Let’s Move On

Green Arrow (Volume 5) #10
Written by J.T. Krul
Art by Diogenes Neves

 

We learn the truth about Galahad in this issue and it is interesting but I am not really interested in this forest anymore and will be glad when this series moves past this. Whatever happened to the Black Arrow plotline Krul talked about in interviews by the way? Not a bad issue, I am just ready to move on from this.

Penguin’s Nose

Batman: The Dark Knight #2
Written by David Finch
Art by Finch

 

That was a quick read for a comic book that is so incredibly late but whatever, it was still good. Finch’s artwork is fantastic and the story is interesting even if I have no idea on how it all connects just yet. Who is the Ragman-like monster killing homeless people and what is with this amulet? Oh and Finch draws a big nose on Penguin doesn’t he?

The Portal To Hell Is An Iowa Outlet Mall

Secret Six (Volume 3) #31
Written by Gail Simone
Art by J. Caliafore

 

After many crossover issues we finally see a return to form for the Secret Six in this issue which follows up on the Get out of Hell Free Card as Ragdoll and Scandal fight over whether to use it to save Parademon or Knockout from hell. Just awesome! And the portal to Hell is in an Outlet Mall in Iowa! Brilliant!

Forest Corrupted

Green Arrow (Volume 5) #9
Written by J.T. Krul
Art by Diogenes Neves

 

This was a so-so issue as the forest gets corrupted by Etrigan and attacks everyone and some big bugs show up. I feel like not much really happened though and this plot is going a tad slow.

Protection

Green Arrow (Volume 5) #8
Written by J.T. Krul
Art by Diogenes Neves

 

This issue’s focus is on the forest as we learn people from all over the DCU have come to Star City to figure out why the hell this magical forest is around. I think this is the first time we really see that the forest is protecting Green Arrow – letting him in while keeping others out. Hmmm? Why is this? I feel like the mystery is going on a little longer then I would have hoped as we don’t really find out much more this issue but the writing and art is still top notch so I enjoyed it.

Escape

Justice Society of America #39
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Jesus Merino

 

For some reason I thought this was the conclusion of this arc but I guess not. This was all good as we check up on the heroes making their escape from the Nazis. It was cool to see grown up versions of our favorite heroes. The twist is that Mr. Terrific is going to use Obsidian to send a message back in time I guess we will see how it goes next issue.

The Jade Meteor

Justice League of America #44
Written by James Robinson
Art by Mark Bagley

 

I still think it is mega-strange that they changed the line up after two issues. That is annoying but I do like the current line up and look forward to seeing Jade, Jesse Quick, and Supergirl join the team. Starman’s new look is hot and awesome! Much better then the long hair and trench coat thing he had going. It is great to see Donna Troy all happy. She needed this and I hope she stays in the League for a long time to come. I didn’t expect the meteorite to contain Jade considering she just was on Oa with Kyle how did she end up trapped in a meteorite? I guess we shall see. Robinson’s run continues to impress me.

Fire And Water

Brave and the Bold #32
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Jesus Saiz

 

I don’t know how I feel about this issue, it wasn’t bad by any means but it didn’t really wow me. One has to wonder if Etrigan and Aquaman were keeping hell from coming up out of the ocean every year – what has happened since Aquaman has been dead? I suppose that someone else could have helped or maybe since Reign in Hell this doesn’t happen anymore but I wish the question was addressed. Can’t wait to see Aquaman alive and well again though.

Superbat Concludes

Superman/Batman #56
Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Art by Rags Morales

The Superbat arc concludes rather predictably. I wouldn’t say that this was a great read. Everything goes back to normal and Batman realizes how much of a dick he was while he had Superman’s powers. It is not really compelling. I guess I expected more from the conclusion of this. In the end, while this may excite some people, I think this arc was rather bland. That’s all I can really say about it. The art was great though. And it was nice to see the Shadowpact again.

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.

Shadowpact 9 – 12

Shadowpact #9
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Tom Derenick

This was an action-packed issue of fun. I like this series a lot if I haven’t said that a million times already and this issue is no exception. Will Nightmaster survive? Probably but I really don’t care either way. I find him kinda boring. Shadowpact meeting Etrigan is so obvious that I am surprised I never thought of that before. And it is funny to see Blue Devil start rhyming. Oh and I love the Shadowpact’s new laws of superheroics. So simple and brilliant.

Shadowpact #10
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Tom Derenick

Another great issue. It was interesting to learn about how promotions work in hell and I look forward to seeing Blue Devil, Nightshade, and the subsitute Shadowpact they have set up travel into Hell. That should be cool. While this issue was mostly talking, it was still awesome.

Shadowpact #11
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Tom Derenick

Willingham is an imaginative man and the final defeat of Etrigan proves that. I like these subsitute Shadowpact heroes, I hope they stay in the series in one form or another. I actually was scared that Warlock’s Daughter was going to die at one point. Thank God she didn’t (And God actually plays a role in this when Ragman asks him for help.)

Shadowpact #12
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Tom Derenick

Wow! This was a cool issue! Willingham recounts the origin of the Nightmaster and now…I actually like him! In one issue he has turned me into a fan of the character. That is amazing. I loved everything about his origin. The origin of the Oblivion Bar and all of it. It was really cool and magical. I highly recommend this issue.