OMAC Project IC Special #1 
DC Comics
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Jesus Saiz
This issue wraps up the ongoing menace that was Brother Eye. The satellite was downed in Infinite Crisis #6 and this special focuses on the machine’s last gasp attempt to survive the crash. Naturally, everyone’s favorite half-OMAC Sasha Bordeaux, is involved in the denouement. The story also serves as a bridge from the previous OMAC Project mini-series to the upcoming Checkmate ongoing series, so there’s a whole lot of government intrigue involved. It’s an exciting and slightly rushed story. The point of view used (a combination of OMAC tech-speak with intentional errors and Sasha’s thoughts) helps add depth and sell the tale. However, there are just too many bitter Infinite Crisis aspects in this book to call it a great satisfying read. There’s an unnecessary death of a character, himself just introduced just this issue. The book even has that stupid little box about its timeline in regards to IC; I hate having to go read a book I was less interested in (see: Infinite Crisis #6) for fear of misunderstanding something in the book I was already reading.
Score: B
Batman Detective Comics #817 (Small Image Optional)
DC Comics
Writer: James Robinson
Artist: Leonard Kirk, Andy Clarke
No, that’s not a misprint. I’m reviewing an issue a month behind. I swear it’s not my fault. The creative team behind this arc, combined with the OYL hype, combined with what is shaping up to be a great story makes these issues scarce. The story begins with Commissioner Gordon waking up in Gotham, back at his old job. He finally gets a legitimate reason to use the Bat-signal and when Batman answers after a yearlong hiatus, the tone of the book (which includes the murder of a B-list villain) just shines. This story seems to simultaneously be a return to form combined with a shove in the forward direction. The art is moody, specific, and all-around wonderful with the obvious exception of the new Robin outfit (ugly!). There’s no downside to this book except its rarity.
Score: A
JSA #84
DC Comics
Writer: Paul Levitz
Artist: Rags Morales/Luke Ross
Who’s the ghost with the most? Technically, it’s Beetlejuice. If you needed a dandy, monocle-wearing, ex-pickpocket instead of a bio-exorcist, this OYL arc of JSA certainly is making the case for Jim Craddock, the Gentleman Ghost. He seems intent on murdering some Justice Society heroes in order to regain his own life. Unfortunately, he can’t do it just anywhere or anytime; they need to be in a specific castle, and it must be one massive hit. This and the previous chapter of the arc have entailed manipulating the JSA by literally confronting each member with ghosts from their respective pasts. The method of manipulation isn’t really that original, but each specter has been adding to the back story and character of each attacked member. Combine those assaults with flashbacks to Craddock’s formative years, and this story certainly packs a lot of plot “punch”. I can’t really say Craddock has become interesting and threatening yet, but the story moves along with the help of excellent Rags Morales art, so things could be much worse.
Score: B
Infinite Crisis #6
DC Comics
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Jiminez, Ordway, Perez, Reis
This is the penultimate chapter of DC’s mega-arc and while it suffers from being too alike to its predecessors in its annoying details (throwaway deaths, an excess of Supermen, and lots of worlds that don’t ultimately factor into anything) there are many small character moments and one big ending revelation make this issue worthwhile en totale. Little bits of dialogue and turns of phrase given to characters like Green Lantern, Black Adam, Mister Terrific, Black Lightning, Batman, and even Green Arrow give this piece of the Crisis brains and heart that could not be found in the first five parts due to an overabundance of spectacle, homage, and redundant characters. This really is the crisis that readers were promised, and the one mainstream death that happens is well executed and resonant. It’s a shame the crossover took this long to deliver on its promise. The multiple artists do produce a choppy effect from interlude to interlude, but given the reality hopping motif throughout this tale, it’s probably intentional. The presentation of this issue could’ve been improved if each artist had injected more mood into their respective scenes, separating each locale, group, and universe thematically would have framed things in a less muddled fashion.
Score: B
