Albert Avilla Reviews: Avengers #31

Avengers # 31
Marvel Comics

Review by Albert Avilla

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artists: Brandon Peterson & Mike Mayhew

Spoilers!
This is the kind of Avengers story that I like – an elegant blend of action and drama. We open with an unknown Avenger (Could it, please, be the Wasp?) being chased by some alien types on individual flying apparatuses. This is one bad lady taking out the aliens with blasters and in hand to hand combat.

Back at the tower, the Avengers are chilling, except for the paragon of virtue, Captain America; he’s up and at them ready to face the bombardment from the media in the wake of the Phoenix Five crisis. Wonder Man shows up acting all bipolar and, of course, Cap is willing to help him. Then, the Red Hulk sneaks Wonder Man and the battle ensues. Wonder Man gets the Red Hulk in a sleeper hold and then it’s nighty-night, big Red. The mysterious Avenger (I hope it’s the Wasp) finds a way to broadcast her signal from inner space to the Avengers. The Avengers are going on a road trip to the Microverse.

Bendis has a great grasp of these characters; their personalities shine through. The touch of humor that Bendis adds to the story is refreshing. All around great action and exotic locales make for a good read. Avenger family drama satisfies our craving for the soap opera. Add in a mystery to complete the tale. Mr. Bendis is doing his best to go out with a bang.

The art is breathtaking. The alien landscape is awe inspiring as is the New York skyline. I’m amazed at how the artist can do such a spectacular job on both environments. The characters have a great look. Overall, the art was quite pleasing.

I rate Avengers # 31 Buy Your Own Copy.  #2 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter Ranking

Albert Avilla Reviews: The Final Issue of Captain America

The Final Issue of Captain America (Captain America #19)
Marvel Comics

Review by Albert Avilla

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Steve Epting

The greatest run of Captain America comes to an end. This is comparable to Frank Miller leaving Daredevil. You have to appreciate the knowledge of Captain America and the understanding of who Captain America is that Brubaker has.

During his run Brubaker never strayed from the traits that made Captain America who he is. If anything, Brubaker has cemented them in his stories. Captain America has been a leader and an inspiration for other superheroes. Under Brubaker, Captain America has become the undisputed leader of the Marvel Universe. The character’s popularity has grown to a level that is unprecedented. Brubaker has taken a stagnant character and made him interesting and vibrant. This is difficult to do with a character with such steadfast morals and personality. Through his masterful storytelling, Brubaker has made this an award-winner when many thought the character was outdated. This story is our opportunity to appreciate a great talent that may not be seen for years to come if ever again on Captain America.

Thank You, Mr. Brubaker, for your hard work and for sharing your talent. Another generation of comic readers will be inspirited by the heroism of Captain America because of Brubaker’s monumental effort.

Epting did some of his best work in this issue. Brubaker and Epting will be linked to Captain America forever.

I rate The Final Issue of Captain America Recommend it to a Friend. This is the Al-O-Meter's highest ranking.

Albert Avilla Reviews: X-Men #37

X-Men #37
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Brian Wood
Pencils: David Lopez
Inks: Alvaro Lopez

human being 2 of 2 (Spoilers)
This was a nice, little pleasant story; not what I like in my superhero stories. That's what I get for thinking potential will be reality. The story begins with proto-mutant, Shepherd, in a dog fight with two fighter jets. He's more than holding his own when Pixie comes in and teleports him away. Pixie and Shepherd have a conversation where both show that friendship is important.

At the same time, Storm and Colossus have a long-time friendship that is falling apart. Storm has to give Piotr the old beat down with a lightning bolt. Colossus is falling for Cyclops's agenda. Shepherd turns out to be a major letdown, cutting and running during a major turning point in mutant history. Pixie wanted to follow him to whatever paradise he went to. Real heroes don't leave when there is a fight to be won or forget their friends during troubling times. Shepherd could have turned out to be the next great X-Men antagonist or ally, but he was just a one night stand.

The art was a joy. The landscapes and the characters pull you into the story. If Shepherd was leaving that beautiful island to go somewhere better, it must truly be paradise.

I rate X-Men #37 Read a Friend's Copy. Al-O-Meter Ranking #3 (of 5)

Albert Avilla Reviews: Superman #0

Superman #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Art: Kenneth Rocafort

Every End Has a Beginning (Spoilers)
This story goes way before the New 52. Superman is telling the story of his parents before Krypton was destroyed. Jor-El is exploring beneath the planet's surface confirming that Krypton is dying. He also finds something living at the planet's core. He is attacked by slime creatures and has to risk his life to return to the Science Center. He returns home to learn that Lara is pregnant.

At the same time, the research center is destroyed by an explosion. Terrorists capture Lara and threaten to kill her. Surprise, terrorist! Lara is old school – Kung Fu style – I can handle my damn-bad-self. Lara takes down the terrorists in a superb scene of martial violence. We learn that the terrorists are part of a Doomsday Cult that is trying to get Jor-El to join them, but Jor-El sends them to the phantom zone. In the epilogue, we learn that a herald proclaims that Krypton will be given a second chance. The fate of Krypton lies in the hands of Superman.

I don't know how much of this story is of The New 52, but dang, I like it. Superman has a legacy of heroism. He is inspired by two heroes that are his parents. His father is a super-genius scientist. His mother is a physician who'll stab you and miss the vital organs. I wish my mom was a ninja or a Navy SEAL; then, I would have really talked that stuff on the playground. Thanks for those homemade muffins, Mom. That was an unexpected twist. Lara was lovey-dovey-wifey one moment, and in the next, she's a martial artist mama.

Thank you, Mr. Lobdell, for not making this a political melodrama about Jor-El fighting the system to save the planet. I prefer the action-thriller with heroes trying to defeat a doomsday cult. I actually want to keep reading to see how this turns out.

The science fiction feel of the art accents the story. The coloring goes further than this medium requires; a simpler approach to the lighting and shading may be more effective.

I rate Superman #0 Buy Your Own Copy. [Al-O-Meter #2 (of 5) Ranking]

Albert Avilla Review: Supergirl #0

Supergirl #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writers: Michael Green & Mike Johnson
Artist: Mahmud Asrar

The End of the Beginning (Spoilers)
Zor-El is conducting experiments on his daughter. He is preparing her for her escape from Krypton. He is also trying to protect Argo City from the coming Apocalypse. This is all being done in secret; apparently, it's against the rules to save the planet. Superboy shows up to tell Alura that it is not too late to say goodbye to Kara. Alura tries to stop Zor-El, but she is too late. Kara is sent on her journey to Earth.

Yawn! This is an emotional story of a father's struggle to save his daughter. Exactly, what I did not expect from the big #0 month of the New 52. Is this Lifetime or DC Comics?

The art did not catch the eye. The characters looked deformed in some of the panels. The backgrounds were bland and plain; it did not give that science fiction vibe that I expect from stories about Krypton.

I rate Supergirl #0 Read it in the Store. (Al-O-Meter #4 of 5 Ranking)

Albert Avilla Reviews: Green Lantern: New Guardians #0

Green Lantern New Guardians #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Tony Bedard
Art: Aaron Kuder, Andrei Bressan
Inks: Greg Adams

(Spoiler Alert)
Are we about to jump off into something or what? Hal Jordan has gone off with Sinestro. Carol Ferris finds a ring in Hal's locker – not that ring, an engagement ring. A Lantern shows up; it's Kyle Rayner. He's looking for Hal, too. Kyle and Carole go off to fight some Black Lanterns. Kyle finds a place where a yellow power battery blew up. Then, Kyle throws down on the Black Lanterns with the green and blue spectrum.

Kyle explains that different colors are working through his ring. The ring says that Hal is dead, but Star Sapphire's love says he is not. It also shows that Kyle will combine all seven powers in the future. The Zamarons and the Guardians are united to destroy the seven corps. This is how you kick off a major crossover event. You give the reader a good savory taste of action. Give them a fist full of questions that need to be answered. Have the enemy marshaling their forces. Don't forget the good old foreshadowing that leaves them wanting more. This is what The New 52 should be about, a quantum change from the old DC.

Let’s talk about the art. Kyle and Star Sapphire are awesomely cool. You get landscapes, the night skies, unique energies, the zombie apocalypse, and splash page masterpieces. The color palette is exploited to its aesthetic maximum. The cover was the cherry that tops the sundae.

I rate Green Lantern New Guardians #0 Buy Your Own Copy.  Al-O-Meter #2 (of 5) ranking.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Flash #0

Flash #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Francis Manapul

(Spoiler Alert)
This was a yakety yak issue if I ever read one. This was an in depth view into the same old same old. If you didn't know the Flash's origin, then, I would tell you to read this. The gang just told us a nice little yarn with me being no more enlightened than when I started. I knew Barry Allen was a good man before I read this story. What was new? He stayed in a coma. He won a spelling bee. His uniform had to be armor. The only action in the story was a bank robbery. I feel like I'm cheating you out of your time by writing this review, but you didn't pay $2.99 to read this. There is a good reason to call this issue #0. This did not reach the bar set by other #0 stories.

I rate Flash #0 Don't Waste Your Time and Cash.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Aquaman #0

Aquaman #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado

(Spoiler Alert)
The formula for success is team Geoff Johns with a good artist and let them do that thing. This story is a prime example of this formula. This story is a prime example of this.

Aquaman has been revealed to be an Atlantean. Before he dies, Thomas Curry gives his son a message to give to his mother. Then, Aquaman escapes a group of reporters into the sea. Then, Johns lets the artist do their thing. They take us on a fabulous journey through the oceans depths that National Geographic would envy. He battles a Great White Shark using his ability to control ocean animals to end the battle. Aquaman surfaces in a storm in time to save a yacht from crashing on a rocky coast. The man he saves tells Aquaman of another Atlantean named Vulko. Aquaman finds Vulko, who tells him that he is the rightful king of Atlantis. Vulko takes Aquaman to Atlantis.

Johns does one of the things that he is excellent at doing. He lets the artist shine. This is a great collaboration between writer and artists. A large part of the story was told through the art. The splash page with the shark, the panel where Aquaman saves the yacht, and the final two pages were masterpieces among masterpieces. I could go on about other scenes, but you should enjoy this on your own. The story reads quickly, but the joy of the story comes from the visual story telling.

I rate Aquaman #0 Buy Your Own Copy.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Batwoman #0

Batwoman #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer/Artist: J.H. Williams III
Writer: W. Haden Blackman

(Possible Spoilers)
Sometimes a story becomes more than a comic book or even a graphic novel and becomes just good literature. I have stated before that I like the old-fashioned fisticuffs in my comics, but if the creators have real talent I can be moved by words. This is a fine example of one of those stories. This story makes you believe that these fictional characters are real and that we are privy to one of their secret moments.

The writers do an incredible job of illustrating the changing dynamic in Kate's relationship with her father. Williams and Blackman give us a fresh take on the training of a Bat-character. Her training does not come from Batman; it is directed by her father's own military background. Batman may have inspired her name and costume, but Kate's father is the inspiration for her life. Batwoman's origin is told in a message to her father that she leaves on her computer to let her father know his importance to her. In Kate Kane we see a powerful self-reliant woman who is able to resist falling into the abyss that is Gotham. Some writer once made the quote that we do not judge great literature; it judges us. Let this story judge you.

With a story like this, there is no need to make a comment about the art. We all know that Williams has made Batwoman his character.

I rate Batwoman #0 Recommend It To A Friend.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Catwoman #0

Catwoman #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Ann Nocenti
Pencils: Adriano Melo
Inks: Julio Ferreira

This is a story about nothing. We have no insight into Selina Kyle. The story jumps around so much I don’t think it gives itself a chance to tell us anything. I get the feeling that Nocenti tries to do too much without really revealing anything. It's understandable that there is a mystery to be solved, but the story does not motivate me to find out what the answers are. I cannot find words to continue writing about this story much less persuade anyone that they should read this story.

I rate Catwoman #0 Don't Waste Your Time and Cash.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Captain America #17

Captain America #17
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Ed Brubaker & Cullen Bunn
Pencils: Scot Eaton
Inks: Rick Magyar

“New World Orders Part 3” (Spoiler Alert)
A Brubaker story, where can you go wrong? Cap is fighting an army of super-powered villains. Anarchy is raging across the U.S.A. Cap is leading his crew to destroy the MNN satellite that is broadcasting a mind-altering signal. Diamond Back is trying to throw that stuff on Cap, but Cap don't play that. Cap is going to sneak on Hydra Island, but every Discordian on the planet is waiting for him.

Sharon Carter and Dum Dum Dugan are destroying the satellite; Baron Zemo shows up shooting and stabbing. Zemo is ready to cut Sharon down. Falcon and DBack are on the ground working the streets, ready to clean up once the signal is stopped, but that is a no go because the signal is being broadcasted by these big clunky robots.

Brubaker does what he's good at, giving Cap a world-threatening enemy to defeat. Cap has supporting characters that give Cap depth as a character, not just as a soldier fighting to save the world. He does have a little personal drama to deal with. This is the issue that builds up to the issue that we don't want to miss. I call it the good old set up.

Just average comic book art, nothing to go on about. The art is mostly character driven, not much on the background details.

I rate Captain America #17 Buy Your Own Copy.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Astonishing X-Men #54

Astonishing X-Men #54
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Marjorie Liu
Artist: Mike Perkins
Cover: Phil Noto

(Spoiler Alert)
The story starts with the X-Men buried under tons of rubble. With the super-human effort of Cecilia Reyes, the X-Men escape. The moment the X-Men are free, Hatchi shows up and infects them with nano-worms. She blinds Northstar to demonstrate her power over them. She orders the X-Men to take over Madripoor for her or she'll infect New York City. The X-Men find their way to Madripoor. Wolverine arrives on the island in his Patch persona. The X-Men meet with Tyger Tiger in a steel mill. Northstar and Iceman get into an argument about whether they are taking over Madripoor. Iceman ends up falling into a cauldron of molten iron.

The story flows well, and it is eventful with mild action. The big shocker of Iceman dying at the end is interesting. Eagerly anticipating finding out how Bobby will escape this predicament. Liu does a good job of handling the group; all of the characters make a contribution to the storyline. No one seems to just be along for the ride.

The art is uninspiring. It's hard to distinguish any facial features. I had to look closely at times to tell which character was speaking.

I rate Astonishing X-Men #54 Read a Friend's Copy

Albert Avilla Reviews: Birds of Prey #0

Birds of Prey #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Pencils: Romano Molenaar
Inks: Vicente Cifuentes
Cover: Stanley "Artgerm" Lau

“First Flight” (Spoiler Alert)
The story opens up with action, and that’s always a good point to start on. Black Canary is kick-ass to another level. She is trying to infiltrate the Penguin's organization to try and stop Basilisk from getting the components to create a mutation bomb. When the deal is going down, Batgirl shows up. Of course, Black Canary and Batgirl have to throw down. Canary lets Batgirl know that she's undercover. Canary takes charge of the situation and the Birds of Prey are born.

If you like female-on-female action, then this is the story for you. Black Canary is the total package as a super-heroine. She has the hand-to-hand skills and a cool meta-power, and she's a natural leader. In this incarnation, she also has the covert operative skills. With Batgirl and her skill-set, the two make a formative team. There is a rotating cast that allows the team to change to meet the challenge. There are a lot of bad B's in the DC Universe that need a place to shine. Birds of Prey will only be limited by the reins put on them. It's the New 52 letting the Birds soar to new heights.

The writing job was solid; Swierczynski handles the character of Black Canary well and the action flows smoothly. He did not let the one issue format restrict his storytelling. The whole creative team gave us more than what they were paid to give us. The art only heightened the pleasure of reading the story. The action scenes were bloody. The characters combat movement was natural. Black Canary was quite pleasing to the eye.

I rate Birds of Prey #0 Buy Your Own Copy.

Albert Avilla Reviews - Daredevil: End of Days #1

Daredevil: End of Days #1
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writers: Brian Michael Bendis & David Mack
Pencils: Klaus Janson
Finishes/Paintings: Bill Sienkiewicz

(Spoiler Alert)
The story begins with a gruesome battle to the death between Daredevil and Bullseye. The fight scenes are down and dirty, no mercy, fights to the death with blood splattering across the panels. Daredevil meets his end by the way of a baton through the skull on the streets of Hell's Kitchen.

The story is told through the words of Ben Urich, the reporter of the Marvel world. Urich struggles to begin the story, but once he begins ,the story is gripping. We get a reporters view of the history of Daredevil intermingled with a friend's memories of a great hero. During his investigation of the story, we get to see the callous nature of the citizens of the city which has been a theme in Daredevil stories for decades. Urich paints a picture of a hero who protects Hell's Kitchen at all costs. A hero who crosses the line and kills his greatest enemy. In the closing scene, we see a red-eyed Daredevil looking down on Ben Urich. This issue gives me the feeling of a prologue to the story, and if the prologue is this good, then, the rest of the story better be on the money.

I'm looking forward to a classic Daredevil story, and I will be very upset (pissed like a mother f---) if it fails to live up to the standard that Bendis has set for himself. We don't need six issues of filler and a decent closing. A tour de force of ninja, gangster, super-villain violence wrapped by two covers is what I’m expecting, a story worthy of the character, Daredevil.

Klaus Janson and Bill Sienkiewicz are two industry greats who have made their names long before now, but it never hurts to try your best. Some pages make me say, Wow,” and others make me say, “Oww.” The balance of this book falls in the story more than the art.

I rate Daredevil End of Days #1 Buy Your Own Copy.

Albert Avilla Reviews: X-Treme X-Men #4

X-Treme X-Men #4
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Script: Greg Pak
Art: Paco Diaz

(Spoiler Alert)
Greg Pak writing about iconic X-Men characters in an alternate reality, bring it. The X-Men land in the Wild West. Xavier is a professional gambler who uses his telepathy to cheat. He crosses paths with Sabertooth and comes into his power while protecting himself. Evil Xavier takes over the town and oppresses the town. Good old fashioned Western Mutant action popping off every page. Sabertooth and some outlaws are harassing a mother and her son. Little Jamie starts popping claws. Team X-Treme saves the pair.

Wolverine lets himself get captured so that he can do some reconnaissance. Wolverine is in jail with his alternate reality father when Boss Xavier shows up with Colossus and Danger to take Wolverine. Dazzler and Nightcrawler arrive at the jail too late to save Wolvie, but they get Howlett out. Dazzler is left with the odds stacked against her as sheriff Cyclops and his posse, Wolverine, Sabertooth, Danger, and Colossus-riding a bison (hell, yeah, a bison!) are coming for her. She's rolling with ‘tween Nightcrawler, rug rat Wolverine, and the Xavier balloon.

The art was above average, but what I really enjoyed was Diaz's Flair for design. The industrialized West was fun. The characters were cool. The John Henry-style Colossus was awesome and he rides a bison. Xavier is all Wild West-bossed-up. Dazzler is fine as hell.

I rate X-Treme X-Men #4 Buy Your Own Copy.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Batman the Dark Knight #0

Batman the Dark Knight #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Gregg Hurwitz
Pencils: Mico Suayan and Juan Ryp
Inks: Vicente Cifuentes

"Chill in the Air" (Spoiler Alert)

This story ventures away from the other #0 stories that I've read and tackles the origin of Batman from another angle. We see the traits that make Batman who is developed in his youth.

Early in his life, we see Bruce display the courage that will make him a hero when he returns to the scene of his parents’ murder. This is the determination that drives him throughout his life. Every step that he takes in his life moves him in the direction of finding his parents’ killer; there is nothing that will lead him astray. There is no one to push him to achieve his goal. He is a Spartan warrior living for battle. He allows no pleasures to distract him from his preparation. When the time comes for Bruce to face battle, he throws down on a biker gang. We don't see a bumbling idiot falling over himself. We see a master of hand to hand combat who takes down the gang without a bead of sweat.

Bruce is destroyed when he learns that his parents were not killed as part of a conspiracy, but for being in the wrong place when an alcoholic needed his next drink. The symbolism of his mother's pearls and father's watch shows how the death of his parents drives Bruce.

If you just look at the art, you are not impressed, but when you look at it in the context of the story, the art becomes an important tool in the telling of the story. The artist uses the details to help drive the story home.

I rate Batman the Dark Knight #0 Buy Your Own Copy.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Uncanny Avengers #1

Uncanny Avengers #1
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: John Cassaday

(Spoiler Alert)

More uncanny people, who would not like it?

The story opens with the Red Skull implanting a mind control device into the brain of Avalanche and preaching his message of hate. Then, we cut to Xavier's funeral where Wolverine is giving the eulogy. Yes, Wolverine. Havok visits Cyclops in prison. I still get sick to my stomach at seeing how far he has sunken into depravity. Cap and Thor ask Havok to be the leader of the mutants. Yes, Cyclops's hotheaded brother. The three work together to stop a mind controlled Avalanche from tearing up Manhattan. Rogue and the Scarlet Witch have a little disagreement; then, Goat-Faced Girl and her team kidnap them. Yes, Goat-Faced Girl. The Red Skull has found a new source of power, Xavier's brain.

I enjoyed the story; it had action and drama. Remender does the little things that make a story great, but I do have some questions. You have two geniuses in Beast and Kitty Pryde, who would have had the sense to not eulogize a man of peace by saying you felt like killing someone. Where were the chairs at the funeral service? Why Havok as the leader of the mutants?

He has run from leadership roles most of his career. He didn't want the pressure of being on the team for many years. Let's ask Saddam's brother to lead Iraq; the public will go for that. Did they ask Ms. Marvel about putting Rogue on the Avengers? Rogue has a clean record. Who came up with the name Goat-Faced Girl? I can't wait to hear the explanation behind that name. The Skull had something to do with that.

The art was masterful. I could not ask for better. I have another question. Couldn't Cap ask Stark or someone at S.H.E.I.L.D. for better options than a chin strap and knee pads. Those knee pads look like the ones the floor man was wearing when he redid my floors.

I rate Uncanny Avengers #1 Buy Your Own Copy.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Teen Titans #0

Teen Titans #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Pencils: Tyler Kirkman
Inks: Batt, Norm Rapmund, Jon Sibal

"Red Robin" (Spoiler Alert!)
The origin of Red Robin. Lobdell writes a wonderful story; this is a fascinating beginning for a Robin. Tim Drake is motivated to be a hero for different reasons than Batman and the other Robins. His determination to be the best at everything is important in his struggle to become Robin.

From the beginning, his family sees that Tim is destined for greatness and they support him. Despite Batman's efforts to dissuade him from the life, Tim continues in his pursuit of the mantle of Robin. Tim begins his own war on crime by stealing from rich criminals and giving to the poor. He runs afoul of the Penguin when he steals a fortune from Cobblepot. Batman saves him just as a hit squad arrives to kill him. Tim's parents are put in witness protection, and Batman takes Tim on as Robin.

Points that I liked about the story: Tim wants to be Robin, so it is not thrust upon him; he sees it as a step toward reaching his destiny. He feels that he is meant for greatness. Being Robin is not the be-all and end-all of his life. He forges his own destiny by designing his own uniform and choosing the name Red Robin. Lobdell is making Teen Titans his book with the creative direction he is taking this book.

The art is average. The characters look clunky; sometimes their movement does not seem natural. I do not like the dark gloomy look of most of the book.

I rate Teen Titans #0 Buy Your Own Copy.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Red Hood and the Outlaws #0

Red Hood and the Outlaws #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artists: Pasqual Ferry, Ig Guara, Brett Booth

The Joker's Robin? The origin of Jason Todd as Robin. Lobdell is one of the best storytellers in comics. Poor, old Jason is raised by a hoodlum dad and a drug addict mom. Dad dies in prison, and mom overdoses. Jason does what he has to in order to survive. Batman takes him in, and he becomes Robin. He is a tough, gritty, brutal Robin.

Finds his mother in the Middle East, but this is a set up by the Joker. Jason goes in half-cocked; gets himself killed. Jason is resurrected by Talia al Ghul. This is a better resurrection than the previous one. Good job New 52. Then we get the old satellite dropped on our heads; The Joker shows up at the end of the story to tell us that Jason's rise to become was orchestrated by him.

This shocker made me respect Scott Lobdell just a little more. Another way to intertwine the characters of the Red Hood and the Joker. Lobdell is a masterful storyteller and I have been enjoying his work. I look forward to what he'll be doing with these characters and their rich backgrounds. We'll keep our fingers crossed, and possibly the team will expand its membership.

The only thing that I need to say about the art is look at Starfire on the cover.

I rate Red Hood and the Outlaws #0 Buy Your Own Copy.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Avengers Vs. X-Men Round 12

Avengers Vs. X-Men Round 12
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Story: Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Jonathan Hickman
Script: Jason Aaron
Pencils: Adam Kubert
Inks: John Dell, Mark Morales, Adam Kubert

(Possible spoilers)
There is no title to this story; it's Round 12. This is the battle of the year. If you read one comic this year, then you need to get a better job, get better friends, or hang around the comic shop a little longer. This is definitely the best one that I've read this month. A great balance of action and drama; I'm more of an aficionado of the action. We get the good old fisticuffs that we enjoy along with the heroic saving of human lives. The heroes use every ounce of their intestinal fortitude to defeat a powerful enemy. Finally, the Scarlet Witch and Hope knock the Phoenix out of Cyclops.

Interspersed with this beautiful action, we get the drama. A warrior who has fought for the light since his days as an adolescent is seduced by the darkness into believing that destruction is the path to his most lofty goals. Fighting to stop him: the mutant messiah and the destroyer of the mutant race. We have the fall of a great hero and the rise of another. Hope Summers just wants what we all want – to be our best self. She takes the Phoenix force and saves the Earth and the mutant race. The road we have traveled; Cyclops is a prisoner and Wolverine is the headmaster of his own school. Cap decides to take up the mutant cause. This event will have repercussions that will be felt across the Marvel Universe. The House of Ideas is still alive and flexing its muscles.

The series has been a showcase for Marvel's artists, and this round continues to give us the best of Marvel. Kubert and the crew are fantastic. From the temples of K'un Lun to every corner of the globe we get a celebration for the eyes.

You guessed it I rate Round 12 Recommend It To A Friend.