Category: Comic Books & Graphic Novels

Written by (See Below).

Art by (See Below).

Cover Art Design by Damian Ryland.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2021 by DC Comics, this 400-page hardcover’s primary content consists of eleven premiere issues from DC’s mass re-launch of its continuity in 2011.  Each beginning a new arc, the issues are:

1. Action Comics # 1: “Superman Versus the City of Tomorrow.”  Writer: Grant Morrison & Art by Rags Morales; Rick Bryant; Brand Anderson; & Patrick Brosseau.  Cover: Rags Morales & Brad Anderson.  Variant Cover: Jim Lee; Scott Williams; & Alex Sinclair.  Reminiscent of his original Golden Age incarnation, a rookie Superman’s vigilantism generates considerable controversy in Metropolis.  Meanwhile, at the behest of U.S. General Sam Lane, Lex Luthor concocts a subway disaster scheme to capture the Man of Steel. 
2. *All-Star Western # 1: “Untitled.”  Writer: Justin Gray & Art by Jimmy Palmiotti; Moritat; Gabriel Bautista; & Rob Leigh.  Cover: Moritat.  In the 1880’s, Dr. Amadeus Arkham narrates his team-up with bounty hunter Jonah Hex to probe a series of grisly murders targeting Gotham City’s female prostitutes.
3. *Animal Man # 1: “The Hunt, Part One: Warning from the Red.”  Writer: Jeff Lemire & Art by Travel Foreman; Dan Green; Lovern Kindzierski; & Jared K. Fletcher.  Cover: Travel Foreman & Dan Green.  Buddy Baker experiences nightmarish changes in his super-powers that impact his family.
4. Aquaman # 1: “The Trench, Part One.”  Writer: Geoff Johns & Art by Ivan Reis; Joe Prado; Ron Reis; & Nick J. Napolitano.  Cover: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, & Rod Reis.  As Aquaman & Mera decide upon their new off-shore residence, a ravenous invasion is rising from the Atlantic Ocean.
5. *Batman # 1: “Knife Trick.”  Writer Scott Snyder & Art by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, FCO Plascenia, Richard Starkings; & Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt.  Cover: Greg Capullo & FCO Plascenia. Variant Cover: Ethan Van Sciver & Tomas (?).  The Dark Knight learns of Gotham City’s grisly new serial killer, whose hit list includes Bruce Wayne.
6. *Demon Knights # 1: “Seven Against the Dark.”  Writer: Paul Cornell & Art by Diógenes Neves; Oclair Albert; Marcelo Maiolo; & Jared K. Fletcher.  Four centuries after Camelot’s fall, several medieval heroes converge, including Madame Xanadu, Jason Blood/Etrigan the Demon, and Sr Ystin the Shining Knight, to face an ominous magical threat.
7. The Flash # 1: “Untitled.”  Writers: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato & Art by Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato, & Sal Cipriano.  Cover: Francis Manapul.  Variant Cover: Ivan Reis; Tim Townsend; & Rod Reis.  Thwarting a terrorist group’s assault, the Flash is implicated in the death of one of Barry Allen’s old friends.  Subsequently, Barry is pulled into a bizarre deception.
8. Justice League # 1: “Part One.” Writer: Geoff Johns & Art by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair; & Patrick Brosseau. Cover by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, & Alex Sinclair.  Variant Cover by David Finch, Richard Friend, & Peter Stiegerwald.  Reluctant allies Batman and Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern investigate an ominous alien threat that takes them from Gotham City to face off against Superman in Metropolis.  Victor Stone’s life before becoming Cyborg is also glimpsed.  Note: This tale is set five years in the past.
9. *Justice League Dark # 1: “In the Dark, Part One: Imaginary Women.”  Writer: Peter Milligan & Art by Mikel Janin; Ulises Arreola; & Rob Leigh.  Cover and 2^nd Printing Cover by Ryan Sook.  Madame Xanadu foretells a new generation of mystical Justice Leaguers to confront the insane Enchantress, June Moone.  Besides co-stars Zatanna Zatara (now a goth rookie), John Constantine, Madame Xanadu, and Shade the Changing Man, Justice Leaguers include Wonder Woman, Batman, Cyborg, and Superman.
10. *Voodoo # 1: “Keeping Secrets.”  Writer: Ron Marz and Art by Sami Basri, Jessica Kholinne, Sunny Gho, & Jared K. Fletcher.  Cover and 2^nd Printing Cover by Sami Basi & Sunny Gho. At the Voodoo Lounge, two U.S. special agents conduct undercover surveillance of the mysterious strip-tease dancer, Priscilla “Voodoo” Kitaen.  Her sultry human form reveals a monstrous, shapeshifting alter-ego.
11. *Wonder Woman # 1: “Visitation.”  Writer: Brian Azzarello & Art by Cliff Chiang, Matthew Wilson, & Jared K. Fletcher.  Cover and 2^nd Printing Cover by Cliff Chiang.  Pursued by dark forces linked to Mount Olympus, a young woman, Zola, needs Wonder Woman’s help. 

Note: As a parental advisory, the asterisk-tagged titles are likely inappropriate for pre-teen readers, as to gore and/or sexual content.  Demon Knights #  1’s plot includes the supernatural homicide of a baby. 

REVIEW:

There is no argument, in terms of sheer quantity, this 10^th Anniversary Deluxe Edition is exceptional.  Case in point: such an impressive array of bonus materials is worth the price of admission.  The same applies to some stellar artwork, as demonstrated throughout Aquaman, Justice League, and the surprisingly good Justice League Dark.  The flip side, however, reflects what isn’t addressed in Dan DiDio’s introduction: that is, DC’s crass reliance upon sex appeal and gore. 

It’s not a ‘bold’ statement, as DiDio deems DC’s dubious mentality; instead, readers will recognize shallow tripe and otherwise borderline trash when they see it.  While Red Hood and the Outlaws # 1 and Catwoman # 1 aren’t included in this compendium, they are two other instances where DC’s New 52 sought a fast and sordid buck. 

Foregoing DC’s traditionally bankable, all-ages appeal, most of these eleven titles are clearly designed for a macho adult audience.  Justice League, The Flash, and Action Comics are innocuous fun; by comparison, All-Star Western and the unrepentant Voodoo sleaze-fest surely are not.  What is most disturbing about these latter two issues is the overt sexualization of women, if not flat-out misogyny, towards its female characters. 

Degrees of homicidal violence and gore also plague Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Vertigo Comics-like Animal Man, so it is a misassumption that their storylines are kid-friendly.  Given its title, Justice League Dark is just that, so supernatural gore and some sexual inferences become a foregone conclusion.

Essentially, these premiere issues reveal that DC was desperate (in some instances, far too reckless) to boost its lagging sales.  DC’s New 52 will be remembered, at best, as a mixed-bag experience; for most readers, it was a failed and unnecessary five-year experiment.  Conveniently revamping DC’s iconic characters with an excess of superficial gloss and a mostly blank slate was by no means the right creative antidote. 

Rather than flushing decades of popular continuity (again), perhaps DC might have tried harder after Flashpoint maturing some familiar characters with even telltale hints of gray hair.  Hence, a relatable progression of time seems more worthwhile than DC’s panic button of de-aging nearly its entire roster by a decade.

Note: One unexplained New 52 oddity is how a decade-younger Bruce Wayne still has young Damian Wayne (whose age hasn’t changed) as his son.  For that matter, why wouldn’t Tim Drake and other Teen Titans have reverted to elementary school kids?  Again, DC’s logic deploying its New 52 makeover often contradicts itself.

Regardless of inconsistencies in writing depth, this 10^th Anniversary Deluxe Edition celebrates New 52 in all its glory.  If anything, there is enough misguided content that parents should best think twice before purchasing this treasure trove for any young DC fan.    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Credits and a table of contents are provided.  DC’s ex-publisher, Dan DiDio, provides an insightful (yet self-serving), three-page introduction.  In a full-page format, the original cover followed by either a variant or a second printing cover  precedes each issue. 

Consisting of 118 pages, the bonus materials section includes: marketing concepts, extensive character designs and sketch work, covers, and even the original draft list of New 52 titles DC had planned.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:              6½ Stars

Written by Scott Snyder.

Art by Greg Capullo; Jonathan Glapion; FCO Plascenia; Tom Napolitano; Yanick Paquette; Bryan Hitch; Nathan Fairbairn; & Alex Sinclair.

Collection Cover Art by Greg Capullo; Jonathan Glapion; & FCO Plascenia.

SUMMARY:

In this sequel to Dark Nights: Metal, DC Comics released this 232-page trade paperback collecting Dark Nights: Death Metal # 1-7. 

On a post-apocalyptic Earth, the Batman Who Laughs, along with the cosmic deity, Perpetua, now dominates DC’s multiverse in every bleak detail.  Only Wonder Woman’s makeshift strike force stands a remote chance of restoring the legendary multiverse to what it should be.  Among those joining their perennial Justice League teammate are Wally West, Batman and Superman – each is guarding a devastating secret, as to his true nature.

Come the end, an ultimate sacrifice must be made to resurrect DC’s entire multitude of parallel Earths, each evidently different from prior incarnations.  Ultimately, Death Metal is meant to serve as DC’s precursor to its Infinite Frontier continuity re-launch.

Note: This title is also available in hardcover and digital formats.

REVIEW:

Previously, 2018’s Justice League: No Justice – a ludicrous storyline with generally crummy artwork – was seemingly the worst event dreck DC has produced this century.  Dark Nights: Death Metal dubiously rivals No Justice for pure nonsense. 

Aspiring to be DC’s answer to a heavy metal/goth opera, this bizarre cosmic epic overdoses on high-concept style vs. treading any semblance of storytelling substance.  Case in point: an epilogue scene where the heroes and villains share a rock jam concert (with Superman as lead vocalist and Batman on guitar, no less) tells astute readers how glaringly misguided Death Metal is. 

While the art squad’s visuals are generally high-caliber, writer Scott Snyder’s plot coherency stumbles from the get-go.  After the halfway mark, no matter how Crisis-related homages are pitched, Snyder’s grandiose storyline is  incomprehensible.  It’s like Snyder is trying to one-up fellow scribe Grant Morrison’s playbook on how to leave hapless DC readers baffled one sequence after another, with too little or no helpful transition.  Short of setting up DC’s Infinite Frontier era, the most tantalizing scene is between a M.I.A. Wonder Woman and an ethereal version of her Golden Age incarnation. 

Beyond that, the tone-deaf Dark Knights: Death Metal is strictly geared for DC’s current hardcore teen fanbase.  Any effort on DC’s part to engage an all-ages audience (whether it be kids or mainstream adults) appears otherwise coincidental.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

In a full-page format, the original cover precedes each issue.  Artist Greg Capullo includes a four-page sketchbook.  A four-panel evolution depicts the creation of Dark Knights: Death Metal # 1’s cover image (it doubles as s also the collection cover image).  Artists Doug Mahnke & David Baron’s variant covers for Issues # 1-6, in a half-page format, are presented.  Their Issue # 7 cover variant appears as a full page.         

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      3½ Stars

Written by Gail Simone & Issue # 91 only: Jim Alexander.

Art by Joe Bennett; Eddy Barrows; Paulo Siqueira; Adriana Melo; Adam DeKraker; David Lopez; Bruce Timm; Brad Walker; Robin Riggs; Fernando Blanco; Will Conrad; Jimmy Palmiotti; Hi-Fi; Jared K. Fletcher; & Rob Leigh.

Collection Cover Art by Adriana Melo & Will Conrad.

SUMMARY:

In 2021, DC Comics released this 272-page trade paperback reprinting 2005-2006’s Birds of Prey # 81-91.  In Singapore, Dinah Lance’s Black Canary brings her surrogate uncle, Ted Grant’s Wildcat, on an undercover mission infiltrating an ultra-dangerous drug trafficking ring.  While an ailing Barbara Gordon’s Oracle and Blackhawk Zinda try to provide them remote back-up, an estranged Helena Bertinelli’s Huntress has initiated her own solo operation vs. Gotham City’s mob factions. 

Ultimately, both sides of this volatile equation collide in Gotham, as the Birds must rely on some new allies, such as Savant, and others (i.e., Connor Hawke’s Green Arrow) for help.

Amidst Countdown to Infinite Crisis, Booster Gold pleads with an overworked Oracle for help searching for a M.I.A. Blue Beetle (aka Ted Kord).  With her life threatened by an invasive metallic parasite, Barbara faces emergency surgery.  Guest stars include Dr. Mid-Nite, Batman, Dick Grayson, Superman, and Cyborg. 

Leaving Gotham City, the reunited Birds set up a new base in Metropolis where the Prankster, Calculator, and Deathstroke are among their initial adversaries.  A subsequent Birds mission to Istanbul is also in the cards.  At a celebration in her honor, a recuperating Barbara reunites with Dick Grayson. Filling in for Superman, Dinah and Blackhawk Zinda must resolve a high-profile hostage crisis covered on live TV. 

Alerted by her day job as a school teacher, Helena takes personal action protecting a young student’s family threatened by drug dealers.  Extensively tortured, a captive Savant is pressured by Calculator’s mercenaries (among them are Hellhound and Black Spider) to divulge Oracle’s elusive identity.  On a nocturnal Star City raid, Black Canary tries closing old emotional wounds by teaming up with her ex-fiancé, Green Arrow.

While feuding with the Calculator, Barbara decides if it is finally time to reveal her secret life to her worried father, Commissioner Gordon.  The Birds risk Batman’s wrath by backing Helena’s endgame in her Gotham mob sting.  Huntress and an injured Black Canary are confronted by a peeved Dark Knight. 

Prior to the last panel alluding to Helena’s role in Infinite Crisis, the team tangles itself up re: terminally ill mobster Joseph Bull.  Awaiting the Birds are two villains-for-hire on loan from the Royal Flush Gang.

REVIEW:

Backed by this art squad’s excellent visuals, writer Gail Simone delivers all the necessary goods for long-time Bird watchers.  Case in point: Simone’s cartoony Black Canary caper with guest artist Bruce Timm is a comedic treat!  Birds of Prey: Fighters by Trade, suffice to say, is a top-flight and remarkably coherent read.  Recommended!

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

In a full-page format, the original cover (followed by a single-color version) precedes each issue.  The cover artists are: Adriana Melo and Will Conrad. The sole exception is Jesus Saiz, who handles Issue # 91.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        8 Stars