Batman: The Dark Knight #1 $3.99
Art by DAVID FINCH & SCOTT WILLIAMS
Cover by DAVID FINCH
1:25 Variant cover by ANDY CLARKE
1:200 Sketch variant cover by DAVID FINCH
Comics superstar David Finch takes full creative control (both writing and illustrating!) on this brand-new Batman monthly series! Joined by the best of the best – Scott Williams – on inks, this new series is sure to be on everyone's must-read pile! Delving into the more supernatural and esoteric areas of Gotham City, the 6-part storyline explores the horrific murder of one of Bruce Wayne's childhood friends…and the terrible ramifications the brutal crime has on Batman's life!
OK, so...this sounds like a classic, straight-up Batman story. No Batman, Inc., no Damian Wayne, no Multiple Batmen...
Somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming.
I'm picking up this issue on a "test" basis, because, as with any new series, you never really know what you're gonna get. Finch is also, as far as I know, kind of an unknown quantity as far as writing. Lovely artist, to be sure. Kinda wish they'd have paired him with Dini, or some other solid writer.
Still counting the days/weeks/months until this Batman, Incorporated thing blows over. Yes, despite the fact I'm actually enjoying the Batman, Incorporated title, so far.
Detective Comics #872 $3.99
Art and cover by JOCK
Co-feature art by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
Continuing the new series direction from the writer Scott Snyder (AMERICAN VAMPIRE) and artist Jock (THE LOSERS)! A series of disturbing clues brings Batman face-to-face with Gotham City's dark past and deadly present. Plus, Jim Gordon continues a harrowing search to uncover the truth about a frightening figure from his own past. . . Be here for part 2 of "The Black Mirror."
Speaking of unknown quantities, I was a total novice to Scott Snyder and Jock when I picked up the last issue of Detective. Loved it. I'm quite excited to see where "The Black Mirror" goes.
Also, as I've said...really excited to see Jim Gordon get a back-up feature.
The Flash #8 $2.99
Art and cover by SCOTT KOLINS
1:10 Variant cover by STANLEY "ARTGERM" LAU
"Reverse Flash Rebirth!" In this FLASHPOINT prelude, don't miss the epic telling of the origin of Barry Allen's greatest foe, Professor Zoom! Eobard Thawne's story is just beginning — and he intends to finish it with The Flash!
Ah, Scott Kolins, I have missed your Flash artwork. Can you stay forever?
Still kinda bored with this series, but sticking with it because I'm a lifelong Flash fan. Of course, yes, I miss Wally. I'm also really skittish about this whole "Flashpoint" thing. The last thing we need right now is another damn event/crossover that doesn't really take off, or worse, just dies on the vine.
**cough**Brightest Day**cough**
There are times when I feel like Geoff Johns is pulled way too thin these days. Green Lantern still works, but Brightest Day is on life support, and this title hasn't found it's feet. I mean, the guy's increasingly the one DC turns to on, well, everything. And he's a Creative VP of some sort. Not to mention being attached to several TV and film projects.
At the end of the day, I just want a great Flash series. This ain't it...yet.
Green Lantern #61 $2.99
Art and cover by DOUG MAHNKE & CHRISTIAN ALAMY
1:10 Variant cover by ALEX GARNER
BRIGHTEST DAY continues with the revelation of the identity of the cloaked figure that's been collecting the Emotional Spectrum Entities! But how does its end goal involve the Butcher, the personification of rage? Plus, another being seeks the red entity – The Spectre! And he has no patience with his former host Hal Jordan, who happens to be in the way…
OK, so, yes...Green Lantern is consistently good. Solid storytelling, and, honestly, this is the only place where I feel like Brightest Day is gaining momentum.
That said...
(You could feel the "but" coming, couldn't you?)
Spectre? Parallax? Again? Green Lantern: Rebirth and The Sinsetro Corps War weren't that long ago. I mean, yeah, I get it, villains return, and the plots get recycled, but is anyone else noticing that all of these events coming out of John's Green Lantern kettle tend to pound on the same elements over and over. Oh, sure, new wrinkles are added, the spectrum of corps, the different entities that embody them, but I am going to be glad when, at some point, we just get a good, old fashioned outer-space police story again.
Captain America #613 $3.99
Artist: Marko Djurdjevic
Penciller: Filipe Andrade, BUTCH GUICE
It's the penultimate issue of the Trial of Captain America, and Bucky Barnes future hangs in the balance as evidence of the Winter Soldier's crimes comes to light. Brought to you by the hit creative team of Ed Brubaker & Butch Guice!
I have loved Ed Brubaker's work on this title. He's pulled it off far more than failed. My gripe has never been with execution, but with direction. Yes, I am ready for the return of Steve Rogers as Captain America. I'm actually very excited to see how this storyline wraps up, because I think it's heading for the end of the Bucky Barnes era as Captain America.
Again, like the character, enjoy how he's been handled, just ready to get back to the real deal. I might not feel the same way if Captain America: Rebirth hadn't been one of Brubaker's big failures. Nay, HUGE.Yeah, we got Steve back, but it didn't feel earned, or, if I'm being brutally honest, at all interesting.
Look, Marvel, Joey Q, Kevin Feige, whoever, we KNOW you'll have Steve back in the costume by the time the movie opens in July. It'll probably even be the new movie costume. The "House of Ideas" has become the "Hose of Corporate Synergy," we all understand this. Hell, I even respect it a bit.
All I'm asking is, give Bucky a good send off, and get the right guy back into the flag suit.
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