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!

Christmas With Supergirl

Supergirl (Volume 5) #59
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle

Gates and Igle end their critically praised run on this title with this issue and I think they ended it all quite nicely by kind’ve stopping that Cat Grant hating Supergirl thing after Cat is saved by Supergirl from Dollmaker (who is an incredibly creepy little guy) and showing a nice Christmas with the Superman family of characters at the end. Kara has come along way since Gates took over and I think history will look back on his run very fondly.

The Dollmaker

Supergirl (Volume 5) #58
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle

 

Damn I hate that Gates is leaving this book now especially because this issue rocked! Seriously we get a new menace, creepy as hell, called Dollmaker! (Is he Toyman’s son?) Finally some confirmation that Lana’s son is still in continuity. Cat Grant’s great commentary on how Supergirl dresses (I love how she mentions that belly shirts haven’t been in style in a decade…cause seriously it’s like the artists at DC don’t look around) all with Igle’s superb art. Oh and a great cliffhanger featuring Superwoman! I can’t wait to see what Lois wants to talk to her sister about.

Success

Action Comics #873
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Pete Woods

This is the final part of the ten part New Krypton storyline that began in the New Krypton Special, then continued here, then in the Guardian Special, then here, here, here, here, here, and here. I read a lot of reviews saying that this wasn’t a true ending or satisfying ending. I think it was. I mean Kandor has left earth and established a New Krypton. It is the end of this arc. This is serial storytelling people, there are never going to be true endings as if this is a complete work! I just don’t get the complaining about the ending. Anyways, I absolutely adored this issue. Every moment inspired awe and wonder in a way that any big story like this should. While I like Final Crisis, this is more of an event book then that. The ending with Superwoman was completely unexpected and I look forward to all the story possibilities that have come out of this arc. I may have been hard on some parts of this storyline, but overall, and especially this issue, it was a tremendous success.

A Villainous Trip To The Phantom Zone

Superman #682
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes

Okay….this has to be the most eventful issue of this storyline yet. This is Part 6 of the New Krypton Storyline that began in the New Krypton Special, continued here, then in the Guardian Special, and then here, and here. The New Krypton event has been really awesome so far but this is the cream of the crop. The Kryptonians begin to gather Superman’s villains and toss them in the Phantom Zone, along the way killing some cops who try to stop them. When Clark finds this out, his reaction is priceless. You really get the sense of anger and disappointment as he flies out of the Daily Planet and I think that is a credit to Guedes’s artwork. He really did a good job this issue. I am not sure what is going on with the Guardian or Atlas though. I guess we will find out soon enough. At first I thought Supergirl was in on it but apparently she was unaware anyone got killed. I am glad. Allura is kind of a bitch compared to her husband, who seems genuinely upset about the deaths of the cops. I look forward to finding out what happens next.

Action Comics 860 – 871

Action Comics #860
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

While I am more familiar with the threeboot legion, it is still cool to see all of the original Legionnaires come back and I can’t even comprehend the excitement of the fans of those characters while reading this. This was a fantastic issue for fans and newbies alike. Check it out. Frank’s art is amazing.

Action Comics #861
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

Another fine issue of Action Comics. There were a lot of fantastic moments, I liked the foreshadowing of the Crisis of the 31st century and all that stuff. Frank’s art is beautiful and perfect for the Legion. I am really getting into all these characters, many of whom I am meeting for the first time. Eye-Full Ethel is hilarious. Is that a new character? I will have to find out.

Action Comics #862
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

I am now in love with the Legion of Subsitute Heroes. What a fascinating bunch…from Chlorphyll Kid’s belief in talking to plants to Rainbow Girl’s mood swings they are a lot of fun to read about. As for the main plot, I really hope Superman gives Earth-Man a good ass whooping.

Action Comics #863
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

While this arc was a little long, it was a lot of fun. This was a great conclusion. Superman kicks Earth-Man’s ass and tells the xenophobic humans he is for everyone. And the ending flashback was so heartwarming. Great stuff Johns!

Action Comics #864
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Joe Prado

This story really set everything up for Legion of Three World and for fans of the DC Universe, it is very exciting. Batman and Lightning Lad play off each other well. I like the tie-in to Countdown with Karate Kid and Una whom I had forgotten even died. This was a great issue with great use of continuity.

Action Comics #865
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jesus Merino

This issue focuses on Superman’s famous villian, the Toyman and in perfect Johns fashion, explains away basically all the changes and continuity glitches about the character. Apparently all the different Toymen, even the Hiro one, were just robots created by Winslow Schott. As usual, it’s perfect and I can’t believe no one has thought about this before. Johns is a genius! Toyman may come off as someone who was taken advantage of and someone who does care for children in this issue, but Johns shows with the ending that he is still a deeply disturbed individual. I loved how Toyman doesn’t want to go to Arkham because he doesn’t want to be associated with Batman’s villains. Great issue.

Action Comics #866
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

Johns is really doing a lot to revitalize everything about Superman’s world. Everything from his villains to the Daily Planet staff is being fleshed out and made better. This arc is going to revitalize Brainiac and it looks like it is working. He is certainly creepier then ever here. But my favorite parts of this issue were at the Daily Planet and the interaction with the staff. The Superman books are the best they have been since I started reading comics thanks to Johns.

Action Comics #867
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

Frank’s art really makes this issue. There were some fantastic moments because of his art. I especially like his design for Branianc’s Robots. Supergirl’s revelation about Brainiac is similar to Toyman and how most Braniac’s that Superman has met are just probes and not the real Brainiac. In fact, Superman has never met the real Brainiac. One thing I am confused about is how Supergirl’s parents remember Kandor disappearing but over in Superman and the New Krypton storyline they are in Kandor. Hmmm…I bet this will be explained though. Oh and what about the Kandor that Supergirl visited with Ultraman, is that not the real Kandor?

Action Comics #868
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank`

Superman comes face to face with the real Brainiac in this issue and he is one scary mother fucker. So he basically takes a sample of a culture and destorys the rest, so I wonder if he is responsible for Krypton’s destruction. I wish Johns’s run wasn’t so focused on Krypton as I always preferred the Post-Crisis Superman who considers himself to be a human thing but this is good writing and good story-telling so I can’t complain. The whole thing with the Kents seems a little forced though, what is it that made them think this thing with Brainiac was any different? Nothing really.

Action Comics #869
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

So the stuff with Supergirl’s parents is explained in this issue and in a way that harkens back to the pre-crisis idea that Argo City survived the initial destruction of Krypton. As for Metropolis, it looks like it has become a bottled city. Oh and I was right, Brainiac is responsible for Krypton’s destruction! Good guess on my part. Kudos to me haha.

Action Comics #870
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

While the conclusion to this arc was action-packed and awesome, I am not too saddened by the death of Jonathan Kent. The fact of the matter is he died the same way in Superman: The Movie and in Smallville so I have seen it before and I really don’t care. I don’t really get why things have to be like the Donner movie, a movie that my generation doesn’t even remember. Although, it doesn’t matter to me if he is alive or not, at least it fit in this story. As for the New Krypton stuff to come, we will see how that goes, I don’t know how I feel about it yet.

Action Comics #871
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Pete Woods

This is part 4 of the New Krypton Storyline that began in the New Krypton special, then continued here, and in the Guardian Special. I wasn’t really looking forward to this storyline but so far it has been a blast! The scene of all the Kryptonians taking out Doomsday on the moon was fantastic and I think that it really shows the strength of artist Pete Woods. Sam Lane doesn’t look like a total bad guy here as it makes sense that there should be some defense in case the Kryptonians go rogue. I love how he shot Luthor is the shoulder when he mentioned Lois. Wasn’t expecting that. As for the Kryptonian Nightwing and Flamebird, I really hope they show them interacting with our Nightwing and Flamebird. That would be interesting. Oh and Doomsday deserved to die just for fucking with Connor’s statue alone.

Superman Confidential 5 – 14

Superman Confidential #5
Written by Darwyn Cooke
Art by Tim Sale

Hmmm…this was an okay chapter of this storyline. Sale’s art doesn’t seem to fit with Superman to me though but oh well. The thing with Superman being able to have visions of Krypton from this monster is a little far fetched…but it is a comic book.

Superman Confidential #6 Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by Koi Turnbull

Haha this story is a little nuts but fun I guess. Lori Lemaris turning Metropolis into a city of mermaids sounds very silver age but it is done with a modern twist to it. The art is a little 90’s and distracting but I don’t mind it too much. The ending was pretty shocking.

Superman Confidential #7 Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by Koi Turnbull

While the writing on this was good, it was really hard to get past the cheesy art on this issue. I mean Lori Lemaris was wearing what can only be considered a whore’s outfit on that last page lol….women don’t dress like that in public. Anyways, it was fun to get to know the character of Lori Lemaris and mermaids are always fun in a comic book.

Superman Confidential #8 Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Art by Chris Batista

So I guess this is Superman’s first meeting with Darkseid. This was kinda underwhelming considering how much of a Superman foe Darkseid will become. But the story was enjoyable I guess. The art was fantastic. They should get Batista on a regular book!

Superman Confidential #9
Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Art by Chris Batista

You know…for Superman’s first time on New Genesis, this could have been a lot better. I feel like it is just standard, Like DnA aren’t really trying too hard to write a good story. I don’t know why I feel that way though, as the art is good and it had enjoyable moments.

Superman Confidential #10
Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Art by Chris Batista

Was that last line alluding to Final Crisis? I am not sure. But this was another okay issue. Maybe it’s because I am just not that into the New Gods. But I found this to be a lil’ bland.

Superman Confidential #11
Written by Darwyn Cooke Art by Tim Sale

Ya Tim Sale still doesn’t feel like he belongs on a Superman book. This issue concluded the opening arc of this book. And it was a nice happy ending….I like the character of Bridgewater. But Sale really doesn’t fit on a Superman book.


Superman Confidential #12
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art by Phil Hester

This arc is Superman’s first meeting with the Toyman. Geoff Johns just recently wrote Toyman’s origin in Action Comics so wonderfully that this story seems like it will be kinda underwhelming. The opening was okay….but how many times this year are they going to tell the first story of how Jimmy Olsen got his signal watch!

Superman Confidential #13
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art by Phil Hester

I am sorry but I don’t like Jimmy Olsen…he is just an idiot. End of story. This was another okay issue, but I understand why this is the penultimate issue because really these arcs are only just okay…they don’t really warrant the series existence.


Superman Confidential #14
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art by Phil Hester

This was actually a more satisfying issue, maybe this arc didn’t need to be three issues long? Toyman is a great character. Well this ironically was the last issue of this series. Too little, too late.

I Hope Metropolis Has Insurance

Action Comics #839
Written by Geoff Johns and Kurt Busiek
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

Gosh Metropolis is really going to have to pay for the damage done in this issue. Huge Crystals coming up from underground can not be good for the city. No wonder some people think superheroes cause more harm than good. This is a pretty good issue, Luthor is acting like the mad scientist though and I have always liked him more as the bussinessman/ white collar crime type of guy. That is the Luthor I am used to I guess. At least he is wearing the bussiness suit on the cover. I am sad to see the Toyman leaving this stoyline, he was a cool guy. I hope he comes back soon. Not much else to say about this. Pretty good issue and I can’t way to see how this storyline ends.

Too Much Terrific

Action Comics #838
Written by Geoff Johns and Kurt Busiek
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

Is it just me, or is Mr. Terrific appearing in like every DC Comic now. It is getting a tad annoying. I don’t mind the character but I am not his biggest fan either and I do not see why he has to be in like every comic. Anyway, this issue was pretty good. This storyline once again fails to dissapoint and it had a great freaking ending to boot. For a while there, I was actually scared for Clark. Now that I think about it, there was no way Clark was going to be harmed but I guess for a second there I forgot that this was a corporate entity that will never be permanently killed. THAT IS A GOOD THING. You know a comic is good when you believe that Superman could possibly die. Great Suspense and Great Tension. This issue focused less on the villains but I am sure we will get back to them soon. Can’t wait to see how Metropolis reacts when Superman makes his return.

Superman Actually Has A Rogue’s Gallery

Superman #651
Written by Geoff Johns and Kurt Busiek
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

The previous issues of this storyline were reviewed here and here. I am starting to get the impression that the point of this storyline is to revitalize Superman’s roster of villains. We have Toyman, Metallo, Lex Luthor, and the Prankster all in one issue here. And this is a good thing! I know very little about Superman’s villains because well, I never thought they were very interesting. They have always seemed to be a pretty weak bunch of bad guys but if anybody can make the bad guys great, its Geoff Johns. After reading this issue, I really feel like Supes has a great rogues gallery, not on the level of Batman’s rogues but still no better than the Flash. It’s about freakin time somebody made these guys cool again. So yes, I liked this issue. Althought the part with the walking AIM logo devastating Metropolis was a tad strange.

Clark Kent= Green Lantern?

Action Comics #837
Written by Geoff Johns and Kurt Busiek
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

For the first time in the history of me reading comics, I find myself excited about a Superman storyline. This storyline (which began here) is a lot of fun. The idea of Supes losing his powers is something that had been done time and time again, but Geoff and Kurt manage to pull it off byshowing heartfelt moments in this issue where Clark tells Lois how he feels blind without his powers. This made me realize it probably would be weird having powers for so long and then having them go away, Clark would probably feel lost. This is something I would have never thought of if I had not read this issue. I liked the two guest stars, Hal Jordan and Hawkgirl, I think this helps fully establish Hawkgirl as a major player in the DCU. Although I am not sure if Kendra knows that Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same. Does anybody know? I could not tell from this issue. I also loved the ending cliffhanger which I was definitely not expecting and gave me goosebumps with excitement.