The Lost Battle of the Superman Family

Action Comics #983
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Viktor Bogdanovic

It’s the Superman family (sadly still missing Connor Kent and Linda Danvers) versus the Superman Revenge Squad and wow did they get their asses handed to them by the bad guys. In the end, they are all sent to the Phantom Zone and it looks like Zod may have killed Lois and Jon, although I suspect they were not in that ship he blew up despite what Superman thinks I am sure Lois came up with a plan and saved them both. I enjoyed this issue and I look forward to seeing them all try to escape the Phantom Zone and what Zod is up to exactly.

Incomplete Superman Family

Action Comics #982
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Jack Herbert and Jose Luis

This was an okay issue. The Superman Revenge Squad comes after Superman at the fortress of solitude and nearly beats him to a pulp because he is blind from the last issue. Luckily it looks like the rest of the Superman family shows up on the final page to save him. Seeing that spread of these characters – I can’t help but miss Connor Kent and especially Linda Danvers. Sad.

Action Comics 977 – 980

Action Comics #977
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Ian Churchill

I expected that Superman would now remember his New 52 life and his Pre-New 52 life after events of the last issue where the New 52 Superman and our Superman were combined but that isn’t exactly what happens here as Superman explores his history through the Kryptonian recording we only got a story similar to the Pre-New 52 history with a combination of the Geoff Johns and John Byrne origin stories. Also, Perry White knows about Jon Kent and Lois and Clark got married again in this universe and everyone remembers it. Interesting.

Action Comics #978
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Carlo Barberi

More of Superman’s history is told in this issue as see Death of Superman, Superman’s marriage and proposal, and pretty much his entire history up to 2011 and the New 52 is back! I can’t be happier about that. If you were a fan of the New 52 Superman – and I do not know why you would be – you would not be happy as that history is completely written over where now Superman disappeared for the new 52 era as he focused on raising his son out of the public eye and only returned to the Daily Planet and a public life as Superman recently. The New 52 era is at least not remembered by Superman or completely erased. This all ties into DC Rebirth as Mr. Oz threatens Superman again in the fortress of solitude. I loved this issue.

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.

The Memories of All Restored

Action Comics #976
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Doug Mahnke

This is part 4 of the Superman crossover that began here , and continued here, and here. This made me so happy! The real DC Universe…the one that was destroyed six years ago and broke my heart…is back! As Mr. Oz said in this comic, the memories of all has been restored. Superman now remembers his life before and after Flashpoint. What is next? Will everyone else remember their entire histories? Will Cassandra Cain remember she is Batgirl again? Is the “him” Mxyzptlk refers to Dr. Manhattan? Speaking of Mxyzptlk…I could see David Lynch directing a Superman  movie with him as the villain. This was a fantastic Mxyzptlk story. Thank you Dan Jurgens!

Trinity 1 – 6

Trinity (Volume 2) #1
Written by Francis Manapul
Art by Manapul

2008 – 2009’s Trinity Maxi-series was…well…bad. Nothing of consequence came from it and it really was a waste of everyone’s time and money. Nearly a decade later can DC create a good series starring their trinity of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman? If I had to judge from the first issue alone, I would say Manapul has hit one out of the park. In this issue, Batman and Wonder Woman decide to meet with the Post-Crisis Superman at his new home for dinner.  Superman brings up a story that Dick Grayson told him about Batman Pre-Flashpoint and Bruce has no memory of it. Interesting considering my theory that the ten years taken away thing means that their memories have just been erased. But this was early in Batman’s career, so it may just be chunks of time adding up to ten years and not a consecutive ten years? Anyways, there were many things I loved about this, but most of all the art. Manapul takes advantage of being both the writer and artist by setting up some rather beautiful and creative way to do the panels on the pages. I also loved how this book – unlike the first volume of Trinity – seems to  be firmly set in the DCU. It references the main series of its main characters and what is going on in those books. That is how to build a real cohesive universe and I am glad DC is doing that well in this Rebirth era. The final page through me for a loop too…what is going on there?

Trinity (Volume 2) #2
Written by Francis Manapul
Art by Manapul

In this issue, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman seemingly go back in time and meet with Jonathan Kent in Smallville but the final pages reveal that they are all actually under the spell of Black Mercy and imagining it while Poison Ivy has attacked them with it. This was a beautifully drawn issue. But the Black Mercy thing has been done so many times before and it has been done with the Trinity so many times before, I wish Manapul had thought of something more original to do.

Taking Back His Corps

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #46
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

At first I was confused at to why the bodies of Khufu and Chayara were in the power battery of the Star Sapphire Corps and then I realized…of course, that’s brilliant! Their undying love would be powering the Star Sapphires wouldn’t it! That’s just awesome! The art is spectacular here as Mahnke always is and this was an spectacular read…I didn’t even mind the boring Hal Jordan moments. A lot happens here…the Star Sapphire homeworld falls to the black Lanterns and Sinestro takes back his corps from Mongul. In the end, Abin Sur and his sister rise as black lanterns. It doesn’t pack quite the emotional punch to me as previous black lanterns, but it is still something to look forward to. Great issue.

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.

The Greatest of GL’s Stands Up To The Guardians

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #38
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

The greatest of Green Lanterns, Kyle Rayner, stand up to the Guardians bullshit ways in this issue and I was damn happy to see it. It looks like The Guardians have sent Kyle and Guy back to earth (I can’t wait to see what they do next) and everything is in place for the beginning of Blackest Night. This series is much better then the main GL title and I can’t wait to see what goes in during Blackest Night. This was a good issue.

Exciting and Fun

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #37
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Ya after last issue focused more on Sodom Yat instead of the great of Green Lanterns – Kyle Rayner – I had happy to say this issue refocused back on Oa and the sciencell riot. This was a kick ass battle and I have to give my thanks to Gleason who knows how to draw an awesome Lantern battle. The part where the rookies get killed by the villains was particularly crazy. I am getting excited for Blackest Night and Scar is one bad ass Guardian in this when she attacks that one Sinestro Corps women. I am sure Sodom is not actually dead and I was surprised at how quickly the Daxamites gained power from the yellow sun. There was a lot going on in this issue but that’s nota bad thing – it was all exciting and fun.

Out of Focus

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #36
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

I am a little confused. Maybe I read this too quickly but how was dropping his body shields supposed to help matters in the fight against Mongul? I don’t know. I was disappointed with this issue and its focus on Sodom Yat instead of Kyle Rayner the greatest of Green Lanterns. We only briefly see the fight going on at the sciencells before we go back to Daxam which frankly is the least interesting plotline in this series right now. I do have to say I enjoyed the parts about Sinestro and Soranik’s relationship as father/daughter. I like how it seems that Sinestro genuinely cares for her in his own way. I think the idea of their relationship is growing me. Otherwise, I would have preferred some more Kyle focus.

Walt Disney Threw Up

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #34
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

It looks like that crazy bitch Scar just opened up all of the Sciencells. Oa is in deep shit. This was another good issue, but I was slightly put off by Gleason’s art here. I didn’t really like the way he drew Kyle. Kyle and Soranik’s romance is a little forced, but I still like it. Guy’s quote upon hearing about the Blue Lanterns was fantastic “It’s Like Walt Disney Threw Up”! Haha. Sodam Yat should be pissed at his mom after what they did to his alien friend and I am glad he confronted her about it. He is a strong character. I liked how he didn’t just turn his back on Daxam because of his duty as a Green Lantern. All of this is building toward Blackest Night, so check it out people!

Secret Romance

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #33
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

I love how finally this book is getting around to truly focus on Kyle Rayner, the greatest of Green Lanterns. this was more of a character-driven issue focusing on the newfound romance between Kyle and Soranik while at the same time we check on Mongul and the Star Sapphire. I wonder how Kyle and Soranik will keep their romance secret from the guardians? The origins and omens back-up was a cute story about the Corps being led by Kyle to paint a mural of their history. We also see a flash forward where it looks like Jade might be coming back. I don’t know.

More Reasons Why Kyle Is Better Than Hal

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #32
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

Kyle and Soranik continue to do battle with Kryb this issue, who devours another GL rather nastily this issue. I loved it! What a fantastic issue. I am going to go out a limb and say this is the better of the two GL books right now. Yes, Geoff Johns is great but Hal Jordan is nothing compared to Kyle. Jordan would never let the parents decide if Kryb goes to Oa or Zamaron as Kyle does in this issue. I also really loved the end as we see all the rings fly by as so many resigned when they chose love instead of being a Green Lantern. I wonder how Kyle and Soranik are going to deal with it. Are they really in love? Or has the Star Sapphire simply tricked them into it. Either way it creates some great story possiblities and could give Kyle a girlfriend that won’t be brutally murdered. Oh and Kyle created that contraption to remove the toxin from the Green Lanterns’ bodies…ya…Jordan would never have been creative enough to think of that.

Creepy Creepy Creepy

Green Lantern Corps (Volume 2) #31
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

In another rather disturbing issue this week (in a good way), we find the Green Lanterns still fighting Kryb. Kryb has to be the creepiest but enjoyable villains I have seen in a while. I hope Tomasi doesn’t kill him off in the end. I like how he generally seems to care about these babies yet so easily kills their parents. The lanterns are eventually taken control of by Kryb who infects them with some kind of liquid he has, and the last scene is incredibly creepy. It almost reminds me of the Manson Family and Sharon Tate with Kryb being Manson and the Lanterns are his followers, while the pregnant Lantern is Sharon Tate. Really really creepy. The star sapphire Corps has at least one member now and I would’ve liked to see more of the Zamarons this issue but we really didn’t. Anyways, good issue.

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.