Victory

R.E.B.E.L.S. #14
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

 

The war with Starro finally comes to an end. Starro is defeated (after being nealy defeated in this issue so many times it left me in total suspense and I lost count) and Vril Dox announces plan to restart L.E.G.I.O.N. so unless this book changes titles or is cancelled, I am not sure where it will go from here? I imagine Dox won’t be able to restart L.E.G.I.O.N. as easily as he thinks. This was a great 14-issue build up and I really liked the finale of it. Bedard has brought something new to the character of Starro – depth – and I think that is great as I never really cared for the character before. I can’t wait to see what happens from here on out.

All Seems To Be Going Well For Our Anti-Hero

R.E.B.E.L.S. #13
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

 

The final confrontation with Starro begins as Brainiac 3 betrays his master Starro and throws him in the hands of his father and the R.E.B.E.L.S.  This was a good issue if not a little too quick of a read. Despero gets his body back and all seems to be going well for our anti-hero Vril Dox but we shall see I guess.

Benefits

R.E.B.E.L.S. #12
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Geraldo Borges

This series continues to be good and since it involved Black Lanterns this issue should have had a Blackest Night label on it to bring in readers – even though it barely involved them I still think more people should read this book. Vril Dox’s plan to take out Starro is interesting and I wonder what it is – and how it benefits Vril Dox in the end which I believe this issue implied. Good stuff. Oh and the guest artist was a perfect fit. I liked it.

The Team Officially Forms

R.E.B.E.L.S. #9
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

Adam Strange and Captain Comet join the cast just as the team officially forms – nine issues in. Oh well it was a fun ride getting there. (Unlike say Meltzer’s six issues to build the Justice League in 2006). Aubin’s art is not as good as Clarke’s and it shows. I wish that Clarke could stay on this book for any substantial amount of time. The team is interesting if not a little big. I hope people continue to read this cause I want to see more of their adventure.

The Grandson of Brainiac

R.E.B.E.L.S. #8
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Andy Clarke

This was another good issue of this series and it is great to continue having Clarke on the art. I hope he doesn’t leave again any time soon. I like the relationship between Dox and his son. Dox is a jerk sometimes but he does seem to care for his son. I would expect him to have too much time to reduce his son’s intellect but he does it anyways so that his son could have a normal childhood and not end up like his grandpa Brainiac. Wildstar’s powers are really fun and powerful. I am enjoying learning so much about these characters.

No Longer A Starfish?

R.E.B.E.L.S. #5
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

 

So I am confused…how is that guy Starro? Is Starro being revealed as not being a giant starfish in his true form after all? If that is the case, I don’t know how I feel about it…I mean we need a big starfish baddie! This was a good issue and much more action-packed if you like that sort of thing. What is with that cover though, I don’t like it. It looks like an interior panel, not a cover. I do like the idea of a Durlan masquerading as a little girl though. I am also really starting to like the character of Wildstar.

Fictional Reference Books

R.E.B.E.L.S. #4
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Claude St. Aubin

You know I was getting a big Star Trek vibe from this issue. Maybe because I just saw the new movie? I don’t know. This was another fun issue of this book. Strata and Bounder officially join the new R.E.B.E.L.S. team and Starro is attacking the planet of Maltus. Is Starro behind the takeover of L.E.G.I.O.N.? I am not sure. Was that revealed already? I don’t remember. I am loving the fake reference books Bedard is citing and all that stuff from “Encyclopedia Galactica”. It is really cool and helps the story a lot instead of hindering it. No problems here.

Sight For Sore Eyes

Justice League of America #32
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Rags Morales

After Ed Benes’s shitty art it’s a sight for sore eyes to see Rags Morales draw the League. I don’t have much to say about this issue. It was good, and I like the current team make up. Despite what people think, the Justice League can work without the trinity and these are a powerful group of characters. Firestorm gets some much needed screen time in this issue and some moments that showed both his comedic side and how much he kicks ass. Starbreaker is a formidable JLA villain and I am interested in seeing where this is going.

Still Accessable

R.E.B.E.L.S. #3
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Matthew Clarke

So it looks like Starro is involved in the L.E.G.I.O.N. going rogue. Hmmm. Starro is never really a character that interested me, but this could be interesting. This issue didn’t grab me quite as much as the last two but it was decent. I was a little confused at certain parts but I think all-in-all I think this book still works well for the uninitiated. I am not sure I understand what exactly Vril Dox did to Wildstar. Also, wasn’t Starhaven created in the 23rd Century? That is what wikipedia says at least. Is this just a retcon or is there an in-story explanation? I guess I will have to check out last issue to see if I missed something. So far though, this series is going strong.

Predecessors

R.E.B.E.L.S. #2
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Andy Clarke

I like the idea that Vril Dox (Brainiac 2) is using his knowledge of the Legion of Super-heroes to find their predecessors in the 21st century. He begins by recruiting Wildstar, apparently an ancestor of Dawnstar. Dawnstar was never a member of my Legion, so did Brainiac 5 give him the personnel files of multiple Legions? I suppose so. This series is very enjoyable and while it may be confusing at first, I got into it rather quickly. And I am not familiar with L.E.G.I.O.N. or the Omega Men. So I suggest people check it out even if you are hesitant. The art is great too.

The Good Brainiacs

R.E.B.E.L.S. #1
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Andy Clarke

This series kinda came out of no where but I am glad it did. Vril Dox, aka Brainiac 2, has arrived on earth in search of Supergirl. Encoded within her is information from Brainiac 5. That is all we really know right now except Dox’s police force, L.E.G.I.O.N has been taken over by some mysterious enemy and he has to run from them. This is a good comic and easy to understand even if you don’t know anything about L.E.G.I.O.N and Vril Dox (Which I don’t). I especially like Andy Clarke’s art here, it reminds me a lot of Gary Frank for some reason. I like the connection to my Legion of Super-Heroes. It is nice to know they won’t be forgotten just because their series is over.