Bludhaven Saviors

Nightwing (Volume 4) #24
Written by Tim Seeley
Art by Miguel Mendonca

Nightwing is being hunted by a bunch of villaisn from aroudn the DCU inside a submarine. Now that is a fun idea for a comic book. Time Seeley pulls this off well (except for maybe when he has Dick Grayson refer to himself as the Dickster!) Some of these villains have only been created recently in the comics and not by Tim Seeley, which means Tim is reading all the books or the editors are just that good. Either way, I love it when the DCU comes together nicely. Blockbuster’s motivations for hurting Nightwing is interesting. He wants to be the hero of Bludhaven and sees Nightwing as a Gothamite who doesn’t understand the city. As for the final page, I wonder how Nightwing survives the explosion?

Villainous Relations

Nightwing (Volume 4) #23
Written by Tim Seeley
Art by Minkyu Jung

I love how Tim Seeley is making Bludhaven a living breathing city with it’s own characteristics. For example, in this issue there is a sunken whaling ship in the bay that people call an Island because it has been there so long. In this issue, it looks like Nightwing and Defacer’s relationship is breaking down and while I don’t mind her, it will be interested to see her possibly turning back to crime and becoming a foe for Nightwing. The cliffhanger was something I did not see coming and I am excited to see how it plays out next issue and if Blockbuster really double crossed Nightwing.

 

 

I want to read a Linda Danvers/Cassandra Cain Phantom Zone story

Supergirl (Volume 7) #10
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Brian Ching

The beginning of this issue has a bunch of characters breaking a character out of her prison I did not recognize. This group included Mago, Emerald Empress, and what looked to me like Indigo from the Outsiders! I loved that character when she was around! Then I was sad to see Barbara Gordon in costume as Batgirl – a title that should belong to Cassandra Cain. Barbara is not drawn as even remotely terrifying as a bat or intimidating by Ching here, and that isn’t Ching’s fault, her current costume just sucks and she isn’t Cassandra Cain. While this is the best issue of this series yet, I even did not mind the art this time around, I am still unimpressed. I wish this was about Linda Danvers and Cassandra Cain teaming up. But hey at least we got Indigo back.

 

Supergirl Rebirth 1 – 9

Supergirl (Volume 7) #1
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Brian Ching

I went into this issue expecting to at the least find it boring if not hate it. I love Linda Danvers – she is Supergirl to me and ever since Kara Zor-El replaced her I have been pissed – and mostly pissed because no one ever seemed to mention there was a Supergirl before her. I want her to be acknowledged! And now we have Kara living with people who are Danvers. Can we at least ackowledge her somewhere Steve Orlando?! Anyways, I did not hate this issue. It was actually a good set up of taking what has worked with the Supergirl tv series and applying it to the comic book universe but still keeping it different enough to be its own thing. I sure hope Martian Manhunter shows up soon! That being said, I find the art distracting.

 

Supergirl (Volume 7) #2
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Brian Ching

Cat Grant is written as interesting as she is on the tv show in this issue when Kara goes to interview at the new Catco Worldwide Media. I appreciate that they followed continuity and explained that Cat left the daily planet to find this new company. The stuff about Supergirl’s Dad being maybe still alive as a robot annoys me as it has been done before. We don’t need more Kryptonian angst in DC Comics. Can we also get a new artist on this book? Sometimes Ching doesn’t even draw faces!

Final Issue Mysteries

Magog #12
Written by Scott Kolins
Art by Kolins

 

So Magog runs into an old friend from childhood who has joined some wierd cult and Magog joins them too. I guess that is what happened? Not quite sure and I have no idea where this is going or if it will tie into Brightest Day but this is the final issue of this series. Everyone knew it wouldn’t last and Magog probably should never have got his own book but there were some good moments along the way.

Guest-Starring The Real Flash

Magog #11
Written by Scott Kolins
Art by Kolins

 

In the penultimate issue of this book, Wally West guest stars as Magog takes on a man who has wonder tech – linked to Gog- connected to his back. It was actually a good read and I really felt the emotion over Lauren’s murder. I kind of wish Kolins had written this series from the beginning. It was great to see Wally again – I like how DC says they support Wally and all that and then we never see him after Rebirth wtf. Well at least he isn’t as missing as Cassandra Cain.

Happy Ending

Justice Society of America #40
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Jesus Merino

 

The timeline is restored in this uplifitng issue. Willingham has Mr. Terrific warn the team of the coming attack by the fourth Reich and Obsidian is restored. I loved the moment where he jokes that he is “cured” of being gay to his Dad and the reaction on his Dad’s face – priceless! I gotta hand it to Merino for that use of facial expressions. I like how everything was explained and now the timeline has Obsidian involved in fight with Mordru and we are finally brought to the present time and the start of the JLA/JSA crossover. This was great stuff and I hope Willingham returns as writer after the crossover because his run has been excellent so far. I loved the moment where Mr. Terrific gives the little girl the college fund! And it looks like he is now dating her mom.

Magog 8 – 10

Magog #8
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Tom Derenick

This was confusing. I guess earth is going to be invaded by aliens? That plot came out of no where and Magog is stopping a hostage situation. I am not sure why the Shield showed up to take Axel to an army base? I am lost.

 

Magog #9
Witten by Keith Giffen
Art by Tom Derenick

Hmm things get interesting again as the Shield is hijacked by Killer App and the Planeteers shows up? Who are they exactly? I like the idea that Magog’s
“Aunts
are covertly trying to take over the world. I have no idea where this is going.

Magog #10
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Tom Derenick

 

Magog scares away a really frightening alien creature that planned on taking over earth and basically consuming all life on it. David is freaking out cause he is afraid that perhaps there is more to this being possessed thing then he thought. This marks the end of Giffen’s run I believe and Kolins will come in to finish off this series. I hope all the threads will be resolved and we can get some type of conclusion.

Rest In Peace Damage

JSA All-Stars #7
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Freddie Williams II
Co-Feature by Jen Van Meter
Art by Travis Moore

 

The main story focuses on Judomaster – a character who really hasn’t had a lot of focus. She is dealing with the death of Damage during Blackest Night – I liked it although it didn’t seem to be that different from the letter sent from beyond the grave stories told in comics past. It was great to see former Titans at Damage’s funeral – because DC seems to have forgotten that Damage was also a Titans at one point. I loved seeing Argent too! The Liberty Belle and Hourman back-up goes along with its Indiana Jones like themes – pretty good stuff.

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.

Gogged

Magog #7
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Howard Porter

 

Magog begins to suspect he is inhabited by the Magog being and not just have his power and goes to see Zatanna (who despite the cover only appears on like one page, I am not even sure how he knows her) and his mother. The scene with his mother was a wonderful scene that gave some depth to this character. When it was all said and done, I think this was one of the better issue of this book. It all made sense, which is something I can’t really say about previous issues. I liked it.

Giant Green Hammer

Magog #6
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Howard Porter

 

Magog shows how unlikable he is on every page of this comic where he fights the Justice Society and finally gets kicked off their team. Thank God! It was about time they booted this loser. I loved seeing Alan Scott smash him with a giant green hammer!

Power Girl Vs. The Douche With Horns

JSA All-Stars #3
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Freddie E. Williams III
Co-Feature by Jen Van Meter
Art by Travis Moore

 

The main story is actually pretty good. It was nice to see Power Girl kick Magog’s annoying ass. This probably should have come out before the annual but oh well. I am getting used to Williams’s art, at least we had pupils this time around. I like that they are addressing Atom Smasher and Sandman, as well as we get to see quiet moments between the elder Hourman and his son. There are a lot of subplots in this book. People who stopped reading JSA books after Johns left really are missing out. The Liberty Belle and Hourman back-up was a decent read as well.

Mythological Backgrounds

Magog #5
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Howard Porter

The mythological background behind this is actually rather interesting and I look forward to seeing how it plays out. So was Magog a being captured by Gog and then imprisoned inside of David Reid? Was Gog really from the third world or was he lying? I still can’t stand the character of Magog but at least the back-story is interesting and the art is good. I have no idea still what is going on with this Haven place. There really should be more of a catch-up at the beginning of issues to remind the reader of what has gone before.

I Love Roxie!

JSA All-Stars #2
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Freddie E. Williams II
Co-Feature by Jan Van Meter
Art by Travis Moore

 

In the second issue of this series, Stargirl is retrieved from Arthur Pemberton and the Injustice Society shows up. Williams’s art is barely tolerable with his ugly faces in this issue. Most of the time Cyclone was drawn without any pupils! What is she Batman! Williams is better then this! I am still enjoying this book and the co-feature starring Liberty Belle and Hourman was a nice addition. I love Roxie too! She reminds me of Indigo but with a great sense of humor.

Don’t Care

Magog #4
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Howard Porter

Yes the solo series of Magog nobody asked for continues here and we are introduced to Magog’s mother – or the mythological Magog’s mother would be a better way to put it. She is up to something and I don’t know what that is. In fact, I didn’t really understand this issue at all. I get the feeling I should have reread previous issues. I am not going to because I don’t care enough.

An All-Star Start

JSA All-Stars #1
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Freddie E. Williams III

So the guy behind the recent attacks on the JSA is none other then Johnny Sorrow. It has been a while since I read the story in the last volume of this series featuring Johnny Sorrow but I remember he was a pretty bad ass villain. Interesting that he is in love with Stargirl – or should I say infatuated? Anyways, this series started off on good feet with this issue. I think I might enjoy this more then the main JSA as I like these characters a lot. Despite Caleb over at Every Day is Like Wednesday saying that these are everyone’s least favorite JSA members (great blog by the way even if I don’t always agree with some of his statements). I do wish Amazing Man could have stayed around or for someone to  say what is going on with Jakeem Thunder. At least we find out what is going on with Sand and someone comments about Atom Smasher’s absence here. All in all, I am excited about this book’s future.