Action Comics #883
Written by Greg Rucka and Eric Trautmann
Art by Pere Perez
Co-Feature by Rucka and James Robinson
Art by Cafu

The Superman books are some of the best intriguing, story-driven, and exciting comics I have read in a long time. Robinson and Rucka have crafted such a wonderful mystery here and I will keep saying it again and again. We finally get to see the Nightwing entity in action this issue albeit briefly. I love the new Nightwing and Flamebird costumes. They are simple and visually appealing and I like how they honor Superman on their belts. I hope these costumes stick around. Jimmy Olsen’s (possible murder) disappearance is investigated by Perry White. I am surprised that that plot point is being followed up here instead of by Robinson over in Superman but that just goes to show how tightly intertwined the books are right now. The Captain Atom co-feature makes great use of continuity by referencing Superman/Batman and Captain Atom’s time as monarch. I love continuity shout-outs like that! I guess that is why my blog is named what it is. Anyways, the art was fantastic and so was the writing on it. Great issue.

Batman and Robin #6
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Phillip Tan

Wow Phillip Tan does not show any strengths here. Why did this guy get picked to follow Quitely? I mean this was bad art. Everything was muddled and dark and it hurt the storytelling. Moments that should have been great were ruined by this artist. I am really sad to say it. This issue was filled to the brim with story but it was lost in all of the horrible art. Story-wise, I have a lot to say. What the hell happened the end? Was that Bruce? It can’t be can it? If so, his return was ruined by art that made it completely unclear as to what was going on. Ugh I wanted to like this so much because it was a good story but all of the great moments were absolutely ruined. It was like going to see a good movie but being blinded.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #26
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Jurgens and Mike Norton

Jurgens is by far one of if not the best artists DC has, why doesn’t he get any appreciation for it?! He is also just as good of a writer. You don’t have to have read anything with Booster Gold before and you would completely understand and enjoy this issue. If you know Booster’s history, you will enjoy it more but that means it is a good use of continuity. I loved every page of this issue. Pick this up if you are a fan or just someone getting into DC through Blackest Night.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #42
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

You know I am trying not to overreact. I really am! But what the fuck…if this is for real. If DC took away Cassandra Cain from the title of Batgirl, still ignores Linda Danvers, made Wally West the secondary Flash, and now has killed Kyle Rayner – I will be really pissed off. These characters were BETTER and MORE INTERESTING then their predecessors, and spoke to an entire generation of comics readers. What the fuck. Kyle better be restored to life after Blackest Night. I know Johns said Kyle wouldn’t be dying. So I trust he is telling the truth. Otherwise good issue. But Kyle better not stay dead.

Batman Confidential #36
Written by Royal McGraw
Art by Marco Marz

The Blackhawks are a group I am not familiar with – nor have I found any of their previous appearances interesting (with the exception of Lady Blackhawk). Luckily Lady Blackhawk guest stars in this issue and this is a great unique Batman story so far. It must not take place too far back in Batman’s past considering Lady Blackhawk is in it and there is talk of The Globe who is a rather recent introduction to Batman’s rogues gallery by Paul Dini. Royal McGraw is a writer that I know I enjoyed somewhere else but I can’t remember where. Marz is an artist I am unfamiliar with but he is a great Batman artist. This was visually stunning. Keep him around DC!

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #37
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Bernard Chang

Chang’s artwork isn’t bad by any means – but Lopresti was so perfect for this book that he is truly missed by me this issue. Story-wise, this was an okay issue. Donna and Diana fight – apparently Donna is still under Genocide’s spell. I liked that Diana was proud of how much of a warrior Donna has become. This issue focuses far too on Diana’s relationship with the amazons – I want to see Wonder Woman being a superhero and see a supporting cast in her life as Diana Price and all that. I guess we will have to wait for that. I trust Simone has something in mind for Wonder Woman’s civilian life now that the DMA is no more.

Detective Comics #858
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by J.H. Williams III
Co-Feature by Rucka
Art by Cully Hamner

We finally begin the origin of Batwoman – a story I have waited three years to read. Was it worth the wait? I don’t know yet. I like that it has the violent background that the other bat characters have. Kate’s mom is murdered by terrorists or some kind of group because after she and her sister are kidnapped. Her twin sister seems dead but is obviously not considering she grows up to become Alice. Under any other artist, the story wouldn’t be as engaging. But the way Williams not only changes his style when we shift into the flashback, but also how draws the entire kidnapping and horrific scene through the eyes of Kate – which helps the reader empathize with her and think about how horrific the scene would seem to such a young girl. The way her father stays calm while saving Kate and reassures her is such a sad scene that I can’t say that Rucka’s script didn’t contribute to the greatness of this issue. Unfortunately, the Question back-up is still boring and completely devoid of anything remotely interesting.

Magog #3
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Howard Porter

I can’t say that I actually like the character yet, but Giffen at least makes Magog less of a douche this issue. Although I think a true hero would have listened to the villains’ rant to gain information instead of just ignoring him. I guess that is what makes Magog different from others – he is so often focusing on his own thoughts. He is a very self-centered hero. I did like seeing that he is going to look into the nature of his powers and what exactly Magog is. The villain is rather interesting – I wish that we got to hear what he was saying and I like the idea of an underground land for the homeless.

Outsiders (Volume 4) #23
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin

Pasarin is such a good artist why doesn’t DC ever use him as a regular artist? Although his Creeper is a little more normal looking then the Creeper usually is. But at the same time Tomasi writes him as more “normal” then he usually does too. It was great to see Katana and Halo’s relationship acknowledged, even if it is annoying that they keep calling Halo Violet instead of Gabrielle. This is going to be Tomasi’s last arc on this book before Didio takes over. I guess we shall see if Tomasi’s run is considered a sucessful one or not.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #76
Written by Felicia D. Henderson
Art by Yildiray Cinar
Co-Feature by Sean McKeever
Art by Cinar

The main story was eh okay. Not the best, I think Henderson still hasn’t quite grasped all of the Titans yet. Wonder Girl seemed totally fine with Beast Boy taking over leadership last issue and now all of a sudden she just switches?! I mean sure he left to save Raven but come on. Cinar’s art is much better in the Ravager back-up which means that the main feature was probably rushed because another artist backed out. Why can’t they give this book a good regular artist again?