Comic Mini-Reviews Week of May 23rd, 2012

This week: BATMAN INC RETURNS...also, other stuff.

Comic Mini-Reviews Week of April 25th, 2012

This week: The Vampire apocalypse gets postponed, Daredevil is back to where he started, and the Flash is kind of a jumble.

Comic Mini-Reviews Week of March 28th, 2012

This week: Mole Man is a sympathetic character, Justice League Dark fights vampires, and Jonah Hex hits New Orleans!

Comic Mini-Reviews Week of January 25th, 2012

This week, Jonah Hex and Doctor Arkham go spelunking, Batman makes a weird tactical choice, and reverse-scubas suits!

Comic Mini-Reviews Week of November 23rd, 2011

All Star Western #3 – After a spectacular first issue and a solid second issue, All Star seems to have settled comfortably into the realm somewhere between good and great. Jonah Hex and Jeremiah Arkham continue to make for a fascinating odd couple. In issue one, Arkham's insight into Hex's mind was a perfect introduction to the character, unfortunately issues two and three gave way mostly to violence with little introspection. Still, All Star Western is one of the better books in the New 52. Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray's historic Gotham city is a great playground for Hex, it will be interesting to see how long the pair keeps him there. Of course, Moritat's art continues to be the true star of the series. There is something about his that imbues All Star with a near perfect atmosphere. Moritat's Hex, of course, is ugly as sin on a Sunday while the barmaids of old Gotham are buxom and beautiful. The backup starring El Diablo is fine, but it is nowhere near the quality of the main story.

Aquaman #3 – If this series feels familiar—it should. Geoff Johns is employing many of the same strategies he used in his runs on books like Green Lantern and the Flash to expand the Aquaman mythos. Based on his previous works (and Aquaman so far), it is obvious that Johns likes to do use flashbacks quite a bit—specifically ones involving parents. Accordingly, in issue three, we get a health dose of Aquaman's relationship with his father. This was alluded to in issue one, but here we actually see it. Johns employs another of his favorite back-story expanding tricks with the introduction of a mysterious, and formerly unknown, character named Stephen Shin. A perfectly adequate issue with great art.

The Flash #3 – Speaking of art, The Flash is one of DC's best looking books. Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato turn in a solid, well written, and well conceived script that is helped mightily by the duos own art. When it comes to DC's artist-written books, The Flash is second only to Batwoman in overall quality. As I have said before, I have no problem with artists branching out into writing gigs. In fact, it has brought the comic industry some great writers. Yet, DC's New 52 has had very mixed results with artists in the role of writers. The opening action set-piece is one of the most fun Flash moments I have read in a while. Every once in a while, a book will explore just how powerful the Flash's abilities make him—usually with fun results.

Green Lantern: The New Guardians #3 – There has been a bit of a revolving door at the various color-coded Corps over the last few years. There is just something about humans that they all seem to love. All four of the Earth Green Lanterns have wielded one of the different rings or been possessed by the major spirits behind their powers in the last few years. Now, in New Guardians issue three we see the ultimate culmination of the Rainbow Corps' hard-on for earthmen—Kyle Rayner wears all of the rings. That's right, he caught them all...pokemon. Thankfully, this excess of finger jewelry only lasts momentarily and we are treated to the first appearance of the Orange Lanterns in New Guardians. This series has been solid from the get-go, ranking somewhere near the bottom of the second tier of New 52 books, and this issue does little to improve or diminish that standing.

Justice League Dark #3 – Peter Milligan is doing a solid job balancing the cast of characters—giving them all a time to shine and contribute to the unraveling story. Even with three months to acclimate, it is still kind of strange seeing so many denizens of Vertigo back in the regular DCU, but so far it seems to be working. One of the biggest failings of team books is an inability to match the threat to the team, but Milligan's JLD has a threat that only characters like Zatanna, Constantine, and Deadman could hope to combat. Also, Justice League Dark makes for an interesting counter point to Justice League—both books have spent the first three issues building the teams rosters, but the former is much more successful than the latter. Perhaps it is because Milligan is juggling the entire team in every issue while Johns is slowly introducing a new character in each issue. For my money, JLD is a much better book.

Wolverine and the X-men #2 – Issue two was not quite as fun as issue one, but the series still has quite a bit going for it. Between Jason Aaron's scripting and Chris Bachalo's pencils, Wolverine and the X-men has an energy unlike anything else I am currently reading. Based on my limited knowledge of X-men lore, it seems that this series is a great starting point for new readers, but also brings enough continuity to the table to make current readers happy. For me, the ending was of particular excitement because I recently read Grant Morrison's run on New X-men and one of his creations is situated to save the day.

DCnU Week 5 Mini-reviews:

All Star Western #1 – Palmiotti and Grey have such an incredible grasp on Jonah Hex. Issue one of All Star Western makes it pretty clear why they were able to keep a cowboy/western-themed comic going for so long pre-relaunch. All Star is a great first issue. Jonah Hex and Jeremiah Arkham might be my new favorite odd couple in the DCU. Palmiotti and Grey found a perfect way to introduce new readers to Hex by having Arkham psycho-analyze him as they search for Gotham's version of Jack the Ripper. Moritat's art is downright incredible. All Star shows that he is a new talent to be reckoned with in the future. This book definitely is among my favorite books of the DC Relaunch.

Aquaman #1 – What a surprise! After the let down of Justice League and the solid but unspectacular Green Lantern, I was worried that I had bet on the wrong horse. Yet, Geoff Johns once again proves why he is one of the best classical superhero storytellers. He is one of the few writers (Johns, Waid, Morrison, maybe Bendis) that can distill the essence of a character into an exciting and kinetic package. It is obvious that Johns made addressing the conceptions and misconceptions of Aquaman a high priority. There's literally a scene in the middle of the comic where the hero is being peppered with questions by nerd stereotypes (including a cameo by aintitcool.com's Harry Knowles). The thing is...that sounds boring...but it works! Johns, with legitimately great art from Ivan Reis, presents an Aqua-

man that is a serious badass and an interesting character. After one issue,

this is one of the most exciting books of the New 52.

Firestorm, the Nuclear Men #1 – What a mess. Firestorm was the first legitimate debacle I have read of the DCnU. Granted, I have only read about half of the books, but I would argue that Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver's first issue was very close to horrible. The characters are transparent, the story is laughable, and the dialogue is just plain bad. They attempt to set up conflict between Ronnie Raymond and Jason Rusch, but it just falls flat. I know that Simone tends to walk a fine line between great and goofy, but in Firestorm the line disappears. I am sure that the entirety of the blame does not rest on her. EVS' plot must not have given her much to work with. The art is passable.

Flash #1 – When I made my pull list of 15 DCnU books, Flash was the book that would have been number 16. I have obviously not stuck to my original plans, so it should be no surprise that Manapul and Bucellato's first issue ended up in my hands at checkout. The only unanswered question was whether the artists had the writing chops to carry the book. So far, they've been solid. The nice thing is that art is so gorgeous that it can carry just about an story. (Side-note: An interesting thought experiment might be to think about how bad a story Manapul's art could make look good.) Thankfully his and Bucellato's first issue's script is plenty solid.

Green Lantern: The New Guardians #1 – There's a reason that Green Lantern is one of the least changed of the New 52. The pre-relaunch status quo was already solid. Maybe my opinion is skewed because he was the only Green Lantern for much of my childhood, but Kyle Rayner is just so likable. This issue suffers from a good deal of repetitiveness, but it kind of makes sense. It might have been slow for established readers, but it was a pretty smooth introduction to what the other corps are all about for new readers. A fine issue with very little to be excited about or frustrated with.

Justice League Dark #1 – A solid first issue. I really enjoy when the formation of a superhero team feels organic. It's also fun to see some of the characters that have been in the Vertigo universe working alongside DC's more traditional heroes. As Timothy Callahan pointed out, Superman, Wonder Woman, andCyborg's appearance was reminiscent of the early Vertigo days beforethe wall of separation was built between the two imprints. Janin's art is perfect for the book. The magical heroes look so natural in the world he creates, while the normal heroes look staid and out of place.

Superman #1 – Superman is the antithesis of what the relaunch should have been. Look, I have little problem with change--especially when it comes to Superman.  He's an important character that should not be allowed to stagnate. My complaint is that giving the book to Perez seems like a backwards move.  The relaunch should be an opportunity to freshen the formula and incorporate new talent.  For all the perceived modernization taking place in with Lois, the Daily Planet and Clark Kent in Superman #1, the issue feels old and tired--especially compared to Wonder Woman #1 and Batman #1.  The art is fine...it's hard to make chicken salad out of chicken poop.

15 DCnU Books to Watch: “The Justice League, Part Two”

Look, even to a DC Comics Zombie, the company's September relaunch can seem intimidating. The information is almost overwhelming—52 brand new books, a smattering of new characters interjected into the publisher's traditional roster, and completely new creative teams on almost every book. On top of that, the chances of all 52 (or even a high percentage) being worth buying is minuscule. So, for you gentle reader, I have taken the time to separate the wheat from the chaff, to isolate the cream of the crop, and to highlight the must-haves of the DCnU. Once a week, between now and the end of August, I will attempt to explain and justify my choices for the 15 most important books of DC's upcoming relaunch.

This week, the Justice League, Part Two: Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Aquaman

Wonder Woman (Brian Azzarello and Cliff 

Chiang):

     Wonder Woman is a strange case in the world of comic books. She’s one of the oldest characters at either of the big two and easily the most recognizable female superhero. Somehow she has retained her iconic status despite years of lackluster stories, poor sales and multiple

reboots and re-launches.

     Considering that she is the least well known of DC’s big three, the higher-ups at the company seem to have been more willing to let new and even untested talent take shots at reviving interest in the character. The most recent Wonder Woman re-launch (2006) was spearheaded by Allan Heinberg, writer of television shows The O.C. and Grey’s Anatomy. After a rocky start, the book was handed to best-selling author Jodi Picoult, who also only lasted a handful of issues. Even when Wonder Woman was under the direction of more experienced comic book talent, DC was willing to take artistic left turns with the character. Wonder Woman (2006) had finally found its footing under the direction of comic vet Gail Simone when DC decided to transition the book to J. Michael Straczynski. As he did with his run on Superman, JMS turned in a lackluster story and abandoned the book mid-run when his work was panned by readers.

     September will see yet another revamped, redesigned Wonder Woman. This time, instead of looking outside the realm of comic book for talent, DC has gone to two of the most respected creators currently working within the industry—Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. Azzarello is most famous for his lengthy creator owned Vertigo work, 100 Bullets, but has written his share of DC royalty. In 2004 and 2005 he wrote solid stories for both Batman and Superman. He also penned well-regarded stories with art by Lee Bermejo starring Lex Luthor and Joker. I have no doubt that Azzarello can tease out all of the most interesting aspects of Wonder Woman. If his work with Superman and Batman’s greatest villains is any indication, perhaps he can also give Wonder Woman a villain that is as iconic as she is. Chiang is a fan favorite but has been little more than a cover artist over the last few years. He's developed a unique style that will lend itself to the more magical elements of Wonder Woman's mythology. Azzarello and Chiang have worked together before—their Tales of the Unexpected backup story “Doctor 13: Architecture & Morality” was brilliant, weird, and beautiful, and easily outshone the book's main feature. If the team can avoid lengthy delays, Wonder Woman could be one of the most artistically exciting books of the DCnU. For Wonder Woman’s sake, let’s hope so.

Green Lantern (Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke):

     Right now, two things at DC are working as intended—Batman and Green Lantern. Sure, the nearly universal praise that Geoff Johns' GL run garnered in the beginning has started to deflate somewhat and the color-coded stories of the last few years might seem a little played out, but there can be no argument that Johns has pulled an flailing character out of the doldrums and into the forefront of DC's pantheon. There is no doubt that without John's run on Lantern there would have been no Green Lantern movie this summer. Blackest Night may have been a letdown after the thoroughly awesome Sinestro Corp War, but there is no denying that BN was the best-selling event DC has published in years—all thanks to Geoff Johns writing Green Lantern.

     So, as DC prepares to relaunch their entire line, it should be no surprise that they are leaving the main Green Lantern book in Johns' capable hands. In fact, the powers-that-be-at-DC have kept the complete creative team in place. Art on the book should be awesome thanks to Doug Mahnke, who consistently hits his deadlines and is one of the best superhero artists in the comic book industry. Though it may look like a known quantity, Mahnke's art continues to get better and Johns has proven that he is able to consistently surprise readers. (As long as he avoids some of the pitfalls that have plagued his run. For example, Mr. Johns, we really don't need to see more characters possessed by Parallax. I feel as if Bouncing Boy and Ambush Bug are the only DC properties that haven't been taken over by the Yellow aspect, at this point.)

     Honestly, the biggest question mark with Green Lantern will be the book's lead. When the DCnU was first announced it was implied that someone other than Hal Jordan would be the focus of the comic. Then, at Comic-con it was revealed that longtime GL villain (and recently reinstated Green Lantern Corpsman) Sinestro was going to be the main character. This is certainly interesting from a story stand point, but a strange move for them to make in the context of a relaunch that was specifically targeted at bringing new readers into the universe. So the Green Lantern movie was bit of a flop, but surely it was big enough that when John Q. Public decides to “give comics a try” Green Lantern will probably be one of the books he or she picks up. Sure, the pre-evil version of Sinestro was (perhaps) the best part of the movie, but at the end he puts on the tellingly yellow suit of fear and...blah blah blah...you get my point. It's just an interesting choice for a character that already has potential identity issues. With four human Green Lanterns flying around and literally thousands of Corpsmen, new readers could find the characters diluted and confusing. Especially when it turns out that Hal, the hero of the movie they just watched, is a court-martial'ed bum wandering America (again).

     Regardless, Green Lantern has been one of DC's premiere books for the last handful of years and I see no reason for that to change. With Johns writing both Justice League and Green Lantern there can be little doubt that both books will play an integral part in the shape of the new DCU. Personally, the book would be worth buying just for the art. Combine Mahnke's pencils with John's scripts and Green Lantern should be at the top of any DCnU pull-list.

Aquaman (Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis):

     Essentially, there are two Aquamen. One is the inevitable butt of superhero jokes, destined to be mocked as a useless, one-note character. The other is the actual Aquaman—the bad-ass, tough-as-nails king of 75% of the globe. Conceived during the any-gimmick-goes Golden Age of Comics when even the most ridiculous ideas were fertile ground for a brand new superhero, Aquaman is far from the most ludicrous super-concept of the era. Yet, years of replayed Filmation footage has watered down his image, even within the halls of comic book geekery. Among the most ardent DC Comic supporters, only a select few would identify themselves as hardcore Aquaman fans. Ironically, his perceived lack of utility has given Aquaman a certain level of fame (or more correctly, infamy) outside the general comic book fandom.

     This image is not entirely deserved. Aquaman, or Arthur Curry, has had his share of solid comic book stories and has been written by some of comic's biggest names. Over the years, writers like Peter David and Kurt Busiek have attempted to rehabilitate the King of Atlantis' image. Perhaps tellingly, both David and Busiek flipped the script on the traditional version of the character. David's run famously saw Curry lose his hand, grow a beard and change his costume while Busiek took advantage of DC's “One Year Later” initiative to reboot the character almost entirely.

     Now, with the DC Relaunch one of the biggest names in comic books is taking the reins. Geoff Johns will be looking to use the same magic he used to reinvigorate Green Lantern (and, to a lesser degree, the Flash) to infuse Aquaman with new life. Art on the project will be by Ivan Reis, who has teamed with Johns on several of his more successful projects. Reis is one of the best monthly artists in the comic book industry and will bring much to the project. The creative team is, by no means, new to the character. They have been writing/drawing Aquaman for the last year as part of DC's Brightest Day bi-weekly comic book.

     If Johns' plans for Aquaman are similar to his plans for Green Lantern or Flash we can predict some of what is in store for DC's King of Atlantis.  Like Hal Jordan and Barry Allen, Arthur Curry will most likely be taken back to his roots with a distinctively Johns' twist. Geoff's greatest talent is his ability to layer and nuance stories while distilling the essence of a character and challenging them on that level.  If successful, we could see a yellow-suited, traditional Aquaman with a strong supporting cast and engrossing epic-level stories.

     Like Green Lantern and Justice League, Aquaman benefits from being written by Geoff Johns. As a member of the powers-that-be-at-DC, Johns can bring the biggest battles and most important tales to any book he writes. From a talent perspective, Johns has the writing chops to pull off just about any story he can conceive. Ivan Reis' art is more than capable of both interpreting Johns' scripts and adding the necessary emotional depth needed to make stories compelling. This is certainly meant to be one of the premiere books of the new order and DC has put one of their most popular teams on it in an effort to bring Aquaman the respect he deserves.

Next week: DC goes Dark! Justice League Dark, Swamp Thing, Frankenstein

From the Archives: Trey's Trusty Valentine

This is the valentine Trey sends out every year to one lucky lady. He's still mystified that he never hears back from them.