New 52

Birds of Prey #2

/ / Comics

birds-of-prey-v3-2-coverWhen last we left the new Birds they had just gotten a reporter blown up in broad daylight in the middle of a crowded airport. After escaping the airport Black Canary and Starling collect the third member of their team and look for answers.

Issue #2 introduces the New 52 version of Katana who it appears is more than a little unhinged in this version of the DCU. Katama is still deadly with a sword but this one talks to her death husband who she believes resides spiritually inside her sword. Yeah…

Anyway, the trio look for answers regarding the invisible terrorists and the dead journalist which leads them to the fourth member of their team – Poison Ivy. Okay, stop the bus; I need to get off.

This isn’t a bad issue, and the art by Jesus Saiz is more consistant this time around, but this team of Birds is getting farther away from the team Gail Simone made popular (Poison Ivy, really?). Aside from Black Canary these aren’t characters I really want to spend time with every month (especially for $3 a pop). Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

Birds of Prey #2 Read More »

Batman #2

/ / Comics

batman-new-52-2-coverBruce Wayne has been marked for death by the mysterious group known as the Court of Owls. Writer Scott Snyder delivers another strong Batman story that explains Nightwing‘s DNA at a crime scene, sees Batman run a motorcycle into a helicopter and full speed, and Bruce Wayne survive an attack from the Court of Owls assassin on the observation deck of Wayne Tower.

First, I’ve got to mention the terrific art by Greg Capullo who really shows off Gotham in this issue as well as give us some great panels of the Dark Knight. The villain (given his look and ability to pop back up from the “dead”) reminded me a little too much of Karl Ruprecht Kroenen from the first Hellboy film, but the fight sequence on the top of Wayne Tower and in mid-air between the assassin and Bruce Wayne works well.

I’m also impressed with Snyder’s ability to capture Bruce Wayne’s arrogance while still being able to present a likable character. Even if he villain isn’t a great one Snyder’s story about the guardians of Gotham and Capullo’s art elevate the issue into one of the best of the week.

[DC, $2.99]

Batman #2 Read More »

Nightwing #2

/ / Comics

nightwing-2-coverBetween two battles with the mysterious Saiko (who is hellbent on killing Dick Grayson), Nightwing reconnects with an old friend from the circus and is given a gift he can’t refuse. Issue #2 continues to reconnect Dick with his roots in Haly’s Circus as well as give Nightwing a new adversary who knows his true identity (which seems like a pattern in the New 52, particularly in the Bat-titles).

Between his battles and inheriting the circus that killed his family, Dick has time to reconnect with a girl from his past aboard one of Bruce Wayne’s private jets. And I do mean reconnect.

This issue is still laying the foundation of who Dick Grayson is, but I would have liked a little more fun. We certainly don’t need another brooding member of the Bat-Family.

The issue works well but I’ll be interested to see how big a part Haly’s Circus plays in the everyday life of Dick Grayson. I’m also more than a little tired of seemingly every new bad guy introduced in the Bat-titles knowing their true identities. The Bat-Family might want to work on that. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Nightwing #2 Read More »

Justice League #2

/ / Comics

justice-league-new-52-2-coverAlmost without exception the second issues of the DC Reboot have been an improvement. The stories are better written, the art feels less rushed, and the writers more effectively use the characters. I say almost without exception, because the second issue of Justice League feels like a step in the wrong direction.

The first issue did a fair job in introducing us to the New 52 versions of Green Lantern and Batman before promising Batman and Superman‘s first throwdown in issue #2. Here’s the problem, the first fight between Batman and Superman, incomprehensively, takes place off-panel between issues.

That’s right, by the time this issue picks up the action most of the Batman/Superman fight is already over. Who at DC thought this was a good idea? And that’s not the only problem as most of the takeaways are equally questionable. Batman is pushed around, Superman shrugs off Green Lantern’s best constructs without much effort, and we learn that Cyborg‘s dad is one huge dick. Is this really what I waited seven weeks for?

…

Justice League #2Read More »

Justice League #2 Read More »

Green Lantern #2

/ / Comics

green-lantern-2-coverThe theme for issue #2 of the new Green Lantern series seems to be Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth. Sinestro offers Hal Jordan his own power ring (or a close approximation of it) and Hal’s response is to try and take his former mentor’s head off. Classic Hal.

The issue does a good job riding the mutual animosity the two characters have for each other as well as giving us a situation dire enough for them to be brought back together. Hal wants his ring back, and, whether Sinestro wants it or not, the Green Lantern needs Jordan’s help to save his home planet of Korugar from his Sinestro Corps.

Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this storyline that seems to continually undercut Hal Jordan’s standing in the Green Lantern Corps. Before the DC Reboot, even with his “issues” (you know, killing half the Corps and trying to reform reality in his image), Hal Jordan was regarded the greatest Green Lantern of all-time.

…

Green Lantern #2Read More »

Green Lantern #2 Read More »