Review: HARLEY QUINN AND POWER GIRL #1

HARLEY QUINN AND POWER GIRL #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was first published on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Justin Gray
ART: Stephane Roux
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: John J. Hill
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVERS: Stephane Roux
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Harley Quinn created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm; Power Girl created by Gerry Conway, Ric Estrada, and Wally Wood

“Extrastellar Exploitations”

Harley Quinn is a DC Comics character, specifically a villain.  However, Harley Quinn originated as a character on the animated television series, "Batman" (also known as Batman: The Animated Series; FOX Network, 1992).  Harley was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm and made her first appearance in the episode “Joker’s Favor” (September 11, 1992), as a female sidekick of The Joker and his eventual accomplice.  Harley made her first comic book appearance in The Batman Adventures #12 (September 1993), DC Comics’ comic book spin-off of the animated series.

Power Girl (birth name Kara Zor-L) is a DC Comics female superhero.  She was created created by Gerry Conway, Ric Estrada, and Wally Wood and first appeared in All Star Comics #58 (January/February 1976).  Power Girl is a cousin of some sort of Superman.

Harley and Powergirl are now a duo in the new “DCYou” comic book series, Harley Quinn and Power Girl.  The series is written by the trio of Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Justin Gray, drawn by Stephane Roux, colored by Paul Mounts, and lettered by John J. Hill.

Harley Quinn and Power Girl #1 (“Extrastellar Exploitations”) opens in “La Galaxia del Sombrero” on “Hoard Moon.”  [See the 2014 Harley Quinn comic book, issues #11-13, apparently.]  Power Girl/Kara is suffering from amnesia, and Harley is telling jokes.  Both women discover that they can get answers about their predicament from Lord Vartox of Valeron, but he is being held prisoner by world-beater, Oreth Odeox, on the Lust Moon of Lustox.

Harley Quinn and Power Girl #1 has some beautiful art.  Stephane Roux is a talent, and the accomplished and famed colorist, Paul Mounts, makes this comic book one of the prettiest you can find on comic book store shelves.

Sadly, the comic book isn't much to read.  It is one of the stupidest things that I have read in awhile.  I can understand the writers' egos allowing them to believe that this is something for which they should accept a paycheck.  However, there should be a level of corporate shame that would have forced DC “Entertainment” to shelve this, but they didn't and have the gall to accept payment for this from customers.  Or... maybe Harley Quinn and Power Girl will turn out to be a good series.

C-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 23 2014

DC COMICS

MAY140266     ALL STAR WESTERN #33     $3.99
MAY140186     AQUAMAN #33     $2.99
MAY140230     BATMAN #33 (ZERO YEAR) (NOTE PRICE)     $4.99
MAY140233     BATMAN #33 COMBO PACK (ZERO YEAR) (NOTE PRICE)     $5.99
MAY140354     BATMAN 66 #13     $3.99
MAR148214     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS BATMAN 1966 (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148209     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS BOB KANE (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148213     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS DARK KNIGHT (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148215     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS NEW 52 (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148210     BATMAN 75TH ANNIVERSARY CAPE     PI
MAY140238     BATMAN AND ROBIN #33 (ROBIN RISES)     $2.99
MAY140357     BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE #12     $3.99
MAR140264     BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE HC VOL 04     $29.99
MAY140228     BATMAN ETERNAL #16     $2.99
MAY140254     CATWOMAN #33     $2.99
MAY140400     DEAD BOY DETECTIVES #7     $2.99
MAY140194     FLASH #33     $2.99
MAY140358     HE MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #15     $2.99
MAY140356     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR TWO #8     $2.99
MAY140190     JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #33     $3.99
APR140269     JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICAS VIBE TP VOL 01 BREACH (N52)     $16.99
MAY140184     NEW 52 FUTURES END #12 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
MAY140264     RED LANTERNS #33     $2.99
MAY140196     SECRET ORIGINS #4     $4.99
MAY140167     STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES GI ZOMBIE #1     $2.99
MAY140206     SUPERMAN #33     $3.99
MAY140210     SUPERMAN #33 COMBO PACK     $4.99
MAR140258     SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS HC VOL 04 HYBRID (N52)     $24.99
APR140268     SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS TP VOL 03 AT THE END OF DAYS (N52)     $16.99
APR140296     SWAMP THING BY BRIAN K VAUGHAN TP VOL 02 (MR)     $19.99
MAY140198     TRINITY OF SIN PANDORA #13     $2.99
APR140302     UNWRITTEN TP VOL 09 THE UNWRITTEN FABLES (MR)     $14.99
MAY140411     UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #7 (MR)     $3.99
MAY140200     WONDER WOMAN #33     $2.99

The New 52 Review: ALL STAR WESTERN #1

ALL STAR WESTERN #1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
ARTIST: Moritat
COLORS: Gabriel Bautista
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Jonah Hex is a Western comic book character who has appeared in multiple DC Comics publications, including his own series. Created by writer John Albano and artist Tony DeZuniga, Jonah Woodson Hex first appeared in advertisements for All-Star Western #10 which were published in various DC Comics titles with a November/December 1971 cover date.

Hex made his first appearance in a story in All-Star Western #10 (cover date February–March 1972). Hex is a bounty hunter whose face is horribly scarred on the right side, and while he is cynical with a surly personality, Hex lives by a personal code of honor to protect and avenge the innocent.

All-Star Western was the name of two comic book series published by DC Comics. Each series was a Western fiction omnibus featuring both continuing characters and backup features. The first series ran from 1951 to 1961, and the second from 1970 to 1972. A third volume of All-Star Western is part of “The New 52,” the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line. Jonah Hex also returns to the DCU, and he is the star of the new All Star Western.

All Star Western #1 opens in Gotham City of the 1880s. There is a killer loose – the Gotham Butcher. Doctor Amadeus Arkham is has been called to consult on a case that has thus far seen the gruesome murder of five prostitutes. Dr. Arkham has, in turn, called in Western bounty hunter, Jonah Hex, to help him in the apprehension of the Gotham Butcher, much to the chagrin of Police Chief John Cromwell. While their investigation takes them across the city, however, they find little info until they’re invited to a swanky party for Gotham’s power elite.

I first encountered Jimmy Palmiotti when he was Joe Quesada’s partner and inker. In recent years, I’ve read some comic books written by Palmiotti and his writing partner Justin Gray, which I’ve enjoyed (especially Time Bomb for Radical Publishing). As far as I’m concerned, Palmiotti could never ink again and I wouldn’t care if he continues to produce so many good comic books.

This Jonah Hex story is the anti-buddy movie the way the film Se7en was. Arkham and Hex may be working together, but they’re really not working together, at least not this early in the narrative. What makes this story so engaging is that Gray and Palmiotti carefully draw the characters, through their words and actions, which breathe life into many of this issue’s scenes. That makes everything seem more authentic. There are a few moments which are hackneyed and borrowed from other stories and even some moments that are corny who’s-toughest scenes.

As good as Gray and Palmiotti are, the star creator here is artist Moritat. Moritat is good with figure drawing and clothing, but he soars when depicting cityscapes, streets, neighborhoods, interiors, sets, various machines, and other background details. This issue opens with a fantastic splash page depicting a panorama of the Gotham train depot, with Gotham City in the background. This page recalls the opening cityscape shots in the film, Blade Runner, which is why I’d keep reading All Star Western just for Moritat.

A-

September 28th
AQUAMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/aquaman-1.html
BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/batman-dark-knight-1.html
BLACKHAWKS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/blackhawks-1.html
FLASH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/flash-1.html
FURY OF FIRESTORM #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/fury-of-firestorm-nuclear-men-1.html
GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/green-lantern-new-guardians-1.html
I VAMPIRE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/i-vampire-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/justice-league-dark-1.html
SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/savage-hawkman-1.html
SUPERMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/superman-1.html
TEEN TITANS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/teen-titans-1.html
VOODOO #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/voodoo-1.html

I Reads You Review: WOLVERINE and BLACK CAT: CLAWS 2 #1

WOLVERINE & BLACK CAT: CLAWS 2 #1 (OF 3)
MARVEL COMICS

WRITER: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
ART: Joseph Michael Linsner
COLORS: Dan Brown and Nick Filardi with Ian Hannin
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
COVER: Joseph Michael Linsner
32pp, Color, $3.99

Chapter 1: “Back and Forth”

I have to be honest. I only bought the first issue of Wolverine & Black Cat: Claws 2 for the art by Joseph Michael Linsner. I’m not a big fan of Lisner’s work, but I like it enough to look at it when I get a chance. Apparently, there was a first Wolverine & Black Cat: Claws miniseries (3 issues, 2006) that I ignored.

Wolverine (A.K.A. Logan) is practically everyone’s favorite member of the X-Men (though mine is Storm). Black Cat (A.K.A. Felicia Hardy) is a cat burglar extraordinaire and Spider-Man femme fatale. Wolverine & Black Cat: Claws 2 #1 takes place after the events of the first series and finds Wolverine and Black Cat back in New York City. They’re enjoying an evening of food and romance at a swanky eatery. Meanwhile, their adversaries from the first miniseries, Arcade and his partner White Rabbit, have also found their way back to NYC to give Logan and Felicia a dose of revenge.

The prolific writing team of Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray can deliver on an action premise (see Radical Publishing’s Time Bomb). Claws 2 is a simple superhero fight comic book with no pretensions to be a character drama or landmark miniseries. There’s violence, humor, and the threat of Wolverine engaging in sexual intercourse. Claws 2 proves that even the team that delivered on the nail-biting Time Bomb can deliver a tepid, mildly humorous, X-Men product.

The art and graphical storytelling by Joseph Michael Linsner look as if they belong in a Marvel comic book from the 1970s or 1980s. Linsner’s drawing style is like a new version of Dave Cockrum’s drawing style with touches of Wally Wood and Eric Stanton. Marvel’s EiC-turned-CCO once referred to a comic book artist friend of mine’s drawing style as passé. Considering that statement, I’m surprised that Linsner’s “old school” graphical approach has anyplace at Marvel, especially in the industrial part of this publisher/trademark maintenance firm that cranks out Wolverine comic books every hour on the hour.

Still, there is an innate charm to Linsner’s work, and his compositions and page designs yield results that really do look like genuine comic book graphics and visuals instead of looking like paintings trying to be comics. His storytelling has a sense of humor and imagination.

I would say that readers looking for something different in Wolverine should give Wolverine & Black Cat: Claws 2 a try. That difference is Linsner.

B

[This comic book features a five-page preview of The Punisher #1, a new series from writer Greg Rucka, artist Marco Checchetto, and colorist Matt Hollingsworth with covers by Bryan Hitch.]

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 8 2011

DC COMICS

APR110221 ALL NEW BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #8 $2.99

OCT100339 AME COMI MERA PVC FIGURE $70.00

OCT100340 AME COMI RAVEN PVC FIGURE $70.00

APR110237 AMERICAN VAMPIRE SURVIVAL OT FITTEST #1 (OF 5) (MR) $2.99

APR110159 BATMAN AND ROBIN #24 $2.99

MAR110291 BATMAN ARKHAM CITY #2 (OF 5) $2.99

MAR110341 BATWOMAN TP VOL 01 ELEGY $17.99

APR110161 BIRDS OF PREY #13 $2.99

APR110105 BOOSTER GOLD #45 (FLASHPOINT) $2.99

AUG100288 BRIGHTEST DAY SER 1 AQUAMAN ACTION FIGURE PI

AUG100291 BRIGHTEST DAY SER 1 DEADMAN ACTION FIGURE PI

AUG100289 BRIGHTEST DAY SER 1 GREEN ARROW ACTION FIGURE PI

AUG100290 BRIGHTEST DAY SER 1 HAWKGIRL ACTION FIGURE PI

APR110190 DC COMICS PRESENTS IMPULSE #1 $7.99

SEP100321 DC DYNAMICS SINESTRO STATUE $195.00

APR110174 DOC SAVAGE #15 $2.99

APR110120 FLASHPOINT CITIZEN COLD #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110116 FLASHPOINT DEATHSTROKE THE CURSE OF RAVAGER #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110114 FLASHPOINT EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110118 FLASHPOINT FRANKENSTEIN CREATURES OF UNKNOWN #1 (OF 3) $2.99

MAR110400 GREEN LANTERN MOVIE GUARDIAN BUST $85.00

MAR110399 GREEN LANTERN MOVIE KILOWOG BUST $85.00

MAR110263 GREEN LANTERN MOVIE PREQUEL KILOWOG #1 $2.99

MAR110265 GREEN LANTERN MOVIE PREQUEL TOMAR RE #1 $2.99

MAR110401 GREEN LANTERN MOVIE TOMAR RE BUST $85.00

FEB110265 PREACHER HC BOOK 04 (MR) $39.99

APR110163 RED ROBIN #24 $2.99

MAR110389 SCALPED #49 (MR) $2.99

MAR110350 SUPERMAN CHRONICLES TP VOL 09 $17.99

MAR110392 SWEET TOOTH TP VOL 03 ANIMAL ARMIES (MR) $14.99

APR110185 TITANS #36 $2.99

MAR110372 TWILIGHT EXPERIMENT TP $17.99

AUG100281 ULT SHOWDOWN GREEN LANTERN VS SINESTRO STATUE SET $175.00

APR110256 UNWRITTEN #26 (MR) $2.99

SEP100332 WOMEN OF THE DCU SER 3 HARLEY QUINN BUST $60.00

#IReadsYou Review: TIME BOMB #3

TIME BOMB #3

 

RADICAL PUBLISHING

CREATORS/WRITERS: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray

ART: Paul Gulacy
COLORS: Rain Beredo
LETTERS: John J. Hill
COVER: Paul Gulacy and Rain Beredo
56pp, Color, $4.99

Time Bomb is a science fiction comic book created and written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray (Jonah Hex, Power Girl) and drawn by still-going-strong industry veteran, Paul Gulacy. The series opens in the year 2012 and finds that the human race has 72 hours to live! Why? The Omega Bomb, a relic of Nazi Germany, was accidentally launched, unleashing a horrible virus.

Jack McCrea, team leader; Ken Weinhauser, tech-ops specialist; Peggy Medina, deadly science expert; and Christian Grainger, strategist are four specialists assigned by the New World Order to save the world. They are sent back in time and their target is the day before the bomb was discovered, in an attempt to prevent the disaster. However, the Time Bomb sends them back seven decades earlier and drops them in the heart of Germany towards the end of World War II.

In Time Bomb #3, the mission to save the world comes to an explosive conclusion. Jack and a lovely double agent are imprisoned in the underground bunker where the Omega Bomb sits. Jack is also about to learn the shocking true identity of the Omega Bomb’s sinister creator. Meanwhile, Ken, Peggy, and Christian make an attempt to rescue Jack, but their own freedom is also in jeopardy. And a legendary player enters the game.

One can praise Time Bomb for being consistently good, but what it was consistent at was being freaking good. If I could describe the speed at which I read this to driving, that comparison would be that I read Time Bomb #3 at breakneck speed. It’s easily one of the very best comic books of the year, and it is certainly way better as an action comic book than many films were as action movies. Also, with his excellent art for this series, Paul Gulacy proves that after four decades drawing comic books, he is still at the top of his game, which is above many other artists’ games.

A+

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