Comics are Awesome III

[andersonh1]

Nightwing #5
"Night of the Monster Men" part 2

Detective Comics #941
"Night of the Monster Men" part 3

Since these two books are part of the same storyline, I'm reviewing them together. Out of principle I almost never buy every part of a crossover. I stick with the books I'm already reading anyway, so in a crossover like this I'm left missing bits of the story. But that's fine, because a well-written crossover should catch the reader up every issue anyway, and since I'm reading Tec and NIghtwing, I'll get 2/3 of the issues.

We have a story that seems very much to be drawing inspiration from a story in Batman #1 in 1940, where Hugo Strange turns men into giants and turns them loose on Gotham City. In this modern story, Hugo Strange is turning corpses into monsters and turning them loose in Gotham, while Batman and his associated heroes try to get the population out of danger and stop the creatures. One thing I'll note about this issue and the issue of Detective Comics that follows is that it all feels consistently written, and all the characters get their moments throughout the book, no matter whose book it is.

It's a Batman action/disaster/horror/mystery movie all rolled into one. All the characters get to do crazy, heroic things, think on their feet, and generally try to solve the mystery of just what's going on and how to stop it. Nightwing and Gotham Girl get to interact for the first time, and Tim's supposed death has Batman trying to keep everyone out of danger while he takes it on himself. This leads to one of the best summations of his and his associated characters' motivations I've seen when Nightwing counters that "we're not in this to stay safe, we're in this to keep other people safe." Given the scale of the threat, there's plenty for all the characters to do, so the story keeps moving at a fairly good pace, though some of the techno-babble with Alfred makes a scene or two drag.

[Sparky Prime]

I wonder where Sparky's been? I'd like to see his opinion of the current Green Lantern series.

Moving to my new place. Taken a while to do painting and stuff...

One thing I'll say about Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps... I wish the story was progressing a bit faster than it has. Guessing they're building up to Hal's reunion with the Corps. But I am enjoying it. Green Lanterns, despite being about two new characters I really don't have much interest in, has also been pretty good. I'll get into that more later...

[andersonh1]

I wonder where Sparky's been? I'd like to see his opinion of the current Green Lantern series.

Moving to my new place. Taken a while to do painting and stuff...

One thing I'll say about Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps... I wish the story was progressing a bit faster than it has. Guessing they're building up to Hal's reunion with the Corps. But I am enjoying it. Green Lanterns, despite being about two new characters I really don't have much interest in, has also been pretty good. I'll get into that more later...

Sparky, good to see you. Hopefully you'll get all that painting and unpacking done and be able to relax and enjoy the new place soon.

[andersonh1]

Nightwing #6
"Night of the Monster Men" part 5 sees Nightwing cured, and it also sees Nightwing and Spoiler put together a crucial part of the mystery about what Hugo Strange is up to. It's a personal challenge to Batman, of course, but it also involves Strange psychoanalyzing Batman and tailoring his challenge appropriately. And also appropriate is that it's Nightwing, who knows Bruce Wayne better than anyone else, who figures out what Strange is doing. The monsters Strange has created get bigger and stronger as the components they're made from adapt, exactly as Strange designed them to do.

The story will wrap up next week in Detective Comics. The authors have admitted that it's essentially filler as they try to get ahead on the biweekly comic schedule, and that's fairly evident. Superheroes vs. monsters is fun but hardly deep, and it's mainly the fact that these are DC's main group of non-powered heroes that makes this a challenge for them. Superman could handle them in five minutes flat, but it's more of a challenge for Batman and his allies.

Superman #8
Speaking of Superman, this week's issue is a tribute to the recently deceased Darwyn Cooke, as wel find out on the last page, and it ties into New Frontier. Superman and Jon are in the Fortress of Solitude when Jon's science project interacts with some Kryptonian tech (for reasons that aren't well explained) and the two of them find themselves transported, along with Krypto, to Dinosaur Island as depicted in New Frontier. Of course Superman's in no physical danger, though Jon is, so it's the threat of being trapped there that drives the narrative. They find the remains of machines and men from World War 2, and ultimately find the grave markers and an inscription on a cave wall left by "the Losers".

This is the type of story that wouldn't have worked with New 52 Superman, but the whimsy and old school adventure of a lost island and dinosaurs is a perfect fit for Superman and son (and their dog). And the usefulness of having multiple characters to discuss the plot amongst themselves becomes very apparent, as we're spared an issue of Superman engaging in an internal monologue since he has his son with him to talk to. Very enjoyable.

Aquaman #8
I'm starting to wonder just how much of DC's past is back in continuity, due to the villain that's revealed at the end of this issue. I think he/it has appeared post-Crisis in some form, so his appearance doesn't necessarily mean all those Silver Age stories are back in continuity, but that could be the case because this one appears to be the original. I'm talking about the Shaggy Man, a sort of proto-Doomsday from the 60s who looks like Bigfoot and who adapts to every method used to defeat him and becomes stronger. He was a JLA enemy during the Silver Age, and he turns out to be the mysterious weapon that Black Manta has unleashed and pointed towards Atlantis.

The version NEMO had is unformed, and so it doesn't look like the Shaggy Man until the end after it's been knocked down a few times and forced to rebuild itself. Aquaman is the one who recognizes it, and it turns out that Atlantis is not its target, but rather the lighthouse at Amnesty Bay, where Aquaman grew up.

I'm going to make my usual complaint: great story, mediocre artist. DC needs to find a good solid artist to draw this book as often as they can, and at least act like they care about how well it sells. That's been my only complaint with an otherwise excellent series.

Batman '66 meets Steed and Mrs. Peel #4
The issue opens with a aerial action sequence that would have been well beyond the budget and capabilities of the tv series, as Batplane and Batcopter face off against flying Cybernauts. Having lost Michela Gough and Lord Ffog in the fight, the four heroes are forced to follow them to London incognito and try to pick up their trail there, to prevent the theft of an enormous diamond. It appears that they may be too late, as the diamond on display is shown to be a fake, created by Mr. Freeze. Batman, Robin, Steed and Mrs. Peel are surrounded by Cybernauts, and the method they previously used to stop them is ineffective this time. To be continued...

I really wish I'd seen some episodes of The Avengers to see how well the flavor of that show has been captured in this series, because the Batman half of it is dead on the money. And though for some reason this mini-series has been printed with a "faded" look which I thought at first was a printing error, the artist has done a better job capturing the likenesses of all the actors than anyone else who has drawn this version of Batman for DC. And the whimsical nature of the Avengers series makes it a better fit for a crossover with Batman than the Man from UNCLE was.

[Dominic]

Hopefully, DC backs off of the bi-weekly schedule. No sense in buying twice the comics if they are only going to be half as good. (I just finished the fifth issue of King's "Batman" run. After a breather issue, I will start "Night of the Monster Men".)

My current pull-file:
-Batman: Tom King is enough to get me interested. Hopefully, the above-mentioned publishing schedule does not screw it up too badly.
-Earth 2: Waiting for the new direction to become apparent before making a decision. (This is the series most likely to be dropped though.)
-EVIL Heroes: I do not have much hope for this being good. But, it is a 5 issue series, so it will be over quick enough. (And, who know? It might be good.)
-Revolution: Reading the event itself, then I will give each series a try for an issue or two.
-Squadron Supreme: This series has been coasting along. If not for my sentimental attachment to the Squadron, I would likely have dropped it a while ago. It does seem to be finding some direction as part of the "Civil War II" cross-over. (Yeah, an event is helping a series.)
-the Ultimates: This is a smart and focused series. Good mix of high concept and execution. It is getting re-titled and re-numbered, but that does not change that this is the series that "Squadron Supreme" should be. (Not happy about the artist being change out though.)
-the Vision: Still the best Vertigo series that Marvel has ever published. Ending next issue.
-Unworthy Thor: This miniseries is more or less replacing the Vision" on my pull-list.


I plan to made some changes after "Revolution" ends. I do not want to have more than 7 series on my list. (Ideally, no more than 5.)

Superman #8
Speaking of Superman, this week's issue is a tribute to the recently deceased Darwyn Cooke, as wel find out on the last page, and it ties into New Frontier. Superman and Jon are in the Fortress of Solitude when Jon's science project interacts with some Kryptonian tech (for reasons that aren't well explained) and the two of them find themselves transported, along with Krypto, to Dinosaur Island as depicted in New Frontier. Of course Superman's in no physical danger, though Jon is, so it's the threat of being trapped there that drives the narrative. They find the remains of machines and men from World War 2, and ultimately find the grave markers and an inscription on a cave wall left by "the Losers".

This is the type of story that wouldn't have worked with New 52 Superman, but the whimsy and old school adventure of a lost island and dinosaurs is a perfect fit for Superman and son (and their dog). And the usefulness of having multiple characters to discuss the plot amongst themselves becomes very apparent, as we're spared an issue of Superman engaging in an internal monologue since he has his son with him to talk to. Very enjoyable.

I thought that the dog was dead. (Why is the dog back? Why?)

The Losers had the best possible death in their "Crisis" one-shot. Why DC cannot just leave it alone is beyond me.

[andersonh1]

I thought that the dog was dead. (Why is the dog back? Why?)

The Losers had the best possible death in their "Crisis" one-shot. Why DC cannot just leave it alone is beyond me.

"The New Frontier" was what we once would have called an Elseworlds book, so the death of the Losers there had no bearing on the main DC universe. I think this is just a case where an attempt to have a nice tribute to Darwyn Cooke creates complications.

[Dominic]

I am willing to assume that the one-shot showing the Losers' deaths (published in 85/86) simply no longer counts. My complaint was that DC could not just leave it alone. (They had a good death. No reason to pick the scab.)

The one-shot was unique for cutting both ways though. In "Crisis on Infinite Earths" #3, the Losers were killed in one of the early battles against the Monitor's shadow demon troops, during WWII. That death was problematic for two reasons. One, it would have annoyed fans of old war comics. Two, it would not have worked post-Crisis, after things had been sorted out. (Post-Crisis, many of the battles shown during ""Crisis on Infinite Earths" would have been impossible.)

At the same time, DC published a one-shot, showing the team dying in a more convention way. A panel of two at the end referenced "Crisis on Infinite Earths" #3 (reaction shots of Sergeant Rock and the his troops to the aftermath of a catastrophic battle) dove-tailed the one-shot with Crisis. The one-shot read like a war comic, and was effectively showed the deaths of the Losers post-Crisis (making it the first post-Crisis comic).


On another note, why did DC bring Krypto back, right after killing him? Seriously, why?



The cover of this week's "Earth 2: Society" bills it as the first part of "the Final Fate of Earth 2". Looks like this is probably it for the series.

[andersonh1]

Today's comics: Detective Comics #942, Action Comics #965 and GL #6

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #6
And... that took five minutes to read. Don't get me wrong, it was fun and well-drawn, and I enjoy seeing Hal mock the Sinestro Corps while he whips them like the punks they are, but there wasn't much substance there.

John, Kilowog and the Corps are on their way to Warworld to try and rescue Guy, concerned about what they'll find, and how well their much-reduced force of Green Lanterns will be able to stand up to the Sinestro Corps. Guy is still being tortured by the Church of Fear, who decide that it's time to "baptize" him before the other GLs can rescue him. Meanwhile Hal Jordan heads into Warworld all by himself, easily fending off dozens of Sinestro Corps members, mocking them for their lack of training and lack of skill. Sinestro sees him coming and somehow charges himself up to ten times the normal power limit and goes to confront him.

It goes by quickly, but it's all good stuff. I wonder how long Robert Vendetti has had this storyline planned out, because I suspect Hal's power-up and problems with willpower are what will enable him to win (assuming he does) against the overpowered Sinestro when they go one on one. We only got two issues out of Van Sciver before we're back to Sandoval, but they're both good artists, so it's not a big deal.

Detective Comics #942
The final installment of "Night of the Monster Men" has the rather improbable scenario of four Wayne towers turned into weapons to fight the final giant monster, while Batman goes to confront Hugo Strange. Once again it's appropriate that Dick Grayson, Batman's oldest friend, figures out how to cure the final monster by understanding the psychology that Strange is employing. And Strange has decided that he'd be a better Batman, and his goal is to convince Batman to give up the job and hand it over to him. Not going to happen of course, and with the help of Clayface cutting off the air to Strange's offices, Strange collapses unconcious without Batman having to throw a punch. Which he can't do anyway, due to Strange being protected. It's a more creative finale than a fistfight would have been, and I don't think I've read a modern day Batman story with Hugo Strange, so it's nice to see the character put to good use.

Action Comics #965
Lois Lane impersonates New 52 Lois and heads to the Daily Planet to start investigating the disappearance of New 52 Lois. After the last number of issues focused on Superman, Doomsday, Luthor and the human Clark Kent, Lois finally gets an issue of her own where her old skills as an investigative reporter come into play, and she navigates the environment of the Daily Planet carefully. This is intercut with scenes where she and Superman talk about how she misses being a reporter, and now that Jon's in school, she wants to find a productive use of her time, as she did when she was writing anonymously. He's supportive, and time will tell where this plotline goes. In the end, she tries to access Lois' computer at the Daily Planet, only for human Clark to spill coffee all over it. He creeps her out and she leaves, only to decide and try to access New 52 Lois's laptop. At her apartment, she runs into Lana Lang, aka Superwoman, and the issue ends.

It's good to see Lois headlining an issue and a storyline, and we're finally addressing the fact that it wasn't just Superman that had a double. The door is left open for her to work at the Planet, which she could probably get away with for awhile, so we'll have to see where Jurgens takes things.

[andersonh1]

On another note, why did DC bring Krypto back, right after killing him? Seriously, why?

They didn't kill him. The Eradicator absorbed him whole, and then later did the same thing to Superman. They both broke free at the climax of the story, along with all the Kryptonian souls the Eradicator had imprisoned.

[andersonh1]

Dom, check it out: Superman 14 ties into Multiversity.

http://comicbook.com/dc/2016/10/12/exclusive-/1