Reviews by Jase

Batgirl #4
By Bryan Q. Miller, Lee Garbett, and Trevor Scott

This book is really growing on me. At first I wasn’t sure about Steph as the new Batgirl, but I like her in this role more and more as I read each issue. Further more, I think the relationship she has with Barbara is wonderful and makes more sense than the one she had with Cassandra. Stephanie and Barbara have far more in common than Barbara ever did with Cassandra and I hope they touch on this in later issues. In addition to the main story, it’s really nice to see Bryan Miller bringing in Wendy from the Teen Titans. The interaction between her and Barbara was my favorite part of this issue and reminds me why I love the character of Barbara Gordon so much. She can be tough when she needs to be, but she can also be one of the most caring people in the DC universe. At a time when so many comics are all about being as dark as possible, it’s nice to have a book out there that is fun, light and entertaining.

Green Lantern Corps #42
By Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, and Buchman

This issue was one hell of a roller coaster ride. One thing I love about this book is the fact that it isn’t being shoved aside during Blackest Night and dealing with minor plot points, but it’s being placed center stage along with the main Green Lantern title and the Blackest Night issues as well. Seeing the GL’s fight old friends and loved ones is heartbreaking, but what really drives the story even deeper is facing all their failures from the past. Furthermore, hearing about them from the animated corpses of their old friends and loved ones makes it even more powerful. The GL’s are battling themselves as much as they are battling the Black Lanterns and this is giving us some great moments in the story. This issue also gives us a peek at another angle of the Black Lanterns as we discover more about their plan now that their power levels have reached 100%. The ending of this issue came as a major shock to me, but before getting too emotional, I’ll wait to see how the rest of Blackest Night turns out.

Green Lantern #47
By Geoff Johns, Dough Manhnke, and Christian Alamy

This title has quickly shot up to the number one position on the list of my favorite comics. Geoff Johns is a master at using the history of a character to further it without erasing or conveniently forgetting about past continuity. I love what he has done with the history of Abin Sur and how he has taken advantage of Green Lantern continuity to expand the entire universe of Green Lantern to make his run on Green Lantern a wonderful read every issue. In this issue we get a bit more of what he set up in the last two issues with Abin Sur, his sister and Sinestro. Johns is really working to make Sinestro a great character, full of depth and rich in history. The way he reacts to the black lanterns in this issue stands in sharp contrast to the way Hal Jordan reacts and it is simple bits like this that make these characters so strong. (It’s the small details that are making Johns run on Green Lantern the strongest one yet.) By the end of this issue, we are one step closer to a full multi-colored lantern team and we are given some great development with the Red Lanterns.

Here is what I loved these past weeks.

Doom Patrol #4.

It was a Blackest Night tie-in and part of the Ring Promotion, this was for a Yellow Lantern Ring. I've read a few reviews and gone thru some message boards about this issue. As a long time Doom Patrol fan, I really liked this issue. There are some teams in the DCU which have a history for members to die. The Titans, JLI, Suicide Squad and the Doom Patrol to name a few. This book is the perfect place for dead teammates to appear. I've read all the different versions and loved when they re launched the book using Arani, Cliff, Joshua and Val. I liked the 3 new kids as well that joined, then Invasion happened and that's when Grant Morrison took over and the book became less spandex superhero and took a very strange odd Morrison twist. I think that's one reason why I liked this issue so much. History and Present in one book, done right. From the moment you open the book to the end "Cliff"hanger, I loved it. It helps that I love the art of Justiniano, he is perfect for the creepy look of the Black Lanterns. Worth a read - Yes. And you get a cool Sinestro ring.


Necrosha One Shot and New Mutants #5.

This is how you do a crossover. Your first issue has 3 separate stories leading into their respective titles giving the reader a tease of what's to come. Between the gorgeous dark art of Clayton Crain in the X-Force story, the return of many classic X- Friends and foes and the reveals you get in this issue it's well worth the $3.99 cover price. The only complaint (not by me) is that there is a need for some - who is that boxes. This crossover is paper joy to us who have been reading for years and years and know the X-Lore but to new readers you just need to find a friend to do some 'splainin or use Wiki to help.
Along with this issue is New Mutants #5. Fresh out of the grave, Doug is back and the reunion with his former friends doesn't go that well. In fact it's the last reunion for one Mutie. Great issue, but the art lacks in some. Still a great book and what an upgrade in powers for the newly resurrected Cypher.


Secret Six # 15

I have every issue of the Suicide Squad. I loved that book. So what you ask? John Ostrander wrote that and he  wrote this issue as well. Taking a shot at a character he helped define. Jim Calafiore is the artist. After reading this issue I want the Didiot to put these 2 on an ongoing Suicide Squad book. 
While it does feel odd that after the last arc they choose a one off to follow up, a breather issue was good. Maybe an arc of 6 issues each focusing on a member would be cool, I would love an all Ragdoll issue! This issue focuses on Deadshot who is a killer and wants to kill more. It's an interesting character piece and while it doesn't affect the main story, it's still an enjoyable read.


Rich

Get Your Geek on at Whatever...
 

Reviews by Jase
(It’s all about issues numbered 3 this time around.)
 

Batgirl #3
By Bryan Q. Miller, Lee Garbett and Trevor Scott

This story has really taken off and Bryan Miller has hit a nice groove with this issue.  The interaction between Steph and Barbara in this issue was excellent and Stephanie’s internal moments were perfectly in character.  (I loved Steph’s reaction when Babs called the Batgirl costume “Cassandra’s”.)  The only downside of this issue was Barbara’s change of heart.  It felt a bit rushed, but it’s a small complaint.  I’m glad to see her come around as it would seem that she has much more in common with Stephanie than she did with Cassandra and her mentorship of Stephanie is one of the main reason’s I think this book is going to keep getting better from here.  Stephanie, like Barbara did when she first came on the scene as Batgirl, is trying to prove herself in a club of (mostly) boys.  Babs had to do it on her own, and Steph did the same as the Spoiler.  As much as I think Cassandra got the bad end of the stick on being Batgirl, I can’t help but be excited to see where the “new” Batgirl goes from here.
 

Blackest Night: Batman #3
By Peter J. Tomasi, Ardian Syaf, and Vicente Cifuentes

Another great tie in!  The creative team on this book has a great handle on these characters and spared no opportunity to show us how different a Batman Richard Grayson is compared to Bruce Wayne.  He is a much more compassionate Batman and it could be “heard” in his voice, as well as seen in a lot of the artwork.  The art team of Syaf and Cifuentes made use of great details, such as Batman placing a hand on Red Robin’s shoulder when he asked him if he was okay after the plane crash.  He did it again another two times before the issue had ended.  Physical touch is something that is subtle to the eye, but it’s huge in terms of body language and really shows a difference in this “new” Batman.    As a reader who has faithfully followed both of these former Robins, I couldn’t help but feel emotionally invested in this story.  The sense of loss they feel over the death of their families is powerful and their reactions to seeing their parents as Black Lanters was heartbreaking.  Anyone hoping to find an “action packed” issue might be disappointed, but I thought this issue was told in exactly the way it should have been.  The boys had to outthink their opponents not outfight them and that’s exactly what they did, in true Batman fashion, just the way Bruce taught them.

Adventure Comics #3
By Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul

I’m beginning to think that no one understands these former Titans like Geoff Johns.  Adventure Comics #3 dealt with a lot of emotion in a very small space.  I loved Conner’s reaction to Tim’s “new” costume.  Conner addressed many of the concerns readers have had about Tim’s change and it was great to see it acknowledged by someone so close to him.  This issue reminded us that Tim and Conner aren’t just friends, their best friends and the way they open up with one another is great to see.  At times it almost seems as if they could be more than “friends” (when looking at moments like this through a “queer lens”) and as a gay reader I’m thankful that it allows me another way to enter a story, but it’s frustrating as well because what seems like a natural next step, doesn’t occur because the characters are “straight”.  Conner asking Tim to remove his cowl and telling him he needed a haircut, along with Conner putting his hands on Tim as he reassured him, suggests a level of intimacy between these guys.  The final moments of their conversation where they stare at each other is intense and could have been a natural moment for a kiss, but sadly we just get Tim chiming in with “Brice is alive.”  I know all this is my “point of view” on the story, but I think that any story that can allow the reader multiple ways to interpret it, is a story done well and that is one of the reason’s this book as been such a fun read up to this point.