Happy Ending

Justice Society of America #40
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Jesus Merino

 

The timeline is restored in this uplifitng issue. Willingham has Mr. Terrific warn the team of the coming attack by the fourth Reich and Obsidian is restored. I loved the moment where he jokes that he is “cured” of being gay to his Dad and the reaction on his Dad’s face – priceless! I gotta hand it to Merino for that use of facial expressions. I like how everything was explained and now the timeline has Obsidian involved in fight with Mordru and we are finally brought to the present time and the start of the JLA/JSA crossover. This was great stuff and I hope Willingham returns as writer after the crossover because his run has been excellent so far. I loved the moment where Mr. Terrific gives the little girl the college fund! And it looks like he is now dating her mom.

Robinson Actually Made Me Excited For the Justice League Again!

Justice League of America #41
Written by James Robinson
Art by Mark Bagley

 

Wow! I didn’t expect this to be this good! It took Meltzer seven issues to put a team together, Robinson does it in just one and makes it more exciting then all seven of those issue put together. Sure Congorilla isn’t in the issue but he’s the only one who hasn’t joined up yet. I felt very much like Robinson was giving the middle finger to Meltzer with this issue and I loved it. I mean he even has Donna refuse to call Doctor Light by anything but her codename where as Meltzer had the heroes always call each other by real names. It was great. I can’t believe it I am actually excited for the Justice League again!

Forced Split

Justice Society of America #33
Written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Art by Jesus Merino

The team splits into two teams this issue after defeating the villains who attacked and destroyed the Brownstone. I still feel the split is forced even though the JSA did fail at this mission. All-American Kid turns out to be the evil villain Kid Karnevil which was a cool twist. We still don’t know who was behind the attack from the villains or why Kid Karnevil wanted Obsidian in egg-form so this really wasn’t a conclusion, but it was a fun ride, even if the split seems forced. But the question still remains: where the fuck are Atom Smasher, Sandman, and Jakeem Thunder?!

Who Is The Mystery Villain?

Justice Society of America #32
Written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Art by Jesus Merino

I have a feeling that All-American Kid is going to die, which sucks because I liked him but I guess that just shows that Willingham and Sturges are good writers and character creators. Mr. Terrific is definitely going to be back as his body is being held in stasis. This was by far the best issue of the Willingham and Sturges run so far. Power Girl acts more like a chairwoman then she did even under Johns’s pen. Things do go from bad to worse as everything catastrophic does keep happening. Chimera is shown to be an incredibly powerful character in this issue but I know he is not behind anything. Whoever is behind this is someone who knows the JSA well and he or she is doing a really good job at destroying them. I am looking forward to seeing how this concludes.

A Terrific Death

Justice Society of America #31
Written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Art by Jesus Merino

It was nice to see Power Girl actually acting like the chairwoman and barking orders – even if it was just to stop a fight between Magog and Wildcat. Mr. Terrific’s death really wouldn’t effect me either way. I have never really liked the character and thought he was completely overused. But I doubt that he is dead – for good at least. I am beginning to like All-American Kid. I believe that he is being sincere and I hope he sticks around. Still no sign of Jakeem Thunder or Atom Smasher. I hope that Willingham and Sturges haven’t just forgotten them. Merino is on top of his game in this issue and proves he is a worthy successor to Eaglesham. Magog is still a big jerk and completely unlikeable. I am looking forward to seeing who is behind all this.

Superman 685 and 686

Superman #685
Written by James Robinson
Art by Javier Pina and Pablo Raimondi

Times are a changing for this book as Superman makes the decision to leave earth for New Krypton this issue. I like how he said goodbye to Lois and Martha. It was very sweet. I am not sure how I feel about Mon-El adopting Johnathan Kent’s name. I think it is kind of an odd choice, but I look forward to reading about his adventures in this book.

Superman #686
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes

This was a pretty SWEET beginning for this title without Superman. Robinson looks to be fleshing out the city of Metropolis well and Guedes does his best work…well…ever in this issue! It was really beautiful art. Mon-El still has a lot to learn about being a hero and I like that Steel and the Guardian are watching him. I don’t think Robinson has really sold me on the Guardian yet though. Black Lightning is on the cover but I imagine he actually won’t be involved in any of this because of Outsiders. I can’t wait for the next issue. Who knew Superman would be this good without Superman!

Manhunter 31 – 34

Manhunter #31
Written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Michael Gaydos

The critically-acclaimed series continues here after a long break. It took a while to get used to the new art, but I think I like it now. Exploring the mystery of Jaurez, Mexico seems like the perfect place to take this series. I don’t quite understand why Manhunter is so afraid of Iron Monro, he is not her father, I don’t buy that she would be afraid of him just because of what her father did.

Manhunter #32
Written by Marc Andreyko

Art by Michael Gaydos

Andreyko always shows his appreciation for the DCU as a whole in this series and once again he shows this. He created a new female Crime Doctor for this series. I like the character, incredibly creepy, but the original killed himself. I had forgotten that Bones was black and I like that Manhunter brought this up to him when he dismissed the deaths of the girls in Jaurez. And I couldn’t help but smile when Kate broke the racists’ hand.

Manhunter #33
Written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Michael Gaydos

A lot of great moments this issue – Ramsey having superpowers, the surprise arrival of the group formerly known as the Suicide Squad, and the Birds of Prey. I am excited for the next issue. Oh and I have to reccomend any comic that makes a Pee Wee’s Big Adventure reference (:

Manhunter #34
Written by Marc Andreyko

Art by Michael Gaydos

Oh how I love Andreyko’s writing….not only does he bitch slap Republicans in this issue, but he actually has Gay Kissing! Hell ya, it’s about time we get some man-on-man action in the DCU. Okay besides my perverted side, this was really good, but this series usually is. I love how much he utilizes the DCU and pays attention to it in his writing.