A Sunday Comic Books Review

Here are reviews of the DCBS comic books that I've gotten around to reading and reviewing, sorted by the original shipping date:

• Jun 6th
• Justice League #1 - Something happened in a crossover I didn't buy or read that resulted in something to do with the Source Wall, and now we jump - with a first issue - into an incomprehensible epic storyline that I have utterly no interest in at all that is totally lacking a proper backstory. Oh DC, you can do better than this.
• Green Lanterns #48 - Ok, I thought the Green Lanterns were after Jessica because she somehow altered her ring. But now we've got her on the run because she blacked out or something? It's all very strange, and not nearly as bad as I was afraid it would be.
• Bombshells United #19 - Ah, this must be the final issue, because it pretty much wraps up the entire series and includes a little "where are they now?" epilogue. The last few issues seemed rushed to me, but I very much enjoyed Aquawoman and Atlantis in this series, so I'll forgive it the later flaws. Speaking of, Aquawoman and Arthur show up again in a single panel, and are mentioned in the epilogue.
• Doctor Strange #1 - The pretentiousness of the text in describing Doctor Strange put me off more than a bit, to the point where I just didn't feel like reading it after the first two times I read "the magician" and just wanted to reach in and smack the narrator. Irritating reading, but a potentially interesting plot.
• The Tick #4 - Did we actually learn anything at all about his origin, or was it just a chaotic mess? I'm really not certain. I'm still kind of reeling from all the clowns and ninjas and new heroes and stuff. This book is strange.


• Jun 13th
• Plastic Man #1 - Well, this is a goofy start, which is excellent for this particular character. I don't have a lot to say about the issue just because it works. On every level of what I know about the character and the current DC Universe, it just works. If I were a bigger Plastic Man fan I'm sure I'd be jumping for joy at it, but as it is I'm amused and pleased. And what more can you ask for from a comic book?
• Titans Special #1 - I'm not sure why we bought this book. Possibly because we thought Garth might be in it? In any case, it holds very little interest to me, except as a way of twisting my mind because I'm currently rewatching Young Justice and this has echoes of some of those storylines. Right. In any case, it's just part of the big crossover event I ignored. On to the next.
• Scooby Apocalypse #26 - Six month time jump after the events of the previous issue, which were definitely shocking. My least favorite character in the Scooby-verse makes a return, but there's enough mystery building up with all the references to the dead that I'm wondering where the story is headed. So, a good issue, overall.
• SpongeBob Comics #81 - Ah! Finally, an issue with a Mermaid Man story! And one that makes an interesting point about secret identities. No, not all superheroes have secret identities. In fact, some of those with secret identities rely on the fact that others don't have them to make having a secret identity seem unreasonable. Anyone would think being Superman is a full-time job, right? The twist was a tiny bit unexpected for me, but does it mean SpongeBob thinks like a villain? A fun issue for me.
• Back To The Future: Tales from the Time Train #6 - All well that ends well, I guess. It was a nice wrap-up with most of the characters getting enough time to sort out their fates. I was amused at the "mysterious stranger" and how Doc Brown reacted to meeting him (and his dog). Overall, the issue isn't bad, although the series was about two issues too long for me.

A Sunday Comic Books Review

Here are reviews of the DCBS comic books that I've gotten around to reading and reviewing, sorted by the original shipping date:

• May 16th
• Aquaman #36 - Murk's "acting" was a nice bit of humor in an otherwise very grim issue. The double-cliffhanger was quite nice, as well. I'm very tired of Rath and am looking forward to the day this storyline ends, but at least this wasn't a bad edition of it.
• Green Lanterns #47 - So Jessica sorts out her issues, fixes her problems (with the help of Constantine, even) and... let's just say I really don't like that cliffhanger. I like the Jessica story, even though it took too long to tell, but I can tell I'm not going to like the next few issues.
• Bombshells United #18 - Well, at least there was one panel of Aquawoman and Arthur in this issue. One. Single. Panel. The rest was so much stuff and nonsense. I can hardly tell who the bad guys are supposed to be any more.
• Usagi Yojimbo: The Hidden #3 - Oh, the beautiful timing of this issue! Every piece of the story leads to the next, and the cliffhanger is just perfect. In fact, I think I let out an audible "ARGH!" when I got to it. Just about any issue of Usagi Yojimbo is better than almost any other comic book available out there, so go find this series and read it.


• May 23rd
• Mera: Queen of Atlantis #4 - Intrigue on top of intrigue on top of plans gone awry. It's going to be an interesting settling if Mera ever does take the throne. Which, by the way, is an excellent idea. It frees Aquaman up for being a superhero while keeping him solidly connected to Atlantis. So I hope this new state of affairs gets done and into place, and then becomes the status quo for awhile. A girl can dream.
• Batman Beyond #20 - Well, Bruce is correct. But so is Terry. It's a bad idea, but it's also something that, once started, cannot be stopped. Now, if this book kills Robin off before it ends, I will be grumbling about it for years to come.
• Scooby-Doo Team-Up #38 - Bat-who? A very silly issue with some very silly bad guys and heroes. Not my most favorite of the series, no, but definitely a fun ride. I wasn't a big fan of Dyno-mutt back in the day, but he's fine here.
• Doctor Strange #390 - A nice, light issue with a bunch of silly jokes and a reset of the status quo. Very nice after the last few crossover nonsense issues, but very light on - well, everything.
• Prisoner #2 - I haven't read a real psychological mind-twist story in some time... but as I read this I realized I'm still sick of them. I just want a story, not lots of "maybe this is happening" or "this isn't real" crap. Of course, I should expect nothing else from a comic book based on this TV series. So I guess I'm already bored with it.
• Forever Free #2 - This is incredibly grim in a lot of ways. I mean, a follow-up to a book called Forever War can't be exactly a bed of roses, but wow... that's some plan they have to escape reality. And some lengths they go to in order to make it all happen. I'm still a little iffy on the artwork, but the story is very strong.


• May 30th
• Green Lanterns Annual #1 - This doesn't pick up with the regular storyline, and is a standalone issue. Which is a good thing. It has some massive plot issues, but overall works ok as a showcase for Jessica. Not the best annual I've read, but far from the worst.
• Aquaman/Jabberjaw Special #1 - I'm feeling a little dazzled by this story. I mean, a talking shark and a typical cartoon band get together with Aquaman and are gratifyingly stunned when he proves to them that, yes, he IS a superhero. The whole story is, like all these crossovers, goofy to a fault. But it's also lots of fun. And I'm almost too scared to read the back-up story, featuring Captain Caveman.
• Super Sons/Dynomutt Special #1 - Fresh off a Scooby-Doo Team-Up in which Blue Falcon is apparently mind controlled comes a Super Sons team-up in which... Blue Falcon is apparently mind controlled. Only this one is SO much darker than the Scooby version. Wow. Starting with a funeral and ending with grave robbing. Very dark and disturbing on a lot of different levels.
• Black Lightning/Hong Kong Phooey Special #1 - Um, that was a trip. I don't know exactly what to think of it, in fact. This is definitely the most serious I've ever seen Hong Kong Phooey written. Black Lightning seemed a little too dismissive to me, for a guy living in a superhero universe also populated by talking animals. Otherwise, um, fun?

A Sunday Comic Books Review

Here are reviews of the DCBS comic books that I've gotten around to reading and reviewing, sorted by the original shipping date:

• Apr 25th
• Mera: Queen of Atlantis #3 - It's interesting to see Orm and Mera chatting without trying to kill each other. Also to see them trying to explain royal duty, pounded into them from birth. I feel like Orm's attempt to become a drylander may be doomed, but I hope I'm wrong. I like Erin and Tommy. And it would be fascinating if Erin has more children (which is possible now, since they've been living together for awhile). Good art, progress on the story, I like it.
• Teen Titans #19 - The ending of this storyline was rather abrupt... so there is a hack and it's done? And not even obviously - Robin has to tell us. I'm not terribly impressed by the finish, although the story and concept had promise. I think this might be the last issue of this book we bought because of a distinct lack of Aqualad in future issues. It was... eh, an ok series.
• Titans Annual #2 - Yeah, that was a good ending to an intense story that took way too long to develop. I liked Mallah's part in this one. I'm not sure what to think of the development of the Titans, but Mallah was fun.
• Batman Beyond #19 - Dana really has a point in this one, even though Bruce just sent the kid to blow up a couple of power sources. Doesn't he have a handy drone that he could have used to do the same thing, and thus not put Matt in danger? I'm a little confused and distressed by the direction of this book. I'm not sure what I expect from it anymore.
• Scooby-Doo Team-Up #37 - This feels like a classic Silver Age (or even Golden Age) tale, complete with hiding a secret identity and a tiny piece of Kryptonite. Fun stuff!
• Doctor Strange #389 - The dog is still the most interesting thing about this book. And the dog isn't even alive. Maybe this crossover is done and we'll get actual stories now?
• Prisoner #1 - I've never been much of a fan of the tv show. I'm a bit too straightforward in my plotting and thinking to enjoy something that never makes sense on purpose. But this is an slightly different take, with sort of a reason behind everything that's happening. Yeah, I'm curious to see what happens next.
• Forever Free #1 - This is an adaptation of a book I've never read. I was confused at first, because it started before the end of the war - then I realized it was from the other character's point of view. Interesting, and no burden of my history with the story to interfere with my enjoyment of the book as just a book.


• May 2nd
• Green Lanterns #46 - We get to the heart of the matter in this issue, and it was nicely done. We saw what happened to Jessica's friends on that hunting trip and, through Simon, we learned what the alien lawyer is doing to Jessica via her memories. This story shaped up nicely and I'm actually eager to read the next issue. That's a good thing.
• Bombshells United #17 - This feels like, "let's throw everything in the pot, turn up the heat, and see what happens." I'm not even interested in most of the characters or what happens to them now.


• May 9th
• Scooby Apocalypse #25 - Well, *that* was a shocker. And a very interesting way to present it, as well. I know this series isn't going to go on forever, but this development changes what little future it has. Wow.
• SpongeBob Comics #80 - Well, there was a sort-of Mermaid Man appearance, but it was... surreal. In fact, this was a pretty surreal issue all over.
• Back To The Future: Tales from the Time Train #5 - Chaos, a little more chaos, and then, just to be sure, some more chaos on top. Along with a mystery person who has ALL the dogs. I'm mildly interested in finding out who the mystery person is (although I have a guess) but otherwise I'm not that interested.

A Sunday Comic Books Review

Here are reviews of the DCBS comic books that I've gotten around to reading and reviewing, sorted by the original shipping date:

• Apr 4th
• Justice League #42 - I want to like this book, but this mess of a storyline has just about driven me away.
• Green Lanterns #44 - What kind of a deal has Jess made, and what kind of price is she paying? Interesting story, but since it's mostly set-up, I'm not sure how to react just yet.
• Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands #6 - Shapeshifters. I don't love 'em. Not a bad reversal on the situation set up in the final issue - enough clues were left to figure it out. But still, it felt a little extreme. Not a bad mini, but I'm really new to this character and (Sorry Tony) I like the TV version slightly more.
• Bombshells United #15 - Did the plot move at all in this issue? I don't think so.
• Astro City #51 - Yeah, it would be hard to explain a person who never really existed to people who lost close friends and family. That said, I think he's selling himself a bit short. His pain is as real as theirs. Still, actions speak louder than words. His actions at the end of this part of the story ought to be enough to convince anyone with a heart. I am really looking forward to the next issue.
• Apr 11th
• Titans #22 - I can't even remember why the league imprisoned Donna, but the sheer rudeness and dismissiveness makes me happy that Batman is being attacked at the end of the book. Seems like Roy and Donna are the only ones with any idea what's happening. I would like to see more members of the Titans, but eh, this seems to be wrapping up. I'm pretty sure we dropped the book once we were sure Tempest was no longer in it.
• Scooby Apocalypse #24 - What is Daphne up to? For that matter, what's gotten into Fred? And why do those two armies never reduce in size? This book is delivering on the mystery aspect.
• Doctor Strange #388 - Yeah, I'm still not sure what the heck is happening in this book. I feel like I'm only reading part of the story. Probably because it's part of some crossover. In any case, I like the dog more than the doctor.
• Back To The Future: Tales from the Time Train #4 - Not much of anything at all happens in this issue. Just lots of circling around until everyone finally gets into almost the same space. Bored now.
• Spongebob Comics #79 - This issue gets a little meta, with comics being part of the plotline. It's about standard fare, with a brief appearance of a Mermaid Man comic book, so it's a little better than average for me.
• Apr 18th
• Aquaman #35 - So Rath becomes what he depises, but hey, that's the price of power, right? Murk is what I've come to expect. A lumbering soldier whose only loyalty is to the people of Atlantis - once Aquaman makes it clear he doesn't want to be king, Murk is ok again. But how is Aquaman, even with his new allies, supposed to fight the darkest magics of Atlantis? Interesting stuff.
• Justice League #43 - Meh. This whole story was messed up from the beginning. It appears to have been trying hard to be a saga with interlocking ideas and events... the result was something best read as a trade. Issue by issue it just didn't work for me. Hopefully, the next storyline won't be so tangled and pointless.
• Action Comics #1000 - I suppose we got this because of the issue number. Well, it was ok. Aquaman shows up in a couple of group images, so that was nice. None of the stories stood out to me as spectacular, none were particularly bad. A nice anniversary issue.
• Green Lanterns #45 - Ok, this is a story that I've wanted to read since we first learned about Jessica Cruz. She's not what I expected. A hunting trip? Expertise in killing animals because she's been doing it all her life? Wow. I'm really eager to find out more. Add in a dash of Constantine, and I'm hooked.
• Bombshells United #16 - Nice finish. It kind of sorted itself out after a really confusing issue. I think you could have combined this with the last issue and lost nothing.
• Teen Titans Go #27 - Not a particularly great issue. I mean, it would make sense for insurance to be an evil plot, but at the end nothing changed. And the spring cleaning story was... just odd.
• Rough Riders: Ride or Die #3 - So by acting like someone is a bad person, you can turn them into a bad person in the afterlife? Not a pleasant issue.
• Usagi Yojimbo: The Hidden #2 - This mystery is developing nicely, with Usage and Ishida searching for answers in all the right places. Knowing the cultural problems and issues makes this story more delicious to read - there is a lot going on below the surface. I still think Usagi Yojimbo is possibly the best comic book on the shelves whenever it is published.