Gathering Shadow

Justice League of America #54
Written by James Robinson
Art by Brett Booth

 

This was a fantastic issue as Eclipso gathers shadow-based characters for some kind of plan. It even goes back and looks at the history of Eclipso which even I needed some refreshing on. Once again Robinson really makes the DC Universe seem like a vast wonderland as he pulls characters from its history – both obscure and famous. There were some more shadow villains I could think of – such as Shadow-of-War but hey he picked the ones he did for a reason I am sure. Booth’s art is going to take some getting used to as some parts of this issue seemed too much like Ed Benes (That is not a good thing) and the beginning two pages make no sense in terms of who was in the League at the same time I mean why are Vibe and Red Arrow shown to be in the team together at the same time!

The Defeat of Johnny Sorrow

JSA All-Stars #6
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Freddie E. Williams II
Co-Feature by Jen Van Meter
Art by Travis Moore

 

The first arc of this series comes to an end with this issue and I must say looking back on it, I think it was a very cool arc. Albeit, I am not sure how Johnny Sorrow was defeated? What exactly did King Chimera do to him? That confused me. I liked that it was revealed that Sorrow was posing as Atom Smasher so at least now we don’t have that weird romance between Stargirl and Atom Smasher but it created the drama that Atom Smasher knows that Stargirl fell in love with a false version of him. Next issue will deal with the death of Damage during Blackest Night – I hope he gets a good send-off. Also, is Ann Fortune joining the team? I sure hope so. I actually rather enjoyed the Liberty Belle and Hourman back-up this issue as they continue their quest with Tigress and Icicle and have an indiana Jones-like adventure. We even learn that Hourman and Liberty Belle are planning on trying to have a baby. I like that he wants to get off Miraclo completely before they conceive. Good stuff.

You Killed Her For Me…You Crazy Bitch

The Atom And Hawkman #46
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ryan Sook and Fernando Pasarin

This was a really awesome “resurrected title” issue. Yes, it was more Atom then Hawkman but I think it was still a good fit. It would have been nice to see Ryan Choi but whatever, we got to see a lot more of the Indigo Tribe and how their power works. I loved what Ray said to Jean about the murder of Sue Dibny (Hence the title of this post) and Johns does a great job of acknowledging the history of the Atom. Good stuff.

It Could Have Been Worse

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #49
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ed Benes and Jerry Ordway

I am frustrated with DC editorial – after Didio’s asinine 20 questions videos where he derails all excitement anyone had for the Flash franchise – once again we see a black character miscolored as white! The star of this issue, John Stewart, is colored white for an entire flashback sequence. Are the editors doing their job with these comics? No! To top it off it wasn’t even a very good story…where did this sharpshooter crap come from all of a sudden? The Jerry Ordway drawn back-up told us nothing that we did not already know from reading Blackest Night – this issue was a waste. It could have been worse, at least Hal Jordan wasn’t in it

I Think We Might Have To Reconsider Our Relationship

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #48
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

The editor’s note says this takes place before Blackest Night #6 – which is obviously supposed to be #5. How does an editor’s note have a mistake!! Come on DC! Anyways, this issue had Atrocitus and Larfleeze join up with the other Lanterns to take on the Black Lanterns. It was pretty good – but not really essential reading. Hal makes me fall asleep in ever panel he is in. The best parts were Larfleeze’s lines – they were pretty funny, including the one that this post was titled after.

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.

Golda Lisa

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #15
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Jurgens

Dan Jurgens begins his run  on the character he created back in the day and so far, so good. I liked this issue. There were some thing that kind’ve annoyed me. Why are Booster and Goldstar being so sloppy about time travel? I mean haven’t they experienced enough to know that they can’t be just doing stupid things like posing for Da Vinci? I know Booster is not the smartest guy in the world but come on. And why does Booster tell Ralph so much information about his future with the Justice League? And why doesn’t Ralph recognize him later after this? I was expecting some kind of memory wipe but we get no such thing this issue. Maybe next issue? That being said, like I said I did enjoy this issue. It didn’t blow me away, but it is a good start to Jurgen’s run.