Comics

Green Arrow: Rebirth #1

Green Arrow: Rebirth #1Seizing on the mission statement of DC Universe: Rebirth #1 of returning more of the classic feel to both characters and the DCU, Green Arrow: Rebirth #1 returns Oliver Queen to Seattle (rather than Star City) and rekindles a romance forgotten by the New 52.

While investigating a series of disappearances, mostly by the homeless, Green Arrow encounters Black Canary on the trail of an underground human trafficking ring selling those who will not be missed to the highest bidder. Still new to each other, there’s an obvious chemistry between the pair and a promise of things to come. With a costume redesign that purposefully makes you think of Arrow, Green Arrow reclaims some of his old liberal swagger and classic goatee. Dinah’s clothes remind you of her classic costume while still being a bit updated for the times.

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Secret Six #14

Secret Six #14Much as the New 52 version of Secret Six has felt like a lesser version of the previous comic, it’s finale feels very much like a watered-down version of the previous comic’s finale issue where the team took on the entire DCU. Here the group, along with some help from Scandal Savage, Ragdoll, Jeannette, and Knockout, attacks the League of Assassins in a suicidal attempt to save their friend Strix.

Even if the stakes are smaller and more personal this time around for the group’s last stand, writer Gail Simone offers plenty of action including Strix versus Lady Shiva (in more ways than one), a giant Black Alice wreaking havoc, and Catman kicking a little ass. We also get betrayal and the odd family coming back together in the suburbs for the final few panels.

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Daredevil #7

Daredevil #7Someone is screwing with Elektra and Daredevil. Learning the fact that Elektra is searching for a missing daughter that might be his leads Matt Murdock to question everything. When the entire affair turns out to be a web of lies meant only to hurt Daredevil through Elektra it’s obvious we have a new (or perhaps old) villain in play.

Given everything we learn in this issue turns out to be lies, Daredevil #7 feels a bit empty by the time the last page is turned. What we do learn has to be read between the lines. Someone with a knowledge of Elektra’s relationship with Matt Murdock, and knowing the blind lawyer in Hell’s Kitchen enjoys wearing red tights in his spare time (something not even Elektra remembers), is taking one hell of a suicidal risk by toying with the emotions of the world’s most deadly assassin.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #27

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #27With a super-powered D’Hoffryn unmasked as the true big bad of the season, Season Ten’s final arc continues with infighting among Buffy and the Scoobies as there never seems to be enough blame in this issue for the choices each characters has made.

Despite “Hush” and the introduction of Tara, Season Four is the weakest of Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s seven seasons on television. Giving the characters enough space to grow, and grow apart, eventually led to harsh words and incriminations amongst the group (although that time it needed a push by Spike to get things started).

In much the same matter events unfold here with the Scooby Gang at each other’s throats. And, I’d suspect, things will be solved in near identical fashion as the group will come together for a big group hug and final battle before the last minute.

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DC Universe: Rebirth #1

“Every second was a gift.”

DC Universe: Rebirth #1It always starts with the Flash. Since 1985’s Crisis on Infinite Earths every major DC Comics’ reboot, realignment, restructuring, or rebirth (so to speak) can be tied back to the character who gave birth the the Silver Age of comics. This time it isn’t Barry Allen at the center of events, but Wally West. Last seen five years ago, Wally returns to the DCU with a bang.

When DC needed to find a way to write themselves out of the mess Ron Marz had made of Green Lantern they called Geoff Johns. Although it’s led to a never-ending rainbow war of ring-weilders and Blackest Night, Johns was able to find a way to bring back Hal Jordan and right a ship which had been taking one far too much water for far too long.

I’ve been worn down by the New 52. DC’s gritty 2011 reboot chose (seemingly at random) what to keep and what to toss away (including decades of established continuity). DC Universe: Rebirth #1 offers something missing in the heart-shaped hole at the middle of the New 52 – an understanding and acknowledgement that every moment is precious.

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