New 52

Green Lantern #10

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green-lantern-new-52-10-coverWith the Indigo Tribe released from the control of their shattered Power Battery, and with only a minimal charge left in their rings, Hal Jordan and Sinestro find themselves running for their lives from a group of the universes most deadly and dangerous killers.

“The Secret of the Indigo Tribe” concludes with the return of the status quo. Black Hand is able to escape the Tribe for an alternative as his death gives birth the New 52‘s first Black Lantern. Hopefully this won’t mean the return of other zombie members of its Corps as we really, really don’t need to relive Blackest Day in the New 52.

I’m pretty sure that Black Lanterns weren’t at (or anywhere near) the top of the list of what DC’s reboot was missing, but it looks like they’re back. The comic does give us some more strong interplay with Sinestro and Hal as well show us how much Sinestro respects Hal’s ability and bravery (regardless of what he may say to the Earthman’s face). Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Justice League International #10

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jli-new-52-10The team returns to New York follwing their trip in Paris (which took place, in an apparently completely unnecessary crossover, in Firestorm). No closer to understanding the reason for the bombing that left three members injured and one dead, the team licks their wounds before heading to Washington D.C. to face the Burners.

I’ve really wanted this title to succeed but the team, personalities, and conflicts struggle so much against the new gritty universe of the New 52 that it’s difficult, especially when, ten issues in, the comic isn’t sure who all of these characters are or how exactly they fit together.

Their battle with the Burners, which takes up a good chunk of the issue, works okay. And if how Intersek uses the team’s powers against them to take down isn’t exactly but it gets the job done (even if events feel a bit rushed).

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Batman Annual #1

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batman-new-52-annual-1For the title’s first annual as part of the New 52, writers Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV give us a new origin story for Mr. Freeze. Honestly, Freeze isn’t my favorite Bat-villain. I’ve often thought of him as a less interesting Captain Cold (who got his own reboot a couple months back). The only version of the character I’ve really cared for was the version from Batman: The Animated Series which balanced the tragedy and nobility of the character so well.

After Freeze escapes from Gotham he heads right to Wayne Enterprises for his revenge. Victor Freeze blames Bruce Wayne for shutting down the cyrogenics experiment which was his only hope of ressurecting his wife Nora and which caused the accident which turned him the man he is today.

I’m not fond of the idea of putting Wayne right in the middle of Freeze’s obession to the point where he personally shut down the project and was present for the accident (he is, after all, a very busy man), but the choice to change Nora from Victor’s wife into an unknown woman with whom he’s become obsessed is interesting.

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Batman: The Dark Knight #9

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batman-the-dark-knight-new-52-9-coverI wasn’t a fan of this Bat-tile before the New 52 reboot and I’ve given the new volume a pretty wide berth. However, the latest issue had three points of interest to make me pick it up.

First, Judd Winick was guest-writing and although his his latest work hasn’t been his best, he’s produced good stories in the past. Two, the cover showcased Red Robin on the cover (who only appears in one panel, isn’t connected to the story at all, and doesn’t utter a word). Three, it was a Night of the Owls crossover.

The problem with this issue, as has been the trouble with almost all of the Night of the Owls crossovers, is that once again the focus here is on a villain, another Talon, instead of the comic’s main character. This issue is all about Alton Carver, the Talon sent to kill Lincoln March, and his history with the Court of Owls and Batman.

The focus is all wrong, the character teased on the cover isn’t here (I was looking forward to a Bruce/Tim team-up), and there’s just not enough here to justify picking up unless you simply want to grab all of the Night of the Owls issues. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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The Flash #9

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the-flash-new-52-9-coverWriter and artist Francis Manapul (along with co-writer Brian Buccellato) gives us the Flash vs. Gorilla Grodd, Round One. Honestly, given the early teases we’d seen of the New 52 versions of Grodd and Gorilla City this was better than I expected. I’m not sure I like the change from Gorilla City from an advanced scientific race of apes into a more magical religious group but this certainly wasn’t the total disaster which I feared.

The Flash shows up in Gorilla City at a loss as to how he arrived there and who he is and learns from a group of elder Gorillas that the secret tribe worship the Lightning (the Speed Force) and the prophesied appearance of the Runner (the Flash). Although awkward in places, the comic picks up after the Flash regains his memory and puts down Grodd’s rule and plans of world conquest.

The issue has several important small plotlines including Iris still stuck in limbo, the Pied Piper deciding to come out of retirement when Central City is left without a hero, Dr. Elias mounting a protest against the scarlet speedster, and a teaser for the introduction of another of the Flash’s Rogues next month – the Weather Wizard.

[DC, $2.99]

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