Comics!

Last two weeks have been rough, so theres my excuse for skipping the reviews last week. This week, I have little excuse to post something.

Batman #655 - Morrison writing, right? Should be good, right? In my opinion this issue is fairly good, but one thing bugs me. The main story in this issue deals with plot that contradicts what is going on with the Man-Bat miniseries. Maybe the mini is out of the canon storyline, or maybe Morrison didn't have the same notes to work from.

Aside from that the issue was fun to read. Morrison is aware that Batman had given up his playboy image for a long time. Bruce Wayne has to retrain himself to become a fun loving guy again, and Alfred has to keep reminding him to lose his growl. 7.5/10

Action Comics #841 - I want to like Busiek's Superman, but his run so far feels very "long." What I mean is that the issue drags along, and I think it is from so much text to read through. It's good writing, I'll grant it that, but sometimes it feels like it is a bit too much. I like the concepts of the robotic intergalactic auctioneers, and it serves as an interesting background. Sadly, that's all it really feels like. 7.5/10

Birds of Prey #96 - First I have to say I like Black Alice. She's just one of those characters that doesn't get enough panel time to become a favorite, but I like it when she shows up. Aside from that there is a good dose of character work in this issue, and what I think is the only nod to Ted Kord since Countdown to Infinite Crisis. Also, that bit about Ted Kord is really well done and should be one of the selling points of the issue. The rest, im simply biased towards, thanks to Black Alice. 8/10

Supergirl #8 - Everything from the OYL arch is finally starting to make sense. Just be warned, as fun as the cover makes this issue appear, Powergirl and Supergirl do not actually battle it out. 7/10

Nightwing #122 - Stuff happens, but if you've been reading this arch you pretty much know how this has been going. Still, I suppose watching Jason Todd going Tetsuo at the end was interesting (as interesting as anything can be right now in the title). 6/10

Blue Beetle #5 - The story is still building, and it is still holding my interest. The villains so far are interesting, which makes it fun. 7.5/10

The Spectre #3 - The acceptance and conclusion of the miniseries. This story wraps up nicely in the 3rd issue, unlike other minis (Battle for Bludhaven, for example). The twist ending isn't unpredictible, but it does hit hard. 7.5/10

52 #12 - Still on schedule, still going strong. Insane Captain Marvel is a lot of fun. 7.5/10

Back!

Long time since I posted. I blame allergies and work. Work saps my energy through the day, so I feel lathargic in the evening. Allergies have really kicked in, so I don't feel at all well during the day.

So, here's a little bit of what I thought about the comics that came out, nothing fancy or anything this time, just a few comics and my thoughts. Hopefully now I can type freely without much worry about spoilers.

Blue Beetle #1
Now, so make a few things straight so what I say will makes a little sense contextually. I consider myself a gamer. I'm not hardcore, but I know people who are. I understand that they are making Jaime out to at least appear as a geek/gamer. I like that in theory, but reading the 'gamer talk' they toss around felt very forced to me. I knew what they were talking about, but the gamers I know don't quite talk the way they did.

Maybe I'm being too hard on the writing, or maybe I lump all gamers into one group. It's an easy sterotype to write with a little knowledge of the online world. The gamers I tend to associate with are mainly MMORPG and pen&paper junkies, not FPS like they refer to in the issue. Like I said, I'm glad they are trying to introduce a somewhat unique persona.

Guy was an easy way out for a hothead to have battle Jaime, but his reactions are leading into a bigger mystery. I also liked the creepy girl with no eyes, and hope she is developed into a very interesting and complex character.

Green Lantern #10
So, countries got together to ban cross-nation pursual of heros due to events in Infinite Crisis and 52? That really has my curiosity working over time at the possibilities, not unlike in part two of Batman: Year 100 where they reflect back to this age and call it simpler times.

What really has me excited can be summed up with "Sinestro Corps." Yellow rings given to those who can cause great fear. No doubt Parallax is envolved somehow (yellow battery?). The really interesting thing, is that the Green Lantern Corp look like the newbie green lanterns overcame their lack of ability to touch yellow. The physical ability to cause fear will add a whole new layer to the yellow problem, such as a sudden inability to touch yellow mid-combat. That should really scare the new recruits.

Also, I am really into the mystery they are spinning out in Green Lantern as well, with the dead Lanters of the past returning. And yes, it is also good to note that Hal is accepting and dealing with his past. Finally, for Kal, I'll say this: Highball.

Superman/Batman #24
What the heck is going on? It is both hilarious and confusing to me at the same time. Need more Batzarro, so shouldn't end like that! One issue left in this arch so I hope there is a revelation of Saw proportions in store.

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In my opinion, the OYL stories are really shaping up to well spun out mysteries. Superman, Batman, and all the others are really getting into really well concieved mysteries in my opinion. I am really looking forward to next issues of each series.