Brent's Summer Review Catch-Up

So, after about a month of computer problems, I'm back! Back with reviews, so here's some quickies. Look for regular reviews to return this week.

Detective Comics #835
After a great two-parter written by Paul Dini concerning Zatanna and the Joker, we're back to guest writers on this title. So far, these guest writers on Detective have turned out pretty good stories. John Rozum writes this issue, the first of a two-parter concerning the Scarecrow. Tom Mandrake is doing the art chores, and after his 4-issue Batman run in between Morrison's stories, I was a little wary, but he pulls of the horror and suspense well in the issue. Scarecrow after a stint in prison from being turned into a giant scarecrow from Judd Winick's Batman run, Johnathan Crane escapes from Arkham, and freaks the freaks out. The Great White Shark even tells Batman not to bring him back to Arkham. Scarecrow has left his old methods behind and is now a plain serial killer. He strikes down a bunch of random victims in Gotham at night leading the people to believe they are safe during the day. Wrong! John Rozum includes Bruce Wayne into the tale, which is similar to what Dini has been doing on the title. I wish Dini was on the book, but if the fill-ins are always of this quality, I will keep buying this book. Plus, the Simone Bianchi cover is killer. B

Fantastic Four #548
This title is okay Post Civil War, but like Black Panther, it's story is failing to keep me that intersted from staying on. McDuffie writes an exciting story and Paul Pelletier has some great art, but it's just not enough. Black Panther and Storm being part of the FF was cool, but now that it seems Reed and Sue are back, why should I keep reading? If I knew they would be on the team for just an arc, I would not have jumped on after Civil War. Plus, the Initiative banner is just silly, as this title has absolutely nothing to do with the Initiative. Is Reed starting or heading a team for New Jersey or working on the Prison? No. So take the Banner off Marvel! It has to do with sales? Now I see. C-

Black Canary #3
I was reading the previous Green Arrow series, and wanted to read the new series, so I figured I needed to try out this book to get some more Black Canary outside of Justice League of the America, seeing as how I've never read Birds of Prey. The first two issues were okay, but this mini is really not dealing with Dinah's thoughts of whether or not she should marry Ollie, but with the kidnapping of her new adopted daughter "Sin." The art was good as well, by Paulo Siqueira, for the first 2.5 issues, but halfway through this issue it switches to Tom Derenick, who does a servicable job, but why not have him do the whole issue? I hate the half and half stuff companies are doing. I hope Siqueira does all of number 4 when it comes out next week. Probably the best thing about this mini-series is that it's only 4 issues long and is coming out twice a month. Why can't DC do more mini-series this way? C

Thor #2
I've never been a Thor reader, and all I really want to see is the throw-down with Iron Man next issue, but so far this series has not been too terrible. I thought the first issue was a little lacking as a hook for a series. Issue two does a better job, giving us a look at what Thor may be doing in this series, living in Oklahoma! Will he farm too? Anyway, once the throw-down is done I'm probably off this book. On the other hand, Olivier Coipel's pencils rock... C+

Outsiders Five of a Kind: Nightwing and Captain Boomerang Jr.
My interest in the Outsiders has never been great, but seeing Batman choose a new team intrigues me. This issue was good because Nightwing and Boomerang have to disable Chemo, while dodging the issues that Batman and Nightwing have for Boomerang because of his father (see Identity Crisis). The best part of the issue is the conversation between Nightwing and Boomerang, and other than that, there is not much to this issue. Freddie E. Williams II (from Robin) does the art, and it's nice to see and artist put out two books a month. We need more artists like Freddie. The next issue seems a little redundant, as those of us still reading the chronically late Trials of Shazam know that Billy Batson can't be on any team as he can't leave the Rock of Eternity! So what's the point of the issue? What's the point of the series now that we know who's on Batman's team thanks to solicitations and DC teaser images? Who knows. Will I be getting Batman and the Outsiders when it comes out? Probably not. But I like Freddie E Williams! C+

All Star Batman and Robin #6
Wait, it hasn't been a year in between issues of this title? Stop the presses! Wait, that won't help anything! Nevermind. Six issues in, and we still haven't seen Robin in any capacity. Last issue we got one page of him. Hell, Batgirl suited up before he did? How does that work out? Other than going nowhere, my main complaint is that DC can print the word "ass" in another book (I forget which one), and "goddamn" everywhere here, but can't print "bullshitting" in this one. If you can't print it, use another word, don't black it out with a censor bar! Tell the goddamn Frank Miller to use a different word! Mr. Editor that is what you are for! Jim Lee does a great job pencilling the issue, as usual, and we finally see how the solo Black Canary story in #3 figures into the main story as she shows up here. Will we ever see Robin? Who knows! Here's hoping that it's only another 2 months between issues the next time it comes out. C-

Let me know if you like this format better, I might do it more often.