Decade-Long Run Comes To An End

Justice Society of America #26
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham

What a sweet finale for Geoff Johns on this book. We spend a day with the JSA as they celebrate Stargirl’s birthday. It was really great, I liked all the flashbacks and character moments. Eaglesham drew Jay Garrick like he was a donkey or something…it was odd…but it didn’t hurt anything. Starman waves to the reader and says thank everyone and I smiled. There were some hilarious Starman moments in this issue, especially when he got Stargirl stuff from the laundry for her birthday. We are teased with the idea that Stargirl was going to have her braces taken off, which I wish they went through with. This was really a great way to wrap up John’s decade long run in a very positive way. I really enjoyed it. I think John’s run on JSA is going to be remembered as one of the great all-time comic book runs on a title in history, similar to Wolfman and the Titans. He will be missed on this title.

A Ravaging Return

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #70
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Joe Bennett

This is part 3 of the Deathrap Titans crossover that began here and continued here. This part is much better then the last part, I am not sure if the story has actually improved or just because McKeever has a better handle on the Teen Titans then the adult Titans. There were a lot of great character moments here and I am going to miss McKeever writing Red Devil when he leaves. Ravager shows up and makes a good point about Bombshell being on the team. Bennett is actually pretty good at drawing facial expressions. I never really noticed this before. There is something creepy about his art though, it showed in Terror Titans and it shows here, especially at the beginning where the women is torturing that guy. While I am still looking forward to see where this story is going, it is still far from a success. The Jericho as villain thing just isn’t exciting.

Naked Immortals

Outsiders (Volume 4) #17
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Lee Garbett

I am happy to say that I guessed that the Insiders were immortal in the same way as Vandal Savage (the meteorite) before it was revealed! Go me! And have the Insiders always been standing around naked? How did I not notice this before? Deathstoke’s involvement I did not expect at all and I am not sure that I am excited about it. He is one of the most overused villain. But I think this is at least the first time we have seen Tomasi’s take on him so it’s not so bad. The action sequences were great and I like how Tomasi really utilizes each of the Outsiders respective powers. They are making a really effective team so far. Katana’s hair seemed to change in the middle of the battle though which is pretty bad art continuity but that’s jsut a nitpick. So far this new direction is still going strong.

Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?

Batman #686
Written by Neil Gaiman
Art by Andy Kubert

It’s been a few months but I have decided to review this 2-part story in one post because well, it is simpler that way and I did not want to review this issue before I read the second part. This is an astoundingly good comic. Kubert’s art is brilliant and beautiful and is a true celebration of the visual history of Batman and his supporting cast. I am not sure what to make of the stories that Catwoman and Alfred tell at this “funeral” but I think they are both rather interesting alternative takes on Bat-lore.

Detective Comics #853
Written by Neil Gaiman
Art by Andy Kubert

The second part of this story was just as amazing as the first. This is a true celebration of Batman history and my review can not do it true justice. Kubert’s art is even better this time around as he models the different art styles over the years. Cassandra Cain doesn’t make a single appearance (even Betty Kane got a part) which pissed me off but whatever, I am just going to ignore that minor error and enjoy it for what it is, a wonderful Batman comic that celebrates the character.

Still Accessable

R.E.B.E.L.S. #3
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Matthew Clarke

So it looks like Starro is involved in the L.E.G.I.O.N. going rogue. Hmmm. Starro is never really a character that interested me, but this could be interesting. This issue didn’t grab me quite as much as the last two but it was decent. I was a little confused at certain parts but I think all-in-all I think this book still works well for the uninitiated. I am not sure I understand what exactly Vril Dox did to Wildstar. Also, wasn’t Starhaven created in the 23rd Century? That is what wikipedia says at least. Is this just a retcon or is there an in-story explanation? I guess I will have to check out last issue to see if I missed something. So far though, this series is going strong.

Surpassed

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #35
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

There has been a lot of talk about how Green Lantern Corps has surpassed the main book in terms of quality and I have to agree. This is a really awesome book (and it helps there is no Hal Jordan). I wish we would have got more Kyle moments this issue though. The ending’s revelation seems a little forced. Why no mention that she was the daughter of Sinestro before? You would think that would have been brought up at some point.It was fun to see all the Sinestro Corps members get excited at their escape but this is going to be a huge fight for the Green Lanterns on Oa.

I Miss Ryan Choi

Superman/Batman #58
Written by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, and Mike Johnson
Art by Wilce Portacio

I enjoyed this story a lot. Microscopic civilizations are always fun. It makes me miss the All-New Atom. It also reminds me of that one issue of JLA where they go into the kid’s brain and find a civilization living on it. The idea of Superman exploding from absorbing too much solar energy has never been explored to my knowledge. It’s such an obvious thing I am surprised that any other writers have never thought of exploring that. Even I have never thought about it. Am I wrong to say this is a new concept? Portacio’s art takes some getting used to and there were a few times where I felt that this story would have been better served with a different artist. But I think all-in-all this was a decent fun read.

So Far So Bad

Vigilante (Volume 3) #5
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Tom Lyle and Scott Hana

This is Part 2 of the “Deathtrap” Crossover that began here. In this issue, the Titans and Vigilante fight and then Vigilante escapes way too easily and then Jericho takes over the Teen Titans Jet and starts using it to shoot at the Titans. Ya it isn’t really exciting. This whole crossover is a mess so far. Jericho as villain has been done so many times that I am still not convinced this story is bringing anything new to the table. He just isn’t a very scary villain, and it seems out of character. I had hoped there would be something more to this then Jericho fights the two teams and Vigilante but so far that is all this has amounted to. Wow. The Titans books are a mess right now. The coloring was off on people’s hair this issue as well.

Cat Fight Underground

Green Arrow & Black Canary #19
Written by Andrew Kreisberg
Art by Mike Norton

That cover, by the way, is hideous.Am I right to assume the guy on the last page is the one teased as the future Black Canary villain? Anyways, this was a decent issue I guess. Black Canary’s way of tricking Cupid was clever and I guess it makes sense for her to be reminded of the times Ollie has cheated on her, but at the same time this is a crazy woman obviously and it is not Ollie’s fault, I don’t think Dinah has any right to be mad at him for it. I also don’t get why Ollie is all of a sudden becoming dark and violent. It doesn’t make sense, there wasn’t any event that caused this in the last few issues, it just came out of no where.

Bloody

Action Comics #876
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Eddy Barrows and Sidney Teles

All I can really say about this comic is that it was bloody. Barrows drew so much blood it kind’ve made it hard for me to read it, and I am not afraid of blood! I love horror movies and I had no problem with that violent Nightwing issue everyone complained about last year! Why was so much blood and all that needed to be shown. I did not need to watch Thara get brutally stabbed. It was completely unnecessary, and this is coming from someone who has no problem with sex and violence in comics and doesn’t care if kids start to read comics or not. Besides that, this was a good issue. The story was good and we learned more about Ursa, Thara, and Chris and it was great to see Chris go to Lois for help. Rucka just needs a different artist because I am not really impressed with Barrows’s work right now. All the women are way to sexualized and everything is way too bloody, and like I said I usually don’t mind that but this was over the top.

Two Bat-Villains From Ancient Egypt?

Batman Confidential #28
Written by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir
Art by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez

What a fantastic arc this has been. These writers really know how to write a Batman and Riddler Team-Up, their dialogue is hilarious. My favorite line must have been, “In my conflicts with Batman, I know an annoying tendency for him not to stay unconcious.” Hahaha. It also helps that Garcia-Lopez draws great facial expressions. In fact, he really draws great everything. Great stuff. This was a wonderful introduction of King Tut into the DC Universe and I hope all the creators involved get more work around it. I also hope to see King Tut again soon. And maybe his Queen as well?

My Favorite Color

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #39
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Phillip Tan

We are introduced to the Orange Lantern Corps (Incidentally my favorite color) in this issue, and I like how unique each of these corps are. The orange Lanterns are basically a manifestation of one Orange Lantern – Larfreeze, a very greedy being with a child-like mentality. Tan’s artwork is pretty good, although I do miss Ivan Reis’s work. I did not realize I liked his art that much. John Stewart shows up in this issue, and it looks like he will be getting some time in this series for a while. He really has no personality and I hope Johns can him one. Hal is still acting like a jerk, because he is one. He treats the Blue Lanterns like shit and has no hope. Kyle would have found hope.

Goldstar: Lost In Time

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #19
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Jurgens

This little epilogue was really good and I quite enjoyed the dialogue between Booster and his past self, it was a lot less confusing and annoyign then last issue. Goldstar has gone kinda crazy and left to some unknown place in time. At first I thought she was crazy, then I realized what she must be going through: knowing she has to die. It’s no wonder she acts like she does in this issue. I like the return of Rip Hunter’s chalkboard. That is always a cool trick.I do hope Jurgen’s next arc is better then this one has been. It was good, it just hasn’t reached the excitement that was Johns and Katz’s run.

Skartaris Newbie

The Warlord (Volume 4) #1
Written by Mike Grell
Art by Joe Prado

I am someone who is completely unfamiliar with the Warlord and the mythos of Shartaris except for that one episode of Justice League Unlimited. So I did not know what to expect coming into this, but I have to say that I enjoyed it. I mean it’s not every day where a male character wheres less clothing then a females haha. But seriously, this was good and you don’t have to know anything about the previous history of this character to understand it. I am not sure that anyone was screaming for this series though, and I worry about its future. I wasn’t sure what to think, but now I am looking forward to learning more about Skartaris and Travis Morgan.

Insignificant Insignificus

Secret Six (Volume 3) #8
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Carlos Rodriguez

Insignificus is hilarious in this issue, and aptly named (Or at least he think so). This was a fun issue where the team goes out on a double date. In a sick way,  I find the relationship between Scandal and the Stripper and Jeanette and Deadshot to be very romantic. What a fun series! The only thing I didn’t like was the whole Tiny Titans things. I find the art not to be cute but creepy and weird. Otherwise, this was another great issue of Secret Six. Simone writes all of these characters to be so unique and fun that I hope this series never ends.

Deathtrap Begins

Titans (Volume 2) #12
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Angel Unzueta

Deathtrap, the Titans crossover begins here. I don’t know what I was expecting. I guess I expected more then just more of Jericho hopping around stories but that’s all we really get here. It makes for a decent issue and it is certainly better then Winick’s stuff on this title. McKeever is pretty good at writing the older Titans. I wonder since he is leaving Teen Titans he will move to this book? I highly doubt it. It is pretty cool to see Static interact with Donna Troy and how the Milestone Universe is part of the DCU now. I thought that Jericho went into Cyborg when he was talking to Beast Boy but it doesn’t look like that is what happened after all. The ending was pretty shocking and shows just how ruthless and quick the Vigilante really is. Although I am sure Cybrog will be okay.

A Pissed Off Blood Thirsty Diana

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #30
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopresti

Wonder Woman gets really pissed off this issue and rightfully so. I love myself a pissed off blood thirsty Diana so I really enjoyed this. After Etta Candy is captured and tortured by Genocide, Wonder Woman single-handedly dismantles the society. I love how the usually frightening Phobia is even afraid of Diana here. Wonder Woman truly is a powerhouse in the DCU and a force to be reckoned with and Simone really portrays this well in this issue. I am sure some people will not like that Diana has resorted to killing Genocide but with a creature like this, she has no choice. She is not Superman and Batman, she is her own character and is willing to do what she believes is necessary. It is for this same reason that I have never had a problem with the murder of Maxwell Lord. As for the Olympian, his creation seems to be an after though in this story and not really something I am overly excited about right now. I thought he was going to be the male version of Diana, not Achilles. Unless he just has Achilles’s name and like Diana, is not the Achilles of myth. I don’t know.