Reviews

 

Batman and Robin Issue #15

Written by: Grant Morrison

Art by: Frazer Irving

Finally, questions are being answered. As Grant Morrison’s run on this awesome series builds to a climax, it seems years of stories are culminating with this one comic. Simon Hurt has been a real player in the background in Batman’s life, (all the way back to The Black Glove storyline in Morrison’s period, even farther back to the creation of the three “replacement batmen” in continuity) and in this issue we finally get to see what his endgame was, opening the ancestor box that traveled through time with Bruce. I love that his true identity was finally confirmed, and the big, although puzzling reveal at the end.

Another interesting piece of the puzzle is the Joker’s involvement in the whole mess. I really like how threatened he feels by Dr. Hurt, and how strangely cognizant he is about is place in Batman’s life.

Also, I love Professor Pyg. I mean, how could you not get excited whenever he shows up?

The main problem I have with this issue is more about DC itself: the release date. I understand that artists and writers have trouble making deadlines, but you would think that with such a big event like this one (not to mention all the titles that rely on this story happening first), that there would be a bigger push to get comics out the door on time.

 

Brightest Day Issue #12

Written by: Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi

Art by: Patrick Gleason, Scott Clark, Ivan Reis, and Joe Prado

This issue was about Martian Manhunter, and it was pretty messed up. D’Kay is crazy, and J’onn is going to suffer, I can tell. It is really cool that they have brought another Green Martian into the equation, and it will be interesting to see what part she plays in Brightest Day. The white ring told J’onn he had to burn the forest down, but what does that mean in the larger sense of what happened in this story?

I also really liked the short scene between Dove and Deadman in Oracle’s Watchtower. It made me realize that the entity that everyone is waiting for could be a hero that we already know. Maybe it will be Green Arrow, leaving room for Connor Hawke and Mia to take back control of his series.

 

Bruce Wayne the Road Home: Catwoman

Written by: Derek Fridolfs

Art by: Peter Nguyen and Ryan Winn

This is how I expected Gotham City Sirens to always be, a little soap, a little sass, and a lot of fun. While Paul Dini did not live up to my Sirens expectations, this did. (Side note: lately under a new regime Gotham City Sirens is getting better.) As a character, Poison Ivy is pretty one-dimensional, and while I love Harley, the same can often be said for her, so it is imperative that Selina lead the crew. Set the scene, you’ve got Selina running point on the mission spying on Vicki Vale, Ivy as her wing-woman, and Harley managing to muck the whole thing up with her infinite crazy cuteness and hyenas. Perfection. We get some new intel on how much Vicki Vale actually knows and we round out the issue with some much needed Bruce and Selina soapy goodness. I should have stopped reading right then.

 

Bruce Wayne the Road Home: Commissioner Gordon

Written by: Adam Beechen

Art by: Szymon Kudranski

This review in no way reflects how I feel about Commissioner Gordon, ours is a timeless romance. Vicki Vale on the other hand, has got to go. Word has spread about Vale looking into not only heroes, but villains. Vicki crossed the line and Penguin sends his goons. Who better to back you up in that situation than Gordon? But is Vicki satisfied? No, she spends most of the issue belittling the abilities of our fair commissioner. The audacity! Thankfully, she eventually comes around to the right way of thinking and there’s a nice Bruce/Gordon exchange. After reading Catwoman though, this just didn’t cut it for me. There was a juicy tidbit of information though that is building up even more drama to the Ra’s al Ghul issue. Next week brings Ra’s and Oracle, sweet.

 

Green Lantern Corps Issue #53

Written by: Tony Bedard

Art by: Tyler Kirkham and Batt

I really like what this series is developing into. Now that Arisia, Kilowog, and Guy are off in their own book, Kyle and Soranik step into the spotlight, and this storyline is going to be a great start for them. With the Weaponer kidnapping Soranik and demanding to see Sinestro, Kyle has to go face him to get her back. Plus, he punches Sinestro in the face. Also, that exploding head of the Sinestro Corps member was incredibly digusting, therefore great. How fun is this arc going to be?

Green Lantern Tuesday

Who’s your daddy?

Kilowog, the first Green Lantern to appear in our Tuesday spotlight for obvious kick-ass reasons. 

Green Lantern Reviews

Up until about two weeks ago, I was ridiculously behind on all of the Green Lantern series’. So much so in fact, that I didn’t feel comfortable reading Brightest Day either. So I made it my mission to catch up on everything in order to read the new issues as they came out. I was actually kind of dreading it, but it was fabulous! I got so immersed in the Green Lantern world that I once I was up to date I was aching for more. Thankfully this week included both Green Lantern and Green Lantern Emerald Warriors.

 

Green Lantern Emerald Warriors Issue #3

Written by: Peter Tomasi

Art by: Fernando Pasarin and Cam Smith

Let’s talk about Emerald Warriors first because I am a Guy Gardner convert. There, I said it. This does not mean that my love of Kyle Rayner is faltering, far from it, but Guy Gardner has really grown on me and Emerald Warriors as a series is bursting with potential greatness. First of all, you can’t go wrong with Arisia and Kilowog as backup, right Poozers? Right. Second, the internal struggle for Guy fighting between the green and red rings has really given him depth. This month’s issue took our characters to Odym, home to the Blue Lanterns. While it was obvious that Guy was going to choose not to rid himself of the red lantern rage, getting there was a riot. I don’t know what it is about the red lanterns that I enjoy so much, but all of them are extremely interesting. I think a lot of it stems from the fact that they are the only lanterns who are so overtly driven by their rings. Bleze is going to be a fun addition to the gang as we watch Guy try to keep her in check. I imagine there will be a lot of blood spewing. Next month takes us to Daxam where they will hopefully save Sodom Yat from his horrible home-world.

 

Green Lantern Issue #58

Written by: Geoff Johns

Art by: Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy

In Green Lantern this month I was overjoyed to see Carol put Hal in is his place. I think at one point I literally yelled, “Take that!” because let’s admit it, Hal has put Carol through the emotional ringer. But back to the issue, currently Hal, Carol, Sinestro, Larfleeze, and Atrocitus are trying to find the entities before they’re captured by the creepy little guardian who hasn’t been identified yet. We have a theory on that, but we’re going to see how it plays out. This month revolved around the blue entity Adara who saved a little girl from a disturbing situation by merging with her but now our heroes don’t know what to do with her. Learning more about the entities has been fascinating during this story. Carol stroking the Predator like a pet really speaks to how alien they really are. I’m anxious to see what happens when Hal finds out what the Indigos are up to and I know it’s wrong, but I sincerely hope that Larfleeze isn’t as evil as Paul seems to think he is. Until next month!

Reviews – Bruce Wayne The Road Home

It’s a pity that The Return of Bruce Wayne was delayed because it was jarring to have Bruce suddenly back and mid-mission. That being said, I am relieved that Bruce is still Bruce. I was concerned that there would be a long period of readjustment. The Road Home consists of two stories, the first of course being Bruce Wayne familiarizing himself with how characters have changed while piecing together a much larger mission that appears to mainly tie into the current Red Robin storyline. The second story follows Vicki Vale on her quest to prove who Bruce, Dick and Tim really are. That being said, let’s jump right in to this weeks issues.

Batman and Robin

Written by: Fabian Nicieza

Art by: Cliff Richards

Bruce spends the majority of the issue studying Dick and Damian as a unit. As the introduction to the Road Home, this issue didn’t have any stunning revelations. It set up the Bruce/Tim situation and we can all breathe a sigh of relief as Bruce determined that Dick and Damian are perfectly situated.

 

Red Robin

Written by: Fabian Nicieza

Art by: Ramon Bachs and John Lucas

Bruce has infiltrated the Spiders and his first mission is to kill Red Robin! While Bruce’s observations of Dick and Damian in Batman and Robin were spot on, I found myself getting very defensive about his observations of Tim. Bruce obviously has some concerns regarding Tim’s abilities. I think that mainly stems from the fact that Tim is the best partner for Bruce and Bruce is therefore harder on him in general, but it was still frustrating. Pru was great as always, and I’m looking forward to the Ra’s Al Ghul issue, he is pissed!

 

Written by: Mike W. Barr

Art by: Javier Saltares and Rebecca Buchman

I don’t read Outsiders on a regular basis, so I was concerned about jumping into this issue, but it was actually really fun. Katana has always been a fun character and I enjoyed her interactions with Bruce. I’m curious to see what Bruce had planned for them and why he doesn’t think they’re ready.  I guess I’m going to have to catch up on this series.

 

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller

Art by: Pere Perez

Thank you Alfred, it’s about time someone stuck up for Stephanie Brown. This issue of the Road Home was my favorite so far. I enjoyed the rest of them, but Batgirl was the only one with a fun Bruce Wayne reveal and I was delighted at the mere mention that someone actually knows where Cassandra Cain has been all this time. 

If you are wondering why I haven’t mentioned the Vicki Vale storyline at all, I will say only this: Paul thinks she is going to be a big part of Batman Incorporated…I say kill her and keep the secret safe.

Green Lantern: The Animated Series

This had me doing the snoopy dance when I read about it.  Imagine all the characters they could use and stories they could do?  I was picturing all my faves: Arisia, Salaak, Natu, Tomar-Tu but then I read it more closely and it’s going to be an extension of the film.  Why does Hal Jordan get all the play?  Don’t get me wrong, I like Hal Jordan, but the Green Lantern world is HUGE and the possibilities are endless for an animated series.  Fingers crossed Geoff Johns agrees with me and they hurry up and introduce the rest of the Corps.  Like Paul says, no reason Hal can’t be Parallax for awhile.

The Future of the Bat Family

October is an important month as we gear up for Bruce Wayne’s return.  The Road Home will consist of a 8 one-shots all told from different series/characters perspectives.  Originally we were supposed to have the first couple issues of the Road Home last week but they were pushed back, so now we get the first four this Wednesday in addition to issue #5 of the Return of Bruce Wayne. 

 

Honestly, I haven’t missed Bruce Wayne, but I am excited for the drama that will ensue when he comes back.  For months Paul and I have discussed how Bruce’s return will affect the Dick/Damian relationship.  Batman and Robin has been a wonderful series from the first issue and we were concerned that to replace Dick with Bruce would kill the dynamic between the characters and send Damian on a psychotic killing spree.  Damian is way too broken to be raised by Bruce, so it’s vital that he stay with Dick and Alfred.  Imagine our relief when we found out that DC agreed with us. 

 

Batman Incorporated will mean that both Bruce and Dick can be Batman and maintain their own stories.  It also means that one my favorite characters is coming back with her own series.  The Greg Rucka, J.H. Williams III run of Detective Comics featuring Batwoman was brilliant, which made Greg Rucka leaving DC that much more heartbreaking.  But J.H. Williams III is taking up the reigns and Batwoman is getting her own series that will officially begin next year, with a preview issue this November.  Yay!

Well at least we know that Gotham will be safe, but what does Bruce Wayne’s return for the emotional well-being of the characters we know and love?  We’ll just have to wait and see.

Reviews

The Boys Issue #47

Written by: Garth Ennis

Art by: Russ Braun and Darick Robertson

 

This is the issue that I have been expecting for a very long time. And by expecting I mean dreading. In the last issue, Annie’s sordid secret was revealed to Hughie, and this issue consisted mainly of his reaction. Sometimes I forget while reading a Garth Ennis comic, in between the violence and poop jokes, that he is capable of such tragic and heart-wrenching drama. He has quite the talent of slowly building characters up, and then tearing them down in the most devastating way possible.

The emotional power of the last half of the issue is heightened by the slow build of the first half. Both Hughie’s reaction to watching the video and Annie’s conversation with Queen Maeve set up a sense of impending destruction; and when it strikes, with his emotionally violent attack, their whole relationship broke apart before my eyes. I felt for Hughie’s pain and confusion, but more so I saw Annie torn down another rung as the man she loves drags her through the pain and shame she had been living with for so long. This is why I love Garth Ennis’ stories.

-Paul

 

Brightest Day Issue #11

Written by: Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi

Art by: Ivan Reis, Scott Clark, Patrick Gleason and Joe Prado

 

Brightest Day is awesome. There, I said it. This series makes me want to go out and buy back issues. I feel so at home with characters I know nothing about, except what has been in Blackest Night and this, but I am completely wrapped up in the stories. And the characters I do know, I just like them even more in Brightest Day.

I was a little unsure of the Firestorm story up until this month, but when Deathstorm popped out, the stakes were raised substantially. The two page splash (see the cover of the issue) was so surprising; it actually took my breath away.

And then there was the Aqua storyline. I have never been so enraptured in characters I don’t know. This story, with the protection of the new Aqualad, Jackson Hyde from his awesomely creepy father, Black Manta, has had me hooked from the start. This week was no exception, with the all-out brawl between Aquaman and Black Manta that sparkles with Ivan Reis’ gorgeous art. I can hardly wait two weeks for the next issue.

-Paul

 

iZombie Issue #6

Written by: Chris Roberson

Art by: Michael Allred

 

Oh Scotty the were-terrier. I am a lover of back-story, but I was missing Gwen and Ellie in this issue. I wanted to get back to the big question about Gwen’s issues as a zombie; will she have to elevate her eating habits in order to maintain her memory? But that was not addressed in this issue. The story of Scotty the were-terrier was just like Scotty: light, whimsical, can I get an “awe shucks”? Don’t get me wrong, it was amusing if not greatly enlightening. How Scotty became a were-terrier for instance, was not a big shock. As for the introduction of the monkey all I can say is, no monkey will ever be as cool as Ampersand.

-Jac

 

Secret Six Issue #26

Written by: Gail Simone

Art by: J. Calafiore

 

Oh Gail, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways, 1. Scandal Savage 2. Catman 3. Deadshot 4. Jeannette 5. Bane 6. Ragdoll (save the best for last of course). Secret Six never disappoints, even with I’m not super excited about the mission, the dialogue keeps me supremely entertained. So where are our favorite antiheroes this month? The team is divided, on one hand we have Bane’s crew working for Spy Smasher (who needs a serious beat-down by Amanda Waller) in Skartaris, a secret world located at the Earth’s core. On the other hand, we have Scandal’s crew who are trying to stop them under the supervision of “Mockingbird”. The conflict? Imperialism of course, but when do our fearless six ever actually know what the ultimate goal of their mission is?  That’s what makes them fun; the concept that “consequences” rarely affects their actions. While I’m not a big Bane fan, I have enjoyed the Bane/Scandal daddy drama, so this was an important issue as the two came head to head. This is only the second issue in a four part story, so next month is likely to pose more questions than answers, but I will say this, the Secret Six will never be the same.

Ragdoll Quote of the Month: “It’s even prettier as precipitation. I never knew falling entrails could be so lovely.”

-Jac

Green Lantern Tuesday

“Yuh-oh”

 

One of these days there will actually be a Green Lantern in our Green Lantern moments, but who can resist Larfleeze?  Not I!

Sunday Soapbox

 

SPOILER ALERT: If you have any intention of reading Buffy Season 8 and you want to be surprised, stop reading now.

As we approach the end of Buffy Season 8, I am sad to say that I’m glad it’s ending. Before the series began I was literally counting the months with excitement, and in the beginning it was just what I wanted. The witty sarcasm, geeky Xanderisms, and of course new awkward situations that translate better through comics than through television.

The earlier multi-issue arcs and one-shots were great. I loved when Buffy was in the future with Fray dealing with evil Willow. The Harmony one shot was quirky and fun. Faith and Giles off on their own adventure with evil debutantes, and the guest appearance by Dracula made me smile. I even liked the love story between Xander and Dawn. Who knew?

Unfortunately, the over-arching story of season 8 suffered by getting way too broad. I think the writers were so excited to have a new playing field, they did too much. Honestly, I was enjoying it until the gang/army went to see Oz. Then the magic and the giant muppet-like gods went over the top, okay if that had been that I could have dealt, but then came the reveal of Twilight. The character of Twilight had been dancing around the story for quite a while as the major villain in the background and I didn’t pay much attention to him because he was boring. So the reveal that Twilight was actually Angel…anticlimactic and maddening. I had been waiting for Angel the entire run and I would have welcomed him in any other context. I won’t even go into the sex scene in the sky, or double agent Riley (or was it triple agent? I lost count). It was what happened after that where I was rubbing my eyes and shaking my head. I just don’t buy that Angel would believe the drivel that he’s spewing to Buffy about why he did it. And then to bring in Spike?!?!? How is that necessary? Buffy and Angel have no chemistry in this story and don’t tell me it’s the medium, because comic book characters can absolutely have chemistry. Dinah Lance is a perfect example of that. (Are we seeing a pattern here? Is it obvious that I’m a Black Canary girl?)

I know this is a downer of an entry, so let me leave it at this. Simplicity is a good thing when you have such strong and well-developed characters and a story can be charming and thought provoking without being convoluted. Do I still love Joss Whedon? Of course. Will I read Season 9? Most likely.

-Jac