Superbatjerk

Superman/Batman #55
Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Art by Rags Morales

Superbat story arc continues and Batman continues to become a real big jerk just because he got Superman powers. At first I was angered by this, but the more I think about it, it makes sense. He is such a driven person that to be given this power is so overwhelming, of course he is going to think he should never stop fighting crime. I like how he is stopping more crime then Superman ever could. The difference of course is that Batman doesn’t inspire others in the way that Superman can. Zatanna still has those big earings though. Hahaha. Morales is such a good artist, but some of his faces seem to be a bit off this issue. Check out John Stewart. That doesn’t look much like John Stewart to me. Otherwise this is an interesting story so far. And Superman’s new costume rocks! Oh and that was a pretty intense beat down Batman gave Catwoman.

Praying For A New Artist

Justice League of America #30
Written by Dwayne McDuffie and Len Wein
Art by Jose Luis and Marco Rudy

I am very confused as to how the Shadow Cabinet and Icon betray the League here? Icon seems pretty upset that they betrayed them but how? Did they take Dr. Light’s body? I don’t get it. Anyways, this book gets a fill-in artist and he draws just like Ed Benes! Total shit. What the hell! Why, oh why? Please DC put some good art on this series so people can understand what is going on in it and characters look like actual different people from one another. The origins and omens backup revealed what looks like the post-Final Crisis line up; Black Canary, Vixen, Firestorm, Green Lantern, Doctor Light, and Icon. That should be interesting. Maybe there will be a new artist. Let’s pray for it.

Better Stay A Good Guy

Robin #183
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

Once again, I am annoyed that there is no mention of Cassandra Cain in the Bat family. What the hell, Nicieza! The art is better then usual for Williams but I couldn’t make out who was who in the back up story! How annoying. This whole issue annoyed me. Which is sad since this is the final issue of a series that has been going strong since 1993. At least I am excited for what is to come for Tim Drake, he just better not turn into an asshat like Jason Todd or something. At least they focused more on the history of this series then the Nightwing finale did, Tim basically says goodbye to people like Stephanie, Zoanne, and Ives which is a nice look at the supporting cast he has had over the years. Anyways, it was a long run, Tim, you better stay a good guy.

An Amazing New Beginning For The Outsiders

Outsiders (Volume 4) #15
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Lee Garbett

It’s no secret that I am big Outsiders fan and I enjoyed Dixon’s run (mostly because of Batgirl) so I was going to like this no matter what. But DAMN this is good. Tomasi bring back the original roster (minus Batman and plus the Creeper and the new Owlman) and reveals the real meaning behind the name Outsiders. Together they represent different sides of Batman and they are the “Batman” OUTSIDE of the Gotham. It’s Bruce’s way of protecting the whole world. Also revealed is that their is an unknown enemy behind all of the enemies the Outsiders have fought over the years. Garbett’s art is pretty good too. Everyone should check this out. It’s really a new beginning for the group. I like how Tomasi is really playing on the Outsiders history (Unlike Winick, who ignored it and thought he was writing Titans) and continuity. I am even interested in the two new members who I know very little about. Each of the Outsiders are asked to leave their lives outside the group behind for the time being, and Black Lightning reluctantly agrees. Does this mean he is going to leave the Justice League? Sure seems so but it isn’t mentioned in this book. Anyways, this was fantastic!

Two Lindas?

Supergirl (Volume 5) #38
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle and Matthew Clark

It’s a shame Gates hasn’t written this book since its inception. This is just that good! The same can be said for Igle’s art, which is top notch this issue. Check out the fight scene between Superwoman and Supergirl, gorgeous art there. Speaking of Superwoman, she may not be Kryptonian after all! Could she be Linda Danvers? I sure hope so. Either her or Flamebird should be Linda. And like Gates said at the convention, it looks like Supergirl will be taking over the Linda Lang identity again. Maybe that is how she hides from the ban on Kryptonians on earth? I don’t know but all of the threads are coming together and I can’t wait for the next issue.

Checking In With Good Art

Superman #684
Written by James Robinson
Art by Jesus Merino

This Faces of Evil issue focuses on Parasite who briefly had the power of Mon-El and craves more of it. I think Robinson is foreshadowing a possible fight with Parasite and Mon-El when the Daxamite takes over this title soon. There was a lot in this issue. We check in on the new Nightwing and Flamebird, as well as New Krypton where Zod is leading the army. It’s all pretty awesome. The art is fantastic. I really never realized how much I liked Merino as an artist until this issue.

More Booster Fun

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #17
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Jurgens

The main story continues to focus on the Egyptian knife. This time Booster goes back into time to issue number 4 of this series and runs into his self then. He fights Chronos and the mystery villain and gets Barry to go to his lab just in time to get hit by the lightning (I am not sure how I feel about this, not Booster is an intricate part of Flash’s origin). It was a lot of fun and up to par for this series so far. The back up ‘Origins and Omens’ story was a lot of fun. We get a recap of Booster’s life and origin as well as the omen part, it looks like Booster will be traveling back to the Marv Wolfman Teen Titans era! That should be awesome. I am really enjoying these origin and omen back ups.