Batman #677

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artists: Tony Daniel and Sandy Florea

Excuse me while I pick up my brain bits off the floor, as my mind was blown away with this issue.  For any that jumped on to R.I.P. with 676 and thought it was a little lackluster, go back and get this issue.  Morrison really moves things forward here, from the villains' plans to utterly cripple Batman and Bruce Wayne, Bruce's relationship with Jezebel Jet, and Batman's sanity itself.  The issue opens with Batman trying to dig up the Black Glove, going nuts on some hoods in the sewer.  We then see the Club of Villains, who are mostly new to the Bat-Universe, but have appeared in Morrison's run or have been referenced previously.  The guy in the Lucha Libre mask is from the 3 issue arc Morrison did with J.H. Williams a while back, Scorpiana was referenced in that same arc (she's in the silvery outfit).  And apparently Dr.  Hurt was in the isolation arc with the Devil Batman that Tony Daniel just wrapped up prior to this.  I need to go back and reread all those issues.   Morrison has definately been laying some plans since he came on the book, and this is not very new reader friendly, but it could be, because a lot of these villains had little to do with the previous arcs in Batman.  Meanwhile, Commisioner Gordon is arguing with the mayor (I think) about some secrets about Bruce Wayne's parents coming out in the press.  And these are damning secrets and allegations, as well as a huge one about Thomas Wayne, if it is true.  At the same time, Bruce's new love interest is questioning Bruce's sanity, and if she wants to be a part of this life.  And it all falls apart in the few pages.  Morrison is definately deconstructing Batman, on all levels. 

On the art side, I think Tony Daniel has finally arrived, with this issue.  Some of his stuff on previous issues looked a little stiff and wierd, but I think he's finally gotten into his groove with this issue. If you're not reading Batman right now, you should be, so go get 676 and this issue at the very least, you might be a little confused, but you'll enjoy the ride.  ZURR EN ARRH!  A+

Action Comics Annual # 11 Review

Authors: Geoff Johns & Richard Donner
Artist: Adam Kubert
Colors: Edgar Delgado

Alright, so we all know how late this book has been. So I’m not even going to bitch about that and move on to the review. Although, I really feel for the people that were anxiously waiting for this conclusion. That’s right, it’s the finale to the Last Son storyline and it’s extra-sized. Much like the Heinberg Wonder Woman story, the main book kept moving forward and they left the conclusion to be told in an annual. I thought that was a great move by DC.

Along with Superman comes the Superman Revenge Squad: Lex Luthor, Parasite, Metallo, and Bizarro to take on General Zod, Ursa, and Non. So what we get is a battle with Superman against Zod….which for some reason I found really badass when Superman was dual wielding the Red Sun gun and the Green Kryptonite gun. The rest of the Revenge Squad takes on the remainder of Zod’s Kryptonian criminals. Luthor manages to reverse the rocket’s warp drive and pull the rocket back home and re-open the phantom zone along with everyone who has ever had contact with it. Chris realizes that the ship must be shut off in order to deactivate it. Chris goes in, and stops it, but doesn't come back out. In a desperate search for Chris, Superman contacts Mon-El and is informed he is not with the other Kryptonians, but the search will continue.

It was really a good finale to a mediocre storyline that kept getting stronger and stronger with each issue. The delays really killed the momentum and I’m sure this will read so much better in trade. The character interaction and dialogue was superb…of course what else is to be expected from Johns? What I really loved was the fact that Lex saved the day, but he still got locked up with no credit for it. Of course the story is not flawless. What I’m really confused about is the timeline of this story. Chris mentions he’s already met Robin…which means that everything up to Buziek’s last issue (Superman 675...I think) could have happened before Action Comics 845. If that is so, that’s a little hard to believe. Unless of course Chris came back with no explanation. There also wasn’t enough Revenge Squad in the book for me; they each got about three pages of fighting. Damn, and just when I thought I was going to see a huge JLA vs. Zod’s army....nothing happens.

I am really shocked at the unbalance that I find in Adam Kubert’s artwork. While some pictures are right down stunning like the reflection of the destroyed Metropolis, others feel rushed. His backgrounds are lavishing as ever, but for some reason some of his fight scenes just felt like they needed to be polished up. Perhaps he should have let someone else ink his pencils….hell they should have teamed him up with Art Thibert. There is a nice little bonus at the end with Geoff Johns introducing the readers to Superman’s supporting characters. The art by Stephane Roux was solid and I wish he would get a monthly Superman book. Overall it was an entertaining read and I’m not taking the delays into consideration when I rate the book so keep that in mind. I think a B- is a fair grade considering the lackluster scenes that Kubert provides at times, but seriously that is no reason for anyone to miss out and enjoy the conclusion to this story.

Teen Titans # 58 Review

Author: Sean Mckeever
Penciler: Carlos Rodriguez
Inkers: Bit, Rebecca Buchman, & Jimmy Palmiotti

One by one the Titans have been taken out by the Terror Titans. It’s Miss Martian’s turn and holy shit is that an editor’s note? I love these things; I really wish there were more editors’ notes in books nowadays. But I really don’t think that they needed to tell us that this issue takes place before and during the last two issues.

It seems that Miss Martian is still having internal conflict against her darker/possible future side. It seems to be getting worst with each issue and now M’gann is passing out. Meanwhile the Clock King puts his novelty clock glasses back on after banging Disruptor and we learn how he planned to have Terry take advantage of Kid Devil’s party to infiltrate Titans Tower. It also seems like Clock King is the one that gave the Terror Titans their suits that happen to be the source of their power. M’gann starts going to school and attempts at being a normal high school girl when her classroom is attacked by Disruptor. For some reason Disruptor’s powers seem to affect Miss Martian different and for a minute her and her possible future self become two separate entities.

One Titan per issue is getting repetitive. Other than the insight to the Terror Titans and Miss Martian’s struggle with becoming normal there is nothing new here and unfortunately much of what was shown has already happen in the previous two issues. The placement of this issue is a little awkward as well, not sure why they couldn’t have told this sequence in a flashback. This happens to be a team book and these solo stories seem to lose the momentum of the story. Hold the fucking phone here. Since when has Robin not been able to help out a friend with a little forgery? Damn, what a dickhead. But I did like the way that Mckeever is handling Miss Martian. This issue really made me like her even more with the whole puppies scene.

Fill in pencils for this issue is Carlos Rodriguez and judging from upcoming solicitations, he will be helping regular artist Eddy Barrows keep the book on schedule. To be honest I really didn’t notice that Barrows was not drawing this issue until I went back and read the credits page. His art matches up pretty nicely with Barrows', and he is a welcome addition to a book that suffered for a long time from being late every month. I just wish the editors would pick an artist that makes these Titans look like teens. What really makes me want to read the last issue is that cliffhanger with Eddie. C+

Justice League of America #19

Writer: Alan Burnett
Artists: Ed Benes, Sandra Hope, Mariah Benes, Ruy Jose

What the hell happened to Justice League of America?  It seemed like the book was finally moving quicker when McDuffie jumped on and told the Legion of Doom story, but then he backs off and lets fellow JLU alum Alan Burnett write a 3-part Salvation Run tie-in story that resolves nothing.  Let's be honest though.  No one really thought that the JLA was going to rescue the villains at the end of this issue, Salvation Run still has 3 issues left.  So, from the beginning, this storyline has been kind of silly.  We knew it wasn't going anywhere important, but we read it anyway.  This issue has the JLA fly to the planet where the villains were supposed to end up, only to find it empty.  Really?  We all knew this because over in Salvation Run Bane and Deadshot had already said that they were not on the right planet.  Luckily for the JLA Kanjar Ro (who?) was waiting for them to take thier powers.  You mean you spent two issues building up the JLA going to this planet, only to have them fight some lame villain?  At the very least we should've gotten a confrontation with Amanda Waller again, telling her how she's fucked up so badly.  Ugh.  Come on McDuffie, I praised you for making this book exciting to read again and then you leave it for 3 issues.  Please restore my faith in this book next month when you return with Ethan Van Sciver on art. 

Speaking of art, Ed Benes stinks this month.  I don't know if he was rushed, or if the three inkers on the book ruined the output, but a lot of his faces and figures this month do not stand up to the work he's previously turned out for JLA.  His wife Mariah Benes and Sandra Hope usually do his art justice, but here, combined with Ruy Jose who's pretty consistent with Dale Eaglesham over on Justice Society, the art falls apart.  This should be DC's must read book, but instead it falls to the wayside month in and month out to things like Batman, Action Comics, and Booster Gold.  C'mon! Booster Gold should never beat the JLA in terms of story no matter who's writing it.  I'm worried about this books' future, especially with James Robinson's redundantly titled Justice League on the way.  This book needs a kick in the pants.  D  

Blue Beetle #25

Writer: John Rogers
Artist: Raphael Albuquerque

Well, I finally found some time off from school where I didn't have any homework to do, and I had comics I wanted to talk about, especially one of my favorites, Blue Beetle, which wraps up its ongoing story with issue 25.  John Rogers leaves the book with this issue and it wraps up all the threads he and Keith Giffen started in issue one.  We started on a journey with Jaime, learning how to use the scarab in the first arc, we then learned some of the history behind it as Peacemaker and the Reach arrived, and then had the chilling discovery that the scarab was a weapon, sent to earth to take over it's user and make the earth prime for conquering by the Reach.  Somehow, half of the scarab's programming was given to Peacemaker, and half to Jaime.  This let Jaime control the scarab, rather than the scarab controlling him, as it was originally designed to,  and Jaime became a hero.  Once Jaime learned that the Reach were here to conquer earth he's been trying to stop them, and recently the Reach started their endgame and Jaime went up against them to stop them.  At the end of last issue, Jaime had the scarab pulled out of his spine by the Reach, and they were about to kill him, and Jaime's last words were "Khaji Da!"  With this issue, we learned that this was the scarab's serial number or name, and that Jaime was summoning it to re-enter him.  It's a bit of genius, and it shows that Jaime has a true connection with the scarab, making him the most powerful Blue Beetle ever.  Also, with this issue, Rogers' lets us hear what the scarab is telling Jaime, rather than just seeing the wierd "beetle-speak" like we have for the past 24 issues.  This is cool because we've always known that the scarab was a little crude and sarcastic, just from Jaime's reactions, but here we actually get to see it's personality, and it feels right at home with the tone of the book.  This book is jam-packed with moments that recall past issues, so that things that felt like one-and-done weren't trully, and they appear here as part of Jaime's plan.  It's a brilliant ending to one of the freshest and best books put out by DC. 

Raphael Albuquerque does the art and does a great job as usual.  He took over the reins from Cully Hammner's interuppted run and really made this book his own.  I'm glad Albuquerque is staying on the book for the near future, even though we don't know who the regular writer will be yet.  Albuquerque on art will help that transition.  It's been really fun reading this book every month after picking it up on a whim two years ago.  I've never felt cheated for money when I bought Blue Beetle, I always felt like I was glad I spent money on this rather than some silly X-men book or some mini-series.  If you're not a Blue Beetle fan, go get the first two trades and catch up through back issues.  It's a real treat of a book and you won't be dissapointed.  A

Teen Titans # 57 Review

Author: Sean McKeever
Penciler: Eddy Barrows
Inkers: Palmiotti, Jose & Barrows
Colors: Rod Reis

I hate to admit, but I really gave up all hope on Teen Titans. The title used to be a huge grade A book every month when it started out. But, damn right after Johns left, the book has just been spiraling downhill. McKeever has been struggling to find the right voice for the characters and the quality and in the plot has just been nothing but shit. Then come these last two issues and if this is any indication of the way TT is heading, then count me in.

The Clock King continues his strike against the Teen Titans while Ravager confronts her reasons for being on the team. The Terror Titans are taking down the Titans one by one and this time it’s Ravager’s turn. While it was no problem taking down Kid Devil, it seems that the Terror Titans are having a little issue with Ravager. It seems that it takes Dreadbolt, Copperhead, and the new Persuader to take down our girl and even in the end she decides how she goes by blowing up the Titan Tower. Luckily she managed to get Marvin and Wendy out. Oh yeah, and it seems that they are really torturing the hell out of Kid Devil.

I’ve been such a Rose fan since she joined the Titans. Her ties with Deathlock and her gung-ho attitude has really made me fall for her. Not to mention she looks pretty nice in a bathing suit and that eye-patch…..errr yeah, she’s great. McKeever has managed to nail both her and Kid Devil’s characterizations and has kept me interested with the last two issues. While she has a sensitive side, we can still see her kick so much ass in this issue. Barrows has been improving lately, but I’m not sure if he is really meant for this book. His characters look too old to be teenagers and sometimes his facial expressions are a bit off. I haven’t given up 100% on this book and issues like this make me glad I didn’t. B+

Green Lantern # 29 Review

Author: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Ivan Reis
Inker: Oclair Albert
Colors: Ranov Mayor

Secret Origin kicks off with this issue and to my recollection this is the sixth time since I’ve been collecting comics the origin of Hal Jordan is retold. But Johns makes this one a little different. Sure it’s that same scene with his dad and the plane wrecking we’ve seen over and over, but it seems there are things in this issue that will set the pieces for The Blackest Night.

The issue starts with an inner monologue by Hal Jordan. Reminiscing of his dad and how he told him he could be whatever he wanted to be. Bam! We are back in that popular scene that Johns always goes back to; Hal’s dad flying a Ferris plane and Hal admiring from below holding his dad’s jacket. His father’s plane blows up in front of his eyes (ohh yeah and Carol Ferris was there too). Hal grows up and purposely gets kicked out of the air force academy to visit his dying mother. Seriously this is nothing you haven’t read before, even if you’ve just started reading GL with John’s run. The only difference I see here is there is more detail about Hal's mother and the appearence of Abin Sur and his revelation about Blackest Night.

The connection between Hal and the Blackest Night doesn’t really happen until the last page and last panel to be precise. But, this is really nothing new either, since it’s all been hinted in recent issues of GL. That’s why I love the GL series so much, the writer’s ability to hint to the readers a great conspiracy behind the origin of Hal and the GL Corp without actually going back and doing an origin issue. So this is why I have mix feelings about this. Don’t get me wrong the story is still solid and you really get an emotional depth from the characters, but so far this seems like a director’s cut of Emerald Dawn. You still get your money’s worth in this issue though, with the fantastic art of Reiz and Albert and the great colors that Mayor provides. Even though Reiz seems to be playing around with his style. Fans old and new should still enjoy this issue and even though it won’t be in your face thrilling action that the previous GL issues have been, it will still move you as much. B

Robin #172

Robin #172
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Pencils: David Baldeon

This issue starts out with Tim hand-gliding over an illegal casino (what’s up with all the bat-gliders lately…seriously). The story from here is pretty standard. Tim waits for Violet to show up and rob the place, Violet does, criminals are tipped off and mayhem, mayhem mayhem! This is Chuck Dixon folks, so I may make little light of the writing but, it’s handled well trust me.

The really big point I wanna bring up within this issue however, was the reveal of Spoiler. We finally see the person under the mask that has been stalking Tim, who can’t possibly be Stephanie Brown….and yet? The blonde-haired beauty penciled, appears to be none other then Stephanie Brown herself. So…why is this such a big deal?

Well….the first thing Brown being alive would resolve is, why there is no memorial case for her in the batcave. I know…..some of you are like….who gives a crap about a case, all I have to say to you is….you’d be surprised. The glaring omission of a memorial case for Stephanie has been a sore spot within DC fandom ever since her death in War Games, being aggravated even more by events in the War Crimes story. The question has always been brought up….why did the first and only female Robin never get a memorial case in the batcave. Panels have been looked over numerous times and whilest Jason Todd’s memorial case stands in 3/4s of the shots, you never see anything for Stephanie Brown. Check it out…seriously I am not making it up. Whenever Didio has been asked about the Brown issue he has always avoided it, making remarks sometimes saying to the effect it’d never happen. Many think this was a specific policy with Didio, the reasoning of this thought being to slight the role of female heroes in some such way. I don’t know about all of that BUT, with this resurrection of sorts, this issue of the memorial case could be seen to have been framework laid for upcoming stories…in that possibly Bruce never made a memorial case for Stephanie…simply because after a point, he had found her to be alive. Whether this was planned from the beginning or instituted due to fan outcry I don’t know…perhaps that’s the greater question. Again, I know this doesn’t seem huge but, trust me, look around the comic blogosphere some, it’s an issue.

Moving along, the questions arise a plenty with Stephanie’s resurrection, the actual method that will be used to explain Stephanie’s sudden re-appearance. I mean…How did Stephanie come back?…or was she ever really dead? Explanations? The Stephanie seen is a clone, a ghost, a Stephanie from a parallel Earth, somebody with plastic surgery made to look like Stephanie, maybe it’s Clayface, or this person actually is Stephanie after her body was dipped into a Lazarus Pit by some unforeseen person,…maybe Leslie lied AGAIN to Bruce and has been keeping her alive and unseen…though not well enough as she thinks. I could go on and on but, you get the gist.

One also must wonder if this sudden resurrection ties in, in any way to current or upcoming events within the DCU (Countdown, Final Crisis, Reign In Hell, Blackest Night etc, etc.). The appearance of “A” Spoiler in the Gotham Underground series seems like a portent of sorts, of things yet to come. Then again....it could be just be Didio saying "I GIVE UP", lol.

What about Tim?….all of his feelings and reactions to such a reveal as this?

Solicits for the upcoming Robin/Spoiler special coming up will probably tie up a lot of these questions....but...again...maybe not.

I could go on and on about Stephanie being alive…needless to say, it sparks a lot of questions and discussion in both past, present and future continuity in the DCU at large.

Overall this issue was decent, and I am curious to see where Dixon goes with this and how he utilizes the character of Spoiler whom seems to be...in fact Stephanie Brown. Baldeon’s penciling again was alright, it wasn’t horrible nor was it mouth watering, it was just ok. B+

Catwoman # 77 Review

Writer: Will Pfeiffer
Penciller: David Lopez
Inker: Alvaro Lopez
Cover: Adam Hughes

Most of the time Adam Hughes’ covers don’t really bother me. They usually don’t have anything to do with the interior of the book. Half naked women with T&A everywhere, but hey he’s just doing what the editor tells him to do. While this issue is a tie-in with Salvation Run, with the exception of Joker, none of those villains make an appearance. I wonder how his All Star Wonder Woman is coming along? He’s been working on that since 2006?

While Pfeiffer manages to keep his title character in the spotlight amidst all the crossovers and tie-ins and this Salvation Run tie-in is no exception. Selina is still trapped in her fantasy world of Gotham City. Where she can do anything like take out Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, and even knock out Superman. Martian Manhunter reveals to her that it’s just her own mind she is in, not another world like she thought. She eventually breaks free of the machine and now must find a way off this hell planet.

I’ve always enjoyed comics like this. Where we dive deep into the subconscious mind of the lead character and find their perfect world. Three issues is kind of pushing it though, even though watching Selina single handedly take town members of the JLA was fun to see. I love the way that David Lopez handles these scenes too. While they are comical; they also remain dynamic. I hope they wrap up the SR tie-in with next issue so Pfeiffer can keep telling the stories he wants to tell. A-

Batman and the Outsiders # 5 Review

Writer: Chuck Dixon
Penciller: Julian Lopez
Inker: BIT
Colors: Marta Martinez
Action packed and Chuck Dixon should always go hand and hand. I would still like to know why Tony Bedard was replaced as the writer of this book. I know that Koi Turnball was replaced because he could not meet a monthly deadline. I’m not complaining at all, because I really love this creative team.

Batman and his team of Outsiders are on a tactical strike against an evil corporation. Unbeknownst to him he is on the end of Gunhawk’s sight and barrel. Lucky for him Gunhawk and Bunny are processed by Ralph and Sue Dibny, who were such a joy to read again. While the team takes on Militia it turns out Geo Force of all people saves the day. Metamorpho, one of the most powerful heroes on Earth, was being taken apart by Militia and Geo-Force not only takes him out single-handedly, but destroys an Omac when funny enough it took the whole JSA to drop one these suckers. He writes Geo like the man, heck I can see why he fits in this team more than he ever did in the Justice League.

There are still a few problems with the issue. I’m not sure I like what the way Dixon is handling Thunder and Grace. They just seem to be in the background lately; I just hope Dixon has plans for them. I think I am also ready for a super villain to come into the Outsiders’ life and make a little havoc. The evil corporation is getting a little old and there are plenty of villains in the DC universe. I’ve also noticed in the past issues that Batgirl’s dialogue just keeps getting odder and odder. I’m not sure if I like that direction. Meanwhile Dixon’s Batman, Green Arrow, Katana, and Geo Force are a great read. And the Dibnys really saved the day and this issue. Julian Lopez has some great potential as a dynamic action artist. He just keeps getting better and better with each issue. All his faces are filled with emotion and his action sequences are a great match for Dixon’s storytelling. Throw in some classic villains and we’ll have a great book in our hands. B