Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 2/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 2.5/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, R.E.B.E.L.S. | Tagged: Andy Clarke, Brainiac, Brainiac 2, Brian Cunningham, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Dox, Jose Villarrubia, Legion, R.E.B.E.L.S., Rex Ogle, Swands, Tony Bedard, Vril Dox | Leave a comment »
Emerald Eclipse part three
Story & Words: Peter J. Tomasi
Penciller: Patrick Gleason
Inker: Rebecca Buchman
Colorist: Randy Mayor
Letterer: Steve Wands
Editor: Adam Schlagman
Cover: Nei Ruffino
Publisher: DC Comics
A Red Lantern causes havok on Oa by busting out the prisoners held there. Meanwhile, Sodom Yat arrives at his homeworld to serve his office, but not for any sentimental value in helping the people there. At the same time, Soranik finds herself confronted by someone she’d rather not have to face.
I continue to dislike the art on this series. As I’ve said before, it feels largely cartooney and exaggerated in such a way that doesn’t really lend itself to immersion in the story. That’s not to say it’s bad in and of itself, just that it doesn’t appeal to me as a reader here, with this particular title.
The story on the other hand is very good, and really continues to ramp things up as we head down this final pathway toward Blackest Night. Players are being brought back onto the board and shifted into position for the next round, and one can feel the tension to things building all around. The portrayal of the various focal characters works really well, and lends affirmation to the time that’s been spent building things since the Sinestro Corps War.
If you’re fine with the art, you’ve got quite the package here. If you’re not thrilled with the art…you’ve got an issue that plays things up on the story side, and is more than worth “putting up with” the art.
Recommended.
Story: 7.5/10
Art: 6/10
Whole: 6.5/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Green Lantern Corps | Tagged: Adam Schlagman, Blackest Night, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Emerald Eclipse, GL, GL Corps, GLC, Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Nei Ruffino, Patrick Gleason, Peter J. Tomasi, Prelude to Blackest Night, Randy Mayor, Rebecca Buchman, Steve Wands | Leave a comment »
The Sleepers Part 2
Writer: Greg Rucka
Pencillers: Eddy Barrows & Sidney Teles
Inkers: Ruy Jose & Julio Ferreira
Colorist: Rod Reis
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Andrew Robinson
Publisher: DC Comics
This issue is largely one big fight scene as Ursa deals a lot of damage to the new Flamebird, while also showing no hesitation at dealing harm to Nightwing as well. We also get a little bit of Lois tring to get into contact with her sister about their dad while this is going on.
The art for this issue is pretty good–while it’s not my favorite, it certainly serves the story quite well, and fits on the whole.
The writing isn’t bad, but doesn’t really blow me away. Rucka’s no stranger to the Superman universe-and the supporting cast–but I’m not giving an automatic pass for history. There’s still a huge amount of potential to the overall story–especially the meta-arc touching into all of the Superman books.
As a whole, this issue’s not much to recommend in and of itself. But if you’re following the title, writer, artist, or just the overall Superman-universe story right now, this is a worthwhile pickup.
Story: 7.5/10
Art: 7.5/10
Whole: 7.5/10
Filed under: Action Comics, Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, World Without Superman (event) | Tagged: Action Comics, Andrew Robinson, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Eddy Barrows, Flamebird, Greg Rucka, Julio Ferreira, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Nightwing, Nightwing and Flamebird, Rob Leigh, Rod Reis, Ruy Jose, Sidney Teles, Superman, The Sleepers, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton, World Without Superman | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3.5/5
Art: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Brad Anderson, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Gary Frank, General Zod, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Krypton, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Steve Wands, Supergirl, Superman, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton, Zod | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Green Lantern | Tagged: Adam Schlagman, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Eddie Berganza, Gabe Eltaeb, Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Jonathan Glapion, Nei Ruffino, Oclair Albert, Philip Tan, Randy Mayor, Rob Leigh | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3/5
Filed under: Batman: Battle for the Cowl, Battle for the Cowl (Event), cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe | Tagged: Batman, Batman: Battle for the Cowl, Battle for the Cowl, Comic Reviews, Damian, DC, DC Comics, Ian Hannin, Janelle Siegel, Jared K. Fletcher, Jason Todd, Mike Marts, Nightwing, Robin, Sandu Florea, TOny Daniel | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3.5/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Filed under: Booster Gold, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe | Tagged: Booster Gold, Comic Reviews, Dan Jurgens, DC, DC Comics, Harvey RIchards, Hi-Fi, Michael Siglain, Norm Rapmund, Reality Lost, Sal Cipriano | Leave a comment »
Dirge
Story & Words: Peter J. Tomasi & Keith Champagne
Art: Peter Snejbjerg
Colors: John Kalisz
Lettering: Rob Leigh
Assistant Editor: Chris Conroy
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Cover: Dave Johnson
Publisher: DC Comics
This issue sees Cole move fully into his new leadership position, accepting the “signal-brand” of Alpha One, and learning more about his hero and ally. After being able to relate to a child who Alpha saved but whose parents weren’t, Cole helps Alpha to relate to the kid, and Alpha reveals his own need for Cole’s presence on the job. The two spend some time in Alpha’s home/headquarters (male bonding and all that), and we see a new “normal” settle in for all.
The art for this book works really well, and fits with the characters. I’m not all that familiar with the artist, though, so don’t come in with any expectations…I almost like it better that way, as it contributes to letting the art be the art, with no other expectations of quality or style heaped upon it. There’s a certain feel to it that does not make me think of super-hero comics, and I think that adds to a nice realistic tone to this book, putting my mind in more of a place to see the characters as entities that “could” exist in a real world somewhere that isn’t full of the usual super-hero figures.
The story is surprisingly good. On the one hand, I’d expected this series to be much more generic and like any other comic with a “realistic” super-hero in a world NOT chock full of super-heroes. However, while there is a bit of a generic feel, it seems to be because the title is still so young, and virtually anything new dealing with any kind of super-hero is going to feel like something we’ve seen before. There’s a lot of potential–at least for my own experience–for this to move away from anything I’ve read in super-hero comics in the past.
That the creative team co-created the character and are the ones setting things up–this isn’t just a new team on an established character/series–is a definite bonus. This is only the 3rd issue–if you can find the first couple of issues, this is well worth checking out, and a very good read so far.
Story: 8/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 8.5/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Misc., The Mighty | Tagged: Chris Conroy, Comic Reviews, Dave Johnson, DC, DC Comics, Dirge, Joey Cavalieri, John Kalisz, Keith Champagne, Mighty, Peter J. Tomasi, Peter Snejbjerg, Rob Leigh, The Mighty | Leave a comment »
Lightning Strikes Twice
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Ethan Van Sciver
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Assistant Editor: Chris Conroy
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Cover: Ethan Van Sciver, Alex Sinclair
Publisher: DC Comics
We open with a mystery in this issue, as someone with a tie to or fixation on the Flashes attacks and kills people in the Central City crime lab. As other police storm the lab, the killer–who was gathering certain chemicals–seems to reenact the accident that gave Barry Allen his powers. We then move to a “welcome back!” parade being held in honor of the recently-returned Barry Allen; while those closest to him also revel in the hero’s return. Barry resists the attention and importance placed on his return. When an old foe returns, Barry is onhand to deal with the foe–though what he gets is far from what he expected.
The art for this issue is quite good…but somehow for me fails to hold up to my expectations for how much I enjoyed the art on the OTHER Rebirth mini. Very solid stuff here, and you’d be hard-pressed to find much better, though!
I’m quite underwhelmed with the story so far. With the exception of a handful of my grandfather’s old comics more than a decade ago, the only instances I’ve ever had reading Barry have been few and far between, with him making brief appearances in Wally’s life…so I don’t know how the characterization holds up (ore doesn’t) by comparison. At the moment, I’m really not interested in Barry, even after this issue, and while the issue’s end leaves me curious as to what’s caused what happened, I can’t help but wonder if it’ll come across more cliched than not.
It was Johns’ focus issue on Zoom a few years back that first really drew me into the world of the Flash, and it’s Johns’ Flash that developed any interest I really have in the character–so I’m holding out hope that my interest will develop a lot more as this series progresses.
Probably the main drawback of this issue as a whole is that it feels–more than a lot of comics–like it IS a story chopped into segments. If you ReallyHaveToKnowRightNowAsItUnfolds what’s going on, jump on this issue. If you’re just looking for what’s hopefully going to be one of THE Flash stories with great art, I suspect you’ll be better off waiting for the collected volume.
Story: 7/10
Art: 8.5/10
Whole: 7.5/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Flash: Rebirth | Tagged: Alex Sinclair, Barry Allen, Bart Allen, Chris Conroy, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Ethan Van Sciver, Flash, Flash: Rebirth, Geoff Johns, Jay Garrick, Joey Cavalieri, Lightning Strikes Twice, Rebirth, Rob Leigh, The Flash, The Flash: Rebirth, Wally West | Leave a comment »
Black Adam & Isis part three: Family Feuds
Story: Geoff Johns, Jerry Ordway
Pencil art: Jerry Ordway
Ink art: Bob Wiacek & Jerry Ordway
Colors: Hi-Fi
Letters: Rob Leigh
Assistant Editor: Harvey Richards
Editor: Michael Siglain
Cover: Alex Ross (variant by Jerry Ordway)
Publisher: DC Comics
We resume the story with “Black Mary” asserting influence on Billy–creating “Black Billy” and illustrating an interesting point of the nature of the Marvel Family’s use of the power that flows through them. While the Marvels clash with the JSA, Jay Garrick accompanies Billy’s father as things race toward pivotal “Marvel family” events.
The art on this issue is fantastic, and for me works perfectly with this story. In addition to being high quality art, the fact that it is Ordway–who has more than just passing familiarity to the Marvel family–is icing on the cake.
The story itself is accessible to me as a reader who never paid much attention to any of the Marvel family characters until relatively recently, and yet it is so obvious that this draws on continuity put down over the past couple decades (Ordway’s involvement is testament to that!)
As part three of an only four or five-chapter story, this isn’t the best point to simply jump in exactly, but as a whole if you’ve any interest in the Marvel family, this is a story you ought to be reading. And if you’re looking for a crash course or playing some wikipedia-catchup and the cover intrigues you, give this a shot!
Highly recommended.
Story: 9/10
Art: 9/10
Whole: 9/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Justice Society of America | Tagged: Black Adam, Black Marvel Family, Bob Wiacek, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Family Feuds, Geoff Johns, Harvey RIchards, Hi-Fi, Isis, Jerry Ordway, JSA, Justice Society, Justice Society of America, Marvel Family, Marvels, Michael Siglain, Rob Leigh | Leave a comment »
Comic Reviews by Walt 