Final Issue Mysteries

Magog #12
Written by Scott Kolins
Art by Kolins

 

So Magog runs into an old friend from childhood who has joined some wierd cult and Magog joins them too. I guess that is what happened? Not quite sure and I have no idea where this is going or if it will tie into Brightest Day but this is the final issue of this series. Everyone knew it wouldn’t last and Magog probably should never have got his own book but there were some good moments along the way.

Guest-Starring The Real Flash

Magog #11
Written by Scott Kolins
Art by Kolins

 

In the penultimate issue of this book, Wally West guest stars as Magog takes on a man who has wonder tech – linked to Gog- connected to his back. It was actually a good read and I really felt the emotion over Lauren’s murder. I kind of wish Kolins had written this series from the beginning. It was great to see Wally again – I like how DC says they support Wally and all that and then we never see him after Rebirth wtf. Well at least he isn’t as missing as Cassandra Cain.

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.

Magog 8 – 10

Magog #8
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Tom Derenick

This was confusing. I guess earth is going to be invaded by aliens? That plot came out of no where and Magog is stopping a hostage situation. I am not sure why the Shield showed up to take Axel to an army base? I am lost.

 

Magog #9
Witten by Keith Giffen
Art by Tom Derenick

Hmm things get interesting again as the Shield is hijacked by Killer App and the Planeteers shows up? Who are they exactly? I like the idea that Magog’s
“Aunts
are covertly trying to take over the world. I have no idea where this is going.

Magog #10
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Tom Derenick

 

Magog scares away a really frightening alien creature that planned on taking over earth and basically consuming all life on it. David is freaking out cause he is afraid that perhaps there is more to this being possessed thing then he thought. This marks the end of Giffen’s run I believe and Kolins will come in to finish off this series. I hope all the threads will be resolved and we can get some type of conclusion.

Rest In Peace Damage

JSA All-Stars #7
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Freddie Williams II
Co-Feature by Jen Van Meter
Art by Travis Moore

 

The main story focuses on Judomaster – a character who really hasn’t had a lot of focus. She is dealing with the death of Damage during Blackest Night – I liked it although it didn’t seem to be that different from the letter sent from beyond the grave stories told in comics past. It was great to see former Titans at Damage’s funeral – because DC seems to have forgotten that Damage was also a Titans at one point. I loved seeing Argent too! The Liberty Belle and Hourman back-up goes along with its Indiana Jones like themes – pretty good stuff.

The Defeat of Johnny Sorrow

JSA All-Stars #6
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Freddie E. Williams II
Co-Feature by Jen Van Meter
Art by Travis Moore

 

The first arc of this series comes to an end with this issue and I must say looking back on it, I think it was a very cool arc. Albeit, I am not sure how Johnny Sorrow was defeated? What exactly did King Chimera do to him? That confused me. I liked that it was revealed that Sorrow was posing as Atom Smasher so at least now we don’t have that weird romance between Stargirl and Atom Smasher but it created the drama that Atom Smasher knows that Stargirl fell in love with a false version of him. Next issue will deal with the death of Damage during Blackest Night – I hope he gets a good send-off. Also, is Ann Fortune joining the team? I sure hope so. I actually rather enjoyed the Liberty Belle and Hourman back-up this issue as they continue their quest with Tigress and Icicle and have an indiana Jones-like adventure. We even learn that Hourman and Liberty Belle are planning on trying to have a baby. I like that he wants to get off Miraclo completely before they conceive. Good stuff.

Gogged

Magog #7
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Howard Porter

 

Magog begins to suspect he is inhabited by the Magog being and not just have his power and goes to see Zatanna (who despite the cover only appears on like one page, I am not even sure how he knows her) and his mother. The scene with his mother was a wonderful scene that gave some depth to this character. When it was all said and done, I think this was one of the better issue of this book. It all made sense, which is something I can’t really say about previous issues. I liked it.

Giant Green Hammer

Magog #6
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Howard Porter

 

Magog shows how unlikable he is on every page of this comic where he fights the Justice Society and finally gets kicked off their team. Thank God! It was about time they booted this loser. I loved seeing Alan Scott smash him with a giant green hammer!

Power Girl Vs. The Douche With Horns

JSA All-Stars #3
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Freddie E. Williams III
Co-Feature by Jen Van Meter
Art by Travis Moore

 

The main story is actually pretty good. It was nice to see Power Girl kick Magog’s annoying ass. This probably should have come out before the annual but oh well. I am getting used to Williams’s art, at least we had pupils this time around. I like that they are addressing Atom Smasher and Sandman, as well as we get to see quiet moments between the elder Hourman and his son. There are a lot of subplots in this book. People who stopped reading JSA books after Johns left really are missing out. The Liberty Belle and Hourman back-up was a decent read as well.

Mythological Backgrounds

Magog #5
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Howard Porter

The mythological background behind this is actually rather interesting and I look forward to seeing how it plays out. So was Magog a being captured by Gog and then imprisoned inside of David Reid? Was Gog really from the third world or was he lying? I still can’t stand the character of Magog but at least the back-story is interesting and the art is good. I have no idea still what is going on with this Haven place. There really should be more of a catch-up at the beginning of issues to remind the reader of what has gone before.

I Love Roxie!

JSA All-Stars #2
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Freddie E. Williams II
Co-Feature by Jan Van Meter
Art by Travis Moore

 

In the second issue of this series, Stargirl is retrieved from Arthur Pemberton and the Injustice Society shows up. Williams’s art is barely tolerable with his ugly faces in this issue. Most of the time Cyclone was drawn without any pupils! What is she Batman! Williams is better then this! I am still enjoying this book and the co-feature starring Liberty Belle and Hourman was a nice addition. I love Roxie too! She reminds me of Indigo but with a great sense of humor.

Don’t Care

Magog #4
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Howard Porter

Yes the solo series of Magog nobody asked for continues here and we are introduced to Magog’s mother – or the mythological Magog’s mother would be a better way to put it. She is up to something and I don’t know what that is. In fact, I didn’t really understand this issue at all. I get the feeling I should have reread previous issues. I am not going to because I don’t care enough.

An All-Star Start

JSA All-Stars #1
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Freddie E. Williams III

So the guy behind the recent attacks on the JSA is none other then Johnny Sorrow. It has been a while since I read the story in the last volume of this series featuring Johnny Sorrow but I remember he was a pretty bad ass villain. Interesting that he is in love with Stargirl – or should I say infatuated? Anyways, this series started off on good feet with this issue. I think I might enjoy this more then the main JSA as I like these characters a lot. Despite Caleb over at Every Day is Like Wednesday saying that these are everyone’s least favorite JSA members (great blog by the way even if I don’t always agree with some of his statements). I do wish Amazing Man could have stayed around or for someone to  say what is going on with Jakeem Thunder. At least we find out what is going on with Sand and someone comments about Atom Smasher’s absence here. All in all, I am excited about this book’s future.

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?!

The Brain Emperor

The Shield #3
Written by Eric Trautmann
Art by Marco Rudy
Co-Feature by Brandon Jerwa
Art by Greg Scott

The Shield’s first storyline comes to a close and it perfectly shows why already he is a better character then Magog in the last page alone. He is a hero – and Magog is a douche with horns. When I found out that the creepy tentacle-headed guy was called the Brain Emperor I looked it up and sure enough he was a villain from The Shield’s days at Archie Comics – I like that they are not only reintroducing the heroes but the villains and everything that comes with it. The Inferno back-up is decent, still not a fan of the art though.

Underground Land

Magog #3
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Howard Porter

I can’t say that I actually like the character yet, but Giffen at least makes Magog less of a douche this issue. Although I think a true hero would have listened to the villains’ rant to gain information instead of just ignoring him. I guess that is what makes Magog different from others – he is so often focusing on his own thoughts. He is a very self-centered hero. I did like seeing that he is going to look into the nature of his powers and what exactly Magog is. The villain is rather interesting – I wish that we got to hear what he was saying and I like the idea of an underground land for the homeless.

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.