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

Reviews

Detective Comics Issue #869

Written by: David Hine

Art by: Scott McDaniel

 

This is the penultimate issue of David Hine and Scott McDaniel’s Batman: Imposters story, and I am coming around to both the story and the art. The first issue was a shock to me. After a series of stories like Greg Rucka’s Batwoman and David Hine’s Beneath the Mask (which wrapped up the excellent Arkham Reborn miniseries), this arc felt almost old-fashioned…and not in a good way. I think the most distracting element was Scott McDaniel’s art, which is ultra-cartoony and exaggerated, which, to be honest, reminds me of when he used to pencil in the “Chuck Dixon” era of the 90’s. Having started reading comics after having passed adolescence, reading Chuck Dixon’s books now doesn’t have the same effect as if I would have read them when I was younger. It’s not that I dislike them; they just don’t seem as honest or heartfelt to me as the more modern (in Batman terms, after Rucka and Ed Brubaker joined in) take on comic book writing.

Now that I have finished with that extremely tangential aside: Batman Detective Comics #869. The first issue of the arc may have reminded me of another time, but by issue three I am really getting into the story and at least my interest is being held. I find myself staring at the art less and thinking more about the characters. Who, for example, are the imposter versions of Batman and the Joker? How is this war going to play out? Interesting stuff.

-Paul

 

First Wave Issue #4

Written by: Brian Azzarello

Art by: Rags Morales

 

Oh my goodness, a First Wave that I actually understood what was going on (for the most part). I think I am showing my ignorance in Golden Age characters, because on the whole, I don’t know who most of these characters are, and I think Brian Azzarello believes I should. Of course I know about Batman and Black Canary (who has yet to appear), and I have a rudimentary knowledge of the Blackhawks, Doc Savage and the Spirit, but beyond that, I’m clueless.

With this issue though, some of the puzzle pieces started to come together, like the involvement and scope of the Golden Tree, which has become a fascinating mystery. I’m really looking forward to the next issue (hopefully with some Black Canary action).

-Paul

 

Green Arrow Issue #4

Written by: J.T. Krul

Art by: Diogenes Neves

 

After my recent entry on the current state of Green Arrow, I was pleased with this issue. The beginning was a rehash of the Brightest Day events involving Martian Manhunter’s mission, but after that J.T. got right back to the matter at hand. I am interested in what’s going on with the forest, but the uproar within Star City is much juicier with its riots and creepy police force. The scorned villain, Isabel Rochev was back to meddling in Ollie’s affairs. Evan, the new journalist sidekick, made a quick appearance. He was only in two frames, but he has great chemistry with Ollie and he makes me smile. The real question though is…who is sitting in Isabel’s office? Does Ollie have a half sister? Has Mia gone to dark side? My first inclination was no, but now I have to say I’m teetering. However, if it is her, she has an ulterior motive. Speedy will save the day, I have to believe that.

-Jac

A Trip Down Green Lantern Lane

In preparation for the release of the Green Lantern film next year, we thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite Green Lantern moments.  This week is the introduction of Red Lantern Dex-Starr.  He’s cute, he’s cuddly, he’s gonna burn off your face! 

 

Saturday Soapbox

 

I’ve always considered myself a lover of Oliver Queen/Green Arrow. He’s funny, sarcastic, and at times severely gritty. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed his journey from his resurrection to rise and fall and when it was announced that J.T. Krul was going to be writing the new series I was ecstatic because J.T. gets that Green Arrow can be a selfish prick and have the best intentions all at the same time. But here’s what I’ve discovered about my love of Oliver Queen, it’s not a love of Oliver at all. It’s a love of Connor, Mia, Dinah, Roy, and Oliver. The Arrow family is a necessary unit. Now, I don’t expect Dinah to come back and I don’t think I would forgive her if she did and Roy is…busy. But where are Connor and Mia? Are they praying with monks, because if they are, let us know, and give them a side story. I understand that they don’t have a place in the current arc, but I sincerely hope that they come back into the story and quickly before the Arthurian references go too far.

Off the soapbox, I think the story will change a lot when Brightest Day is finished. I’ll cross my fingers and hope that 2011 brings some Speedy happiness.

Reviews

Nemesis Issue #3
Written by: Mark Millar
Art by: Steve McNiven

Three issues in and we have to say, our interest is piqued.   However, the lack of character development is troubling.  There was more character development in Wanted and that’s saying a lot.  The actions played out by Nemesis are indeed shocking and dare we say, disturbing, but until we actually care about any of these people, does it really matter?  On the other hand, shock value and ultra violence have their place and despite our reservations, there is sense of satisfaction once finished.  This issue revolves around the consequences of what happens when Nemesis is arrested and boy howdy are there consequences!  The only word that comes to mind with the big reveal is…ew.


Justice League: Generation Lost Issue #10
Written by: Judd Winick
Pencils by: Joe Bennett

First of all, let’s begin by saying that we have enjoyed Generation Lost from the first issue.  The story has been interesting and engaging despite the presence of characters that we aren’t generally familiar with.  Magog: not interesting…kill him; and hopefully that’s exactly what Judd Winick intends for Max Lord to do.  Honestly, in this issue, the main characters don’t have a lot to do.  There is a touching moment between Fire and Ice, but mainly Booster, Beatle, and the rest of the gang talk to each other for most of the issue.  What is interesting however, is the addition of a scene involving Batman and Power Girl, where we reader finally think our heroes are going to get some help only to have our hopes shattered when we realize the scope of Max Lord’s grip on the world.  Not excited about the introduction of the Metal Men, but curious to see where Judd takes our heroes next.


Power Girl Issue #16
Written by: Judd Winick
Art by: Sami Basri

When it was first announced that Amanda Connor would be leaving Power Girl there was much sadness in our house, but while we still love Amanda, we are happy to say the art is beautiful!  The tone of the art has changed, much like the story has with the changing of the writing guard.  Where Jimmy Palmiotti gave Power Girl a charming silliness, Judd Winick has kept the humor but brought a larger arc to her world, contextualizing her character to the rest of the DC universe.  This is the first issue by Judd that feels like he’s making it his own and we are really happy with the direction it appears to be taking.  We have new relationships, murders, and a mysterious villain, who could ask for more?  Jac’s Two Cents: The second guest spot by Dick Grayson this week!  Love it. 


The Flash Issue #5
Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Francis Manapul

All we have are questions:  Why is Barry being so naive?!?  What’s in that box?!?  What’s the deal with the Mirror Lords?!?
This review: To be continued next month, when we know what the hell is going on.  (We will most likely be disappointed as next month’s issue takes place in the future.)

Welcomes and Introductions

Complete immersion is the only way that we know of to get into something new, and that’s exactly what Paul and I did five years ago when we started reading comics. Don’t get me wrong, we had read some here and there, Sandman, Sin City, Hellblazer, etc., but not on a regular basis. We started with graphics, catching up on the necessary reads. Once we found our footing somewhat we started in on single issues with a vengeance, I’m not kidding, spreadsheets were involved (not of my making, credit where credit is due you understand).

So what can you expect from this blog? Don’t expect to see a lot of Marvel, no disrespect to the folk there, but that is just not our world, minus the occasional X-Men venture. DC, Oni, Dark Horse, and various others hold our attention and hopefully yours.

Sometimes Paul and I agree, sometimes we don’t, Guy Gardner for instance is a point of contention in our house, but we’ll expand on that later.

As for us, we are theatre educated, cat rescuing geeks with growing concerns about where all of these long boxes are going to go.

Enjoy!

Paul’s Two Cents

Apparently, extensive lists of needed issues carried on one’s person are completely different from a spreadsheet.