Short Weekend Of Solid Reading

I read some good comics over the weekend, so let’s just jump right in to today’s batch of reviews.

52 Weeks 11 and 12 (DC Comics) — The first of these books features the costumed debut of Batwoman; the issue also focuses mainly on Montoya and the Question and their investigation into Intergang’s move on Gotham with just a few side bits on Ralph Dibny’s investigation of the Cult of Conner. The second issue continues this narrow focus on just a few characters, leaving other storylines unadvanced for entire weeks. If anything, I think that is this title’s biggest failing. It’s an anthology of unrelated stories taking place during a common year. This time, we spend the bulk of our time with Black Adam, witness the creation of the new Isis, see that Captain Marvel is not fairing too well, and see Ralph finally catch up to Wonder Girl. But when was the last time we checked in on the trio of heroes lost in space or the unfolding time weirdness with Booster Gold. I know it’s been at least three weeks since we saw anything with Steel and Luthor. Are we to believe absolutely nothing happened with these characters in this time? But hey, I love the glimpses we are getting.

Flash, The Fastest Man Alive 2 (DC Comics) — I’m just not feeling it with this series. I understand the writers, Danny Bilson and Paul Demeo were involved in the Flash TV series. It was OK, but I’m just left not caring much about this suddenly-adult Impulse. Look for these first issues to show up on my Web site in the coming weeks.

Checkmate 4 (DC Comics) — I like this book a little more with each issue, although I’m still not sure if I like it overall. Is Alan Scott really leaving? Will that take away why I like the title? I don’t know, but I’m still along for more of the ride.

Aquaman 43 (DC Comics) — I’m torn by this book. I like Kurt Busiek. I’ve never cared that much for Butch Guice. I love Aquaman and I love this young Arthur Curry currently dominating the book, but I miss getting to read about the Aquaman I know. I also wonder with the introduction of this new, younger “Aquaman,” how much of this storyline was motivated by the Aquaman TV pilot. (I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve heard it is available on YouTube.) But think about it: If the pilot had been picked up, the comic would more closely mirror the series. Hmmmmm

Manhunter 24 (DC Comics) — Since the announced cancelation and reprieve on this book, the quality seems to have dropped just a bit. I dunno if they had to rush to get the next few issues done once the reprieve was announced or what, but I hope it returns to it’s accustomed level soon.

Civil War 3 (Marvel Comics) — Wow! Is this book going to make it all the way to the final issue before everyone in the Marvel Universe is forced to kill everyone else? I didn’t expect a major clash of the big guns like this so soon. And for the record, I can see Iron Man’s belief in registration, but some of the other characters who have sided with him baffle me. Thing, She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel seem more naturally to fit with Cap’s rebels, the correct side in this war of liberties versus security.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes 20 (DC Comics) — I said this book was suffering from the addition of Supergirl. I’d now like to amend that statement. The first few issues after Supergirl’s arrival spent a lot of time focusing on her. Now she’s just another one of the characters in this team book, and she seems to fit somewhat better. So it wasn’t her presence that threw things off, but the imbalance of her role. That seems to be corrected now.

Crisis Aftermath: The Battle of Bludhaven 1-6 and Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters 1 (DC Comics) — I haven’t much cared for Battle at all. The Titans seem out of character and out of continuity in this title. All of the other characters in this rambling, disjointed tale are modern re-inventions of old characters, and they’re done poorly. Every team’s origins and motivations are kept cryptic in hopes of later revelations in their own titles, but without any kind of payoff in this title, who cares about hanging around long enough to find out. I am curious about the new Doll Man and the new Phantom Lady a bit. That’s why I signed on for Uncle Sam. But where’s the payoff?

Justice League of America (2006) 0 (DC Comics) — This book is just the opposite; it’s all payoff. If you follow DC Comics at all, you already know what is presented in this book. All of the history will be well-known to you, the present-day stuff is just the big three agreeing to reform the League (no surprise since the title is relaunching) and the future teasers may never come to pass because of the impossibility of predicting exactly what will become of these characters through the infinity of publishing history. But damn, this was fun to read.

And that makes a perfect place to bring this post to an end.