Team Defiance

Deathstroke (Volume 4) #21
Written by Priest
Art by Diogenes Neves

This is issue marks the new era of this title where Deathstroke will be leading a new superhero team called Defiance consisting of Deathstroke, the Ravager, Jericho, Power Girl and Kid Flash sponsored by the US government. I like how they all have new uniforms too and I think Deathstroke’s black and white get up is a welcome change. As for the surprise appearance of Terra at the end of this I have no idea how she is even alive? Isn’t she suppose to be very dead? How pissed is Barry Allen going to be that Kid Flash is now on a team with Deathstroke? Anyways, I am excited about this bold new era for this series.

All The Powers Of Superman

Adventure Comics #510
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Travis Moore

Ummmm Bedard could have taken over this series for all I care because this was a great issue! Bedard shows he knows the character of Connor Kent inside and out by recapping his history while moving the story forward. This was by far the best Blackest Night tie-in yet. We get to see lots of action and great characterization at the same time. The strong love between Wonder Girl and Superboy and their training to make sure Connor is never mind controlled again (Nice use of continuity by the way, I would never have thought of that) allows for Superboy to escape from the Black Lantern ring. The art was fabulous as well. Oh and Superboy gets freeze-breath finally! Now he has all the powers of Superman. I kinda liked it when he was all about the tactile telekinesis but this is okay too.

I Wish I Could Say That Didio Proved Me Wrong

Outsiders (Volume 4) #26
Written by Dan Didio
Art by Phillip Tan and Don Kramer

You know…I started this telling myself to keep an open mind. That even though Dan Didio is the man who thought Countdown was better then 52 and many other idiotic opinions, he could be a good writer and I shouldn’t prejudge. One issue in and I have little hope. This isn’t a very good comic. All of the characters are off and are not acting like themselves. Katana just stabbed a guy in the chest and Geo-Force is calling for extreme violence and acting like a completely different character then well…Geo-Force. What the hell? I am hoping this is explained through mind control or something but so far it is just bad characterization. Halo is nowhere to be found except for one panel. The art is just awful and Tan’s anatomy changes from page to page. The only good thing was the Eradicator – a former member of the Outsiders. I do like the acknowledgement of that history and he is a character that has been gone for a long time but… Please, Didio, prove me wrong and show me that you can write a good comic.

Halo Kicks Ass

Outsiders (Volume 4) #25
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin and Derec Donovan

Tomasi’s run comes to an end with this issue and it was a good issue. Yes, Tomasi had Halo being called Violet again (Ugh she never went by that name!) but he lets her be the big hero and kick serious ass in this issue so I forgive him. I love when Halo kicks ass. I think this was a good way to end Tomasi’s run and this Blackest Night tie-in was definitely successful. Do I think Tomasi’s run was that great? No it could have been a lot better but it wasn’t awful either. I am more afraid of what the Didio-Tan run will be like. I hope they pleasantly surprise me. Oh and it was nice to see Thunder again!

Superstar Writer In The Making

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #78
Written by J.T. Krul
Art by Joe Bennet

First of all, J.T. Krul is taking over Green Arrow permanently? I Certainly hopes so because his Titans works rocks! This was a fantastic issue even though it didn’t even star the current Teen Titans. Really this would have been better suited for Titans – as the formation of Deathstroke’s team begins here as in the end Jericho decides to join with his Dad. The fact that Jericho and Deathstroke could decide to work together at the end of this issue and it didn’t seem forced is pretty damn amazing and I think we owe that to Krul – he is a superstar writer in the making at DC.

Blackest Night Descends Upon The Outsiders

Outsiders (Volume 4) #24
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin

The penultimate issue of Tomasi’s run may be the strongest issue of his run yet. That could be due to the strength of the Blackest Night concept or because Tomasi get the character of Terra – the evil girl who infiltrated the Teen Titans and betrayed them. She was not duped or drugged by Deathstroke – she was a bad person. It’s pure and simple. I love that Krul and Tomasi are acknowledging this as for a while DC seem to be heading in the direction of ignoring the intent of Marv Wolfman when he created her and pretending that she was this sweet girl who got corrupted. I love how Black Lantern Terra is just as manipulative as she was in life. She acts all sweet and kind to her brother even with that horrible zombie look – and he believes her! It was awesome. You know she is setting a trap for the Outsiders. It was great to see Katana and Halo’s close friendship acknowledged (Although she calls her Violet again ahh!) and Katana’s family who I hadn’t even predicted would show up as black lanterns.

Her Name is Gabrielle!

Outsiders (Volume 4) #23
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin

Pasarin is such a good artist why doesn’t DC ever use him as a regular artist? Although his Creeper is a little more normal looking then the Creeper usually is. But at the same time Tomasi writes him as more “normal” then he usually does too. It was great to see Katana and Halo’s relationship acknowledged, even if it is annoying that they keep calling Halo Violet instead of Gabrielle. This is going to be Tomasi’s last arc on this book before Didio takes over. I guess we shall see if Tomasi’s run is considered a sucessful one or not.

Titans Tower Needs To Have Security For Pets

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #75
Written by Felicia D. Henderson
Art by Joe Bennett
Co-Feature by Sean McKeever
Art by Yildiray Cinar

The title of this post is definitely true …since this is the second time in this book a monster has infiltrated the tower by posing as a furry friend. Anyways, this begins Henderson’s run on Teen Titans and so far, it is decent. I mean it is nothing totally special but I am going to give Henderson the benefit of the doubt because she is coming in right before a big crossover (blackest night) and this is the first comic she has ever written. She seems to have a strong understanding of the characters. Although I don’t like how Cassie is always portrayed as incompetent in leadership (but that’s something they have done for a while so it’s not Henderson’s fault). Bennett draws some weird faces in this issue. This book needs a new artist. I am not sure what was going on in the scene at Titans Compound…why would they be happy Beast Boy left them? Whatever Ravager saw in the back-up, really upset her. So much so that she is tearing up. It must be pretty bad what these guys are doing to upset Rose Wilson like that. Child slavery? I wonder.

Indigo Omens

Titans (Volume 2) #10
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Howard Porter and Jesus Saiz

I’m sorry but why wouldn’t the Justice League and the Titans think of wearing more secure goggles. Those goggles fell off their head every chance they got. The main story was a typical Winick battle issue. I originally thought that Winick was leaving the title after this issue, but the Origins and Omens back up makes it look like he is staying after the McKeever crossover as it looks like he is bringing back Indigo! The one-time Outsider who I really loved is featured in the last splash page and I really hope that this means she’ll be back! Winick may not have done the best on this book, but if he brings back Indigo in it I am going to be singing his praises. Oh and Nightwing leaves the “team” in the back up as well. This issue was decent, the coloring was a bit off sometimes though. Red Arrow had blonde hair in a panel or two and one panel made it look Wonder Woman was wearing just a bra. But It wasn’t a bad issue by any means.