ACTION COMICS #36: While the people of Metropolis clean up the city following the recent events, Lana Lang is still suffering the pain of losing her parents. She keeps having this dream where her parents haunt her. Lana insists on staying in Smallville with John Henry. When a fog rolls in along with a hearse, which she and John follows to the graveyard. There, the sheriff tells her that her parents' graves have been dug up. Superman arrives and sees the dense fog. But when he tries to fly through it, it transports him miles away. He puts a call into Hiro Okamura to use satellites to see what this fog is. But Hiro can’t find Smallville at all. In the fog, the sheriff moves through the cemetery while Lana’s dead parents accuse her of allowing them to die. Superman flies back and realizes that the fog is alive. Superman knocks the creature out and, as the fog fades, he sees the sheriff is dead and the corpses of Lana’s parents are on the ground. Clark promises to figure out what happened, but she pushes him away and asks for time apart to forgive him. Clark finds himself trapped in the fog and, when he attempts to fly out, he just keeps getting teleported. At the barbershop, the regulars say that Superman is going to find out what is going on and they are worried about that.
Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder deliver another outstanding issue here. This is one of the most improved titles of 2014 and I can’t say enough about it. Suffice it to say that Pak’s writing is top notch and Kuder’s art has never looked better. This should be on your pull list every month-it’s that damned good!
AQUAMAN #36: We begin with Aquaman breaking Vulko out of his prison cell and taking him to Atlanna’s empty tomb. He has also brought Martian Manhunter with him as he wants him to examine the murder scene from long ago. Vulko explains that Orvax, who had a mean moments, made a lot of enemies and that led to his assassination. Not long after, she had planned to leave Atlantis and Vulko had arranged passage to the surface world. During a theater performance, a prop exploded near the Royal Box, killing Atlanna. Martian Manhunter uses his powers to read what truly happened. Atlanna was made aware of the assassination attempt by one of her loyal followers and this allowed a corpse to be planted in her place. Aquaman has Koah open a sealed door which releases a creature that possesses J’onn. After a battle, Aquaman uses fire to subdue his friend and drive away the madness. Later, J’onn reveals that he saw a portal within the memories of the event and that leads all to believe Atlanna is alive…somewhere.
Jeff Parker and Paul Pelletier combine to bring us the second chapter in the Maelstrom storyline and it takes what we knew of Aquaman’s mythos and turns it sideways. Orvax, Atlanna’s first husband (you know-that’s how Orm got here) was an abusive husband and Atlanna faked her own death. Is this how she made her way to the surface world? And where is she now? I guess we’ll know next month when the third chapter rolls in.
AQUAMAN AND THE OTHERS #7: Over in Tehran, Sayeh visits her family when she receives a vision calling her and Ya’Wara away. In New York, Vostok is making the save on teammate Cole as the KGBeast is on a rampage. He is in the process of grabbing a very important flash drive, causing Vostok and the Beast to battle. That is when Cheshire arrives, as does Aquaman. When things look grim for the bad guys, they call on Maelstrom to help them make their getaway. Although he cannot remember, it seems that Vostok and the Beast may have trained together. Over in Pennsylvania, Torrez tells Gary’s widow how he died at the hands of the KGBeast But Torrez finds that maybe a false memory. Sayeh and Ya’Wara arrive to tell him that The Operative killed Gary Korec. Later, on the moon, Cheshire and company relish that the flash drive has launch codes and they now control a Soviet satellite filled with nukes.
Too many subplots…head exploding…must stop! Oh for crying aloud: someone make Dan Jurgens stop writing these characters. Actually, I still like Jurgens’ work. It is these CHARACTERS THAT I HATE! On the art side of the ledger: I like Lan Medina’s art, but I’m not too fond of Allen Martinez’ inks. Another average issue here-no worse than some and better than most that came before. Read it now because it ends in March.
ARKHAM MANOR #2: Posing as Jack Shaw, Batman is now an inmate at Arkham Manor as he tries to solve a double murder. In group therapy, he listens to the tale of Seth Wickham, who suffers from a fear of falling after the collapse of Arkham. Then words comes out that Zsasz is missing. Later, Shaw is painting the manor’s walls when he spies Eric Border pushing the wheelchair of a mute John Doe inmate. He examines the man and believes he knows who he might be. Shaw makes his way to Dr. Arkham's office, where he calls Eric Border to warn about the mute inmate. Back in his cell, he sees that Seth is the newest victim. He sees that he has had a power drill driven through his head when the killer attacks him, trying to finish off Seth. They fight and Shaw attempts to unmask the killer but is clubbed by one of the guards. He tells Border that the killer is still in the room, but all they find is Seth’s body.
Gerry Duggan and Shawn Crystal deliver another oddball issue that leaves me with mixed emotions. I like the idea of Batman being undercover in his own home, but I’m not a fan of Wayne Manor being turned into Arkham in the first place. Duggan’s writing is crisp and fun and I find myself adjusting to Crystal’s art. So, the jury is still out on this one for me. For now, I’ll stick with it, as DC has already cancelled this title as of March.
BATGIRL #36: Babs is out shopping with Frankie and Dinah. The next day, she meets Jeremy, who shows her to her new office as she begins crushing on him. Jeremy will be sharing the office with her and her research assistant, Nadimah. She borrows a portable drive from Nadimah's brother Qadir and corrects a formula on his whiteboard. Meanwhile, someone has stolen two special motorcycles. Back at her office, she hears them being used to terrorize students and races into action. But they have swords and she is far from ready for them. Later, Babs asks Frankie about an old Anime called Atomina. Without revealing to Frankie, it is because one episode featured twin assassins on motorbikes. The following day, she hits up an otaku shop who points out two huge fans of the show are Yuri and Yuki Katsura. That night, Batgirl, sneaks into Qadir's lab and asks for his help. Using the GPS on the bikes, she tracks them to the Factory District. There she encounters the twins and uses her brand new grappling gun to knock them off their bikes. Jumping on one of the bikes, Batgirl engages in a game of chicken with the pair, which she wins. As they are being tied up, they tell her they received texts from Batgirl giving them half a million dollars for killing her-to prove they were real Jawbreakers. Later, Barbara presents her thesis data to Jeremy and Nadimah, but are interrupted by Qadir. He is thrilled that Batgirl returned the stolen bikes. Frankie shows up for lunch and says that Jeremy must be the guy Bab’s is crushing on. Guess who’s embarrassed now?
OMG Babs: let’s go to the mall and shop for cool clothes while we talk about Anime. THIS IS BATGIRL NOW? She is an Anime fan, a genius when it comes to formulas, a superhero, a student and everything else a teen girl would want to read in a superhero. Someone please tell Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher that most teen girls would throw up after reading this! And the simplistic art by Babs Tarr and Stewart doesn’t help either. Somewhere, Gail Simone is laughing…loudly! And personally: I’D PAY someone half a million to knock this shadow of a heroine off! If it turns out Black Canary is the fake Batgirl, I will scream so loud DC will hear me in their new WEST COAST OFFICES!
BATMAN #36: Superman, totally under the control of Joker Venom, is ready to kill Batman when the Dark Knight tries to fight back. So Superman collapses a building on him before taking him high above Gotham and tearing off his Batsuit. Batman spits in the Man of Steel’s eye with the liquid from some Kryptonite gum, causing Superman to pass out and drop them both into the ocean. Back in the Batcave, Batman discovers that each Justice League member was infected by Joker Venom specifically designed for them. He goes to the ruins of Arkham to search for clues. He steps into what was The Joker’s cell and is greeted by Eric Border, who shuts the cell door and locks it shut. He announces that Eric Border means "Eternal Prince Jester.” Eric Border is now and has been the Joker. He unleashes a paralyzing gas from his old face and crows that Batman will not be able to stop his plans. He pulls out a gun and fires.
So here is the problem with multiple titles running at different timelines. In ARKHAM MANOR, we see Eric Border as Eric border. Now we all know he is really The Joker. So, that kind of ruins the surprise of who is bumping off people at Arkham! And where did he get his old face? The Joker’s Daughter is wearing it. Or, when she ended up in Arkham after the most recent Suicide Squad mission, did he take it back? Or did he just buy the DC Limited Edition DEATH OF THE FAMILY that came WITH THE MASK? Either way, this story arc by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo continues to make this a must read DC title!
BATMAN AND ROBIN #36: Batman has finally gotten his hands on Glorious Godfrey and wants to know who Kalibak is and where Damien is. He is told that Kalibak is Darkseid's son and he is using Damian’s body to power the Chaos Cannon. Batman knocks him out and heads out to find his son. Kalibak is getting ready to test the cannon when he is informed Batman is en route and sends Parademons to stop him. The Bat Family have arrived on Apokolips and barely survived a confrontation with the Lowlies. They find Batman standing on the Parademons he has defeated and head towards Kalibak who is getting ready to fire the cannon. Batman attacks Darkseid’s son while Titus finds Damian as Cyborg learns of a far greater threat.
How will this all end? I’m guessing it won’t end well for the Bat Family or at least some of them. Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason continue their awesome run on this title. It reads great and looks better. There is no question in my mind that the Bat books are among the best being published by DC today.
BATMAN ETERNAL #31-34: In issue #31, we see Alfred being saved by Bane from the collapse of Arkham. Alfred leads Bane through the tunnels for a ways until Bane insists on taking the lead. They meet Deacon Blackfire's cult and manage to take them all out before Alfred leads them to a wall where a code word emits a knock out gas and opens a portal to a hidden Batcave. Meanwhile, Joker's Daughter tries to trigger her explosive vest, but the detonator fails. Julia tells Batman that many of the most dangerous inmates are attempting to escape and he goes about subduing most of them. That’s when he finds that the GCPD is waiting for him and is ready to take him out, leading him to use the Batplane to help get him out of this mess. At the same time, Vicki Vale sees The Spoiler on her motorcycle are taken out by a GCPD sharpshooter. And, if that wasn’t bad enough, it places her right at the feet of Hush.
In issue #32, Stephanie sprays mace into Hush’ eyes but he strikes her with his pistol and prepares to kill her. Just then, Batman comes to her rescue, allowing her to jump on her bike and tries to run Hush down. He tosses a grenade at her and it takes Batman to save her yet again. When the smokes clears, Hush is gone. He leaves her and heads to Arkham to rescue Batwing, picks up Alfred and returns to the Batcave. Batman learns that someone has gotten into the database lists all the bunkers and weapon sites. Meanwhile, Bard meets with Hush on the roof of the GCPD before going to visit Vicki Vale, where he informs her of all of Batman’s secret hideaways. He also informs her that they have been paid for and built by Wayne Enterprises. Later that night, a military vehicle is destroyed by Hush, using an explosive he stole from one of Batman’s hideaways.
In issue #33, Julia tries to convince Batman to make a statement saying he is not responsible for the explosion that ended the last issue. He says that the first priority is to take back the weapons sites from Hush. He explains to Julia that they must be careful as a wrong move could trigger an explosion in any of the sites. Once they get inside the sites, they just need to pull down a lever that will cause an acid shower and it will destroy all weapons there. Meanwhile, Bard confronts Hush about allowing his officers to be injured by the blast. Hush tells Bard to speak with an officer named Gilpatrick who has a plan. Later, while Batman and Julia are working at one of the sites, Gilpatrick arrives and ties to trap the Dark Knight in quick-hardening foam. Unfortunately, Batman turns the tables on him and Gilpatrick ends up in the foam. Julia goes to her first site alone and Hush arrives, wanting to know who she is. At Wayne Enterprises, Lucius Fox is forced to deal with the news that the company funded Batman.
In issue #34, Hush taunts Julia until she shoots him in the arm with a grappling gun. He cuts the cable and shoots her, while setting off an explosive. When Batman gets there, he discovers a hole melted through the floor and Julia at its bottom; wounded but alive. Meanwhile, Mayor Hady grills Lucius about where Bruce Wayne has disappeared to and wants the folks connected with Wayne to find a way to stop the attacks against Gotham. In the Batcave, the computers signal that Hush is at the Martha Wayne Foundation Hospital. There, Batman finds Hush sitting on a throne made all of the weapons he had found there. He then puts on one of Bruce's armored Batsuits and attacks. Batman head butts him, causing him to drop the detonator he carried. He tears the bandages off Tommy’s face and shows him his reflection in a mirror. As Batman brings Hush back to the Batcave, Lucius calls a press conference to announce that Bruce has been removed from his function as Chief Operating and that this is the end of Wayne Enterprises. Batman also realizes that Hush was not the mastermind after all-he was just a pawn.
Four more issues that weave this great story. This tale is racing towards an end, but not yet. The book will end in March, but expect it to be resurrected after CONVERGENCE. Thank you Ray Fawkes, Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Kyle Higgins, and Tim Seeley for this multi-layered tale. And thanks to Fernando Pasarin, Jason Fabok, and Álvaro Martínez for bringing it to visual life!
BATMAN SUPERMAN #16: While Superman, Supergirl, Steel and Krypto are rescuing some Orca whales, an unseen attack occurs, injuring three of the team and killing a whale. At the same time, a Superman impersonator entertaining in a kid’s ward at Metropolis City Center Hospital is killed by an unknown assassin’s bullet. He calls Batman in to help with the investigation and the Dark knight decides that there is someone out there who is Superman’s “Joker”: an arch enemy willing to do anything to hurt the Man of Steel. As the try to figure who it could be, three people across the world, including Lex Luthor, taken shots from an unknown assailant. And Superman hasn’t been fast enough to stop it.
He may be faster than a speeding bullet but I guess he is not fast enough to save three lives. Who will he choose? My guess is it is going to be Lex Luthor because, hey-he IS in the Justice League now! This is just another great example of Greg Pak’s writing that puts him at the top of his game. And Adrian Syaf art shines too! This book has great moments and just okay ones. This is looking to be one of the great ones!
BATWOMAN #36: We begin with a ritual sacrifice gone bad and a whole bunch of people burned to a crisp by magic energy. Meanwhile, Batwoman finds herself standing over a pair of teens she had been threatening to kill for vandalism. She finds the remains of the burned bodies but can’t figure out what happened. When Maggie Sawyer arrives, she gives Batwoman the cold shoulder, especially when Kate wants to ask about Maggie’s current personal life. She orders her off the crime scene. As the lone survivor is rushed to the hospital, he awakens and says that a woman must be brought back. Back at her apartment, Natalia Mitternacht, greets Kate, kisses her and tells her that she belongs to her. Later, Kate removes the band-aid off her neck and, when she touches the bite marks, she sees herself kissing Nocturna while bathing in blood. Over at the Rags 'n Tatters antique shop, Rory Regan buys a Celtic amulet that is the one used in the ritual that opened the issue. At the Gotham International Airport, Beth Kane returns minus luggage. And Dr. Jason Blood slips on the bathroom floor in his apartment and crawls out, where he sees Etrigan standing over him.
It’s a shame this book is being canceled in March because Marc Andreyko and Georges Jeanty have just introduced a whole batch of characters into the story, including a new one in the NEW 52 mythos. For the younger fans, Rory Regan first appeared in DC Comics in 1976 and was created by legends Bob Kanigher and Joe Kubert. Rory was secretly the “Jewish superhero” Ragman. And since we see him running his Rags ‘n’ Tatters antique shop, can Ragman be far behind? Oh yeah: and we have a modern Jason Blood who gets surprised by Etrigan, who I am sure he knows NOTHING ABOUT. And just how many women can Kate be involved with. Man-this book is starting to get good again and now it'’ soon to be gone. Bummer!
CATWOMAN #36: Catwoman rescues a Calabrese Family messenger from Bone before she makes her way to the rooftops where she watches Selina Kyle visit the various Gotham crime families. Detective Alvarez is watching her too, although he has been told to stay off this case. Later, Selina and Antonia tell Nick and Ward how their meetings went and Nick warns her that the Hasigawa Family will let them run guns, as long as they also agree to distribute heroin. Selina is against the idea, but keeps it to herself and tells Ward she will do what is safest for Gotham City-meaning she will allow the drug distribution. She also has suspicions about Nick’s ability and loyalty but is assured by Anotonia that all is well. After a meeting of the families, Ward hands Selina a her a newspaper that came straight from Alvarez' desk. Nick warns Antonia, who knows he is feeding information to Alvarez, to stay away from the deal at the docks. That night, Nick meets with Alvarez and tells him about the deal. He makes Alvarez promise that no harm will come to Antonia. As they part, someone grabs Nick who wakes to find himself alone with Bone. At the same time, Selina goes to the roof and fights with Catwoman, who turns out to be Eiko Hasigawa. Defeating her, Selina tells her that, in her current role, she can do more for the city than she ever could as Catwoman.
Novelist Genevieve Valentine and FIVE GHOSTS artist Garry Brown continue their run on this title. Now that Selina Kyle is out of the business of Spandex and leather costumes to run the Gotham Crime Families, can we change the title? Should we? I mean, Catwoman, with the exception of a fake one, does not appear in the book any longer. Selina Kyle wears pantsuits now! And what about her supporting cast? Who wants to make a bet that nick is going to end up sleeping with the fishes? While this is no longer a Catwoman action adventure book, I love the look and the feel of it. And at least we don’t have any more dumb “race issues”(not that kind of race!)
CONSTANTINE #19: Constantine is in another universe and it is in complete chaos. He knows he needs to find this world’s version of him, so he heads off to Liverpool. On the drive, he comes across a faerie ring of mushrooms which represents a portal to somewhere else. But he can’t risk using it because of the presence of his other self. Later, his car gets hit my a meteor and he is knocked unconscious. While dreaming, a voice tells him to hurry to Liverpool so they can meet. When he wakes, he hot wires the car and heads off, stopping to help a family he had seen earlier. The parents have been murdered and the girl he had seen in the back seat of the car is missing. He casts a spell to find that the girl has been cut to pieces, so he instructs the murderer to shoot himself in the head. He gets to Liverpool and heads to where he knows his double is. What he finds is that this is his old house. He knocks on the door and his father answers it-a father he knows is dead.
Okay-when did John Constantine become a nice guy? This is the guy who is only out for Number One, right? But he stops to help a family and then takes out revenge on the guy responsible for killing them and cutting up their daughter. This is pretty sick stuff! Ray Fawkes and Jeremy Haun do a great job retooling this magic man who is now a stranger in a strange land. This book hasn’t been this much fun in ages!
DEATHSTROKE #2: Slade Wilson has found out that the I-Ching has turned back the hands of time and made him young again. Someone who calls himself Red Fury greets Slade and tells him that his next target is someone named Odysseus. Red Fury claims he had hired Slade before but had Slade's memory erased in exchange for 25 million in gold. They get attacked by a team of swordsmen who represent Odysseus and apparently thinks Deathstroke can make him into a god. Meanwhile, Lady Shiva tells Bronze Tiger that he needs to lead the League of Assassins and hunt down Deathstroke. Deathstroke is in eastern Europe and he samples the truth serum he was given and immediately sees him trying to fight his way towards his son, Jericho.
Tony S. Daniel continues to do his take on the lethal assassin. His story telling ability is good, but I miss his work on THE TENTH(can someone resurrect that series?). His art rocks like always and I have always been a huge fan of Daniel’s work. This book should NEVER have been cancelled and, knowing fickle fans, this one will take a powder early. I do recommend getting it and riding the wave of action!
DETECTIVE COMICS #36: With Gotham International under quarantine and Magnus Magnuson withholding the cure, an infected Batman has eight hours to solve the mystery. He puts a call into Dick Grayson looking for help, who finds out Magnuson is dating a woman who runs a disco named Club Hell. At Club Hell, she tells Dick that Magnuson is at Gotham International Airport and he is the vaccine. Meanwhile, the CDC gets involved and makes a mess of everything. Batman sneaks into the Air Traffic Control tower and knocks out the CDC agent threatening Ed. Batman explains that he thinks the coffin with a soldier in it is the source of the outbreak. Ed tells him he can’t help because of the cancer he got during the Gulf War and asks to be sent to Hawaii to die surrounded by white sand and hula girls. Agent Tusk and his companion find patient zero. But the companion reveals himself to be Magnuson, tears off Tusk’s protective mask and shoves him into the coffin. Batman arrives and uses his gauntlets to shock Magnuson into unconsciousness. Taking a blood sample, he is able to make a vaccine and administer it to the airport. Ed Boar wakes in a hospital bed to find a plane ticket to Hawaii in an envelope.
This story started out great and just kind of fizzled in the end. Don’t get me wrong: I still found this book better than a good chunk of titles on the racks today. Nice writing and plotting from Benjamin Percy, who provides some nice dialogue (and what is with Dick Grayson getting laid so much? Become a spy and BAM!?). John Paul Leon gives us some really moody art and makes us remember that his style was cool even before the recent minimalist movement that started with DAREDEVIL and HAWKEYE.
EARTH 2 #28: We are told the story of a woman on Czarnia who listened to her friend Lobo, got caught doing a crime and went to prison. While in prison, her parents die and she is told that she is immune to the virus that is on the planet, but she is a carrier. They ask her to go to Apokolips and bring the virus to the one responsible for it-Darkseid. In exchange, her family would get the medicine and be spared. Although she knew it was a lie, she agreed. Arriving on Apokolips, she is immediately recruited by DeSaad to serve Apokolips. She became the Fury of Pentilence. On Warworld a slave of Mongul is recruited by Steppenwolf to serve Apokolips and become a Fury. She agreed and became the Fury of Famine. Elsewhere, a Tamaranean spaceship crashes on Armaghetto. Barda & Kazana, find the lone survivor, K'li and was trained to be a warrior of Apokolips, becoming best friends with a girl named Eila. When they grew up, they were asked to prove their devotion to Darkseid and K'li killed Eila and then Kazana. Darkseid made her his Fury of War. On Mars, the forces of Apokolips came and, as friends and family died, a healer did not. She was brought to Darkseid who convinced her to be with him. She lay down with him and, when she arose, she was the Fury of Death.
This is what I would call a fill-in issue as we prepare for the repercussion from this month’s WORLD’S END book in next month’s issue. Marguerite Bennett Tom Taylor bring us the stories of the origins of the Furies of Apokolips while the art is by Alisson Borges, Andy Smith, Javier Fernandez, and Diogenes Neves. Again, a fill-in issue that does a nice job of giving us the back stories on these all-important characters. Join us next month as all hell breaks loose on Earth 2.
EARTH 2 WORLD’S END #5-8: In issue #5, the Green forces Alan Scott and Solomon Grundy to strike a truce in order to save Earth 2. They must go seek out the other colors of the Avatars of the Earth. Meanwhile, Aquawoman defends her kingdom and goes to meet with the eater of worlds. Below Amazonia, Jimmy Olson converses with the Mother Box and is told that this is the day he dies. On the surface, Mr. Terrific gathers his team together within his Boom Spheres and prepares to assault Apokolips. In London, Flash, Hawkgirl and Dr. Fate battle Famine. Beneath the firepit in Geneva, Val, Lois, Kara and Batman seek out the kidnapped Huntress when they come across Clark’s body
In issue #6, Dr. Fate defeats Famine, but not well enough as the effects are being felt in London and beyond as the plague reaches out to Amazonia. Mister Miracle activates his Mother Box, which is in the possession of Jimmy Olsen. Just as Dr. Fate arrives, Jimmy is suffering the effects of that Mother Box. In Atlantis, Aquawoman offers herself to the eater of worlds and promises to free it to save her people. At the World Army Stronghold, Barbara Grayson and her deputies try to quell an uprising and find some help in the form of Ted Grant. In Geneva, we learn that Clark is actually a clone and that there are many, many more clones in stasis tubes here. As Desaad prepares to do his worst to Helena Wayne, Batman, Val, Kara and Lois find his cloning facility and Thomas Wayne prepares to rescue Helena. But he will have to do it without Miraclo, as Val destroys it so Thomas will have a clear head when he attacks. Alan Scott and Solomon Grundy head to China in search of the Avatar of the White. They end up at Sam’s chateau where Alan finds the wedding ring that was meant for him. That is when he is interrupted by the Avatar of the White-Sam Zhao.
In issue #7, the furies of Apokolips gather and prepare to attack the Avatars and the Parliament. In Geneva, Desaad makes his final plans to convert Helena while her rescue team battles failed clones. In China, Alan and the former Sam Zhao have a reunion before they all go in search of the Avatar of the Blue. Below Amazonia, Dr. Fate merges his helmet with the Mother Box and Jimmy Olsen is transformed into a god. In London, the John Constantine of our Earth transports himself to the Arkham World Army Base where he finds an army of super powered people at the ready. In space, as Mister Miracle and his team head towards Apokolips, they discover that they don’t have far to go-Apokolips is here.
In issue #8, Alan Scott is desperately trying to keep parts of the exploded moon from hitting planet Earth while Fury and Barda land on Apokolips to begin their mission. In Amazonia, Jimmy Olsen uses his new powers to restore a dying Dr. Fate while Commander Sato lays down the law to Chancellor Hagen. In China, the Furies of Apokolips make their presence known by spreading war, pestilence, and death. Grundy and the Avatar of the White arrive. Grundy is cut in half and Sam begs for the Avatar of the Green to come and help. In the labyrinths of Desaad, the team finds part of Clark’s uniform. They also discover that Helena’s monitor has flatlines, meaning she is dead. In the World Army Stronghold, Ted, Dick and Barbara fight for their lives as a virus has turned the people there into madmen and is causing the dead to rise. Then the camp is hit by a meteor shower that lands near Barbara’s position. At the Arkham World Army Base, Constantine has assembled a team made of Brain Wave, Obsidian, Jonni Thunder and Karnevil. But Karnevil has a problem with working with Obsidian because he is black, so John kills Karnevil. Flash races to New York to save his mother. Unfortunately, a possessed Hawkgirl is now ready to kill him.
Here we have four more action packed issues that all seem to be directing Earth 2 to its’ ultimate doom. 80 pages of fun (I especially like that classic JSA hero Ted Grant shows up!) courtesy of Daniel H. Wilson, Marguerite Bennett, and Mike Johnson. The art is by Tyler Kirkham, Eduardo Panacia, Eddy Barrows, Jorge Jimenez, Eduardo Panacia, Robson Rocha, Stephen Segovia, and the legendary Jan Duursema. Overall, although we know this title ends when CONVERGENCE begins, this is required reading-especially since there will be a final crossover point between this and FUTURE’S END in the final issue of each. Stay tuned!
THE FLASH #36: The Flash is trapped somewhere with a bunch of robot dinosaurs. He gets rescued by a masked man known as Selkirk. Figuring they are within the Speed Force, Barry explains how he needs to get home and is told this is their home now. Meanwhile, the future Barry is in our present and has de-aged, so he can take Barry’s place, leading to him taking up with Patty Spivot. At work, he sees Wally West waiting for him.He gives him a tour of the police garage and leaves him with the mechanic. Back in the lab, Barry, who has forgotten how much Director Singh hates him, invites him on a double date. Later, Barry shows Wally how he uses the police database to track criminals. When he returns Wally to Iris after lunch, he gives her a scoop that could make her career. That night, while Patty sleeps, Barry chases down Kyle Korot. He hasn’t done anything wrong yet, but will one day become a killer. Knowing the future, Barry has decided to track down murderers and killing each one of them.
Robert Venditti, Van Jensen and Brett Booth turn in another great episode in the tale of two Flashes. A captivating story coupled with dynamite art makes this book a major winner! It is almost on par with the previous creative team and we all know how awesome that was. This title should be on your “must read list”.
GOTHAM ACADEMY #2: Olive Silverlock reads Millie Jane Cobblepot’s diary when she sees the Bat-Signal in the sky. Looking outside, she sees Batman staring back at her. The next day, the students are all talking about the ghost haunting the North Hall. Professor MacPherson makes Olive and Pomeline Fritch partners in their Gotham History projects. During lunch, Olive notices a boy sketching her friend Maps. Later, Olive and Pomeline work on their project separately and Mr. Scarlett hands Olive a note with the name of a book he thinks will help them. As Olive searches for the book, which is the DIARY OF MILLIE JANE COBBLEPOT, she notices a handsome but strange young man. But this copy has handwritten notes in it along with a map of the cemetery behind North Hall. Pomeline texts Heathcliff and takes the book. After a scare during Chemistry class, Olive hides under the bleachers and watches her ex-boyfriend practice tennis serves. Ms. MacPherson sits with her and gives advice while her dog digs up a very large bone. Back in her room, Olive and Maps decide to go check out the map from the diary and head to the old cemetery. They find the door to the Cobblepot crypt and it’s been opened. They hear chanting inside and go down where they see three cloaked and masked figures chanting over an alter. Olive sees the diary on the altar and grabs it. Pomeline says she has no idea what she is doing taking the book. Olive says says Pomeline has no idea who she's dealing with. Flames surround her and she says she is her mother's daughter.
Who is Olive’s mother? I don’t really care! I still haven’t figured out who this book is aimed at. If they are shooting for the pre-teen/teen girl, they are all reading Manga or Tween titles on the bookshelf, if they are reading books at all. The adult female reader is going to balk at this nightmare and the male comics’ fan? I cannot even believe one of them would even admit to reading this. All but me, that is. This book didn’t get the axe in DC’s recently announced cancellations but it sure should. Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl need a new gig.
GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT #1: The book begins with Sergeant Rook being assigned to Precinct Thirteen by Internal Affairs so he can report what Precinct Thirteen does. This is the home of “the Midnight Shift”. It is the Gotham City Police Department's Detailed Case Task Force. Lieutenant Weaver explains that they handle the unusual cases. The team includes Dr. Szandor Tarr, a forensic scientist, Sister Justine, a nun and Detective Jim Corrigan, who is absent at the moment. He is with Detective Lisa Drake, who warns him that Internal Affairs is getting involved with The Midnight Shift’s business. Jim arrives at The Midnight Shift with news of their case. It’s a kidnapping at Gotham Heights and he invites Rook to ride along with he and Drake. They quiz the parents of the missing Atwood girls and are told that the girls did come home. But Julie and Francine are speaking in what Jim believes is a made up language and insists that they be seen by Sister Justine. Based on a mark they had seen on the front step, they head to Slaughter Swamp. En route, Jim says he knew that someday someone would come to investigate the Midnight Shift. Rook admits he is ready to shut the Shift down and is prepared to order psych evaluations for the whole team. They stop in front of an old schoolhouse and begin to feel dread. As they move closer approach to it, Julie and Francine scream at the sight of Sister Justine and Lisa can feel the presence of death. Jim opens the door of the classroom, and finds the desks of a class being taught by a ghost nun.
Okay, here is my prediction for this series: gone in 8 months. While the story by Ray Fawkes is weird and gives Jim Corrigan to hang his hat every month (SANTA-I WANT A SPECTRE SERIES FOR CHRISTMAS!), I don’t think there is enough reader interest in these characters. And you either love Ben Templesmith’s art or you absolutely hate it. There is no in-between. Personally, I like it, but I think most of the DC readers will turn thumbs down to it. Too bad: this title has potential.
GRAYSON #4: Mr. Minos assigns Dick and Helena to infiltrate Checkmate to retrieve a hard drive. While they go off on their mission, a bunch of girl’s have a bit of a party when one of them comes in with photos of Dick with his shirt off. Lotti thinks it’s a good idea to go check out his room. When Dick returns, he checks in with Batman when he hears the girls outside of his room. He lets them know he has seen them and lures them away from the area. While he is gone, Helena sneaks into his room as Minos has charged her with finding out where a detected signal came from. The girls continue to give chase, stopping only when they see Helena is behind Dick. She orders the girls back to their room and has Dick go to see Mr. Minos. Because he has been outed by the girls, he orders Dick to teach two classes of acrobatics per week. His new cover story is that he is a gay former French gymnast. When he leaves, Helena tells Minos she found hidden cameras that Lotti has placed to spy. Later, Dick wakes to find Helena sitting next to him. She tells him she knows he was once Nightwing and he came here to let the world believe he is still dead. Then she challenges him to chase her across the campus. In Dubai, Midnighter is searching for body parts from the Paragon Project. Apollo interrupts him from his torturing of a man. He is told it is time to come back to both Stormwatch and his boyfriend. His answer is to drop the man off the tall building, causing Apollo to give chase.
This is another one of the new titles that I am not sure if I like, love or hate. The idea of Dick Grayson as a super spy doesn’t do a thing for me. But Tim Seeley, Tom King and Mikel Janín make this so much fun I have to convince myself this guy is ANYONE but Dick Grayson. Maybe he’s a beefy 21st Century version of John Steel and Helena is Emma Peel. Yeah-I can get behind that. This is a fun read and it looks great. But Dick-he’s getting more action, in many ways, since he became a super spy. Maybe Tony Stark will get jealous…
GREEN ARROW #36: A pair of homeless teens run into three men who have been after them for some time. The girl, Mia, tosses her friend Trevor into the tasers of their attacker and runs. A fourth man shows up and shoots down the other three, saying he can get her to safety and that he knew her mother. Meanwhile, Felicity Smoak admits to Green Arrow that she was hired to kill him but didn’t know a superhero was the target and offers to help him. But she doesn’t know who hired her because they hired her anonymously through World of Warcraft. He doesn’t trust her but convinces him she is one of the best hackers around. Mr. King is questioned by a reporter about his meeting with Carmine Falcone and he later tells one of his men to have the reporter killed. It was King that hired Felicity and ios looking to kill Mia Dearden. Felicity hacks into the network to discover the middleman is Garret Diamond. They break into Garret’s house and find him killed by an arrow. Felicity hacks into his computer and realizes there is a connection to Mia. Oliver and John go searching for her and Felicity locates her by satellite-she is with Mack Morgan. His car gets run off the road by King’s men but Green Arrow catches up with the men and they turn their guns on him. One of King’s men tosses her into a trunk and drives off, but is saved by Oliver before the car crashes and falls from the bridge. Mack says he has enough evidence to put King away but is killed by an arrow before he can give it to her.
Ben Sokolowski, Andrew Kreisberg with art by Daniel Sampere continue the new direction for the Emerald Archer. As I mentioned last time, I am not quite certain if I like this or not. But you have to understand that Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino set the bar ridiculously high and you would pretty much have to be Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams to cross the bar. So, I continue to be amused and intrigued and note that is truly along the lines of the ARROW show. We shall see how this all plays as we head towards CONVERGENCE.
GREEN LANTERN #36: Previously reviewed as part of GODHEAD ACT 2.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #36: Previously reviewed as part of GODHEAD ACT 2.
GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #36: Previously reviewed as part of
GODHEAD ACT 2
HARLEY QUINN #12: Power Girl and Harley get into a fight with Sportsmaster and The Clock King at the mall, but fall through a teleportation ring the Clock king has put out. The girls, along with an accountant sent by the Clock King, find themselves surrounded by alien soldiers. Before the accountant can tell the alien queen that Harley is not a hero, she disintegrates him, which upsets the queen because he was her lover. The Queen’s husband, a giant pug dog, sits on Harley and demands they all stop the violence. Then, after an argument about the accountant lover, he eats the Queen. He then tells them to get home they need another teleportation ring and it is owned by Manos, Ruler of the Infinity Rings. The pair fly to Manos’ home where they are greeted by a giant alien that looks like a slice of pizza. It refuses, forcing Harley to destroy it. Manos agrees to let them use the ring after they get him to cosmic cubicle from Elder-7. Power Girl refuses as Harley steals his rings and destroys him with it. They destroy the cosmic organ and his children show them how to use the teleportation ring, if they return the other rings. They come back through the Clock King's ring and he pushes them through it again. Seconds later, although it is two weeks in our time, they return after escaping from a forced marriage to Vartox.
Manos? Certainly not MANOS THE HANDS OF FATE?! No, we all know this is Thanos and he has an Infinity Gauntlet and is looking for the Cosmic Cube! Terrific stuff! Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti and artists John Timms and Chad Hardin crank out yet another humorous issue that makes HARLEY QUINN DC’s answer to DEADPOOL!
INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE #5: The issue begins with the end of the Old Gods signaled by Darkseid murdering his father. Meanwhile, Guy Gardner and the Forever People spent the next 11 pages battling each other. Defeated, he gets lucky as the Green Lanterns currently watching over Earth, arrive to save him.
I would say this was a complete waste of three bucks except Tom Grummett did the art and I can think of no one else I would rather see draw and 11 page fight sequence except maybe George Perez. Other than that, this was a big stinky diaper! Shame on Dan DiDio and Keith Giffen for delivering this to us. Maybe they got the world that they had been cancelled and lost interest. Maybe they didn’t want to deal with the whole New Gods thing appearing in the Green Lantern titles and just kind of wrote this thing. Either way, thanks for nothing!
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