Lovestruck

Lovestruck is hands down my pick for best OGN of 2011. It's not too often anymore that I read a book and immediately wish there was more when I finish with it. But this was that rare gem.
It's a story where love is a commodity and Cupid sends his "salesmen" out to procure him the most profits. His most profitable agent is Kalli Monroe, and this is her story of discovering the behind-the-scenes aspect of the love business and how she uses her powers for the corporation. But not all is sweet chocolate kisses, as we find out love is a dirty business.
Dennis Hopeless is emerging as a top writer in the field. I've not read everything by him, but between this and Marvel's Legion of Monsters, plus the preview for the upcoming X-Men Season One OGN, he's got all the talent to make him a superstar. I had the same feeling with Nick Spencer, and look how big he's become. Dennis makes these characters feel real, even though they have powers. They're immediately likeable, with their snarky attitudes and whip-smart lines. Today's youth can definitely relate to them, while my generation (let's not say older, okay?) can still sense where they're coming from. A very hard thing to do anymore. But it's done perfectly. The overall story is fresh and original. Definitely not like anything else you'll find on the racks. Also something apparently hard to do anymore. And it's all packaged by an art style by Kevin Mellon that allows you to immediately immerse yourself in this believable, yet unbelievable tale. The art is crisp, giving each character their own unique look. That's an important thing in a tale that's basically filled with your average teenagers. But each one breathes their own distinct life. Very visually appealing.
So, if you want a book that is far from your standard tale, then you need look no further. You've found your winner right here.

Carnage U.S.A. #1

Carnage is back, and he's as sadistic as ever. This time he plans on re-making an entire town in his image, then the world. It's up to Spider-Man & the Avengers to stop him.
Zeb Wells is quickly proving himself to be one of the best Spider-Man family writers of the past 10 years. He was one of the better writers on Amazing Spider-Man during the Braintrust days, and he's currently hitting it out of the park on Avenging Spider-Man. In this sequel to his Carnage series from last year, he's taking the vileness of Cletus Kasady & Carnage to a whole new level. But he still manages to throw in the right amount of levity that the best Spider-Man stories have. Hawkeye is especially well portrayed.
Clayton Crain continues to prove himself as one of the top digital artists in the field. I'll admit that sometimes his artwork gets muddled down to an almost confusing level because of all the complex detail he adds. Not in this issue though. Everything is clean and precise and absolutely stunning. Sometimes grotesquely stunning. Not many artists can use a computer to create such magnificence like Clayton can.
This was an extremely fun book to read. And some of that fun was the twisted mind of Kasady. Does that make me a bad person? Who knows. But it definitely doesn't make this a bad book. Definite recommendation on this one.

Avengers: X-Sanction #1

The road to Avengers vs. X-Men begins here. Well, technically it began in Marvel Point One, but that was such a short story, that we'll just call that a prologue.
Cable's back, and he's got 24 hours to stop the Avengers. Stop them from what? That's the catch. All we know is it has something to do with Hope, who will also be a huge focus of AvX. This first issue has Cable already back, setting his trap for the Avengers, as he takes them out one by one. That's a cool aspect, because if he was to take them on all at once, he probably wouldn't stand a chance. But Cable's been around long enough, and in enough skirmishes to know the best way to stop his opponents.
I just wish it wasn't such a quick read. I feel with only 4 issues in this series that we should've gotten more backstory in this first issue. The way it's laid out, it seems like the whole series will be jumping back and forth from the present where Cable attacks the Avengers, and the future, where we see how he managed to survive the end of the Second Coming story to return to the past (our present). Hopefully it doesn't take all 4 parts to tell us how he comes back, because that'll be quite needless. But we'll have to see.
It's nice to see Jeph Loeb back on Cable again. Jeph's got a long history with the character, and there isn't a better choice to handle his return. Even though I have a feeling it's going to be a short lived one. Having Ed McGuinness as Loeb's partner-in-crime on art is the perfect complement. Those two have always been a great match. Maybe even better than Loeb & Sale. And Ed's really on his game here. The combatants really exude that superhero style you want in a book that's just one big brawl.
While I was hoping for more explanations and plot, I did enjoy this book for what it was: a ground layer for much bigger things to come. There's a storm brewing, and it's name is the Phoenix...

Uncanny X-Force #18

The Dark Angel Saga has been one of the most ambitious X-Men storylines ever told. It definitely harkens back to the similarly titled Dark Phoenix Saga. The total corruption of Warren Worthington III into Archangel yet again into the reborn Apocalypse has been an incredible journey.That's why it saddens me that the final part has left me feeling flat. It just didn't have the finality that we, as readers, deserved. The payoff, while nicely unexpected, just didn't fit to me. Maybe it's because there's more story to be told. Maybe it's because after all is said and done, I feel this whole story was almost a set up for a different story. Maybe it's because it drug on for about 2 issues too long. I just know for sure this last part seemed rushed. The final battle reminded me of what's so wrong with a lot of today's blockbuster movies; the build-up is phenomenal, but the climatic battle is short, and eventually anti-climatic.
Overall, the book still had everything that makes Uncanny X-Force the best X-title out there: the art was fantastic (the mixture of Jerome Opena on the main story and Esad Ribic on the dream sequences was shared expertly), the dialog was sharp, and the characteristics were spot on. It's just the wrap up was too short. Too neat of a package. I expected much more, and got about half of what I feel we deserved after putting so much into so many months of reading.
Does this make me want to stop reading the book? Not at all. Like I already said, it's the best X-book out there. I guess that's why I expected more from it.

Batgirl #2 & #3

Continuing to catch up on my DC books, I'm discovering a disturbing trend: a lot of books that had good first issues, have gone downhill from there. Batgirl's a prime example, and her first issue wasn't all that enthralling to begin with.
The art is still fine. My only two problems with it are the fact that Babs seems too young. I know that the characters in the DCnU have been slightly de-aged in areas, but the Bat-books are supposed to be continuing from the old continuity. Even Bruce Wayne looks too young now. And yet Dick Grayson looks like he used to? Headache, you may now begin. My other problem is the suit; it just looks too armored. If it turns out to be part of the plot, then I can accept it, but with no explaination yet (unless I'm forgetting that from the first issue), it looks terrible.
The storytelling is my main problem. The fact that Barbara is screwing up left and right is explained as her not doing the whole superhero gig for several years, due to her paralysis. Yet it's said she was shot only three years prior. So in that time she forgot how to handle herself and use her smarts? I thought she had still been Oracle? If that's the case, why is she acting like such a rookie now? It's weak. The fact that they still don't explain how she can walk is extremely annoying. I understand not answering all questions immediately to keep the reader coming back, but I feel this is unacceptable in this case. The fact that Barbara would be walking again was a MAJOR controversy when the DCnU was announced. To not give any answer by now is an injustice to her fans. Frankly, this whole series is an injustice to her fans. This makes Batgirl seem incompetent, useless, and downright unlikeable. I really hope this gets fixed quickly, because if not, a once great character's potential has been needlessly squandered. I also hate how each issue has ended so abruptly. You expect to turn the page to see more story, and all you get is To Be Continued. Pathetic pacing. A good story keeps you hooked, not wondering if you're missing a page. But this whole series has been keeping me wondering. Wondering when a better story will appear.

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #2

This is the first time I've reviewed multiple issues of a title. But I'm not going to get into a full-blown review here. If you want to know the backstory of Luther Strode, read my review of issue #1. No, the reason I'm reviewing #2 is because this book does such a great job of making you feel connected to the main character. Maybe better than any book has done in recent years (with the excepton of Scarlet). It harkens back to when Marvel first started in the '60's. You can instantly imagine yourself in the lead role. It's a quality that has been missing in so many comics today. Sure, we all want to read about things that could never happen, or we'd just look out our windows for entertainment. But if a book can entertain you while making you feel like you're a part of the story? That's special. I don't feel that way with Marvel titles anymore, and I never felt that way with DC. Sure, I love a lot of what they put out, but in a different way. Maybe Luther Strode (and a few other indy titles out there) make you feel connected because the stories are more personal since they are creator owned? Maybe it's because they have no corporate handcuffs to deal with? All I know is, there's nothing better than reading a book that makes you feel like waiting a month for the next issue is an eternity, and this book does just that.

Avengers Academy #22

This is an important issue for the sole fact that we finally get a long overdue confrontation between Magneto and Quicksilver. And it delivered all the fireworks you'd expect. The way some of the underlying hatred between the Avengers and the X-Men play out is exceptional. Christos Gage has always had a great way with dialog with this book, and it really shines here. From the aforementioned banter between Magneto and Quicksilver, to the students coming to the defense of their teachers, to the bickering between the teachers and their guests, all is played out in a believable fashion. These kids have been through a lot recently, so it's nice to see them come together when they feel their territory has been intruded upon.

Sadly, this is Sean Chen's last issue as artist. He's always been a favorite of mine, and his art on this series was top-notch. But every artist on this book has been a big name in the industry, so it's still in good hands. And Rodin Esquejo on covers is a big bonus for me since he's also the cover artist on my favorite book, Morning Glories. It's fun to see him play in Marvel's sandbox.

Avengers Academy has been one of the best books on the stands ever since it premiered. It's arguably the best Avengers title out there. The problem is, it gets overlooked because it doesn't have any of the "big guns" on the team. Plus, it's full of new characters, that while customers always scream for, they never support. When a book gives the consumer what they ask for, yet gets shunned by those said consumers, it's frustrating. So I'm hoping this review will open some eyes to a book that deserves more attention.



My first fan art!

My long-time friend Brian Webster has graced this site with it's very first piece of fan art. Brian used to do a weekly strip called Masters.com that centered around his life that most of the time was based on the shenanigans that happened in the comic shop I used to own. This is what my character looked like back then, in the days when I still had enough hair to put in a ponytail (like all the cool kids used to). Thanks, Brian!!

Avenging Spider-Man #1

This is a title I've been anxiously awaiting since the moment it was announced. Joe Madureira is my all-time favorite artist, and I get everything he's ever put his name on. The day he left comics was a very sad day for me. When he came back to draw the third volume of the Ultimates, I was excited, but not as much as if it had been on a main-universe Marvel title. Still, I enjoyed it, and wished there was more. And now there is. And it's on a main-Marvel book, about Marvel's main character. It's an exciting time!
Avenging Spider-Man is everything a Spidey book should be. Heck, it's everything a comic should be. It's fun, action-packed, and leaves you wanting more the second you finish the last page. Zeb Wells was one of the best writers on Amazing Spider-Man when the title was being written by the "braintrust." It's great to see him back telling the tales of ol' Spidey. And this time, he's brought all of Spidey's friends with him. Team-up books have always been hit-or-miss. Some are very well done, and each character is represented equally. Some have been basically a way to showcase a lesser-selling character with the help of a bigger-selling one. This book so far has taken all the best qualities of a team-up book and amped them up with the biggest names in Marvel's line. Seeing Zeb getting to play in that sandbox is going to be a ride like nothing else on the stands today.
Having Joe Mad along for that ride is the best icing any cake could hope for. His art is the most electric of any artist working today. He breathes life into his drawings that make them seem like they're jumping right off the page. Joe's style used to have more of a manga look to it when he first started out, but more recently it's definitely morphed into a style that mixes more "traditional" art with a manga essence. I still love every bit of it. The only flaw I can mention is the fact that Joe needs an inker on this title. The lack of one leaves a sort of unfinished look to some pages and panels. It's not totally distracting, but I feel ink would just be a better way to go. The coloring by Ferran Daniel, though, is a real win. It complements the art in a way that almost makes not having an inker forgivable.
The best part of the book (so far, at least), is the fact that you can jump right in to a Spider-Man title without needing to know anything about current storylines, or even years of back tales. As long as that lasts, I think this book will have a nice, healthy shelf life.

Penguin: Pain and Prejudice #1

This series has the honor of being the first DC book not part of the original 52 launch. I guess DC felt they'd rather have nothing but ongoing series introduced in the first month to grab everyone's attention, then slowly roll out lesser profile mini-series in the following months. It's not a bad strategy, but some of the minis are going to be overlooked by the public that have put their money into so many other titles already. I feel this book is a prime example of that. It's far superior to many of the first wave of 52.
We're introduced to the childhood origins of the Penguin, while at the same time we see how those origins have twisted the man into the vile villain he is today. It's a fascinating study of sadness and disgust you can have for one person. Gregg Hurwitz does an excellent job delving into the mind of both the young innocent Oswald Cobblepot, and the devious mature Penguin. The art by Szymon Kudranski portrays Cobblepot's life in both vivid sympathy and horrific violence that only helps to enhance the atmosphere of the book.
If you're a Bat-fan, you should not miss the opportunity to see inside the mind of one of Batman's greatest enemies. If you're not a fan of the Bat, you should still enjoy the psychological exploration of how an innocent child becomes a twisted genius.

Wolverine and the X-Men #1/Uncanny X-Men #1

I figured I'd give equal time to both sides of the X-Men schism with this set of reviews, even though I'm fully on Wolvie's side and think Cyke's a total douche.

First up is the new ongoing series Wolverine and the X-Men. This title was a lot of fun. I don't think anybody would've predicted Logan would be the one to take the stance of teaching over fighting after the events of Schism. But if you look back at Logan's history, it actualy makes sense. The way he took Kitty Pryde, Jubilee, and more recently, Armor, under his wing shows Wolverine has always had a nuturing side. So far, the book has that old school feeling of what the X-Men felt like way back when the original five were all we knew. From the introduction to the teachers, to the interaction with the students, we get to see what it's like to be a young mutant all over again.
The drawback to that is the fact that Wolverine's name is in the title, and with Wolverine, you expect a certain amount of action. While this is only the first issue, and there is plenty of time to get into that area, the threat at the end of the issue is not exactly what I would've hoped for in a book written by Jason Aaron. But there's plenty of time to turn that around. The mannerisms and dialogue of the characters is everything I could've hoped for, though.
Chris Bachalo's art is a little hard to follow at times. I've always been a big fan of his, but his style goes through so many changes, that it's never consistent. I like his stuff more when the characters are exaggerated, yet recognizable. With this series, he's more exaggerated, and less recognizable. Yes, we can tell who Wolverine, and Kitty Pryde, and all the major characters are, but it's the students that sometimes get confusing. Not the best way to introduce new readers to new characters in a new series.
All in all, a good starting point to the X-Men's new direction. Room for improvement, but like the students, we're all here to learn.

Uncanny X-Men gets a #1 for the very first time. If you remember, back in 1963, the grandfather of all X-books was entitled just "X-Men." So this issue has a lot to live up to. And it didn't disappoint. Kieron Gillen perfectly introduced all the players on Utopia. From Cyclops' main team, to the Gen Hopers, to San Francisco itself, all got equal time. Gillen's been on the series long enough that he has a good grasp on the nuances of the members, and that really shined through here. The fact that he could jump right into a first issue with introductions AND action was a great plus. The return of one of the X-Men's biggest adversaries was especially welcome.
Carlos Pacheco back on a monthly book is a real treat. His art might not be as detailed as it used to be, but it's still very dynamic. And if the lack of detail allows him to get a book out monthly, it's a fair trade-off, especially since the art is still fantastic.
I'm not a big fan of Cyclops' turn into more of a general than an ambassador for mutants, but this series still makes it an interesting ride. I can't help but feel there is still more to Cyke's change the past few years than what we've seen so far. I don't know if it's my ever-present hate/suspicion of Emma Frost, or the impending threat of next summer's return of the Phoenix, but I think something even more major is about to happen with Scott Summers. And it'll be sooner rather than later.

So whether you're on Wolverine's side or Cyclops' side, readers are in for a new Golden Age for the X-Books. And that's something that's been needed for far too long.

Fear Itself 7.1

It's amazing how one writer who perfectly writes one character can completely fix the mess another writer never should of had the opportunity to do. That's the case with this first epilogue to the worthless Fear Itself series. I said all along that I thought it was a travesty to not have Ed Brubaker write the death of Bucky, a character he's spent years turning into one of the most complex characters currently at Marvel. This book gives Bru not only the chance to address that, but to undo it. And he does it in a way that makes it seem like you're reading an issue of Captain America. Butch Guice's art makes you feel that way as well, since he has been a long time art partner of Brubaker's. The story nicely wraps up the final arc of the last volume of Captain America, which was something that felt forgotten thanks to the rush job that was Fear Itself. It also sets up Bru's new series focusing on the Winter Soldier. Bucky is dead, long live Bucky.

All-Ghouls School

I thought for Halloween, I'd review something that fit the season. And All-Ghouls School covers all the bases here. It's a little tale about Becca, a normal human, that gets sent to a school full of monsters for summer school. The story is your typical unpopular new girl trying to fit in with a new crowd, but with the added element of the supernatural. That added flavor makes the whole take fresh. There is a subplot that is obvious the second it's introduced, but it doesn't detract from the overall story. And the twist on the last page is something I definitely didn't see coming. The art is very similar to something you'd see in an Archie comic, which adds a very fun atmosphere to the book. While that might make it seem like it's only geared for kids, this book will be enjoyable to any age range that picks it up.

Store signing at Illusions Games and Comics

From right to left: my co-worker Andy, me, my other co-worker Cheltsey, Tom Feister, and my boss Nick.

We were lucky enough to have a store signing with artist Tom Feister (G.I. Joe, Legion: Secret Origin) at the shop I manage, Illusions Games & Comics. It was a total blast. This is what working in a comic shop is all about. I have no doubt in my mind that I'm in the right profession.

Pigs #1

Image continues to crank out the good stuff when it comes to your non-superhero comic fare. Pigs is about a KGB sleeper cell from Cuba from the Bay of Pigs era awakened today. The mystery surrounds why the agents are activated today, and what their mission is. The cliffhanger at the end is all you'll really need to be convinced to keep getting the series, but don't overlook the gritty, definitely adult dialog. The real meat of this book lies in that dialog. Well written like the best Hollywood crime movie, with enough unique characters to keep you entertained. The art is a little weak to me. Fits the tone of the book, but just seems unfinished in certain parts. I could've gone for more realism in that regard. But it's not so distracting that you won't be able to enjoy the story. Worth checking out if you're a fan of political/action thrillers. 

Legion of Monsters #1

I'm a sucker for redheads, so Elsa Bloodstone was all I needed to buy this. But I also had become more familiar with Marvel's monsters thanks to their dealings with the Punisher during the FrankenCastle arc. So there was a bit more intrigue to this series for me than just a hot redhead. Well, let me say, this book was a pleasant surprise all around. From the suspense of the mystery killings, to the humor of the wacky monsters, to the bad-assery of Elsa. Dennis Hopeless has grasped characters in a way that few writers can today. For being a relative newcomer, he's got a great take on established characters. His take on Jean Grey in the upcoming X-Men Season One OGN is already one of the best I've seen. And to take these C-list characters and make them interesting is spectacular. As is Juan Doe's art. I've always been a fan of his "propaganda" style covers, so to see his interiors on more than a random one-shot is a treat. His style seems a bit different that his cover work, but in a good way. It's at the same time dark and hilarious. A definite unique style. If you're looking for an unexpectedly fun time with characters you'd never consider fun (with the exception of Elsa, because redheads are always fun), then look no further than this title.

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #1

Image has a real knack of hooking you on certain books with their solicitations in the Previews catalog. Probably better than any other company. And maybe they should since so many of their books today are created by newcomers to the industry. It's a hard sell to a public that needs the most for their buck. You know for the most part you're going to be safe buying a book by Brian Michael Bendis or of a character like Spider-Man. But to buy a book by somebody you've probably never heard of about a character (or characters) that is premiering for the first time, you need something to grab you immediately. And that's exactly what the preview for The Strange Talent of Luther Strode did for me. The sheer magnitude of richly colored, over-the-top violence struck me. Now after reading the book, I'm hooked even further. The story might seem like a standard "weak nerd likes a girl, gets buff to beat the bully to get her" tale, but it's so much more. Luther Strode is immediately a guy you like, and you want to see him succeed. You've probably even been in his shoes. As he gains his "talent" though, you're interested in seeing what he's going to do with them. But how did he get them, and who are the mysterious forces behind them? Well see, that's the hook. All of it is drawn and colored in a way that's best described as frenetic. The action literally explodes from the page in a way that's eye-popping. Very bright colors, very action hued. The perfect compliment to the story. Image should have another indy sensation on their hands.

Green Lantern: New Guardians #1

And the 52 DCnU reviews come to a close with Green Lantern: New Guardians. I think the GL franchise is the strongest in the DC line. Every book has been new reader friendly even though the old DCU stories were continued, every book has had great art, and every book has been what a comic should feel like. In this one, we get to see the wide spectrum of the different Lantern Corps (and it's not pronounced "corpse" people). There's even a nice introduction of Kyle Rayner at the beginning to catch new readers up to speed. I enjoyed seeing a bit of all the different Corps as much as I did learning about Kyle. My only quibble is with the art. It's nice, and most definitely brings a cosmic life to the book. But everyone seems to have porcupine hair. Like they all have spikes instead of hair. That needs to go. But the color palate is pleasing, accentuating each Corps member nicely. It'll be fun to see if each Corps is highlighted in the series, or if it'll begin to focus solely on Kyle's life as a Green Lantern. In Brightest Day indeed...

Aquaman #1

Not a hoax! Not a dream! The world might have just come to an end, because they've finally made Aquaman cool! It's so unbelievable for me to be saying this, but it's true. And the funniest thing about how they made him cool, is how they did it. They made fun of him. And that in turn made him a very likeable character. A character you wanted to see succeed. Geoff Johns has gone three-for-three in the DCnU. He's completely turned me around on his writing. I think the internet has cracked in half. What's next, I get a girl?? (Yeah, right) The art is superb, which is no surprise since Ivan Reis has become a superstar thanks to his pairing with Johns on Green Lantern. This was an exceptionally fun read. Quite possibly the biggest surprise of all 52 new comics. Even Johns' biggest fans could not see this coming. I doubt even DC did. Aquaman!

Batman: The Dark Knight #1

Batman: the Dark Knight is a book that shouldn't have been brought over from the old DCU. I don't mean that in a bad way, it's just that there are already so many Bat-titles, why do we need this one? It doesn't bring anything to the table that the other titles (Batman, Detective Comics, Batman & Robin) haven't already have, plus, it's the weakest of the four. When Dick Grayson was Batman at the same time as Bruce Wayne, it made sense to have multiple Bat-books. But now that Bruce is the lone cowl-wearer, it's overkill to have this many. Sure, David Finch's art is nice, but his style fits better at Marvel. I can't really put my finger on why I feel that way, but them's the facts. He also has an odd way of drawing men's faces. His women are terrific, but his men look, I don't know, gnarled. Just very discontorted. If you're getting all the Bat-titles, then this one will fit just fine in your collecting, but if you're trying to limit yourself to one or two, the other titles are better choices.

Voodoo #1

Remember all the controversy that Red Hood and the Outlaws & Catwoman got last week, and how I thought it was total nonsense and uncalled for? Well, not with Voodoo. This was nothing but a huge fluff book. Totally pointless. The main character strips and lap dances for 20 pages. That's a story? Sure, for late night Skinemax. Not for an intriguing new comic. And frankly, any potential story "surprise" is spoiled right ON...THE...COVER. The only bright spot in this entire piece of waste of time is the other female character, Jessica Fallon. If this book decides to focus on her in the future, MAYBE it'll turn around. But I doubt it. At least the art was exquisite. And it better be. Because if you're doing a cheesecake (read: porn) comic, you better have an artist who draws the female form well.

All-Star Western #1

Westerns and me don't get along. I've never been a fan of them. They just bore me. But when I find a western that I like, I really like it. So I guess I either choose wisely, or choose carefully. Well, All-Star Western was a great choice. I never would've thought it'd be this damn good. I've never read anything with Jonah Hex before, but if his old style was like his current one, I should've been. He's a bonafide bad-ass. He takes no crap but dishes out plenty. My style of action hero. Setting Hex in late 1880's Gotham was a unique choice. So while western is in the title, it's not your typical one. But the feel is still there, thanks in large part to the art. It's really quite a beautifully drawn and colored book. The color choice on some pages makes it feel like you're looking at photos from that era. It's a very unique look. This is one of the best of the new DC titles, and I never would've guessed that going into this initiative.

Captain Atom #1

Why did Captain Atom get a book? I'm not sure. Maybe DC has plans for him in their new universe? So far, it's just not worth bothering with. We already have an all-powerful, indestructable being. He's called Superman. Captain Atom would be better off in a team book. A solo series is just not worth it. It's not a bad read, just pointless. We don't find out anything about his origins, but for a change it doesn't feel like we need to. We can go right into the action, and not feel that lost. But while that should be a good thing, in this instance, it's because it's just not worth caring about. The art does nothing to help the book either. It looks almost like it's unfinished. Very sloppy even. This book is nothing more than a poor man's Superman. And who really needs that?

Batman #1

The ol' Batman is one of the most highly anticipated titles in the DC relaunch. For the most part it lives up to expectation. The story finds Batman using his detective skills, which is to be expected. But it's still great to see him utilize that aspect of his persona. There's a definite old school mystery feel with the book. I always have felt that's where the great Batman storytellers excel. Scott Snyder is well on his way to leaving a terrific stamp on the Batman mythos. The art style is where it feels a little off. I have always loved Greg Capullo's art. But his style changed dramatically from his X-Force work to his Spawn work. It was really dark and brooding. You'd think that would fit perfectly here. But his style has changed yet again. Maybe that's from the different inker. I'm not sure. I'm just not used to it yet. It's in no ways bad. It still fits the book exceptionally well. I just was expecting one style and got a different one. I will say some characters look shorter and younger than I think they should. But it still feels like a Bat-book. An extremely well crafted one. And sometimes that's all we need.

Blue Beetle #1

What's this? An actual origin story? That's a welcome element more of these DCnU books should embrace. I knew nothing of this Blue Beetle before reading the book, so I needed all the backstory I could get. It was given in a very neat, simplistic package. Nothing overly amazing about the tale: two warring factions fighting over a prized artifact, the awkward kid who accidently gets his hands on it, strange new powers are now his. Seen it, seen it, seen it. But this time he's Hispanic! And boy do they beat you over the head with that fact. But that's okay. There needs to be more diverse characters out there, and Jaime will fill that need pretty well. My quibble with it though, when a book gives you that "*translated from (fill in the blank)", please translate THE WHOLE SENTENCE. Because if you don't, you're not translating anything. I know enough Spanish to know what's being said, but not everyone might. Especially kids. And this book is going to be geared toward them a lot. I liked the art. Ig Guara has a very nice Todd Nauck feel, which I dig. All in all, a middle-of-the-road read. Fun, but nothing new.

Savage Hawkman #1

The Savage Hawkman was another one of those mid-pack titles. Not great, but far from bad. The art is really the draw here (no pun intended). Has an almost painted feel to it. Really nice to look at. The plot could've used more background though. Hawkman has always had a convoluted history, so it would've been nice to learn who Carter Hall is and how he became Hawkman. And will there be a Hawkgirl, since those two are forever intertwined? This was an opportunity for DC to clear up a lot in that regard, and it was missed. The plot that is here, isn't a bad one at least. It will be interesting to see how Carter reacts to the ramifications to his powers that he thought he had finally gotten rid of. The book has potential, as long as it doesn't stray from answering those questions in a timely fashion.

Flash #1

What is this? A Flash book I actually enjoyed? And enjoyed quite a bit? Insanity. But it's true. I've never read a lot of Flash issues in the past, but I never liked any of them. They were always so boring to me. "Oh look, I run fast, and, uh....that's about it." I couldn't see how that'd be interesting month after month. But I can in this book. One of the coolest things in any of these DCnU titles was a two-page spread that gave you Barry Allen's origin much in the way a opening title sequence does on a tv show. That was pure genius right there. Barry was a very likeable character from the get-go. The plot was a very interesting one that made you want to know more pretty much immediately. The art was frenetic in the way it presented Barry's life in and out of his costume. Francis Manapul has crafted a must-read for one of DC's heavy hitters.

Fury of Firestorm #1

The Fury of Firestorm is an example (a rare example) of a true reboot. There's no doubt in this fact. It's also a pretty complete origin story to boot. We get to learn what a Firestorm is along with the rest of the cast. The problem is, so far, it's not that exciting. There's some decent action in it, but I actually have some problem with how some of that action plays out. It's a pretty gruesomely violent book. I'm not a squeamish guy, and love my over the top violence, but this seemed too much like tourture porn than normal violence. There's been a few titles in the DCnU that have utilized this. Maybe it's something that's always been around in some books, but it just seems to me that it's kind of thrown in your face in this entire initiative more than I was expecting. The dialog tries to be a little cooler than it actually is in some places, but it also has some better ways of making the characters more believable than other books. The art is okay, fitting the flow of the book well enough. Overall, the book is a middle of the road title. Better than some of these DCnU titles, but not in the top tier.

Superman #1

Superman, Superman, Superman. Why dost thou books suck? Shouldn't you be the premiere line in the DCnU? You've been upstaged by your cousin and your clone. Crazy. This book was bad. The dialog was as craptacular as an old Saturday morning cartoon. The action was uninspired. The plot involving the selling of the Daily Planet to a rival company has already been seen in the Amazing Spider-Man. The art, which you'd think would be a huge plus, was disjointed. This was as disappointing as Action Comics. At least with Action, I figured it'd be bad because I despise Grant Morrison. But I like George Perez. A lot. But not here. This did nothing to make me like the younger Superman. EXCEPT for one thing. The last page. That page made Clark Kent as human as Peter Parker. It felt like a very "Marvelizing" of Superman. That was terrific. That made me feel for a character that overall is as boring as a character can get. I don't know if it'll be enough to get past all the other problems with this book, but it's enough for me to recommend this over Action Comics. That is, IF you need to read any Superman book at all.

Teen Titans #1

I really enjoyed Teen Titans. Definitely had the younger hero vibe down pat. I'm a little confused how Tim Drake as Red Robin is forming this team if the old Batman continuity is continuing into the current DCnU. That's why this whole deal would've been better off as a complete reboot. But in any case, we see Tim picking his members and we are introduced to them in much the same way we saw in JL #1. This book was just geared toward the younger demographic. It's also a perfect complement to the Superboy series. Which, of course, should be no surprise since they're both written by Scott Lobdell. But I've seen many a books that are supposed to play off each other and fail miserably at it. Not here though. If you liked Superboy, you should try this book out. The only drawback is the art. It's not bad, mind you. I've always liked Brett Booth's work. But over the years, he's made his character's bodies look longer and longer. It's distracting in some places. The coloring is handled well, though. Very energetic. I am interested to see who the characters on the cover that weren't introduced yet turn out to be, because they look like no one I know from the old DCU. Another strong team book, which seems to be the real strength of the DCnU.

Justice League Dark #1

Justice League Dark is the third and final release for the JL family of titles. It's definitely the most unique one. Like the main Justice League title, this issue slowly sets up the roster. Unlike the main book, and like Justice League International, we get to see all of the members in this introductory issue, just not as a team yet. It's a little confusing to grasp what the events of the book are heading towards as we learn about the characters. I guess that's because of the mystical threat that's looming. This is definitely nothing like any other JL book that has come before. the art is terrific. Some of the most unique of the launch titles. A style befitting the supernatural, much like the art in I, Vampire. I'm not sure if I liked the book as much as I was hoping I would, but I think that has to do with the unknown aspects more than a poor execution of them. Afterall, people are afraid of the unknown.

I, Vampire #1

I really wanted to like I, Vampire. I really did. Even though most internet chatter had denounced this as one of the first books to get the axe when the first 52 were announced, I thought the premise sounded interesting. But after reading the book, I couldn't even grasp what the premise was. I think there's some type of "vampires taking over the world" thing going on. But the constant switching back and forth between the past and present was so confusing, I could be way off on that premise. It's nothing awe inspiring, whatever it is. The art, on the other hand, is amazing. Andrea Sorrentino is a perfect mood setter. The style is exactly like Jae Lee's art. It really fits the gothic horror this book is about. The cover by Jenny Frison is quite possibly the best of all these new 52's. If the story becomes more clear in the next issue, I could be brought back to my initial feelings for this book. But right now, I'm disappointed.

Blackhawks #1

If Men of War was how to make a war comic, then Blackhawks was how not to make one. This book takes the old WWII team and updates them to modern times. Maybe a bit too modern with their over-the-top technology that the team uses. We're not introduced to any member in such a way that we care what happens to any of them. In fact, we're thrown right into the middle of an op they're on without any knowledge of who either side is. The art makes it hard to tell which team member is which in certain areas, but since I really didn't care who the characters were to begin with, I guess that didn't matter. This was described somewhere before the launch as DC's take on G.I. Joe. If that's the case, Cobra's gonna be winning this war pretty quickly.

Wonder Woman #1

I've never been a big fan of Wonder Woman. At least not in her own book. I like her appearances in JLA and other books, but her solo series has always been boring to me. I can't really explain why, it just is. So obviously this is a chance for me to try again. The issue was fairly well written. The plot mostly revolves around the mythos of Diana's background. We as readers are experiencing everything new as is the new character Zola. She's thrown into Wonder Woman's world blind, as are we. We'll be learning about the plot alongside Zola. A neat way to be thrust into the Amazonian world. Cliff Chiang's art is as nice as ever. He draws very bold characters that makes them almost seem animated. The book is a lot more gory than I would've expected, which might turn some off. I have a strong stomach, so I'll be sticking around for a bit.

Supergirl #1

Supergirl is a character that should be able to benefit from the DC reboot. Being able to completely forget one of the most convoluted backstories for any character ever is nothing but a plus. She's been rebooted so many times, it's beyond ridiculous. So what's one more? This one puts us as the reader in the same boat as Kara; where the heck are we? Kara crash lands to Earth with no idea she's not even on Krypton anymore. As she struggles with her confusion, we're introduced to a plethora of her powers. It's by far, one of the best set ups of these new DC books. The art is a real treat. We can actually believe Kara is a SuperGIRL, not a woman. She looks young in a very real life way. The colors really explode from the page. A lot of these rebooted books have had a very muted color scheme, which I don't feel fit most of the books. Almost detracts from a lot of the art. But here, the color expands on the world Kara now finds herself in. This is definitely a perfect companion book to Superboy.

DC Universe Presents #1

DC Universe Presents was a decent little tale. Another book that had a full origin for it's main star, in this case Deadman. Think of Boston Brand as Sam Beckett from Quantum Leap. Brand died and now has to jump from body to body, helping these downtrodden folks to improve their lives so he can move on into the afterlife. It's an interesting tale, if not exactly original. The art is nice. Simple, yet elegant comic booky style. A book that is worth picking up if it's a revolving set of stories every few months, but will grow repetitive if not handled correctly. So far, albeit only one issue into it, it's interesting enough to give a looksee.

Nightwing #1

Everybody loves Dick (Bazinga!), and now they've got him. Dick Grayson is back as Nightwing. Probably back where he belongs. He definitely excels in the role. He even admits to such in the book. A book that feels like a comic should feel. The dialog, internal monologue, energetic art, and unreal action you'd expect from a superhero title. The new villain was too much of rip-off mixture of Spider-Man & Wolverine, but that can be forgiven. Everything else was so well done that a lame villain doesn't detract from the story. A triumphant return for one of the most popular, most loved Bat-characters of all time.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #1

Hoo boy, this book is going to get torn apart by fanboys. I just see it coming. But Red Hood and the Outlaws jumped way up to one of my favs of the DCnU. And it's all because of Starfire. Sweet hubba hubba. This book has the greatest page EVER. You'll know it when you see it. It also has the best line of the new rebooted titles. You will also know that when you read it. Aside from Kori, the book has a decent amount of action, some good humor, but maybe a little weak on plot. Mostly because, yet again, we're thrown into a story we are supposed to already be familiar with. But at least the book even knows that, because at the end, instead of a "To be continued" we get a "To be explained." Hopefully it'll be explained sooner rather than later. Art wise, it's phenomenal. Kenneth Rocafort is an amazing talent. It's a unique style. Jutting edges, sharp points, yet smooth curves where needed. Nothing quite like it on the stands today. If you're looking for a fun, intrigiung, sexy book, then mission accomplished.

A little addendum to my original review: this one DID indeed get ripped apart by the internets. Frankly, I think it's ridiculous. To say Starfire is being abused is laughable. She's the one instigating everything. She was always a sexual character, no matter what the Cartoon Network show portrayed her as. Not every book has to be high literature. If you can't look at a book's rating and surmise what's going to be inside, you might not want to ever leave your homes. That way I won't have to hear your stupidity.

Birds of Prey #1

Birds of Prey is the only hold over from the old DCU that I read the entire run of. So I'm more than well aware of who everyone is and what their origins are. And yet, this issue totally got me lost. Don't get me wrong, this is a great, action-packed book. Well paced, well written, great art. A really nice take on a book that I had grown more than tired of the past couple years. But if the Bat-family of titles are supposed to be continuing from the old continuity, I have absolutely no clue how this fits in. It sure didn't pick up from where the last BoP series ended. Still, if it's geared to new readers, then it does it's job. The plot mystery is still unfolding, and the entire cast has yet to be revealed. That should be enough to keep you coming back. It is for me, at least.

Catwoman #1

This was the single best Catwoman book I have ever read. Everything clicked. Judd Winick's take on Selina Kyle's inner thoughts was magnificent. Exactly how you'd believe her mind would work. The story jumps right into all you need to know about her, too. She's a simple character at best, and there's no need to make anything too complicated. We see her get a job, and off the story goes. But the real treat is the art. Guillem March was fantastic on Gotham City Sirens. Well, his art now has improved ten-fold. It's truly breathtaking. This has to be the best art on any DCnU title that isn't by a "superstar" artist. But rest assured, this book will make Guillem a superstar. If you're a Marvel fan and need some convincing to read this book, think of this Selina as a cross between Black Widow and Black Cat. If you know me, then you know I love this title already.

Green Lantern Corps #1

The GL line of books is 2-for-2 (3-for-3 if you count Red Lanterns) on the good side after Green Lantern Corps' release. A really well done title. The story sets up a new, unknown threat to the Corps, at the same time dealing with Guy Gardner & John Stewart's personal quest to find a place in a "normal" life. I love the personal side to them, and their interactions with each other are outstanding. Guy's choice in sports teams needs some huge improving, though. ;) There's a definite space opera feel to the book that should lead to some exciting action in future issues. The art is superb. Has an almost summer blockbuster feel to it. Every character has a powerful presence. If you liked the main Green Lantern series, this one is a worthy companion book.

Legion of Superheroes #1

Two Legion titles, two failures for my taste. The Legion books are proving that if you're not going to reboot the entire line, don't reboot anything. At least this title does tell you who everyone is and what powers they have through the use of little word boxes upon seeing the character for the first time. But that doesn't help me care what's going on. I definitely feel if you're a Legion fan, this story will rock your booties. But since I'm not, all I got out of it was some really beautiful artwork. Francis Portela does an amazing job bringing each character to life AND drawing richly detailed backgrounds. But art is only going to keep me for so long. Another disappointing "launch."

Batwoman #1

Batwoman was the one book I was going to buy even when I was against the whole reboot. This was the book I have been waiting almost a year for. This was the character I loved when everybody jumped off Detective Comics when she came aboard. So to say I had a huge amount of anticipation for this title would be a gigantic understatement. And it was worth every second I had to wait for it. It was amazing. The art is the most beautiful art in any book on the stands today. Probably the most beautiful art in the past 10 years. If you read Kate Kane's Detective stories, then you know what I'm talking about. If you didn't, you're in for a treat. I will fight anybody that says differently. The story starts out more supernaturally than I like in my Batbooks, but it fits this character more than it fits Batman. I like the dynamic between her and her partner. It has a very good Batman & Robin feel to it. It's quite arguably the best Batbook on the stands. It'll get overlooked like the Detective Comics issues did, and that's a crime. Make sure you don't let that happen twice.

Batman and Robin #1

Batman and Robin is my first chance to read Damian Wayne. What a smart-mouthed little prick. Or in other words, he's pretty frikkin' awesome. He's the perfect spoil to Bruce Wayne's no-nonsense attitude. This book has the perfect balance of old school and new school Bat tales. I haven't read any core Batman books in quite some time. I only stuck to the fringe of his universe, because I didn't like what I heard about Grant Morrison's style. When I read Detective Comics, it felt like the stories I was used to. This book feels like my style, plus the new style. But without Morrison's "I'm too cool for you to understand" vibe. Thankfully. The art is tricky. In some spots it's incredibly detailed and lush, and it others it's plain and simplistic. If that can be fixed to a more consistent style, then the book will be pretty much flawless. Still, a very well crafted book that should please any Batfans that lapsed once Morrison came on board.

Superboy #1

I was very leery of the Superman family of books after reading the abomination that was Action Comics. But Superboy was a terrific read. It neatly washed away the convoluted mess that Superboy's origins (yes, plural) had become over the years, and started fresh. They left you with enough questions of how he came to be to get you wanting to read more. The tie-in to the new Teen Titans book was set up, and they possibly threw in Caitlin Fairchild from Gen13 in a whole new way. The art could use some improving. In no way horrible, just nothing that stands out. But not enough to detract from the overall enjoyment of reading the book. Let's hope Supergirl is as well done.

Red Lanterns #1

Red Lanterns is yet another new title that I was anticipating. I am full of rage (as anyone who knows me already knows), so I figured this book would be right up my alley. And it did not fail to deliver. It did an excellent job of establishing the status quo in a new reader friendly sort of way. I could immediately understand who these characters were and why they existed. The set up for future issues was laid out nicely. The art portrayed the harshness of the Red Lanterns beautifully. I've enjoyed Ed Benes' art for years, and it feels as electric as ever. This title is a great balance to the Green Lantern mythos. And if you need one more reason to buy it: two-page spread of rage-fueled Dex-Starr!

Resurrection Man #1

Resurrection Man was another title I was looking forward to even though I never read the original series. The premise is a very intriguing one: every time Mitch Shelley dies, he comes back with a different super power. That can be a very useful thing, or a complete waste, depending on what it is. The book has limitless potential if done right. So far, so good. There's now the added story of Mitch's soul being sought after by both Heaven and Hell. That overall side story blends well with the character's powers, since he's constantly on the edge of life and death. The art is a big plus here. Very dynamic. One of the better drawn books of the DCnU so far. If you're looking for something that is not your standard "super powered" fare, this book should fill that need quite nicely.