New 52

Justice League International #12

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jli-new-52-12-coverI gave up on this title a couple of months ago but seeing how this was to be the series’ final issue I decided to pick it up. The story Dan Jurgens sets out to tell is a good one, but whether it be his limitations or (more likely) the meddlesome efforts of DC Editorial, the story simply isn’t that well told.

In the final issue of the comic the members of the team (except those still hositalized) gather together to pay their respects to their fallen companion Rocket Red only to be attacked by the brother of Lightwave who blames the group for the super-villain’s death.

Mostly presented through the eyes of Batman (one of the characters not staying with the team) what we get is awkward and hamfisted storytelling that’s rushed and finished in odd fashion as they group make the angered youngster see the error of his ways before coming to the conclusion that they should stick together, regardless of the United Nations dissolving the group.

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Green Lantern #11

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green-lantern-new-52-11-coverHal Jordan and Sinestro deal with the fallout of their time spent with the Indigo Tribe as the ring given to Jordan by Sinestro now completely follows the Green Lantern’s commands, but Jordan’s joy is short-lived when he discovers Black Hand is no longer under the sway of an Indigo Power Ring.

I’m not really looking forward to Blackest Night being brought into the New 52 with Black Hand reclaiming his role as the Black Lantern, but he certainly makes a credible threat for the combined forces of Jordan and Sinestro. At least it appears Black Hand’s powers and plans apparently don’t include putting together a zombie army of fallen super-heroes and super-villains.

We also get further teased about the Guardians upcoming plans and the mysterious “Third Army” which will apparently replace the Corps as the heroes make a short trip to Korugar to search for the Book of Black hidden in a corner of Sinestro’s Bat Cave. Yeah, even Sinestro has Batman-envy. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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The Flash #11

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The Flash #11The latest issue of The Flash begins a new story arc as the Scarlet Speedster has relocated to Keystone City letting everyone back home believe Barry Allen is dead. I’m less sure about The Flash leaving Central City than Barry Allen letting his true identity die (which I’m really not in favor of), but as long as writers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato keep this arc relatively short I’m willing to see how things play out.

Barry gets himself a job in one of Keystone City’s super-villain dives where on the first day of work he has to suit up and stop a brawl between Captain Cold and Heat Wave. The Flash makes quick work of the two villains, but on the way back to prison they’re surprised by a visit from the Golden Glider.

I enjoyed Barry as the Flash, but I’m still unsure of his life out of costume in this arc. It’s also interesting to note that in the New 52 Keystone City is compared to Gotham in terms of in terms of high levels of crime and corruption. We’ll see what the Flash has to say about that. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Red Hood and the Outlaws #11

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red-hood-and-the-outlaws-11-coverThe team’s outer space adventure continues as Starfire shares with Arsenal and the Red Hood her conflicted feelings for saving a people who sentenced her to a lifetime of slavery. A little more of Kori’s backstory is filled in here along with Starfire’s complicated relationship with her sister (which looks to have big implications for next month’s issue).

There’s really nothing all that interesting about watching these three characters walk around a spaceship and have awkward conversations with one another. Arsenal and Starfire share one nice moment (and it seems apparent that writer Scott Lobdell has decided to put some distance between Jason and Kori, at least for the time being), but Jason’s awkward date problems and the aftermath of a battle we aren’t shown aren’t enough to sell me on this issue.

We also get the continuation of the back-up story featuring Essence hunting down the Untitled (which can’t finish quickly enough for me). Pass.

[DC, $2.99]

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Justice League #11

/ / Comics

justice-league-new-52-11-coverIf you were wondering who the strongest member of the New 52 version of the Justice League is this issue will answer your question. And, no, it turns out it’s not Superman. Wonder Woman basically takes down all her teammates on live television… when they offer to help her save Steve Trevor? Yeah, it didn’t make a lot of sense to me either, but then logic hasn’t been the New 52’s strong suit.

After surviving the attack from David Graves the team learns that Steve has been taken and the one-time scribe of their adventures turned crazed super-villain is now targeting Trevor’s sister (who, it turns out, is far from Diana’s biggest fan). The team finally gets their act together to follow Terminus’ trail to Mount Sumeru and the Valley of Souls, but it may already be too late for Steve.

Although we’re presented with a reason for Graves’ behavior the logic is more than a little hard to follow. But hey, if you’ve ever wanted to see Wonder Woman beat the shit out of Hal Jordan this is your comic.

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