In The Middle

Supergirl (Volume 5) #62
Written by James Peaty
Art by Bernard Chang

 

Not sure what is going on here – so is Alex a kryptonian? I doubt it. I loved seeing Miss Martian here (why isn’t she in Titans again?) but this issue didn’t really do it for me. It was neither great nor bad.

App Drones

Supergirl (Volume 5) #61
Written by James Peaty
Art by Bernard Chang

 

I knew something was up was up when Alex was shown to have Grodd and Eclipso working for him – they are drones! Alex is a rather intriguing villains soon and I am interested to learn just who his father is and how this all ties into what is going on with Cadmus. The App concept is awesome still too and I can’t wait to see Blue Beetle next issue.

Gathering Shadow

Justice League of America #54
Written by James Robinson
Art by Brett Booth

 

This was a fantastic issue as Eclipso gathers shadow-based characters for some kind of plan. It even goes back and looks at the history of Eclipso which even I needed some refreshing on. Once again Robinson really makes the DC Universe seem like a vast wonderland as he pulls characters from its history – both obscure and famous. There were some more shadow villains I could think of – such as Shadow-of-War but hey he picked the ones he did for a reason I am sure. Booth’s art is going to take some getting used to as some parts of this issue seemed too much like Ed Benes (That is not a good thing) and the beginning two pages make no sense in terms of who was in the League at the same time I mean why are Vibe and Red Arrow shown to be in the team together at the same time!

The Fortress of Solidarity

Superman #708
Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Roberson
Art by Eddy Barrows

 

Yup…Chris Roberson is now one of my favorite writers at DC! In two issue he has improved upon JMS’s Grounded tremendously. This issue features the Superman Squad and their Fortress of Solidarity – I love the idea of Superstar – an entire Superhero universe hahaha awesome! And Wonder Woman guest stars (I like how Superman thinks she seems so familiar) and gets inspired to be a hero while watching him. Great stuff!

Just Bring On The Eclipso

Justice League of America #53
Written by James Robinson
Art by Mark Bagley

 

I was disappointed with the conclusion to this arc. I mean it was better then anything pre-Robinson but man was it not that great of an ending and Bagley…he must have known he was leaving when he drew this cause this was a weak issue on his part. That last splash page could have used some serious editing. Elasti-Woman is wearing the wrong costume and Damage is there – Damage is dead! Come on DC! I am looking forward to next month’s Rise of Eclipso story though!

There’s An App For That

Supergirl (Volume 5) #60
Written by Nick Spencer and James Peaty
Art by Bernard Chang

The new creative team takes over Supergirl and while I was worried – I can say that I am quite happy with this issue. The idea of an app for tracking heroes is brilliant and something not done before. How many comic plots can be described like that? And Alex already seems like such a bastard he will make a great villain. I am intrigued!

This Arc

Justice League of America #52
Written by James Robinson
Art by Mark Bagley

 

At this point I can probably say that I like this arc a lot less then the previous epic one as I really don’t care for Dark Supergirl or the Crime Syndicate all that much. It’s not a bad issue at all though and it is certainly much better then anything this book had pre-Robinson.

Leaving Arkham

Titans (Volume 2) #30
Written by Eric Wallace
Art by Fabrizio Fiorentino

 

It’s a shame this Arkham arc is coming to an end as this has been the best this book has been since the Villains for Hire thing started. Heck any comic set in Arkham is usually a treat but this setting really amped up the fun for this series which I found to just be incredibly depressing before. Osiris leaves and swares off killing for now, which is a good thing, although it was kind of abrupt and the confrontation between Dick and Roy was great cause I am glad to see that Dick still believes in his friend even if Roy has become a drug addicted mess. I wonder where this is going.

Christmas With Supergirl

Supergirl (Volume 5) #59
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle

Gates and Igle end their critically praised run on this title with this issue and I think they ended it all quite nicely by kind’ve stopping that Cat Grant hating Supergirl thing after Cat is saved by Supergirl from Dollmaker (who is an incredibly creepy little guy) and showing a nice Christmas with the Superman family of characters at the end. Kara has come along way since Gates took over and I think history will look back on his run very fondly.

Fallen For This Book

Action Comics #895
Written by Paul Cornell
Art by Pete Woods
Co-Feature by Nick Spencer
Art by RB Silva

I have seriously fallen in love with Action Comics. This is a book starring Lex Luthor and Jimmy Olsen. I never would have guessed I would be loving it this much but I have to say that this book has stole my heart. Everything about it is good. The Jimmy back-up was hilarious. The Lex story made great use of continuity. In other words, buy it.

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!

The Dollmaker

Supergirl (Volume 5) #58
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle

 

Damn I hate that Gates is leaving this book now especially because this issue rocked! Seriously we get a new menace, creepy as hell, called Dollmaker! (Is he Toyman’s son?) Finally some confirmation that Lana’s son is still in continuity. Cat Grant’s great commentary on how Supergirl dresses (I love how she mentions that belly shirts haven’t been in style in a decade…cause seriously it’s like the artists at DC don’t look around) all with Igle’s superb art. Oh and a great cliffhanger featuring Superwoman! I can’t wait to see what Lois wants to talk to her sister about.

The Legion’s First Death

Adventure Comics #520
Written by Paul Levtiz
Art by Kevin Sharpe
Co-Feature by Jeff Lemire
Art by Mahmud Asrar

 

The final early days of the Legion story was in this issue and it was really good as it focused on Saturn Girl’s thoughts after the death of Lighting Lad (who came back to life as we all know) although there was some annoying editorial mistakes (that was the original Invisible Kid, yet he is listed with the name of the secone one – come on they don’t even look the same!) I enjoyed it and it looks like Supergirl was officially a member of this Legion now. The Ant Farm concept is what is saving the Atom back-up from the boringness that is Ray Palmer but the annoying I am the science hero stuff was unnecessary.

Put Josh Williamson On A Monthly Book

Superman/Batman #77
Written by Josh Williamson
Art by Ale Garza

 

This was an amazing filler issue by Williamson! I read an interview – I forget where- where he talked about this issue and even then I could tell he really cared about these characters and DC Continuity – I was not disappointed by the issue one bit. Williamson pulls in elements of both Supergirl and Robin’s recent continuity including Blackest Night and New Krytpon but keeps it accessible for new readers and really explores the two characters in a profound way. DC better keep this guy on the payroll! I loved the final scenes with Robin and Batman discussing Supergirl….actually I loved everything about this issue. Very good.

Earths

Justice League of America #50
Written by James Robinson
Art by Mark Bagley

 

I liked this issue as it begins the new Crime Syndicate arc. Normally I would be annoyed to see another Crime Syndicate story but I would like to see them up against the new League. I think it’s ashame that Robinson thought it was necessary to have them destroy the Tangent universe of Earth-9…but we don’t know if it will be completely destroyed yet. One thing that annoyed the crap out of me that put me in a bad mood while reading it is that Alexander Luthor is NOT FROM THE ANTI-MATTER EARTH! He is from the long-dead Pre-Crisis Earth-3, so why does the Crime Syndicate act like they know him and why would he want to have their world destroyed after his death???? I sure hope this isn’t a huge continuity mistake and Robinson will explain it. Otherwise, still loving Robinson’s run and the new League.

Bizzarro World Is Saved

Supergirl (Volume 5) #57
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Bernard Chang

 

This was a great ending to the Bizarro World arc and Sterling Gates shows just how much Kara has grown as a character since his run began; she is able to defeat the Godship and change Bizzarogirl for the better. I love how the Bizarros she created looked like the people of New Krypton. Gates will be missed when he leaves this book.

Characters

Justice League of America #49
Written by James Robinson
Art by Pow Rodrix and Robson Rocha

 

This was a brilliant interlude that really takes a look at the characters of Donna Troy and Jade in particular. Robinson shows he knows their past and gets how they tick but also how he is going to move them forward. I love how he brings in old continuity like the Bogeyman but does it in a way that makes sense and natural. Even in the one panel scenes we get of some of the other Leaguers he demonstrates how much he gets those characters. This is awesome writing. The art was okay…Bagley is missed though.