Superman Rebirth 1 – 17

Superman (Volume 4) #1
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Ok in this issue – the first of Post-Rebirth Superman comic – we are introduced to Clark and Lois and their son Jon’s new farm where Jon accidentally kills his cat when he is trying to save it. I am sorry but that is the kind of dark shit I thought was not going to happen in Rebirth. I mean we had a cat killed in the Batman series already why do I need to be reading two series in a row where cats die. Come on DC! Anyways, this was a good start I guess but I can’t say much happens other than Jon being upset they have to hide who they are and Wonder Woman and Batman showing up to talk to Superman. Also, something weird is going on with Superman’s hands and it relates to Rebirth.

Superman (Volume 4) #2
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Ya right she would not be proud the kid accidentally killed the cat, she would be pissed and upset but only pretending to be okay cause she knew it was an accident. This is a pet’s death. People get more upset about it than Tomasi is writing here. Ugh. I like how Tomasi writes Jon over in Super Sons but I find him a bit annoying so far in this series. Also, why do they expect him to be able to fly at all one day? He is half-human. Are they thinking of Connor Kent and that is why? Because Connor was human and krpytonian but he was a clone maybe it is different.

Batman Rebirth 1 – 17

Batman (Volume 3) #1
Written by Tom King
Art by David Finch

In the first issue of this new Batman solo series, Batman prepares to give his life to save a plane full of people that almost crashes into Gotham. Spoiler Alert…he ends up not dying although he prepares to say goodbye to Alfred in a touching scene. The plane is actually saved by two Superheroes calling themselves Gotham and Gotham Girl. The idea of heroes showing up in Gotham with actual powers is an interesting thing. Would this make Batman feel useless? I guess we will see. I enjoyed the art in this. Finch knows how to draw Gotham City and its world well. Also, who is this new Batman protege Duke Thomas? I don’t know anything about

Batman (Volume 3) #2
Written by Tom King
Art by David Finch

I love how Duke asks Batman if he trusts these new heroes of Gotham and Gotham Girl, and he says “I don’t even trust Alfred.” That made me smile. I thought this would make Batman jealous to have super powered heroes but I should have known better – Batman is a true hero and wants what is best for Gotham City. These heroes could stop things he cannot stop and he knows that. I loved how the Gotham Man is confused when Batman dissapears when talking to Commissioner Gordon. But who are these two heroes and how do they have powers that are almost Kryptonian in nature? I do not like how skinny Finch draws Amanda Waller. She is way too thin in this. But that is my only complaint about this issue.

The Sons of the World’s Finest

Super Sons #1
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Jorge Jimenez

I still have not caught up with the main Superman books in this Rebirth era so this is really my first true introduction to Jon Kent, the Son of Superman and new Superboy, besides the parts he had in Justice League. I don’t mind Superman and Lois having a kid and it is intriguing to see what his powers would be since he is only half-Kryptonian, I sure miss Connor Kent the real Superboy. I can’t believe Rebirth would not have brought him back too considering how much Geoff Johns loves the character. I also am not a big fan of Damian but I was pleasantly surprised on how enjoyable this book was. Damian is basically stalking Jon Kent at school, he even pretended to be the school busdriver and helps Jon sneak out at night to do some investigating as Superboy. It seems like Clark and Lois don’t know yet that Jon has a Superboy costume am I right? The art was fantastic for a book of this nature and this issue was a joy to read. I like how these two characters play off each other. Tomasi writes Damian very well as a know it all jerk but in a charming way. I can’t recommend this enough. Great start to a charming little series.

Finally a Writer Who Respects DC’s Greatest Character

Detective Comics #951
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Christian Duce

Without question this is the best series that DC is putting out right now. And I say that not just because it features Cassandra Cain but because she is now being featured heavily! Last issue she was the focus of the anniversary issue and now she is still a main player in the plot. This should be a regular thing I am used but this fan has missed her so much these last few years they took her away. It is so awesome to have her back and in a beautifully drawn well-written comic book with an amazing cast of characters. In this issue, it seems that the League of Shadows may be real and Lady Shiva (Cassandra’s mom) is part of them. Batman even admits to Batwoman he would lose if he had to face Cassandra Cain in a fight. DAMN! Tynion IV really respects her character and I respect him for it. Now Dc let’s get her in a batsuit ok?

 

American Heros

Justice League of America (Volume 5) #1
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Ivan Reis

While the main Justice League series is ok at best, the first issue of this new “America” centered team just hit it out of the park for me. The return of the City of Vanity from the Aztek comcis. Yes! The return of the Secret Sanctuary. Yes! The return of Ryan Choi! Hell yes. Not to mention this team doesn’t call each other by their secret identities in the field at all. I can’t say that I like Ryan’s new Legends of the DCU inspired costume but beggers cannot be choosers I guess. He gets a lot of “screen time” in this issue which is fantastic  because I missed him and I hated that they had him kille Pre-Flashpoint. Was he then somehow brought back to life by Dr. Manahattan? It will be interesting to see how this whole Rebirth stuff turns out. This was a great start to what looks to be an incredible Justice League book in both writing and art. The only thing that confuses me is if Batman wanted to build a team of “human” down to earth heroes why did he pick Lobo to be on the team? Also, Lobo kills people right so what are Batman’s motivations for having him around. Also is Batman on both Justice Leagues now?

Titans Tower is Back

Teen Titans (Volume 6) #5
Written by Benjamin Percy
Art by Khoi Pham

This was another incredible issue of Teen Titans. I am beginning to think this is going to be a really great run in the way Geoff Johns, Marv Wolfman, and J.T. Krul had (although Krul’s was abbreviated) – there is a lot of hope already and a feeling these people will become close friends like the Titans always were. I still don’t like Damian much and I don’t think he should be there “leader” but even I am warming up to him. The art was fantastic in this comic I got to hand it to this creative team they are kicking it out of the park. I was so happy to see at the end Titans Tower is back!

Harley Quinn 1 – 14

Harley Quinn (Volume 3) #1
Written by Amanda Connor and Jimmy Palmiotti
Art by Chad Hardin

I knew that Harley Quinn seemed to be way more popular since I stopped reading comics just by looking at dccomics.com once in a while the last few years. At first I hated that they sexified her costume and everything but after reading this comic I can see why she has become so big. This is hilarious stuff! Connor and Palmiotti write Harley as if you can hear her accent and funny quips in your ears. The way the zombie outbreak gets started is so morbid but funny. And all of these side characters are intriguing – the gang of Harleys, Red Tool, etc…

Harley Quinn (Volume 3) #2
Written by Amanda Connor and Jimmy Palmiotti
Art by Bret Blevins and  Chad Hardin

I did not enjoy this issue as much as the last but this is still a fun book. In this issue, it is mostly just Harley fighting the zombies in various ways and some of the jokes felt flat to me. But I loved the part in the bathroom.

Justice League 1 – 15

Justice League (Volume 3) #1
Written by Bryan Hitch
Art by Tony Daniel

This is the the first issue of Justice League after DC Rebirth and I have to say I was…underwhelmed. I ceratainly felt like I could come into this as a new reader (although there wasn’t much explanation of each character) and understand it but it was just another crazy disasters happening all over the world story. Although I know there is this Kindred subplot…I guess I expected something more. I mean maybe it is just after reading Detective Comics it just seemed like nothing happened in this single issue compared to what happens in every issue of that series.

Justice League (Volume 3) #2
Written by Bryan Hitch
Art by Tony Daniel

I wish I could say that I was impressed with this issue but I really feel like not much happened here. They talked about the problems and then Batman went to go get Superman. That was really it…. hard to recommend a single issue if very little happens. All I kept thinking about was I miss Martian Manhunter. Talk about a character who has been screwed since Didio took over. He was the heart of the League and when I see him you think “Justice League.” Why the hell is he not on this team?

Justice League (Volume 3) #3
Written by Bryan Hitch
Art by Tony Daniel

Now this was a bit better. This still seems decompressed but more happned here. It is the first I have seen of Lois since I started reading Rebirth so that was good although you would think by now she would be used to these kinds of things with her husband. I think Tony Daniel upped his ante on the art in this issue. I found myself enjoying quite a bit more than the previous issues. I wonder what the Kindred’s connection is with the League and these Zodiac Crystals.

Justice League (Volume 3) #4
Written by Bryan Hitch
Art by Jesus Merino

Hitch is guilty of the “Brad Meltzer” trope of having the Justice Leaguers call each other by the real names all the time. Come on. Why in the hell would these new Green Lanterns know the Flash’s secret identity. Anyways, for some reason the Sigil of Truth showed up in ths issue so I imagine this storyline is going to go into an occulty direction which I am excited about. But this is seriously decompressed.

Justice League (Volume 3) #5
Written by Bryan Hitch
Art by Tony Daniel

In this issue the Kindred say they are looking to bring about a Forever Crisis, and it was in bold. I think that was on purpose. Is Rebirth leading to another Crisis event? Or am I seeing things that are not there. Either way, I wouldn’t say I super enjoyed this first story arc of this series, but at least we got that interesting tidbit.

Detective Comics 934-950

This is it…I am returning to DC after a 5 year absence. Now that DC Rebirth has brought back the original continuity without throwing the New 52…will these characters be the same as the ones I loved. Most of all, for this book, I care about Cassandra Cain. She is my favorite comic book character and in my opinion the one true Batgirl. AND she is finally a regular in a book again. Will this be the same Cassandra I know and love? I know she got reintroduced but is she really just the same character with the memories of her time as Batgirl erased by the evil Dan Didio…I mean Doctor Manhattan. Let’s find out as I explore Detective Comics Rebirth.

Detective Comics #934
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Eddy Barrows

This was a great jumping back on point for old/new readers. I did not miss a beat. Batman discovers someone is targeting Gotham’s vigilantes and has recruited Batwoman to “train” them. (I do cringe at the idea that Cassandra needs training from Batwoman.) He finally reveals his secret identity to her and they are cousins. I always was annoyed the the Wayne-Kane connection was never explored pre-Flashpoint so I loved this moment. The first of the team we meet is Stephanie Brown former Batgirl and Robin but now back to her Spoiler idenity. The identity she should have remained. I like her, don’t get me wrong, but she should never have been allowed to take the mantle of Batgirl from Cassandra Cain.

After Steph, we see Tim Drake in a new Red Robin costume that evokes his classic Robin costume. Man it is good to see him look like that again. That was an amazing costume.

Finally, we get Cassandra and I love that her new costume evokes her original Batgirl costume but I am sorry it is not enough….she needs to have a bat emblem and be a real Batgirl again someday. As fan, we can’t just give up on that. She now calls herself Orphan. As cool as it is to have her full mask back, I still would prefer her pre-Flashpoint Black Bat identity than “Orphan.” Now besides this, Tynion IV writes her perfectly as the bad ass scary fighter she is but I just wish she could be that way in a Bat costume.

The final member of the team is Clayface which is an odd choice but okay we will see where it goes. Eddy Barrows’s art was beautiful…he has truly stepped up his game in five years and seems perfect for this book.

So ya….CASS IS BACK!

Detective Comics #935
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Eddy Barrows

In this issue, Batwoman continues the training of the younger vigilantes. Meanwhile, Batman tells Tim he has always been Robin to him. So in this continuity was Tim never officillay Robin? If so, will he remember his time as Robin whenever the missing ten years gets restored or whatever? I sure hope so. I hope the same with the other characters too.

Cassandra is bad ass in this. I love how Steph says he just shows up and gets blood on the floor and is almost never home. We truly are getting old school Cassandra Cain back and I could not be happier…except if she was Batgirl again. That would be better.

Beautiful story and beautiful art. I feel Tynion IV truly gets these characters.

Teen Titans Rebirth 1 – 4

Okay this is it…. I am returning to the DCU after a five-year absence. I have caught up with all pre-flashpoint stories. And now we are here in the world of DC Rebirth. Will I recognize these characters I have loved so much? How much has the Teen Titans changed since I last saw them in Volume 3. Let’s find out.

Teen Titans (Volume 6) #1
Written by Benjamin Percy
Art by Jonboy Meyers

Immediately off the bat I have to say this felt more like Young Justice than Teen Titans to me and that is probably because of the art style which I enjoyed I guess…and it fits the tone…but I like my art usually less cartoony. I am willing to give Meyers a chance. I thought this was an okay start if a bit simplistic. Damian Wayne has gathered a new team of Teen Titans and plan to restore the team to greatness it has been missing the last few years which I suppose is how this book incorporates the Rebirth aspect. I love that Beast Boy says Damian is no Time Drake because hell ya he is not! Damian is still an annoying brat to me and always will be. I have to ask how of the Pre-Flashpoint Teen Titans history is now back. Dick is mentioned by Alfred as having grown up with the Titans but Beast Boy and Raven are much younger than they were pre-flashpoint it seems. Did they have the history with the Titans before?  Damian briefly joined the Teen Titans back in Volume 3. I had thought he was turning 13 then too. Is that story out of continuity or taken away by Dr. Manhattan? These are the kinds of questions I would like to see answered eventually.  Are Connor Kent and Bart Allen ever going to come back? I am new to this new Kid Flash who I wish they would just change his name to something besides Wally. Let’s see if Benajamin Percy can bring the Titans together again…

Teen Titans (Volume 6) #2
Written by Benjamin Percy
Art by Diogenes Neves

We learn the real reason these specific heroes have been picked by Damanian to be the Teen Titans is because they were all chosen by a group of young assassins working for Ra’s Al Ghul as targets. The assassins show up and the team has to work together in this issue to fight them. It was a good issue. I enjoyed the art and the writing much more than I did the previous issue. Still waiting to find out how much of Titans history is still in tact.

 

Teen Titans (Volume 6) #3
Written by Benjamin Percy
Art by Khoi Pham

In a flashback scene in this issue, you see Damian training with the assassin Mara and man oh man he was a little dickhead then wasn’t he? Scarring her so she will remember he is a better fighter. This issue balanced out the last issue by being more about getting in the heads of the characters. I really enjoyed it and I think I am already impressed with Benjamin Percy as a writer. This book has had 3 different artists in 3 different issues but they all have been good.

Teen Titans (Volume 6) #4
Written by Benjamin Percy
Art by Khoi Pham

I was very impressed by this issue as well. Damian nearly sacrifices himself to save the Teen Titans and the team finally gets behind him. I like how this adventure is really building this group into a cohesive unit. I have to say it is making me feel that “Titans family” feeling you got from the Pre-Flashpoint Teen Titans. Keep it up!

Secret Six 32 – 36

Secret Six (Volume 3) #32
Written by Gail Simone
Art by J. Calafiore

The Secret Six travel to hell in a fantastic issue. I forgot how much I missed reading this book with it’s hilarious but dark characters and it’s beautiful artwork. I loved how Bane seemed shock that he might be damned to hell because he considers himself to be good. I loved that Ragdoll doesn’t want to return to earth because he is going “sane.” I loved it all.

 

Secret Six (Volume 3) #33
Written by Gail Simone
Art by J. Calafiore

In this issue, Catman goes to make sure that his father is in hell where he deserves to be only to find that his mother is in hell too – she eats his father every day as a lioness to torture him. Etrigan tells Catman this is heaven for his mother. I guess his Dad got what he deserved! That is some dark humor there and I love it. We even get to see the personal hells of all of the Secret Six. Some were sad like Bane’s but then Gail Simone – the master 0f writing comedic relief – shows King Shark’s hell as a vegetarian restaurant. Anyways, Lady Blaze tells Scandal her other girlfriend’s soul will soon belong to her in hell. I can’t remember who Scandal’s other girlfriend was.

Secret Six (Volume 3) #34
Written by Gail Simone
Art by J. Calafiore

Did Jeanette quote Julian of Norwhich in this issue? Scandal sure did lie to her girlfriend in this issue didn’t she? Anyways, this was a heartwarming issue in a dark heartwarming disturbing way only the Secret Six can bring. Bane goes on a date and gets in a fight. Jeanette seems to have decided to turn good? And it was just a lot of fun.

 

 

Secret Six (Volume 3) #35
Written by Gail Simone
Art by J. Calafiore

In this issue, Bane decides to lead the team in another assault Batman after realizing that he never got to really break the Batman like he wanted to back in the day. They start by drafting the Penguin to join the team. I enjoy the way Simone writes Penguin…it reminds me of Batman Returns a bit. And that is my favorite Batman movie. This was a fantastic issue.

 

Secret Six (Volume 3) #36 
Written by Gail Simone
Art by J. Calafiore

This is the final issue of a great series that I will miss. Gail Simone is a creative genius. You writes complex characters who are so well-rounded it is like they are real people. She is truly a gem in the comic book world. Also, she has a scene in this where they feed a man to King Shark on a fishing hook. So she is hilarious too. The part where Scandal decides she wants to marry both Knockout and Liana was a tad strange though but hey these are crazy people this book is about. The only problem I had was it is really hard to believe all of those supeheroes would show up to fight the Secret Six like they are Darkseid or something. But they sure got their asses handed to them and this villain team went out in a blaze of glory. What a fitting finale to an amazing series!

 

Zatanna 10-16

Zatanna (Volume 2) #10
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Cliff Chiang

In this issue, Zatanna makes the incredibly naieve mistake of not thinking a talking Ventriloquist Doll was not a psychotic killer. I assume all ventriloquist dolls are psychopaths unless proven otherwise. Anyways, Oscar reverses the spell and now Zatanna is the doll. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Zatanna (Volume 2) #11
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Jamal Igle

In this issue Zatanna has been stuck as a doll for a month and is saved by her – friend? – Mikey who I can’t remember who she is but I guess she is a member of Zatanna’s supporting cast. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed the artwork. I love that there is a therapist just for magicians.

 

 

Zatanna (Volume 2) #12
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Stephane Roux

Matthew Sturges takes over writing for this issue alone. I like how he emphasizes the magic of San Francisco and all of its magical secrets. In this issue, she fights a villain named backslash who is really just a trashy uneducated magical fool who thinks he can kill whoever he wants and that makes him kinda scary. I love how Zatanna uses Palindromes to fight him. That’s brilliant. Zatanna even meets a new fairy friend. This was a great one and done issue.

Zatanna (Volume 2) #13
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Jamal Igle

In this issue a mystical cat appears to Zatanna and gives her a vision of a future encounter with the Spectre. Zatanna goes to see the Spectre to ask him about this in a rather amusing scene. Meanwhile, Brother Night escapes from prison. He sure is a terrible villain and I like how Dini has built him up in this series as Zatanna’s primary foe. Meanwhile, in the end we find out the detective is actually Brother Night’s son! I enjoyed this a lot. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.

 

Zatanna (Volume 2) #14
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Jamal Igle and Travis Moore

What is going on? What happened to the story arc Paul Dini started. Now Adam Beechen is guest writing the title and nothing from the previous issue is even mentioned. This was clearly filler. It was just about Zatanna fighting a succubus who takes over her cousin Zachary and it was well-written and everything but it was definitely filler and I was looking forward to the story arc with Brother Night.

 

Zatanna (Volume 2) #15
Written by Derek Fridolfs
Art by Jamal Igle

Ok I am getting really pissed off. The storyline that Dini was building to was really great. This was another one and done issue from a different write that was only ok. What the hell? Did Dini quit? Why was this storyline just abandoned. Come on DC!

 

 

Zatanna (Volume 2) #16
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Victor Ibanez

This is the final issue of this series and everything that Dini was building to I guess will never be resolved. Very disappointing and pathetic on DC’s part. Even though this was a well written story and it had great art I, and I am sure most regular readers of this series too, wanted to see Dini end his story. So sad.

Doom Patrol 19 – 22

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #19
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

This issue ends the crossover with Secret Six. I hadn’t read the previous parts in years and it was basically incomprehensible for this reason. DC needs to be consistent on doing short recaps in every issue. Why can’t they do that and then just cut them from the eventual trade paperback. The only part of this I understood was that Veronica Cale plans on booting the Doom Patrol from Oolong Island.
Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #20
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

The Doom Patrol have been kicked off Oolong Island and are looking for some place to lay-low. In a hilarious scene Robotman goes to the Hall of Justice and quickly offends the crap out of Congorilla. Elasti-Woman heads to Titans Tower and gets told by Beast Boy the Doom Patrol are not considered a probable terrorist group. Negative Man goes to Gotham City and gets told by Dick Grayson the same thing and Negative Man makes a good point that bad things follow Batman around too. In the end, they are convinced they have to take back Oolong Island from the M.S.E. It was a good issue but the art bothered me…a lot.

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #21
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

This issue serves mostly to recap the history of the Doom Patrol and they don’t do a great job of not making it confusing. I don’t know, it just didn’t jive for me and I usually like these kind of issues.

 

 

 

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #22
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Ron Randall

This is the final issue of this series before the New 52 awful crap reboot of the DCU. It actually ends up on a cliffhanger where it seems Niles Caulder has gotten away. Otherwise the art and the writing in this book never made it easy to understand or enjoy. I am not too sad to see it go.

 

 

 

 

Emerald Warriors 9-13

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #9
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin

For someone who is wearing an Indigo Tribe ring, John Stewart hardly acts compassionate in this issue. I question why he was given that ring anyways. All of the others make sense…not so much with John and the Indigo ring. This issue was actually really cool where the four Lanterns go underground in OA and see where the rings are forged. They meet an Alien named Shedd who is apparently protecting the ring of the “first Lantern.” It leave you with just enough to keep you wondering what other mysteries lie within.

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #10
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin

John continues to show no compassion and my man Kyle Rayner – Greatest of Green Lanterns – points that out after John straight up kills Mogo to save the Corps. Kyle refuses to give up hope and wants to bring Mogo back. Not only that but Kyle saves Guy Gardner’s life here by being the only one who is competent enough with his ring to utilize its power right. In this issue it is said that Guy actually is in love with the Green Lantern Corps more than Ice. I am not sure I buy that Guy loves the Corps more than Tora. That seems pretty awful. All-in-all, this was a good issue.

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #11
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Bernard Chang

In this Guy Gardner solo issue, Guy meets a beautiful Alien dignitary who he falls for and she swiftly kills him as she kisses him. Guy is revived by her assistant who betrays her and takes her down. It was actually an enjoyable read and a good way to do a one and done story. Good art too.

 

 

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #12
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Chris Batista

This was another terrfic one and done story. In this issue, Guy faces a beast who apparently has a taste for eating Green Lanterns. He swallows them and then keeps them barely alive in its stomach. This is a scary creature and I hope it comes back one day or its brother because Guy basically kills it.

 

 

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #13
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Ron Frenz

This was an action-packed yet at the same time – a lot of fun- final issue where Guy Gardner and Batman team up to solve a murder that happened on a space station. First of all, the DCU earth has apparently almost reached light speed capabilities? That seems a little crazy. But outside of this, it was great how quick Batman solved the case and how Batman and Guy played off each other’s strengths. You can tell Batman respects Guy more than Hal – and who wouldn’t?

Birds of Prey 11-15

Birds of Prey (Volume 2) #11
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Pere Perez

If Catman is suppose to be so hot, why does Pere Perez draw his abs so strange in this issue. That is my only complaint about this beautiful book. In this issue, the Huntress and Catman work together and Helena is debating whether to fall for him or not…ultimately Catman purposely shows her he is not worth her time. It was a sweet story. I love the continuity of Catman mentioning how he used to be fat.

 

Birds of Prey (Volume 2) #12
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Jesus Saiz

Gail Simone begins a new arc bringing in the Question to the Birds of Prey team and a scary villain in Ragdoll’s daughter. Did she appear in this book or Secret Six? I can’t remember but I remember thinking this villain was freaky before. And this whole issue was very unsettling but exciting. I usually enjoy Jesus Saiz but I found his art lacking a bit in parts of this issue.

Birds of Prey (Volume 2) #13
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Diego Olmos

This was an action packed edge-of-your seat issue as the Huntress and the Question try to get to the basement of the building where Black Canary and Dove are fighting Junior who nearly murders Dove. Oracle calls Catman for some advice who tells her Junior hates being seen. It works, but the Birds decide in the end they need to go back in and go after Junior. It was a lot of fun to read but why does this book keep changing its artist?

 

Birds of Prey (Volume 2) #14
Written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Billy Tucci and Adriana Melo

So the last issue ended on a sort of cliffhanger and now we get an issue that is completely unrelated and not written by Gail Simone? In this issue the Birds of Prey go to a veteran’s benefit. A woman tells her Black Canary’s mom, the original Black Canary, was an inspiration during the War….I think Black Canary debuted in 1947…after World War 2. I guess she means a different war or Andreyko did not do his research. Also why would this woman know it was her mom…is Black Canary’s secret identity not so secret? Anyways the art in this was clearly rushed because it is not very good and very inconsistent. And this isn’t event a one and done issue. Gail Simone just abruptly left this book?!

Birds of Prey (Volume 2) #15
Written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Billy Tucci and Adriana Melo

Ugh this is the final issue before DC made the dumb mistake of making Barbara Gordon Batgirl again. Andreyko is not a bad writer by any means but this was a rush job and very disappointing. As far as I am concerned this is the last issue of the real Birds of Prey ever (the whole point of the Birds is Oracle) so this is a sad sad ending.

 

Freedom Fighters 8 and 9

Freedom Fighters (Volume 2) #8
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by Travis Moore

This book was just as beautifully drawn and written as  I remembered it being. I have been a huge fan of the Freedom Fighters since Palmiotti and Gray did their first miniseries with them. I am sad they aren’t around anymore because we could really use these characters during this awful period in US history. DC if you are reading this I would love to write a Freedom Fighters book for you! Anyways, in this issue the team mourns the loss of Firebrand while the President tells Uncle Sam and Miss America he is sadly going to have to cut any government funding to the superhero team. I love the statement Uncle Sam makes about Superman can’t just stand for the American Way in the modern world he stands for the whole human race. Who knew Palmiotti and Gray would get me to respect this character so much.

Freedom Fighters (Volume 2) #9
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by Travis Moore

This is sadly the final issue of this short lived book that I loved! In this issue the team disbands after the government cuts their funding. We see Black Condor bust a meth lab (why did Travis Moore draw all the people in the lab as being in their underwear? Is that normal in Meth labs?) and the team go on one last adventure which at the end of the government takes the Human Bomb into custody. This is left on a cliffhanger. Was this ever resolved somewhere?

R.E.B.E.L.S. 27 and 28

R.E.B.E.L.S. #27
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

In the penultimate issue of this series Starro is pretty much defeated by Tribulus with the help of Blackfire and R.E.B.E.L.S. I forgot how good this book was. It is such a shame Marvel beat DC to making a space movie with Guradians of the Galaxy because DC has just as interesting space faring characters. Come on DC get your act together when it comes to film. St. Aubin’s art is perfect for this as well. All around good comic.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #28
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

In this final issue Starro is finally defeated and the R.E.B.E.L.S. have now become L.E.G.I.O.N. There were so many great character moments this issue and funny one liners. Bedard sure loves these characters and you can feel it while reading this comic. I will miss this series.