New 52

Captain Atom #8

/ / Comics

captain-atom-new-52-8-coverCaptain Atom finds himself pulled into the timestream with alternate versions of himself, including a future version who warns of the impending end of the world. Unable to change their past, without possibly ending their own existence, the other versions must instead help Captain Atom alter his future in order to save the world.

Once again writer J. T. Krul gives us big ideas brought marvelously to life by Freddie E. Williams II’ art. Captain Atom’s tour of the future leads him to old friends and new enemies including a look forward at what his attempt to help Ranita may lead to quite a few unforeseen consequences.

Far on the outside of the DCU, and with a focus far from your usual super-heroics, Captain Atom is a title you need to be reading. However, it’s by far one of the most ambitious projects of the New 52, and continues to be one of it’s most pleasant surprises. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Justice League #8

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justice-league-new-52-8-coverThe latest issue of Justice League is basically one long joke as Green Arrow keeps showing up to help the Justice League and keeps getting turned down when he asks to join. It gets old pretty quick. However, what’s more infuriating is the real reason so many of the leaguers are against adding another member to the team is relegated to a single splash page that isn’t even explained.

In the back-up story, “The Curse of Shazam Part 2,” Billy Batson meets his new foster family which includes a bossy Mary and (for some odd reason) a blond Freddy Freeman. As we got last issue the main point of the story is for Billy to act like a little prick and be put in his place by those who know better. Yeah, he’s got hero written all over him.

The main story has some nice one-liners from Batman and Green Lantern, and an intriguing offer by Steve Trevor for Ollie, but it’s pretty forgettable. The only saving grace in the Shazam story is the introduction of Mary’s pet rabbit and slightest glimmer of hope that someday we just might see Hoppy the Marvel Bunny. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $3.99]

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Nightwing #8

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nightwing-new-52-8-cover“Night of the Owls” continues as Nightwing receives Alfred‘s call for help and sets out to save the Mayor from a Talon attack. Issue #8 is a little different from what we’ve seen of the title so far as most of the issue isn’t presented from Nightwing’s perspective, but from that of a character who will only appear on the final page.

Most of the issue is narrated flashback of William Cobb, retelling his life story including his early days with Haly’s Circus and his recruitment into the Court of Owls. Nightwing is able to save the Mayor by defeating one of the Talons, but our final panel gives the arrival of another, far more deadly Talon (Cobb, who arrives to kill his descendant).

For an issue where Dick Grayson’s voice is largely absent the story still works, although I’m not sure we needed this much of Cobb’s backstory. I’m more surprised, however, by the continued level of smart aleck banter from the zombie-ish Talons. Who knew the undead were so talkative? Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batman #8

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batman-new-52-8-coverDC’s new Bat-Family summer crossover begins here. The Court of Owls story explodes into other Bat-titles as “Night of the Owls” finds several Talons sent to assassinate Gotham’s most prestigious citizens – including Bruce Wayne.

With Batman busy fending off the killers sent after his alter-ego, Alfred sends out a distress call to all members of the Bat-Family (Nightwing, Red Robin, the Red Hood, Batgirl, the Birds of Prey) with a list of the Court of Owls’ targets.

Although I’ve been lukewarm on Scott Snyder’s Court of Owls stories the past few months, now with the Talons unleashed on the city and several more Bat-folk looking to show up in the coming months, things certainly seem to have picked up in a hurry.

The structure of the book is a little odd as the first half is written by Snyder with art by regular Greg Capullo. However, the second-half of the story, drawn by Rafael Albuquerque, has a completely different look (which still works, although not quite as well). Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Red Hood and the Outlaws #8

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red-hood-and-the-outlaws-8-coverThe Red Hood returns to Gotham along with Starfire and Arsenal in an issue that gives us the backstory of Suzie Su and begins to weave Jason Todd back into the Bat-Family (at least for the foreseeable future).

The Outlaws show up Gotham to take down Su who is holding the residents of the Children’s Ward at Gotham General Hospital hostage in order to draw out the Red Hood and take revenge for the murder of her entire clan.

The Suzie Su story works well enough, but the issue is memorable for two other reasons. The first the Red Hood responding to Alfred‘s message for help with the Court of Owls unleashing their assassins across Gotham. The choice of the man Red Hood is supposed to save should make for a fun next issue.

And the second is a small scene between Todd and Tim Drake that suggests the pair have an interesting relationship that may not be sanctioned, or known about, by the Dark Knight Detective. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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