Some reviews from 10/26/16 books:
ACTION COMICS #966
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by DAN JURGENS • Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA and ART THIBERT • Covers by CLAY MANN • Variant covers by GARY FRANK
2 pg • FC • $2.99 U.S. • RATED T
“BACK IN THE PLANET” part two! As the Daily Planet’s star returns to work, so does Lex Luthor. Meanwhile, Superman continues to investigate the devastation in the aftermath of the Doomsday attack.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: This is the most interesting Action Comics has ever been for me.
While I enjoyed the pater familias Superman of the Silver Age as much as anyone, the day of the infallible father figure as the center of any strip is probably over -- especially in an age where the distrust of authority is widespread. (Plus, I'm not 12 anymore.) So now we have a scenario where no one really trusts anyone, which is in tune with the times.
Luthor keeps acting like a good guy, but nobody really believes it. The new Clark Kent is inexplicable, even to people with super powers to investigate his claims. Superwoman is worried that she's going to die like the new Lois, while the "old" Lois is pretending to be the new one at the Daily Planet -- ethically suspect, and doomed to failure. And, of course, no one trusts the new/old Superman.
That's a lot of balls in the air, and quite frankly, I'm content to let them stay up there as long as possible. I like this strange new Metropolis, now standing on sand instead of bedrock. The constant shifting keeps Superman's world uncertain -- and one that could collapse at any time.
That's good comics!
DETECTIVE COMICS #943
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by JAMES TYNION IV • Art by ALVARO MARTINEZ and RAUL FERNANDEZ • Cover by JASON FABOK • Variant cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
“THE VICTIM SYNDICATE” part one! Batman can’t save everyone -- innocent people sometimes fall in the war against evil that he’s declared in Gotham. But what happens when those victims start to fight back…and they don’t only blame the criminals who shattered their lives? Batman’s never faced an enemy like this, and his team may find themselves questioning everything they know about what heroes do!
Just like with Action, Detective has added a huge cast whose status quo is always changing. Again, that's good comics.
This is the first issue of a new storyline, so it's too soon to make any judgments. But if it's as good as "Night of the Monster Men," I'll remain on board.
THE FLASH #9
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • Art by NEIL GOOGE • Covers by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO • Variant covers by DAVE JOHNSON
32 pg • FC • $2.99 U.S. • RATED T
“KID FLASH OF TWO WORLDS!” In this single-issue tale, Wally West meets Wally West! The original Kid Flash meets his cousin for the very first time in this special issue, which continues The Flashes’ investigation into the events that began in DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1.
Yep, Cover A is a callback to the classic Flash #123 (1961), just as the title is.
It's not possible for the Scarlet Speedster to return to the Silver Age any more than it is for Superman, and again, that's a good thing. Especially since this title is trying to take the essence of the Silver Age Flash -- his optimism, his joie de vivre, his inventive use of speed -- and grafting it onto today's grimmer, darker comics milieu. That alone, makes Flash a must-read, as an antidote to all the jaw-clenching out there.
This is especially true of the new Kid Flash. Confusingly, he has the same name as the old Kid Flash, Wally West. (And the old Wally is calling himself "Flash," just like Barry Allen is, which can also be confusing.) But instead of sweeping one Wally or other under the rug, Williamson is addressing it by having the two meet, by establishing how two kids could plausibly have the same name, by having the three Flashes be different ages. The additional Wally is a plus, not a minus to be explained away.
Which is pretty awesome. And it's equally awesome that the new Kid Flash is just as thrilled as the original to be Kid Flash. What a wonderful departure from the usual depiction of black teens in comics -- Wally II isn't from the 'hood, he isn't bitter and cynical and he doesn't talk like a thug. The new Wally is as shiny and bright as a new penny, and is very welcome in these precincts.
The art, too, seems to be doing its best to deny the current age. It's loosey-goosey and unstructured -- almost too much so -- but it encourages a fast read. Which is entirely appropriate for a book named Flash.
FUTURE QUEST #6
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by JEFF PARKER • Art and cover by EVAN “DOC” SHANER • Variant cover by DAN PARENT
32pg • FC • $3.99 U.S. • RATED T
Team Quest is dealt a serious blow at the hands of F.E.A.R. just as Omnikron starts rebuilding itself on Earth—out of anything living that comes too close! Inter-Nation’s Deva Sumadi takes charge and splits the group up to go recruit more forces to take on the alien supercreature. It’s time to go on tour with the Impossibles and meet the biggest fighting force in the world, Frankenstein, Jr.!
This book just made me like The Impossibles. Is there anything it can't do?
HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #7
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI • Art and covers by RAFA SANDOVAL and JORDI TARRAGONA • Variant covers by KEVIN NOWLAN
32 pg • FC • $2.99 U.S. • RATED T
“SINESTRO’S LAW” part seven! Sinestro’s Law concludes as Hal Jordan and Sinestro come to blows for control over the universe. With his back against the wall, will Hal’s friends show up in time to tip the scales in his favor?
There's a surprise ending that sorta-kinda incorporates all the power upgrades Hal's been getting. It also upsets the apple cart in a way that makes it impossible to guess how next issue will even begin.
That's all I'll tell you, but I will recommend it. Venditti gets the characters in this book as right as the last incarnation of Green Lantern got them all wrong. Hot-dogging Hal, arrogant Sinestro, overthinking-it John Stewart, irascible Guy -- they're all here, doing the things you'd expect them to do, and taking them too far (as they always do). That's good Green Lantern comics.
As to the art, it seems to be the love child of Jim Lee and Kevin Nowlan. Which means it's good.
TEEN TITANS #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by BENJAMIN PERCY • Art and cover by JONBOY MEYERS • Variant cover by CHRIS BURNHAM • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
“Damian Knows Best” part one! Now that Damian has “summoned” the Teen Titans, the tyrannical teen reveals his master plan! But a great evil from Damian’s past is lurking around the corner, ready to strike at the team’s newest leader and destroy the new Teen Titans before they even begin!
I stopped reading Teen Titans even before the New 52, and the few issues I tried of that series turned me off further. This book could change that.
Thank Damian Wayne.
I used to hate the little brat. But over time I realized that, written well, the little monster was a breath of fresh air. Straight-arrow Dick, gloomy Jason, earnest Tim -- all the Robins had been kinda boring. This one, though, was as impossible to ignore as a splinter under your thumbnail. And, yes, just as irritating. But the "written well" part is when we see past the attitude, he's just a kid who is trying to live up to the legacy of his father -- who happens to be greatest detective, escape artist and hand-to-hand fighter in the world. And that's just the top of his list of bests. That's a lot of pressure for a 12 year old!
Who is 13 now, as of this issue. Yep, Damian Wayne is a teenager! In Alfred's words, "God help us all."
And it's great. Damian has been the driving force of the last two issues, with a plan just as pompous, presumptuous and over the top as you'd expect. The poor Titans are whipsawed so quickly between events that it's little wonder they haven't taken time to spank Damian. Yet.
Damian has made me a Titans believer again. Even if Raven, Beast Boy and Starfire can't possibly still be teenagers anymore. I can handle a little suspension of disbelief.
Replies
I haven't read Teen Titans, but in last week's Deathstroke (#5), Damian was incredible -- kidnapped by Slade, but all the while attempting psy-ops on him. It was a really good issue, with Slade, Batman, and Damian all acting entirely as smart as they oughta be. So yeah, Damian is suddenly, quite unexpectedly, becoming one of my favorite characters. He's a blast.
Oh, no worries, I wasn't taking it personally! (And I certainly wouldn't want Damian running for president!) I'd actually just been looking for a reason to talk about last week's Deathstroke -- I can't believe I like that book! -- and figured this was a good opportunity.