The Legion Academy

Adventure Comics #523
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Phil Jimenez

The Adventures of the Legion Academy begins this issue and it sure as hell is great to have Phil Jimenez on this book – his art is always incredible and this issue is no different. The Legion Academy members are all really interesting – I like Dragonwing a lot and Glorith is interesting because well – is she the same Glorith that was the legion villain – is that Glorith her mother or I wonder what the connection is or if it will be addressed? Chemical Kid seems like a spoiled brat and is Duplicate Damsel just going by Duplicate Girl now? Good start.

Levitz Returns To What Made Him A Legend And Succeeds!

Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 6) #1
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Yildiray Cinar

 

Okay I went into this a little worried. This isn’t “my legion”. I got into them during the threeboot or what is now known as the Legion of Earth-Prime and I fell in love with those characters and this is the original Legion that I do not know so well. But Gosh darn it this was FUCKING AMAZING! I mean everyone said Levitz writes great Legion stories but I did not expect it to be like this. So much happened in this issue and he managed to fit in quite moments, action, and great characterization. There was truly never a dull moment. I think this could become one of my new favorite books! Pick this up people you will not be disappointed if you are a new Legion fan or old. There is even a strong connection to the rest of the DC Universe – the upcoming Flashpoint event is mentioned as well as Sodom Yot being involved. The art is fantastic as well might I add. Every page was breathtaking and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Oh and for a second there – I actually though they were hinting that Miss Li was actually Cassandra Cain with memory loss?? I wouldn’t be against that idea although I don’t know how she ended up in the future – but I doubt that is what they were going for. Maybe I am just looking for her wherever I can.

Brought Back Too Soon

Adventure Comics #507
Written by Geoff Johns and Sterling Gates
Art by Jerry Ordway
Co-Feature by Johns and Michael Shoemaker
Art by Clayton Henry

If it weren’t for the fact that I know Johns is leaving this book after issue six, I would be okay with this Blackest Night interlude focusing on Superboy-Prime versus Black Lantern Alex Luthor but with this interlude, it means we are only getting one more issue of Superboy and that just sucks. Oh well. This was still good. It was great to see Earth-Prime comic shops and Superboy-Prime reading them to find out what happens next. And of course it was just awesome to see my  favorite Legion (The Legion of Earth-Prime) back! But I got to say that we just saw Superboy-Prime in Legion of Three Worlds and I think he is being brought back way too soon. The Legion back-up was probably the best it has been yet with a sweet story about Blok and White Witch.

Return Of The Boy Of Steel

Adventure Comics #504
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Francis Manapul
Co-Feature by Johns
Art by Clayton Henry

Superboy is back! I find it amusing that people around the blogospher are referring to Connor in their reviews as the “new superboy”. A character that has been around since 1994 is definitely not new. None-the-less, I am excited to have Johns write the adventures of Superboy in smallville. Johns sets up everything quite well in this issue and introduces concepts I am sure he will follow through on and even a future friend turned archenemy for Superboy. Manapul’s art is gorgeous as always. Henry’s art on the Legion back up was fine but I wish Manapul did that as well he is that good and it would be fun to see him draw the Legion again (even if this isn’t the same Legion). The only possible complaint I have is that I still don’t care for the whole “omg I have Lex’s genes, what if I become evil!” subplot and Johns continues it here. I have never bought the idea that Connor would even think that he could become like Lex just because of his genes. Anyways, Starman was as usual – hilarious – in the back up and I am looking forward to this series from here on out.

Action Comics 860 – 871

Action Comics #860
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

While I am more familiar with the threeboot legion, it is still cool to see all of the original Legionnaires come back and I can’t even comprehend the excitement of the fans of those characters while reading this. This was a fantastic issue for fans and newbies alike. Check it out. Frank’s art is amazing.

Action Comics #861
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

Another fine issue of Action Comics. There were a lot of fantastic moments, I liked the foreshadowing of the Crisis of the 31st century and all that stuff. Frank’s art is beautiful and perfect for the Legion. I am really getting into all these characters, many of whom I am meeting for the first time. Eye-Full Ethel is hilarious. Is that a new character? I will have to find out.

Action Comics #862
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

I am now in love with the Legion of Subsitute Heroes. What a fascinating bunch…from Chlorphyll Kid’s belief in talking to plants to Rainbow Girl’s mood swings they are a lot of fun to read about. As for the main plot, I really hope Superman gives Earth-Man a good ass whooping.

Action Comics #863
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

While this arc was a little long, it was a lot of fun. This was a great conclusion. Superman kicks Earth-Man’s ass and tells the xenophobic humans he is for everyone. And the ending flashback was so heartwarming. Great stuff Johns!

Action Comics #864
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Joe Prado

This story really set everything up for Legion of Three World and for fans of the DC Universe, it is very exciting. Batman and Lightning Lad play off each other well. I like the tie-in to Countdown with Karate Kid and Una whom I had forgotten even died. This was a great issue with great use of continuity.

Action Comics #865
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jesus Merino

This issue focuses on Superman’s famous villian, the Toyman and in perfect Johns fashion, explains away basically all the changes and continuity glitches about the character. Apparently all the different Toymen, even the Hiro one, were just robots created by Winslow Schott. As usual, it’s perfect and I can’t believe no one has thought about this before. Johns is a genius! Toyman may come off as someone who was taken advantage of and someone who does care for children in this issue, but Johns shows with the ending that he is still a deeply disturbed individual. I loved how Toyman doesn’t want to go to Arkham because he doesn’t want to be associated with Batman’s villains. Great issue.

Action Comics #866
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

Johns is really doing a lot to revitalize everything about Superman’s world. Everything from his villains to the Daily Planet staff is being fleshed out and made better. This arc is going to revitalize Brainiac and it looks like it is working. He is certainly creepier then ever here. But my favorite parts of this issue were at the Daily Planet and the interaction with the staff. The Superman books are the best they have been since I started reading comics thanks to Johns.

Action Comics #867
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

Frank’s art really makes this issue. There were some fantastic moments because of his art. I especially like his design for Branianc’s Robots. Supergirl’s revelation about Brainiac is similar to Toyman and how most Braniac’s that Superman has met are just probes and not the real Brainiac. In fact, Superman has never met the real Brainiac. One thing I am confused about is how Supergirl’s parents remember Kandor disappearing but over in Superman and the New Krypton storyline they are in Kandor. Hmmm…I bet this will be explained though. Oh and what about the Kandor that Supergirl visited with Ultraman, is that not the real Kandor?

Action Comics #868
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank`

Superman comes face to face with the real Brainiac in this issue and he is one scary mother fucker. So he basically takes a sample of a culture and destorys the rest, so I wonder if he is responsible for Krypton’s destruction. I wish Johns’s run wasn’t so focused on Krypton as I always preferred the Post-Crisis Superman who considers himself to be a human thing but this is good writing and good story-telling so I can’t complain. The whole thing with the Kents seems a little forced though, what is it that made them think this thing with Brainiac was any different? Nothing really.

Action Comics #869
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

So the stuff with Supergirl’s parents is explained in this issue and in a way that harkens back to the pre-crisis idea that Argo City survived the initial destruction of Krypton. As for Metropolis, it looks like it has become a bottled city. Oh and I was right, Brainiac is responsible for Krypton’s destruction! Good guess on my part. Kudos to me haha.

Action Comics #870
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

While the conclusion to this arc was action-packed and awesome, I am not too saddened by the death of Jonathan Kent. The fact of the matter is he died the same way in Superman: The Movie and in Smallville so I have seen it before and I really don’t care. I don’t really get why things have to be like the Donner movie, a movie that my generation doesn’t even remember. Although, it doesn’t matter to me if he is alive or not, at least it fit in this story. As for the New Krypton stuff to come, we will see how that goes, I don’t know how I feel about it yet.

Action Comics #871
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Pete Woods

This is part 4 of the New Krypton Storyline that began in the New Krypton special, then continued here, and in the Guardian Special. I wasn’t really looking forward to this storyline but so far it has been a blast! The scene of all the Kryptonians taking out Doomsday on the moon was fantastic and I think that it really shows the strength of artist Pete Woods. Sam Lane doesn’t look like a total bad guy here as it makes sense that there should be some defense in case the Kryptonians go rogue. I love how he shot Luthor is the shoulder when he mentioned Lois. Wasn’t expecting that. As for the Kryptonian Nightwing and Flamebird, I really hope they show them interacting with our Nightwing and Flamebird. That would be interesting. Oh and Doomsday deserved to die just for fucking with Connor’s statue alone.

Action Comics 855 – 859

Action Comics #855
Written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner
Art by Eric Powell

While I understand the appeal of the character, I really don’t enjoy Bizarro. I find his speech patterns kind of annoying I am sorry. I don’t find it amusing. That’s not to say this issue wasn’t enjoyable. The art was fantastic and I like the idea of Bizarro World, I just wish they didn’t talk like that ah! I am curious to learn where Bizarro World comes from.

Action Comics #856
Written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner
Art by Eric Powell

Now this issue was more like it. I liked all the Frankenstein references and all the Bizarro characters. The idea that under a blue sun Bizzarro can make duplicates is pretty cool. I liked how he just basically smashed some asteroids together to make Bizzarro World. Very creative on Donner and Johns’ parts.

Action Comics #857
Written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner
Art by Eric Powell

Haha I ended up really enjoying this arc. Bizzarro World is a fun place to visit. I liked the Bizzarro Justice League and how easily that all turned on Bizzaro Luthor. It was really clever. I definitely enjoyed this a lot and smiled a few times. No complaints here.

Action Comics #858
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

The art is fantastic at the start of this new arc. I love the idea of reintroducing the original Legion of Super-Heroes and the flashback to when a teen aged Clark first met them was fantastic. Now I have never read a single original Legion comic but I still got into this, it is very accessible to new readers. I liked the ending where it was revealed that in the year 3008 the sun is red. Very cool.

Action Comics #859
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

I am being introduced to the original Legion of Super-Heroes through this story arc and I really am liking them. I am even tempted to go get some back issues. I like the many levels that this story can be read. It can be read as a commentary on modern-day Xenophobia and even on stuff like true life of Jesus. It can be taken in different ways. Johns proves to me once again he is one of the best writers DC has right now and I almost always enjoy his stuff. I look forward to next issue.

Fun Break

Justice Society of America #6
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham

This is is the fourth part of the JLA/JSA crossover that began here and continued here and here. This wasn’t as good as the first part of the crossover in this book but it was still pretty good. I enjoy seeing all the characters and particularly love the touch of the character’s name logos appearing when they first appear. Yes, it would probably be confusing for new readers but who gives a shit, this is for the fans! The art was fantastic as expected by Dale Eaglesham (the most underrated artist at DC). The ending was a little bit confusing. So was there a real robot-thing or not? And what exactly are the legion up to? I suppose that those questions will be answered and more in the next part. I am looking forward to seeing this book settle back into its normal routine though, but this was a fun break these last two issues.

Justice Society 3 – 5

Justice Society of America #3
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham and Ruy Jose

Eaflesham’s art is perfect for this series. I just can not get enough of it. There were so many great moments in this issue. From Cyclone finally finding her new costume (although Alex Ross’s cover drawing of it is horrible), to the massacre of the Heywood Family, to the end where it is revealed that Wildcat’s illegitamate son is some kind of werecat. I wonder how that happened?

Justice Society of America #4
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham and Ruy Jose

The conclusion to the first arc of this series was just fantastic. A lof of great moments and foreshadowing of what is to come. It looks like no one knows how Tom Grant ended up a were-cat but hopefully we will find out soon. I like how Johns writes the thoughts of the characters to give some insight into who each of them really are. This is the best team book that DC is putting out right now.

Justice Society of America #5
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Fernando Pasarin

 

This is the second part of the JLA/JSA crossover that began here. It is so awesome to see these two teams work together. I loved all the moments of this issue as well. Cyclone and Red Tornado’s conversation, Batman and Starman together. Oh and Superman’s revelation that he knew the Legion when they were kids was great. Highly recommended. I don’t have much else to say, just that it was great.