Re: Ray's DCU Megathread 19 of Earth-OOMPH - RISE!!!
DC Universe Reviews:
Blackest Night: Superman #3 - ****
This isn't much more than a really well-done, no-holds-barred slugfest, but that's what all these Blackest Night tie-ins are supposed to be, in the end. And this one definitely delivers. The villains (Kal-L, Lois, Psycho Pirate) are effectively creepy, and all the members of the Superman supporting cast get great moments. The segment on New Krypton is a bit odd, as it seems to drop a huge development out of nowhere (sealing off New Krypton to escape from BL Zor-El, thus trapping Supergirl inside and Superman outside), but the Smallville segments are much stronger. I loved seeing Ma Kent show some real grit in her showdown with BL Lois, and Krypto showing up to save the day was great. But the real stars of the story are Clark and Conner, who go up against the combined forces of Kal-L and Psycho Pirate. Robinson does a great job with their interaction, and I was really glad to see Conner use his Tactile Telekinesis. It's been a while. They even remembered his trademark line! The use of the emotional spectrum when it comes to the Super-family was great, and overall this has been one of the stronger Blackest Night tie-ins, neck and neck with Batman.
Supergirl #46 - ****1/2
It's the conclusion to the Hunt for Reactron mini-crossover, and Rucka and Gates have done a great job with the story overall. This issue finds the Metropolis Three powerless and alone against the traitorous Reactron, who intends to kill them before they're arrested. The issue opens with a very tense segment involving the second use of Tactile Telekinesis this week, which is cool. Once the heroes are free, it becomes a massive brawl against the villain, aided by a tough-as-nails Lois who jumps into the fray to aid her adopted son. But Reactron gains the upper hand, beats Kara and Thara, and has Chris on the brink of death when suddenly - Bam! - Thara manifests the REAL Flamebird, a mystical fire-being, who easily turns the tables and defeats Reactrons. She's in full-on vengeance mode when Kara talks her out of killing him and allows him to stand trial on New Krypton. The issue ends with Kara and Thara burying the hatchet while Kara prepares to return to New Krypton - but not before warning Lana that she knows something's wrong with her. For a four-part crossover, this story did some really great work with the three lead characters. I feel like they've all advanced a lot and are deeper than they were before. And that makes this event a major success, unlike Codename Patriot.
Justice League of America #38 - **1/2
This was...a very odd issue. I don't know how I feel about it, exactly, but people tuning in for a fresh start for the League will be very disappointed. Robinson's picking up with the League as it is - that is to say, not much at all. One of the oddest parts of this issue is that it picks up after the conclusion to Cry for Justice - which isn't for three months. So we know Vixen and Plastic Man are seriously injured by Prometheus - the latter, maybe fatally - and a lot of people die. Thanks. Overall, the dialogue between the has-beens making up the JLA right now is fairly strong, but the plotting just isn't there. They stand around, talk, and then Despero out of fucking nowhere. There's a brawl, then Zatanna sends him away - to his death at Starro's hands, as we know. It's pretty clear Robinson is starting to set something up here, as we can see in the opening segment where Blue Jay meets his end at the hands of a poweful, unseen enemy who'll likely be the master villain of his run. But it's starting in an odd place, and now it segues right into a Blackest Night tie-in next issue, as the cliffhanger makes clear. There's promise here, and Bagley's art is pretty damn good, but this first issue is erratic at best. And no, people wouldn't "barely remember" Young Justice, considering that they grew up to be the four biggest names of the next generation.
The Brave and the Bold #28 - ****1/2
J. Michael Straczynski's run on this title is quickly proving to be exactly the kick in the butt it's needed since Waid left. He's drawing on unconventional pairings, obscure heroes, and unique concepts to tell some great done-in-one stories in a variety of genres. This issue focuses on Barry Allen and the Blackhawks in one of the best explorations of what it means to be a hero and a superhero I've seen in some time. Barry, when conducting an experiment in light speed with a Belgian scientist, winds up hurled back in time 65 years to the battle of the Bulge, where he winds up with a broken leg, nazis on his tail, and the Blackhawks as his only hope - assuming he can keep them from killing him! It's been a while since we saw a WW2 Blackhawks adventure, so that's very cool, but even better is the way JMS explores Barry's struggles with the nature of war and the vow he made as Flash not to take a life. He finds a creative resolution for the dilemma, with more acknowledgement of the thorny nature of the question than most writers would, and the issue as a whole shows some great respect for the WW2 generation. So JMS is easily two for two right now. Let's hope it continues.
Azrael #1 - **1/2
For a new series, it's a pretty low-key and dull start. But this issue has a slightly intriguing beat to it that makes it a little better than it would have been otherwise. The problem with the series at its core is that we have no reason to care about anyone in it. Michael Lane has not been received well as a character to now, and the Job-esque strain of tragedies that substitutes for character development has not done much to improve his appeal. He doesn't have an interesting origin story like Jean Paul Valley did, he's just some guy in a magic suit cutting people's legs off. His style of vigilante justice seems to be somewhere between Batman on a bad day and Punisher, which means he's neither here nor there. He's not a hero or a villain who thinks he's a hero. He's just a generic badass 90's hero. The more intriguing part of the book comes from an informant spilling everything about him six months into the future as the police investigate a murder. It's not until the last page that we realize that the murder...us Michael Lane's! We already know the lead character dies in six months. Intriguing, but is it enough to carry a series? I have my doubts. But at least they have their ending for cancellation.
Power Girl #6 - ***** (Book of the Week)
How did this happen? How did POWER GIRL become one of DC's best books? This is a book written by a team who's usually just north of "decent" starring a character who's not much more than a running joke/argument. But it's become one of DC's funniest, most HUMAN books. And it doesn't help that the art is freaking fantastic. As usual, the issue's awesomeness correlates with the presence of Atlee and Karen's cat. And both are present in spades in this issue. The one page where Karen and Atlee go to Ikea may be my favorite page in any comic this year. The book also does a great job of humanizing Karen. Her secret identity issues this month are both funny and realistic. It's odd, but in a way, this book reminds me a bit of a female Spider-man set in the DCU in its tone and use of secret identity. The main plot this issue, regarding the alien party girls, takes a surprising turn this month, and I'm pleased to see that even in a book where the villains aren't the main draw by any stretch, the writers are using some real creativity in resolving problems. This comic is clever, incredibly drawn, hilarious, and features one of DC's best supporting characters in Atlee. Along with REBELS, this is the sleeper to watch.
DC Universe Halloween Special 2009 - ****
It's another anthology title with most d-list writers, but much like the JLA 80-Page Giant, this one is a pleasant surprise. Most of the stories are a lot of fun, and have a lot less of a mean-spirited tone than the last few Halloween specials. It feels more like a celebration of Halloween than a collection of scary stories - although there are a few freaky endings. The framing segment, by Jake Black and Ibraim Roberson, is set on Bizarro World and is my least favorite part. But things get very good from there. Adam Schlagman and Mark Bagley tell a great Guy Gardner story as he tries to bring Halloween to the whole GLC. It's a great look into Lantern culture in the down time, with a great role by Ice. Duncan Rouleau's Creeper one-pager is worthless, and Michael Siglian and Kelley Jones' cult-themed Outsiders story is kind of boring, a surprise cameo at the end aside. But things get better from there. There's a fun old-school Batman story by Baltazar and Franco with Sergio Carrera, and Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nyguen give Damian a solo story as he goes up against a deranged dentist. Ariel Thomas and Matt Triano do an oddly somber Tim Drake story focusing on the Mexican Day of the Dead, Amy Wolfram and Pow Rodrix do a fun Ravager one-pager, and Joe Harris and Andrei Bressan send Kid Flash against the legend of Bloody Mary in a pretty tense suspense thriller. Amy Wolfram and John Boy Meyers' one-page Beast Boy gag is a lot of fun, but the last three stories are by far my favorites. Mandy McMurray and Scott Clark do an oddly dated but very entertaining Blair Witch send-up with Wonder Woman and the female Titans, Billy Tucci has a charming Superman/Flash race with a twist ending, and Josh Williamson and Peter Nyguen show us how Superman celebrates Halloween. It's a fun look at the holiday through the eyes of the heroes, and I can't wait to see what the DCU cooks up for Christmas!
Outsiders #23 - ***1/2
It's a monster-centric issue of Outsiders this month, as two of my favorite Bat-rogues take center stage. Killer Croc, still trying to get rid of Black Mask's implant, has taken refuge in the Bayou with none other than Man-Bat, who's embraced his feral side and is looking to be left alone. This Bat-rogues arc has been fun because Tomasi really knows how to make all these B-list rogues a lot more intimidating than they normally are. Clayface was still my favorite portrayal in these issues, but Man-Bat is a close second. Langstrom maintains enough intelligence to be a major threat, but Tomasi's portrayal of his feral nature is truly chilling at times. And to see both of these monstrous rogues together makes for a very entertaining read for a fan of monster movies like me. I also liked the use of Creeper, and the way Croc tried to play on his freakish nature to get Creeper to release him. The issue ends with a lead-in to the Blackest Night tie-in as Black Lantern Terra ambushes the convoy looking for her big brother. With Tomasi heading off the title in two issues, this has been a fun ride from him. Never great, but always pretty good.
Batman: Streets of Gotham #5 - ***1/2
Chris Yost does an able job filling in for Dini in the first of a two-part fill-in. The presence of Nyguen on the title makes the switch a lot more bearable, as it doesn't really feel out of sequence. The main character is Huntress this issue, who pursues Man-Bat (a popular guy this week, it seems) as he rampages through Gotham, while she muses on her different way of fighting crime compared to Batman. It mostly works because of the great way Yost and Nyguen handle the action sequences. They really capture the intensity of hurling through the air on the back of a giant Bat-creature. The other main plot this issue comes from the introduction of a young priest who came to Gotham years ago and has had his faith systematically broken down to the point where he's now going insane, and Huntress and Man-Bat find themselves in his clutches. It's a decent Bat-story that fans of the title should enjoy.
Manhunter Co-feature - ***1/2
This was probably my favorite of the co-features starring Manhunter so far. The Jane Doe storyline is thankfully over, and Kate's relaxing in California. But her vacation's about to come to an end thanks to her friend Dylan. He gives a recap to a random guy in a bar of his past with the criminals of Gotham...just in time to reveal that he's back working for the murderous Two-Face, who leaves a bloody calling card for Kate. This storyline feels a lot more important and dramatic than the last one, so I look forward to seeing it unfold.
Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance #6 - ***
Okay, Mr. Mind? Really? He's the villain of the whole thing? He's in Rising Sun's head? See, this is actually kind of a cool concept! If only we didn't wait till issue six to reveal this, and waste the first five issues on some of the most inane storytelling I've ever read! If only we didn't wait until issue six to give the characters some development! What a missed opportunity. This issue's final showdown, and the ensuing developments for the lead characters, are actually a bit of fun. There's some real life here, and Mr. Mind is always an entertaining villain. But it took way too long to get here, and the first five issues were awful. Biggest missed opportunity of the Aftermath minis.
Vigilante #11 - ***
And speaking of taking too long to get going, this is another series that didn't start being interesting until it was way too late. After last issue's entertaining Batman team-up, this issue sets the story from the perspective of a young man who's fiancee was killed by Vigilante in a hail of gunfire, who's devoted his life to tracking him down. It's a pretty intense story, with a lead character who you want to follow, but it feels like it's a bit out of nowhere and we're not going to get anything satisfying out of it in the end. A shame - if Wolfman brought these last two issues to the game earlier, there might have been something there.
Bonus Reviews:
Superman/Batman #65 - ***1/2
The second Halloween special of the week, this tale by Peter Johnson and Matt Cherniss of Powerless fame is a pretty strong look into what the worst fears of Superman, Batman, Luthor, and Joker are. There's three artists on the issue - Brian Stelfreeze, Brian Haberlin, and Kelley Jones. Superman's segment is kind of basic - he fears not being able to save those he loves. Joker has a hilarious segment where he's nothing more than a clown in a circus no matter how much he tries to horrify people. Luthor's segment is pretty funny too, as he finds himself a disrespected office drone. Batman's segment is genuinely disturbing, as his ideal world is torn away from him in brutal fashion - all courtesy of Scarecrow, the villain behind this Halloween plot. I'm glad to see him making a comeback as of late, and this was one of the better Superman/Batman issues in a while.
Tiny Titans #21 - ***1/2
More Pet Club! In fact, it's an all-Pet Club issue! Starfire and Blackfire get their pets from Tamaran, Silky and Poopu, and even Cyborg brings along his pet robots. And did I mention that Beast Boy has adopted the cow from Battle for the Cow? The kids need a bigger place for their meeting, but no one will let them hold it there because there's too many pets. So they wind up on the moon. Where Beast Boy flirts with Terra again. Another fun, silly issue from the best kids' book on the stands.
Batman: Unseen #2 - ***
This Batman vs. the Invisible Man story is a pretty entertaining suspense thriller, but after last issue's intriguing grotesquerie, there's really nothing to make it stand out. Batman fighting a villain he can't see will be fun, but we've seen things like this before. It seems more like a way to introduce a new rogue. Maybe if he catches on, he'll make a return fixture. But as it is, this mini is really only for completists.
Batman: Confidential #35 - ***
It's the conclusion of "The Bat and the Bear" as the Bear switches sides and helps Batman save the police chief's family, leading to an emotional showdown as the Bear is torn between his conscience and the only father he's known. This story was, overall, far too slow, but it wrapped up in satisfying fashion. There were some fun characters here, and the idea of Batman abroad is always intriguing. If it had been one part shorter, it would have been a lot better.
Re: Ray's DCU Megathread 19 of Earth-OOMPH - RISE!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by GrandMaster Funk
Interesting. I could definitely see them all following Jason.
I'm buying everyone in that team except for Cassie and Todd.
After Cassie's experiences with her father, and after being brainwashed by Deathstroke into leading the League of Assassins she only wants to retire and try to live a peaceful life, away from having to be someone's weapong. She chose to be Batgirl because she didn't want to kill again, so it's very unlikely that she would follow Jason, since he has no compunctions about killing if he feels its necessary.
And Todd has been in the sketchy side of life before and he's done things he regrets but he is not a killer. He's had the urge to do it and the opportunity, but he has never let himself go, or at least I don't remember if he ever did. Also, I think he has come to love and respect his father too much to ever dissapoint him by killing criminals.
The rest of the crew I'm OK with, except for Lena Luthor, only because her continuity is so complex and convoluted that I'm not sure if she's really a viable character at all. But even after saying that, I still think she's a cool pick.
and 
DCU Megathread Justice League
Illuminati
Linear Mode
