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Post by wildfire2099 on Sept 15, 2016 11:45:28 GMT -5
I don't hate the fake Clark, I just feel like it's been done 100 times. I feel like the 10th time Jimmy told him to use his powers was enough, you know?
I think I could get behind the new BoP book more if they grew it out of the 'old' team (though they never called it that in Batgirl, it was clear that's what they were goin' for.. the characters called themselves 'Team Batgirl'). I know Spoiler is over in Detective (though if she's the same as the one in Batgirl New 52 one never knows).. has Bluebird turned up at all yet? I'm sure the new Oracle hasn't (again, not sure they ever called her that, but that was clearly coming).. since now there's doing the whole evil Oracle thing.
And never mind that Ms. Gordon is in Hong Kong on a vision quest and bumming around helping Black Canary at the same time...I just give up on any semblance of continuity.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 15, 2016 12:04:22 GMT -5
It's been done sure, but it's being done really well in the current books so I'm cool with it.
And yeah, I just ignore the continuity gaps with Batgirl because the books are good. Spoiler seems to be the same as she was before rebirth but yeah, it's weird that Bluebird hasn't been seen or mentioned either in Birds of Prey or Detective, I think she could have fit on either team. I almost though she was Olive's new roommate in Gotham Academy but that character was called Amy, I mean I guess she cold still be albeit undercover but I doubt it.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 15, 2016 12:39:43 GMT -5
Hadrian's Wall #1 Written by Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel Art by Rod Reis Summary: In 1985 the United States and Russia launched nuclear attacks on one another devastating both economies. In the wake of the disaster both super powers embark on an unprecedented alliance that culminates in the colonization of space. 100 years later space truly is the final frontier, man lives on multiple planets and around one newly discovered planet a suspicious death occurs on a ship called Hadrian's Wall and Simon Moore is tasked to investigate it.
Plot: In this first issue of Hadrian's Wall Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel give us a fantastic 70's space noir in comic book form. If Raymond Chandler ever wrote a sci-fi comic it would read just like this; there's slow drip of information given in enigmatic, incomplete flash backs, substance abuse, a femme fatale who may or may not be involved in the death, and a complicated web of already established relationships between the characters that are as of yet not fully known to the reader and all draped in the ominous undertones of the pull of colonization. That last bit is probably my favorite, it's never really expressly spelled out but unknown dangers of space colonization and the romantic lure to that danger is omnipresent in the story, it's a deep background hum to the comic that just colors the whole book with a mild sense of pressure and mystery. Higgins and Siegel give us a world that just draws you in immediately, although each image is beautiful I found myself flying through the pages, it's the kind of comic that had it been a novel instead it would have had you staying up all night glued to your hands until you got to the end. It's deeply layered, full of fascinating, unknown connections...it's just beautiful.
Art: Rod Reis' work here perfectly compliments Higgins and Siegel's love note to 70's and 80's sci-fi films. It perfectly combines the smooth, futurists lines of films like Bladerunner and 2001 with the clunky, urban look of Alien. You'd think those two different feelings would make for a muddled mess but Reis manages to synthesize them into a cohesive whole that's amazing to see.
Conclusion: With the great character work, fantastic mood and haunting art work this a serious must read. Seriously, go out and buy this now!
Grade: 10/10 |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2016 16:16:07 GMT -5
 Lightning Strikes Twice Part 6. Script by Joshua Williamson. Art by Carmine DiGiandomenico. A new evil speedster - Godspeed - is murdering the speedsters in Central City & stealing their powers. In this 8 part story Central City was stuck by a speed force storm & new speedsters were created. STAR labs were testing & helping them adjust to their new powers. Barry is trying to find Godspeed who is killing these new speedsters. While investigating he discovers the other Wally West has powers too. And Barry does come face to face with Godspeed (it is revealed who he is). Barry & him argue & then start fighting. It looks like Godspeed may be more powerful than Barry.... Hmmmm...I usually like Josh's writing (I highly recommend his excellent Capt Midnight series at Dark Horse). But this feels like we have seen this all before with the Reverse Flash, Zoom, & Savitar. Unless he nails the ending in the next two issues I will feel disappointed with the Rebirth Flash. However I really love Carmine's art. His style is well suited to the Flash. I am going to finish this first arc. As I said Williamson has come thru in the past with his storytelling & I hope he has an unique twist coming. Grade:3/5 script. 4/5 art. 7/10 total. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 15, 2016 16:50:32 GMT -5
That does sound like the reverse flash story from the nu52, it's weird that they'd do something like that so soon.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2016 18:09:59 GMT -5
 Who Killed Superwoman? Part 2. Script & Pencils: Phil Jimenez. Inks: Joe Prado & Matt Santorelli. After the apparent death of new 52 Lois/Superwoman last issue - Lana Lang continues the fight as Superwoman (with powers similar to energy based Superman). Complicating things is Lex in a suit of armor & some Bizarro creatures. In this issue we discover that Lana & Steel are an item. Lex's armor malfunctions. Maggie Sawyer questions Lana/Superwoman. Lex's assistant Mercy is not who she appears to be. Lana using her powers is killing her. Lois may not be dead. And Lex is betrayed by...(I won't spoil the last page). What can I say? I have no idea where Phil is going with this title. And that's a good thing. He is a great writer. His characters feel real. The women in this book are amazing. I am constantly surprised with the concepts & twists in the story. It doesn't feel contrived. As things are slowly revealed it all makes sense. And Phil's art? His style is similar to George Perez. I find his characters look less bulky than Perez'. Great art. I also like how "dense" the story is. Each issue is NOT a quick read. And there is a lot of story crammed into 20 pages. This is one of the best title so far in DC's Rebirth. Highly recommended! Score: 10/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2016 18:16:50 GMT -5
Wonder Woman #6"Year One: Part Three"  Written by Greg Rucka Art by Nicola Scott Colored by Romulo Fajardo Summary: Diana travels with Steve in the invisible jet to reunite him and his fallen comrades with their loved ones back in the world of men.
Plot: While Rucka's new retelling of Wonder Woman's origin story continues to be an exercise in decompressed storytelling there are some great character moments that really let Diana, Steve, Etta and even Minerva really shine. What's great is that Rucka really makes Steve a compelling character, which is something I've seldom seen before; there was one scene in particular where he sings to the child of one of his fallen friends that really makes you get who Steve is and it's beautiful. So yes, while the story is slow and the see-sawing between the Year One story the present day story is slightly frustrating(on both fronts as both stories are compelling) it's ultimately worth it as the time is well spent.
Art: One of Nicola Scott's greatest strengths is her use of facial expressions is fantastic, their are several panels that are so life like that you just feel like you're watching a live action film. My favorite single panel though was the scene where we see Diana's mugshot on the military base, she looks both slightly confused and yet still full of joy like looking at a child's first photo-shoot. Just pure fun.
Conclusion: Though the pace is plodding the time used is well spent so you don't miss the action at all.
Grade: 7/10
I am enjoying the Year One story much more than the modern day story. I do think it would have been better to have had the Year One story in a separate title (Sensation Comics) instead of the way DC did the alternating issues. And Nicola Scott's artwork is beautiful. I would give the Year One story a 9/10. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2016 18:20:06 GMT -5
That does sound like the reverse flash story from the nu52, it's weird that they'd do something like that so soon. I don't get it. After Batman Flash has the best selection of villains to choose from. Why do another evil speedster? |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 15, 2016 18:33:30 GMT -5
Doom Patrol #1"Happy Birthday Casey Binke"  Written by Gerard Way Art by Nick Derington Colored by Tamara Bonvillain Summary: While contemplating if the universe is really just a really good gyro EMT's Casey Brinke and Samson save Robotman after he's hit by a garbage truck...meanwhile some corporate aliens are meeting a local hotel convention center to discuss a new source of meat for their fast food restaurants.
Plot: Read that summary above one more time will you? Yeah, that's about as good as it gets when it comes to summing up the actual plot of of My Chemical Romance front man Gerard Way's new Doom Patrol #1. But I gather that was the intention, this isn't a book that is meant to be neatly described but rather experienced. If you took a tablespoon of Russel T. Davies' Doctor who(finely sifted), half a cup of Grant Morrison's work(separate the whites from the yolks) and a heavy dash of an acid trip with Jim Morrison(add to taste) you might get something that tastes like this issue. It's trippy, full of manic, Saturday morning cartoon energy but strangely has a high focus on the hearts of the little people in a larger, weirder world. Through strange visuals and back and forth narratives Way quickly introduces us to Casey Brinke( an optimistic space cadet) Sam(a strong single father) and Terry None (a bubbly masked dancer with explosive powers) while keeping mainstays like Robotman and Niles Caulder...and possibly Danny the Street as the source of the meat, in a comic that is compressed and fast paced without feeling rushed. It's hard to describe but it is a great experience.
Art: As I said, the story is very high energy and that is perfectly reflected in Nick Derington beautiful art. He perfectly channels that Mike Allred kind of free form look, alternating from loose line work, to a softer, gauzier feel, to a dash of realism and back and forth with out it ever feeling muddled.
Conclusion:When this new Young Animal line was announced I was pretty interested, although I scorned Way in my youth as the front man of a band that wore too much eye liner and black hair dye for my taste in recent years I've really come to enjoy his work through Umbrella Academy...but I still wasn't sure what he was going to go for with his own line with DC. Comics for Dangerous Humans? What did that mean? I didn't have a strong idea going into this, other than maybe edgy, but I took the plunge and I'm glad I did. Way really has a passion for the Vertigo feel of the early 90's but rather than just trying to ape that he's really trying to do what Vertigo did while still keeping a uniquely modern feel so it would seem that with his Young Animal line he's trying to scratch that nostalgic Vertigo itch but with his own sense of energy...and if this issue is any indication then I guess these books are for me, so watch out, I'm Dangerous!
Grade: 9/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 15, 2016 19:05:13 GMT -5
Wonder Woman #6"Year One: Part Three" Written by Greg Rucka Art by Nicola Scott Colored by Romulo Fajardo Summary: Diana travels with Steve in the invisible jet to reunite him and his fallen comrades with their loved ones back in the world of men.
Plot: While Rucka's new retelling of Wonder Woman's origin story continues to be an exercise in decompressed storytelling there are some great character moments that really let Diana, Steve, Etta and even Minerva really shine. What's great is that Rucka really makes Steve a compelling character, which is something I've seldom seen before; there was one scene in particular where he sings to the child of one of his fallen friends that really makes you get who Steve is and it's beautiful. So yes, while the story is slow and the see-sawing between the Year One story the present day story is slightly frustrating(on both fronts as both stories are compelling) it's ultimately worth it as the time is well spent.
Art: One of Nicola Scott's greatest strengths is her use of facial expressions is fantastic, their are several panels that are so life like that you just feel like you're watching a live action film. My favorite single panel though was the scene where we see Diana's mugshot on the military base, she looks both slightly confused and yet still full of joy like looking at a child's first photo-shoot. Just pure fun.
Conclusion: Though the pace is plodding the time used is well spent so you don't miss the action at all.
Grade: 7/10
I am enjoying the Year One story much more than the modern day story. I do think it would have been better to have had the Year One story in a separate title (Sensation Comics) instead of the way DC did the alternating issues. And Nicola Scott's artwork is beautiful. I would give the Year One story a 9/10. Yeah, I don't really get why Wonder Woman only has one title, I think there could easily be a market for both stories. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 15, 2016 19:38:28 GMT -5
Who Killed Superwoman? Part 2. Script & Pencils: Phil Jimenez. Inks: Joe Prado & Matt Santorelli. After the apparent death of new 52 Lois/Superwoman last issue - Lana Lang continues the fight as Superwoman (with powers similar to energy based Superman). Complicating things is Lex in a suit of armor & some Bizarro creatures. In this issue we discover that Lana & Steel are an item. Lex's armor malfunctions. Maggie Sawyer questions Lana/Superwoman. Lex's assistant Mercy is not who she appears to be. Lana using her powers is killing her. Lois may not be dead. And Lex is betrayed by...(I won't spoil the last page). What can I say? I have no idea where Phil is going with this title. And that's a good thing. He is a great writer. His characters feel real. The women in this book are amazing. I am constantly surprised with the concepts & twists in the story. It doesn't feel contrived. As things are slowly revealed it all makes sense. And Phil's art? His style is similar to George Perez. I find his characters look less bulky than Perez'. Great art. I also like how "dense" the story is. Each issue is NOT a quick read. And there is a lot of story crammed into 20 pages. This is one of the best title so far in DC's Rebirth. Highly recommended! Score: 10/10.I don't know if I'd give it a 10 out of 10, but I'm really liking the way Phil is using the superman red/blue idea and I hope they build the supporting cast up further. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2016 19:49:04 GMT -5
I have a tendency of grading books that I read by how much I liked one book over another. So this week Superwoman was the book I enjoyed the most so I gave it high marks. I tend to be more lenient in my grading. It takes a really bad book for me to give a low grade.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 15, 2016 20:03:54 GMT -5
I have a tendency of grading books that I read by how much I liked one book over another. So this week Superwoman was the book I enjoyed the most so I gave it high marks. I tend to be more lenient in my grading. It takes a really bad book for me to give a low grade. I wasn't criticizing your scale,we're all subjective here so it's cool, I was just saying that it fell a little short for me. I like the concept and the team work and the supporting cast is promising but it didn't blow me away. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2016 20:09:10 GMT -5
I have a tendency of grading books that I read by how much I liked one book over another. So this week Superwoman was the book I enjoyed the most so I gave it high marks. I tend to be more lenient in my grading. It takes a really bad book for me to give a low grade. I wasn't criticizing your scale,we're all subjective here so it's cool, I was just saying that it fell a little short for me. I like the concept and the team work and the supporting cast is promising but it didn't blow me away. I didn't take it that way. I know it's all subjective. I just really like the way Phil is building this title while keeping it connected to the Superman family.
And again thank you for doing this. I know it's extra work for you. It's really appreciated.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 15, 2016 20:37:30 GMT -5
Redhood and the Outlaws #2"Dark Trinity Part Two: Paradise Lost"  Written by Scott Lobdell Art by Dexter Soy Colored by Veronica Gandini Summary: Jason Todd thought his infiltration of Black Mask's False Face Society was going well, all he had to do was steal a weapon from a train, only the fiery Amazonian warrior Artemis has something else to say about it.
Plot: In Lobdell's most recent stab at Outlaws Lobdell shows us atleast one thing: he gets Jason. In both his interactions with Bruce last issue and his two brief mentions to his past this week we see him as a strong young guy struggling to do good against the issues of his demons. He's smart, strong willed and funny which makes for some good reading. In addition to that Lobdell does a decent job of setting up Artemis, giving her an origin separate from Wonder Woman...but on the downside not much else happened other than one long, drawn out fight scene first between Artemis and Jason and then when the pair of them team up against the Black Mask's men.
Art: While Soy gives us some great cinematic scenes and he lays out the fight scenes in a clear and logical manner his look is a little generic. It's technically sound and serviceable for the story(what little there actually is) but there isn't anything about it that really stops you in your tracks and really makes you feel anything but at this point I'm not sure if that's his fault or if due to Lobdell not giving him anything complex to convey to the audience.
Conclusion: While the character work is sound and I like the idea of Jason trying to take down crime from inside the plot is moving forward at an agonizingly slow pace. I might stick around long enough just to see what Lobdell tries to do with Bizarro in the next issue but if the pace doesn't pick up I may be out.
Grade: 6/10 |
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