just as I was starting to like him. Anyways, great issue. Highly reccomended.

A Meeting Between Father And Son

Justice Society of America #2
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham and Art Thibert

This issue was just as great as the first! So hats off to Geoff Johns for hitting another one out of the park! I really enjoyed this issue. The art is fantastic and the moments between the characters were great. Starman is interesting, even though I haven’t read Kingdom Come in years and barely remember it. It is amazing how each of Geoff’s books have totally different feels to it. You really can not say that about most writers. I think one of the best parts about this issue was the moments between Wildcat and his newly discovered son. I absolutely loved how it wasn’t the typical long lost son meets his father moment. Wildcat’s son makes it clear he could care less that his father wasn’t around as a kid and he completely understands why. That is awesome! It was so afraid it was going to be the classic why were you not around, I hate you type thing.

Bring Back The Martian Manhunter

Justice League of America #5
Written by Brad Meltzer
Art by Ed Benes and Sandra Hope

Wow, after five issues they finally left the cave and this story is moving forward. It was about freaking time! Now, I hope to god that Meltzer doesn’t plan on killing Kathy Sutton. First because they would be too predictable and second we already did the whole Sue thing, we don’t need another dead wife. You almost feel bad for Amazo in that one panel when he is crying, but then when he says he is going to hurt Kathy that sympathy goes away. The line-up of what will be the league (they still haven’t officially formed) still seems really strange to me especially without Martian Manhuner. J’onn is the heart and soul of the league and I really miss him being a member. Hopefully Meltzer will realize this during his run and bring him back. But for some reason I don’t see that happening. This was an okay issue, I still hate the confusing text boxes in this series but oh well.

The Flash 7 and 8

The Flash: Fastest Man Alive #7 Written by Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo
Art by Ron Adrian and Rob Lea

This is the penultimate issue of Bilson and Demeo’s run and it looks like they are just getting good when they have to leave. That is sad but it’s how the comic business works. Anyways, this is a good issue and stuff. Bart moving to L.A. seems like a good idea, for now, but I hope he will return to Keystone City eventually because well, that is where the Flash belongs.

The Flash: Fastest Man Alive #8
Written by Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo
Art by Ron Adrian and Art Thibert

The writing team may have started out horribly, but they are going out greatly. This was the best issue of the series to date. It was full of action and yet managed to move the character forward as well. It looks like the new writers will be continuing the Inertia storyline as well as they sort of set that up at the end of this issue. I am starting to get used to Bart as the Flash, finally. I love Wally but he will be back some day. I think it is time to let Bart ride the lightning.

The Double Chin Lex

Superman Confidential #3
Written by Darwyn Cooke
Art and cover by Tim Sale

This was a good issue, mostly because it is cool to see how Lex is so suspicious of Superman. Tim Sale draws Lex pretty fat, in fact he has a double chin in this issue. It kinda made me laugh. It was funny to see Lex get mad when Superman crashed his benefit party, but you can kind of sympathize with Lex in that scene. I mean it was about Lex and then Superman just shows up and steals all his thunder. Sick Kid’s Fun Day seems like a pretty uninspired name though, I think Cooke could have come up with better. It is kind of a negative title for a benefit for Sick Children. I am not sure what Gallo is doing at the end of this issue and I am not sure if I dig the whole sentient Kryptonite idea, but this issue was still good. The moment where Superman is talking with the polar boy because he is so lonely was very nice. I liked that a lot.

Barbara Vs. Lois

Birds of Prey #102
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood

Now this was a good issue. Lots of action and tension, it really keeps you at the edge of your seat. Misfit is a fun character and I hope she stays around for a while. The only thing that kinda bothered me about this issue is doesn’t Lois know that Barbara Gordon is Oracle? Didn’t her husband tell her? Does Superman even know? That just confused me and got me thinking. And why was Babs acting like Lois would take her down. Shouldn’t she know that Lois is a good person and won’t take down heroes just for a good story? I mean she has never revealed her husband is Superman, why would she reveal Barbara is Oracle? These are some interesting questions. I really am enjoying Nicola Scott’s art, he draws beautiful women but not in a sleazy way. We still do not know much about Judomaster, I would like to hear more about her. Oh and it was great to see Gypsy hasn’t been forgotten about. This issue really shows how much of an asset she is the birds. Oh and this issue also showed how badass and crazy Manhunter is. Highly reccomended.

Legion 25 and 26

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #25
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Barry Kitson and Mick Gray

This was a good issue that focused on…well…a lot of stuff. The Wanderers seem interesting and you can already tell they are not exactly villains. Supergirl’s fight with Mon-El was pretty standard, nothing too exciting there but there was a lot of other stuff going on. I look forward to next issue.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #26
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Barry Kitson and Mick Gray

Now this issue was kick ass and a lot of fun. We learn the secret origins of Light Lass and Lightning Lad, along with their older brother. Waid comes up with a pretty interesting origin, I don’t know if it was the same in the old legion or not but it is pretty cool. My favorite part of this issue must be when Mon-El and Supergirl talk about the fact that they will meet when Supergirl returns to the 21st century. I imagine this will happen in the upcoming Action Comics Annual. That was a nice use of continuity. I really enjoyed this issue and the ending was crazy. Nice cliffhanger.

The Spirit’s Own Selina Kyle

The Spirit #2
Written by Darwyn Cooke
Art by Cooke and J. Bone

While I wouldn’t say I enjoyed this issue as much as last issue, this series is still going strong. (Not that I expected it to be bad or any thing.) P’Gell is a great Femme Fatale and according to Wikipedia, she is not a new character. P’Gell’s relationship with the Spirit reminds me a lot of Batman and Catwoman. Except P’Gell is still really a villain and Catwoman isn’t but still. The art is great and fits the tone of the story, although I would have liked to see the cemetery more that The Spirit has his base in. I hope one day Cooke explains how The Spirit became The Spirit as he hasn’t really re-told the origin story yet I would like to see his version of it. I think I just might go buy the Spirit Archives that DC has published. This is a great read.