Gotham Victims

Batman (Volume 3) #26
Written by Tom King
Art by Mikel Janin

Ok what the hell Deathstroke is NOT a Batman villain. Why is he pictured with the Batman Rogues Gallery all of a sudden and showing up possibly in the next Batman movie – he is a Teen Titans villain who sometimes fights other heroes! But anyways the second part of the War of Jokes and Riddle was decent but I was surprised at how quick a read it was. It was good to see characters like Carmine Falcone and it looks like Batman has now joined the Justice League in his first year as a crime fighter which I don’t even think that was the case before Flashpoint so that is an interesting continuity change. The theme that I took away from this issue is that Tom King seems to be focusing on the innocent victims of the Batman villains and how Batman remembers their names to keep his crusade on crime going. I like that.

The War of Jokes and Riddles Begins

Batman (Volume 3) #25
Written by Tom King
Art by Mikel Janin

This issue begins a flashback story called the War of Jokes and Riddles. It begins with many violent hard to watch/read murders by both the Joker and the Riddler and ends with a great panel of a naked Batman looking pretty great next to Catwoman in bed as he tells this story. We still don’t know if Catwoman said yes to his marriage proposal last issue but who cares – we got to see Mikel Janin draw a great naked Batman! Yay! Jokes aside (no pun intended), this was a great start to what looks like a very cool past-Batman story which if done right looks like it could be on the level of something like the Long Halloween. Tom King is really good at dissecting these characters and his explanation of why the Joker and the Riddler do what-they-do (as told by the Riddler) is fascinating.

Not the Best Visit to Arkham

Batman (Volume 3) #19
Written by Tom King
Art by David Finch

Bane fights his way through Arkham Asylum taking on some of Batman’s most famous villain in the process, some of whom I was surprised to see in Arkham since they seem to be out of Arkham in other books. I guess it depends on when this exactly takes place. Copperhead shows up and he is suppose to be dead! I guess we have to assume this is a different Copperhead than even the one who showed up in All-Star Batman recently? Come on DC you have been so good at keeping things consistent lately do not let me down. Speaking of let down – David Finch was incredible last issue but I coudn’t get excited by his pencils this time around as it is all just kinda blah and this was suppose to be a showcase of him drawing the different Bat-villains. Listen, I like a romp through Arkham Asylum just as much as the next person but this time Tom King offered us nothing more than Bane just beating people up.

Batman Rebirth 1 – 17

Batman (Volume 3) #1
Written by Tom King
Art by David Finch

In the first issue of this new Batman solo series, Batman prepares to give his life to save a plane full of people that almost crashes into Gotham. Spoiler Alert…he ends up not dying although he prepares to say goodbye to Alfred in a touching scene. The plane is actually saved by two Superheroes calling themselves Gotham and Gotham Girl. The idea of heroes showing up in Gotham with actual powers is an interesting thing. Would this make Batman feel useless? I guess we will see. I enjoyed the art in this. Finch knows how to draw Gotham City and its world well. Also, who is this new Batman protege Duke Thomas? I don’t know anything about

Batman (Volume 3) #2
Written by Tom King
Art by David Finch

I love how Duke asks Batman if he trusts these new heroes of Gotham and Gotham Girl, and he says “I don’t even trust Alfred.” That made me smile. I thought this would make Batman jealous to have super powered heroes but I should have known better – Batman is a true hero and wants what is best for Gotham City. These heroes could stop things he cannot stop and he knows that. I loved how the Gotham Man is confused when Batman dissapears when talking to Commissioner Gordon. But who are these two heroes and how do they have powers that are almost Kryptonian in nature? I do not like how skinny Finch draws Amanda Waller. She is way too thin in this. But that is my only complaint about this issue.

Justice Society 50-54

Justice Society of America #50
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Tom Derenick, Howard Chaykin, George Perez, Freddie Williams II, and Scott Koblish

So Martha Kent designed the Superman costume? I am pretty sure that flys in the face of continuity. Also I am pretty sure Alan Scott was in retirement when Hal got the ring right? Does DC not have editors? That being said it is always cool to see how the modern heroes knew about the Justice Society growing up which is what the first part of this anniversary issue focuses on. The secon story has something to do with Per Degaton traveling between universes. The third is the JSA vs. the House on Un-American Activities in the fifties being retold, and then finally the modern day JSA sets up shop in Monument Point just as Jay Garrick is sworn in as mayor. I really liked how Guggenheim threaded all of these stories together and it all lead up to certain events in the modern story. This issue mattered and that is so important in serial storytelling.

Justice Society of America #51
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Tom Derenick

At one point in this issue it says Jay Garrick is the first superhero to be elected to office. That is not true I know at least Green Arrow became mayor of Star City but maybe the person didn’t know. Anyways Lightning makes it out of the after life okay and alive and there is a touching moment between her and Doctor Fate. Also, Jay Garrick kicks into gear as the Mayor of Monument Point and we get hints that there is a strange history behind the city that I am excited to find out about. Derenick draws the shit out of this book and does a wonderful job. I sometimes feel his facial expressinos always seem menacing though when the story doesn’t call for it.

Justice Society of America #52
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Tom Derenick

This was another good issue. Mr. Terrific finds out the man who took away his intelligence is a deranged original Mr. Terrific fan kind of like the same guys who complain whenever a hero is replaced meanwhile the JSA and the Challengers of the Unknown go deep underground Monument Point to learn about its ancient mysteries. I enjoyed it.

 

 

Justice Society of America #53
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Jerry Ordway

Wow Jerry Ordway sure is a breath of fresh air. Why can’t he be the book’s regular artist? He is perfect for the JSA and while I have liked what Derenick has done lately he really only draws menacing facial expressions even on the good guys. This was a fun issue where the JSA accidentally release a God who draws his power from metahumans. I can’t believe this is the penultimate issue of this series though.

 

Justice Society of America #54
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Jerry Ordway

 

Damn…just damn. This was clearly not Guggenheim’s plan to have a rushed ending to this arc and have Alan Scott sacrifice his life so quickly and without much fanfare. The fact of the matter is that the true JSA Villain is Dan fucking Didio who has no respect for the DC Universe and has publicly complained about the JSA “being old” in interviews. He is responsible for the awful New 52 and I am so glad the real JSA will be coming back soon. I wonder how much will remain in continuity but I have to say Guggenheim’s run could have been great but it was cut off too soon.

Attack Of The Starheart

Justice League of America #45
Written by James Robinson
Art by Mark Bagley

 

I am sorry but anyone who hates on this book should be beaten. This is a hundred times better then Meltzer or McDuffie’s runs. Robinson utilizes the DC Universe to the fullest and brings in characters and concepts you would never expect. I love it! Dick is the perfect leader for the League and I love Starman and Congorilla and Donna’s happiness. I wonder how long before Jade realizes that Batman isn’t Bruce? She doesn’t know yet right? Robinson does an excellent job of explaining the history of the starheart…although I never knew that it was sentient I do not think. This could be very interesting. I like how he said the Guardians bottled up Black Energy with Green to create the starheart so that is why Obsidian and Jade have different powers. Supergirl’s fight with Power Girl was probably not needed…it seems like they are always fighting and I do not know that I necessarily want her on the team, but I don’t dislike the idea of her joining either. This was great stuff and I can not wait to see where it goes next. Oh and Bagley’s art is pretty great here too.

Killing Time

Titans (Volume 2) #22
Written by J.T. Krul
Art by Angel Unzueta

 

Hmmm…Krul continues his great characterization of the Titans. He certainly gets these characters but I am not sure we needed another issue of Starfire pondering whether she should join the Justice League. And what’s with Beast Boy saying he is the leader of the Teen Titans, when it’s pretty clear Wonder Girl is leader. Maybe he is just saying that? Or this is before Cassie fully takes charge? Anyways, they are just killing time for Wallace to take over the book. Why is it taking so long?

Monsters

Superman/Batman #67
Written by Scott Kolins
Art by Kolins

Hmm…this was rather confusing maybe I read it too fast as I am not sure what exactly occurred. Did Bizarro send Grundy into the sun? What is going on with Man-Bat and his wife? I don’t know if it was actually confusing or I just don’t care enough. Kolins is a good artist for these monsters though.

Quick Read

Superman/Batman #66
Written by Scott Kolins
Art by Kolins

As it turns out, Bizarro is much more interesting in Black Lantern emotional spectrum vision then he is without it. Haha. I like that he said he was full of rage when the Black Lantern saw love. Nice use of the opposite speech and twisting it to fit Blackest Night perfectly. It was also great to see Frankenstein and the Bride. This was good but a little rushed. It was a quick read.

The Boy Wonder Meets The Girl of Steel

Superman/Batman #62
Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Art by Rafael Albuquerque

You may think I am nitpicking, but this blog is called the CONTINUITY Blog for a reason. Robin simply did not wear that costume yet when Kara first came to earth. The editor should have caught this and told Albuquerque cause there is no way this adventure takes place one year after Infinite Crisis. Unless it takes place right before Supergirl joined the Teen Titans…hmmm…I suppose you could place it there but it seems like Kara should have met Tim long before then. Otherwise, this was a really fun issue. Any time we get to explore Arkham it is a good comic and this is no different, and Albuquerque’s art is perfect for this book! I never really liked his Blue Beetle art because I thought it was too cartoony but I think he adjusted his style or something because I enjoyed his art here a lot. I am glad he is the regular artist.

Thank You Magic Hand

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #14
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Pat Olliffe

The Magic Hand (Booster’s hand) taking away Mr. Freeze’s freeze gun was hilarious, I am not going to even try to explain it here because I won’t do it justice. This was a good issue. While still filler as we are waiting for Jurgerns to take (and I really miss his art on this book) it was a lot of fun. Starro is stopped of course but apparently at a price. I am glad that Remender did not have Booster find out that Rip is his son as that should be left for Jurgens to do. What happened to Booster’s sister, Goldstar? Wasn’t she in the last issue? Did I forget something? Great use of the DCU in this issue though.

The Time-Traveling Starfish

Booster Gold (Volume 2) #13
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Pat Olliffe

Rick Remender begins his fill-in run here and I liked it. I mean we don’t really need anymore Starro takes over the world stories but at least it is a little fresh because of it involving Booster Gold and time travel. I also liked how Remender used elements from All-New Atom and his run in that series such as Lady Chronos. It seems that Booster may find out Rip is his son next issue. I really hope this isn’t the case as I think that should have been kept a secret a bit longer then a few issues. The art was decent. And it was fun to see Booster and Goldstar arrive during the time Superman was fighting Zod. Nice use of continuity there.

Superman 664 – 680

Superman #664
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Carlos Pacheco

This was a good issue but I am glad this whole Arion storyline is over. It was getting really boring….Squad K was a great concept and I am glad Busiek did not write Superman as resenting them.

Superman #665
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Rick Leonardi

Eh this was an okay issue spotlighting how Jimmy Olsen met Superman. I don’t care much about the character so this was only okay for me. Not much to say otherwise.

Superman #666
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Walter Simonson

This was an awesome issue. Krypton’s Hell’s demons coming after Superman is a clever idea and a nice little one-shot story. I especially liked the whole Superman being annoyed with people in his ‘dream’ so he just kills them. Made me laugh…although I am glad that it wasn’t really him.

Superman #667
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Carlos Pacheco

Damn…I thought all of this Arion crap was over!! I guess not…as this continues that storyline. The art is good, but I still don’t dig this story that much.

Superman #668
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Rick Leonardi

Now this was the best issue of this series in a while. It was great to se Robin and Chris Kent meet and how Superman is aware that Batman is always spying on him. I also can’t wait to finally meet the third Kryptonian.

Superman #669
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Rick Leonardi

At first I Was a little dissapointed to see that the Third Kryptonian was an old woman but I ended up really liking the idea that this space-faring adventurer just wants to settle down and rest in her old age and that is why she has avoided contact with Superman. She doesn’t want to be a hero and I like that. Kristin Wells wasn’t an actual Kryptonian pre-crisis and she had an awesome costume that I think her current suit is based on. They should bring back the original costume if she ever does decide to become Superwoman.

Superman #670
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Rick Leonardi

Now this was a great issue of Superman! Action, Character moments, and all around a good time! I wish Busiek wasn’t leaving this title so soon at the same time more of his issues should have been like this! It was great to see the entire “Superman Family” working together and I liked all the set up for the stuff coming up this year with “New Krypton”. Busiek must have originally supposed to be part of that storyline but left due to Trinity. Unless he set it up just for the editor and on Geoff Johns’s behalf.

Superman #671
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Peter Vale

This was an okay start to this arc dealing with an “insect queen”. Not much to say…it was really just set up.

Superman #672
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Peter Vale

Insect Queens always make good villains lol and I don’t know why Chris Kent’s watch blew up but I look forward to next issue.

Superman #673
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Peter Vale

Eh this was okay….nothing really great, I thought the stuff about Superman understanding Chris’s loneliness was stupid. Clark was a baby when Krypton exploded! Why do so many writers write as if he has some strong emotional attachment to the planet. Earth is home…it’s plain and simple. Despite Donner’s obsession with Krypton, it is not THAT important.

Superman #674
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Renato Guedes

This was another decent issue from Busiek that brings an old Justice League villain back. The stuff I am more interested in is the stuff with Mon-El. Nice art as well.

Superman #675
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Renato Guedes

Busiek’s final issue on the title wraps up the whole what if civilization collapses plot-thread by introducing the idea of Superman creating a library full of human knowledge. I like the idea and it is a great concept. Busiek still writes the character in Trinity and that is a really good series. More people should be reading it.

Superman #676
Written by Vito Delsante
Art by Julian Lopez

Okay was that supposed to be Connor Kent at the end….apparently cloned and in stasis long before his debut? I think so….nice touch. This was obviously supposed to be in Superman Confidential but it makes for a nice fill-in. It was kinda bland though and I am kind of sick of Solomon Grundy right now.

Superman #677
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes

James Robinson begins his run on Superman with this issue and I have to say it’s decent. I mean I am not jumping for joy about it but it is pretty good. Atlas seems like a worthy opponent for Superman and I like how Superman says that he beat the traditon of Superhero relationships by staying with Lois. **Cough Cough I am looking at you Spider-Man and Marvel Comics**

Superman #678
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes

This issue was just confusing. I am not sure if I really get Atlas’s origin. Where is he from? Why is he so strong? And why does Jimmy keep talking about Superman’s breakfast? Weird…..

Superman #679
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes

Not enough happened in this issue to make it an issue. Superman fights Atlas and then Supergirl does and Krypto appeared. Albeit this is the most excited I have ever gotten about Krypto appearing anyways. Maybe because we get to see his thoughts. I think it is a little out of character for Lois to be jealous of Zatanna. So far Robinson’s run has not been as good as I expected.

Superman #680
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes

We still know next to nothing about Atlas at the end of this but I suspect that Robinson will bring this up at some later point. The highlight of this issue was Superman’s talk with Zachary Zatara and Krypto thinking “happy” at the very end which made me smile. Robinson actually made me like the idea of Krypto….which is a rare thing. This arc could have been much shorter though.

JSA Classified 27 – 39

JSA Classified #27
Written by Frank Tieri
Art by Gordon Purcell

Well, that was okay. It was a Wildcat story….nothing to get too excited about. Art was okay too. Altogether just kinda….okay.

JSA Classified #28
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Steve Uy

This was a really neat Jakeem Thunder story….one does have to wonder why he doesn’t just help anyone with the genie’s seeming limitless powers and this story perfectly explains why. I liked this alot…even though the art was a little too manga for my tastes.
JSA Classified #29
Written by Arvid Nelson
Art by Alex Sanchez

The story wasn’t bad here…I always like secret government stuff. But….the art was distractingly bad. I mean look at Wildcat in this book, he looks monsterous and so do all the heroes in this. I don’t think Sanchez is suited for the JSA.

JSA Classified #30
Written by Arvid Nelson
Art by Alex Sanchez

Okay…the story is fine. But the art is even worse this issue! Ahhh I can’t stand it. Check out the beginning where they are out of costume, you can’t tell who is who! Some of the worst art I have ever seen.

JSA Classified #31
Written by Arvid Nelson
Art by Alex Sanchez

Okay why did that little girl look evil at the end of this? Okay the plot is a little rudiculous but the art is even worse. I really hope DC never put this guy on another book.

JSA Classified #32
Written by Junior Thomas
Art by Staz Johnson

Well this was an interesting start to this arc. Apparently the starheart has taken form as Jade, or something looks like Jade. Vandal Savage being the villain and dealing with Alan’s loss of Jade I suppose makes this a spiritual sequel to the first arc one year later of this book.

JSA Classified #33
Written by Junior Thomas
Art by Staz Johnson and Mike Norton

As sweet and touching this issue was, there is a huge flaw in it. Alan Scott has a WIFE! He is not alone, he has a son and a wife….why is he not spending Christmas with them. It kinda took me out of what was a pretty nice Alan Scott story.

JSA Classified #34
Written by James Peaty
Art by Freddie Williams II

That was a good Hourman story…I always like it when the series focuses on someone other then Alan Scott, Wildcat, and Mr. Terrific…which is rare. Liberty Belle and Hourman make a great couple. Although I wish she wasn’t made a damsel-in-distress in this. She IS a superhero too.

JSA Classified #35
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art by Ramon Perez

Now this is more like it. A story that isn’t boring and/or cliche. I liked the whole contrasting modern Wildcat to Wildcat during the Golden Age. And I am really happy to see Catwoman appear in this. I think Alan Scott’s comments to Ted were a little out of line though. The art is superb as well although it took getting used to.

JSA Classified #36
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art by Ramon Perez

Seemed like not much happened this issue….but it was still good. We got some Wildcat being a bad ass and a flashback to his first meeting with the Fiddler.

JSA Classified #37
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art by Ramon Perez

This concludes the Wildcat arc, and I must say this one was the best so far in terms of Wildcat arcs. I especially liked the flashback to Green Lantern asking Wildcat to be in the JSA and how all the flashbacks were done to look like they could have been drawn during the Golden Age.

JSA Classified #38
Written by Mike W. Barr
Art by Shawn Martinbrough

This was an enjoyable story. I am not so much a fan of boxing, so I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did. It deals with someone stealing the abilities of famous boxers and leaving them in an almost vegetative state. Very interesting stuff.

JSA Classified #39
Written by Mike W. Barr
Art by Shawn Martinbrough

In this final issue, Wildcat is brought back by Alan Scott – using some kind of power I did not know he had, I will have to look that up and then goes to beat the crap out of the bad guys. Works for me. I am sad to see this series go, but I still felt like JLA Classified it never really reached its potential and should have focused more on stories of the JSA then individual members.