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

BLACKHAWKS #1 was painful to get thru! I don't blame Lashie for stopping after 3 pages. Every cliche from every brainless Hollywood action flick was just flung in there. FEH!!

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1 was right up my alley. Dark, clever, offbeat with a dollop of the absurd. It helped that Rac, Zatanna & Nimue are faves of mine. Loved the art too.

THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1 was a complete waste of ink & paper. A run of the mill, by-the-numbers story that's been done a million times. I knew what was gonna happen next before turning to the next page. BAH!

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1 was a bit of a letdown. While I loved Yildiray inking his pencils & employing his markers & washes, I'm not vested in the characters enough to care what was happening to them. I'll give #2 a shot before dropping or not.

Doctor One:

"Regarding her promiscuity, well, I was not bothered mostly because this is not a new development, Starfire has always been both beautiful and promiscuous."

Strongly disagree with this statement.

While always beautiful and always without body-issue hangups, Kori has NEVER been portrayed as bed-hopping.

She had that one boyfriend early in Titans and then she was with Robin for years (with a forced marriage-thing speed bump along the way).

Her current portrayal in RED HOOD is wretched and Lobdell should issue an apology to Starfire fans.

That said, I am going to return for issue # 2 like Legion Tracker.

Roy is a favorite of mine I like to keep an eye on, but if they continue making Starfire the Sasha Grey gangbang girl of space (and believe me, once DC catches wind of the reviews, they will NOT)... then I will drop this at issue 6, Roy or no Roy.

I liked Blackhawks for some reason. Can't figure out why. Had an GI Joe feel maybe?

Superman #1. Horrible. Hey I hate reading a comic in 3 minutes..but I hate reading one in 35 minutes more. First issue...jumping on point? Seriously. You know who hates reading comics for 35 mins more than I do? Anyone under 30.

Another "what were they thinking" of the DC reboot. I didn't like Action Comics either but I didn't hate it. And I could understand other people liking it.

Superman finally has a cool costume...and attitude. Perez just gave us too much. Unfortunately this is a Bendis type world now and less is more.

I had no prior exposure to Captain Atom prior to the relaunch with Cary Bates and Pat Broderick, but personally, I enjoyed that series a lot. I thought it was very well done and engaging.

However, I noticed its quality started to dip as soon as Broderick left the book (around issue 30), and it didn't stay on my pull for long after that. Broderick did, IMO, the best work of his career while on this book.

After reading everyone’s reviews, its hard not to be influenced by them, and perhaps the hardest of all was reading Blackhawks #1 since almost everyone has disliked it so far. I went in with an open mind, realizing from the solicitations what it was probably going to be, and I actually didn’t find it as distasteful as so many others did. Still, there’s no denying this series isn’t really that good and is loaded with clichés and stereotypes. The issue read exactly like two dozen television shows, movies, comic books and video games I’ve seen on and off for the last 20 years.

The Blackhawks are now as modern as possible, being a commando unit that answers to the UN, going into other countries in tough situations and doing what no one else wants to do. For me personally, that kind of removes a lot of the charm of the original Blackhawks and makes this current incarnation exactly like something that is regurgitated again and again.

Among the team are numerous stereotypes. Foremost among them is the Irishmen, who has red hair and mutton chops, is called ‘Irish’ and wears the same type of hat every single red-haired Irishmen called Irish has worn in comics since the 1960’s. In fact, you might almost think he’s Banshee. Add in an Asian badass named Attila and yeah, you see where this is going.

The issue isn’t totally without good qualities though, as there are some action sequences and the creative team is obviously trying to build something new. But a lot of it is so by the numbers that (to steal a phrase Rhino used to describe Hawkman), I could tell what was going to happen on the next page before I even turned it over.

I originally wasn’t going to get this but then I ended up enjoying Men of War so much that I figured I’d try this to. Unfortunately it wasn’t the same effect. This feels like it probably should have been released by Wildstorm or Top Cow in the late 1990’s. Neither Blackhawk (the real one) nor Lady Blackhawk are featured within which is disappointing. Unfortunately, I think I’m out after #1.

Cobie Comparison: did I enjoy as much as JL #1? Nope.

Something else else I was too curious about to pass up was I, Vampire #1, since I had to see what DC was going to come up with to capture the vampire craze—was it Twilightish for the teens and True Bloodish for the cool people? I didn’t have high hopes…and I’m glad I didn’t. Because overall I found it very boring.

There is lots of angst, and two lovers at odds, so its obvious they’re going for the teen audience. That isn’t so bad, but the central nature of the angst is what kills the series for me. It’s the stereotypical argument of whether vampires have a right to feed on humans, or if its wrong. Ugh. I think this has been in almost every single vampire movie, book, comic, whatever for the last 25 years. Its been done to death and boring as hell. By the end of Interview with a Vampire several years ago, I had my fill of it.

The artwork and the writing are adequate but not really that exciting to me. Since I’m already reading a vampire series that happens to be one of the very best comics out there right now (American Vampire for those who don’t know), I can’t help but feel another vampire series really needs to be top notch to continue. This wasn’t.

Among the various DCnU offerings, this is one of the few that definitely will not make the cut.

As with some other titles, I had very high hopes for All-Star Western #1. Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti have, quite frankly, just come off a 70+ issue run on Jonah Hex that ranks among the greatest runs on a comic book of all time—equally Starman, Sandman and so many other great runs; in my mind, it is the single greatest run of a western comic book EVER, including the 1950’s when the genre was king. As a writing duo, they are never better than when they are writing the character of Jonah Hex and in the genre of the western.

Added to the mix is the amazing artist, Moritat, who has simply impressed the living hell out of me during his run on the Spirit. He has a clean, almost cartoony style yet is totally modern, moody and with a strong sense of darkness in his linework. He draws facial expressions brilliantly, beautiful women seductively and fight scenes with great energy. He’s fantastic.

With that combination, the question is were my high hopes met? Well, I think they were exceeded. All-Star Western was fantastic, and I loved every single panel of it! The writing by Graypal was as good as its ever been and the artwork by Moritat was a pleasure to behold. Colorist Gabriel Bautista also adds to the dark atmosphere of the crime/western mash-up (and setting of Gotham City) with his muted, gray tones.

The series presents the legendary Jonah Hex out of his element of the western frontier in the 1880’s of Gotham City, where he teams up with Amadeus Arkham (future founder of Arkham Asylum) and interacts with important families such as the Waynes, Copplebots and others (though only quickly since he’s not welcome in that circle). This creates a bit of a crime/western mash-up, as mentioned before, and it works really well. The antagonist for this opening arc is the ‘Gotham Butcher’, a very obvious analogue to Jack the Ripper, and it works really well. A subplot involving a Masons-type organization among Gotham’s elite also is important to the issue, but I can’t help but think this is all a red herring to throw the readers off (causing them to think of Alan Moore’s “From Hell”).

If you don’t know Jonah Hex, as written by Graypal, then that’s very unfortunate for you. He’s one of the best characters in comics, and it’s a real pleasure to see him interact with a booming big city like Gotham, and specifically with Arkham, who is an interesting partner.

This was really fantastic and I highly recommend it. I not only enjoyed it better than JL #1 but better than most of the DCnU! Great read!

You said "arc", I see. GrayPal did almost nothing but one-offs on Hex, so they're changing that up, now? How do you feel about that, Cobie?

Jonah Hex: big surprise. I'm indifferent to westerns and Jonah Hex, but this book was a welcome surprise. Hex in Gotham and teamed up with the somewhat nerdy, analytical Dr. Arkham, night and day. Jonah Hex is a captivating detective in this case; he doesn't blend in, he just sort of plows through obstacles.

Arkham will certainly learn a lot from him, but will he learn from Arkham?

Red Hood & the Outlaws: another surprise. Expected a big stupid shoot 'em up, but there was actually a story here. The book opened like an adventure movie and went on to a far more sinister plot.

I loved the artwork. The character Essence is beautiful and fascinating. As for Kori, oh dear! She's beautiful and exotic; the two splash pages just scream vitality. Her costume is ridiculous, even for an alien. The sex is casual, although at least she states that it's not about love. It's the memory thing that's most disturbing to me - and maybe it's meant to be that way. It seemed like sleeping with her is sort of like sleeping with someone on rohypnol, although it's portrayed more like she's in control, she just doesn't care. Interesting new info that Tamaraneans see humans as sights and smells; Lobdell should develop that. Maybe they'll give her her memory back, she got hit on the head or affected by something and it gets corrected.

Jim Shooter skewers the shaboopie out of Red Hood #1 over on his blog. Fun stuff.

Well, I wish they were doing one-off stories as with Hex personallly. But I don't mind too much if they are doing continuing 'arcs', (though perhaps only for the first 6?). They did a two-parter and a 6-parter in Hex and it was great; this one already looks like it'll be better.

At the end of the day I wish Hex had continued unimpeded by this relaunch, but I'm really just glad the character & creative team could continue with very limited change.

Following up with what some others did, here is where I currently stand with the DCnU 52 at the close of the first month #1's and whether I will continue or not:

A+, Best of the Best
Action Comics
Batman
Batwoman
Flash

A, Absolutely Fantastic no brainers
Men of War
Animal Man
Wonder Woman
All-Star Western
Superman
DC Comics Presents: Deadman

A-, Still Incredible, really enjoyed
Justice League Dark
Swamp Thing
Grifter
Detective Comics
Batwing
Birds of Prey
Superboy
Green Lantern
Nightwing
Legion of Superheroes
Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE
Aquaman

B, Certainly good enough to keep buying
Justice League
Legion Lost
Fury of Firestorm
Voodoo
Justice League International
Hawk & Dove
Stormwatch
Demon Knights
Batman & Robin
Green Lantern Corps
OMAC
Static Shock

B- to C, On the Bubble
Teen Titans
Captain Atom
Blue Beetle
Savage Hawkman
New Guardians
The Dark Knight
Batgirl
Catwoman
Supergirl
Green Arrow
Mr. Terrific

C to F, Will not continue
Red Lanterns
Suicide Squad
I, Vampire
Blackhawks
Red Hood & the Outlaws

Never Tried
Resurrection Man - I may sample since I basically tried all the others.
Deathstroke

In it for the long haul: Love the characters and the execution.

AQUAMAN
LEGION LOST
LEGION OF SUPER HEROES
NIGHTWING

Pretty Definite buys: Enough to like to keep me coming back- pending Starfire-sized screw-ups.

ACTION COMICS
BATWOMAN
FLASH
JUSTICE LEAGUE
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL
SUPERBOY
SUPERMAN
WONDER WOMAN

At least through conclusion of first storyline: on the bubble, but the bubble's pretty strong.

ANIMAL MAN
BATGIRL
BIRDS OF PREY
GREEN LANTERN
GREEN LANTERN CORPS
GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS
SAVAGE HAWKMAN
STORMWATCH
SWAMP THING

I want to see more, but wasn't really thrilled with the first issue: this bubble's much weaker.

MISTER TERRIFIC
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS
RESURRECTION MAN
SUPERGIRL
TEEN TITANS

Missed the first issue, but will try:

DEMON KNIGHTS
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE

So far, I've only picked up Legion of Super-Heroes, Legion Lost, Teen Titans and Justice League International.

I've looked at others in the store, but I'm between seasonal jobs, so my comic-book spending money is pretty thin.

The tiny dregs of story in Teen Titans turned me off, although Booth's art is as pretty as I remember from the Kindred/Wildcore days.

I may quibble about the direction Paul has taken the Legion, and the many mistakes over the last year or so, but holy crap, can that man write a hell of a lot more story in a single issue than most of his peers...

If I continue to get Teen Titans, it will be for the art, since it's slogging along super-slow out of the gate. I was really hoping for a new Wolfman / Perez sort of deal, with four established characters and three newbies, all introduced and used in the first issue. Instead, we saw, like, a tiny glimpse of the newbies on a monitor screen, and a single picture of Superboy. Seriously, is *issue 1* the time to be padding things out like this?

Justice League International is moving faster, but focusing more on characters I care nothing for (too much Batman and Guy Gardner, not enough Vixen and Ice), and the art isn't my cup of tea. (Too much of Godiva *talking* about people looking good, or robots looking scary-impressively, that, artistically, don't.) I get that not everyone likes Ed Benes and his exploitive anatomically improbable poses, but, gosh, at least his pictures of Ice, Vixen and Fire look beautiful! Fire, in particular, looks like a green blobby thing, and not a hot Brazilian super-model.

The two Legion titles will remain on my pull-list, out of sheer cussedness.

There week 1-3 books have made the cut for # 2s for me (I still have only read BLACKHAWKS and VOODOO from week 4!!)


JUTICE LEAGUE
ACTION COMICS
ANIMAL MAN
BATGIRL
DETECTIVE COMICS
GREEN ARROW
HAWK AND DOVE*
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL
OMAC
STORMWATCH
SWAMP THING

BATWOMAN
DEMON KNIGHTS*
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE
GREEN LANTERN*
LEGION LOST
RESURRECTION MAN
SUICIDE SQUAD*
SUPERBOY*

BIRDS OF PREY
CATWOMAN*
DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS
SUPERGIRL*
WONDER WOMAN*

VOODOO

Titles with asteriks mean # 2 will be my last issue if interest doesn't pick up for me.

Note: The announcement that Giffen is taking over GREEN ARROW was the factor that decided I was keeping it, just as the same news means I am very likely to continue with SUPERMAN wether or not I like it. The writer exiting STATIC SHOCK made me decide to drop it, issue 2 sight unseen.

I'm slightly pissed at my CBS. I sent them the above list last week, and considering myself covered, I did not venture forth until today to get the first week of # 2s. I had to pull SWAMP THING, GREEN ARROW and ACTON COMICS off the shelf for myself.

And looking over the list, I forgot BATGIRL and DETECTIVE. Those 2 may have been sold out.

Therefore I shall not continue with BATGIRL and DETECTIVE.

I will voice my displeasure silently with lost sales, but if this happens next week, I will need to get vocal.

I understand things are probably crazy there these days, but now's NOT the time to be effing up your customers' pull lists.

ooooooooooo ... don't mess with Lash's comic books (or Peebz' either for that matter)

Now I feel a little guilty, this has rarely happened to me before. These guys are usually MONEY on the ball.

Still, I am taking the excuse to drop the 2 books. I'm getting too many anyway.

my CBS pulled books from the shelves over the course of the month so they could have a wrap party at the end of the month and sell the books there.

I overheard the owner saying something akin to this in August ... and I then I was doubly annoyed when they had so few copies on the shelves during the release week.

my CBS is usually on the ball too .. but not having enough books for the loyal Wednesday shopper really burned my butt.

The new 52 causes CHAOS!!!

Batgirl didn't ship last week, Lash.

Oh.... well I guess they're off the hook for that one... thanks, Lardy.

Really? Do we know why?

Sneaky Jim Lee gave himself 7 entire weeks before JL #2. Did they do the same on this?

Is it wrong I take these tricky tactics as a personal affront done with the purpose of offending me?

My CBS guy says he was told that the third week is JL's "regular" week post-launch and that they were told this upfront. I assume Batgirl was similarly planned as a second week book?

On the other hand, Red Lanterns shipped last week, which was a week earlier than last month, so it and Batgirl apparently 'swapped'.