Book of the Week 10/28/09
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DETECTIVE COMICS #858 Writer: Greg Rucka Art: Art by JH Williams III Second feature: The Question Writer: Greg Rucka Art: Cully Hamner Cover by JH Williams III Publisher: DC |
This was a really good week for comics for me, and picking a book of the week was not easy. And it didn’t go the way I thought it would.
This week it’s Detective Comics.
I have to admit, right up until I sat down to start writing this column, I was planning on my BotW to be Batman #692, the beginning of Tony Daniels run, but as I looked over my stack, I since Batwoman took the feature in ‘Tec, this book has been in a class by itself.
First of, let’s talk about JH Williams III’s art. If its all possible to believe, his work has improved since Promethea. His art fits perfectly for the altered states of the characters minds. From cover to the end of the feature, its just gorgeous. And of course there’s Greg Rucka, whose writing needs no more praise from me, but I will heap some more on top. Greg has taken strands of Superhero, Crime, and even fantasy elements and have blended them together to create the world of Batwoman to stunning success.
This issue is the begining of Batwoman’s origin story. We get a peak at young Kate’s childhood and meet her sister, her twin sister, Bess. We also witness the terrible trauma that Kate, and her father go through that goes to show how the deep bond between the Colonel and his daughter was forged.
The second feature in the issue, starring the Renee Montoya version of the Question, was also written by Rucka, and drawn by Cully Hamner. I loved Cully’s work, going all the way back to Green Lantern: Mosaic. His stylistic approach has become a bit more refined. His characters all have such distinct personalities and faces, which makes him an interesting choice to draw a book about a character that has no face. This issue finishes a story arc, with Renee tracking down a lost girl in a white slavery ring. I am looking forward to seeing if Rucka brings Renee back into contact with some more of her Gotham Central partners soon, and seeing how some of them react to Renee’s new role as the Question.
It’s not clear to me just how long Batwoman and the Question will be the features of Detective Comics. More so than any other book, DC can easily change the features. And I already hear that Batman will be returning to the lead story soon, which is a shame considering how many books he already has. This book is currently featuring two strong female leads, here’s hoping one of them gets their name on their own title soon.
Grade A
My Pull List – 10/21/09
My apologies, regular reader(s?), apparently I had a network issue uploading this last week.
If you missed it – don’t forget to check out my featured Book of the Week – Power Girl!
Blackest Night: Superman #3
DC
Story: James Robinson
Art: Eddy Barrows w/ Allan Goldman, Ruy José w/ Eber Ferreira
The first Blackest Night supporting minis comes to an end. It ends just the way this book should, with you wanting the next chapter of the Blackest Night core book. It deal feel a little rushed, but such is the nature of 3 issue minis. Overall my favorite of the three. – Grade A
Justice League of America #38
DC
Story: James Robinson
Art: Mark Bagley and Rob Hunter
I really, really wanted this book to be a smash out of the gate for James. Cry for Justice, while steadily improving, is not the hit it should be. This book is hampered by 3 things off the bat. 1) It’s story in part plays out of the end of C4J, which hasn’t shipped yet. 2) The high expectation of the incoming team (both the creative team and the actual League). 3) The fact that we really don’t see the new team. This issue really bridges what has cone before into a 2 part story that might as well be called Blackest Night:JLA. I have enough faith in the creative team and enough interest in (most) of the new League to stick around to see them hit their stride. – Grade B
Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance #6
DC
Story: Joe Casey
Art: Crisscorss, Rob Stull, w/ Marc Deering
I love the Super Young Team! I hope DC brings back these character soon! If you missed the oddly title mini, I am sure it will be collected in a trade. I really want to see these characters interact with the core DCU cast (particularly the Teen Titans, can’t you just see Bart talking with Big Atomic Lantern?) – Grade A
The Last Resort #3
IDW
Story: Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art: Giancarlo Caracuzzo
i began picking up this series stricky on Palmiotti and Gray’s name. I am not a big fan of the Zombie genre. But I do enjoy the more clever and the funnier takes (28 days later, Shaun of the Dead) and I am enjoying DC’s zombie party (Blackest Night) so maybe I should rethink my stance on Zombies. This series and its large cast is a combination Comedy/thriller with a slow burn on the reveal. Giancarlo Caracuzzo’s use soft colors reminds me of a light filter on a camera, making for an a very cinematic experience. – Grade B+
Farscape – Gone and Back #4
Boom
Story: Rockne S. O’Bannon
Script: Keith R.A. Descandido
Art: Tommy Patterson, Nick Chley and Juan Castro
The series of miniseries from Boom Studios has been 5th Season of late great and sorely missed Farscape TV series so to speak (but surprisingly not billed as such, and Syfy WHERE ARE THE FARSCAPE WEBISODES?) This particular mini cleverly finds a way to bring back familiar faces D’Argo and Zhann while moving the story on from the events of the Peacekeeper Wars. Rockne’s involvement gives this series the stamp of authenticity many licensed comics lack. Until we get word of any new episodes or movies in the Scapeverse this is the official story. So Scapers better got on board and show some support! – Grade B+
Random Pick up of the week
Azreal #1
Story: Fabian Nicieza
Art: Ramon Bachs and John Stanisci
I’ll be honest, I only bought this book to complete the set of new Batbook launches, I had no intention of getting drawn into a new monthly. I will be back for issue 2, that is for sure. I already feel more emotionally vested in the character than I ever was in Jean-Paul Valley. (It does help if you have read the Battle for the Cowl and the recent Batman and ‘Tec Annuals. – Grade B+
Random Pick up BONUS BOOK
Brave and the Bold #28
DC
Story: J. Michael Straczynski
Art: Jesus Saiz
The Silver age Flash meets the original Blackhawks during the Battle of the Bulge! Straczynski certainly is using the full DCU catalog of characters for some interesting team-ups. How does Barry Allen get back to the 1940’s? Who cares? We get a great story about the horrors of war and the duty of men trying to do good in a bad world. JMS plays with the contrast of The Flash’s Silver Age lightness against the bleakness of the life of a solider in wartime to fine dramatic effect. Jesus Saiz, must have been given the wrong reference sheet, because Barry Allen never wore a mask with lensed hidden eyes, and his superspeed running is not as nice as his naturalistic wartime world. (Scott Kollins by far has always been my favorite at drawing speedsters) – Grade B+
Book of the Week – 10/21/09
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Power Girl #6 Writer: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti Art: Amanda Conner Publisher: DC |
Well this book has a couple things really going for it.
No not those.
This book has great writing and great art. Its fun, while action packed, and never loses it’s sense of humor. Its clever, fast, and sexy, Just like its title character.
Power Girl’s solo title has been long overdue. I always thought she was the strongest character in the old JLE/I title. She was written unevenly over the course of the title, and her rotating costume closet produced some of the most hideous looks (That horrible yellow thing? The headband?) And her origin issues – She’s Kryptonian, No she’s Atlantian, and she’s Arion the immortal’s grand daughter… and what about that pregnancy? Have we ever seen her mystical love child since?
Anyway Geoff Johns work on JSA and Infinite Crisis has “streamlined” Power Girl (if you pardon the expression)in to the lean, mean fighting machine.
I love that Power Girl is based in NY (Brooklyn, even) Gray and Palmiotti have begun to surround PG with the makings of an interesting life. She has started her own tech company, wanting to bring more good to the world than she can in her powers alone. She setting up her own life outside of JSA brownstone, getting an apartment in Brooklyn. She has even taken in a “sidekick” in Terra. (a new one, a brunette). It’s a sisterly relationship, which is interesting. We never saw PG have this kind of relationship with Stargirl, or Cyclone. I am curious to see explain her reason for it.
This issue introduces Power Girl and the world to three alien princesses who have washed ashore in NYC. Think Paris Hilton with rayguns, well maybe a little better than that. It looks like we will be seeing more of these ladies at some point.
Amanda Conner’s PeeGee is by far my favorite version of the character. Far more feminine than most artist’s, I never understood why some artists felt the need to draw her as bodybuilder. Amanda’s facial expressions are spot on, even the cat (does the cat have a name?)
If you are not reading this book, why the hell not? It’s a definitely a hit.
Big Apple Comic Con 2009
This weekend was Big Apple Comic Con, brought to you by the good folks at Wizard Entertainment.
As a life long geek, it may surprise you that this was only my 2nd Con in 14 years.
It was an interesting mix of guests (But could someone explain to me what Loretta Switt and the people from Survivor where doing there?) I think the most interesting conversation I had was with John Billingsly (Dr. Phlox from Enterprise) I found out his wife was Bonita Friedericy, Chuck’s gruff NSA superior on NBC’s Chuck. (I was there in my Nerd Herd costume) He explained, at the bigger cons, when he does panel appearences, they have an act where she heckles him from the audience. Shame she couldn’t make it out. As some of you know, I am a big Chuck fan.
The panels were actually a little weak at this con… DC didn’t even have one.
Lots of fun, mostly good folks.
The big news coming out of BACC was that next year’s con will be the same weekend as New York Comic Con. A risky choice, IMHO. NYCC is much bigger, and more established (taking place at the Javits Center) and is already booked to 60% capacity in the hall, which begs the question – who is going to be at BACC? (Not guests but vendors) I am willing to bet that some of the guests could double book, heck the venues are only about 15 blocks apart.
Below are some images from the Con Floor for you
 Jon Schnieder mosying through on a Segway |
 Good Girl or Bad Girl.... decisions, decisions |
 Best costumes at the Con |
 This was home made - took the guy over a year to build |
 1.21 Gigawatts! |
 Even Captain America is looking for Back Issues |
My Pull List – 10/14/09
As I mentioned in my Book of the Week column last week, I was amazed that I had none of my regular books coming out that week. It especially surprised me since there are currently 6 books coming out as part of Blackest Night. (The main book, two GL titles, and 3 secondary miniseries) You would think DC would schedule the books in such a way to maintain week presences on the new releases stand.
Well this week it was the opposite. I had whopping 11 titles out this week, 9 of them DC, and 2 independants.
Of course there is my BOTW - Booster Gold. Read all about it here.
And now for the rest of the week:
It was a big BAT-week with 5 Bat family titles out, 4 of which I picked up. ( I passed on Batgirl)
Batman #691
Writer: Judd Winick
Art: Mark Bagley and Rob Hunter
I am not a Winick Basher, in fact I have enjoyed a lot of his work. His run on Green Lantern was one of my favorites. Maybe it’s because we are both Wolverines… maybe its because we both big lefties… I have to admit I was kinda bumped when Harvey’s two toned Bat suit just turned out to be a drug induced illusion. Judd’s approach to writing villians always makes them a worthy foe. A hero is only as good as the bad guys he beats, and Two face here is worth foe for Dick to assert his identity as Batman. – Grade B
Red Robin #5
Writer: Chris Yost
Art: Ramon Bachs
It is still not clear to me, what happened to Tim, It is nice to see him evolve as character, and his character mission is a bold one. Find a dead man. It allows a hero to go in to some pretty dark places in the Bat-verse. Tim is getting in pretty deep too, hanging with the League of Assassins and the Demon’s Head himself Ra’s Al Ghul. (Well Ra’s doesn’t actually appear in this issue). What is the story with Lucius Fox’s daughter just flying into Baghdad, to find Tim? Why on earth would Lucius send her to a warzone? And just how casual is Tim being with his identity? – Grade B-
Blackest Night: Batman #3
Writer: Peter Tomasi
Art: Ardian Syaf and Vincent Cifuentes
This has been a nice companion to the Blackest Night story. Not quiet as good as BL:Superman, but much better BL:Titans. With Dick and Tim both facing their Black Lantern parents, emotions are running high. The addition of Deadman made this a great story. The art was sufficiently creepy enough, but BL:Superman coloring is slightly better. – Grade A-
Detective Comics Annual #11
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Art: Tom Mandrake
This was not an intended pick up – I didn’t get the Batman annual originally last week. Azrael is not my favorite character, and this was clearly the set up for his new ongoing title. But I went back and grabbed it when I saw the Question was in this one, and the art chores being done by one of my faves Tom Mandrake (loved his work on both the Spectre, and Martian Manhunter). The story still didn’t do much for me – Grade C
Green Lantern Corps #41
Writer: Peter Tomasi
Art: Patrick Gleason and others
I love the ensemble cast approach to the Corps, and nice mix of old and new characters in this book. The Corps is much more of Space Cop book now than ever, and I like it. This would be their Assault on Precient 13 issue. As part of the Blackest Night, Oa is overrun with Black Lanterns – both the Honored dead Green Lanterns, the recently executed Yellow Lanterns. All the Lanterns are faced with past failures and past friends and loved ones coming back, and its not just to say Hi. The only Lantern who, in my opinion who has been sorely underexposed is John Stewart, though I hear his story is coming soon. – Grade A
JSA vs. Kobra #5
Writer: Eric S. Trautmann
Art: Don Kramer, Neil Edwards, and Michael Babinski
I have actual enjoyed this story more than the current arc in JSA. Why is this not in the main title? The 2 page spread with the JSA airdropping has to be a villian’s worst nightmare to see. It is a fascinating recreation of Kobra as a player in the DCU. They are given a leader worthy of title of master villian. He may be the anti-Mr. Terrific. The only thing that would make this story better for me is more Checkmate. This was almost my book of the week. – Grade A
Adventure Comics #3(#506)
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Francis Manapul
Superboy and Robin – together again. Nice to see Tim and Conner finally catch up. They both have had pretty hectic years. I was hoping to see more interaction between Tim, Conner and Bart on this title, but with Geoff’s departure to write Flash and Paul Levitz coming on, and the Legion moving to the lead story probably means it will have to wait. In the Legion second feature – I loved the pairing of Polar Boy and Sun Boy. I think we may have the Blue and Gold team of the 31st century. – Grade A-
Fables #89
Writer: Bill Willingham
Art: Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha
This book has been getting darker and darker since the Fables declared war on the Homelands and the Emperor. This is continues to get dark. A great feature of what had, until now, been minor characters, with Bumpkin, the flying monkey, showing his more than you would ever expect. I don’t see this book getting “lighter” anytime soon, but that’s ok. Grade B+
NON DC TITLES
Farscape: D’Argo’s Trial 3
Writer: Keith R.A. Decandido
Art: Caleb Cleveland
Boom Studios has been exploring the Farscape universe, with stories set during, and after the series 4 year run, D’Argo’s trial is the first attempt give us a little backstory. While seeing the courtship of D’Argo and Lo’Laan and the trials they had gone through to find happiness is dramatic, I don’t know how compelling the story is to the casual fan. So far we have not seen any great unknown reveal to D’Argo’s story. This is not my favorite Farscape Mini. – Grade – C+
Doctor Who 4
Writer: Tony Lee
Artist: Matthew Dow Smith
DOCTOR WHO – ONGOING! FROM AN AMERICAN PUBLISHER! IDW picked up this license and give Doctor Who its most prominent position on comic racks in over 20 yearsNot reprints of Doctor Who Magazine Strips… (Although recent DWM strips are very good.) It is nice combination, taking bits from both the revival and the classic series (Stephan Moffet, take note, bring back the Draconians and Ice Warriors)
I like that this series goes for its own style artistically, and not just go for character likeness. – Grade A
RANDOM PICK UP OF THE WEEK
Titans #18
Writer: Bryan Q Miller
Art: Angel Unzueta and Wayne Faucher
I miss the Titans. Apparently so does Raven. I’m not sure why this book has had so much trouble. The Titans are all popular, powerful characters (4 of them on their way to the JLA, and 2 others have been Leaguers already) Its not clear to me, it seems like this a last issue. I can’t tell. – Grade C
Book of the Week – 10/14/09
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Booster Gold Writer: Dan Jurgens Art: Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund Co feature – Blue Beetle Writer: Matt Sturges Art: Mike Norton Cover: Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund Publisher: DC |
I love me some time travel. And I love my funny books when they are funny. So Booster Gold brings two of my favorite things together.
Booster Gold was always the back half of BLUE and GOLD for me, Blue Beetle was my favorite. Booster, while funny, was always more of Larry to Ted Kord’s Jack Tripper (Does that make Ice and Fire Chrissy and Janet?). He was always kinda one note, and with Beetle he was not as interesting.
I didn’t read Booster’s first solo title, which only ran 25 issues in the mid 80’s. But he appeared in many more Justice League books than he ever did in his solo titles. As a hero, his heart is always in the right place, but his motivations were often less than heroic. He had come back to the past from the 25th century, using future technology to become a hero and celebrity. He lacked a heroic purpose… now in his new title he final has found one, he has become the defender of the time stream. In the relaunch of his title out of the weekly series 52 a couple of years ago, Geoff Johns has taken Booster and given him a real mission, being Rip Hunter’s secret weapon in the war to protect history, and now back in the hands of his creator, Dan Jurgens, Booster Gold has found a real resurgence.
One of my favorite things about this title is that Booster can find himself anywhen in the DCU history, which means he could team up with just about anyone. He could go up against Per Degaton with the JSA during WWII one month, and then help the Legion in the 31st century the next, then find himself helping Bat Lash and Jonah Hex in the old West. He can be at any major DC event, giving it a new fresh look. (They have already given Booster a 0 issue tying into Zero Hour from 1994 and a 1,000,000 issue from the 1,000,000 event from 1999.)
This book’s natural co-feature is Blue Beetle. But this is not Ted Kord, it is Jamie Reyes, picking up the story from his recently canceled title. I have liked the play between the two stories in this book. (The both share a common villian, the Black Beetle, a time traveler, whose identity has not been revealed), and I love the youthful exuberance of the character, but I do miss Ted. Interestingly enough I find that Ted Kord has gotten much more respect since his death than he ever gotten since his book was canceled 20 years ago too. The art is a little more cartoony than Dan Jurgens sharp lean lines, which gives it is own distinctive look.
Booster Gold – A
Blue Beetle – A
Book of the Week 10/7/09
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DOOM PATROL #3 Writer: Keith Giffen Art: Matthew Clark and Livesay Co feature – Metal Men Writer: Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis Art: Kevin Maguire Cover: Matthew Clark Publisher: DC |
It was one of those rare weeks, where none of the books on my pull list shipped.
I know amazing, but it happens.
But there are a few series that have recently started that I am looking at and considering adding to my pull list. Batman & Robin, Magog, the JL mini Cry for Justice, and also my book of the week DOOM PATROL #3
This is the latest reboot for the team, the third or fourth in the past 5 years, and like all other things that are clicking in the DCU its the silver age team back together (with a little help from the recent “Crises” probably resetting things to current status quo).
DC had really run these guys through the ringer trying to make them fresh – First John Byrne had reintroduced them back in JLA as “new characters” meeting the DCU for the first time, but that cause all sorts of continuity issues with the Titans, Beast Boy in particular, and that team disappeared. Then an all new team appeared with Cliff Steele (a/k/a Robotman) but now the orignal team is back with all their history (apparently) intact. All our old friends are here, Rita, Cliff, Larry, Steve Traynor, and the Chief.
The team is joined by former Titan, Bumblebee. She is still only 8″ tall from the effects of Infinite Crisis and living in Barbie’s dream house. I’m sure Mal Duncan can’t be far.
This issue has the team facing off against a senscient black hole in Europe. Larry, Cliff, and Rita are in trouble and they will need some help from the Chief and Mento(Traynor) if they are going to survive. But first Steve is gong to risk revealing his betrayal of ex-wife, Rita. So it’s either save her (and the rest of the DP) and reveal what he has been doing (I’m not going to tell you) or let the team die!
I have enjoyed Matthew Clark’s work on this book a great deal. Clean dynic lines, not overrrendered at all. And the palette they have chosen is rich and life like, but still comic art.
The bonus of this book is the back up feature, the Metal Men. Brought to you by those geniuses who brought you the Justice League in the late 80’s. And also brought you “Formerly known as the Justice League” and the classic “I can’t believe it’s not the Justice League”
Keith Giffen and JM DeMatties keep the bwa ha has coming as everyone’s favorite team of Robots move to the suburbs. And Kevin Maguire still has a way with expression. You will believe a robot can feel… rediculous.
Doom Patrol gets an A, but Metal Men is an A+.
Pulllist 9/30/09
Here it is. My thoughts on the books I actually bought this week.
If you can’t tell – I am mostly a DC guy – but I do try to check out stuff from other publishers
My Book of the Week:
The Last Days of Animal Man #5 – Grade A
Gotham City Sirens #4
Writer – Paul Dini
Artist and Cover – Guillem March
Not sure where I stand on this book yet. Is it a Bat-Villian Title? Is it a Catwoman team book?
I certainly like the characters, and have always enjoyed Dini’s work. But after 4 issues, I’m still not completely clear on the mission statement of this book. But I’m entertained so far, so I will wait and see if it goes somewhere – but not too much longer – Grade B-
Batman: The Widening Gyre #2
Writer – Kevin Smith
Artists – Walter Flanagan and Art Thibert
Cover – Bill Sienkiewicz
I enjoyed Cacophony, so I checked this out. I think Kevin Smith needs to be limited to 4 issues or less. I love his writing, but if its not focused, it can go on and on… We are told – We have barely seen any of this new “partner” and we are a 1/3rd of the way through. – Grade B
Green Lantern #46
Writer – Geoff Johns
Art and cover – Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy
-Blackest Night tie in
Yeah, now this what I am talking about. Sinestro, Star Sapphire (Carol Ferris) and Hal and the mysterious Indigo-1 mixing it up with the dead and living and each other! Sinestro shows why he is so Badass that his corps is named after him, not the color light their wield. – Grade A
Jack of Fables #38
Writers – Matthew Sturges and Bill Willingham;
Art – Russ Braun and Andrew Pepoy
Cover by Brian Bolland
Jack is an interesting character, and this book plays around in a way with readers’ expectations in a way that I enjoy. It’s fun, and funny, but I am not sure where it’s going right now, out of the fall-out from the “Great Fables Crossover” – Get Jack on a mission of some sort. (hopefully one to return him to his normal self) – Grade C
Justice Society of America #31
Writers – Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Art and cover – Jesus Merino
The World’s First Superhero Team has grown very unwieldy. How many characters are in this book, already and what’s the first thing Willingham does? He adds more! This book can’t split into two title’s soon enough for me. I am anxious about what this means for the team and the title tho. – Grade C+
Justice League of America 80 page Giant
Writers – Chuck Kim, Josh Williamson, Rich Fogel and others
Art – Mahmud Asrar, Adrian Syaf and others
I’m old enough to remember the old 80 page giants, but I didn’t buy them often. I loved this book, and I’m not sure why, since nothing about was particular “above average”. Maybe that’s all I need, a good story with a bunch of my favorite characters. The sum is truly great than the total of it’s parts. – Grade B+
Blackest Night: Titans #2
Writer – J.T. Krul
Art and cover – Ed Benes and Rob Hunter
I am not sure that the glory days of the “New Titans” will ever be captured again. We grew up with the Titans, more than any other characters we as readers I think really bonded with them, they were our surrogates. So when we see them being poorly handled – As they are so often – we just wish they would leave them alone.
This BN mini does little to improve the status quo. This has been the weakest link in the Blackest Night minis so far. – Grade D
Random Pick up of the week -
Batman: The Brave and The Bold #9
Writer – Landry Walker
Art and cover – Eric Jones
I have been buying books to give to my nephew (who is turning 5 next week) so I grabbed this book based on the cartoon. If you are a fan of the cartoon (or know a kid that is) this is a solid translation to comics. It’s all about bringing in the new readers. – Grade A-
Comic of the week – 9/30/09
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The Last Days of Animal Man #5 (of 6) Writer: Gerry Conway |
With all the big name projects going on at DC right now (Blackest Night, Grant Morrison’s Batman and Robin) it might be very easy to miss this gem of a miniseries about the future of Buddy Baker (a/k/a Animal Man).
What happens to a Superhero as he gets older? That is the question explored in this tight, self-contained miniseries. Set in the near future, we get a few glimpse of what may come (A League of Titans? One of the Green Lanterns of Sector 2814 is an alien whale?) It explores the stages of grief Buddy goes through as he begins to experience the gradual loss of his powers.
With this issue Buddy reaches the 5th stage of loss, acceptance.
Animal Man has always been the Everyman of the DCU. His powers are impressive, but not awe inspiring. He has a family, kids who are fully aware of his life as Superhero. Even though he is in a happy marriage, there have been times when Buddy has not always been there for his family (His year stranded in space with Starfire and Adam Strange during “52″ clearly has had an affect on his family. His kids, now grown up, don’t need him any more. His son, now a lawyer, His daughter, in college, pre-med and an athlete, all very “Cats in the Cradle”
At this point in the story, Buddy and his long time friend and teammate Starfire have just barely escaped from a beating, Starfire has been seriously hurt, and Buddy’s connection to the morphogenic field, which is how he accesses the abilities of animals is waning. As Buddy looks back what he has been through – the denying, and anger, and bargaining and dread he finally accepts his fate. He accept that he is no longer “super”, but when his friends are in trouble, he and his family know he can not stop being a hero.
Conway’s DCU in the year 2024 is the kind of world that seems be the kind of world that we would expect the near future to be . Familiar, but brighter. The Earth still has it’s heroes, There is Green Lantern (the aforementioned whale) and a new Flash, and even a Nightwing (tho it being 15 years in the future begs the question, who it may be.) The art by Batista, Meikis and Faucher is clean but detailed. Buddy and Ellen have the lines that come with age. I suspect Ellen may have had a color touch up, Buddy has grayed a bit around the temple
]Brian Bolland’s covers show why he is the one of the best cover artists in comics today.
Oh and if anyone can tell me who the two new Titans are, the ones on either side of Red Torando on page 8, let me know in the comments below.
Come back Saturday to see what I thought about the rest of the books this week.
Focus!
Ok, this blog has tried to be too much…
I enjoy talking about my geeky proclivities, and many people share my interests and I hope they enjoy them – So that is where I am going to focus on here.
So if you like Comic Books, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Indy Music, and other Geek-tastic things, lets talk about it here.
Wednesday is New Comic Day - So Thursday will have my Comic Pick of the Week.
Saturdays will have reviews of other comics for the week.
I will update TV/MUSIC/BOOKS on Mondays for the previous week.
Coming soon -my thoughts about FAST FORWARD, SMALLVILLE, HEROES and THE BIG BANG THEORY
Is there a show you think I should be following? Leave it in the comments.
FILM reviews will happen but with no set schedule – I will try to get things up in a timely fashion after their release.
NOW… If you were following my personal exploits – the comic stylings I call a personal life - well those blogs will continue - over at my new blog GEEKY IN THE CITY
I am also blogging about my experiences pursuing writing professionally - See what’s up at The Writes Stuff
