The Rebirth of Dark Supergirl

Justice League of America #51
Written by James Robinson
Art by Mark Bagley

Robinson once again shows how much he understands and loves the DC Universe with the beginning of this issue. Instead of a random assortment of heroes trying to save Washington DC, we actually get an explanation for why each of the persons’ powers can help the situation. That is a rare feat in comics and I like the attention to detail! Meanwhile, the League is dealing with the threat of Omega Man – who is a bastard yet we don’t even know who he is yet and he has brought back Dark Supergirl. I miss Starman but this this is getting just as epic as the last arc! Great stuff!

Doom Patrol 7 and 8

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #7
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Joe Mcguire

 

The main story was all set up and I am not really sure if I completely got what was going on. Is someone assembling a team to fight the Doom Patrol? It was cool to see Crazy Jane back, I hope she stays with the team, This issue featured the last time the Metal Men will co-feature and while it was funny, I can’t say that I will exactly miss it.

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #8
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clarke and Ron Randall

Clarke’s art is still not to my taste and this issue seemed a little…well…wordy. But I liked the idea of Danny the Street coming back. I love that Giffen’s not afraid to play with Morrison Doom Patrollers.

Membership

Justice League of America #42
Written by James Robinson
Art by Mark Bagley

Robinson’s Justice League run continues to impress me. I am liking the dynamic of the new team and Bagley’s art. These villains aren’t rather interesting but we shall see what comes of them. Are Black Canary and Ray Palmer now members again? They are just there and this is never explained which is kinda annoying. It looks like Red Tornado is still a member although not functional but I think it makes perfect sense for Cyborg to try to help him in the way that he is. Still wish Hal wasn’t on the team but whatever it is just great to have a good JLA comic again!

The History of Negative Man

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #6
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Demateis
Art by Kevin MaGuire

 

This issue was basically a crash-course in the history of Negative Man through his own words. I wonder if it was done in a narrator style if it would have been easier to follow. I think so. Giffen definitely made the wrong choice there but what can I say, maybe it’s the artist. I enjoyed it none-the-less. I love continuity as you all know! The Metal Men back-up was amusing as always and still loving all the Chicagoland references.

The Back-Up Is Better

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #5
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Justiano
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Tim Levins

The main story was good if not a bit confusing. What happened to the Doom Patrol – they got boom tubed off the island? What has happened to Niles? I have no idea and I blame the art. I still love the way Giffen is telling these stories with the wikipedia-like entries but the art on this and Clarke’s normal art is just awful and distracting. The Metal Men back-up is hilarious as always even with a guest artist – and one who emulates Kevin McGuire very well I might add. I love how Gold  treats Copper in this issue – always calling her the wrong name and all of the references to TV shows was perfect!

Same Art

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #4
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Justiniano
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Kevin Maguire

The main feature’s art is unfortunately very similar to Matthew Clark’s to my eye and that is not a good thing. I was hoping for a different artist and he just seems exactly the same. The story was good (even if the whole Black Lanterns showing up and scaring people thing is getting old) and unlike what Caleb says on his blog, you don’t really need to know anything about past Doom Patrol continuity as it is all explained within the issue. The Metal Men back-up introduces a bunch of female robots called the Clique – who want to rule the world! This is going to get good.

Mega-Confusing

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #3
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis
Art by Kevin Maguire

You know this series is inconsistent. I love Niles Caulder and his notes and the concept of the black hole character – but this was a rather dull issue. I am not sure what the hell happened in it. What was going on? Was this written for NASA? Why was it so damn confusing? How did they defeat him? What happened to Elasti-Girl? I just don’t get it.And as you know I do not enjoy Clark’s art. The Metal Men back-up was pretty funny as new nemesis Douglas, Robot Hunter turns out to be a crazy actor with a fake blaster gun.

Epic Mystery

Superman #692
Written by James Robinson
Art by Fernando Dagnino

I like that Ryan Choi is being mentioned in two books this week! At least DC isn’t completely ignoring him for the boring Ray Palmer. This was a spectacular issue in my opinion. I love how Robinson rings in obscure characters and plays with the DC Universe so well. When he writes, he uses continuity and characters very effectively. There were a lot of developments here. Mon-El is alive (shocking – not really) but the Guardian, thinking he is dead, gives aways Mon-El’s secret identity. I also like the developents with Zatara. What is this power source they are talking about? What is Mirabai up to? This is truly an epic mystery. I don’t think we are even close to having all the answers.

Attack of the Hole

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #2
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Kevin Maguire

Giffen’s writing is really good. I love the idea of a sentient black hole only interested in writing an encyclopedia. But this issue is really hurt by Clark’s art. He makes everything confusing in the way he draws. I do not like it at all. DC needs to either fire him or he needs to change his style because he is making a good book unreadable. That may sound harsh but it is true. Anyways, it looks like Vox and Bumblebee are now divorced which is sad but I look forward to looking more into Bumblebee’s psyche. The Metal Men back-up was entertaining and funny and I love how the Metal Men’s new headquaters are in Glenview, near where I grew up! And I am still loving how nobody remembers who Copper is – not even Will Magnus.

Pleasant Surprises

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #1
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Kevin Maguire

 

This is the debut issue of the new Doom Patrol series, a book I haven’t exactly been overly-excited to read. I mean I like the Doom Patrol, but I am not a big fan of Matthew Clark’s art and I wasn’t impressed with the preview I saw of this series. But forget all that, cause I absolutely loved this! Sure the art could be better and there was absolutely no reason to give Elasti-Girl (Woman?) a new costume but this was a lot of fun. I love how deranged the Doom Patrol is that they could really care less that one of their teammates was blown to smithereens in this issue. I liked that we got to see Niles Caulder’s files on each member and I like that Bumblebee has not been written out of the team. This was a great introduction to the team and having them based on Oolong Island is really a great idea. They are the perfect fit to take on the mad scientists of Oolong Island since they are led by a mad scientist themselves. The Metal Men back up was another pleasant surprise. I never really liked them in any other comics I read but I thought they were quite enjoyable and amusing here. I like how they all ignored Copper.

Brave and the Bold 7 – 19

Brave and the Bold #7
Written by Mark Waid
Art by George Perez

Waid and Perez start their second arc with team-up of Wonder Woman and Power Girl….Wonder Woman’s “perfection” is portrayed against Power Girl’s crazed anger in this issue and I have to say it rings untrue. Power Girl is the leader of the JSA, yet her emotions are all over the place like a teenager this issue and I just see that as a little out of character. Besides this, this was a good issue that sets up the new threat…Megistus. And Perez’s art is as beautiful as ever.

Brave and the Bold #8
Written by Mark Waid
Art by George Perez

This issue sees The Flash and the Doom Patrol team up when Wally takes his kids to be “fixed” by Dr. Niles Caulder. I love how creepy the Doom Patrol are and they should be used more often around the DCU. I am not sure why Caulder has gray hair here, as usually it is red I think. This was a good issue.

Brave and the Bold #9
Written by Mark Waid
Art by George Perez

Eh…I really could care less about any of the characters in this issue besides Hawkman and the Atom…so besides those last few pages I was totally bored with this issue.

Brave and the Bold #10
Written by Mark Waid
Art by George Perez

While the first part with Superman and Silent Knight was kinda boring…it was cool to see the old Teen Titans team up with Aquaman. Oh and it is good to see that Perez hasn’t forgotten that Aqualad looks like a boy instead of a weird fish-boy like over in Teen Titans: Year One. This series is becoming too much of an homage to the silver age. Let’s bring in some modern age characters!

Brave and the Bold #11
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Jerry Ordway

Superman and Ultraman from the anti-matter earth team-up when the anti-matter Mxyzptlk tells them of a disaster that will effect both earths. This explains what Megistus is doing and who he is. While I look forward to next issue’s conclusion, this story arc is taking way too long. At least this issue wasn’t silver agey. Ordway’s art is always welcome and the perfect artist to replace Perez.

Brave and the Bold #12
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Jerry Ordway

This concludes the Megistus arc where a lot of heroes team up and take on Megistus. In the end, it is June who saves the day and becomes a challenger in her own right. Megistus was not that scary or interesting of a villain as you think he would be after so many issue of build up but I did enjoy this issue. The foreshadowing of Final Crisis is interesting as Megistus says it will change everything. Interesting.

Brave and the Bold #13
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Jerry Ordway

I remember listening to Mark Waid’s interview on Word Balloon where he talks about this issue (great interview by the way) and how we never do see Jay Garrick and Batman interact. You know….he’s right and now I want to see them together more often. This was fun issue where Jay and Batman fight android safaris haha but the best part is the dialogue between Jay Garrick and Batman. I often forget that Jay is a scientist as well as a hero. You really get the feeling that Jay is the old hat while reading this and how much Batman respects him.

Brave and the Bold #14
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Scott Kolins

What? So confused….why did Ollie just shoot an Arrow into Deadman? Is there something to this? I bet because I know Green Arrow would never do such a thing and Deadman is already dead anyways. Kolins’s art can be a little distracting but this was an okay issue…I preferred the parts in Star City then the Nanda Parbat stuff though.

Brave and the Bold #15
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Scott Kolins

This continued the storyline that began last issue with Nightwing and Hawkman. I like that Waid is playing up that Nightwing is probably the most trusted superhero in the DCU because that is totally true. I just wish Didio would recognize that and not try to kill him all the time. There was a little continuity goof, I am pretty sure Deadman told Nightwing about him knowing his parents already in Nightwing: Year One but that is just a slight error, and such things are very unusual for Waid. So ya this was an okay issue, nothing to get really excited about.

Brave and the Bold #16
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Scott Kolins

First of all, what the hell is Selina doing in this costume. She definitely did not have this costume until Brubaker took over her series and this takes place long before that if it is her first meeting with Superman. Kolins obviously knows very little about her history if he isn’t aware of this, and the editor is an idiot for not catching it. The story was good though, I liked the fake out with the cave. But this huge continuity error really distracted from what was a good story.

Brave and the Bold #17
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Phil Winslade

You know…I never thought about the similarities between Raven and Supergirl until this issue. While this is the first Waid-less issue of this series, it was still very good. Winslade’s art is much better then Kolins, and I liked the use of continuity as Wolfman clearly followed the Supergirl series well. I know that Supergirl’s father apparently didn’t want her to kill Superman though right, at least it is not how he is being portrayed over in the Superman books. I think Johns said that they were going to clear that up soon.

Brave and the Bold #18
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Phil Winslade

You know I kind’ve like the bad ass Supergirl and her sense of humor, I hope she doesn’t completely change. Raven and Supergirl’s dialogue here is excellent and really shows what Wolfman can do. The insult comic dog stuff was hilarious and the story had real depth to it as well. Check this out, you won’t be disappointed.

Brave and the Bold #19
Written by David Hine
Art by Doug Braithwaite

Okay….if you don’t pick this up because you are waiting for JMS to start his run then you are an idiot. This was amazing! The story is fascinating and the art….oh my gosh…the art is beautiful. Perfectly dark but still full of beauty and wonder….especially when Green Lantern and the Phantom Stranger go to Kahlo. I never thought Green Lantern and Phantom Stranger could make sense in a story together, but they really do here as magick effects an alien planet. The panel showing the little girl who wrote the Green Lantern Oath on the wall was breathtaking and well creepy all at the same time. Check this out people, it is worth it. I can’t wait for the next issue. Definitely the best book I read this week. And by far the best issue of this series yet.

Foul-Mouthed Metal Men

Superman/Batman #36
Written by Mark Verheiden and Marc Guggenheim
Art and Cover by Pat Lee

This concludes the Metal Men arc of Superman/Batman and I think actually conclude Verheiden’s run on this title. While I can’t say the same of Verheiden’s entire run, I did like this issue. The art was fantastic, a lot better than last issue and I like Bruce’s explanation about why he has kept the OMAC prototype around. In the end, he is being safe. He is not being an asshole. Bruce is a logical man and he is right, the whole thing was necessary. Fans may see it as stupid for him to keep it around but I like the paranoid Batman because in a lot of ways he is not really paranoid, he is just smart. It was funny to see the Metal Men swearing at Brainiac. Brainiac seemed pretty easily defeated though. But I hate when fights go on forever so I didn’t mind that at all.

Superman/Batman 31 – 35

Superman/Batman #31
Written by Mark Verheiden
Art by Matthew Clark

Well, that was crazy. I must say I really do not enjoy Matthew Clark’s arc. Not on the Outsiders and not here. But I do like the idea of all earth’s alien being brainwashed to kill the humans and I do love it whenever Plastic Man makes an appearance in any comic so I am torn on this. Anyways, why is Lex acting like a businessman in this issue again? Isn’t Lana the CEO of LexCorp now while Lex is in hiding? Verheiden should keep up with continuity.

Superman/Batman #32 Written by Mark Verheiden
Art by Matthew Clark

I liked the idea that Superman is taken out of his trance by his love for Lois. I liked that Batman was forced to put the black rock on in order to survive…but this issue falls flat. First, because of the continuity issues. Why is Hawkgirl even there? She is not an alien. And second because I feel like it could be soo much better than it is.

Superman/Batman #33 Written by Mark Verheiden
Art by Matthew Clark

This arc comes to a nice tidy conclusion. Superman convinces the Armada that earth has some good people and shouldn’t be destroyed. I liked how the battle was won through words and diplomacy and not through violence. But I can’t help but feel this whole storyline was a failure. It took too long to come out and had too many continuity mistake. Hawkgirl had red hair in this issue like the old thanagarian Hawkwoman! What the hell!

Superman/Batman #34 Written by Mark Verheiden
Art and Cover by Pat Lee

First time around, I was completely bored with this issue. I have no experience with the Metal Men (accept for 52) and did not care. Second time around, I definitely enjoyed it more and paid attention better. It is a decent story so far, I don’t know if it is consistent with Metal Men continuity or not but I liked the parts where Bruce realizes he should do better to protect the guards of Wayne Enterprises.

Superman/Batman #35

Written by Mark Verheiden and Marc Guggenheim
Art by Pat Lee

Now this was a strong issue. I don’t know about anyone else, but I was not expecting THAT ending. The OMAC Project! Wow, I look forward to seeing how this all plays out next issue. I don’t know if it was Guggenheim, but I liked this better than all previous issues of Verheiden’s run. The teamwork between Batman and Superman was prefect. I loved their conversation about “Super-Brain”. That made a nice use of continuity, I don’t think anyone has acknowledged the “Super-Brain” thing since that first OYL story arc. Great issue. This arc is definitely picking up.

Justice League of America 1 – 3

Justice League of America (Volume 3) #1
Written by Brad Meltzer
Art by Ed Benes and Sandra Hope

Wow, did this get me excited me about the Justice League again or what? Identity Crisis is one of my favorite comic stories of all time, so I have hope for this series with Brad Meltzer as writer. Oh and not to mention Ed Benes is not one of my favorite artists, he did some great work on this issue! The storyline is good, the moments with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are perfect and I love how we rarely see their faces. Oh and for the first time in my life, I actually care about the Red Tornado.

Justice League of America (Volume 3) #2
Written by Brad Meltzer
Art by Ed Benes and Sandra Hope

This was another excellent issue. I am starting to really care about the red tornado and I never really realized how powerful he was before this. I have to wonder though why Green Lantern and Black Canary chose Roy instead of Ollie to go with them on their mission. Green Arrow is clearly the more experienced hero. I hope that that is explained. Oh and it is going to be pretty hard to deal with an army of red tornado-like robots. I hope those three can handle it.

Justice League of America (Volume 3) #3
Written by Brad Meltzer
Art by Ed Benes and Sandra Hope

This issue was pretty good, but I still can’t help but wonder if this story is too decompressed. I mean after 4 issue, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are still in the damn batcave. I want to see the Justice League formed already! Oh well, maybe I am just being impatient. One thing I am confused about is is Red Tornado still human? Why does he look like the red tornado now? Is he wearing a costume? If someone could answer this that would be great. I think I missed something. Oh and doesn’t Vixen need the totem to have powers?