Legion of Super-Heroes #3

Creative Team:

Paul Levitz (writer)
Francis Portela (artist)

Summary of Events Until Now

In the first two issues of "Legion," we see Dragonwing, Chemical Kid, Phantom Girl, Chameleon Boy, and Ultra Boy infiltrating a planet-base known as "Panotpes." We met a (new?) character named Renegade, who is a Daxamite...much like Mon-El. Mon-El then shows up on the scene and starts fighting alongside Ultra Boy against Renegade. In the end, the Dominators (!!!) show up with a huge fleet!

Meanwhile, Brainiac 5 and a couple others are doing some stuff that I dont quite understand the point of. If I happen to understand it, I'll explain it later.

Issue Summary

The issue opens with Chameleon Boy, Phantom Girl, Chemical Kid, & Dragonwing scrambling to handle the Dominators, whose fleet is directly overhead.

We then cut to Brainiac 5's lab, where he is testing Glorith's ability to create shields. Glorith asks if he should be watching the monitor to keep an eye on whats happening on Panoptes.

Back on Panoptes, Cham saves DW & Chem, while PG sneaks into one of the ships and destroys it.

We now see Lightning Lass, Cosmic Boy, Shrinking Violet, & Invisible Kid flying in a ship to Daxam. They land and are greeted by some friendly Daxamites (didn't know those existed...). Cos asks one of them what they know about Renegade.

Back on Panoptes, Renegade is easily fending off Ultra Boy, and Mon-El, when an extra squad of Legionnaires show up. The squad consists of: Element Lad, Polar Boy, Sun Boy, Shadow Lass, and Cosmic Queen. Element Lad looks really weird... And Polar Boy seems like a character I will come to hate.

Shadow Lass turns everything dark, which allows Mon-El to punch Renegade hard in the face. Shadow Lass keeps the shadows covering Mon-El and Renegade, while the others fly off to attack the Dominators.

Back on Daxam, Cos learns that Renegade was a student "pursuing off-world studies," but disappeared. Which is quite odd, considering that Daxamites can't leave Daxam due to their fatal allergy to lead and heavy metals. But then it is said that he was being taught via virtual reality, but they can't find any trace of him on Daxam.

We see the Legionnaires enjoying themselves while destroying the Dominator ships. Dragonwing flirts with Sun Boy. And the Dominators begin to retreat. They are not afraid of the Legion following them back to their home planet. Cham managed to get on board the ship before they left.

Element Lad and Brainy are having a discussion on how to stop Renegade, and then we see Mon-El and Ultra Boy had taken down Renegade. Therefore ending the issue.

Thoughts

I know I didn't write reviews (or even buy up until this past weekend) for the first two issues of Legion, but I really like it. I plan on picking it up regularly. Art is great. Story is fun and action-packed. Can't wait to see when Cham inevitably will get caught and be a captive. Glad to see that most of the Legion came together to take down Renegade and the Dominators in this issue. It was great.

8/10

Glorith: "Don't you need to monitor whats happening on Panoptes with Renegade?"
Brainiac 5: "Mon-El's there. ANd he gets annoyed when I impinge on his leadership prerogatives...even when I'm right."

Introducing My New Reviewing Style!

So I've decided that I should pick a way of reviewing that fits my time, but also respects all of the series and comic books that end up buying. So I'm introducing a new reviewing style that will be seen in my next review (which will feature Legion of Super-Heroes #3) and be that way for as long as I feel like keeping it that way!

Granted, I'll probably come upon a time that the "Quickies" style is required and I will use it to have some quick reviews. But this will be my new and improved reviewing style.

X-Men Regenesis: The #1's

I decided to grab the first issues of the two new X-Men ongoing series. "Uncanny" and "Wolverine and the" X-Men.

Uncanny X-Men-Kieron Gilen, Carlos Pacheco, Cam Smith, & Frank D'Armata

Likes

I am honestly liking this line-up more than Wolvie's team. Cyclops (even though he just stood around and did nothing in this issue), Storm, Colossus, Namor, Magneto, Emma Frost, Hope Summers? Its all great.
I really liked the story, I liked the art. This one jumped straight into action, which I really like. Plus I really liked the "things to come" thing from the end of it. Looks super interesting.

Dislikes

Well...Cyclops. And the fact that I don't know anything about who the fuck Danger is. But those are both personal things. So I'll let it slide. So I guess that, so far, I don't dislike anything about this series!


Wolverine and the X-Men-Jason Aaron, Chris Bachalo, & Tim Townsend

Likes

I'm digging the fact that we got to have some character introduction with Logan and Kitty. And plus the fact that just about every character that'll be in the series was shown.

Dislikes

I'm not sure how I'm feeling about the story and the art here. I mean the whole thing with the rocks is just confusing the shit out of me. Plus Bachalo has a style that I'm not exactly the biggest fan of. Though I might stick with it out of the hope that Kitty and Bobby will keep it alive!


So in the end, I'm really, really digging Cyclops' team, despite the fact that I hate Scott and don't understand anything about Danger. So I'll probably stick around through at least #2 and see what happens. Not sure about Wolvie's team, though.

Ultimate Universe--Is This It?

That variant cover to "The Ultimates" #4 shows, what I assume to be, all thats left of the heroes in the Ultimate Universe. And of those characters, I only know like ten. But then again...that is the majority of them on there.

During "Ultimatum," most of the Ultimate Universe was wiped away. While "Ultimatum"'s creative team was great (Jeph Loeb and David Finch!!!), I can't help but think that its sad that they were the ones to wipe out most of the X-Men and make a bunch of characters go MIA.

Back in September, Marvel "relaunched" their Ultimate line with the new Ultimate Spider-Man, the new Ultimate X-Men, and the good old Ultimates.

But just throwing it out there, I'd like to see Jimmy (Ultimate Wolverine's son) fight Ultimate Hulk sometime. I think itd be pretty cool to see. Considering the ONLY experience on the Ultimate Universe is the new X-Men series and having kinda sorta read a few pages of some of the old Ultimate Spider-Man stuff...I might not be the best source. I suggest asking JT or X-Man if you have any specific q's about this subject.

I just cant believe that those characters above are the only heroes left.

Fantastic Four #600 Preview!

Today marks the return of Johnny Storm and a landmark issue of Fantastic Four! Here are three different pages!

More 11/23/2011 Previews!

To follow-up my post from earlier, here are some more previews of tomorrow's comics. These are some of the ones I WON'T be buying.

Batman: The Dark Knight #3-Paul Jenkins & David Finch

The Flash #3-Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato (probably fucked up that name really bad)

Superman #3-George Perez & Nicola Scott

Previews for 11/23/2011 DC Comics

So to go with my Aquaman #3 preview from a few days back, I got previews of Green Lantern: New Guardians and Teen Titans #3 to get you all excited for tomorrow's releases!

Green Lantern: New Guardians #3-Tony Bedard & Tyler Kirkham

Whats happening to Kyle? Will Salaak stop being so stuck up? Will the Guardians get their asses handed to them by Kyle and the New Guardians? (who knows, no, and HELL YEAH! are the answers to those questions, more than likely) Cannot wait! Keep tuned in over the next week or so to read the reviews of this, Aquaman, and Teen Titans #3!

Teen Titans #3-Scott Lobdell & Brett Booth

Top 4 DC Comics Coming in December 2011

4. Batman
"Written by SCOTT SNYDER; Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION; Cover by GREG CAPULLO; Variant cover by MIKE CHOI; 1:200 B&W Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
Shocking discoveries lead Batman deeper into the mystery of the Court of Owls and its secret and bloody ties to both Gotham City and the Wayne family. But an even deadlier threat awaits Batman: a trap set hundreds of years ago, far beneath his city. The war for Gotham's soul begins here!"

Well...I hope we get some more action. This past issue kind of disappointed me with its lack of action. Last month, this would have been #2 on my list. Oh, well. Hopefully it doesn't drop any more.

3. Justice League International
"Written by DAN JURGENS; Art by AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN; Cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
On their first mission, the team has been separated and defeated – or so it seems! But when a new, galactic threat shows its face, will our heroes be able to defeat it or will the whole world suffer destruction on a cosmic scale?"

Loving this story. Can't wait to see the story continue. Also, I am so LOVING those David Finch covers. Haha

2. Green Lantern
"Written by GEOFF JOHNS; Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY; Cover by DOUG MAHNKE and KEITH CHAMPAGNE; Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL; 1:200 B&W Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE
They've pillaged and enslaved his homeworld. Now the fear-mongering Sinestro Corps must face newly reinstated Green Lantern Sinestro. Can the renegade GL liberate Korugar from the army he assembled?"

Sinestro was stuck in the middle of a battle with the entire Sinestro Corps at the end of #3. I cannot wait to see him somehow make it out alive and somehow save Hal's destroyed ass again. Cannot WAITTTTT.

1. Justice League
"Written by GEOFF JOHNS; Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS; 1:25 Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT; 1:200 B&W Variant cover by JIM LEE
The superstar team of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee continue the origin of the Justice League as The World's Greatest Heroes face the might of Apokolips – and find aid in an unlikely hero, as Cyborg is created!

Plus, Andy Kubert returns an amazing variant cover – his first new work after the smash-hit FLASHPOINT!"

Well obviously this is my #1. I cannot wait for this. And we finally get to see Darkseid in this issue. Plus, maybe--just maybe--the entire new JLA line-up all together? That'd be nice.

Damn this was just one of those kinda days where I feel like posting a buncha stuff! I got, what? 4 posts? 5 posts? In one day? I feel accomplished!

Comic Book Seasons--A Possible "New 52" Original?

So for all of the new #1 issues that we got in September, how many triple digit ongoing series did we lose? Lets count them:
1. Action Comics
2. Detective Comics
3. Superman
4. Batman
5. Wonder Woman
6. Teen Titans (joined the list in August, with its 100th issue)

And possibly more, I'm just too lazy to care. So I get the concept behind ending them. I get the concept behind restarting them. But honestly...why should there ever be another "Action Comics #100"? Its not like its honestly the "100th" issue of the thing.

It was brought to my attention a few months back that maybe--just maybe--DC could start doing "seasons" with their series. Say from September until May, there is a set list of series that happen, right?

Lets say that list is...
Aquaman
The Flash
Justice League
Justice League International
Wonder Woman
and a couple others.

Then, during the time from May until the new September, DC could analyze how well the fans reacted to the character, the story, and the creative team. Then announce in, oh... June or July a new SEASON, instead of a new SERIES of those characters/teams.

Then from October until June, we have another list. And from November until July, we have another list. And from December until August we have another list. There you go. All the months are filled with an equal amount of comics at a time. And maybe during the off-months, we could see a mini-series or a couple cameo appearances from the characters who are "off," in other series.

Its just a thought. Its not like they'd have to end their "New 52" initiative. It'd just be something interesting to think about.

Aquaman #3 Preview

So IGN had a preview of Aquaman #3 and I figured that since I've never actually put up any previews on this website (even though "Previews" is in the name...), I'd toss it up. Enjoy! Oh and by the way, Mera is a BADASS.

Aquaman Column

So I write for my school's newspaper, right? And near the end of September I wrote a column about Aquaman. This was a few days before "Aquaman" #1 came out. I figured I'd post it on here, also.

Arthur Curry, a founding member of the Justice League of America. King of Atlantis, one of DC Comics’ most recognizable characters. And part of “The New 52” initiative by DC Comics, we see Aquaman in two places monthly; Justice League and Aquaman, were both written by industry revolutionist, Geoff Johns.
Aquaman is a character that most people think is a joke. But if you read my “Top 10 Heroes/Villains” column coming up in a few days, you’ll see that Arthur is actually a really awesome superhero, and unlike Squirrel Girl, he can actually make an awesome name for himself.
A few years ago, in Aquaman’s last solo ongoing series before this week’s new solo ongoing series, titled Sword of Atlantis, he was killed. In Geoff Johns’ Blackest Night 8-issue mini- series, he was resurrected along with twelve other heroes and villains for the year-long mini-series named Brightest Day. Black Lantern Aquaman (one of the main villains in Blackest Night) was really awesome, and then Aquaman in Brightest Day fought with long-time rival Black Manta, got a new Aqualad, and rekindled his love interest (and also made her look really, really awesome).
The cover of Justice League #4’s cover shows Aquaman with his trident at Green Lantern’s neck after having taken down the entire League. Now this probably doesn’t reflect anything from the actual issue, but still it shows how awesome he is.
A preview for Aquaman #1 was released and shows a group of bank robbers escaping the scene in a big van and laughing when they see Aquaman standing in the way. Honestly, he’s awesome. Don’t get me started at how cool he is, despite the fact that he has lame powers. He knows how to make them work.

Batman #3 Review--SPOILERS!!!

Batman #3-Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, & Jonathan Glapion

The issue opens with Alan Wayne (Bruce's great-, great-grandfather) running down the street saying that the "owls" are after him and that they have "nests" in his home. Then we cut to Bats interrogating a guy named Luka Volk and then gets attacked by the "Whisper Gang" in the underground subways. He takes them all down super easily in a way no one but Scott Snyder could have described...but let me tell you something: it was badass. Luka says he doesn't know anything about the owls and it turns out he was telling the truth. Bats tells him to stay out of his tunnels.
Back in the cave, we see Bruce and Alfred talking about owls and what they have to do with the Wayne family. Alfred tells Bruce that Alan Wayne developed an obsession with owls.
Then Bruce goes to see Lincoln March (who was injured in the issue prior by the assassin who attacked both he and Bruce) in the hospital. Lincoln talks about how he feels lame for only taking one knife while Bruce took 2 knives and fell out a window, but Lincoln is the one in the hospital bed. Lincoln tells Bruce how he had started to hear and see odd things having to do with owls.
Bruce has his own personal "people" guard Lincoln's hospital room so Lincoln asks the obvious question of Bruce... "But, Bruce, if they're watching me...who's watching you?"
Then we see Bats gliding over Gotham and enters a building on the 14th floor, thinking about how most older buildings are designed with "no" 13th floor. That there was an empty space large enough for a man to walk around in, in most of the buildings. He find hidden bases for the "Court of Owls" in each of the buildings that he checks. He then gets to one building that was built 5 years before and see's the Assassin that attacked him in a picture frame with a bunch of other masked people. Bruce then steps over a tripwire and the entire building explodes, therefore ending the issue.

I really liked it. Art is still strong, story is still amazing, and I can't wait for more. Though this issue kind of seems to be setting up for something more interesting to come. Not quite a 10, but more of an 8/10.

Batman: "Funny thing, though. To really make good on the superstition, you were supposed to leave a small space in the building between floors twelves and fourteen, a false floor, to contain the bad luck of number thirteen."

Justice League #3 Review--SPOILERS!

Justice League #3-Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, & Scott Williams

Well the issue opens with Steve Trevor looking for Diana (Wonder Woman) who apparently forced her way out of the Pentagon. She is then seen walking around and meets a little girl that introduces her to her first ice cream experience. Then Steve runs up and tells her that she has to come back with him to the Pentagon. After this we see a Para-Demon on top of a building and then a whole hoard of them come out and attack D.C.
Back in Detroit (where Vic Stone and his dad were last seen), the Para-Demons are taking away Professor Ivo while Vic's body is slowly slowly being destroyed by energy. Thomas Morrow (T.O. Morrow for all you long-term fans) tells Vic's dad that they have to leave him, but he says that he won't let him die.
Next we cut to Metropolis where Supes, Bats, GL, & Flash were last seen. Flash informs the group that this is not an isolated incident. Bats informs GL that his constructs are breaking which means that he isn't focused and calm enough, to which GL replies that Bats doesn't have any powers. Flash says that he thought Bats was a vampire. Bats tells the group that there are too many and they can't just barrel through them all, to which Supes smashes a ton of them away with a truck. And continues beating them with it.
Morrow, Vic's dad, and an intern take Vic into the "Red Room" and they set Vic down on a table. It turns out that this place has technology from all across the globe in it.
Back with the guys, we see that the Para-Demons are taking the people out over the water, when a whole other group of fresh Para-Demons attack the team. To which Wonder Woman appears and GL calls dibs. (Good luck with that one, Hal)
Vic is slowly dying and his dad injects him with nanites. We then see Cyborg being created. The Demons run off and start circling the water.
Then we see this one page where its like we see Darkseid, but we don't and its honestly rather confusing. I could've lived without it.
Then a huge explosion bursts from the water, Vic goes "on-line" and a huge space-ship-looking-thing appears out of the water. Then Aquaman walks up, asking who is in charge. Then votes for himself to be in charge.

Well I really liked this issue. It had tons of action, which the first and second issue had a little bit less of. It was a good intro to Wonder Woman and Aquaman, and we finally saw Darkseid and Cyborg. It was fun, interesting, and really sets up for the next issue. Can't wait! 10/10, easy.

Aquaman: "So who's in charge here? I vote me."

Check back in later for my Batman #3 review!

Batman #3 and Justice League #3 reviews coming tomorrow!

Yeah, uhhh...no post really needed. Just read the title!

Quickies!--featuring Green Lantern & Justice League International

Action Comics #3-Grant Morrison, Rags Morales, Gene Ha, & Rick Bryant
This issue kind of seemed a little rushed as for the middle stuff. I liked the beginning, and I liked the end. But the middle stuff was just confusing. And I can't wait for #4 when the Steel back-up story starts.
6/10

Batgirl #3-Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf, & Vicente Cifuentes
I liked this issue overall. It was a half-decent story, and I know its mean...but I'm kinda glad that her boyfriend broke up with her. That was kinda odd. But anyway, I liked it. It was good. And I liked Babs commentary on Dick's presence in the issue. And I liked how she kicked his ass up and down Gotham. That was fun.
8/10

Green Lantern #3-Geoff Johns, Doug Mahnke, Christian Alamy, & Keith Champagne
Geoff and Doug continue to make an amazing story about Sinestro's amazingness and Hal's not-so-amazingness. I liked the concept of being able to turn their GL outfits to black. And apparently in issue #5, another big reveal will happen. But the ending left me very curious as to what is going to happen to Hal. I feel like they shunted him to the Anti-Matter Universe. Just saying.
10/10--What is that? The 3rd "10/10" from this series? Damnnnnn. Geoff Johns has gotten two series with only "10/10" ratings from me! Hopefully Aquaman can catch up!

Justice League International #3-Dan Jurgens, Aaron Lopresti, & Matt Ryan
I'm happily surprised by the team-ups in this story. Bats/BG was obvious, but all of the others I am seriously surprised by. RR/Ice? Vixen/Fire? AGIN/Godiva? Plus Guy going off on his own and being...Guy? This series is definitely one of my favorites. Oh and I'm loving the art. Both the interiors AND the David Finch covers. I'm so happy with those. Especially the recently solicited #6's cover.
10/10

Red Lanterns #3-Peter Milligan, Ed Benes, & Rob Hunter
I liked this issue. I liked learning more about Bleez, and I know my friend (who always borrows my comics) loved seeing Ed Benes draw and entire issue with her as a main character. But I'm really excited to see more about this series. I know some people say its been "faltering" and I know that I'm certainly scared of it being lost when the first wave of cancellations goes around, but I think this series is very strong and is keeping up well with the other Green Lantern-based series. Can't wait to see more about this Earthling from Britain, too.
9/10

And just like that--we're done. I am working on getting Justice League and Batman #3 soon and those will each be long reviews, kind of like how X-Man and JT do their reviews. Can't wait for more.

Super Quickies Since I'm a Week Late

I've had an odd week, but I managed to sneak some time on the computer for myself to write this post. I've got 5 comics to super quickly review from random weeks in the past month. Mostly last week. So here we go!

Aquaman #2-Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, & Joe Prado
This issue was good. I liked the fact that action actually took place on more than like one or two pages this time. And there was NO talk of how lame Aquaman is. But it did feel like it was lacking something. Not sure what though.
8/10

Batgirl #2-Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf, & Vicente Cifuentes
I am actually liking this series. Call me crazy, but I'm not minding the concept of Babs being out of the wheelchair again. I mean I wish that didn't mean the other two (former?) Batgirls have been shoved out of the way...but Gail Simone said that due to fan reactions, she would try to make them show up eventually. But besides that, the issue was good. I liked the action and the date scene. Though am I the only one who thought that the fact that she's dating her physical therapist is odd? Hahahaha.
8/10

Green Lantern: New Guardians #2-Tony Bedard, Tyler Kirkham, Harvey Tolibao, & BATT
Okay honestly. I really liked the story for this issue, BUT the fact that after like 5 pages, the artist changed really frustrated. I hate when they do that right in the middle of an issue. I mean if you're going to have a replacement artist for an issue, make it the whole issue. Just saying. But yeah, I loved the story, curious about what will happen between the New Guardians and the Guardians of the Universe. Especially Kyle with his..."Silver Lantern"(?) outfit. I hope this isn't going to be a regular thing with the art, though.
8.5/10

Green Lantern #2-Geoff Johns, Doug Mahnke, Christian Alamy, & Keith Champagne
Again with one of my new favorite "New 52" series. I was really happily surprised. I liked the humor and the fact that Sinestro still knows how to use the ring better than Hal. I wish the GL's would figure out how to use the ring as skillfully as Sinestro. Maybe he should be their drill instructor.
10/10

Teen Titans #2-Scott Lobdell, Brett Booth, & Norm Rapmund
Yeah just kinda same old, same old. Good issue, but I'm really tired. So I am just gonna not really say much else about this one.
7/10

Yeah. We're done.