Justice League of America #11
I'm torn. This issue is either really good or really bad. And I'm having a hard time figuring it out. From one angle, this story could possibly be a classic story of superheroes without any super powers. From another perspective, this story is soooooooooooooo decompressed it's stupid. There are so many internal inconsistencies, even when a lantern is hung upon them, that it just removes the reader from the story. For instance: Mari's powers can only be drawn from humans? Then how on Earth could she take Clark's powers? He's not human!
The art doesn't help this story either. It's too shaky.
Or maybe it does. Maybe the art contributes precisely to the feeling of claustrophobia that the writing's trying to evoke.
I can't rate this issue. It's either ASS or EXCELLENT. I don't know. I have no clue how to read it. Sorry.
After sleeping on it, I decided that I was being unfair to this issue, based on my bias of agreeing with the good folks at Comics Should Be Good that the last issue of this book was the WORST BOOK OF THE YEAR. You know what? This book, against all odds, is actually quite good. It's a story about a man who's put in superheroic situations alongside GODS, as if he had superpowers, and how he must cope when the fact that he has none comes front and center. And it's also the story of a woman who has lost her powers, a woman who was never alone due to her inherent connection with the animal kingdom and now finds herself utterly alone when that connection is stripped from her. And how she deals with it. And how they deal with each other. It's not a book about superheroics. It's just a story about two (relatively) normal people doing their best to be heroes. Doing their best to use their talents to make a difference in the world. It doesn't matter how they came to be in this predicament. It doesn't matter why. What matters is how they rise above their limitations and become the best that they can be, when the chips are down.
That said, this story is very well written. It accomplishes exactly what it should, and is, essentially, a done-in-one. And any flaws mentioned above are eminently excusable, due to the nature of the stress being put upon the protagonists. After considering this book more thoroughly, I fail to find any flaws with it, and must therefore give it a rating of EXCELLENT. You may disagree, but try to put aside any prejudices and appreciate this issue for what it is: a surprisingly EXCELLENT story.
Showing posts with label Justice League of America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Justice League of America. Show all posts
Monday, July 23, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Justice Society of America #7
Justice Society of America #7
Not bad. Though I still have a sour taste in my mouth from JLA#10, this book is actually quite readable. One queston though...does Steel look like that because he's naked? And why does he have a fin on his head? Oops, I guess that was two questions. Whatever.
But I love any scene with Starman in it, especially when said scene involves him eating sloppy joe, so OKAY.
Not bad. Though I still have a sour taste in my mouth from JLA#10, this book is actually quite readable. One queston though...does Steel look like that because he's naked? And why does he have a fin on his head? Oops, I guess that was two questions. Whatever.
But I love any scene with Starman in it, especially when said scene involves him eating sloppy joe, so OKAY.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Justice Society of America #6
Justice Society of America #6
This crossover has only been good when it's been in JSA. When it's been in JLA it's been slow, unwieldly, poorly written, and AWFUL, overall. But when it's been in JSA, it's been wonderful. The characters are written with love, their interactions are witty and cleverly written, the story advances, and things happen. This issue made me smile. The full two page spread of the JLA, JSA, and Legion was wonderful (even if the Legionnaires weren't really there). EXCELLENT.
This crossover has only been good when it's been in JSA. When it's been in JLA it's been slow, unwieldly, poorly written, and AWFUL, overall. But when it's been in JSA, it's been wonderful. The characters are written with love, their interactions are witty and cleverly written, the story advances, and things happen. This issue made me smile. The full two page spread of the JLA, JSA, and Legion was wonderful (even if the Legionnaires weren't really there). EXCELLENT.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Books arriving 5/31
Blue Beetle #15 - I thought that this title would flop after Giffen left the book. It hasn't. In fact, it's gotten even better.
Countdown #48 - If you read my last posting on this title, you'll realize just how much I am already disliking it. I may glance at it, but only so that I don't get left behind.
Dark Xena #2 - Last issue was actually OKAY, beginning immediately following the series finale and tying in the legend of Xena with Lovecraftian gods in a way that didn't immediately turn me off, so I'm looking forward to where it goes from here.
Fallen Angel #16 - Will this be the issue? The one where we find out that Lee's predecessor was, indeed, Supergirl? Probably not, since PAD didn't actually own that character. But he'll come as close as he can to saying so without actually saying so.
Green Lantern #20 - Yeah, this is gonna suck. Except for the backup feature. That should be worthwhile.
Hawkgirl #64 - Not reading this. Really not interested.
Hellboy: Darkness Calls #2 - Wait for the trade.
Justice Society of America #6 - Do you think Scipio's right about where this story is heading? I think he just might be.
The JSA portions of this story are turning out to be ten times better than the JLA portions. So this book will probably be a good read, and will hopefully give us some answers regarding the status of the classic Legionnaires with regard to current continuity.
New Avengers: Illuminati #3 - I read the rerelease of the first two books, and it wasn't quite as bad as I had feared. Merely EH, though, as I still couldn't care less. Retcon shmetcon.
Shaolin Cowboy#7 - An actual issue of this? Wow!
Silver Surfer: Requiem #1 - Hmmmm. Obviously intended to tie in to the upcoming film, but bearing in mind that the most recent Surfer material hasn't sucked (I'm obviously not talking about the ongoing series from a few years ago) it might be worth a look.
Spider-Man: Fairy Tales #1 - ??? Really? After the colossal stupidity that was X-Men fairy tales, Marvel's going to saddle us with more of this CRAP? No, thank you.
Teen Titans #47 - Back to basics, I hope. And future issues have Blue Beetle joining! Though how they're going to pull that off after he rejected Oracle's invitation to join the Birds of Prey is something I haven't yet been quite able to puzzle out.
Ultimate Fantastic Four #42 - What does it say about this title that I actually enjoyed Millar's run on it more? That I wish he were back on this title? Especially since I hate his guts? Ugh.
Wolverine #54 - Uh, yeah, not interested, sorry. Last issue was just such a colossal mess (which was actually the only reason I read it, heh) that this storyline can't be forgotten quickly enough.
X-23: Target X #6 - This wonderful miniseries comes to a close. Beautiful art coupled with great storytelling. I just hope that the series truly has an end. Not merely a finish. If you know what I mean.
Countdown #48 - If you read my last posting on this title, you'll realize just how much I am already disliking it. I may glance at it, but only so that I don't get left behind.
Dark Xena #2 - Last issue was actually OKAY, beginning immediately following the series finale and tying in the legend of Xena with Lovecraftian gods in a way that didn't immediately turn me off, so I'm looking forward to where it goes from here.
Fallen Angel #16 - Will this be the issue? The one where we find out that Lee's predecessor was, indeed, Supergirl? Probably not, since PAD didn't actually own that character. But he'll come as close as he can to saying so without actually saying so.
Green Lantern #20 - Yeah, this is gonna suck. Except for the backup feature. That should be worthwhile.
Hawkgirl #64 - Not reading this. Really not interested.
Hellboy: Darkness Calls #2 - Wait for the trade.
Justice Society of America #6 - Do you think Scipio's right about where this story is heading? I think he just might be.
The JSA portions of this story are turning out to be ten times better than the JLA portions. So this book will probably be a good read, and will hopefully give us some answers regarding the status of the classic Legionnaires with regard to current continuity.
New Avengers: Illuminati #3 - I read the rerelease of the first two books, and it wasn't quite as bad as I had feared. Merely EH, though, as I still couldn't care less. Retcon shmetcon.
Shaolin Cowboy#7 - An actual issue of this? Wow!
Silver Surfer: Requiem #1 - Hmmmm. Obviously intended to tie in to the upcoming film, but bearing in mind that the most recent Surfer material hasn't sucked (I'm obviously not talking about the ongoing series from a few years ago) it might be worth a look.
Spider-Man: Fairy Tales #1 - ??? Really? After the colossal stupidity that was X-Men fairy tales, Marvel's going to saddle us with more of this CRAP? No, thank you.
Teen Titans #47 - Back to basics, I hope. And future issues have Blue Beetle joining! Though how they're going to pull that off after he rejected Oracle's invitation to join the Birds of Prey is something I haven't yet been quite able to puzzle out.
Ultimate Fantastic Four #42 - What does it say about this title that I actually enjoyed Millar's run on it more? That I wish he were back on this title? Especially since I hate his guts? Ugh.
Wolverine #54 - Uh, yeah, not interested, sorry. Last issue was just such a colossal mess (which was actually the only reason I read it, heh) that this storyline can't be forgotten quickly enough.
X-23: Target X #6 - This wonderful miniseries comes to a close. Beautiful art coupled with great storytelling. I just hope that the series truly has an end. Not merely a finish. If you know what I mean.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Justice League of America #8
Justice League of America #8
I love that Starman speaks untranslated Interlac (and for observant readers, there's a translation key in the Batcave). I hate that he's more of a plot device than a character in this book - and in JSA as well. I also dislike how easily Karate Kid remembered who he was.
I love the double page spread of the JLA meeting the JSA. Some great lines.
I like Mr. T questioning why Reddy can see him. I hate his explanation: "you're more human than you think".
I like Mr. T using the old magician's trick of playing two opponents against each other. However, what's it supposed to prove? And can anybody give me a citation on it?
Shouldn't this "danger room" have safeguards against fatalities? Is the only reason Geoforce is on the team in order to save Harper's life in this scene? Lame. Why couldn't Reddy have saved him? Explain to me again why he would get Terra's powers? Because they're siblings? Since when does it work like that?
I like the roster page at the end of the issue. I dislike the fact that only some of the characters have IRL names associated. I dislike that the only difference in name between the two Wildcats is their first names. They should really be listed as Wildcat I and Wildcat III. Who's with me here?
Perhaps it's just me, and my unwillingness to read through the AWFUL first seven issues of this title, but where in the world did Karate Kid come from? I mean, when did he arrive in the Batcave? And seriously, Batman incapacitates him in one/two blows? How incredibly freaking lame is that? I'd suffer some more decompression for an extended fight scene between the two of them. That's just poor writing.
Lame: Hawkgirl pretending to be in the JLA. Cool: Hawkman, speaking Brad Meltzer's dialogue points out that Hal's ring is sort of magic.
That's all that I can recall from reading the book a few hours ago, except that, once again, NOTHING HAPPENS! Otherwise, this issue is OKAY, for the sheer fanboyishness of it.
I love that Starman speaks untranslated Interlac (and for observant readers, there's a translation key in the Batcave). I hate that he's more of a plot device than a character in this book - and in JSA as well. I also dislike how easily Karate Kid remembered who he was.
I love the double page spread of the JLA meeting the JSA. Some great lines.
I like Mr. T questioning why Reddy can see him. I hate his explanation: "you're more human than you think".
I like Mr. T using the old magician's trick of playing two opponents against each other. However, what's it supposed to prove? And can anybody give me a citation on it?
Shouldn't this "danger room" have safeguards against fatalities? Is the only reason Geoforce is on the team in order to save Harper's life in this scene? Lame. Why couldn't Reddy have saved him? Explain to me again why he would get Terra's powers? Because they're siblings? Since when does it work like that?
I like the roster page at the end of the issue. I dislike the fact that only some of the characters have IRL names associated. I dislike that the only difference in name between the two Wildcats is their first names. They should really be listed as Wildcat I and Wildcat III. Who's with me here?
Perhaps it's just me, and my unwillingness to read through the AWFUL first seven issues of this title, but where in the world did Karate Kid come from? I mean, when did he arrive in the Batcave? And seriously, Batman incapacitates him in one/two blows? How incredibly freaking lame is that? I'd suffer some more decompression for an extended fight scene between the two of them. That's just poor writing.
Lame: Hawkgirl pretending to be in the JLA. Cool: Hawkman, speaking Brad Meltzer's dialogue points out that Hal's ring is sort of magic.
That's all that I can recall from reading the book a few hours ago, except that, once again, NOTHING HAPPENS! Otherwise, this issue is OKAY, for the sheer fanboyishness of it.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
New Releases for 3/7/7
Geez, I can't believe it's been nearly a month since my last post. I guess Adrian Watts was right...but, c'mon, February's such a short month...
Anyways, speaking on tomorrow's releases:
I'm looking forward to Atom #9.
I had been under the impression that the Dark Tower series was comprised of new material, so you can imagine my disappointment when I found out that it's a collation of Roland's backstory pulled from the various books of the series.
Fantastic Four: The End has been entertaining so far, albeit a tad nonsensical. I'm interested in seeing how it wraps up.
Wasn't Helmet of Fate supposed to be coming out weekly? Why the delays?
I've been half surprised and half disappointed with this series. Detective Chimp was EXCELLENT. Ibis was likewise VERY GOOD. But I had such high hopes for Black Alice, and it really wasn't any good. It was actually CRAP. It and Sargon - which sucked ASS - didn't even have anything really to do with furthering the fate story. I'm very disappointed in Simone and Niles.
Incredible Hulk has been a lot of fun lately. And it was nice to see Bruce Banner get some in #103.
Justice League of America continues to meander towards the "end" of an arc...which I really can't see as being any sort of conclusion whatsoever. Even Bendis isn't THIS decompressed.
Of course, Justice League Unlimited!
And Manhunter! My LCBS guy told me this is ending with issue 30. Boo hoo. Blue Beetle just came back, Shaw is on course to be the next Azrael (wonder if he'll want Kate's gauntlets?), and Kate still hasn't gotten together with her cousin Jack Knight. There's so much more that this book could do. I really don't want to see it end. I love this book. It's EXCELLENT.
Marv Wolfman's Nightwing has been extremely disappointing so far. He teased us with the spectre of the Monitors, and then took the book way out into left field. And now he's got this new villainous couple? I couldn't be less interested. Heck, I'm more interested in Outsiders, and that book sucks.
Mighty Avengers will probably be just as bad as most of Civil War. So unless one of you deems it worthwhile, I'm not even going to bother.
Yay! More Planetary Brigade! How lucky are we to get an issue of this AND Hero Squared IN THE SAME month! Now I just have to get my comic shop to carry it.
Superman/Batman - Fuck you, Verheiden, for taking a promising title and turning it to CRAP.
I'm interested in reading the Transformers Prequel merely to get a sense of whether or not the movie will suck.
I'm wondering where Bendis is going to take Ultimate Spider-Man now. But Ultimate Vision is soooo freaking lame. And the concept is just unbearably stupid. Truly AWFUL.
I'll read Uncle Sam because I'm hoping for some Ray Terrill. Who else wants him back in the JLA???
And, of course, Welcome to Tranquility. It's a GOOD fun book to read.
Anyways, speaking on tomorrow's releases:
I'm looking forward to Atom #9.
I had been under the impression that the Dark Tower series was comprised of new material, so you can imagine my disappointment when I found out that it's a collation of Roland's backstory pulled from the various books of the series.
Fantastic Four: The End has been entertaining so far, albeit a tad nonsensical. I'm interested in seeing how it wraps up.
Wasn't Helmet of Fate supposed to be coming out weekly? Why the delays?
I've been half surprised and half disappointed with this series. Detective Chimp was EXCELLENT. Ibis was likewise VERY GOOD. But I had such high hopes for Black Alice, and it really wasn't any good. It was actually CRAP. It and Sargon - which sucked ASS - didn't even have anything really to do with furthering the fate story. I'm very disappointed in Simone and Niles.
Incredible Hulk has been a lot of fun lately. And it was nice to see Bruce Banner get some in #103.
Justice League of America continues to meander towards the "end" of an arc...which I really can't see as being any sort of conclusion whatsoever. Even Bendis isn't THIS decompressed.
Of course, Justice League Unlimited!
And Manhunter! My LCBS guy told me this is ending with issue 30. Boo hoo. Blue Beetle just came back, Shaw is on course to be the next Azrael (wonder if he'll want Kate's gauntlets?), and Kate still hasn't gotten together with her cousin Jack Knight. There's so much more that this book could do. I really don't want to see it end. I love this book. It's EXCELLENT.
Marv Wolfman's Nightwing has been extremely disappointing so far. He teased us with the spectre of the Monitors, and then took the book way out into left field. And now he's got this new villainous couple? I couldn't be less interested. Heck, I'm more interested in Outsiders, and that book sucks.
Mighty Avengers will probably be just as bad as most of Civil War. So unless one of you deems it worthwhile, I'm not even going to bother.
Yay! More Planetary Brigade! How lucky are we to get an issue of this AND Hero Squared IN THE SAME month! Now I just have to get my comic shop to carry it.
Superman/Batman - Fuck you, Verheiden, for taking a promising title and turning it to CRAP.
I'm interested in reading the Transformers Prequel merely to get a sense of whether or not the movie will suck.
I'm wondering where Bendis is going to take Ultimate Spider-Man now. But Ultimate Vision is soooo freaking lame. And the concept is just unbearably stupid. Truly AWFUL.
I'll read Uncle Sam because I'm hoping for some Ray Terrill. Who else wants him back in the JLA???
And, of course, Welcome to Tranquility. It's a GOOD fun book to read.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Justice League of America #5
Justice League of America #5
Well, I gave it a shot, but truly, this series is shaping up to be quite AWFUL. In this issue alone, Mari loses her mind, Roy sees Hawkgirl and starts blubbering, the entire league act like the densest asshats the world has ever seen, and Kathy exhibits precognition. Among other things. This is really...quite...bad. The only good part is where the new Amazo uses old panels of reddy in action to reboot himself. But even that doesn't really make much sense. This whole arc is turning into a huge incoherent mess. Besides which, does Meltzer expect this arc to be 12 issues long? And the art is merely competent.
Why can't anybody consider the possibility that Grundy isn't evil? Doesn't anybody remember that he was friends with Jack Knight? Why does Roy Harper wear a mask if his identity is publicly known, then wonder why people know his name? If Mari's talisman is so essential to her, then why wouldn't she wear it inside her costume where nobody could grab it? Ridiculously AWFUL.
Well, I gave it a shot, but truly, this series is shaping up to be quite AWFUL. In this issue alone, Mari loses her mind, Roy sees Hawkgirl and starts blubbering, the entire league act like the densest asshats the world has ever seen, and Kathy exhibits precognition. Among other things. This is really...quite...bad. The only good part is where the new Amazo uses old panels of reddy in action to reboot himself. But even that doesn't really make much sense. This whole arc is turning into a huge incoherent mess. Besides which, does Meltzer expect this arc to be 12 issues long? And the art is merely competent.
Why can't anybody consider the possibility that Grundy isn't evil? Doesn't anybody remember that he was friends with Jack Knight? Why does Roy Harper wear a mask if his identity is publicly known, then wonder why people know his name? If Mari's talisman is so essential to her, then why wouldn't she wear it inside her costume where nobody could grab it? Ridiculously AWFUL.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Justice League of America #1
Justice League of America #1
So sue me. I actually liked this. A lot. The fact that it's being written by Brad (unecessary rape and murder as plot devices) Meltzer gives me pause, however. I just hope he doesn't feel the need to make it dark. Wasn't the whole point of the Infinite Crisis to lighten up the DCU and put some of the fun back into it? I hope this series continues on point. Hell, as far as single issues go, this one is EXCELLENT.
What do we have here?
Pictured on the cover are the big three, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman (Diana), along with Michael Holt - Mr. Terrific II, Jaime Reyes - Blue Beetle III, Carter Hall - Hawkman, Jefferson Pierce - Black Lightning, Big Barda, Mari Jiwe Macabe - Vixen, Kendra Saunders - Hawkgirl, Bart Allen - Flash III, Jason Rusch - Firestorm, Pieter Cross - Doctor Midnite, J'onn J'onzz - Martian Manhunter, Oliver Queen - Green Arrow, Kimiyo Hoshi - Doctor Light II, Donna Troy - Troia, Zatanna Zatara, a Guardian, and a Dr. Fate.
It's unclear as to which Guardian it is, - but he looks black, so probably The Manhattan Guardian - and who knows who's supposed to be inside the Dr. Fate getup? Maybe it's Jared Stevens! Implications? Obviously Donna Troy will not be Wonder Woman for much longer and Carter Hall is coming back.
(Interestingly enough, on the DC website, the cover is pictured with the additions of Green Lantern John Stewart, Tempest, Karate Kid (?!), Booster Gold, The Question (male), Ralph Dibny, The Atom (so tiny you can't tell which one), and an android Red Tornado. Excluded are Green Arrow, Troia, J'onn J'onzz, Flash, Blue Beetle, Black Lightning, and Mr. Terrific.
Implications? Apparently, Ralph wouldn't stay crazy and powerless, Booster would come back, Vic Sage wouldn't die, and Reddy eventually would get his android body back. They may have been excised from the cover for those reasons - or their opposites, whatever.)
In this issue, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman meet in the Batcave to decide who belongs in the newly reconstituted Justice League. The candidates mentioned are as follows, along with each of the big three's votes, if known:
Captain Marvel: Bruce+, Diana-, Clark+
Hal Jordan/Green Lantern: Bruce+,Diana+,Clark+
Kara Zor-El/Supergirl: Bruce-,Diana+,Clark-
Bart Allen/Flash III: Bruce+,Diana+,Clark-
Karen Starr/Power Girl: Bruce+,Diana+,Clark+
Michael Holt/Mr. Terrific: Bruce+,Diana+,Clark~
Ray Palmer/The Atom: Bruce+
Mari Macabe/Vixen: Bruce-,Diana-,Clark+
Carter Hall/Hawkman: Bruce-,Diana+,Clark+
John Smith/Red Tornado: Bruce+,Diana-,Clark~
Victor Stone/Cyborg: Bruce+
Arthur Curry/Aquaman: Bruce+
Nathaniel Adam/Captain Atom: Clark-
Dinah Lance/Black Canary and Roy Harper/Arsenal make it in as well.
Some questions that are answered:
Post 52, Will Magnus is still around, Reddy's body gets rebuilt, Tina has a cute new look, and so does Gold. Boston Brand is still Deadman, but is he in league with Felix Faust? Or is that someone else? Did Faust magically manipulate Brand? Apparently The Question is still around.
Also, Reddy has apparently been destroyed seven times (according to Batman)
Quibble: Isn't Traya considerably older than she is portrayed here? Didn't she used to room with Arrowette?
The issue is very straightforward, but there's a lot of meat in it. The story flips back and forth from the Batcave to incidents involving Black Lightning, Vixen, Roy Harper, and Red Tornado. Throughout the main part of the issue, we only see the pictures of JLA candidates the big three are looking at with their comments as to the possibilities for each one.
The subplot in this issue, which will soon become the focus of the next three issues, is the recorporealization of the Red Tornado. Boston Brand helps Reddy find an actual human body to inhabit, so that he can really be with his family as they deserve. But apparently the situation has been manipulated by Felix Faust on behalf of a new villain who wants the Tornado's android body for himself. Simple.
Other subplots include Vixen's search for a hot date with the Question, only to be ambushed in a bar in Hub City. Also, Jefferson Pierce meets with minor supervillains in order to identify upcoming threats.
Like I said, it's a good issue, and there's a hell of a lot of content, which is always good. It doesn't feel too full either, which is even better. And the art is beautiful, unlike so much of issue #0.
An EXCELLENT and auspicious start to the new series. After reading #0, I was very apprehensive about this issue, but I can say that I have been happily surprised. I can't wait to see where it goes from here. Let's just hope that Brad doesn't pull a Meltzer on us.
A more in-depth review can be found at The (soon to be deceased) Fourth Rail.
Previous issue
So sue me. I actually liked this. A lot. The fact that it's being written by Brad (unecessary rape and murder as plot devices) Meltzer gives me pause, however. I just hope he doesn't feel the need to make it dark. Wasn't the whole point of the Infinite Crisis to lighten up the DCU and put some of the fun back into it? I hope this series continues on point. Hell, as far as single issues go, this one is EXCELLENT.
What do we have here?
Pictured on the cover are the big three, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman (Diana), along with Michael Holt - Mr. Terrific II, Jaime Reyes - Blue Beetle III, Carter Hall - Hawkman, Jefferson Pierce - Black Lightning, Big Barda, Mari Jiwe Macabe - Vixen, Kendra Saunders - Hawkgirl, Bart Allen - Flash III, Jason Rusch - Firestorm, Pieter Cross - Doctor Midnite, J'onn J'onzz - Martian Manhunter, Oliver Queen - Green Arrow, Kimiyo Hoshi - Doctor Light II, Donna Troy - Troia, Zatanna Zatara, a Guardian, and a Dr. Fate.
It's unclear as to which Guardian it is, - but he looks black, so probably The Manhattan Guardian - and who knows who's supposed to be inside the Dr. Fate getup? Maybe it's Jared Stevens! Implications? Obviously Donna Troy will not be Wonder Woman for much longer and Carter Hall is coming back.
(Interestingly enough, on the DC website, the cover is pictured with the additions of Green Lantern John Stewart, Tempest, Karate Kid (?!), Booster Gold, The Question (male), Ralph Dibny, The Atom (so tiny you can't tell which one), and an android Red Tornado. Excluded are Green Arrow, Troia, J'onn J'onzz, Flash, Blue Beetle, Black Lightning, and Mr. Terrific.
Implications? Apparently, Ralph wouldn't stay crazy and powerless, Booster would come back, Vic Sage wouldn't die, and Reddy eventually would get his android body back. They may have been excised from the cover for those reasons - or their opposites, whatever.)
In this issue, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman meet in the Batcave to decide who belongs in the newly reconstituted Justice League. The candidates mentioned are as follows, along with each of the big three's votes, if known:
Captain Marvel: Bruce+, Diana-, Clark+
Hal Jordan/Green Lantern: Bruce+,Diana+,Clark+
Kara Zor-El/Supergirl: Bruce-,Diana+,Clark-
Bart Allen/Flash III: Bruce+,Diana+,Clark-
Karen Starr/Power Girl: Bruce+,Diana+,Clark+
Michael Holt/Mr. Terrific: Bruce+,Diana+,Clark~
Ray Palmer/The Atom: Bruce+
Mari Macabe/Vixen: Bruce-,Diana-,Clark+
Carter Hall/Hawkman: Bruce-,Diana+,Clark+
John Smith/Red Tornado: Bruce+,Diana-,Clark~
Victor Stone/Cyborg: Bruce+
Arthur Curry/Aquaman: Bruce+
Nathaniel Adam/Captain Atom: Clark-
Dinah Lance/Black Canary and Roy Harper/Arsenal make it in as well.
Some questions that are answered:
Post 52, Will Magnus is still around, Reddy's body gets rebuilt, Tina has a cute new look, and so does Gold. Boston Brand is still Deadman, but is he in league with Felix Faust? Or is that someone else? Did Faust magically manipulate Brand? Apparently The Question is still around.
Also, Reddy has apparently been destroyed seven times (according to Batman)
Quibble: Isn't Traya considerably older than she is portrayed here? Didn't she used to room with Arrowette?
The issue is very straightforward, but there's a lot of meat in it. The story flips back and forth from the Batcave to incidents involving Black Lightning, Vixen, Roy Harper, and Red Tornado. Throughout the main part of the issue, we only see the pictures of JLA candidates the big three are looking at with their comments as to the possibilities for each one.
The subplot in this issue, which will soon become the focus of the next three issues, is the recorporealization of the Red Tornado. Boston Brand helps Reddy find an actual human body to inhabit, so that he can really be with his family as they deserve. But apparently the situation has been manipulated by Felix Faust on behalf of a new villain who wants the Tornado's android body for himself. Simple.
Other subplots include Vixen's search for a hot date with the Question, only to be ambushed in a bar in Hub City. Also, Jefferson Pierce meets with minor supervillains in order to identify upcoming threats.
Like I said, it's a good issue, and there's a hell of a lot of content, which is always good. It doesn't feel too full either, which is even better. And the art is beautiful, unlike so much of issue #0.
An EXCELLENT and auspicious start to the new series. After reading #0, I was very apprehensive about this issue, but I can say that I have been happily surprised. I can't wait to see where it goes from here. Let's just hope that Brad doesn't pull a Meltzer on us.
A more in-depth review can be found at The (soon to be deceased) Fourth Rail.
Previous issue
Monday, July 24, 2006
Justice League of America #0
Justice League of America #0
When I read this last week, my initial reaction was mystification. I couldn't figure out what the point of the entire exercise had been, other than to showcase some very good art along with some that was particularly horrendous. (Seriously, hadn't you ever noticed? Superman isn't wearing briefs over his tights, he's wearing swim trunks!) So I waited to see what other people would say about it. (What does that say about my willingness to expose myself through my reviews, my willingness to be original, or my talent as a blogger? Nothing good, I imagine.) And it took a while for them to post on it as well, probably indicating that - for the most part - they couldn't figure out what to make of it either. The "tomorrow" segments are NOT the future, they are possible futures. The "yesterday" segments are all-too-brief glimpses of isolated incidents in JLA history, which for the most part will be unintelligible, or at least unappreciateable (there I go again, making up new words!) to new readers who are unfamiliar with the long history of the JLA and the minutiae thereof. It wasn't particularly bad...it was just pointless. I'd say EH, but really, a comic this bewildering actually deserves its own, unique rating...let's call it HUH? Art was not a factor at all. As it was a non-effort, rather than a collaborative effort, it just gave me the impression that many of these artists, instead of drawing the traditional Big 3, instead tried to show us what their versions of the Big 3 look like. Some succeed, and some, frankly, don't. I actually appreciate the variant cover more than the standard one. Even though it's a bit stylized for my tastes, the feeling of it is right. Whereas on the standard cover, the feeling seems to be one of condescension. Basically, it says that the Big 3 look down their noses at us, and especially in the case of Superman, who has spent his life trying to be human (a la Pinocchio - but I suppose that that's merely one interpretation of the character), I completely disagree.
(There was one panel that I particularly enjoyed - the one where the Big 3 are poring over photographs tring to decide who they should invite into the new JLA - because it was reminiscent of the cover of All-Star Squadron #1.)
And it seems that one of the upcoming plots in Brad Meltzer's book is going to be bringing back Earth-2. (And then he'll decide to have every woman raped...or better yet, he'll destroy every single one of their relationships, including Clark and Lois'!) [Edit: Again, I am an asshole. Winick does the relationship ruining, not Meltzer.] At least that's how I viewed the scene with Earth-2 that everybody else seems to be wondering about.
Of the critics who I read most often, The Savage Blog approximates my feeling regarding this issue the best. I really don't understand how The Fourth Rail was able to give it such a high rating. (With all my edits, this post has turned out much longer than it was initially.) What did the rest of you think?
Next issue
When I read this last week, my initial reaction was mystification. I couldn't figure out what the point of the entire exercise had been, other than to showcase some very good art along with some that was particularly horrendous. (Seriously, hadn't you ever noticed? Superman isn't wearing briefs over his tights, he's wearing swim trunks!) So I waited to see what other people would say about it. (What does that say about my willingness to expose myself through my reviews, my willingness to be original, or my talent as a blogger? Nothing good, I imagine.) And it took a while for them to post on it as well, probably indicating that - for the most part - they couldn't figure out what to make of it either. The "tomorrow" segments are NOT the future, they are possible futures. The "yesterday" segments are all-too-brief glimpses of isolated incidents in JLA history, which for the most part will be unintelligible, or at least unappreciateable (there I go again, making up new words!) to new readers who are unfamiliar with the long history of the JLA and the minutiae thereof. It wasn't particularly bad...it was just pointless. I'd say EH, but really, a comic this bewildering actually deserves its own, unique rating...let's call it HUH? Art was not a factor at all. As it was a non-effort, rather than a collaborative effort, it just gave me the impression that many of these artists, instead of drawing the traditional Big 3, instead tried to show us what their versions of the Big 3 look like. Some succeed, and some, frankly, don't. I actually appreciate the variant cover more than the standard one. Even though it's a bit stylized for my tastes, the feeling of it is right. Whereas on the standard cover, the feeling seems to be one of condescension. Basically, it says that the Big 3 look down their noses at us, and especially in the case of Superman, who has spent his life trying to be human (a la Pinocchio - but I suppose that that's merely one interpretation of the character), I completely disagree.
(There was one panel that I particularly enjoyed - the one where the Big 3 are poring over photographs tring to decide who they should invite into the new JLA - because it was reminiscent of the cover of All-Star Squadron #1.)
And it seems that one of the upcoming plots in Brad Meltzer's book is going to be bringing back Earth-2. (And then he'll decide to have every woman raped...or better yet, he'll destroy every single one of their relationships, including Clark and Lois'!) [Edit: Again, I am an asshole. Winick does the relationship ruining, not Meltzer.] At least that's how I viewed the scene with Earth-2 that everybody else seems to be wondering about.
Of the critics who I read most often, The Savage Blog approximates my feeling regarding this issue the best. I really don't understand how The Fourth Rail was able to give it such a high rating. (With all my edits, this post has turned out much longer than it was initially.) What did the rest of you think?
Next issue
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