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Adventure Comics Special featuring The Guardian #1 [Review]

Posted on November 6, 2008 by Walt

New Krypton part three: The Worst Night of His Life

Writer: James Robinson
Artist: Pere Perez
Colorist: David Baron
Letterer: John J. Hill
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Aaron Lopresti (variant by Victor Ibanez)
Published by: DC Comics

This issue takes place between-pages of the Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen Special from several weeks ago. In short, it details exactly what the Guardian Jimmy tracked down told him, and brings readers up to speed on further details hinted at or sped through in that special.

First off, I think I’m thrilled to see the return of classic characters to the Superman continuity. Agent Liberty last week, more Guardian this week, the revelation that Cadmus’ impact is still being felt after largely being ignored for so many years…

Robinson seems to be quite good at digging into comics’ past and dredging up old characters, working them into the present, and making the whole thing just simply work. This seems to be no exception. Unfortunately, there’s something to this issue that doesn’t quite ring true, and seems like characters have been dealt with as they have for shock value more than anything else…though there’s definitely potential here. The main drawback is in the ambiguity of elements of Superman since Infinite Crisis, and I honestly do not know if this Guardian is the one I remember reading in the Superman books from the early to mid/late 1990s…or if the identity of that character is being mucked with. As it seems there is a lot of mucking about going on lately I fear the latter, and am thus a bit skeptical here.

The art doesn’t blow me away–but it is quite solid, and serves the story very well. I have no real complaint with it, nor any out of the ordinary praise.

What actually makes this issue stand out–and ups the enjoyment factor–is that it is actually part of the New Krypton story going on in the Superman family of books right now. I’d have to look to see if there are any more of these specials lined up…but for now, this issue marks the FIFTH week in a row with a new comic in the Superman corner of the DC Universe…essentially, the fifth week of an ongoing Superman story that continues from one book into the next. I may not be entirely sure the status of certain characters…but the fact that I’m getting so much of a single, ongoing narrative of Superman and his supporting cast–elements all playing into a single, ongoing story…that takes me back to the 1990s and the sheer enjoyment of a new “episode” in the Superman mythos each and every week.

If you’re following New Krypton, you’ll probably want to pick this up given it’s got the trade dress and “triangle number” making it part 3 of the story. If you read that Jimmy Olsen special, this will flesh it out more for you. And of course…if you’re a fan of The Guardian, again…you’ll probably want to check this out.

Story: 7/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 7.5/10

Filed under: Adventure Comics, Comic Reviews 2008, DC, Superman: New Krypton (Event), Vertigo | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Justice Society of America #20 [Review]

Posted on November 6, 2008 by Walt

Earthbound

Story: Geoff Johns & Alex Ross
Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Dale Eaglesham (Earth-2 Sequence: Jerry Ordway)
Inker: Nathan Massengill (Earth-2 Sequence: Bob Wiacek)
Colorist: Hi-Fi
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Assistant Editor: Harvey Richards
Editor: Michael Siglain
Cover: Alex Ross (variant by Dale Eaglesham & Mark McKenna)
Published by: DC Comics

Without a “previously…” page, I don’t recall EXACTLY how the previous issue ended…but this seems to pick up on a cliffhanger of the Justice Society of Earth-2 busting in on the New Earth JSA seeking the “rogue” Power Girl imposter. Accusations (and punches) fly, and ultimately several New Earth JSA members are dragged (along with Power Girl) back to this Earth-2, where elements of the Multiverse are re-revealed and discussed…while painful memories are dredged up as people who have died on New Earth are still alive on Earth-2. The two Power Girls have it out, before the nature of Earth-2 is revealed, and both find information to make their lives a little bit easier.

The art here is just fantastic. Perhaps because it just really fits the story–even down to having a different art team on the Earth-2 sequence (an art team that I vaguely recall has some significance to the characters). I have zero complaint with the art, and really quite enjoyed it. The cover by Alex Ross is quite cool as well…if slightly on the inappropriate side given the viewer’s angle.

The story continues to overall story that’s been going on the entire time (since #10 or so) that I’ve been reading this title, and I’m enjoying that. There’s real progression here that resolves old threads, opens some new ones, and just really holds my interest. I’m interested in the character interactions–in what happens to Power Girl and how her interaction with Earth-2 will affect her. I’m interested in Starman and his character’s evolution. I’m interested in the team dynamics–the old and young and the cross-generational stuff. I’m especially interested in the unfolding story of Gog–and even though this issue seems to be an “aside” from the ongoing Gog/Magog saga–it takes us aside to explore ongoing story elements and I don’t feel that this issue is at all out of place–it’s a great spot for such an aside after so many issues following Gog.

All in all, simply another very strong issue of a solid series. This truly seems to me to be if not the flagship, then certainly a flagship title of the DCU. Fan of the Justice Society, or of Johns, or Ross, or Earth-2, or Power-Girl…I see no real reason to skip this issue. New readers may not get a whole lot out of this given the ongoing arc–but at the same time, there’s a roster at the issue’s opening that will get new readers brought up to speed on the WHO (if not the why/what or ‘previously’) necessary for the issue at hand.

Story: 8/10
Art: 8.5/10
Whole: 8.5/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, DC, Justice Society of America | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Secret Six #3 [Review]

Posted on November 6, 2008 by Walt

Unhinged part three: A Run of Misfortune

Writer: Gail Simone
Penciller: Nicola Scott
Inker: Doug Hazlewood
Colorist: Jason Wright
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Editor: Nachie Castro
Cover: Nicola Scott
Published by: DC Comics

Having obtained the first part of their objective–acquiring Tarantula–the Six next seek the whereabouts of the card-device she was supposed to have. After “convincing” her that she really ought to lead them to it, the Six do find a bit of a surprise–and fight–at their destination. What they did not bargain for is what the card actually means, and what makes it so very valuable to so very many.

I have to admit–writer Gail Simone manages to write some strong characters here, and keeps my interest up when it comes to the Catman character. Still, I have to admit that it was the realization that Bane was part of this group that sparked my interest in the series. Having read that character’s debut, the buildup to Knightfall, that event, the Vengeance of Bane II special, and subsequent stories (seeing Bane on a cover often drew me back to picking up a Batman-family book)…I definitely like the way the character is portrayed here. We see that there has been change and growth, and the character is more than just some thug hopped up on drugs.

The characters are all written believably, with subtle (and often not so subtle) moments showing their personalities. It’s interesting to see the way they interact under Simone’s pen, that they are not just two-dimensional characters chucked together in a book for the sake of “wow, these villains all exist in the same universe!” The revelation at the end of the issue goes a long way in explaining events from the first two issues, and what it is that has everyone so stirred up.

Though interesting, I’m not particularly engaged. I can’t remember exactly how either of the first two issues ended, and picked this issue up because I’d read the first two and they didn’t turn me OFF to the series. THIS issue’s cliffhanger has me a bit more curious as to where things are going…but there’s still quite a ways to go yet before I’m firmly hooked on this book.

Art-wise…I really enjoy the way this book looks. There’s a certain detail–sometimes in linework, other times likely the coloring–that makes these characters come across as quite realistic in a still-in-a-comic-book sort of way. Offhand I’m not all that familiar with the artists (Hazlewood’s name I recognize), but the work here indicates I should be keeping an eye out for future work–this is good stuff!

All in all, definitely a strong issue, and I’ll be back for the next issue, most likely.

Story: 7.5/10
Art: 9/10
Whole: 8/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, DC, Secret Six | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a comment »