Comics! Red Hood and the Outlaws #17

Red Hood and the Outlaws #17 

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artists: Ardian Syaf, Robson Rocha, and Ken Lashley
Inkers: Wayne Faucher with Julio Ferreira, Ken Lashley, Jaime Mendoza, Le Beau L. Underwood

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Review
First off, take a look at the number of artists and inkers that are credited. Now ask me about how consistent the art was.

Inconsistent art issues aside, let's take a look at this comic for what it is, a sorta swan song for Jason Todd. It isn't like he is dying, but something is happening that rumors have been posted about on various websites.

Quite frankly, still not caring.

Jason gets a moment with all the Bat-family post Death of the Family outside of Tim Drake. It is odd for a couple of reasons. First off, the way that Starfire and Roy act, I wonder if they know that Bruce = Batman. I get that the Outlaws understand that Todd has a history with Batman, but I wonder if that little gem has been thrown out there.

But it is also weird that something like this wasn't done in the main story. Opportunity was there, but apparently they wanted to turn away from it. It is also weird doing this review now knowing what happens in Batman Incorporated #8 and the approach that DC gave to have these significant changes in the character's own book versus the main crossover that typically happens. Weird, but I think I like it.

The problem with this book stems from the art. Take the cliffhanger where Todd gets a face full of some sort of Joker gas. When Bruce pulls the helmet off his head, I expect something to tell me about the damage done. Unfortunately, It just looks red and puffy.

So he got bruised up? Yea, that's going to devastate Todd and make him go off the deep end.

Grades
Words: 4/10 - There were some touching moments, but nothing to applaud.
Pictures: 3/10
General Feeling After Reading: Really?
Buy Next Issue: Nah.

More Reviews and Articles at Capeless!

More Reviews and Articles at Capeless!


In case you just want to check it out from links on this page, I've been posting over at capelesscrusader.org!

The shifting of DC Comics writers and comics got spotlighted.

Speaking of writer changes, here is what is coming up for the Green Lantern books and their creative team changes.

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Batwoman's secret ID revealed and a marriage proposal!

Reviews!

Walking Dead #107 - Spoiler Free!

Bedlam #4

Peter Panzerfaust #9

Batman and Robin #17

Comics! Justice League of America #1

Justice League of America #1 

Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: David Finch

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Review
Let's look past the All-Star line of books inspired title logo for the book and the over saturation of variant covers for the title. Please, let's move past that and onto the main story of the book, because it all can't be for flash and spectacle, can it?

Well, maybe.

The basic premise for this book is to get an Ultimates team, excuse me, Justice League team that is under America's control and influence.

Yea.

There is a lot that this intro issue has to handle, and we have several plates spinning about. For me, that is what brings this book down. I know Johns' style of writing and I know he likes the slow burn, but there just doesn't seem to be much of a true set up in this comic. We have something that feels more stitched together at the last minute and not actually standing on its own two feet. Hell, even half of the team has been more or less blackmailed into joining.

Johns uses the Amanda Waller and Steve Trevor conversation as a way to introduce the reader to everyone. It isn't a bad use of getting the setup out of the way, and considering what they were trying to sell with this comic, it does work to a degree. However, I don't get much of a sense of a team in a team book.

Let's say we take out the first five pages. We remove whatever the first page is supposed to set up that isn't referenced again, we remove that stupid Green Arrow subplot with the mystery villains that look strangely like the Justice League in alternate armor (eye roll), and we take out that credits page that does nothing and the one page spread that features the Justice League, which we don't need right now. Instead, let's show the team in some sort of work out/training sequence that isn't working out just right. You then get the team working together and trying to combine their powers and strengths and seeing where the conflicts within the team are. Let those characters interact and show off their personalities.

When the training goes wrong, then you can have mini flashbacks and dialogue referencing how the team came together. You can even have Trevor and Waller have the same conversation and have it start with Waller wondering why the team, that Trevor selected, isn't working well by their deadline of the public announcement of the team forming. Then at the end of the book introduce an enemy for them to face that will need to reveal the team ahead of their announcement.

What this book is drawing on instead, and this is Johns' writing card, is setting up a lot of questions and not revealing much. Will Green Arrow live? What was Simon Baz arrested for and not convicted? Who is the woman Catwoman is after? What is Stargirl afraid of? Will Hawkman and Katana step away from their killer instincts? Who is Blyth to Hawkman? Who are all these mysterious villains? Etc, etc. Hell, there are about as many questions from this first issue as there are variant covers.

Sure, we have a lot of questions and mysteries that will intrigued the readers and keep them coming back. But what information are we walking away with about this comic that wasn't in the solicitation? Well, even the solicitation itself was full of questions (see the link above). Every question that was in the solicitation was answered in the comic, but it could easily have been answered in one page.

Finch's artwork is Finch's artwork. It is meant for posing and action sequences. It doesn't do much when you have talking heads going on. Look at the sequence between Trevor and Martian Manhunter. It looks like an intimidation stare down between the two. There is little emotion displayed in their body language and facial expressions otherwise. And while it does work for this one scene, pick any other scene between two people and it is the same way. It becomes a very stiff and rigid art that just doesn't convey much of a story to me. Very gritted.

At the end of the day, I'm just not convinced that I should make this a regular part of my pull list. I just don't care about any of these characters and nothing here intrigues me to keep on reading about them. I'm sure others are more enthused by the book, and I can respect that. This book just isn't for me.

Grades
Words: 6/10
Pictures: 5/10
General Feeling After Reading: Creative. Thinking about ways this issue could have served as a better intro gets my creative juices flowing.
Buy Next Issue: Not for me.

Comics! Judge Dredd #4

Judge Dredd #4 

Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artist: Nelson Daniel
Artist: Inaki Miranda

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Review
I haven't regretted picking up this title at all.

There is just so much history and story that this book can draw from, and it gives you that sense of history in the end of each book as Douglas Wolk provides a way for readers who are new to the character, like me, to know the history.

This issue shows the rest of the story from the previous issue's main story, and it ends how I expected it to. That isn't to say that it was a boring read or anything, I was still thrown for a couple of curve balls as the story progressed.

I did like how Tarjay started to get a little existential at one moment with the thought of people controlling his brain. It was right at that moment that Dredd simply said "drokk this" and started to crash the ship. It was a moment that I found to be quite hilarious.

Dredd has just become so entertaining in the main story and in the back ups that I am thankful that it drew my interests in. While I liked the focus on Tarjay in the back up, I imagine that his story will weave more in and out in the main story each month without dragging it down. Each month I just find myself liking the city, the characters, and the overall appeal of Judge Dredd done right.

Hey, I needed something to get the taste of the Stallone Dredd movie out of my mouth that I recently saw. This book definitely helps with that.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 8/10
General Feeling After Reading: Need more Dredd.
Buy Next Issue: Definitely!

Comics! Batman #17

Batman #17 

Scott Snyder: writer
Greg Capullo: penciller
Jonathan Glapion: inker

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Review
All right, let me just gush and again say that I was right that Joker didn't know any of the secret IDs for the Bat-family.

That little bit of bragging aside, let's take a look at this issue. Was it a good conclusion? Yes, it was good. Was it great and praise worthy and should have received as much of a push as it got? Not so much.

Granted, we did have some material for the rest of the Bat-family to grow from here. They will have ramifications that will be sure to be dealt with in their own books, but what about Batman? Has he actually changed from all this? We get some good definition of the Batman/Joker relationship and how that works, but has Batman seen any actual change of character?

I am not a fan of the way in which Joker drove a wedge between the Bat-family. I think that it was a weak plot point for everyone to be upset at Bruce over the card found in the cave. Even at the end of the book when it is revealed that Bruce confronted Joker when he was in Arkham (which brings a new set of WTF is going on in the Bat-timeline to it). Why couldn't Bruce have revealed that? He has the excuse of Bruce Wayne covering. And did he deliver the line in his Batman voice or Bruce Wayne voice? Joker's cards were everywhere, couldn't Bruce have gotten it that way? There are just so many questions that pop up when you read that scene that it really makes it feel out of place for me.

And Joker's appearance in Arkham has him set up with scars on his face for the Joker mouth. Bruce states that this happened shortly after Dick came into being Robin. But haven't we had other flash backs to Joker's past where he didn't have the scars? Or is there some sort of healing going on with the Joker that is some unmentioned super power?

And really, would there be anything that Bruce could do to make Damian not want to hang out with him? Out of any Bat-sidekick not hanging out with Bruce at the end, Damian wouldn't appear on that list. I know that there is supposed to be an air of mystery over what Joker said in the dark to the Bat-characters before Bruce was there, but unless it was their secret IDs, then there is nothing he could say to force Damian away. Even he knows that Batman's mission is the most important thing in the world. So why would that be a point of controversy?

For me, the art has really shined this whole time. This issue in particular got us some really well done visuals that I think will outlast this story. While I missed seeing Jock doing the backup, I was thankful to see Capullo do the pencils for the full comic.

My hopes is that Joker is kept out of the limelight for awhile. This crossover was decent overall. There were some moments that really felt earned and set up well, while there were some noticeable missteps. The jokes in this series almost felt like anti-jokes, and showed more of a focus on lunacy than actual intelligence at times. A whole year of set up for this, and Joker is still technically out there and lurking in the caves somewhere? I guess I was just looking for something a little more crazy.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 9/10
General Feeling After Reading: OK.
Buy Next Issue: Bring it on!

Comics! Star Wars #1

Star Wars #1 

Script: Brian Wood
Art: Carlos D'anda

Solicitation and Preview

Review
Well, this is interesting.

Let me give you some Star Wars credentials. I used to play the Collectible Card Game before I even saw the movies. I have seen the original trilogy. I've seen the prequels. Like most older fans I know, I prefer the originals. I can come up with a few quotes and am fairly good at Star Wars trivia. I haven't read any of the books or comics for Star Wars, although that is an excellent way to continue the story.

So what drove me to pick up this book? Brian Wood.

Wood has been coming back on my radar and pull list lately. While I'm not a fan of The Massive, I think that Mara and Northlanders have been great. Add in the fact that I can never find his Conan book on my local shop's shelves to try it out, I think he has been doing great. So, I gave this a shot.

Now it is interesting to note that Wood is listed as doing the script for the story, so I'm not sure of his total involvement with the overall plot. Is the plot something the artist did or are they taking a page out of some novel? I don't know. but what I do know is that each character sounds just like they came direct from the movie screen and into this book.

The art...is ok. There seems to be a lot of medium to close up shots that really get into the faces of characters, but nothing that pulls back to let the art shine form a distance. Case in point: the opening attack by the star destroyer would have been a moment to pull back and show the massive size of the ship, but instead a medium shot is used with the TIE fighters looking not too much smaller than the star destroyer. Leia  also looks like she is posing half the time for the camera and not standing in a position that seems normal for a human to stand in.

The one cool thing I noticed about the art with regards to Vader is the reflection of light in his eyes. You can't draw the mask changing shapes to match his mood, that just wouldn't do even in a comic book world. D'anda instead goes for allowing the reflective light off Vader's helmet in the eye area instead reflect his mood. I don't know if that is something other Star Wars comics do, but I think it works great here.

The one sad thing about this book is that I know none of the characters are in jeopardy. That does take a stomach punch to the story for me, but there is something interesting and entertaining about the book that makes me want to stick around for another issue.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 6/10
General Feeling After Reading: Interesting...
Buy Next Issue: If I can find it, I will give it a look.

Comics! Detective Comics #17

Detective Comics #17

Written by John Layman
Art by Jason Fabok
Art by Andy Clarke

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Review
Well, it had to happen. A detective book I am just OK with.

We know who the Merrymaker is right on the first page, and it doesn't come to that big of a surprise once that answer is in front of you. When you really think about it, the main story of Emperor Penguin really suffered from having to acknowledge the whole Death of the Family stuff. Which is weird, because I don't think that Dark Knight had to address it. Weird. I don't know, I don't buy it anyways.

One little thing I noticed was that Batman let the villains have their turn at attacking the doctor once the ruse was up. It is interesting because I didn't think Batman was for vigilante justice in this way. Those people are murderers and you would think he would just take them in. I know he parades around with Damian and Red Hood, but they were former murderers and Robins. Interesting never the less.

The back up in this book far outweighed the first story, at least for me, but without the context of the first story then it leaves you with nothing. The ending was just something to laugh at to appreciate the irony a bit. It also goes to show that you do not mess with anything Joker related, as you will get burned.

I once again have to commend the art for the consistency throughout the issue, but I really do hope that some thing comes up soon to let some more artistic flare come into play for both the main artist and the back up. Something that just makes me go "wow" versus "this is good." Once that moment hits then it will cement this art team for me.

Grades
Words: 7/10 - although the backup pushes it almost to an 8.
Pictures: 8/10
General Feeling After Reading: Heh.
Buy Next Issue: I'm down, let's get back to the main Emperor Penguin story!

Comics! Swamp Thing #17

Swamp Thing #17 

Scott Snyder & Jeff Lemire: writers
Andrew Belanger: artist

Solicitation and Preview

Review
I have to start this by addressing the art. This entire series has suffered from the art just not flowing smoothly from issue to issue and from guest artist to guest artist. Don't trust the cover art, it is not what you get on the inside.

What we do get in the inside is something that just doesn't work for what the rest of the Rotworld crossover has done. There is a very cartoony look to the art. By cartoony, I mean that this artist could probably work on a DC animated series like Batman or Justice League. That's not a bad thing for the artist, but it isn't a match for this series.

Remember what I said in the Animal Man review about how this series would probably hit a reset button for the heroes? Yep, that gets hit this issue. Before that though, we get introduced to the Parliament of the Rot, which basically says that Arcane is out of control.

OK.

I just want this series to be over with. I want to see what the finale brings and then re-read this series and Animal Man and see if things are actually more grandiose in nature as this series and the creators led off with.

All the revelations in this issue are revelations that both main characters have been told for a while now. What is the point of repeating itself with each issue?

Grades
Words: 3/10
Pictures: 3/10
General Feeling After Reading: Nah. I'm done.
Buy Next Issue: One last time, then that is it.

Comics! Animal Man #17

Animal Man #17

Writers: Jeff Limire & Scott Snyder
Artist: Steve Pugh (Pages 1-4, 10-11, 14-20)
Penciller: Timothy Green II (Pages 5-9, 12-13)
Inker: Joseph Silver (Pages 5-9, 12-13)

Solicitation and Preview

Review
Quick recap for Rotworld - We had a Prologue for both Swamp Thing and Animal Man, we had an annual from Swamp Thing that went into the Rotworld mythos, we had four issues each for Swamp Thing and Animal Man, and now a we start a four part finale. So 15 comic to tell this whole story.

Why?

What we have seen so far doesn't really amount to a big as a crossover as this feels. Let's call this what it is - over hyped. This story really feels stretched out. Readers were told that these two series would crossover big and it would be grand and all this and all that. I am a bigger fan of Animal Man than I am Swamp thing, and I just feel like both of them have drug each other down and have essentially followed the same plot points that if I had known this is how the story would have unfolded then I would have stuck just with one of these books, if that.

What we are dealing with here is an alternate dimension story. And I'm sorry, but I have little to care for with characters of alternate stories where it doesn't feel like anything that happens here will matter in the regular universe (and for those who have read Swamp Thing #17, now you see why).This is a big battlefield where everything is going crazy yet I just don't see why I should care.

The big thing that DC promoted on its website was the fact that there is a death of a Green Lantern in this book, and then there is a surprise new Green Lantern. The magic of the new Green Lantern is only around for a page, and I just shrug about it.

Padded isn't the right word, but it is the first word that comes to mind.

Grades
Words: 4/10
Pictures: 5/10
General Feeling After Reading: Blargh.
Buy Next Issue: I've traveled this far, might as well go for one more.

More Reviews and Articles at Capeless!

More Reviews and Articles at Capeless!

In case you just want to check it out from links on this page, I've been posting over at capelesscrusader.org!

Changes for the creative team for the Legion of Superheroes was spotlighted!

Got to review the wonder book Mara #2. I highly recommend that you get into it as well!

Offered some general news and notes for DC Comics with a Bullet Points special article.

Dia de los Muertos #1 was reviewed, and if you are into some interesting art styles then I recommend it to you as well!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #18 got an advanced review as well, and the paces picks up nicely for that book!

I checked out Think Tank #5. It was OK.

That was all up until today. Keep on the lookout for more goodness coming soon!

Comics! Flash #16

Flash #16 

Script & cover by Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art by Francis Manapul

Solicitation and Preview

Review
Um, Ok.

It has been a long time since I last reviewed an issue of the Flash here. I just got  to the point that I didn't really have much to say on the book. Francis Manapul is doing his thing in the book with the art and the story. And it can be pretty to look at from time to time, but it just feels off.

I would say that it seems Manapul wants Flash's powers to be more mental than anything. With the speed thought coming into play and the new power that Flash demonstrated in this issue to transport whoever he wants into his own Fortress of Solitude type of environment called the Speed Land. I mean Force, Speed Force.

This book seems to have a bunch of different sub plots chugging along, with none of them having a sense of organic fluid-ness to them. They seem to just pop up when it is convenient for the story. Sorta like how in a TV show when some character has a never before mentioned brother or sister suddenly appear for one episode to help out with a plot point and then they are never heard from again.

The Flash just seems to be doing it's own thing these days, nestled away into its own corner of the DC universe. I don't read Justice League so I don't know how he is currently being portrayed over in that book, but I can tell you that I'm just not that interested what goes on over there as well. I'm only getting Flash to keep my collection going, which is not a good reason to buy a book that isn't doing too well.

Grades
Words: 5/10
Pictures: 7/10
General Feeling After Reading: Blah.
Buy Next Issue: Keep this collection train a-chugging!