Next Arc

Gotham City Sirens #19
Written by Peter Calloway
Art by Andres Guinaldo

 

Calloway manages to conclude the current arc and start the next arc in one issue as Talia’s plan is thwarted (Not without blowing up the Sirens headquarters) and Harley decides to go after the Joker all in this issue. It wasn’t a bad issue but I hope that the next arc (Calloway’s second on this book) is more intriguing then his first. I have high hopes.

Settling In

Gotham City Sirens #18
Written by Peter Calloway
Art by Jeremy Haun

 

This issue was much better as it is revealed Talia is behind all of this wanting to erase Catwoman of her memories of Batman and I liked the dialogue between Harley and Ivy. I think Calloway is finally getting settled writing this book. I still don’t buy Zatanna even thinking about mindwiping Selina again but oh well.

Dini?

Gotham City Sirens #17
Written by Peter Calloway
Art by Andres Guinaldo

 

This seemed really decompressed. I mean not much happens here except the girls look for Catwoman, they find Catwoman, and they leave. Where is Dini and why has he been gone from this book for so long? I also highly doubt they are going to actually mind wipe Bruce from Selina’s mind. So while it wasn’t a bad issue, I wasn’t into it that much.

Sirens 15 and 16

Gotham City Sirens #15
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Andres Guinaldo

 

In the end, Harley and Catwoman are unable to convince Poison Ivy to not sound with the alien – she has to realize it on her own. I liked that and it was great to see the recap of how Harley and Ivy became friends. Not a bad issue.

Gotham City Sirens #16
Written by Peter Calloway
Art by Andres Guinaldo

 

So when is Dini returning to the title? No one writes Harley Quinn as good as Dini I really miss him. This wasn’t a bad issue though as Talia and Zatanna get involved when they discover that someone with magical powers and who apparently hates trees kidnaps Catwoman hoping to invade her mind and find out who Batman is. Not sure where this is going but it is an interesting start.

The Missing Daughter Saga Continues

Red Robin #12
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Marcus To

 

Okay if Ra’s took the time to track down people like fucking Julie Madison, then why the fuck would he not go after Cassandra Cain – Bruce’s adopted daughter daughter and the former Batgirl! Is it because DC’s editors are asshats?! I think so. But anyways, this was a great way to end Yost’s run on the title and bring Tim full circle. This began as the story of Tim going in a direction too dark for the character but Yost has brought him back to Gotham and back to his old self. Hell they even made the costume more his. Yost’s run was great. I am certainly glad To is sticking around but I will miss Christopher Yost on this book.

HaHaHaHaHa

Batman and Robin #12
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Clarke

 

Spoiler Warning:

 

A certain clown prince of crime is back after being missing since R.I.P. I did not suspect that he was Oberon Sexton even a little bit. That was a good swerve. As for the rest of this issue, Talia disowns Damian and is creating a new son for herself from his DNA. She is more of a whackjob here then I ever remember her being. You know what else makes Morrison one of if not my favorite comics writer (Yes Johns used to be but now not so much since he began his Hal and Barry Worship phase) is the little continuity references like when Dick confronts Deathstroke and mentions Bludhaven. Slade deserved that. I was wondering when Dick was going to mention his former home city again…it didn’t even seem like he dealt with its destruction even when he was Nightwing. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Spinal Control

Batman and Robin #11
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Clarke

Well Deathstroke being involved was completely unexpected and actually not really necessary considering he is one of the most overused characters in the DCU. I liked that Morrison got around to explaining how all of this stuff could be in the manor even after the Gotham Quake…I should have trusted he would explain it he is a guy who respects continuity. The art is gorgeous and everything…but really this book is overrated and not as good as Tony Daniel’s Batman. I like it though. I wonder if Oberon is Bruce, I doubt it but I suppose it is still a possibility since he never really answered when Damian asked him if he was.

Family History

Batman and Robin #10
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Clarke

 

The start of this new arc was probably the most intiguing thing about this series yet. Bruce left clues to his where about within Wayne Manor – it makes perfect sense. Except for one problem…. the original Wayne Manor was destoryed during Cataclysm! Unless they reconstructed it exactly as it was, I am not sure if I remember that or not. I will have to look that up. I don’t know that I buy that Dick Grayson – who grew up in this house – wouldn’t know about the existence of a secret passageway and Alfred didn’t either but I am willing to let that go because it is a cool mystery and I am interested in the Wayne Family history now and I definitely wasn’t before.

Would Dick Grayson Really Do This?

Batman and Robin #7
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Cameron Stewart

 

After everything they have been through with the Lazarus pits, I really find it hard to believe that Dick would willing try to put Bruce in one of them. It just seems completely out-of-character to me. I don’t know. The art is definitely amazing and I loved every page but the story was – eh – not my cup of tea (no pun intended), but I guess we will see where this goes. Batwoman was a nice guest star and it made sense since the whole religion of crime thing.

Hush Hush Kitty

Gotham City Sirens #2
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Guillem March

This issue didn’t wow me as much as the debut issue. I think it was the art. I mean I still love Dini’s writing of these characters but all of the colors looked washed out. So it’s the colorists fault that I did not enjoy this issue as much. I question why Dini decided to bring back Hush so soon after Heart of Hush, I think the characters works best if used sparingly (but before Dini I didn’t think the character worked at all so I give him props for that) and he is using him both in this book and Streets of Gotham. Hush is using Harley to get to Catwoman after Selina stole all his money. I hope she kicks his ass.

Secret Six 5 and 6

Secret Six (Volume 3) #5
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

And DC’s craziest series gets even crazier in this issue as the villain Junior is revealed to be Ragdoll’s sister. I can’t believe I never thought of such a thing before as the villain did fit in a box! She is even scarier looking then Ragdoll.

Secret Six (Volume 3) #6
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott, Favi Pina, and Pete Woods

In the main story, learn more about Ragdoll’s sister and it turns out the one asking for the card is Mad Hatter who I am excited to see. He really doesn’t get enough appearances for a Batman villain. We also learn more of the perfectly disturbing backstory of Jeanette. Oh and Deadshot betrays the team. He was my least favorite member, so I really hope he is out for good. I like that despite they are working together, they really are still villains. In Origins and Omens backup story, we get some panels that could show the future of the team as well as an explanation of their origins by Mad Hatter who looks to have bad things in mind for their future. Awesome issue.

Morrison’s Farewell

Batman #683
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Lee Garbett

This is Morrison’s final issue on Batman, and, well it was damn good. Just like last issue, we get more memories from Bruce’s life mixed with a fake what if memory if Bruce had never become Batman. This issue was much more clear. I like the idea that Dick would have died going after his parents’s killers if Batman never existed. It shows how important Dick and Bruce are to each other. Same with Gordon. And Catwoman for that matter. And hey, we see Batgirl’s silhouette! Yay! Thanks for actually having her appear in your run at least once Morrison. The end of R.I.P is finally revealed…Batman survived the explosion and goes on to Final Crisis which is his real last case. Yes, DC totally handled this wrong and I am pretty sure this wasn’t originally how it was going to happen but I don’t really mind. What I do mind is Didio’s fucking DC Nation column in the back, not only does he totally disrespect Kyle and Wally, but what he says is definitely a lie. There were no plans to bring back Barry Allen, just read interviews with other creators like Johns and Waid who have said DC didn’t know what the hell they were doing with Flash. I can’t wait till the day Didio leaves DC and the DCU can actually move forward instead of backwards. But anyways, this issue was good.

Mixed Feelings

Batman #681
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

My enthusiasm for this issue was nearly destroyed when I read Didio’s interview with Newsarama today. He basically confirmed Barbara Gordon will come back as Batgirl. I will get into that in a seperate post. Anyways, I have mixed feelings about this issue. When I first read it it seemed like a great ending if not a little underwhelming ending to this issue. The more I think about it the more I think Morrison’s ending for this was changed instead of Final Crisis. I don’t really see this as being such a shocking ending as Morrison described interviews. Sure Batman goes down in a helicoptor that blows up but it’s not like we see a body. One good thing about all this is Gotham certainly has a new group of villains in the form of the Club of Villains and the Black Glove but….I guess I expected some huge revelation, which there wasn’t one. Was the guy the Devil? Was he really Thomas Wayne? Was he Mangrove Pierce? I am not really sure. Daniel’s art is amazing and I don’t quite understand why people hate on it. I just don’t know what to think about this yet.

Robin 164 – 180

Robin #164
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

Meh….this issue was just a waste. Dodge recruits a bunch of Gotham Metas I don’t care about to take out Robin and Robin gets asked to be on the tennis team. I really don’t care.  Williams’s art, while I liked it at first, is kinda getting on my nerves. I don’t like how cartooney it is and how everyone’s mouth looks so strange.

Robin #165
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

Now this was more like it. Robin fights off Dodge and his goon in the hospital. I like how Beechen is great at explaining how Robin can take out these guys who at first glace seem so much more powerful. He uses brains over brawn. I knew there was no way Dodge would want to kill Robin, but I wonder how this girl knows Robin’s real name or if she even does.

Robin #166
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

While this storyline took a little long, I must say that I really enjoyed this finale. I hope Dodge comes back again. There is something so sweet about his flamebird-like wannabe attitude. I also must say that I was not expecting the whole Zatara/Ravager twist at all. This was a good issue.

Robin #167
Written by Brandon Thomas
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

This filler issue was very very good and a nice story about a boy who misses his father. Sometimes these mourning stories can get a little tiresome but there hasn’t been that much focus on the death of Jack Drake in this series and this issue make up for it. The best part has to be when Batman tells Jack “That he will take it up from here.” Meaning of course that he will take care of Tim.

Robin #168
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

This is part of the Ressurection of Ra’s al Ghul crossover and is one of the better issues in this crossover. I totally understand why Robin is freaking out on Damian. I hate that little brat and I don’t trust him either. And it’s not like Damian is being subtle about wanting to replace Tim, I mean he runs around in a Robin shirt! How old is Damian supposed to be? Just curious.

Robin #169
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by David Baldeon

This is another part of the Ressurection of Ra’s al Ghul and in it we see Tim tempted by the idea of joining with Ra’s if it means he can bring back those he has lost. I was shocked at first that Robin would consider it, but then I thought about it and realized….this boy has lost his parents, his girlfriend, and his best friend. I think it is very human of him to be tempted to do that, but I trust he will make the right decision in the end. Oh and I like Baldeon’s art better than Williams’s art.

Robin #170
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Chris Batista and Jamal Igle

Chuck Dixon is  back on Robin and it looks like he is fixing DC’s biggest mistake in the bat-books of this decade, the death and mistreatment of Stephanie Brown. Dixon wsa the writer of Robin when I first got into comics (writer of most of the batbooks actually) and I have tremendous respect for him as a writer even if I don’t agree with his politics. This is a fantastic issue and a great start to his new run. I can’t wait to see Stephanie again. And I loved the mention of the memorial (or lack of) in the cave.

Robin #171
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Chris Batista

This was a good issue, Dixon is back in the game like he never left. And I love how he is seeing Spoiler jumping across rooftops. If she is alive, was that issue of Batgirl where she talks to Stephanie in a near-death-experience just a hallucination? Anyways, Violet has an ugly costume. I wonder what is going on with Ives.

Robin #172
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by David Baldeon

Robin busts up an illegal casino led by Maxie Zeus this issue, all the while trying to stop Violet. God…I hate her. I hate her costume and I hate her attitude and I HATE those stupid goggles. All and all I have got a lot of hate for her. I question since she isn’t the Spoiler, what the point of her character even is? I guess just to throw people off thinking she was Stephanie. But Stephanie is back in her old Spoiler this issue! But Tim doesn’t know it yet.

Robin #173
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Chris Batista

Spoiler shows up but Robin doesn’t believe it is Stephanie behind the mask. I liked how he gets angry that someone is impersonating her as I think I would be too. I almost feel like Dixon should have waited to not show the readers Spoiler was back until the moment Robin saw her, it would make it more dramatic.

Robin #174
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Chris Batista

Well Stephanie is back and Dixon has fixed one of DC’s worst mistakes, her brutal death. He even makes Batman look like less of jackass by saying that Batman knew that she was still alive and that is why there was no memorial in the cave. She apparently faked her death with the help of Leslie. Now I would like to see Batman and Leslie reconcile. It was really awesome to see Tim give her a big hug and kiss when he saw her. I know DC will try to play it off as if this was there plan the whole time, but we all know it wasn’t. I am just happy it is fixed.

Robin #175
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Joe Bennett

This issue begins a crossover with R.I.P and more so of a crossover then Detective or Nightwing is (They are not really crossovers at all) but around the same level of crossover as Batman and the Outsiders. Dixon left DC before this issue and his remaining stories were chronicled in the Robin/Spoiler Special. I am not going to get into that whole dabacle, but I will say that this is good stuff. Nicieza is always good and is a perfect replacement for Dixon. I don’t really care for the flashbacks to 52 with Dick and Tim though. It just doesn’t interest me. Robin searching for the missing Batman does though and his strange relationship with Spoiler.

Robin #175
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Joe Bennett

The R.I.P storyline begins and it is revealed that the Spoiler has been trying to steer Robin away from finding out what is going on with Batman because Batman asked him to. R.I.P is turning out to be an awesome storyline, and this crossover is really exciting as we see Tim dig deeper and deeper to find out what happened to Batman. Still don’t care much for the flashbacks but it works in the context of the story. The art is fantastic as well.

Robin #177
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

I didn’t expect to see Ragman in this issue but I guess I forgot he lives in Gotham. As for who the new Red Robin is if it isn’t Jason Todd, I have no idea but I have always liked the Red Robin costume. I doubt Stephanie is actually paying Lynx to kill Robin. If she is that would be stupid and Nicieza is a better writer then that. The writing is good that I wasn’t even annoyed by Williams’s art.

Robin #178
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

I am confused. I don’t know who that guy was at the end or what is going on with Spoiler. I really don’t care about this gang war, it bores me. This was kind of a dull issue and this time around I did notice Williams’s art.

Robin #179
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

Okay everything is spiraling out of control for Robin who is trying to keep Gotham safe, Spoiler is acting weird, and there is a guy running around as Red Robin who seemingly wants to kill Robin. This is a lot to take in, but the annoying thing is that Tim mentions him and Dick are taking care of thing in Gotham, but so is Cassandra! Why no mention of Batgirl, damn it.

Robin #180
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

I am sure Robin escapes the explosion at the end….but I was very underwhelmed by the reveal of who Red Robin was. I was expecting someone way cooler then that, some former Robin villain now a little muscled up. At least it looks like Anarky is coming back, although he sort of disappeared from comics around the time I started reading them so I don’t have that much of a connection with the character as some people do. Hmmmm…..not sure where this is going exactly but I guess I am along for the ride.

Batman 669 – 680

Batman #669
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by J.H. Williams III

Ya maybe because it has been a while since I read the start of this story…..but I sooo confused by this. What happened? It seemed like pages were missing or something? So Mayhew was behind this? He is being paid by the Black Glove? So confused….maybe I have to go back and re-read the last two issues.

Batman #670
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

This is the prelude to the Ressurection of Ra’s Al Ghul Bat-crossover and I have to say I liked it more then some of the other issues of this crossover. I was a bit confused by Ra’s saying Damian was grown in a tank? Did I miss something there? As for the storyline itself, I really could care less about it. But this was still a good issue.

Batman #671
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

Also, a little bit confused by this issue. Was that really Ra’s father? It really didn’t seem like much happened in this issue. Very quick read….really only okay for a comic, a big failure for a comic written by Morrison.

Batman #672
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

Wow…Morrison’s run is very confusing, but you know with Morrison it will all make sense in the end and when you reread things you will catch things you did not catch before. I didn’t notice the Zur-En-Arr stuff the first time I read this. As for what Bat-Mite is doing here, I do not know. But I am intrigued by everything, even though I am confused.

Batman #673
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

Batman is having heart attack this issue, and flashes back to some interesting moments in his life where he has hallucinated. I like the flashback to the Robin Dies at Dawn storyline and it’s paralells with the Thogal ritual. I even liked the Joe Chill stuff, even if I was a little against the idea of bringing that character back. Tony Daniel is a fantastic artist and his work is perfectly suited for Morrison. I am not sure why some bloggers seem to not like him…to each his own I guess.

Batman #674
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

Now things are getting really good! We learn the truth behind the three Cop-Batman’s that have been plaguing him. Apparently, they were created by Dr. Simon Hurt to take Batman’s place in case he died. But it looks like Hurt was a psycho who even went to the lengths of having one of the cop’s familes murdered to do the same psychological damage to the cop as Bruce experienced as a boy. Interesting stuff, I really think the overall theme of Morrison’s run is Bruce’s psychology, and the state of his mind. This is all coming together rather nicely. As for Bat-Mite, he seems to represent the readers, as he seems to know things only the readers of this book would know and is trying to clue Batman in. That would fit with the whole characters being aware they are comic characters thing that Morrison has been dealing with since his run on Animal Man.

Batman #675
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Ryan Benjamin

Well, this is the prelude to R.I.P. The storyline that is supposed to change Batman’s world forever. Benjamin’s art is pretty bad. I did not like it at all…the facial expressions just seemed off. As for Jezebel finding out that Bruce and Batman are one and the same, I think Bruce could have easily said that he wasn’t Batman, but it looks like he does trust her for some reason.

Batman #676
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

This is the first part of R.I.P and I must say that I really enjoyed it…especially on the second read. Yes, it is no Hush, this isn’t some stupid popcorn summer movie flick type comic, this is intelligent stuff. You have to read it multiple times to catch things. I am not sure if the Black Glove is the same as the club of villains or if the Black Glove is an actual person behind the scenes. The club of villains are interesting and I look forward to learning more about them. I am getting suspicious of Jezebel…could she be the Black Glove? The Joker’s first appearence in this story was particularly frightening….the perfect way for Batman’s arch nemesis to make his entrance.

Batman #677
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

If this stuff with Thomas Wayne is true, then this WILL fundamentally change Batman as a character forever. I hope it is not. That is too much of a messing with the mythos. I hope this was created by the Black Glove to throw Batman off, to make him go crazy. I still am suspicious about Jezebel, I think she is involved with the Black Glove somehow. This is the most original Batman story I think I have ever read.

Batman #678
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

I can’t help but think of that old Batman: The Animated Series episode where Batman forgets he is Batman and ends up on the streets while reading this issue as essentially the same thing has happened, except Bruce has also gone bat-shit crazy! He’s running around in hand-stitched costume saying he is the Batman of Zur-En-Ahhr! I have to say, I have no idea where this story is going, but I am loving it!

Batman #679
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

The club of villains have taken over Arkham, and everything is going to hell in a handbasket. The Batman of Zur-En-Ahhr is one crazy bastard, but Bruce is sitll in there I know it. There was certainly a lot of red and black symbolism in this issue, although I probably would not have noticed if I hadn’t read about it in annotations.

Batman #680
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

I was correctamundo! It looks like Jezebel Jet is the Black Glove or is at least working with him/her. This was one INTENSE issue as I really got the feeling I was reading Bruce’s final days. It is both creepy and amazing. I can’t wait to see how this arc ends.

JLA 13 – 26

Justice League of America #13
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Joe Benitez

When I first read this issue, I was a little turned off. I guess I expected more from the first issue of McDuffie’s run and I certainly expected better art. But now I think this was a pretty good read and did remind me a lot of the TV show. Good start, and at least much better then anything Meltzer did on this title. I think the Injustice League is very cool and I like how they are opposite numbers of the League. Of the villains we have seen so far this is what the breakdown is.

Superman:

Lex Luthor
Parasite

Batman:
The Joker

Poison Ivy

Wonder Woman:
Cheetah

Firestorm:
Killer Frost

Hawkgirl:
Shadow Thief

Green Lantern:
Fatality

The Flash:
Gorilla Grodd

Black Canary, Vixen, Black Lightning, Red Arrow, Geo-Force, and Red Tornado are sadly without any villains yet.

Justice League of America #14
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Ed Benes

This is another good issue. The Injustice League is shown to have Cheshire and Shaggy Man in it’s ranks as well. Cheshire is a Red Arrow villain arguably (even if he has a kid with her) but Shaggy Man and Dr. Light are just general villains not specific to anyone.

Justice League of America #15
Written by Dwayne McDuffie Art by Ed Benes

The way Batman basically tells Firestorm that he has no choice, he has to join the Justice League was awesome! This concluded the Injustice League arc and it was good, but this arc as a whole would have been a whole lot better if someone else was doing the art.

Justice League of America #16
Written by Dwayne McDuffie and Allan Burnett
Art by Joe Benitez and Allan Jefferson

Eh….this issue was okay. It just served as a preview to two other mini-series’s which is kind of annoying. I would have rather had a story in this series that starts and ends in it.

Justice League of America #17
Written by Dwayne McDuffie and Allan Burnett
Art by Ed Benes and Joe Benitez

Haha the main story I could care less about. It was lame and had awful art. But the back up written by McDuffie was good because McDuffie comments on the fact that Meltzer’s whole Vixen is using the powers of the Justice League thing makes no sense. I love it! Take that Meltzer!

Justice League of America #18
Written by Dwayne McDuffie and Allan Burnett
Art by Ed Benes and John Boy Meyers

Meh….this was very decompressed and was basically filler. They could have cut this entire issue of the arc. But the back up was good.

Justice League of America #19
Written by Allan Burnett
Art by Ed Benes

Thank god this arc is over because it was not very good. It just served as a sidestory to another mini-series! Whatever happened to this series having its own stories. Hawkgirl being so jealous over Cheshire is just stupid and seems completely forced. Also, I know Geo-Force was transferred to the Outsiders but you would think someone would have mentioned it for people who aren’t reading
the Outsiders. Instead, he just dissappears. That’s bad editing.

Justice League of America #20
Written by Dwayne McDuffie Art by Ethan Van Sciver

This was by far the best issue of McDuffie’s run so far. And you wanna know why, Ethan Van Sciver. Look at how much of a difference Ed Benes’s art makes with McDuffie’s writing. McDuffie is a good writer, but Benes’s art is soo bad that it is killing a good story. Anyways, this was a beautiful issue with a nice story with the Flash and Wonder Woman. I liked it a lot.

Justice League of America #21
Written by Dwayne McDuffie Art by Carlos Pacheo

This is a final crisis tie-in issue that is rather enjoyable. In fact, it was just as good as last issue. This book is sooo much better without Ed Benes. Please DC, get rid of him! Anyways, it made me happy to see that Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman were going to add Martian Manhunter back in the league before he died but the trinity is acting kind’ve elitist. Libra is a visually stunning character and I can’t wait to learn more about him in Final Crisis.

Justice League of America #22
Written by Dwayne McDuffie Art by Ed Bene

Unfortunately Bene is back this issue….with some ultra terrible art. He draws just one body type…it’s so annoying. Plot-wise, it was only okay. Red Tornado taken over by Amazo does NOT interest me, especially when the League already fought Amazo under Meltzer’s pen. The vixen subplot interests me more but not by much. I really can’t reccomend this issue.

Justice League of America #23
Written by Dwayne McDuffie Art by Ed Benes

While this may have not been a horrible issue if Ed Benes was not doing the art, it was horrible when comined with the art and the rather dull fight with Amazo that lasted the entire issue. Damn. And this series was finally getting good again.

Justice League of America #24
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art byAllan Goldman

Yay! Benes is gone again this issue. This made the fight with Amazo so much better but still rather dull. The best moments of this issue were at the end where they go to meet Animal Man. I did not even think of the vegatarian thing. I am intrugued as to where this is going.

Justice League of America #25
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Ed Benes, Ian Churchill, Doug Mahnke, Darick Robertson, Shane Davis, and Ivan Reis

This anniversary issue was rather good. I am happy to find Red Tornado leaving the team as I never really grew fond of the character. Also, Anansi seems like a great villain for the league to face. I like how he speaks and how he spins the webs of stories. I look forward to the next issue.

Justice League of America #26
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Ed Benes

Now this alternate reality issue of JLA is one of the best issues of McDuffie’s run. He can write some great stuff when he isn’t editorially mandated to do things. There were so many great moments. The Brown Bomber! LMAO. It was refreshing to see Vixen calling upon Animal Powers again and I have to wonder if Meltzer only had it go away because he was too lazy to look up animals to use (:. But the anansi thing did seem to end rather quickly. I bet McDuffie wanted it to be longer but then was told he had to do the whole Milestone crossover thing. Well at least this is a new arc I can look forward to, even if it is editorially mandated.

Nightwing 143 – 148

Nightwing #143
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Don Kramer

The main story may not be that interesting, but Tomasi continues his magnificent run by writing great dialogue between Nightwing and Robin in this issue. Kramer is really good too here….I almost didn’t realize it wasn’t Rags.

Nightwing #144
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Don Kramer and Rags Morales

The mother of champions is such a cool character, I hope they don’t kill her at the end of this arc. I think Nightwing should offer Talia some kind of protection against her father, but I agree she should not be allowed to build a metahuman army for herself.

Nightwing #145
Written by Peter Tomasi

Art by Rags Morales

Eh…I wish Tomasi hadn’t had Ra’s escape from Arkham. It just gives writers an excuse to use him more often. Otherwise, this was a good issue. Rag’s art is amazing as usual and I like the conflict between Dick and Talia.

Nightwing #146
Written by Peter Tomasi

Art by Rags Morales

The last page of this issue – Superman and Nightwing taking off from the Daily Planet Globe – was breathtaking. I like the idea of a Maximum Securty Metahuman Morgue. I am glad this arc is over though – while I liked the whole Mother of Champions thing, I am sick of the al Ghuls. Give them a rest for a while.

Nightwing #147
Written by Peter Tomasi

Art by Don Kramer

While this wasn’t much of a RIP crossover, it was still a damn good comic. I am liking the story and the dialogue just as well. This is what Tomasi should have started his run with. Two-Face is in it, and he really needed to be in some comic this summer. I liked how Nightwing punches him for absolutely no reason.

Nightwing #148

Written by Peter Tomasi

Art by Rags Morales

Seeing so many of Batman’s villains in one place was exciting – although I get the feeling this is Nightwing hallucinating due to the nerve gas – but I hope not. The best part of this issue though was the conversation between Dick and Alfred. Strong writing there.