Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Red Robin | Tagged: Christopher Yost, Collision, Comic Reviews, Connor, DC, DC Comics, Guy Major, Janelle Siegel, League of Assassins, Marcus To, Mike Marts, Ra's al Ghul, Ray McCarthy, Red Robin, Robin, Sal Cipriano, Superboy, Tim Drake | Leave a comment »
Wonder Woman: Blackest Night
Writer: Greg Rucka
Pencils: Nicola Scott
Inks: Jonathan Glapion
Colors: Nei Ruffino
Cover: Greg Horn
Letters: Travis Lanham
Assoc. Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Published by: DC Comics
Wonder Woman marvels over the Love-Ring, witnesses the spreading destruction from the Black Lanterns and chats briefly with Carol Ferris about their differences as Star Sapphires, fights Mera, and when she tries to use her ring to help Mera, makes some sort of realization that hits close to the heart. The issue’s ending seems almost tacked-on, and directs us into the main Blackest Night series.
Story-wise, this continues to be more of a disappointment than not. Somehow, it’s feeling more like a “filler” story than anything else, with not much really happening. I don’t feel I have any new understanding of Wonder Woman/Diana coming out of this issue, and just as with the previous issue, this seems to take place in a very limited span of time–between Nekron commanding all those who’ve been resurrected withOUT rings to “Die” and the “reinforcement” rings seeking out “backup.” While there’s probably stuff here that’s much more compelling to longtime fans of Mera and Diana, any such content seems to have gone over my head reading by myself.
The art of this issue is good, on the whole…not much for complaint. The art certainly carries its weight providing the imagery of the story, showing Diana’s wonder at the ring, the two Star Sapphires soaring over the city, the Diana/Mera fight, and so on. My primary complaints are the Star Sapphire costumes, which seem overly “exposing”–but then, I suppose “lust” could be a form of “love”–and the double-page spread preceding Diana’s final conversing with Mera left me wondering what the significance was…but I’m not sure how much of that is the art not getting something across, or the story not getting it across (at the same time, just as likely to be me as a reader not “getting” something).
On the whole, not much about this to recommend except to those wanting light expansion on Wonder Woman’s being a short-term Star Sapphire. If you’re just following the Blackest Night series itself, this issue/mini really doesn’t seem to add anything to the main story.
Story: 4/10
Art: 7/10
Overall: 5/10
Filed under: Blackest Night (Event), Blackest Night: Wonder Woman, Comic Reviews 2010, DC, DC Universe | Tagged: Adam Schlagman, Blackest Night, Blackest Night: Wonder Woman, Carol Ferris, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Eddie Berganza, Greg Horn, Greg Rucka, Jonathan Glapion, Mera, Nei Ruffino, Nicola Scott, Star Sapphire, Travis Lanham, Wonder Woman | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 2/5
Art: 3/5
Overall: 2.5/5
Filed under: Blackest Night (Event), cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe | Tagged: Bill Sienkiewicz, black lantern, Blackest Night, Comic Reviews, Cully Hamner, Dave McCaig, David Baron, DC, DC Comics, Dennis O'Neil, Denys Cowan, Greg Rucka, Harvey RIchards, John J. Hill, John Stanisci, Michael Siglain, One More Question, Question, Renee Montoya, Vic Sage | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 2/5
Art: 2.5/5
Overall: 2.5/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Adam Strange, Brad Anderson, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Final Issue, Gary Frank, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Krypton, Matt Idelson, Nei Ruffino, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Ron Randall, Steve Wands, Superman, Wil Moss, World Against Superman, World of New Krypton | Leave a comment »
Death & the Family
Writer: Sterling Gates
Artist: Matt Camp
Colorist: Nei Ruffino
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover: Joshua Middleton
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Published by: DC Comics
In many ways, the cover kinda spoils this issue. Then again…perhaps that’s just comin’ from a guy who sees an image that is rather “iconic”–not really in and of itself, but in the sense of an almost archetypal image. It could also be a bit of a cultural thing, at least here in the US. Supergirl collapsed on the floor, her back to us, facing the double-doors reading “Emergency” and the “red cross” signifying “hospital” (and the all-too-familiar hand-rails along the walls). Knowing the Lana Lang subplot that’s been going on in this book for awhile, it’s easy to put two-and-two together and come up with “something bad happens to Lana.”
This issue opens in such a way that if you didn’t have the familiar names of the Superman-family cast of characters, one would not be blamed for thinking this was a comic-book version of House. Lana’s on the phone with Perry, leaving her apartment, and while the doorman hails her a cab, she collapses, bleeding from the eyes, nose, and mouth, and no one quite knows why (though the reader is shown a clue).
We then get back to the Supergirl/Silver Banshee battle where Supergirl has been possessed by the spirits of the Banshee’s ancestors, turning her into a counterpart of the Banshee. Once this threat is dealt with, Supergirl and Inspector Henderson face another threat, and then converse on a rooftop overlooking the city. Public emergency over, Supergirl’s super-hearing picks up on Lana’s plight, and the personal emergency begins as Supergirl rushes to her friend. The clue at the beginning of the issue somehow lessened the impact of this scene, and that feeling of disconnect built as Supergirl dug a bit deeper into the situation, and the issue ends with a cliffhanger that should have seemed extremely obvious from the beginning.
The art for the issue’s pretty good overall. My main gripe is with the colors–for a comic, far too much seems too “shiny” for my tastes. While this may–in some ways–lend to realism, there’s something distracting and off-putting about it. Despite that, the visual style’s good, and does what the art for a comic should do.
The story’s decent, though less impactful than I’d expected going into the issue. If my suspicions from the end of the issue are correct, it represents even more of what I’m disliking about many DC books the last couple of years. Still, the actual execution adds to the characters and the development of the ongoing story, and is still definitely worth reading. Also despite expectations not being met, after reading this week’s Green Lantern #50, I should note that this issue falls into a similar well: years ago, this would’ve been a “gimmicked” cover given the supposed enormity of the interior story, AND this would be issue #50…and the final sequence would be in the next issue and not this one. As-is, the story is thus coming across much more AS story, and not like it’s being entirely padded to occur in a certain issue-number for the sake of happening in a given issue.
New readers may be lost if this is the first issue read…but it’s not impossible to get into the issue. I suspect, though, that one is just as likely to read this as “the latest issue” as to come back to pick it up after they read #50. While #50 remains to be seen as to its own worth, this issue is worthwhile reading if one’s interested in the character and her story.
Story: 7/10
Art: 7/10
Overall: 7/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2010, DC, DC Universe, Supergirl | Tagged: Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Death and the Family, Jared K. Fletcher, Joshua Middleton, Lana Lang, Matt Camp, Matt Idelson, Nei Ruffino, New Krypton, Silver Banshee, Sterling Gates, Supergirl, Superman, Wil Moss, World Against Superman | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 4/5
Art: 4.5/5
Overall: 4/5
Filed under: Blackest Night (Event), cxPulp.com | Tagged: Adam Schlagman, Atom, black lantern, Blackest Night, Bye Bye Birdie, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Eddie Berganza, Fernando Pasarin, Gardner Fox, Geoff Johns, Hawkman, Hi-Fi, Indigo, Indigo Tribe, Nick J. Napolitano, Ryan Sook | Leave a comment »
Man of Valor part three
Writer: James Robinson
Artist: Bernard Chang
Colorist: Blond
Letterer: John J. Hill
Cover: Cafu, Santiago Arcas
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Published by: DC Comics
I continue to read this book, though I’m a bit anxious to see if it improves once Superman (assumably) actually returns to it. Mon-El is a character I’ve never cared for all that much–what little I’ve known of him–and given that, I much preferred him as “Valor” from the early 1990s. But that’s from a different continuity and reality, apparently…at least since Infinite Crisis…so we’ve got what we’ve got. Mon-El–despite being written by James Robinson–remains almost entirely uninteresting (aside from the fact that I look forward to him facing off with General Lane). I’m also not much more interested in the Guardian. After the set-up of his apparently having a “daughter” to care for–who has hardly been referenced in I-don’t-know-how-long) and the confusion I have as to his identity (to this day, I have not figured out if this Guardian is a clone of the Guardian I read in the 1990s Superman titles, or if this is that same Guardian, with his origin played up more than ever before). Yet, I don’t really care enough to find out, as neither option thrills me. I also care very little for Nightwing and Flamebird. Despite their potential, there just hasn’t seemed to be much in the way of satisfying development with them…I feel like they’re just pieces being pushed around a gameboard for some inevitable endgame or arbitrary “big sacrifice” or other role in coming events.
This issue continues the “Man of Valor” arc from Action comics…which at least in itself is kinda refreshing–though it renders the cover “shield numbering” fairly irrelevant (Parts 2 and 3 of this story are “shield #23” and “shield #25” respectively). Mon-El, Nightwing, Flamebird, and Guardian make sure everyone is ok after the blast that seemingly took ’em all out. Mon-El and Guardian send Nightwing and Flamebird away, preparing to hold off General Lane’s forces while the Kryptonians make their getaway…unfortunately, the two lovers double back fearing for their friends, but ultimately leave at Mon-El’s urging. While Mon-El and Lane trade words, Guardian finds someone apparently named “Control,” and Mon-El rushes to their side to face the horror of what has happened to this character.
I don’t know who this “Control” is, though I suspect she is just one particularly forgettable character that never made any real impact on me whatsoever in my reading. As stated above, the writing inspires no real sense of connection to any of these characters, nor any interest in them.
The art comes across as better than some recent issues, though it’s still not something I’d categorize amidst my favorite work.
I can’t help but wonder if this story being more of a “crossover” with actual Story Name and chapters crossing from Action Comics is an effort to tie things together, get things over with quicker, or both.
If you’re already following the events of this ongoing “World Against Superman” mega-arc or the Superman/Action Comics Man of Valor arc…this issue’s probably worth getting. Otherwise, nothing special or spectacular here to warrant picking up outta the blue.
Story: 5/10
Art: 6/10
Overall: 5.5/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2010, DC, DC Universe, Superman | Tagged: Bernard Chang, Blond, Cafu, Chris Kent, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Flamebird, Guardian, James Robinson, John J. Hill, Man of Valor, Matt Idelson, Mon-El, New Krypton, Nightwing, Santiago Arcas, Superman, Valor, Wil Moss, World Against Superman | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3/5
Filed under: Blackest Night (Event), Blackest Night: JSA, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe | Tagged: Adam Schlagman, Blackest Night, Brian Cunningham, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Eber Ferreira, Eddie Berganza, Eddy Barros, Eddy Barrows, James Robinson, John J. Hill, JSA, Julio Ferreira, Justice Society, Justice Society of America, Luciana Del Negro, Marcos Marz, Nei Ruffino, Rex Ogle, Rod Reis, Tony Bedard, Troubled Souls | Leave a comment »
Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Gary Frank
Inker: Jon Sibal
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Steve Wands
Covers: Gary Frank, Brad Anderson
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Edior: Matt Idelson
Lex Luthor has a lottery. Each day, he’ll pick one person from the assembled crowd outside his building, and attempt to make their dreams come true, putting his expansive resources to full use. The latest “winner,” Rudy Jones, has already been shown to be a bit of a parasite, leeching off those around him. Thanks to his disgusting disregard for things better left to common sense, he finds himself victim of a chemical spill that transforms him into the being that will become known as The Parasite. Amidst this, Luthor has summoned Lois and Clark to question them about the “flying man” spotted around Metropolis. As The Parasite’s threat escalates, Clark bows out and the “flying man” returns, saving many and yet winding up looking questionable to the city as Luthor hurls accusations at him. When he takes some time for himself atop the Daily Planet building, he finds he’s not alone–young Jimmy Olsen is there, saying goodbye to the city he’s failed to become a part of…not realizing what an important friendship he’s about to enter into with another necomer to the city…and reaps the reward of taking a chance and asking a favor.
There’s something that’s lost by this being an origin tale in years-old continuity where much has already been questioned. We’ve already seen much of the change this origin would essentially set up, losing any real discovery, revelation, or chance to follow a huge, unfolding story. While Byrne‘s Man of Steel significantly altered the details of Superman’s beginnings in the mid 1980s, it was also the opening chapter, the actual foundation, of the official Superman story. This series, while altering the details of Superman’s beginnings yet again, feels like more of a plug-up-the-holes sort of thing than a foundation.
This issue doesn’t feel quite like the earlier issues. We have some origin-like stuff in terms of The Parasite, but there’s not much character development. Parasite’s an unlikable, uninteresting character to me–rather two-dimensional, really–and seems to serve little more here than plot device to give Superman something to fight, to punch…and to be more directly “outed” as existing to the public of Metropolis.
The art by Gary Frank, of course, is stellar…on the whole, I really enjoy his art, and it brings a great look to this series and this issue. My primary gripe is the seemingly obvious use of Christopher Reeve as a “model” for this depiction of Clark/Superman…there are panels–such as on page 7 where Clark suggests to Perry’s question of the man actually flying “Um, up, up and–away”–where the imagery just SCREAMS Christopher Reeve. On the one hand, a fitting tribute, and acknowledgment of the man’s legacy and impact on this character, especially in the eyes of the public in and outside of comics. On the other hand…it seems another sign of Superman being “stuck” and unable to really grow and develop beyond a decades-old image that’s clung to, returned to, after decades of actually growing and developing the character beyond simplistic and hokey stories/concepts.
If I were a new fan of Superman, or at least new to the comics, I suspect I would find this a great, thrilling issue and enjoy it very much. As it is, as a longtime DC reader watching the character I’ve grown up on over the past two decades being phased into something of an amalgamation of every possible version of the character…it’s frustrating and discouraging. Johns is a great writer, and obviously has a knowledge of much that is Superman–from the comics, from tv, from the movies–and I can appreciate that effort’s being put forth to reconcile many versions into one cohesive whole.
Usually for me it’s the story that makes the issue…but in this case, the art’s the primary draw for me. I don’t like where the Superman books are headed, nor the revamping and loss of “my” Superman–but this is at the very least the best-looking Superman book out there these days.
Story: 7/10
Art: 9/10
Overall Enjoyment of the issue: 6/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2010, DC, DC Universe, Superman: Secret Origin | Tagged: Brad Anderson, Clark Kent, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Gary Frank, Geoff Johns, Jon Sibal, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Matt Idelson, origin, Perry White, Secret Origin, Steve Wands, Superman, Superman: Secret Origin, Wil Moss | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 4.5/5
Art: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Filed under: Blackest Night (Event), cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Green Lantern | Tagged: 50, Adam Schlagman, black lantern, Blackest Night, Christian Alamy, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Doug Mahnke, Eddie Berganza, Gabe Eltreb, Geoff Johns, Green Lantern, Mark Irwin, New Guardians, Parallax, Pete Pantazis, Randy Mayor, Rebecca Buchman, Rebirth, Rob Leigh, Spectre, Tom Nguyen | Leave a comment »
Comic Reviews by Walt 