Convergence: Wonder Woman #2 (2015) Review

Earthquake: The Real Winner

Written by: Larry Hama
Art by: Aaron Lopresti, Matt Banning, and The Hories
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 20, 2015


Convergence: Wonder Woman #1 was a mixed bag for me.  While I love Wonder Woman and was thrilled to see her with my man, Steve Trevor, I am not a fan of the Red Rain Universe.  Of course, that alone didn't ruin the issue for me, but it was a big part.  I'm sure that on paper, having a book with Vampire Joker as the villain seemed like a slam dunk, but in the end, the book just felt unnecessary...like it really didn't matter.  I tried to go into this issue with an open mind, but the same feeling crept in a few pages in and by the end I was left unsatisfied yet again.  I know this intro is spoiling my review a bit, so let's get on with it...

Convergence: The Flash #2 (2015) Review

Something to Talk About

Written by: Dan Abnett
Art by: Federico Dallocchio and Veronica Gandini
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 20, 2015

I enjoyed the first issue of Convergence: The Flash enough, but when it ended with Tangent Superman as Barry's opponent, I can't say I jumped for joy.  In fact, I was as much in the dark about him as he appeared to be about himself.  In the meantime, I did a little research on the character and my lack of knowledge was replaced with indifference.  That has been a problem with some of these Convergence tie-ins... if you aren't interested in the "villains", the book can fall flat.  However, sometimes, the appeal of the main character is enough to win the day.  So, did my love of Barry Allen make this issue a must-read?  Let's find out...

Convergence: Swamp Thing #2 (2015) Review

Before Sunrise

Written by: Len Wein

Art by: Kelley Jones and Michelle Madsen
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 20, 2015


Last month's Convergence: Swamp Thing #1 was a great Swamp Thing story that just happened to take place during the Convergence Event.  Len Wein got to go back to his creation and convince this reviewer that he should be back full-time...in a monthly book.  While I don't think that's happening any time soon, at least we get the second issue in this two-part story, but is it as good as the first?  Let's find out...

Convergence: Batman and the Outsiders #2 (2015) Review

Character Wanted

Written by: Marc Andreyko
Art by: Carlos D'Anda and Gabe Eltaeb
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 20, 2015


I loved the first issue of Batman and the Outsiders because...I loved the Outsiders.  How could you not?  They were so great and Marc Andreyko did such an outstanding job of introducing them that I instantly fell in love with every member, except maybe Halo.  She was in a coma for most of the issue.  Of course, it wouldn't have been a Convergence tie-in without the Dome going down and the villain is introduced.  That did happen and it set up a battle with OMAC.  Yes, the One Man Army Corps is in the house and ready to cause trouble.

Convergence: The Adventures of Superman #2 (2015) Review

It's a Mad House!

Written by: Marv Wolfman
Art by: Roberto Viacava, Andy Owens and Sotocolor
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 20, 2015


Marv Wolfman made me look like a fool last month after I read and reviewed The Adventures of Superman.  You see, up until this book, I'd been going on and on (really, I wouldn't shut up) about rules and continuity and how I needed those things to enjoy these Events stories.  Then along came Marv with his tinkering Lucius Fox, less mature Supergirl and physical Phantom Zone.  Those don't really fit the rules or continuity to a tee, but guess what?  I didn't care.  Maybe it was all the "Story over Continuity" hype that Dan Didio has been peddling, but I think that it was mostly that it was a roller coaster ride of fun.  Seriously, Supergirl was wearing a headband!  She looked so much better than THIS guy.  That is Eric, by the way, and this is my review for Convergence: The Adventures of Superman #2.

Convergence: Catwoman #2 (2015) Review

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Written by: Justin Gray
Art by: Ron Randall and Gabe Eltaeb
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 13, 2015

The first part of this story was not my favorite.  It wasn't the writing per se, but the scope that bothered me.  While most of the tie-ins (to that point) were concentrating on the larger issues of Convergence, Justin Gray dialed it back a bit to give us more of a street-level tale of redemption. After the obligatory origin story of how Selina got stuck in Metropolis, Gray spent most of the issue showing us how Catwoman was indeed a champion...the people's champion.  With Suicide Slums under her protection, she squared off with Bruno Mannheim in a story that could have been in the regular monthly but just seemed a bit out of place in this big event.  Of course, someone from Kingdom Come had to show up and it was no surprise that it was Batman.  While I was not chomping at the bit to get to this month's issue, now that I've read it, I was pleasantly surprised.  Was it because it was good or has this whole event beat me into submission?  Let's find out...

Convergence: Aquaman #2 (2015) Review

Bloody Hell

Written by: Tony Bedard
Art by: Cliff Richards
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 13, 2015


In my review for the first Convergence: Aquaman, I mentioned that Tony Bedard did a really good job with what he was given.  Zero Hour Aquaman and Deathblow from the Wildstorm Universe...really?  Did Tony owe someone a favor or what?!?  Whatever happened in those back room DC Comics meetings, Bedard did the unthinkable...gave fans a decent Aquaman story and a really good Deathblow one.  Seriously, it was Bedard's love letter to Deathblow fans.  I just hope all three of them read it.  I kid because I care.  So, is this finale another good issue given the odds stacked against it?  Let's find out...

Convergence: Harley Quinn #2 (2015) Review

Wabbit Twouble

Written by: Steve Pugh
Art by: Phil Winslade, John Dell and Chris Chuckry
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 6, 2015

The first Convergence issue of Harley Quinn was so good.  Why? Because I said so, but also because
Steve Pugh used the Convergence concept to give readers a Harley that was so un-Harley like that it made me want to cry when the inevitable happened.  You see, life under the Dome was so therapeutic for Harley that she actually was living a nice and satisfying life...she had a boyfriend who didn't want to kill her, she was helping others with their problems, she had a boyfriend who didn't want to kill her (that one's big so I had to mention it twice).  Then the Dome came down and Harley's friends showed up and got her prepared to fight Captain Carrot of all bunnies.  By friends, I mean Poison Ivy and Catwoman and by prepared, I mean injecting her with something (Joker Toxin??) that made her bat shit crazy.  After seeing our girl finally get a fair shake at a normal life, it was devastating.  It was also a cool cliffhanger that had me anticipating this finale.  Does this issue live up to the hype?  Does Harley live happily ever after?  If it's rabbit baby wants, is it rabbit baby gets?  Let's find out...

Convergence: Nightwing/Oracle #2 (2015) Review

Home Sweet Home

Written by: Gail Simone
Art by: Jan Duursema, Dan Parsons and Wes Dzioba
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 6, 2015

The second round of Convergence tie-ins is upon us and I've been looking forward to this one since...well, last month.  While the whole Convergence battle royal has it's appeal, I'm more interested in seeing if Dick and Barbara finally tie the knot.  To do that, however, they may have to get through Hawkman and Hawkwoman, but for once, I'm hoping true love conquers everything...even two pissed off Thanagarians with an evil agenda.  I'm sure your all wondering the same thing, so on with the review.

Convergence: Speed Force #2 (2015) Review

Quick to the Door

Written by: Tony Bedard
Art by: Tom Grummett, Sean Parsons and Rain Beredo
Cover Price: $3.99
Release date: May 6, 2015


I mentioned last month that I was not a big Wally West guy.  Nothing against Wally, it's just that I am a Barry Allen man through and through.  However, last month's issue swayed me a bit to the West camp, but it was because of Jai and Iris. They were a load of fun and throwing in Fastback from the Zoo Crew just made it that much better.  The only thing I really didn't like was the ending setting up Flashpoint Wonder Woman as the villain.  Well, now that the finale is here, does the fun continue? Let's find out...

Convergence: Superman #2 (2015) Review

Oh, Baby!

Written by: Dan Jurgens
Art by: Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund and Brad Anderson
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 6, 2015

I loved last month's Convergence: Superman and was so looking forward to this month's finale.  Dan Jurgens did such a fine job setting up both parts of the story that even if I wasn't familiar with the character's homeworlds and stories, I still could follow every bit of it and become fully invested in what was going on.  The best part?  This was the only book in the entire Event where I actually had feelings of wanting both sides to win.  Sure, Pre-Flashpoint Superman and Lois were on the top of the list of favorites (Lois is pregnant for Christ's sake), but Flashpoint Thomas Wayne and even Subject One Superman were sentimental favorites as well.  However, the crazy cliffhanger last month had me wanting Superman to kick some serious ass and I was not disappointed.  Was the rest of the issue as good?  Let's find out...

Convergence #4 (2015) Review

Time In A Bottle

Written By: Jeff King
Art By: Stephen Segovia, Mark Farmer, Julio Ferreira, Jonathan Glapion, Rob Hunter, Jason Paz, Mark Roslan, John Starr, Peter Steigerwald
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 29, 2015

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Is everyone ready to Converge?  Well, you better hurry up and get ready because we're knuckle deep in this and it's only going to become more awkward if you don't get your game face on........ Yeah, I don't know what I'm talking about, but it probably got your attention.  When we last checked in on the mad planet Telos, we saw Kandor destroyed, our Earth 2 Wonders making their way into Skartaris, Batman killing himself and a whole mess of Pre-Flashpoint Gotham villains with him and the Joker from the same dome shooting Dick Grayson before Telos wanted him to impersonate Linda Blair from The Exorcist............. You guys, have to get more cultured, what I'm saying is; Telos killed the Joker.  As the issue ended, Dick Grayson whined about not feeling his legs, even though the shot he took was nowhere near his spine and Telos wanted him to go all stool pigeon on his Earth-2 buddies.  Let's see if Dick Grayson becomes a rat and if anymore domed cities feel the wrath of the Convergence.  

Convergence: Batman and the Outsiders #1 (2015) Review

Things are Rough all Over

Written by: Marc Andreyko
Art by: Carlos D'Anda and Gabe Eltaeb
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 22, 2015

I do not have a lot of history with The Outsiders.  That's actually a lie...I have none.  In fact, I really only have prior knowledge of two of the team members, Black Lightning and Katana.  I know Batman, of course, so going into this book, I was a little worried about knowing what the hell was going on.  Thankfully, I do have a history with Marc Andreyko and had full faith that he would guide me into the world of the Outsiders with graceful ease.  I also did a little bit of homework, just in case. I read the two page "catch-up" in the back of the book first and then scoured the interwebs and read a couple of write ups about the team and their prior adventures.  I know that nobody likes homework, but the little bit I did pay off.  Andreyko doesn't hold the reader's hand, but even with a little knowledge (it is power, you know!), you'll hit the ground running.  Does this issue make it worth the effort?  Hells Yeah!

Convergence: Action Comics #1 (2015) Review

(Not So) Action Comics

Written by: Justin Gray

Art by: Claude St. Aubin and Lovern Kindzierski
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 29, 2015

Regular visitors will know that I have remained pretty positive throughout this first month of Convergence.  Sure, there have been some bumps in the road, but for the most part, I have enjoyed seeing characters...a lot of which I've never read before.  However, it's the ones that I know and loves that have provided the most joy for me.  Ones like Superman.  So far, Superman books have been some of my favorites and while it may be the writers of each, I think it goes beyond that.  For the most part, Superman is Superman.  Yes, he may have a different costume, maybe a different age, may even be from a different country, but in the end, he's still Superman and there is comfort in that.  In this issue, Justin Gray gives us two of them.  Does that make this issue double the fun?  Let's find out...

Convergence: Crime Syndicate #1 (2015) Review

Rebellion 

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Phil Winslade and Lovern Kindzierski
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 29, 2015

I wish that I could start this review by going on about how much I love the Crime Syndicate or how great it is to see Grant Morrison's DC One Million Universe again.  I do like the Crime Syndicate enough (but as villains) and up until now, have no experience with Grant Morrison's creation whatsoever.  I know that hurts my comic cred, but it's the truth.  I am a fan of Brian Buccellato, however, and for that reason alone, I was looking forward to this book.  Now that I've read it, have I fallen in love with the Crime Syndicate?  Am I running off to read DC One Million?  What am I making for dinner?  All those questions and more will be answered...

Convergence: Detective Comics #1 (2015) Review

Tale of Two Cities

Written by: Len Wein

Art by: Denys Cowan
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 6, 2015


I have to admit that this book fell off my radar a bit.  I can't really explain why, but I'll blame it on a Convergence overload and the fact that I have the attention span of a goldfish.  However, when I pulled it out to review, I immediately got excited because that's when I remembered that Len Wein wrote it.  His Swamp Thing Convergence issue is still one of my favorites of the event and I was hoping he'd make it two for two here.  While the back page history lesson was a bit jumbled (I guess the copy editors are busy moving), I got up to speed quickly and away I went into yet another reality and another Dome...or two.  Did I enjoy my visit?  Let's find out...