Catwoman’s Revenge

Batman #685
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen

This follows up on this month’s Detective Comics and I liked this part even better. Catwoman is using Hush’s posing as Bruce Wayne in order to distract a bunch of poachers so she can let their exotic animals free. I always liked the animal rights activist side of Catwoman and it really shows here. I especially liked the part where the tiger defends her. Very cool stuff. Nightwing and Robin apprehending Hush in the end was unexpected, and I like that they didn’t just turn him into Arkham. Keeping him in the penthouse locked up was the best thing they could do. They can truly keep an eye on him now. You would think they would drug him and have someone perform surgery so he won’t look like Bruce anymore. That would have been smarter. I suppose we won’t see Dini on Batman for a while now. I am going to miss him. He has given us some great stories.

The JSA is Back!

Justice Society of America #23
Written by Geoff Johns and Jerry Ordway
Art by Ordway

Now this is more like it! After a year of the overly-long Alex Ross Kingdom come crap, we finally get back to good old JSA story telling. Sadly, this is Johns’s final arc on this book. Isis returns to life and is not so sweet and nice as she once was. I hope that that is a ruse and she will go back to her old ways. She was such a good influence on Black Adam before. But for now, I like that she has gone rogue. The JSA has to decide who is on the team after the events prior, and I am sad to see that Starman and Amazing Man are likely to be leaving. Although, that may or may not  be the case as the final roster is not decided this issue. I liked that Billy Batson still hasn’t shared his secret identity with the JSA. That is so awesome, because in the post-Meltzer DCU it seems like everyone knows everyone. It is refreshing that Billy has waited this long. Anyways, it looks like were back to the basics with the JSA, and I couldn’t be happier to be back.

Riddle Me This, Why Was This Even Made

Batman Confidential #25
Written by Andrew Kreisberg
Art by Scott McDaniel

Okay there were some good moments here. The Joker torementing the cop about his dead wife while in a cell and some little moments like that. Overall, this has all still been done before. I liked the end with the Riddler and the significance of it, but other then that, ya nothing great here. If your a new reader of Batman comics, this might excite you. Otherwise, it isn’t really interesting at all. Kreisberg is doing a much better job over in Green Arrow & Black Canary then here. I look forward to the new arc next issue.

Passing the Baton

Manhunter #38
Written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Michael Gaydos, Dennis Calero, and Fernando Blanco

While I wish we got to read that abortion story that was solicited, I think this series ended on a good note. Ramsey graduates from college and Kate give him a suit, he will probably succeed him as Manhunter. I wonder why this series wasn’t nominated for any GLAAD Awards. I like how everyone seems to really have a healthy view of sexuality in it. The art was inconsistent and downright ugly in some places. They really could have given this book some better art these past 8 issues. Anyways, I am not too sad to say goodbye to this series because it did have a fantastic run. It will probably be more appreciated later down the line for the ground it broke in the DCU. I look forward to see more of Kate Spencer and her supporting cast around the DCU.

Jurgens Hits His Stride

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #16
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Jurgens

Despite the rather boring cover, this was a really good issue. I feel like Jurgens is really hitting his stride with this issue. Getting back to the time traveling fun that makes this series great. While it was cute to see Booster meet Elongated Man in the past last issue, this was a lot better. Booster is trapped in a WW1 battle where he comes upon Enemy Ace; a character I am not familiar with at all but I am intrigued. It’s always good to see a German represtented as a human being in a comic and not a monster. Not saying that the Germans were right in the World Wars (Far from it actually) but not all of their soldiers had to agree with their government. It’s just nice to see the other side of things. I am not sure who the Pink Guy is in the end attacking Goldstar and Skeets. Oh and why isn’t Jurgens doing more art for DC. I’d love to see him on JLA.

Tim Drake: Asshole

Robin #182
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

Robin kinda sorta gets a little sloppy this issue and some kids get killed on accident. He even lets Jason Todd out of jail which is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Jason Todd is not a good guy. He has gone way past the point of redemption and deserves no other chance then the chances he has been given. Having Tim let him out of jail just make Tim look like an idiot. I really hope that they aren’t going down the route of having Tim turn evil or something. While he is a darker character then Dick Grayson, he is NOT evil. The future predicted in Teen Titans can be avoided. He is rotten to Spoiler, here, although I feel like Tim has been a total jerk to Stephanie since she came back. All-in-all not my favorite issue.

Purging The Purge

Brave and the Bold #21
Written by David Hine
Art by Doug Braithwaite

Hine and Braithwaite continue their breathtaking arc on Brave and the Bold. If you are not reading this, you are missing out on some amazing storytelling and some wondrous art. Despite Hal Jordan being involved, this is still a good story. We learn the origins behind the evil “Purge” this issue and it reminds me a lot of the Indian Religions, specifically Jainism. The Jains believe that life and action is corruption, but they would never take that to its logical conclusion like the Purge has. The Purge seems to think it is okay to kill to sever people from their physical existence. The Jains believe that any harm to anything is wrong. But I could see someone like the Purge taking Jainism or a similar religion in the direction no one wanted him to take. This time the Purge has been well…Purged….from the Green Lantern but he is going after the autistic girl on earth. I am not sure what is going on with Green Arrow and the men at the orphanage…but I suspect we will find out soon.  Braithwaite’s art is just as breathtaking as ever, check out the page where they ignite the forest on fire. It is just the most beautiful art I have seen in a comic in a long time.

More Reasons Why Kyle Is Better Than Hal

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #32
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Kyle and Soranik continue to do battle with Kryb this issue, who devours another GL rather nastily this issue. I loved it! What a fantastic issue. I am going to go out a limb and say this is the better of the two GL books right now. Yes, Geoff Johns is great but Hal Jordan is nothing compared to Kyle. Jordan would never let the parents decide if Kryb goes to Oa or Zamaron as Kyle does in this issue. I also really loved the end as we see all the rings fly by as so many resigned when they chose love instead of being a Green Lantern. I wonder how Kyle and Soranik are going to deal with it. Are they really in love? Or has the Star Sapphire simply tricked them into it. Either way it creates some great story possiblities and could give Kyle a girlfriend that won’t be brutally murdered. Oh and Kyle created that contraption to remove the toxin from the Green Lanterns’ bodies…ya…Jordan would never have been creative enough to think of that.

I’m Rooting For The Boys In Blue

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #37
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis

Haha no matter how much Johns tries to write Hal as this great hero, he still comes off as a big jerk. In all seriousness though, this was another fantastic issue. It is Red vs. Blue vs. Sinestro Corps in this issue as the three corps come toe-to-toe on the planet where Sinestro is being imprisoned by the Red Lanterns. There was a lot of great moments. From the Red Lantern’s prediction for Hal’s future, to a Sinestro’s total confidence. If I were Hal, though, I would choose to be a blue lantern. I am rooting for the boys in blue all the way. But like the big douche that he is, Hal ends up becoming a Red Lantern at the end of this issue. Although it was kinda by force and probably only temporary, I wish he would stay one. It fits him.

Reintroducing A Cosmic Vampire

Justice League of America #29
Written by Len Wein
Art by Chris Cross

Until that last page, I believed this issue was just filler and had nothing to do with the ongoing storyline in this series. I was wrong, as the last page shows it is Starbreaker who is the boss of Shadow Thief, who Hawkman warned about last issue. So who better to reintroduce an old JLA villain then an old JLA writer, Len Wein. Wein definitely writes in a very retro style. For old fans, this type of writing is probably very refreshing. But for people like me, who don’t remember a time when comics were written like this. It just seems…well…lame and out of place in this book. I hate to say it. But I really don’t need to have Superman explain in thought bubbles everything he does. That is not to say it is bad, just very very retro. It was cool to see Aquaman kick some ass though. And it was a nice break from Benes art.

The Women of Steel

Supergirl (Volume 5) #37
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle

While I was looking forward to the whole Linda Lang status quo with Supergirl working at the Daily Planet, I am not complaining. I know that we will get back to that eventually. Right now Kara’s relationship with New Krypton and the mystery behind Superwoman is more compelling. My current theory is that Superwoman is Thara, as both Thara and Superwoman did not want Kara to go to earth and find Reactron in this issue. I think all hope that Superwoman is Linda Danvers has been lost now that we know she is definitely a Kryptonian. I still hope Flamebird is Linda though! Alura is still one crazy bitch and incredibly mean to her daughter. The only reason why I think Kara puts up with it is because she believes her mother is grieving over her father’s death. And as everyone know, in times of grieving everyone wants to be with their family.

Success

Action Comics #873
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Pete Woods

This is the final part of the ten part New Krypton storyline that began in the New Krypton Special, then continued here, then in the Guardian Special, then here, here, here, here, here, and here. I read a lot of reviews saying that this wasn’t a true ending or satisfying ending. I think it was. I mean Kandor has left earth and established a New Krypton. It is the end of this arc. This is serial storytelling people, there are never going to be true endings as if this is a complete work! I just don’t get the complaining about the ending. Anyways, I absolutely adored this issue. Every moment inspired awe and wonder in a way that any big story like this should. While I like Final Crisis, this is more of an event book then that. The ending with Superwoman was completely unexpected and I look forward to all the story possibilities that have come out of this arc. I may have been hard on some parts of this storyline, but overall, and especially this issue, it was a tremendous success.

Ra’s In Mourning

Nightwing #152
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Don Kramer

In this penultimate issue, Ra’s al Ghul summons Nightwing to tell him of Batman’s death. I liked the idea that Ra’s wouldn’t be too happy that anyone else could kill Batman besides him. Ra’s always respected Batman and it shows here. He even says it himself. (As much respect one CAN HAVE for someone they want to kill I guess). Although Batman’s demise in Final Crisis and R.I.P was badly coordinated and not handled right, I think his absence will create some interesting stories for the Batman family and I am getting excited about it. This issue was a great way to explore how Bruce’s absence will effect both enemies and allies, much better then O’Niel’s arc did.

Possession

Titans (Volume 2) #9
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Howard Porter and J. Calafiore

We actually learn why Jericho has seeming gone evil this issue and it is actually plausible. Apparently every time Jericho possesses someone a part of their personality stays within him. Therefore, all the evil people he has possessed over the years are corrupting his mind. He is trying to fight it. This makes a lot more sense then before. I am so glad they just didn’t have him turn evil on his own because that would be completely out of character. Winick is one of the most inconsistent writers – he can write garbage or he can write a pretty good issue like this one. The art is the best it has ever been on this series. I wonder if anyone can name when he possessed each of those characters in the double page spread. The Justice League arrive at the end looking for Jericho, so next issue should be interesting. I just hope Winick doesn’t turn into a generic hero vs. hero fight.

Rich White Guy…Just Sayin’

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #34
Written by Michael Sturges
Art by Rafael Alburquerque

Doctor Polaris to Blue Beetle: Don’t You People Ever Stay Dead

Blue Beetle: Not Traditionally, no

Awesome. That was just one of fantastic lines in this issue of Blue Beetle. Another one had Blue Beetle saying that the guy responsible for all this was a rich white guy….just sayin’ Hahahaha fantastic. I loved it. Sturges seems to have such a liberal viewpoint it will be interesting to see how he works with Willingham on JSA. As for the story itself, it was pretty to-the-point Blue Beetle defeats Doctor Polaris (He faked his death last issue) and Brenda and Paco finally decide to start dating. This series is wrapping up, but there hasn’t been a drop in quality.

It’s Finally Over!

Justice Society of America #22
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham

Yes! Finally we get the last chapter of this Kingdome Come semi-sequel that has been brewing for a whole year now! I am really sick of this story, and I am so glad that we are going to get to move on! Seriously, I feel this book has been hijacked by Alex Ross and his overrated Kingdome Come book from the nineties. This was a good ending and all, but ultimately extremely predictable and makes you wonder why this story couldn’t have been told in maybe three issues tops. Superman of Earth-22 returns to his own earth and gets a happy ending after Gog is defeated in our world. Damage redeems himself and so does David Reid. The fight with Gog WAS pretty kick ass though. I gotta give them that. Anyways, onwards.

Besides The Art

Justice League of America #28
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Ed Benes

The Justice League encounters the Shadow Cabinet story continues in this issue. I don’t want to sounds like a broken record but Benes’s art is just awful and just takes away from the story. As for the story, I did enjoy it much more this issue. It looks like Superman and Icon are working together. Which is cool because Icon was the “Superman” of the Milestorm Universe. It would be interesting to see a team up between Superman, Icon, and Captain Marvel. The final page was quite a surprise and I definitely didn’t expect the Shadow Thief to be involved. All of the characters of the Shadow Cabinet are really interesting and get more screen time this issue then last. I would like to learn more about them and wouldn’t mind if DC gave them their own book. Anyways besides the art, good issue.