Doom Patrol 19 – 22

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #19
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

This issue ends the crossover with Secret Six. I hadn’t read the previous parts in years and it was basically incomprehensible for this reason. DC needs to be consistent on doing short recaps in every issue. Why can’t they do that and then just cut them from the eventual trade paperback. The only part of this I understood was that Veronica Cale plans on booting the Doom Patrol from Oolong Island.
Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #20
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

The Doom Patrol have been kicked off Oolong Island and are looking for some place to lay-low. In a hilarious scene Robotman goes to the Hall of Justice and quickly offends the crap out of Congorilla. Elasti-Woman heads to Titans Tower and gets told by Beast Boy the Doom Patrol are not considered a probable terrorist group. Negative Man goes to Gotham City and gets told by Dick Grayson the same thing and Negative Man makes a good point that bad things follow Batman around too. In the end, they are convinced they have to take back Oolong Island from the M.S.E. It was a good issue but the art bothered me…a lot.

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #21
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

This issue serves mostly to recap the history of the Doom Patrol and they don’t do a great job of not making it confusing. I don’t know, it just didn’t jive for me and I usually like these kind of issues.

 

 

 

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #22
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Ron Randall

This is the final issue of this series before the New 52 awful crap reboot of the DCU. It actually ends up on a cliffhanger where it seems Niles Caulder has gotten away. Otherwise the art and the writing in this book never made it easy to understand or enjoy. I am not too sad to see it go.

 

 

 

 

Doom Patrol 7 and 8

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #7
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Joe Mcguire

 

The main story was all set up and I am not really sure if I completely got what was going on. Is someone assembling a team to fight the Doom Patrol? It was cool to see Crazy Jane back, I hope she stays with the team, This issue featured the last time the Metal Men will co-feature and while it was funny, I can’t say that I will exactly miss it.

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #8
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clarke and Ron Randall

Clarke’s art is still not to my taste and this issue seemed a little…well…wordy. But I liked the idea of Danny the Street coming back. I love that Giffen’s not afraid to play with Morrison Doom Patrollers.

Membership

Justice League of America #42
Written by James Robinson
Art by Mark Bagley

Robinson’s Justice League run continues to impress me. I am liking the dynamic of the new team and Bagley’s art. These villains aren’t rather interesting but we shall see what comes of them. Are Black Canary and Ray Palmer now members again? They are just there and this is never explained which is kinda annoying. It looks like Red Tornado is still a member although not functional but I think it makes perfect sense for Cyborg to try to help him in the way that he is. Still wish Hal wasn’t on the team but whatever it is just great to have a good JLA comic again!

The History of Negative Man

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #6
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Demateis
Art by Kevin MaGuire

 

This issue was basically a crash-course in the history of Negative Man through his own words. I wonder if it was done in a narrator style if it would have been easier to follow. I think so. Giffen definitely made the wrong choice there but what can I say, maybe it’s the artist. I enjoyed it none-the-less. I love continuity as you all know! The Metal Men back-up was amusing as always and still loving all the Chicagoland references.

The Back-Up Is Better

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #5
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Justiano
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Tim Levins

The main story was good if not a bit confusing. What happened to the Doom Patrol – they got boom tubed off the island? What has happened to Niles? I have no idea and I blame the art. I still love the way Giffen is telling these stories with the wikipedia-like entries but the art on this and Clarke’s normal art is just awful and distracting. The Metal Men back-up is hilarious as always even with a guest artist – and one who emulates Kevin McGuire very well I might add. I love how Gold  treats Copper in this issue – always calling her the wrong name and all of the references to TV shows was perfect!

Same Art

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #4
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Justiniano
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Kevin Maguire

The main feature’s art is unfortunately very similar to Matthew Clark’s to my eye and that is not a good thing. I was hoping for a different artist and he just seems exactly the same. The story was good (even if the whole Black Lanterns showing up and scaring people thing is getting old) and unlike what Caleb says on his blog, you don’t really need to know anything about past Doom Patrol continuity as it is all explained within the issue. The Metal Men back-up introduces a bunch of female robots called the Clique – who want to rule the world! This is going to get good.

Mega-Confusing

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #3
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis
Art by Kevin Maguire

You know this series is inconsistent. I love Niles Caulder and his notes and the concept of the black hole character – but this was a rather dull issue. I am not sure what the hell happened in it. What was going on? Was this written for NASA? Why was it so damn confusing? How did they defeat him? What happened to Elasti-Girl? I just don’t get it.And as you know I do not enjoy Clark’s art. The Metal Men back-up was pretty funny as new nemesis Douglas, Robot Hunter turns out to be a crazy actor with a fake blaster gun.

Attack of the Hole

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #2
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Kevin Maguire

Giffen’s writing is really good. I love the idea of a sentient black hole only interested in writing an encyclopedia. But this issue is really hurt by Clark’s art. He makes everything confusing in the way he draws. I do not like it at all. DC needs to either fire him or he needs to change his style because he is making a good book unreadable. That may sound harsh but it is true. Anyways, it looks like Vox and Bumblebee are now divorced which is sad but I look forward to looking more into Bumblebee’s psyche. The Metal Men back-up was entertaining and funny and I love how the Metal Men’s new headquaters are in Glenview, near where I grew up! And I am still loving how nobody remembers who Copper is – not even Will Magnus.

Pleasant Surprises

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #1
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Kevin Maguire

 

This is the debut issue of the new Doom Patrol series, a book I haven’t exactly been overly-excited to read. I mean I like the Doom Patrol, but I am not a big fan of Matthew Clark’s art and I wasn’t impressed with the preview I saw of this series. But forget all that, cause I absolutely loved this! Sure the art could be better and there was absolutely no reason to give Elasti-Girl (Woman?) a new costume but this was a lot of fun. I love how deranged the Doom Patrol is that they could really care less that one of their teammates was blown to smithereens in this issue. I liked that we got to see Niles Caulder’s files on each member and I like that Bumblebee has not been written out of the team. This was a great introduction to the team and having them based on Oolong Island is really a great idea. They are the perfect fit to take on the mad scientists of Oolong Island since they are led by a mad scientist themselves. The Metal Men back up was another pleasant surprise. I never really liked them in any other comics I read but I thought they were quite enjoyable and amusing here. I like how they all ignored Copper.

Brave and the Bold 7 – 19

Brave and the Bold #7
Written by Mark Waid
Art by George Perez

Waid and Perez start their second arc with team-up of Wonder Woman and Power Girl….Wonder Woman’s “perfection” is portrayed against Power Girl’s crazed anger in this issue and I have to say it rings untrue. Power Girl is the leader of the JSA, yet her emotions are all over the place like a teenager this issue and I just see that as a little out of character. Besides this, this was a good issue that sets up the new threat…Megistus. And Perez’s art is as beautiful as ever.

Brave and the Bold #8
Written by Mark Waid
Art by George Perez

This issue sees The Flash and the Doom Patrol team up when Wally takes his kids to be “fixed” by Dr. Niles Caulder. I love how creepy the Doom Patrol are and they should be used more often around the DCU. I am not sure why Caulder has gray hair here, as usually it is red I think. This was a good issue.

Brave and the Bold #9
Written by Mark Waid
Art by George Perez

Eh…I really could care less about any of the characters in this issue besides Hawkman and the Atom…so besides those last few pages I was totally bored with this issue.

Brave and the Bold #10
Written by Mark Waid
Art by George Perez

While the first part with Superman and Silent Knight was kinda boring…it was cool to see the old Teen Titans team up with Aquaman. Oh and it is good to see that Perez hasn’t forgotten that Aqualad looks like a boy instead of a weird fish-boy like over in Teen Titans: Year One. This series is becoming too much of an homage to the silver age. Let’s bring in some modern age characters!

Brave and the Bold #11
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Jerry Ordway

Superman and Ultraman from the anti-matter earth team-up when the anti-matter Mxyzptlk tells them of a disaster that will effect both earths. This explains what Megistus is doing and who he is. While I look forward to next issue’s conclusion, this story arc is taking way too long. At least this issue wasn’t silver agey. Ordway’s art is always welcome and the perfect artist to replace Perez.

Brave and the Bold #12
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Jerry Ordway

This concludes the Megistus arc where a lot of heroes team up and take on Megistus. In the end, it is June who saves the day and becomes a challenger in her own right. Megistus was not that scary or interesting of a villain as you think he would be after so many issue of build up but I did enjoy this issue. The foreshadowing of Final Crisis is interesting as Megistus says it will change everything. Interesting.

Brave and the Bold #13
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Jerry Ordway

I remember listening to Mark Waid’s interview on Word Balloon where he talks about this issue (great interview by the way) and how we never do see Jay Garrick and Batman interact. You know….he’s right and now I want to see them together more often. This was fun issue where Jay and Batman fight android safaris haha but the best part is the dialogue between Jay Garrick and Batman. I often forget that Jay is a scientist as well as a hero. You really get the feeling that Jay is the old hat while reading this and how much Batman respects him.

Brave and the Bold #14
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Scott Kolins

What? So confused….why did Ollie just shoot an Arrow into Deadman? Is there something to this? I bet because I know Green Arrow would never do such a thing and Deadman is already dead anyways. Kolins’s art can be a little distracting but this was an okay issue…I preferred the parts in Star City then the Nanda Parbat stuff though.

Brave and the Bold #15
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Scott Kolins

This continued the storyline that began last issue with Nightwing and Hawkman. I like that Waid is playing up that Nightwing is probably the most trusted superhero in the DCU because that is totally true. I just wish Didio would recognize that and not try to kill him all the time. There was a little continuity goof, I am pretty sure Deadman told Nightwing about him knowing his parents already in Nightwing: Year One but that is just a slight error, and such things are very unusual for Waid. So ya this was an okay issue, nothing to get really excited about.

Brave and the Bold #16
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Scott Kolins

First of all, what the hell is Selina doing in this costume. She definitely did not have this costume until Brubaker took over her series and this takes place long before that if it is her first meeting with Superman. Kolins obviously knows very little about her history if he isn’t aware of this, and the editor is an idiot for not catching it. The story was good though, I liked the fake out with the cave. But this huge continuity error really distracted from what was a good story.

Brave and the Bold #17
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Phil Winslade

You know…I never thought about the similarities between Raven and Supergirl until this issue. While this is the first Waid-less issue of this series, it was still very good. Winslade’s art is much better then Kolins, and I liked the use of continuity as Wolfman clearly followed the Supergirl series well. I know that Supergirl’s father apparently didn’t want her to kill Superman though right, at least it is not how he is being portrayed over in the Superman books. I think Johns said that they were going to clear that up soon.

Brave and the Bold #18
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Phil Winslade

You know I kind’ve like the bad ass Supergirl and her sense of humor, I hope she doesn’t completely change. Raven and Supergirl’s dialogue here is excellent and really shows what Wolfman can do. The insult comic dog stuff was hilarious and the story had real depth to it as well. Check this out, you won’t be disappointed.

Brave and the Bold #19
Written by David Hine
Art by Doug Braithwaite

Okay….if you don’t pick this up because you are waiting for JMS to start his run then you are an idiot. This was amazing! The story is fascinating and the art….oh my gosh…the art is beautiful. Perfectly dark but still full of beauty and wonder….especially when Green Lantern and the Phantom Stranger go to Kahlo. I never thought Green Lantern and Phantom Stranger could make sense in a story together, but they really do here as magick effects an alien planet. The panel showing the little girl who wrote the Green Lantern Oath on the wall was breathtaking and well creepy all at the same time. Check this out people, it is worth it. I can’t wait for the next issue. Definitely the best book I read this week. And by far the best issue of this series yet.

JLA 13 – 26

Justice League of America #13
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Joe Benitez

When I first read this issue, I was a little turned off. I guess I expected more from the first issue of McDuffie’s run and I certainly expected better art. But now I think this was a pretty good read and did remind me a lot of the TV show. Good start, and at least much better then anything Meltzer did on this title. I think the Injustice League is very cool and I like how they are opposite numbers of the League. Of the villains we have seen so far this is what the breakdown is.

Superman:

Lex Luthor
Parasite

Batman:
The Joker

Poison Ivy

Wonder Woman:
Cheetah

Firestorm:
Killer Frost

Hawkgirl:
Shadow Thief

Green Lantern:
Fatality

The Flash:
Gorilla Grodd

Black Canary, Vixen, Black Lightning, Red Arrow, Geo-Force, and Red Tornado are sadly without any villains yet.

Justice League of America #14
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Ed Benes

This is another good issue. The Injustice League is shown to have Cheshire and Shaggy Man in it’s ranks as well. Cheshire is a Red Arrow villain arguably (even if he has a kid with her) but Shaggy Man and Dr. Light are just general villains not specific to anyone.

Justice League of America #15
Written by Dwayne McDuffie Art by Ed Benes

The way Batman basically tells Firestorm that he has no choice, he has to join the Justice League was awesome! This concluded the Injustice League arc and it was good, but this arc as a whole would have been a whole lot better if someone else was doing the art.

Justice League of America #16
Written by Dwayne McDuffie and Allan Burnett
Art by Joe Benitez and Allan Jefferson

Eh….this issue was okay. It just served as a preview to two other mini-series’s which is kind of annoying. I would have rather had a story in this series that starts and ends in it.

Justice League of America #17
Written by Dwayne McDuffie and Allan Burnett
Art by Ed Benes and Joe Benitez

Haha the main story I could care less about. It was lame and had awful art. But the back up written by McDuffie was good because McDuffie comments on the fact that Meltzer’s whole Vixen is using the powers of the Justice League thing makes no sense. I love it! Take that Meltzer!

Justice League of America #18
Written by Dwayne McDuffie and Allan Burnett
Art by Ed Benes and John Boy Meyers

Meh….this was very decompressed and was basically filler. They could have cut this entire issue of the arc. But the back up was good.

Justice League of America #19
Written by Allan Burnett
Art by Ed Benes

Thank god this arc is over because it was not very good. It just served as a sidestory to another mini-series! Whatever happened to this series having its own stories. Hawkgirl being so jealous over Cheshire is just stupid and seems completely forced. Also, I know Geo-Force was transferred to the Outsiders but you would think someone would have mentioned it for people who aren’t reading
the Outsiders. Instead, he just dissappears. That’s bad editing.

Justice League of America #20
Written by Dwayne McDuffie Art by Ethan Van Sciver

This was by far the best issue of McDuffie’s run so far. And you wanna know why, Ethan Van Sciver. Look at how much of a difference Ed Benes’s art makes with McDuffie’s writing. McDuffie is a good writer, but Benes’s art is soo bad that it is killing a good story. Anyways, this was a beautiful issue with a nice story with the Flash and Wonder Woman. I liked it a lot.

Justice League of America #21
Written by Dwayne McDuffie Art by Carlos Pacheo

This is a final crisis tie-in issue that is rather enjoyable. In fact, it was just as good as last issue. This book is sooo much better without Ed Benes. Please DC, get rid of him! Anyways, it made me happy to see that Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman were going to add Martian Manhunter back in the league before he died but the trinity is acting kind’ve elitist. Libra is a visually stunning character and I can’t wait to learn more about him in Final Crisis.

Justice League of America #22
Written by Dwayne McDuffie Art by Ed Bene

Unfortunately Bene is back this issue….with some ultra terrible art. He draws just one body type…it’s so annoying. Plot-wise, it was only okay. Red Tornado taken over by Amazo does NOT interest me, especially when the League already fought Amazo under Meltzer’s pen. The vixen subplot interests me more but not by much. I really can’t reccomend this issue.

Justice League of America #23
Written by Dwayne McDuffie Art by Ed Benes

While this may have not been a horrible issue if Ed Benes was not doing the art, it was horrible when comined with the art and the rather dull fight with Amazo that lasted the entire issue. Damn. And this series was finally getting good again.

Justice League of America #24
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art byAllan Goldman

Yay! Benes is gone again this issue. This made the fight with Amazo so much better but still rather dull. The best moments of this issue were at the end where they go to meet Animal Man. I did not even think of the vegatarian thing. I am intrugued as to where this is going.

Justice League of America #25
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Ed Benes, Ian Churchill, Doug Mahnke, Darick Robertson, Shane Davis, and Ivan Reis

This anniversary issue was rather good. I am happy to find Red Tornado leaving the team as I never really grew fond of the character. Also, Anansi seems like a great villain for the league to face. I like how he speaks and how he spins the webs of stories. I look forward to the next issue.

Justice League of America #26
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Ed Benes

Now this alternate reality issue of JLA is one of the best issues of McDuffie’s run. He can write some great stuff when he isn’t editorially mandated to do things. There were so many great moments. The Brown Bomber! LMAO. It was refreshing to see Vixen calling upon Animal Powers again and I have to wonder if Meltzer only had it go away because he was too lazy to look up animals to use (:. But the anansi thing did seem to end rather quickly. I bet McDuffie wanted it to be longer but then was told he had to do the whole Milestone crossover thing. Well at least this is a new arc I can look forward to, even if it is editorially mandated.