Comics! Batman: The Dark Knight #2

Batman: The Dark Knight #2

Paul Jenkins: writer/co-plotter

David Finch: penciller/co-plotter

Inker: Richard Friend

Why. Did. I. Buy. This.

Inconsistent. With every other Bat-book. Blatant uncharacteristic behaviors by each and every person in this comic.

And it's not entertaining. At all.

Is there anything good in this comic? Well, all the other Bat-characters make a cameo appearance. The book did ship on time (something that David Finch seemingly cannot do or has had troubles with doing).

I'm finding it difficult to find more than that. Thank you, and goodbye.

Words: 1/10

Pictures: 2/10 - the art is decent, but it just seems so far off.

Recommend: Stay away!

Buy Next Issue: It barely had a chance to make it to issue 2, but this is the first Bat-book that gets tossed from my pull list.

Comics! Green Lantern: New Guardians #2

Green Lantern: New Guardians #2

Tony Bedard: writer

Tyler Kirkham and Harvey Tolibao: pencillers

Batt: inker

Remember our old friend, the story about how the heroes have a misunderstanding and they must fight each other? Well, its back. Seems that everyone except the Blue Lantern named Saint Walker wants to fight Kyle. Sigh.

We don't get much in terms of story advancement it seems. They all fight for the first little bit and then Kyle flies off without accomplishing much. Everyone decides to team up to go after Kyle to get their rings back. They have essentially moved the fight to the Green Lantern's home world of Oa where the Guardians want Kyle to give them the rings, which he can't do.

So Kyle has hopped from one group of people demanding their rings, to another group of people demanding the rings, to the rings going on his fingers. Which is odd, because that's what they should have done at the end of the last issue, there shouldn't have been any of this rings floating around him business for a whole issue.

It feels like a filler issue. It reads like a filler issue. The art makes it seem like a very rushed filler issue. Two artists on this issue, and you can tell. There are tiny details missing all around this book. Lantern symbols not appearing correctly, lantern text not showing up in certain speech areas where the art showed one action and the words showed another. Showing energy blasts around the rings the whole issue and then leaving it out for a couple of pages towards the end.

You sorta expect more from professionals. Major drop in the quality of the book.

Words: 6/10

Pictures: 6/10

Recommend: Only to show to an untrained eye how comics should not be.

Buy Next Issue: It will need a major bounce back to something better than this next issue to keep me interested.

Comics! Batman #1 and #2!

Batman #1 & #2

Scott Snyder: writer

Greg Capullo: penciller & cover

Jonathan Glapion: inks

How the hell did I miss a review for the first issue of Batman? There must have been something wrong with me. Aw well, I guess I will do both books at once.

I'm going to say the same thing about both books: Grade A Bat-goodness!

Seriously, there is a reason why Snyder gets to write the main Batbook. You get introduced to all the characters. You get the introduction of a new villain that wants to kill Wayne. You get everything you want out of a comic book.

And the art..it is good. My minor complaint is that some of the characters sorta look the same, but there are subtle differences that help you understand who is who.

One of the best things about the book is that it makes the city a big character in the book, which is a tell tale sign that you have a good Bat-writer on your hands. Snyder fills the city with history and shows off Bruce's knowledge of that history as he uses it to his advantage. Each book starts off with a view of the city that brings you in and grabs you in its clutches with such a grip.

I'm trying to say that I'm not bored with it.

Some books can become very wordy, and Snyder uses a lot of words. There is a story to tell, but it is one that doesn't take away from the art, it knows when to let it shine.

My one complaint is the Bat logo on the front cover. Definitely not their best one. It takes up too much space, and you can tell by looking at the two covers that a lighter background is needed on the cover to make the full logo appear. That seems odd with a Bat-comic. But it's my only complaint.

Words: 10/10 for both issues.

Picture: 9/10 for both.

Recommend: You can be a newbie to Batman and understand what is going on with all the complexities that Batman has. Get 'em.

Buy Next Issue: I did, and I will be there for 3. This is one Bat-title that will be around for a good, long while.

Comics! Wonder Woman #2

Wonder Woman #2

Brian Azzarello: writer

Cliff Chiang: artist and cover

Wow. This is just getting better and better.

We meet Hippolyta, Diana's mother this issue. She is blond, which is a departure from the previous DC, but she still leads the Amazons. We get a scene of Wonder Woman sparing with one of her fellow Amazons (she wins), and we get the reveal that Diana's usual origin of being made out of clay is not the same in this universe.

There is just the perfect amount of words in this issue. Its as if Azzarello is spot on in telling only the details you need to know, let the art show off a little, and get everything else right. I seriously had no issue with this comic.

I wasn't a fan of Wonder Woman before, but if this is how the book will be written for the near future, I'm on board. It will be interesting to see how Geoff Johns writes Wonder Woman when she appears next month in Justice League. It might make this comic seem all that better, or show that this comic has some standards to live up to. More than likely, it will be the former and not the latter.

Words: 10/10

Pictures: 10/10

Recommend: Do you not see what I rated this?

Buy Next Issue: Until Azzarello is no longer on it.

Comics! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2

Story: Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz

Script: Tom Waltz

Layouts: Kevin Eastman

Art: Dan Duncan

"Put the kid down."

So sometimes stories will tell the tale of an abused kid and the hardships they have endured, and how that has messed them up.

Not Casey Jones.

Sure, he gets beat up by his father, but his reaction is different. His reaction is to grab a hockey mask and tell Raphael that they need to go take head out, grab some grub, and then have some fun on the way. I hope they don't twist his character around and make him bad, because he is better at just being bad ass.

We flash to the past and find out more about the origin of the turtles. Seems that the lab April is working at is rather sketchy, as some ninjas come to take the turtles, still tiny, with them. Splinter, still a tiny rat, is smart enough to fight the ninjas, but ends up falling into an alley with the turtles and a big pile of ooze. Sounds like they escaped, but then a cat appears with one of the turtles in his mouth, dripping with ooze. Could this be the cat guy they were fighting at the beginning of last issue? Me thinks yes.

Flash back to Casey and Raph talking it out. Seems that Raph has some sort of amnesia and can't remember who he is. Interesting. They then decide to go ahead and head out for some food, and that's when Casey Jones' hockey mask makes it's first appearance.

Man I love this book!

Seriously, this is fun. I love the art, the characters are working great, I really just can't get enough of it!

Everything about this book rocks. This is what I love about comics. This will be picked up right away each month from here on out!

Words: 10/10

Pictures: 10/10

Recommend: Get it now! Worth the $3.99 price point and more!

Buy Next Issue: Sold!

Comics! Walking Dead #89

Walking Dead #89

Robert Kirkman: creator, writer

Charlie Adlard: penciller, inker, cover

Yes, this is a review of the Walking Dead. There will be spoilers. Because you can't talk about the comic and what happened without 'em.

Nicholas decides that it is time to take down Rick before he kills them all. And Glenn overhears it. Bad for Glenn, good for tension in this issue.

The last few pages ends in a stand still between everyone we have grown to love and Nicholas.

I can't saw much else because I've already read the next issue of the book and can see what they set up in this issue that leads into the next. Its good, just like always. more building up towards...something. Something bigger.

Loving every minute of this.

Like a faithful Zombie, I just need more. and more. and more.

Words: 9/10 - Do you have any idea who you're talking to?

Pictures: 9/10 - If there is one thing this artist has, it is consistency.

Recommend: Yes.

Buy Next Issue: YES! Its the cliffhanger that does it to me.

Comics! Red Hood and the Outlaws #2

Red Hood and the Outlaws #2

Written by Scott Lobdell

Art by Kenneth Rocafort

Heads and tails. Heads and tails.

If the first issue was meant to bring controversy to see how many would come back next month, this is the book that sold me on the series. Except for the art, that could still use some improvement.

In this issue we focus more on the title character, Red Hood. It seems that this universe is going with the explanation that the animated movie Batman: Under he Red Hood gave for Jason coming back from the dead. He doesn't know why he came back, but a Lazarus pit was involved. I can take it.

What I like about this book is that it is taking a Batcharacter, a former Robin, and having him go into the mystical nature of this new universe. That I can go with. That is doing something different with a Batcharacter other than making him a Batman wanna be. That I can go for, and as long as the story stays interesting I will be there.

One of Jason's former mystical teachers is killed, and Jason comes back to try and find out who and take revenge. He kills, uses guns, is into magic, he is everything that Batman is against. And I like it.

The art, like i mentioned before, is better than last issue. It still has miles to go. We still have the sketchy kind of look to it. And for the most part, new readers can still follow along with the story panels until the last fight scene. The layout of the fight is just as jarring as can be and seems to be there simply to be weird and do something different. Give it a reason to be that way, don't just do it to show that you think you know what you are doing.

Words: 8/10

Pictures: 6/10 - only bad remarks are about the last fight scene, otherwise it is decent.

Recommend: Yes. If you want to know what kind of character the Red Hood will be, this helps greatly.

Buy Next Issue: Yes! And things are looking to go a lot further than that.

Comics! Justice League #2

Justice League #2

Geoff Johns: writer

Jim Lee: penciller

Scott Williams: Inker

A bunch of heroes get together. A misunderstanding or some form of non-communication happens. They fight. Predictable story telling technique that shows its ugly face here. Which isn't quite what I expected from a writer who usually does not disappoint.

There are some other things I didn't expect from this. The writer also has the heroes talk in a Bendis style of speak:

How's that?

You know.

I don't know.

Why Not?

Because I don't know.

What do you want?

More details please.

Well, I could go on about how you write Bendis Style.

That would be over-exaggerating it a little.

Are you sure?

Maybe. Just a little.

A little?

Yeah.

Hum.

That's the style.

After Superman shows off that he can beat up anyone, even the Flash who "hasn't been touched unless he wants to be," we get pulled into the story of young Victor, who eventually becomes Cyborg. We get show far too many panels and pages devoted to what we learned last issue, that Victor's dad is never going to one of his football games.

While this is the first time that you start to see a team being formed in this book, the story is still crawling at a snail's pace. I really expected a quicker pace and more to this book. It may just be me wanting to see something that wows me every issue, but you would expect more from a book that is supposed to be the flagship title of this new line. And I honestly expect more from the writer. Jim Lee is Jim Lee, and I don't think his art style is ever going to change. But this is a change for Geoff Johns. Either he doesn't have much story to tell and is stretching it, or he just is going in on this with half a plan, which is something I never have gotten the sense from his writing before.

Might I say that it is kinda funny that Superman tells Batman that his utility belt is empty, but that he asks Batman who he is? Does not even Superman recognize Bruce Wayne? Just how famous does that make Wayne? Minor detail, but one that sorta threw me.

Words: 6/10

Pictures: 7/10

Recommend: Eh. This is just filler. Wait until there is more to read all at once.

Buy Next Issue: There has to be something that this filling is trying to fatten up, hopefully it comes out next issue.

Comics! Supergirl #2

Supergirl #2

Michael Green & Mike Johnson: writers

Mahmud Asrar: penciller

Dan Green: inker

Supergirl vs. Superman, rounds 2-boring!

Seriously, that is what this entire issue is all about. Supergirl vs. Superman. Slight recovery, then they fight again.

This is a common thing to happen in superhero comics. There is a misunderstanding between a couple of heroes, they punch each other for an issue, misunderstanding gets reconciled, all is well. Its cheesy, but it is serviceable.

And that is the issue. Except for the reconcile part. Which I am sure will happen next issue.

This comic has taken two issues to try and show me what this new Supergirl is like in this world. It hasn't. I'm done.

Words: 2/10

Pictures: 4/10

Recommend: Negative.

Buy Next Issue: Nope. Done. This is the first DC 52 title to go. Let's not mourn.

I am done with it.

Comics! Green Lantern Corps #2

Green Lantern Corps #2

Peter J. Tomasi: Story and words

Fernando Pasarin: Penciller

Scott Hanna: Inker

Lanterns are dead. We must avenge! Let's flash our rings at it! Detain the enemies that we don't know - who strangely can destroy our constructs with some green energy like what we have! Hot headed lantern gets his limbs chopped off! Now the enemies are after us!

This was a good pick up to the story. Last issue we got to see intros to our two main characters, and this issue gets a little bit into the villain of the first plot. These villains happen to be able to fight Lantern's will power with their own green energy swords. This does call for a lot of green color through the book. This does show a lot of difference between the main Green Lantern book and this one - the main one has the chance to play with different colored corps, which can make the page now completely filled with green, and this one is mostly green. And by mostly I mean that there are pages that are almost completely green.

You get the sense that this is a team book, not every character really shines, but they all tend to get bits and pieces that I'm sure will look great when you read multiple issues at once. I don't know, I really wasn't into this book before the DC relaunch, I probably won't be on this one for long. The other GL books are better, and I think that a team book for GL just doesn't work for me.

Words: 7/10

Pictures: 6/10 - Too much green at one point.

Recommend: So-so. If you were into it before, continue with it.

Buy Next Issue: Third issue. After? Gotta bring on the thrills!

Comics! Nightwing #2

Nightwing #2

Kyle Higgins: Writer

Eddy Barrows: Penciller

JP Mayer & Paulo Siqueira: Inks

Through gritted teeth or closed mouth. That is how each and every character speaks. And it is through the same gritted teeth that I want to get rid of this book quick and fast.

I don't know if I just can't find a thrill or if I'm just tired of seeing some of the same things pop up in the various new DC books. Once again, the villain knows the heroes' identity. Once again, someone close to the hero is able to figure out who they were the whole time. For something that was supposed to be totally new tales and stories with the new 52, a lot of them already seem like they are being recycled.

Continuing from last issue's cliffhanger, we found our hero, Nightwing, evading the villain, Saiko Killer (groan...) and the villain sneaks away after putting an innocent in harm's way. Skip to Dick Grayson finding out that the owner of Haly's Circus is dying and wants to talk to him. Haly tells Dick that he figured out that Dick=Nightwing and that the circus is Dick's when Haly dies. Dick doesn't know how to take in this news, joins the mile high club with another red head (they seem to follow Dick to any universe), and then turns around the plane they are in to rescue Haly from a burning building and fight Saiko Killer again. Whew.

In reading the solicitations for future issues, it looks like Dick takes inheriting the circus seriously and decides to travel with it. So we get to follow Dick around as he travels with a side show, and this is happening in a side show Bat-book. Whoa, how the mighty have fallen. Wasn't Dick just playing the role of Batman? What happened?

The art seemed stiff, the story seemed routine, this is just really weird to me. This was one book that I was hopeful for, but I am more interested in other former Robin books (the others being Teen Titans and Red Hood) than I am even remotely interested in this one. I'm not trying to seriously trash the book, but my first red through was simply boring. The second time through it I was just laughing my ass off. When I read it a third time I just shake my head. This comic had much more potential to it then what was given to the reader.

It doesn't look like this title will be with us for much longer.

Words: 5/10

Pictures: 5/10

Recommend: No. Just stay away.

Buy Next Issue: It gets to the third issue, then that will be all. This might be the first Batbook that goes bye bye. Weird.

Comics! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

Story: Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz

Script: Tom Waltz

Layouts: Kevin Eastman

Art: Dan Duncan

"And so it begins."

That's a great way to start this book. It's a total reboot of everything Turtles, and it is a great set up.

I happened to get this book because the second printing had a sketch variant that I was able to get along with the second issue. Its a little pricey at $3.99, but the inside of this book made it all worth it.

We travel back and forth in time in the issue, but the comic makes sure that you know when these jumps happen. We see that April O'neil is a student and is helping out at a lab where the turtles we know are just youngsters. April actually has the honor of naming them. Also in the lab is Splinter, a super smart rat that we all know will also be hit be the ooze as well.

Raphael is off on his own in the main timeline, and the other turtles miss him greatly. We see Raph digging through some garbage and comes across a shirt that says "Cowabunga." He tosses it to the side stating how just wrong that is. Made me smile a little.

We get this idea that this will not be a kiddie version of the turtles, which I fully appreciate. And in the end, this comes across really well with a nice set up, some introductions to the whole cast, and an excellent fight scene that starts the series. I'm game for it, and I will be highly recommending this book.

The art is excellent. characters clearly defined, not a panel wasted, and good storytelling overall. All the turtles wear the same color mask, but you can clearly tell from the coloring, and they way they are written, which turtle is supposed to be who.

Words: 9/10

Pictures: 10/10

Recommend: If you want some grown up turtle stories, this is for you.

Buy Next Issue: I bought it with the first one!

Comics! Batwoman #2

Batwoman #2

J. H. williams III: co-writer & artist

W. Haden Blackman: co-writer

If I didn't know any better, I would say that Williams is a little irked by the whole reboot thing. He comes out more than once to take some shots at it, both between the words and the art. He talks about changing costumes and laughing at it, and in the art he whites out a couple of heroes that probably didn't make the relaunch.

The best thin about this book is that the art and the words both compliment each other. When the art needs to be strong it is. When the words need to take center stage, they also get their moment to shine. Really, I can't say much about it that isn't bad.

I can't say much else for this book. You simply have to see it yourself. Go out and buy it now!

Words: 8/10

Pictures: 10/10

Recommend: Highly. This easily ranks in the Top 3 Batbooks that the relaunch has done.

Buy Next Issue: There!

Comics! Batman and Robin #2

Batman and Robin #2

Peter J. Tomasi: writer

Patrick Gleason: penciller

Mick Gray: inker

I'm loving this Batbook way more than I should. I had some good expectations in the first issue and it has just picked up.

The balance with the last Batman and Robin team of Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne was that Grayson could make things lighthearted and guide Damian towards having fun with being Robin. But Bruce is all about the mission. Bruce wants to do good but its something that he has little experience with. Bruce isn't good at redeeming Robins once they have gone down a murderous path, so it makes it interesting to see if he allows his son to go down that same path.

We get some great moments with Damian killing a bat without a second thought and then Alfred watching happen with great concern. We get a scene where Bruce buys a dog, hopefully to name him Ace like the classic Ace the Bat Hound from years ago. And then the villain reveals himself to Bruce in their civilian identities. (Seriously, is it a mandate that all the new villains know the secret identities of the heroes in this new universe?)

These are great moments that work well together. And the art goes right along with it, not missing a beat at all. I'm with this writer/artist team until they leave the book, and then I might as well just follow them wherever they go.

Words: 9/10

Pictures: 9/10

Recommend: A thousand times yes. You could even skip the first issue and get the story from this issue.

Buy Next Issue: Sold!

Comics! Batgirl #2

Batgirl #2

Gail Simone: writer

Ardian Syaf: penciller

Vicente Cifuentes: inker

Oh, that cliffhanger from last issue were it was weird because it looked like the cop was pointing at Barbara? Yea, turns out the art had it wrong. The first page of this issue shows that the cop was talking to the villain of the issue, Mirror, and not Batgirl. That's cheap.

Put that's about the only cheap thing. There is a lot in this issue. I'll give Simone this, she can pack a story. The story moves along at a quick pace, which is nice. We get the origin of the villain, more - albeit generic - character development for the roommate, and even Gordan makes an appearance. He gives a surprise look when he is told Batgirl is back, and it makes me wonder if he knows. I'll go out on a limb and say he does, since in this new DC it seems like everyone knows who is behind the mask of their arch nemesis.

The art kept up with the story, and it makes for some fine storytelling itself. At times though it can seem a little cluttered, but its not anything that can be too distracting. I would recommend to lighten up the space though. When there are darker colors involved they all do seem to be a mess and not having enough room for the art kinda makes it look all mushed together.

There isn't much of a cliffhanger at the end. The story and everything just sorta stops. Suddenly.

Like this review.

Words: 8/10

Pictures: 7/10

Recommend: Definitely not for newbies, and not for anyone looking for more answers to how Batgirl got healed. You need previous knowledge of the first issue to get half of what is going on.

Buy Next Issue: I guess? Maybe this reads better if I reread the first issue with it. I guess I'll see how the next one goes.

Comics! Superboy #2

Superboy #2

Scott Lobdell: writer

R.B. Silva: Penciller

Rob Lean: Inker

Well, the end of last issue made you think that this issue would tie in with Teen Titans in some way, but it doesn't. Instead Superboy gets sent out on a field test where he fights some giant shark people and we get a bit of a flashback to the mid first issue.

The interior art is excellent. They have kept consistent with the previous issue and it works really well with the fight scenes. The cover of the book does not match the interior art at all, and it is a shame that it doesn't. The cover looks like total crap, but it does reflect what is happening within the book.

In the story we get to know the auxiliary characters of Red and Rose Wilson a little better. Red displays some powers that seem like she is holding back. Why this little nugget wasn't hinted at in the first issue is a little beyond me. The guy in charge of the Superboy project, or who can at least decide whether or not Superboy can come out and play, Templar is his name, comes across as a tool. I swear that everything he says is either some cliche or has been said before by other people. Thankfully, he is the only character really written like that, and the other characters come off as more human and dimensional.

I do have problems with how Superboy is written. In the first issue he didn't really seem to care for humans, and in fact was only slightly curious about them. In this issue it almost seems like a complete 180 turn and he seems like he would downright cruel for no reason. The extent of his powers seem to go to extremes as well and I'm still not 100% sure what half his powers are or just how powerful he could be or even what he can do with those powers. This is different from the previous Superboy comic where his powers were pretty clearly defined and his character was left to shine.

All in all, I'm still enjoying the fact that I am reading a good Superboy comic.

Words: 7/10

Pictures: 7/10 - an improvement from last issue.

Recommend: Hell yea, give it a go.

Buy Next Issue: Superboy was flying, so I'll be buying.

Comics! Green Lantern #2

Green Lantern #2

Writer: Geoff Johns

Pencils: Doug Mahnke

Inks: Christian Alamy and Keith Champagne

This is Green Lantern, starting to pick up the pace. Don't mind me.

Building up suspense from the last issue. Don't mind me.

I feel like how Sinestro feels in this comic - you have to tell us twice to get it. And so this issue tells us multiple times, as it does Hal Jordan, that there is more to being a Green Lantern than just saving the one person, or being the hero.

I swear, there must be more excitement for Johns to write Sinestro than there is for him to write Jordan. Jordan seems very two dimensional in his own book, while Sinestro looks like the character of Green Lantern that Jordan could be. Which, in this case, is a little odd. In Justice League, Green Lantern has been shown to handle multiple emergencies at once, which tells me that Jordan has lost that sense since he first started as GL.

If I try to think about that thought, and tried to put it into any kind of structure with the rest of the GL mythos and how everything since Rebirth happened and it all was in a couple of years I just get a headache. And its a bad one. Like, I got kicked in the head 7 times bad. So I won't think about that.

The art remains good. The story remains good. Its not dull, it has its strong moments. It just feels like this would be better to read in the trade format, or to sit down when I have a bunch of issues and read them all that way. This piecemeal BS just doesn't fill me up.

Based on the solicitations that come out for issue 5 of the series, I will at least keep this up through that issue. However, some of the other books that I have been reading look like they will only be here for the third issue, then its chopping time.

Words: 8/10

Pictures: 8/10

Recommend: The GL Train keeps on rolling!

Buy Next Issue: Chug chug chug chug chug chooooo chooooooo!!!!!!!

Comics! Red Lanterns #2

Red Lanterns #2

Writer: Peter Milligan

Penciller: Ed Benes

Inker: Rob Hunter

I think what is most interesting about this issue is that it feels like a first issue. In fact, if you are a long time Green Lantern fan, simply skip the first issue and pick it up here. This issue has more of the feel what a veteran reader would enjoy out of this comic.

OK, that sounds strange. Let me try to rephrase that. New readers would get little story from it. Old readers can see what is coming up.

It's like a repeat of issue one, very little story is given, but in the end you feel that it is still going somewhere. I just hope that each issue doesn't fall into the "Rage of the month" type of storyline that is similar in the approach that X-files had a monster of the week approach.

We get to know about the latest rage, Atrocious enters and kills people, questions himself a little more with what it means to enact justice from the rage of the wounded, and wonders how he should go forth from here. His solution: give one of the mindless Red Lanterns a shot at leading the team as his right hand Rager. Cue cliffhanger until the next issue.

It s drop in the story that feels like a baby step from the last issue. but it is still good. I'm still enjoying it and looking forward to the next issue. I just want it to be here NOW! RAGE!!!!

The art kept it up from the last issue. I really want the quality of this book to stay up, and I think this is the team to do it. The covers could use some help though, this issue had the strangest one yet. Seriously, Google it and you will see what I mean.

Words: 9/10

Pictures: 10/10

Recommend: If you skipped the first one, you can still pick this one up and not miss much if you know the Red Lantern backstory.

Buy Next Issue: NOW!

Comics! Batwing #2

Batwing #2

Written by Judd Winick

Art and cover by Ben Oliver

You know, its not too bad.

You can tell this is a long origin story that will be played out over the next couple of issues. It builds on what was laid down in the first issue. It gives you more background into the origin of the character. It also gives you focus on a supporting cast.

Good book.

We pick up from the cliffhanger of last issue and it gets addressed quit well. I don't know where the cops came from that saved Batwing, but I guess not all the cops were killed by Massacre. Massacre is actually one of the new villains of the 52 books that I can see lasting as a character. He is on a mission to kill people and wants to eliminate any heroes. It should make next issue pretty interesting, given that we have Batwing saying he is going to beat Massacre until he can't stand up.

I said the first issue has the potential to stay afloat, and I think it will make it. Winick is actually giving the characters little details that show their differences from the main Batman counterpart. We have an Alfred character, we have a Batcave type of area, and we have the potential for a police ally as well.

Art is the same as before, and we keep the low focus on the backgrounds that we got in the first issue. It will be interesting to see if the fight next issue with Batwing and Massacre will be in great details or more of this low attention to backgrounds. Kinda weird to think that it is the art that is bringing me down on this book, I thought it would be Winick for sure.

Words: 7/10

Pictures: 6/10

Recommend: I'm beginning to think that we need a wait for the trade approach for this book.

Buy Next Issue: I'm buying, unless someone else is buying for me.

Comics! Detective Comics #2

Detective Comics #2

Written and Drawn by Tony Salvador Daniel

Inks: Ryan Winn

It gets kinda difficult here, because you can't say that certain characters wouldn't act a certain way in a world of rebooted comics. But I honestly have to say that hearing James Gordon saw "Aw, nuts" just doesn't work for me.

Then again, Tony Daniels' writing just doesn't work for me. He couldn't get characters before the reboot, so how am I supposed to take his current writing as more in line with how the characters will be portrayed in this universe?

And as for Daniels' "shock" endings, I am growing weary of it. Last issue's ending with the face of the Joker tacked against a wall was barely mentioned in this issue. I get trying to build tension and wanting to build towards a bigger story, but you can't do what he did and then barely mention it the next issue. If we continue this path, then the next issue will pick up a week later and Gordan will be recovering in the hospital that will get barely a mention. (Maybe Batman will remind himself that he has to send flowers.)

The art doesn't focus on much of referencing previous Batman work. You can definitely tell that this is more Daniels' own style. But it still doesn't help from the bad writing.

I'm going to call it - this isn't actually James Gordon. It's some minion of the Dollmaker in disguise. And trust me, you have to take someone seriously when he calls himself The Dollmaker in the third person.

Words: 5/10

Pictures: 6/10

Recommend: Nope. No no no.

Buy Next Issue: For the third issue. Probably will buy more because its Detective Comics and I collect Batman. That's the only reason to do so.

Comics! Action Comics #2

Action Comics #2

Grant Morrison: Writer

Rags Morales & Brent Anderson: Pencillers

Rick Bryant & Brent Anderson: Inkers

Ouch. I think the story and the art took a 180 from each other from last issue to this issue.

Basic story - Superman is being tortured by Lex. The military has Superman's rocket and his cape already captured. His cape is indestructible. So they turn to test Superman's limit. And Lex tries to get as creative as he can. Eventually Superman gets away because, well, he's Superman. Louis sneaks onto the military base to see this and Lex screams into a phone that is connected to an alien ship about how he messed up.

Story moves along great from last issue. We get a little further into who everyone is now in the Superman mythos. Its interesting, and it seems to be working at a much better pace than normal Grant Morrison stories. I will be back for the next issue, but I do have some complaints.

The last 8 pages of the book has some behind the scenes features, which I can appreciate, but with the price of the book (one of the few DC titles prices at $3.99) I wanted more story. Everything seemed a bit rushed, which is weird for Morrison to write that way. It has me wanting more, which is a great thing.

The art took a nose dive. It seemed very, very rushed. Very thrown together. I've heard rumors that they are going to be bringing in more artists to help out, which is such a shame. One of the situations that Morrison has run into on his comics is that the art is always changing. Right now i am re-reading his X-men run, and it gets so broken up by the constant change of the art team. If they all kept a familiar style then it would work better, and I hope this comic doesn't go down that path, Morales is better than this.

Just like the last issue the art does shine in being able to tell a story without words. This time it just seemed a bit fuzzy in places. Such as when there were two bald guys talking at once and you couldn't tell who was Luthor and who wasn't. Minor detail, but otherwise everything was just fine.

Words: 7/10

Pictures: 7/10

Recommend: Eh. Sorta a mixed bag. I'm more wait for the digital copy on this one.

Buy Next Issue: Sold!

DC Reboot: End of Month #1!

DC Reboot Month 1

All in all, a very good month for DC. I am impressed with a lot more books than I thought I would be. DC has left a good impression with a lot of good first issues, I'm am hoping that the trend continues on into the next month and beyond.

As you can tell, I obviously didn't buy all 52 comics. I got the ones that intrigued me the most, that I read a preview for that I enjoyed, or ones that just tickled my fancy. There are maybe three I regret getting overall, and there are plenty that I would like to get into in the future.

So, just to keep track, the titles that I will wait on the trade for include:

Animal Man

Swamp Thing

Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE

Blue Beetle

All-Star Western

The Titles that I am on the verge of never coming back to include:

Batman: The Dark Knight

Aquaman

Supergirl

Red Hood and the Outlaws

DC has brought many good books my way. But I also collect other comics as well, and I will start to incorporate them into this as well. I've enjoyed doing this, and I hope to keep it up. As I get into the second issues of each of the 52, I will look more at elements of the story that move forward and not backwards. I don't expect to get excited at the end of each comic, but I hope that I am not continually disappointed with a book. I will keep my three issue rule alive, but will follow the reverse then. If a book contains three consecutive issues of blah or worse, I will devote my money elsewhere. Luckily, I will have this to help me keep track of that.

So here is to month 2, and beyond!

The New 52! Flash #1!

DC decided to reboot their comic book universe, so I decided to blog along with it!

The Flash #1

Story by Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

Art by Francis Manapul

I'll start off saying that I'm not a fan of Barry Allen as the Flash. I grew up with Wally West as the Flash, and I was ready when Bart Allen became the Flash, only to die 13 issues later. And then come back from the dead, and bring Wally back, then Barry..

Oh comic books and their revolving door on death.

Anyhow, after feeling that way about Barry, I must say that I was impressed with this issue. Its not the Flash I know, and I know its not the exact same Barry Allen as before. It is impressive, and I am looking forward to more of it.

Manapul did the art for most of the previous Flash run, so I am used to his style. I enjoy it greatly, and you can tell that there will be some good things coming from him. He has better story chops than Tony Daniel has on Detective (another Artist turned Writer/Artist). The story doesn't get into much of an origin story, it really just gets to the center cut of the steak, the good and juicy part.

The comic makes it as easy and as accessible for a new ready to get into. That's the big strength. The story is the weakest part of the comic, but even that is done very well. We get to know the characters around Barry very well, and that will make for a good continuing story instead of just focusing on the hero. Job well done.

Words: 8/10

Pictures: 9/10

Recommend: Run with it, you will like it more than that pun.

Buy Next Issue: Locked and loaded for the next one!

The New 52! Batman: The Dark Knight #1!

DC decided to reboot their comic book universe, so I decided to blog along with it!

Batman: The Dark Knight #1

Paul Jenkins: Writer/Co-Plotter

David Finch: Penciller/Co-Plotter

Inker: Richard Friend

Fear.

It is what you know.

What causes pain.

It is-

-fear!

In a nutshell, that's how the book opens. And it doesn't get much better from there.

Let's put it this way, if you think the cover looks good, you will enjoy the art in the book. But that's going to be the only enjoyment that you will get out of it.

Twice the story uses a White Rabbit reference, and the second reference actually dresses up a girl in a Naughty Bunny costume. You know, the kind that they sell at Halloween.

Yea, this really isn't my kind of Batman comic.

I'm not sure if it is mandated that the creators distort the old Batman Rogues gallery as much as they can, because making Two Face look like the Hulk just isn't going to work for me. just like carving the Joker's face off in Detective isn't working for me either.

Sigh.

Let's look at some positives. It looks like this book will have the much needed subplot of address Bruce Wayne sponsoring Batman's vigilante tactics. In case you missed it, Bruce Wayne came out and said that he has sponsored Batman's activities through the years and that is how Batman gets all his new toys. In any court of law you know, Wayne admitted his funding a vigilante, and this book will follow an investigator who is trying to find out how Wayne did it and prosecute him for it. Kudos for coming up with that idea.

I would just like to note, its funny that we already have out\r first Arkum jail break story. This is the sort of generic plot you get from a Batman comic. We've had a relaunch, can we get some new story ideas?

Probably the worst of all the Batcomics that have come out of the relaunch. Seriously, I may just break my three issue rule.

Words: 3/10

Pictures: 4/10

Recommend: Like I said, if you like the cover, go for the book. Otherwise, don't.

Buy Next Issue: I foresee me dropping a title in the future....

The New 52! Green Lantern: New Guardians #1!

DC decided to reboot their comic book universe, so I decided to blog along with it!

Green Lantern: New Guardians #1

Tony Bedard: Writer

Tyler Kirkham: Penciller

Batt: Inker

Oh, was this a reboot? Are you wanting some sort of origin story?

In the words of Mario, "Here we go!"

Perfect set up giving us the details of Kyle Rayner of Earth and how he became a Green Lantern. We get a hint of personality with him, that he is artistic and thoughtful. We also get that he is different from Hal Jordan. And then we get the quick two pages of some of the other corps and their rings flying off to find Kyle.

So, its iffy. If you know about recent Green Lantern happenings, or even if you get the basic jist of things, then you are set. The one problem is there wasn't enough room to give the other corps time to shine and give more details about what they are like. The art shines a little and tries to tell the story, but it misses a little. Which is kinda saddening considering that the first part of the book did so well.

The art did well and was great to look at. I don't think I have seen much from this Tyler Kirkham guy, but I like his style. We get a little inconsistency in some of the details, and there are a couple moments of "Not even aliens bend that way" poses, but it works. I am actually thinking that this should have been one of the books that had an additional 10 pages to tell their story and it would have worked much better.

This title is essentially taking over for the Emerald Warriors Green Lantern book that I was collecting. That book was entertaining, and I am hopeful that the tradition continues with this book. Definitely one of the books that I will be looking forward to getting next time it comes out.

Words: 8/10

Pictures: 8/10

Recommend: This would be one of the books that is more geared towards new readers. Those new readers just need to give it a couple issues to show you the whole story.

Buy Next Time: If I could already spend the money on the book for it to be in my hands, I would have three less dollars in my pocket.

The new 52! Teen Titans #1!

DC decided to reboot their comic book universe, so I decided to blog along with it!

Teen Titans #1

Written by Scott Lobdell

Pencils by Brett Booth

Inks by Norm Rapmund

I'm just enjoying Teen Titans way too much. This is a book that had some bad, and I mean bad looking costume redesigns. They gave Red Robin Wings. They have Kid Flash looking like some alien looking face mask on his costume. Superboy was dressed all in black. It was all laughable.

Red Robin's kinda grew on me. The rest are slowly working from their.

We get snippets of other potential Titans that are on the cover that didn't get an origin story in this issue. This wasn't a team coming together book, it more made a good premise that teen heroes don't know what they are doing, they are wreckless, and that Batman started the trend of kid superhero sidekicks with Robin. So now everyone wants to be one.

Kid Flash is wreckless. He is book smart, but not your street smart superhero. This is good, this is what was best about Bart Allen, if it still is him, from his previous DC issues. Red Robin takes the position of leader. He has a Jr. James Bond edge to him that is fantastic. I hope Tim Drake keeps that up. We also meet Wonder Girl, but please don't call her that, she hates that name. She seems to take the qualities of Wonder Woman (going into battle and thinking about it later) that I don't think was something she had before. And Superboy got his own origin story is his own book. And you get that all in the story, along with telling how these stories will all come together. Awesomeness.

The art was wonderful. It was easy to follow, and good to the eye. The best part is that all the characters who are supposed to be teenagers are drawn like teenagers. No big muscles for the guys and huge chests for the ladies. Teenagers. It was wonderful.

All in all, you don't need to read Superboy to know what is going on in this book, but it makes for a great addition. I have the feeling that both book s will compliment each other very well and it will be a solid read and good entertainment all around. Its exactly what I want from a comic book.

Words: 9/10

Pictures: 8/10

Recommend: Hell to the Y-E-S! For all new readers and all old readers.

Buy Next Issue: I only hope that they have it pulled for me. I seem to have issue with that sometimes.

The New 52! Aquaman #1!

DC decided to reboot their comic book universe, so I decided to blog along with it!

Aquaman #1

Geoff Johns: Writer

Ivan Reis: Penciller

Joe Prado: Inker

Don't laugh, it's just Aquaman.

Seriously. That's the whole book. With Aquaman showing early signs of Daddy Issues and wanting to sneak away from all responsibility.

But he's really a badass. And he has a trident.

This issue just reads like how Geoff Johns has been writing lately, very unimpressive. Very little substance is given with the story. It just feels like it is dragging down. There isn't very much said. This book was one of the quicker reads that I've had with the reboot. Mostly because there isn't much there at all.

This is Geoff Johns going into decompressed story mode. He is taking his time with everything, and it just feels like I am moving like a slug through syrup. The story covers a somewhat origin story (see Daddy Issues above) and you get the sense that no one takes Aquaman seriously. And really, who should? Will Johns be able to work his magic at revitalizing characters and bringing new meaning to that character's place in the DC universe? I hope he succeed, because I don't see this story lasting past the three issue try for me.

The art is great. Reis gave more background to look at then the usual artists that work with Johns. This is a very good, because otherwise there would be a lot of blank space shown in this issue. I just need something more than the pretty pictures in the story to hook me. (Fish Joke). Its actually kinda bad that I enjoyed the art much more than I enjoyed the story.

To keep up with my other reviews, yes, this is the first time I have even considered buying an Aquaman book. It may be the only time in my lifetime that I do so.

Aw well, maybe next issue will be better!

Words: 6/10

Pictures: 7/10

Recommend: This might be better to wait for the trade. Even a brand new reader wouldn't get any new information about Aquaman that they wouldn't already know.

Buy Next Issue: 3 Issue try, then die.