The following is a simulblog. You can read about this week’s new DC Genesis from Josh Toulouse’s Fat-Train here, and from Justin Tiemeyer’s Caveman-Go here. It is possible, however unlikely, that Arthur the Lesser will have something to say as well. Here are the links to Week Zero, Week One, Week Two, and Week Three, with links to the others as well.
This is the fourth and final week that we did reviews, and you know I am running out of steam because some #2 issues have come out already and I have just now posted on the last round of #1s. Still, to be fair to myself, I had the flu last week. At any rate, said steam is indeed running short, and so I have truncated the reviews.
*********Spoilers to follow: Ye have been warned.************
All Star Western
This book was rad. It stars Jonah Hex, everyone’s favorite facially-mutilated, wild-west bounty hunter. It takes place in Old Gotham, which provides some really cool resonances with modern-day DCU. It was really pyschological and powerful, as well as making Hex out to be both deplorable and admirable.
Verdict: Since this is an anthology book, I will buy the Hex arc. Then we’ll see.
Aquaman #1
This is the single best Aquaman comic ever written. It confronts the byword that Aquaman has become in pop culture right to its face. It pokes fun of Aquaman through everyone else’s comments, and then shows you exactly why you are wrong and just how rad Aquaman can be. It is especially touching when Arthur (Aquaman) remembers his dad taking him to a diner when he was a kid. Little touches like that, along with better character development that he has had in a long time, make this a definate pick up.
Verdict: Absolutely.
Batman: The Dark Knight #1
Meh. Felt ok, but not as good as Batman #1. It actually featured another breakout from Arkham asylum. That is like 2 in 2 weeks. Editors? Anyone catch that? At the end, two-face gets drugged up on something, hulks-out and calls himself One-face (for no discernable reason). I just didn’t really like it.
Verdict: No. The three other Bat-books might be enough.
Blackhawks #1
Didn’t pick it up. I knew when I saw it that a group of airplane pilots based on WW2 pilots wouldn’t interest me.
Verdict: Didn’t even pick up #1, why would I pick up #2?
The Flash #1
Much like Aquaman, this was a very wel written story. This is the kind of #1 issue that every hero in the new 52 should have. There is the introduction of new characters, the Flash gets a ton of exciting scenes, and there is also heartbreak and pathos. At one point, Flash is alone, reflecting on a person he wasn’t able to save, and someone comes up from behind him and asks him if he takes it personally everytime he can’t save someone. Flash’s response in the affirmative makes Flash seem like not only a powerful hero, but a believable one.
Verdict: Yeah, bro. I’m in.
Fury of Firestorm #1
A white kid and a black kid hate each other. Then the smart black kid ends up saving the white kid, but in the process turns them both into living engines of nuclear energy. It actually worked for me very well. I am surprised to see that Josh didn’t like it. The tension was believable, if a bit cliche. I’d like to see more. Also, when they merge, the result is an evil, snarky, Hulk version of Firestorm. Wierd.
Verdict: Cool. Firestorm is cool.
Green Lantern: New Guardians #1
I have never liked Kyle Rayner, Green Lantern very much. He replaced my favorite GL back in the day, and even though Hal is back, I have struggled to feel that Kyle has a place in the corps. This issue hooked me enough to care about why various colored lantern rings have flown off of their owner’s hands and toward Kyle. When other lantern corps representatives show up to take possesion of the rings, chaos insues. Ok. It doesn’t have to be amazing to be interesting. I’m in.
Verdict: Who am I kidding? Its Green Lantern related, so I am in.
I Vampire #1
Great, complicated love story. Nothing like Twilight. Two strong main characters. Impending war between all of the vampires and the rest of the superhero world. That would be rad.
Verdict: yeah. At least for a few more issues.
Justice League Dark #1
I had no idea what was happening. But it was written well.
Verdict: why not? At least until I see where it is going.
Savage Hawkman #1
Well written, straight forward superhero goodness. Some mysteries left to solve, but all in all, Hawkman got a much needed upgrade, and a character development that could provide a lot of story fodder for some time.
Verdict: yeah. At least another issue.
Superman #1
It was rather lame, with moments of brilliance. There is a great book waiting to get out here. And since it is Superman, you know it will be important. So I’m in, with reservations. But the part where Lois breaks Clark’s heart? That was truly sad…
Verdict: Yeah. For as long as I can stand it.
Teen Titans #1
It was very good. Introduces the characters well, teases at some upcoming characters. Doesn’t make any big mistakes. The book implies though, that this is the first time that teen heroes are coming together and that this Robin is the one forming the team. Why then do we have refferences to prior Teen Titans teams in other books like Batwoman and Red Hood? Mystery for another issue, I suppose.
Verdict: Yep
Voodoo #1
A bi-racial, bi-sexual alien trapped in the body of a stripper. She strips in a club for literally 95% of the panels in this book. In every possible position. DC. You are given the most diverse character imaginable and you put her on a stripper’s pole for 95% of the issue. The other 5%? Brutally violent murder. This is the biggest fail I have ever read.
Verdict: Suckitty suck suck. Objectification overload suck. Mindless, brutal suckage.
The biggest winners for me this month were:
Action Comics
Justice League
Batgirl
Animal Man
Demon Knights
Green Lantern
Green Lantern Corps
Deadman
Batman
Knightwing
Wonder Woman
