The Infinite Crisis crossover was inconsistent in its quality, but the first Countdown issue made for an excellent introduction. Starring the Blue BeeThe Infinite Crisis crossover was inconsistent in its quality, but the first Countdown issue made for an excellent introduction. Starring the Blue Beetle, as a tragic everyman sort of superhero among the heavy hitters, his investigation of a mysterious conspiracy makes for a nice tour of the DC Universe at the time. And a bittersweet farewell to the character. The ending and surprise villain was genuinely shocking at the time, and it still holds up. Forget about the tons of tie-in books back then. This was, on its own, simply a good comic...more
While DC's flagship character Batman may still be overexposed, drawing attention away from the rest of that colorful science fiction universe, it can'While DC's flagship character Batman may still be overexposed, drawing attention away from the rest of that colorful science fiction universe, it can't be denied that he still makes for damn good stories.
After the New 52, DC went all in on producing an approachable Batman reboot in as high quality as possible, with author Scott Snyder (who has recently gone on to steer the whole universe with Justice League and Death Metal) and outstanding artist Greg Capullo. This whole series is worth it for Capullo's art if nothing else.
Even if this new book did disrupt my beloved Grant Morrison's Batman Incorporated, I'll forgive... weird how Batman was dealing with two different conspiracies ala Leviathan and the Court of Owls at the same time but whatever.
Anyway, Batman already has the best villains in comics. So it is a risk to create new ones to focus on, an ambition many writers try, which still makes me feel poor Bats is too stretched thin but if it's a good story I must admit it. The Court of Owls, and their assassin Talon, certainly make for compelling antagonists who fit well in this world. It's a bit of an age-old story, with even superpro Batman getting outsmarted and driven mad by evil organization that nearly destroys all of Gotham--again, Batman Inc was doing that at the *exact* same time.
But Snyder and Capullo's take, wow, what a ride....more
A broad array of Batman stories over 75 years, some crucial and some more filler. The quality is inconsistent, to be honest, but I suppose that's the A broad array of Batman stories over 75 years, some crucial and some more filler. The quality is inconsistent, to be honest, but I suppose that's the nature of going through such a large expanse of time.
The Golden and Silver Ages can be hard to read for a modern audience. It doesn't really get good until about the 80s.
There are stories that are one-offs and self contained, and there are chapters in big crossovers like Knightsfall. It's rather all over the place. But that is the nature of Batman, a character who has been around for so long.
(And note that makes it a bit less about the villains, as Joker for example has his own anniversary collection, and for other members of the Bat-family. There is however some notable older chapters like the first appearance of Batgirl and Poison Ivy, as well as a certain 90s Bane moment.)
Certainly an interesting read, with some highlights by famous authors like Doug Moench and Dennis O'Neil, or artists like Neal Adams and Greg Capullo.
Was worth borrowing from the library, but doesn't feel complete for my collection....more
I've always be particularly to Bat-spinoffs more than of the man himself, and it was a nice turn when my favorite Robin Tim Drake got a long-running sI've always be particularly to Bat-spinoffs more than of the man himself, and it was a nice turn when my favorite Robin Tim Drake got a long-running series in the 90s. During the Knightswatch era, it was a natural outgrowth written by Chuck Dixon back when he was a good person (and a great writer of women, see Spoiler and Huntress. What happened to him).
Great art by Tom Grummet and Phil Jimenz, it's fun and the relatively low stakes worked great before everything got overly dark. Robin is the original teen hero, glad he got a title at last....more
I used to love Geoff Johns' DC work so much, especially Justice Society. But now it's seemingly become nothing but multiverse continuity recons, and iI used to love Geoff Johns' DC work so much, especially Justice Society. But now it's seemingly become nothing but multiverse continuity recons, and it's far less fun. Whatever happened to superheroes y'know saving people from villains and alien invasions?
Nonstop time travel mysteries when it's just all about forgotten timeliness, in the end where are the stakes when that's all these stories ever are anymore?...more
Power Girl is fun, first and foremost. And sexy, but not in a 90s 'bad girl' comic way that's aged badly, in a fun way that acknowledges issues like sPower Girl is fun, first and foremost. And sexy, but not in a 90s 'bad girl' comic way that's aged badly, in a fun way that acknowledges issues like sexism while still empowering the character. This book may be downright silly at times, with plenty of senseless violence as well actually and just don't think too much logistically about those parts.
I enjoyed the Geoff Jones revised origin story in the first four issues of JSA Classified, which even had a heartfelt in-universe reason for the window in her super suit. So many origins and then picking the perfect one for this poor post-Crisis character, although that may have been the unfortunate start of Johns overusing the multiverse as a plot point.
In the series, using Vartox for comedic effect was a great idea. And the new Terra as a sidekick, Ultra-Humanite as arch enemy. And above all, the art by Amanda Conner is gorgeous and cute and just plain fun. ...more
Mark Waid has still got it, although I must admit I'm a little lost on current DC continuity (has there been a Doom Patrol reboot, is the Robin in thiMark Waid has still got it, although I must admit I'm a little lost on current DC continuity (has there been a Doom Patrol reboot, is the Robin in this Damien? Or wait, does this take place in the past?)
And I generally don't love a magic-based villain, with mind control. That being said, Waid crafts a good introduction to this series by using the plot to guest star many famous heroes and villains. The art by Dan MOra, by the way, is cool as hell reminiscent of Greg Capullo.
As usual with these teamup books, it's more of a Superman story fighting end of the world threats while having Batman gets the sales. That is not a criticism at all...more
I liked this almost as much as Kingdom Come when I first read, continuing the story with time travel and hypertime worked well. As epic as Kingdom ComI liked this almost as much as Kingdom Come when I first read, continuing the story with time travel and hypertime worked well. As epic as Kingdom Come was, getting into the specifics of the future generation of heroes was fun. Mark Waid has earned his place as one of the best superhero writers for both DC and Marvel....more
It's not a bad reboot, of DC's many reboots, back from the days of DC Rebirth. Greg Rucka is a fine writer, but personally I'm very partial to the GeoIt's not a bad reboot, of DC's many reboots, back from the days of DC Rebirth. Greg Rucka is a fine writer, but personally I'm very partial to the George Perez post-crisis era and how well those issues incorporated the mythological element. That's definitely the origin story I'd recommend, but this Year One graphic novel would be good readers more interested in flashy modern comics (with far less text) and those aware of the recent films. Not both versions put Diana in contemporary times, in their own ways, which is a big deviation from the Warner Bros filmed adaptation.
Well, it's comics, so there are many Wonder Womans to choose from and to each their own~...more
Cool intro for this Chinese-themed superhero written by Gene Luen Yang of American Born Chinese fame, with dynamic art by Bernard Chang. It's somewhatCool intro for this Chinese-themed superhero written by Gene Luen Yang of American Born Chinese fame, with dynamic art by Bernard Chang. It's somewhat of your basic origin story for a teen hero, he's in school and there's a mentor etc. It's fun that he goes on a bit of tour of the DC Universe, with Batman and Aquaman making appearances. At the same time, don't need to worry very much about the shifting continuity there other than knowing the current Robin but that's been stable for years. So, a great graphic novel for any level of comic fans especially if interested in Chinese culture and mythology! ...more
Geoff Johns isn't in his heyday anymore, but still has a lot of good stories. Nobody restarts a #1 new comics line like he does
This Shazam take is deGeoff Johns isn't in his heyday anymore, but still has a lot of good stories. Nobody restarts a #1 new comics line like he does
This Shazam take is definitely connected to the film, or maybe the films are connected to Johns' iteration of the ol Captain Marvel characters line, but either way it doesn't hurt to watch the pretty good DC movie. Along with the family lineup and Sivana as a more physical villain, the originality of this series works by focusing on the magic angle and making an almost fantasy storyline. It really is something different for superhero comics. Oz and Wonderland are even there (I guess they're public domain).
A comic I would recommend to anyone as a starting-on point for superheroes. No continuity baggage necessary, just fun! ...more
A decent one-shot for fans of the very fun adult-animated DC series. Not sure if I was expected to read the Eat Bang Kill comic first. Some of the shoA decent one-shot for fans of the very fun adult-animated DC series. Not sure if I was expected to read the Eat Bang Kill comic first. Some of the shorts in this anthology are better than others, but it's a bit tricky to translate that sense of humor onto the page. The art is good, and the stories utilize the universe's mythos well. Just note: The stars aren't Harley and Ivy but rather supporting characters like Batgirl and Clayface and Joker and Dr Psycho (and Vixen for some reason)...more
Fun nostalgia for a reader of Geoff Johns' early 2000s DC work. I really used to love that Justice Society corner of the universe he headed at the timFun nostalgia for a reader of Geoff Johns' early 2000s DC work. I really used to love that Justice Society corner of the universe he headed at the time, which all started with Stargirl/Star-Spangled Kid. As a one shot it is what it is, not quite a fulfilling story and still not sure if this will lead to that promised new series or not. Either way, more than worth a read for me.
Loading...
