Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Dr. Gym'll's Cultural Rarities Random DCnU Revue

I loved BATWOMAN, but I knew I would.
I loved DEMON KNIGHTS, but I didn't think I would.
I hated DEATHSTROKE, but I knew I would.
I hated BATMAN & ROBIN, but I didn't think I would.
Now on to the rest.

Red Lanterns was a book I didn't know what to expect from. After having read it, I still don't. Peter Milligan is one of my favourite writers but other than the "Rage of the Red Lanterns" one-shot, I knew nothing about the characters here.

It was an uneven book, with the violent introduction giving way to the meditative musings of the protagonist, Atrocious. I knew from interviews, that Milligan was going to explore the nature of Rage as a driving force, but I felt instead what we got was some ennui and existential angst. It made an interesting contrast that with the seemingly mindless vessels of anger who are about to rebel against him, but I want a more in depth look at what makes these guys tick.

I think the potential is there to make this series interesting, but it needs something to push it over the edge.

Frankenstein, Agent of SHADE - I was a little disappointed in this one, probably because my expectations were so high. The Seven Soldiers introduction to this character was amazing, and the Flashpoint mini was a good little story, but this didn't grab me. Part of it was the humorous aspects I think. Part of the charm of previous outing with Frankenstein, was that he stoically plowed through these amazingly absurd and outlandish scenarios, but he centred it all. Here he's more like a straight man to all the wackiness going on around him. Lemire seems to be too caught up in making crazy ideas to give Frank his due. I'm all for having the Commandos backing him up, but I was expecting Frankenstein to be more of an anchor than a reactive participant. That said, the book wasn't "bad" per se, just unexpected.

I was also not a huge fan of the art.

I've posted comments on Justice League 1 and Legion Lost 1 in the topics devoted to those books. I also bought:

Justice League International 1: I liked the art; the series premise has interesting possibilities; the story was good: not great, but at least it felt like a full issue's worth of story.

Action Comics 1: I was far less impressed by the art than some of the previous posters who commented on this book. I enjoyed the story overall, but it did feel like it had a few holes in it (how did Clark know the train was in danger?!). And, I don't think they ever actually mentioned that the story was set in the past.

Mister Terrific 1: The story was decent, but I thought the art was weak. The issue included an origin recap/revamp (Michael Holt is still a widower; no Spectre; we don't find out if there was still a previous Mr. Terrific in the DCnU) and also included Karen Starr as a supporting character (without mentioning Power Girl). I ordered this after reading an online interview with the writer that intruiged me (particularly when he talked about writing Mr. Terrific as a hero who uses his intellect to defeat his foes), but I'm afraid the artwork is going to sink this book before the writer really has a chance to make an impression on the readership.

Demon Knights was a lot of fun. I liked the D&D homage aspect (everyone meets at an Inn), and I liked having Vandal Savage shown in a different light (surely being alive for all that time he wasn't always in world conquering mode, he must have had periods of downtime, where he tried different things).

As I mentioned earlier, I love the new Shining Knight and look forward to seeing more.

I did have a few quibbles though.

We just had an excellent telling of Madame Xanadu's origins (and also Etrigan's) in her own series, and I don't see the need to wipe it all out for this one, given that Cornell could have easily fit it all in without difficulty. I'm also am not a fan of "plain talking" Xanadu. Having her exchange Whedoneque banter with Blood is not only anachronistic, it doesn't suit her character.

That said, I'm interested in the new characters, I like the villains, and I really want to see more.

Best pick of an anemic week for me.

Uggh, this week is a bit too Bat-heavy for my tastes... Batman... Nightwing... Catwoman... fortunately, Birds of Prey and Red Hood & the Outlaws will feature some non-Bat characters.

Blue Beetle and Captain Atom don't excite me much (though I like them both as members of teams). Green Lantern Corps? Maybe in, like, 1990, but now? No excitement for me.

I'm interested to see how Supergirl, Wonder Woman and Deadman fare.

By far, LSH is the most interesting title for me this week at cover-glance...

CAPTAIN ATOM # 1

Apparently Captain Atom now has Firestorm's powers. Feh... a serviceable story and okay art but I was just not into it and I don't care for the re-design of Captain Atom.

Even with meltdowns, mutant rats and volcano eruptions, I found myself bored.

I shan't be getting # 2. Cut!

Ditto. This is the only new DC comic I got this week.

In addition to what the Super Tot says ... Capt. Atom looks a lot like Dr. Manhattan and with his power upgrade seems poised to more than look like Dr. Manhattan.

I was intrigued but what I really found annoying about his new found and detrimental (to himself) abilities is the plot that (weakly) forced him to use his new unstable powers to solve the problem at the end of the issue.


<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">saying that he couldn't just absorb the volcano in New York's energy .. he needed to neutralize it ... and he chooses to do so by using his newfound transmutation abilities. But wouldn't you rather use the ability you know ... even if only partially sufficient ... instead of the transmutation powers you just developed a few pages earlier and were told they might kill you? ... How would his new transmutation powers that he is untrained in and dosn't know the extent of ... be up to a task that his tried, true, and well practiced energy absorption powers aren't up to? He had no idea if they were ... he only tansmuted a truck size object earlier by accident ... what would make Nate Adams think he could transmute a volcano's furnace ??</span></span>

thumbs down.

GASP! Peebs, you didn't get LSH # 1? Space-heresy!

Indeed, I did not, I hope I don't get kicked out of here.

I was more impressed with the books I got this week than last week's.

I liked Red Hood & the Outlaws. I like the teaming of Roy & Jason. And it looks like there is something going on beyond just a shoot 'em up. That said the one thing I really hated about the book was how Starfire <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text"> now has some sort of amnesia regarding people. Cripes, it was a reboot and you could have had it that either Starfire never had a relationship with Dick or Jason never tried to kill Dick, or both. It seems like they made this part of her solely to explain why she would have hooked up (sexually and non-sexually) with Jason. But the amnesia thing just makes Starfire into a dumb blonde. Seeing how humans are supposed to be forgettable to her, how is she going to remember the villains that she has fought? Hopefully they will drop this aspect of her.

And supposedly Starfire wasin the Teen Titans, yet the guy in Chicago just now realizes that there is a Tameranian on Earth???? </span></span>

Despite the above, I think I will give this one a go.

DC Universe Presents: Deadman #1

A very strong first issue. It seems like too many of the new number ones are missing the opportunity to give the reader the background information needed to get their bearings with the title characters. That's not the case here. Deadman gets a very clear origin story. It's close enough to the original to satisfy longtime fans, like me, but has enough new twists to make things interesting. It also appears that the stories are going to focus as much on the people that he possesses, as on Boston Brand himself. That's an approach that is full of storytelling possibilities.

BLUE BEETLE # 1

*yawn* I like Jamie as a Teen Titan and even in the JLI, but I simply have no interest in his solo adventures. Plus Bedard's R.E.B.E.L.S. never clicked with me (and I gave it 15 issues to do so).

Not even the Brotherhood of Evil can get me to buy # 2. Cut!


BATMAN # 1

Oh look, there's that bratty kid again. And also Dick and Tim, so that's a little better. And cool, Batman now has the same distorter tech as the Legion. Is there nothing that rich playboy can't do?

Art by the guy who drew Spawn for like, 10 years... his style is pleasing though less flashy (or McFarlane-esque) than I remember.

But I think I can only stomach one Batman book a month and I liked the gory mystery in Detective better. Cut!


GREEN LANTERN CORPS # 1

This actually surprised me; I was *almost* into it... I really liked the art a lot but I'm not sure it was wise to start the book off with a Green Lantern killing serial murderer. Guy was fun here, not annoying fun but FUN fun, and looked very handsome.

I'm on the fence for # 2; at this point I could fall either way... which is probably a sign I should just cut it.

NIGHTWING # 1

Eddy Barrows draws a super-cute Dick, and I got an LOL moment from the circus clown's line about being in Gotham... funny! Still, I'm on the fence here... how long will a NIGHTWING title keep me entertained? And, gawd the CROSSOVERS that are sure to be coming... I just don't know.

I'm on the fence for # 2, leaning toward getting it.


CATWOMAN # 1

HOLY FREAKING CRAP. THAT ENDING SEQUENCE WAS ***HAWT***.

You better believe I'm getting # 2. DAY-um!!!! I actually can't believe this saw print!!!

That's enough to get me to buy it!

To put it mildly, the end sequence of CATWOMAN # 1 was unlike anything I have ever seen in a DCU-proper Bat-book before (not that I have read a ton of them though)...

I have 3 words for it: "Cat scratch fever"...

oh yes!!! that last page....whoooaaaaaa!!! HOT!!! whoa!!! I was like oh my god.its so like soft porn..... oh...

but the most horrible last page I ever saw was the Joker's face being tacked on the wall like Silence of the Lamb. brrrrrrrrrrrr.

I don't know if it was the titles themselves or the fact we're three weeks into the DCNu, but I was a lot less excited going in for these books than I was the last two weeks. I have to admit a lot of these were quick reads on my part, which probably isn't a fair shake to them.

BATMAN #1
You know, I actually liked this better than Detective and Batman & Robin. This felt like a Batman book, with a lot of the traditional mysteries and glimpses into Bruce's life. I liked the balance here, as well as the "family reunion" of sorts with the Robins. Damian was actually bearable here in his limited appearance and I liked the subtle touch that although his insults to Drake still exist, he was allowing Tim to help him with his tie instead of stab him for touching him. Progress! Good look at the usual Bat rogue's gallery here and great to see Harvey as well as Jim and Alfred. I actually WANT to keep reading this book. Pretty cool! As a somewhat knowledgeable but super casual Batman reader, this was right up my alley.

BIRDS OF PREY #1
I liked that the Birds still exist and I like that Babs was around and the backstory there hinted at - despite that, I'm not feeling the title like I was the last one. I miss Oracle. I miss Huntress. I don't much like Canary's new outfit and while I'm okay enough with Katana and Starling, it's not as the book's other main players. The sequence against the invisible assassins was interesting, but overall? I'm iffy about continuing the title.

BLUE BEETLE #1
I'm really glad Jaime is getting a second shot at a title and this issue feels like a much stronger introduction to the character, his support, and the El Paso culture. Still, it does seem silly to completely reboot the character and I'm not sure how I feel about the scarab's set-up. I'll have to wait and see. Despite my praise for the issue, I've never been super invested in the character (Ted fan) and it's always hard for me to stay committed to this book. I'll try again like I did with the previous series - let's hope this one hooks me where the last one failed to.

CAPTAIN ATOM #1
The redesign of Captain Atom is interesting enough, but the art style makes it seem way too Firestorm. I like that Cap looks to be getting a set supporting cast and base of operations for his title, but I just couldn't get into this issue OR the character. Not likely to get #2.

CATWOMAN #1
The issue itself was fun enough. I liked the look we're already getting into Catwoman's life and antics. It's nice to see she has a friend (a genuine real life person without a cape!) to turn to. I never read the previous Catwoman series but I think I'm going to stick around for this one. As for the end of the issue - VERY interesting. I don't think this is completely out of character for Bruce and I kind of like this awkward dynamic it gives the two of them.

DC COMICS PRESENTS #1
I like that Deadman is getting some focus and I like his set-up and introduction to his past and powers here. The issue had an interesting enough cliffhanger - the problem is that I don't feel completely compelled to actively collect this title even though I like the character well enough. I'm not sure what wasn't hitting it for me, because it was a great introduction with good creative work. I think I'll give the second issue a shot but if I feel this same apathy, it may be my last one.

RED HOOD and the OUTLAWS #1
God, was this book ... interesting. I suppose I like Roy's set-up here a lot better than him being back on drugs and being the crazy Arsenal. Still though, I'd have rather him see a return to more heroic roots. At least his dynamic with Jason already looks to be interesting and a good read. I like Starfire's inclusion here to an extent - at least, I did before I saw how she's actually being written. A sex-driven warrior girl who's completely obedient to Jason yet can't seem to remember the names of any of the Titans she fought with for years because "all humans look the same"? Coming from a race that all has the same skin color, that one doesn't make as much sense to me. I don't mind Kory being a bit more forceful and a little aloof as an alien, but not in these regards if she's just going to be the literal sex object.

NIGHTWING #1
A strong enough tale about Dick's initial time back in his own title and in his own suit. I like Nightwing and it's nice to see Dick's perspective about how it was great to get away from the cowl before it completely changed him as rationalization. I liked the circus reunion well enough. A cute tale and a strong start, but much like Lash I never stay hooked and entertained on a lot of Bat solo titles. May pick up #2.

WONDER WOMAN #1
Never really read a Diana book before but even I can tell this is a far departure from traditional Wonder Woman fare. I can see the "horror" book aspect here well and I'm intrigued by how they're trying to give some darker visuals to all the Gods who'll be appearing. Curious about #2, but didn't really get a great hook or handle for Wonder Woman's new status quo.

“Um Ar- Roy, I actually never call him Arsenal in the uh- I never call him Arsenal and I never call him Speedy and I never call him uh, Red Arrow uh, I just call him Roy because uh my feeling is he’s kinda moved on from that? Um, he doesn’t have a daughter partially because he’s uh much younger than he’s uh been portrayed in the past, he’s about 19 years old now and um other than, you know, MTV which uh glorifies uh teen pregnancy a lot um *chuckles* (hey kids!) uh I- I just didn’t think it was uh- uh I think the notion of Roy either um leaving his daughter at home to fight crime uh or taking his daughter with him to fight crime- either way I just felt it was, you know, I- I just think the character uh is better off uh not having a daughter and uh… But I know people got very very very attached to her uh when she was around so I feel badly for them but I don’t feel badly for Roy. I think it was the right, uh decision.” – Scott Lobdell

If supporting Red Hood and the Outlaws means I'm supporting this, then no sale. Ever. Why did I think things might be different with Lobdell?

sigh
I didn't think that Kori's outfit could get any skimpier.
I wasn't taking into account fanboy imaginations.


Or, that she could be portrayed as any stupider or more wanton, but, again, I misjugded DC's disregard for women, in general.
Yes, I'm bummed.

(Loved Essense, though. She's a new character to me.)

Supergirl: She thought she was dreaming in part of the threeboot Legion stories, too.
I know that there's nothing new under the sun, but, geez.

I find that I don't much care for the DCnU xenophobia, either. That was done before in the threeboot, too.
gads

Week Three in the DCnU. I've read 18 of the Number Ones so far. Here's my ranking and their grades, based mostly on my enjoyment level, with a little commentary on the newer ones:

ACTION (A)

BATWING (A-)

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS (A-) - This book surprised me in a good way. I've never read anything with Jason Todd in it, but I like the fun back-and-forth he has with Roy. The adolescent boy in my head likes Kori, to be honest, but the grownup me doesn't care for her portrayal here at all.

ANIMAL MAN (B+)

NIGHTWING (B+) - I'm not a Bat-world fan, so I never expected that three Bat-books would be in my top (so far) six favorites. I am a fan of Dick Grayson via Teen Titans, though, and I like what's happening here.

RESURRECTION MAN (B+) - It's an interesting concept and well-introduced for a first issue. It's the kind of story that will either lock me in or lose my interest quickly. We'll see how #2 moves along.

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. (B) - I don't much care for monster stuff, but Frank and Father Time are interesting characters. I'll try the next issue of this one.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS (B) - I haven't been a Lantern follower either, but I like how this story begins. Like the art!

JUSTICE LEAGUE (B)

LEGION LOST (B) -

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (B) - For a long-time Legion fan it was a nice chapter. There are some good character portrayals, sleek art, nicely-continued threads linking us to previous storylines, and a story that feels like it has somewhere to go. I wish more time had been spent telling the Lost Legionnaires' story, but maybe that will come soon.

SWAMP THING (B)

STATIC SHOCK (B-)

CAPTAIN ATOM (C) - Eh, it was okay. I don't feel compelled to follow this story.

DEMON KNIGHTS (C) - I don't know these characters. I read it twice and kept feeling that I wanted to like it more than I did.

MISTER TERRIFIC (C)

STORMWATCH (C)

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL (C-)

I didn't expect to like my Top Six as much as I do; I had only pre-ordered two of them. Some of the titles, like Demon Knights and Stormwatch, didn't give me enough clarity into the multiple characters or the storyline to compel me to follow them. (LSH may be like that for new readers.) And I'm dismayed by the gore present in many of the books, including some of my favorites. Overall, I'm enjoying the opportunity to try out some books I wouldn't normally pick up, and I'm enjoying them more than I expected. It may actually be hard to make decisions about cutting some of them.

Pre-orders for Week Four -- GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS and TEEN TITANS.

Thanks SO much for the warm welcome back, guys. I'm still working on the long-form reviews - experimenting with just how detailed they should be and deciding if they should be written for primary posting here, Blogger, Facebook, Google+ or other.

Anyway, here are my quick hits on DCnU Week 3.

BLUE BEETLE #1 (A)
Apart from Frankenstein, this may have been the most pleasant surprise of the DCnU for me. I tried a few issues of Jamie's previous title, but the character never really connected with me. This time, it clicked. I think that may be because this issue gave a much more compelling depiction of Hispanic culture, whereas, in the previous title, knowing the characters are hispanic was mostly a matter of taking it on faith, because the creators told us so. But, more than seeming genuinely Hispanic, the characters also read as real, with dialogue and actions that worked as believable reactions and not just things said to service the plot. Art wasn't bad, either. Loved seeing the Brotherhood of Evil, and very interested in these new villains.

BATMAN #1 (A-)
Like Detective Comics, this Bat-book surprised me. Also, as will 'Tec, I had only planned to sample the first issue, but now expect to be around for a while. I did not love the art, not because it was bad, just because it was overly expressionistic for my tatses in mainstream super-hero far. I actually would have preferred this style on Wonder Woman, I think, as it would have lended a fantasy tone to that book. Otherwise, the story was good, as appropriately CSI as a Bat comic should be, along with plenty of action and a nice mix mystery social action and political drama. I didn't even mind Damian's blissfully brief appearance. Overall, I'm pleased with the DCnU reboot if only because it seems to have excised the super-powered Batman, whose special ability was being a mutant-sized dick. PS, while I didn't love the impossible tech used by Nightwing, we at least have confirmation, I think, that Alfred has not been rebooted to a computer algorithm, as seemed the case in 'Tec.

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1 (B+)
As a hardcore Legion fan, I'm fairly well satisfied with this book. I'm a little disappointed Paul Levitz didn't avail himself of the chance to clean house on continuity, and most of my complaints are A/R quibbles in that regard, i.e. frosh Academy kids getting not the team over the just-graduated class. However, what is actually here on the page is done well, and the artwork is quite nice. All told, I'm as happy with this issue as any Legion comic in recent memory.

DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1 (B+)
I think it's official. Deadman's origin has now overtaken that of the Ranzz siblings as the most-told-origin-in-comics. I am glad, however, that writer Paul Jenkins chose to violate the usual show-don't-tell rule in establishing Boston Brand as unheroic in life, and got right to his better nature. That said, what really worked for me was Jenkin's subtle portrayal of Deadman as having evolved little. Despite his good works, he's clearly yet to become the change he's effected in the lives of others. I would have liked if we had seen a bit more of "Albatross" if only to have something introduced, completely explored and resolved in one issue, in what it otherwise largely a set-up to a longer arc.

WONDER WOMAN #1 (B-)
Well, there's no question this is a horror comic. In fact, this is perhaps best described as the Vertigo version of Wonder Woman, with typically flat Vertigo-style art. My biggest problem with this issue is that, draw on a different outfit, and the lead character could have been almost anyone, There was really nothing other than being called by name that made this character stand out as Wonder Woman. Still, I'm intrigued enough to stick around for a couple of issues, at least.

SUPERGIRL #1 (D)
The worst of all the DCnU books I've sampled thus far. I read this book in about three minutes. In other words, phone sex costs less per minute. I complained that O.M.A.C #1 could have been compressed into about eight pages. This entire book should have have taken up more than eight panels. The layout may not have been so bad if there had been more script - something to go along with the pictures to fill out this Kara's character, her backround and her Kryptonian culture. As presented however, this issue was a total waste of money. I won't be pack.

DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS DEADMAN # 1

Whoa. This has hands-down been the biggest surprise for me so far on week 3... I was completely into this book!

I *loved* the snippets of all the previous lives Deadman has lived and I was ENTHRALLED by pages 2-3, especially the layout on page 3... THAT was how you do a splash page.

And I think the last page was a bit of a red herring... but I can't wait to find out what that's all about.

So yeah, I'm onboard this book for the nonce. I'm assuming as long as DEADMAN sells, DCUP won't be changing stars anytime soon, but who knows?

^So far I've read multiple reviews saying Deadman has been excellent! I'm def looking forward to it!

Smart money says Presents gets a new star with #7 and Deadman gets a new #1. I wonder if Presents will stay to 6 issue arcs? I'd prefer 5 if they're doing it for trades and every 6th issue a random one-off for the really far out stuff (and them collect all those together).

SUPERGIRL # 1

I was prepared to hate this book, but I didn't hate it. Thin on story, yeah, but I still think I liked it better than Justice League # 1. I want to like Supergirl's book; I'll get # 2 and hope they can bring the fun instead of the pain for Kara next time. (I *hate* her skimpy panties... I miss the miniskirt already)

WONDER WOMAN # 1

Weird and unlike any Wonder Woman comic I have ever read. To be honest, I am not sure WHAT I thought of it. I like the idea of the mythological beings running loose on Earth. Of course I'm into the art by Chiang. This one will be a wait-and-see how I feel for # 2.

RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS # 1

LOVED the art. LOVED the rapport between Roy and Jason. Intrigued by Essence. HATED WITH A PASSION the portrayal of Starfire. If I wanna see a chick passed around between guys there are sites for that. HATED it here, and hated it with her, especially considering the 'toon version of her. Any female fans who bought this title looking for THAT Starfire... oh dear. I'm not sure what to do with this book either... I'm not sure I can get past this new portrayal of Kori.