Skitch’s Mini Reviews – Week of November 16, 2011

Capsules, Reviews, Top Story

Justice League #3 – Justice League continues to be an excellent flagship title for “the new 52.” Yes, I would love for this book to move much faster, and I would love to see it explore what is new about the 52 in a more direct manner. That said, the art is gorgeous, and the characterizations of DC’s big characters has been terrific. This was the book I was most excited to read this week, and I definitely wasn’t disappointed.

Blue Beetle #3 – This first arc probably was one issue too long. I really felt like they were dragging things out a little too long here. Really looking forward to seeing where this comic goes from here now that all the set up seems out of the way.

DC Universe Presents #3 – Deadman is a bit of as dick in the new 52. I am amazed by how selfish he is in DCU Presents. In a lot of ways, this book reminds me of Kevin Smith’s Dogma, which is not a bad thing. I really can’t see this arc ending well for Boston. He is making a lot of very powerful enemies.

Young Justice #10 – I kind of thought this issue was a letdown. Last issue built up a really good mystery story, and the resolution felt out there at times. Almost like a cheat. Also, the end said to be continued, but the next issue starts a Robin and Batman story, so I am curious when Captain Atom will find out the truth about the conspiracy against him.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #2 – Huge improvement from the first issue. I really hadn’t had much interest in Jason Todd before this issue, but seeing his back story really changed my mind. Not much happened to move the story forward in this issue, but I thought the characterization was solid, and it definitely made me glad I stuck with the series.

Nightwing #2 – This comic took some really crazy turns! A villain who knows all about Nightwing’s secret identity and his “extended” family (and considers Grayson a dangerous mass murderer). Dick being given control over Haly’s Circus. I am going to start pushing for a raise at work, just so I can afford to buy Nightwing the day off release. It is by far my favorite book that I wait to buy.

Green Lantern Corps #2 – I have heard a lot of people down on GLC, but I’m not sure why. It really just continues from how GLC was before Relaunch, which I loved. And I still love here. It’s not all that ground-breaking, and sometimes GLC seems to keep diving into the same story well (powerful force with epic grudge towards GLC kills a bunch of low level Green Lanterns in a horrific way), but I have enjoyed this formula.

Legion of Superheroes #2 – I liked this issue better than the first one, but Legion still isn’t really blowing me away. Real shame, I was looking forward to getting back into Legion. I don’t hate this book, but I just feel like I’m going through the motions buying this one. If I needed to drop one comic, it would likely be this one.

Catwoman #2 – OH NO! Catwoman is in her bra and panties again. My poor fragile little mind. This was a real solid issue. I was surprised by how Catwoman seemed to set up a pretty wicked gang war there. And the end was pretty unexpected and brutal.

Birds of Prey #2 – Another really good issue of Birds of Prey. I really like this team (though the “surprise” at the end of the second issue was spoiled by the team shots on the covers), and I am happy to hear that Barbara will be joining up. I don’t necessarily love her as Batgirl, but I always like her and Black Canary working together.

Warehouse 13 #1-2 (on sale 99 cents each) – The art on this book was terrific! Ben Morse really has the look of these characters down perfect. I love that each issue so far has been stand alone, but part of a bigger story. It looks and feels exactly like the TV series. I am glad Dynamite put these on sale for a buck each. I definitely will buy the rest of this five issue miniseries.

DC Comics Presents #26 (First New Teen Titans) – I picked up a bunch of New Teen Titans stories from the Teen Titans 101 sale. I didn’t realize that this was only a 15 page preview of New Teen Titans tucked in this comic. The Teen Titans story was just okay (there was a lot of story squeezed in those 15 pages, and even knowing these characters I felt a little lost), but I really enjoyed the Superman/Green Lantern lead story, and the really bizarre Sargon the Sorcerer back up story. I love these quirky DC anthology series, and hope that they make more of them available digitally and cheap!

Mike Maillaro is a lifelong Jersey Boy and geek. Mike has been a comic fan for about 30 years from when his mom used to buy him Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Adventures at our local newsstand. Thanks, Mom!! Mike's goal is to bring more positivity to the discussion of comics and pop culture.