Titans Reviews

Issues:

#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6

Superman Batman 40 - 48

Superman/Batman #40
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Dustin Nguyen

Uh oh Batman is getting horny! This arc seems to be playing up the whole New Gods as actual Gods thing that Morrison has introduced. I like it a lot and Bekka definitely has an effect on Batman's desire here. Nguyen was the artist on JLA when I first got into comics so I get a feeling of comfort from it. It's not amazing art, but I like it. Check out the rack on Bekka though hehe, I don't blame Batman for desiring her. If I was straight, I might do the same.

Superman/Batman #41
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Dustin Nguyen

Superman's little dream sequence in this issue was hilarious. I loved all the cameos and the appearance of the guy from the cover of Action Comics #1. I think, if I am not mistaken, that we ever see the inside of the Source Wall.

Superman/Batman #42
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Dustin Nguyen

The conclusion to this was a little anti-climactic but still good. Overall, I liked this arc a lot. And I so rarely enjoy arcs with the New Gods.

Superman/Batman #40
Written by Andy Lanning & Andy Lanning
Art by Mike McKone

Um ya this was kinda boring and pointless. I don't know, Dr. Light using a light projection of the old Teen Titans to fight Superman and Batman is kind of well lame and not interesting. I can not really tell you why that is, it is just how I feel I guess. The mystery man at the end of the issue could be either Luthor or Libra, not sure which one it is.

Superman/Batman #44
Written by Michael Green
Art by Shane Davis

Michael Green begins his Superman/Batman run with this issue....hopefully he sticks around longer then every other writer since Loeb left the title. Shane Davis's art is awesome and I think it fits perfectly with this book. And Green's writing makes for great superhero storytelling. He actually utilizes Superman's super-speed power that I don't think a lot of current writers really utilize to its potential. I like the "freak of the week" reference to Smallville. I think this is the first time in comic continuity they have acknowledged that kryptonite can effect humans in strange ways. The beginning with the shooting of the movie about Superman and Batman was hilarious, especially with how wrong they got Batman's origin. Also, the idea of hunting down all the kryptonite in the world is very intriguing.


Superman/Batman #45
Written by Michael Green
Art by Shane Davis

Another superb issue by this new creative team. The only thing I had a problem with was the reasoning for Aquaman attacking Superman was a little faulty. Why doesn't he want him taking Kryptonite from the ocean? Oh and has everyone forgotten he goes by Joseph now, not Arthur?

Superman/Batman #46
Written by Michael Green
Art by Shane Davis

This was a pretty fun issue in which Silver Kryptonite apparently causes Superman to act like a child. It was pretty good. And it wasn't stupid or done for laughs either. Very well-written.

Superman/Batman #47 Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Art by Shane Davis

Whoa this was a pretty kick ass issue. It makes perfect sense for the government to have a kryptonite storage place and kryptonite weapons in case Superman goes rogue, I am surprised no one though of it before.

Superman/Batman #48
Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Art by Shane Davis

Well, Smallville is nearly destroyed this issue. Luckily it will be rebuilt and Amanda Waller is a real bitch here. I'd argue that Green is turning out to be the best writer this title has ever had.

Outsiders 1 - 7

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #1
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

You can say that I was excited about this book. Mike W. Barr's Batman and the Outsiders run from the eighties is one of my favorites and while this new incarnation doesn't have Halo, it still has Batman, Katana, and Metamorpho from that run. Admittedly though, I have never been a big fan of Metamorpho. I found the this debut issue to be a lot of fun - a straight forward superhero action story, especially when it comes to the Outsiders, who seem to work best when they are breaking into places they are not supposed to be. From future solicits, it looks like the line up may change. But I like what it is so far. The art, by the way, is amazing. Lopez even makes the hideous new Katana costume beautiful.



Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #2
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Hell ya! While I am sad to see Martian Manhunter leave the team as he is not even in the Justice League these days - I almost screamed with joy when Batgirl made her entrance by throwing Thunder through the window (Although I wonder why this was necessary). Dixon wrote a few issues of Batgirl's own series and unlike everyone else that has handled Cassandra since Infinite Crisis - I trust that he will get the character right. Catwoman's leaving of the team didn't surprise as she doesn't seem to fit, but it seemed out-of-character for her to leave because she was basically scared of all the metahuman action. I really don't see
Selina admitting she is afraid, even if she is. Another fun issue.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #3
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Another fantastic issue, Dixon has the Justice League guest-star (well some of them) and get in a semi-fight with Batman over whether the rescued OMAC should be under League or Outsiders jurisdiction. I think the transfer of Geo-Force to the Outsiders makes perfect sense since he is one of the founders of the team, and he only seemed to be in the Justice League cause Meltzer liked him (although he failed to explain at all how Geo-Force came to be a member, just like a lot of things in his run). Batgirl's moment with Grace and Thunder was hilarious, and I am interested in the addition of REMAC to the team as I was a big fan of the robot, Indigo, during Winick's run and I think the Outsiders kinda need an A.I. team mate. I have no idea who the people are at the end of this issue though.


Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #4
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Aw! It's Ralph and Sue Dibny! The two mystery characters from last issue were Ralph and Sue Dibny, apparently now taking different forms as Ghost Detectives. Awesome....I didn't see that coming at all, especially in this book. I like how all Batgirl and Green Arrow just have to have a nice little fight to iron out their differences. Although I don't quite get why Green Arrow is a member, doesn't really seems like he fits. This book is still going strong.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #5
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

This was another good issue of this series. Not much to say about it. Loved how Batgirl tells the girl she just beat up that she smells like strawberries though haha.

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #6
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Oh my, Saphire Stagg is in this issue. How do I loathe her so. In fact, I hate her so much I think she is the reason I don't really like Metamorpho, how could he love her! Besides that, the mission to steal the Chinese rocket shows how the Outsiders really are willing to break the rules for the greater good. I particularly liked that Batgirl is going to come to their rescue - and Green Arrow tells the Chinese guy that they would be luckier if it was Superman. Because as I will say as many times as I can on this blog, Cassandra Cain is a bad ass!

Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 2) #7
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Julian Lopez

Well, it looks like Batman may finally give Thunder the chance she deserves. This series is really good and I am sad to hear Dixon is leaving this series after Issue 10 and DC altogether. I may not agree with his politics, but Dixon knows how to write some damn good comics.

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.

What If DC Never Restarted Title Numbering?

DC's May Books (If they had never rebooted series with new #1's)

The Week of May 7

The All-New Atom #23
Detective Comics #844
Infinity Inc #62
Jonah Hex #123
Nightwing #148
Supergirl #133

The Week of May 14

Batman Confidential #17
Booster Gold #34
Green Arrow/Black Canary #8
Green Lantern Corps #48
Simon Dark #8
Superman #676
Titans #52
Wonder Woman #575

The Week of May 21

Batman and the Outsiders #39
Birds of Prey #118
The Brave and the Bold #219
Catwoman #177
Checkmate #59
The Flash #485
Robin #179
Shadowpact #25
The Spirit #143
Superman/Batman #48

The Week of May 28

Action Comics #865
Batman #677
Blue Beetle #129
Green Lantern #393
JSA Classified #38
Justice League of America #407
Justice Society of America #119
The Legion of Super-Heroes #260
Teen Titans #136

JLA Classified 39 - 53

JLA Classified #39
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Carlos D'Anda

Um... so is Kid Amazo's girlfriend like the biggest bitch in the world or what. Give me a break, she just dumps him because she finds out he is a robot. Who does that?! Okay issue.

JLA Classified #40
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Carlos D'Anda

I might have to agree with Flash here, Wonder Woman prolly did not have the right to tell Kid Amazo's girlfriend anything but I could be wrong. I liked this issue, especially the idea that Batman has technology that responds to his individual psychological make up. But I still am not a fan of the art.

JLA Classified #41
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Carlos D'Anda

You know, this story should have been published in graphic novel format (with better art) as was originally planned. The ending works great as a precurser to the break up of the Justice League during Infinite Crisis and the relationship between Kid Amazo and Ivo's daughter is really interesting this issue. Too bad it was published in serial where a lot of probably didn't wait till the end.

JLA Classified #42
Written by Justin Gray
Art by Rick Leonardi

In case you did not know, JLA: Year One is one of my all time favorite stories. Post-infinite Crisis, that story has at least been slightly retconned, which pissed me off, so this story which flashbacks to Martian Manhunters first meeting with Superman and the JLA kinda pisses me off but I am dealing with it. I do like the characterization of Martian Manhunter though.

JLA Classified #43
Written by Justin Gray
Art by Rick Leonardi

Okay this is retarted, the JLA came together to face the Appalexian invasion, not Starro. Way to pay attention to continuity, and this is even confirmed post-infinte Crisis continuity. I am not even going to bother saying anything else. Extremem laziness on the part of Justin Gray. The rest of this storyline isn't worth reviewing cause it just pisses me off too much.

JLA Classified #44
Written by Justin Gray
Art by Rick Leonardi

Not worth it.......


JLA Classified #45
Written by Justin Gray
Art by Rick Leonardi
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JLA Classified #46
Written by Justin Gray
Art by Rick Leonardi

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JLA Classified #47
Written by Mike W. Barr
Art by Randy Green

This was a nice start for this story which seems like it would happen to the Silver Age Justice League. Unlike the last story arc, there weren't any continuity breaches - in fact Green Arrow is shown in the right costumer here as well. I wish the cover art was what was inside the book though.

JLA Classified #48
Written by Mike W. Barr
Art by Randy Green

Eh that was a cute little story but nothing to write home about. It was fun. That's all. I really don't have much to say, except, at first I was little turned off by the betrayal of Wonder Woman as being so, I dunno, stupid. But I realize this was one of her earlier appearances chronologically so she should be a bit naive.

JLA Classified #49
Written by Andrew Kreisberg
Art by Paulo Siqueira

Um....this was really good....until the ending which made no sense. By the time that roster of the Justice League was together, Lois was very aware of Superman's identity...she was married to him! The art was good and Kreisberg seems to be a pretty good writer here but he needs to pay attention to continuity. WTF this series is full of continuity errors.


JLA Classified #50
Written by Roger Stern
Art by John Byrne

Byrne's art is as good as ususal and the writing here makes a pretty good Justice League story. I am anxious to see when the League fought this monster before. Wally's hair is yellow in this, that's definitely a coloring problem.

JLA Classified #51
Written by Roger Stern
Art by John Byrne

The idea of a self-procalimed "God" coming to earth and challenging the Gods of the religions of the world is really interesting and I am suprised no one has thought of it before. This story is really good so far.

JLA Classified #52
Written by Roger Stern
Art by John Byrne

Okay now this is how the Justice League is supposed to work. Teamwork and great characterization and great fighting...awesome work Roger Stern. Maybe this guy should be the regular JLA writer. Byrne's art was fantastic as well. In the last story arc of this series, there is a finally quality writing and art....wow.

JLA Classified #53
Written by Roger Stern
Art by John Byrne

Stern really gets each of the JL characters here, especially when he writes them as possible Gods, he shows that he understands what makes them tick as he shows that Titus understand it. I am really enjoying this a lot.

JLA Classified #54
Written by Roger Stern
Art by John Byrne

Well I am happy to say that JLA Classified ended on a high note thanks to Roger Stern and John Byrne. Stern wrote a team of good heroes who had flaws but ultimately triumphed. This is the way the Justice League should be. The ending was inspirational. I wish more of the story arcs in this series were like this. Unfortunately, they were not and I imagine that is why the book has been canceled. Anyways, if this storyline gets collected, I will definitely be picking it up!

Nightwing 134 - 142

Nightwing #134
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jamal Ingle

Hmmm...this was an interesting set up for the mystery of the new Vigilante. It isn't someone who knows Dick and Nightwing are one and the same but it seems like it is someone who has dealt with Nightwing in the past. I am glad to see Dick isn't sporting the rudiculous hair dough he had when Bruce Jones was on the title. Anyways, I liked this issue but I am wondering if I am really going to care when the Vigilante's identity is going to be revealed.

Nightwing #135
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jon Bosco

Now this was a good issue. I liked show it showed Dick's glass half full view of the world and how that makes him different then Batman and the Vigilante. I liked it especially because I see things the same way as Dick (But I haven't experience evil in the way Dick has so Dick is definitely a stronger person then I am). The art was good too, especially for fill-in.

Nightwing #136
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jon Bosco

Um kinda confused by this. Do Eddie and Liu work for the HIVE? What is the new Vigilante's connection to Adrian Chase? And why do they want Dick Grayson's DNA, do they think he's a metahuman? Hopefully we will get answers next issue.

Nightwing #137
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jon Bosco

Damn...a cliffhanger. Wolfman is leaving this book and writing a Vigilante Series...I will pick it up but geez that's a big cliffhanger just to leave people hanging. Anyways, I loved the 321 days and the missing years between the end of the Teen Titans and the beginning of the New Teen Titans....I totally get the timeline now. But anyways, Wolfman's run was decent, better then Jone's run. I look forward to see what Tomasi does with this book. Oh and the last page of this issue was awesome!

Nightwing #138
Written by Fabian Nicieza Art by Don Kramer

DC's go to fill-in guy Nicieza tackles this issue of Nightwing, part 2 of the batbook crossover "Ressurection of Ra's Al Ghul". It was okay....this crossover is just okay. Nothing too exciting to write home about. I like Ra's Al Ghul but he isn't my favorite Bat-villain (Not even close) so nothing here really excites me. It it is totally in character for Nightwing to try to save the villain's lives though I liked that. Oh and Nightwing using a teleporter is too easy and lame for a Bat-book.

Nightwing #139
Written by Fabian Nicieza Art by Don Kramer

This is part 6 of the Ressurection of Ra's Al Ghul crossover, and I did like this a lot. Although it was more a Robin story then a Nightwing story it was good to see Nightwing's thoughts on what Robin has been through. You can't blame Robin for wanting to bring his friends and family back but I think he made the right choice in the end.

Nightwing #140
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales

Peter Tomasi's first issue of his Nightwing run was a real treat. I have never read any of the former editor's stuff (I think?) and he is really good. This blows Bruce Jones and Marv Wolfman out of the park. Of course, Morales's amazing art helps as well. I love the characterization of the bat family and the idea of Nightwing building his base in a museum he is now the curator of. This was just awesome! The only problem I had is he always refers to himself as Richard, not Dick, in this issue. Huh?

Nightwing #141
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales

Tomasi is quickly turning this into one of DC's best monthly books and that is an amazing turn around from what it was before. Tomasi takes the time this issue to show what is going on with Nightwing's relationships with different people in the DCU including the Flash and Batman. Tomasi knows how to use the DCU effectively and doesn't forget that the JSA operate out of New York as well. Awesome! All writers should follow Tomasi when it comes to utilizing the shared universe concept.

Nightwing #142
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales

With three great issues, Tomasi has proven himself as a great writer for Nightwing. This issue was full of awesomeness with the art and the story perfectly awesome. Robin and Nightwing's brotherly relationship was great to see and it is always nice to see Ma Hunkel! Tomasi better be on this book for a long time to come. I don't know that I care for the use of Talia so soon but o well, that's only one problem in a book of awesomeness.