Lobo Clones

R.E.B.E.L.S. #26
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin and Daniel HDR

 

I am also sad that this series will be ending in may but at least it gets to go out on a great arc. I initially thought bringing back Starro was too soon but he is the villain you would want to conclude the series with. I loved the flashback to Lobo’s origin here and the scene with Adam Strange’s daughter. The Starros would be great to see in live action and creepy now that I think about it. I wonder if we will get to see the Lobo clones unleashed? I sure hope so.

R.E.B.E.L.S. 24 and 25

R.E.B.E.L.S. #24
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

 

Starro attacks in this fantastic issue where Vril Dox and Blackfire have a romantic dinner and Lobo is thwarted by Astrild. Well I was annoyed that they were bringing back Starro so soon I am actually kind of excited about it now. Hey a man can change his mind right?

R.E.B.E.L.S. #25
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

So is Astrild Storm-Daughter a Czarnian or not? I mean they were cloning Lobo and not her right? Why does she look so much like one? I guess that is a mystery and think are getting good as it looks like Rann is screwed and they are going to need Blackfire’s help.

Too Soon

R.E.B.E.L.S. #23
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

 

It was great to see Kyle Rayner show up as that was unexpected! And the fact that the Green Lanterns defeated Dox’s scheme was cool too. But I really think it is too soon for Starro to come back. I know I am in the minority here but I think this series got a lot better Post-Starro and I don’t look forward to another 14 issues of the R.E.B.E.L.S. versus Starro. Oh well.

Starfire Joins The Cast

R.E.B.E.L.S. #15
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

 

Damn this was a great issue! I hope people use this issue to jump aboard because this book has been fantastic and it looks like it is only going to get better with the addtion of Starfire to the cast. Bedard has a good handle on Kory and he shows that in just one issue. She is both vulnerable and emotional but also a strong fierce warrior. My guess is that the planet that she thinks is Tamaran is actually Rann being moved by a Zeta beam. I wonder why Vril Dox needs to restart L.E.G.I.O.N. considering the Green Lanterns can now go there but I suppose he has his reasons. This was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Victory

R.E.B.E.L.S. #14
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

 

The war with Starro finally comes to an end. Starro is defeated (after being nealy defeated in this issue so many times it left me in total suspense and I lost count) and Vril Dox announces plan to restart L.E.G.I.O.N. so unless this book changes titles or is cancelled, I am not sure where it will go from here? I imagine Dox won’t be able to restart L.E.G.I.O.N. as easily as he thinks. This was a great 14-issue build up and I really liked the finale of it. Bedard has brought something new to the character of Starro – depth – and I think that is great as I never really cared for the character before. I can’t wait to see what happens from here on out.

All Seems To Be Going Well For Our Anti-Hero

R.E.B.E.L.S. #13
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

 

The final confrontation with Starro begins as Brainiac 3 betrays his master Starro and throws him in the hands of his father and the R.E.B.E.L.S.  This was a good issue if not a little too quick of a read. Despero gets his body back and all seems to be going well for our anti-hero Vril Dox but we shall see I guess.

Benefits

R.E.B.E.L.S. #12
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Geraldo Borges

This series continues to be good and since it involved Black Lanterns this issue should have had a Blackest Night label on it to bring in readers – even though it barely involved them I still think more people should read this book. Vril Dox’s plan to take out Starro is interesting and I wonder what it is – and how it benefits Vril Dox in the end which I believe this issue implied. Good stuff. Oh and the guest artist was a perfect fit. I liked it.

Getting Used To The New Starro

R.E.B.E.L.S. #11
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

 

This was an action-packed issue of R.E.B.E.L.S as Vril Dox rejects being a member of the Sinestro Corps and the Black Lanterns attack Starro. I am starting to like this new version of Starro as I am getting used to it. I mean at least its a villain with a personality now right? Good stuff all around.

Brainiacs Two And Three

R.E.B.E.L.S. #10
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Andy Clarke

 

Okay I didn’t expect Vril Dox to get a Sinestro Corps ring at all! Bedard wove Blackest Night in with his own mega-story about Starro perfectly. Both people coming in for the Blackest Night stuff and previous readers will enjoy this issue. Clarke’s art is great to see again, let’s hope he stays around this time. I like that Vril’s son is now Brainiac 3. This was a good issue.

The Team Officially Forms

R.E.B.E.L.S. #9
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

Adam Strange and Captain Comet join the cast just as the team officially forms – nine issues in. Oh well it was a fun ride getting there. (Unlike say Meltzer’s six issues to build the Justice League in 2006). Aubin’s art is not as good as Clarke’s and it shows. I wish that Clarke could stay on this book for any substantial amount of time. The team is interesting if not a little big. I hope people continue to read this cause I want to see more of their adventure.

The “Real” Starro

R.E.B.E.L.S. #6
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

I like how the team is growing and will still grow. All of the team members have serious potential and I can’t wait to read more about them. Bedard has yet to win me over with this warrior version of Starro. I don’t buy that this is the “real” Starro because I think the giant starfish is a lot more interesting. And you know some writer is going to come along one day and say that this was just another guy possessed by Starro. St. Aubin’s art is seriously lacking in this issue. Everything seemed a bit off. He is usually a good artist though. What happened to Andy Clarke anyways?

No Longer A Starfish?

R.E.B.E.L.S. #5
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

 

So I am confused…how is that guy Starro? Is Starro being revealed as not being a giant starfish in his true form after all? If that is the case, I don’t know how I feel about it…I mean we need a big starfish baddie! This was a good issue and much more action-packed if you like that sort of thing. What is with that cover though, I don’t like it. It looks like an interior panel, not a cover. I do like the idea of a Durlan masquerading as a little girl though. I am also really starting to like the character of Wildstar.

Fictional Reference Books

R.E.B.E.L.S. #4
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

You know I was getting a big Star Trek vibe from this issue. Maybe because I just saw the new movie? I don’t know. This was another fun issue of this book. Strata and Bounder officially join the new R.E.B.E.L.S. team and Starro is attacking the planet of Maltus. Is Starro behind the takeover of L.E.G.I.O.N.? I am not sure. Was that revealed already? I don’t remember. I am loving the fake reference books Bedard is citing and all that stuff from “Encyclopedia Galactica”. It is really cool and helps the story a lot instead of hindering it. No problems here.

Still Accessable

R.E.B.E.L.S. #3
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Matthew Clarke

So it looks like Starro is involved in the L.E.G.I.O.N. going rogue. Hmmm. Starro is never really a character that interested me, but this could be interesting. This issue didn’t grab me quite as much as the last two but it was decent. I was a little confused at certain parts but I think all-in-all I think this book still works well for the uninitiated. I am not sure I understand what exactly Vril Dox did to Wildstar. Also, wasn’t Starhaven created in the 23rd Century? That is what wikipedia says at least. Is this just a retcon or is there an in-story explanation? I guess I will have to check out last issue to see if I missed something. So far though, this series is going strong.

Thank You Magic Hand

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #14
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Pat Olliffe

The Magic Hand (Booster’s hand) taking away Mr. Freeze’s freeze gun was hilarious, I am not going to even try to explain it here because I won’t do it justice. This was a good issue. While still filler as we are waiting for Jurgerns to take (and I really miss his art on this book) it was a lot of fun. Starro is stopped of course but apparently at a price. I am glad that Remender did not have Booster find out that Rip is his son as that should be left for Jurgens to do. What happened to Booster’s sister, Goldstar? Wasn’t she in the last issue? Did I forget something? Great use of the DCU in this issue though.

The Time-Traveling Starfish

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #13
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Pat Olliffe

Rick Remender begins his fill-in run here and I liked it. I mean we don’t really need anymore Starro takes over the world stories but at least it is a little fresh because of it involving Booster Gold and time travel. I also liked how Remender used elements from All-New Atom and his run in that series such as Lady Chronos. It seems that Booster may find out Rip is his son next issue. I really hope this isn’t the case as I think that should have been kept a secret a bit longer then a few issues. The art was decent. And it was fun to see Booster and Goldstar arrive during the time Superman was fighting Zod. Nice use of continuity there.

Teen Titans 50 – 63

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #50 Written by Sean McKeever, Geoff Johns, Marv Wolfman, and Todd DeZago Art by Randy, Mike McKone, George Perez, and Todd Nauck

This was a fantastic anniversary issue and a real treat to any fans of the Titans. We look back at different era of the titans history as well as reminisce on the life of Bart Allen, all along setting up the new arc and the return of the Titans of Tommorrow…John’s best arc on this book. So I am glad they are coming back. McKeever’s run has started off with a bang! Don’t you just love that cover!

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #51
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Ale Garza

Not sure what to think of this…it’s not bad and I like the hints to the future of the Teen Titans…and the idea that Bart and Connor will be alive in the future. But I think the art makes it less enjoyable….I really miss McKone and Tony Daniel’s work on this title.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #52
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Jamal Igle

Awesome ending spread there…it is fun to see these glimpses of possible future titans. This is actually the second time I have read this arc and I must say it reads much better this time around. Not to mention Igle’s art is fantastic this issue.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #53
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows

The Titans Army is pretty bad ass….I love that Cassandra Cain is the Batwoman of the future and that Misfit is Huntress (and still yelling Dark Vengeance!) but the coloring was quite off on her hair, along with Aquawoman’s. Anyways, there have been way too many artists on this one arc.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #54
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows, Joe Prado, and Greg Tocchini

Okay who else is really looking forward to a Miss Martian/Robin romance. Much better then Wonder Girl and Robin which seems kindve incestuous to me and it would parallel the relationship between Starfire and Nightwing. Anyways, this was a nice ending to this issue. I like that Blue Beetle, Supergirl, and the Ravager are the ones who will one day oppose the Titans Army. I have to say this arc was not as good as John’s Titans of Tomorrow arc….but it was still well-written and fun.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #55

Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Jamal Igle

I liked this in-between story. Robin and Wonder Girl end their romance….thank God. And Supergirl leaves the team, sad because I was actually liking her on the team. Poor Kid Devil is treated like crap throughout this issue…even by Robin. I wish Ingle was the regular artist on this title.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #56
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows

Okay I don’t know why Robin and everyone are being so mean to Kid Devil…it seems kinda out of character. I am intrigued by the Terror Titans and this issue had a lot of funny moments, especailly when Kid Devil throws the party at the tower. McKeever’s run on this title is seriously underrated.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #57
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows

I like that Ravager is worried about Kid Devil….but Wonder Girl really comes off as a bitch in this issue. I mean she has a right to not completely trust Rose but come on. The ending was pretty crazy….I am not sure what happened to the tower.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #58
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Carlos Rodriguez

I really liked the art this issue but why the hell can’t Eddy Barrows stay for more then a couple issues! This story was great because it features mostly Miss Martian who really deserves more attention as she is a great character. She has the battling her dark side aspect of Raven and the naivety of Starfire that makes her the perfect fit for the Titans. Good issue.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #59
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows

Clock King is pretty scary and the Dark Side Club is just as so. This issue was good but I feel this arc is a little long altogether. I think Barrows’s art reached an all-time high with this issue. Very nice stuff.
Teen Titans (Volume 3) #60
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows

Looks like Ravager is leaving the team…no thanks to Wonder Girl’s bitchiness….although the more I think about it the more I realize I would be hesitant about having a known killer on the team as well. This Terror Titans arc was good and it’s always fun to see new villains introduced for the Titans but it ran a little long.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #61
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Carlos Rodriguez

This was a sweet issue highlighting the relationship between Blue Beetle and welll….Red Devil. Kid Devil switches his name to Red Devil in this issue. I am not sure that I like the name…Kid Devil just flows better but I can deal with it. I like the bond formed between the two reluctant team mates. Good stuff.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #57
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows

Okay that was just fucking incredibly disturbing!!! I expected a sweet story about a cute god instead I got that before he transformed and slaughtered Wendy and Marvin. Not going to lie, I was pissed after reading this the first time. Miss Martian leaves the team and Wendy and Marvin who have been totally underused are now killed. What the hell right?! This seems like a Dan Didio idea to me. But on the second read-through, it’s actually pretty good and I am hoping McKeever has a good reason for killing off Wendy and Marvin, if they are in fact dead.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #63
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Eddy Barrows and Allan Goldman

This issue was very decompressed…I don’t feel like much happened accept Bombshell fought the military and the Teen Titans and Wonder Girl has a headache. What the hell! I am glad to see that Wendy is alive, I wish I could say the same for Marvin though. I have the feeling they are setting Wendy up to become a metahuman/hero. I am not sure. Miss Martian is on the cover for some reason despite not being o nthe team anymore.