I think they gave too much away last time

Batman: Earth One Vol. 3
DC Comics
Creators: Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Jon Sibal and Brad Anderson
Release date: June 2021

I bought and enjoyed the first two volumes of the Batman: Earth One series. The twists and turns these creators took with the familiar Batman origin tale kept me guessing a little bit, entertained even when I saw twists coming, and left me feeling satisfied with the final product. This third and final chapter is still a good read. But something feels just a little bit off or not quite as good as the first two installments.

I’m not a fan of the Earth One idea, in general. I tried the first two volumes of Superman: Earth One, and while I found them — especially the first one — entertaining, the stories just didn’t quite feel like "my" Superman. They didn’t feel quite right. Your specific reaction might have been different. That’s part of the fun of comics. Not every comic is every reader’s cup of tea. But for me and Superman: Earth One, something was off.

I tried Teen Titans: Earth One and hated it. Several of my favorite characters were excluded, and the story was so different, that I didn’t recognize the characters that were “included.” Based on those two experiences, I’ve never even tried Wonder Woman: Earth One or Green Lantern: Earth One. Flash: Earth One and Aquaman Earth One graphic novels were planned at one point, but neither has been printed to date.

But when I decided to give Batman: Earth One Volume 1 a try, I was pleasantly surprised.

First, the creators wisely opted to ignore the Joker right out of the gate. Too many similar projects feel a need to make the Joker the premier Bat villain, and that has led to the Joker being way overused. He’s no longer exciting if he’s everywhere and in every story.

Second, this Gotham was different from previous iterations of Gotham City. Bruce Wayne was different from previous iterations. And Alfred was introduced in a different way. That set the stage for many great changes to come — changes to heroes, to villains and to supporting cast members.

I normally try to keep spoilers to a minimum on this blog, but there will be a few here, especially for the earlier volumes of Batman: Earth One. Stop reading now if you want to avoid spoilers, and just know that I liked the series overall, but the most recent chapter a little less than the others.

******** SPOILER WARNING! ********

You’ve been warned.

The first volume of Batman: Earth One begins with Thomas Wayne running for mayor against a corrupt opponent. His campaign staffers are celebrating some early polling victories when Alred Pennyworth arrives at Wayne Manor. Alfred is a former member of the Royal Marines. He and Thomas Wayne served together or worked together in some unspecific capacity. They forged a friendship, and Thomas has sent for Alfred to head up his campaign security team. But first, Thomas and Martha have promised their young son a night at the movies.

That sense of foreboding you now feel is well-deserved as Bruce’s parents never make it back home from the theater. But rather than being killed by Joe Chill or a random mugger after seeing “The Mark of Zorro,” the Waynes never even see the film they planned to see. Instead, the theater’s electricity is cut before the movie begins, and the Waynes are attacked as they exit the theater through an emergency exit.

Bruce is left an orphan. Alfred, who wasn’t even certain he wanted the security job, now finds out that the Waynes have entrusted Bruce’s care to him in their wills. He feels honor-bound to accept the responsibility to keep the boy from becoming a ward of the state, but he has no real interest or knowledge of caring for a child.

Bruce vows vengeance as readers expect and is firmly convinced that the corrupt mayor was behind the hit on his parents. That mayor — Oswald Cobblepot — wins re-election, at least a couple more times, as he is still the mayor of Gotham when Bruce returns from boarding school a young man with a plan built on revenge.

The Batman that begins his career in this tale is new and inexperienced. He makes some mistakes. He has very few detective skills to draw upon, but he is smart. Alfred thinks the entire idea is ludicrous and tries to talk Bruce out of his plans. When that tactic repeatedly fails, he insists on training Bruce in a number of fighting techniques.

The big bads of that first volume are a new creation called The Birthday Boy and Cobblepot, who I don’t believe is ever referred to as Penguin in the story at all. But there are a number of other familiar names with not-so-familiar backgrounds and roles. Some of these include Jim Gordon, Barbara Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Lucius Fox, Harvey and Jessica Dent and Killer Croc.

The second volume continues the trend of giving readers familiar names and faces, but often throwing them into the mix in unfamiliar ways. For instance, I strongly suspected that Barbara Gordon might become Batgirl in the second volume of the series. She was introduced in Volume 1 and was shown to have a keen interest in the Batman’s activities. Instead, the creative team sidelines her throughout this second story with an educational trip abroad.

The villain of this second installment is the Riddler, but he sets himself up as a punisher of Gotham’s ongoing corruption. Mayor Cobblepot is no longer in the picture, but others have taken his seat of power and continue to benefit off the citizens of the city.

Batman faces off against the Riddler, but he does not do so alone. He continues to grow his team of misfits, or Outsiders, as more familiar names and faces are added to the mix. And along the way, the creators do a bit of foreshadowing that easily telegraphs the villain for the third installment, at least in my mind.

The third and final original graphic novel under the Batman: Earth One banner begins with a new “mystery” villain supplying weapons and materials to all the criminals of Gotham. No secret is made about this being Two-Face; but who is Two-Face? That is the question the characters in this story face. But most any reader who read Volume 2 already knows the answer to this question. There’s no mystery here.

Johns, Franks and the crew try to mask that fact by also adding a long-lost relative of Bruce’s and some Wayne/Arkham family history into the mix. But ultimately, while this is still an engaging read, this third installment in the series feels weaker, in my opinion, because of the too-early reveal.

As I said at the top of this post, this is still a worthwhile read. More familiar faces make an appearance, including some not usually associated with the Batman family of titles. More characters are introduced or fleshed out within the story itself. The wrap-up also shows where the story would likely head next, further expanding Batman’s team of Outsiders and finally bringing the Joker into the mix.

Overall, this is a good series, and the best of the Earth One titles I’ve read. But if I’m being honest, this third installment is the weakest of the Batman series.

Getting A New Lease On Life (In My Collection)

Green Lantern: Rebirth 1-6 (2005)
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Ethan Van Sciver and Prentis Rollins, artists

Getting back to actual comics this time out, today's subject was a surprise for me. I don't mean I'd never read this miniseries before; I read it when it came out. But these issues had been placed on the "sell" pile as part of my ongoing effort to winnow down my collection. I remembered liking the story that returned Hal Jordan to Green Lantern prominence, but Hal isn't one of the core characters I intend to keep following on a monthly basis. I've previously discussed how just because I'm selling an issue does NOT mean I did not like it; rather, I am selling off quite a few comics I liked very much. Again, I just don't have the space to continue to keep the thousands of comics I own(ed).

So there I was, taking some time to scan cover images prior to adding issues to my site of comics to sell, when I came to the cover of Green Lantern: Rebirth No. 4 and noticed Green Arrow on the cover. "Oh yeah, Ollie made an appearance in this series, didn't he," I thought to myself, and flipped the book open while issue No. 3 was still being scanned. Low and behold, issue No. 4 opens in the middle of a scene with Ollie in it that is obviously continued from the previous installment.

Now, Green Arrow, aka Oliver Queen, IS one of the characters I have a pretty extensive collection of and plan to continue with, although his personal New 52 reboot has been pretty hit-and-miss so far for me. I hadn't remembered that Ollie had such a presence in this story arc, but flipping through issues 3 and 4 made me decide to re-examine the series more closely before putting it up for sale. Upon rereading Rebirth, it is clear that this is primarily a Green Lantern story, as expected. First and foremost, it is a Hal Jordan story. It is also a pretty important story for the Green Lantern Corps as a whole. And while it is not a critical piece of Green Arrow history, his involvement in the story is a pretty major one. But what finally made me decide to put this series back into my collection to keep is how key this story is to the overall DCU.

Many members of the Justice League and Justice Society play roles in this story and several other heroes from across the DCU have cameos. And while the exact nature of what is to come is not revealed in this story, seeds planted here play a major role in the Sinestro Corps War, then Blackest Night and finally Brightest Day, other series that affect the greater DCU and that I intend to hold onto.

One development in particular — the changing relationship between the restored Hal Jordan and Batman — begins in this series and is continued in a number of places including early issues of the 2007 relaunch of The Brave and the Bold, another favorite series I am holding onto. I'm not a fan of Batman never getting along with anyone, ever. But as one of the few non-powered members of an elite fighting team, I think the Dark Knight would have a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to a former comrade turned rogue announcing that he is "all better now." True to that characterization, Batman was slow to trust Hal Jordan again after the whole Parallax episode, and that begins right here.

Is this series without flaws? No, it's not perfect. But as I've come to expect from a Geoff Johns-penned story, it is a good read that takes you on an emotional roller coaster and plays up many key aspects from what has gone before as a treat for long-time readers while still being accessible to newer fans. And while I don't care for Ethan Van Sciver's interpretations of a handful of characters, by and large, his work on these larger, "epic" story lines is very pretty to look at and pulls a reader into the story quite nicely.

As I'm going back through my collection of comics, I have a pretty good idea of what I'm going to do with most of them. There might be a few I wish to reread one last time before selling them, but in the end, they will still be sold. Space in our house is a finite commodity, and now that we've added a third person, albeit a small one, my share of that space is shrinking. But there have been a few that will catch my eye as I work my way through characters and titles that will grab me and make me question my initial judgment. This was one of those stories. Check it out for yourself and see if you agree.

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An Attitude Adjustment For Grid Made Me Feel Much Better

Justice League 29
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Doug Mahnke and Keith Champagne, artists

A few weeks ago, I was lamenting the new designs that went into the New 52 versions of the Metal Men as they appeared in Justice League No. 28. Their new designs were clunky and over-rendered. Despite having malleable, shape-shifting bodies, when standing, each one is drawn with an unnecessary number of grills and fenders and ornamental attachments that seem to serve no real purpose other than to give future artists headaches.

I didn't really have an issue with the story itself, just the designs of the Metal Men.

This issue gives Gold, Iron, Lead, Mercury, Tin and Platinum even more chances to shine — story-wise — as they join Cyborg in taking down Grid, Cyborg's now-sentient former armor. The Metal Men don't spend much time standing around this issue, so there were fewer chances for the artwork to bother me and more chances for the robotic heroes' sense of fun and adventure to shine through in the battle. I definitely like Geoff Johns' take on these characters. If this can be how the team is written going forward, sign me up for more of them.

Just please give them a simpler re-tooling in the chassis department!

I've Been Reading A Lot Of Disappointing Books Lately

Justice League 28
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Ivan Reis, Joe Prado and Scott Hanna, artists

I enjoy reading comics, so I want to talk about the ones I enjoy, not the ones that didn't live up to the potential I hoped they could have. But there have been several in the past few days that just didn't meet my expectations going in.

In the case of this issue of Justice League, continuing the "Forever Evil" crossover, the story itself was good: Cyborg got a complete makeover in the previous issue after all of his cybernetic parts split off, decided to call itself The Grid, and joined the other-dimensional Crime Syndicate that has taken over the world and imprisoned most of the League. This new, much more streamlined Cyborg 2.0 seeks out Dr. Will Magnus, creator of the Metal Men, to help him counter-attack the Syndicate, so this issue serves to introduce the New 52 versions of the Metal Men, who all act pretty much as they did before the New 52 reboot.

The problem is, the only real change I can see that the New 52 has brought to the Metal Men is that they all got a bad case of the uglies, especially Iron, Lead and Mercury.

These three, in particular, look as if they are wearing armor they should be able to remove. All six of the Metal Men — also including Gold, Tin and Platinum — look a lot more robotic than they used to. Now, I know that they technically are robots. But their respective responsometers not only give them their distinctive personalities, but each of the Metal Men also has complete control over his or her shape, allowing them to be able to shift and form tools and such from their bodies. Based on that fact alone, they should have very streamlined, fluid bodies, but especially when seen next to Cyborg's own new chassis, they look very clunky.

I've looked through the issue several times and can't find any kind of design credit. So maybe Ivan Reis, Joe Prado and/or Scott Hanna designed the new looks for the Metal Men. These guys have wowed me with their art in the past, so I would hate to think that they are responsible for this mess. Rather, almost the entire New 52 redesign came from Jim Lee, another artist whose past work I have enjoyed, but who seems to have gone overboard with the unnecessary costume details and seams and such in the New 52. These look to me like they are more of Jim Lee's bad design work for the reboot.

Here's hoping the Metal Men's appearances soften over time.

Somebody Needs To Put Him Down

Justice League 24
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Ivan Reis, artist

Much of this issue is devoted to giving the back story for this latest version of Ultraman, the darkly twisted Crime Syndicate version of Superman, but we also see some events in the present, taking place between issues 2 and 3 of Forever Evil, the limited series detailing the Syndicate's takeover of our world.

Ultraman's back story is told in almost-familiar vignettes. We see the destruction of the planet Krypton as its citizens mob, maim and kill each other to be the first to get to escape pods. The two most ruthless and bloodthirsty are Jor-Il and Lara, who not only destroy their fellow Kryptonians but also several other escape pods to maximize their son's chances for success. But it is clear that these two are not motivated out of any sense of love for their child.

As the infant Kal-Il is flown through space headed for Earth, he is bombarded by his father's voice, urging him to conquer and pillage his new home but also reminding him that his father fully expects him to fail and be proven worthless.

We see the young child crash landing on Earth, destroying the home of a drunken Jonathan and drug-addicted Martha Kent, failed farmers in a mutually abusive marriage. Kal-Il forces these two to be his new "parents" until he reaches the age of 7, when he decides they are no longer worth the trouble to him. And then we see glimpses of some of Ultraman's first encounters with people in Metropolis.

Through all of this, we learn that an individual was responsible for the destruction of Krypton, although Lara casts some of the blame on Jor-Il, too. We also learn that the same individual who destroyed Krypton came to the Crime Syndicate's Earth and caused the devastation of that planet that prompted the Syndicate members to seek out our universe and come to conquer it.

From there, the story switches to the current time frame. Ultraman continues his search for kryptonite, the source of his powers, but decides to take a detour and investigate this universe's version of his old stomping grounds. Several members of the Daily Planet staff catch the brunt of his temperamental personality, but none moreso than Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane. That is, until Black Adam shows up to challenge Ultraman.

All in all, this issue provides some nice insights into Ultraman. I'm not sure any incarnation of the character has ever really had a back story beyond being an evil, twisted version of Superman, so some of the glimpses into his past were interesting. And the current events were nice moments likely not included in the main Forever Evil series. I'm very curious who it is that destroyed Ultraman's version of Krypton and Earth. I think Darkseid is too obvious an answer, especially since there are strong hints that the hooded prisoner the Syndicate brought with them is the individual responsible for that destruction, and he looks like an ordinary man. If this is the actual destroyer, how did the Syndicate subdue him and what is the purpose of bringing him along? If it isn't the destroyer, then who is he and again, why bring him along?

I'd definitely say I'm enjoying the ride Forever Evil is offering so far.

I'm Not Too Old Yet

Batman: Earth One hardcover
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Gary Frank, artist

I have "known" some comic-fans who have stopped keeping up with the current slate of comic books and continuity developments. They often are still actively re-reading books from their respective collections, just not reading the new stuff. They are still fans of the medium and often dabble by remaining a part of online communities that by their nature are most concerned with the current stuff, but such fans have found their own personal golden age of comics and prefer to stop reading the more recent books that aren't doing anything for them anymore.

The older I get, the more I understand those feelings; many of my favorite books were ones published in the 1970s. But I don't know that I'm quite ready to label that era my personal golden age yet. I also have favorite comic stories from each of the subsequent decades, and more modern times have truly been great with regards to comics turned into animation and film.

Having said that, I don't try as many new comic and graphic novel titles as I once did. When Marvel announced the Ultimate line, I half-heartedly picked up the Ultimate version of Spider-Man and X-Men, but I didn't stick with either long. I had more of an interest in the New 52 when DC launched that project, but those books were replacing, not running along side of, the already established continuity. I stuck with my favorites but didn't stay long with many of the newer titles and characters. So my reaction when DC announced their "Earth One" line of stand-alone graphic novels re-inventing their heroes for a modern era, my reaction was, "Good luck and I hope it brings new readers in as created to do, but I think I'll just pass." Not worth the price of admission for me; I already know the origin of Superman and Batman, so far the only two characters to get the Earth One treatment.

Then I went in search of a copy of the trade collection Superman: Exile, and found a nicely priced copy for sale online. That particular seller also had a copy of the Superman: Panic In the Sky trade, which I decided to pick up. And also for sale by this individual was a $5 copy of the Batman: Earth One hardcover. That's the hardcover. In nice shape. For $5. I'm not as interested in trying this book for the initial hardcover price tag, but I'm not going to turn down a chance to try it for a fraction of the cover price, either.

And I'm glad I took the chance!

This volume is a great example of what the old Elseworlds and What If ... ? series could be at their best. I don't want to ruin some of the many story surprises Geoff Johns and Gary Frank have crafted in this volume; a large part of my enjoyment reading this graphic novel was in discovering these gems on my own. But these men have created a powerful story that changes the established facts longtime readers know about the Wayne family and gives a satisfying read. There are many familiar faces such as Bruce, Thomas and Martha Wayne and Barbara Gordon. There are familiar names like Oswald Cobblepot, Alfred Pennyworth and Harvey Bullock that are used in brand new, fascinating ways. And there are more subtle changes to familiar characters like James Gordon and Gotham District Attorney Dent that add to the tapestry of this story. Johns has written a powerful origin story for this not-quite-the-Batman-we-know that lives up to the high standard set by his other writing. Gary Frank's artwork is crisp and adds visual nuances to Johns' script, as usual. Well done! Very well done, indeed!

He Slept For How Long?!?

Aquaman 23
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Paul Pelletier and Sean Parsons, artists

This issue of Aquaman continues the "Death of a King" arc, and the story is getting more and more crowded with potential kings the title could be referring to. Aquaman and Mera have been reunited and flee the other-dimensional kingdom Xebel before they can be taken prisoner again. They are fleeing from the Dead King, possibly Atlantis' first king, and Nereus, the current king of Xebel and Mera's former beau. The couple manage to escape back into the Atlantic Ocean, knowing that Nereus and his troops aren't far behind, but once they arrive back at Atlantis, they find the city under the sea beseiged by the Scavenger.

As if that wasn't enough going on, there are still the three rogue Atlanteans -- Tula, Murk and Swatt -- making their way to Belle Reve prison to free Ocean Master, another former monarch, who they feel is unjustly imprisoned by the surface world after the "Throne of Atlantis" story arc.

Cutting back to Atlantis, Aquaman's forces are taking a beating until he summons the underwater beast Topo to deal with the Scavenger's forces. The effort Aquaman puts forth to summon and direct Topo is costly, but before he passes out, he sees that Scavenger's forces have been routed just in time for the Dead King and Nereus to arrive. And then Aquaman takes a powder.

This was a pretty intense issue with all of the nonstop battle. Unfortunately, we have to wait two months instead of the usual one to find out how this storyline is going to be resolved because next month is Villains' month and both Black Manta and Ocean Master will be getting their own issues. Also, if Aquaman has been unconscious for six months, how exactly does this all fit in with the events of Trinity War and Forever Evil? I try not to worry quite so much about continuity between books like I used to when I collected more stuff, but this arc started before Trinity War, which Aquaman is very much a part of. If Trinity War and Forever Evil take place after this story, which involves Aquaman being out of commission for six months, what have all the other heroes been doing all this time? And if this story takes place after Trinity War and Forever Evil, that kinda gives away that Aquaman will live through that story. (Not that I ever doubted that he would, but still ...) Oh well, I'm just enjoying the great stories Geoff Johns is giving Aquaman, and I'm sorry to hear he will be leaving the title after issue No. 25.

Did I Miss The Name-Dropping?

Justice League 18
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Jesus Saiz and Gary Frank, artists

This was an interesting little one-off issue of Justice League. In the wake of the battle against Atlantis, the League decides it needs to beef up its numbers. On his own initiative, Cyborg called in a number of non-members to help the League toward the end of that battle. All of those participants, plus a few others, are invited to the League's base to be considered for membership.

I find it interesting that this decision to add new members is not longer. Between the Darkseid arc, the formation of the team, and the Graves arc, when things jump ahead five years to the current time, the League had decided to add new members with disastrous results. We don't know much about that time as we've only heard about it as a past event with few known details, but it is brought up as a reason to keep the League at its current seven members every other time someone suggests adding to the ranks. Not so this time.

Anyway, all of these prospective new members are invited via The Grid, an invention of Cyborg's that allows him to connect with any and all electronic devices anywhere on the planet to not only send messages but "watch" everyone, too. Kinda creepy, in an NSA sort of way, but it also moves Victor into very much the role that Oracle used to play for the superhero community in the previous DC Universe. Unfortunately, it also gives the bad guys of the quickly forming Secret Society of Super-Villains a way to gain access to the League by simply traveling back along the same pathways Cyborg is using.

And that brings us to the title of this post. Apparently, all of this villain recruiting is not leading to a new version of the Legion of Doom as I theorized. You can understand why I might have thought that name would be used: a Legion of Doom version was part of the Flashpoint crossover that led directly into the formation of this DCnU reality, and the members we know of so far include Cheetah, Black Manta and Scarecrow, all members of the original Legion of Doom from the "SuperFriends" television show along with Luthor, Brainiac, Bizarro, Grodd, Giganta, the Riddler, Sinestro, Toyman, Solomon Grundy and Captain Cold. It just seemed a natural fit. Of course, the name Secret Society has been used a lot in the past 10 years or so, too, so I'm not upset by that choice for the name exactly. I just don't know when the name became common knowledge. It is used by the heroes of the League in this issue as a fact, but I don't recall any of the villains we've seen so far use the name, so how do the heroes know it. Doesn't sound like much of a secret, really, except maybe from the readers.

OK, Slowly Getting Better

Justice League 7-12
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Gene Ha, Gary Frank, Carlos D'Anda, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado and Jim Lee, artists

Justice League No. 7 brings us up to the current time frame after the first arc of this title took us back five years to the team's formation. Many people criticized the League presented here because they didn't work together, barely even got along. That can be excused in a team brought together for the first time, still getting to know one another and learning to gel. But the word "team" is used just as loosely in this prologue to "The Villain's Journey." It's been five years of these guys getting to know each other and learning to work together, and they still seem like they can't get along and really don't care for each other. That's not what I want long-term from this team.

Issue No. 8 serves to unite the members of the League, albeit briefly, in a little side story, guest-starring Green Arrow. Here the League is united in their dislike of the Emerald Archer and their decision not to admit anyone else to their ranks, at least for the most part. This issue serves as a diversion from "The Villain's Journey" arc, and while a good read, is more a book-length teaser for the then-newly announced Justice League of America title coming in 2013.

"The Villain's Journey" really gets under way in issue No. 9 and rolls quickly along. The villain of this piece isn't cut from the traditional pattern. Rather than seeking to achieve power, money or glory for himself, he is trying to improve the League members by teaching them first-hand about loss. What he doesn't realize is that each of these heroes does in fact know a great deal about loss already. But still, Graves manages to teach them a little about humility and responsibility.

I don't see this tale as ranking among the all-time best Justice League stories by any means, but I can see Johns moving these heroes toward the kind of characters I want to read about. As much as I appreciate that he is moving them in a positive direction, I want my Justice League heroes to already be there. I want them to be the best and brightest stars, not working toward becoming that.

The Sense Of Wonderment Is The Key

Superman: Secret Origin tpb
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Gary Frank and Jon Sibal, artists

When this miniseries debuted, I was still of a mind to try anything and everything I might possibly like (if I could afford it). My thoughts at the time and for a few years prior were that, sure, I would end up buying some stinkers, but I would miss far fewer gems. In the interest of saving some money, however, I would often try to trade-wait limited series such as this one rather than buy the individual issues. Then, once the trade for this series was solicited, I had shifted my mindset to reflect my new conservative attitude toward buying. I don't necessarily intend to keep every single issue or trade I buy now, some will still be sold, either because I don't ultimately care for them or because they were good, but not likely to be reread so why take up space by keeping them, but I'm definitely buying a lot fewer books these days. So I almost didn't buy this trade. Do I really need another retelling of the origin and early days of Superman? Even folks who don't read comics know that basic story, right?

I'm glad I decided to take a chance on this one anyway. Johns and Frank had a solid run on Adventures of Superman prior to this series coming out, and it was partially on the strength of those issues that I took a chance here. And they didn't let me down.

Johns skips over the parts of the story most people can quote verbatim, instead focusing on key moments in Clark Kent's early childhood -- re-establishing his time as Superboy into the character's continuity along the way -- and debut in Metropolis. And there's something about the way Johns handles the character that brings out the sense of wonder at someone discovering he can fly and deflect bullets and help people. This book and Johns' characterization of not only Superman, but the other characters around him, help the reader rediscover what it was like to be a kid and enjoy such adventures from that perspective. From Clark's first learning of his true origins, learning to cope with his emerging powers, his first encounters with Lex Luthor and the Legion of Super-Heroes to his first day at the Daily Planet and his public debut in costume -- this book is pure fun and wonder.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that Frank's art is nice to look at, too, but I especially love the way both his depictions of Clark Kent and Superman are modeled on Christopher Reeve, the true Superman of my generation. I've enjoyed old episodes of "The Adventures of Superman" with George Reeves, and the more modern "Lois & Clark" with Dean Cain and "Smallville" with Tom Welling, but I was 11 when "Superman the Movie" debuted, and Christopher Reeve is "my" Superman brought to life. It doesn't hurt that this character looks and feels like him.

Plumbing The Depths

Aquaman 1-4
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Ivan Reis and Joe Prado, artists

This was the title I saved for last because it was going to hold the least surprises. I get too much Aqua-info from almost daily visits to Rob Kelly's Aquaman Shrine (and am typically behind enough in my reading) that sitting down with these four books brought little new information. They've all already been reviewed on the Shrine.

That doesn't mean these four books weren't a joy to read. Johns "gets" Aquaman in a way true fans have always appreciated the character. What's more, with his writing, Johns is not just showing why Aquaman isn't just a lame hero who talks to fish; he's taking those jabs and dealing with them head-on by including them in his narrative. This is a hero who lives in a world where many common folk DO think Aquaman is a joke and aren't shy about telling him that to his face. And Aquaman gets back at them not by fuming or shouting, but by showing them just how awesome and inspirational he can be.

Johns is crafting some truly original, highly imaginative stories that still manage to incorporate what other creators have done and build upon that foundation, much as he has done with other characters in recent years. It's no wonder Johns is the chief creative officer at DC. And Reis and Prado are doing simply beautiful work illustrating what Johns is writing.

If you aren't picking up this book, do yourself a favor and get it in back issues or trade. You'll be glad you did.

It's A Team Book, Dammit

Justice League 1-4
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Jim Lee, artist

I've heard a lot of people complain that for a writer known for his character work, Geoff Johns has dropped the ball with this title because it lacks any real characterization, instead opting for little more than slam-bam fights and too-cutesy quips. The criticism is usually joined with the charge that this book, above all others as the flagship title of The New 52! relaunch, deserves better.

After finally having a chance to read some of the DCnU debut titles, I say that Johns DOES add character moments in this title, albeit small ones, and that because this is the BIG team book leading off the relaunch effort, it must be mostly big and splashy or fans would decry the effort as lackluster.

Those of you who've been to this blog before know I tend to be somewhat behind in my comics reading. Life intrudes and quiet moments to sit and read are often precious and few, especially with a new baby in the house. So now that I've finally reached the beginnings of the relaunched titles from DC, I opted to read the first four issues of the titles I bought to get a real feel for the books before commenting. I'm so behind much of the time anyway, maybe I should just trade-wait most of my comic purchases, and do on some titles, but haven't made that switch completely.

Anyway, back to Justice League. This book in particular benefits from reading four issues at once, or even the entire arc. I have no defense for anyone wishing to complain about this book being a little slow in monthly form. This truly is an arc that would be better as a trade so the reader doesn't lose momentum between issues. Because momentum is what a book featuring this many big guns is all about. Early on in their careers, these heroes all give new meaning to the term big guns. Each of these heroes is new to superheroing, and even newer to working with others. I can handle the excess bravado and one-upmanship amply on display here because of that lack of experience. Those attitudes should not continue once this book leaves behind the League's origin and moves to more contemporary stories where the heroes are seasoned by five years of working together.

Also, let's face it: Most of these characters -- all of them, in fact, except Cyborg -- star in at least one title of their own. Those books, most written by other creators, are where the early character development will happen for Aquaman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Superman and Wonder Woman. Those other creators would resent Johns stealing their individual character-defining moments for his group book.

This is a fun superhero romp, and I'm enjoying the ride. If you are wanting deeper characterization, seek out these heroes' individual titles. This book is all about the larger dynamic.

Back to the Future

OK, short post this time. Got my current month’s worth of comics over the weekend, got ’em added to the database and read just a couple over the weekend. Since I get the bulk of my books once a month when so many folks get theirs on a weekly basis when they’re released, I’m always behind when I get a shipment. But I keep track of which books arrive in the stores each week, and that’s the order I read my new ones in, oldest first. Since I’ve been talking about some of the storylines I’m reading or re-reading as I go back through my older comics, I figured I’d just continue that motiff with the new ones, too. So, here’s some mini-reviews/thoughts on the first three books I read from this latest shipment.

52: Week Four (DC Comics) - This series is starting kind of slow, but I’m intrigued by a number of the storylines. For instance, I’m not sure where the whole thing with the Question and Renee Montoya is going but I’m definitely willing to come along for the ride and find out. I also like the emotional ploy of using Ralph “Elongated Man” Dibny as a central character. And speaking of Ralph’s story, what the hell’s going on with Wonder Girl and this cult of Superboy? I’m not as interested in the Booster storyline right now; I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it. Same with the Steel storyline as I haven’t followed the charcter much of late. And holy crap, what’s up with the return of the space heroes? Especially the enormous Hawkgirl and the apparently now one-eyed Alan Scott? I know Scott is shown in Checkmate as wearing an eyepatch, but he doesn’t have it in current issues of JSA so I figured maybe something happened between those two stories, maybe something in the current JSA Classified storyline with Vandal Savage. Now, I’m not so sure.

Action Comics 839 (DC Comics) - The Up, Up and Away story reintroducing Superman has been pretty good so far. Writers Geoff Johns and Kurt Busiek brought me to this storyline but I don’t normally stay with the Super titles very long. I like Superman, but his stories just aren’t my cup o’ chocolate milk most of the time. Maybe this round will be different.

Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre 1 (DC Comics) - I was looking forward to this one. I’ve always like the occasional appearances of Det. Crispus Allen in the Bat-titles. He’s one of the reasons I first gave Gotham Central a try when that title debuted. I was shocked when he was gunned down in the final issue of that series just before Infinite Crisis. His death made more sense when the Crisis aluded to his reincarnation as the new Spectre. I’m looking forward to this journey, and this first issue seems to hold a lot of promise.

And that’s all I’ve had a chance to read so far. Look for more soon.