Last Week In Comics: The Science of Super-Heroics
SpaceBooger’s weekly review of last weeks comics is back giving a fresh take on 5-day-old comics:
Superman and Batman running moonshine during prohibition?
No, they were just trespassing in a government warehouse of kryptonite weapons.
Batman #675 was a trip back to 1994 with exagerated anatomy and millions of little lines on every male face. Chris at the ISB said it best: “it starts to read like a very well-colored issue of X-Force.” I myself did not mind the art that much, but after hearing rumors that the Batman R.I.P. storyline would involve Bruce Wayne choosing love over playing Dark Knight, the revelation of Batman’s secret identity and seriousness of the relationship between him and Jezebel Jet seems quite forced.
On a side note: I like the interaction and teamwork shown by Morrison during the Nightwing and Robin scenes… It makes me wonder about who will become the next Batman since these two former Robins work together so well as a team reminiscent of the original Dynamic Duo.
Ahh a main and stable cast! Lets sing: “We are family! I’ve got all my sisters with me…”
Ok, I’ll stop and move on to the review now.
Birds of Prey #117 is starting to have that family feeling again that made it so enjoyable in the past. Since the inception of this book it has always been part of the “Bat-Family” of books, focusing on many of the females in the Gotham. Since Black Canary left to wed Green Arrow the family dynamic has not been that strong with a rotating cast of female characters. Now with the full inclusion of Misfit, who I have to admit has grown on me, the family dynamic made this issue one of the best of last week.
Oh, and how could I not mention the awesomely stereotypical nerd from Birds of Prey 117 who wears glasses so thick they magnify his eyeballs!
Jimmy your relationship is not the only thing heading to the dumpster!
Countdown to Final Crisis #1 is finally over. One year later and about $160 spent the build up is over… or is it. 52 was awesome and set a high standard for Countdown. I think DC planned for Countdown to be a let down so that the upcoming Final Crisis will look awesome compared to it. Yeah… I have nothing else to say about it…
Superman still refuses to remove his Metal Gear Solid Ninja costume.
Superman Batman #47 continues the Kryptonite Crusade to rid the planet of Superman’s only weakness. This issue is a little “Men in Black” and a little “The Untouchables” with an underground government facility built to house weapons to take down Superman facading as a small town diner. This arc started out strong, and I don’t know if its just me or the story, but it seems to be dragging on too long. I am afraid that this is one of those stories that will be better read in on sitting as a trade, which if that is the case then release it as a trade from the start…
Ok, back to issue 47…
In this issue we see that the government is afraid that one day Superman will go nuts and take over the world, so they created a task force to take him out just in case that ever happens. This story works and was awesome when I saw it the first time on the animate Justice League Unlimited. Anyway even if it seems to be dragging, I am still enjoying it and wonder exactly what the origin of the Kryptonite Doomsday is.
and…
THE BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK:
Justice League of America #20
Justice League of America #20 featured a solo Wally West story with a supporting cast of Wonder Woman and Black Lightning. I used to love the thought balloons in early comics when they shed insight on the character and not the storyline. Thought balloons were great to show what a character was really like, but many times were misused as a story telling devise. This issue of Justice League of America Dwayne McDuffie does a great job of using the narration boxes to build the character of the Flash. We get to see the reasons behind his actions, not to tell us what his actions are or will be. My favorite part of the whole issue was when Wally was reminiscing of the humorous story behind the science of putting out a fire. Its little touches like that along with the prescience of Superman and Batman thorough the dialog that makes Justice League of America #20 and it’s phenomenal character portrayals the BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK.
Last Week In Comics: Beetle Mania
SpaceBooger’s weekly review of last weeks comics is back giving a fresh take on 5-day-old comics:
Two weeks ago I went on about how Booster Gold was one of the best monthly comics around, and it is one of the best around. The other in that same category is the Blue Beetle. If you read this column (which is posted every Monday) you will know that Jaime Reyes is one of the best new characters in ages. Blue Beetle 24 is the BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK and it tells a tale of one teenager and his phenomical supporting cast trying to dismantle an alien armada that plans to take over the Earth. Yeah, I know standard comic book stuff, but what makes Blue Beetle so great is the dialog, the personality of the main character, and the distinct personality of his supporting cast.
At the end of issue 23 the Reach (the crazy aliens hellbent on taking over the Earth) removed their alien technology from Jaime that gave him the sweet powers for the previous 22 issues. In this issue we see the power of the human will from Jaime who has planned to be all kamikaze like and take out the Reach’s mothership from the inside.
This image alone shows why Blue Beetle 24 was the
BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK!
High-five from Batman. Thats about the only thing that I enjoyed from Batman 674. I think that Grant Morrison is a great writer but these last two hallucination filled issues really confused me. As far as I can tell someone was manipulating Gotham Police Officers bodies so that when Batman finally dies someone could take his place. I think thats the plot… but I am not sure… and right now I don’t care because I can read Blue Beetle instead.
JLA Classified 53 showed Aquaman blasting a self proclaimed god in the face… I got my three dollars worth right there. The story… well I keep making the flashback to a flashback reference and I will do it one more time by saying this is the longest flashback in a flashback series ever. I love Roger Stern’s work but this it taking too long… especially for a flashback in a flashback series.
Legion of Super-Heroes 39 had everything I expected from a superhero team book.
- Team dynamic - Check
- Individual Characterization - Check
- Overlaying Continuing Story with a Mystery - Check
- Closure for the individual issue - Check
With Jim Shooter back I am enjoying “relearning” his take on the characters he used to write.
Did I mention that I am a fan of Blue Beetle? Did I mention that his solo book is the best monthly book… until the next issue Booster Gold comes out. In Teen Titans 56 Blue Beetle again makes an apperance. I call it an apearance because I am not quite sure that he is on the team, I think he is just around to tick off Kid Devil. Speaking of Kid Devil this issue focuses on him annoying every other Titan. This issue, and the last couple, seem to be back on track of what I expect for the Teen Titans, but… Terror Titans! I am sick of all these Bizzaro Titan teams.
Quick Mentions
Action Comics 862: Many of today’s comics seem to be written in chapter type arcs that will work great in the trade but suck royally as individual issues. This Action Comics and Legion of Super-Heroes run is an example of a great modern comic. Each individual issue is a great chapter in the larger story, yet each issue has its own smaller story with closure. This issue we learn a couple of important facts mixed in with some action that gives this issue a solid start and end. I am looking forward to seeing what the next “chapter” brings.
All Star Batman & Robin 9: I really don’t want to talk about it since everyone else on the internet has either proposed marriage or condemned it to hell already. I will say that I do take this series for what it is and because of that the whole yellow scenes and the banter between the two “heroes” was great. But as a Batman fan Frank Miller does not want me to be comfortable. So in this issue we see Robin heartlessly almost kill a man… and then everyone cries.
Countdown 9: I am glad to see that everything is coming together and making sense… but it’s moving too fast. The series had a different, and better, pace in the middle. I miss that pace. There is too much going on with too little explanation or character development in issue 9.
52 The Crime Bible 5: What a great ending. If you have trudged your way though this miniseries the ending was satisfying. Thats all I have to say is satisfying. Being a huge fan of the O’Neil run on the Question I am quite satisfied with the way this ended… I didn’t see that coming.
Last Week In Comics: Full of Bat-Stuff
SpaceBooger’s weekly review of last weeks comics is back giving a fresh take on 5-day-old comics:
How can I resist a Monty Python reference… or the fact that the dino is easily seen in every Bat-Cave shot.
Superman & Batman 46 was the BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK!Last month we saw Aquaman stand up to both Batman and Superman laying a little “Eco-Guilt” on both heroes, mainly the Man of Steel. Apparently Aquaman’s guilt trip only lasted as long as his monthly series because Bats and Supes are once again ridding the world of Kryptonite. This month’s quest puts Superman in contact with what Red Arrow calls “Magic-K.” What is magic K you ask, well it seems to be the equivalent to marijuana to Kryptonians. Superman Batman #46 is the JLU meets Half Baked, with a little Monty Python and the Holy Grail to make it easily the best comic of last week.
Batman Confidential 13 Scooby-Doo mask wearing Batman gave me happy flashbacks of the Jim Arpo days, which is appropriate since this series takes place during the Disco Nightwing days.
I always wondered how Batman’s ears fit under those masks?
Birds of Prey 115 put me through the same trite arguments I hear from my middle schoolers everyday. The plot between Misfit and Black Alice does nothing for me and seems to be moving too slow to be going anywhere either.
Robin 171 marks the return of the “Red Bird.” I find it awesome that Chuck Dixon is back and all of a sudden so is the Red Bird. Dixon can write a good story but the Spoiler stuff seems forced, but I like the detective work and am glad that Dixon is continuing the detective aspect of the book from before his return.
Quick Reviews
Amazing Spider-Man 551: This issue gets my “Meh” award for the week. The dialog is great as is the humor, but the story is so-so. I would highly suggest reading this issue and continuing the series because since Brand New Day began each issue ties together smoothly without the “wait for the trade” feel.
Batman and the Outsiders 4: Lets bring in a new character to the team to fight another member of the team - twice. Yeah, thats about it other than a reprogrammed “good” OMAC named “REMAC” that can shape shift in the same visual manner as Mystique from the X-Men movies.
Catwoman 76: A great read, a fun read with Selina having Superman type powers on an alternate Earth. Like I said fun, but I see no real point to the issue.
Countdown 10: This was so bad that I… purchased and read it anyway. I am so invested in this series and yet it has so let me down recently. I have been complaining for the rushed story the last couple of weeks. I feel that the rushing of the story is ruining characterizations that were formed at the beginning, now the art is joining in. The art for this issue was horrible… no witty criticisms, it was that bad.
Justice League of America 18: Slow and action packed… This story could have been done in one issue instead of being broken into three parts (the third part coming next month) instead we get what could be the middle of a great story with a better back-up. Yes the Red Tornado story is far better than the extended version of Sanctuary.
Superman Confidential 12: Yeah, this one is not doing it for me. Both Confidential books are hit or miss with me so I will not be picking up the rest of this Toy Man story. I’ll try again next arc.
Last Week In Comics: The Bwa Ha Ha is Back!
Booster Gold #0 is the BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK! (out of the issues that I bought.)
Every month I rant and rave about some comic being one of the best comics DC puts out on a monthly basis… OK, I may say that about too many comics, but Booster Gold is one of those comics that I consistently make that claim for and it deserves the praise. One of the first comic books that I ever recived that was not one of the main stream big names, i.e. Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, X-Men, etc.., was Blue Beetle 19 and since then I read most of everything that Ted Kord starred in. Take the fact that Booster Gold now has one of my favorite comic characters in it’s supporting cast, plus the fact that it is one of the best book DC is currently publishing, AND add in that this issue ties directly into the first every DCU wide crossover I ever read - Zero Hour; it is easy to see why this comic easily wins Best Comic of last week.
The humor is strong, the art is strong, and the storytelling is superhumanly strong… Booster Gold, and a couple other books, is easily “the best comics that DC puts out on a monthly basis- period!”
Countdown 11, like last week’s issue, is quickly bringing all storylines together for the grand finale. I like the end result but it seems too rushed and the last couple weeks have been harder to follow, at least Harley’s dialog makes the issue fun.
Last month Gotham Underground received the honor of being the best for one week, this week’s Gotham Underground 5 would have easily won if Booster Gold 0 was published along with the original Zero Hour in 1994.
Gotham Underground #5 was awesome, and to prove it let me share what I told the inker Jack Purcell:
Just read Gotham Underground #5 - WOW!
The art was phenomenal and the story even better.
My first opinion of this miniseries was that it was a slugfest…. but it is much more deep than that.
The best part is how it ties into all the major storylines seamlessly (Countdown, Salvation Run, Crime Bible, and the Bat Books.)
Wow! the puzzle pieces when Johnny was tossed out the window was spectacular, just as the missing pieces to hide identities… Wow!
Great job inking this one, it has to be one of the most original issues I ever read!
Tiny Titans #1 was cute and even though the above joke has been used during the Wolfman & Perez run it still makes me laugh. I will be saving all of the Tiny Titan issues I can for when I have tiny ones of my own.
Quick Reviews
Amazing Spider-Man #550: I forgot to scan this issue in because I read it first on Wednesday and forgot all about it. The same can be said about this issue’s story. We see the Menace, see that Spidey is hunted down to Register (twice), and that not only does he not have any money for web-fluid apparently he has no extra costumes either.
Green Arrow & Black Canary #5: I quite enjoyed this issue. Many say the last two issues have been boring and all Ollie does is mope about being a bad father to Connor. OK, so we all know that Ollie was not the perfect father and I think since it is not just being assumed and played out in these issues it is making the characters and storyline stronger.
Green Lantern Corps #21: I have this issue, but I have not read it yet… I scanned the cover, so I figured that I should say something… “Look its about one of those freaky Alpha Lanterns.
JLA Classified #52: I liked the first issue of this storyline it peaked my interest,the second issue was OK since it was a flashback to a flashback story, but this one is almost exactly the same as the first. The kicker was that the JLA is getting pummeled for almost the whole issue and one panel turns the tide…
Salvation Run #4: This is turning into one of those minseries that you are not that interested in but since you started it you have to stick it out. If there wasn’t a “4 of 7″ printed on the cover I would not have purchased it. It is always good to see the Joker kill for his personal humor, but we already saw that in Gotham Underground this week. If not for the fight on the cover being played out this comic would have been a complete waste.
Superman #673: Thank goodness that storyline is over… the only good thing about the Insect Queen story was that Chris blew up Lois and Clark’s apartment.
High Hopes in ‘08 for a Crisis Critic
Instead of doing my graduate work I was browsing over at Newsaram this morning and read three articles with Dan Didio regarding DC Comics in 2008. (one, two, three)
Before I share my opinion and speculation of DC Comics in 2008, let me share my opinion on the recent “big projects” of the DCU.
Infinite Crisis was met with mixed reviews, while I am not a big fan of giant crossovers I do enjoy reading them. The problem with company wide crossovers is that many times it breaks up the flow of the company’s regular issues. Infinite Crisis did not interfere with the the regulart titles too much, meaning that you had to read Infintie Crisis to understand what was going on in Superman’s regular title, or vice versa. After Infinite Crisis I was a big fan of the One Year Later (OYL) concept. One Year Later gave the writers a fresh start with continuity without giving up continuity. Some OYL titles were a huge improvement/success such as the Superman and Nightwing along with the great new characters and series such as the new Atom and Blue Beetle.
While the new series that came out of Infinite Crisis were very good the best byproduct was DC’s weekly series appropriately titled “52.” 52 proved to me that a comic publisher can have a huge universe wide event that did not interfere (for the most part) with the monthly titles. The success of 52 led DC to being a new weekly series almost immediately after its end, the Countdown to Final Crisis was not received as strong as its predecessor.
Countdown to Final Crisis is a comic that I have enjoyed, but I can easily say that it is not on par with 52’s writing, art, and appeal. Where Countdown went wrong was not the writing, art, or even appeal instead it was the fact that unlike 52 it directly tied into many of the regular ongoing monthly books. The direct tie broke the flow of the normal monthly books sometimes causing a story that seemed forced and out of place.
Looking into 2008’s future…
It seemes inevitable that DC will begin a new weekly sereies, and it has been reported that Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley will be helming the project. Possibly learning from DC’s sucess with 52 and the mistake of Countdown Dan Didio confirmed that the new weekly book, titled “Trinity”, will not be a direct link to the monthly titles but instead a stand alone book.
Didio also discussed another book, DC Universe #0, and dropped hints of what to expect from Final Crisis. DC Universe is a bridge that will take readers from Countdown and the monthly comics directly into the event that is Final Crisis. DC Universe, according to Didio, will not just connect Countdown to Final Crisis it will also lay hints to where the montly books will take readers. 
It has been rumored that Batman will die, some even thought he would become a God, Braniac and the Legion of Super-Heroes will play a larger role in the DCU. I have to say that even if I am against a company wide crossover, I seem to be magnetically drawn to them no matter how horrid I think they are, i.e. Civil War.
I know that I will be purchasing, reading, and ranting about Final Crisis, yet I do not think they will be too negative. I have renewed faith based off what has happened, and seems to be still happening, with the Superman and the Justice League’s Legion of Super-Heroes storyline. It seems that DC has learned to write great individual stories and arcs for monthly books that tie into the larger picture.
Didio and DC bring on the Final Crisis I am looking forward to it with high hopes, I am tired of being a Crisis Critic.
Last Week In Comics: Killed Dead!
In Countdown 13 the storyline pauses to watch Superman-Prime battle Monarch destroying most of the armies (Monitors, Donna’s Bugs, and Monarch’s army) who were at war on Earth-51. This issue basically shows that the last couple weeks have been worthless since Monarch’s war is now abruptly over and Darkseid looks as if to take over as the series’ resident bad dude.
In Green Lantern 27 a Sinestro Corps ring seeks out the Scarecrow to help instill great fear throughout the galaxy. Did Sinestro want the Green Lanterns to win the war so bad that he never recruited the one person in the DC Universe who’s “power” is instilling fear into cities at a time…
Action Comics 861 and its Legion story has been enjoyable but I have been wondering where it was going since it started. The concept of the future hating aliens and hunting down the Legion makes a great story, but it seemed lost without the big picture. I felt the same with the Justice League of America “Lightning Saga” story as well. Action 861 has this little scene where we find that all is connected instantly making me excited to see where this story is now going. Best Comic of Last Week!
Quick Reviews
Batman #673: OK, Grant Morrison can write a hell of a story and Tony Daniel is quickly becoming the best bat-artist since Norm Brefogle (sorry Jim Lee fans…) but the wait between issues about the impostor Batman’s running around Gotham is now boring me. If I didn’t have to wait for two other storylines to begin an conclude in the middle of this story I may have enjoyed this for more than the art.
Black Adam #6: Good issue, but not an ending. I know that this whole story takes place before Black Adam gives his power to Mary Marvel, but the ending is weak. Since this miniseries began I have enjoyed Black Adam’s quest to revive his deceased wife. I even liked the fact that the chances to bring his wife to life would be compromised until he found the new magic word to transform into Black Adam. In this last issue we learn the new magic word and Black Adam thinks that he failed to bring back Isis… the end.
Captain America #34: This issue was what I expected and you probably have read too much about Bucky a.k.a. the Winter Soldier, a.k.a. the new Captain America, but I have one thing to say. Since seeing Alex Ross’ concept art I have dubbed this new Cap: Castrated America for fear that the pointy metal breastplate could be dangerous when bending down. In this issue we see Cap putting on his uniform and instead of metal, the breastplate is a shiny metallic looking cloth worn over a black jumpsuit.
Countdown to Adventure #6: Not quite as good as Mystery in Space was last year, but a good sci-fi romp. I am and have been a fan of Adam Strange, and in this issue I am finally feeling like this is what I expect from an Adam Strange space story. Also the panel where Buddy is almost dissected by the healers is classic.
Last Week In Comics: God takes out the Justice League
Teen Titans Lost Annual #1 read like a classic Teen Titans comic with the “new car” scent.
Many throwback, or retro, issues seemed forced, but this issue read like an old comic purchased from Ebay instead of the new release rack.
After 3 hours issues with villains stranded in a strange place, Salvation Run finally makes a Gilligan’s Island joke.
I always pictured God (any religion’s god) to look different than the one in JLA Classified 50.
If this is God, I pity those who do not fear the devil.
Quick Reviews
Countdown 16: After an explanatory issue and betrayal of our favorite Monitor, Bob, this issue seems to fall short on story. Jimmy’s powers are reviled as a link to the New Gods who have recently passed, and Jason Todd confronts a Batman who thinks like him… a.k.a. this Batman kills.
Green Arrow and Black Canary 4: In the last issue Connor was shot while the cast was escaping Paradise Island. This month’s issue begins where the last left off. It is a real emotional issue that is well written and even better drawn. Ollie shows his emotional side while the resulting reaction of every character in this book is perfect.
Green Lantern Corps 20: Laughing and a “Bwah Ha Ha” showing a real chemistry between Guy and Kyle. Kyle and Guy decide to move permanently to Oa, leaving Earth under Hal and John’s care. Mongul learns how the Sinestro Corps ring works while the Guardians talk.
Nightwing 140: I was confused, and still am, in regards to the beginning of this book. In the first couple of pages Batman tells Nightwing that he is to make the cave his base of operations, yet in the next scene Dick is back in New York.
That confusing stuff aside, Nightwing begins to study and learn New York inside and out so he can be effective in fighting the good fight. Along the way he stops a grave robbery and gets carried by what looked like the zombie corpse of the original Captain Boomerang. Needless to say good stuff.Superman 672: Bah… The bug that kidnapped Lana last issue is laying millions of eggs on the moon waiting to take over the Earth. The only good part of this issue was the interaction between Chris and Lois. Over the past couple issues I have become quite fond of Chris. He is kind of like Krypto in the fact that the idea seems silly at first but in the hands of a good writer it works.
The Amazing Spider-Man 546: I already wrote about this issue, you can read it here.
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