New Comic Day 3.31.2010

After a couple of "deeper" blogs, it's back to the ennui....

Medium week this time around, 4 titles.

Blackest Night #8

Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and Cover by IVAN REIS
OCLAIR ALBERT and JOE PRADO
1:25 Variant Cover by RODOLFO MIGLIARI
1:100 Sketch variant Cover by IVAN REIS

The extra-sized conclusion to the most talked-about event in comics is here, and the results will change the course of the DC Universe for years to come. Earth has become the final battleground for life versus death, but how will our heroes fight back against the darkness of sentient space itself? And what does the future hold for Green Lantern, The Flash and the rest of the world's greatest heroes and villains? Find out here as the stage is set for the next epic era of DC Comics!

Well, I think Blackest Night, as a crossover event, was a pretty successful project. It didn't get too sprawling for it's own good, and it also didn't feel like an apology for 10 years of bad choices. **cough**Siege**cough** that said, I'm really to move on and see what Brightest Day will bring us. Particularly because it feel like a whole-line effort, and that means far more self-contained stories tying to the larger tapestry. Much easier to follow.

OHHHH...More variant covers!! **FACEPALM**

Didn't we learn anything from the 90's?

Detective Comics #863

Written by GREG RUCKA
Art by JOCK
Co-feature Art by CULLY HAMNER
Cover by JH WILLIAMS III

When Batman and Batwoman each face off against a knife-wielding killer, they soon find themselves working different sides of the same case. But will they arrive in time to rescue the missing girl and stop the killer from claiming another victim? Things do not end well in "Cutter" Part 3.

And in The Question, the mastermind behind the human trafficking ring and the gunrunning scheme is finally revealed, and The Question and the Huntress find themselves in the fight of their lives.

Rucka is really kicking it with this title, he's been waiting a long time to do an ongoing with Batwoman, and he's really hitting all the right notes. I'm really hoping DC continues to find a place for a Rucka-penned Batwoman title once we hit "The Return of Bruce Wayne" this summer.

Gotham City Sirens #10

Written by PAUL DINI
Art and Cover by GUILLEM MARCH

Is The Riddler friend or foe? One thing's for sure – he definitely isn't making life easy for Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn!

Ok, I keep saying it, but this time I mean it...I AM DROPPING THIS TITLE. I will probably not even pick up this issue. I kept waiting for Dini to really kick it in and get me wrapped up in the girl's story...He's certainly been on the ball over on Batman: Streets of Gotham. Alas, I can't wait anymore. The new Flash series is starting soon, and I need to clear some slots in the pull list. This and Power Girl, once Palmiotti, Gray and Amanda Conner move on, are the obvious choices.

Justice League of America #43

Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by MARK BAGLEY and ROB HUNTER
1:25 Variant Cover by MIKE MAYHEW

Following the decision that occurred in JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE and the events of JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE RISE AND FALL SPECIAL #1, the World's Greatest Heroes must come to terms with who they are and what they represent. Meanwhile, an all-new danger threatens the existence of everything past and present in the exciting finale of "Team History."

I'm buying this for Bagley's art, as I think I've said before. It's worth my money for that, but man...Between the Cry For Justice stillbirth, and what they're trying to do with Green Arrow, Robinson has pretty much written himself into a place where I'm only concerned for the art.

Come on, guys, this ought to be a flagship title, why does it feel like sloppy seconds?

New Comic Day 12.2.2009

Pretty light week...thank God, because last week was huge.

Blackest Night: The Flash #1 (of 3)

Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Scott Kolins
Variant cover by Francis Manapul

Ahh...Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins back on The Flash. I have a gut feeling this is going to outshine Flash:Rebirth.

Jonah Hex #50

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art and Covers by Darwyn Cooke

I so love this series, and I'm dead-excited to have Darwyn Cooke back on the art.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #5

COVER BY: DAVID LAFUENTE
WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: DAVID LAFUENTE
INKS: David Lafuente Garcia
COLORED BY: Justin Ponsor
LETTERED BY: VC - Cory Petit

The ONLY Spider-Man book worth reading. I'm dead serious on that.

The Comic Day from Hell 11.25.2009

Huge week, and I won't be able to pick it up until next Wednesday, most likely.

Annoying.

Frankly, I am in a really poor mood today, and I really don't have much of anything to say about these books. I'll buy them, I'll read them.

Blackest Night #5 (of 8)

Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert
Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari
Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert

Detective Comics #859

Written by Greg Rucka
Art by JH Williams III
Co-feature art by Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams III
Variant cover by Jock

Gotham City Sirens #6

Written by Paul Dini
Art and cover by Guillem March

Green Lantern #48

Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy
Variant cover by Rags Morales

Justice League: Cry for Justice #5 (of 7)

Written by James Robinson
Art and cover by Mauro Cascioli

Justice League of America #39

Written by James Robinson
Art and cover by Mark Bagley

Superman: Secret Origin #3 (of 6)

Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank and Jon Sibal
Covers by Gary Frank

Ultimate comics Avengers #4

COVER BY: Carlos Pacheco
WRITER: Mark Millar
PENCILS: Carlos Pacheco
INKS: Dexter Vines
COLORED BY: Justin Ponsor
LETTERED BY: VC - Cory Petit

New Comic Wednesday 10.28.2009

Well, two light weeks mean...heavy week on the way.

And it's here.

Ambush Bug: Year None #7 (of 6)

Written by Keith Giffen and Robert Loren Fleming
Art by Keith Giffen and Al Milgrom
Cover by Darwyn Cooke

Ahh, FINALLY! I've been waiting for this bugger to wrap up for, God, has it been half a year? More? Was the delay a intended part of the scathing satire of modern comics that is the whole point of the series? "Whatever Happened to AMBUSH BUG YEAR NONE #6?" will hopefully answer those questions.

Batman #692

Written by Tony Daniel
Art by Tony Daniel and Sandu Florea
Cover by Tony Daniel

Tony Daniel comes back to the fold after writing and providing art for The Battle for the Cowl, a mini-series which, while not terrible, didn't blow up my skirt by any reach of the imagination. I had liked what the Judd Winick/Mark Bagly team had brought to the table quite a bit, but I'll let Daniel take a run. It's not like I'm dropping this book.

Blackest Night #4 (of 8)

Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert
Variant cover by Ethan Van Sciver
Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis

"Variant cover," sketch variant cover".....**SHIVER** Thank God Geoff John's writing is solid enough to hold up under the marketing machine. The pieces of this puzzle are starting to fit, with the introduction of the Indigo Lanterns and the revelations that the Black Lanterns aren't REALLY our favorite characters revived. That said, this is where "secrets are revealed," and I really do not want Johns to drop the ball.

Detective Comics #858

Written by Greg Rucka
Art by JH Williams III
co-feature art by Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams III
Variant cover by Adam Hughes

A Batman title with no Batman? (well, none of them have "BATMAN" at this point.) This is the one that's working on all cylinders at this point. The Batwoman lead feature is well written with, flat-out, amazing art, and the Question back-up feature is kicking ass, as well. A rare title where a $3.99 price tag doesn't phase me at all.

Gotham City Sirens #5

Written by Paul Dini
Art and cover by Guillem March

I keep saying I'm going to drop this book, but I keep buying it. Right now, it's the only regular series Dini is writing. So, I suppose that's a reason. It is attempting to tie-in with the main Bat-storyline, but the series seems so far out on the edge of everything, I have to struggle to care. March can draw ladies real nice, I admit.

Green Lantern #47

Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy
Variant cover by Ed Benes

I always wonder how an artist like Mahnke can stay pretty much on schedule for a monthly book like Green Lantern, while, say Ethan Van Sciver seems to slip further and further behind on Flash:Rebirth? (Maybe it has something to do with Van Sciver's constant Facebook complaints about Obama?) I love the Pretty Indigo Lantern cover, and as in the Blackest Night rundown above, the story is working for me. Go Geoff Johns, Go!

Superman: Secret Origin #2 (of 6)

Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank and Jon Sibal
Covers by Gary Frank

I picked up the first issue out of a sense of curiosity, and a respect for the creators. The first issue was fun enough to warrant a second. However, it just keeps nagging at me...Do we need ANOTHER re-telling of the Superman origin? Also, did DC just plan to put out all of Geoff Johns' series in one week? Are you trying to bankrupt me?

Ultimate Comics Avengers #3

COVER BY: Carlos Pacheco
WRITER: Mark Millar
PENCILS: Carlos Pacheco
INKS: Danny Miki|Dexter Vines
COLORED BY: Justin Ponsor
LETTERED BY: VC - Cory Petit

What's happening in this book again? Something to do with a new super-team, after the Ultimatum cock-up, that's "under the radar?" Oh yeah, and Ultimate Red Skull...THAT'S why I'm reading!

One final thought:

Here's a question I'd like to ask Joey Quesada over at marvel...How come you can't put out a decent Fantastic Four book? I WANT to buy a Fantastic Four book...I'm dying to. Benjamin J. Grimm is an almost perfect creation. Why has it sucked since YOU fired Mark Waid and (God rest his soul) Mike Weringo?!?

New Comic Day 10.14.2009

Ah, here we are again, my friends...Looks like another blessedly "light" week.

Batman #691

Written by Judd Winick
Art by Mark Bagley and Rob Hunter
Cover by Tony Daniel

Winick and Bagley's last issue, then Tony Daniel comes back in doing double duty, writing and art. I've liked this story, with Two-Face (my favorite Batman villain) taking an interest in what, exactly is going on with Batman. Winick can be rather annoying and pedantic, but I've always enjoyed his Batman tales. I always hate to see Bagley go, but he's off to JLA, so I'm ok with it.

Blackest Night: Batman #3

Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Ardian Syaf and John Dell
Cover by Andy Kubert
Variant cover by Bill Sienkiewicz

I generally run like mad from event series tie-ins. However, the first two issues of this mini were staring up at me, and I found it interesting at a glance, so I picked them up. Glad I did. Tomasi has crafted a tight little story of how the rising dead has impacted upon Gotham City. He's hit the right notes with the reactions of Alfred, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake and the rest of the Batman "family" to the apparent theft of Bruce Wayne's body.

Red Robin #5

Written by Chris Yost
Art by Ramon Bachs
Cover by Francis Manapul

Still the "odd man out" of the Batman line. I gotta say, the idea that Tim Drake is teamed up with Ra's Al Guhl to search from Bruce Wayne is pretty friggin' genius. I still enjoy Tim as a character, and this never gets too far out of character to justify the series, which is great. I still waiver on it, mainly because it is way out in left field, but I think I'll hang in.

New Comic Wednesday

Perhaps I ought to be clear...I don't always get my books on Wednesday. This week, for example, I'll be putting it off until Friday or Saturday, most likely. However, this is the release day, when nerds all over the US stumble into their local comic shops and plunk down their greenbacks for their overpriced graphic storytelling pamphlets of choice. Hence, a good day to go over MY particular pamphlets of choice...

So we begin.

Batman & Robin #4

Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Philip Tan and Jonathan Glapion
Cover by Frank Quitely
Variant cover by Philip Tan

Frank Quitely's speed as an artist means, frankly, he can't keep up on a monthly book. So, smartly, this title has been designed to change artists from arc to arc in order to maintain the schedule. Why don't more companies/editors/titles see the smarts in this? I'm not advocating replacing artists on mini-series or special events, but how about a little planning and forethought, guys?

Anyway, I'm quite fond of this title. This current run with former Robin Dick Grayson replacing the presumed dead Bruce Wayne, with Wayne's illegitimate son, Damian, as Robin (and that's the last time I'm recapping that in this blog) has been working wonderfully. This is especially true with Frank Morrison's writing. I was never very happy with Morrison's take on Bruce Wayne, which seemed way too odd, flat-out insane at time. However, this new tone with Dick behind the cowl is working just fine. I'm excited to see what Philip Tan will do with it.

Batman: Streets of Gotham #4

Written by Paul Dini
Co-feature written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs
Co-feature art by Jeremy Haun
Cover by Dustin Nguyen

I love Paul Dini. One need only play the recently released Batman: Arkham Asylum video game to see that the man has an extremely firm grasp on The Batman and his world. He's a master storyteller. However, unlike Morrison, I feel like Dini is far more comfortable with Bruce Wayne behind the cowl. Dini's work since the presumed death of Wayne, in this title and Gotham City Sirens, has been less focused and sharp. I don't think he could write a bad story, but I think we're not seeing the best he can be right now. I don't think I'd drop this title, but the $3.99 price tag doesn't help matters.

Blackest Night #3 (of 8)

Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert
Variant cover by Ethan Van Sciver

I love Geoff John's work. He's clearly become a favorite over at DC editorial, and he's earned their respect and trust with sharp, economic tales that are packed with lots of widescreen action. This particular "event" mini-series has been building for a long, long time in the Green Lantern titles, and while the general tenor and content of the event is not surprising, I have to say, I, personally, am a little underwhelmed. It's a great book, good writing, good art, well paced, but, essentially it's a huge intergalactic zombie invasion story. I, unfortunately, have never been a fan of zombie stories in any form. That's MY block, and I fully admit it's a great series, just not my cup of tea.

Brave and Bold #27

Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art and cover by Jesus Saiz

Ah, now this is old-school comics. An old-fashioned team-up book. This will be the first issue with writer J. Michael Straczynski, who's announced his intention to use the most obscure DC charaters he can find in this book. Starting here with "Dial H for H-E-R-O," I won't even try to explain. Really looking forward to "Brother Power the Geek" in two months. Series like this often don't last long, as there is not ongoing character to be a draw month-to-month. (That's why Batman was a permanent co-star in the 80's version of Brave and Bold) I have every issue of this run, and while it's not always perfect, I usually enjoy something about each issue.

Wednesday Comics #11 (of 12)

Various Writers and Artists

My feeling remain unchanged on this series. You can read what I've written in the past. However, I am REALLY looking forward to this run ending, and not having a weekly book to buy. It's quite a drain. Before this, I religiously bought and read Trinity, DC's prior weekly book, but between 52 issues of that, and 12 of this...I could use a break.

Captain America: Reborn #3 (of 5)

Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Bryan Hitch and Jackson Guice
Cover by Bryan Hitch

Ahh, well DC is bringing the Barry Allen Flash back to life, or has. So, Marvel is bringing back the Steve Rogers Captain America, y'know, the guy they made such a big fuss about killing about 2 years ago? That doesn't bother me, really, it's comic books. What does bother me, slightly, is the way it's being done. Ed Brubaker's Captain America run has been one of big, but generally realistic stories. The focus has been with over-the-top spy action, not unlike a James Bond movie or the old Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D comic series. To have Steve Rogers "unstuck in time," and reliving events of his past seems...a little too sci-fi for what we've seen before. I admit, I have no idea how Brubaker will wrap this up, so he may address that concern.