I've decided that the DC relaunch may be very, very interesting, but I've decided I'm going to start reading Marvel and Image Comics series, also. I will be picking up 9 DCnU series, 5 (or 6?) Marvel U series, and 3 (or 4?) Image Comics series.
Here is a list of the series I will try to be picking up in September:
1. Justice League #1 (already got)
2. Justice League International #1 (already got)
3. Aquaman #1
4. Action Comics #1 (already got)
5. Batman and Robin #1
6. Red Hood and the Outlaws #1
7. Legion Lost #1
8. Green Lantern: New Guardians #1
9. Red Lanterns #1
10. Ultimate Comics: X-Men #1
11. Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #1
12. Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #2
13. New Avengers Annual
14. New Avengers #16.1
15. The Infinite #2
16. Invincible #86
17. The Walking Dead #89
18. Batgirl #1 (already got)
There are a few other series I will be adding for October:
Legion: Secret Origin #1
Incredible Hulk #1
The X-Men #1 20th Anniversary Edition
Wolverine and the X-Men #1
That's a total of 22 comics for me in October. I can't wait.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Justice League #1 Review!
This is the beginning of a whole new era of DC Comics. I'm so excited, you don't even know. Even though there are only about 20 series that I would even think about following, so I can wait for those other 32 series to come, but series like Justice League International, Action Comics, and Justice League itself. But I'd like to say one thing before I start the review: Only four characters from the new line-up actually APPEAR in this first issue. So without further wait...I present Justice League #1-Geoff Johns & Jim Lee
Summary
The issue opens with Batman running on top of rooftops chasing some hooded figure, while being chased by the F.B.I. Batman manage to get them off of his tail for a couple seconds, and tackles the hooded figure who seems to kind of look like Killer Croc (though we know it isn't because some of us know who the real villain is of the story arc). Then a bright green firetruck construct comes out of nowhere and smashes into the monster-thing and nearly knocks Batman off the roof with it.
Then an uncalled for splash page where we see Green Lantern hovering above Batman. Bruce tells him to turn off his lights, but then GL just puts up some constructs in between the F.B.I. and he. Or at least that's who I think it is. Then the monster guy smashed back and apparently has wings or something ridiculous like that and so GL and Bats are out of the way for a moment and the monster guys spits fire and blows up a few of the F.B.I. helicopters. GL makes the save, then the monster becomes a spider-guy? Or as GL said "some kind of dog."
They fly (or Batman swings) off after the beast. The then go down into the sewers (GL floats down, Batman climbs down). GL starts asking what Bruce's "powers" are. Then he realizes he has no powers..hahaha. That's what you get, Bats. The most powerful guy in the Universe is laughing at you.
So in return for getting totally dissed by Hal, Bats decides to take his ring and "study" it. Though Hal didn't even notice him take it. (Yeah, that's the badass Batman we all know! Maybe this relaunch won't be so painful after all!)
The little spider-monster-guy is attaching something to a wall and it, according to Hal, becomes armed. Then the spider-monster yells "FOR DARKSEID!" and blows up. So GL puts a safe (yes, like one from a bank) around them and it keeps them, well...safe. I guess this is the first time Hal's ring was unable to identify the bomb thing that was left behind.
They agree that it "looks alien" and agree, also, that they should go find Superman (who both of them have apparently never met before).
Then we skip to a highshool football star, named Vic Stone. It basically tells the beginnings of Cyborg's introduction into the DCnU. They win the game in a blowout and we see someone who Vic wanted to reserve a seat for, never showed up. All of the scouts are offering full scholarships. Apparently his dad is busy at work and couldn't come to talk to the scouts. Then, of course, we see a Green Fighter Jet fly over the stadium.
They find where Supes is and Batman warns GL about entering. So GL puts Batman in a little protective box and says that he can handle it. So what happens in the next panel? Superman takes him down with one punch. (Handled that REALLY well, eh?) Then the last page in a splash page of Superman standing in front of Superman in his red undies-less DCnU outfit.
What I Thought
Let me put this out there: As much as I love Geoff Johns and just about every story he writes, this was about average. And starting out with a 6-issue origin story FIRST probably wasn't the best idea he's ever had (but at least it wasn't as bad as Swamp Thing being the Champion of Earth. Yeah, remember that that was only five months ago). I figure that I would have just opened with a story arc that the entire line-up would be involved in so that you get "all the new readers" in at a point that you can introduce them quickly and proficiently so that they aren't thinking "What the hell? Is the League only going to be Batman and Green Lantern fighting other heroes like Superman? Never buying this again." And since they probably don't care enough to look up websites like "Comic Book Resources" or JT's and my blog to figure out that, yeah...all those characters on the cover WILL BE HERE SOON! I PROMISE! But Geoff Johns' script: Average, but humorous still. Jim Lee's art: As always...beautiful.
I'll give this issue an 8.5/10.
Batman: "Space Sector?"
Green Lantern: "It's my beat. I'm not the only Green Lantern out there. There're thousands of others patrolling the Universe. A whole corps--"
Batman: "Uh, huh."
The issue opens with Batman running on top of rooftops chasing some hooded figure, while being chased by the F.B.I. Batman manage to get them off of his tail for a couple seconds, and tackles the hooded figure who seems to kind of look like Killer Croc (though we know it isn't because some of us know who the real villain is of the story arc). Then a bright green firetruck construct comes out of nowhere and smashes into the monster-thing and nearly knocks Batman off the roof with it.
Then an uncalled for splash page where we see Green Lantern hovering above Batman. Bruce tells him to turn off his lights, but then GL just puts up some constructs in between the F.B.I. and he. Or at least that's who I think it is. Then the monster guy smashed back and apparently has wings or something ridiculous like that and so GL and Bats are out of the way for a moment and the monster guys spits fire and blows up a few of the F.B.I. helicopters. GL makes the save, then the monster becomes a spider-guy? Or as GL said "some kind of dog."
They fly (or Batman swings) off after the beast. The then go down into the sewers (GL floats down, Batman climbs down). GL starts asking what Bruce's "powers" are. Then he realizes he has no powers..hahaha. That's what you get, Bats. The most powerful guy in the Universe is laughing at you.
So in return for getting totally dissed by Hal, Bats decides to take his ring and "study" it. Though Hal didn't even notice him take it. (Yeah, that's the badass Batman we all know! Maybe this relaunch won't be so painful after all!)
The little spider-monster-guy is attaching something to a wall and it, according to Hal, becomes armed. Then the spider-monster yells "FOR DARKSEID!" and blows up. So GL puts a safe (yes, like one from a bank) around them and it keeps them, well...safe. I guess this is the first time Hal's ring was unable to identify the bomb thing that was left behind.
They agree that it "looks alien" and agree, also, that they should go find Superman (who both of them have apparently never met before).
Then we skip to a highshool football star, named Vic Stone. It basically tells the beginnings of Cyborg's introduction into the DCnU. They win the game in a blowout and we see someone who Vic wanted to reserve a seat for, never showed up. All of the scouts are offering full scholarships. Apparently his dad is busy at work and couldn't come to talk to the scouts. Then, of course, we see a Green Fighter Jet fly over the stadium.
They find where Supes is and Batman warns GL about entering. So GL puts Batman in a little protective box and says that he can handle it. So what happens in the next panel? Superman takes him down with one punch. (Handled that REALLY well, eh?) Then the last page in a splash page of Superman standing in front of Superman in his red undies-less DCnU outfit.
What I Thought
Let me put this out there: As much as I love Geoff Johns and just about every story he writes, this was about average. And starting out with a 6-issue origin story FIRST probably wasn't the best idea he's ever had (but at least it wasn't as bad as Swamp Thing being the Champion of Earth. Yeah, remember that that was only five months ago). I figure that I would have just opened with a story arc that the entire line-up would be involved in so that you get "all the new readers" in at a point that you can introduce them quickly and proficiently so that they aren't thinking "What the hell? Is the League only going to be Batman and Green Lantern fighting other heroes like Superman? Never buying this again." And since they probably don't care enough to look up websites like "Comic Book Resources" or JT's and my blog to figure out that, yeah...all those characters on the cover WILL BE HERE SOON! I PROMISE! But Geoff Johns' script: Average, but humorous still. Jim Lee's art: As always...beautiful.
I'll give this issue an 8.5/10.
Batman: "Space Sector?"
Green Lantern: "It's my beat. I'm not the only Green Lantern out there. There're thousands of others patrolling the Universe. A whole corps--"
Batman: "Uh, huh."
"It All Changes Here" Review of "Flashpoint" #5
Summary
To catch you up to speed on the situation: Atlantis is fighting Themyscria. Captain Marvel has been split up between 6 kids and in #4 Billy was killed, so now they can no longer turn into "Captain Thunder" the Flashpoint-version of Captain Marvel. Cyborg, Batman (Thomas Wayne), Flash (Barry Allen), Element Woman, and Captain Thunder all went to stop the war between Wonder Woman and Aquaman. Reverse-Flash also randomly appeared at the end of #4.
The issue opens with Reverse-Flash, a.k.a. Eobard Thawne, standing over Barry. He's talking about how hellish of a world the Flashpoint-world is, while Cyborg and Element Woman keep the rest of the kids who form "Captain Thunder" safe. Thawne keeps speaking as though he is completely innocent of changing anything and then accuses Barry of being the one who changed everything.
Thawne then goes into a huge story with a lot of dialogue about how basically Barry went back in time, stopped Thawne from killing Barry's mom, and therefore changed the lives of people around him including Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and Aquaman.
So. Apparently Barry Allen really DIDN'T need to come back, after all. See what you do, Geoff Johns? You bring Barry Allen back and he changes reality. Wtf.
Anyway, Thawne randomly starts beating up Thomas Wayne. Then Barry stops him so Thawne beats up Barry. Then Batman walks up and shoves a sword through Thawne's heart. So. Flash's only cool villain gets killed by an old man. Good job, DC.
Then the Resistance shows up. The Resistance includes Grifter (from WildStorm), the Demon, and the Canterbury Cricket (a Flashpoint character) along with a few other characters that were seen around Flashpoint.
They come in, kick ass, and then Superman appears out of nowhere. He beats up Aquaman and Wonder Woman.
Thomas Wayne is almost dead. He pulls out a note and hands it to Barry. Then he says he's sorry about his mother. But he tells Barry to run. So that's what Barry does. He runs...to his mom.
He and his mom have a talk and Barry realizes that he needs to catch himself before he stops Thawne.
Then we get this awesome-as-fuck double page spread showing Barry running through the center of three timelines. There is also some weird lady with a hood over her head talking to him. This two page span shows many, many characters including John Constantine, Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Batgirl (Barbara Gordon), the Justice League fighting Luthor, Joker, Deathstroke, Sinestro, and Atrocitus, and then in the bottom righthand corner we see Batman, Cyborg, Grifter, Wonder Woman, and Superman in their new outfits (also one note about how at the very end of the page, Barry is wearing his new outfit, too).
Then Barry wakes up in his office at work. You then see Barry and Bruce (both in their new outfits) talking in the cave. Barry apparently has all of his memories still in place and tells them all to Batman. He also gives the note from Thomas Wayne to Bruce.
Then end shows Barry and Bruce sitting in the Batcave.
What I Thought
I think that the whole Flashpoint-side of the story sucked. Just about everything up until Thomas Wayne told Barry to run was just filler to me. I really liked that Barry this was really a story about Barry and Batman. It's definitely a shake up to the usual "Superman & Batman" thing. I am pleased with the fact that Bruce got to have some contact with his dad. And I'm glad Barry got a chance to talk with his mom.
I'll give this issue a 6/10.
Thomas Wayne's Note: "Love Always, your father--Thomas."
Bruce Wayne: "You're one hell of a messenger. Thank you, Barry."
Sunday, August 28, 2011
I Will Be Reviewing "Justice League" #1 and "Flashpoint #5 on Wednesday morning before most shops open
I'll see you guys Wednesday morning with "Reviews and Spoilers of the DCnU." Sleep tight, everybody.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Flashpoint...Setting Up For the DCnU Justice League Line-Up?
So far in Flashpoint we've seen Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Hal Jordan (without the ring, but Abin Sur is alive), Firestorm, Mera, Aquaman, Cyborg, Deadman, and Green Arrow (plus maybe the white haired girl that no one can identify). All we need is for Hawkman and the Atom be seen somewhere is issue #4 or #5 and there's our JLA line-up.
So does this mean we'll see all of these characters at the very end of Flashpoint #5 take on the Reverse-Flash, which will then lead into Justice League #1? What does this mean for our new JLA line-up?
I was kinda hoping to see the Flashpoint-JLA on the cover of Flashpoint #5, but there was no such luck.
I could see #s 4 & 5 being the lead-up in which the other members of the JLA team-up against Wonder Woman & Aquaman, while the Flash & Batman go after the Reverse-Flash. And maybe something happens to make Aquaman & Wonder Woman end their war against one another. Or something like that. I've read Flashpoint #s 1-3 and I'm actually finding it kind of interesting. But maybe that's because I'm more interested in finding out how #5 basically creates the DCnU.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Top 10 DC Comics-August 31st & September 2011
Written by ETHAN VAN SCIVER and GAIL SIMONE; Art by YILDIRAY CINAR; Cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
"Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond. These two high school students are worlds apart – and now they're drawn into a conspiracy of super-science that bonds them forever in a way they can't explain or control. The dark secrets of the murderous Dog Team and its Firestorm Protocol force them to put aside their differences to confront a threat so terrifying that it may lead to a new Cold War! Welcome to a major new vision of nuclear terror from writers Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone with astonishing art by Yildiray Cinar!"
I mean I've always loved Firestorm as a character. His powers are pretty awesome, you have to admit. I'm not sure how I feel about this series and the whole reboot of Firestorm's character. But...hey, it's a place to see Ronnie and Jason, plus Ethan Van Sciver covers and read Gail Simone writing. So...I'll pick it up.
Written by JUDD WINICK; Art and cover by BEN OLIVER
"Africa, a land of beauty – and of great horror. A land of creation and conflict. It is in desperate need of a defender, and from the ranks of Batman Incorporated comes a soldier to carry on the legacy of The Dark Knight in the most tumultuous region on Earth. Meet Batwing, the Batman of Africa!"
I love Judd Winick, I've researched some Ben Oliver art and it looks pretty cool, and I'm totally up for supporting a series that is racially unique. Plus I don't have anything against Batwing. He looks like a pretty cool guy. I'll gladly check it out.
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA; Art and cover by PETE WOODS
"Seven heroes from the 31st century have traveled back to the present day. Their mission: Save their future from annihilation. But when the future tech they brought with them fails, they find themselves trapped in a nightmarish world that, for them, is the ultimate struggle to survive!
Don't miss the start of this all-new LEGION series illustrated by Pete Woods – fresh off his spectacular run on ACTION COMICS – who is joined by writer Fabian Nicieza (RED ROBIN)!"
I've liked what I've read of Red Robin, I like Pete Woods art, I like the whole Legion-concept, and they're in the present day DCU, which means that it won't be all confusing trying to figure out what exact year they're in!
Written by GEOFF JOHNS; Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY; Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO; Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
"The red-hot GREEN LANTERN team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke introduce an unexpected new Lantern."
I usually like Geoff Johns stories, I'm kinda into Doug Mahnke art, Sinestro's pretty badass... But all thrown in together? I dunno. I'm giving it a chance because I like any individual combination of these three, but meh. Hopefully DC isn't giving up it's best-selling series because of this stupid move to take Hal's ring away.
Written by GRANT MORRISON; Art by RAGS MORALES and RICK BRYANT; Cover by RAGS MORALES; Variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
"The one and only Grant Morrison (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN) returns to Superman, joined by sensational artist Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS), to bring you tales of The Man of Steel unlike any you've ever read! This extra-sized debut issue is the cornerstone of the entire DC Universe!"
Grant Morrison, Rags Morales, a perfect time for me to start reading at least one Superman story...yeah. Sign me up.
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL; Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
"No sooner has Batman's former sidekick, Jason Todd, put his past as the Red Hood behind him than he finds himself cornered by a pair of modern day outlaws: Green Arrow's rejected sidekick Arsenal, the damaged soldier of fortune, and the alien Starfire, a former prisoner of intergalactic war who won't be chained again.
As a loner, Jason has absolutely no interest in this motley crew of outlaws. So what's he going to do when they choose the Red Hood as their leader? Find out in this hot new series from writer Scott Lobdell (WILDC.A.T.S, Uncanny X-Men), featuring art by rising star Kenneth Rocafort (ACTION COMICS)!"
Jason Todd, Roy Harper, and Starfire.. All vigilantes. Jason has never been part of a real team dynamic. He was never a member of the Titans. I think there'll be a lot of humor since Jason doesn't really WANT Kori and Roy along with him. I'd like to see whether Roy is gonna have everything back to how he used to be. His daughter back to the living, his arm perfectly normal, etc. Plus from the Kenneth Rocafort art that I've seen, I like it.
Written by GEOFF JOHNS; Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
"The superstar creators from BLACKEST NIGHT and BRIGHTEST DAY reunite to take AQUAMAN to amazing new depths!
Aquaman has renounced the throne of Atlantis – but the sea will not release Arthur Curry so easily.
Now, from a forgotten corner of the ocean emerges… The Trench! A broken race of creatures that should not exist, an unspeakable need driving them, The Trench will be the most talked-about new characters in the DC Universe!"
Okay...let me get this straight. Geoff Johns. Ivan Reis. Aquaman. Piranha-looking villains. Hmm... Well I'll let the Piranha-thing slide. And who knows, maybe they'll actually be pretty badass. Plus they released a scan from #1 and it shows a very iconic-looking Aquaman. It was really pretty awesome. Can't fucking wait.
Written by TONY BEDARD; Art and cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
"Kyle Rayner has assembled the most powerful team in all the universe, selected from the full spectrum of corps. But can he even keep this volatile group together?"
Okay, you don't even understand how awesome Kyle Rayner is. Plus Saint Walker. And Munk. I love it, already. And if I've said it once, I've said it a million times...I LOVE TYLER KIRKHAM ART!!
Written by DAN JURGENS; Art by AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN; Cover by AARON LOPRESTI
"With the growing presence of super beings around the world, the United Nations resolves to create a new group called Justice League International.
Batman, Booster Gold, Green Lantern Guy Gardner, August General in Iron, Fire, Ice, Vixen and Rocket Red are charged with promoting unity and trust – but can they reach that goal without killing each other first?"
Okay, I love it. Booster Gold, Batman, Guy Gardner, Fire, Ice, and Rocket Red were all original JLI-ers from back in the late-80s. They reformed during Justice League: Generation Lost. They chased don Max Lord, but he still managed to escape. I really hope that Max Lord exists in the DCnU, that he has mind control powers still, and I hope the JLI still wants him taken down. I also wish Power Girl, Captain Atom, and Blue Beetle were all on the team. But they aren't. Still, this line-up is very powerful and it sounds like Batman isn't along with the U.N.'s sanction of the group, he kinda just joined in because he said so. Which sounds like Batman. So I can't wait for this.
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO; Art by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO • Cover by ART BALTAZAR
"It's the issue of doom! Join the Tiny Titans as they – walk to school! Beast Boy takes a wrong turn when confronted by the crossing guards he calls The Doom Patrol. Plus, witness Beast Boy's first encounter with the Crossing Patrol Boys of Doom! Crossing the street has never been so tough!"
I love the Tiny Titans. They're funny, childish, and the artwork is...wait. You know I'm kidding right?
Written by GEOFF JOHNS; Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS; 1:25 Variant cover by DAVID FINCH
"Comics superstars Geoff Johns and Jim Lee make history! In a universe where super heroes are strange and new, Batman has discovered a dark evil that requires him to unite the World Greatest Heroes!"
It's the return of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman to the Justice League line-up. PLUS, we get to see Hawkman, Green Arrow, Firestorm, Mera, Element Woman, the Atom (which has been hinted to being Ryan Choi), Deadman, and an unidentified, white-haired, woman. Plus Jim Lee and Geoff Johns? I cannot wait.
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