"Batman: Requiem" Variant Covers

We have Jason Fabok's "Detective Comics", Greg Capullo and Andy Kubert's two "Batman," a "Batgirl," the new artists on "Red Hood and the Outlaws" and "Teen Titans" and their decidedly controversial images, along with a "Catwoman," a nice "Nightwing," with "Worlds' Finest" and, of course, "Batman Incorporated" rounding up the pack. I'm very excited to see how exactly Bruce is going to be responding to Damian's death. I'm sure it'll be even worse than when Jason died.

Damian Wayne's Death (and the March covers)

Okay so as I'm sure many of you have heard, Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne's son and current holder of the mantle of Robin, died in yesterday's "Batman, Incorporated" #8. And today DC released a series of variant covers that will be available next month for all the titles that are a Bat-family title (plus Worlds' Finest and Teen Titans, as they both co-star Bat-family members. So while the majority of them make sense and show how the Character would likely react to the information....except one. The cover to "Teen Titans" #18, seen below, by new series artist Eddy Barrows, seems to make Tim Drake (Red Robin) looking HAPPY that Damian is dead. While Tim didn't like Damian very much, I think it's a bit extreme to show him kind of smirking while holding his old Robin outfit. I'm sorry but this is just yet another prime example of how far Tim has fallen in the New 52 under Scott Lobdell's pen. While I know the headlines are all about Damian, I wanted to point out that Tim isn't the asshole he seems to be on the variant cover seen below. I'll post soon after this one with a set of all the variant covers.

Talon #5 (and a comment about Scott Clark)

(click to enlarge images)

And in case you haven't heard, artist Scott Clark died at the age of 43. I give my condolences to his family in their time of need. He was an amazing artist. For those who do not know, he drew the Firestorm portion of "Brightest Day," "Mister Terrific" #3 (New 52), and "Batman, Inc." #8 (Pre-New 52). He was also supposed to be drawing the Martian Manhunter back-up stories in "Justice League of America."  

Green Lantern Creative Shifts!

With DC's May 2013 solicits being announced last week it was also announced that Geoff Johns' nine-year run on the "Green Lantern" title would be coming to an end after May's "Green Lantern" #20. But not only is he leaving his book, Peter Tomasi, Tony Bedard, and Peter Milligan (who have been on their respective GL-books since the beginning of the "New 52" without falter) would also be leaving their books as well after May's 20th issue. So many fans were shocked and speculation began to fly as to who would be replacing Johns on "Green Lantern." Well today, DC announced to MTV Geek the creative teams for the books, as well as a new ongoing series to start in June's comics.

Here are the new creative teams (with my commentary):

GREEN LANTERN written by Robert Venditti with art by Billy Tan

I haven't ever heard of Venditti's work, but I'm willing to give a writer I've never heard of a try. I mean, that's what I did with Geoff Johns when I first started buying comics, and that turned out good. And I have seen Billy Tan's work before (plus look at that promo image) and I love it. So I'm absolutely looking forward to it.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS written by Josh Fialkov with art by Bernard Chang

I haven't read anything by either of these two, but then again I've only been getting "Corps" in trades anyway so ill give it a shot when the time comes, but I have time to read the reviews before then.

GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS written by Justin Jordan with art by Brad Walker

I wasn't a huge fan of "Team 7," which I dropped after #2, but I'm willing to see what Jordan has in store for White Lantern Kyle. As for the art, I don't believe I've read anything with him in it, but I'm gonna give it a try!

RED LANTERNS written by Josh Fialkov with art by Alessandro Vitti

As I said with "Corps," Im not familiar with either of them. But the Red Lanterns series went so far into nothingness with Milligan at the helm, that I can't imagine anyone saving it. Sorry Atrocitus and Dex-Starr, but you're not even getting another chance.

LARFLEEZE written by Keith Giffen with art by Scott Kolins

I was torn about buying Threshold and that was because of the main story. I'm not really that interested in Larfleeze having his own series. It may work, or it may be a complete flop in my book just like "Red Lanterns."

I have high hopes for the GL series and I hope the other two series do good for themselves. Ill probably still just keep getting New Guardians and Green Lantern, but I think it's a good new direction for the books. You can read interviews with the new creative teams on MTV Geek's website now.

8 Reviews for a Rainy Day!

All-New X-Men #6: 8/10. While this issue wasn't as good as #5, but as always the story was great. I think that I can happily say that this is the best series I'm reading now.

Avengers #3: 7/10. I think this issue was the best of the series so far, but I don't think this series has necessarily as great as possible.

New Avengers #2: 8/10. Hickman's much better Avengers series, focusing on the Illuminati, kicks into high gear despite the amounts of talking in the issue.

Young Avengers #1: 9/10. This. Issue. Was. Awesome. And that finale! Oh damn. I don't know what could be better. Except....

Green Lantern: New Guardians #16: 10/10. Best issue of this entire series so far. I mean come on!!! White. Lantern. Kyle. Rayner!!!!

Batman #16: 8/10. I have to say, out of this entire issue...the back-up was the best part of the issue. I enjoyed Joker taking down Riddler, Two-Face, & Penguin like they were nothing. But the issue was still good.

Green Lantern #16: 7.5. The pent ultimate issue of "Rise of the Third Army" wasn't anything special. Honestly it was about average.

Justice League #16: 8.5/10. "Throne of Atlantis" continues to please, especially when Cyborg calls for "reinforcements" as the rest of the team has been incapacitated. Oh and that Shazam! back-up is awesome.