New 52

Captain Atom #11

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captain-atom-new-52-11-coverWhat happens when a near omnipotent being gives into his own desires and greatest wish to be human again? The latest issue of Captain Atom shows us the unforeseen consequences when Captain Atom puts his consciousness in a human form to reconnect with humanity in general, and with Renita specifically.

Once again writer J.T. Krul takes an intriguing idea, Nathaniel Atom re-experiencing life as a “normal” man, and turns the story on its side by showing us that while most of Nate’s consciousness is walking around with Renita, his comatose form is also trying to make the wishes of those closest to him come true as well – whether that be the return of a dead relative, a collection of toys from childhood, or granting Dr. Megala‘s greatest wish.

However, it appears these unconcious gifts might actually be far more dangerous than the chance the human version of Nate gets into with Renita as the two finally give into their feelings for each other. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batman and Robin #11

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batman-and-robin-new-52-11-coverWhile Damian pays Jason Todd an unexpected visit to teach him a lesson about who the best Robin really is, Terminus has his sidekicks (the unfortunately named Scallop and Bootface) branding citizens of Gotham with the bat-symbol to get Batman‘s attention.

Whether intentional or not the branding the city definitely makes you think Christopher Nolan’s second Bat-film (especially when buildings of Gotham start having burning bat-symbols in them – just like the posters for The Dark Knight). I doubt it’s a coincidence this comic hit the stands one week before The Dark Knight Rises opens in theaters.

As to Damian, who appears to be back in full on spoiled little-shit mode despite the tease that he might grow up a bit after the failure with Nobody, it’s an interesting choice for him to view Todd (the Robin he’s most like) with such contempt. I’ll be interested to see what action the Red Hood might take in retaliation. Although the crowbar sequence is in bad taste, it certainly fits this version of the character. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batman #11

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batman-new-52-11-coverThe “Court of Owls” storyline mercifully comes to an end here as Batman faces off against the head of the Court of Owls, a mad man who believes himself to be Bruce Wayne’s brother. Although Snyder backtracks a bit from last month’s reveal of the real identity of Lincoln March as Thomas Wayne, Jr. things are left far from settled as the issue, and arc, come to a close.

Most of the issue is little more than Batman and March (in some knock-off Iron Man armor the Court must have just had laying around) fighting around the rooftops of Gotham as March endlessly drones on about his right to the Wayne name, fortune and legacy.

Not surprisingly, the issue ends with Batman knowing that March was likely lying but unable to prove for certain. We also get scene between Bruce and Dick to smooth over the whole Batman cold cocking him thing and another chapter in the truly awful back-up story involving Alfred‘s father. Pass.

[DC, $3.99]

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Justice League #10

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justice-league-new-52-10-coverThe latest issue of Justice League reveals how David Graves got his power from the godlike beings known as Asuras on Mount Sumeru but still keeps silent on his motivation for wanting the League dead (how, exactly did the League kill his family?), but he still shows up on the satellite to wipe the floor with them by somehow draining the life force out of each member of the League.

One of the weaknesses of the title has been an action without giving us some important character interactions between the League during downtime. We get a little of that here, although the conversations we get (Batman knowing everyone’s secret identities and only really trusting Superman) seem odd in that they take place for the first time five years after the time has been together.

There are some nice moments such as the reveal that Barry doesn’t trust Hal with women after Hal hit on Barry’s last date, and Cyborg lets few secrets slip about some of the more secretive members of the group.

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The Flash #10

/ / Comics

the-flash-new-52-10-coverFollowing the format of the last couple of issues, Flash #10 continues with the introduction of another New 52 version of the hero’s Rogues Gallery, the Weather Wizard, as the Flash attempts to track down Patty Spivot to tell her Barry Allen is the Flash.

The open pages are a little odd, and I certainly felt like I missed an issue through most of the first-half of the comic. Thankfully the story is filled later, but it is a little awkwardly done (almost as an afterthought).

The Weather Wizard has always been one of the Flash’s more lackluster villains, so the new version doesn’t have much to live up to. The introduction to the character works all right, but he’s still the least interesting of the New 52 Rogues so far.

Given his need to keep running, which keeps getting in the way of Barry’s life, and his desire to no longer hurt Patty anymore, the Flash decides Barry Allen needs to stay dead. I’m not sure I like this turn, or leaving Iris still stuck in limbo, but I’ll stick around to see how it plays out. Up next, Heat Wave. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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