It was a big week at the shop for DC fans. I got a chance to pick up almost everything except Green Lantern Corps and a few others (but, nothing of consequence). Time to give you the lowdown on what I thought. I’d like to start with a title that I haven’t picked up in a good while, Superman. As you all know, the multi title spanning New Krypton saga has been going on for quite some time. Being that I’m first and foremost a Batman fan (which leaves me with more than my fair share of titles to pick up monthly) I wanted to wait out all the craziness in Metropolis and beyond until it died down and I could brush up, pick up one book, and move on. Well, yesterday was that time. The anniversary issue of Superman # 700 takes place directly after the 100 minute war, which involved an attack on New Krypton spurred on by General Lane (Lois’s dad) and an all-out assault on Earth led by Zod. In the end, only meaningless tragedy. The issue starts with a story in which James Robinson, who has been writing Superman for the last few years, caps off his run. Now, I really LOVED Robinson in his Starman days, but in reading Cry For Justice and the new Justice League books i felt he was all over the place sometimes. The whole ‘everybody finishing everybody elses sentences’ thing drove me crazy in the new JLA. There was none of that here. The story was simple, short, and meaningful. Although it did have a cameo by Parasite, it focused on Lois and Clarks reunion. The second piece, penned by Dan Jurgens, was a little peek into Superman’s past. This one was my favorite. Can you venture a guess why? It was also a look back into the early days of Batman and Robin. Again, it wasn’t anything crazy; it was to the point and it worked. The last of the three was a prologue into the next part of the Man Of Steel’s life. It also marked the handing over of the title to J. Michael Straczynski. Superman comes under fire for all of the recent world shaking events, and his allegiance to Earth is questioned, but nothing cuts him as deep as the heartbreak and rage directed at him by a stranger, that was all too human and, in the grand scheme, meant nothing to the universe. Here he will begin to question what is important and how he will choose to continue his mission. Judging by his decision to walk away at the end, I’m guessing that statement has something to do with his humanity. This story will be continued in ‘Grounded’.
Moving on, I would like to address Brightest Day and some of the new books that tie into it. Last week’s issue of Brightest Day#4 featured Black Lantern Firestorm on the cover. (Alert: Spoiler/Summaries Ahead) At this point we know that everyone resurrected at the end of Blackest Night came back tainted; haunted by something. For instance…while trying to rest after a party, Ron Raymond is startled by a visit from Gehenna, whom he transmuted into salt while he was a Black Lantern. As you know, she was the present Firestorm’s girlfriend and, even though Raymond was powerless under the sway of Nekron, Jason Rusch hasn’t come close to forgiving his once dead predecessor. In another neck of the woods, or sky, Hawkman and Hawkgirl have been led to an unearthly vortex constructed by their eternal enemy Hath-Set and powered by the bones of all of their previous lives. I don’t want to give away the decision they make at the gateway, but I think this might be one of the most exciting parts of the series. To conclude, after transporting virtually unseen from location to location (all pertaining to recent events) Boston Brand is finally seen, and assaulted by Hawk, when he appears in the room of a sleeping Dove. What will be Deadman’s new greater purpose? Will he be able to hone the amazing and mysterious power of the white ring? Because it looks as if Hank Hall will be pissed if he doesn’t figure it out soon. It’s been a fairly easy read, especially if you’ve read everything up to it.
Let’s move on to the new titles that tie in.
Birds Of Prey #1 and 2, written by fan favorite Gail Simone and drawn by Ed Benes, deals out some hard justice. After stopping terrorists in eastern Europe, Black Canary and the birds are pulled back to the US where they are faced with not only the threat of a new adversary, the White Canary, but what also seems to be a planned systematic weakening of their infrastructure. Someone wants to take them apart in the worst way. Dinah is the first targetted. As if it’s not enough that she is under fire for her actions over seas, someone has managed to find out her identity and place of business. Now, not only is it all over the news, but so is the live feed of her and the team fighting to escape the swarms of police. Authorities have also connected her to disgraced and banished ex-mayor Oliver Queen (Green Arrow). Things are looking bad. Was Penguin a mere wounded hostage or is he playing a part in luring them into this trap? With all of this in only two issues, crazy is not the word I’m looking for. If nothing this will most assuredly force her back into her bad@$$ background. Even though I’m not so sure I agree with the short fused, and male, Hawk being on the team (keeping with the bird theme?), you should definitely check it out.
Next up is the all new Green Arrow#1. Written by J.T. Krul, with art by Neves and Cifuentes, this new era for Oliver Queen, and Star City, looks to have the potential to be one of the best reads in DC if the creative team’s course stays true. After the destruction of the city by Prometheus and the Electrocutioner, a giant, mystical, star-shaped forest rose in it’s epicenter due to events of Brightest Day. Now, deserted by Dinah, publicly unmasked, and tried for killing one of the villains who murdered his granddaughter along with most of his beloved city, Oliver is banished. What place would be more ideal to retreat to and set up base for a modern day Robin Hood than a deep enchanted forest? This is his domain now; where he can use all the instinct and experience that first turned him into the hero he has become. He has nothing left to lose and noone to prove anything to. With no rules to follow, except for his own personal code of ethics, God help anyone who stumbles under the canopy with bad intentions. It seems they are serving an homage to Mike Grell’s Longbow Hunters in the main DC continuity. The first issue plays out quite like you’d expect or want; stealing from the rich, giving to the poor, and saving those weak who are prayed upon. It looks as if they are setting up an evil empire being that an ominous and mysterious figure has taken control of Queen Industries. I am digging where this is headed, I just wish they wouldn’t have done away with a key antagonist in the first issue. I would have liked to see the persons demise to be more eventful and ironic. I do very much like how he has a perfect vantage point right in the middle of the city he was thrown out of. He can easily deal with business and just as quickly disapear back into the foliage. All in all, I recommend you pick this up for yourself.  As if the beautifully done cover by Mauro Cascioli (Justice League: Cry For Justice) isn’t enough to draw you in.
The fourth and latest installment of Justice League: Generation Lost , by Winick and Giffen, has the former JLI still on the run and engaged in battle with Russia’s Rocket Red Brigade. In flies the new Rocket Red, Gavril. The guy’s a Chatty Cathy and seems to think he’s suddenly part of the team. Someone’s pulling everything together. We all know who that is, and at the end of the issue he finally makes contact with everyone. The book was fast paced, but it didn’t draw me in like previous issues; it kind of felt more like filler. Still a good series so far, and I’m hoping for something huge and messed up to come, involving their former “leader”.
That concludes the Brightest Day segment for this week, kiddies.
Justice League: The Rise Of Arsenal came to a close this week. All I’ll say is that Roy got what he wanted in the end. There was a good fight between him and his mentor before he reached his goal, after which all Oliver could do was look on in horror. These things happen, I suppose. Judging by the shape of things, I wouldn’t be surprised about an Arsenal/Red Hood team up. Two former proteges unhappy with the status quo, walking the razor’s edge of sanity, and thirsty for blood (pretend i said that in a gravely, pulply, coming attractions voice…no? ok…). I could think of a few more people they could throw in there. Make it happen DC!
I most certainly don’t need to be buying anymore books than I already am, but being that I have a soft spot for Paul Dini, I picked up Zatanna#1 and 2. I really like the artist Stephanie Roux and her inker Karl story. I feel they have a real command over the characters. Even the colorist is doing a great job. The mistress of magic now has her own connect on the police force, Detective Dale Colton, and Brother Night, who is making a play as her arch-nemesis, plans on taking control of the San Francisco underworld (mystical and crime alike). Night is drawn flawlessly. I have to say that one of the reasons I will continue to read, for now, is that the layout of the pages, the vivid drawings, and even the eccentric characters remind me of Tony Harris and Wade Von Grawbadger’s work on Starman, and the cast of players Jack Knight came in contact with. Maybe it’s just me. At any rate, it’s a thumbs up.
When it comes to the new Legion Of Super-Heroes run by Paul Levitz I have to say that I’m sort of in the dark. Being as I was never really a fan, it is hard to suddenly be thrown in; especially given the amount of characters and their crazy names. For a guy like me it is mind-overload. I’ve been able to piece things together here and there from what i’ve read in other books (or their appearances in the JLU cartoon). I’m gonna give it a few more issues to see if it draws me in. I did like the fiery hand at the beginning of time in the first issue. I assume it’s the same one that writes on the source wall. I also like the little connections to present day. Wish I had more to say, but I’m sure diehard fans are in hog heaven.
Finally, on to the Bat books.
I suppose I will start with the title I am least interested in at the moment, Azrael. I only say that because for some reason or another it feels somewhat repetitive (and, I wish I didn’t feel that way because Michael Lane has the potential to be such a cool character). In this last issue he has help from the White Ghost to defeat the Seven Deadly Sins who had begun to indoctrinate him into being the eighth (we all know how fragile Michael’s mind is). It is written by Fabian Nicieza with art by Ramon Bachs.
Batman:The Return Of Bruce Wayne#3 sees Bruce in the clutches of Blackbeard. Two famous DC period characters make appearances as well; the one at the end being the most exciting for my money. I don’t want to spoil him for you. Bruce is starting to use his cunning, piece things together, and leave himself clues. I can say I understand most of it, but i wish it was a little more straight forward after the last few years. You be the judge.
In Batman: Streets of Gotham#13 Paul Dini concluded The Carpenter’s Tale, in which a new villain The Director wanted Jenna Duffy to build a set full of traps for which he could film Batman’s demise. We can guess how it played out for everyone who wasn’t Batman. The Manhunter second feature pitted Kate in her final confrontation with Jane Doe. Both stories were not a bad read at all.
Legendary writer Dennis O’Neil was back to Batman in Detective Comics#866. With the help of Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs, he told the tale of a man who was wrongly imprisoned for a crime the Joker had committed years earlier. Of course it involved the theft of a relic from the Order of St. Dumas (O’Neil did help to create Azrael). Now in the cape and cowl of his former mentor, Dick strives to give the once framed man he remembers from his youth, who is newly released and infirm, some solace by bringing closure to the case. But, as shown in the last Batman and Robin , The Joker is back in action. How will this play out? You will have to find out for yourself. The issue features an awesome flashback interlude of a more cartoonish nature that to me, having seen him draw at the Comic Con, looks more the style of Fridolfs than it does Nguyen. Great issue. Definitely pick it up.
Well, it looks like it’s about that time again. I’ve said too much. I’m tired and I have writer’s remorse, so it’s best if I don’t edit right now. Next time you read this it will probably look completely different. Go go Gadget blog! I hope this was informative, and for you Marvel fans, I hope I filled you in on what’s going on in our world. Maybe I should start reviewing after a run is done, sooner or later. That way there would be less writing, less spoiler alerts, and it would take me out of the running as the wordy John Madden of comic enthusiasts…of…the…year? Wait, what?! Who am I kidding? Until next time. Read on!–ExSleepyInk

• Share
• Tweet
• "&title=""">