Action Comics
Morrison continues to hit this book out of the park, and our first big bad is finally revealed, and while his identity is not shocking, his appearance certainly is.
Brainiac looks like some sort of centipede like thing which is certainly something new. This book also re-introduced us to one of the more underrated heroes to come from the previous DC universe: Steel. Like Brainiac, his new appearance is a bit off, but since this does take place 5 years before now, it can be said that the costume could change. Its very Cyborg-y so that could be an interesting connection. Very anxious to see where this book goes next.
All Star Western
After an ending that gave us a break up of our two protagonists, Hex and Arkham are right back together on a completely different and strange quest. It plays out much liek the first issue, with the two learning to work together, and while I don't feel the same sense of urgency or danger as the last story arc, this one isn't too bad. The real problem with this issue is the backup story. We had a great story last time that had a dumb ending that seemed rushed. This story just seems boring and the art leaves a lot to be desired.
Animal Man
I actually don’t have words for this issue. I write stuff about this title every month, but nothing I say seems to really grasp what is actually happening on the pages. This book is just amazing. It’s funny, scary, heartwarming, disgusting, brutal, and philosophical. All in the same issue. Many times on the same page or two. For example:
The following page is not for the easily disturbed.
This is the very next page:
Next issue will end this story arc, but I can already say that this is in the top five comic series of the new 52.Aquaman
This is one of those books that has surprised me in the New 52 as one of my favorites. This issue, like a lot of final issues in a story arc seems rushed in a lot of ways. We get a better understanding of the Trench, which is nice, but we also pretty much end them at the same time, which honestly seems realyl sad. Almost like an Old Yeller scenario. We save almost all the people that were taken, and have a happy ending, where Aquaman gets a little respect, and a dog. I hate when heroes get pets, because I know its just a matter of time before they will lose them... and I'm a wuss when it comes to animals dying. Even rushed, I still think this book is great and I'd certainly put it as one of the best of the relaunch.
Batgirl
Well, they can’t all be perfect. I’ve tried to be as patient and forgiving as I can with this title, but I think the wrap up of the Mirror storyline was just too weak. It also didn’t help that we got stuck with her roommate (who I hate, in case you missed those blogs) 1/3 of the issue. And the reveal at the end was just weak and does nothing for me to keep reading. DROPPED- case closed.
Batman
Another fantastic issue by Snyder. We resolve the cliffhanger from the previous issue in a style reminiscent of the Sherlock Holmes movies fight scenes, step-by-step explanation for events and how to get out of this particular threat. We also get some history and show why these Owls are such a big deal to Bruce. Its both a fascinating look at the character as well as heartbreaking to see and experience what Bruce did. I rank this title with Animal Man as one of the top titles around.
Batman: The Dark Knight
I just don't get the point of this book other than to bank on the names Batman and Dark Knight. Its the worst book featuring Batman it is always either wildly ridiculous and dumb, or incredibly predictable. For four full issues, we've been searching for who could be behind the serum that removes all fear, and I thought, from the beginning, it was Scarecrow. But the book kept saying "It's not Scarecrow... he's not smart enough for this... he wouldn't want to remove fear..." and then SUPRISE! its the Scarecrow. The book does do a few things well enough. It seems set on making Batman completely alone. In this issue, he is ignored by the Justice League, Gordon is pissed off with both Bruce and Batman, and all his Batfamily is busy cleaning up the escaped prisoner mess. Alfred's the only one left and he seems to be written like an old horndog. He tries though.
And I'm sure the questions being raised now... what's with the ice cream? I don't know. But I had to take a break after reading this scene with them...
They talk about ice cream for way too long. I literally thought for a moment that Freeze was behind this, the way Alfred pushes the ice cream. I have to keep reading just to see how much more ridiculous this book can be.Batman and Robin
While not as good as the previous book, this title does a really good job of examining the relationship between a father and son. Opening with a slideshow of Batman’s “failures”- his rogue’s gallery, the whole concept revolves around convincing Damian that his father made a mistake by not killing these villains, and its hard to say whether the message is going through. The storyline wraps up, but we still face the concept that Bruce won’t ever truly trust Damien. Certainly not the best storyline, but still good regardless.
Batwing
I never really know how to take this book. Some things I love; some things I hate, and it all just comes out to Average. This storyline doesn’t show a sign of ending and I don’t really know how it could, but it spent this issue giving us a back story on our hero, and given his past, I am very surprised that Batman would back him, but who knows. Truth is, this thing is one bad issue from being dropped, and one great issue from being a part of my Keep list. For now, it just floats.
Batwoman
As always I have to comment on the beauty of this book. Williams just nails the art perfectly, and we barely notice a weak story. For example, we open on a character I have no interest in fighting what appears to be a Solomon Grundy-esque villain who calls her a bitch and a whore and guts her in a very gory way. As the fight progresses over the course of 6 pages, we are given random shots of lesbian sex featuring the title character. And the weird thing is… its completely tasteful in this comic. It really blows my mind what this thing can do. Just click and take a look:
I’m also a huge fan of the shadowy government character that’s been in the background of previous issues. Still cannot believe that Director Bones survived the 52 reboot.
Blue BeetleAnother month, another issue of Mexican Spider-man… I have to say that this title is growing on me, if only because I can see that it is something different from other books in the reboot. This book has been limping along on my keep list, but this issue featured a fight with a robot gorilla named Silverback and Plasmus, as well as a final page that shocked me. I’m hooked for another issue, at least.
Catwoman
Bad issue. Not much to say about it, except that it seems to be a filler issue and I’m not a huge fan of those. I’m going to have to read the next issue to be sure, but this might be getting dropped very soon.
DCU Presents
I have really enjoyed this comic, after the first issue, so far and this issue does not disappoint. But a comic about riding a roller coaster with the devil while pondering existence is hard to make suck. This storyline will be ending soon, and I will certainly miss this Deadman story.
Deathstroke
The biggest badass in comics continues his violent rampage through the mercenary world, but this issue had some key moments. Namely, we finally found out what was inside that mysterious case that’s been all the talk. And a character dies that I did not expect to die. This thing is balls to the wall action, and I don’t think its going to slow down anytime soon. Good stuff.
Demon Knights
Team books are tricky, especially when most of the team is virtually unknown, but somehow this book makes everything work. We get the back story on the most… unique member of the team, the Shining Knight. An explanation of his/her character really answered some questions, plus we finally got the name for this team, though we the readers have had it for some time now. For those who are not comic fans but love fantasy, I could not suggest a book more highly than this one.
Detective Comics
I have to say, this has been a really interesting story arc. The Dollmaker is certainly an odd villain and while I don’t expect him to live very long, he is certainly a great villain for this particular time and place. And of course the storyline wraps up with the image that everyone was discussing from week one- the Joker’s face, now framed in the evidence room
Firestorm
You ever read Iron Man in the late 80's... around the time of the Demon in a Bottle stories? All these different countries came out with their own Iron Man type suits and at the end of it all, only a couple, including Tony Stark's, were still around. That's a lot like this issue. Last issue, we met the All American Firestorm, and this issue we are introduced to the Russian one and the Arab terrorist (of course there's a Middle Eastern one...) version. This book has remained on probation for a while now. I feel liek I should drop it but I just can't yet.
Frankenstein
Another wrapped up storyline that is 1000x more insane than I ever thought it would be. What started as a lake that had monsters attacking has ended with giant war wheels and blowing up an entire planet full of monsters with the team escaping in a giant metal egg flown by a dry-witted mummy. Like I have said before about this book- shit happens, insanity ensues, world is saved. Another of my top picks of the new 52, but the art keeps it from being truly fantastic.
Green Lantern
Johns really does his level best to make this look like a story of Sinestro’s redemption, but for some reason, the characters in this issue seem really cardboard. Maybe this is another filler issue, but this is really disappointing. I do, however, have to admit that the awesomeness of Sinestro with a green ring does little to prove why Hal Jordan is the “best” Green Lantern.
Green Lantern Corps
I think this book is really getting in step finally. We know who/what these villains are and why they hate the Green Lanterns, but it’s the same kind of story we have heard before with the Guardians using a race as their slaves. I think Tomasi is getting the feel that John works well with a team and Guy Gardner should just be cut loose to do his own thing. Also, the surprise cameo from the DCU version of the Men in Black, Stormwatch, was great and answered the vital question about what everyone knows about a former Justice League staple. This book was definitely better than I expected and I look forward to more of this story.
Green Lantern: The New Guardians
Remember when Larleeze was a legitimate threat to everything because he was crazy, and while humorous, he was very dangerous and cruel? Well, this writer certainly does and he paints Agent Orange as the big bad we all saw before Blackest Night.
Kyle Rayner finally grows a pair and steps up in this comic which is something he's been needing to do for a while. First act as a real man:
Bitch-slapping the most revered Guardian. A few more Corps specific powers pop up and I thoroughly enjoy seeing the variation. Indigos can teleport, and Blues can tap into your mind and heal you, as well as boost any ring and not just Green ones as we previously saw. This book was hands down the best GL title of the month.Justice League
Speaking of team books that know exactly what to do with their characters, this book definitely nails it. Our cast finally comes together and Aquaman gets a spotlight for being awesome, since Johns loves him.
Definitely puts a middle on all those “What can you do?” questions he gets. We also get our first look at the big villain for the story arc, and while its no surprise, it is nice to see a decent costume change.
And yes, I threw the reaction bit in there for a laugh. Overall, this is a fantastic series and is definitely in my top books with Animal Man and Batman.Justice League Dark
This all brings me back to the horrors of reading Flashpoint's Secret Seven. All the same characters and I could not care less about any of them... except John Constantine and Deadman. I'm reading this still, only because I think this book will be the key to the previous DC Universe which may or may not be making an appearance now that the Hooded Lady, named Pandora, has been fleshed out a bit more.
Justice League International
This issue serves as a villain spotlight that shows the reader the intentions and power of Peraxxis. Honestly, it seems kinda dumb. Plus, this story has done NOTHING to make readers believe in the competency of the team. They keep losing. Issue one, they lost to giant robots. Issue two, they lost to four giant robots. Issue three, they lost to mud creatures. And now they are 0-4. Maybe the final issue of the arc will ease this concern when they win, but it’s been a hard road so far. The only highlight is getting really great characterizations of the team. A fun book, but it really doesn’t do much for me right now.
Nightwing
There’s a shapeshifter fight. There really isn’t much more I can say about it than that. Batgirl shows up and basically apologizes for being a bitch back in the last issue of Batgirl, and then cockblocks Dick with his current girlfriend. And all this happens around Miami. I’m trying so hard to like this book, but it is really losing my patience.
OMAC
This book seems like its entire existence is to remind us that Jack Kirby is not only dead, but also irreplaceable. It’s not a terrible book by any means, but I do feel like it’s trying too hard, but maybe that’s just Didio’s style. But this book is fun and I think that’s what matters. Also this book has Technogators. I will repeat that… Techno-gators.
This book also surprised me as one of the first to crossover into another series, as the next issue of each book will be a battle between OMAC and Frankenstein. So, fun book that links to another favorite book of mine- good enough for me. Before I forget, does anyone have any idea where I can get this shirt?
Red Hood and the OutlawsGiven the bashing this book got in week one, I have been very impressed with what they have done with it thus far. Starfire finally is getting humanized, and Jason Todd is getting to showcase his abilities outside of the Bat’s shadow. And Roy? Well, here’s the thing:
That “Waylon,” I’m pretty sure is Killer Croc, who, as we learned from the last issue, told Roy to get his shit together (feel free to check last month’s issue review). Still hate that kid though. Anyway, Starfire fights a huge reptile creature and the boys fight a ladycop who is immortal. So, you can safely assume all those stops have indeed pulled out.
Once again, we have a pretty fun book, with weak art, that is highly entertaining.Red Lantern
This book was kinda boring honestly. We get some backstory on a couple of the Red Lanterns, but neither story is really interesting and I’m certainly not captivated by the story of the angry humans on Earth which have no bearing on the story so far. This is another probable drop for me.
Stormwatch
I have no idea what happens in this comic. Seriously. There’s a fight. Then the big bad monster gets destroyed. Nothing is explained. Martian Manhunter’s cameo in GLC made more sense than the entirety of this comic. And surprisingly, I’m a big fan still. I’m complicated.
Suicide Squad
Another knockout issue but it kinda sucked to see Capt. Boomerang leave after only half an issue, but besides that, its pretty nice. I think I have said time after time after time about Harley’s look and Deadshot’s missing ‘stache, so there isn’t much left to complain about. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it is easily one of the biggest surprises of the new 52.
Superman
This issue was so bad, I may drop it. The art looks really rushed, the characters are incredibly cardboard, and the plot is so convoluted that its almost unreadable. One more issue like this, and this book sinks to the DROP list.
Swamp Thing
The partner book to Animal Man just didn’t match up this issue. Maybe it’s the fact that we get another back story/filler issue after getting another issue with a lot of the same information back in the second issue. Just not a winner this time.
Teen Titans
This book never ceases to surprise me with how good it is with such horrible art. I hate Superboy in his series, but even as a quasi-villain, he is really likeable in this book. The only character who isn't fleshed out yet is Solstice, but I feel like it will come soon. The team really works here and I am a big fan. The art holds it back from being in the top five, but its close.
