Thursday, June 29, 2006

Bullshit

Robin #151
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Freddie E. Williams II
Cover by Patrick Gleason and Prentis Rollins


Okay I had really hoped that this storyline would not end up this way but unfortunately, it did. Utter Bullshit! I am sorry but there is no reason for Cassandra Cain to be acting like this. Totally out of character. This is a travesty. I know it is not Adam Beechen's fault. I blame DC. They decided to rid Cassie of the mantle of Batgirl because I don't think they liked her in the first place. Only her writers did. So DC creates this storyline with no respect to the character and her fans. Bullshit. I am not going to talk about the story or the art or anything. I am too disgusted with it. Don't read this if you want to remember Cassandra Cain for who she truly was, a hero.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

The Pain of Steel

JLA Classified #22
Written by Steve Englehart
Art by Tom Derenick and Mark Farmer
Cover by Mike Zeck and Jerry Ordway


These kinds of stories are what the classified serieses should be about. Untold stories about a teams past. This time around, we focus on the Justice League's Detroit era. Now I wasn't around during this time but I have heard the jokes and stuff. But I also see why some people do like this era. These characters are interesting and cool, but I am glad they only lasted for a short time as the JLA because they really are not the JLA. Englehart, who I have never head of before this, comes up with a simple story about villains getting revenge on the JLA. But he turns this into a character study of each of the new members. This issue focused on Steel. Not the John Henry Irons, but the JL Detroit Steel. I liked this as this is a character I am not familiar with. The way his grandfather forced him to become "synthetic" was sick and someone should have called social services on the guy. I really feel bad for Steel. He has to live with pain all the time. That just sux. I act like it is the end of the world when stub my toe, I can't imagine the kind of pain this guy is going through. I sympathize with the character, although I wish he was less hard on his teammates. He considers them the loser version of the league, obvious reflecting comic fans thought of the Detroit era league. Also, Martian Manhunter's costume is classic and I do not get why he is getting new one in his upcoming Mini-Series. This issue made me upset about that decision. They should keep his old one. Anyway, great start to this arc and I am looking forward to next week's focus on Vibe.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Body Switching On Earth-2

Superman/Batman #27
Written by Mark Verheiden
Art by Kevin Maguire
Cover by Ethan Van Sciver

Verheiden's run starts here in a stand alone issue set on Earth-2! Yeah I wasn't that excited either but then I read the story. Even though it takes place in a different reality (much like Loeb's weird run) it is so much better than anything Loeb ever wrote. It is fun, but not the way Loeb was fun, in a way that makes sense and not confusing. This was a nostalgic look back without screwing with continuity and stuff. If Verheiden continues like this, this series may just redeem itself from the trash it was before. Kevin Maguire was perfect for this issue as his artwork has that kind of timeless feel to it. The ultra-humanite is always a fun character and his comment about the Joker and Brainwave's "rules" made me chuckle. It reminds me of the theory that the Joker never truly want to kill Batman cause the whole thing is too fun for him. This is a theory that I agree with. He wants to get caught. It's a game to him. Not that the Joker as a villain isn't dangerous, he is just not a danger to Batman. And of course watching Powergirl and Huntess's boobs throughout a comic is always a plus, even if it isn't "our" huntress.


Saturday, June 17, 2006

One...Two...No Three Nightwings

Nightwing #121
Written by Bruce Jones
Art by Paco Diaz and Bit
Cover by Jock

God that monster is so gross. He eats people and than they come out of his ass in these bubbles. Weird. Bruce Jones has a demented imagination haha. But yes, unlike every other blogger on the net, I liked this issue. I think I just like cheyenne. I thought her female Nightwing costume was just awesome. They should keep her around, I would love it. Even though I liked it I still don't think Bruce Jones should be on this book. Maybe just because I heard Geoff Johns might come onboard Nightwing and he is my favorite writer. So put Johns on instead! I also think Nightwing should go back to working in Bludhaven. I feel like he would never abandon it, especially at a time where they really need him. And trust me, Dick would never think of not saving Jason's life, that is totally out of character. So yeah, Cheyenne was cool; the rest of the issue was blah.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Good Ole Ollie

Green Arrow (Volume 3) #63
Written by Judd Winick
Art and cover by Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens

Love the story, hate the art. That about sums up my feelings for this issue. The story is soo good but the art is driving me crazy. It's weird and disproportional. Storywise though, I am reminded why Winick is a good writer. He is really bringing Star City to life and for the first time ever, I am actually interested in the character of Brick. Ollie is right, Deathstroke is definitely up to something. He would never give up that easy. Apparently, Ollie is now a billionaire. I guess it was time for an upgrade and it is completely in character for Ollie to take part in economic terrorism against weapon manufacturers. That actually made me smile. Good ole Oliver Queen. I am still waiting for the explanation of the whereabouts of Speedy and Connor Hawke. I am dying to know. So in the end, I can't say this issue was great because of the damn crappy art. I think McDaniel is in the wrong business.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Check!

Birds of Prey #94
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Paulo Siqueira and Robin Riggs
Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson

I also don'thave much to say about this issue accept Gail Simone once againt thrills me with another action packed character driven issue. After an abysmal first one year later issue, the last two issues have been fanfreakintastic. More people should be reading Birds of Prey. Hot Girls. Check. Action. Check. Character Moments. Check. Villains. Check. Heroes. Check. See it is just too good to miss out on. I can't wait to have Dinah back on the team too. Which I assume will be happening pretty soon. I am even enjoying her little subplot in vietnam or korea or whereever she is. I actually do not know much about prometheus outside of his tenure in Gotham Knights which I heard does not do justice to the character. What I do know is that he kicked Lady Shiva's ass in this issue.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Dream Girl: Ressurection

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #18
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Barry Kitson and Mick Gray
Cover by Kitson


hmm I don't feel like I have much to say about this issue. Let's see. Brainiac 5 is acting like a bastard, but I guess maybe he is just misunderstood. I mean he is trying to bring his friend back to life. I wonder about this new Dream Boy, I know nothing about the old legion so I am not sure if this is a completely new character or if he was part of the old continuity. Time to do some research. I also liked the whole machines trying to destroy humans thing, reminds me of the Terminator. This was a decent issue, get it if your a legion fan but I think it is the weakest so far one year later. But I totally love the art! The flashback scene to Infinite Crisis was just breath taking.

Brain And Mallah Sitting In A Tree

Outsiders (Volume 3) #37
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Matthew Clark and Art Thibert
Cover by Daniel Acuña

Does it bother anybody else when a comic book cover shows none of the actual stars of the book? In my opinion, each and every cover of this series should have the Outsiders on it. Yes, the brain and mallah are in this issue but are they the Outsiders, no! End of Rant. So the man who looked like Jay Garrick last issue is actually Jay's clone, this ties into the whole cloning thing going on in Teen Titans right now and of course the Outsiders have a run in with Brain and Mallah. I like how DC is portraying Mallah and Brain as lovers, it's strange, but it does make them a lot more interesting. This was a decent issue but there was problems. Both Alan Scott and Nightwing seem out of character. Alan a little less, but he seems to be kind of a jerk here, maybe checkmate and his daughter's death has hardened him in the last year. I also wonder why the Outsiders wouldn't show him more sympathy considering Jade was a former teammate of theirs. Nightwing seems rougher than usual, he is more willing to cross the line. I guess that you can chalk this up to both the characters changing in the missing year. So I will let this go. I liked the way the whole Mali storyline ended. Them putting the evil dictator on the island and telling the new ruler to keep the peace or else, that was kickass and fulfills what the Outsiders is really about. No holds barred crimefighting. I know a lot of people, myself included, would love to have the power to put politicians in there place and the Outsiders do just that. It made me smile. I also wonder why Nightwing would not be more surprised when Superman shows up, considering Superman has been missing for a year! But I do think it is completely in character for Dick to have kryptonite with him. Still don't like the art but oh well.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

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.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

I Want More

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #3
Written by Keith Giffen and John Rogers
Art by Cynthia Martin and Phil Moy
Cover by Duncan Rouleau

It took me a while to get around to writing this review. Not because I didn't like the issue, but I just did not know what to say about it. It was fine I just want more. I want to see Jaime exploring the history of the Blue Beetle, I want him to learn more about Ted Kord and Dan Garret. I hate to say it but I just don't care about his relationships with his family. Although maybe I will grow to care about it. I don't know. I do love the costume, I love the mystery behind it and I dig the wings that sprout out. Very Cool. I also want to see Blue Beetle interacting with the rest of DCU. I want to see him meet other heroes and not actually fight them (ala Guy Gardener in the first issue.) I just want more out of this series than it gave me this issue. It was a good issue but I wanted more.

Friday, June 09, 2006

She's Back!

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #1
Written by Allan Heinberg
Art and cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson
Variant cover by Adam Kubert


It is one year later and Wonder Woman has been relaunched. This time around Diana has passed on the mantle of Wonder Woman to Donna Troy. This is going to cause a great amount of debate among Wonder Woman fans but for me, I could care less. If Diana returns at the end of this story as Wonder Woman, that would be great! If Donna stays as Wonder Woman, that would be great too! It does not matter to me. Anyways, I expected more out of this issue. Sure it was fun and all but I think I was expecting it to be as good as Greg Rucka's run on the last volume of this series and so far it just doesn't measure up. But as viewed on its own, people will definitely get a kick out of it. It is pure superhero action with a hostage story and team up of villains. Speaking of villains, this furthers my theory that DC is using one year later to revitalize characters' rogues galleries in the same way Geoff John revitalized them on his run on the Flash. This issue focuses on Doctor Psycho, Cheetah, and Giganta as the villains and if I am correct we will be seeing more Wonder Woman villains in the next few issues. The introduction of a younger Steve Trevor and Diana Prince as Diana's secret identity does not surprise me and I am not as pissed about it as some people seem to be. I think Diana gaining a secret identity was totally in character at this point, especially after Infinite Crisis. I also loved Donna Troy's new back story, which is a lot simpler and easier to explain now. We still do not know if Donna is the real sister of Diana, or if she is the adopted sister saved from the burning building pre-crisis Donna. I hope it is the later so it does not negate the classic "Who is Donna Troy" story from the Marv Wolfman Teen Titans days. While this debut issue didn't quite leave me as excited as I hoped, it was still an issue that I would reccomend to anyone who likes Wonder Woman.


The New Teen Titans Meet The New Doom Patrol

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #36
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and Cover by Tony Daniel and Kevin Conrad

I really loved this issue. It single handedly got me looking for old Doom Patrol issues. This was a team I could care less about before and now I am fascinated with them. Thank you, Geoff! There were so many great moments in this issue I was drooling. The chief is a weird son of a bitch, Vox is an improvement of the Mal Duncan character, Bumblebee is as cool as ever, Negative Man (not Hush my bad) and Robotman are back as well as Elasti-Girl who has been "regrown" by the chief. Tony Daniel is quickly becoming my current favorite artist. And Geoff Johns remains as my all time favorite writer. Even with an entire superhero team guest starring in this issue, Geoff still manages to make it about the titans. We learn a secret about Kid Devil which shocked me. In about three issues I already care about the character and I wonder why he made up all the calls from Blue Devil. Geoff even manages to make me like the Brain and Monsier Mallah, I never thought that would happen. Great Issue!

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Gotham's Proudest Citizen

Detective Comics #820
Written by James Robinson
Art by Leonard Kirk and Andy Clarke
Cover by Simone Bianchi


In this, the penultimate chapter of the Batman Crossover, Face the Face: Batman comes to the conclusion that someone framed Harvey Dent for the murders. Mostly likely it is this Tally Man guy that Jason Bard has a run-in with. This issue went a little too far with Batman isn't such an asshole anymore. I mean I am glad he is not being an asshole but...he shouldn't be so proud of everyone all the time either. This was his second I am proud of you Tim moment in this storyline and I think that is one too many. Plus the part where Batman apologizes to Officer Harper seems pointless and has no relevance to the plot. Luckily Batman does still act like the badass he is when he tells the Scarecrow bascially that he is a worthless man. Great moment that probably redeems this issue from mediocrity. I also loved the moments between Batman and Jim Gordon which really showed that they work great together. Gordon trusts Batman. Which is something that is probably hard to do. I wonder what Batman has in mind for Tim Drake? We will probably find out in the last chapter of the storyline.

Wonder Woman Reviews

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Split in Two

Batman #653
Written by James Robinson
Art by Don Kramer and Michael Bair
Cover by Simone Bianchi

Over at the comic bloc message boards, this issue has been put under a lot of scrutiny. Some people seem to think Harvey becoming Two-Face again is a step backward for the character. I am all for change in comics and character development, but let's face it, Harvey had to become Two-Face again. End of Story. He is an iconic villain and Harvey could never go straight again after being Two-Face. That being said, I enjoyed this issue. They really showed well how insane Harvey Dent truly is. Talking to himself and then scarring his own face. I loved how Two-Face slowly convinced Harvey to go back to being Two-Face throughout the issue. It was like you could feel the evil slowly take over Harvey's mind. Now that is good writing. The only minor problem had with this issue was isn't Harvey's hair black, not light brown as shown here. Weird. Well,anyway, it's been fun Harvey, but I am glad Two-Face is back.

The Dramatic Return of Kilg%re

Manhunter #22
Written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Javier Pina and Fernando Blanco
Cover by Shawn Martinbrough


One thing I really love about this book is that Andreyko really knows his way around the DCU. He keeps bringing old tidbits from DC's history and that is great. In this issue, he brought in the little know flash villain Kilg%re. I know the character from Mike Baron's run on the flash and he was a pretty powerful villain then. I wonder if Kate will be able to take him out sucessfully. I don't know anything about the other villain this issue, the metahuman serial killer Sweeney Todd. I have never heard of him, I wonder if he is new. I should probably do some research to find out. This issue once again balanced action with a healthy does of humor. My favorite moment was the very beginning where Kate says her comment about Giant 4-headed hydra thingies. That actually made me laugh out loud. I am glad that this book is not getting canceled just yet.

Monday, June 05, 2006

Wait For The Trade

Hawkgirl #52
Written by Walter Simonson
Art and Cover by Howard Chaykin

This book has gotten some pretty negative reviews from people all over the net. I would not say this is a bad series at all but the art really does bug me. Chaykin redesigned Hawkgirl's mask into something that can only be described as hideous and he draws everything as strangely plump and curvy. It is very distracting and I wish that DC would put a new artist on this title. If they did, maybe people would be giving this title better reviews. The story is not that bad, confusing, but not bad. I suppose when the mystery wraps up and we finally get our answers the story will be looked at more fondly. At this point though, I am very confused. There are so many subplots and events going on I just can't put it all together. Oh and does Kendra know that Bruce Wayne is Batman? I could not tell from this issue. I know Bruce knows that she is Hawkgirl but does she know who he is? I would reccomend waiting for the trade because reading this issue by itself will probably just confuse you and lead you to drop the series. Meanwhile, of course, I will still be picking this series up to review it.

Of Ghosts and Boats

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #42
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art and Cover by Butch Guice

This issue was the most fun so far of Busiek's run. I suppose though I should give credit to Guice for this too. I loved seeing that huge crazy castle boat. Too Cool! And any book that contains an evil seductress mermaid gets a thumbs up from me. The mystery deepens (no pun intended) this issue as we find out an old character is still around in ghost form and the new Aquaman encounters this boat known as the Windward home. The whole concept of Windward Home intrigues me and I can't wait to see more of it next issue. The greatest minds in the world working on international waters so they do not have to answer to any government and they are completely non-violent! Sounds like my kind of an organization! I do not know much about this old character that has resurfaced (once again no pun intended) but I still would like to know the hows and whys of him being in ghost form. There seems to be no limit to Busiek's imagination.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Losses of Loved Ones

Superman/Batman #26
Written by Sam Loeb with Jeph Loeb, Allan Heinberg, Joss Whedon, Joe Kelly, Brad Meltzer, Mark Verheiden, Brian K. Vaughan, Geoff Johns, Joe Casey and Paul Levitz
Art by John Cassaday, Joe Madureira, Jeff Matsuda, Ian Churchill, Ed McGuinness, Rob Liefeld, Jim Lee, Tim Sale, Arthur Adams, Joyce Chin, Mike Kunkel, Duncan Rouleau, Carlos Pacheco, Michael Turner and Pat Lee
Cover by Michael Turner

This issue made me cry. For two things, Superboy and Sam Loeb. Sam could have really went somewhere in Comic Book writing but he was taken too soon. This issue stands as a tribute to him. Ironically, the issue also deals with the (fictional so not quite as sad) loss of Connor Kent aka Superboy. It is the melding of these two losses that makes this issue about grief and death but also friendship. Robin and Superboy were best of friends and in order to deal with Superboy's death Robin speaks of the happy times with his friend. This is something we should all do, it really does help. Having lost people myself, I know there is nothing like reminiscing about the wonderful times you had with that person that helps the pain so much. I almost feel guilty about critiquing this book but the art did have its flaws. The change in art changed so rapidly that it caught me off guard. But in the end it is a minor flaw that will obviously occur if you have fifteen artists. The biggest tear jerker was the back up story in which the Kents speak of Clark's friendship with a young boy named Sam. (Clearly based off of Sam Loeb). The main story was also pretty good and showed that Sam was a talented writer. I liked the part where Superboy jumped into the hot tub with the other half naked Titan Robots and he was telling Robin to lighten up a bit. It really epitomized Robin and Superboy's friendship. Loeb and DC did a wonderful job of commemorating both Sam Loeb and Connor Kent in this issue.