The Spectre Versus The Butcher

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #61
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

 

Yay!!! Hal Jordan doesn’t even appear in this issue as the focus is put on Atrocitus! How can anyone say the success of Green Lantern since Rebirth is because of Hal Jordan! Johns never focuses on him and even has issues without the character! The success of Green Lantern is because of Geoff Johns’s world building, not Hal Jordan people.

Green Lantern 54 and 55

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #54
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

 

The funny thing about this book is it is supposed to star Hal Jordan but Hal Jordan is so boring that Johns mainly focuses on the supporting cast. Atrocitius really shines in this issue and his fun cat. Lobo showing up was a surprise too. I liked this issue a lot and I wonder who is kidnapping the entities and what this has to do with those ressurected by the white light. Mahnke’s art is as beautiful as ever too.

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #55
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

 

It turns out Atrocitus hired Lobo himself to attack him so that GL, Sinestro, and Carol would side with him. I wonder why? The best part of this issue though had to be fantastic origin of Dek-Star the Red Lantern Cat. As a cat owner myself, it really warmed my heart but was so sad too. He is full of rage because his owner was murdered. Great little story. I hope he sticks around.

Meh

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #51
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

 

The Black Lantern Spectre is defeated and Hal is no longer Parallax is one issue. This all seemed to be just stalling for the fight against Nekron and it bored me. There were some cool moments, none of which featured Hal Jordan of course, but otherwise it was just a waste. Mahnke’s art seemed really rushed too.

Parallax Rebirth

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #50
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

Wow! I thought that the cover was just metaphorical but no, Hal becomes Parallax again in order to scare off the Spectre! Where is Nekron in all of this though. Why the focus on Spectre instead of him? Don’t get me wrong I liked the issue but I was just wondering what was going on with him. This is a nice anniversary issue because it harkens all the way back to Rebirth. Hey maybe Hal will stay as Parallax and we can get Kyle back! I highly doubt that but I am a Blue Lantern what can I say (:

When The Stranger Is Needed

Phantom Stranger (Volume 2) #42
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Adrian Syaf

 

The Phantom Stranger is one powerful mother fucker! No, I don’t think he can carry a series and I am glad he is just back as a star for this one issue, but he is still a great character and guest star. This issue is actually pretty important to Blackest Night as the reveleation that the White Light can not destroy Nekron. I am not sure why Deadman’s body is so important but I look forward to finding out. Good stuff. And the art was superb.

Dead Killing The Dead

Brave and the Bold #26
Written by John Rozum
Art by Scott Hampton

This issue teams up The Spectre and the milestone here called Xombi. While it was filled with interesting ideas – particularly the idea of a ghost killer of ghosts – it suffered due to the art. I really was confused as to what was going on a lot of time because the art was just horrific. I didn’t enjoy it at all and I don’t wish to read anything with this artist again. Also, we really learn very little about Xombi in this issue other then he can regenerate his tissue and I think that is not a good thing when this is supposed to get people into the character. Well, anyways, next issue is the long-awaited debut of JMS on this title and I am looking forward to that after the long wait.

Death in the DCU

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #43
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

If this issue doesn’t get you excited for Blackest Night the nothing will. This was an excellent issue detailing the history of the Black Hand, the murder of his family, and suicide and then his rise from the dead as the first Black Lantern and embodiment of the Black Lantern Corps. Mahnke’s are is as gorgeous as ever and I think he may be my favorite artist at DC for event books. I love the DC Universe and its continuity and it was so exciting to see Mahnke draw all the heroic deaths over the years. My only complaint is story-wise, why the fuck no mention that Kyle was basically the entire Green Lantern Corps for a decade! It’s just another example of DC favoring silver age old-fuck heroes. Oh and fuck Didio by the way and his stupid ass DC nation column about the Justice League. Am I being a little mean with this review? Sorry. Let’s go back to the positives, this was an amazing issue that brings us right into what will hopefully be the greatest event DC has had in a long time.

Japanese Mythology Versus The JSA

Justice Society of America #28
Written by Jerry Ordway
Art by Ordway

I liked this part much better then the first part of this little fill-in arc. Maybe cause I find Japanese Mythology quite interesting and Ordway used it quite nicely in this. Atom Smasher and Stargirl’s relationship is a little strange. How old is he supposed to be? I also liked that Ordway avoided saying that the bomb being dropped was inevitable and couldn’t be avoided and all the usual right-wing propaganda about Hiroshima. We did a shitty thing people, let’s admit that and move on. But anyways, this was an enjoyable issue but I am looking forward to seeing how everything goes when the new creative team takes over next issue.

Nothing Special

Justice Society of America #27
Written by Jerry Ordway
Art by Ordway

You know you would think after writing this title with Johns in the last arc Ordway would know to draw Judomaster as an Asian women, you can blame her hair on the colorist but she definitely did not have Asian features here. I am not sure who the threat is that they are facing. The idea of spirits that hate America is kind of lame but it might work. We shall see what the next issue brings. Otherwise, this was an okay fill in issue. Nothing special.

At Least We Get A Happy Ending

The Flash (Volume 2) #247
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Carlo Barberi, J. Calafiore, and Andre Coelho

This may or may not be the last issue of this series. Sadly, they are bringing back Barry Allen (a much inferior character) and retiring Wally. Well..er…at least he ended on a high note as this is a good story and it is a good explanation for him to give up the super hero business to focus on his family. But I don’t see that staying the same for long. The art was so inconsistent this issue, it was a bit distracting. And no, Wally doesn’t die. Nobody does. It is a happy ending for the West Family. Their only true enemy is Didio, who wants to move the DC Universe backwards instead of forwards. Yes, I know I mention this in almost every post now but it’s true, and I am bitter about it.

Flash 231 – 246

The Flash (Volume 2) #231
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Daniel Acuna

And it begins….Wally West returns as the Flash with his two kids as sidekicks. Now I am not an expert on genetics by any means…but I am pretty sure that if Wally and Linda had children, BOTH would have dark hair and both would have aspects of Linda’s Asian descent and Wally’s Caucasian descent in their faces. Instead we have Jai looking completely Asian and Iris looking completely Caucasian and Iris has red hair. Makes no sense, but whatever it’s not that important I guess. I like Acuna’s art despite other people’s complaints and I did like this issue. I wish that in their little retrospective they didn’t ignore Bart who DID work out of Keystone for a bit before moving to L.A.

The Flash (Volume 2) #232
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Daniel Acuna

So the Flash manages to freeze all of Keystones in order to fight an incoming invasion of….Vagina Monsters?! Haha well that’s what it looks like sorry. Acuna’s art was still good but I don’t know how I feel about the colorist this issue, everything was a little bland. As for the story, the monsters seems kind’ve interesting but I wish this issue focused more on Wally then his kids as they take up about half the issue.

The Flash (Volume 2) #233
Written by Mark Waid and John Rogers
Art by Freddie E. Williams II and Doug Braithwaite

This was by far the best issue since Wally returned. We get more Flash then his kids and we get an excellent back up starring Jay Garrick. The Justice League also guest stars. I love Wally’s response to Batman telling him how to raise his kids, noting that Batman has gone through four Robins. I am glad Waid hasn’t forgotten Stephanie. I actually think I liked the back up better with the Planet Salvoth, I love how they look like dogs and the art was fantastic with Braithwaite. I miss Acuna’s art but Williams wasn’t too bad this issue.

The Flash (Volume 2) #234
Written by Mark Waid and John Rogers
Art by Freddie E. Williams II and Doug Braithwaite

The back-up story continues to be good and the main story is really picking up in this series. I find the kids a little annoying still but oh well it was still good. I have to wonder how these kids, if they aged instantly, make pop-culture quips and know how to even talk. Were they put in a virtual environment like Bart Allen was? I don’t know and I suppose it will never be explained. I also question why Wally would go after the vagina monsters (yes I am just going to keep calling them that), when they seem to have left. If they don’t pose a threat anymore, why be so aggressive?

The Flash (Volume 2) #235
Written by Mark Waid and John Rogers
Art by Freddie E. Williams II and Doug Braithwaite

The back up story connects to the main story here as we learn the Vagina Monsters are actually the Swamp Invaders from Planet Sorvath. In the main story, we get a nice scene where Wally talks to Jai about the fact that he may age till death quickly. (All of this remind me of the movie, Jack, with Robin Williams) and the Justice League acting kinda jerky toward Wally but otherwise the back up story is what has made this  good.

The Flash (Volume 2) #236
Written by Mark Waid and John Rogers
Art by Freddie E. Williams II and Doug Braithwaite

This concludes the opening arc in a very satisfactory way. While a lot of people were underwhelmed by this, I thought it was really good. I especially loved the back up story’s conclusion, and the final line where he says “I did not know ‘The Flash’. I knew Jay, Barry, Bart, and Wally. Waid and Rogers really get the humanity behind the character of the Flash and they show it here, especially in Linda’s speech to the council. Good stuff.

The Flash (Volume 2) #237
Written by Keith Chamagne
Art by Koi Turnbull

This fill-in issue was pretty decent. At least the writing was, the art was pretty awful. Look at that security guard guy, why is he so big! Who looks like that! Basically the kids fight Livewire while on a scavenger hunt in Metropolis, while the Flash goes to interviews. I like that Wally has to deal with things like interviews while being a superhero, it makes the character so human and down-to-earth. Chamagne is almost always a good writer, he needs to be given a regular book.

The Flash (Volume 2) #238
Written by Tom Peyer
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

Tom Peyer begins his run on The Flash by introducing a new villain with one of the best concepts for a villain I have seen in a long time. Spin apparently plays on society’s fears and makes it a reality, like how the news plays on the fears of society. Very interesting stuff and a nice commentary on the state of modern tv news. I liked this a lot and I look forward to Peyer’s run on the series.

The Flash (Volume 2) #239
Written by Tom Peyer
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

So it looks like Gorilla Grodd is behind the new villain, Spin. This was a good issue and I like Wally’s new job. Pretty cool. Peyer doesn’t write Jai and Iris to be quite as annoying as Waid did, but I still can’t really warm up to them. I wouldn’t be stressed if the people of Keystone turned against the Flash after the whole robbery thing even without Spin’s influence. People are easily manipulated.

 

The Flash (Volume 2) #240
Written by Tom Peyer
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

Spin turns Keystone City into a living newscast in this issue. This is a really creative plot and I recommend people check it out. Peyer is definitely a good writer. The kids are kidnapped by the Dark Side Club, tying into Final Crisis. And it looks like Iris has aged to an adult. Grodd is one pissed off gorilla.

The Flash (Volume 2) #241
Written by Tom Peyer
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

While it didn’t seem like it, a lot did happen this issue. Spin reveals his origin, and Grodd and the Dark Side Club are defeated. Iris is not aged (yet Williams draws her face as being exactly the same, because he can’t really draw that many faces.) To top it off, Wally has to save Inertia from the burning Flash Museum. I almost forgot Wally put him there, what a perfect punishment that was.

 

The Flash (Volume 2) #242
Written by Tom Peyer
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

Wow, did that just happen? Did Iris just age and die? They were so close to saving her? Something tells me there is still hope. Her aging would be so much better if Williams knew how to draw different ages, she basically looks the same the whole issue but is talking as if she is aging more and more. It really distracted from the story. Williams does draw a cute Nzame though. I will give him that. The whole Edwar Martinez thing was really sad, and the murder plague is creepy. Good stuff.

The Flash (Volume 2) #243
Written by Tom Peyer
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

In this excellent conclusion to Peyer’s story arc, Iris and Jai are finally cured after Wally removes the black aspect of the speed force from them? Ya it’s kind’ve a weird way of saving them, but it works. I was hoping there powers would be gone so they wouldn’t were those hideous costumes anymore but they are still there. Peyer’s arc was really good and I hope he comes and does more stuff for DC in the future.

The Flash (Volume 2) #244
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Paco Diaz

I am not sure how I feel about this issue. It makes me sad that this arc is just depowering Wally so that Barry can come back and be the best Flash or some shit like that. Fuck you Didio and you’re let’s revert the DCU to 1984 attitude. Anyways, at least he can hit the speed of sound, which I believe is what Jay can do. The art and writing is good though. I am glad that Williams is gone, I was so sick of his art.

The Flash (Volume 2) #245
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Carlo Barberi

Okay If Linda is dead I am going to be really fucking pissed off. I doubt it but if she is that is so ridiculous. I am not one that freaks out every time they kill someone in a comic, but Linda’s death would so unnecessary. I am not sure what Black Lightning was talking about in the end with the spy thing. I did really enjoy the flashbacks to Wally’s time with the Titans though.

The Flash (Volume 2) #246
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Carlo Barberi

Okay like I said if she is actually dead I am going to really fucking pissed and she didn’t get any better this issue. In fact, the Spectre even says she is going to die. I am hoping Wally will figure out a cure soon. Death by bee stings, I mean come on! Besides this, Burnett clearly knows his Wally West history as there are lots of flashbacks to his relationship with Linda and his time as the Flash. Good retrospective but I am worried about Linda.

Blue Beetle 16 – 32

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #16
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

“Batman’s file on you is Eclipso Power: Sucking” Best line ever! This was a decent issue. I still am not a fan of the art in this series. I liked the Sue Dibny stuff though. Very powerful.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #17
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Now this was more like it! Jaime really thinks like a superhero here especially with the calling Bruce Wayne stuff. Very good issue.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #18

Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque, David Balden, and Dan Davis

Haha well the art was distracting at first, but I got over it because this was a fun issue where Blue Beetle meets the Teen Titans. I love how Brenda calls them the Belly-Shirt Brigade and the comments about how they wear skirts. Just fantastic. Rogers writes a good Miss Martian too…I liked her one-liners.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #19
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

This was an entertaining dealing with Brenda’s discovery of her aunt’s criminal side, and Blue Beetle fighting Giganta through her pressure points. Good stuff.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #20
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

So is the Peacemaker dead? Looks like it since he ripped the Scarab out of his spine. This crossover with the Sinestro Corps War was good but extremely overrated in the blogosphere. It only mildly entertained me.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #21
Written by Justin Peniston
Art by Andy Kuhn

This Spectre filler issue was good as it dealt with themes of the death penalty and forgiveness. Very good stuff from a writer I have never heard of. The art didn’t seem different at all.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #22
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Rogers is a fantastic writer. He has been putting little clues into this series since the beginning. Jaime also shows his brilliance as a hero in this story. He is not a stupid kid by any means. Tovar’s story was very sad, and it makes you think about if all your memories were a lie as well. Best issue in a while.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #23
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Everything is going crazy and Rogers winds down his run and Blue Beetle comes face to face with the Reach. This stuff has been two years in the making and it is really exciting. I know for a fact that Jaime’s family is not dead, but I still felt for Jaime in this issue. And jeeze, having a scarab pulled out of your spine has got to hurt!

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #24
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Even more shit hits the fan in this action-packed issue. I loved Blue Beetle’s make shift powerless costume and how it resembles Ted Kord’s old costume. Nice touch. This was an amazing issue. Probably the best of the entire series this far.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #25
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

John Rogers has not only created a legacy for the Blue Beetle but created a great character and supporting cast that will go down as classic. Twenty-five issue of build up and it was all worth. Jaime finally defeats the Reach in this issue and it is fantastic. Read it – everything in the last twenty-five issues is build up to this, even things you thought were meaningless. I am going to miss him on this title but at least he went out on top. Brenda and Paco kiss and the scarab speaks English! Kaji Da!

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #26
Written by Jai Nitz
Art by Mike Norton

What a good/cute story. In this all-spanish issue (which I had translated) Blue Beetle has a family reunion and fights the Parasite. In the end, he takes his Grandma for a flight.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #27
Written by Will Pfeiffer
Art by David Baldeon

This issue has Blue Beetle fighting a demon summoned by some dorky teenagers who find a spell book. Good stuff, and I like when Beetle works with Traci 13. Nothing really to write home about though.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #28
Written by Will Pfeiffer
Art by David Baldeon

This was another good story featuring a villain from the original Blue Beetle’s days named Doctor Mestopheles, and I love when this series does the legacy thing. Baldeon’s art is good and I wish he would stay on the series.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #29
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

This issue deals with illegal immigration. A topic that I am surprised it took twenty-nine issues for a series set in El Paso, Texas to get to. But I am glad it is being dealt with. Sturges begins his run with an intriguing story and it seems like he really gets the characters. In fact, I think I liked his pacing a little more then John Rogers’s pacing.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #30
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Haha I loved the opening of this issue with Jaime trying to go all Dark Knight on La Dama. This was a fantastic second issue for Sturges’s run. He even has Jaime and friends go to a superhero mini-golf place. Oh to live in the DCU…..

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #31
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Andre Coelho

Having Blue Beetle be conned into representing El Paso’s border patrol was genius storytelling as it will allow for some political commentary in this series. I am a liberal and I do believe that people who are anti-immigration are racist, it’s pure and simple. So I really liked this story. Doctor Mid-Nite’s appearence was perfect and not arbitrary at all. So far Sturges’s run has been really good. And Dr. Polaris’s appearence I bet will excite a certain blogger over at Title Undetermined.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #32
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Andre Coelho

This exciting issue explains the origin of the new Dr. Polaris, who I think was only created because some editor forgot he was dead and had him appear somewhere. I hate editors who don’t do their job, but at least we get a new character! I like that he comes from corporate America which makes him perfect for this storyline. A lot of great moments. People, you need to be buying this series!