52 Week Thirty-Six
DC Comics
Writers: Morrison, Waid, Rucka, Johns
Artists: Giffen & Igle
This week’s edition of 52 gives readers quite a few emotionally powerful moments. Lobo finally loses his temper. Renee actually decides to do something. Osiris has to deal with his first metahuman mistake. And we find out where Rip Hunter has been all this time. It’s a lot of far flung action (space, Kandaq, Kandor) and it keeps the momentum on the upswing, as it has been for the last few weeks. This book answers a few questions while opening even more, one of the strengths and hallmarks of the series.
Score: B
Green Arrow #70
DC Comics
Writer: Judd Winick
Artist: Scott McDaniel
This is a great, entertaining, action packed, well-written issue. Winick’s Green Arrow has been more of a ride than a sermon and the result is a dramatic improvement in quality. The Gotham guest stars (Batman, Jason Todd) act themselves and propel the plot along without it feeling forced. The relative rookie (Speedy) says something that the fans have been mulling over a while, but could never point out directly, with hilarious results. The Red Hood’s initial interplay with Brick, Star City’s near indestructible street boss, was also well done; it proves just how well Jason has perverted his mentor’s proclivity for intelligent planning and contingency plans. And if Scott McDaniel drawing Batman, Green Arrow, and the Red Hood in the same book doesn’t work for you, you’re probably dead.
Score: A
Green Lantern Corps #8
DC Comics
Writer: Keith Champagne
Artist: Patrick Gleason
In this issue- everybody dies! Well no, that’d be silly. They can’t kill off a whole expedition team right? I know there are readers out there that hate the white moon boots off Guy Gardner, and that’s all well and good, but he’s not gonna cash in his chips during a covert mission gone wrong, okay? Well, this issue sure looks like that. Beyond the extremely bleak plot developments, this is a great issue. We get into the heads of the two newer lanterns, the Dominators, and the two enhanced villains. There are well-realized alien landscapes and heroics, and even a foreshadowing or two. This issue would’ve been much less fun without Gleason at the helm, one of the few artists around who can do spectacular alien vistas and believable human figures (his Guy is cool without being dorky looking). When this title is firing on all cylinders, it’s the best Green Lantern book around.
Score: A
JSA #2
DC Comics
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Dale Eaglesham
This arc appears to be a return to form for the JSA franchise. There are nods to previous characters and stories, intelligently drawn three-dimensional characters, thrills, pathos, the whole lot. Eaglesham’s pencils look amazing despite the huge cast (which includes a few brand new folks) and his lack of previous experience with most of the characters. If this arc has one noticeable flaw thus far it probably involves the short lifespan of its point-of-view narrators. Mr. America lasted almost one issue and the current best possible candidate for Commander Steel appears to be a sitting duck! This is going to be a rough arc to start the series with, but Johns usually delivers when the going gets tough.
Score: B
Martian Manhunter #6
DC Comics
Writer: A.J. Lieberman
Artist: Al Barrioneuvo
The three quarter mark has passed in this thriller and most of the rabbits are out of their respective hats. The Martians aren’t exactly what they seemed. The covert agency faces either demolition or exposure. And J’onn is caught in the middle of it all. It still doesn’t really feel like a compelling story, it’s too diffuse and there are too many separate threads late in the tale, but it’s not your average superhero street brawl either. And any comic that manages a guest appearance by Alfred Pennyworth ought to be given the benefit of the doubt.
Score: C+
OMAC #7
DC Comics
Writer: Bruce Jones
Artist: Renato Guedes
This segment of OMAC relies a bit too heavily on something that occurred in the last two installments, unreliable narration. This is one of those examples of going to the same well too often. It’s not that the trick makes the tale either incomprehensible or too predictable, it’s just the once too often. Also, some of the things that actually happen off screen would have been equally, if not more, impressive than what readers got to see that never did take place. Still, the characterization, twists, and realistic art style make it an enjoyable if frustrating read.
Score: B-
Outsiders #44
DC Comics
Writer: Judd Winick
Artist: Carlo Barberi
Johnny Carson said the secret of comedy was timing. Sometimes, the secret to a good story is as well. The unexpected twist, the right line of dialogue during crisis, even the properly placed splash panel can make a comic so much better. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true. Destruction of momentum can sink a story, even if it is brimming with potential. This issue of Outsiders pretty much obliterates the fun momentum the title had over the last six or so months despite a guest appearance by the Red Hood (who is also appearing in Winick’s other book released this week). Two things derail this tale. First, the complete alteration of the art team is not for the better. Second, the story itself is both out of joint with the imprint’s continuity, as it focuses on the OYL gap long after most titles have dealt with it, and the previous issue, which also contained an extended sequence where members of the team fought a villain who merely wanted to speak to them. There’s just too much going on here that feels like a rewrite or a do over to enjoy the book’s actual interesting moments.
Score: C-
Thunderbolts #110
Marvel Comics
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Mike Deodato, Jr.
So Civil War has completely corrupted another one of the few Marvel titles I read. Nuts. Gone is the scheming by Zemo, the sense of humor, the nigh mandatory final page twist, the mainstream bright art. In its place, readers receive a grim and gritty political allegory with a side of shadowy, moody art. It has potential, much more than the universally reviled Fight Club style reboot, but it’s just so different that it borders on becoming a book that should exist under a different title with different lead characters. Because it still contains at least two of my favorite T’bolts (Songbird and Moonstone) as well as a few of the most explosive villains in the Marvel Universe (Bullseye, Venom) a wait and see attitude seems apropos. But, it’s difficult not to miss the old team and its adventurous and Machiavellian antics.
Score: B-
