DC's STILL going downhill it seems

I've bounced from sinus infection to a cold, and last night I hallucinated a bit while trying to some-how sleep.

And, I wake up to see this, ss posted by Ragnell,
http://www.afhub.com/toy-fair-2007-update-ame-comi-super-heroines/

First reaction?
OMG MY EYES ARGH

Seriously...they freaking scare me.

Especially Supergirl.
Batgirl isn't too poorly concieved.
Catwoman....no.
Power Girl? very no.

I want to crawl back into a dark corner and forget today has even occured...

It's been a month now...

...since I've posted here. What's new? Well, I've been sick this week - on top of fatigue and exhaustion from work. I haven't been getting much done lately, and have barely written 2 pages on my novel.

Yes, I have been reading comics, and wondering if DC has noticed a slip in the quality of their print. The main titles barely stick to schedules, and the side titles are very average at best. I'm put off from Batman thanks to that Grotesk storyline and confedential fels very cookie-cutter and I dislike the art in it. Manhunter's been recanceled, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman might come out in a month. Where's Action Comics? Is Legends of the Dark Knight really ending?

Spawn wasn't too great this past week either, retconning in a craptastic reason why Al can't go home after remaking the world at his command.

Don't even get me started on Marvel...

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, but seriously, things are not looking too bright this year. There's possible hope for Cassandra Cain, but with some of the choices DC's made recently have not reflected too well.

Felt like bringing this up....

Ok, two things are worth noting as I just came across them looking for the *all new* release date for All Star Batman #5 (Jan 31st)



First of all, Sun Girl is trying to copy Power Girl I think, chest-hole wise. Power Girl makes it work, Sun Girl does not. I guess the artist doesn't quite understand anatomy very well. Parts of that hole extend well beyond what would be reasonable, I think.

Second, and DRock should take note of this little bit, that "Batgirl" isn't quite wearing Cassandra's suit. Sure, the face is ripped off like at the end of her comic run. Check out the rest of it. Did she steal Robin's cape? Is it really Cassandra? Who knows what they are thinking over there at DC central, but I wish they'd listen to all the fans out there yelling for DC to bring back Cassandra as we know she is supposed to be. I mean, there has to be more than just DRock and I....

edit: Anyone else notice that Altar Boy's costume looks like an evil grinning face?

Comics!

I feel like I'm really out of the loop, after having to adjust to not using the laptop. Every night I would sit down on the couch with it in hand, reading news sites and weblogs, chatting, and writing. Now, everything feels forced if it happens at all. I'm not used to writing on a desktop - it just isn't as comfortable, you know?

Anyway, this week was pretty average with the exception to two titles. Those being, of course, Catwoman and Birds of Prey. If anything could turn around an expensive day of mediocrity, it would be those two.

First of all, Catwoman has shot up in quality quite consistantly since I began reading it. This issue was probably the best I have read yet, and I place the blame solely on Film Freak. I'm big into film and such, so I really enjoy the antics of him. I also absolutely love the constant homages to old movies - so with last week's Psycho bit and this week's King Kong bit, I am in heaven.

Birds of Prey - Thank you, Gail Simone, for that rip on Frank Miller. I don't know if it was on purpose, but it sure felt that way. I don't like the return of 'classic' Batgirl, but I bet that comes from higher up. It isn't really classic Batgirl, as far as we know, but it is close enough. I am curious about the whole 'getting shot like the original Batgirl, but unaffected' thing going. Two Oracles are too many and silly, so I doubt that'll happen. Maybe this it just a really crazy misleading story to bring back Cassandra Cain. No way that's going to happen, but I can dream.

Also, we need shots of this Guy Gardner film. Have them go see the movie so we can see the movie.

Comic Run 3-8

Not much came out this week that I have pulled, and it wasn't that impressive of a draw either.

Best of this Week - Transformers: Infiltration #3
Like I said, not much came out and surprisingly this was the best issue that came out in my opinion. That isn't saying it is bad - quite the contrary. I feel the story is really starting to shape itself up to a decent story. There is a lot happening behind the scenes apparently, and we are only now getting a glimpse of what potentially is happening. The scale of the battle is slowly having the curtains drawn back, and the personal stakes for the characters are taking form.

I'm still turned off at how they are trying to create their own continuity, but I feel like it is finally taking shape. The new designs are nice (mainly just minor updates to modern vehicles and such). I really like Bubblebee's new look, mainly becuase it looks like he actually transformed from a VW bug. I also like the style of the Decepticons, becuase now they actually feel like their name has substance. They are really pulling strings behind the scenes and are using hit-and-run tactics to keep themselves out of wide view of the world - deception and stealth just as their name suggests.
4/5

Second Best of the Week - Batman and the Monster men #5
Really good issue, but the series has been good nonstop. I really like how this oozes the old-school Batman feel and wish there was more Batman like this. The plot continues to chug along and full speed complete with some of the last minute twists. I also really liked the moment with the unveiling of the Batmobile and the dialogue between Bruce and Alfred over its look.
4/5

Surprise of the Week - Teen Titans #33
This title has been fairly good since it began, and had really good moments like the Titans Tomorrow arch, which is mentioned in this issue. However, I belive this issue would be one where many would cry out that the series has 'jumped the shark'. This issue's entire plot could have easily been condensed without the internal monologues copied from Superman/Batman in one of the issues of Infinite Crisis, or began the arch at the end of issue 5 and continued it in 6 like they are doing with other sub plots.

I'm sure there are a number of fangirls out there in the wired that enjoyed seeing Superboy stripping Nightwing out of his old suit after he was blasted back into icy waters, but I'm no fangirl. I will, however, give it points for lots of exploding Earths in the sky. It is indeed an awesome site as a backdrop, but doesn't make up for the totally wasted Teen Titans issue.
1/5

Also my reorder for Batgirl #73 came in finally. As sad as I am to see the conclusion to one of my more favorite characters and titles, I have to admit it was one very good issue. I really hope there is a good future for Cassandra in the DCU, but her smirk in the aftermath makes me seriously worry.

More on Batgirl

I seem to stuck on a tangent of Batgirl. Yes, I like her character a lot becuase she is so dynamic, and she has faults that really appeal to me.. So what am I going to ramble on about today? I just read a handful of back issues of Batgirl, and something stood out.

Cassandra can't enjoy a vacation, despite what Barbara treats her to. The male audience was treated as well, as Barbara forces her to wear a bikini. It's funny, but it matches her well style wise. Also, I don't know if it was intentional, but the color they chose to use for skin while out in the sun in the bathing suit made her look rather pale - and I liked that, but that's just my opinion.

It also made for some good moments of her looking evil thanks to her dislike of the situations (though part of that was Superboy, and his 'posturing' around her.). I really liked the shadows under her eyes when she handed the beachball over, as well as other similar moments.

Also was nice touch of her ripping her dress to provide a disguise. It stayed true to her mentality of operating firstly by resourcefulness. Though the dress looked good on her, and was no doubt expensive, she was more interested in keeping her fighting-persona a secret.

Didn't care too much for Superboy's part in the short plot arch. I'm used to the more sobered version in the comics now, and he just didn't serve a large purpose other than to spin off the short-lived romantic interest for Cassandra.

So in the end the image of Cassandra in the twopiece has been burned into my brain. If it weren't for my modesty I would have said it was sexy, but that's not my style. I liked that they didn't exploit her in her little outfit, and the chance to see her on vacation.

Hopes for Cassandra Cain

Sadly, at the end of the most recent issue it looks like Batgirl is dead. Since Wargames, Spoiler seems to be her friendly neighborhood Grim Reaper, showing up to guide when she's near death. Spoiler carrying Cassandra, ever when it was really Shiva, is a very bad sign. However, it was really Shiva, leading the idea that Cassandra wasn't dead - she was mearly hallucinating thanks to blood loss. And, she has one issue left in her run.

My hopes are that she lives, and keeps her role to a degree. I doubt she will remain Batgirl until probably after 52 runs its course, the comic ends and so does her need to wear the suit. My guess is that her wound is in reality just as bad as it looks, and will be not unlike when Bane broke Batman's back.

It will take a while for her to recover, and until then she will have to live differently. After talking to Kalinara a bit on the topic, she had a few points that I liked that could fit into the saga of her recovery.

First of all she should finally learn how to read and write. I know she can't learn it the normal way thanks to how her brain is wired up, but now she she is out-of-action and thus has the extra time.

She can also spend this extra time developing relationships with normal people, as well as getting used to "normal" life. She has done this a little over time, but she can still work on these relationships. She's not normal, so the stories revolving around her coping and adjusting are interesting to me (I enjoy her figuring out words in her narrative, and observing normal people).

Anyway, this is just a best-case senario.

Not-so-good senario would be Cassandra Cain permanently falls out of the light to just appear as cameos in other titles. It looks like they are hinting that Barbara Gordon will get the use of her legs back, which may push her into returning to swinging around buildings in a black outfit...replacing the position of Batgirl (with a Batwoman, thanks Kal). I don't really want to see that happen, becuase I really like Barb in her role as Oracle.

Worst case is that we've lost yet another beloved character to the winds of change.

Weekly Comic Review: DC edition

Yesterday seemed to...vanish...and so here I am talking and commenting a day later than I planned.

I'll get the big ones out of the way first...

Infinite Crisis #4
Howleeeee Crap. Way to much happening to even beging to summerize it, so I'll only touch on a few points. I like that the Specter got "reassined" to the gunned down cop from Gotham Central, it's fitting and will hopefully lead into a very nice revenge arch.

The massive pile-on with Superboy Prime was a blast to see, and I loved how childish he was - again, the way it came off was very fitting. I'm a fan of watching characters fall from grace, so to say, so seeing him destroy what he stood for really appealed to me. It was also a nice was to get rid of a lot of little used characters. The bit with Sandy and Terra was a nice touch, though something like what they did should have been a few more panels. Still, the bits with all the Flashes going full speed was a more important (and more awe-inspiring, I'll admit). I doubt Superboy is gone for good, but wow was that an impressive exit

The splitting of the Earths was handled well. I liked the way they used the blue outline as the timeline split between the two Earths. The split also gave a good wrap to the issue, and gives me an idea on how this major arch will progress...

Green Lantern #7
I don't think this is One Year Later, but I may be wrong - the story really picked up like that though. I felt like I jumped into the middle of a story arch, but I have read previous issues of this run. I have read where the background of the story occurs, partly, so I had an idea of what was happening. Average read, and I like the twist at the end, which will be interesting how Lantern and Arrow recover for the next issue.

Birds of Prey #90
All I can really say about this issue is that it was "cute" - which can be good or bad, depending. I usually use the word cute is a bad descriptive, becuase...well...I'm a guy...I have to have some stereotypes apply to me. In this issue's case, it's used in a good way. Being more a fan of Batman, I was a little ticked off at Oracle standing up to him, even if she was right. I would have been just as happy with the outcome if Oracle would have simply provided a random, yet rational, excuse to send Batman back on his way - it's not like Batman has lied to his sidekicks to distract them when he knew what was really happening and in control...

Despite that, watching Deathstroke get a temporary defeat/victory was fun. Also, Batman getting humbled by Huntress's undercover work was just as fun. The sneak kiss on Batman was also a little cheezy, but the comments afterwards were priceless.

Gotham Knights #73
Not a whole lot happened in this issue, in fact Joker and Hush didn't even come in contact with each other. However, I really enjoyed the Joker explaining what he had been up to. Usually when the Joker is involved, the story is a fun ride, and this issue is no different. I'm curious if the Penguin will get word of what the Joker's been up to, and how he'll react - or, that may be all part of the joke knowing Joker. I love his chaos theory.

Nightwing #116
Jeez, the world is just falling apart for Dick. Excellent tie-in with Infinite Crisis #4. Like Gotham Knights, not a whole lot seemed to happen. It was generally Nightwing working his way through the aftermath of his city, surveying the destruction, and doing what little he can in the face of such odds - it really speaks for his character.

All-Star Superman #2
There is almost nothing I can say in the negative about this title so far, except that each issue is too freaking short. If only All-Star Batman & Robin had someone other than Frank Miller writing it. I'm really liking this title. I also liked the giant Joker penny, mirroring the giant penny Batman has down in the Batcave (though I don't remember seeing it recently, maybe it's the same coin?).

That's it for what I've read that's come out this week. I have Batgirl #73, but haven't read it yet on account that I have a lot of stuff going on. I'll get around to it this weekend, as well as posting on other things.

Lost topics

Well, Lost has been postponed for some football match. I'm not too happy about that, becuase I had hoped to respond about the episode afterwards. Instead I'll talk about comics.

Comic delivery was postponed again this week until tomorrow, which is also a factor in my unhappy mood - that and a loss of sleep (not a very interesting topic, so I won't talk about it unless someone pressures it). Instead I picked up a number of back issues from last week and the week before. I'm actually starting to spread my tendriles out to pick up other titles (aside from the core Batman titles). First it started with Green Lantern, thanks to Kalinara, and now I'm bleeding into Wonder Woman and Catwoman while picking up odd issues of Robin and Superman.

Overall I have been happy with what I've picked up and read. I'm sort of jumping on the bandwagon as Wonder Woman heads to a conclusion (was able to get 223 and 224). I'm curious about what will happen, and I enjoy the extra background into what is going on in Infinite Crisis.

Robin 145 was a fun read, especially with the many small time villains getting in each others' way. best quote: "Behold, I am the wicker man!" - "Behold, I have a woking lighter!" - "I surrender."

Picked up Catwoman 49 and 50 as well. 49 was the end of a multiparter, so I was a little lost as to motives, but otherwise it wasn't half bad. 50 was, to say the least, a little disturbing. I have to admit I really don't want Selina to become chaotic enough to go back to her old self, or become as psychotic as Bruce is right now. I know Zatanna meant well, and is trying to make amends with her mistakes, but she should really just stop before she unravels other things. I did like an actual explination as to why Selina became a 'good guy' - but I would have liked it more if she was able to turn herself around under her own willpower (gives her more credit, and a stronger character).

Tomorrow should be a more interesting day, since I will actually get to read 'new' comics...