Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3/5
Art: 2.5/5
Overall: 2.5/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Krypton, Matt Idelson, Nei Ruffino, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Ron Randall, Superman, Superman: World of New Krypton, Wil Moss, World Against Superman, World of New Krypton | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3/5
Art: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Krypton, Matt Idelson, Nei Ruffino, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Ron Randall, Steve Wands, Superman, Superman: World of New Krypton, Wil Moss, World Against Superman, World of New Krypton | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3.5/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Filed under: Codename: Patriot (Event), cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Brad Anderson, Codename: Patriot, Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Krypton, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Steve Wands, Superman, Superman: World of New Krypton, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton | Leave a comment »
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Pere Perez
Colorist: Mazi
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Renato Guedes
Publisher: DC Comics
I bought this comic out of a combination of “habit” and the fact that it is part of the ongoing narrative of the Superman family of books these days (even though it sports a black “S” in place of a number for this issue’s place in the overall sequence of things).
This issue’s story details how Chris Kent went from the kid we saw in “Last Son” to where we saw him during the initial New Krypton event as the new Nightwing. It also details how Flamebird got to be what/where she is. Since the point of this annual IS the filling in of those gaps in info, I’m not going to dance around the plot being all vague and such beyond what I’ve already said.
The art works quite well on the whole here–I especially liked the depiction of the Phantom Zone as compared to the 3-D crap foisted on us with the Last Son arc. The way it was depicted here gets the same effect across without resorting to the stupid stunt of needing 3-D glasses to see panels clearly and such. I’m not a fan of the newer costumes for Nightwing & Flamebird…something about the looks just doesn’t work for me, regardless of the in-story explanation for them. Despite that complaint, the way they’re depicted is about as good as I suppose I can expect of these costumes.
While this story sheds further light on the characters (even adding a bit to Non, which I liked) it doesn’t seem entirely essential. One could almost see it as one of those guides to a new DVD player’s remote: the buttons on the device are fairly intuitive and you can get by without the guide…but the guide fills in that much more and does give you a different overall experience for having read it than not.
However, I do think the $5 price tag on this issue was just a bit steep–even just the difference to $4.50 would be preferable, steep as that is as well. If the price doesn’t bother you too much, this is a good issue to pick up.
Story: 7.50/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 7.5/10
Filed under: Action Comics, Action Comics Annual, Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe | Tagged: Action Comics, Action Comics Annual, Annual, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Flamebird, Greg Rucka, Matt Idelson, Mazi, New Krypton, Nightwing, Nightwing and Flamebird, Origin of Nightwing and Flamebird, Pere Perez, Renato Guedes, Rob Leigh, Superman, The Sleepers, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton, World Without Superman | Leave a comment »
The Sleepers Part 4
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Diego Olmos
Colorist: Rod Reis
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Andrew Robinson
Publisher: DC Comics
This issue finds a couple of the “Sleepers” (the ones Nightwing and Flamebird are after) house-jacking (cuz hey, they’re Kryptonian and powerful…so let’s go that step above and beyond car-jacking). Lois and Thara talk a bit as Thara explains a bit about her relationship with Chris (K’riss to her). General Lane reacts to recent goings-on and continues to show questionable judgement. Nightwing and Flamebird find themselves back in action (no pun intended) and before long come across an ambush that may or may not pose a significant threat to them.
This issue continues to hold plenty of promise, though the execution is definitely flawed. I’m not all that engaged with the characters, nor do I particularly like them. The abnormally-fast-aging thing with Chris isn’t all that original to me (and I enjoyed the dynamic of him being a much younger child in Clark/Lois’ life, but as a semi-adult super-being…he’s just not that interesting). The story is decent, but not wonderful.
The art’s also in the good-but-not-spectacular sorta category. It fits the story and conveys what needs to be gotten across.
This remains an ok title, and mostly lives up to its name. It’s just not the most engaging, enjoyable thing you’ll find out there these days.
Story: 7/10
Art: 6.5/10
Whole: 7/10
Filed under: Action Comics, Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, World Without Superman (event) | Tagged: Action Comics, Andrew Robinson, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Diego Olmos, Flamebird, Greg Rucka, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Nightwing, Nightwing and Flamebird, Rob Leigh, Rod Reis, Superman, The Sleepers, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton, World Without Superman | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3/5
Art: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Brad Anderson, Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Gary Frank, Green Lantern, Greg Rucka, Hal Jordan, James Robinson, John Stewart, Krypton, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Sodam Yat, Steve Wands, Superman, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton, Zod | Leave a comment »
The Sleepers Part 3
Writer: Greg Rucka
Pencillers: Sidney Teles
Inkers: Sandro Ribeiro
Colorist: Rod Reis
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Andrew Robinson
Publisher: DC Comics
Chris Kent is reunited with Lois, but their joy is short-lived as they must attend to securing medical attention for Thara, who has been badly injured from the battle with Ursa. Dr. Light (the good one) is called in, and she doesn’t care about the planet-wide ban on Kryptonians. While Thara is cared for, Chris races back to the site of the battle and confronts his mother…while also providing cause for General Lane & Co. to learn more than they should about Nightwing and Flamebird.
The story is decent….it’s not anything hyper-wonderful, but as the story is just beginning to build, it works well enough. I enjoyed the Chris Kent character much more as a roughly-6-years-old kid…as a character spontaneously aged to mid/late-teens, he feels too derivative…I’d enjoy that role being filled by Connor Kent. Still, I can’t deny that it provides for some interesting enough character interactions.
The art actually comes across as far more enjoyable for me this issue than I remember the previous issue or wo being. The visuals definitely work well for this issue, and combined with the story itself, makes for a good issue of the “new” “World Without Superman” Action Comics.
If you’re digging the stories being crafted in the Superman corner of the DCU of late, and/or enjoy the new Nightwing & Flamebird, this issue’s well worthwhile.
Story: 7/10
Art: 7/10
Whole: 7/10
Filed under: Action Comics, DC, DC Universe, World Without Superman (event) | Tagged: Action Comics, Andrew Robinson, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Flamebird, Greg Rucka, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Nightwing, Nightwing and Flamebird, Rob Leigh, Rod Reis, Sandro Ribeiro, 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
Art: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Brad Anderson, Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Gary Frank, General Zod, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Steve Wands, Superman, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton | 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 »
Comic Reviews by Walt 