The Final Week of the New 52!

So now we're here at the final week of new #1's from DC's New 52. It has been for the most part, a great comic book experience. Thrilling, invigorating, exciting, with of course a few ups and downs. Let's jump right in to this week's new books!

AQUAMAN #1 -This is the third book of the relaunch written by Geoff Johns and I see a big change in his writing. Johns is great at story, but in the past was short on character. Not so in his new books and AQUAMAN is no exception. Johns deftly handles subtle questions about Aquaman without the need for long storytelling. What he does in a few well-placed flashback panels, some writers need a full book to achieve. Aquaman is instantly likable, his power levels adressed, and plenty of fun poked at his expense, despite the fact that he's really a great character. The first villains (think an aquatic version of ALIEN), show up at the front and back of the story and give us an "uh-oh" feeling. What can I say about the artwork by Ivan Reis, other than it's nearly perfect? AQUAMAN may very well be a huge winner for DC.

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1 -Yes, another Batman book, and would you have it any other way considering that Batman is DC's best loved hero? Well, maybe yes. B:TDK is not a bad book per se, but it's not great either. It repeats the formula from last week's issue of BATMAN; a break-out at Arkham Asylum with Batman hunting down villains, and a public speech by Bruce Wayne. I would've hoped that the editors would have made more of an effort to give this book its own unique voice, but there's nothing really new happening here. On the art front, this however might arguably be the best drawn Batman book. It IS David Finch after all, but I find I prefer the linework and mood of Tony Daniel in DETECTIVE COMICS. This book is superfluous in comparison.

THE FLASH #1 -First, can we drop the "THE" in the title and just make it FLASH? Hey, it's a thought, and one I'll share with two more books this week. This is a decent first issue with only a few drawbacks. First, I love the subtle alterations to Barry's costume and the way he runs into it as it wraps around him. Writer/Artist Francis Manapul has found new ways of drawing Flash's speed, even though he doesn't seem as fast as his pre-FLASHPOINT self. This just may be a writer's flaw in storytelling. A big change like SUPERMAN (see below) is that Barry Allen is no longer presented as married, but Iris West is introduced and comes across as a spitfire that you want to know more about. Like much of DC's New 52, it's a set-up issue, and this one makes Barry Allen relatable, likable and even has a bit of "old-school comic book charm."

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM, THE NUCLEAR MAN #1 -Again, this book could've just been called FIRESTORM. I don't like the pretentious silver-age Marvel-esque additions to the titles of comic books. That being said, this comic is brilliant! It's everything last week's similar CAPTAIN ATOM should have been. It's a new take of the duality of Firestorm utilizing familiar charcters Ronnie Raymond and Jason Rusch. There's action aplenty and I can tell where co-writer Gail Simone had the most influence (Ethan Van Sciver writes the title with Simone), because Simone can become brilliantly twisted. She's come a long way as a writer, to one of the top in her field. The potential level of danger this new version of Firestorm represents can't be understated. It's all you could want: great plot, great writing, great characterization, great art. I can't wait until the next issue to see how this plays out.

GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #1 -This Kyle Rayner-centric book focuses on him and representatives of the various multi-colored Corps, established over the last couple of years in the main GREEN LANTERN book. It opens with a very fast recap of Kyle's origin and then shifts into present day. Tony Bedard gives new readers enough to jump right in and sets up a new status quo for GL Rayner, as he is about to become the recipient of every Lantern Corps ring. Kudos to Bedard for including former villain Fatality as the Star Sapphire member for this series. The book is fast paced, mostly an establishing story and exciting enough to make you want to come back. I like how all 4 of the GL books have a distinctive premise..

I, VAMPIRE #1 -Superheroes and vampires are the two most popular ideas in today's stories. YOU MUST BUY THIS BOOK! I can't say that enough! Passionately written by Joshua Fialkov and hauntingly illustrated by Andrea Sorrentino, this book is part screwed-up relationship between two vampires and part supernatural horror with the "stakes" being all of humanity. There's no "True Blood" cuteness here and no "Twilight" pining away for the lovers to be together. Turning the pages and seeing how the art handles vampiric animal transformations better than most cinematic venues, I was enthralled with every panel, every word. For those who don't know, the vampire Andrew Bennet and his love, Mary, Queen of Blood predate the other two vampire tales mentioned. I'd love to see this turned into a film. This book is also firmly set in the DC Comics superhero world as well, which means that somewhere down the road we might see some of the "Big Guns" of the Justice League. And that brings us thematically to...

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1 -A supernatural version of the JL. Let's see; Madame Xanadu is taking some kind of drugs, Zatanna is supposedly unstable, Shade is creating women to be his personal playmates, John Constantine is ... well, John Constantine, and Enchantress is completly insane. How's that for a start? I'm still not sure why we need a JL Dark, but it was an intriguing first issue by Peter Milligan, although I don't know if what I read will sustain more than just a story arc. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Cyborg guest-star and it's a good thing artist Mikel Janin is taking a more humanistic approach to the art because while he draws a mean Batman, the other members of the JL proper look horrible. Not sure about this one yet...

THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1 -Okay, enough with the descriptive adjectives on the title. Why wouldn't just HAWKMAN suffice? The story will tell us whether or not there's any 'savage" in him. First, this story is written by DETECTIVE COMICS scribe Tony Daniel, so my expectations are high. Gladly I was not disapointed! Daniel crafts a story where any knowledge of Hawkman is unimportant. Carter Hall has quit being the winged hero, but the alien metal hardware that powered him has other ideas. It's a well written story and instantly accessible and I think I'm going to like this Hawkman. His brutal new look didn't sit well with me when I fist saw it, but Philip Tan's artwork has me convinced of the visuals. Carter is brooding and capable, and his alter ego of Hawkman faces his first new, truly creepy villain, and the ending makes me wonder if he has any choice at all in being Hawkman. Some heroes are chosen, but not necessarily for the best reasons.

SUPERMAN #1 -This is one long and wordy comic, filled with panels, which is what you can expect from anything partly drawn and written by comics legend George Perez. SUPERMAN has largest page count of DC's $2.99 books, coming in at 25 story pages (more on that at the end). Scriptwise, Perez crafts an exciting tale that seems fast paced and full for the page content. It had so much more modernization than recent Superman stories, yet had enough classic elements. Readers of STORMWATCH will note a connection. Jesus Merino's finished art over the Perez layout looks dynamic and I've started to really like Superman's new look, escpecially the red piping around the collar and sleeves. Clark Kent is much stronger a charcater, now being a single man again who never married, but it's Lois Lane who steals the show, proving that she's the most level headed and competent reporter in the DC universe. She is a force to be reckoned with in her new role as TV news network boss.

TEEN TITANS #1 -An incredible, really new and fresh start. Past continuity is out the window. Timothy Drake has changed, Cassandra Sandsmark has changed. Kid Flash has changed and quite frankly we're not sure about any of them. We know that Tim was Robin and is now a new version of Red Robin with a unique new status. Wonder Girl has no connection with Wonder Woman except for some similar powers and a connection (via starfield pattern) to Donna Troy's costume. Quite frankly this Wonder Girl is more interesting than the new version of Wonder Woman. Kid Flash.... is he still related to Barry Allen? Doesn't matter at this moment because there is a kinetic excitment to the book. Add in the last page, which works in perfect conjunction to the SUPERBOY comic, and we've got a winner here.

Some final thoughts on DC's new 52: We need to see Doctor Fate, Black Lightning, Night Force and other new versions of great characters. I'm hoping that as some of the new books fall, which will conceivably happen, that these characters take their rightful place. For those who've catalogued all the appearances of the mysterious woman in the hood in all the new first issues, Geoff Johns says her role will be made clear next year in JUSTICE LEAGUE, and I hope it's the case instead of another company-wide crossover event. Please DC, let the event book go on a long vacation and let these new books work on their own, and if you have to do an "event" that affects your whole universe of charcters, let it always be in the pages of the JUSTICE LEAGUE. It's what that book should be about.

Now I need someone to explain DC's new pricing policies. The new books that are priced at $2.99 have had anywhere from 20-25 story pages, while JUSTICE LEAGUE had 24 pages and had a $3.99 price tag. That makes no sense if SUPERMAN had an extra story page, but was kept at the $2.99 price point. I can understand ACTION COMICS being a bit pricier because it clocked in at 29 story pages, but really people, there's no need to charge more for books you know you are going to sell. It's bad business, which is my only real complaint about the New 52. All in all, an incredible new beginning! Onward.

Week 3 of DC's New 52!- Best one yet!

Well, we're now in week three of DC's New 52, and this week was a good one too! I've noticed some big changes in tone for the new books; new high-tech, bigger mysteries, violence, sex, and even gore, but they're not used gratuitously. They all serve the story. So with that, let's jump right in!

BATMAN #1 - Have to give credit to the editors on the Batman books. While each comic has its own voice, Batman and Gotham City seem the same place in each periodical. This first issue stylistically matched Tony Daniel's DETECTIVE COMICS #1, even though it was not quite as good. That's not to say this was bad by any stretch of the imagination. Scott Synder looks to be dealing with a more socially conscious Bruce Wayne, and his "family" grounds him more here in this book. The only drawback to the issue is that it's more set-up than full story. Of course there is a surprisingly grisly murder with a curious cliffhanger and artist Greg Capullo does a better job with the Batman pages then with the Bruce Wayne pages. He balances dark and light in both line and tone. This book is seeing Batman as more the high-tech hero than the detective, utilizing truly original ideas that could put Tony Stark to shame.

BIRDS OF PREY #1 -Black Canary is really in fine fighting form this issue, and I gotta say that this is one great opener for this new version of BOP. Barbara Gordon (a.k.a. Batgirl, formerly Oracle.. maybe) makes a cameo, which leads to questions about what her history with Dinah and BOP has been. The action starts fast and furious with an exciting set-up, fast familiarity, and hints of things to come, all the while giving us a complete story despite the "explosive" ending. Duane Swierczynski ably picks up the themes from past writer Gail Simone. Jesus Saiz has the right blend of realistic action sequences and hot women without making them look ridiculously unproportioned. This is not a "chick flick" book despite the female protagonists.

CAPTAIN ATOM #1 -This is one of two books this week that is really well written with a good premise, but the art just ...sucks. Freddie Williams has one way of drawing Captain Atom, and he looks good that way (think Dr. Manhattan from "Watchmen"), and he's got another undetailed, sketchy, unimpressive look for everything else in the comic. A hero with godlike abilities, similar to Firestorm, able to handle nuclear energy and transmute matter, but CA's got a problem; his power use is breaking down his very atomic structure. What this means for him is obviously cause for concern and doesn't bode well for him or others around him because he can't seem to control these abilities very well. The art though, as mentioned is the one thing that is making me consider not getting the second installment.

CATWOMAN #1 -WOW! Just WOW!.. I have rarely been impressed with writer Judd Winick's work (many have not), which is why I didn't pick up BATWING, so I was prepared for a mixed bag because I hated Winick, but LOVE Catwoman. This book is savy, sexy and violent (see my opening paragraph), and it's just what Catwoman should be. In the course of this first issue, CW has her home bombed, spies on Russian mobsters, exacts a revenge beating that is brutal to her enemy, which is sure to come back to haunt her, and ends with one of the sexiest trysts in comics, between Batman and Catwoman getting it on, with some of their costume parts still on. HOT! HOT! HOT! My only gripe here is that in this new continuity, Bruce and Selina may not know anymore who the other one is out of costume. Guillem March is born to draw Catwoman and it's clear he really loves her. She is sexy in and out of costume.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1 -As with every one one DC's new first issues, the stakes are much higher. I mean, how much higher can you go than full-on planetray destruction and genocide of an alien world to send a message to the GLC? Amidst some gruesome opening pages, we're also shifted into brief glimpses into the personal problems of GL members Guy Gardner and John Stewart. Guy seems much more likable here than I've seen him in ages, and John actually has something that's been absent from his portrayal in comics, in ages- a distinct voice and personality that does not come across as almost as bland as GL Hal Jordan. John is smart and could very likely take the lead as the best GL in the "New 52." Credit has to go to Peter Tomasi for writing a more effective book than the main GL one.

NIGHTWING #1 -Another book where some grisly stuff happens, but it is Gotham City, isn't it? Seeing Dick Grayson taking on the Nightwing mantle again has been long overdue. He seems happiest and at his most effective in this role. The new red symbol, replacing the blue makes sense because it harkens back to his roots as the original Robin and even invokes the future Batman Beyond. I wonder if Writer Kyle Higgins and BATMAN writer Scott Synder are telling different aspects of one story. Check the last pages of each of the issues to see what I mean. Eddy Barrows draws the most fluid and detailed Nightwing I've ever seen. Grayson's acrobatics pop off the page and seem entirely possible. What a great fit for this beloved ex-sidekick.

SUPERGIRL #1 -Okay, I'm sort of a little tired of all the different origins of late for Supergirl, and even the different Supergirls, but hopefully this one will stick. What we see here is Kara Zor-El's first moments on Earth.. again. We also see Kara not understanding where she is... again, and she meets her cousin Superman for the first time... again. What's interetsing here is how this ties into other DC books. Go back to ACTION COMICS #1. Remember that Luthor pointed out something coming towards Eath? Well, here she is! Kara's super-hearing kicks in too and we see her listening to key moments from ofther DC books of the week. It's a cool way of tying the universe of characters together in little ways. All in all despite my too-many-Supergirl-origin complaints, this is a solid read with beautiful fluid art. I also like Supergirl's new look and her different "S" shield.

WONDER WOMAN #1 -I love Wonder Woman, but I admit she's a tough sell for many people because of the mythology aspect and the political elements to the character, although the Greek myth aspect is what makes her unique in comics. I always looked at Wonder Woman as a continuation of the Greek legends, but put that aside and let's take a look at what we have here; there's good and not so good. First the good- Yes, there's the mythology angle, still intact, but the Gods are modernized and like the old tales, not quite so nice. Brian Azzarello is a strange choice for writer of this series, considering his "griity, reality" based past stories, but he crafts an intruiging tale here. Although, I'm concerned that Azzarello has depowered Wonder Woman a bit, which isn't a good idea for the political "women's equality" angle of WW. Where is her flight ability? The writer has stated that it's there, but Diana will only use it judiciously. Hey Azz, this is a super-hero book! Artwise, I gotta ask what DC was thinking putting Cliff Chiang on this book. He isn't suitable an artist for a woman who is supposed to possess the beauty of Aphrodite, and quite frankly I've seen some gifted children draw better. I know DC wants WONDER WOMAN to succeed, but Chiang is not the artist to make this happen. Perhaps if someone inked his work?

Now for some final words to Marvel Comics- If you're going to do a major X-men event, you better bring back Jean Grey/Phoenix because the X-men don't really seem quite right without her. Oh yeah, I like Hope, but she's little more than "Jean Grey- lite," and I don't think I'm returning to the X-books after "Schism" unless I see Phoenix/Jean back once and for all!. See ya next week!

　

DCnU- THE NEW 52- Week 2 plus one Marvel.

Before jumping into quick reviews of this week's new DC Comics realunched line, I have to backtrack to one book I picked up this week that came out the previous one, and that's OMAC #1. I had no intention of buying this book, as it's probably going to be dropped from DCs line of books rather quickly I suspect. It's a mixed bag here. The story by Dan Didio is an intentional throwback to old style storytelling, which it succeeds in... but who really wants to see that? It just doesn't have enought depth to keep me coming back. Artwise, Keith Giffen is doing an amazing job of channeling the legendary Jack Kirby. It's the book's saving grace. The pages look almost like the incredible Kirby, and it saddens me that many younger readers probably have no idea who Jack Kirby was, considering that he was perhaps the most influential comics artist in comic book history. Now onto this week's batch on new books!

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1- Now this is a curious opening to the new series. Batman's decision to change how he honors his parents may be a strange one, considering his life's work and dedication. It might not sit well with most long time readers, and it has the potential to dilute Batman's reason for existence. The new Robin, Damian Wayne is apparently Bruce's real son after all, if the dialogue between them is any indication, and there have been questions about this. Damian remains his usual royal pain in the bat-butt. What can I say? I'm in the camp that just doesn't like this kid. Writer Peter Tomasi is picking up some BATMAN INCORPORATED threads while that series is on hiatus, quickly starting the story by killing off the Moscow "Batman." The mysterious Nobody behind it seems to have his sights set on closing down B.Inc. It's a decent opening salvo for the series, if not incredibly great and of course artist Patrick Gleason's work is exciting and detailed, although also not his best work to date.

BATWOMAN #1- Finally! The book that everyone's been waiting for has arrived... way behind schedule, but at least we now know why; to be included in the new #1 relaunches! Simply put, this book is beautiful, maybe the most beautiful comic on the stands. Writer/Artist J.H. Williams' work is lush, detailed and possibly one of the most unique approaches in modern comic book storytelling. His linework, painterly quality in places and page layouts have just never been seen like this before, although I will say that I can tell that there are definite Steranko influences (look it up, kids). It's a moody book with a good set-up and the end brings us the start of the long awaited Batman/Batwoman meeting, and I have to say, that it ignores typical comic book sterotypes. There's no Batman doing his, "Gotham and the Bat symbol are mine" thing here. Instead he comes with an offer that will extend into next issue.

GREEN LANTERN #1- This doesn't feel like a "number one" issue because it's picking up threads of another storyline. Writer Geoff Johns has been slowly changing the status quo of the Green Lantern concept since he began writing the adventures of Hal Jordan some years ago. The Guardians of the Universe are seeming less benevolent and much more fascistic of late, and I wonder how long they will be able to retain their positions before a Green Lantern Corps rebellion gets underway... other than Hal being the only GL that really continually opposes them. The opening salvo of this arc sees Hal not adjusting well to not be a GL anymore and Geoff Johns addresses something that I've always thought about Hal. He has never really had any kind of a personality. In fact he's probably the most cardboard characterized hero in the DC Universe. Stripping Hal of his GL ring is forcing him to really look at his life and mistakes, and boy does he continue to make some whoppers! My hope here is that once Hal gets his ring back from Sinestro (who is almost dare I say "sympathetic?"), we will have a much more grounded, humble and well rounded Hal Jordan. Time will tell. Doug Mahnke does his usual great job with the art. He was born to do this book, and the funny thing I noticed is that he and BATMAN AND ROBIN artist Patrick Gleason are almost indistinguishable from each other. Their faces, action, layouts are almost from the same classroom of comic book art.

MISTER TERRIFIC #1- This one is the weakest one of this week's releases. Standard conventions of typical comic book storytelling and standard artwork. Nothing special here. The lead character is supposedly the "third smartest man in the world," but certainly doesn't seem to act like it. Oh sure, he's established as being a remarkable scientist, but everywhere else in his life he doesn't seem to know how to navigate, like Karen Starr for instance. Yes, THAT Karen Starr, a.k.a. Power Girl, who in this new rebooted DC Universe may actually not have any "power," at all, at least none that we've seen yet. Story and art are bland which is surprising considering the care that the editors and powers that be at DC put into the relaunch. It might be worth one more issue to see if things pick up, but I have the feeling this will be another dropped title.

RED LANTERNS #1- Okay, now this was a pleasant surprise. I had intended to but only this first issue out of curiosity and there's a danger of leafing through pages before you read a story. It didn't look like I was going to be impressed with it, but I was. We are given history to Atrocitus, a character spinning out of the events of recent Green Lantern issues of the past, and it's intriguing. It is going somewhere and I never saw artist Ed Benes, who is really remarkable, do such inspired work. You can really feel the rage of some of the players in this book.

RESURRECTION MAN #1- Believe it or not I was looking forward to this book in this week's batch more than any other. I remember the original series, and I eagerly wanted to this this again. I never realized how much the creators of the TV show HEROES must've stole from this book way back when. RM is the story of Mitch Shelly, a man who dies and heals by coming back to life (like Claire from HEROES), but with each resurrection, he finds himself with a new super-powered ability that is the direct result of either how he died, or what he will need (sort of like Peter and Sylar in HEROES). All the staples of the past series are here, including the original writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, and of course the too-hot-for comics hitwomen, the Body Doubles. What's different this time around, is that there's less an emphasis on sci-fi and more now on the supernatural, because both "upstairs" and "downstairs" have been impatiently waiting for Mitch's soul, and it just doesn't come. Intriguing to say the least, and highly recommended.

SUICIDE SQUAD #1- Forget what you know about past incarnations of this concept. This is brutal! I've noticed that alot of the DCnU books have been pushing the violence envelope. We're brought into the middle of the story here, and it turns out it's all a test for what's to come, and unlike the past, it looks like this new version of the Squad is sanctioned to kill anyone, including innocent people. It is surprising and jaw dropping. Love the new design of Harley Quinn, and if you miss the "Secret Six," this book has got what you need. It's twisted. Kudos to writer Adam Glass, and wait until you get a look at the new improved, thinner, hotter Amanda Waller!

SUPERBOY #1- Another great reimagining of a popular character. All the basics remain intact; Superboy is still a human/kryptonian hybrid clone with the same powers as his previous incarnation, but his life history has been carefully constrcuted via a virtual reality simulation to essentially make him the same character pre-DCnU. There's an element of dread though, because we're not sure why this new version was created and it looks like it's for no good reason, but that might make the the trek to Hero more interesting. It ends with a new spin on why Superboy will be joining the new Titans.

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #1- With all the DC reboots, I thought I should take a look at this new Marvel Comics one. Message to Marvel: THE NINETIES ARE OVER! STOP POLYBAGGING COMICS IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE SALES! It reeks of uncreative gimmickry, and makes me wonder about the strength of the story if resorts like this are taken. I will not ever, on principal buy another polybagged book! Now, onto the review. First the disappointment: The new Miles Morales Spiderman doesn't appear in costume in this issue, and I really wanted to see that, but they had to get the origin underway. All that being said, this is a well written issue that imediately makes you care about this new kid that will be the Ultimate Universe's new Spiderman. It has emotion, a much needed component of any Spiderman story. In a way, this is as daring as DC's relaunch and as well thought out. I'm curious to see where this is going and here's hoping that young Miles has a bright future ahead of him, maybe with a bit more joy than his predecesor, Peter Parker.

So, come back next week for the next review installment of DC's New 52!

DC COMICS NEW 52-PICK UP

It has been a LONG time since I've done a comic report. The industry had become stagnant, sales were showing it, and negativity raged all over message boards. I'm not going into the details of DC's relaunch of their entire line because every other comics news site has done it to death, but I will give my opionion on the titles!

Let's back this up with the very last day of August, which I will term DCnU Week Zero. Only two books were released; FLASHPOINT #5 and JUSTICE LEAGUE #1. FLASHPOINT ended more with a whimper than a bang, but that's okay as it lightly led us into the new DC Universe, which was evident by Flash's and Batman's costume changes. It had an ending of emotional resonance, giving Batman something he yearned for all his life. It was beautiful. So then DC saw fit to jump us right into the new JUSTICE LEAGUE, three weeks earlier than the planned release date. The book is a winner, and how could it not be? It's written by Geoff Johns and drawn by the incomparable Jim Lee. I've seen people criticize the book because the new JL wasn't formed on the outset, concentrating mainly on Batman and Green Lantern, with Superman showing up at the end. Frankly, I'm more than okay with the slow build to the team formation. It allowed for some great characterization and interplay between a younger than now Batman and GL. The art was dynamic, moving, detailed. Indeed this book will be the Flagship of the DCnU.

Now to week #1: I bought 8 out of 13 new #1's. Here's the thing; for the most part I love superhero comics above all other types of comics because Superheroes are indiginous to the comics medium. That's where they originated and therefore that's what I'm drawn to, the unique character ideal that was created solely in the comic book medium. Oh sure, other types of stories existed in comics before the costumed adventurer showed up, but those other types of stories existed in other places, and yes they do have merit in any medium including comics. However, it's the Superhero idea I'm drawn to, which is why I forewent the non- Superhero titles of DC's relaunch... for the most part.

ACTION COMICS #1- How cool is it to actually say "I bought the first issue of ACTION COMICS?" Writer Grant Morrison, who I've publicly maligned as being way overrated, toned down his pretentious storytelling and actually crafted a story with fantastic straightforward action and presented a young Superman who is relatable, not yet SO powerful, and even a little cocky while truly fighting the idea of injustice, and not necessarily within the law. It's a refreshing change to a hero that we know so well and who quite frankly ceased to be relevant to the comic reading public. This new interpretation marks a familiar character, but makes you like him and view him in a way that may not have been obvious in decades. Rags Morales on art is at the top of his game. There's flow and emotion to his work that I haven't seen from him before. This book is one of the ones to watch.

DETECTIVE COMICS #1- Writer/Artist Tony Daniel gets grief from fans, and it's hard to see why here. His art is gorgeous, moody, and gritty, which befits Batman and Gotham City. Read the story carefully, and you'll see evidence of a younger Batman who makes a few mistakes, to say nothing of a very obvious de-aged Commisioner Gordon with red hair. Storywise, Daniel managed to write the beginning of a Joker story that has never been done before, leaving us with the most chilling last page (to be continued...) that I've read in some time. This will creep you out. Batman's updated armored looking costume has all the classic Batman elements and just makes plain sense given what he does. It's so great to have a Bruce Wayne as a sole Batman book again... the first of others to come.

BATGIRL #1- I'm not going to get into the contraversy of the once-Batgirl-turned paraplegic Oracle- turned into the walking fighting Batgirl again. I'm just going to deal with what we've been given. Writer Gail Simone has grown so much as a writer. I used to think of her as all flash and no substance, but she's clearly at home here and loving writing the adventures of Barbara Gordon, and it shows. There's a fun joy to the book, which somehow actually works considering the darker tone that a Bat-centric character should take, but then that's the point. Batgirl isn't Batman. Barbara is loving her mobility again, but she is clearly getting over past trauma and Simone hasn't shyed away from writing it. Artist Adrian Syaf is perfect for the book. Barbara and Batgirl both look hot (hey- comics are a fantasy)

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1- Considering that the main JL book will be set 5 years in the past for its first arc, there's a slight confusion to the need for this team, despite the explanation in the book. JLI is clearly one of those books which serves as an excuse to create a team of heroes that maybe had no other home in the DCnU. The book had little characterization and what it did have was forced and sterotypical. Aaron Lopresti's artwork was a bit inconsistent for me. Don't get me wrong, he's very good, but some pages were hyper detailed and then others not enough, and quite frankly the coloring in the book is a little too light for me, as it seemed to lack gravity. I'll be picking up at least one more issue to see where it goes and hopefully it fares better, but I haven't found the hook here yet.

GREEN ARROW #1- I have never liked GA/Oliver Queen, but this is a completely new interpretation of the man, complete with a new look and attitude in both his identities. Modern, more "hip," younger would be apt terms. I liked the book and will buy the next issue, but this opening salvo really was just standard yet adequate costumed hero fare.

STORMWATCH#1- Much to say here and "curious" may be the best word to describe this first issue. First off, there's an impending sense of something important happening and coming that leaves you wanting more, but not yet enough is revealed. There's a bit of disjointed storytelling, stemming from a writer and artist who are very good independently, but may not mesh well together. Paul Cornell is a very good writer and Miguel Sepulveda is an equally talented artist, but I get the sense that the artist may not have exactly understood what the writer was going for. Stormwatch is a team of formerly non-DC Universe members that have been folded into the post-FLASHPOINT timeline, but now with the very DC Universe Martian Manhunter as part of the organization. It's odd because you instantly think that MM is there just for the sake of having a familiar presence in this book, but he doesn't really seem like the Martian that we know. Acknowledgment is made that he was part of the Justice League, but no explanation of that is given considering the new JL origin doesn't include him. Still, if you read the final issue of FLASHPOINT and noticed that the mysterious hooded women there (who has also shown up and will continue to in all issues of the new titles in the backgrounds), you know that something big is eventually coming and STORMWATCH looks like it's going to be the central book of whatever that is.

SWAMP THING#1- The only real non-Superhero book I bought this week, but at least Superman cameos in it. I have fond memories of many excellent Swamp Thing stories, so I had to see what happens here. Intriguing to say the least. Great set-up of a story that leaves me wanting more and the exqusite layouts of artist Yanick Paquette is something to behold. Writer Scott Snyder weirded me out with a group of people in the book who do something grotesquely horrific to themselves, further accented by the talented Paquette. Defintiely a keeper for more issues!

ANIMAL MAN #1- It starts out as a superhero book with a clear emphasis on family dynamics, and then turns into a horror book. Much has been made about this book and its ending, but even while being well written by Jeff Lemire, the art by Travel Forman is scratchy and abysmally bad. And no, even with the ending, it still doesn't have enough to hook me into buying the next issue.

So, join me next week for my next set of reviews of DC's New 52!

BLACKEST NIGHT SHINES BRIGHT!

So, BLACKEST NIGHT has reached its conclusion and clearly there is much to say. If you've been reading all the internet reviews, you know that this got high marks. Well, the same goes here from me, except I'm going to give a very specific breakdown of particular incidents from the final issue that resonated with me.

First let's deal with the art of Ivan Reis. This man has become an absolutle legend for his work on this series, Every page and panel was richly detailed with flow, beauty and grace, and even horror when appropriate. The man has proved to be a modern day master of the field, eclipsing his peers like Jim Lee, Mark Silvestri, Mike Deodato, who all seem to come from the same school, but Reis blends the flow of a Neal Adams with that hyper-detail to perfection.

Now onto the conclusion and the story by Geoff Johns. First of all, much of what happened was not a surprise to me, but yet seeing it unfold was still satisfying, and yet even with my met expectations, Johns managed to slip in some unexepected happenings. Allow me to go point by point and give my thoughts.

BLACKEST NIGHT #8 began with the holdover from the previous issue with Sinestro assuming the role of the White Lantern. The concept of the White Lantern was no shock to anyone reading the series given that zombified Black Lanterns were the army of protagonists, and that all the other rainbow colored Lantern of the emotional spectrum, would combine to make white. What was assumed of course, was that Hal Jordan would be the one to become the Hero in White to save the day, not Sinestro as we saw.. at least temporarily. So Geoff Johns gave us what we knew was coming but still gave us the twist.

The next obvious expectation of the series, was that this story was going to be the springboard of resurrections of virtually every dead hero in the DC Comcs Universe. Well, we got that too.. sort of. Yes, some beloved characters returned, many we expected, and surprise.. some did not, and still with those expectations, there were quite a few momenets of "Hey, didn't see THAT coming!"

First, the Anti-Monitor is now alive and well somewhere. HOLY SHIT!! You've got to know that the being responsible for the classic CRISIS ON INFINTE EARTHS and the subsequent continuity changes of that series, is going to now resurface yet again and the results are probably going to once again shake the DCU to its core.. eventually. I'm sure that Geoff has a timely planned out story for this, one day.

Now for the other resurrections and lack therof. Maxwell Lord? Didn't see that coming either. That man is going to (or should) make Wonder Woman's life miserable considering she snapped his neck and killed him. I hope someone picks up this thread. Jade? Honestly, I didn't think she was coming back at all until James Robinson spoiled it in an interview, but I just never thought much of her as a character, so why bother? Hawk? Okay, Hank Hall is back, I can live with that, but again I don't think he's anything special. Captain Boomerang, the original has returned! Digger Harkness was always fun. Now onto Firestorm; I had the feeling that Ronald Raymond was coming back and would be fused with his predecessor Jason Rauch, and despite the fact that I got exactly what I expected, it was still a great thing to see. Martian Manhunter? C'mon, EVERYONE knew this was going to happen and I thank Goeff for erasing one of the worst stinks of the Grant Morrsion penned claptrap that was FINAL CRISIS. Hey, you gotta know that I'm always up for Morrsison bashing (more will be coming soon in another column). Of course the hero we all waited for to return was Aquaman, and Johns did not disappoint here. Arthur Curry is back and he looks great! However, Garth, Aquaman's adopted son, a.k.a. Tempest was sadly not back among the living, another story point spolied from a recent TITANS related book. Hawkman and Hawkwoman are back too, but I think we all got quite the little surprise when Hawkwoman removed her helmet and was revealed to be Shiera, and not Kendra. THAT , I absolutley did not expect and was ecstatic when I saw it. Credit to Geoff Johns for making me so happy to see a character that I haven't given much thought to ever seeing again. That's the mark of a good writer; one who can make you care where you ordinarily wouldn't. Another shocker came when Boston Brand, also known as Deadman, is no longer dead! What this means for the character who is SUPPOSED to be dead and his ties to the spiritual world remains to be seen (most likely in the upcoming follow-up series BRIGHTEST DAY). Again, didn't see that coming either. One sad note... Ralph and Sue Dibny did not make it back to the land of the living, which I'm sure was another of the expected resurrections, so Johns has indeed surprised us amidst all the obvious conclusions.

In finality, for those who think the event comic has been over done, Goeff Johns, Ivan Reis and DC Comics proved that if the idea is indeed good, BRING ON THE EVENT!

"WETTING" The Appetite!

So, what are the commonalities between Phoenix and Aquaman other than their orange/green/yellow color scheme? They've both been killed and resurrected before. DC Comics has just released this beaut of a teaser image; the cover of BRIGHTEST DAY #2, drawn by the newly DC exclusive David Finch! Okay, we saw this coming if we've been reading BLACKEST NIGHT. Writer Geoff Johns, who seems to be able to single-handedly restore the best elements of DC's heroes, set up the perfect way of resurrecting dead heroes (and maybe villains) with BN, establishing a greater story behind the death and revivals of various characters. Hopefully DC will have learned a lesson and REALLY think several times before killing off another character. I've said this before, but there's no more drama to be had in the dying of a hero; it's been done to death (pun intended) and it never sticks anyway. Johns will also be writing the new 26 issue maxi-series, BRIGHTEST DAY, which will be a story about second chances for many characters, Aquaman chief among them as has been hinted. Aquaman has sometimes been the butt of jokes when it comes to heroes, but if you've ever read any of his stories, they have been deadly serious and ahead of their time. He's been married before heroes got married. He became a father before other heroes had children. His son was killed by his arch-rival Black Manta, in an era before villains ever did that kind of thing with any regularity. He cheated on his estranged wife when heroes never did that. He had his hand cut off. He decalred war on the fictional nation of Cerdia and became its de-facto ruler. He helped an entire section of San Diego deal with becoming mutated water breathers as their town sank into the ocean. What the hell is so funny about any of this? This is a great character with a great history, that I'm hoping that Geoff Johns will utilize and make popular in the same fashion that he did with Green lantern and Flash. If anyone can do it, Johns can, and I for one can't wait! Take another look at the drawing. His classic look is back too! LONG LIVE THE KING!

Is there Hope for Jean Grey?

If you've been reading Marvel's "X-books" for the last couple of years, particularly the "Messiah Complex" storyline and the subsequent issues, you'll know that there's a little "red-headed stepchild" floating arpound the X-verse that bears a suspicious resemblance to none other than Phoenix.

Let's backtrack a bit to the horrendous end of Grant Morrison's run on NEW X-MEN where the "superstar" writer (read that as "over-inflated hack"), in a burst of originality (sarcasm), decided to kill Jean Grey/Phoenix for the umpteenth time.

Then jump ahead a couple of years where the Scarlet Witch goes all "Dark Phoenix" on us and manages to alter humanity so that no more mutants will be born. However, being that Phoenix is a creature of resurrection, a mysterious mutant baby girl was indeed born, to parents we have never seen; a baby girl with the same hair and eye color of Jean Grey who also managed to grab Cyclops' locket, which contained a picture of Scott and Jean, signifying an important connection. Hopefully this isn't a "red herring." Scott silently acknowledges that this child must be protected, as it has been revealed that she may either be mankind's savior or destroyer, depending on which alternate timeline you come from, and he sends the baby girl into the future with Cable (who oddly enough may be Jean's son from an alternate timeline).

So, Cable has now been with the red-haired girl for what appears to be 17 years and the child named "Hope" looks exactly like Jean Grey. In fact as a child the Phoenix raptor was seen in her eyes in one panel of CABLE, and now "Hope" has manifested telekenetic abilities.

In the "present" day, Emma Frost had a vision of Jean/Phoenix returning, and the last we actually saw of Jean was in PHOENIX: ENDSONG, where Jean disappeared from existence, supposedly to reconstitute all her parts in what is called the "White Hot Room," which is a label for the existentialist crap that Grant Morrison named as the place where Jean awaits resurrection. Ah but... Jean has now become the White Phoenix, a complete amalgamation of human host and Phoenix force, no longer seperate entities.

Is being reborn as an infant, growing to full maturity and then manifesting the Phoenix raptor, the last stage of the Phoenix, signalling the return of Jean Grey once and for all, or is Hope a character that is misleading all of us?

Phoenix is arguably Marvel Comics' only iconic female character and second in X-Men popularity, only to Wolverine. In fact, CBR just voted "The Dark Phoenix Saga" the second most important storyline in comics, right behind WATCHMEN.

Marvel better not be playing with us with their hints about Jean's return as Phoenix this coming March, 2010. We had better be seeing Hope actually being a stage of the Phoenix, with Jean's memory and history fully restored! After that, take her out of the X-Men, give her a comic of her own, have her join the Avengers, and NEVER KILL HER OFF AGAIN!

LONG LIVE PHOENIX!