JLA Classified 35 - 37

JLA Classified #35
Written by Dan Slott and Dan Jurgens
Art by Jurgens and Jerry Ordway

This is the last of the three realities that Red King is inhabitating and I must say that it was a lot of fun to see the ways the Red King comes up with to kill the Justice Leagyers (Although I wish Batman and Plastic Man had put up more of a fight before the died). This arc has been a lot of fun so far.

JLA Classified #36 Written by Dan Slott and Dan Jurgens
Art by Jurgens and Trevor Scott

So this story arc concludes in what is a little bit overly long issue. A lot of stuff could have been cut but I didn't mind that much. I can't say I truly understand everything that went on but it was a fun ride, and it was great to see Plastic Man get such a huge role. In fact, he is the only leaguer that really remembers all of the othe realities, which is pretty cool. Nice Arc, I am glad I read it.

JLA Classified #37
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Carlos D'Anda

The idea of Amazo having a half-human son is pretty cool and adding the fact that he has false memories into the mix makes it all even better. I thought this issue was a pretty good start to what looks like a promising story arc. The art is pretty good too. I am not sure why it took so long for this to come out, but I am glad it finally has.

Redemption

Action Comics #848
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Allan Goldman

As of late, the Superman books seem to be dealing with religion a lot and this issue is no different. Nicieza crafts a story while not amazing or inspirational, deals a lots with this issue of religion and forcing beliefs on others. I am not sure what exactly is going on with Clark comparing his life in Smallville to the new metahuman, Redemption's life in his hometown. They don't seem similar. Clark never had a 'John Jones' like pastor. I suppose that will be dealt with more in the next issue. So far we are not given a clue if Redemption really believes in his cause and is just a misled young man or if he is evil and killed them all unpurpose. Goldman's art is something I am unfamiliar with but I definitely liked it. He draws a Clark as a little too buff though. Other than that, I have no complaints. I would like to see his art on other books as well.

Hawkgirl 60 - 62

Hawkgirl #60
Written by Walter Simonson
Art by Renato Arlem

So Hawkman is back and Hawkgirl basically tells him that she wants to break up because she secretly know that the Hawks can't be together if they are to survive. I think that is pretty cool and logical but the dialogue is so clunky in this series. It's worse than Star Wars. Oh and it looks like hurrican Katrina actually happened in the DCU.

Hawkgirl #61
Written by Walter Simonson
Art by Renato Arlem

I gotta hand it Simonson, the dialogue is still clunky but the idea of Hawkgirl turning into a robot being at the end of this issue was pretty cool. The New Gods are popping a lot lately probably because they will be involved heavily in Countdown. Here we get to see the female furies who I am not that familiar with but I am enjoying them. I enjoyed this issue.

Hawkgirl #62
Written by Walter Simonson
Art by Renato Arlem

I don't really get the end of this issue, how does she know Hath-Set is in gotham just from the picture? I thought that she had that vase and it was destroyed when the gizmoid came out? Oh well, whatever, this was an okay issue. Nothing really amazing happens and the writing still isn't great. The Female furies are fun though and at least we have next issue to look forward to with Batman. Because as you know, he makes everything better!

A Quicker Way To Travel

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #51
Written by Tad Williams
Art by Shawn McManus and Walden Wong

Tad Williams continues his so-far brilliant run on Aquaman this issue. In just two issues, he has expanded the new Aquaman's supporting cast and introduced a new fun sidekick as Topo. Who is also handy by introducing the others to the concept of Hatches or magical portals in the ocean. It is about time. I always wondered how the old Aquaman got around the ocean so quick. Maybe he knew about hatches too? But no, I don't think the old Aquaman is dead, just comastose. He will be back. And the re-introduction of Aquagirl is just perfect. She has been missed and I am glad she is back along with Subdiego (although didn't it get raised above water in WWIII?) Black Mantus may be incredibly overused as an Aquaman villain but I trust that Williams will do something different and fun with the character than what has been done before. Highly recommended. Everyone should give this book the chance it deserves.


PS: Why is The Flash in the scene visiting the old Aquaman with the Justice Leaguers? Bart is not a member of the League and he was never really close with Aquaman, what is the deal with that? Weird.

Green Lantern Corps 9 - 11

Green Lantern Corps #9
Written by Keith Champagne
Art and cover by Patrick Gleason and Prentis Rollins

Ya I am pretty much at a loss on what happened in this issue. You know, could it hurt to recap what happened in the previous issue because I barely remember and now I have no idea what was going on in this issue. I think the butterfly girl is bad now, maybe? This was just confusing. Sad really, I remember liking this arc before. This issue just really needed that recap and the way the Dominator was defeated seemed very very very anti-climactic.


Green Lantern Corps #10
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art and Cover by Patrick Gleason and Rodney Ramos

The art in this issue was beautiful but I can't help but feel this series is much better if read as a trade. There should at least be an explanation on the first page as to what the Green Lantern Corps is for newbies. I am far from a newbie yet this book confuses even me sometime. Don't get me wrong though, I did enjoy this issue and all the banter between Lanterns. The Corps seems to have trouble within and I can't help but wonder what exactly is going on with Mogo.

Green Lantern Corps #11
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art and Cover by Patrick Gleason and Prentis Rollins

While there still is no recap in this series, this was a really good issue. A lot of stuff is happening that is all leading toward something pretty explosive (the sinestro corps). The Guardian know some kind of crazy prophecy is coming true and Natu and her new partner (whose relationship is a lot of fun to watch) face the Children of the White Lobe. I wonder if these are new characters because they are really cool villains, really creepy. The end was pretty shocking and it is obvious Guy is going to be framed for the murders. And I still wonder why Mogo has seemingly gone rogue. Probably possessed by something.

The Bat and The Beetle

Brave and the Bold #3
Written by Mark Waid
Art by George Pérez and Bob Wiacek

Waid and Perez pound out another fantastic issue this time around. Suprisingly, I have found that the Batman and Blue Beetle team-up has been favorite yet. These two characters (outside of Infinite Crisis) have not really gotten the chance to team-up before and that is what makes it all the more interesting. Watching Blue Beetle, a fairly new supehero, admiring the accomplished veteran hero that is Batman was really fun. Waid makes nice use of Blue Beetle's powers, I think even better than John Rogers has done over in Jaime's own series. The part with Supergirl and Lobo was also really fun and I can't wait to see what goes on with them next month. I am not familiar with the fatal five, Waid probably could have done a better job explaining them (Although I guess that is what Wikipedia is for now-and-days.). This was a lot of fun.

Flash 9 - 11

The Flash: Fastest Man Alive #9
Written by Mark Guggenheim
Art by Ron Adrian and Art Thibert

New writer Mark Guggenheim begins his run on the Flash this issue and it is a total 180 from this title's first run. From the get go, Guggenheim shows that his run is going to be good. Now, I have accepted Bart as the Flash for a while now, but for those who haven't, I think Guggenheim will open their mind to Bart. This issue relected a lot on Bart's past but at the same time moved the character forward and was a great jumping on point for readers. Bart decided not to join the titans nor the Justice League until he is ready and I think that was a good idea. Great issue.




The Flash: Fastest Man Alive #10
Written by Mark Guggenheim
Art by Ron Adrian and Art Thibert

Well, this was another great issue by Guggenheim, who seems to be redeeming this series to its former greatness. I really enjoyed this. Bart in Police Academy is really fun and cool. I loved his detective work on this issue as well. The last issue was pretty surprising, particularly if you are familiar with the character of Iris Allen. And it is soooo nice to see the Rogues again.

The Flash: Fastest Man Alive #11
Written by Mark Guggenheim
Art by Ron Adrian and Art Thibert

So Inertia is gathering the rogue's together to destroy the Flash and to build a machine time? It may not seem like the greatest plot but Guggenheim handles it very well and makes it pretty exciting. Especially the last page, which is pretty shocking but not totally surprising. The Flashes have a history of revealing their identities to the public, but I wonder if this time it will stick or if it will go the way of Wally West's secret identity? Who knows? All I know is that this story looks like it is going to be a roller coaster ride of fun.

The Return Of Star Sapphire

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #18
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Daniel Acuna

One of Green Lantern's most famous villains, Star Sapphire, returns in this issue. Once again possessing Hal's old flame Carol Ferris and eventually possessing his current flame, Cowgirl. This was an okay issue. Nothing really to write home about. The costume on the cover is hideous, luckily inside it is not the same artist. Acuna's art is weird though but you get used to it. I think his art fits Green Lantern better than it fits anything else. I hope Carol doesn't become a permanent member of Hal's supporting cast again because Carol and Hal are one of the few comics couples that have managed to move on from eachother. That is all that can be said by the main story. The back-up is a lot more fun and deals with the new Sinestro Corps. The art is much better because well, it is Dave Gibbons and not Daniel Acuna. Plus I mean an evil sentient virus as a member of the Sinestro Corps....Geoff Johns, you rule!

Green Arrow 71 - 73

Green Arrow (Volume 3) #71
Written by Judd Winick
Art and cover by Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens

So it looks like Batman and Green Arrow were just being played...distracted so Jason Todd's (Or in the words of Green Arrow "The guy who used to run around in short pants with Bruce.") lackeys could kidnap Speedy. While I am still not a fan of McDaniel's art, this was a pretty good issue.

Green Arrow (Volume 3) #72
Written by Judd Winick
Art and cover by Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens

Winick is probably the most inconsistent comic writer ever. Sometimes I yawn at his issues, and other times he wows me. This was a wow, a big wow. He managed to combine action with lots of good old banter and talking in a perfect way. Fans of drama and fans of action will both get their kicks from this issue. The scene with Green Arrow and Batman in the batmobile gave me goosebumps. It was just that good. Highly reccomended. (On a sidenote: I definitely think Batman is in the right there)


Green Arrow (Volume 3) #73
Written by Judd Winick
Art and cover by Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens

So from the looks of it, Ollie's tenure as mayor of Star City is coming to an end and for all the wrong reasons. It has been exposed that he has been funding the Outsiders and for some reason (that will be explained in the upcoming Outsiders Annual) they are not popular with the public right now. So a recall has been called on Mayor Oliver Queen and Ollie struck a deal with the upcoming new mayor that he would take a dive as long as that mayor kept the funding on all the programs that help the city. Okay now that I have finished summarizing the plot, you are probably wondering was it good. Well, yes it was. And it is sad that this series is starting to get really good just as it is ending. Oh and the last page surprise was awesome. (Yes, I am an Ollie and Dinah Fan despite that fact that they have never been together in all the time I have been reading comics)

Firestorm 33 and 34

Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #33
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Dan Jurgens and Ken Lashley

McDuffie begins the final arc of this series with a bang. He utilizes the great supporting cast created by Stuart Moore perfectly and at the same times being the New Gods into the equation. It is good to see the New Gods again (which is weird, since I have never found them to be as cool as other think they are). McDuffie also makes great use of Firestorm's powers throughout the issue, including turning Guns into Peanut butter!







Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #34
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Pop Mhan and Rob Stull

In this penultimate issue of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man, we find that the Firestorm Matrix hides the key to a sort of Anti-Anti-Life Equation (The Anti-Life Equation is that thing that Darkseid is always looking for. Any fans of the Fourth World are certainly going to enjoy this, but Firestorm and causual fans will enjoy it as well. Oh and any time we see Metron in that chair is always a plus. I am genuinely sad that the next issue will be the final issue.

More Of The Atom's Trip Home

All-New Atom #10
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Eddy Barrows and Trevor Scott

The Atom continues his fight with his dead bully this issue. I must say what is with the Atom covers. They are just gross and this issue's cover is no exception. Anyways, inside the comic is a really good read. The mystery isn't really solved yet, did Jia really kill her husband? If so, why didn't she tell Ryan that he was dead? Why doesn't Alvin want to kill the Atom and instead wants the Atom to kill Jia? These questions will hopefully be answered next issue. This issue was more fighting with dead guys and reflection on Ryan's past, which definitely isn't a bad thing because I enjoyed this issue a lot. The art is pretty good as well. They draw the dead guys really grossly. I am getting the feeling though, that the dead guys aren't the real villains. Maybe Jia is the real villain. I mean why would the girl marry Alvin after what he did to Ryan? Something is up with her.

Detective Comics 828 - 831

Detective Comics #828
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Don Kramer and Wayne Faucher

Another great one-shot issue by Dini, one involving the murder of another of Bruce Wayne's old friends (A lot of Bruce's old friends seem to end up dead). It was really fun to see how the Riddler and Batman figured out the mystery both by themselves and how they tried to outdo each other. Oh and Don Kramer is the perfect Batman artist.

Detective Comics #829 Written by Stuart Moore
Art by Andy Clarke

This was really cool fill-in issue (the start of a two part fill-in arc) and I am surprised nobody has thought about doing this before. Batman and Robin are stuck in Wayne Tower which explosions have been set off in. It is very cool and very Die Hardish. This new villain is cool too. I just wish that Batman did not seem to talk about being Batman so close to other people. I bet that was the artist's fault and not Moore's because it doesn't make much sense.

Detective Comics #830 Written by Stuart Moore
Art by Andy Clarke

This two-issue fill-in arc about a crisis at Wayne Tower ends with this excting issue. It is really cool to learn that Bruce has secret "closets" hidden inside Wayne Tower. Bruce really does think of everything. Moore should do more Batman work in the future. This was by far my favorite of any of the recent fill-in Batman arcs.

Detective Comics #831
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Don Kramer and Wayne Faucher

Dini's best issue yet, probably tied with his Joker one from a few issues back, is this issue. He focuses this time on the character he created single-handedly, Harley Quinn. He proves once again why she was probably the greatest new villain created in the 90s and why she is criminally underused now a days. I loved every damn panel of this issue and it was mostly because of her crazy and fun personality. I got sad when she talked about her relationship with the late Arnold Wesker, and couldn't help but smile at her own hypocrisy and when Bruce decided to let her go free. Harley Quinn is Dini's greatest creation ladies and gentlemen, let's not forget that. Highly reccomended.

Checkmate 11 and 12

Checkmate (Volume 2) #11
Written by Greg Rucka, Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir
Art by Steve Scott

Ya um...I barely understand what is going on in this issue....but I loved it. Rucka (and everyone else, why are there so many writers?)knows how to write these sort of complex international James Bondish plots. I am not sure what Operation Condor is but I suppose it has some connection to Fire's past. And I wonder why there has been no mention of the new Judomaster (from Birds of Prey) by Tommy Jagger. And of course, The Thinker is still a welcome addition to the cast and Amanda Waller is still a bitch lol. The last issue cliffhanger was very surprising as well.




Checkmate (Volume 2) #12
Written by Greg Rucka, Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir
Art by Steve Scott and Nathan Massengill

Okay now I get it! This arc was even better when I finally got what was going on. Anyways, Fire Fans are prolly going to get all pissed that she killed Computron, but I think that is stupid. This issue shows that Fire is still the hero she was when she was with the Justice League. She turns against her father, and the moment where the Black King explains that he chose her because of her being a superhero gave me goosebumps. Fire finally realizes that she is not a killer, but a hero, and will always be. This is why no one should complain about the way Fire is portrayed in this issue because they are missing the point if they do. Anyways, I am liking the Black King a lot more after this issue. He is a fully realized character now instead of just a prop. I must say this has been my favorite story arc of the series so far.

Catwoman Vs. Killer Robot Lex

Catwoman (Volume 3) #65
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

One of the most underrated comics on the stands continues this issue. Selina is still in Metropolis trying to steal a snow globe from Luthor, only to end up fighting a Lex Luthor Robot. Pretty cool. Selina is a smart gals (even the robot eventually admits it) and that is why she gets out of this little pickle. Pfeifer effectively shows the reader that like Batman, Catwoman is both physicall and mentally intelligent. The scene with Superman was pretty kick ass too. The art was pretty good, nothing too excited nor horrible about it. It was art. The cliffhanger ending is kind of confusing. Was that Warp? Why does he want the snowglobe again? I don't know if I am just forgetting something about a previous issue or if we are not supposed to know that yet. Anyway, this was a good issue.

Blue Beetle 12 and 13

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #12
Written by John Rogers
Art and Cover by Rafael Albuquerque

It still feels that the unraveling of the mystery of the Blue Beetle scarab is taking way too long. I mean it has been a year already and we still know barely more than we did at issue 1. Luckily, this issue we learn a bit more. It's a small step and hopefully next issue we can learn even more. There wasn't anything too exciting in this issue, but at least we now know the scarab is activated and a takes a host when a planet has entered a certain level of technology and/or civilization.

Blue Beetle (Volume 6) #13
Written by John Rogers
Art and Cover by Rafael Albuquerque

Ah I was right in guessing more would be revealed in this issue. So the Reach are an evil alien race that uses the scarab to enslave planets, but like the aliens from Mars Attacks, they pretend to be nice first. I love how they are so shocked that Jaime doesn't use the scarab to kill and it was great to see them so shocked that there were multiple Green Lanterns on this planet. Now that I think about it, I really enjoyed this issue. It was exciting and answered a lot of questions. My favorite line must be when Jaime said, "Bring it, Ese." That was great stuff.

Batman Confidential 3 and 4

Batman Confidential #3
Written by Andy Diggle
Art and Cover by Whilce Portacio and Richard Friend

This has to be my favorite issue of the series so far. Despite the fact everyone's hair is pretty messed up, the art was perfect. And I really enjoyed the story. The beginning where every detail about how Batman gets into the LexCorp Building was amazing. Diggle is a good writer and I would like to see him write Batman again sometime after this arc. I really had no quibbles with this issue.

Batman Confidential #4
Written by Andy Diggle
Art and Cover by Whilce Portacio and Richard Friend

This was another good issue, the only problem I had with it is continuity. How could Lex do something like this and the people just forgive him later? And why wouldn't other heroes, not just Batman try to stop him? He basically announced to the world that he wanted to kill all superheroes with his robots, why wouldn't the other heroes retaliate. I hope Diggle will explain this in the next two issues. Otherwise, the story is pretty cool with Lex being a total badass even though he thinks what he is doing is right and the Robot Bat in the Bat-Cave was the coolest Bat-Cave seen since the Brave and the Bold scene with Green Lantern and Batman.

What is the Black Casebook?

Batman #664
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Kubert and Jesse Delperdang

Grant's Batman run so far has left me underwhelmed. I really am not finding it up to standards for well...Grant Morrison. I don't know if it is because he is overworked or what. I felt the same about this issue. Keep in mind, I am not saying it is bad, just not up to par of the usual Grant Morrison. This focuses on a prostitute killer cop, or at least who they think is a cop. This cop is huge and looks kinda like Bane. He knocks the shit out of Batman at the end of this issue. Batman mentions something about a black casebook, whatever this is. I think Morrison is setting up some kind of mystery and the audience is not in on what exactly Batman knows. Unless I missed something. I don't know, it got kind of confusing. The art was good and everything. Just left me underwhelmed. That's all.

The Grand Debut Of An All-New Topo

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #50
Written by Tad Williams
Art by Shawn McManus and Walden Wong

Tad Williams begins his run on Aquaman with one giant fantastic issue. Seriously, more happens in this issue than in all nine issues of Busiek's failed run. I loved it. Every moment either made you smile or laugh or at the end, frown. It was a hell of a ride. Williams is the perfect match for the new Aquaman and the Aquman mythos. He has fun with the concept but does not turn it into a joke. We are introduced to the Deep Church, an evil underwater cult along with a powerful villain who my guess is really Aquaman's supposedly dead son, Koryak. But the best part about this issue has to be Topo! Yes, the octopus sidekick to Aquaman back in the fifties and sixties is back! Williams reimagines Topo as a very funny humanoid octopus creature who instantly wants to be the new Aquaman's sidekick. I really dug the character from the moment he first speaks. This was a wonderful issue. I hope Williams sticks to this quality throughout his run.