Four Quick Comic Reviews

It's been a very busy October in 2012 but I did manage to read a couple comics during that time. Here are some very quick thoughts:

Batman #13 (Wed. Oct. 10th)

This book debuts the Death of the Family twenty-three book mega-series involving the Joker and had already sold out when I arrived at my local shop on Wednesday. Because of this, I was only able to read it Sunday. Before that however, my friend (via email) remarked: "Now THIS is Batman, AND the Joker. Haven't been this excited for a comic in a long time."

DC Comics' Batman #13 (December 2012) Writen by Scott Snyder with art by Greg Capullo with secondary story by Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV with art by Jock
PRICE: $3.99

'Fear' is a major theme in Batman #13

Wow, was he right. This is Batman at his best and Death should be outstanding. Snyder is once again at the top of his game and I have to say he has the voice of the Joker down(,) Pat. Likewise, Greg Capullo draws Bats and the Joker magnificently but the end story involving the Joker and Harley Quinn co-written by Snyder and James Tynion IV with art by Jock was simply outstanding. I don't recall the Joker ever looking as maniacal as he was portrayed here. 4.5/5 STARS 

Daredevil: End of Days #1 (Wed. Oct. 3rd)

While I've never been the biggest of Daredevil fans, I picked up this issue after listening to the podcast circuit. Like the title reveals, this is a stand alone series about the death of the title character and can be enjoyed with minimal knowledge of him. 

Marvel's Daredevil: End of Days (December 2012) Writing by Brian Michael Bendis & David Mack with pencil by Klaus Janson and finished art & paintings Bill Sienkiewicz 
PRICE $3.99

It's a violent comic and has a great story too.

Written by Brian Michael Bendis and David Mack, it’s a good first episode that's very busy and totally gives you your money's worth. For example, one two page combination had 17 panels, making the artwork the true strength of this book. Veteran artists Klaus Janson and Bill Sienkiewicz bring a gritty nastiness to Daredevil`s demise and it's really something to see. The 'final' battle with Kingpin was especially well drawn. 4/5 STARS 

Green Lantern #13 (Wed. Oct. 3rd)

Unfortunately, I found this comic to be the weakest of the four I'm reviewing here. It's unfortunate because I really wanted to see the first Arab-American super-hero take the world by storm and do his part to bring an increased diversity to the DCU. So although GL #13 helped further establish Simon Baz in the larger Lantern universe, it really was a so-so comic besides that and there really isn't much more to say about it. That said, I'm sure it will lead to something good in the Rise of the Third Army storyline -- but until that time we'll have to wait. 3/5 STARS

DC Comics' Green Lantern #13 (December 2012) Written by Geoff Johns with pencils by Doug Mahnke & inks by Christian Alamy 
PRICE: $2.99

Fantastic Four #611 (Wed. Oct. 10th)

My last review marks the end of two eras: the first being the end of a comic book run that goes back to 1961, and the second being the end of Jonathan Hickman’s run that goes back to 2009. 

Marvel's Fantastic Four #611 (December 2012) Writing by Jonathan Hickman with art by Ryan Stegman 
PRICE: $2.99

Ryan Stegman's art, while a little too cartoony in places, is outstanding in others. The above two images demonstrate the latter.

Now, I'm not going to say Hickman's ranks up there with the original Lee/Kirby run: that one is legendary and was a turning point for our medium. But his run was for lack of a better word fantastic. I especially enjoyed all the time-travel and family themes that it contained throughout and #611 did a good job wrapping up volume #1 nicely. Ryan Stegman's art for the most part was great and had in many places an eerily enjoyable quality to it. That said, the best part of this book was the message Hickman had for readers on the final Fantastic Four Fan Page. In it he touched upon why he used LOVE, the most important of all family attributes, to tie his stories together: which is what he did. Well done, Jonathan. 4.5/STARS

WGTB reviews Justice League #12

I’ve been reading Justice League somewhat regularly for the first year of the New 52. But because of the higher price-point and my somewhat limited budget, there had been a couple issues that I missed. This was remedied at FanExpo Canada two weekends ago, when I was fortunate to find all the missing back issues and I'm very glad I did. This has been an overall enjoyable comic since it started the New 52, and I was quite pleased to hear recently that Geoff Johns and David Finch will be working on another Justice League title – Justice League of America – in the near future. 

(Warning: some spoilers below)

Justice League #12 (October 2012) Writing by Geoff Johns, pencils by Jim Lee & art by Ivan Reis, Joe Prado & David Finch. $3.99

This issue will sell well because it received significant media attention due to a kiss between two of DC’s most iconic characters: Wonder Woman and Superman.  And while this may only get comics temporarily back into daily newspapers, the collectability-factor isn’t the only reason to pick it up. This issue also saw the culmination of the relationship conflict between Colonel Steve Trevor and Wonder Woman and a battle between the League and the spirit-driven villain David Graves has become. It also marked a falling-out between Wonder Woman and Green Lantern, with GL appearing to leave the team just in time for the upcoming Rise of the Third Army event over in the Lantern books. Suffice it to say, it was a busy issue and because of this didn't have space to put in a continuation of the Shazam story which I've also been enjoying.

Green Lantern heads back to space in Justice League #12

It was a good book and very emblematic of both the New 52’s move away from the previously established continuity and the freedom the creators have taken with new stories for their tested characters. Research tells me that this wasn't the first time Superman and Wonder Woman have kissed, but it will be interesting to see how these two go forward in the mainstream universe. The cynic might see this as a way of making sales, and to a degree that is true. But the battle and stress relating to David Graves and his 'Pertas' ('hungry ghosts') and Steve Trevor's ended relationship with Wonder Woman was good enough to convince me that this wasn't a flash-in-the-pan event and some serious character development could result from the kiss. We're also given an indication toward the end that it's not completely over with Graves and we should give us something to look forward to in the next issue. 

'Two lost souls, swimming in a fish bowl' in Justice League #12

Regarding the artwork, like most of Jim Lee’s, I find it precise, active and fun. I still think he's one of those artists who captures the medium’s vitality and entertainment value well and is among the best in the business. 

4/5 STARS

Reviewing the New 52: Batman and Robin, Suicide Squad, Green Lantern & Red Lanterns

The next batch of DC's 'New 52' arrived on shelves yesterday and here are some brief thoughts about the four $2.99 titles that caught my interest. 

Our first reviewed title is Batman and Robin #1 with Damien Wayne, Bruce Wayne’s son as a precocious 10 year old Robin working with the Caped Crusader. Frankly, I don’t like this Robin. He’s comes across as a petulant brat and I can already tell much of the title will devote itself to tired storylines about the ‘wunderkind in trouble'. Patrick Gleeson’s artwork was fantastic but the art could not salvage the premise and I will probably not buy #2.

Robin being petulant in DC's Batman and Robin #1, November 2011

Although I've never been a consistent reader of the Suicide Squad,  the idea of a group of super-villains working for government authorities has always integrated me. In Suicide Squad #1 we are introduced a new squad consisting of Deadshot, Harley Quinn, King Shark, Savant, Voltaic, Black Spider and El Diablo working within Task Force X. The story is pretty much what you would expect from an issue that needs to introduce eight different characters and turn them into anti-heroes quickly, but artwork was good and even though we didn't really see much of an advanced plot, I may check out #2 to see where the story develops. It was a little gruesome in parts, but that was to make the point that this is a group of hard-edged criminals and it worked. Because of this I will possibly buy #2. 

From DC's Suicide Squad #1, November 2011

Green Lantern #1 and Red Lanterns #1 are not reboots unlike other 'New 52' titles but continue from the War of the Green Lanterns storyline that ran earlier this year. Because of this, we were not introduced to the classic Abin Sur meets Hal Jordan story but rather one that consists of a  ringless and down on his luck Hal Jordan, mysterious and spiteful Guardians of the Universe and a reformed yet unscrupulous Sinestro. Having always liked Green Lantern but never having been a consistent reader, I will probably not buy #2 and get earlier (and later) TPBs and get caught up that way. 

Sinestro in DC's Green Lantern #1, November 2011

Red Lanterns #1 gives us background into the rage driven Red Lantern Corps and the story of its leader, Atrocitus and his quest for vengeance against the Guardians of the Universe. The Red Lanterns are great foils for the Green Lanterns and, while the story was a little disjointed in places,  I enjoyed the exotic science-fiction themes and revenge-driven story line. If this book is to be sustained however, it will need to involve the Green Lanterns as an enemy force and because of this it will be an occasional purchase and I will probably not buy #2. 

 

 

From DC's Red Lanterns #1, November 2011

It’s often been said that when making an argument it is good to leave your weakest points in the middle. This may have been what DC was thinking when making their argument for increased comic purchases in this third week of the New 52. Of the four books read above, none of them really gripped me like Swamp Thing or Batwing last week. We'll let you know how next week goes. 

Random Reviews: Justice League #1

Well, it’s here! The first of the ‘New 52’, DC’s attempt to boost sales by restarting its entire line-up, arrived on the shelves the past Wednesday with Justice League #1. And while I’m still not convinced this will bring people back en mass to the comics medium, I have to say JL#1 is pretty good and actually has me excited about the next issue. The story is largely a Batman and Green Lantern yarn but gives us a sneak peak at Cyborg and Superman by end, and I have to say Kal-El is looking mighty cool in his newly redesigned outfit.

Indeed, all of the costumes are properly modernized but there’s also a territorial (“Gotham’s mine, Coast City’s Yours”) edge to both Batman and Green Lantern that hearkens back to an earlier separation of the DC world. Lee’s artwork is good and Geoff John’s story, while being almost too reader friendly, held my interest throughout and got me excited for both the next issue and the complete re-launch and I expect to go back next month to some degree. It would have been nice to see DC ‘hold the line at 2.99’ on this book -- if only to give us a few extra pages and make a point of principle for the fans -- but unfortunately that wasn’t the case as this book was $3.99.

(Batman and Green Lantern guard their 'jurisdictions' jealously in Justice League #1, October 2011)

On a related note, we enjoyed speaking with the folks at my local shop (Paradise Comics in Toronto) and it sounds like sales have reflected the hype, which is great for them and the industry.

(Mutual mistrust of Superman in Justice League #1, October 2011)

So while this is clearly an advert for the other 51 books coming out this September, the first of the ‘New 52’ was pretty good and I recommend you pick it up if you still can.

(The new Superman outfit in Justice League #1, October 2011)

From Showcase to Showtime: A Review of Green Lantern

Director: Martin Campbell

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong

The year of the comic book movie continued this weekend with Green Lantern, the third major comic book film to debut and the first from the DC Comics/Warner Brothers stable. Green Lantern tells the story of test pilot Hal Jordan, who is chosen by a dying alien to take his power ring and become the guardian of Sector 2814 for the Green Lantern Corps, a group of green-clad intergalactic peacekeepers who defend the universe from fear, manifested by the colour yellow.

Green Lantern has a fascinating history. Rebooted and re-envisioned as a modern comic book in Showcase #22 (Oct 1959) the first Green Lantern existed between 1940 and 1949 as a mystical wizard-like crime fighter. This Lantern, did not survive the near death of the superhero genre, and unlike the DC triumvirate of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman was eventually cancelled.

A decade later things would change as the popular comic genres of horror and crime began invoking of ire of politicians, while simultaneously, the earliest baby-boomers started to earn disposable incomes with paper routes. The success of Showcase #4 (Oct 1956) which rebooted Flash sealed the deal, and in late 1959 the new Green Lantern was born.

And what a Lantern it was! Hal Jordan was the perfect superhero for the dawning space age. As bold and courageous as he was charming with the ladies, he was exactly what every Cold-War era American boy wanted to be. His comics were always popular, and this helped ensure not only the dominance of the superhero genre, but its merger with science-fiction. Green Lantern would get his own magazine in summer 1960, and while never reaching the stratospheric heights of Batman or Superman, a loyal readership would ensure Green Lantern stayed in the highest echelon of DC’s second tier.

(Hal Jordan meets Abin Sur in Showcase #22 - October 1959 - reprinted 1992)

(Hal Jordan and Carol Ferris in Showcase #22 - October 1959 - reprinted 1992)

Because of this, it is no surprise that Green Lantern is the third superhero DC film after Superman and Batman.* Improvements in movie-making technology, along with an extensive and sequel-ready back story, also makes Green Lantern a franchise-ready prospect if the current film is successful.

And WGTB hopes it is. It’s a good film and a very entertaining two hours. Ryan Reynolds, plays a near-perfect Hal Jordan for 2011, superficially confident yet driven by demons of familial failure. Having not seen Reynolds in many previous roles, and knowing a lot were in goofy romantic comedies or as secondary characters, WGTB was sceptical at the casting. Happily, he does the role justice and the occasional annoying line (“I know, eh?!?”) is overshadowed by well executed emotion in demanding situations. (“Green Lantern’s MIGHT!!!”). Hal Jordan becomes Green Lantern not because he is perfect, but because he has the potential to be a great hero and Reynolds demonstrates this well.

The villains of this film are good too. Parallax is menacing, in the way Galatcus should have been in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Peter Saarsgard was good although, more could have been done with the Hector Hammond character and it was difficult knowing exactly who the main baddy was at times. Some of the back story involving Saarsgard’s, Reynolds’ and Blake Lively’s character seemed a little contrived, but that happens when you need to invent entire myths in less than two hours. Blake Lively was good as Carol Ferris although she didn’t exactly capture the girl-next-door thing the director was obviously going for. WGTB does not understand the casting of Tim Robbins as Senator Hammond and thinks having such an ironically cast superstar was distracting.

The special effects were extensive and very well done. The alien life forms looked as authentic as fictional aliens can and the Oa landscapes and aloof Guardians were remarkable. Temuera Morrison made a much better Abin Sur than he did a Boba Fett, and Michael Clarke Duncan was fun and effective as Kilowog. Geoffrey Rush, voicing Tomar-Re, was a great guide through the Green Lantern mythos, but the best cast character has to be Mark Strong as Sinestro. He was awesome and WGTB looks forward to seeing him as the principal villain in the sequel. Oh, and like Marvel films, WGTB advises you to stay in your seat until the credits stop rolling!

This film has a decidedly different tone than Christopher Nolan’s Batman series and isn’t afraid to have some old fashioned comic book fun. That said, it is serious enough to satisfy the regular movie goer, and has an uplifting end message for everyone. Obvious plot holes, such as missile-laden jets in hangers, can be overlooked because of a strong overall story, and the effects and acting brings it together in a fitting tribute to such an important comic.

4/5 Stars

* Wonder Woman is proving very difficult to translate to a live action medium.