New 52

Batgirl #3

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batgirl-new52-3-coverI still miss Stephanie Brown, I’ll freely admit that. Of all the comics that went away in favor of DC’s New 52 Bryan Q. Miller‘s Batgirl was the most consistent and showed promise to get even better with time.

Stephanie was a Barbara Gordon Batgirl for a new generation. Strong, opinionated, quirky, intelligent, kick-ass, and always wearing her heart on her sleeve. Why would we need Babs back in the Batsuit when Steph was honoring her so well?

I also miss Oracle, and her partnership with Black Canary, Huntress, Zinda Blake, and the rest of the Birds of Prey. It’s in her years in the wheelchair, not before, that Barbara became a real fleshed out character that was one of the most inspiring in all of comics.

Barbara Gordon’s return as Batgirl has been underwhelming, even with Gail Simone at the helm. The latest issue sees Batgirl go toe-to-toe with Nightwing, and, if only for a moment, we see what this comic could be is Simone wasn’t so intent on isolating Babs from the rest of the Bat-Family.

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Stormwatch #3

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stormwatch-3-coverAs Apollo heads into space to try and destroy the meteors hurtling towards Earth the rest of the team jumps to Colorado where the first meteor has landed and a giant space monster is now on the loose.

The third issue of the series isn’t awful, but it is disappointing in several ways. With the exception of the Eminence of Blades on the moon and Apollo in deep space the team looks rather pathetic against the first big threat we see them come across. I’m thinking that’s maybe not how you want to showcase a team just taking its first steps into the proper DCU.

I’v also less than happy with the literal translation of Jack Hawksmoor‘s ability to talk to cities. A better writer would understand that this refers to the character’s innate understanding of what is going on in cities with a connection that can’t actually be expressed. Writer Paul Cornell’s much more literally version is Jack actually talking to female avatars of cities in an awkward attempt to explain his powers. Ugh.

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The Flash #2

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the-flash-new-52-2-coverMy reaction the DC’s decision to reboot has been mixed, but I’ve got to say I’ve been pretty happy with Barry Allen’s return as the Flash. I’m still conflicted about how much of the character’s past was wiped away by the New 52 (especially when Barry’s pal Hal Jordan finds his past largely intact), but I’ve got to say I’m really enjoying this title.

Issue #2 continues the storyline about Barry’s missing childhood friend, but much more of this second issue centers around Barry leaning more about his powers. We get our first look at a possible precursor to the Cosmic Treadmill, and the Flash learns to no only act at super-speed but think faster as well.

Once again the art by writer/artist Francis Manapul is exquisite. I love how how Manapul showcases the character’s speed and motion while never loosing sight of who the man underneath the mask is. It’s been a long time since this, or any Flash, has had a title this good. Best of the week.

[DC, $2.99]

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Captain Atom #2

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captain-atom-new-52-2-coverThe comic opens with Captain Atom bombarded with “wave transmissions from all across the human spectrum.” Unable to deal with the overwhelming amount of information attacking his brain the hero retreats to the Continuum where Dr. Megala helps him regain control.

The second part of the comic is a little weird as it’s so obviously a Ray Palmer Atom story. Concerned with a dying boy in Kansas City, Captain Atom shrinks himself down to a microscopic level and erradiates the tumor growing in the boy’s brain.

Thankfully, the one part of the story I was dreading (the mutated dog creature) is given little more than a cameo here on the comic’s final page. I know we’ll get to that story at some point, but I hope it’s put off as long as possible.

Writer J.T. Krul continues to explore the limitations and abilities of the new Captain Atom. I’d still like a little of the old Captain to shine through this Dr. Manhattan makeover, but as long as that dog story is kept on the back burner I’ll keep giving this one a shot. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Red Hood and the Outlaws #2

/ / Comics

red-hood-and-the-outlaws-2-coverIssue #2 of Red Hood and the Outlaws gives us a little more back story into the New 52‘s version of Jason Todd. Not only to we get an appearance by Talia al Ghul, but we are given a flashback to Todd’s introduction to the All Caste and his thoughts on his resurrection.

Writer Scott Lobdell seems be using the beginning of Judd Winick‘s Red Hood: The Lost Days where Todd was brought to life in a zombie-like state and later regained his faculties by a dip in a Lazarus Pit. How he was brought back to life without Superboy-Prime‘s reality punch (remember none of DC’s Crisis series happened in this reality) has yet to be explained.

I was a bit confused given the rewriting which allows Roy Harper and Starfire to accompany the Red Hood on his journey (it’s obvious he left for the quest alone at the end of the first issue). It’s a litle confusing. However, those who were up in arms over the first issue’s deception of Starfire should be a bit molified that she’s been toned down in this issue. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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