And The Ring Goes To…

Adventure Comics #521
Written by Paul Levtiz
Art by Geraldo Borges
Co-Feature by Jeff Lemire
Art by Mahmad Asrar

 

Well I won’t spoil it…but I don’t know how I feel about the one who finally gets to be Green Lantern of the Future…it makes sense…it is just not anything new and I guess I was expecting something more surprising. Element Lad kicks ass here with his powers and I wonder why we haven’t seen much of him in the main legion book. The Atom back-up was okay and it is the last time we will see that back-up in this book, which I don’t mind, I am still to pissed about Ryan Choi to enjoy Ray Palmer.

The Power Of Tyroc

Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 6) #7
Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Yildiray Cinar and Francis Portela

In the main story, the Legionaires deal with the murder of a United Planets Council Member by Durlan Asassins and Levitz really shows how powerful Tyroc can be. I thought he dislike Tyroc? I guess not. And hey it takes a good writer to challenge themselves and make a character they dislike look awesome right? In the back-up Brainiac 5 meets with Professor Li – who we know is old, very old. I can’t wait to find out who won the election!

Brave and the Bold 34 and 35

Brave and the Bold #34
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Jesus Saiz

This was a decent issue featuring the Legion meeting the Doom Patrol and stopping a black hole. It was okay, but nothing really to write about it.

 

 

Brave and the Bold #35
Written by J. Michael Straczynskiz
Art by Jesus Saiz

 

This was an amusing story about the Legion subs teaming up with the Inferior Five. I love how the Legion Subs just leave them in 2010 at the end haha. I hope we see them again soon.

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.

Time Loops

Adventure Comics #514
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Travis Moore
Co-Feature by James Robinson
Art by Bernard Chang

In the main feature Brainiac 5 delivers Brainiac to the Coluans and Vril Dox and then delivers the Lanothians to Titan where they will be ruled over by Jemm and called Titanians from now on. I love the use of Legion continuity here and really establishing the origins of these places. I wonder if Titan will interact with earth at all in the 21st century? The back-up was an excellent ending to James Robinson’s entire run on Superman. He wraps up Mon-El’s storyline by having him return to the Phantom Zone and then arriving in the future all the way back to whatever issue of Legion he first appeared in the future in. I liked that he didn’t just leave but gave the letter to Billi Harper and remembered that he spent a year in this century on earth. I will miss his character and I think Robinson – in the end – really did a great job with him.

Three Fronts

Adventure Comics #512
Written by James Robinson, Sterling Gates, and Eric Trauttman
Art by Travis Moore, Eduardo Pansica, and Pier Gallo

 

The main feature is Part 4 of the Last Stand of New Krypton Storyline that began in Last Stand #1, and continued here and here. Robinson’s portion of the story is more of a catch-up on the history of the Brainiac’s and we learn that the reason why the past is changing is because somehow Brainiac kills Superman so Brainiac 5 is going back in time to help stop that from happening. It was good. It is not the Legion that I am familiar with and I do miss them, but it is still cool to see all those Legionnaires. I like that XS and Gates haven’t been forgotten! The Sterling Gates written part of the storyline takes place in the present as Tellus uses his telepathic powers to convince the Kryptonians to work together. It was all good nothing to complain about. Finally Trauttman’s story deals with the sleeper agents on earth in a rather interesting way. All of this was good stuff I am loving this crossover so far!

World’s Finest Best Buds

Adventure Comics #506
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Francis Manapul
Co-Feature by John and Michael Shoemaker
Art by Clayton Henry

Now this is a really great comic. For anyone who knows the history and relationship between Connor Kent and Tim Drake, this would be a lot of fun to read. I have followed them since their Young Justice days and it is great to see them working together again…it reminds me of when I hang out with my old friends and instantly there is that bonding even though we are both in completely different places (emotionally, mentally, and physically) then we were the last time we saw each other. It was very relatable for me. Johns uses continuity awesomely as usual. I wonder why he is building up the supporting cast like Lori and Simon Valentine if he is just going to be leaving this book after issue 6. Is Paul Levitz going to still be exploring these characters? Didio made it seem like that wasn’t so in interviews. Anyways, we get in the heads of both characters and they both open up to each other and were completely genuine about what they are going through and I liked that. As for the Legion co-feature, it was definitely the best part yet as we have a great team-up between Polar Boy and Sun Boy and learn that the Legion of Super-Villains have some of their members hidden in the 21st century.

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.