tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85577269511715616162024-03-19T05:16:48.221-04:00Weird Science DC ComicsA DC Comics Comic Book Review Site. We try our best to be honest. Please note that Gabe's opinions are his own and don't always reflect the opinions of Weird Science as a whole. Also, Gabe is extremely Sus and may not have a life!Jim Wernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12307419602315578911noreply@blogger.comBlogger13022125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-18438306562080083992024-03-14T16:27:00.005-04:002024-03-14T16:27:51.402-04:00Batman And Robin #7 Review<div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijBuiwZeho_eeQYSQK406_08dcQgXajH3GweZdDbtR_lc1BpOJ_dA_VEmvfj89BMuimvHVW1sK5Qr8D_KlmzWFzBknf3OjDC91qR4f2wrdEbfc4_7OheM5k94lHZcIo-TUhNfWeAQX3kqEZvApeqtLUlZv6HuVQJ7UvSZvMSKdCMPojjIPlAbkhQ9Rm6gs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="540" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijBuiwZeho_eeQYSQK406_08dcQgXajH3GweZdDbtR_lc1BpOJ_dA_VEmvfj89BMuimvHVW1sK5Qr8D_KlmzWFzBknf3OjDC91qR4f2wrdEbfc4_7OheM5k94lHZcIo-TUhNfWeAQX3kqEZvApeqtLUlZv6HuVQJ7UvSZvMSKdCMPojjIPlAbkhQ9Rm6gs=w640-h264" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RJBAzDLiEtJ9HGuUjiSObE-jz93AKkjjCyJ4Iqt0WjDrt9qsnhNq7YSnrSeB5SfjNTpTjPxc89d0oJvkngunMCXfpiauyVVfZcJRLo8JFCBabT5kUiXolyROmLDzzQDkMw3KdODbxTLGMwnrGTjfuKpGW3SipEEr4G9iLLZvmqHBfL8JDrhcoAzt1er3/s857/Screenshot%202024-03-14%20162658.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="547" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RJBAzDLiEtJ9HGuUjiSObE-jz93AKkjjCyJ4Iqt0WjDrt9qsnhNq7YSnrSeB5SfjNTpTjPxc89d0oJvkngunMCXfpiauyVVfZcJRLo8JFCBabT5kUiXolyROmLDzzQDkMw3KdODbxTLGMwnrGTjfuKpGW3SipEEr4G9iLLZvmqHBfL8JDrhcoAzt1er3/w255-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-14%20162658.png" width="255" /></a></div><br /></div><b>Written by: Joshua Williamson<br />Art by: Simone Di Meo<br />Colors by: Giovanna Niro<br />Letters by: Steve Wands<br />Cover art by: Simone Di Meo<br />Cover price: $4.99<br />Release date: March 12, 2024</b><br /><br />Batman And Robin #7 splits up the Dynamic Duo when Flatline comes to Gotham searching for her missing sister, and the Cult of Man-Bat levels up with deadly consequences.<span><a name='more'></a></span> <br /><b>Is Batman And Robin #7 Good?</b><br /><br />Let's get this out of the way right now. Shush is a dumb idea, and nobody cares. Alright. Can we be done with Shush now? No? Fine. Whatever.<br /><br /> When last we left Batman and Robin, their father/son investigation into shenanigans at Robin's High School led to a Victor Zsasz fan with a lot of misplaced emotional problems who almost set the notorious killer free. The issue ended with a surprise appearance by Flatline at the scene of a Cult of Man-Bat riot.<br /><br /> In Batman And Robin #7, Flatline explains she's come to Gotham to search for her missing sister, Mila, who apparently left home to find Flatline. The trail led to Gotham, so Flatline has come to pay her respects to the Dynamic Duo before making a mess on guest turf and asking for Robin's assistance in the hunt.<br /><br />Meanwhile, we get an unhelpful peek into Man-Bat's headquarters when he sends his cult out to commit mayhem. When Batman picks up a cult member off the street for interrogation, the cult member swallows a pill that's supposed to do something but ultimately kills him. Suddenly, Shush shows up to propose a temporary partnership with Batman because she's not getting what she wants from Man-Bat.<br /><br /> What's great about Batman And Robin #7? Timeline's return, leading to her interactions with Batman and Damian adds a new step to the evolving father/son relationship. Batman knows what it's like to leap into the night with a bad girl, so there's a generational quality, a passing of the torch, that feels right, and you can see that same feeling on Batman's face.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Batman And Robin #7? Shush is the problem. Her identity is unclear when it shouldn't be. Her motivations are unclear when they shouldn't be. And her derivative identity appears to have no purpose except for the sake of being derivative. Williamson can't stay focused between either the High School slice-of-life shenanigans with a light tone or the Cult of Man-Bat plot with a very dark tone that has yet to fully form.<br /><br /> Between Shush and the structural disconnect, this title is turning into a mess. Unfortunately, the bright spot of this series (Bruce and Damian bonding) gets lost in the noise.<br /><br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />Batman And Robin #7 has potential in the growing bond between Damian and Bruce, but that potential is getting lost in a malformed subplot (Cult of Man-Bat) and a villain who is starting to become more annoying than intriguing (Shush).<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;">6/10</b></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-84270691625429216792024-03-14T16:25:00.001-04:002024-03-14T16:25:06.135-04:00Green Lantern #9 Review<div><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohXzZQ8SZ3ARQjVORIEGMfuuEmmYs3p1qOjcc-WOGFf531SXoKi4mqacKkh7OLUUYIDerTX2kSMH7Ps3PccPjDuXe5gbgX6-trUzS4eUDiTJJsxvTCUEfPyZ56T1TX5vxvGWYMlbc0PNZQAY9C0II6kRbuUbc1yZEoe1omjhAL6KGT3vMJGA1lDT5bJHq/s551/Screenshot%202024-03-14%20162404.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="551" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohXzZQ8SZ3ARQjVORIEGMfuuEmmYs3p1qOjcc-WOGFf531SXoKi4mqacKkh7OLUUYIDerTX2kSMH7Ps3PccPjDuXe5gbgX6-trUzS4eUDiTJJsxvTCUEfPyZ56T1TX5vxvGWYMlbc0PNZQAY9C0II6kRbuUbc1yZEoe1omjhAL6KGT3vMJGA1lDT5bJHq/w640-h218/Screenshot%202024-03-14%20162404.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpZsOo6ZFCCSILpxvQkmxmSMDOUEpLzRTTB-UunizNtzzfLIB9AHvCSLTVzlvjX3E5lDuMkVQtBDdB1N6rsNo5iSncThPYTzR32OWMLAZbUWsJ0IA2e_J8RK1sIBIsRFK8_GFoKO_9gbRr0OR18OgNOtvaRakY5CO88Go9w6N9ycGs9nFXoXap0MOIB5f/s842/Screenshot%202024-03-14%20162359.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="547" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpZsOo6ZFCCSILpxvQkmxmSMDOUEpLzRTTB-UunizNtzzfLIB9AHvCSLTVzlvjX3E5lDuMkVQtBDdB1N6rsNo5iSncThPYTzR32OWMLAZbUWsJ0IA2e_J8RK1sIBIsRFK8_GFoKO_9gbRr0OR18OgNOtvaRakY5CO88Go9w6N9ycGs9nFXoXap0MOIB5f/w260-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-14%20162359.png" width="260" /></a></div><br /></b></div><b>Written by: Jeremy Adams<br />Art by: Xermánico<br />Colors by: Romulo Fajardo Jr.<br />Letters by: Dave Sharpe<br />Cover art by: Steve Beach<br />Cover price: $4.99<br />Release date: March 12, 2024</b><br /><br /><div>Green Lantern #9 uncovers the truth behind Hal's new ring when he crosses paths with an old friend who leads him to a failsafe and a new era for the Green Lantern Corps.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><b>Is Green Lantern #9 Good?</b><br /><br />Yes, this is better. Jeremy Adams has done his level best to get the Green Lanterns back on track after the wonkiness of Thorne's run. While the series got off to a slow but promising start, interrupted by the ill-conceived Knight Terrors, now we're hitting a stride that makes sense and promises clear potential in Green Lantern #9.<br /><br />When last we left Hal Jordan, his search for answers about his mysterious new ring led to a temporary partnering with Razer, the revelation that Lantern Batteries across the galaxy are being destroyed, that UP Lanterns can change colors, and that Madame Xanadu's hoodoo voodoo contains a clue about where to go next. It was a little messy and rushed, but Adams got all the info out.<br /><br /></div><div>Now, Hal flies to South America to track down the source of his ring's power. There, he encounters longtime GL ally Tom Kalmaku and current New Guardian, who shows Hal what he's been searching for. The Guardians of OA placed a Green Lantern Battery and a new set of rings in a secret cavern deep underground to begin a new Green Lantern Corps on Earth if Oa should ever fall. Humans have an "excess of Will," according to the Guardians, so starting a new Corps on Earth with all the Earth-based Lanterns now has a place, a purpose, and a design.<br /><br />Hal uses his new (permanent) ring to head to Oa to warn the UP about potential rogue guardians who can shift their colors. He's captured by overwhelming numbers and brought to the Science Cells for a hearing, but he's soon rescued by probably the next GL up for recruitment - Jo Mullein.<br /><br />What's great about Green Lantern #9? For a while now, the Green Lantern titles have suffered under brokenness and uncertainty about the status of the Corps and the assortment of Lanterns. This issue goes a long way toward answering the current questions and "fixing" the pre-existing problems that make writing current Green Lantern stories so difficult. The answers are good. Clarity is good. Combined, Adams establishes a new status quo that's ripe with storytelling possibilities.<br /><br />What's not so great about Green Lantern #9? Tom Kalmaku's return feels shortchanged. If you think it's not a big deal, it's not so much that Tom is the greatest character ever who needs a dedicated series but that Tom's presence as a New Guardian should be explained more than "I did my part, so I'm going home now." What does it mean to be a New Guardian? Is there a new connection between the Green and the new Battery? Shouldn't Tom be spearheading the establishment of a new Council of Guardians? Why bring Tom in just to discard him almost immediately? It's a wasted opportunity.<br /><br />How's the art? Excellent. I'd be surprised to ever see a bad panel from Xermánico, so you're in good hands. The visuals pop, the acting is on-point, and the ring-slinging looks great.<br /><br />Backup Story<br /><br />If you like eight pages of Jessica Cruz talking like she's a middle school TikTok influencer from Southern California, you can skip it without missing anything.<br /><br /><br /></div><div>About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><b><u><br />Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />Green Lantern #9 is the issue that pays off what's been lacking in this series - meaningful answers. With a new status quo for all GLs and badly needed canon fixes, Adams is on the right track to get the Green Lanterns back to their place of prominence in the galaxy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">8.5/10</span></b></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-9789845535914307022024-03-12T11:02:00.001-04:002024-03-12T11:02:05.265-04:00Action Comics #1063 Review<div><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkfJsZD9ntTa-drQO0zML1qS8F6943lbTZuZns2ZOo5OMIszs1Hhud8LALO7CejMtNIK4HOS-nyUj8eKY7270966DntJvog9va6477rQWoDAS8NV0QfublhK8MAHBlKCrutEo7krlaa6nWnKICqQEmvS8rf3uWx_S8YNSwARM3CIgJNHxcQWZpg1jmxaq/s564/Screenshot%202024-03-12%20105817.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="564" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkfJsZD9ntTa-drQO0zML1qS8F6943lbTZuZns2ZOo5OMIszs1Hhud8LALO7CejMtNIK4HOS-nyUj8eKY7270966DntJvog9va6477rQWoDAS8NV0QfublhK8MAHBlKCrutEo7krlaa6nWnKICqQEmvS8rf3uWx_S8YNSwARM3CIgJNHxcQWZpg1jmxaq/w640-h256/Screenshot%202024-03-12%20105817.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1cwewAU0DH9Hbug89k_Enh-imO83bOFH-5_eMeaY7Ua6avT0_qFiTihZs-oLYNLocT0k1mkQtfmhXNnQcZ6R4uUTFnLYQPpvAeZt7elSVDCDNcbbpE8Lb8YlnL0HW1eNT6jVJq3UKTZxvNMuU2nuVdSy3swfaSLqFMBJKEx0-VreM8Szv5vnwNIpO_AE/s868/Screenshot%202024-03-12%20105813.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1cwewAU0DH9Hbug89k_Enh-imO83bOFH-5_eMeaY7Ua6avT0_qFiTihZs-oLYNLocT0k1mkQtfmhXNnQcZ6R4uUTFnLYQPpvAeZt7elSVDCDNcbbpE8Lb8YlnL0HW1eNT6jVJq3UKTZxvNMuU2nuVdSy3swfaSLqFMBJKEx0-VreM8Szv5vnwNIpO_AE/w260-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-12%20105813.png" width="260" /></a></div><br /></b></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Written by: Jason Aaron<br />Art by: John Timms<br />Colors by: Rex Lokus<br />Letters by: Dave Sharpe<br />Cover art by: John Timms<br />Cover price: $4.99<br />Release date: March 12, 2024</b><br /><br />Action Comics #1063 concludes the I, Bizarro... arc when Superman must defeat the shard of Bizarro trying to take over his mind, and the only person powerful enough to help is... the Joker?!?<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><b>Is Action Comics #1063 Good?</b><br /><br />Action Comics #1063 works, until it doesn't, which means the concerns about Jason Aaron moving to DC from Marvel have merit. Regardless, the issue ends Bizarro's magical attempt to take over the world with a climactic battle that leaves Superman worse for wear, but the battle isn't decided the way you might suspect.<br /><br /> When last we left the Man of Steel, his attempts to stop the magically-fueled Bizarro "virus" failed. The entire world soon fell infected, turning everyone into Bizarro versions of themselves. Fortunately, that means the craziest villain alive is now the sanest hero alive and ready to help Superman - the Joker.<br /><br /> Now, the Joker keeps the swarming mob of Bizarro-fied citizens away from Superman as Big Blue battles the shard of Bizarro infection in his mind for control of his body. After a titanic display of fisticuffs, the battle isn't decided by Superman's indomitable will but by an Earth-moving speech by the Joker that stirs Superman to fight on. Ultimately, Superman wrests control of his body and the shard of Bizarro's mind to get at the spell that created this mess and undo it.<br /><br /> Within minutes, all is set right, but the status of the Bizarro shard within Superman's mind is unknown.<br /><br /> "Wait! Do you mean Joker's speech turned the tide? That's the big wow moment???" Yep, my friend. As I said, this issue works until it doesn't in typical Jason Aaron fashion.<br /><br /> What's great about Action Comics #1063? If you want big, powerful, hard-hitting Superman action, you get it. The issue is essentially one long fight so action-hungry readers will have a lot to like.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Action Comics #1063? Turning the tide with a Joker speech is a downer, especially because you never hear it and are simply told that it was good. The aftermath is cleaned up much too easily, and the lack of resolution about Bizarro's whereabouts inside Superman's mind lessens the satisfaction level.<br /><br /> In short, readers with a short span and an inability to look beyond superficial flashiness will love this issue. Everyone else will be let down.<br /><br /> How's the art? John Timms's art is the consistent bright spot in this issue. The action-packed visuals are thrilling, and the linework is first-rate. Plus, Rex Lokus's colors are excellent.<br /><br /><br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />Action Comics #1063 ends the I, Bizarro... arc with a mixed bag of excellent art and eye-catching action with poor story choices. The Joker's anti-climactic involvement and the hasty resolution are a bummer.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">6.8/10</span></b></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-23841195602605749022024-03-12T10:59:00.002-04:002024-03-12T10:59:21.087-04:00Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #6 Review<div><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYrWTajuoYf6RHyeqFfDWn_tpYXuU0GiGwwIqANBCI-AtpjIL3M4wpoMmFafsUgna9ndv4d_cMxPljwOaO9gHcYJl8UGNgPA6jaJB8KAr0DOTvJ2NdDfXeLbVIos5H1FytcBWUrz4TxaBimFpweK9vGNXN8cKLdp3bwNHNi6ajJczuHF6YBUzoPllAjPs/s570/Screenshot%202024-03-12%20105802.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="570" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYrWTajuoYf6RHyeqFfDWn_tpYXuU0GiGwwIqANBCI-AtpjIL3M4wpoMmFafsUgna9ndv4d_cMxPljwOaO9gHcYJl8UGNgPA6jaJB8KAr0DOTvJ2NdDfXeLbVIos5H1FytcBWUrz4TxaBimFpweK9vGNXN8cKLdp3bwNHNi6ajJczuHF6YBUzoPllAjPs/w640-h242/Screenshot%202024-03-12%20105802.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbhTHWTif_Y0UDo57DCoZ_kGxS6ysFKUbEPI_hbrtwmaz8JiGNOzGYeMvnw-xpcymhTAl3VoUUjUJFWI9IkXMvAtizD4p9A4SHe3C8mZAjqf-r-3f8rLx67-BNxNQyWMdwjXJK7mi3iIFjtujAOUrY7v1_c-KViItNJSPHSClFUemixzGe0PshdoU6ea8/s864/Screenshot%202024-03-12%20105758.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbhTHWTif_Y0UDo57DCoZ_kGxS6ysFKUbEPI_hbrtwmaz8JiGNOzGYeMvnw-xpcymhTAl3VoUUjUJFWI9IkXMvAtizD4p9A4SHe3C8mZAjqf-r-3f8rLx67-BNxNQyWMdwjXJK7mi3iIFjtujAOUrY7v1_c-KViItNJSPHSClFUemixzGe0PshdoU6ea8/w261-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-12%20105758.png" width="261" /></a></div><br /></b></div><b>Written by: Robert Venditti<br />Art by: Riley Rossmo<br />Colors by: Ivan Plascencia<br />Letters by: Tom Napolitano<br />Cover art by: Riley Rossmo<br />Cover price: $3.99<br />Release date: March 12, 2024</b><br /><br />Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #6 ends the mini-series with a final, fateful, fatal confrontation between Wesley and the man intent on murdering the world.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><b>Is Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #6 Good?</b><br /><br />Robert Venditti brings it all home as Wesley Dodds confronts Vanderlyle in a mano-a-mano showdown in Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #6. As final battles go, it's not one Wesley will soon forget.<br /><br /> When last we left Wesley Dodds, he interrogated Col. Breckinridge to learn the conspiracy to steal Sandman's research was designed to give America the lethal edge needed to end any war. Wesley turned Breckinridge into the authorities, but not before he learned the name of the second mastermind - Vanderlyle.<br /><br /> Now, the Sandman crashes through a window to interrupt Vanderlyle's attempt to kidnap Humphries, leading to a brutal fight that ends the deadly gas plan for good. However, the final blow does not come from who you might think.<br /><br /> What's great about Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #6? Venditti doesn't hold back with a brutal, emotionally charged fight that challenges Wesley's convictions. You could argue that an issue-long fight doesn't leave much room for anything else, but in this case, it works. Plus, the last few pages have multiple cameos to stir anticipation for what might come next.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #6? For a superhero, Dodds is a lousy fighter against an opponent who should be an older, slower man. He shouldn't have taken the savage beating he did.<br /><br /> How about the art? Riley Rossmo's art style is certainly an acquired taste. Admittedly, this series is the least wonky presentation of Rossmo's work compared to his previous runs (Tim Drake, Harley Quinn), so casual readers shouldn't be too put off. That said, Rossmo presents a JSA splash panel on the last page that's, to be generous, disappointing.<br /><br /> Overall, this was a fun throwback series to pulp, crime noir adventures of early Hollywood. Venditti has the chops to pull off a JSA series that, with a better artist, could craft something special.<br /><br /><br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #6 ends the mini-series the best way it could with a climactic fight to decide the fate of the world, couched in a battle of philosophies and wills. Venditti proves he's just the guy to carry an OG JSA title, but Rossmo's art is best suited for other things.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><b>8/10</b></span></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-69063279394182807932024-03-08T12:46:00.001-05:002024-03-11T19:07:46.391-04:00Shazam! #9 Review<div><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f5M7lFG53n8bwiS8j7fkl7Oato-fuiEbjHFdC-Qu0GY6jOLFupMWd_AfOYXl4SUbjj25vq8HhQblsnuWN7uosSnSsontoz2NQZmOuKSydB67pCZEecWWNd3NP9CoTo10HF9G7NWdnxSZlHo9-XCw5FLzOXM7x3ck136NkdPvUW4n_FKX5QB8btotmtXd/s541/Screenshot%202024-03-08%20124518.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="541" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f5M7lFG53n8bwiS8j7fkl7Oato-fuiEbjHFdC-Qu0GY6jOLFupMWd_AfOYXl4SUbjj25vq8HhQblsnuWN7uosSnSsontoz2NQZmOuKSydB67pCZEecWWNd3NP9CoTo10HF9G7NWdnxSZlHo9-XCw5FLzOXM7x3ck136NkdPvUW4n_FKX5QB8btotmtXd/w640-h312/Screenshot%202024-03-08%20124518.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczpYWmwSszN5YsvTGXMTqcQPpAfTQy2AJWWdOWZeaPUkcyJolcRRTw1VqfevIAsSOTADSFBY5YRVOqDH_B1yXl_d6DYv_jEDokGjYmvFVBYgSmXLy4tvwWmMjL78c4nVoaHPaesF7Sc1urLOdDNaFTwcSlXDy1j8W10DRXwdhIL8JmXjZoJMdMByWrvw0/s844/Screenshot%202024-03-08%20124513.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="542" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczpYWmwSszN5YsvTGXMTqcQPpAfTQy2AJWWdOWZeaPUkcyJolcRRTw1VqfevIAsSOTADSFBY5YRVOqDH_B1yXl_d6DYv_jEDokGjYmvFVBYgSmXLy4tvwWmMjL78c4nVoaHPaesF7Sc1urLOdDNaFTwcSlXDy1j8W10DRXwdhIL8JmXjZoJMdMByWrvw0/w256-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-08%20124513.png" width="256" /></a></div><br /></b></div><b>Written by: Mark Waid<br />Art by: Emanuela Lupacchino<br />Colors by: Trish Mulvihill<br />Letters by: Troy Peteri<br />Cover art by: Dan Mora<br />Cover price: $3.99<br />Release date: May 5, 2024</b><div><br />Shazam! #9 puts Billy Batson in hot water when Jack Ryder reveals he knows the secret identity of Shazam. Little does Billy know that Ryder has a secret identity of his own, and he could use the Captain's help.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><b>Is Shazam! #9 Good?</b><br /><br />Shazam #9 is a fun, slightly silly, and basic one-and-done story that details the first meeting between The Captain (I still say Major Marvel works better) and The Creeper, both in their civilian and superhero personas.<br /><br />When last we left "The Captain," he wrapped up a three-way conflict between himself, Black Adam, and an alien race of dinosaurs intent on retrieving one of their own who defected to Earth. After an impassioned plea to Zeus for help, everything was set right, including Billy's house, but Zeus may have made a few alterations to set the stage for future problems.<br /><br />Now, Bill Batson is astonished to get booked on Jack Ryder's national show to talk about his blog that follows The Captain and, occasionally, Metamorpho. When the segment ends Ryder pulls Billy aside and tricks him into saying the magic words that transform him into The Captain. To put Billy's panic at ease, Ryder reveals he's also the Creeper and he needs The Captain's help to track down an ethereal criminal named Shadow Thief. The Creeper leads The Captain to a passenger train where a delegation of World Economics Leaders is taken hostage by Shadow Thief, so it's up to the world's unlikeliest superhero duo to save the day.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="351" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nfrMqymRkos" width="479" youtube-src-id="nfrMqymRkos"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Watch our Shazam! #9 Video Review</i></b></div><div><br /><br /><div>What's great about Shazam! #9? Waid delivers a super-quick one-and-done that serves as a serviceable jumping-on point for new readers to get to know The Creeper. The Captain shares equal page space and does most of the work, but The Creeper's personality and modus operandi come through loud and clear. The plot is clear, simple, and a fun little adventure to distract you from the weight of the world.<br /><br />What's not so great about Shazam! #9? Waid's script suffers in two spots. First, the pacing in the first third to half of the issue drags more than necessary. The interview between Ryder and Billy is meant to show how superficial Ryder is when it comes to manufacturing attention and controversy, but it drags on way too long. At the very least, Ryder's views on creating controversy could have been peppered throughout the dialog to get to the action sooner.<br /><br />Second, Shadow Thief's defeat and capture were way too quick and easy. If all it took was a super bright light, then Waid didn't really set up why The Creeper reached out to The Captain in the first place. In short, the resolution undercuts the setup.<br /><br />How's the Art? Of course, I still pine for Dan Mora's exquisite visuals, but Emanuela Lupacchino's art hits the nail on the head in this issue. Creeper's figure work is excellent, the Shadow Thief is creepily presented (as he should be), and Mulvihill's color application is outstanding.<br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.</div><div><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a></div><div><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br /></div><div>Shazam! #9 is a fun little break from DC's typically morose storytelling for a breezy, one-and-done pairing of The Captain with The Creeper. New readers will find this issue a great jumping-on point to learn about The Creeper, and the art is excellent, but the fight to capture an ethereal villain gets shortchanged in favor of a slow start.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">6.8/10</span></b></div></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-13000382197535134972024-03-07T15:20:00.000-05:002024-03-07T15:20:29.928-05:00The Bat-Man: First Knight #1 Review<div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqT6UV3Qa6nnEbYeuGpw8ryRSGWUmBmMcyF6IApgV65jmPVPlFe-gTaG09Ty2Zgazp90H4qeHDyb0HZ1SWicljUqZaPYpPvY8b-zriZDQ1UOVVV5pARyL6sD-pKH4W5VuYWOst67oejUl3O88XLhkJnoH_hPdSlSdMsCFaoh6kZ6IN0HYFQUFgHxSjd_Bs/s395/Screenshot%202024-03-07%20151638.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="395" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqT6UV3Qa6nnEbYeuGpw8ryRSGWUmBmMcyF6IApgV65jmPVPlFe-gTaG09Ty2Zgazp90H4qeHDyb0HZ1SWicljUqZaPYpPvY8b-zriZDQ1UOVVV5pARyL6sD-pKH4W5VuYWOst67oejUl3O88XLhkJnoH_hPdSlSdMsCFaoh6kZ6IN0HYFQUFgHxSjd_Bs/w640-h282/Screenshot%202024-03-07%20151638.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3F25qIJk0Dt0YIdyfIGU5kKpms43Ocu_mHaQehbfcDyHl0AUJzfF6xcK-QpfCoMXjupvCS1LwZgnIgnYC5ZNEclLjL8eIvP4oCE133DD0OiBF6KOAYaYXUNpL7Kau58uZ3HoULjWv4cgBtXVt_3Vo7cOkDMYNja4G-zZ2LbLrT6j0w7U2Vv277NDytc2/s769/large-3776554%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3F25qIJk0Dt0YIdyfIGU5kKpms43Ocu_mHaQehbfcDyHl0AUJzfF6xcK-QpfCoMXjupvCS1LwZgnIgnYC5ZNEclLjL8eIvP4oCE133DD0OiBF6KOAYaYXUNpL7Kau58uZ3HoULjWv4cgBtXVt_3Vo7cOkDMYNja4G-zZ2LbLrT6j0w7U2Vv277NDytc2/w313-h400/large-3776554%20(1).jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br /></div><b>Written by: Dan Jurgens<br />Art by: Mike Perkins<br />Colors by: Mike Spicer<br />Letters by: Simon Bowland<br />Cover art by: Mike Perkins<br />Cover price: $6.99<br />Release date: March 5, 2024</b><br /><br />The Bat-Man: First Knight #1 reimagines Batman's origins in Gotham City at the advent of WWII when superstrong killers are sent out to murder Gotham's political leaders.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><b>Is The Bat-Man: First Knight #1 Good?</b><br /><br />I'll be the first to say there are too many Batman books on the LCS shelves. That said, The Bat-Man: First Knight #1 is a pleasant change of pace that gives readers a Year One feel in a period piece context with loads of grit, crime noir charm, and atmosphere. But for one or two stumbles, this issue is a great start.<br /><br /> Dan Jurgens's script takes readers back to the early days of Bat-Man when he was just an urban myth whispered about by gossip rags and Gotham City's superstitious underbelly. As America draws closer to participating in WWII, Gotham's political leaders are turning up murdered in brutal ways.<br /><br /> Bruce Wayne, working out of an abandoned warehouse and butler-free, deduces the next victim will be the mayor. When the Dark Knight surprises the killers in the middle of their next murder, Bat-Man stops the murder and learns, to his surprise, that the superhumanly strong killers were once executed criminals from Blackgate Penitentiary.<br /><br /> Bat-Man checks in on the latest execution about to take place to intervene in whatever body snatching might take place, but he's surprised by the prison guards and strapped to the electric chair for execution.<br /><br /> What's great about The Bat-Man: First Knight #1? Dan Jurgens successfully captures a Gotham City stretched to the breaking point. Citizens are still adapting to a world of change, starting from WWI, dovetailing into the Great Depression, and now, leading into another Great War. The atmosphere of tension is so thick, you could scoop it up with a spoon, and the Bat-Man is presented as a lone, determined figure trying to make a difference.<br /><br /> What's not so great about The Bat-Man: First Knight #1. Two rough spots detract from an otherwise stellar comic. First, Bat-Man takes brief refuge in a Synagogue while his undead killers are in hot pursuit. The urgency of the moment suddenly plunges when the Rabbi and Bat-man have a friendly chitchat about the troubles Jews endured in Nazi Germany. Uhh, maybe now's not the time, Rabbi.<br /><br /> Second, the ending strains credibility. Bat-Man is surprised and overwhelmed by prison guards, which is an authentic outcome, but the warden arbitrarily decides to have Bat-Man strapped to the electric chair and the switch thrown in full view of police and witnesses. The creative team put so much effort into making this comic authentic, grounded, and gritty, but that last moment is ridiculously over-the-top silliness by comparison. Yes, you want the cliffhanger to be a wow moment, but the last moment is just plain unbelievable.<br /><br /> How's the art? Truthfully, I was concerned when the Mikes were announced for this title. Their work on Swamp Thing was underwhelming, but I'll give credit where credit is due. The artwork here matches the tone, style, and substance of Jurgens's script perfectly. Yes, Perkins relies on an excessive amount of photo references and 3-D models, but the integration works well, and Spicer is showing a better range of color usage here than in Swamp Thing. Overall, it looks good.<br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />The Bat-Man: First Knight #1 is the bee's knees and exactly what you want out of a Black Label title. Jurgens nails the simmering tension of Gotham City at the time of global upheaval, and the art captures the gritty, crime noir atmosphere perfectly. Except for one or two minor stumbles, this issue is an excellent start.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>8.5/10</b></span></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-17900505348903249212024-03-05T19:01:00.007-05:002024-03-05T21:45:39.599-05:00Kneel Before Zod #3 Review<div><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAHNgwQGen5ydSO6hd7kKL05LVJPv13Gt7iESEa0POhRIsnLjMIE3eFrFMJNR5VfnqZSn3wVtFYrix9wD00naUqc7BzUbsReevCbWTf8JfHXMQRuF-Xl_djcySj0gX5nN1AoZKe49kMq6redptv7GCrw_8mT49lUEOlmYMAJ3fEJ4BVr7bfjjn2_Agzhf/s554/Screenshot%202024-03-05%20190046.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="554" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAHNgwQGen5ydSO6hd7kKL05LVJPv13Gt7iESEa0POhRIsnLjMIE3eFrFMJNR5VfnqZSn3wVtFYrix9wD00naUqc7BzUbsReevCbWTf8JfHXMQRuF-Xl_djcySj0gX5nN1AoZKe49kMq6redptv7GCrw_8mT49lUEOlmYMAJ3fEJ4BVr7bfjjn2_Agzhf/w640-h304/Screenshot%202024-03-05%20190046.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuRNS6_BE-tyuWzFljtp1_kU4vIl8-J9ujyQBvkvxUU33eWlhqZWHX3RgRE_heAWujDlublqthlJEi2nIY5h8_5yBQ8bwF1amV9SIiXhvKHUDT6JnX4HOPZEkfTDyCmoz6WnorM-djCaYUSkXQiFWxp5YquA-TLZU7opwArffN_CmwTSvg85AD7GYXl98/s853/Screenshot%202024-03-05%20190037.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="555" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuRNS6_BE-tyuWzFljtp1_kU4vIl8-J9ujyQBvkvxUU33eWlhqZWHX3RgRE_heAWujDlublqthlJEi2nIY5h8_5yBQ8bwF1amV9SIiXhvKHUDT6JnX4HOPZEkfTDyCmoz6WnorM-djCaYUSkXQiFWxp5YquA-TLZU7opwArffN_CmwTSvg85AD7GYXl98/w260-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-05%20190037.png" width="260" /></a></div><br /></b></div><b>Written by: Joe Casey<br />Art by: Dan McDaid<br />Colors by: David Baron<br />Letters by: Troy Peteri<br />Cover art by: Jason Shawn Alexander<br />Cover price: $3.99<br />Release date: March 5, 2024</b><br /><br /><div>Kneel Before Zod #3 brings the pain to New Kandor when the Khunds's invasion attempt leads to the detonation of a devastating weapon.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><b>Is Kneel Before Zod #3 Good?</b><br /><br />Kneel Before Zod #3 is just okay, excluding a wow-ish moment on the last page. Joe Casey's tale of General Zod's trials and tragedies on his new home planet puts the Superman villain through the wringer, but the main criticism from the first two issues remains.<br /><br /> When last we left General Zod, he got a chastising lecture from his wife, Ursa, to man up and send the invading Khunds packing. Now, the two Kryptonians lay waste to the Khund invaders when the Khund battleship in orbit launches a barrage of chem-eclipse missiles (that they just so happen to have on board) that change the local sun from yellow to red., temporarily rendering the Kryptonians helpless. Zod takes a beating but survives long enough to wait out the sun's return to yellow, but when he searches for Ursa in the chaos, he finds she wasn't so lucky.<br /><br /> Death in modern Western Periodical comics is regularly reversible, so it's unlikely Ursa's apparent death will stick. However, the discovery of Ursa's body hits Zod hard, so you feel the gravity of that moment.<br /><br /> What's great about Kneel Before Zod #3? You get plenty of action fit for two Kryptonians against an invading army. In fact, the entire issue is one long battle, so if you're tired of supers standing around and talking, you're in for a reprieve.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Kneel Before Zod 3? The positive could also be seen as negative. This issue is nothing but a big fight with a death (maybe) at the end. Plot-wise, there's no meat on this bone.<br /><br />Further, the lack of plot development, direction, purpose, and momentum is a persistent problem with this series. We don't know what super-weapon Zod is building, what it does, or why he's building it. Zod is a perennial villain, so we don't know why we should care about what he's doing or the stakes of his success/failure. In short, we've not yet been given a reason to care about any character in this story or their journey, which is a fundamental flaw that needs fixing.<br /><br /> How's the art? Energetic but rough. Dan McDaid gives readers strong fight choreography and plenty of dramatic panels, but the details are lacking, and the figure proportions are off in a few spots.<br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br />Bits and Pieces:<br /><br /></div><div>Kneel Before Zod #3 delivers an issue-long fight that ends in a bitter victory. If all you want is to see two Kryptonians destroy an invading army, you're in luck. But if you want a series that gives you a reason to care about the main characters, look elsewhere.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">6/10</span></b></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-86194364181470570252024-03-05T10:11:00.003-05:002024-03-08T16:51:46.130-05:00Birds Of Prey #7 Review<div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK4njo4Q4TdmgfBwU2kBxTe1z-xai1mxfBOSn7A0Eky2xcE7wPbx8A5CsO48JCrK4xpZ0Kk8dhO72rZQCCtpm8h_zE0MFSV4A6IAetMyu8Y4xhmziKXoZawWjaYKCO4En85wCWlMhCaGGj3NCKBGV1LWs_LrYCdCi7sc-duqTjs1kB_V4lanPL4DioIum/s559/Screenshot%202024-03-05%20100959.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="559" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK4njo4Q4TdmgfBwU2kBxTe1z-xai1mxfBOSn7A0Eky2xcE7wPbx8A5CsO48JCrK4xpZ0Kk8dhO72rZQCCtpm8h_zE0MFSV4A6IAetMyu8Y4xhmziKXoZawWjaYKCO4En85wCWlMhCaGGj3NCKBGV1LWs_LrYCdCi7sc-duqTjs1kB_V4lanPL4DioIum/w640-h300/Screenshot%202024-03-05%20100959.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhongXkPpsKvQaNqvmO_PRkUtbV81iOup1_VpmKRzoeDUudtO0RcDpgmsGjUThEE_q4rwEAmk5vfzfeXYVkQq9prdKkvEGoKc67d6R2XF7Xv94UJK6RwpaFqZg9ARM1_4VB5mpY0NKl9_rkFKwiT2tfhlTL51MuptjEoZxDGpbzRMdz4e3TQDaxBAhq5P4z/s858/Screenshot%202024-03-05%20100952.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="553" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhongXkPpsKvQaNqvmO_PRkUtbV81iOup1_VpmKRzoeDUudtO0RcDpgmsGjUThEE_q4rwEAmk5vfzfeXYVkQq9prdKkvEGoKc67d6R2XF7Xv94UJK6RwpaFqZg9ARM1_4VB5mpY0NKl9_rkFKwiT2tfhlTL51MuptjEoZxDGpbzRMdz4e3TQDaxBAhq5P4z/w258-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-05%20100952.png" width="258" /></a></div><br /></div><b>Written by: Kelly Thompson<br />Art by: Javier Pina<br />Colors by: Jordie Bellaire<br />Letters by: Clayton Cowles<br />Cover art by: Leonardo Romero, Jordie Bellaire<br />Cover price: $3.99<br />Release date: March 5, 2024</b><br /><br />Birds Of Prey #7 begins the hunt for a time traveler who may be targeting the Birds of Prey, past and present. How far will the team go undercover to get to the truth?<span><a name='more'></a></span><br />Is Birds Of Prey #7 Good?<br /><br />Birds Of Prey #7 is a weird comic. It's not necessarily terrible, but it doesn't do anything to grab you. Several points aren't explained or don't make sense, but the negatives aren't as off-putting as the first arc, so at least this issue is an improvement... maybe.<br /><br /> When last we left the Birds OF Prey (BoP), Meridian, aka Maps from the future, hand-waived the rationale behind why Oracle couldn't be involved in the first mission and several other glaring plot flaws using the magic of foreknowledge from the future. In every path the BoPs could have taken, Barbara Gordon dies, so Meridian jumps to the massive conclusion that a time traveler is manipulating the timeline to get at the BoP.<br /><br /> Now, Meridian hands Barbara, aka Oracle, a massive amount of time traveler data so Barbara can find a pattern to the time manipulation (because Oracle's technology is somehow more effective than advanced tech from Meridian's future?). Oracle deduces Meridian's time travel tech taps in the Green and that a similar series of "spikes" appears in the Red.<br /><br /> In need of expert advice about the Red (because Meridian apparently has no access to knowledge of the Red or the events unfolding now?), the BoP enlists Mari McCabe, aka Vixen, for help. However, Vixen has a problem of her own when she recently woke up in the middle of a mansion while trying to rob it. Dinah believes Vixen's recent trouble may also be connected to the Red, so Vixen hatches a plan to draw the time-traveling troublemaker out of hiding by sending the BoP undercover as runway models for a lingerie fashion show(?).<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ams5LyRA6C8" width="467" youtube-src-id="ams5LyRA6C8"></iframe></div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Watch our Birds of Prey #7 Video Review</i></b></div><br /> What's great about Birds Of Prey #7? Putting the plot aside, Thompson infuses the interaction between the team members with a certain easy charm and chemistry. They like and respect each other, and it shows.<br /><br /> What's great about Birds Of Prey #7? Thompson's plot is a wacky jumble of plot developments that come out of nowhere with little explanation or setup, ranging from mildly annoying to serious.<br /><br /> On the mildly annoying side, we find Barda, Cass, and Megaera/Sin in fight training, but we don't know where or what they're doing. You could eventually figure out they're fight training in a laser tag arena, but it's not clear. A simple location caption should have cleared up several minor annoyances like this one.<br /><br />Growing in seriousness, why doesn't Meridian know anything about what's happening? She's from the future and uses advanced tech she built, so why does she need Oracle's help to figure out what's happening? Why doesn't Meridian know anything about the Red? How is Oracle in a better position to analyze Meridian's time travel data than Meridian?<br /><br /> Finally, what on Earth does a lingerie fashion show have to do with the Red or finding a potentially malicious time traveler? Yes, the issue ends on the runway show as a cliffhanger, but this feels like an excuse for the BoP to play dress-up, which is not how anyone should hit the ground running in a new arc when the previous finale stumbled so badly.<br /><br /> Collectively, Thompson is not thinking things through. A problem or scenario crops up, but Thompson doesn't put in the work to explain what happened or make the reader believe why a character would go left instead of right or make choice A instead of B.<br /><br /> How's the art? It's better. Leonardo Romero's style is not suitable for action-oriented superhero comics., so moving to Javier Pina is an improvement. That said, Jordie Bellaire's persistent use of diffraction to make it seem like the coloring is out of sync is still weird and mildly off-putting. Experimentation has its place, but not when you're trying to get a rebooted title off the ground.<br /><br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><br /><b><u><br />Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />Birds Of Prey #7 is an oddball way to kick off a new arc. Meridian's placement as a time traveler makes little sense when she doesn't seem to know what's happening now (her past). The story jumps from scene to scene with little setup or transitions. Everyone jumps to huge conclusions that happen to be right, and Vixen's plan appears to be an excuse to play dress-up in skimpy outfits.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">5.5/10</span></b></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-63183081150534025032024-03-04T12:22:00.001-05:002024-03-08T16:50:22.811-05:00Batman #145 Review<div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYU7jk85T_vceaoRuXu_GJDI3wAOrE6qdyx9pyEuloyDtYAKGn4WdUWWjH4YDGNIgWr6TMmL6WMxacm5KwkqNyT8YeXpNHcFW9RtMU31-nDDQwEykF3-kP7CHf4feyx6lMtc8e-VbCJQDRBxda-MiugJ30erQqR2cAUoKTJQfTgcrfxg6kMBcdFK2Yx3C/s601/Screenshot%202024-03-04%20122058.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="601" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYU7jk85T_vceaoRuXu_GJDI3wAOrE6qdyx9pyEuloyDtYAKGn4WdUWWjH4YDGNIgWr6TMmL6WMxacm5KwkqNyT8YeXpNHcFW9RtMU31-nDDQwEykF3-kP7CHf4feyx6lMtc8e-VbCJQDRBxda-MiugJ30erQqR2cAUoKTJQfTgcrfxg6kMBcdFK2Yx3C/w640-h300/Screenshot%202024-03-04%20122058.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4bVwRmQqmRt1zDuBkq-HC-s-6p905NxiET6AaLtC85sYExe8XrdDp6BLGCSO6fqKj25fH2rnww3_c-1UIqwTSHCg1uV9TyypDejWWsoGxCe8RN4jMSAwT4BH1AN9G5F-8qKsnP4KSaO9DwokMHgLrI083xg9NyPBcGcJzFz_TZpeyeJy8c1aT9HuWUjh/s923/large-4886609%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4bVwRmQqmRt1zDuBkq-HC-s-6p905NxiET6AaLtC85sYExe8XrdDp6BLGCSO6fqKj25fH2rnww3_c-1UIqwTSHCg1uV9TyypDejWWsoGxCe8RN4jMSAwT4BH1AN9G5F-8qKsnP4KSaO9DwokMHgLrI083xg9NyPBcGcJzFz_TZpeyeJy8c1aT9HuWUjh/w260-h400/large-4886609%20(1).jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /></div>Written by: Chip Zdarsky<br />Art by: Jorge Jiménez<br />Colors by: Tomeu Morey<br />Letters by: Clayton Cowles<br />Cover art by: Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey<br />Cover price: $4.99<br />Release date: March 5, 2024<br /><br /><div>Batman #145 returns to the Failsafe conflict when Batman suits up with a harder, meaner edge against anyone who breaks the law in Gotham.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br />Is Batman #145 Good?<br /><br />Yes, Batman #145 generally works, except for one super-annoying problem that Chip Zdarsky and DC Editorial should have seen coming. What is that problem? Read on.<br /><br /> When last we left Batman, before the poorly-timed Joker: Year One arc, Failsafe returned after Zur-En-Arrh briefly took control of Bruce Wayne's body to win a brutally decisive fight against the Joker. Joker was left with a broken back, and Failsafe put a battered Batman in an adjoining jail cell, leading to the start of Joker's tall tale about his first year as the Clown Prince of Crime.<br /><br /> Now, with Joker's story finished, Bruce makes a strong attempt to escape his jail cell in the underbelly of Blackgate Prison. Meanwhile, Failsafe/Zur-En-Arrh assumes the mantle of Batman and begins an uncompromising takedown of Gotham's criminals while sweet-talking the Bat Family into believing he's really Bruce's consciousness uploaded into the Failsafe shell. Gotham citizens get a front-row seat to Batman in his most authoritarian phase yet... but is it really him?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="359" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vTVwuXi8o8c" width="479" youtube-src-id="vTVwuXi8o8c"></iframe></div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Watch our Batman #145 Video Review</i></b></div><br /> What's great about Batman #145? Except for the annoying problem, the issue is action-packed, fast-paced, dramatic, well-plotted, and intriguing. The positive aspects Zdarsky displayed in his writing when he first took over Batman and introduced Failsafe are on full display, so the issue feels like a return to (good) form.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Batman #145? On the first and last pages, we get a very clear pronouncement that the Joker: Year One story that interrupted the flow and momentum of this series is complete and utter bull hockey. It was all made up, and readers who paid money to get a more definitive take on Joker's first year have now been told that they got suckered by DC... again.<br /><br /> It's one thing to interrupt a series for a tie-in to an event or a cooldown for a side story. It's another to interrupt the series to tell a story about the same characters that appear to be a complete fabrication. How many times is DC going to waste its readers' time and money?<br /><br /> To be fair, the developments in this issue are potentially exciting, and the steps taken are clearly a setup for this coming Summer's Absolute Power event. That said, it would serve everyone greatly if DC would get its writing and scheduling act together.<br /><br /> How's the art? The big deal visual in this issue is Failsafe's new look as a cyborg version of Batman, and it looks great. Kudos to Jiménez for creating a "new" Batman that looks familiar from the shadows but is different enough close-up to be an intimidating thing that stands on its own.<br /><br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />Batman #145 delivers great art, action, pacing, and cool plot developments for a present threat to Batman and a future threat to the world in the forthcoming Absolute Power event. That said, this issue almost immediately invalidates the Joker: Year One arc, which means DC Editorial is doing a very poor job by wasting everyone's time and money.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;">7/10</b></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-9045273018885375802024-03-01T22:34:00.003-05:002024-03-01T22:34:56.339-05:00Could Heroes in Crisis Finally Lead to a Good Story?<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/cIptJh5ZUrQ?si=PI9fs-CLGfLaxQJK" width="480"></iframe></div>Jim Wernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12307419602315578911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-45441482945732451892024-03-01T00:24:00.001-05:002024-03-01T00:24:08.791-05:00Batman: The Brave And The Bold #10 Review<div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fLCOS9Q5HAmu04Uc0Y8ef_Yml8mX5vSbJULEDcRirHDMrSrvLF_5J8HMhHYlxU-Gmhgxr96eQxkYt_Ygx_xa6BulviP-WFQxvH7Dwl-1DBUWBKrJ3HCG8z9I8_yW2fSOFYxCvJeH430uM8soChQdNFjKLg-oHD3ssYF5bLJV2WDbykD6gPTCG_VV4ljf/s613/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20002206.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="613" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fLCOS9Q5HAmu04Uc0Y8ef_Yml8mX5vSbJULEDcRirHDMrSrvLF_5J8HMhHYlxU-Gmhgxr96eQxkYt_Ygx_xa6BulviP-WFQxvH7Dwl-1DBUWBKrJ3HCG8z9I8_yW2fSOFYxCvJeH430uM8soChQdNFjKLg-oHD3ssYF5bLJV2WDbykD6gPTCG_VV4ljf/w640-h318/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20002206.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TAB5y-J7xhbua0RdC5ZtfXabGKTvOT_VU00THKwOCWiW7sqm_G2GOEFUAhGg8pvlbJPXAjxS6uc552c-RB2is6u5m7UUYz2VMgGgK4_2Oy66S0CG-BlaXM9YZEK4twZVk3MvriHC78W20def6PS43N6tRhUCJ81MP98KCRVjkmBLNrlwxIiVe1-nwACp/s940/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20002157.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="613" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TAB5y-J7xhbua0RdC5ZtfXabGKTvOT_VU00THKwOCWiW7sqm_G2GOEFUAhGg8pvlbJPXAjxS6uc552c-RB2is6u5m7UUYz2VMgGgK4_2Oy66S0CG-BlaXM9YZEK4twZVk3MvriHC78W20def6PS43N6tRhUCJ81MP98KCRVjkmBLNrlwxIiVe1-nwACp/w261-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20002157.png" width="261" /></a></div><br /></div><b>Written by: Karl Keschel, Delilah S. Dawson, Matt Harding, Torunn Grønbekk, Dan Watters<br />Art by: Karl Keschel, Serg Acuña, George Kambadais, Mike Henderson, Tom Derenick, Ricardo López Ortiz<br />Colors by: Msassyk, Matt Herms, Adam Guzowski, Lee Loughridge, Ricardo López Ortiz<br />Letters by: Steve Wands, Dave Sharpe, Troy Peteri<br />Cover art by: Simone Di Meo<br />Cover price: $7.99<br />Release date: February 27, 2024</b><br /><br /><div>Batman: The Brave And The Bold #10 presents five chapters of action, adventure, and mystery.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><b>Is Batman: The Brave And The Bold #10 Good?</b><br /><br />As anthologies go, it's natural to expect a mixed bag. In this case, Batman: The Brave And The Bold #10 definitely falls into the mixed-bag territory with three bangers and two shorts that feel oddly sub-par.<br /><br /><b>Batman: Mother's Day, Part 1</b><br /><br />Bruce Wayne cultivates a new romance with Isla MacPherson, but their night out at a charity ball is interrupted when a fashion model is attacked by Man-Bat. The mystery Batman needs to solve is, "Which Man-Bat did it?" Guest-starring Maps.<br /><br />Mysterious, entertaining, and chock full of intrigue. Plus, Maps adds more than a little charm as Batman sends her on a mission to check up on a fellow Gotham Academy student (Tristan Grey) as one of the Man-Bat suspects. This is a back-to-basics Batman story with a great script and excellent art.<br /><br /><b>Artemis: The Poison Within, Part 1</b><br /><br />Artemis travels through the desert, contemplating her recent troubles. She killed Hippolyta (at Hippolyta's request) as part of a larger plan that made her a traitor to the Amazons. Now that the Trial of the Amazons is over and Artemis's betrayal is viewed as the ultimate act of obedience, what place does she have among her sister?<br /><br />If you haven't read the Trial of the Amazons (Don't do it. It's terrible.), you'd have no idea what's going on or why Artemis is on a walkabout as a form of self-imposed exile. The chapter is little more than Artemis mentally journaling her feelings. Further, the artist's style shift midway through the chapter is unpleasantly noticeable.<br /><b><br />Nameless</b><br /><br />A former Joker henchman discovers he only has weeks to live after prolonged exposure to Joker's chemical brew. Rather than go quietly, the henchman gathers weapons and gadgets from his prior jobs and assumes the mantle of the Nameless to start showing Gotham's criminals and citizens that a member of the Bat Family can be taken down if they work together... starting with Signal.<br /><br />I like this story. I like the idea of henchmen choosing smarts and teamwork over gaudy showiness to succeed where their Bat Rogue bosses continually fail. Just from this first glimpse, the concept is far superior to last year's Gotham War event.<br /><br /><b>Lois Lane: The Game (Prologue)<br /></b><br />Lois Lane finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation involving one of her reporters. The trail leads to an online forum where treasure hunts are organized, but the most generous treasure supplier may have something more nefarious in mind.<br /><br />This first chapter makes sense in some ways and no sense in others. Renowned or not, the police wouldn't allow Lois Lane to rifle through a murder scene. No details are given as to how the reporter died. The final scene involving an argument over what's newsworthy comes out of left field. The art's decent enough, but this story is not constructed properly for the chapter format, and there's nothing here to grab you.<br /><br /><b>Batman: The Cheeseburger</b><br /><br />Bruce Wayne engages in hyper-disciplined food intake and workouts when he receives a call about a disturbance at a local diner. When Batman arrives on the scene, he finds Clayface (Basil Karlo) lamenting his remorse at not being able to enjoy the taste of a simple cheeseburger. When Batman incapacitates Clayface, he rewards himself in a way that Clayface could not.<br /><br /></div><div>This is an energetic one-and-done story that gives new readers a perfect jumping-on point to get to know Batman and Clayface with a brutally efficient delivery. Some readers may not like Ortiz's heavily Manga-influenced art style that makes Batman look like the secret sixth member of Gatchaman, but the action and energy are well done.<br /><br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><br /><u><b>Bits and Pieces:</b></u><br /><br /></div><div>Batman: The Brave And The Bold #10 kicks off five new stories to add some Bat-variety into your life. Three of the five chapters are winners, so you'll mostly get your money's worth.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">7/10</span></b></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-33945403332643750832024-03-01T00:09:00.002-05:002024-03-01T00:09:21.199-05:00Power Girl #6 Review<div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eFmS_UEElHcFuNQMiC02of78GCQtS96ZKBnRiTwqU6ouzdADQdS9by_hzqX9F8gxC7uEdk8AKFIu6l_ivrSaQsAKCD1_gSz8xoMj_g04puj3deFD4TUQjeek0KALxSQHo1wdV9Ceoo_1ngBiOhxdKnLChI6086zQwipHizDRpQhxrp5Yc02bJpMEbHMh/s618/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20000806.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="618" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eFmS_UEElHcFuNQMiC02of78GCQtS96ZKBnRiTwqU6ouzdADQdS9by_hzqX9F8gxC7uEdk8AKFIu6l_ivrSaQsAKCD1_gSz8xoMj_g04puj3deFD4TUQjeek0KALxSQHo1wdV9Ceoo_1ngBiOhxdKnLChI6086zQwipHizDRpQhxrp5Yc02bJpMEbHMh/w640-h310/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20000806.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5uB80t-C4oCjkvxHWeXWEjLTUrkU7ahRj1SuOBmsdp8YJj25Bpjwm5fq7RPvlDxzOsZJcskPMMG8SM7jwKRWzM4rn0jijjnJivYNWb-dOOVeZ-ErouS4kX9kdIgWV_Dxcu04OAiyEcZatGzqS-fCtcEXGBq7x1Wxzjy75qiyhtajDhNVdAMbNYEm1SM6/s949/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20000800.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5uB80t-C4oCjkvxHWeXWEjLTUrkU7ahRj1SuOBmsdp8YJj25Bpjwm5fq7RPvlDxzOsZJcskPMMG8SM7jwKRWzM4rn0jijjnJivYNWb-dOOVeZ-ErouS4kX9kdIgWV_Dxcu04OAiyEcZatGzqS-fCtcEXGBq7x1Wxzjy75qiyhtajDhNVdAMbNYEm1SM6/w258-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20000800.png" width="258" /></a></div><br /></div>Written by: Leah Williams<br />Art by: Marguerite Sauvage<br />Colors by: Marguerite Sauvage<br />Letters by: Becca Carey<br />Cover art by: Amy Reeder<br />Cover price: $3.99<br />Release date: February 27, 2024<br /><br />Power Girl #6 sends Power Girl and Supergirl on a mission to track down citizens who disappear after taking a drug that sends their minds to a magical fantasy world.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><b>Is Power Girl #6 Good?</b><br /><br />Power Girl #6 is a bland, visually boring start to a mystery that continues to sideline Power Girl's conflict with the symbio-infected Kelex. If you're into C-tier Webtoon levels of storytelling and art, this one's for you.<br /><br /> When last we left this series, we followed Streaky in a silent issue wherein the superpowered feline tracked down the disappearance of local strays and pets. The investigation led to a secret lab where animals were subjected to secret drug testing. Streaky saved the day.<br /><br /> Now, Supergirl and Power Girl catch wind of a new street drug called Avalon that sends the user to a sort of mental VR fantasy kingdom. Shortly after taking the drug, the users disappear. After going undercover at a college party with Omen, the multiversal twins obtain a sample of the drug and probe the college students' minds to find out where they got it.<br /><br /> The investigation leads to the revelation that Avalon is an organic biomorph and that the fantasy realm the users visit (Ferimbia) is real. After a botched drug dealer sting, Supergirl and Power Girl discover a way to access Ferimbia through a portal, but when they break on through to the other side, they find themselves powerless and unable to return home.<br /><br /> What did we like about Power Girl #6? The concept of an evil queen using drugs to kidnap citizens back to her home dimension is intriguing enough. As a bonus, loosely tying Streaky's adventure in the last issue to this one gave the preceding issue slightly more value.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Power Girl #6? The concept is intriguing, but the execution is lacking. Power Girl, Supergirl, and Omen stop just short of acting like giggling schoolgirls with no significant voice to separate who's who. You're told about, not shown, the disappearances, and the cartoonish art style shift in Ferimbia is jarring.<br /><br /> How about the art? Bland, drama-less, and static. Sauvage continues to avoid dramatic lighting and shading, regardless of the setting, and the copy-paste nature of the figure placement on 3-D asset backgrounds looks like a cheap Photoshop job.<br /><br /><br /><div>About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />Power Girl #6 continues to sideline the Kelex conflict by starting a new mystery about a drug that kidnaps users into a fantasy land. The core idea is an intriguing mystery, but the abysmal character work and cheap art are a downer.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4/10</span></b></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-48649496651813464242024-03-01T00:05:00.001-05:002024-03-01T00:05:29.895-05:00Jay Garrick: The Flash #5 Review <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb70CKw07HkeJTi80zIvJQpxbuRPduwYMk1FQp6fPZYepkfXhaVS39aOaHtVJ-Nl8vxGwPXKaK0kz88RC067Mlyr1c6Hb_Bw596GDm1Y81W026G2t-GyWA1kl3KKyZ3V8cPTRJKw7y7CW925z85-X2JX4XTwQxVHyDBc1xDT_B6jRFfNL2TxdD0KwYHd9A/s612/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20000150.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="612" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb70CKw07HkeJTi80zIvJQpxbuRPduwYMk1FQp6fPZYepkfXhaVS39aOaHtVJ-Nl8vxGwPXKaK0kz88RC067Mlyr1c6Hb_Bw596GDm1Y81W026G2t-GyWA1kl3KKyZ3V8cPTRJKw7y7CW925z85-X2JX4XTwQxVHyDBc1xDT_B6jRFfNL2TxdD0KwYHd9A/w640-h276/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20000150.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktvOo3dbw7q6OK3NgZiDh9YRwP1v5l3NlcfF9sPq9k5tjyr2iEfXw1YVIIKYWmp4-oqzX6y-XcOM-aZYB6SxK6rkpoxYWDaoHhSNf3KhWAHsxZ0bnqxtPXZ7r0n0kaujmJnqjg2v4hpEid_TdNZ2WQTRZyx9MXqEPu1OZg4aERE3uQVTiZ-LPjdrVMpwD/s947/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20000143.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="615" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktvOo3dbw7q6OK3NgZiDh9YRwP1v5l3NlcfF9sPq9k5tjyr2iEfXw1YVIIKYWmp4-oqzX6y-XcOM-aZYB6SxK6rkpoxYWDaoHhSNf3KhWAHsxZ0bnqxtPXZ7r0n0kaujmJnqjg2v4hpEid_TdNZ2WQTRZyx9MXqEPu1OZg4aERE3uQVTiZ-LPjdrVMpwD/s320/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20000143.png" width="208" /></a></div><br /><br />Written by: Jeremy Adams<div>Art by: Diego Olortegui<br />Colors by: Luis Guerrero<br />Letters by: Steve Wands<br />Cover art by: Jorge Corona, Sarah Stern<br />Cover price: $3.99<br />Release date: February 27, 2024<br /><br />Jay Garrick: The Flash #5 escalates Dr. Elemental's plan to kidnap Judy Garrick when Jay reaches out to an old JSA friend for help.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><b>Is Jay Garrick: The Flash #5 Good?</b><br /><br />Yes, indeedily doodily. Jeremy Adams continues to make the most of the Garrick family's adventure with an action-packed, fast-paced issue that sees Dr. Elemental's long game (almost) come to fruition. Of all the Golden Age imprint titles DC has on the shelves, Jay Garrick: The Flash #5 exemplifies why this series is still my favorite.<br /><br /> When last we left the Garrick family, we received a nearly issue-long flashback that retconned the circumstances of Jay's origin as the Flash, turning Dr. Hughes into a secret villain intent on reshaping the world as Dr. Elemental. Once Jay connected the dots to Dr. Hughes, he and Judy set off for STAR Labs to find an old colleague ready to spill the beans until a killer cyborg started shooting up the place.<br /><br /> Now, Judy and Jay escape the cyborg deth trap and head to Brazil to meet up with Pieter Cross, aka Dr. Mid-Nite, for backup and to lure Dr. Elemental out of hiding. Dr. Elemental needs Judy to complete his plan, so the generations of JSAers use Judy as her bait (with her consent). The plan works, and Cross's lab is assaulted by Ro-Bear and a slew of minions. Unfortunately, Dr. Elemental uses a clever trick to flank the heroes and kidnap Judy.<br /><br /> What's great about Jay Garrick: The Flash #5? Adams nails the relationship dynamic and the good-natured personalities of the heroes. Plus, Dr. Elemental's plan sounds like it could be a world changer, so the stakes are massive.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Jay Garrick: The Flash #5? On a technical level, Adams's script is spot-on. On a concept level, the idea is spot-on. On a creative level, a few of the ideas are a little silly (e.g. Ro-Bear), but not enough to detract away from the good points. In short, the worst points are minor nitpicks.<br /><br /> How's the art? Olortegui displays a knack for energy, movement, and lightness that suits the tone of this series perfectly. As a plus, Olortegui's character acting is excellent.<br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><br /><u>Bits and Pieces:</u><br /><br />Jay Garrick: The Flash #5 delivers fun, action, adventure, drama, and excitement in short order. The story concept works, Jay and Judy's father/daughter chemistry is on-point, and Olortegui's art is energetic.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">8.5/10</span></b></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-57571267311171051792024-02-29T23:59:00.000-05:002024-02-29T23:59:01.462-05:00Green Arrow #9 Review<div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIewTvhs5HSMItEv3WWO95Rfgh0XfqSKEx9DQzxIpf7AomuJEdwIV_-WmFlI2oUt5FYXBh7GiABaFDR_p2z2xxjx81j_DzVcxKWNIc1amkoaRwoubiQcOh0lJuUVyuoKGgrEnOFivXnZVbvJSOoHcD7H7XNHwQmXsCRC_seHauSz9ct7l0vgGXcGzOoDY/s610/Screenshot%202024-02-29%20235554.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="610" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIewTvhs5HSMItEv3WWO95Rfgh0XfqSKEx9DQzxIpf7AomuJEdwIV_-WmFlI2oUt5FYXBh7GiABaFDR_p2z2xxjx81j_DzVcxKWNIc1amkoaRwoubiQcOh0lJuUVyuoKGgrEnOFivXnZVbvJSOoHcD7H7XNHwQmXsCRC_seHauSz9ct7l0vgGXcGzOoDY/w640-h262/Screenshot%202024-02-29%20235554.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFSoyGd75izG2hUMI0RRGmJdjmWqtAQj3BxwKvTP9RXVCJZM8rfLlCmqCQMvsXwcwDk9NaZ7d-vsAUOjhSZ-dAYUxOsmvJzRgzvNbgHeAY8TfgHKyXk8p_i2eXVXpNCfFzENeFKUI1GIVSMrVQL5ecp3EMuAIVmuBUUFTb3s-030Aftu0BRoz8r80GiRm/s948/Screenshot%202024-02-29%20235546.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="615" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFSoyGd75izG2hUMI0RRGmJdjmWqtAQj3BxwKvTP9RXVCJZM8rfLlCmqCQMvsXwcwDk9NaZ7d-vsAUOjhSZ-dAYUxOsmvJzRgzvNbgHeAY8TfgHKyXk8p_i2eXVXpNCfFzENeFKUI1GIVSMrVQL5ecp3EMuAIVmuBUUFTb3s-030Aftu0BRoz8r80GiRm/w260-h400/Screenshot%202024-02-29%20235546.png" width="260" /></a></div><br /></div>Written by: Joshua Williamson<br />Art by: Sean Izaakse<br />Colors by: Romulo Fajardo Jr.<br />Letters by: Troy Peteri<br />Cover art by: Sean Izaakse, Romulo Fajardo Jr.<br />Cover price: $3.99<br />Release date: February 27, 2024<br /><br />Green Arrow #9 sends Oliver Queen on a mission to confront Amanda Waller to find out what happened to Roy Harper. The meeting didn't turn out as planned.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br />Is Green Arrow #9 Good?<br /><br /><div>This is why we can't have nice things, DC Comics. You create a scenario with a popular character and create an intriguing hook. Just when you think you've got some special sauce brewing, you ruin it with a boneheaded creative decision that turns interest into pure dread. That's Green Arrow #9.<br /><br /> When last we left the Emerald Archer (before the so-so but deeply flawed Beast World event), Ollie learned that Amanda Waller isn't holding Roy Harper hostage but that he's working for her. After the Beast World event, Waller took advantage of popular opinions and confiscated the Hall of Justice, turning it into the Hall of Order (unrelated to Dr. Fate).<br /><br /> Now, Ollie takes on a stealth mission to infiltrate the governmentally-managed Hall of Order to get to Waller and force her to tell him what she did to Roy to get him into her service. Ollie succeeds in sneaking into the Hall, but he's captured by Peacemaker and his cronies. During interrogation, Waller makes Ollie an offer- she'll give Ollie everything he wants and more if he'll do one thing...<br /><br /> Steal all the digital records from the now-infamous Sanctuary (see: Heroes In Crisis).<br /><br /> Why, Joshua Williamson? Why, DC Comics? Why would you choose to put yourself back on track by leaning into one of the most reviled crossover events in modern DC history? DC Editorial needs to relocate to a monastery, cause y'all need Jesus!<br /><br /> What's great about Green Arrow #9? At least on a technical level, Williamson's script is on point. The plotting, pacing, and dialog hit their mark. Regardless of the creative direction, this reads like a well-structured comic.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Green Arrow #9? Several of the plot points in this issue rely on a suspension of disbelief that Williamson either can't or won't create, starting with the outcome of the Beast World event.<br /><br /> How was Waller able to confiscate the Hall and all the very dangerous items in it without any member of the Justice League putting up a fight?<br /><br /> Why didn't the Hall's security measures prevent Waller and her government lackeys from taking over the joint? Surely the Hall has faced more powerful invasion attempts.<br /><br /> Why would Roy "choose" to work with Waller without saying a word to the Arrow Family?<br /><br /> Why would Waller engage/support Malcolm Merlyn, Dark Raven, and a whole host of other villains just to facilitate a Rube Goldberg-esque series of coincidences that forces Ollie to serve Waller?<br /><br /> Why in the name of God's green Earth would anyone in their right mind try to resurrect Heroes In Crisis?<br /><br /> How's the art? Sean Izaakse does a great job with this issue. Action is limited to Ollie getting smacked around during capture and interrogation, but the linework is super-crisp, and Fajardo Jr.'s colors are aces.<br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />Green Arrow #9 is a pretty solid issue that lays the foundation for this Sumer's Absolute Power event, but a heartbreaking creative decision on the last page casts the entire strategy in doubt. Nobody in their right mind loves Heroes In Crisis, and you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone interested in going back.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6/10</b></span></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-53165707496853439662024-02-29T10:43:00.010-05:002024-02-29T10:43:41.992-05:00The Flash #6 Review<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDG35-eKVbpZoKH6rsH8CoZ1HkYnVF09uiCIllYI0uFIWWq4wzbaqEZsvx6sz55BueCvaW88iLvBzr_7qTsgu6PU_Cqtn2sAWriep6j4AQTz_5TI8n__E_VeCnLHrl6ii3RG43WKRbQgkqVBV-WACIIk_jaHMx_qujp1ckMR_tqAeX8gBEuv0O3W2YF5U/s554/Screenshot%202024-02-29%20104233.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="554" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDG35-eKVbpZoKH6rsH8CoZ1HkYnVF09uiCIllYI0uFIWWq4wzbaqEZsvx6sz55BueCvaW88iLvBzr_7qTsgu6PU_Cqtn2sAWriep6j4AQTz_5TI8n__E_VeCnLHrl6ii3RG43WKRbQgkqVBV-WACIIk_jaHMx_qujp1ckMR_tqAeX8gBEuv0O3W2YF5U/w640-h262/Screenshot%202024-02-29%20104233.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUaHQ7oeH0JYJi0wLPxMsRiDF9xuKGTL7Gmy19DaUJoqt3fbyc3LaPQi2VdNK5o3PLhZc9Oi6WQv-JMnyLK90kspgT4qHcMCdLXQaARG3zNX1-BclDKULFl7fnymmhU-b2fj0N_4TAVh2dnYLICms_D69oF32Dr_cHT0a_BqcU6lWcLEunlUGuZZEpFEu/s851/Screenshot%202024-02-29%20104226.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="553" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUaHQ7oeH0JYJi0wLPxMsRiDF9xuKGTL7Gmy19DaUJoqt3fbyc3LaPQi2VdNK5o3PLhZc9Oi6WQv-JMnyLK90kspgT4qHcMCdLXQaARG3zNX1-BclDKULFl7fnymmhU-b2fj0N_4TAVh2dnYLICms_D69oF32Dr_cHT0a_BqcU6lWcLEunlUGuZZEpFEu/w260-h400/Screenshot%202024-02-29%20104226.png" width="260" /></a></div><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Written by: Si Spurrier<br />Art by: Mike Deodato Jr.<br />Colors by: Trish Mulvihill<br />Letters by: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou<br />Cover art by: Mike Deodato Jr., Trish Mulvihill<br />Cover price: $3.99<br />Release date: February 27, 2024</b><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The Flash #6 unveils the true mastermind behind Wally's mind-bending altercations with alternate realities and all they contain.<br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><b>Is The Flash #6 Good?</b><br /><br />If you've been struggling to make sense of Si Spurrier's esoteric, high-concept trip into realms of non-experience, you may just be in luck. The Flash #6 begins to make sense of it all (kinda, sorta, but not exactly) by answering the all-important question - who's behind it all?<br /><br />When last we left The Flash, we witnessed a Jai-centric issue that helped strengthen the bond between father (Wally) and son (Jai) as Jai expressed a troubling revelation - he doesn't want to be a superhero. Now, Wally gives Linda a piggyback ride on a work date as the two chases down assorted swarms and creatures bleeding into our reality. Wally eventually crosses paths with Barry so the two can save the day while exchanging some contentious words about their lack of sharing in recent months. <br /><br />After a slightly revealing with the returned Stillness, Wally and Barry race into the Speed Force to meet the next threat. Barry becomes possessed by an entity from beyond our reality. In the final panels, we learn the source of Wally's reality-warping troubles...<br /><b><br /> [SPOILERS AHEAD]</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> It's Eobard Thawne. <br /><br /><b><br />[END SPOILERS]</b><br /><br /> What's great about The Flash #6? In an arc designed to stack one disjointed mystery on top of the other, more answers are good. To be clear, this issue doesn't go nearly far enough to dispel Spurrier's chaotic confusion, but it's a step in the right direction.<br /><br />What's not so great about The Flash #6? One of the biggest questions of Spurrier's tenure is the source of the reality distortions, and now that it's answered, the reaction is, "That's it? Again? Him?" That's right. For all the faux-intellectualist misdirection, amorphous concepts, and heady narration, Spurrier's attempt at doing something still boils down to a standard Flash villain making trouble.<br /><br />How's the art? Deodato Jr's odd backgrounds and slightly off-kilter anatomies are still in full effect, but the narrative of this issue flows a bit better with smoother scene transitions and more accessible panel compositions.<br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />The Flash #6 takes a significant step toward answering the mountains of odd mysteries by revealing the mastermind behind Flash's reality-warping troubles. Unfortunately, the answer is almost surprising in just how unsurprising it is, which makes all the complicated storytelling to get to this point seem pointless.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">5/10</span></b></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-23796888371860752792024-02-27T21:30:00.003-05:002024-02-28T09:29:16.870-05:00Detective Comics #1082 Review <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJu4rqHcW_f-loyJbfjaTPRjxY-Qhf8R9UTGrWyneOCwpLan2-tPUVQSulGFPXYDe224D6Yti7i7X6UD3zFjYQTa83TZx4c95idBqd1x2IXVVaS4MRlLmCLUcHbxH43CL41xECwtuU-zhVGTvNusLxCkaUvUcy4VwsWcU9Sbdc0Ret2HRTeEfjoXOrenAA/s554/Screenshot%202024-02-27%20212839.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="554" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJu4rqHcW_f-loyJbfjaTPRjxY-Qhf8R9UTGrWyneOCwpLan2-tPUVQSulGFPXYDe224D6Yti7i7X6UD3zFjYQTa83TZx4c95idBqd1x2IXVVaS4MRlLmCLUcHbxH43CL41xECwtuU-zhVGTvNusLxCkaUvUcy4VwsWcU9Sbdc0Ret2HRTeEfjoXOrenAA/w640-h346/Screenshot%202024-02-27%20212839.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYgODREG5nentPOXMjCObVWhmyS3wZpfeM86ICUaPo8RNojsJ7kRXa1DJO7ESO-orEpPle-nsJlzUFcGvq110TO8v32t94PZfwt9r3LPl4ZgEpNKQd0bcObze_JLU7u0_va4BMuyF5Dynwgol5IuG4JUtaxZqt_kzdTq8enV49CKSaX0dTAYXvXunsMxp/s853/Screenshot%202024-02-27%20212831.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="549" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYgODREG5nentPOXMjCObVWhmyS3wZpfeM86ICUaPo8RNojsJ7kRXa1DJO7ESO-orEpPle-nsJlzUFcGvq110TO8v32t94PZfwt9r3LPl4ZgEpNKQd0bcObze_JLU7u0_va4BMuyF5Dynwgol5IuG4JUtaxZqt_kzdTq8enV49CKSaX0dTAYXvXunsMxp/w258-h400/Screenshot%202024-02-27%20212831.png" width="258" /></a></div><br /><b>Written by: Ram V</b><div><b>Art by: Riccardo Federici, Stefano Raffaele<br />Colors by: Lee Loughridge<br />Letters by: Ariana Maher<br />Cover art by: Evan Cagle<br />Cover price: $4.99<br />Release date: February 27, 2024</b><br /><br />Detective Comics #1082 continues Batman's fight through a desert of the mind to overcome his first temptation, only to be confronted by the second. Meanwhile, the Question gets help tracking down Fielding's killer.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br />Is Detective Comics #1082 Good?<br /><br />Detective Comics #1082 continues Batman's slow, plodding, cumbersome battle to come to terms with who he is and what Gotham would be with and without him. Yes, those questions have been asked and answered many times before, but at least you have some gorgeous art to look at.<br /><br />When last we left the Dark Knight, Talia left him in the great desert to battle the Azmer still gripping his mind while Barbatos demanded the right to rule Batman's soul. All the while, the mental embodiment of Dr. Hurt goaded Batman into choosing his path and accepting the truth of his existence.<br /><br />Now, Dr. Hurt shows Batman the first temptation by confronting him with a Gotham that doesn't want to be saved, lecturing Batman for not using his great wealth to help the downtrodden instead of beating up thugs. Batman fights his way through a city of people turned into malevolent clowns to overcome the first temptation to give in. When the first temptation is overcome, Dr. Hurt confronts Batman with a second - the future Gotham where all criminality is met with extreme violence.<br /><br />In the physical world, Question continues to track down why Nash killed Fielding. Her search crosses paths with Cass Cain/Batgirl when the latter intercepts a group of Orgham mercenaries rounding up the impoverished and downtrodden to make Gotham "clean." With the combined might of their fighting and interrogation skills, Question learns Nash was hired by proxy by Shavhod Erhad.<br /><br />If I had to read the tea leaves and predict where Ram V is going, Batman would accept his immutable link to Gotham just in time to return to the city after the Orghams have turned it into a forced utopia. Does that make for a compelling journey? At this pace, no, but Ram V is off the book in September, so let's just hold hands, grit our teeth, and get through this together.<br /><br />What's great about Detective Comics #1082? Riccardo Federici's art is sumptuous. Every panel is a masterwork of form, movement, and detail. To be fair to Ram V, the outcome of the Question's investigation is intriguing when you consider she might be the one to take the Orghams down via a pathway nobody expected.<br /><br />What's great about Detective Comics #1082? Ram V's plot for Batman is blathering nonsense. How many times will Bruce have to be chastised for not using his money to "do better?" How many times will we be forced to explore the link between Batman and Gotham? How long do we have to wait to find out why the Orghams are so focused on Gotham City and what they intend to do with it once their plan is done? What are the stakes?<br /><br />A good, proper story should have a journey with a destination and one or more conflicts. After all this time, we still need to find out where this series is headed or why, which is absurd.<br /><br />Backup Story<br /><br />The victims of Dr. Hurt's experiments attend a masked ball to confront the psychotic doctor. Unfortunately, the ball turns into a mass killing on both sides of the Dr. Hurt fan club. When only two survivors remain, could Dr. Hurt pull the most painful trick of all?<br /><br />Sketchy art, implausible scenarios, and characters nobody cares about. You could skip this backup and not miss a thing worth remembering.<br /><br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b>Detective Comics #1082 delivers amazing art, an intriguing series of developments in the Question's investigation into Fielding's death, and blathering nonsense for everything else. The major failure of Ram V's tenure is a need for more direction and purpose. So far, Ram V is determined to push that failure to the very last minute.<br /><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4/10</span></b></div></blockquote>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-64248652896153496032024-02-26T15:27:00.002-05:002024-02-26T15:27:17.884-05:00Theme From Power Girl - Shut Your Mouth! <div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/9X2HfVzVANY?si=B13igk5983DCPPl-" width="480"></iframe></div>Jim Wernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12307419602315578911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-47670017591236504192024-02-24T11:42:00.002-05:002024-02-24T11:42:17.778-05:00Superman #11 Review<div><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gmZq7hG8ZlPL2kH3aKVGsFCasUchreY59DAA-kt9BwxxbLIJ36DBBGShtuVLBkv4Ej7YjScFGqlrA3daXk3LJkbaLskfjfQIiP3yfDvm0SllwE3bMC4_0peN7tqFVQR56ov3_HAFxd_kXjxBSfgTV6t1og0XpvsoJo0AO5ccjinC2_BHVFm2s_tOYyeF/s592/Screenshot%202024-02-24%20114116.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="592" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gmZq7hG8ZlPL2kH3aKVGsFCasUchreY59DAA-kt9BwxxbLIJ36DBBGShtuVLBkv4Ej7YjScFGqlrA3daXk3LJkbaLskfjfQIiP3yfDvm0SllwE3bMC4_0peN7tqFVQR56ov3_HAFxd_kXjxBSfgTV6t1og0XpvsoJo0AO5ccjinC2_BHVFm2s_tOYyeF/w640-h298/Screenshot%202024-02-24%20114116.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A0IJDH8oGEh_duPzm-v6gqiEjWoyaOZn-_Ezd3hXqWd8WVudsbSM-sRfNJEgV0_SCblL02EVcpY7EVdMwqds7jsiPQrPajXoDpvsHbOPYqkG9NUfL47Xj4Lb8Z6UzTEhkfVGAZoYPds4HCitbYbs29hBG0oW4MftsG-unT2mnRCfRqF7V8C3y969Esu1/s883/Screenshot%202024-02-24%20114103.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="595" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A0IJDH8oGEh_duPzm-v6gqiEjWoyaOZn-_Ezd3hXqWd8WVudsbSM-sRfNJEgV0_SCblL02EVcpY7EVdMwqds7jsiPQrPajXoDpvsHbOPYqkG9NUfL47Xj4Lb8Z6UzTEhkfVGAZoYPds4HCitbYbs29hBG0oW4MftsG-unT2mnRCfRqF7V8C3y969Esu1/w270-h400/Screenshot%202024-02-24%20114103.png" width="270" /></a></div><br /></b></div><b>Written by: Joshua Williamson<br />Art by: David Baldeón<br />Colors by: Rex Lokus<br />Letters by: Ariana Maher<br />Cover art by: Jamal Campbell<br />Cover price: $4.99<br />Release date: February 20, 2024</b><br /><br />Superman #11 brings Superman's conflict against Pharm and Graft to a head when the Lex Luthor Revenge Squad unleashes its master gambit to destroy Lex and everything he holds dear.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><b>Is Superman #11 Good?</b><br /><br />Superman #11 is okay. At worst, consistency takes a hit with the weird turn taken by Leticia Luthor and the excessive volume of exposition required to connect all the dots. At best, you get plenty of twists, turns, and more than a couple of cool moments. In short, it's a mixed bag.<br /><br /> When last we left the Man of Steel, his unscheduled trip to the past with Marilyn Moonlight ended with a brief fight against Terra-Man and a bizarrely missed opportunity to tell Marilyn's origin story. As soon as Superman arrived back to the present, he was assaulted by a cloud of kryptonite gas and the newly-formed Lex Luthor Revenge Squad (LLRS) consisting of Pharm, Graft, Chained, and somebody wearing Luthor's iconic purple and green power armor.<br /><br /> Now, we get a flashback conversation between Lena Luthor and LL-01 to presumably give readers a shortcut into Lena's personal history. The mysterious villain wearing Lex's power armor is none other than Lex's mother, Leticia. The LLRS's final gambit is revealed as a plan to poison all of Metropolis with synthetic kryptonite gas engineered to harm humans just as quickly as Kryptonians. What's the big twist? The plan to poison Metropolis was concocted years ago by Lex when he was Pharm and Graft's ally.<br /><br /> Put all that together, and you see why it's a mixed bag. The individual plot points are cool or interesting, but so much of the plot feels thrown together or quickly explained via exposition. Williamson stops just short of rushing through, but you'll feel like you're being hurried along to get through the details that matter.<br /><br /> What's great about Superman #11? You get plenty of plot development, interesting revelations, and a few cool moments. Plus, the reveal of the LLRS's master plan is a high-stakes gambit that could prove to be a game change for more than one character.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Superman #11? You feel like you're reading a checklist where Williamson is frantically thinking "I have to explain this, explain that, and reveal this, and reveal that." Twists and turns are cool to a point, but not when it reads like a perfunctory formula.<br /><br /> How's the art? Baldeón and Lukas do a fine job of giving readers vibrant energetic action, even when characters are standing still. The visuals are excellent.<br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br /><div>Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />Superman #11 sets up the penultimate end to Pharm and Graft's master plan to destroy Lex Luthor with great art, several cool moments, and interesting revelations. That said, Williamson's script rushes through a laundry list of twists, turns, and reveals to get to an end that may have caught up with Williamson sooner than he planned.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">7.5/10</span></b></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-26109137815819026942024-02-24T11:33:00.006-05:002024-02-24T11:33:51.712-05:00Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24 Review<div><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18NGkZtsZkG-uKlqw6YIPq1zQHRnA1l30d47JcyfmbudJxf3eEETguto_GmE1kpJM7wQQHY_K9c-TOC7keACHbl3dPu2_ArlwofRSr0PfF7_-T5uGZ4jVGizIbXfcYYHEnXF2l76GE2opGZbI7cIoqtf17oKZIrq_ASLZ3_oLuT86wA9J_o4dX0urZ1yw/s386/Screenshot%202024-02-24%20113230.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="386" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18NGkZtsZkG-uKlqw6YIPq1zQHRnA1l30d47JcyfmbudJxf3eEETguto_GmE1kpJM7wQQHY_K9c-TOC7keACHbl3dPu2_ArlwofRSr0PfF7_-T5uGZ4jVGizIbXfcYYHEnXF2l76GE2opGZbI7cIoqtf17oKZIrq_ASLZ3_oLuT86wA9J_o4dX0urZ1yw/w640-h310/Screenshot%202024-02-24%20113230.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTgNO7empBkXO2OdaCG2RQc3xXXyn_XYcDq-aUcrkPMNFpz5lXSojhA7FJ8Dtgf27yv9de_m2qpikAnHN_5bI-dVPS-l8zDh77e0aqwgqh3NLtbp5aSPgAvM_WHg4Lp-SGTPbC1BA_mQHoHHOpm6Swg9X_79w-uc1aydNrxDxl5WHmWfIWgdIJw9lStvc/s917/Screenshot%202024-02-24%20113204.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="594" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTgNO7empBkXO2OdaCG2RQc3xXXyn_XYcDq-aUcrkPMNFpz5lXSojhA7FJ8Dtgf27yv9de_m2qpikAnHN_5bI-dVPS-l8zDh77e0aqwgqh3NLtbp5aSPgAvM_WHg4Lp-SGTPbC1BA_mQHoHHOpm6Swg9X_79w-uc1aydNrxDxl5WHmWfIWgdIJw9lStvc/w259-h400/Screenshot%202024-02-24%20113204.png" width="259" /></a></div><br /></b></div><b>Written by: Mark Waid<br />Art by: Dan Mora<br />Colors by: Tamra Bonvillain<br />Letters by: Steve Wands<br />Cover art by: Dan Mora<br />Cover price: $3.99<br />Release date: February 20, 2024</b><br /><br />Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24 brings the visit to Kingdom Come when the World's Finest from two Earths must come together to stop Darkseid before he rips the Anti-Life Equation from Gog's mind.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br />Is Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24 Good?<br /><br />Well, it all comes down to this. Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24 marks the finale of the return to the story arc that (arguably) put Mark Waid on the map, and I'm happy to report that Waid and Mora (mostly) stick the landing.<br /><br /> When last we left the World's Finest, Superman and Batman fought alongside Earth-22's World's Finest against Gog before he could send his Earth's heroes on a suicide mission against Darkseid. The fight ends with Gog trapped and David aka Thunderman aka Magog mostly on the World's Finest's side. Unfortunately, Darkseid arrived when he caught the whiff of a piece of the Anti-Life equation in Gog's mind.<br /><br /> Now, the World's Finest from two worlds and a small collection of Earth-22 heroes do their best to hold Darkseid back from ripping the piece of Anti-Life Equation from Gog's mind to no avail. Batman repeatedly orders David to get reinforcements, but he ignores the order until it's too late to save Gog from Darkseid's clutches. Desperate to save the day, David kills Gog rather than let Darkseid get his prize. Darkseid leaves when there's nothing left to gain. David celebrates, but his allies are devastated that David crossed the uncrossable line.<br /><br /> The issue ends with the Spectre arriving to show everyone what could be or will be before sending Batman and Superman back home.<br /><br /> Whether or not you feel this issue ends on a high note or a so-so-note greatly depends on your expectations. In technical terms, this issue, much like the series, is the most well-written and well-drawn series in DC's lineup. I doubt anyone would argue much against that assessment. But now, we get down to that X-Factor (apologies to you Marvel readers) in terms of generating excitement and memorable moments that get people talking.<br /><br /> What's great about Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24? On a technical level, this issue can't get any finer. Waid and Mora are equally in top form for what you'd want out of a superhero comic. As for that X-Factor concerning how the story ends, I believe Waid chose the best possible of all paths. Darkseid is "defeated," Gog is defeated, and Kingdom Come will still happen how you might expect, but there's enough of a twist to set up what happens AFTER Kingdom Come to give the classic story a fresh coat of paint.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24? Darkseid felt overpowered and underused at the same time. When two Superman from two Earths go all out against Darkseid, the Lord of Apokalips barely flinches, but Darkseid leaves after David unceremoniously robs Darkseid of his prize. In short, Darkseid felt like a mindless plot device meant to push David to cross a line.<br /><br /> How's the art? Somebody tell DC to put Dan Mora under contract with an appropriate page rate for the rest of his life. Please and thank you.<br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br /><div>Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24 almost sticks the landing with a multiversal battle against Darkseid that leaves one character damaged for a very long time, another dead, and hope for one Earth after its greatest challenge arrives in the future. Fans of Kingdom Come will have a lot to like in this issue, fans of great superhero art will love this issue, and DC fans finally have a comic worth looking forward to.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/10</b></span></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-47373255340390197912024-02-23T15:58:00.004-05:002024-02-23T15:58:27.918-05:00Titans #8 Review<div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHoqW7hsH7kiwbLLJ3Jw6C34QG2XiAm0WTAvya7JUQIetEdx4nWV-eG8mN9w2aG1e03pMZymqtXGywLykb0aUa_zc3rB-Kr-6oztvzknLTj9_1b1FLIxvGVELTSnXsGAuRQW_Yde5pkzitopv8YLusDBRwi46K0ebnbWPzYMOlb4qle9jJx3EFrF8qmCO/s602/Screenshot%202024-02-23%20155732.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="602" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHoqW7hsH7kiwbLLJ3Jw6C34QG2XiAm0WTAvya7JUQIetEdx4nWV-eG8mN9w2aG1e03pMZymqtXGywLykb0aUa_zc3rB-Kr-6oztvzknLTj9_1b1FLIxvGVELTSnXsGAuRQW_Yde5pkzitopv8YLusDBRwi46K0ebnbWPzYMOlb4qle9jJx3EFrF8qmCO/w640-h384/Screenshot%202024-02-23%20155732.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewbW2iUN8EJRSdxiy_v2Rs0r1_PYmUu1JOeTcKUKAZNi-3yYhQi-3iEBlKg9DQSa5-PWapxudr8i1oGRvyvsrrToM8oznpbA9dd1_MacaTM3K1jhsIMa3Hkpw4oXhR4TEpreATpdSTIIwXKwsAD6K1A_Hrh5kl98TSL9KxMkZQLCIoNVsmVt21NMLclmm/s914/Screenshot%202024-02-23%20155723.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="603" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewbW2iUN8EJRSdxiy_v2Rs0r1_PYmUu1JOeTcKUKAZNi-3yYhQi-3iEBlKg9DQSa5-PWapxudr8i1oGRvyvsrrToM8oznpbA9dd1_MacaTM3K1jhsIMa3Hkpw4oXhR4TEpreATpdSTIIwXKwsAD6K1A_Hrh5kl98TSL9KxMkZQLCIoNVsmVt21NMLclmm/w264-h400/Screenshot%202024-02-23%20155723.png" width="264" /></a></div><br /></div>Written by: Tom Taylor<br />Art by: Stephen Segovia<br />Colors by: Annette Kwok<br />Letters by: Wes Abbott<br />Cover art by: Dan Mora<br />Cover price: $3.99<br />Release date: February 20, 2024<br /><br />Titans #8 deals with the aftermath of the Beast World event when Amanda Waller and her lackeys continue to spin the media and public opinion against the Titans, while Evil Raven uses the situation to her advantage.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br />Is Titans #8 Good?<br /><br />Oh, Okay. Evil Raven is going to pretend to be Good Raven to manipulate the Titans into following her into bad situations that could destroy the world. Are we doing this again? Really? Fine. Whatever.<br /><br /> When last we left the Titans in the finale of the Beast World crossover, Gar was returned to normal when the Titans gathered the Garro spores in one spot to restore his body and retrieved the severed Garro limb from a distant galaxy to restore his mind. During the finale, we learn Dr. Hate was really Evil Raven wearing the Helmet of Chaos. Off-panel, Evil Raven secretly traps Good Raven in her crystal but pretends to be Good Raven to everyone else.<br /><br /> Now, we find Sgt. Steel on a media tour to spin the dangers of putting trust in the Titans for their part in the Beast World disaster. Meanwhile, the Titans head to Florida to assist with rescue efforts during a hurricane... because there are no superheroes on the planet powerful enough to quell a hurricane apparently. Oy!<br /><br /> What evil things does Evil Raven do? Nothing. She has a few secret meetings with her demonic father (Trigon with a new/different set of horns) to scheme and plan, but for the most part, Evil Raven minds her Ps & Qs.<br /><br /> What's great about Titans #8? With the outlandish of Xand'r, the Necrostar, and Beast World behind them, it's nice to see the team working together as a team and a coordinated unit. Even Tempest gets in on the hurricane rescue efforts... because there are no other superheroes on Earth powerful enough to quell a hurricane apparently.<br /><br /> If you haven't noticed the nuclear levels of snark, I can assure you it's there. Why? The fundamental flaw of disbanding the Justice League in favor of the Titans taking the spotlight is Tom Taylor's assistance in that the main Titans series does not do more than face basic environmental threats like forest fires and hurricanes. Especially when a single DC hero, including a few that are on the Titans, could disburse a hurricane in minutes. Taylor insists on making a mountain out of a molehill, and it just doesn't work.<br /><br />What's great about Titans #8? Again, it's nice to see the gang back together and working as a team, even if one of them is secretly evil and the threats they face don't rise above government relief agencies.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Titans #8? Red Tornado is still around. How about Firestorm? I'm sure Nightwing has at least one of the Supermen on speed dial. Why is Taylor wasting everyone's time with humdrum tasks?<br /><br /> How's the art? It's good to very good. Ironically, the most eye-catching scenes involve Evil Raven's secret chitchats with Trigon, which is a bummer since Segovia got the demon lord's horns wrong. Overall, nice work from Segovia.<br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />Titans #8 fails to capitalize on the minor goodwill created by the Beast World crossover by fighting against mundane ecological disasters that half their team should be able to dispel in a matter of minutes. Still, Agent Steel's press tour to turn public opinion against the Titans has potential, and Evil Raven's secret scheming is intriguing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6/10</b></span></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-34418765402029740452024-02-23T15:29:00.003-05:002024-02-23T15:29:53.921-05:00Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong Song<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/JJmUG5ZmWtE?si=ZN6UvdwCoWCTV8ke" width="480"></iframe></div>Jim Wernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12307419602315578911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-86846554264358181402024-02-23T15:27:00.003-05:002024-02-23T15:27:39.042-05:00Nightwing (Dick Grasyon is So Lazy) Song<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/4A9_2cWN6rg?si=V7M78Dwq9KR_-8fT" width="480"></iframe></div>Jim Wernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12307419602315578911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-4326934236939683982024-02-23T15:25:00.001-05:002024-02-23T15:25:30.179-05:00Raven (She Her Bad Self) - Beast World, Beast Boy and Doctor Hate Song<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/_xO1mrwnGLc?si=zBIdeWtApxOW0ln6" width="480"></iframe></div>Jim Wernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12307419602315578911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-52867888455446618162024-02-20T22:48:00.001-05:002024-02-20T22:48:11.507-05:00Nightwing #111 Review<div><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoU_r2wA6m44ig23CWL0mhoapTewvf-SzCjQzASocC6bt0rsY-sp53dRmdZag2clkg55UXTHOwAyFvLURAFIQv3Yw0Td-Gq8k0vHqmGSXFM1H78EKnFTpatpS6DVUXfPJmznxoFuz4N01ML0AlFjNdeAFSwIT2idL_UXNMessezluXJ1qxinQKRUMCbjn/s402/Screenshot%202024-02-20%20224716.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="402" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoU_r2wA6m44ig23CWL0mhoapTewvf-SzCjQzASocC6bt0rsY-sp53dRmdZag2clkg55UXTHOwAyFvLURAFIQv3Yw0Td-Gq8k0vHqmGSXFM1H78EKnFTpatpS6DVUXfPJmznxoFuz4N01ML0AlFjNdeAFSwIT2idL_UXNMessezluXJ1qxinQKRUMCbjn/w640-h272/Screenshot%202024-02-20%20224716.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmBiiNLxvrUzd5_evQl6-v-1Fs0wk4NOPRI-qAw5XqnMMC8-WevJqW9h7-ZzqJVPM9iabVmXYbqW77cfQoTiXDjcDAGYJq8hdJSVFKIcs0EP1c7kwO4DcrxUv7myCbQZo2fRypllE_1eON8pRK4tA7RXNEHzztCtXKyE22lX3a1vbXa2j4aDuT7YBFIPE/s617/Screenshot%202024-02-20%20224655.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="389" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmBiiNLxvrUzd5_evQl6-v-1Fs0wk4NOPRI-qAw5XqnMMC8-WevJqW9h7-ZzqJVPM9iabVmXYbqW77cfQoTiXDjcDAGYJq8hdJSVFKIcs0EP1c7kwO4DcrxUv7myCbQZo2fRypllE_1eON8pRK4tA7RXNEHzztCtXKyE22lX3a1vbXa2j4aDuT7YBFIPE/w253-h400/Screenshot%202024-02-20%20224655.png" width="253" /></a></div><br /></b></div><b>Written by: Tom Taylor<br />Art by: Sami Basri, Vicente Cifuentes, <br />Colors by: Adriano Lucas<br />Letters by: Wes Abbott<br />Cover art by: Bruno Redondo<br />Cover price: $4.99<br />Release date: February 20, 2024<br /></b><br />Nightwing #111 spells the beginning of the end of Nightwing's semi-urgent quest to find and stop Heartless.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br />Is Nightwing #111 Good?<br /><br />Yes, you read that right. The hunt for Heartless is on after months (years?) letting the serial roam free without Nightwing lifting a finger to stop him. Tom Taylor is finally getting around to remedying that situation just in time before he ends his tenure on the title in issue #118. In typical Tom Taylor fashion, the arc starts by doing everything but what should be done. More on that in a minute.<br /><br /> When last we left Nightwing before the Beast World hiatus, he helped Bea defeat her adoptive brother for the right to be Captain Blud. As a parting gift, Nightwing was given the safety deposit box that was originally given to him during his Ric Grayson phase. The box contained video surveillance that proved Tony Zucco was responsible for the death of Ma and Pa Grayson.<br /><br /> Now, a man is murdered in Gotham City by a method that suggests Heartless has come to town. Batman arrives to save the victim, but the man's young son witnessed the murder and is taken into GCPD custody. After a brief flashback that suggests a young Heartless (before he became Heartless) was present for the death of the Graysons, Batman calls in Nightwing to assist with the investigation.<br /><br /><div>Through semi-competent detective work, Batman and Nightwing figure out the murder is too sloppy to be Heartless. When the boy is handed over to his uncle, we soon figure out the man's death was an inheritance scheme dreamed up by the uncle to frame Heartless and take the family's wealth for himself.<br /><br /> "Wait, wait, wait! Are you saying Tom Taylor's final arc on Nightwing, the arc that finally gets Nightwing off his butt to capture Heartless, starts off with a bait-and-switch murder that has nothing to do with Heartless?" you might rightly ask. Yes, you read that right. I told you Tom Taylor is tackling his final arc in typical Tom Taylor fashion by doing everything but the one thing he should be doing - getting the hero to defeat the bad guy. Somebody call a doctor because Tom Taylor must be fatally allergic to the Hero's Journey.<br /><br /> What's great about Nightwing #111? After the abysmal Gotham War and the serviceable-yet-flawed Beast World, it's nice to see Batman and Nightwing working well together again. There are some heartwarming character moments in this issue when Bruce and Dick remember the moments that made a difference to each other shortly after the Graysons died.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Nightwing #111? Tom Taylor has been spinning his wheels on Heartless for a year and a half or more, so to kick off the arc that sets it right with a bait-and-switch is yet another black mark on Tom Taylor's "competency and common sense" card.<br /><br /> How's the art? There's not a lot of action in this issue, so the art team had to up their game to make a lot of standing conversations look interesting, but they pulled it off. In the final analysis, Basri and Cifuentes fit this title better than Redondo.<br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br />Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /><b><u><br />Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />Nightwing #111 marks the beginning of the end for Heartless and Tom Taylor's time on the title, but the final arc starts with a bait-and-switch that drags the Heartless reign even longer and makes Nightwing look like a less competent detective than he should be. If nothing else, at least Heartless and Taylor will soon be gone.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">5.5/10</span></b></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557726951171561616.post-403026288811561082024-02-20T22:43:00.006-05:002024-02-20T22:43:42.830-05:00Batman #144 Review<div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijheZ7eBfzILpGjtSkRrBV8_49BOvsU272ZQDU1r2kBTvo5kXuwyTzWw31ROYPm1Aafd5PV7C2ayNbIPFX9-JbN0_Tz2OaxvR_EiCQ_SPLWo0OVgC_qox4sQnBpb2UHw7YeMPzDgZEHKHnQxKaRjmMGQXh-a7N3TJdA9cehxHiKgF8LPfhfy2QlQ7-hBr8/s402/Screenshot%202024-02-20%20224252.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="402" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijheZ7eBfzILpGjtSkRrBV8_49BOvsU272ZQDU1r2kBTvo5kXuwyTzWw31ROYPm1Aafd5PV7C2ayNbIPFX9-JbN0_Tz2OaxvR_EiCQ_SPLWo0OVgC_qox4sQnBpb2UHw7YeMPzDgZEHKHnQxKaRjmMGQXh-a7N3TJdA9cehxHiKgF8LPfhfy2QlQ7-hBr8/w640-h272/Screenshot%202024-02-20%20224252.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMK3ir8FhNLKWsWW4lER0k49DD8f7lUPNKR1Qu1k46c5QTfPVw7NX0_f97duar8FVahQWU1rca2NeA2RoV1L0iVT3cqT7k0IRCjwOEkYcpOWYcUXx-XhOipDJEezm78vNkly1GE9VBehY-LS2fVZT_WBFYoWCvhnXt9f7N_OQC9oGnjd0LMnNsqM9WSuiQ/s578/Screenshot%202024-02-20%20224241.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="387" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMK3ir8FhNLKWsWW4lER0k49DD8f7lUPNKR1Qu1k46c5QTfPVw7NX0_f97duar8FVahQWU1rca2NeA2RoV1L0iVT3cqT7k0IRCjwOEkYcpOWYcUXx-XhOipDJEezm78vNkly1GE9VBehY-LS2fVZT_WBFYoWCvhnXt9f7N_OQC9oGnjd0LMnNsqM9WSuiQ/w268-h400/Screenshot%202024-02-20%20224241.png" width="268" /></a></div><br /></div>Written by: Chip Zdarsky<br />Art by: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Andrea Sorrentino, Stefano Nesi<br />Colors by: Alejandro Sánchez, Dave Stewart<br />Letters by: Clayton Cowles<br />Cover art by: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi, Tomeu Morey<br />Cover price: $4.99<br />Release date: February 20, 2024<br /><br />Batman #144 concludes the three-part Joker: Year One arc with the introduction of Joker's favorite weapon and the eventual cure.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br />Is Batman #144 Good?<br /><br />Woo, boy! What a whole lot of nothing this attempt at reimagining the Joker's origins turned out to be. If Zdarsky's pitch sounded like it was going to recast the Joker in a new light from any angle, that pitch didn't translate to the finished product.<br /><br /> When last we left Joker and Batman in their separate timelines, Joker received expert training (or did he?) from Doctor Captio to slough off fear and embrace his insanity as a kindred yet opposite spirit to Batman. Joker eventually killed Captio as he fully embraced his Joker persona. All this happened while Batman assisted Jim Gordon with tracking down the Red Hood Gang under new leadership.<br /><br /> Meanwhile, Batman tracked down Joker in the future to unravel the clues to his Joker plague. When Selina stepped in to help, Joker infected her and unleashed the Jokerized Batfamily on Batman.<br /><br /> Now, Gordon captures the leader of the Red Hood Gang when the criminals attempt to raid the GCPD station for confiscated wealth. Seizing the opportunity, Joke snatches up a dirty cop (Manny) who works for the Red Hood Gang as a test subject to perfect his latest toy - Joker toxin.<br /><br /> In the future, Joker gives Batman the secret of undoing the Joker plague, which bookends the Joker's career by undoing the toy that started it all.<br /><br /> "Huh? That's it? This entire three-parter that interrupted the Failsafe cliffhanger was nothing more than a side story to deliver the history (origin and cure) of the Joker toxin?" you might wonder. Yes, that's right. If DC Editorial had their head on straight, the crux of this story should have been relegated to a succession of backup stories and not positioned as a poorly timed excuse to put out a trade paperback.<br /><br /> Did we learn anything new about the Joker, or did this story elevate his character in any way? No. Worse, Zdarsky's clumsy attempt to reimagine Geoff Johns's Three Jokers arc and sections of other, better-made stories only served to make the Joker's origin convoluted and less powerful.<br /><br /> What's great about Batman #144? Ironically, the positive of Zdarsky's plot is the elevation of Jim Gordon as a certified badass. You probably knew he had strong moral fiber and stubborn adherence to doing what's right, but you probably didn't know he could almost singlehandedly take down the Red Hood Gang.<br /><br /> What's not so great about Batman #144? The whole point of a Year One story is to tell the story you thought you knew but didn't and/or to see a character in a different light. Zdarsky's attempt does neither. In effect, this arc is a waste of time that accomplished nothing worth remembering.<br /><br /> How's the art? The art is good to great to excellent. Several artists were employed for different styles during different timeframes, and it all looks fantastic.<br /><br />About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of <a href="https://comicalopinions.com/">ComicalOpinions.com</a>, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.<br /><br /><div>Follow @ComicalOpinions on <a href="https://facebook.com/comicalopinions">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/comicalopinions">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/comicalopinions">Twitter</a><br /><br /></div><div><b><u>Bits and Pieces:</u></b><br /><br />Batman #144 concludes the Joker: Year One art by not telling you anything you didn't already know, confusing what you already knew, and focusing on nothing that matters. At least the art looks great, but this needless interruption to the Failsafe story is a complete waste of time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4.5/10</span></b></div></div>Gabe Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942346999844182516noreply@blogger.com0