DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for May 25, 2021

DC COMICS:

Action Comics #1031 (Cover A Mikel Janin), $4.99
Action Comics #1031 (Cover B Julian Totino Tedesco Card Stock Variant), AR
Authority Volume 2 TP, $39.99
Batman Black And White #6 (Of 6)(Cover A John Romita Jr. & Klaus Janson), $5.99
Batman Black And White #6 (Of 6)(Cover B Jason Fabok), AR
Batman Black And White #6 (Of 6)(Cover C Yasmine Putri Mad Hatter Variant), AR
Batman Superman #18 (Cover A Ivan Reis), $3.99
Batman Superman #18 (Cover B Simone Bianchi Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman The Dark Knight Detective Volume 5 TP, $24.99
Detective Comics #1036 (Cover A Dan Mora), $4.99
Detective Comics #1036 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant), AR
Flash Impulse Runs In The Family TP, $34.99
Harley Quinn #3 (Cover A Riley Rossmo), $3.99
Harley Quinn #3 (Cover B Derrick Chew Card Stock Variant), AR
Milestone Returns Infinite Edition #0 (One Shot)(Cover A Denys Cowan), $4.99
Milestone Returns Infinite Edition #0 (One Shot)(Cover C Blank Card Stock Variant), AR
Mister Miracle The Source Of Freedom #1 (Of 6)(Cover A Yanick Paquette), $3.99
Mister Miracle The Source Of Freedom #1 (Of 6)(Cover B Valentine De Landro Card Stock Variant), AR
Nightwing #79 (Bruno Redondo 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Other History Of The DC Universe #4 (Of 5)(Cover A Giuseppe Camuncoli & Marco Mastrazzo), $6.99
Other History Of The DC Universe #4 (Of 5)(Cover B Jamal Campbell), AR
Robin #2 (Cover A Gleb Melnikov), $3.99
Robin #2 (Cover B Francis Manapul Card Stock Variant), AR
RWBY Justice League #2 (Of 7)(Cover A Mirka Andolfo), $3.99
RWBY Justice League #2 (Of 7)(Cover B Simone Di Meo Card Stock Variant), AR
Stargirl Spring Break Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Todd Nauck), $5.99
Stargirl Spring Break Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Mike McKone Card Stock Variant), AR
Strange Adventures #10 (Of 12)(Cover A Mitch Gerads), $4.99
Strange Adventures #10 (Of 12)(Cover B Evan Doc Shaner), AR
Superman By Peter J. Tomasi And Patrick Gleason Omnibus HC, $125.00
Superman Volume 4 Mythological TP, $19.99
Teen Titans Academy #3 (Cover A Rafa Sandoval), $3.99
Teen Titans Academy #3 (Cover B Philip Tan Card Stock Variant), AR

#IReadsYou Movie Review: "THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN" is a Battle Royale

The Death of Superman (2018)

Running time:  81 minutes (1 hour, 21 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of violence and action including some bloody images.
DIRECTORS:  Sam Liu and Jake Castorena
WRITER:  Peter Tomasi (based on characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics)
PRODUCERS:  Sam Liu and Amy McKenna
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Sam Register and James Tucker
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinski
COMPOSER:  Frederik Wiedmann  
ANIMATION STUDIO:  Studio MIR

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Jerry O'Connell, Rebecca Romijn, Rainn Wilson, Rosario Dawson, Nathan Fillion, Christopher Gorham, Matt Lanter, Shemar Moore, Nyambi Nyambi, Jason O'Mara, Jonathan Adams, Rocky Carroll, Trevor Devall, Paul Eiding, Jennifer Hale, Charles Halford, Erica, Luttrell, Max Mittelman, and Toks Olagundoye

The Death of Superman is a 2018 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation and directors Sam Lui and Jake Castorena.  It is the thirty-second film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series.  The movie takes its story from “Doomsday!” (also known as “The Death of Superman”), a story arc that ran in various DC Comics titles in late 1992.  In The Death of Superman movie, Superman battling a seemingly insurmountable foe.

The Death of Superman finds Superman (Jerry O'Connell) at the height of his popularity as a superhero in Metropolis and around the world.  However, Superman has some brewing domestic issues in his civilian life as Clark Kent (Jerry O'Connell).  Clark is dating Lois Lane (Rebecca Romijn), a fellow reporter at The Daily Planet.  Clark's parents, Ma and Pa Kent (Jennifer Hale and Paul Eiding), are visiting, and they will finally meet Lois, but that only forces Clark to face the fact that he has not told Lois that he is Superman.

Elsewhere, without warning, a meteor has crashed on Earth causing trouble above in Earth orbit and below in the ocean depths.  Emerging from the meteor is a gray-skinned, white-haired monster with incredible strength, stamina, and invulnerability.  Also, its skeleton protrudes through its skin in the form of multiple razor-sharp spurs.

The creature, whom Lois dubs “Doomsday,” quickly dispatches the Justice League.  Doomsday beats Wonder Woman (Rosario Dawson), Batman (Jason O'Mara), Aquaman (Matt Lanter), Cyborg (Shemar Moore), Flash (Christopher Gorham), Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkman, and Martian Manhunter (Nyambi Nyambi) nearly to death.  Now, only Superman stands before the creature, but to defeat him, Superman may lose his own life.

The Death of Superman is not the first time that the “Doomsday”/“The Death of Superman” story line has been adapted into a direct-to-DVD animated film.  The first was 2007's Superman: Doomsday, which I did not care for all that much.  Concerning this newer film, I don't like the graphic design of the characters, who all appear to have anemic faces.  In fact, their heads are all face – odd, angular faces.  I find them a little jarring to look at, but the animation moves smoothly.

I thought the first half of 2018's The Death of Superman was dull, but the second half is a blast to watch.  Doomsday's fights with the other members of the Justice League are filled with bone-crushing blows and near-death intensity.  The Superman vs. Doomsday battle is so powerful that calling it “epic” does not completely describe the insane violence displayed in this literally to-the-death fight.

The character drama between Clark and Lois is also well-developed, and the depiction of the edginess in their relationship keeps the first half of the movie from being a total loss.  This film also includes a strong version of Lex Luthor (Rainn Wilson), one that could have taken over this film.  Ultimately, I am giving The Death of Superman a high recommendation because of the Superman-Doomsday battle.  This fight is like an animated equivalent of a battle one might find in a Disney/Marvel Studios' Avengers films.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE #2

THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE #2 (OF 12)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Peter J. Tomasi
ART: Neal Adams
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Kenneth Rocafort
VARIANT COVER: Neal Adams with Tim Shinn
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2017)

Rated “T” for Teen

Kamandi created by Jack Kirby

“Nuclear Roar!”

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth was a comic book created by writer-artist Jack Kirby and published by DC Comics. The series ran from 1972 to 1978, and starred Kamandi, a teenaged boy in a post-apocalyptic future.  In this time, humans have been reduced back to savagery in a world ruled by intelligent, highly evolved animals.

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth #1 (cover dated: October 1972) opens some time after a huge event called “The Great Disaster,” which wiped out human civilization.  In “Earth A.D.” (After Disaster), many animals have become humanoid, bipedal, and sentient, and also possess the power of speech. These newly intelligent animal species have equipped themselves with weapons and technology salvaged from the ruins of human civilization and are constantly at war in a struggle for territory.

The world of Kamandi returns in the new DC Comics miniseries, The Kamandi Challenge, bringing together 14 teams of writers and artists.  Each issue will end with an cliffhanger.  The next creative team will resolve that cliffhanger left behind by the previous creative team, before creating their own story and cliffhanger, which the next creative team after them will have to resolve... and so on.  The second issue of The Kamandi Challenge is written by Peter J. Tomasi; drawn by Neal Adams; colored by Hi-Fi; and lettered by Clem Robins.

The Kamandi Challenge #2 (“Nuclear Roar”) finds Kamandi in Tiger City, where the great leader, Lord Caesar, is apparently about to activate a nuclear warhead.  None of the man-animals seem interested in Kamandi's warnings about the weapon, but no one expects a kind of Trojan horse.  Also, a unique Kirby creation makes an appearance, and it still (shockingly) works.

“Nuclear War” follows the cliffhanger that ended issue #1's “K -- is for 'Kill'!”  Simply put, The Kamandi Challenge #2 is a fun read, but lacks the punch of either of the two stories published in The Kamandi Challenge #1.  I like Neal Adams' art here; it is the best of his recent work that I have seen.  The compositions are big and capture the craziness and epic scale of Jack Kirby in his 1970s prime.

The story, however, reflects the weakness of a gimmick series like The Kamandi Challenge.  In coming up with a new chapter by starting from some other writer's previous chapter can be treacherous.  Even if a writer comes up with a way to resolve the previous writer's cliffhanger, the rest of his own story can meander or seem like filler as the writer tries to do his “own thing.”  That is what happens with “Nuclear Roar;” much of it seems like filler on the way to a cliffhanger ending.

I'm still going to keep reading, though.

B

[Afterword by Dan Abnett]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: SUPER SONS #3

SUPER SONS No. 3
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Peter J. Tomasi
ARTIST: Jorge Jimenez
COLORS: Alejandro Sanchez
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Jorge Jimenez with Alejandro Sanchez
VARIANT COVER: Dustin Nguyen
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2017)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger; Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Superboy created by Jerry Siegel

“When I Grow Up...” Part Three: “Sibling Rivalry”

They are the sons of Superman and Batman.  Damian Wayne (or Damian al Ghul) is the son of Batman/Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul (the daughter of Batman nemesis, Ra's al Ghul).  There was an unnamed infant in the 1987 graphic novel, Batman: Son of the Demon.  In Batman #655 (cover dated: September 2006), writer Grant Morrison reinterpreted the infant as Damian Wayne, and he eventually became the fifth character to assume the role of Robin, Batman's crime fighting partner and sidekick.

Jonathan “Jon” Samuel Kent is the son of Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane.  He first appeared in the comic book Convergence: Superman #2 (cover dated: July 2015) and was created by Dan Jurgens.  Jon is now the latest version of Superboy and first appeared as Superboy in Superman #2 (cover dated: September 2016).

Jon and Damian are the newest teen superhero team-up and are the stars of their own comic book, a kind of modern World's Finest entitled, Super Sons.  It is written by Peter J. Tomasi; drawn by Jorge Jimenez; colored by Alejandro Sanchez; and lettered by Rob Leigh.

Super Sons #3 (“Sibling Rivalry”) finds Superboy fighting Batman, and Robin fighting Superman.  WTF?!  And Robin is fighting Superboy, and Superboy is fighting Robin! Of course!  An explanation, at least for the first fight, comes from Sara Duffy of the “Super Duffys!”  Her tale, however, comes with a powerful and dangerous young villain, Kid Amazo.

Super Sons is part of a vanguard that signals a gilded age of teen superhero comic books from the “Big Two,” Marvel and DC Comics.  From Miles Morales Spider-Man and Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel to the recent Future Quest and The Unstoppable Wasp, there are a wealth of cool titles from DC Comics and Marvel Comics featuring young heroes, adventurers, and superheroes.  Super Sons is among the best of these super teens.  Super Sons continues to entertain me and... dare I say... dazzle me.

Writer Peter J. Tomasi finds comedy gold in Jon Kent and Damian Wayne's bickering.  Tomasi also creates a tense rivalry between the two that would make it seem that they hate each other or are certainly annoyed by each others presence.  That gives this comic book a dramatic punch, making it as edgy as comic books featuring adult superheroes, but without the adult drama and violence

Artist Jorge Jimenez elastic, anime drawing style and Alejandro Sanchez's vibrant colors give this full-color adventure a sense that something is always happening – jumping and jiving.  Jimenez's strong storytelling and compositions make this a superhero comic book about children that is as intense as superhero comic books featuring grownups.

I have high hopes for issue #4...

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------------

Review: SUPER SONS #1

SUPER SONS No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Peter J. Tomasi
ARTIST: Jorge Jimenez
COLORS: Alejandro Sanchez
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Jorge Jimenez with Alejandro Sanchez
VARIANT COVER: Dustin Nguyen
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger; Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

When I Grow Up... Part One

Jonathan “Jon” Samuel Kent is the son of Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane.  He first appeared in the comic book Convergence: Superman #2 (cover dated: July 2015) and was created by Dan Jurgens.  Jon is also the latest version of Superboy and first appeared as Superboy in Superman #2 (cover dated: September 2016).

Damian Wayne (or Damian al Ghul) is the son of Batman/Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul (the daughter of Batman nemesis, Ra's al Ghul).  Damian was an unnamed infant in the 1987 graphic novel, Batman: Son of the Demon.  In Batman #655 (cover dated: September 2006), writer Grant Morrison reinterpreted the infant as Damian Wayne, and he eventually became the fifth character to assume the role of Robin, Batman's crime fighting partner and sidekick.

Now, Jon and Damian are the newest superhero duo and have their own comic book, Super Sons.  It is written by Peter J. Tomasi; drawn by Jorge Jimenez; colored by Alejandro Sanchez; and lettered by Rob Leigh.

Super Sons #1 finds Jonathan Kent preparing for another day of school, which includes dealing with bullies.  However, it is difficult for Jon to have an ordinary day when his pal is Damian Wayne.  Clark and Lois may think that their son should go to bed early on a school night, and Bruce Wayne may think that Damian should hold to his school work promise.  The boys think differently, but will two truant 'tween heroes find more trouble than they can handle in Metropolis?

Just from reading articles around the World Wide Web, I gather that many people consider the better part of the last two decades to be a new “golden age” in American comic book publishing.  I certainly think that the last five years have been some kind of gilded age for teen superhero comic books.  From Miles Morales Spider-Man and Kamala Khan Ms. Marvel to recent Future Quest and The Unstoppable Wasp, there are a wealth of cool titles from DC Comics and Marvel Comics featuring young heroes, adventures, and superheroes.

Yeah, this is just the first issue, but I have high hopes for Super Sons.  Writer Peter J. Tomasi is a reliably quality writer of superhero comics, and I liked the way he handles Damian Wayne.  I think that artist Jorge Jimenez may be the star creative force here.  His drawing style seems like a quirky smoothee blend of anime, Joe Madureira, and Patrick Gleason.  Yet his graphical style makes this story read like an adventure tale as much as it reads like a traditional superhero comic book.  I heartily recommend this comic book, especially for teen readers, because I think the teen me would have been crazy about a Superboy-Robin comic book.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-------------------------

Review: SUPERMAN #1

SUPERMAN No. 1 (2016)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Peter J. Tomasi
PENCILS: Patrick Gleason
INKS: Mick Gray
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray with John Kalisz
VARIANT COVER: Kenneth Rocafort
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

“Son of Superman” Part One

The last time I reviewed an issue of Superman it was to express my opinion on Superman: Rebirth, of which I had mixed feelings.  Because of DC Comics' current publishing event-slash-initiative, Rebirth, there is a new first issue of Superman, and while I planned on reading this relaunch, I had no plans on reviewing it.  I finally stop putting off reading...

Superman #1 (“Son of Superman” Part One) is written by Peter J. Tomasi; drawn by Patrick Gleason (pencils) and Mick Gray (inks); colored by John Kalisz; and lettered by Rob Leigh.  It focuses on the GenX, post-Crisis/pre-New 52 Superman/Clark Kent.  Clark lives with his wife Lois Lane and their son, Jonathan, on “The Smith Farm” in Hamilton County, which is 300 miles north of Metropolis.

Yes, the Kents go by the name Smith, as they try to have a normal life, although Kent has taken on the mantle of this world's Superman (a long story).  Meanwhile, Jonathan is starting to chafe at all the secrecy, and young Kent's anxiety gets worse when surprising guests visit the Smiths, including Kathy Branden, the daughter of their new neighbors.

I was surprised by how much I liked Superman #1 (2016).  Since Clark Kent is a bit reticent or perhaps introspective about being Superman again, the Man of Steel has an air of foreboding and mystery about him.  When he does let his hero flag or, in this case, cape fly, there is a sense of majesty about him.  For the time being, writer Peter J. Tomasi is bringing a sense of wonder to Superman – something the title has lacked in recent years, but should always have.

Artists Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray are delivering quality work that reminds me of Steve Rude's work on Superman (and Batman) in the 1990 World Finest miniseries (written by Dave Gibbons).  I think Gleason and Gray's work on the recent Robin: Son of Batman was sharper, but I like what they are doing here.  I think this new Superman series has great potential.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

--------------------------------

Review: SUPERMAN: Rebirth #1

SUPERMAN: REBIRTH No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
PENCILS: Doug Mahnke
INKS: Jaime Mendoza
COLORS: Wil Quintana
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Doug Mahnke and Jaime Mendoza with Wil Quintana
VARIANT COVER: Andy Park
44pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

The last time I reviewed an issue of Superman it was to express my opinion on Superman #41.  Entitled “Before Truth” (Part 1), this was the first issue of the new-look slash new-direction, “DCYou” Superman comic book, written by the acclaimed graphic novelist, Gene Luen Yang, his DC Comics debut and his first issue as series writer of Superman.  The art team on Superman remained the same as it has been for the year prior:  John Romita, Jr. (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks), with colorist Dean White and letterer Rob Leigh.

However, Romita soon moved on to work on a project related the Batman prestige project, DK III: The Master Race.  While Yang's run started with such promise, it pretty much petered out after about have a year, probably worn down by the inevitable changes to come.  Those changes turned out to be another “all-new direction” for DC Comics, something called Rebirth.

If I understand correctly, Rebirth marks the end of The New 52, DC Comics' reboot of its universe-mythology-continuity-superhero publishing line that began with such fanfare in 2011.  Y'all, it didn't even last 5 years.  Rebirth is all about returning some old continuity, especially the continuity established back in 1986, coming out of the universe-destroying, Earth-shattering comic book “maxi-series,” Crisis on Infinite Earths.  Some call this “GenX” DC Comics.

So before DC's regular series go into Rebirth and some new series debut, some of DC's flagship titles have Rebirth one-shots.  Thus, Superman: Rebirth #1.  It is written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason, the creative team behind the new Superman series.  The artists for this one-shot are Doug Mahnke on pencils; Jamie Mendoza on inks; Wil Quintana on colors; and Rob Leigh on letters.

So, if I followed this correctly:  New 52 Clark Kent/Superman is dead and buried.  Lana Lang is trying to retrieve his body from his memorial/monument/crypt.  She is interrupted by post-Crisis slash GenX Superman – the one married to Lois Lane.  He wears a black body suit with a silver Superman emblem “S” on a gray background on his chest.  This Superman and Lang travel to dead Superman's Fortress of Solitude in hopes that the “Regeneration Matrix” will revive him.

I have to admit that I was kinda exited about Rebirth, especially after reading the DC Universe Rebirth one-shot.  But now, that excitement is gone.  Superman: Rebirth #1 isn't bad.  I'm simply not interested in modern Superman comic books, for the most part, and this one-shot reminded me of my disinterest.  When I really want to read a Superman comic book, I buy some back issues from the 1970s or 1980s or read one of those expensive hardcover collections that DC Comics publishes which reprint Superman comic books from those decades and earlier.

Yeah, I'm going to read some more Rebirth one-shots, but I will only review the ones that I really enjoy or that really move me to care about Rebirth.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

---------------------

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 11, 2015

DC COMICS

JAN150291     ACTION COMICS #40     $3.99
JAN150355     ARROW SEASON 2.5 #6     $2.99
JAN150398     ASTRO CITY #21     $3.99
NOV140331     ASTRO CITY PRIVATE LIVES HC     $24.99
DEC140407     ASTRO CITY VICTORY TP     $16.99
JAN150229     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT #1     $3.99
DEC140388     BATMAN BEYOND JUSTICE LORDS BEYOND TP     $16.99
JAN150301     BATMAN ETERNAL #49     $2.99
JAN150394     COFFIN HILL #16 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150264     CONSTANTINE #23     $2.99
JAN150311     DETECTIVE COMICS ENDGAME #1     $2.99
JAN150244     EARTH 2 WORLDS END #23     $2.99
JAN150395     FABLES THE WOLF AMONG US #3 (MR)     $3.99
JAN150401     FBP FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS #19 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150345     GREEN LANTERN CORPS #40 (NOTE PRICE)     $3.99
JAN150357     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR THREE #11     $2.99
DEC148490     IZOMBIE #1 SPECIAL ED (MR)     $1.00
DEC140382     JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 05 FOREVER HEROES (N52)     $14.99
JAN150254     JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #10     $3.99
JAN150269     KLARION #6     $2.99
JAN150354     MORTAL KOMBAT X #4 (MR)     $3.99
DEC148482     MULTIVERSITY GUIDEBOOK #1 2ND PTG     $7.99
JAN150224     NEW 52 FUTURES END #45 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
JAN150274     NEW SUICIDE SQUAD #8     $2.99
JAN150389     SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #55     $2.99
JAN150362     SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 CONTINUITY #4     $3.99
DEC148491     SUPERMAN #38 2ND PTG     $4.99
DEC140398     TINY TITANS RETURN TO THE TREEHOUSE TP     $12.99
JAN150299     WORLDS FINEST #32     $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
SEP140354     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT BATMAN STATUE     $124.95
JUN140334     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY BOLLAND 2ND ED     $79.95

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 16, 2014

DC COMICS

APR140254     BATMAN A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS HC     $39.99
MAY140227     BATMAN ETERNAL #15     $2.99
MAY140251     BATWOMAN #33     $2.99
APR140259     BIRDS OF PREY TP VOL 04 THE CRUELEST CUT (N52)     $16.99
MAR140252     DAMIAN SON OF BATMAN DELUXE ED HC (N52)     $24.99
APR140295     DJANGO UNCHAINED TP (MR)     $16.99
MAY140401     FABLES #142 (MR)     $2.99
MAY140263     GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #33     $2.99
MAY140248     HARLEY QUINN INVADES COMIC CON INTL SAN DIEGO #1     $4.99
MAY140350     INFINITE CRISIS FIGHT FOR THE MULTIVERSE #1     $3.99
APR140255     JOKER A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS HC     $39.99
MAY140183     NEW 52 FUTURES END #11 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
MAY140256     RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #33     $2.99
MAY140160     ROBIN RISES OMEGA #1     $4.99
MAY140359     SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED CRISIS OF IMAGINATION #7     $2.99
MAY140224     SUPERGIRL #33     $2.99
APR140273     SUPERGIRL TP VOL 04 OUT OF THE PAST (N52)     $14.99
MAR140263     TALES OF THE BATMAN JH WILLIAMS III HC     $49.99
MAY140164     TEEN TITANS #1     $2.99
APR140262     TEEN TITANS TP VOL 04 LIGHT AND DARK (N52)     $14.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

JAN140403     DC COMICS SUPER VILLAINS ARMORED LEX LUTHOR DLX AF     $49.95
DEC130369     SUPERMAN BLACK POOL CUE     $199.95
DEC130370     SUPERMAN ICONIC POOL CUE     $199.95

Albert Avilla Reviews: Green Lantern Corps #0

Green Lantern Corps #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Peter Tomasi
Pencils: Fernando Pasarin
Inks: Scott Hanna and Marc Deering
Cover: Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna with Gabe Eltaeb

The origin of the bad-ass Lantern is here. The story jumps off into hard core action from the get go. Blood splattering, decapitated heads, and Lanterns with their backs to the wall; we get all of this in the first four panels. Guy, the last Lantern standing, gets a beat down from the alien. Xar.

We get to the origin part of the story. Guy is an ex-cop blamed for deaths that he is not responsible for, living in the shadow of his brother the favored son. Guy is despised by his super-cop father for not living up to the family legacy. He saves his brother’s life with Daddy’s cane and a motorcycle. He gets the ring and cleans up the street in one night. Back to Xar where Guy is getting crushed: Guy mans up and blasts the crap out of Xar.

This is a ret-con of a character that I can agree with for many reasons. Guy is a more well-rounded character; not a meat-head jock who just wants to smash through everything. Being a Green Lantern is a tough, thankless job; it takes a person who is committed to the greater good. They are away from their friends and family for long periods of time. It’s hard on relationships. They don’t do it for riches; I never see them getting a check cut to them. It’s a warrior’s life, and Guy is revealed as a true warrior.

The ring didn’t make Guy a hero; the ring is a hero’s weapon. Guy has strong ties with his family, and he is fiercely protective of them, which explains why he is protective of his sector. Guy’s competitive nature originates from a lifetime of competing with his brother for his father’s approval; this now extends to Hal. Guy’s irritating personality comes from a father who didn’t teach him the social graces. This origin gives Guy more depth as a character; readers can relate to him as a hero with flaws. Guy has evolved from a flat character to a multilayered dynamic personality.

The art was cool. The fight sequences were great; you got the feeling that Guy was risking it all to win. There was a feeling of movement in the art. The crowd scene was engrossing; each person was an individual who is the center of his or her own life, not just extras. The skies over Oa were luminescent. I like bright colors in my comics. The art pops.

I rate this issue Buy Your Own Copy.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Batman and Robin #0

Batman and Robin #0
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Script: Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils: Patrick Gleason
Inks: Mick Gray
Colors: John Kalisz
Letters: Carlos M. Mangual

I like my origin stories to give me insight into a character. The insight that I got from this story is that Damian is a bad little mother-shut-my-mouth. His being scientifically engineered explains why a toddler can kill tigers and great white sharks and why Batman takes him on missions to subdue lunatic villains. Most kids his age can't wipe their butts effectively. What a nurturing mother… Happy birthday, Damian… let’s have a battle to the death. I can understand why the kid is rebellious.

The story takes place during the birthday battle in which Damian earns the right to know who his father is, with flashbacks to other moments that impacted Damian's character. The action is fast moving with gratuitous violence to keep any fanboy satisfied. That little mother-shut-my-mouth is taking out ninjas and Man-Bats from beginning to end. Mama al Ghul even gets to feel the bottom of Damian's size – I don't know 3 or 2? What size does a little bastard wear?

This Robin shatters the mold of what past Robins were. Years from now, when other creators are trying their hand at the Damian character and changing certain aspects of Damian, we'll think back to what Tomasi (@PeterJTomasi) has done and say "they are f’ing up a good character." Tomasi has left his imprint on this character for ages to come. Thank you, Mr. Tomasi, for giving us this little hyperactive, death-dealing monster of a Robin. I'm looking forward to what a Junior Justice League led by this Robin is going to be like. In this age of the multi-issue story arc, it's good to read a good one issue story.

The art helps tell the story. A good comic book story doesn't just come from what text there is. The action scenes are impressive. The art team does a good job of making the little tike look murderous without making it comedic. Talia has just enough of that psychotic gleam in her eyes to make you cover up the old family jewels.

I rate Batman and Robin #0 Recommend It to a Friend.

The New 52 Review: GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Peter J. Tomasi
PENCILS: Fernando Pasarin
INKS: Scott Hanna
COLORS: Gabe El Taeb
LETTERS: Pat Brosseau
COVER: Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy with Randy Mayor
32pp, Color, $2.99

The best known Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, first appeared in Showcase #22 (September-October 1959). Not only was Hal a Green Lantern (of Sector 2814), he was also a member of the Green Lantern Corps. Technically, the Corps first appeared in Showcase #22 when Hal met Abin Sur, his forerunner. However, Hal didn’t meet another Green Lantern until Green Lantern #6 (May-June 1961).

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” the Green Lantern Corps gets its own comic book series (after decades of one-shots, miniseries, backups, and specials). The leads in this new series are Guy Gardner (Green Lantern of Sector 2814.2) and John Stewart (Green Lantern of Sector 2814.3).

Green Lantern Corps #1 (“Triumph of the Will”) opens with Green Lanterns being murdered in Space Sector 3599. Meanwhile, Guy and John are trying to lead meaningful lives as civilians on Earth.

Green Lantern Corps #1 looks like Green Lantern #1 because both series have artists doing the Brian Bolland-clone thing. In this case, Fernando Pasarin (pencils) and Scott Hanna (inks) have slightly more imaginative environments to draw and, in turn, win over Green Lantern’s penciller, Doug Mahnke. Writer Peter J. Tomasi does a good job setting up scenes involving murder and mystery, and the character drama he writes to depict John and Guy’s difficulties is good – poignant even in the case of Guy.

I’m not afraid to say that this Green Lantern title may be better than the main Green Lantern title.

B+

September 21st
BATMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-1.html
CATWOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/catwoman-1.html
NIGHTWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/nightwing-1.html
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-hood-and-outlaws-1.html
WONDER WOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/wonder-woman-1.html

The New 52 Review: BATMAN AND ROBIN #1

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Peter J. Tomasi
PENCILS: Patrick Gleason
INKS: Mick Gray
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Patrick Brosseau
32pp, Color, $2.99

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Remember that Batman and Robin comic book that had the original Robin, Dick (Richard) Grayson, as Batman and Bruce Wayne’s son, Damian Wayne, as the latest Robin? Of course, you do; it was only launched two years ago to great fanfare – as the Batman comic book line was then being revamped… again.

With DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comic book line, “The New 52,” Batman and Robin is also re-launched, with Bruce Wayne back as Batman and Damian back as Robin. The team that produced the “Tree of Blood” storyline in the 2009 Batman and Robin, writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Patrick Gleason, is the creative team of The New 52 Batman and Robin.

Batman and Robin #1 (“Born to Kill”) opens in Moscow where one of the Batmen of Batman Incorporated gets Bat-manhandled. Meanwhile, Batman/Bruce Wayne is ready to reconcile and to put a defining moment in his life behind him, so he takes his bratty son to Crime Alley. But the irascible new Boy Wonder is more interested in stomping some bad guy ass than being kind of sentimental.

After reading the first issue of 2009 Batman and Robin by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, I was very impressed. It was a start reminiscent of their opening storyline for New X-Men (“E is for Extinction”). Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason’s own first Batman and Robin issue is close to being as good as Morrison/Quitely, and I’m equally impressed. I so want to share with you the fun I had reading it, but I’d unleash too many spoilers. What I’ll say is that this is one of “The New 52” you should keep reading past the first issue.

A