Hellblazer Rebirth 1 – 10

The Hellblazer (Volume 2) #1
Written by Simon Oliver
Art by Moritat

I have to admit this is really my first experience with the character of John Constantine if you can believe it. He was walled off from the DCU  for most of the time I read comics before Rebirth and I never got around to picking up his series. I like him already in this debut Rebirth issue he makes a deal with Swamp Thing and we learn a little bit about why that happened and there are various other interesting subplots. I am excited to see what happens next.

The Hellblazer (Volume 2) #2
Written by Simon Oliver
Art by Moritat

After an easy to understand first issue, this issue seemed like it needed cliff notes for a Constantine newbie like myself. I guess I get the general plot, he is chased through London by these evil twins but other than that all the name dropping was lost on me. Thank God we have wikipedia.

Batman 21 – 23

Batman (Volume 3) #21
Written by Tom King
Art by Jason Fabok

This is it! The storyline that finally follows up on DC Rebirth’s button. How does Rebirth connect to Watchmen? Will we get the real DC Universe back for good? In this issue, the Button causes Bruce to see a vision of the Flashpoint Thomas Wayne Batman. I never read Flashpoint…it lead to the New 52 awfulness so I saw no point in reading it…but maybe just maybe I will think about it now. Afterwards, Reverse Flash invades the Batcave destroys the note by Thomas Wayne and beats the ever living crap out of Batman. I have to say I cannot remember another Flash/Batman crossover since I have been reading comics but it is cool they are doing this now. Reverse Flash eventually gets the button and is transported somewhere and when he returns he dies claiming he saw God. I wonder if what he really saw was Doctor Manhattan?

Batman (Volume 3) #22
Written by Joshua Williamson
Art by Jason Fabok

This is Part 3 of the crossover with the Flash as Bruce and Barry end up in the Flashpoint universe being kept alive by the unknown threat. It was bitersweet to see Bruce united with his father just before the Flashpoint timeline is erased. I did not expect Thomas to tell Bruce to not be Batman anymore and live a happy life with Damian. It reminded me a lot of Alfred’s speech in Dark Knight Rises. I wonder how this will effect Bruce. It has to emotionally. They mention that whoever manipulated the timeline also sent Bruce and Barry to the fFashpoint universe for a reason. I wonder if Doctor Manhattan or whever the big bad is wants Bruce to give up being Batman.

Green Arrow 11-15

Green Arrow (Volume 5) #11
Written by J.T. Krul
Art by Diogenes Neves and Vincent Cifuentes

This issue goes by so fast and not much of interest even happens. I was really dissatisfied with it. Krul is so good on Teen Titans but this issue was a low point for him.

Green Arrow (Volume 5) #12
Written by J.T. Krul
Art by Diogenes Neves

The only thing of any consequence in this issue is that we find out Galahad is really just a father who had a psychotic break. Otherwise it is just Green Arrow watching the events of the end of Brightest Day. It is filler material again. Swamp Thing barely makes an appearance despite the cover. Now that the Brightest Day crossover is over I hope this book improves.

 

Green Arrow (Volume 5) #13
Written by James Patrick
Art by Austin Padilla

Now that is more like it. This new creative team had a stellar debut with Green Arrow fighting a right wing Christian terrorist by the name of Rev. Billy Miggs. I love how much Ollie hates this guy. The art was good too.

Green Arrow (Volume 5) #14
Written by James Patrick
Art by Austin Padilla

Green Arrow continues to fight Rev. Billy Miggs who is shown to be way creepier than I thought when he murders a person he is baptizing in front of his congregation. It is quite disturbing and a great new villain for Green Arrow. I also enjoyed Ollie and Bruce’s moments here and how the artist chooses to keep Batman in the shadows. This is a great arc fro this series to end on.

 

Green Arrow (Volume 5) #15
Written by James Patrick
Art by Austin Padilla

This is the final issue of Green Arrow before the New 52 unnecessary reboot. Within its pages, Ollie defeats Rev. Miggs with the help of the army and some trick arrows. It was enjoyable but nothing to get too excited about.

 

 

 

Batman Confidential 45 and 46

Batman Confidential #45
Written by Kevin VanHook
Art by Tom Mandrake

VanHook’s sequel to his Superman and Batman versus Vampire and Werewolves mini continues here and I liked this issue as it dealt with Louisiana Voodoo and all. It was great to see Bruce Wayne calling in Clark Kent to help out – a nice scene we don’t see too often. Swamp Thing cameos in one scene – I am surprised nobody caught that!

Batman Confidential #46
Written by Kevin VanHook
Art by Tom Mandrake

 

Doctor Fate arrives to help out Batman, Superman, and their vampire friend in this issue. I am not a big fan of Mandrake’s art but I think it works well for a horror story like this.

Take Him Down Lois

Action Comics #884
Written by Greg Rucka and Eric Trautmann
Art by Pere Perez
Co-Feature by Rucka and James Robinson
Art by Cafu

 

The main feature was good – the Nightwing and Flamebird stuff was okay, but the real meat of the story can be found in the confrontation between Lois and her father. General Sam Lane is an evil fascist bastard who I can not wait to see Lois take down. He treats her like shit here and threatens even her life – his own daughter! I love that Perry wants the truth to get out about Lane as well – even if he can’t publish it in his paper. The Captain Atom back-up was equally good and focuses a lot on the history of Captain Atom and actually shows Starfire on the Justice League – I guess that means this all takes place post-Blackest Night. The last page shows the new League and I can’t say that it gets me excited for this line-up lead by Hal boring Jordan. But anyways, Good stuff. Can’t wait for War of the Supermen.