Detective Comics #855 Review

Detective Comics #855
Elegy Part 2: Misterioso

Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: J.H. Williams III
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Todd Klein

This is only the second issue from this creative team, but already it is one of the most beautiful books on the stands today. Each page unfolds better than the last leading to a final panel that leaves Batwoman at the end of a very short rope.

The book opens with Batwoman taking the upper hand and using it to question Alice about the Crime Bible and her connection to it. She doesn’t get many answers before Alice reveals how resourceful and violent she can be. Things only get worse for Kate as Alice and her forces play their trump card.

This issue is pure fluff never giving any answers, while posing almost no new questions. Regardless, the action is well choreographed and the art is as good or better than you’ll find in any book today. I’ve seen Williams’ art before and never have been as impressed. Batwoman’s opening splash page featuring her leaping over villains and snapping necks looks gorgeous with its red hues and kinetic images. Alice is another stand-out character sketched with emotional guile, intensity and lace.

Alice herself is written as well as she’s drawn thanks to Rucka’s tireless efforts to continue to use quotes taken directly from “Alice in Wonderland.” This direction helps to add to her insanity and works to show how truly broken her mind has become. I appreciate that while knowing about the Crime Bible will help you understand the book in a more well-rounded fashion it is never necessary to appreciate it.

Batwoman is, surprisingly, a bit more confusing. In her introduction during the pages of 52 she was presented as a rich almost selfish socialite, but now she comes across like an army brat who never had more than a dollar to her name. This dichotomy almost works, as she needs both money and combat training to be Batwoman, yet they don’t try and make the two halves mesh in any consistent way. Hopefully, down the line they’ll figure out a way for these different parts of her life to work as one, but so far they’re not making any effort.

The eight-page “Question” back-up is decent if not forgettable. This story probably features my favorite representation of the character as played by Renee Montoya, but the story itself is a generic kidnapping case with no twists or cliffhangers. Out of all the back-ups so far “The Manhunter,” is still the one that captures my attention the most.

This title is the longest continuously published book in United States comic history and still remains one its best. An easy recommend for anyone who enjoys, Batman, Gotham or as the title suggests; a good detective story.

A-

Action Comics #878 Review

Action Comics #878
Sleepers Part Four

Written by: Greg Rucka
Art by: Diego Olmos
Colorist: Rod Reis
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Cover by: Andrew Robinson

“Sleepers Part Four,” which is part of the “World Without Superman” arc also falls in as part twenty-nine of the overall New Krypton story. That’s a lot of numbers, continuity and characters to keep up with, even for Superman.

The basic through-line for this book follows Nightwing and Flamebird as they hunt down Kryptonian sleeper agents placed there, perhaps by General Zod, but even they don’t seem to be sure. All the while, General Lane, is hunting them and the sleeper agents. This issue focuses a “Bonnie and Clyde” type Kryptonian couple. Unlike, their historical counterparts they don’t rob banks and they don’t seem to have a clear agenda, just pure mayhem.

All this makes for a pretty muddled book. Not enough time has been given to developing the protagonists or shaping the goals of the villains. The one sleeper they captured earlier was killed in the last issue, without divulging any information. These new Kryptonians don’t seem to be sleeper agents, which makes me wonder why they’re being shoved in the middle of a storyline that doesn’t appear to involve them.

Greg Rucka’s best work remains “Queen and Country,” which I highly recommend, but this on the other hand won’t be fondly remembered. There just isn’t enough time given to character, instead there’s a misguided focus on action. This book usually always involves some kind of fighting, otherwise everyone is resting from the last fight in anticipation of the next one. The sudden romance between Flamebird and Nigthwing feels thrown together, in some kind of effort to make the characters a tad more relatable. It doesn’t work.

Another bit of convenience comes when the Kryptonian couple attacks a house in the middle of nowhere that just happens to be owned by a congressman. This immediately brings out the police, who discover some gratuitous semi-nudity and quick deaths. How many times do you need to show how strong Kryptonians are? It seems unnecessary to show them killing a few police officers. We already know they‘re bad and we already know they‘re strong. Those few pages could have been better used to develop characters or expand on the sleeper storyline.

I’m looking forward to the Annual in hopes that it will explain a lot of what’s going on. On the other hand, I don’t feel that I should have to wait for an Annual to tell me what’s going on in the monthly book.

The art in this issue feels rushed at times and lacks a strong focus much like the rest of the book. Nothing about it stands out. Everything is very poorly defined and half-done. I also didn’t like all the Kryptonian subtitles. They’re hard to read and don’t add much to the story. Couldn’t they have just made some notation at the beginning of the book letting us know that certain portions (perhaps surrounded by parenthetical) are translated from Kryptonian to English? It’s funny that they speak it on Earth but not on New Krypton. Is it because they know Superman can’t speak it and they’re trying to help him out?

Overall, there’s no reason to buy this unless you absolutely need to. If it weren’t connected to the “World Without Superman” story I would have left it on the shelf.

C-

The Mighty #1-3 Review

The Mighty #1-3

(issue 3 cover featured)

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi and Keith Champagne
Art by: Peter Snejbjerg
Letters by: Rob Leigh
Colors by: John Kalisz
Covers by: Dave Johnson

“The Light Brigade” was the first book I read written by Peter J. Tomasi. I’ve made an effort ever since to pick up anything else that he writes. While his work on “Green Lantern Corps” is fantastic, his “Nightwing” run fell flat for me. His newest title, a creator-owned book called “The Mighty,” remains steadfastly in the middle.

After three issues it still hasn’t developed a story, rather it keeps itself focused on character. Not the worst quality in a book, I only hope it doesn’t last forever. Issue one opens with a quick, succinct introduction to Alpha One, the world’s first superhero. On a side-note, it’s interesting that this is a DC book rather than a Vertigo imprint since it doesn’t take place in the DC world. Things continue to move with a great sequence featuring Alpha One rescuing an out-of-control train. It’s after that in which things slow down. The leader of Omega Section (the organization that works in tandem with Alpha One), Captain Shaw, is killed, but by issue two his killers are put to rest. I expected this to be an ongoing thread for a few more issues but instead it’s tied up rather quickly.

Issue three puts up Gabriel Cole, the book’s central character, as Shaw’s replacement. Several years earlier he was rescued by Alpha One so his connections to the hero extend back for most of his life intensifying his relationship with the hero. The book does a nice job answering some key questions, like who funds Alpha One’s operation and the extent of his powers. Noticeably, one thing it leaves out is Alpha One’s true identity. He may be a maskless hero but his true name is never given, at least not yet. Whether or not this will be a factor later on remains to be seen. Shaw’s murder case seems too neatly tied up, so again I’m hoping that it comes back into the limelight.

Tomasi and Champagne are taking their time carefully setting up the world, its characters along with slowly revealing bits of its past safeguarding what they intend to disclose later. I appreciate their approach but I worry that this direction could lose a lot of interested readers who picked up the first book or two. I’m always of the mindset that a book needs time to grow, but frankly I think this book’s time is running out. Future solicitations claim big things, but unless they step-up to such big talk I may remove it from my pull list. Especially with other more interesting genre bending characters like “Savior 28,” and “Irredeemable,” already proving to have more promise with less material.

Snejbjerg manages to remain a hidden gem in comics. His art reflects a slick retro style not seen much in comics where attention to detail is as important as retaining a personal quality with every page. Sometimes I find that I can’t tell one artist from another or they simply don’t do anything noteworthy with their pages. Snejbjerg is someone I don’t see often, but I still enjoyed what he brought to “The Light Brigade,” and he does the same thing here.

A nice bit of art lifts a thoughtful yet unremarkable story just enough for me to pick up a fourth issue, but admittedly unless it turns the tide and brings a truly climatic “to be continued,” I don’t think I will.
C+

Flash: Rebirth #1 Review

Flash: Rebirth #1
Lightning Strikes Twice

Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Ethan Van Sciver
Letters by: Rob Leigh
Colors by: Alex Sinclair

This is a Flash story, but the first issue is slow. Its sole purpose is set-up and where this story is going remains to be seen. I still haven’t figured out why Barry Allen is back and he’s asking himself the same question throughout this book.

Everything starts with a couple of murders, by someone or something who claims to have brought Barry back from the Speed Force. From there we cut to several different events that are meant to welcome the famous speedster back to the land of the living. Both Jay and Wally take the opportunity to pontificate on how much Barry meant to them and how happy they are that he’s back. All this feels too retrospective, especially since there are only five issues to this “rebirth,” I was hoping for a bit more forward momentum.

My favorite moments come when Barry and Hal meet at the Flash Museum. It really defines Barry’s character and his motives. It was a real turn and completely unexpected. Earlier pages painted this as more happy-go-lucky story, but Barry is anything but. Instead, he’s focused and determined. He doesn’t care about parties or parades. He comes across as a bit cold, but I feel like this gives him a chance to grow throughout the series rather than stay stagnant.

Towards the end of the book two kids find the Black Flash apparently dead in the middle of a field. This probably raised the biggest questions for me. Is the Speed Force really knocking off Speedsters? Is Barry’s new lease on life connected to this killing spree?

Johns has written some memorable Flash stories before and this one reflects his understanding of the characters, not just as heroes but as a family. Right now though, Barry seems to be rejecting that family so it will be interesting to see how that comes into play later.

Looking ahead at further solicitations though it seems there will be yet another Superman/Flash race. These exhibitions seem to happen like clockwork and only serve to slow down whatever story is actually happening. It’s too early to complain with due fairness but I don’t really see the point yet.

In terms of this issue though the set-up is unclear at best. The mystery comes too late in the book and where it’s going is anyone’s guess, but I remain ever hopeful and confident in its outcome.

Van Sciver handles the interiors on the book and as usual provides some stunning visuals. I especially enjoyed the not-so-subtle nod to “The Brave and the Bold.” I can only imagine his art will continue to impress as the action ramps up in further issues. Van Sciver is one of my favorite artists so I’m glad he’s working on this book. I do wonder though what it would have looked like if Scott Kolins had handled the artwork instead. Regardless though, each panel features fantastic character work and use of space. For instance, you really feel the size and scope of the parade and the intensity of the book’s final chase.

A solid first issue, but it definitely lacks a real hook to bring anyone back for another issue and uses too much of its time looking back rather than forward. It also caters exclusively to Flash fans with constant references and nods to the past on almost every page. Despite its slow pace the book remains a real treat though and I have every confidence that the payoff will be well worth the journey.
B-

Supergirl #39 Review

Supergirl #39
Who is Superwoman Part 3: Ticking Clocks

Written by: Sterling Gates
Art by: Jamal Igle and Talent Caldwell
Inks by: Jon Sibal and Talent Caldwell
Cover by: Joshua Middleton

“Superman” and “Action Comics” are now being headlined by C-list superheroes (no offense Mon-El) which, like it or not, leaves “Supergirl” as the flagship book of the Superman family. At least she can carry her own.

Deep in the middle of the Superwoman saga we find ourselves alongside Supergirl with endless questions and few answers. Who is she? What is her true purpose? Is she even Kryptonian? The last issue seemingly answered that question, but this time they backed away from that claiming her suit protected her from Reactron’s blast. One of the first chink’s in Gates’ shining armor. The story follows Kara’s search for her prey, her mother’s growing frustration with her and offers only more questions about Superwoman’s true intentions. It all leads to what feels like a final confrontation between Superwoman, Reactron and Supergirl. There’s been a great build and the story doesn’t feel like it’s worn out its welcome.

I found it a relief that they didn’t forget Kryptonians still aren’t allowed on Earth, something that puts a damper on Supergirl’s investigation of Superwoman’s identity. Gates also remembers his DC Comics history and brings in Lucy Lane for a bit of fun. I always like it when writers fit in past characters where it makes sense without resorting to creating entirely new ones. It just helps to establish a better sense of continuity within the universe.

Another fun reference came when Inspector Henderson comments on Supergirl’s midriff baring outfit, ridiculous even by comic book standards. Hopefully this will remain an ongoing joke. It also gave Kara an opportunity to tear out of the trench coat she’s made to wear over her uniform. Perfect comic book pulp.

The artwork was spot-on aside from a short fill-in by Talent Caldwell. Igle’s traditional line work doesn’t match up at all against Caldwell’s exaggerated lines and cartoon-like features. It takes you out of the book and never hits near the general quality of art expected in this title. Thankfully the fill-in job comes and goes in a wink, before Igle comes back to finish off the story.

I also can’t help but mention another fantastic cover by Middleton, who’s been drawing them since issue #34. While Reactron isn’t the main focus of this issue I’m glad to finally see this B-list villain get his own cover.

This story continues to intrigue and remains of one DC’s more interesting mysteries, more so even for me than who the next Batman will be and while I doubt the payoff will be that rewarding the ride is everything I could hope for.
B