Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 2/5
Art: 3/5
Overall: 2.5/5
Filed under: Booster Gold, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe | Tagged: Booster Gold, Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, Dan Jurgens, DC, DC Comics, Harvey RIchards, Hi-Fi, Keith Giffen, Michael Siglain, Norm Rapmund, Pat Olliffe, Rodney Ramos, Sal Cipriano | Leave a comment »
A Matter of Anti-Life or Death!
Writer: Kevin Vanhook
Pencillers: Julian Lopez & Fernando Pasarin
Inkers: Bit, Norm Rapmund, & Fernando Pasarin
Colorist: Hi-Fi
Letterer: Steve Wands
Assistant Editor: Harvey Richards
Editor: Michael Siglain
Cover: Guillem March
Publisher: DC Comics
Oracle and her new friends take on the Calculator on a high-tech, virtual-reality front. Their battle eventually shifts to the real world, as “the cure” stands revealed.
The art for this issue is consistent with the earlier issues. It’s not a style I’m all that thrilled with–there’s something to the art as a whole that doesn’t quite do it for me; that seems just a bit inconsistent from some panels to others (leaving aside obvious changes to represent what characters are seeing as ‘virtual reality’ in the game-world/internet log). The art is not horrible, but is not what I would seek out, and would not sell me on the issue.
The story is a bit of a cop-out; I’m not sure how much of that is that this series is so SHORT after half a decade of being groomed into acceptance of the 6-issue arc as “standard,” and how much is other stuff. The events seem to be within the realm of what I know of the title character, but at the same time, I just don’t feel that there’s any real enormity to stuff going on; I’m not sold on the necessity of this mini’s existence. You can certainly find worse stories, and probably worse depictions of the character.
As far as story arcs go, and mini-series in general, this seems little more than a weak attempt to “test the waters” for some ongoing series, while tying into/capitalizing on the Battle for the Cowl “event.”
Unless you’re a die-hard Barbara Gordon fan interested in any/all starring-role appearances, I don’t think this series has been essential to the character as yet; if you’ve bought the first two issues of the series, and enjoyed it, no real reason to avoid this final issue.
Story: 6/10
Art: 6/10
Whole: 6/10
Filed under: Battle for the Cowl: Commissioner Gordon, Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Oracle: The Cure | Tagged: Barbara Gordon, Batgirl, Batman, Battle for the Cowl, Bit, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Fernando Pasarin, Guillem March, Harvey RIchards, Hi-Fi, Julian Lopez, Kevin Vanhook, Michael Siglain, Norm Rapmund, Oracle, Oracle: The Cure, Steve Wands | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 4.5/5
Art: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
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Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Final Crisis (Event), Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds | Tagged: Adam Schlagman, Bart, Bart Allen, Brainiac 5, Comic Reviews, Connor Kent, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Eddie Berganza, Final Crisis, Flash, Geoff Johns, George Perez, Hi-Fi, Kid Flash, Legion, Legion of 3 Worlds, Legion of Super-Heroes, Legion of Three Worlds, Nick Napolitano, Scott Koblish, Superboy, Superboy Prime, Time Trapper, Tom Smith | 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 »
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 »
Home Again, Home Again
Writer: Kevin Vanhook
Pencillers: Julian Lopez & Fernando Pasarin
Inkers: Bit & Hi-Fi’s David Bryant
Colorist: Hi-Fi
Letterer: Steve Wands
Assistant Editor: Harvey Richards
Editor: Michael Siglain
Cover: Guillem March
Publisher: DC Comics
We open on a view from outside Barbara Gordon’s new apartment building, as residents all react to flickering availability of power. We then move into seeing Barbara interact with her father, some other allies, hacker contacts, and so on, showing us much of what makes up the life of Oracle as she adjusts to being back in Gotham City after being gone for quite awhile.
The story isn’t bad, though I’m not terribly enthused by it. Nothing really blows me away…in fact, a couple points actually strike me as extremely cliche. There’s a point that’s brought up several times throughout the issue that screams foreshadowing to me (and cliched foreshadowing at that). Additionally, what happens with one of Barbara’s hacker friends seems laughably unrealistic to me, like a plot point jammed in because there was no other way to have such a point occur otherwise.
The art’s not bad. It seems vaguely generic at points, but comes across smoothly for the most part. Aside from some…questionable angles…you could really find a lot of art in comics out there that is far less appealing. What we have in this issue works for the story, and fits.
The way the foreshadowing pays off in the next two issues will really inform how integral this series is to the Battle for the Cowl story as a whole. For now, this seems to be at least a nice tie-in that takes the context of the overall story and is telling a smaller aspect of that story with a particular focus that needn’t include the entire Bat-verse.
Could be much better, but not a bad read if you’re interested in the character or having all the tie-ins and such.
Story: 7/10
Art: 7/10
Whole: 7/10
Filed under: Battle for the Cowl (Event), Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Oracle: The Cure | Tagged: Barbara Gordon, Batgirl, Batman, Battle for the Cowl, Bit, Comic Reviews, David Bryant, DC, DC Comics, Fernando Pasarin, Guillem March, Harvey RIchards, Hi-Fi, Home Again Home Again, Julian Lopez, Kevin Vanhook, Michael Siglain, Oracle, Oracle: The Cure, Steve Wands | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Filed under: Booster Gold, Comic Reviews 2009, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe | Tagged: Booster Gold, Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, Dan Jurgens, DC, DC Comics, Harvey RIchards, Hi-Fi, Michael Siglain, Norm Rapmund, Reality Lost, Sal Cipriano | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Filed under: Booster Gold, Comic Reviews 2009, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Origins & Omens (Event) | Tagged: Booster Gold, Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, Dan Jurgens, DC, DC Comics, Harvey RIchards, Hi-Fi, Michael Siglain, Norm Rapmund, Origins & Omens, Reality Lost, Rob Leigh | Leave a comment »
Suspicion!
Writer: James Robinson
Penciller: Pablo Raimondi
Inkers: Pablo Raimondi & Walden Wong
Colorist: Hi-Fi
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Aaron Lopresti & Hi-Fi
Publisher: DC Comics
This issue picks up with Superman having a bit of a tantrum on New Krypton at the fact that General Zod not only has been freed of the Phantom Zone but that he now lead’s New Krypton’s army. After fists fail, talking ensues, and Superman grudgingly seems to let things slide for now, though he makes known his misgivings.Back on Earth, Kryptonians–with a specific exception made for Superman–are banned, which sparks the new Flamebird and Nightwing into action as their clock is ticking (and a blurb informing readers to follow them into next month’s Action Comics). Superman and Lois visit his fortress while he ponders things, and then a voice from his past cries out, leading to the issue’s cliffhanger.
The story isn’t bad, but really lacks some “oomph!” I find myself actually bored by the New Krypton stuff, especially given the abrupt ending of the titled story while this still feels like it should fall under that heading. This story also feels like filler, just sorta moving pieces on the board around to force stuff into a new status quo for next month with the Superman family of books.
The art also is not bad, but doesn’t particularly thrill me. Not bad, but not spectacular. It gets stuff across that needs gotten across, but doesn’t begin to get in line to be art I’d specifically choose for Superman.
Origins & Omens
Writer: James Robinson
Penciller: Renato Guedes
Inker: Jose Wilson Magalhaes
Colorist: David Curiel
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
This backup stars The Guardian, and basically follows him through some (for him) relatively normal activities in his new job as head of the Science Police. Some of his history is touched upon–particularly recent developments/revelations, with some hints of what may be in store for him given.
Though I don’t particularly care for Guedes’ art style, it works for me pretty well here–perhaps because it’s not Superman/Clark himself depicted but other characters I don’t have so firm an idea in my head as to what they look like. The story is basic, but then, six pages is hardly room for any great storytelling for the most part.
If you’ve been following everything New Krypton, or the “triangle numbers,” this is worthwhile, This is probably also worthwhile as a bit of a prologue to the new status quo for Superman and Action Comics to come. That the main story is shorted for the backup doesn’t exactly make the issue all that enticing.
Story: 6/10
Art: 6/10
Whole: 6/10
Filed under: Action Comics, Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Origins & Omens (Event) | Tagged: Aaron Lopresti, Action Comics, Comic Reviews, David Curiel, DC, DC Comics, Hi-Fi, James Robinson, Jose WIlson Magalhaes, Matt Idelson, Mon-El, New Krypton, Origins & Omens, Pablo Raimondi, Phantom Zone, Renato Guedes, Rob Leigh, Superman, Valor, Walden Wong, Wil Moss, Zod | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Final Crisis (Event), Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds | Tagged: Adam Schlagman, Brainiac 5, Comic Reviews 2008, cxPulp.com, Dave McCaig, DC, DC Comics, Eddie Berganza, Final Crisis, Geoff Johns, George Perez, Hi-Fi, Kid Flash, Legion of 3 Worlds, Legion of Super-Heroes, Legion of Three Worlds, Nick Napolitano, Scott Koblish | Leave a comment »
Comic Reviews by Walt 