Dective Comics #1
written and Drawn by Tony Daniel
Ink by Rayn Winn
Colors by Tomeu Morey
review by Stano
First off the story written by Daniels is all two familiar as it starts off. We see the Joker of course being beaten by some thug. With a Narration from Batman. And as we turn the page an opening shot of Bats looking for a killer. We then get the run in with the cops, who procede to mistakes Batman for the criminal; of course Gordon calls off the dogs, Batman doing the right thing saving the helpless kid instead of catching the real bad guy. Throw in a little politics so Batman can dismiss it as trivial and we are on our way with a typical Batman story. But maybe Daniels had this planned all along wanting to lull you in so he could hit you over the head with the final image. And he succeeded somewhat. The artwork is top notch by Daniels and the color palette used (more greens and reds then blues) works. All in all an OK start.
7 out of 10
Story by Peter Milligan
Art by Mikel Janin
Reviewed by John Robinson
An interesting story line, some wonderful takes on characterizations, heaps of guest appearances. This is a wonderful beginning to a crossover event. But this isn't a crossover event, this is a secondary Justice League title in the new 52 universe. Which begs the question, was this a necessary title for the new 52 universe. I honestly can't say. I really want to get behind this book but it just doesn't feel right. As a Vertigo cross-over storyline or mini-series, I would be scooping this puppy up in a minute! But slapping a Justice League logo across the front of this, doesn't sit well with me. Maybe if this had been labeled as an anthology title like All-Star Western or Our Men At War, I could have accepted it better or even as a story line in the new DC Comics Presents but not Justice League. And, of course, the main problem with this book, John Constantine. Now don't get me wrong, I have followed the Hellblazer since Swamp Thing and Vertigo issue
#1. I even sat through the movie! But as it was pointed out in the new Swamp Thing #1. John is still pretty much a con artist, user, self-centered character. That's why we love him. To make him a member of any Justice League goes against the very nature of the loner we have all grown to love. Hopefully, he will be used sparingly much like the Phantom Stranger way back in the Justice League of America's first title. Storyline and characters make this book an 8 but the title is going to shave a graham off.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$2.99 / DC Comics
7 out of 10 Grahams
Superior #5
Written by Mark Millar
Art by Lenil Francis Yu
Reviewed by John Robinson
I bet you thought this series was over. Afterall, #4 came out in January - now 9 months later in waltzes issue #5 like nothings the matter.
It pisses me off (this unforgivable shipping schedule), but I read it and couldn't help but love it. Quality is quality no matter how often (or un often) it ships.
The only fault I have with SUPERIOR (Shazam character in the 'real world') is they want you to accept a scenario of 'what if this really happened' but honestly even the worst detective in the world would be able to figure out who this guy is.
Great art from Lenil Yu, and the usual quality that I expect from Millar. It's the best SHAZAM comic without SHAZAM that I've ever read.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$3.99 / MARVEL Comics
10 out of 10 Grahams
I, Vampire #1
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov
Art by Andrea Sorrentino
Reviewed by John Schaefer
One of the only titles, I was really on board for at the start of the new 52 hype. The return of Andrew Benett and his somewhat troubled girlfriend Mary was a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Who could forget the elegantly dressed Benett as he passed through the world trying the stop Mary in her quest to destroy mankind in the pages of House of Mystery.
So to find that this wonderfully well-rounded character had been turned into some shirtless Twilight wanabee (including the werewolf transformations...eeekk, Jacob,oh we love you!) and Mary into some naked body tattooed harlet was a true slap in the face. Sure times change but this was embarassing, not that there is anything wrong with body tattooed harlets. But the worst thing about this book (and no I'm not going to say the Walking Dead Suburban Vampire Army imagary) is that the world weary Andrew Benett's contemplation of what he had released in Mary has been replaced with a teenager's brooding. It is a subtle difference but it is there and it irritates the hell out of me! Excuse me, I have to head down to the comic shop and pick up some old House of Mystery issues to wash the taste of this book out of my mouth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$2.99 / DC Comics
3 out of 10 Grahams
Superman #1
Written by George Perez
Art by Jesus Merino (breakdowns Perez)
Reviewed by Pastor Sam
There is no worse feeling than being on the fence about something. In my line of work there is a constant pressure to be on either one side or the other, being in the middle is the worst place one can be. It is this same feeling that makes this review so challenging to write. I really wanted to cry out the death of Superman in this book, much like I did with Action Comics #1, and yet there were many little things that Perez got right about the character. Not to let him off the hook though, there were many things I was very unhappy to see…SPOILERS AHEAD: namely the destruction of the daily planet and Lois dating Ken of Ken and Barbie fame. Speaking of Ken, how creepy is it that this fool’s name is “Jonathan”, and that Clark even notes how it is a good name? Gives me shivers. That being said, the only other major things I had a problem with were the costume (dead horse beaten), the villain, and the pacing of the book. Villains make heroes, and sadly, the issue #1 villain is the most unimaginative creation I’ve seen in a while. It wasn’t even cool looking. I guess we all know what really happened to Johnny Storm now. Him aside, frankly, most of the book was just boring. It wasn’t even one of the slow builds that get really good, I just found myself asking, when is it going to start? And how does it conclude? With a couple of pages that were leaked online 2 months ago. Not the most satisfying hook. So you might be wondering, was there anything good about it? Yes. In a word: Superman. Perez manages to capture the essence of the character in spite of everything working against it. It’s much like the Beast in Beauty and Beast; you can see the wonderful heart of the character beneath, if you are first willing to look past all the ugliness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$2.99 / DC Comics
5 out of 10 Grahams
Aquaman #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis
Reviewed by John Robinson
I can sum up this comic in one sentence 'the most perfect re-launch title ever made'.
I could not see anyway to improve on this comic book.
* Reintroduced you to a characters powers/history/motivation in an entertaining way.
* The hero of the book performed heroic deeds! (a rarity)
* Best costume redesign of entire launch (looks like original)
* A sub-plot to further intrigue you (remember those?)
Made all 3 of my boys read it (none had EVER read Aquaman before - in fact, all 3 had considered him lame) all 3 loved it and asked when #2 is coming in.
This is what every DC team SHOULD have accomplished with their re-launch. Johns & Reis covered all the bases and I insist that you try this comic!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$2.99 / DC Comics
10 out of 10 Grahams
Blackhawks #1
Written by Mike Costa
Art by Ken Lashley
Reviewed by John Schaefer
Hawkaaaaaaaaaaa! Does anyone realize that the Blackhawks have literally been around since the 1940's. And that I have been reading them for what seems like that long. So of course I was all for a new Blackhawks series.
This book has been updated but all the key plot points are there. Secret mini army, mysterious headquarters, multi-national cast. Sure elements were lost, Blackie - the pet bird, sidekick Chop-Chop but we are introduced to Deputy of Operations, Andrew Lincoln (any relation to another of Quality Comics hero Roy Lincoln - the Human Bomb?)and field operative The Irishman (who's actually Russian!). Mike Costa's story is well plotted and intriguing. Graham Nolan's layouts help display the storyline well. There is only one problem with this book. NANOCITES! Nanobots, whatever you want to call them have been the bain of many a reader of numerous types of genres! I guess it is just the natural progression from Dr. Frankenstein type operations, to cloning, to DNA manipulation, to little microscopic robotic entities that are damn near undetectable and unriddable (is that a word?). And now they are loose at Blackhawk base because one field operative got bit in the field (Holy Night of the Living Dead, Batman!) which then made her want to bonk her teammate/boyfriend and spread the infection. (And before you ask, yes that was the plot of a bad 80's p*rn movie!) So much for security.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$2.99 / DD Comics
7 out of 10 Grahams