Titans Betrayal

Titans (Volume 3) #13
Written by Dan Abnett
Art by V. Ken Marion

Okay this was a bare bones issue. Basically it is a big fight with the Titans and they are fighting this Mr. Binder who works for H.I.V.E. and the Flash is worried about his heart, Omen tells Tempest that someone is going to betray the team, and Donna is worried Roy will end up jealous about her new relationship with Wally. None of it seemed natural and I don’t know if it is the fault of the artist or Abnett. Speaking of Tempest, can we get his old costume back with the red and black? It just worked so much better than this current costume. I am actually not that interested in whoever betrays the team because I don’t buy any of these characters actually doing so except for maybe Bumblebee.

Big Reveals and Romances

Titans (Volume 3) #12
Written by Dan Abnett
Art by Kenneth Rocafort

This was a very good issue of this series as we see the Titans through the eyes of Lilith Clay. First of all, Abnett portrays Lilith as even more powerful than I ever realized with her new fighting technique. She truly deserves to be on this team. We are also introduced to a romance between her and Tempest….something I never saw hinted at before. And another romance between Donna and Wally. I am not okay with the new status quo for both Donna and Wally but I am hoping this leads somewhere. I am very confused as to which of Donna’s memories are fake because she did serve on the Titans when she was younger. This issue also reveals that one of the Titans will betray the team….I have no idea who it is but I am betting it is actually Omen herself or Bumblebee or maybe someone who hasn’t joined yet.

Titans 10 and 11

Titans (Volume 3) #10
Written by Dan Abnett
Art by Brett Booth

Ok Abnett why in the hell are you having the Titans call each other by real names right in front of the Fearsome Five! I can’t stand when writers do this. That being said this was a fun issue as the Titans face off against the Fearsome Five. Bumblebee, of all people, end up saving the day. I am very unclear what her powers are. In the end, she ends up having her memory of Mal Duncan erased which should make some drama in the future. Speaking of Mal, I like his new costume….I think.

Titans (Volume 3) #11
Written by Dan Abnett, Benjamin Percy, and Priest
Art by Brett Booth

Wow as I suspected the events of the New Teen Titans series are now back in continuity! But they didn’t happen exactly as they did in the original series…I don’t remember Lilith being much in the comic at all and the costumes are different. This is an interesting take on things. In this continuity was Raven not in the New Teen Titans, but it was instead Lilith? I look forward to seeing where this goes.

Titans 1 – 9

Titans (Volume 3) #1
Written by Dan Abnett
Art by Brett Booth

It is so strange when they flashback to the old Teen Titans days and Dick Grayson is shown to be wearing what is essentially the Time Drake Robin costume. I know that is a New 52 thing…but it is just dumb. DC should not be ashamed of their past, they should embrace it. It is strange that Wally skips over essentially everything post-crisis in the opening narraration except for Linda Park. What about Barry’s death and the birth of his kids? Out of all the new Titans costumes, I think I liked Donna Troy’s the best. I think she was do for a refresher. It really speaks to her past as Wonder Girl and her time as Troia. I am not a fan of Tempest or Garth’s (Is he still called Tempest?), I think his Pre-Flashpoint costume was better. It was so great to see this team back together and for their history to be restored. Now I would like to know if they eventually remember the Wolfman/Perez era and the rest of their history. Titans Together! Oh and unlike the other writers, Abnett seems to understand Wally West is Keystone City’s hero. I am glad we are finally getting to see Keystone again.

Titans (Volume 3) #2
Written by Dan Abnett
Art by Brett Booth

Okay I haven’t exactly enjoyed Abnett’s Aquaman run so I was not expecting much from this book other than hints at the big Rebirth mystery, and there are plenty of that. But I am genuinely enjoying this series in it’s second issue. Even though this whole issue was a big fight with the Titans and Abra Kadabra it still had great characterization and pacing. I was surprised. Abra Kadabra seems to know that Doctor Manhattan or whoever the big bad is that broke history. So that means him, Psycho Pyrate, Superman, Wally, and Lois all seem to know. Linda Park seems closer to meeting Wally again already. I like that. I hope they eventually remember their kids. Also, it looks like Abnett is hinting at bringing back the Donna and Roy romance.

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.

 

 

 

 

Teen Titans 94 – 100

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #94
Written by J.T Krul
Art by Nicola Scott

Damn I love Nicola Scott’s art. This story is very refreshing. We haven’t seen much of the Hindu Gods in the DC Universe and it is fun to explore the Ramayana here. J.T. is really good at the characterization of each Titan and Nicola Scott’s art shows their moods and relationships to each other. This is great!

 

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #95
Written by J.T Krul
Art by Nicola Scott

Nicola Scott really draws Superboy with some beefcake. I can’t say that I mind. The demons in this issue were creepy especially the one impersonating Ravager. This was another great issue of Teen Titans.

 

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #96
Written by J.T Krul
Art by Jose Luis

I missed Nicola Scott in this issue but Jose Luis did a good job as a subsitute. Solstice angering Raven is interesting and I wonder why. Looking forward to seeing the team beat Rankor.

 

 

 

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #97
Written by J.T Krul
Art by Nicola Scott

Rankor is defeated mainly by Solstic who officially joins the Teen Titans at the end of this issue. Great to have Nicola Scott back for this fun adventure. I am sad there are only 3 more issues left of the Teen Titans before the New 52.

 

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #98
Written by J.T Krul
Art by Eduardo Pansica

Kid Flash’s virtual reality session showed in this issue that J.T. Krul had studies the history of these characters. Great use of continuity throughout this issue where Superboy-Prime has gathered together a team of villains with personal connections to the Titans. I don’t understand why Indigo is a member though. Although she was sometimes evil, she did end up dying a hero. I really liked her relationship with Shift back in those days. I wonder if they will explain what she is doing back.The ending was great to see the old Superboy costumes appear brought me back to the Young Justice days. Pansica’s art was great I almost thought it was Nicola Scott doing the drawing. Someone in the letter columns mentions that they think Cassandra Cain should be the new Nightwing! That is a cool idea.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #99
Written by J.T Krul
Art by Jose Luis

The ending of this book almost seems like something that could fit in this month’s Rebirth. “Legacies last for ever.” The final splash page of Titans past was so exciting! I wonder who this new Inertia is. Indigo is not acting like herself at all. I wish that was being explained. I actually forgot Supergirl was a Titan in the past. She has been thrown in with so many teams since her debut. It is always good to see Miss Martian and Argent.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #100
Written by J.T Krul
Art by Nicola Scott

Nicola Scott draws Argent with a completely different costume than Jose Luis did in the previous issue. Come on editors should catch that stuff. Otherwise this was a superb final issue for this volume of the Teen Titans. I loved every page of it. J.T. Krul should come back to these characters again someday. I am so glad that Rebirth will be restoring the Titans history but it remains to be seen if this part will be restored. It needs to be.

 

 

Secret Six Versus Doom Patrol

Secret Six (Volume 3) #30
Written by Gail Simone
Art by J. Caliafore

This is the first part of a crossover with Doom Patrol that has some great moments including Bane on a date and King Shark biting off a piece of Elasti-Woman. Gail Simone creates a great new villain in the form of a dead beat young man who spends his days playing video games until one day he finds out  that he has inherited a criminal empire from his grandfather. Once again Simone hits it out of the park with this issue but I mean how many crossovers can this book have?

North Korea Chainsaw Massacre

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #18
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark

 

There is something very “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” about the Aristocrats aka the Boswicks in that they are like a rich immortal british version of the twisted family from that film series and they also have a house of horrors to go along with it. Luckily, the Doom Patrol manages to escape that house and get the hell out of Dodge er well North Korea. It was a good issue, not as great as last but still I am loving this book more and more with each issue.

Introducing The Aristocrats

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #17
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

 

Giffen has created some of the creepiest yet fascinating villains in this issue called the Aristocrats. Immortal Aristocrats who murder people – not sure if that is what keeps them alive or not or why they have captured Veronic Cale but they are some awesome villains for the Doom Patrol and this was one of if not the best issue of this series yet. Cale being the new Chief is also a great idea and definitely creates an exciting new dynamic for the Doom Patrol. I also like that Giffen is finally utilizing Bumblebee more.

Butt Maps And Flying Chiefs

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #14
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

 

This was a great issue as Niles Caulder somehow manages to gain Kryptonian Powers by extracting them from a Kryptonian he must have taken from New Krypton and now feels he no longer needs the Doom Patrol. Basically he is a big dickface and the Doom Patrol should not forgive him this time. I loved the Ambush Bug musical opening to the issue and his fourth wall breaking – and the use of Bumblebee who isn’t used enough in this book. I wonder what the Robot meant when it said Kryptonians have different types of Reproductive Organs than humans? Weird.

Putty Woman

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #13
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

 

Elasti-Woman reveals to her teammates the truth about her ressurection and how she is really a protoplasm form (Kind= of like The Matrix Supergirl!) and has to remember what she really looks like every morning to reform herself. It adds a whole new dimension to her character and I liked it. I am not sure why she went all crazy on Mento at the end but I am sure she has her reasons besides revenge for him stalking her in her mind. The dating on her journal bothered me – there is no way she adopted Beast Boy in 2006! I wish writers at DC would just use the Unauthorized Chronology of the DC Universe already! It happened in early 1993 according to that heavily researched and great timeline that DC should make official! Anyways this was a good issue as I continue to enjoy this book more and more.

Attack of the Hole

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #2
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Kevin Maguire

Giffen’s writing is really good. I love the idea of a sentient black hole only interested in writing an encyclopedia. But this issue is really hurt by Clark’s art. He makes everything confusing in the way he draws. I do not like it at all. DC needs to either fire him or he needs to change his style because he is making a good book unreadable. That may sound harsh but it is true. Anyways, it looks like Vox and Bumblebee are now divorced which is sad but I look forward to looking more into Bumblebee’s psyche. The Metal Men back-up was entertaining and funny and I love how the Metal Men’s new headquaters are in Glenview, near where I grew up! And I am still loving how nobody remembers who Copper is – not even Will Magnus.

Pleasant Surprises

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #1
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Kevin Maguire

 

This is the debut issue of the new Doom Patrol series, a book I haven’t exactly been overly-excited to read. I mean I like the Doom Patrol, but I am not a big fan of Matthew Clark’s art and I wasn’t impressed with the preview I saw of this series. But forget all that, cause I absolutely loved this! Sure the art could be better and there was absolutely no reason to give Elasti-Girl (Woman?) a new costume but this was a lot of fun. I love how deranged the Doom Patrol is that they could really care less that one of their teammates was blown to smithereens in this issue. I liked that we got to see Niles Caulder’s files on each member and I like that Bumblebee has not been written out of the team. This was a great introduction to the team and having them based on Oolong Island is really a great idea. They are the perfect fit to take on the mad scientists of Oolong Island since they are led by a mad scientist themselves. The Metal Men back up was another pleasant surprise. I never really liked them in any other comics I read but I thought they were quite enjoyable and amusing here. I like how they all ignored Copper.

Titans 1 – 4

Titans (Volume 2) #1
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Ian Churchill

The classic Teen Titans from the eighties regroup after they are each attacked by a mysterious foe who turns out to be trigon. This series has gotten a lot of negative publicity around the blogosphere and I really can’t understand why. This issue was awesome and made me so happy to see this group together again. The art was beautiful, everything about it was perfect. I also like the idea of the Titans not being an actual team, but just a group of friends.

Titans (Volume 2) #2
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Joe Benitez

The art changes this issue due to Churchill getting a hand injury, and this is not a good thing. I really dug Churchill’s, I really don’t dig Benitez’s. All of the people are drawn like sticks and they have the weirdest faces. The story is still good though, and I am surprised no one thought of Trigon having other children before. It is still a lot of fun to see these guys back together.

Titans (Volume 2) #3
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Joe Benitez

This issue explored some of the psyches of each of the Titans by having Trigon’s sons effecting their emotions. Starfire and Nightwing feel desire, Donna Troy and the Flash feel envy, and Red Arrow, Beast Boy, and Raven get rage. It was a good read. The art wasn’t as bad as last issue, I suppose because it wasn’t as rushed.

Titans (Volume 2) #4
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Joe Benitez

Aw…the last scene of them yelling Titans Forever and talking about growing up together really made me smile. This was the best issue yet….Winick comes up with a clever way for the defeat of Trigon and I loved the moments between Beast Boy and Raven. This is Winick at his best….if only he would always write this way.

A Brand New Era For The Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey #100
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott, Doug Hazlewood, Paulo Sequiera and Robin Riggs
Cover by Jerry Ordway

It’s exciting to see a book like Birds of Prey reach its 100th issue, it is like the little engine that could. Gail Simone and Chuck Dixon before her have created a great series out of the adventures of Oracle and her agents. Here is to another hundred issues! This issue introduces a new era for the Birds, with Dinah leaving the team it looks like Oracle is turning the Birds into a who’s who of DC females as shown by the cover of this issue (which is great by the way.) It was fun to see all the lady super-heroes get their invitations into the Birds. But what about Gypsy, wasn’t she going to be a permanent member now? She is not even mentioned in this issue. Strange. While I enjoyed the main story, I enjoyed the back-up a lot more. I love how Dinah tells her life story to Sin. I am actually kindve excited to see that Dinah and Ollie might get back together, even though I know it has been hinted a million times in the past. Will their always be Black Canary back ups in this series? I guess time will tell but I certainly enjoyed this one. Fantastic milestone issue.

Teen Titans 37 – 40

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #37
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Tony Daniel

Wow, I mean just wow. That is the word that sums up this issue, wow. This was a very emotional read…so many great moments. Teen Titans is the best series that DC is putting out right now and I think everyone should be reading it. I feel like anything I say about this issue will be an understatement. It is just that good. The ending was kinda shocking but not unlikely, lots of people come together in the face of trajedy. I just hope to god it does not become a regular thing. I loved the scenes where the members talk to Cyborg and basically all of the other scenes in this issue too!

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #38
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Carlos Ferreria

That one page where they listed all the members of the Teen Titans in the last year with their picture, that got me so excited! I can not wait to meet each and everyone of them. This book is really making the most out of the one year gap. I love the rivalry between Wonder Girl and Ravager. The team’s roster is now Wonder Girl, Robin, Cyborg, Ravager, and Kid Devil. I imagine that more members will join up as this storyline unfolds.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #39
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Tony Daniel

I think I drooled a little bit while reading this. It was just that good. I love Miss Martian, I hope she joins the Titans full time. I hope she is not the traiter. Zatara is a brat but I still like him, don’t know why. Bombshell, I don’t like. She seems like such a bitch. I hope Ravager isn’t the traiter. I have loved her in this book so far.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #40
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Tony Daniel

I sure as hell am glad that Miss Martian nor Ravager is the traitor, but it the one character I hated, Bombshell! The Teen Titans kick her ass this issue too. I look forward to seeing Jericho back on the team and back alive. He may have a terrible costume, but he is a great character. Now that I think about it, the Titans seem to be always searching for Raven. Someone should tell her this time not to run off again. Great Issue. Can’t wait for the next!

The New Teen Titans Meet The New Doom Patrol

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #36
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and Cover by Tony Daniel and Kevin Conrad

I really loved this issue. It single handedly got me looking for old Doom Patrol issues. This was a team I could care less about before and now I am fascinated with them. Thank you, Geoff! There were so many great moments in this issue I was drooling. The chief is a weird son of a bitch, Vox is an improvement of the Mal Duncan character, Bumblebee is as cool as ever, Negative Man (not Hush my bad) and Robotman are back as well as Elasti-Girl who has been “regrown” by the chief. Tony Daniel is quickly becoming my current favorite artist. And Geoff Johns remains as my all time favorite writer. Even with an entire superhero team guest starring in this issue, Geoff still manages to make it about the titans. We learn a secret about Kid Devil which shocked me. In about three issues I already care about the character and I wonder why he made up all the calls from Blue Devil. Geoff even manages to make me like the Brain and Monsier Mallah, I never thought that would happen. Great Issue!