This afternoon my 90 year old grandfather was rushed to the emergency room. I spent the evening there with him as we found out that he has a hernia. I will be spending time with him tomorrow after his surgery too.
This is why the webcomic was not updated today if I have time to scan it in I’ll post it tomorrow… if not you all will just have to wait until my grandpa is out of the hospital and I have time to post again.


Amazing Spider-Man #568
The last time Spidey donned his black costume Aunt May had just been shot and it looked as if she would not survive without some type of “divine” intervention.
The last time Spidey donned his black costume he was on an angry rampage and ready to do the “unheroic” thing and kill the Kingpin of Crime.
The last time Spidey donned his black costume it was the start of One More Day.
Good thing Spidey didn’t really wear the black costume in this issue even though it was on the cover, because another deal with the devil may have been made and piss of a lot of fanboys.
Apart from the fact that the image on the cover never happens in the issue, this was a real solid issue… in fact it was a great issue.
What seemed to look like a slow start by allowing any new readers to play catchup was a brilliant stroke to put every little detail together since this Brand New Day began. Peter’s rise and fall at the DB was addressed, the motivation behind the political race that has been featured recently, along with the connections between those two. The new rouges gallery of Brand New Day was also addressed along with the return of my favorite Venom - Eddie Brock.
What may be Spidey’s next big event started off perfectly and I look forward to next week’s (this week’s) issue.

Batgirl #2
I really should learn not to read forums with people’s opinion on comics I have yet to review. After reading the bashing of this series I feel as if I am the only one who is OK with how Cassandra Cain is being handled in this series.
Before you disregard my opinions and review because I don’t mind this series give me a chance to explain because I also have a valid reason on why I was also OK with Cassandra turning evil in Robin One Year Later.
Lets take Cassandra Cain as a character and look at what she has been though:
Lets begin with the “turning evil by being drugged” factor that everyone begins to complain about, it makes sense to me. Isn’t it a fact that those who are not secure and confident with who they are are more susceptible to drugs? Well Cassandra Cain was not secure with who she was when Slade drugged her. She was trained since birth to be an assassin, a cold blooded killer, who was changing her ways to not kill. She was also struggling with the fact that her fighting ability, what she was the best at, took a huge hit when she learned to talk. These two factors along helps to make the drugging by Deathstroke make sense.
Finally now that that is done, lets talk about this issue. Cassandra Cain is/was an assassin way before she ever was a hero, so for her to want to kill the her father and Deathstroke makes sense to me. One of the best parts about this issue, and the most complained about, is how Cassandra keeps reminding her sister, who was also breed as an assassin, not to kill. This interaction with her sister is perfect and clearly shows Cassie’s personal struggle with the fact that she wants to kill but she knows killing is not the heroic thing to do… or maybe she wants to keep her sister from killing so that she herself can have the honor of taking out Cain and Deathstroke.
Lastly, I have to give props to my friend Jack Purcell who inked this issue - Keep up the good work and don’t forget to put you signature on my copy of Gotham Underground when it comes out!

Birds of Prey #121
I wonder if the following went through Tony Bedard’s mind when he was assinged to write Birds of Prey:
“With Oracle being the hero of cyberspace, who would make an appropriate villain for my story? Speaking of stories, the ending of the Soprano’s sucked, if I were writing that show I would… wait a minute, I have an idea.”
It seems like cyberspace has it’s own little mafia going on. While part of me who digs corny stuff like that may think that it’s a cool idea, but it’s too corny to be believable… even for a comic book.
If you take about the corniness of the cyber-family and keep everything else, especially the part about Misfit at school and even the Joker, this is a really good comic.

Final Crisis - Legion Of 3 Worlds #1
One of my best accomplishments on ebay was scoring a huge almost complete 200+ run of Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes (latter just Legion of Super-Heroes) from the late70s/early80s. The only other Legion of Super-Heroes book I have read is the current one on the stands. Needless to say that I do know know what happened with the Legion in the 80’s and 90’s.
Final Crisis - Legion of 3 Worlds starts off with a familiar version of the LOSH - the Legion who were just featured in Action Comics. This story picks up imediately after the events featured in Action Comics. What first feels like a sequel of the Action Comics arc, quickly shifts gears. As the LOSH is trying to undo the chaos created by Earthman and his Justice League DC Comic’s favorite super powered emo crying kid shows up.
Superboy-Prime is transported by the Time Trapper to the future where he learns that his villainy is not worthy of mention in the Superman museum. Feeling left out and “not good enough” he sets his sights on revenge. He plots to take out everyone, meaning the LOSH, who ever was inspired by Superman. Superboy-Prime releases all of the Legion’s archenemies from prison and creates a new Legion of Super-Villains and the Legion’s plans for retaliation is to unite all three of the incarnations (pre crisis, post crisis, and current) Legions of Super-Heroes.
What a great concept. With George Perez’s awesome art the scope of this epic battle will span all 52 of DC’s universes. There is still one question I need answered: I know that the legal battle over the Superboy name is over, but how did Superman-Prime become Superboy-Prime again?

Rann-Thanagar Holy War #4
I remember a time when a backward thinking creature with the power of Superman would be considered a real threat, now Bizzaro is only good for comic relief. According to this series if you feed him and allow him to watch cartoons Bizzaro will take out any alien menace that attempts to interfere.
The first issue of this miniseries was the best comic of that week because of the promise of an epic space opera. The series was off to a good start, but now it has lost most of it’s appeal to me.
I am a huge Adam Strange fan, the design of this site is based off of one of his old Mysteries in Space issues. I have watched Adam go to through hell and back during “Planet Heist,” and his reaction to the destruction of Throneworld was heartbreaking but I still am not feeling this book anymore.
I can’t put my finger on the reason I am not digging this story as much as I did, but I do think that there are too many characters featured in this comic that none truly get to shine. This book is what my father would call “a jack of all trades, master of none”

Robin #177
During Beechen’s run on this title I said that Tim was acting more like the Batman than Bruce was. With Batman going crazy in R.I.P. it’s nice to see Fabian Nicieza bringing back Tim to how he was in Beechen’s run. The Batman I grew up with (late 70s early 80s) used his detective skills and scare tactics to accomplish his goals, and in this issue that is the angle Tim is using as Robin. I like to see Tim as a “thinking” Robin instead of an acrobatic or martial art character.
Robin has a great supporting cast. Bruce has the Bat-Family, which includes Tim, but featured prominently in this series is: Robin, Spoiler, Officer Harper, the Penguin, Jason Todd, and Red Robin.
This story has plenty of intrigue such as who side is Spoiler really on? Will Tim have to take down then take over as Batman? And the big question featured on the cover is “Who is Red Robin?”
I have to say that I have yet to guess who Red Robin is, but I did notice that he was very patient… With many on the net speculating that Red Robin is Jean Paul Valley being patient was something he was not… I have no clue, other than Dick Grayson from another Earth - we have the Superman form Kingdom Come in JSA maybe this is that Red Robin.
If you are not reading this series, I can not recommend it highly enough because seeing Tim “get smarter. Think faster. And make some harder choices.” will be worth it.

Superman Batman #51
I have no idea what to write as a review…
… the picture at the top of this post explains this comic the best.
This story stems from the last arc where the stars of the book are working to rid the planet of all Kryptonite. During their adventures Superman comes into contact with some magic-k which sends Supes into a psychedelic trip where he is seeing mini versions of everyone in the room.
Mr. Mxyzptlk watched Superman’s “trip” this from the 5th dimension and finds it hysterical, so he decides for entertainment purposes to create more of these mini heroes and insert them on Earth.
Its a silly concept, but one entertaining read.

The “one-shot” issue seems to be a lost art form in today’s comics. Any comic that is contained to a single issue is always in the running for the BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK. Any comic that is contained to a single issue and has the staring character’s personalities/dialog spot on will almost always make it the BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK. Any comic that is contained to a single issue, has perfectly portrayed characters, and features two of my favorites in the DCU is definitely THE BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK.
The Brave and the Bold is not one of the comic that is on my pull list that gets purchased every month, instead it is one I flip through before deciding whether to purchase or not. This issue features Superman and Catwoman teaming up. Superman is in perfect form acting as “the boyscout” and Selina walks that line between good and evil as only Catwoman can. The dialog between these two is clutch and this is definitely a book that should be read by all.



Friday Night Fights: Ladies Night Round 4
Fists flying and connecting hard!
Adventure Comics #242
Steve Skeats - Writer
Ton De Zuniga - Pencils

Every Thursday I like to take a walk down memory lane and review, relive, or relearn about comics, music, and/or games from the past. With the creation of my own retro gaming arcade cabinet complete with M.A.M.E. (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) to my recent addiction to the Wii’s Virtual Console it can easily be said that I am addicted to retro gaming.
Last week I stumbled on some pictures from the 2008 “I Am 8-Bit” art exhibit in Hollywood California. The show focuses on video game characters and scenes from 1980’s video games that are reinterpreted by artists in a variety of mediums. I have chose a few images from the show to share for this week’s throwback post:

Bowser (Boss Level from Super Mario Brothers)

Movie Mock-Up Poster for Elevator Action

Jason Frudnick, Fred (the frog), and SOFIA from Blaster Master

A realistic portrayal of Punch-Out!! in the real world
Check out full image galleries over at Joystiq and the Destructoid website. Also, if you are in need of a good conversation piece for your coffee table all of the images from the first I Am 8-Bit show in 2004 has been collected in a book titled “i am 8-bit: Art Inspired by Classic Videogames of the ’80s.”
You should also brows over to the I Am 8-Bit website to stay updated on future shows and read the Wikipedia entry to learn more about the show’s history.
Info and Images from:
Oh the places I can go with this new story arc… the Nintendo Entertainment System’s vast library is now fair game.
Come on, haven’t you ever imagined yourself in a video game? As a kid I would run around pretending to be Pitfall Harry in my back yard jumping over imaginary alligators and swinging on my swing set like it was a vine. Good times!
So, what games did your imagaine yourself in, or what games would be cool to be trapped in? (this means you should leave a comment)

Last week provided a great batch of comics to read at all hours of the night while the baby still has his days and nights mixed up. Last week there were solid introductions and many explanations of storylines making choosing just one comic as the best quite challenging.

Action Comics #868
Two issues ago Braniac was searching for Superman. Last issue Superman was searching for Braniac. This week the reasons behind these two quests are explained.
This is an example of the above mentioned “explanation issue” where we see Braniac’s motive and reasoning for bottling the city of Kandor in the past and the last two issues’ quests.
The explanation is nothing stellar though, it’s the standard Braniac takes a bottled specimen of civilization to acquire knowledge with a small twist. In the past it was assumed that Braniac just took specimens but now we find out Braniac wants sole possession all knowledge by destroying every remnant of his acquired specimens loose in the universe.
Standard fair but well done, especially the interaction of Superman’s supporting cast (see above image) putting this an par with Johns’ and Frank’s last arc. I do get a funny feeling that this is just another Geoff Johns’ reboot of a popular character’s origin, similar to the current Green Lantern arc. I hope this does not become a cookie cutter standard for Mr. Johns.

Amazing Spider-Man #567
Kraven’s first hunt huh, and She goes after Spider-Man? I do remember her babbling about other hunts while she chased down Peter Parker’s roommate in a Spidey costume. All nitpicking with the title aside, since it has been three weeks since part two of this story here is a recap:
Still with us? Good. So in this issue Daredevil (really Spider-Man), Spider-Man (really Spidey’s roommate), and Vermin team-up against Kraven. The two heroes escape leaving Vermin to take care of Kraven, but she escapes and a set-up for a later meeting is foreshadowed.
Not a great issue, but there is something that stood out that I must mention: I feel that Spider-Man is going all “Dark Knight” on us, with is lie of why there was a Spider-Man costume in Vin Gonzales apartment making himself out to be a villain or dark vigilante instead of the inspiring hero he once was.

Batman Confidential #20
Again Batman takes down a thug, a huge thug too, with one punch. Batgirl was attempting to take down a huge Russian mobster hitting him throughout a whole page without him even flinching. Then Batman steps in and “One Punch!”
As for the story… it’s dragging on. It was an interesting concept, especially the part were the two female leads fight nude, but the fact that three issues later and they are still chasing after Jim Gordon’s notebook is crazy.
I was reading “Batman in the Seventies” and almost every story in trade was one issue long with a much more complicated plot than chasing after a notebook.
I don’t mind long story arcs when the concept is strong enough with the proper twists to fill multiple issues, but a story as simple as the one is ridiculous. Not every storyline should have it’s own trade paperback.

Booster Gold #11
So Geoff Johns sets up and begins another great adventure for “The Greatest Hero You’ve Never Heard Of.” Wait a minute… Chuck Dixion wrote this issue and it didn’t even skip a beat… I may not have noticed it if not for doing this review.
In this series Geoff Johns reestablished Booster Gold as such a strong character with a distinct personality and supporting cast that even with a new writer it still feels like exact same Booster Gold. Even Skeet’s personality as a loyal companion undercover is perfect with Dixion writing it.


Final Crisis - Revelations #1
First off I have to say that this issue starts with a disturbing scene where Dr. Light is celebrating the death of the Martian Manhunter by raping young girls who are dressed as different Teen Titans. The Specter, who is the vengeance of God, appears and “judges” him for being a rapist and murder. This was a very disturbing scene, but so is the real fight between good and true evil.
After that scene I knew that Rucka was serious and the evil in this series would be very evil and the good would have to walk the fine line between both good and evil.
I wonder if Greg Rucka had this whole story planned out when he started writing 52? Ever since his characters Renee Montoya took over the mantle of the Question and Crispus Allen became the Specter because this issue was closely tied to 52 and each character’s mini series.
In relation to Final Crisis, we find out more about Libra. Not only does he claim to be “eternal” it seems as if the power of God himself (via the Specter) can not touch him.
I highly recommend reading this series even if you are not reading Final Crisis, don’t wait for the trade. After reading this issue I don’t think that Rucka will let us down with this battle between good and evil.

Green Arrow and Black Canary #11
Eleven issues later and we are still reading the second story arc that technically is a continuation of the one started in the very first issue.
So Batman figures out that the League of Assassins that has been present the last couple of issues is not the real League of Assassins.
This issue explains that fact and ends with the reveal of who is really behind the assassination attempt on Ollie that took out his son. At least the story is picking up by finally explaining the how and why Connor Hawke was shot.
My personal opinion on this series is similar to the above assessment of the recent Batman Confidential arc… not all stories need to be drawn out for a trade.

Green Lantern Corps #27
This issue goes all “Ghost Hunters” and “Paranormal State” on us with a Green Lantern who can speak to the dead.
I would normally write this off as corny but it works, and it works well. It seems as if all of the dead Green Lanterns are scared for what will happen, which I assume is the upcoming “Darkest Night” storyline. But the speaking to the dead plays a bigger role in this issue.
It seems as if some of the Sinestro Corps are still wielding rings and spreading fear throughout the universe, specifically targeting families of new Green Lantern recruits. The raining of dead family member’s eyeballs was disturbing, powerful, and worked well in conjunction with the Lantern who talks to the dead.
The more I read of this series and it’s great characters the more I am reminded that Hal Jordan is not the only Green Lantern, and I like that.

Trinity #11
OK I am tired about writing about this series…
I will continue to read it, but I doubt I will review it any more unless something important comes up.
I do have to say that my complaint of Superman acting out of character was addressed.
On a positive note, the back-up story in this issue was great and the use of the Outsiders was better than anything written thus far in their own series.

I have a whole page of notes on this issue and don’t know where to begin. First of all I have been slightly confused by this storyline thus far, but I am now seeing how every little thing that Morrison has written in every issue of Batman (minus the Return of Ras) plays a role in this story.
So Batman is now crazy, and he has gone crazy willingly and on purpose. The Black Glove’s attempt to “break” the Batman with drugs and and self doubt may seemed to have worked, but Batman always has a contingency plan.
Batman is no longer Bruce Wayne or Batman, instead he is Batman of Zur-En-Arrh. Batman of ZEA is what happens to the regular Batman when his human side, Bruce Wayne, is removed. He is pure rage and slightly crazy. Think about it, one would have to be crazy to dedicate his life to dressing up like a bat and exacting revenge on every criminal… now imagine that craziness without a conscious, without a Bruce Wayne.
This is great stuff and I am glad that I have been confused for the last couple of issues. There is something to be said when you read and issue like this and everything begins to click in your mind while you put all of the pieces together.
What makes this issue great is that while you are putting the pieces together and watching a crazy version of Batman - more questions come up. For example: Dr. Hurt, who seems to be the leader of this destruction of Batman, claims to be Thomas Wayne and accuses Bruce of being Alfred and Martha Wayne’s child. In response Alfred clearly states that he does not believe that Dr. Hurt is in fact Thomas Wayne. Maybe Dr. Hurt is Thomas Wayne, but not Bruce’s father. In Worlds Finest #223 we are told a tale of Bruce Wayne’s older brother who was brain damaged and then committed to an institution before Bruce was born. Bruce’s parents never told him about Thomas Wayne Jr. before they were murdered and that is why Batman never knew he had a brother. So could this Thomas Wayne, Dr. Hurt, be Thomas Wayne Jr. and maybe that is why Alfred does not recognize him?
Also who or what is Bat Might? Wasn’t he called Bat “Mite” and from another dimension? Why the name change? I can’t wait for the conclusion next issue.

This is how crazy Batman is without Bruce Wayne as a conscious.



X-O Manowar #21
Jorge Conzalez - Writer
Paris T. Karounos - Pencils
With my first child arriving home yesterday I had to be creative with this week’s Throwback Tuesday, thus the Retro Repost was born.

Ice Cube - It was a Good Day
Requested by Sara: LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out
Some Old Skool RUN DMC - Son of ByfordMake your own Meme:
Leave a comment with your Legion Rap and a link.
Images from Superboy staring The Legion of Super-Heroes #220, 1976
Original posted on 07/28/07
p.s. The “Make your own Meme” part is still vallid just post a link or your lyrics in the comment section of this post.
The “Forum Saga” is close to the end with the explaination of how the forum helps people fit in.
We went from too much time on the internet in a forum was an accused of being an evil cult to a tie in with classic video games…
Check out this week’s webcomic and explanation here.

Last night at 10pm I was at the hospital and my wife went into labor. At 3:16am our first child was born. Now it is 11pm the same day and I have less than two hours of sleep but I still feel the need to finish the post that I started to write yesterday afternoon.
So please excuse any typos or confusing sentences because proof reading a post is the furthest thing from my mind right now… first is family second is sleep and third is comic books.

Detective Comics #847
In the last issue we started to learn more about the true origin and motivation behind Hush. In this origin we find out that little Tommy was evil from day one when he staged an “accident” that should have caused his parent’s death. His mother survived because of the awesome skills and Kryptonian technology (See Superman/Batman #50) doctor Thomas Wayne.
Because of this Hush hates Bruce Wayne and Batman. Not only does Paul Dini create a weak motive for the villain who like Jason Todd and the Wraith before him is Batman’s evil equal, he also ties together an unlikely “teacher/student” that is explained in this issue in detail between Hush and the Scarecrow.
I wonder though, if the Scarecrow and Hush are so close then why did Hush choose to team-up with the Riddler in his self titled debut?
Dini does not disappoint 100% though, the sexual tension between Catwoman and Batman is played nicely in the dialog between her and Zantana that ever so slightly ties this into the Batman R.I.P. storyline that is plastered on this issue’s cover.

Final Crisis #3
This issue was so close to making the best comic of last week, except that it took a detailed discussion on comic book message boards for me to fully understand and enjoy it the second read through.
Not only did I have to read this comic through twice, which is not uncommon for me, but I also reread issues one and two again. By reading all three issues in one sitting the story is stronger and better than any of the single issues, and this is why Final Crisis #3 was not the best comic of last week… That and the fact that I now feel that I need to go and purchase all of the series that relate to Buldhaven post Infinite Crisis because right now I don’t have too much extra cash lying around.
Don’t get me wrong, I am loving me some Final Crisis… I was even trying to explain to my newborn baby how a Final Crisis will redefine the definition and origins of Heroes for the future DCU… He was sleeping in my arms and I wanted to tell him some kind of story and that was the first thing that came to my mind. Speaking of redefining origins…

Hawkman Special #1
The Hawkman Special #1 was another comic that almost earned the spot of best comic of last week.
This one-shot took the origin of Hawkman and threw it out the window while letting the notion of a previous origin drift in through said window.
Get it?
Didn’t that statement make sense to you?
Yeah, that’s how I felt about Hawkman’s origin before and after this issue. There was something about this issue that I enjoyed. I never knew Hawkman’s true origin and now I feel even more confused as to his origin, but that is why I liked this issue - it was meant to confuse both the character and the reader. So now I don’t feel so stupid and that my friends is a good comic in my opinion.

Robin #176
Umm… About a year ago Robin was acting more like a Dark Knight than the Batman was… and now that since Batman R.I.P. the Batman’s character is as far away as possible from being a Dark Knight, so is Robin.
Robin spends the whole issue making stupid and emotional decisions and mistakes on his personal crusade to find proof that the Batman is now crazy.
Most of these tie-ins to Batman R.I.P., with the exception of this week’s Nightwing, are weak and seem like filler that neglects the core of the character defined in previous story arcs.
Almost any other storyline would make me have a nerdgasm and go nuts to have the possibility of Tim Drake in the Red Robin costume, but poor writing these last two issues has ruined it for me.

Trinity #10
I really don’t want to talk about this issue… I like continuity and can handle the disregard of it to tell a good story, take Final Crisis and Batman R.I.P. as an example they both feature Batman but there is no way that Batman could be going crazy in R.I.P. if he was captured by Darkseid in FC#1.
Like I said I can understand not staying true to continuity for the sake of telling a good story, but I can not understand and accept the disregard for a character’s personality to tell a good story.
This whole issue, and possibly the whole series, was ruined by the fact that Superman’s out of character actions to deliver excruciating pain and revenge before looking at other options. Gah… I hope this trend does not continue because I was finally getting into this story again last week.

Why is this comic THE BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK when put side-by-side to blockbuster comics such as Final Crisis #3?
The answer is simple: It’s a good comic with every ingredient and detail a story about a hero needs. Not only did the story fit the standard structure for a good hero tale perfectly, the art was detailed and fluid enhancing the solid story.
What do I mean by a standard structure for a hero story? In this issue a hero is sent on a quest, in this case a quest not for his own glory but to help the innocent. The hero’s quest is given to him by an enemy who is asking for help and the notion that it may be a trap makes the story even better. In this issue the hero saves the day twice and seems to have possibly sacrificed his own life to succeed and this is what make this a standard story, but it is so well done it is slightly above standard making it the BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK.

A classic scene that you would expect from a great comic book featuring Batman Nightwing.
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