Green Lanterns 1 – 19

Green Lanterns #1
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Robson Rocha

As happy as I am to have a new Green Lantern book that is not starring boring old Hal Jordan, I can’t say I was excited to read this. Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz have not interested me one bit in the Justice League book. Simon just seems like a jerk and Jessica is so unsure of herself it becomes not sweet, but annoying. I was hoping under a different write I would feel differently. This issue did not win me over, but maybe future issues will because the art was good and I am interested in the Red Lantern sub-plot. Oh and Dex-Starr!

Green Lanterns #2
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Robson Rocha

Now this was more like it! By focusing on Jessica learning about her ring with her sister, Humphries made me actually understand her character better and what she is going through. Hopefully we will get a similar focus on Simon. This series just got good.

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!

 

Booster Gold 42-47

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #42
Written by Keith Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Christ Batista

Booster Gold tells the story to his sister about his time in 25th century prison where he is cellmates with a man who is constantly fluctuating between time periods – the man is revealed to be a future version of Booster himself with “Chronal leprosy” which is actually really gross as drawn by Batista. Interesting issue. I enjoyed it I suppose.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #43
Written by Keith Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Christ Batista

Booster finds himself running into the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st century which makes this a fun issue as Brainiac 5 works to cure Booster’ chronal leprosy. This was a fun issue. Giffen and Dematteis write some great dialogue between the legionaries and you can tell Batista had fun drawing them.  I wonder if the dangling plot points will ever get solved as I believe the next issue begins a flashpoint crossover.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #44
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Jurgens

I was excited to read this issue despite it being a Flashpoint crossover (a mini-series I have never read and have no interest in reading considering it lead to the disgusting New 52) because I remember Dan Jurgens’s run on this book rather fondly. Jurgens’s art is as beautiful as always and he writes very well but damn I don’t really care about Flashpoint and could not get excited reading this issue. That being said, I love the shout outs to continuity about Coast City. Jurgens knows his continuity.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #45
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Jurgens

The Flashpoint crossover continues here as we learn the girl Booster saved has powers. Who is she suppose to be? I am not sure. I do not recognize her name. This was another good issue by Jurgens – as the man can draw and write like a champ. But I still find it hard to care because I hate flashpoint. Albeit, I am intrigued by the mystery girl.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #46
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Jurgens and Ig Guara

This was a very forgettable issue. I am sad this is the penultimate issue because this series is usually great under Jurgens but this flashpoint crossover is uninteresting. I really don’t care about seeing Booster Gold fight Doomsday again.

 

 

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #47
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Rick Leonardi and Jurgens

First of all, Booster calls the Flash Barry in this issue. Why would Booster Gold call him by his first name like they are friends? His character knew Wally West as Flash for his entire career. Ugh. It’s bad enough Barry Allen had to take up most of the cover on the last issue of Booster’s series. Jurgens only drew the last few pages and Leonardi is okay but he is no Jurgens. This just seemed last filler when it should have been a series finale. Disappointed.

Bruce Remembers

Power Girl (Volume 2) #21
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Sami Basri

 

This was awesome for anyone enjoing Generation Lost as Power Girl manages to convince Dick Grayson with the help of Bruce Wayne of Max Lord’s existence and villainy. Bruce’s presence here was just awesome and it was great to see that he remembers Lord – because if anyone could it would be Bruce. I also loved how Basri got all the pre-infinite crisis costumes correct in the flashback. I know that sounds easy, and it is, but so many other artists at DC would have gotten it wrong cause their editors suck at their jobs.

Memory Wipe

Power Girl (Volume 2) #19
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Sami Basri

 

I liked that the JSA All-Stars actually believed Power Girl about Maxwell Lord. I mean she is their proven leader and they would have no reason to doubt her – I feel like a lot of writers would have went there though so I am glad Winick did not. It’s too bad even PeeGee forgets about Lord soon after. One thing that kind of bothered me is that Power Girl was a member of Justice League Europe and probably didn’t have many adventures with Fire, Ice, and the rest of Justice League America but I can buy that they had a few. Anyways, this was a really good issue as Winick has really made the whole Generation Lost plotline pretty epic and the surprise success of the brightest day line. We need to see Terra soon though.

Order And Chaos

Justice League of America #47
Written by James Robinson
Art by Mark Bagley
Co-Feature by Robinson
Art by Pow Rodix

 

This is part 3 of the JLA/JSA crossover that began here and continued here. Oh hell ya Kyle Rayner shows up here! It is great to see him in a JLA book again and they even use his old Green Lantern Logo text! That brought joy to my fanboy heart. As for the entire issue, I felt like the plot didn’t move as quick as it could have and we are at a kind of stand still. I wonder why Doctor Fate is the one holding the JSAers hostage and not the starheart? The narraration boxes also got kind of annoying in this issue where they haven’t bothered me the last few. Maybe Robinson is overdoing them a bit. This story is still as epic and fun as a JLA book should be though and I can’t wait for the next chapter. The back-up actually ties into the main story as now that Red Tornado has been remade nearly indestructibel by Cyborg, he is effected by the starheart. (I mean he is an elemental of the Wind – of course he would be effected, I am surprised I didn’t think of that before)

Action 889 and 890

Action Comics #889
Written by Greg Rucka and Eric Trauttman
Art by Jose Perez
Co-Feature by James Robinson
Art by Cafu

 

The main story ends Rucka and Trautmann’s run on the book by having Chris and Thara defeat the false Rao. It was a kind of a wimper of an ending. I have to say that I have grown to like these two characters as they have starred in this book – but not enough to really miss them. I like the mythology of it all but I think it is just time to move on. The finale to the Captain Atom back-up was more exciting as Mirabai is defeated and Captain Atom’s reputation restored. I really thought this back-up was a neat idea all-around and I’d say it was successful.

Action Comics #890
Written by Paul Cornell
Art by Pete Woods

Wow that was unexpected. I wasn’t sure what to think when I heard Lex Luthor would be the new star of Action Comics but damn this was awesome. Lex is an evil bastard and Cornell writes him that way. He has an employee killed just for embarrassing him, he builds a robot Lois to be his companion haha, and he is obsessed with finding the secrets to the Power Rings. Great start!

All Is Well

Power Girl (Volume 2) #13
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Sami Basri

 

Well I have to say that as I suspected, the book still maintains good quality with Winick coming on. He knows how to write humor and balance it with action – he always has. He can be hit or miss – but he can do that and I have no idea why some people are so down on him as a writer. Basri’s art is also perfect for Power Girl – it is different from Connor but that doesn’t mean it is bad. This book recaps Maxwell Lord’s return and then wiping away the memory of his existence. It is written in such a way that it also recaps Power Girl’s history – I am not sure if the mind wipe worked on her – I think it did as she does forget the mission to find Lord. I think Lord himself is responsible for her company going bankrupt all of a sudden somehow. I was glad to see Terra wasn’t dropped from the book too. All is well for this series.

Damn Good

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #46
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Tomasi and Gleason once again bring us the BEST Green Lantern book on the stands right now. Shit this was good! Action-packed, and filled with strategy as the Corps fights the Black Lanterns above the earth. I gasped when we saw Black Lantern Alex and I loved how Kyle said that Alex made him a better man because she definitely did. Tomasi did his research on their relationship. All I can say is this was damn good!

All The Powers Of Superman

Adventure Comics #510
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Travis Moore

Ummmm Bedard could have taken over this series for all I care because this was a great issue! Bedard shows he knows the character of Connor Kent inside and out by recapping his history while moving the story forward. This was by far the best Blackest Night tie-in yet. We get to see lots of action and great characterization at the same time. The strong love between Wonder Girl and Superboy and their training to make sure Connor is never mind controlled again (Nice use of continuity by the way, I would never have thought of that) allows for Superboy to escape from the Black Lantern ring. The art was fabulous as well. Oh and Superboy gets freeze-breath finally! Now he has all the powers of Superman. I kinda liked it when he was all about the tactile telekinesis but this is okay too.

Wiggley Field

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #39
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

As Blackest Night hits the Green Lantern Corps, we get a lot of focus on Kyle – as this series should have all the time. I am definitely enjoying it. Jade is back as a Green Lantern – although wasn’t her body destroyed? Oh well it doesn’t manner the Black Lanterns seems to manifest as dead versions of the people in their normal state (i.e Aquaman doesn’t look like the dweller despite dying in that state). Tomasi spelled Wrigley field with two g’s in this! Come on! That is some bad editing. It reminded me of this dog park near Wrigley field called Wiggley Field haha. That always makes me smile. I am easily amused.

Death in the DCU

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #43
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

If this issue doesn’t get you excited for Blackest Night the nothing will. This was an excellent issue detailing the history of the Black Hand, the murder of his family, and suicide and then his rise from the dead as the first Black Lantern and embodiment of the Black Lantern Corps. Mahnke’s are is as gorgeous as ever and I think he may be my favorite artist at DC for event books. I love the DC Universe and its continuity and it was so exciting to see Mahnke draw all the heroic deaths over the years. My only complaint is story-wise, why the fuck no mention that Kyle was basically the entire Green Lantern Corps for a decade! It’s just another example of DC favoring silver age old-fuck heroes. Oh and fuck Didio by the way and his stupid ass DC nation column about the Justice League. Am I being a little mean with this review? Sorry. Let’s go back to the positives, this was an amazing issue that brings us right into what will hopefully be the greatest event DC has had in a long time.

Green Lantern Corps 13 – 30

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #13
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art by Patrick Gleason

I liked the whole Mogo’s infection thing and I liked how Bzzd basically saved the day. What an awesome character! The DCU needs more talking flies!

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #14
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art by Patrick Gleason

This is part 2 of the Sinestro Corps war and I enjoyed it. None of the Earth GL’s make an appearance so that may be why I did not enjoy it as much as the first part but I did like the idea of Sinestro tricking Natu into becoming a dictator of Korugar just as he was. I wonder where this will go.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #15
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art by Patrick Gleason and Angel Unzueta

In this action-packed issue, the Battle for Mogo begins as the Sinestro Corps attacks the planet Green Lantern. I never realized how important Mogo was to the Corps until this issue, with the revelation that it is Mogo who guides the rings to their new owners. This was good stuff, a little face-paced, but still good.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #16
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art by Patrick Gleason and Angel Unzueta

They finally save Mogo from the Sinestro Corps this issue and Sodam Yat, who is being set up to being some kind of prophetic hero, destroys Ranx. I like the idea that the Green Lanterns are allowed to kill now, as in this case, they really had no choice.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #17
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art by Patrick Gleason, Angel Unzueta, Dustin Nguyen, and Pascal Alixe

So Sodam Yat is the new Ion, while it is sad that Kyle is no longer the most powerful Lantern, at least he is back to being a regular Green Lantern and this guy is Ion. This issue was good, probably the best of the Sinestro Corps War in this title yet as they fight for Earth. I can’t wait to see Ion face Superboy-Prime (Whos is called Superman-Prime here before they got the Superboy-Prime name rights back)

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #18
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason and Jamal Igle

Peter Tomasi begins his run on this title this issue, and if his run is going to be anything like this issue,then I am happy. This was really good. Tomasi writes the battle between Ion and Superboy-Prime without making it just a boring battle. He flashes back to Sodam Yat’s life history, and his life on Daxam, bringing the character to life in a way Gibbons never did.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #19
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Tomasi knows how to write great character moments, his main plots are only okay, but he has these great down-time moments. This issue shows that he will be bringing that to this title as well, as there were great moments in this issue between Kyle and Guy and Guy and Ice. Seeing Kyle become a star of this book makes me so happy as he really needs to be in some title and I almost shed a tear as Guy reunited with Ice. Gibbons didn’t really explore these characters enough, he focused more on the battles then characterization. Tomasi will probably make me enjoy this title a lot more.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #20
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason and Carlos Magno

More great character moments this issue, as Kyle and Guy tell Hal and John they are moving to Oa to start up a new Warriors bar there. Tomasi has astronomically improved this book in just three issues. So Guy made Salaak look small with his ring? Does that mean that anytime we see a construct of a person talking they can make him or her look however they want? Haha if true I would have some fun with that.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #21
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Nelson

This little fill-in arc focuses on the newly christened Alpha-Lantern, Bodikka. We get some background on her relationship with her family and home planet as well as her now very unemotional state of an Alpha-Lantern. While a fill-in, this was very good. Who is Nelson though? Never heard of him.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #22
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Neslon

This concludes Gates’s fill-in arc with a fantastic cover! I love the look of the Alpga Corps members, especially Bodikka’s look. I like the idea that her sister will be forced to work with her now as I am sure that will make for some great stories in the future. Gates is a good writer and I look forward to his run on Supergirl.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #23
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

You know I am not sure how exactly I feel about Gleason’s art…sometimes it just seems kinda odd, especially when it comes to faces. As for the story, it was pretty good but definitely the weakest of Tomasi’s run so far.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #24
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

While this was better then Gibbons’s issues and I did like the update on Mongol, this wasn’t really that great. I mean I got kinda bored with it. If you like just action and no substance, you will like it but this wasn’t for me.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #25
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Now this is more like it! Mother Mercy explains her story and how she only wanted to relieve suffering but her children have been corrupted by Mongul to cause Suffering. Awesome retcon here makes Black Mercy not only sentient but also a creature that I really like. Tomasi returns to form with this issue. I also liked that Kyle is the one who decides to reason with Mother Mercy, because HE WOULD be the one to do that because he is the GREATEST GREEN LANTERN.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #26
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Awww poor Bzzd I really liked him. He will be missed. As for Mother Mercy becoming a Green Lanterns, that is a great idea! I hope she shows up again soon. This was a good arc, even though it dragged on a little long.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #27
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Luke Ross

In this rather disgusting issue, someone murders families of GL’s in and then rains the eyeballs of the deceased on the trainees. Pretty gruesome stuff. The art is much better then Gleason, it’s a shame Ross isn’t staying. As for the talk between Kyle and Guy as their new bar opened, that was easily the best part of the issue.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #28
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Luke Ross

The Quintent are pretty scary villains. I am not quite sure I understanding their powers? Are they really siblings? Clones? I don’t know I found this issue kind of confusing. The guy who can talk to the dead is a great addition to the Green Lantern Corps and I bet he will play a larger role in “Blackest Night”.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #29
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

I love the concept of the different Corps, and the Star Sapphire Corps/Violet Corps is one that I am really interested in as Johns has said that even though they represent love, they are not good. Hmmmm I want to see how this could be? This story deals a lot with love…love between the widow who becomes a Star Sapphire and her late husband as well as the love between Guy and Ice, who can’t seem to make it work as they are leading two different lives. Guy acts immaturely when Ice tells him she can’t move in with him, which did make me think of his old JLI attitude. Very good issue.

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #30
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Okay….is it just me or do the Green Lanterns and Guardians come off as total assholes in this issue?I think the Zamarons have a good idea about the nature of love and how it can be found even in the evilest of hearts. But maybe I am just an optimist I do not know, but I think the Star Sapphire Corps is the coolest of the Corps we have met so far (Although the blood puking Red Lanterns are pretty damn cool as well). Kryb is just a creepy villain and visually appealing. Hats off to Gleason and Tomasi for that. This was a good issue. Oh and you know the Guardians’ proclamation at the end is bound to piss a few Green Lanterns off.

Checkmate 16 – 31

Checkmate (Volume 2) #16
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Joe Bennett and Joe Prado

What a fantastic issue! I forgot how good this series was. This is one of those relationshippy issues which I love, especially focusing on the relationship between Sasha and Mr. Terrific, as well as the friendship between Fire and Ice. It was great to see the two of them together again.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #17
Written by Greg Rucka and Eric S. Trautmann
Art by Chris Samnee

This was a decent issue focusing on the security of the Checkmate Castle and the man behind it. It was pretty high concept and I liked that. The idea of a man with a computer in his brain is so simple I am surprised no one has ever thought of it.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #18
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Joe Bennett

Ah this looks like it is going to be a fun arc. Amanda Waller is going to get her ass handed to her I have a feeling as Checkmate is figuring out her scheme with Taskforce X. I did not expect to see Martain Manhunter in this and it made me very sad to realize he will die soon after this in Final Crisis. I really miss him. His death was a shame.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #19
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Joe Bennett

I like how we are seeing both sides of the mystery so it’s the characters that are in the dark about everything. Amanda Waller is fascist biatch…I can’t wait to see her fall. I like that this series doesn’t glorify the US government (in fact, it does quite the opposite). The art is fantastic by the way.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #20
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Joe Bennett

Hell ya Amanda Waller has fallen! Most of the characters on this cover don’t appear unfortunately but still, Amanda Waller has fallen! The rest of Checkmate totally got her where they wanted her and got her to resign. I am excited to see who will b e the new White Queen. My question is though, has Martian Manhunter been the Black King this whole time?

Checkmate (Volume 2) #21
Written by Greg Rucka and Eric S. Trautmann
Art by Chris Samnee

You know I am not sure why but I didn’t really care for this issue. It just didn’t do it for me. It wasn’t bad and I thought the whole Madame Moiselle Marie legacy thing was interesting, but I guess I just found it kinda dull.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #22
Written by Greg Rucka and Eric S. Trautmann
Art by Chris Samnee

So this issue really grabbed me with the Madameoiselle Marie concept….I really liked the historical aspect and the tradition. And I liked seeing her whoop ass. Seriously she was brutal. I hope this character is not forgotten after this series ends.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #23
Written by Greg Rucka and Eric S. Trautmann
Art by Joe Bennett

This looks to be a fun and thrilling arc dealing with Kobra. I remember rather enjoying the first Kobra arc on this title. Bringing in Superman may have been the easy-way-out, but at least it was a smart move on Checkmate’s part.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #24
Written by Greg Rucka and Eric S. Trautmann
Art by Chris Joe Bennett

This was intense as Checkmate gathers the Global Guardians, the Outsiders, the Justice League, and Justice Society to stop Kobra’s evil plan. Oh how occults are freaking scary and especially when said Cult has killer reptilian babies.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #25
Written by Greg Rucka and Eric S. Trautmann
Art by Joe Bennett

This ends Rucka’s run on this title and it was definitely a nice ending. I expected Checkmate to kill the babies but I was pleasently surprised to see they hadn’t. As for the rooks, I am not sure I really understood exactly what was going on with them. They all shot up with alien DNA?

Checkmate (Volume 2) #26
Written by Bruce Jones
Art by Manuel Garcia

Not sure what to think of this issue. It didn’t focus on Checkmate so much as this new character Chimera that Checkmate scientists created from a near-dead soldier in Iraq. The issue was page after page of very disgusting scenes from a bear getting ripped apart to a person being stung by a giant and his whole body swelling up. I read Jones’s Nightwing run so I know he can write disgusting but I really don’t know what to think yet.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #27
Written by Bruce Jones
Art by Manuel Garcia

Okay we haven’t seen Sasha Bordeaux or Mr. Terrific since Jones took over, these are these are the stars of the book! So far this is about Chimera, a new character, and not really Checkmate at all. Wtf!

Checkmate (Volume 2) #28
Written by Bruce Jones
Art by Manuel Garcia

Ya this Chimera stuff isn’t doing it for me. I liked when this series was about the inner workings of Checkmate, not their monster operative only. So far, no good. But at least Sasha appears in this issue.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #29
Written by Bruce Jones
Art by Manuel Garcia

Ya this still sucks Chimera Balls! I really could care less about this character or the monsters attacking everywhere. Jones really likes writing about monsters for some reason. How did the girl find out Adam Sharp was Chimera? Did I miss something?

Checkmate (Volume 2) #30 Written by Bruce Jones
Art by Manuel Garcia

Ya this is utter crap. Still more fighting monsters and focus on a character I don’t give a crap about. What an extreme drop in quality for this series. Bruce Jone’s Nightwing wasn’t great, but it wasn’t this bad.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #31 Written by Bruce Jones
Art by Manuel Garcia

This is the final issue of Checkmate and I am really not sad to see it go. Sure it had some great moments under Rucka but Jones had really taken this series to an all time low, focusing way too much on Chimera and not on Checkmate. Heck, Mr. Terrific hasn’t even appeared since Jones took over the title. Chimera saves the world from the boring monsters and this was just a big borefest. Not recommended.

Blue Beetle 16 – 32

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #16
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

“Batman’s file on you is Eclipso Power: Sucking” Best line ever! This was a decent issue. I still am not a fan of the art in this series. I liked the Sue Dibny stuff though. Very powerful.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #17
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Now this was more like it! Jaime really thinks like a superhero here especially with the calling Bruce Wayne stuff. Very good issue.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #18

Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque, David Balden, and Dan Davis

Haha well the art was distracting at first, but I got over it because this was a fun issue where Blue Beetle meets the Teen Titans. I love how Brenda calls them the Belly-Shirt Brigade and the comments about how they wear skirts. Just fantastic. Rogers writes a good Miss Martian too…I liked her one-liners.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #19
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

This was an entertaining dealing with Brenda’s discovery of her aunt’s criminal side, and Blue Beetle fighting Giganta through her pressure points. Good stuff.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #20
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

So is the Peacemaker dead? Looks like it since he ripped the Scarab out of his spine. This crossover with the Sinestro Corps War was good but extremely overrated in the blogosphere. It only mildly entertained me.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #21
Written by Justin Peniston
Art by Andy Kuhn

This Spectre filler issue was good as it dealt with themes of the death penalty and forgiveness. Very good stuff from a writer I have never heard of. The art didn’t seem different at all.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #22
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Rogers is a fantastic writer. He has been putting little clues into this series since the beginning. Jaime also shows his brilliance as a hero in this story. He is not a stupid kid by any means. Tovar’s story was very sad, and it makes you think about if all your memories were a lie as well. Best issue in a while.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #23
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Everything is going crazy and Rogers winds down his run and Blue Beetle comes face to face with the Reach. This stuff has been two years in the making and it is really exciting. I know for a fact that Jaime’s family is not dead, but I still felt for Jaime in this issue. And jeeze, having a scarab pulled out of your spine has got to hurt!

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #24
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Even more shit hits the fan in this action-packed issue. I loved Blue Beetle’s make shift powerless costume and how it resembles Ted Kord’s old costume. Nice touch. This was an amazing issue. Probably the best of the entire series this far.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #25
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

John Rogers has not only created a legacy for the Blue Beetle but created a great character and supporting cast that will go down as classic. Twenty-five issue of build up and it was all worth. Jaime finally defeats the Reach in this issue and it is fantastic. Read it – everything in the last twenty-five issues is build up to this, even things you thought were meaningless. I am going to miss him on this title but at least he went out on top. Brenda and Paco kiss and the scarab speaks English! Kaji Da!

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #26
Written by Jai Nitz
Art by Mike Norton

What a good/cute story. In this all-spanish issue (which I had translated) Blue Beetle has a family reunion and fights the Parasite. In the end, he takes his Grandma for a flight.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #27
Written by Will Pfeiffer
Art by David Baldeon

This issue has Blue Beetle fighting a demon summoned by some dorky teenagers who find a spell book. Good stuff, and I like when Beetle works with Traci 13. Nothing really to write home about though.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #28
Written by Will Pfeiffer
Art by David Baldeon

This was another good story featuring a villain from the original Blue Beetle’s days named Doctor Mestopheles, and I love when this series does the legacy thing. Baldeon’s art is good and I wish he would stay on the series.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #29
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

This issue deals with illegal immigration. A topic that I am surprised it took twenty-nine issues for a series set in El Paso, Texas to get to. But I am glad it is being dealt with. Sturges begins his run with an intriguing story and it seems like he really gets the characters. In fact, I think I liked his pacing a little more then John Rogers’s pacing.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #30
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Haha I loved the opening of this issue with Jaime trying to go all Dark Knight on La Dama. This was a fantastic second issue for Sturges’s run. He even has Jaime and friends go to a superhero mini-golf place. Oh to live in the DCU…..

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #31
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Andre Coelho

Having Blue Beetle be conned into representing El Paso’s border patrol was genius storytelling as it will allow for some political commentary in this series. I am a liberal and I do believe that people who are anti-immigration are racist, it’s pure and simple. So I really liked this story. Doctor Mid-Nite’s appearence was perfect and not arbitrary at all. So far Sturges’s run has been really good. And Dr. Polaris’s appearence I bet will excite a certain blogger over at Title Undetermined.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #32
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Andre Coelho

This exciting issue explains the origin of the new Dr. Polaris, who I think was only created because some editor forgot he was dead and had him appear somewhere. I hate editors who don’t do their job, but at least we get a new character! I like that he comes from corporate America which makes him perfect for this storyline. A lot of great moments. People, you need to be buying this series!

Booster Gold 2 – 12

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #2
Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz
Art by Dan Jurgens

The second issue of this amazing series is just as good as the first. We see Booster Gold preventing Sinestro from meeting Guy Gardner way before he should and therefore cleaning up some other holes in the timeline. I love the interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated events in this series….it reminds me of the movie, Butterfly Effect, which I enjoyed a lot. One thing that confused me is they showed Dan Garett getting the scarab and becoming Blue Beetle in 1939 when I am pretty sure he is considered to debut in the Silver Age. Continuity error or mistake by me?

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #3
Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz
Art by Dan Jurgens

Haha seeing Booster Gold drunk is worth the price tag alone. Westerns don’t interest me in the least bit, so I really didn’t care for this issue as much the last two but it was still good.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #4
Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz
Art by Dan Jurgens

Supernova is reavealed to be Booster’s Dad this issue – I do not know much about his Dad, but he sure is an asshole. I am excited for the next issue, but I know there is no way that they are going to save Barbara Gordon the fate of being paralyzed.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #5
Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz
Art by Dan Jurgens

This was a particular powerful issue dealing with the rules of Time Travel. So apparently Rip sent Booster back to save Barbara because he wanted to teach him a lesson. No matter how hard Booster tries Barbara Gordon will always be shot and paralyzed by the Joker. I like that because it is definitely one of those pivotal DCU moments that should never be undone.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #6
Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz
Art by Dan Jurgens

Hmmm I don’t know if I like the idea of Ted Kord being a Time Cop with Booster but we will see. I doubt that Ted is sticking around for very long…something fishy is going on here. It was fun to relive Countdown to Infinite Crisis….probably one of the most exciting times to be a DC reader.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #0
Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz
Art by Dan Jurgens

Crossing over with Zero Hour fourteen years after the crossover ended is just awesome and totally fits in with the time traveling aspect of this series. Granted, the crossover was brief, it was still pretty damn cool. I never read Zero Hour…maybe I should check it out sometime.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #7
Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz
Art by Dan Jurgens

I love how these stories are a real treat for long time DC fans yet are easily accessible by newbies (but unlike most bloggers, I could care less about accessibility….people should do their homework). Seeing Catherine Colbert and the London Embassy was really cool. I can’t wait for next issue.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #8
Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz
Art by Dan Jurgens

I had no idea that Pantha didn’t have an origin. I guess that this is Johns’s atonement for writing her death in Infinte Crisis. The Blue and the Gold together are a great combination. Can’t wait to see the JLI back too.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #9
Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz
Art by Dan Jurgens

Wow if Ted Kord hadn’t of died things would be really fucked up. I hope Booster is learning his lesson becaus

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #10
Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz
Art by Dan Jurgens

So it was Mister Mind behind all of this – that is one crafty worm. Anyways, I am glad that Ted isn’t staying in the book….and he is making the right choice but it was very sad to see him say his last goodbyes to Booster. Oh and could the Black Beetle be Paco in the future?
Booster Gold (Volume 2) #1,000,000
Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz
Art by Dan Jurgens

What a perfect way to cap off Johns and Katz’s run on this title. Booster gets his sister back, Batman finally gives Booster some respect, and things are looking up for Booster Gold. Gotta love the last page of this issue. Johns and Katz’s did a great run on this book and I look forward to Jurgen’s run.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #11
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Dan Jurgens

While some of the time travel stuff in this issue could give one a head ache, it was a nice follow up to the Johns-Katz run and continues what they started. There are some continuity blips such as I am sure Booster has been to the batcave before in Infinite Crisis, but that doesn’t really matter too much. It was kind of shocking to see Alfred just blatantly shoot someone though.

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #12
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Dan Jurgens

This issue kinda confused me. I may have to read it again. As always though, the art is amazing and the dialogue is fantastic. I don’t know how I feel about going back to this period in Batman’s career since well, it’s been done a lot. Elongated Man’s surprise appearance should be fun though.

Birds of Prey 108 and 109

Birds of Prey #108
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

Gail Simone’s final issue on this title is a tear jerker. You really feel that the writer is saying goodbye to her characters this issue. I don’t even know how to explain how good this issue is. Just read it. Characters from Simone’s entire run come back to defend Oracle against Spy Smasher. The “core team” cries together as they say their goodbyes and we find out who Misfit really is. It was amazing. Gail, thanks for making Birds of Prey a great read through your entire run.

Birds of Prey #109
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Nicola Scott

Bedard begins his fill-in run with this issue. This was a very enjoyable read that I believe lives up to what Simone has done with this book. Oracle and Black Canary discuss the Green Arrow-Black Canary relationship and I like how Oracle basically says she shouldn’t marry him. It was a nice way of looking back at each character’s histories. There were some major continuity error though, the use of the Ventriloquist when Batgirl was around (he didn’t come about until after she was crippled) and the mention that Connor’s mother was Shado. Shado was not Connor’s mother. Other than those errors, this was a great issue. My personal favorite about it must have been Big Barda playing with Pokemon Cards! Oh and this tied into Countdown perfectly.