Superman Batman 40 - 48

Superman/Batman #40
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Dustin Nguyen

Uh oh Batman is getting horny! This arc seems to be playing up the whole New Gods as actual Gods thing that Morrison has introduced. I like it a lot and Bekka definitely has an effect on Batman’s desire here. Nguyen was the artist on JLA when I first got into comics so I get a feeling of comfort from it. It’s not amazing art, but I like it. Check out the rack on Bekka though hehe, I don’t blame Batman for desiring her. If I was straight, I might do the same.

Superman/Batman #41
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Dustin Nguyen

Superman’s little dream sequence in this issue was hilarious. I loved all the cameos and the appearance of the guy from the cover of Action Comics #1. I think, if I am not mistaken, that we ever see the inside of the Source Wall.

Superman/Batman #42
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Dustin Nguyen

The conclusion to this was a little anti-climactic but still good. Overall, I liked this arc a lot. And I so rarely enjoy arcs with the New Gods.

Superman/Batman #40
Written by Andy Lanning & Andy Lanning
Art by Mike McKone

Um ya this was kinda boring and pointless. I don’t know, Dr. Light using a light projection of the old Teen Titans to fight Superman and Batman is kind of well lame and not interesting. I can not really tell you why that is, it is just how I feel I guess. The mystery man at the end of the issue could be either Luthor or Libra, not sure which one it is.

Superman/Batman #44
Written by Michael Green
Art by Shane Davis

Michael Green begins his Superman/Batman run with this issue….hopefully he sticks around longer then every other writer since Loeb left the title. Shane Davis’s art is awesome and I think it fits perfectly with this book. And Green’s writing makes for great superhero storytelling. He actually utilizes Superman’s super-speed power that I don’t think a lot of current writers really utilize to its potential. I like the “freak of the week” reference to Smallville. I think this is the first time in comic continuity they have acknowledged that kryptonite can effect humans in strange ways. The beginning with the shooting of the movie about Superman and Batman was hilarious, especially with how wrong they got Batman’s origin. Also, the idea of hunting down all the kryptonite in the world is very intriguing.

Superman/Batman #45
Written by Michael Green
Art by Shane Davis

Another superb issue by this new creative team. The only thing I had a problem with was the reasoning for Aquaman attacking Superman was a little faulty. Why doesn’t he want him taking Kryptonite from the ocean? Oh and has everyone forgotten he goes by Joseph now, not Arthur?

Superman/Batman #46
Written by Michael Green
Art by Shane Davis

This was a pretty fun issue in which Silver Kryptonite apparently causes Superman to act like a child. It was pretty good. And it wasn’t stupid or done for laughs either. Very well-written.

Superman/Batman #47 Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Art by Shane Davis

Whoa this was a pretty kick ass issue. It makes perfect sense for the government to have a kryptonite storage place and kryptonite weapons in case Superman goes rogue, I am surprised no one though of it before.

Superman/Batman #48
Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Art by Shane Davis

Well, Smallville is nearly destroyed this issue. Luckily it will be rebuilt and Amanda Waller is a real bitch here. I’d argue that Green is turning out to be the best writer this title has ever had.

Outsiders 1 - 7

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #1
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

You can say that I was excited about this book. Mike W. Barr’s Batman and the Outsiders run from the eighties is one of my favorites and while this new incarnation doesn’t have Halo, it still has Batman, Katana, and Metamorpho from that run. Admittedly though, I have never been a big fan of Metamorpho. I found the this debut issue to be a lot of fun - a straight forward superhero action story, especially when it comes to the Outsiders, who seem to work best when they are breaking into places they are not supposed to be. From future solicits, it looks like the line up may change. But I like what it is so far. The art, by the way, is amazing. Lopez even makes the hideous new Katana costume beautiful.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #2
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Hell ya! While I am sad to see Martian Manhunter leave the team as he is not even in the Justice League these days - I almost screamed with joy when Batgirl made her entrance by throwing Thunder through the window (Although I wonder why this was necessary). Dixon wrote a few issues of Batgirl’s own series and unlike everyone else that has handled Cassandra since Infinite Crisis - I trust that he will get the character right. Catwoman’s leaving of the team didn’t surprise as she doesn’t seem to fit, but it seemed out-of-character for her to leave because she was basically scared of all the metahuman action. I really don’t see
Selina admitting she is afraid, even if she is. Another fun issue.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #3
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Another fantastic issue, Dixon has the Justice League guest-star (well some of them) and get in a semi-fight with Batman over whether the rescued OMAC should be under League or Outsiders jurisdiction. I think the transfer of Geo-Force to the Outsiders makes perfect sense since he is one of the founders of the team, and he only seemed to be in the Justice League cause Meltzer liked him (although he failed to explain at all how Geo-Force came to be a member, just like a lot of things in his run). Batgirl’s moment with Grace and Thunder was hilarious, and I am interested in the addition of REMAC to the team as I was a big fan of the robot, Indigo, during Winick’s run and I think the Outsiders kinda need an A.I. team mate. I have no idea who the people are at the end of this issue though.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #4
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Aw! It’s Ralph and Sue Dibny! The two mystery characters from last issue were Ralph and Sue Dibny, apparently now taking different forms as Ghost Detectives. Awesome….I didn’t see that coming at all, especially in this book. I like how all Batgirl and Green Arrow just have to have a nice little fight to iron out their differences. Although I don’t quite get why Green Arrow is a member, doesn’t really seems like he fits. This book is still going strong.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #5
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

This was another good issue of this series. Not much to say about it. Loved how Batgirl tells the girl she just beat up that she smells like strawberries though haha.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #6
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Oh my, Saphire Stagg is in this issue. How do I loathe her so. In fact, I hate her so much I think she is the reason I don’t really like Metamorpho, how could he love her! Besides that, the mission to steal the Chinese rocket shows how the Outsiders really are willing to break the rules for the greater good. I particularly liked that Batgirl is going to come to their rescue - and Green Arrow tells the Chinese guy that they would be luckier if it was Superman. Because as I will say as many times as I can on this blog, Cassandra Cain is a bad ass!

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #7
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Well, it looks like Batman may finally give Thunder the chance she deserves. This series is really good and I am sad to hear Dixon is leaving this series after Issue 10 and DC altogether. I may not agree with his politics, but Dixon knows how to write some damn good comics.

JLA Classified 38 - 54

JLA Classified #39
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Carlos D’Anda

Um… so is Kid Amazo’s girlfriend like the biggest bitch in the world or what. Give me a break, she just dumps him because she finds out he is a robot. Who does that?! Okay issue.

JLA Classified #40
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Carlos D’Anda

I might have to agree with Flash here, Wonder Woman prolly did not have the right to tell Kid Amazo’s girlfriend anything but I could be wrong. I liked this issue, especially the idea that Batman has technology that responds to his individual psychological make up. But I still am not a fan of the art.

JLA Classified #41
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Carlos D’Anda

You know, this story should have been published in graphic novel format (with better art) as was originally planned. The ending works great as a precurser to the break up of the Justice League during Infinite Crisis and the relationship between Kid Amazo and Ivo’s daughter is really interesting this issue. Too bad it was published in serial where a lot of probably didn’t wait till the end.

JLA Classified #42
Written by Justin Gray
Art by Rick Leonardi

In case you did not know, JLA: Year One is one of my all time favorite stories. Post-infinite Crisis, that story has at least been slightly retconned, which pissed me off, so this story which flashbacks to Martian Manhunters first meeting with Superman and the JLA kinda pisses me off but I am dealing with it. I do like the characterization of Martian Manhunter though.

JLA Classified #43
Written by Justin Gray
Art by Rick Leonardi

Okay this is retarted, the JLA came together to face the Appalexian invasion, not Starro. Way to pay attention to continuity, and this is even confirmed post-infinte Crisis continuity. I am not even going to bother saying anything else. Extremem laziness on the part of Justin Gray. The rest of this storyline isn’t worth reviewing cause it just pisses me off too much.

JLA Classified #44
Written by Justin Gray
Art by Rick Leonardi

Not worth it…….

JLA Classified #45
Written by Justin Gray
Art by Rick Leonardi
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JLA Classified #46
Written by Justin Gray
Art by Rick Leonardi

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JLA Classified #47
Written by Mike W. Barr
Art by Randy Green

This was a nice start for this story which seems like it would happen to the Silver Age Justice League. Unlike the last story arc, there weren’t any continuity breaches - in fact Green Arrow is shown in the right costumer here as well. I wish the cover art was what was inside the book though.

JLA Classified #48
Written by Mike W. Barr
Art by Randy Green

Eh that was a cute little story but nothing to write home about. It was fun. That’s all. I really don‘t have much to say, except, at first I was little turned off by the betrayal of Wonder Woman as being so, I dunno, stupid. But I realize this was one of her earlier appearances chronologically so she should be a bit naive.

JLA Classified #49
Written by Andrew Kreisberg
Art by Paulo Siqueira

Um….this was really good….until the ending which made no sense. By the time that roster of the Justice League was together, Lois was very aware of Superman’s identity…she was married to him! The art was good and Kreisberg seems to be a pretty good writer here but he needs to pay attention to continuity. WTF this series is full of continuity errors.


JLA Classified #50
Written by Roger Stern
Art by John Byrne

Byrne’s art is as good as ususal and the writing here makes a pretty good Justice League story. I am anxious to see when the League fought this monster before. Wally’s hair is yellow in this, that’s definitely a coloring problem.

JLA Classified #51
Written by Roger Stern
Art by John Byrne

The idea of a self-procalimed “God” coming to earth and challenging the Gods of the religions of the world is really interesting and I am suprised no one has thought of it before. This story is really good so far.

JLA Classified #52
Written by Roger Stern
Art by John Byrne

Okay now this is how the Justice League is supposed to work. Teamwork and great characterization and great fighting…awesome work Roger Stern. Maybe this guy should be the regular JLA writer. Byrne’s art was fantastic as well. In the last story arc of this series, there is a finally quality writing and art….wow.

JLA Classified #53
Written by Roger Stern
Art by John Byrne

Stern really gets each of the JL characters here, especially when he writes them as possible Gods, he shows that he understands what makes them tick as he shows that Titus understand it. I am really enjoying this a lot.

JLA Classified #54
Written by Roger Stern
Art by John Byrne

Well I am happy to say that JLA Classified ended on a high note thanks to Roger Stern and John Byrne. Stern wrote a team of good heroes who had flaws but ultimately triumphed. This is the way the Justice League should be. The ending was inspirational. I wish more of the story arcs in this series were like this. Unfortunately, they were not and I imagine that is why the book has been canceled. Anyways, if this storyline gets collected, I will definitely be picking it up!

Nightwing 134 - 142

Nightwing #134
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jamal Ingle

Hmmm…this was an interesting set up for the mystery of the new Vigilante. It isn’t someone who knows Dick and Nightwing are one and the same but it seems like it is someone who has dealt with Nightwing in the past. I am glad to see Dick isn’t sporting the rudiculous hair dough he had when Bruce Jones was on the title. Anyways, I liked this issue but I am wondering if I am really going to care when the Vigilante’s identity is going to be revealed.

Nightwing #135
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jon Bosco

Now this was a good issue. I liked show it showed Dick’s glass half full view of the world and how that makes him different then Batman and the Vigilante. I liked it especially because I see things the same way as Dick (But I haven’t experience evil in the way Dick has so Dick is definitely a stronger person then I am). The art was good too, especially for fill-in.

Nightwing #136
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jon Bosco

Um kinda confused by this. Do Eddie and Liu work for the HIVE? What is the new Vigilante’s connection to Adrian Chase? And why do they want Dick Grayson’s DNA, do they think he’s a metahuman? Hopefully we will get answers next issue.Nightwing #137
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jon Bosco

Damn…a cliffhanger. Wolfman is leaving this book and writing a Vigilante Series…I will pick it up but geez that’s a big cliffhanger just to leave people hanging. Anyways, I loved the 321 days and the missing years between the end of the Teen Titans and the beginning of the New Teen Titans….I totally get the timeline now. But anyways, Wolfman’s run was decent, better then Jone’s run. I look forward to see what Tomasi does with this book. Oh and the last page of this issue was awesome!

Nightwing #138
Written by Fabian Nicieza Art by Don Kramer

DC’s go to fill-in guy Nicieza tackles this issue of Nightwing, part 2 of the batbook crossover “Ressurection of Ra’s Al Ghul”. It was okay….this crossover is just okay. Nothing too exciting to write home about. I like Ra’s Al Ghul but he isn’t my favorite Bat-villain (Not even close) so nothing here really excites me. It it is totally in character for Nightwing to try to save the villain’s lives though I liked that. Oh and Nightwing using a teleporter is too easy and lame for a Bat-book.

Nightwing #139
Written by Fabian Nicieza Art by Don Kramer

This is part 6 of the Ressurection of Ra’s Al Ghul crossover, and I did like this a lot. Although it was more a Robin story then a Nightwing story it was good to see Nightwing’s thoughts on what Robin has been through. You can’t blame Robin for wanting to bring his friends and family back but I think he made the right choice in the end.

Nightwing #140
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales

Peter Tomasi’s first issue of his Nightwing run was a real treat. I have never read any of the former editor’s stuff (I think?) and he is really good. This blows Bruce Jones and Marv Wolfman out of the park. Of course, Morales’s amazing art helps as well. I love the characterization of the bat family and the idea of Nightwing building his base in a museum he is now the curator of. This was just awesome! The only problem I had is he always refers to himself as Richard, not Dick, in this issue. Huh?

Nightwing #141
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales

Tomasi is quickly turning this into one of DC’s best monthly books and that is an amazing turn around from what it was before. Tomasi takes the time this issue to show what is going on with Nightwing’s relationships with different people in the DCU including the Flash and Batman. Tomasi knows how to use the DCU effectively and doesn’t forget that the JSA operate out of New York as well. Awesome! All writers should follow Tomasi when it comes to utilizing the shared universe concept.

Nightwing #142
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales

With three great issues, Tomasi has proven himself as a great writer for Nightwing. This issue was full of awesomeness with the art and the story perfectly awesome. Robin and Nightwing’s brotherly relationship was great to see and it is always nice to see Ma Hunkel! Tomasi better be on this book for a long time to come. I don’t know that I care for the use of Talia so soon but o well, that’s only one problem in a book of awesomeness.

Green Arrow/Black Canary 1 - 4

Green Arrow And Black Canary #1
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Cliff Chiang

Wow! That was awesome! What an improvement from Winick’s previous Green Arrow series. Adding Black Canary to the mix may just be what Winick needed to jump start his Green Arrow run. Oh and not to mention the awesome artwork of Chiang. I loved it! I am not surprised that Ollie is still alive and that it was Everyman that Dinah killed in the Wedding Special but it doesn’t matter the dialogue and action in this issue was top notch. I loved how Black Canary kicked major ass and how Batman was the only one who believed her (Batman is always right people, and he is always more right than Hal Jordan)

Green Arrow And Black Canary #2
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Cliff Chiang

Winick proves that he will continue to make this run better than his last on Green Arrow with this issue. It lived up to the first issue with great dialogue and action and the art was still fantastic. It makes sense that Athena would chose Dinah to train the new amazons too. She is one of the strongest females (not literally but mentally and emotionally) in the DC Universe.Green Arrow And Black Canary #3
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Cliff Chiang

Holy shit! They better not kill Connor Hawke. Winick has been killing too many characters lately (the Titans East special pissed me off) and Connor better not be one of them. Besides that shocking ending, this was another great issue. I loved how Everyman screwed up the plans just because he could not perform sexually with Black Canary (Hilarious) and I loved the ending when Ollie is telling them all how much he loves them. The Arrow Family is definitely one of the best superhero families in the DC Universe. As Long as Connor survives…..

Green Arrow And Black Canary #4
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Cliff Chiang

Well, you know, I really could have hated this issue but it was done really well. The idea of Connor being in a coma is a good idea. It keeps Winick from writing two Green Arrows at once but at the same time keeping Connor alive for future writers to use if they so wish. I also found the ending to be really sweet where Ollie admits he’s known all along that Connor was his son and him telling Connor that “Daddy is here” made me very sad. It was great to see the League come to support Ollie, especially Batman who knows what it feels like to lose a “son”.

Coming Full Circle

Outsiders (Volume 3) #50
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

Well here we come to the final issue of the Outsiders. It looks like Batman has taken complete control of the team now and the series will relaunch as Batman and the Outsiders, which I am very excited for. This issue was great. Much better then anything Winick ever did with this series. It doesn’t feel like a final issue, but it shouldn’t since the relaunch is just around the corner. I don’t know much abotu the Suicide Squad so there appearence here kinda threw me off but I did the research and now they interest me. I can’t wait to see what the new team does. I loved Catwoman’s final line in this issue, totally in-character. I also like the idea that Batman needs a team of heroes pretending to be villains. One thing I didn’t buy was the idea that people recognize Grace as an Amazon just by looking at her. Not realistic but whatever. Great end to a series and can’t wait for the relaunch.

Batman Confidential 7 and 8

Batman Confidential #7
Written by Michael Green
Art by Denys Cowan

This was an okay issue. I liked Batman’s inner dialogue and it is always fun to see a Year One Batman. But I don’t know how well this clashes with other Joker Origin stories and frankly, I think this is a story they need to stop telling. So he never was a failed comedian? Is his name Jack? Was he a gangster or a regular guy? This story takes the former approach but I feel like maybe they should stop re-telling the Joker’s origin because in a couple of years someone will come along and tell a different version. Personally, I think they should either say that Joker is nuts and tells different stories or stick with the “killing Joke” origin.

Batman Confidential #8
Written by Michael Green
Art by Denys Cowan

This issue was a lot better. I am starting to get used to the art and the story was better too. Seeing the Pre-Joker Joker all excited to see Batman made me smile. The Joker enjoys having Batman around, it is a game to him. I love that. Bruce’s relationship with Lorna Shore is kind of dull and forced and to be honest every new Batman story seems to introduce a new girl and they never stay for long and every time it is supposed to be Bruce’s love of his life. I think writers should start using proven anchors like Vicky Vale and Julie Madison instead of introducting new girls of their own.

Hippolyta And Athena: Mega Bitches

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #11
Written by J. Torres
Art by Paco Diaz

Ya so it looks like everyone who used to be Diana’s friend from her mythical life has become a bitch. Whether it is her mother or Athena herself. Its strange, I have a feeling Circe and maybe someone else is behind all this. Circe is certainly not dead by any means. I mean she can’t be. There is no way. Amazons Attack is turning out to be a pretty cool event, I just hope that it is explained in the end why Hippolyta and Athena are a couple of bitches now. Mind-control? Posession? Doppelgangers? It can’t really be them, it just can’t be. I have to hand it to the artist, Diaz created some great art for this issue, espcaially with so many characters, landscapes, and such; he probably had fun doing it.

Batman 665 - 668

Batman #665
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Kubert

Not sure why but the first time I read this I was very confused. Now I get it. It seems Batman is being visited by three ghosts- or versions of himself. The first one was the crazed cop Batman who shot the Joker, the second was the prostitute killing Bane-like Batman, and their is a third he has not yet met. That’s pretty crazy stuff. I think Morrison’s run is finally picking up after all.

Batman #666
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Kubert

While I don’t normally enjoy stories that aren’t in continuity- this was pretty good. We meet the third ghost in this issue. It is Damian Wayne, who in the near future, long after his father is dead, has become an evil Batman who sold his soul. It was really cool and it was cool to find out what has happened to certain characters since Batman’s death. I still have no idea how this is all going to play out, but that’s typical Morrison fashion. It won’t all make sense until the end.

Batman #667
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by J.H. Williams III

We take a break from the Black casebook storyline for this story, Morrison’s new take on the silver age Club of Heroes concept. I loved it. I am not a big silver age fan but this update was really cool. We learn that their are a bunch of Batman-like heroes around the world who meet every so often as the Club of Heroes. They have really goofy names and such but Morrison write them in a completely serious murder mystery. It was almost CLUE-like in how they all meet at this house and have to solve a mystery. Awesome.

Batman #668
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by J.H. Williams III

Part 2 of the Club of Heroes story arc was in this issue. I didn’t really enjoy this one as much as the first issue mainly because I had forgotten who was who. I will have to go back and read this story arc as a whole when its over. But it was good. The art is amazing. Williams is a great artist and perfect for this storyline.

Superman Batman 38 and 39

Superman/Batman #38
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Dustin Nguyen

Hmmm….not quite sure what was going on here. Maybe I should have read last issue first to refresh. But it looks like this cube device is driving Superman mad and Batman is on the case and darkseid is behind it all? And maybe Scarecrow too? I dunno…but it wasn’t bad. Just confusing.

Superman/Batman #39
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Dustin Nguyen

Well I can’t say that Burnett wins any points for originality this time. Superman being controlled and pitted against Batman has been done like a million times, even Superman being controlled by Darkseid has been done a million times before. That is what made me not really enjoy this issue too much. Although, the Scarecrow parts were cool. I hope Burnett is building toward something cooler than a Superman/Batman fight because it has been done and I don’t really want to see it again.