Comics! Wonder Woman #0

Wonder Woman #0

Story & Art by Brian Azzarello & Cliff Chiang

The Solicitation
• A facet of the past is revealed – and a foe is introduced! • How did Wonder Woman become a star pupil of Ares?

Preview

Why I Bought It
This is my final issue I'll be buying of this book. I've just been hoping for something that could deliver more zing to it and Azzarello's style just isn't doing it for me at the moment.

What I Liked
Holy shit, this thing rocked. Seriously.

This story focuses on a teenage Diana as she is growing up Amazon while being trained in the art of war by War. The comic itself features thought balloons and a first page that reminds you of old Golden Age books.

This is just like the perfect set-up comic for Wonder Woman. Granted, you do need to know what has been going on with some of the comic before this, which the story does point out at times, but outside of that it is just a fun read. If there ever is an example for when word balloons need to make a comeback, this comic could prove it.

Its not as if the art doesn't tell the story, but the word balloons are just a nice way to get a few more details into the character's heads. I wonder if using this technique would help with the earlier issues of Wonder Woman in sorta "filling the gap" a little with what is happening. I just had so much fun reading this comic that I would love to see the approach happen to the earlier issues.

What I Didn't Like
That this might be the only time we get to see a teenage Diana and thought balloons in a DC/Marvel book. I realize that it may sound like I am gushing up a storm about this book, but I've never seen Azzarello use this technique before and it really changes a lot from what I got from the comic. This would be such a shame if it were to go away.

Panel to Remember
The opening page. It set everything up between the lettering, the pictures, and the thought balloon. You knew you had something different from the first page.

Quotable
"what is it that I see in its eyes now? Is that...respect?" - Wonder Woman after sparring the Minotaur. I certainly hope that it is.

Grades
Words: 10/10
Pictures: 10/10
Buy Next Issue: If all the rest of the issues were like it, then yes. Unfortunately, this series is going into the wait a while and then come back to it pile.

Comics! Nightwing #0

Nightwing #0

Tom DeFalco with Kyle Higgins: plot
Kyle Higgins: Dialogue
Eddy Barrows: pencils

The Solicitation
• It’s the origin of Dick Grayson in The New 52! • From orphan to super hero – it’s all here!

Preview

Why I Bought It
I bought issue #1, and being a fan of all things Batman, decided to pick this up to see how Dick Grayson became Robin in this new 52 universe.

What I Liked
Something caught my eye at first glance with this book, and that was seeing Tom DeFalco's name on the cover and involved with the plot. I find that very interesting that DeFalco is there, because Higgins has been on this book as far as I can remember and he was doing OK with it. Why all of a sudden bring someone else in to help with the origin story? Especially the plot part of it? Interesting.

so they have given Dick a couple of tweaks to his origin from the old universe to this one. First, he has the ability to read body language, sorta in a similar way that Cassandra Cain Batgirl could. The second was that because he has this ability, it helped him to deduce who Batman is, which was something that Tim Drake did in the old universe.

This book also greatly showed how Dick reacts very differently to his parent's death than Bruce does. They each have their own way of dealing with grief, with Dick more of the moving forward type and not holding vigil the way Bruce does almost obsessively.

The art was consistent throughout the book. I liked especially that Dick as Robin was portrayed in a way that made sense age wise and not some hulked up monster. My one moment with the art that wasn't that great was the surprised look on Batman's face when Dick calls him Mr. Wayne, and it happens two pages after Bruce admits that Dick probably knows his identity already.

What I Didn't Like
I get and understand why they make certain changes from the old universe to the new one. Dick being able to read a person's body language makes sense since he is a part of the circus. I can do with the little additions like the Robin bracelet and Dick's nickname being Robin before he was actually Robin, but there are certain aspects that I just thought would be unchangeable. The fact that Tim doesn't discover Bruce's identity but Dick does in a far less investigative manner. Dick just happened upon the knowledge, where as the Tim of pre-52 was able to deduce after searching it out.

Panel to Remember
I liked Dick's entrance as Robin. Him floating above Batman in the background telegraphs a lot about his character and how he can do great on his own away from Batman. But alas, he has been stuck in the Batman world since the whole reboot. Get him out of there already.

The one thing I would change about the panel would be to have Dick smiling a little. A little knowing smile would have fit in perfect and shown more about his character in the same way that him floating above Batman did.

Quotable
"I see much more for you, beyond his shadow." - That's right Lady Shiva, now let's just make it happen.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 7/10
Buy Next Issue: I'll be around when these books get included into the upcoming Joker story line, but I don't see anything that begs for my money beyond that.

Comics! Justice League #0

Justice League #0

Geoff Johns: writer
Gary Frank: artist
Ethan Van Sciver: artist

The Solicitation
• Billy Batson takes center stage in this issue as he unleashes the awesome power of Shazam in a special origin story! • Also featuring the not-to-be-missed origin of Pandora and the next seeds of TRINITY WAR!

Preview

Why I Bought It
I checked out the first arc of the Justice League. Since that was essentially their origin story, I wanted to know what they would do with a zero issue. Let's see.

What I Liked
This was a pretty good origin story for Shazam. Or Captain Marvel, however you prefer it. We got drawn into his story and dipped a little bit into the magic side of DC.

Probably the best part was knowing that this is exactly how a kid who suddenly gained superpowers would act. That is a bit of a different take on the character from what I know about in the pre-52 universe. The hoodie to his cape reminds me of Damian's Robin suit a little. Maybe hoodies are just more fashionable in this universe.

The Question appears! Now, is this the male version or female version of The Question? I don't know, but it will be interesting to find out. Unfortunately, we only get one page of The Question and that's it. Considering that not much was done in the way to convey the character, it did leave me with more questions than answers, which I guess may be the way they want to play the character in this universe.

I also enjoyed the art in this book. Frank was a great artist that showed a lot of child-like emotion coming from Shazam after his transformation. That really sold the art for me.

What I Didn't Like
The price. Seriously, this was a $3.00 book that didn't feel like it needed to be. He'll, it could have left out the Pandora story and Question story since it didn't tell me anything that won't be recapped several times later on in their next story.

Oh, and I just remembered, this is the Justice League book. A zero issue. Where the fuck is the Justice League?

I have no knowledge about the past couple of issues and what has been going on. This comic, being a Zero issue, should tell me more about that. Instead I got suckered into an origin story for Shazam. Oh wait, Trinity War and Pandora are something to do with the next story arc, right? Well, why wasn't a little bit more of an explanation given about them? This mysterious character interests me not.

Panel to Remember
Anytime time that powered up Shazam smiled after doing something with the powers. Really, it sold me more on the moments in the story than the words did.

Quotable
"She gave me twenty bucks." - Only a kid would be enamored with $20 with that much excitement and glee.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 9/10
Buy Next Issue: Nah. I was hoping for some team action in this book to get me back into the spirits of getting this book. I didn't find it here, so I'm out for now.

Comics! Revival #2

Revival #2

Story by Tim Seeley
Art by Mike Norton

The Solicitation
Meet Blaine Abel ,snowmobile mechanic, and part time demonologist. Blaine isn't too pleased to have the dead walking around his town and he's about to do something about it. Dana deals with the aftermath of what went down at the farm, as citywide cabin fever escalates. And Em justs wants someone to hit her. Art by Eisner nominated creator, MIKE NORTON!

Preview

Why I Bought It
I had to wait for the second print to come out and get it. Gee, I wonder why that is, could it be because this comic is pretty spectacular? Hee hee hee.

What I Liked
Wow, rural noir is the perfect way to describe this book.

Simply from beginning to end we get a nice set up of story, some minor things to make you get a little creeped out, and we get some advancement on the story. I can see why this book has been doing great and if it keeps up this pace then it is bound to stick around for awhile.

One thing surprised me in the opening scene. One would think that if a revival is staying down, why try to put it back together? I think it explained perfectly how out of their depth this town is when the doctor decides that putting the revival back together was a good idea.

We also get a nice character introduction for the "stranger from out of town" character. Abel  seems to be able to play on the ignorance of a rural town, and I'm hoping that will come back to get him later on. Ibrahaim also makes a pretty nice entrance in this issue as well as the outsider that is more here for professional reasons, although we seem him in a very unprofessional manner. Yea, that may cause a little conflict on down the road.

Second issues can really make or break a story. Introducing new characters shows that this story will be around for a bit and helps to push the plot forward while setting up some good conflicts. Overall, including art wise, this was a stand up second issue.

What I Didn't Like
More of an outside the comic book narrative complaint, but the center pages of my book came out from the staples. I didn't read this faster than normal speed and I don't tug on the pages enough to have ever pulled them out (save for some old, 60's era comics already in bad shape). I don't know if others have experienced this, but it was kinda annoying to have happened.

Within the book...nope, nothing here that I really didn't like.

Panel to Remember
The creepy look in the rear view mirror on the second to last panel is another one of those moments where things just click and get scary. you know someone is going to be going down the crazy path, and it started right here.

Quotable
"Fake fake fake fake fake!" - Even the "possessed" girl knew that Abel was not who he said he was. Who seriously knows of any exorcist guy who drinks Miller or Bud Light?

Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 9/10
Buy Next Issue: I bought it when I got this issue, so yea.....

Comics! Batman & Robin #0

Batman & Robin #0 

Peter J. Tomasi: writer
Patrick Gleason: penciller
Mick Gray: inker

The Solicitation

• Damian’s complicated relationship with his mother, Talia al Ghul, takes center stage.

• Bred to kill and not to care, this is the birth of an assassin!


Preview

Why I Bought It
This will be Damian in a Zero issue, so let's hope something about the Bat-timeline is made apparently clear.

What I Liked
Take this book on its own, and man does it do some justice. You get to see the kind of insane lifestyle grew up in, and you get the idea behind why he is the way he is. I am thankful that this was his back-story issue and not some look at the first time Batman and Robin teamed up. It was better to focus on the eventual meeting of the current Batman and Robin.

And that line at the end of the book says it all. It is the same one that Morrison used oh so long ago but it gives a definitely different impact. There is more build up to it and has more of an understanding with why he said it. Sure, it was meant to be snarky as can be, but it seems to be played on a different level when it is used here.

The art continues to be consistent from issue to issue. And the two page spread of Damian's birthdays through the years was great little slices of action. And the one that stole the show was when Damian put on the Bat-mask and said he was a bat. At first glance that panel was just great. I enjoyed it on a couple of different levels and it just worked on a couple of them.

What I Didn't Like
Ouch, the continuity.

The first thing I want to point out is that this works great as a Zero issue in getting you to know Damian. But, just like in Batgirl, it ends on a cliffhanger for a new reader that they will not get a conclusion to in the next issue. In fact, how many new readers would understand the relationship between Damian and Batman on the cover and the relationship on the last panel? They would need to go elsewhere, or into Pre-New 52 territory to get an answer, so this comics works better for those in the know about the characters.

But oh my, the continuity. This comic does give any evidence of a genetically altered Damian whose growth rate was accelerated, and that presents the biggest problem of them all. Over in Batman, which being the lead title should be the yardstick that we measure all other Bat-titles to, Bruce only got the idea for Batman about 6 years ago. Damian is 10 at the end of this comic. So how did Talia get the cowl from Bruce 10 years ago?

This is the point when my brain hurts trying to fit everything into the same timeline with the New 52 and Batman. This book would hit better for me if it was firmly planted in the old DC. Or, I could just ignore anything involving math and continuity. I did that before pretty well with the titles before the New 52, and I thought I wouldn't have to do that for a while with the new relaunch. One Year Later, and I'm forced back into the same headaches as before.

Seriously, some of the biggest shackles for the New 52 to shake off involve getting continuity straight. Kinda hard to do when not every title gets an equal reboot, and you try to cram too much bat-history into too little a space.

I mean really, if you are going to get rid of Wally West because he would make Barry seem to old, what would be wrong with forgetting a Robin or two in the timeline?

Panel to Remember
I'm going with the Damian in the Bat-mask. It was just fun and I'm sure it was just meant to give a laugh.

Quotable
"Father. I imagined you taller." - I just appreciate the fact that the same line is set up and delivered entirely different then when it originally appeared. Good job to Tomasi for doing that.

Grades
Words: 9/10 - and that is strictly thinking this book is outside the New 52.
Pictures: 9/10
Buy Next Issue: I'll be down for the next arc from this great, consistent creative team.

Comics! Creator-Owned Heroes #4

Creator-Owned Heroes #4

Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Phil Noto, Steve Niles, and Kevin Mellon

The Solicitation

"TRIGGERGIRL 6," Part Four
by JIMMY PALMIOTTI, JUSTIN GRAY & PHIL NOTO
The whopping final chapter in this sci-fi thriller, Triggergirl 6 has discovered who created her and why, and the President of the United States finally understands his place in the world in ways he never expected.

"AMERICAN MUSCLE," Part Four
by STEVE NILES & KEVIN MELLON
Chloe and Gil have reached the end of the road. Now faced with an impossible choice the team must escape Mutant America and attempt to find civilization or die trying.

PLUS! An interview with superstar artist and trickster creator, SCOTT MORSE, a KEVIN MELLON art gallery, con photos, and original articles all celebrating the creator owned spirit!


Preview

Why I Bought It
I've been enjoying Creator-Owned Heroes a lot. Time to see how the first couple of "series" end.

What I Liked
There is just a sheer enjoyment of all the material in this book. It delivers some good comics, and the interviews and editorials are just great. That's what sells the book. And it is pretty cheap for all that too. I couldn't tell you what a collected edition of this could be, because if it is just the comics then you are missing out on a huge draw of this book.

You know one thing that this book could really use? Letter columns. It has the space. Sure there are fan pictures, but let's see some of the letters, just to really show support for this series.

What I Didn't Like
Be they what they are- creator owned - the stories can go in any direction that the writer/artist so chooses. I was a little taken aback that Trigger Girl 6 went the route that it did, even though it still finished with a pretty decent ending. American Muscle felt much in the same vein. The stories just can't end that way, there has to be more to them.

Panel to Remember
I'm going with the art of Kevin Mellon section. There is something there that I just enjoyed. Maybe it was the fact that the characters he drew were familiar yet could be strangers, and some story ideas that popped into my head will keep my brain occupied with some creative glee. That is something you just can't beat when looking at some good art.

Quotable
"Writer's block is a myth" - Justin Gray. He is 100% correct on this matter.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 7/10
Buy Next Issue: I'll keep digging into it as long as everything keeps coming together nicely.

Comics! Batgirl #0

Batgirl #0

Gail Simone: writer
Ed Benes: pencils and inks

The Solicitation
How did Barbara first become Batgirl? What led to her to don the cape and cowl? Witness Barbara Gordon's shocking injury and her inspiring drive to recover and walk again!

Preview

Why I Bought It
I have been trying to buy all the Zero issues from DC that I bought a #1 from. Seems only fair to balance it and see where stories could have gone and which Zero issues do better than the #1s. It will be interesting to see how Batgirl fares, only because I haven't really enjoyed much from the book.

What I Liked
I think this was one of the better Batgirl comics I read since the relaunch. Seriously.

Now let's look at that first half of the solicitation, because that is what the focus of the book was about. Quite frankly, aside from a few lines of dialogue, this was a Barbara Gordon I could get behind. This was the reason to make her Batgirl again. There is a sense of confidence and fun to the book that really take you in. The fact that the main villain was some guy who recruited girls into his cult (thus we get the typical "victim" card with the villain, but at least the villain himself isn't the victim), made some sense as for why he went for Barbara.

I'll give Simone this, she likes to name check in her writing. It is an important thing to include, especially for first time readers. But damn, there is a name check on every page. Slight overkill, but if i were a new reader then I would be very thankful.

What I Didn't Like
I can't tell you which was the cheesier line, James Jr. calling himself a Sphinx, or Barbara saying that Batman is like her, smart. Still, it was a better overall story outside of the cheesy dialogue.

From what I hear about Ed Benes, he is supposed to sexualize every female character he draws. Out of his New 52 work, that was kinda evident with Red Lanterns, but I wrote it off to alien anatomy being different and more flexible that human anatomy. So with this book, I was looking to see if there was anything weird about the art. For the most part, it is all fine and dandy. The only parts that rub me was the slight upskirt shots of Barbara as she gets knocked around with her skirt of ever changing length. And how she is sitting on the first page makes her look like she doesn't have any hips or has some weird anatomy problem with her pelvis.

If we now look at the second half of that solicitation, you will see what my other big problem with this issue is. We get the first half of the solicitation, but then the second half makes barely a page or two. We get a quick two page recap of her time as Batgirl and then flash to the Joker knocking on her door. For longtime fans of the character, you know what happens next. But if this is your first issue of the series that you pick up, nada. Sure, it is scary because Joker is there, but then you realize that there must be more. But you know what? Not next issue. Next issue will wrap up the previous issue's cliffhanger. You'll probably only get hints of what happened before from here on out.

But when that first panel showing her costume and time as Batgirl, that's when it hit me as to what this series should be about. From the word go, this should have been a "back in the day" type of comic. The stories should have been set during Barbara's first time as Batgirl and her adventures with Dick Grayson when he was first Robin.  Let it be the flashback title for awhile showing us a little bit of the new Batworld history. If anything, it would have given us a Batgirl that was confident and could have easily side stepped the whole "how did she recover?" question that has been hanging over this title for me. Then this issue could have brought us a little bit into the present after a quick re-telling of Killer Joke.

But it didn't. So I will keep that idea in fantasy land.

Panel to Remember
The one page spread of Bagirl through her career is nice. A couple of standouts need to be mentioned though. As a first look at the "classic" Batgirl costume - eh. It is a nice style, but there is no way that the daughter of the police commissioner would go out in public to fight alongside Batman without covering up her head a little more. That ponytail look would have to go.

Also, I'm reading that ninja lady at the bottom of the page as a carbon copy of Psylocke from the X-men books. That costume is just a little too close for my comfort for it to be anyone else but that.

Quotable
I'm going with the title of this comic - something I don't really point out or pay much attention to unless it grabs me in some way. "A Fire in the Heavens." I seriously have no idea how that relates to this story.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 6/10 - Remember, those upskirts shots are supposed to be of a high school girl.
Buy Next Issue: Nah. I'll probably do what I have been doing and just buy the random next issue that is part of a crossover or something.