Hawkgirl is Putting on the Pounds

Hawkgirl #51
Written by Walter Simonson
Art and cover by Howard Chaykin

The previous issue of this series was reviewed here. I enjoyed this issue but I am still wondering if I like the art. I mean I like how Chaykin creates the mood and theme of St. Roch but I still do not like the way Hawkgirl looks. She seems almost overweight and I do not like her mask. Maybe I am being nitpicky but that is how I feel. I like that Simonson is keeping Lt. Grub and not throwing away the Hawk's supporting cast that has been built in this title unlike what so many writers like to do when they come on a book. The fact that Hawkgirl was dreaming the end of the previous issue shocked me and I wonder if it was truly a dream or is someone playing with her mind? I do not care much for the archaeologist character. He just does not interest me. But this new villain is intruiging and I am interestred in watching Hawkgirl unravel this mystery.

R.I.P Orca

Batman #652
Written by James Robinson
Art by Don Kramer and Keith Champagne
Cover by Simone Bianchi

Previous issues of this storyline were reviewed here, here, and here. This storyline is becoming more and more intruguing with each passing issue. I have no idea how it is going to end or who is responsible for the murders. Batman confronts Harvey Dent about them and he does not give him a straight answer. Is it Harvey? That's what I thought but now I am doubting it. I do not think Harvey is really dead, I am pretty sure he got out of the explosion because I just do not see DC killing off Two-Face but I could be wrong. When I first heard that Killer Moth is back this issue I was a little dissapointed. I have always like Charaxes and considered his days as Killer Moth a little lame. But I was pleasently surprised to find the new design of the Killer Moth costume makes the character seem cool (as cool as the character can be) and now I am glad he is back. I will miss Orca though. In one of the first comics I ever read, she was the villain and I always liked her. RIP.

The Ventriloquist: 1988 - 2006

Detective Comics #818
Written by James Robinson
Art by Leonard Kirk and Andy Clarke
Cover by Simone Bianchi

The previous issues of this storyline were reviewed here and here. This is part 3 of Face to Face, which is a storyline that continues to be great. This issue made me smile and even made me a little sad. I was happy to see Batman tell Robin that one day he could surpass Nightwing. And it is so cool for Batman and Robin to be working as a team again. Robinson could have easily had the heartwarming between Batman and Robin seem corny or lame but he pulls it off here without taking away Batman's edge. The ventiloquist's murder was a little sad because he is one of the few Batman villains that you could actually feel sympathy for. I mean he carries around a doll! The ventriloquist actually made his first appearence the month I was born! He will sorely missed.

The Year Flew By For The Blue Beetle

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #2
Written by Keith Giffen and John Rogers
Art and cover by Cully Hamner

The previous issue of this series was reviewed here. When I initially began reading this issue, I was very frusturated and confused. Is this one year later or not? Whats with the jumps in time? The final page definitely puts everything into perspective. Definitely shows that you should read a comic all the way through before judging it. So apparently Jaime has been gone from El Paso for a year and he did not even know it. He thought he was just gone for one night! I like this development and I am interested in seeing what comes out of it. I suppose that it will be explored less here than in 52. I still have a hard time understanding the dialogue because I am from the midwest, not Texas nor do I have a hispanic background. Well, I understand it, I just have to read it a couple of times because I am not used to reading where people talk like that. I also really am not enjoying the art, I mean it is not bad art but it is just not to my liking. It is a little too manga influenced and cartoony. The mystery behind this invisible gang and what exactly are Blue Beetles powers do fascinate me so I would probably reccomend this but it isn't as good as I expected it to be.

Favorite OYL Title

Robin #149
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Karl Kerschl and Wayne Faucher
Cover by Ed McGuinness and Dexter Vines

The previous issue of this series was reviewed here. Adam Beechen once again fails to dissapoint in this issue. Robin is quickly becoming my favorite of the one year later titles. It has so many great moments and I am just eating it all up. I hope Adam will get some recognition for this as his run so far has gotten a very positive reaction. I really think this will go down as the best run on Robin ever. Even better than Dixon! (Although it is really much too early to tell) The scene with Robin sneaking into the police department was done so well. You really find yourself praying that Robin will figure out how to not get caught. So this review will be short because I do not have much to say because it was great!

Kings, Queens, Bishops, and Knights

Checkmate (Volume 2) #1
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Jesus Saiz
Cover by Lee Bermejo

I just have to say that that is a kick ass cover. Wow! Good Job on Lee Bermejo's part. I really enjoyed this debut issue. I find it exciting and plus you know a comics good when you want to have the next issue. I found myself pissed at the UN for ordering the dissolution of Checkmate and can not wait to see what happens next. There are a lot of tidbits of stuff that happened to Checkmate in the last year that I can't wait to see (assuming they will be shown in 52). Some people, specifically this one guy on the Newsarama message boards, are complaining that Fire kills people in this issue. Here's what I say to that, who the fuck cares!!! She is not Batman for gods sake, it is perfectly fine for her to kill. She didn't kill when she was in the Justice League because that was frowned upon but she is not in a Superhero team anymore she is a member of Covert Government Agency that kills in order to get things done. End of Rant. Anyway, I can not explain in words how much I liked this I did. I mean any book that puts Fire, Amanda Waller, Alan Scott, and Sasha Bordeux into one book has got to be good and it is.

Still Waiting For The Rematch

Green Arrow (Volume 3) #61
Written by Judd Winick
Art and cover by Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens

The previous issue of this series was reviewed here. Not much happens here, very decompressed. Now Judd is not one of my favorite writers, but I got to admit, the man has balls. I mean he has Ollie say things that could cause backlash from the conservative comic readers. Me being a liberal, I do not care but it could cause controversy. If it does, that would be ridiculous because Green Arrow is a liberal!! He always has been so this is totally in character. I like how Ollie has this kick ass mentality about being the mayor, he tells things how they are in a way most politicians don't; the truth. I am a little bit weary about Ollie's bodyguards or whatever they are knowing that he is also Green Arrow. I just don't see any reason why Ollie would tell them. Judd does a great job of making you hate the police captain guy in this issue and he continues to define Star City more and more. So although barely anything happens, it was still a decent issue.

Not Much To Say

Outsiders (Volume 3) #35
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Matthew Clark and Art Thibert
Cover by Daniel Acuña

This was a good second one year later issue. It didn't get me as excited as the the previous issue but it was still good. Something really bothers me about the way the art portrays faces though. Especially the male ones, they look like monkey faces to me. I liked the torture scene because it fits in with the Outsiders "no bullshit" attitude. Not much else to say about this issue accept I have no idea who the character is that appears at the end.

Blah but Not Blah

Birds of Prey #92
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Paulo Siqueira and Robin Riggs
Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson

This was probably the most dissapointing of the one year later issues. That is probably why it has taken me this long to review it. If this was not one year later, I would have said this was a decent issue. But with the one year later debuts, I expected great issues and this was too blah. I am surprised because this book is usually pretty good. It really just didn't get me excited enough. Sure it had new developments but for some reason, they really did not interest me. Lady Shiva is now calling herself the Jade Canary and is a Bird of Prey. The Jade Canary just doesn't sound right and I am not sure why Lady Shiva would even call herself that. She does not wear an Jade colored clothes. Her name is not Jade. So why is she calling herself that? I also find it hard to believe that Barabara Gordon would ever turn her back on Dinah like she is shown to have done, but I will leave that up to Gail to explain later. Maybe she will be able to convince me. I do like how Gail has expanded the Birds of Prey from what was basically a partnership when Gail first took over the book to a full fledged team. There are now four memebers of the team: Oracle, The Jade Canary, The Huntress, and Lady Blackhawk. This issue hints that Gypsy will become a member soon which will bring the total to five and if Dinah ends up returning to the team it will bring the membership up to six. I do like this as bringing more characters in can create interesting storylines we couldn't have with just the original two. I am interested to learn more about Gypsy as my only exposure to her character was in the old JLI when Despero murdered her family. I always thought that was a shocking moment in a book that was never all that serious so it stuck in my mind. So while this issue was blah, I still want to read more.

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.

Improvements Galore

Nightwing #119
Written by Bruce Jones
Art by Joe Dodd and Bit
Cover by Jock

The previous issue of this series was reviewed here. The second issue of Nightwing one year later vastly improved from the first issue. This issue had a lot in it, I mean people who hate decompressed storylines will love this. There is a lot going on. A lot of new characters are introduced that I like, the landlord, the fashion designer, the evil twin brothers. All of them are interesting and I would like to see more of them. The fashion designer is definitely a femme fatale and I hope that Dick can see through her. Dick does need a new fake job too, and this issue sets him up with one. Coincidentally, the same job a certain ex-girlfriend from Tamaran once had. I hope that not a lot of people dropped this book after last issue's only decent performance cause this is definitely an improvement.

Killer Frost and Mr. Freeze Sitting in a Tree

Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #24
Written by Stuart Moore
Art by Jamal Igle and Keith Champagne
Cover by Brian Stelfreeze

The previous issue of this series was reviewed here. This issue was okay. I liked it. It just wasn't as exciting as it could have been. Killer Frost does not appear to the end and I think she is a great character so I was expecting more of her. But it was cool to see her and Mr. Freeze teaming up, it seems like the perfect fit, I am surprised that this does not happen more often. There was a pretty funny moment between Gahenna and Jason's Dad. Gahenna's just a weird character but I like that. I think Stuart is doing a good job of building Firestorm's supporting cast. The mystery of Martin Stein's dissapearence does not really interest me greatly. Maybe because I never read the old Firestorm series but I still want to find out where he is, just not that bad. The part on Capitol Hill was a cool bit, kind've brought the book down to earth. Okay Issue.

People Complain For No Reason

Nightwing #118
Written by Bruce Jones
Art by Joe Dodd and Bit
Cover by Jock
Published By DC Comics

I know that this review is incredibly late but I have been busy. Anyway, I have to say that there has been an overall negative view on the internet about this issue. and I have to say that I have no idea why. It was a decent issue. It kept me interested in what has gone on in both Dick and Jason's lives. So I don't see what there is to complain about. Some people said that they were mad that Dick is now sleeping around instead of being with Barabara. Well, things just didn't work out between Dick and Barbara, get over it. I read one person say they were giving up all DC books because of this. That is the most rudiculous thing I have ever heard. I love Dick and Barabara together too but I am not crying over this. So ya it was a decent issue.

Dark Ages of the Ocean?

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #41
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art and cover by Butch Guice

The previous issue of this series was reviewed here. I find myself enjoying this new direction even more this issue. I am beginning to understand what they mean when they talk about the oceanscape. Kurt really shows you how the ocean in the DCU is full of intelligent life. We learn in this issue that the oceanscape has been full of battles and destruction since Atlantis was destroyed by the Spectre. This reminds me of how Europe went into its dark age after Rome fell. I wonder if Kurt did that unpurpose? I am now more convinced than ever that the dweller is the original Aquaman as he for some reason does not want to be around Mera at all. He does not know why either. And of course if he really was Orin than he probably feels guilty or strange around her. I am still interested in seeing where this goes, which is a good thing.

Plastic Lad Returns!

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #34
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and Cover by Tony Daniel and Sandra Hope
Variant Cover by Ed Benes

Well, the revelation of this issue was also revealed in this week's Infinite Crisis #6. I will not be reviewing Infinite Crisis because it is so good that I feel that any review could never do it justice. Anyway, Superboy is dead and for the first time while reading a comic, I actually cried. Connor Kent will be missed by this blogger. Over the past year, the Titans have changed a lot and now are a team consisting of Robin, Cyborg, The Ravager, and Kid Devil. Despite being on this cover, Wonder Girl has not rejoined the team yet. I really enjoyed this issue and I think the titans have changed the most of any of the DCU teams in the missing year. I also loved the cameo appearence of Luke aka Plastic Man's son. Finally maybe Plas will start to return to his pre-kyle baker greatness ( I hated that cartoony series). In the final moments of the issue we find out that Robin is apparently trying to reclone Superboy. This is an interesting development in that this will probably do more harm that good. If Robin succeeds, this will not be Connor, he will not have the memory or the personality of Connor so it will probably depress everyone even more but I can see why Robin would want to do it. Of the new members, I am interested in learning more about Kid Devil and the Ravager. I think they made a great duo, a sort of team inside a team, and I do not know much about their characters.

Stuck Together

Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #23
Written by Stuart Moore
Art by Jamal Igle and Keith Champagne
Cover by Brian Stelfreeze

This review is a little late as this issue came out almost a month ago. The next few reviews are going to be more reviews that I have been stalling to write. Anway, it is one year later and Jason Rusch now has to merge with Lorraine Reilly aka Firehawk to become Firestorm. Dr. Stein is missing and Lorraine and Jason can not be more than a mile apart or apparently they blow up. This issue was okay, not great, but okay. Not much happened but I like the new developments. I think the fact that they have to stay near eachother all the time will create great tension between Lorraine and Jason. I think this issue is good not because of the story but of what could come out of this issue and its developments. It just has great potential. I do wonder how they are going to get out of this little pickle they are in at the end of this issue. I have no idea.

He's Not An Urban Legend Anymore

Batman #651
Written by James Robinson
Art by Don Kramer and Keith Champagne
Cover by Simone Bianch

This is the second part of the 8-part story that crosses over with Detective Comics. Part one was reviewed here. I just have to say, it is great to see Batman and Robin working together again. It reminds me of the days when Chuck Dixon controlled the whole Batman sub-universe. Ahh the good old days. I really do think we are entering a new age of comics, maybe post-modern or a platinum age. Things are just so great right now in comics and this is no acception. Batman vs. Poison Ivy, it is just so great to see this again. I wonder how they are going to explain Poison Ivy coming back from the dead though? I am sure it won't be hard to explain. I also loved the art, especially the panel where we see Batman and Robin standing next to eachother for the first time this issue. It gave me chills. I actually am really liking the new Robin costume now, despite being nervous about it at first. The death at the end of this issue though did not shock me as I know very little about this character. Oh well, it was still a great issue. Can't wait for Part 3!