It might be the end of the year but the stories are in full flow.
Superman launches and abandons a rescue mission, Jaime Reyes reveals how the scarab bonded with him, the Justice League are tricked into servitude, Constantine tries to help a dying Alec Holland. Donny is on the run as Vigilante and Diana Prince, spirals into a tormenting breakdown…
See? It really is the Happy Holidays?
This is my look into the DC Universe this week!
ACTION COMICS #970
Men of Steel: Part 4
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Artist: Pat Zircher
Cover: Pat Zircher & Arif Prianto
Variant: Gary Frank & Brad Anderson
Superman soars through a portal to Nideesi struggling with his conscience. He knows the Luthor from his world was the epitome of evil but despite that, this Earth’s Lex might not be, furthermore are vague visions of the future enough to sentence a man to death?
Clark decides not and breaks into Luthor’s prison cell but L’Call and Zade had anticipated the attempt and take Superman on.
With the aid of their technology they make Clark watch how Darkseid devastated their world once and murdered L’Call’s family.
Though Superman is sympathetic he still stands fast that Luthor has committed no crime. L’Call protests that Lex is clearly on the same rise to power and evil.
The Priestess, Ch’Aar appears and insists that they show Superman one final piece of evidence that Lex and Darkseid are in league with one another and Zade produces a Mother Box. Only Apokoliptians and their closest allies have them and Lex had one hidden in his armour.
The citizens sentence Luthor to death and Ch’Aar pleads with Superman to think of the future, Lex lied about having Apokoliptian technology and it wasn’t the first time he has bent the truth, with a Mother Box in his hands what good could possibly come of it in the future?
Superman is shocked but realises the heartfelt plea of the Nideesi to be true and too close to what he’d always thought of the Luthor family. Instead of a rescue he too reads a verdict of… GUILTY!
To Be Continued…
ART: 5/5
There may not be as majestic a depiction of Superman from Patch Zircher this issue as the last but that doesn’t mean anything is delivered in half measures. The bulk of the issue is taken up with L’Call and Zade once more and though they are compelling, they aren’t Lex or Clark. One thing that Zircher does however is allow the story of Lex Luthor’s trial to expand further which is much needed in light of the evidence.
COVER: 3/5
The sideshow of art is one familiar to British audiences as one of those romantic comedy montages where you have more guest stars than plot. Individually the panels work but as an ensemble they really don’t. As an in-house print ad it sells the story but as a cover, there just isn’t enough ‘meat on the bone.’
ISSUE RATING: 5/5
Clark is right, the crimes are a vision, they haven’t happened. Whatever Lex may be, he isn’t an interstellar mass murderer, not yet and the argument the Nideessi put forward however heartfelt is still not a valid one. It’s a moral dilemma and like many others it calls into question the ‘Should you kill Hitler as a baby, if you could?’
The fact Clark’s judgement is clouded because of his past experiences with an alternate Lex means perhaps he isn’t the best deciding vote. He agrees to the verdict upon presentation of a Mother Box but there are more questions to be answered first and despite the climax I suspect it might just be a fake out.
Clark Kent is nobody’s fool. Not even the doppelganger!
BLUE BEETLE #4
My Not So Secret Origin
Writers: Keith Giffen & Scott Kolins
Artist: Scott Kolins
Cover: Scott Kolins
Variant: Cully Hamner
A year ago, Doctor Fate was tracking a mystical artifact in Ciudad Juarez, unfortunately his quest met with failure but a year later in El Paso, Jaime Reyes adventure was just beginning.
The girl who’s been following Jaime and his friends for the past few months is forces to introduce herself after Brenda gets fed up and Naomi finally ‘meets’ Jaime for the first time.
Later Jaime heads to Kord Industries for tests on the scarab and his altered physiology. Jaime tells of a September day during the school holidays when he, Brenda and Paco were down by the river. How they spotted the scarab floating in the water, but rejected both Paco and Brenda violently, somehow finding Jaime the perfect host.
Offsite, Ted Kord analyses the data only to find the scarab is mutating Jaime on a cellular level and can never be removed. He thinks back to his earlier days himself. How he had toyed with fighting crime using his technological skills. His neighbour, a collector of antiquities, had shown him the scarab as a recent acquisition but just like Jaime, it called to him to bond as a host.
To Be Continued…
ART: 4/5
There is a lot of line work this issue, some it feels, a little unnecessary considering the established style already in the book. Maybe as it is an ‘origin’ there is a little give in my critique but I’d like it to settle back into the vibrancy that I’m used to from Kolins.
COVER: 5/5
This cover has a very filmic feel to it. I really dig the vibe that Koblins is going for with it. There is definitely an epic ‘first issue’ energy to is and though it feels odd four issues in I really love it.
ISSUE RATING: 4/5
Weird to have the origin in a flashback framework running through the already progressing storyline, but it allows for a little give and take with the narration and also allows for Ted Kord to have at least a little of his beginnings explored.
I don’t favour Kord or Reyes yet and I know we are supposed to be opening up to them coming as a package, I’m just not there yet and the spectre of Doctor Fate hovering in and out of the story without actually being part of it is starting to become an irritant.
I would just like the book to begin having some faster, short term stories to push Blue Beetle forward.
JUSTICE LEAGUE vs SUICIDE SQUAD #2 of 6
Chapter Two
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Tony S. Daniel
Inker: Sandu Florea
Cover: Tony S. Daniel, Mark Morales & Alex Sinclair
Variant: Terry & Rachel Dodson, Amanda Conner & Laura Martin
Waller threatens the Squad to fight but they are all an equal match.
An offhand comment by Batman inspired Deadshot to disband the Squad, thereby also disbanding the League into weaker combatants.
Elsewhere, Maxwell Lord is still trying to convince the escapees from The Catacombs into teaming up top kill Amanda Waller.
Maxwell Lord explains that the Justice League are so busy fighting Task Force X that they have left Amanda Waller vulnerable for them,
Superman has chosen Enchantress as a foe, while Killer Frost takes Cyborg, Baz & Cruz are chasing El Diablo, Captain Boomerang is fighting Flash, Aquaman is after Killer Croc, Batman is against Deadshot and Harley Quinn is trying to outsmart Wonder Woman.
The match ups are even on both sides except for Superman. June’s mystical powers knock out Clark and Amanda forces Killer Frost to steal his life force to boost her powers. The resulting flash freeze of her power combined with Superman’s freezes everyone solid but when the Justice League reawaken they find themselves now recruited to the Suicide Squad!
To Be Continued…
COVER: 3/5
A much weaker cover than the last and considering it is the lead off of the first issue I’d have hoped for them pulling out all the stops. The villains just seem to come across as petulant rather than dangerous or threatening. Sidelining the epic fight inside for something so generic seems like a mistake to me. It is illustrated well but the urgency, the epic feel, the danger, it just doesn’t feel like its here at its heart.
ART: 5/5
Switching out to another artist is as you know by now something of an irritation to me and considering the cover I was dreading that the energy of last issue would wane somewhat with the next instalment. Happily my fears are unfounded and there is no such dip in, in fact the bar is raised with some truly spectacular sequences.
ISSUE RATING: 5/5
That ending…
I’m picking up my jaw from the floor because it was literally the last thing I suspected and genius at the same time. A curve ball like this is unusual early on and I don’t think even Maxwell Lord is ready for where this is going!
SUPER POWERS #2
Chapter Two
Writers: Art Balthazar & Franco
Artist: Art Balthazar
Cover: Art Balthazar
Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Krypto help tend to Clark after he fights a near fatal battle with Luthor. While at that very same moment Composite Superman attacks Central City.
Batman and Flash arrive on the scene to fight this stranger from the future but are shocked when another time traveller appears to join the fight. Along with Superman, Supergirl and Krypto.
Composite Superman is pulled back to the future but not before giving Batman vital clues to his journey into the past. He was after Superman’s baby sibling!
Back on New Krypton Lara has given birth to a healthy baby boy, however because of the time Lara spent in the Phantom Zone the DNA of the baby was altered!
To Be Continued…
COVER: 5/5
The addition of Flash to the mix of superheroes is a welcome one and this cover promises just as much energy and fun as last issue. I really love the feel that this is an energetic sketch, and that there are no excessive digital pantone shades. The cover is stronger for that.
ART: 5/5
The stylistics continue throughout the issue and it goes from strength to strength. That last page of art had me more astounded than the Justice League vs Suicide Squad one.
ISSUE RATING: 5/5
The mystery continues to deepen with time travellers thrown into the mix and the story, gains more momentum, appealing more to adults with each passing issue almost like a Disney/Pixar movie there are levels that traverse the age differences. What isn’t there to love? Composite Superman? Unknown Superman? Kal El’s baby brother? Yeah that last page… if Balthazar and Franco wanted to knock the wind out of a DC reader with shock – they succeeded.
THE HELLBLAZER #5
The Poison Truth: Part 5
Writer: Simon Oliver
Artist: Pia Guerra
Cover: John Cassaday
Variant cover: Yasmine Putri
Marid reveals to Clarice that he and his brother Adnan are both Djinn and that he has a plan in motion to save humanity from itself and despite the fact John Constantine is still alive the plan is still set t proceed.
In England, a badly hurt Swamp Thing reveals to John, Chas and Mercury that the Djinn have Abby because they need an elemental avatar to do their bidding.
Swamp Thing returns to the earth itself to regenerate and leaves Constantine with Mercury, much to her annoyance and in the back of Chas’ cab they do try their best to rebuild bridges until they arrive at a place Mercury wants to investigate; Cane Hill Asylum, Kent.
John is shocked, and haunted by his own time in an asylum, but seeing Mercury’s mother, Marj, his onetime lover is almost too much to bear. However despite the touching visit and bonding over history John is as offish as ever and Mercury is seething that even this visit couldn’t crack his exterior.
Elsewhere Swamp Thing has sought out the Parliament of Trees he tells them that while he recuperates he has left Mercury and John Constantine the task of investigating the Djinn.
Naturally hearing this the Parliament are horrified that the Hellblazer is their only hope!
To Be Continued…
COVER: 4/5
The abstract style here isn’t as well executed as past issues and though Cassaday works hard to channel the story inside it just doesn’t (and forgive me for inflicting this pun upon you) have the magic the past issues have had.
ART: 5/5
The art this issue is a strange animal. It’s beautiful, clean and sharp in composition and most definitely in execution. Does it belong in The Hellblazer? The answer to that question is no. To me personally Pia Guerra is more suited to a title such as The Flash or Supergirl, something with an innocence befitting the wonderful art. I hope that doesn’t sound insulting, it isn’t meant to be I can’t wait to see more of Guerra’s art… but I associate John Constantine with darkness, macabre elements and personally there is a light to the art that says superhero to me perhaps that’s in part at the fault of the story content?
There isn’t much going on that is very mystical or macabre…
ISSUE RATING: 4/5
There is nothing going on this issue and at the same time, a great deal.
John Constantine is famously a closes book. Nothing about him gets out unless he volunteers it and similarly, nothing gets in.
The progression of the Poison Truth is put on hold for an exploration of character and relationships between John and Mercury. Brilliantly written and by the end of the issue despite the journey you are still left knowing as little or as much as John wants you to. Simon Oliver might be weaving a slow tale and this issue may have slowed it further but it was an insightful and welcome chapter.
VIGILANTE: SOUTHLAND #3 of 6
Part 3
Writer: Gary Phillips
Artist: Elena Casagrande
Inking support: Moritat
Cover: Mitch Gerads
With the police in pursuit, Vigilante fights his way to freedom and dives underwater to escape into an underwater drain.
Later, Percy calls in a lead to Donny that ‘Spectros’ is someone they need to ask Nina about. Meanwhile, the antics in Koreatown the night before are all over social media. However, the D.A isn’t unscathed and is killed in an ‘accidental’ car crash. Madam Daisy is perhaps more connected to things than even Donny and Percy realise…
Back at Miguel’s, Donny is training hard to perfect his fighting skills when Nina arrives and he confides in them that he remembers a boat number plate.
Checking up they discover it is registered to Four Star Machine Works and Donny, as Vigilante, sneaks aboard searching for clues.
A thug surprises Donny and smashes him in the head before the fight leads back onto the docks. Outmatched, Donny dives into the water and races back to his motorbike.
Overcome by his injuries, Donny crashes the bike in a nearby alley and loses consciousness.
To Be Continued…
COVER: 5/5
This titles covers have been consistently good and this doesn’t disappoint either. There is an eighties feel to it and an artistically edgy one. Donny really looks like he means business. Digital tinkering usually deadens a piece of art but here it is used in a unique and skilfully enhancing way.
ART: 5/5
Continuing that great style the book has already become known for the momentum and movie styling doesn’t slow in any way. I like that there has been a painstaking effort made to ensure consistency is key.
ISSUE RATING: 5/5
Could Donny be the lamest Vigilante ever?
Possibly. He is fueled on revenge as much as Batman but thrown into the ring much faster than Batman. He isn’t equipped to fight, be a detective, or be a superhero. All the ingredients are there however in his strong supporting cast, he just has to realise it.
There is a rawness to his character I’ve only ever seen in Wild Dog before and Gary Philips is crafting a brilliant first thriller for him.
WONDER WOMAN #13
Angel Down
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Renato Guedes
Cover: Liam Sharp & Brad Anderson
Variant: Jenny Frison
Diana has become completely withdrawn, so Steve calls for an extraction from ‘Themyscira’ only The Picket, their only hope of rescue has been subject of a massacre and the invading soldiers are now only to happy to ‘rescue’ Wonder Woman.
Steve checks his sat-phone and finds a message from Etta to run. Agent Etta Candy never runs so Steve realises something serious is at play and at that moment Diana reawakens but in an unhinged state. Realising whoever received his extraction message was on the way to kill them Steve leads Diana deep into the forestry.
Veronica Cale communicates with the soldiers, and reveals that the island may still be a gateway to Themyscira but only Diana can open it. She also tells them that Etta Candy has escaped possibly to rendezvous with Barbara Minerva.
Steve sets several traps and takes out nearly the entire squad of hunters all by himself except their General Maru. Just as they are about to be taken into enemy custody, ARGUS arrives and rescues Steve and Diana.
Hours later, in London, Steve has checked Wonder Woman into a hospital under an alias, Diana Prince in hopes she comes back from the brink.
To Be Continued…
COVER: 4/5
Do you feel Diana’s devastation?
If not, why not? This is a truly evocative cover that really cuts deep if you’ve been following the title so far. Not sure Maru warrants centre stage but other than her all I want to do is give Diana a hug.
ART: 5/5
I’ve been so used to Guedes work on Superman over the years that seeing the progression since then to Wonder Woman is something of a drastic change. There is a dark edge to the art that wasn’t there before. It is well suited to the mission of the Poison team and added to the fear factor of being hunted.
ISSUE RATING: 5/5
Changing pace to a monologue narrative for the majority of the issue really works as it showcases Steve Trevor, who is often sidelined in much the same way Lois Lane is. My disappointment in not seeing Etta and how she dealt with the ambush with Cale is sidelined quickly by the revelations and ramifications of ‘The Lies’ on poor Diana.
I hope we see more issues of her supporting cast dealing with her fractured psyche as seeing them in the spotlight is a brilliant way to buck the story and reader to attention.