New 52

Birds of Prey #3

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birds-of-prey-new-52-3-coverThe entire team is assembled (well, almost, but we’ll get to that in a minute). Black Canary‘s worst fears are realized as Starling and Kantana are less than thrilled with the fact that Poison Ivy has joined the team. To tell the truth, I’m with them.

Because this is DC’s reboot it wouldn’t be complete without a complete character redesign for Poison Ivy. Although it is a shock that the character is one of the few female DC’s characters that got less sexualized as part of the New 52.

The issue itself, once Starling and Katana stop trying to kill their new partner, isn’t great but it works well enough to keep my interest (even if the art looks extremely rushed). The issue ends with a cliffhanger as Black Canary learns she’s a ticking timebomb set at the mercy of whoever is in charge of this legion of invisible assassins.

The real interesting tidbit is the news that Batgirl won’t just be guest-starring over the next couple of issues but will become a permanent member of the team beginning next issue. Babs inclusion could be just what this book needs. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batman #3

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batman-new-52-3-coverSince the reboot all the Bat-titles have had their hiccups so I can’t fault writer Scott Snyder too much if the latest issue of Batman isn’t as good as the first two. Issue #3 showcasing Batman‘s detective skills (THANK YOU!!!) as the Dark Knight Detective uncovers a secret conspiracy hidden in the homes of Gotham City’s wealthiest families for decades.

Greg Capullo’s art feels a little rushed in some of the panels, especially Batman’s fight with the Whisper Gang in the Gotham City subway. Thankfully the fight is saved thanks to a Batman’s ingenious solution to take down the entire gang with the flip of a switch.

As to the Court of Owls, the uncovering of the mystery works well enough, but the conspiracy and super-secret organization full of people dressed up as owls hiding in the homes of Gotham’s most wealthy doesn’t come off any better than it sounds. Issue #3 isn’t a good as I’d like but it’s still the best of the Bat-titles. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Justice League #3

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justice-league-new-52-3-coverAfter a promising start I thought writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee lost their way with the series’ second issue, but I’ve got to say this one’s almost everything I wanted it to be. Sure, I’ve got a few minor quibbles (like someone yet again telling Hal how to use his ring) but if the series can deliver this much fun on a monthly basis (and, I’ll admit, that’s a big “if”), I’m going to be very happy.

As Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and the Flash battle the legions of Parademons invading the Earth a new face joins the fight (after she finishes her first ice cream cone, of course). This Wonder Woman is a warrior born itching for a little action, and when the demons show up she’s more than happy to join the fray – much to the amazement of Hal and Barry.

The open sequence with Wonder Woman, Steve Trevor, and the little girl who introduces her to ice cream might be a tad too cute for my tastes, but once the Amazon joins the fight the comic really picks up. We also get our first look at Aquaman and Cyborg.

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Captain Atom #3

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captain-atom-new-52-3-coverCaptain Atom‘s burgeoning understanding of being able to use his powers in a much grander scale takes the hero around the world in a blink of an eye and eventually to Libya where he runs into the one hero on the planet that also lives at a pace far quicker than the average human being: The Flash.

I’ve enjoyed the first couple of issues of this series, and when you throw the the Flash into the mix you’re going to have to do quite a bit wrong not to get me on-board. The issue centers around two characters who are isolated because they see so much more by living between moments we take for granted. The interplay between the characters works wonderfully, but once again the situation intervenes and Captain Atom’s attempt to help looks far more nefarious than he planned.

The final page of the issue also give us the first appearance of General Eiling, the man (at least in the old version of the DCU) responsible for the creation of Captain Atom. It will be interesting to see how this version fits into Atom’s backstory. And, thankfully, we get an issue without the mutated monster dogs. Must-read.

[DC, $2.99]

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Green Lantern #3

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Despite their initial distrust of each other Hal Jordan agrees to help Sinestro take down the Sinestro Corps and liberate his home planet of Korugar.

The issue also foreshadows a new player in the galactic events of the DCU. Given what they deem is the failure of the Green Lantern Corps the Guardians of the Universe decide they need a new solution to keep the peace. Yeah, I’m sure that will work out well (just like the Alpha Lanterns and New Guardians).

Despite the odd ending that suggests Sinestro might be replacing Hal Jordan on a more permanent basis than anyone assumed, the issue works well enough. However, I am growing tired of Sinestro showing up Hal in every single issue. Once again we get another instance of Hal not knowing how to use his ring. Seriously? I understand you want to show Sinestro as as more experienced, but removing all of Hal’s years of service (which didn’t get rebooted, remember) doesn’t seem like the best option. I like that Hal enjoys his ring, now lets see him know how to use it. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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