Category: DC Comics

Written by Jeph Loeb. 

Credited Art & Cover Art by Jim Lee.

Lettering by Richard Starkings.

Collection Cover Art by Jim Lee.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2011 by DC Comics in hardcover only, this 320-page compilation reprints 2002-2003’s Batman # 608-619, with the complete “Hush” arc in all black-and-white.   Unlike various other releases of the same title, the Unwrapped edition imbues the storyline with a more noir-like vibe without inker Scott Williams’ colorizations. 

With an abducted Gotham City child’s life at stake, Batman races the midnight clock to save both the young boy and thwart a ten-million-dollar ransom drop.  Encountering Killer Croc and then a fleeing Catwoman, Batman’s relentless pursuit is targeted by an unknown saboteur. 

Though the Huntress comes to his rescue, a critically injured Dark Knight ends up with a fractured skull.  Thanks to his childhood best friend-turned-Philadelphia surgeon, Dr. Tommy Elliot, Bruce Wayne somehow makes a speedy recovery – despite subsequently risking further injury as Batman.  Prior to the deaths of Bruce’s parents, Tommy’s own tragic childhood is revealed.

Tracking the stolen ten-million-dollar ransom, Batman realizes that Poison Ivy is involved, but she isn’t his elusive saboteur.  Having deduced Batman’s secret identity, this shadowy foe, “Hush,” is deploying vengeful mind games against the Dark Knight.  Now romantically involved, Batman & Catwoman subsequently confront Ivy and a mind-controlled Superman in Metropolis.  Having shared his secret identity with Selina Kyle, Bruce faces a mixed reaction from those closest in his inner circle, including Nightwing, Alfred Pennyworth, and, most critically, Tim Drake’s disapproving Robin.

With Barbara “Oracle” Gordon’s help, Batman and others (i.e. an injured Catwoman, Nightwing, Huntress, Superman, & Tim Drake’s Robin) confront a gauntlet of Gotham’s worst rogues. Hush’s nefarious insights and covert assistance from afar make these enemies even more formidable than before. As the Dark Knight slowly closes in, Hush’s arsenal of dirty tricks concocts one roadblock after another.

Aside from Ivy, Killer Croc, and frenemy Talia al Ghul, the line-up of Bat-foes also includes: the Joker & Harley Quinn; Scarecrow; Ra’s al Ghul; Clayface; Two-Face; the Riddler; and possibly even a supposedly dead Jason Todd.  Among those caught up in the crossfire are James Gordon, Dr. Leslie Tompkins, and even Tommy Elliot, as Batman is becoming gradually unhinged with paranoid rage. 

With Hush preying upon painful secrets deep in his past, Batman realizes his foe isn’t all he seems.  More so, the Dark Knight senses he really can’t trust anyone – perhaps not even his true soulmate.  Additional guest stars include Lois Lane; Krypto; U.S. President Lex Luthor; and Alan Scott’s Green Lantern.

REVIEW:

Batman: Hush is surely among the Dark Knight’s seminal arcs.  There’s no dispute that writer Jeph Loeb and that art team’s visuals converged at the top of their creative games for this lengthy arc.  With this Unwrapped special edition, readers are supposed to gaze in awe at 300+ pages of Jim Lee’s stellar Bat-penciling – apart from Loeb’s guiding narrative. 

Unwrapped’s stylish presence on glossy paper, in that sense, readily surpasses industry-standard black-and-white reprint compendiums.  Rough spots in Lee’s sketches, fortunately, are minimal, but they surface during the climax.  Specifically, some pages of Lee’s work appear noticeably darker and less fine-tuned – as if they were possibly rushed. 

The omission of Scott Williams’ high-caliber inking, however, makes this Unwrapped experience not as intriguing as it ought to be.  Case in point: for readers mostly unfamiliar with the Batman: Hush storyline, identifying all who’s who in the cast (or even lurking in the background) without color may be something of a challenge.  Such novelty is akin to watching, for instance, The Empire Strikes Back in a rough-cut form without special effects and/or John Williams’ accompanying instrumentals. 

Frankly, it’s eye-rolling to count up how many times DC Comics has milked its Batman: Hush cash cow these past two decades.  In this instance, though, the iconic storyline’s magic is inevitably diminished by its absence of color (and, by extension, DC’s greed).  Even if Scott Williams is evidently okay with DC Comics removing his vital contribution, the outcome speaks for itself. 

Batman: Hush – Unwrapped, therefore, is more a curiosity than something revolutionary for die-hard fans.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Scott Williams supplies an untitled, single-page foreword from March 2011.  Lee’s full-page sketched cover precedes each issue.  Lee also supplies an eight-page project sketchbook.  The last page provides Loeb and Lee’s mini-biographies, which are duplicated on the front inside jacket cover.      

BRIAN’S OOD MOON RATING:                       7 Stars

Written by Mark Waid; Brian Augustyn; Pat McGreal; & Joe Casey.

Art by Paul Pelletier; Doug Braithwaite; Scott Kolins; Duncan Rouleau; Ron Lim; Tom Morgan; José Marzan Jr.; Doug Hazlewood; Robin Riggs; Jon Holdredge; Dennis Janke; Vince Russell; Aaron Sowd; Denis Rodier; Tom McCraw; Gaspar Saladino; Steve Dutro; Bill Oakley; & Ken Lopez.

Collection Cover Art by Steve Lightle.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2021 by DC Comics, this 400-page trade paperback concludes Mark Waid’s first shift writing Wally West’s adventures by compiling 1999-2000’s The Flash # 151-163, plus Annual # 12 and Secret Files # 2.  This compilation is also available digitally.    

Note: Waid briefly resumed writing this series with Issues # 231-236 during DC’s 2007-2008 post-Infinite Crisis era.

Wally West’s Flash has vanished, as he is searching for his beloved fiancé, Linda Park.  Other than Wally’s teenage protégé, Bart “Impulse” Allen, no one else (i.e. Jay Garrick, Jesse Quick, & Max Mercury) has caught on that someone has erased an abducted Linda seemingly from existence. 

Meanwhile, an older/brusque Flash from an alternate reality emerges to assume Wally’s responsibilities protecting Keystone/Central City.  As this Flash acclimates to a new status quo (having lost his own Linda to tragedy years before), he finds himself drawn to police chemist, Angela Margolin.  Among the Flash Family’s first adventures with this new Flash is a Gorilla City caper. 

The Rogues’ Gallery find that their powers have been duplicated by a new villain: Replicant.  Other formidable threats include Abra Kadabra, the Folded Man, Kobra, and possibly a new Reverse-Flash, as Wally finally reunites with Linda.  In addition to his own savvy disguise, Wally needs the Flash Family’s firepower to thwart Kadabra’s nefarious time-warping scheme.

In the present-day, two versions of Wally West must uneasily co-exist.  With his super-friends’ help, the true Wally at last marries Linda before they embark on a literally whirlwind honeymoon.  To prevent Hypertime (a recent Waid invention) from eroding reality, the other Wally realizes he must return to his own rightful point within the multiverse.  That means a potentially heartbreaking end to this new Flash’s romance with Angela.

As an old foe seeks long-awaited vengeance, Wally and Linda’s globetrotting honeymoon is jeopardized.  Elsewhere, Jay Garrick recalls for his fellow Flash Family members his own post-war honeymoon with Joan in 1947 Las Vegas.  It’s revealed that more than just Jay’s Justice Society belated-bachelor-party buddies have tracked the Garricks down. 

Settling into married life, Wally and Linda (back as a journalist) team with Billy Batson’s Captain Marvel against Felix Faust’s worldwide Y2K-inspired scheme.  Lastly, Barry Allen’s dubious foe, the Turtle, resurfaces to eliminate the newlywed Wests.  As Wally soon discovers, the Turtle’s explosive ‘shopping’ list also includes Batman, Superman, Aquaman, and Kyle Rayner’s Green Lantern.          

Additional guest appearances and cameos include: Wonder Woman; Plastic Man; Martian Manhunter; Beast Boy; the Titans/Silver Age Teen Titans: Nightwing, Donna Troy, Tempest, & Arsenal; the Golden Age Justice Society (Alan Scott’s Green Lantern; Al Pratt’s Atom; Wildcat; Dr. Charles McNider’s Dr. Mid-Nite; & Rex Tyler’s Hourman); and Jay Garrick’s dubious trio of sidekicks.        

REVIEW:

Volume 8 mostly focuses on the Walter West/Flash arc, plus an unremarkable stretch finally delivering Wally and Linda’s long-teased wedding/honeymoon. Working with writers Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn, the various art teams deliver consistently good visuals for that era that mesh well with the routine plotting.  This compilation’s contents make for an overall decent read, given Waid deploys his cast of characters well – as far as entertaining an all-ages audience. 

Waid, in that sense, is just as invaluable to constructing Wally West’s Flash universe, as his more acclaimed successor, Geoff Johns, would become. Both writers consistently scripted an energetic Wally and a high-caliber supporting cast – as opposed to how stale Barry Allen’s previous 350-issue series had gradually become by the mid-80’s.      

Closing with fun self-contained tales (specifically, Issues # 161-162: Jay Garrick’s Golden Age JSA honeymoon caper in Las Vegas; and Wally’s team-up with Captain Marvel/Shazam surpass # 163’s Justice League crossover), a vibe of ‘business as usual’ is unmistakable.  More so, an abundant page count doesn’t mask how average this collection’s stories otherwise are. 

Still, their creative appeal holds up – if only because Waid’s 100-issue stint (including the seven prior volumes) predates DC’s excessively convoluted rebooting for the past two decades.  Flash By Mark Waid, Book Eight, in terms of an innocent nostalgia run, makes a welcome find at the library.    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

For starters, the necessary table-of-contents proves helpful.  Each full-page cover precedes its issue.  The cover artists are:

• Steve Lightle: Issues # 151-154, Secret Files & Origins # 2 (1999), and # 155-163; plus 
• Arthur Adams: Annual # 12 (1999).

A single-page “Gorilla City: Secret City of Simian Super Science” map is produced by writer/artist Eliot Brown.  Brown is assisted by colorist Tom McCraw and Digital Chameleon’s color separations.    

In a spoofy Silver Age homage to Barry Allen’s Flash, there’s the four-page “Lost-Pages Adventure: The Stunning Secret of the Scarlet Speedster’s Super Slow-Down!”  Stopped literally in his tracks, the Flash witnesses Turtle Man’s gang commit a brazen Central City bank heist utilizing his stolen super-speed.  The joke, of course, is that the convenient pseudo-science reversing the Flash’s predicament really makes no sense.  Writer: Brian Augustyn.  Art by: Tom Morgan; Denis Rodier; Tom McCraw; Digital Chameleon; and Gaspar Saladino. 

Next is a cartoony four page fashion industry parody featuring the Rogues’ Gallery entitled “Gambi: Middle of The Rogue.”  Writer: Tom Peyer.  Art by: Stephen DeStefano; Tom McCraw; and Digital Chameleon.

Full-page Secret Files profiles are supplied for: 1. Walter West’s alternate-reality Flash (Writer: Mark Waid.  Art by: Paul Pelletier; Vince Russell; Tom McCraw; & Digital Chameleon); 2. Cobalt Blue (Writer: Mark Waid.  Art by: Steve Lightle; Tom McCraw; & Digital Chameleon); 3. Angela Margolin (Writer: Mark Waid.  Art by: Phil Jimenez; Tom McCraw; & Digital Chameleon); 4. The Folded Man (Writer: Mark Waid.  Art by: Hilary Barta; Tom McCraw; & Digital Chameleon); 5. Replicant (Writer: Mark Waid.  Art by: Hilary Barta; Tom McCraw; & Digital Chameleon); and 6. Sela Allen (Writer: Mark Waid.  Art by: Humberto Ramos; Wayne Faucher; Tom McCraw; & Digital Chameleon).

Barry Allen’s iconic Flash ring is briefly explained in a single page.  Writer/Artist: Eliot Brown, with assistance from colorist Tom McCraw and Digital Chameleon’s color separations. 

This compilation concludes with Waid’s insightful two-page “Afterword,” reflecting upon his contributions to the Flash franchise. 

BRIAN’S OOD MOON RATING:                          6 Stars

Written by Mark Waid.

Art by Dan Mora; Emanuela Lupacchino; Wade Von Grawbadger; Norm Rapmund; Tamara Bonvillain; & Steve Wands.

Collection Cover Art by Dan Mora.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2024 by DC Comics, this 168-page trade paperback compiles 2023’s Batman/Superman – World’s Finest # 12-17.  This title’s other formats are hardcover and digitally.

On their first (and surely last) date night, teenagers Kara/Supergirl and Dick Grayson’s Robin suffer an awkward evening getting to know one another.  Come the next day, a mortified Robin even sketches a glimpse at his future change of identity to shake off their shared humiliation.  Kara confides in her sympathetic cousin a mature perspective indicating she and Robin are really just better off as friendly colleagues. 

Meanwhile, belligerent Metropolis industrialist Simon Stagg is found murdered in a baffling locked-room mystery.  The most obvious prime suspect is his own resentful bodyguard/potential son-in-law, a now-fugitive Rex “Metamorpho” Mason – ‘The Element Man.’  Mason’s bizarre origin in becoming Metamorpho is reprised, as Clark Kent explains his friend’s history to Jimmy Olsen. 

Jimmy’s journalistic sleuthing precipitates another Stagg enemy’s shocking arrest by the Gotham City police – Bruce Wayne, no less.  Facing a first-degree homicide charge (and irked with Clark Kent), Wayne’s Batman cedes their Stagg investigation to Robin and Superman, with tracking down an infuriated Metamorpho’s whereabouts as their first priority.   

Realizing that wealthy high-tech tycoons (i.e. Oliver Queen and Terd Kord) have evidently been replaced by android duplicates, the World’s Finest team probe this nefarious conspiracy.  With DC’s high-tech geniuses (i.e. Dr. Will Magnus) now missing, clues ominously converge on a worldwide threat never before seen. 

Controlling the world’s most formidable A.I.-related weapons, a new incarnation of Amazo has been unleashed.  Even Batman’s ingenuity may not be enough to thwart a technological menace capable of overwhelming even the Justice League’s considerable might.  Perhaps their fate belongs to an unexpected ally to make the pivotal difference.         

Additional guest stars and cameos include: the Justice League (Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern; Barry Allen’s Flash; Wonder Woman; Martian Manhunter; Plastic Man; Hawkman; Black Canary; Green Arrow; Red Tornado; Blue Beetle; & the Ronnie Raymond/Professor Stein Firestorm); The Metal Men; the original Doom Patrol; the Silver Age’s Teen Titans (Donna Troy’s Wonder Girl; Roy Harper’s Speedy; Aqualad; & Wally West’s Kid Flash); Shazam/Captain Marvel; G.I. Robot; Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl; Sapphire Stagg; and the Challengers of The Unknown.   

REVIEW:

Working off a simple continuity (set sometime in the not-so-distant past), writer Mark Waid’s coherent plotting nails a grand slam with Volume 3.  Deftly intertwining multiple story threads, Waid is absolutely on his game by not piling on too many plot twists.  Hence, he ensures this vintage DC team-up supplies a wide array of guest stars moments to shine in varying degrees of screen time.  Equal to this task is this art team’s impressive visuals that are spot-on appealing without resorting to unnecessary flash.             

Try as one might, there’s virtually nothing to knock on Volume 3: Elementary – aside from its eye-rolling number of variant covers used as padding.  While an archived Justice League or Batman and The Outsiders reprint showcasing Metamorpho (or maybe something from his own short-lived mid-1960’s solo series – better yet, his 1965 debut in The Brave and The Bold # 57) would have made sense for nostalgic inclusion, this compilation’s page count is already excellent.

Inviting both hardcore DC buffs and casual fans, Batman/Superman – World’s  Finest, Volume 3: Elementary is a most welcome read.  Definitely recommended!    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Mora’s full-page primary cover precedes each issue.  A single-page tease of the franchise’s next storyline is teased.  Starting with Issue # 13, occasionally a full-page variant cover follows Mora’s cover before proceeding with the story.  These variant cover artists are: 

• Issue # 13: Christian Ward, who pits Superman & Batman vs. Darkseid.
• Issue # 15: Daniel Sampere & Bruno Redondo.
• Issue # 17: Cliff Chiang, in a homage to Late 1970’s/Early 80’s DC styling (Batman, Superman, Green Arrow, and Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern).

In conclusion, a whopping 19-page variant cover gallery (all in a full- page format) consists of these artists:

• Issue # 12 (1. Max Dunbar & Tamara Bonvillain; 2. Sweeny Boo {includes the Silver Age Teen Titans}; and 3. Dave Johnson).
• Issue # 13 (1. Fico Ossio {includes Supergirl & Robin}; 2.Baldemar Rivas {includes The Crime Syndicate’s Ultraman & Owlman} and 3. Jesús Merino & Adriano Lucas {DC New 52’s The Shazam Family}.
• Issue # 14 (1. Hayden Sherman {includes Parasite}; 2. Nikola Čižmešija {includes Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad; Katana, Black Lightning (Bronze Age), & Metamorpho}; 3. Serg Acuña; and 4. Simone Di Meo).
• Issue # 15 (1. Walter Simonson & Michael Atiyeh; and 2. Nikolas Draper-Ivey {Batman Beyond homage}).   
• Issue # 16 (1. Ben Oliver; 2. Kaare Andrews; 3. Lee Bermejo; 4. Doug Braithwaite {The Flash movie homage}; and 5. Babs Tarr). 
• Issue # 17 (1. Jamie McKelvie {including Magpie}; and 2. Dike Ruan). 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                            10 Stars

Written by Geoff Johns.

Art by Doug Mahnke; Christian Alamy; Keith Champagne; Mark Irwin; Tom Nguyen; Shawn Moll; Randy Mayor; Gabe Eltaeb; Carrie Strachan; & Rod Reis.

‘Tales of the Red Lantern Corps: Dex-Starr’ Art by Shawn Davis; Jamie Grant; Nick J. Napolitano; & Steve Wands.

Collection Cover Art by Doug Mahnke & Randy Mayor.

SUMMARY:

First released by DC Comics in 2011, this 288-page hardcover compiles 2010-2011’s Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) # 53-62. 

In the wake of Blackest Night, Green Lantern’s sequel is the ten-part “New Guardians” from the Brightest Day storyline. Rudely interrupting Carol Ferris & Hal Jordan’s latest wary flirtation on Earth, Sinestro convinces them to a tentative truce investigating the mysterious ‘White Lantern.’  They soon discover that none of them can move it, though their combined effort unleashes an ominous plea.  It’s up to them (along with a reluctant Larfleeze and Atrocitus) to locate six Entities roaming Earth.  Each of these emotional spectrum-based entities are seeking to channel themselves in human form.

Meanwhile, an unknown third party seeks to intercede by manipulating an imprisoned Hector Hammond’s long-standing lust for Carol Ferris.  Also, in a tease towards “War of the Green Lanterns,” An off-planet Guy Gardner evidently picks his side in an upcoming conflict that will include Hal Jordan among his adversaries.  On Oa, the Guardians grow increasingly concerned about Hal’s rebellious nature; specifically, he is hiding his current mission from them.              

Mortal casualties mount, as Hal, Carol, Sinestro, Larfleeze, Sinestro, and Atrocitus seek out these elusive Entities in multiple locales on Earth and in deep space.  Having dispatched the Predator in Las Vegas, Carol finds her potential destiny now resides on planet Zamaron.  Facing off against Atrocitus, Lobo, and even a Parallax-possessed Flash, among others, an exhausted Hal pushes his willpower to the limits.  Yet, the cosmic foe awaiting him may prove unstoppable. 

Defying both the Green Lantern Corps and the Justice League, Hal’s choice of allies: Saint Walker, Larfleeze, Atrocitus, & Iroque (Indigo-1), conveys that he is evidently sparing his closest friends from certain death.  To rescue the Entities and their captive human channels, representatives of at least five different Lantern Corps must invade the bleak ‘Lost Sector.’     

Guest stars include Crispus Allen’s Spectre; Lobo; Barry Allen’s Flash; Renee Montoya’s Question; Lex Luthor; Dex-Starr; Batman; & Superman.  A six-page Tales of the Red Lanterns Corps back-up tale depicts feline Dex-Starr’s tragic origin becoming a Red Lantern.

Notes: This title is also available digitally and in a trade paperback format.  Guy Gardner makes a cameo appearance, but Kyle Rayner doesn’t appear in this volume.

REVIEW:

This seemingly endless arc evokes grim irony given its Brightest Day banner.  Its actual substance seems far more in tone with Blackest Night than anything one might construe as bright and cheery.  While writer Geoff Johns keeps his ongoing story twists percolating in a coherent manner, it’s an ambitious read meant for the franchise’s hardcore fans.  Casual readers, however, may find the plotting too convoluted to keep up with Johns for the long haul. 

Johns’ multiple sub-plots supply ample depth to Larfleeze (note: a little Larfleeze goes a long way), Sinestro, Atrocitus, and especially Carol Ferris/Star Sapphire.  Hal Jordan, at the plot’s center, is in vintage form, particularly in a showdown against a Parallax-infected Flash.  The same applies to Hal’s interactions with Carol Ferris.  Carol’s own insightful heroism is another promising element.  It makes sense why DC would finally elevate her to the Justice League in 2024. 

Amplifying Johns’ storyline with high-quality visuals is this reliable art team.  Led by Doug Mahnke’s solid penciling, this art squad surpasses the challenge of bringing Johns’ vivid imagination to life.  Assuredly, it’s no easy task.      

Still, given its surplus of disturbing inferences (i.e. a child abduction; multiple grisly deaths), the content of Green Lantern: Brightest Day should be restricted to older teens and up.  In spite of neglecting an appropriate parental advisory, DC Comics compensates with a fantastic page count.  Though Green Lantern: Brightest Day isn’t a must-have purchase, curious fans should at least consider seeking out this Geoff Johns epic at the library.  For Hal Jordan’s fans, it’s definitely worth the read.  

Still, for any purchase of this Brightest Day tie-in, it makes practical sense to also acquire Green Lantern’s Blackest Night.  That way, this full twenty-issue saga can be read together. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Each full-page cover precedes its story.  These primary cover artists are:

• Issue # 53 (artists: Doug Mahnke & Randy Mayor) – Note: It’s the collection cover.
• Issue # 54 (artist: Shane Davis; Sandra Hope; & Barbara Ciardo) – image: Atrocitus in the New York City subway.
• Issue # 55 (artists: Mahnke; Christian Alamy; & Mayor) – image: Hal Jordan, Lobo, & Atrocitus.
• Issue # 56 (artists: Mahnke & Hi-Fi) – image: Hal Jordan & Sinestro.
• Issue # 57 (artists: Mahnke & Hi-Fi) – image: Carol Ferris’ Star Sapphire vs. Predator.
• Issue # 58 (artists: Mahnke, Alamy, & Mayor) – image: the lead characters kneel to Adara.
• Issue # 59 (artists: Mahnke, Alamy & Mayor) – image: Hal Jordan & the Flash in battle.
• Issue # 60 (artists: Gary Frank & Nathan Eyring) – image: Hal Jordan vs. a Parallax-possessed Flash.
• Issue # 61 (artists: Frank & Mayor) – image: Hal Jordan vs. Atrocitus & the ‘Red Lantern’ Butcher.
• Issue # 62 (artists: Ardian Syaf; Vicente Cifuentes; & Mayor) – image: The Justice League (including Hal Jordan), Atrocitus, Sinestro, & Larfleeze.

Full-page variant covers are collected as a gallery.  Specifically, they consist of:

• Issue # 53 (artist: Ryan Sook) – image: shared possession of the White Lantern.
• Issue # 54 (artist Alex Garner) – image: Hal Jordan, the Entities, and the White Lantern.
• Issue # 55 (artists: Mahnke & Mayor) – image: Lobo.
• Issue # 56 (artist: Art Germ) – image: Blue Walker.
• Issue # 57 (artists: Ryan Sook; Fernando Pasarin; Joel Gomez; Mayor; & Carrie Strachan) – image: White Lantern Deadman.
• Issue # 58 (artist: Gene Ha) – image: Hal Jordan.
• Issue # 59 (artist: Ha) – image: Hal Jordan, Black Hand, & Iroque (Indigo-1).
• Issue # 60 (artist: Frank Quitely) – image: Hal Jordan vs. Sinestro.
• Issue # 61 (artist: Garner) – image: Spectre & Hal Jordan team up vs. the Red Lantern ‘Butcher.’
• Issue # 62 (artists: Mahnke; Alamy; Mayor; & Alex Sinclair) – image: Hal Jordan.

A five-page preview teases Hal Jordan’s next arc: “War of the Green Lanterns,” as the Green Lantern Corps seemingly implode into civil war.  The last page presents multi-paragraph Johns and Mahnke biographies, which are then duplicated on the back inside cover.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      7½ Stars

Written by Geoff Johns.

Art by Doug Mahnke; Ed Benes; Marcos Marz; Christian Alamy; Tom Nguyen; Rodney Ramos; Mark Irwin; Luciana Del Negro; Rebecca Buchman; Keith Champagne; Randy Mayor; Gabe Eltaeb; Hi-Fi; Carrie Strachan; & Rob Leigh.

Collection Cover Art by Ivan Reis & Rodolfo Migliari.

SUMMARY:

First released in hardcover by DC Comics in 2011, this 256-page trade paperback compiles 2010-2011’s Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) # 43-52. 

The Green Lantern Corps/Sinestro Corps feud has seemingly ended, as the universe’s emotional spectrum has split into multiple color Corps factions across the universe:  Green (willpower – i.e. Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and the Green Lantern Corps), Violet (love – i.e. Carol Ferris and the Star Sapphires), Orange (avarice – i.e. Larfleeze); Red (rage – i.e. Atrocitus); Yellow (fear – i.e. Sinestro’s Corps); Blue (hope – i.e. Saint Walker); and the enigmatic Indigo (compassion – i.e. The Indigo Tribe). 

As ominously prophesied by Oa’s Guardians of the Universe, this emotional rivalry of seven colors opens the rise of the evil Black Lantern Corps to swarm and destroy life across the universe.  Though its leader isn’t yet revealed, the Black Lanterns is fronted by now-corrupted Guardians.  Subsequently comprised by an army of the vengeful dead, this faction’s first recruit is Hal Jordan’s old nemesis: Black Hand. 

Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern and Barry Allen’s Flash are bewildered to face the Black Lantern Black Hand, along with one of his new soldiers: the Black Lantern J’onn J’onzz – The Martian Manhunter.  Elsewhere, deep-space battles continue on planets Ysmault, Okaara, Zamaron, and, in the offing, a lone John Stewart on Xanshi.

On battle-ravaged planet Zamaron, Carol Ferris faces off against Sinestro before they must unite against common foes.  Hal Jordan and two Indigo Tribe reinforcements join them as reinforcements.   Forced to abandon Zamaron, Hal, Carol, Sinestro, and others shift to Sinestro’s home planet, Korugar. 

Once there, Mongul challenges Sinestro for command of his self-named Corps.  A Black Lantern from Hal and Sinestro’s shared past haunts them.  More so, Sinestro must fend off another Black Lantern, whose was once the love of his life.  On planet Ysmault, under Hal and Sinestro’s joint command, their team recruits Atrocitus, as they build towards uniting all seven Corps against the Black Lanterns.             

John Stewart’s past war experiences haunt him in his solo showdown against Black Lanterns on planet Xanshi. Elsewhere, Hal and Sinestro’s team further recruits Larfleeze and Saint Walker’s Blue Lantern Corps. 

Shifting back to Earth, Hal’s team expands to include Barry Allen’s Blue Lantern Flash; Yellow Lantern Scarecrow; Red Lantern Mera; Star Sapphire Wonder Woman; Orange Lantern Lex Luthor; Ray Palmer’s Indigo Atom; and the Guardian: Ganthet.  Confiding her love, Carol pleads with Hal not to make a brash decision in battle against the Black Lantern Spectre.  Even Sinestro implores Hal not to take such a risk given its worst possible outcome.     

To thwart a Black Lantern-corrupted Spectre, Hal desperately reunites with the Parallax entity in hopes of rescuing Crispus Allen’s Spectre.  Under Nekron’s command, more Black Lanterns are revealed, including Superman; Green Arrow; Firestorm; Aquaman; Hawkgirl; Hawkman; and the Martian Manhunter.  Hal’s temporary gambit works, as a means of thwarting Nekron’s Black Lanterns evidently becomes possible.      

Converging on Earth, the Black Lantern Corps and the force of planet Xanshi seek to destroy the planet.  Emerging from deep space, John Stewart’s recruited allies (among them: Kilowog and Star Sapphire Fatality) coordinate with Hal’s team for their last stand.  With Earth’s fate at stake, the planet’s defenders must look to the being now possessed by the enigmatic White Lantern. 

Readers are then told a definitive finish awaits them at the end of the primary Blackest Night title.             

Notes: This title is also available digitally.  Neither Kyle Rayner nor Guy Gardner appears in this volume.

REVIEW:

This complicated Blackest Night tie-in conveys varying shades of horrific sci-fi/horror to match the saga’s zombie premise.

Beginning with Issue # 43, Black Hand’s macabre origin (including his Black Lantern recruitment) is one of the most reprehensible tales that Geoff Johns and, by extension, DC Comics, has ever concocted.  Squandering high-quality artwork, this issue shouldn’t be accessible to the under-age 16 crowd.  DC Comics ought to be ashamed for not issuing a parental advisory for the issue’s icky content.  Further, it’s a shocking instance where DC evidently allowed Johns carte blanche on Blackest Night.

Moving past this glaring complaint, Johns subsequently constructs a vast Green Lantern saga meant for the franchise’s then-current fanbase.  Johns, in terms of creative expertise, juggles multiple sub-plots at regular intervals with plentiful depth.  To his credit, he makes such a formidable plotting challenge appear easy – with only occasional flaws. 

For instance, despite Hal, Carol, Sinestro, and various deputy Lanterns expending maximum firepower, Johns doesn’t depict anybody ever needing to recharge.  It’s a significant oversight in logic, but Johns’ ongoing plot twists more than make up the difference.  Even more so, the artistic talents supplying this book’s imaginative visuals appear at the top of their game.

While Green Lantern (Hal Jordan): Blackest Night isn’t a kid-friendly read, it makes an worthwhile argument to consider purchase.  If anything, purchasing it along with Hal Jordan’s subsequent Brightest Day tie-in, makes the most practical sense to grasp a Green Lantern epic spanning twenty issues.  Aside from the gross Issue # 43, this Blackest Night tie-in makes an intriguing read for adult Green Lantern fans.         

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Brief ongoing summaries of the Green Lantern cast’s involvement in the Blackest Night saga are provided between issues.  Each full-page cover precedes its story.  The primary cover artists are:

• Issue # 43 (artists: Doug Mahnke; Christian Alamy; & Alex Sinclair) – image: Black Hand.
• Issue # 44 (artists: Mahnke; Alamy; & Sinclair) – image: Hal Jordan & Barry Allen’s Flash vs. Black Lantern Martian Manhunter.
• Issue # 45 (artists: Mahnke; Alamy; & Hi-Fi) – image: Carol Ferris/Star Sapphire vs. Sinestro.
• Issue # 46 (artists: Mahnke; Alamy; & Hi-Fi) – image: Carol Ferris/Star Sapphire, Hal Jordan, & Sinestro.
• Issue # 47 (artists: Mahnke; Alamy; & Hi-Fi) – image: Hal Jordan & Sinestro vs. Black Lantern Abin Sur.
• Issue # 48 (artists: Mahnke; Alamy; & Hi-Fi) – image: Saint Walker & the Blue Lantern Corps vs. Yellow Lanterns.
• Issue # 49 (artists: Ed Benes & Hi-Fi) – image: John Stewart escaping a mound of skeletons.
• Issue # 50 (artists: Mahnke; Alamy; & Pete Pantazis) – image: Hal Jordan’s Parallax.
• Issue # 51 (artists: Mahnke; Alamy; & Hi-Fi) – image: Seven different Lanterns’ team-up vs. a Black Lantern.
• Issue # 52 (artists: Mahnke; Alamy; & Randy Mayor) – image: White Lantern Sinestro.

With each variant cover in a full-page, format, the gallery consists of:

• Issue # 43 (artists: Eddy Barrows & Nei Ruffino) – image: Hal Jordan vs. Black Hand.
• Issue # 44 (artists: Phillip Tan; Jonathan Glapion; & Ruffino) – image: the Guardians under attack. 
• Issue # 45 (artists: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato) – image: Carol Ferris/Star Sapphire.
• Issue # 46 (artists: Andy Kubert & Sinclair) – image: Hal Jordan & Sinestro vs. Yellow Lantern Mongul.
• Issue # 47 (artists: Benes & Ruffino) – image: Iroque (Indigo-1).
• Issue # 48 (artists: Rags Morales & Ruffino) – image: Saint Walker.
• Issue # 49 (artists: Rodolfo Migliari) – image: sniper John Stewart vs. Black Lanterns.
• Issue # 50 (artists: Jim Lee; Scott Williams; & Sinclair) – image: Seven Lanterns recharge.
• Issue # 51 (artist: Greg Horn) – image: Yellow Lantern Scarecrow.
• Issue # 52 (artists: Shane Davis; Sandra Hope & Barbara Ciardo) – image: White Lantern Sinestro.

With art by Joe Prado, a gallery of Deputy Lantern profiles consist of:

• Red Lantern Mera (1/2 page).
• Orange Lantern Lex Luthor (1/2 page).
• Sinestro Corps Scarecrow (1/2 page).
• Barry Allen’s Blue Lantern Flash (1/2 page).
• Ray Palmer’s Indigo Lantern Flash (1/2 page).
• Wonder Woman’s Star Saphhire (1/2 page).

Shifting to full-page portraits, the profile gallery also includes

• Black Lantern Aquaman (artists: Ethan Van Sciver & Sinclair).
• Black Lantern Batman (artist: Prado).
• Black Lantern Firestorm (artists: Van Sciver & Sinclair).
• Black Lantern Hal Jordan (artist: Prado).
• Black Lantern Martian Manhunter (artists: Van Sciver & Sinclair).
• Black Lantern Superman (artist: Prado).

The last page presents multi-paragraph biographies for Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      8 Stars

Written by Darwyn Cooke.

Art by Darwyn Cooke & Matt Hollingsworth.

Cover Art by Darwyn Cooke & Matt Hollingsworth.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2002 by DC Comics, this 96-page trade paperback serves as a standalone prequel setting up Catwoman’s then-imminent series relaunch. 

Hiding out overseas after her presumed death, Selina Kyle’s luck finally goes bust once a promising Moroccan heist turns up a fake artifact.  Forced to covertly return to Gotham City, Selina seeks out a trusted local pawnbroker/underworld fence, “Swifty,” to see if he knows of any get-rich-quick schemes worth her time.  Through Chantel, a reluctant contact inside boyfriend Frank Falcone’s mob faction, Selina hears of his $24-million-dollar express train that will be crossing over the New York/Canadian border within the month.

Reluctantly approaching her former mentor/one-time lover, Stark, at his retirement getaway in South Florida, Selina convinces him to assemble the operation.  In spite of their mutual misgivings, Selina senses that the ruthless Stark won’t hesitate to kill her, if either she double-crosses him again or becomes a liability. 

In Las Vegas, they recruit a young tech genius, Jeff, to devise the experimental method in which they can board the moving train undetected by Falcone’s goons.  With Swifty’s help, Selina conjures up an ingenious means of escape off the train with the considerable mob loot.  Before the heist can commence, there’s the matter of Selina first shaking dogged Gotham private detective Slam Bradley off her trail. 

Unbeknownst to Selina’s makeshift gang, Falcone deduces that somebody intends to rob his money train.  Hence, he sends in a deadly mercenary duo to intercept them.  A hard-nosed Bradley, through tragedy, learns of the blood money set-up that Selina has inadvertently stumbled into.  Despite his misgivings, Bradley takes it upon himself to chase after Selina.  The question becomes: it’s not just about the money, but who might still escape this inevitable shootout alive?           

Note: This title’s formats also include digitally and hardcover.

REVIEW:

If one correlates Catwoman to The Usual Suspects, that’s the kind of crime noir one gets with Selina’s Big Score.  Darwyn Cooke, in that sense, concocts an action-noir melodrama grounded in a bleak shade of reality or, at least, Hollywood mobster fantasy.  For such a premise to succeed, its creative element depends upon Selina’s expendable supporting cast to give plot twists more heartbreaking impact. 

This assessment, in particular, applies to Selina’s seemingly ordinary enemies in her Big Score.  Though pitting Catwoman against the likes of the Riddler, Scarecrow, or the Joker is entertaining (i.e. her initial solo series), Falcone’s generic thugs and/or her crew’s potential double-crosses is close to the same entertainment value.  Hence, Cooke ensures that even an experienced Selina’s resolve and ingenuity are tested when there’s no Dark Knight to make the convenient save.  In this Big Score, it’s all up to a desperate Selina’s conscience to make or break her own ill-gotten fortune.   

Including glimpses of her shady past as a young ex-prostitute-turned-apprentice thief, Cooke’s Selina Kyle reasserts why her characterization can command a long-running solo series.  Still, Cooke’s plotting is hardly original for the ‘big heist’ genre; the violence-heavy clichés just fit this particular Catwoman caper. 

As for Cooke’s visuals, his artwork falls well short of his best DC works (i.e. Justice League: The New Frontier).  Case in point: even a skimming demonstrates that the unimpressive art throughout Selina’s Big Score looks at best passable.  Yet, when absorbing the gritty homage to Hollywood heist thrillers (i.e. Stark’s persona resembles actor James Coburn), such low-key visuals then make better sense.  More so to Cooke’s credit is that much of the story’s grisly mayhem occurs off-screen.  Like any skilled film director for this genre, he infers obvious outcomes vs. choosing to gratuitously spell them out.

That leaves two pertinent questions: 1.  How re-readable is Cooke’s storyline?  2.  Does Selina’s Big Score justify purchase, especially given its ultra-slim page count?  The first answer will surely vary on a reader’s tastes, but a single and thorough read should prove plenty.  The second answer is simple: Selina’s Big Score makes more sense as a library find. 

Had DC Comics inserted some worthy reprints to bolster the page count to a respectable number (i.e. 128 pages and up), a more persuasive argument would have been made for purchase.  That said, Catwoman: Selina’s Big Score merits a chance for re-discovery.  If anywhere, the library is really the best place to catch this heist.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Per his thank-you note written in 2002, Cooke introduces a full-page pin-up gallery with its own table-of-contents.  The guest artists consist of: Mike Mignola; Michael Allred; Shane Glines; Kevin Nowlan; Adam Hughes; Daniel Torres; Jaime Hernandez; and Jim Steranko. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     4 Stars

Written by John Ridley.

Art by Christian Duce; Ken Lashley; & Stephen Segovia; Rex Lokus; & Troy Peteri.

Collection Cover Art by Olivier Coipel & Alex Sinclair.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics in 2024, this 144-page trade paperback compiles 2021-2022’s I Am Batman # 6-10.  In the Next Batman’s alternate future timeline, Tim “Jace” Fox’s billionaire family has recently relocated to New York City from Gotham. 

With his attorney mother (Tanya) busily establishing political connections to expedite new social programs for the needy, Jace’s younger sisters: Tam and Tiffany have their own struggles acclimating.  Jace’s Batman, meanwhile, has drawn the attention of the city’s Mayor Villanueva, not to mention the less-than-thrilled and evidently ultra-bigoted Police Commissioner Pete Becket. 

Prompted by Villanueva, Deputy Mayor Carmichael recruits ex-GCPD Detective Adriana Chubb to command the  police’s new Bat-friendly special cases task force.  Joined by her ex-partner, Whitaker, Chubb senses that Carmichael’s dubiously handpicked recruits are really the police department’s castoff trouble magnets.  Now a deputized lawman, Fox’s Batman builds an alliance with a skeptical Chubb to corral a dangerous band of gunrunning thugs. 

Far worse is the rise of an ultra-sadistic serial killer (later dubbed ‘Man Ray’), whose first grisly and surrealistic ‘art display’ is dismembered philanthropist Devlin Rubel.  Between Batman and Chubb’s team, their search for ‘Man Ray’ has mixed results.  Still, Jace’s closest friends: Russian computer hacker, Vol, and Jace’s would-be girlfriend, Hadiyah, have better luck connecting potential clues towards ‘Man Ray.’ 

Humiliated in combat by ‘Man Ray,’ Batman redoubles his efforts to hunt down his elusive adversary.  Jace’s father, Lucius Fox, offers to enhance his son’s Bat-weapons, but it isn’t revealed if Jace accepts. The discovery of another eviscerated high-profile victim indicates that the enemy has no fear of the police.  More so, others within the NYPD intend to seek fitting vigilante revenge against ‘Man Ray.’

After Batman and Chubb’s task force realize that Mayor Villanueva is the killer’s next target, a lethal showdown soon commences at City Hall. This storyline is entitled “Empire State of Mind, Parts 1-5,” with Issue # 10 serving as the current plot’s conclusion.

Note: This title is also available digitally, along with the 2023 hardcover edition.

REVIEW:

It’s a shame that relatively high-caliber visuals are squandered on this icky and genre-clichéd storyline.  More specifically, Volume 2’s art team can’t hide writer John Ridley’s underwhelming excuse for a Bat-thriller. 

While Ridley conveys sufficient depth in various scenes depicting Jace’s family and friends; the police; and the Mayor’s Office, his take on Jace Fox’s Batman is all too generic.  Obvious elements of Jace’s Batman/Black Panther-like amalgam aside, there’s little, if anything, compelling, about this alternate Batman’s war on New York crime. Ridley essentially does too little developing the ‘Next Batman’ further as a pivotal lead character. 

Having his friends and the cops conduct most of the actual sleuthing doesn’t help Jace’s characterization, either.  Case in point: Jace asks his potential girlfriend to research a supposedly tantalizing hint referenced as ‘The Hotlist.’  Yet, Ridley doesn’t explain how or where Jace got this particular clue from.  Instead, it’s Hadiyah who casually deciphers the more pivotal info related to the enigmatic ‘Man Ray.’ 

Describing Ridley’s sociopath as ‘artistically minded’ really means that ‘Man Ray’ conveys nothing more than horrific crime scenes and an intent to eviscerate corrupt individuals alive.  Hence, displaying dismembered body parts in surrealistic ‘portraits’ is this new Bat-villain’s sickening trademark.  If Ridley thought he would impress readers in a twisted Saw-like manner, his creative intuition falls far short.               

Furthermore, implying the villain is inspired by and named after real life artist Man Ray (not to mention, mimics elements of the notorious Black Dahlia homicide) is an exercise in bad taste.  Adding to the antagonist’s lack of depth, Ridley also doesn’t explain this villain’s inexplicably superhuman attributes (i.e. strength, invulnerability) in action scenes. 

Having Jace later vanquish ‘Man Ray’ in a street fight and then have the killer await imminent arrest is an utter contradiction of their prior encounter.  Hence, ‘Man Ray,’ makes zero sense, in terms of plausibility.  Jace’s multi-ethnic supporting cast, by comparison, is at least admirably textbook excellent for any ongoing Bat-series.      

Serving as a tone-deaf exclamation point, what spells out Volume 2’s mostly deplorable plotting is a grotesque effigy ending Issue # 6 accompanied by the self-congratulatory banner of ‘DC Comics Proudly Presents.’  The fact that there isn’t a DC Comics parental advisory anywhere in sight for Volume 2, unfortunately, speaks for itself. 

Though this art team’s visual style is appealing, I Am Batman, Volume 2: Welcome To New York, otherwise, concocts a disappointingly repellant misfire.         

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Each full-page cover precedes its story.  Primary cover artist teams are: Issue # 6 (Olivier Coipel & Alex Sinclair); Issue # 7 (Ken Lashley & Diego Rodriguez); Issue # 8 (Stephen Segovia & Rex Lokus); Issue # 9 (Segovia & Lokus); and Issue # 10 (Christian Duce & Lokus). 

An excellent eleven-page variants gallery (all in a full-page format) consists of these artists:

1. Issue # 6: (1. Francesco Mattina; 2. Khary Randolph & Emilio Lopez; and 3. Alexis Franklin);
2. Issue # 7: (1. Mattina; and 2. Dike Ruan);
3. Issue # 8: (1. Coipel & Sinclair; and 2. Mateus Manhanini);
4. Issue # 9: (1. Gerardo Zaffino & Rain Beredo; and 2. Manhanini); 
5. Issue # 10: (1. Taurin Clarke; and 2. Manhanini).

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     3½ Stars

Written by (See Below).

Art by (See Below).

Collection Cover Art by John Van Fleet.

SUMMARY:

Re-released by DC Comics in 2024, this 432-page trade paperback reprints four one-shots, plus, a pair of two-parters, that were all published between 1996 and 1998.  Specifically, they are: 

Notes: The 2024 version of this anthology is also available digitally.  This book was first released in 2016; however, its exact page count is unconfirmed.  DC’s website claims 424 pages while another source says 377 pages.  Even so, both the 2016 and 2024 editions supposedly share the exact same content.      

1. Elseworld’s Finest # 1   (Page 7).

Writer: John Francis Moore.  Artists: Kieron Dwyer; Hilary Barta; Gloria Vasquez; Heroic Age; & Bill Oakley.  Cover Artists: Dwyer & Barta.

Set in the spring of 1928, intrepid Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent and pre-teen orphan Jimmy Olsen accompany Clark’s childhood friend, Lana Lang, on an Indiana Jones-like quest to save her archaeologist father from Ra’s al Ghul and his League of Assassins.  For the invaluable prize at stake, roguish mercenary Bruce Wayne becomes their ally for a dangerous Egyptian rescue mission.  Awaiting these adventurers is the Captain Nemo-like pirate, Alexi Luthor, who also covets the secrets of the lost ancient city of Argos. 

One pertinent enigma is the true allegiance of the seductive Talia al Ghul.  Hints of Clark’s otherworldly origin and Bruce’s bat-related destiny are teased.  Cameos include: The Newsboy Legion; Selina Kyle; Alfred Pennyworth; Perry White; Hal Jordan; Carter Hall; Dan Turpin; and a sly Marvel Family homage.

• Elseworld’s Finest # 2   (Page 56).

Writer: John Francis Moore.  Artists: Kieron Dwyer; Hilary Barta; Gloria Vasquez; Heroic Age; & Bill Oakley.  Cover Artists: Dwyer & Barta.

In the remote mountains of the Brazilian jungle, all parties converge in their quest for the lost city of Argos.  Rivals Alexi Luthor and Ra’s al Ghul have different destinies in mind for the all-powerful Godstone, as its origin is revealed.  Also revealed are origins for Luthor, Clark Kent, and an enigmatic Egyptian-themed Batman.  Ultimately, the world’s fate rests in the hands of two men at last discovering their true natures.   

• The Justice Riders (one-shot)   (Page 105).

Writer: Chuck Dixon.  Artists: J.H. Williams III; Mick Gray; Lee Loughridge; Heroic Age; & Bill Oakley.  Cover Artist: John Van Fleet.

In the American Old West, Sheriff Diana Prince sets out on a vengeful quest for justice upon the annihilation for her secluded frontier town, Paradise.  She subsequently recruits a makeshift Justice League (i.e. Wally West’s Flash; Hawkman; Martian Manhunter; Ted Kord’s Blue Beetle; Booster Gold; and possibly Guy Gardner).  Against railroad baron Maxwell Lord’s strangely high-tech forces and immortal outlaw Felix Faust, the odds appear heavily stacked against justice.  The epilogue includes a sly cameo from Clark Kent.

Note: This reality’s Diana Prince has resurfaced in other DC projects (i.e. the 2007 DC Countdown: Arena mini-series).

• League of Justice # 1 – Stove One: Hero Quest   (Page 170).

Writer: Ed Hannigan.  Artists: Ed Hannigan; Dick Giordano. Tom McCraw; Cynthia Morris; & John Constanza.    Cover Artists: Hannigan, Giordano, & McCraw.

In Brattlesboro, Vermont, three youths and a drug-addicted thief are magically transported into a medieval fantasy world where a Justice League faces its darkest hour.  Among the bizarre counterparts the kids meet are: Batman; the Flash; the Atom; Green Arrow; Wonder Woman; Hawkman & Hawkgirl; John Stewart’s Green Lantern; Black Canary; Martian Manhunter; Aquaman; Lobo; and Superman. 

• League of Justice # 2 – Stove Two: Hero War   (Page 219).

Writer: Ed Hannigan.  Artists: Ed Hannigan; Dick Giordano. Tom McCraw; Cynthia Morris; & John Constanza.    Cover Artists: Hannigan, Giordano, & McCraw.

The battle continues, as League members fall.  The question becomes: in this reality’s time of need, who can replace them?

• Wonder Woman – Amazonia: A Tale of the Wonder Woman (one-shot)  (Page 269).

Writer: William Messner-Loebs.  Artists: Phil Winslade; Patricia Mulvihill; Digital Chameleon; & John Workman.    Cover Artist: Winslade.

In a dark alternate-reality Victorian England, Amazonian vaudeville performer Wonder Woman rises to face multiple threats – among, them, this world’s Jack The Ripper.

• Titans: Scissors, Paper, Stone (one-shot)  (Page 318).

Writer: Adam Warren.  Artists: Adam Warren; Tom Simmons; Joe Rosas; Digital Chameleon; & Chris Eliopoulos.      Cover Artist: Warren.

Styled as Japanese manga, a futuristic quartet of original Teen Titans are evidently their world’s only hope.

• Elseworld’s Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl  (one-shot)  (Page 367).

Plotters:  Barbara Kesel, Matt Haley, & Tom Simmons.  Writer: Barbara Kessel.  Artists: Matt Haley; Tom Simmons; Moose Baumann; & Bill Oakley.    Cover Artists: Haley & Simmons.

In an alternate reality present-day, Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl is the Dark Knight defending Gotham City.  Even a passive Justice Society/League is reluctant to tread on Gotham’s turf without Batgirl’s permission.  Against a Bane-like Joker obsessed with her, Batgirl reluctantly teams with Kara (aka Supergirl/Power Girl) to rescue the abducted tech-billionaire, Lex Luthor.  Yet, Kara slowly realizes that her beloved Lex is hiding a horrific secret from her.     

Note: In 2007, for its third Elseworlds wave, DC Direct released Elseworld’s Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl as high-quality action figures.

REVIEW:

This anthology is far more a page count than a cohesive read.  For starters, no matter its slew of familiar pulp elements, the unpredictability of Elseworld’s Finest # 1-2 is still welcome.  Along with its generally appealing artwork, Volume One’s first two installments rate a semi-enthusiastic ‘7’ out of 10 stars. 

By comparison, The Justice Riders is also riddled with movie clichés (i.e. The Wild, Wild West; The Magnificent Seven; and even The Terminator).  Still, Chuck Dixon’s Old West caper is at least readable and easy to grasp.  Despite relatively good visuals and some entertaining twists, this unoriginal Justice League take on Westerns lands squarely as a ‘5½’ on a 10-star scale.  As stated in my separate Justice Riders review, reading Dixon’s story in this anthology frankly makes more sense than seeking it out by itself.   

Unfortunately, afterwards, it’s a sharp descent from ‘merely average.’  The two-part League of Justice would-be fantasy epic might prove appealing to some Dungeons & Dragons addicts.  For casual readers, though, this ghouls, goblins, and sorcery adventure drags on far too long. 

Regarding Wonder Woman’s Victorian-era showcase, Amazonia: A Tale of the Wonder Woman, its mostly bleak storytelling proves a bore.  Further, perhaps other readers might have better luck fathoming Titans: Scissors, Paper, Stone.  For all this story’s vivid colors and hip originality, I found myself immediately tuned out.  How exactly this hyperactive tale pertains to the Justice League is beyond me.

Lastly, there is Elseworld’s Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl.  As with The Justice Riders, I’ve separately reviewed this Elseworlds adventure before.  My thumbs-down opinion hasn’t shifted.  Aside from the eye-rolling premise of Batgirl bullying an entire Justice Society/Justice League, this storyline’s climatic plot twist is beyond tasteless.  Still, consider this irony: Barbara Kesel’s ludicrous plotting is a more coherent read than time wasted on a fantasy Justice League, a Victorian Wonder Woman, and manga-style Titans unrelated to any League. 

For curiosity’s sake, let’s just say the disappointing Elseworlds: Justice League, Volume One is best found treading at the library.       

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a table of contents.  Each full-page cover precedes its issue.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 3½ Stars

Written by Geoff Johns.

Art by Ethan Van Sciver; Patrick Gleason; Carlos Pacheco; Darwyn Cooke; Prentis Rollins; Christian Alamy; Jesus Merino; Mick Gray; Marlo Alquiza; Moose Baumann; Dave Stewart; Rob Leigh; Phil Balsman; Jared K. Fletcher; Pat Brosseau; & Travis Lanham.

Collection Cover Art by Ethan Van Sciver & Peter Stiegerwald.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2024 by DC Comics, this 400-page trade paperback compiles Green Lantern: Rebirth # 1-6; the feature story from Green Lantern: Secret Files and Origins 2005; Green Lantern Corps: Recharge # 1-5; and, in the wake of Green Lantern: Rebirth, Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern # 1-3 – all originally published between 2004 and 2006.

In deep, deep space, Kyle Rayner’s Green Lantern stumbles into a catastrophic discovery linked to planet Oa revealing the truth behind the Parallax entity.  On Earth, Green Arrow and his teenage protégé, Mia Dearden’s Speedy, are startled by Hal Jordan/The Spectre’s chilling punishment of Black Hand’s attempted theft of Oliver Queen’s power ring (kept hidden away for emergency use). 

Elsewhere, John Stewart and Guy Gardner find that they have been targeted by Hal’s sinister alter ego, Parallax.  Poignantly making amends with Carol Ferris, Hal’s ghost is caught between his opposing incarnations as The Spectre and Parallax.  Despite Hal’s pleas for the Spectre’s intervention, it appears that Parallax’s evil has resurfaced.  Even the combined Justice League/Justice Society is no match for Parallax’s intense yellow firepower.

Beaten and battered, Green Arrow and Kyle Rayner are stunned by a supposedly dead Sinestro’s return aboard the Justice League Watchtower.  Their only hope comes, as Hal Jordan’s defiant spirit at last reunites with his preserved mortal remains.  Facing off against Sinestro, Hal Jordan’s revitalized Green Lantern confirms how and why Parallax had successfully corrupted him. 

Hal and his Green Lantern colleagues: John Stewart, Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, and Kilowog subsequently force a climatic showdown to thwart Parallax’s vengeful scheme.  Along the way, Hal Jordan reestablishes that he is the universe’s premier Green Lantern. 

Entitled “Flight,” the primary feature of Green Lantern: Secret Files and Origins 2005 reveals three pivotal phases in Hal Jordan’s life.  Idolizing his test pilot father, young Hal gets an exhilarating first taste of his dream: flying.  Soon afterward, Hal (along with Carol Ferris) among the witnesses of a fiery tragedy that forever shapes Hal’s destiny.  Years later, Hal rips a page from his father’s playbook to concoct a nocturnal joyride.  It makes for a breathtaking first date with his new boss, Carol.  In the days (or weeks) after Rebirth, Hal now takes his new friend, Kyle Rayner, for an aerial adventure where their power rings are left behind.  

Following Rebirth, Hal Jordan and John Stewart are designated as Earth’s two Green Lanterns.  Kyle Rayner and a reluctant Guy Gardner are simultaneously assigned to Oa as instructors under Kilowog’s command.  Their indefinite mission: to train new Green Lanterns currently being recruited to eventually double the Corps’ original 3,600-member size.  Kyle & Guy lead a team to halt a dual incursion upon Green Lantern Mogo (a planet).  Meanwhile, a handful of Kilowog’s inexperienced recruits find themselves in deep trouble in different corners of the galaxy. 

The use of multiple black holes plays into the sinister Guild’s invasion scheme.  Hence, the short-handed Corps must make a desperate return to planet Oa for a last stand.  Hal Jordan and John Stewart appear in the bookend segments of this five-part Green Lantern Corps: Recharge storyline.   

Back on Earth, Hal’s shared investigation with John Stewart of a mysterious alien spacecraft stalls.  In the meantime, having rejoined the U.S. Air Force as a test pilot, Hal resumes his old life as Captain Hal “Highball” Jordan.  His new Coast City supporting cast is subsequently established: i.e. Col. Shane Sellers; Capt. Jillian “Cowgirl” Pearlman; General “Herc” Stone; and possibly Hal’s brother, Jim. 

Linked to his origin as Green Lantern, the Air Force’s experimental new aircraft sets up Hal’s intense showdown against two Manhunter robots reminiscent of alien-caliber Terminators.   

Note: This title is also available digitally.

REVIEW:

Twenty years later, Green Lantern: Rebirth # 1-6 and his follow-up tale from Green Lantern: Secret Files & Origins 2005 remain two of Geoff Johns’ career highlights.  Frankly, both of these entries exploring Hal Jordan are masterpieces. 

With welcome visuals from a top-caliber art team, Johns effectively reverses almost two decades (1986-2004) of Jordan’s misuse by DC Comics.  While there were still occasional glimpses of Jordan’s legendary status before his replacement by Kyle Rayner, DC inexplicably squandered the Silver Age’s most influential super-hero.  Hence, Johns deserves considerable credit for reigniting the Green Lantern franchise.  More importantly, he finally rights the misguided course far too many Green Lantern writers before him had gone depicting Hal Jordan. 

The first five Green Lantern Corps: Recharge issues, by comparison, aren’t must-haves.  Make no mistake, though: Johns and the art team concoct an entertaining edge to the short-handed Corps.  Like Hal Jordan, the Corps concept had grown increasingly stale post-Crisis.  Hence, fans of Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, and Kilowog should be pleased.  Rather than banishing them from Jordan’s primary title, giving them a shared spin-off makes good creative sense. 

Having John Stewart (and, to a lesser degree, Jordan) gravitate between the two titles (plus John & Hal soon sharing Justice League duties) makes for insightful forward-thinking.  The same applies to bringing back Carol Ferris as a potential recurring character.  Johns, suffice to say, proves very much on his game.      

As for the first few issues of the Green Lantern reboot, it’s a fresh take imagining Hal’s vigorous new life mirroring his past.  Incorporating nostalgia-friendly sub-plots (i.e. Carol’s re-launch of the Ferris airfield; Hal’s remaining family; bringing Hector Hammond back into the franchise) with a 21^st Century polish consistently works on all thrusters.  More so, it’s a necessary storytelling upgrade given Hal’s forgettable adventures dating back to the post-Crisis mid-80’s/early 90’s where he, John Stewart, and Guy Gardner awkwardly time-shared Green Lantern.

Either, as a gem of a library find, or as a superb enhancement to any Green Lantern fan’s bookcase, this book supplies 400 pages of emerald dynamite.  Green Lantern by Geoff Johns, Book One is highly recommended! 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Each full-page cover precedes its story.  Green Lantern: Rebirth # 1-6’s cover artists are Ethan Van Sciver and Peter Stiegerwald.  Cover artists for Green Lantern: Secret Files & Origins 2005 are Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino.  Green Lantern Corps: Recharge utilizes two slightly different cover artist teams.  Specifically, they are Patrick Gleason, Christian Alamy, Mouse Baumann; and then it is Gleason, Prentis Rollins; and Baumann.  For Green Lantern # 1-3, the cover artists consist of Pacheco, Merino, and Stiegerwald.  

The brief full-page variant cover gallery supplies Van Sciver & Baumann’s Green Lantern: Rebirth # 1 followed by their Rebirth collection cover.  Also included are the Alex Ross Green Lantern # 1 variant; and an unused (inks-only) Van Sciver cover for Rebirth # 3.  The last page depicts Van Sciver’s black-and-white ‘turnaround’ designs for DC Direct’s Hal Jordan/Green Lantern action figure.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     10 Stars