Category: Comic Books & Graphic Novels

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Comic Books & Graphic Novels Marvel Comics MARVEL's Hardcovers & Paperbacks

MARY JANE & BLACK CAT: DARK WEB (MARVEL Comics)

Written by Jed McKay.

Art by Vincenzo Carratù; Michael Dowling (back-tup story only); Brian Reber; & VC’s Ariana Maher.

Collection Cover Art by J. Scott Campbell.

SUMMARY:

Released by Marvel Comics in 2023, this 128-page trade paperback compiles 2022’s Mary Jane & Black Cat: Dark Web # 1-5 mini-series.  Per the brief introductions, New York City is presently besieged by the now-demonic Ben Reilly’s Chasm and Madeline Pryor’s Goblin Queen of Limbo – though neither character appears in this particular mini-series. 

Pursued by pesky demons, Felicia Hardy’s Black Cat reluctantly seeks Mary Jane Watson’s help, despite the presence of her husband and two young children.  Mary Jane’s chaotic ‘slot machine’ powers are further hampered by the unpredictability caused by Felicia’s proximity.  Yet, both of them are then magically transported to Limbo by the demonic Belasco. 

In literally a devil’s bargain, their sole hope of returning home is retrieving Belasco’s stolen Soulsword from the diabolical Screaming Tower.  As one could expect, this Tower is protected by innumerable death traps within.  Aware they aren’t getting the full story, Felicia & Mary Jane also face considerable competition (including a HYDRA extraction squad) for the same prize. 

Among them is the demonic S’ym, who openly admits that he will double-cross them at the slightest opportunity to gain the Soulsword for himself.  Feeling they have little choice, Mary Jane & Felicia tentatively team up with a talkative S’ym to dodge the Screaming Tower’s defenses. 

The question becomes: who double-crosses whom first?  Embarrassed by how ineffective her magical powers have become, Mary Jane realizes that only a potential enemy in close proximity could be the cause.  Hence, Black Cat’s omission that she is romantically entangled with Peter Parker again (despite her prior promise not to) may be the decisive final breach of her mutual trust with Mary Jane. 

More so, with hordes of demons waiting outside the Screaming Tower, only the unlucky victor gets the dubious prize of facing Belasco again.  It’s up to Mary & Felicia to conjure a spectacular exit strategy, if they have any last chance of getting back to Earth intact.

The eight-page Black Cat back-up tale is entitled “The Mask of Doctor Doom.”  During a poker game, Felicia Hardy tries enthralling her fellow players (among them: Mary Jane Watson; Ben “The Thing” Grimm; and Alpha Flight’s Puck) with how she swiped Doctor Doom’s mask out of Latveria.  Her escape plan includes use of Doom’s time portal through multiple stops.  Yet, is Mary Jane’s skepticism justified?           

Note: This title is also available digitally.

REVIEW:

What’s undeniable is the art team’s visuals are consistently excellent, including a slew of top-notch covers.  As for writer Jed McKay’s high-concept team-up caper, it’s really more about lots of eyes rolling vs. merely heads.  McKay, in that regard, conjures up an amusing cocktail mixing Mary Jane & Felicia’s comedic banter with preposterous supernatural action.  Hence, their considerable star power doesn’t necessitate even a Spider-Man cameo to make McKay’s plot work – as long as one doesn’t overthink his outlandish plot twists.

For fans of Black Cat (who conveys a very Selina Kyle-like persona) and/or Mary Jane Watson, Dark Web presents a fun team-up worth checking out.  Clearly, clearly the artwork makes up enough of the difference to compensate for a lack of actual plot substance, i.e. McKay’s excesses in outlandish storytelling.  As for the pendulum of a justified purchase vs. one-and-done reading, it’s a close call, especially given its reasonably good page count. 

If one has money to burn, by all means Dark Web is worthy of consideration. Otherwise, Mary Jane & Black Cat: Dark Web makes for an ideal library find.               

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

A brief intro each for Mary Jane Watson and Felicia Hardy’s Black Cat is included opposite the credits page.  Each full-page cover precedes its story.  The primary cover artists are: J. Scott Campbell (Issues # 1-2); Campbell & Urszula Mos (Issue # 3); Paulo Siqueira & Rachelle Rosenberg (Issue # 4); and Siqueira & Erick Arciniega (Issue # 5).  Extra full-page variant covers by Peach Momoko (Issue # 1); Russell Dauterman (Issue # 4); and Jan Bazaldua & David Curiel (Issue # 5) are also included.      

Introducing the variant gallery in pin-up style is a double-page Black Cat/Black Widow portrait by artists Jan Bazaldua & Brian Reber.  The artists in the seven-page gallery are:

  • Issue # 1 – full page (1. Pablo Villalobos & Rosenberg; 2. David Nakayama; 3. Siqueira & Rosenberg; and *4. Adam Hughes – 1/3 size);
  • Issue # 2 – 1/3 size (1. Adam Hughes; 2. Chrissie Zullo; and *3. AKA – full page);
  • Issue # 3 – 1/3 size: 1. Carlos Gómez & Jesus Aburtov;
  • Issue # 4 – 1/3 size: 1. Alex Ross; and 2. Ross (sketch rendition of same cover); and
  • Issue # 5 – full page: Erica D’Urso & Romulo Fajardo Jr. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     6½ Stars

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Comic Books & Graphic Novels Marvel Comics MARVEL's Hardcovers & Paperbacks Movies & Television (Books)

IRON MAN 2: PUBLIC IDENTITY (MARVEL Comics)

Primary Feature (Issues # 1-3) Written by Joe Casey, with Justin Theroux (as co-plotter).

Primary Feature Art (Issues # 1-3) by Barry Kitson; Ron Lim; Tom Palmer; Victor Olazaba; Stefano Gaudiano; Matthew Southworth; Matt Milla; & VC’s Clayton Cowles.

Cover Art (Issues # 1-3) by Adi Granov.

Iron Man 2: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  One-Shot Written by Joe Casey.

Artists: Tim Green II; Juan Doe; VC’s Joe Caramagna; Felix Ruiz; Ian Hannin; VC’s Clayton Cowles; Matt Camp; & Ian Hannin.

Cover Art by Salvador Larroca.

Collection Cover Art by Adi Granov.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2010 by Marvel Comics, this 152-page trade paperback compiles the three-issue Iron Man 2: Public Identity mini-series followed by the one-shot Iron Man 2: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – all from that same year.

Set after the first Iron Man film (2008), Public Identity presents a prelude to Iron Man 2. Tony Stark’s maverick international presence as Iron Man is making U.S. military leadership uneasy.  Unable to corral Stark’s impulsive yet benevolent intentions, the military secretly recruits weapons designer Justin Hammer and U.S. General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross to help devise immediate alternatives.  Lt. Colonel James Rhodes, despite exasperation with his own friend, tries to keep Stark attuned to the military’s ongoing concerns.   

Interspersed with flashbacks to Howard Stark’s own past as a high-tech weapons manufacturer, Tony’s troubled childhood growing up is conveyed.  Tony’s present-day playboy antics are of concern to Pepper Potts.  Overseas, Iron Man successfully a notorious minefield with his own futuristic take on a mine-attracting magnet. 

After a Hammer-designed armored ship goes down with the unidentified U.S. pilot landing in enemy hands, an exhausted Iron Man returns to battle.  Stark and Ross later angrily confront one another.  Meanwhile, S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Nick Fury has been shadowing Stark before sending in a covert operative for closer surveillance.     

The 24-page Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has Nick Fury, Agent Phil Coulson, and, finally, “Black Widow” Natasha Romanova, entering Stark’s orbit from different angles.  In the eight-page “Who Made Who,” Fury has an undercover S.E.A.L. commando to observe Iron Man’s actions in the field.  Yet, he may be unaware that Stark is conducting his own counter-intelligence.  The eight-page “Just Off The Farm” has Agent Coulson recruiting a new S.H.I.E.L.D. operative named Hendricks via a trial under gunfire.           

Lastly, “Proximity” (8 pages) sets up Black Widow’s undercover surveillance assignment at Stark Industries during Iron Man 2.  Case in point: posing one of Stark’s legal notaries, Natasha Romanova devises a ruse to infiltrate his palatial beachside estate.     

Note: This title is also available digitally.

REVIEW:

Deeming Iron Man 2: Public Identity a glorified movie ad would be accurate.  Given its content, including a third of its page count as total padding, that should come as no surprise. 

While its overall writing is fairly sharp, the primary feature’s artwork isn’t nearly as slick as the glossy paper it is printed on.  Public Identity’s artwork, in that sense, is deliberately generic.  Only Nick Fury resembles Samuel L. Jackson; to a lesser degree, this take on Justin Hammer passably resembles actor Sam Rockwell.  One isn’t likely to recognize the other actors (i.e. Don Cheadle; Gwyneth Paltrow; William Hurt; and even Robert Downey Jr.) based upon their comic book counterparts.  The story, overall, makes for an okay read, but the overindulgence playing up Iron Man 1 and 2 is a given.

The trio of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D tales prove fairly good, as are the likenesses of actors Jackson, Clark Gregg (with Coulson murkily seen), and Scarlett Johansson.  Hence, casual fans will get a little more insight as to Iron Man 2’s plotting, as far as why some of its pivotal supporting players are joining the franchise.  As for the Spotlight magazine, it’s fun to peruse once, but clearly the iconic Avenger’s die-hard fanbase is whom it would most appeal to.

Iron Man 2: Public Identity, overall, is by no means a must-read – except for the film’s ardent fans.  At most, this book offers a welcome library find for nostalgic fans as to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s early days. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Adi Granov’s full-page Iron Man 2: Public Identity cover for each of the three issues precedes its story. The same applies to Salvador Larroca’s Agents of HIELD one-shot cover.

Also included is 2010’s 48-page Iron Man 2 Spotlight promo magazine.  With movie promo images and a plethora of Marvel artwork, the magazine consists of:

  • Full-page cover and then a table-of-contents;
  • Jess Harrold’s interview with artist Adi Granov (7 pages);
  • Four Granov covers (1 page) and his Extremis Armor sketch designs (2 page);
  • Chris Arrant interviews co-writers Marc Guggenheim and Brannon Braga about the Iron Man vs. Whiplash feud (3 pages);
  • Black Widow: # 1 With A Bullet” promo summarizing the character by Dugan Trodglen (4 pages);
  • Harold interviews writer Matt Fraction (10 pages);
  • John Rhett Thomas interviews writer/artist Bob Layton (8 pages);
  • Arant interviews writer Warren Ellis (5 pages); and
  • Trodglen reviews Marvel’s definitive Iron Man moments (5 pages).
  • The last page is filler.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                          4½ Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Marvel Comics MARVEL's Hardcovers & Paperbacks

IRON MAN NOIR (MARVEL Comics)

Written by Scott Snyder.

Art by Manuel Garcia; Lorenzo Ruggerio; & Dave Sharpe.

Collection Cover Art by Mike Fyles.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2011 by Marvel Comics, this 112-page hardcover assembles the four-issue 2010 Iron Man Noir mini-series.  Set in mid-1939, brash billionaire industrialist Tony Stark is his alternate reality’s Indiana Jones, who revels in risking his life.  

Celebrated for his pulpy globe-trotting exploits, Stark even brings along his own personal scribe, Virgil Munsey, chronicling these ongoing adventures for the macho periodical, ‘Marvels: A Magazine of Men’s Adventure.’  Still, each issue opens with a journal-like message from Stark updating readers on his current whereabouts.   

For his present quest, in addition to Munsey, Stark has brought along his best friend, James Rhodes, and fellow adventurer/Tony’s girlfriend-assistant, Dr. Gialetta Nefaria.  Entering an ancient temple’s underground cavern deep in the British Honduras jungle, Stark intends to acquire a mystical jade mask for an unknown purpose.  Betrayal and murder await him, as his expedition is ambushed by Nazis led by Dr. Heinrich Zemo and Commander Baron Strucker.  Stark and Rhodes find themselves lucky to escape with their lives. 

Once back in the U.S., it’s revealed that Stark has a mechanical heart that needs routine recharging.  Also, in the works is an experimental suit of battle armor under the supervision of Stark’s chief engineer, Jarvis. Relying upon a male pseudonym, Pepper Potts is soon recruited as Virgil’s literary ‘Marvels’ replacement.  Stark’s curiosity into his ex-girlfriend’s private papers reveals that Nefaria evidently deduced the possible location of Atlantis before her apparent death. 

Pepper then joins Stark and Rhodes on their next excursion: to retrieve a mythical power source known as ‘orichalum’ from Atlantis.  Accompanying is the Nemo-like Captain Namor, who supplies their sea voyage deep into waters off the Spanish coast.  Subsequently discovering the remains of Atlantis in Stark’s futuristic submersible, his team succeeds in acquiring the ‘orichalum.’ 

Yet, the same Nazi horde as before again intercepts them and takes Pepper as their prisoner.  Aware that only ‘orichalum’ would permanently resolve his need for a mechanical heart, a repentant Stark pushes Jarvis into taking drastic measures.  It’s no longer just about Stark living out his wild adventure fantasies – not when Pepper’s fate is in jeopardy because of him. 

Donning their experimental armored suits, Stark and Rhodes’s dual Iron Men launch a desperate strike upon the Nazis’ hidden island base to save Pepper and recover the ‘orichalum.’ Standing in their way is a dark Nazi secret linked years before to Stark’s own past.  The subsequent battle may cost this impetuous Iron Man far more than just his mortal life.            

Notes: This title is also available digitally and as a trade paperback. 

REVIEW:

Keeping in mind writer Scott Snyder’s pulpy steampunk vibe, Iron Man Noir concocts a solid-enough read – no matter how derivative his Indiana Jones-style caper actually is.  For instance, though, the mystery behind Stark’s mechanical heart isn’t revealed, the macho action plotting supplies sufficient twists to keep readers intrigued.  More so, the art team crafts a likable visual homage reminiscent of vintage cliffhanger serials. 

Iron Man Noir is by no means a must-read, but its uniqueness makes for a energetic library find.      

Note: Though I routinely bemoan Marvel & DC’s blind eye towards parental advisory labels, Iron Man Noir presents an oddity.  On its back cover, in small print, there is a parental advisory.  Apart from a few ghoulish images mostly conveyed through inference (i.e. a Viking skull with blonde hair still attached), I’m baffled by what this book’s advisory is for.  Iron Man Noir, by comparison, falls far short of the occasionally vile content that DC and Marvel peddle to potentially young readers. 

Still, given its overall violence quotient, I’d recommend Iron Man Noir as appropriate for teens-and-up.       

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

In a full-page format, each Mike Fyles cover precedes its issue.  Including concept artwork and sketches, Snyder and Garcia supply a thirteen-page walkthrough of their Iron Man Noir # 1’s script. It’s a nice bit of padding considering this book’s page count is definitely skimpy. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:         5½ Stars

Note: If one is interested in a similar pulp re-imagining, there’s a two-part Superman & Batman caper reprinted in Elseworlds: Justice League, Volume 1.  Accompanying an alternate-reality World’s Finest duo on their Indiana Jones-style globetrotting proves the highlight of this mostly disappointing Elseworlds compilation.  

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Comic Books & Graphic Novels Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction Marvel Comics MARVEL's Hardcovers & Paperbacks STAR WARS-Related

STAR WARS – JOURNEY TO THE FORCE AWAKENS: SHATTERED EMPIRE (MARVEL Comics)

Issues # 1-4 Written by Greg Rucka.

Issues # 1-4 Art by Marco Checchetto; Angel Unzueta; Emilio Laiso; Andres Mossa; & VC’s Jose Caramagna.

Collection Cover Art by Phil Noto.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2015 by Marvel Comics, this 124-page trade paperback reprints the same-named 2015 four-issue mini-series. 

Set in the closing moments of Return of The Jedi, amidst the Death Star II shootout, Rebel pilot Lt. Shera Bey aids Luke Skywalker’s borrowed Imperial shuttle escape back to Endor.  On planet Endor, Shera’s husband, Sgt. Kes Cameron is among General Han Solo’s commandoes in their effort to disable the Death Star’s outer force field defense system.

Having briefly reunited on planet Endor, Shera and Kes continue their Rebellion commitment in thwarting the Empire’s still-potent remnants.  As Han Solo’s shuttle pilot, an undercover Shera helps his commando squad take down Endor’s last remaining Imperial outpost.  Deciphered Imperial messaging indicated that the Empire now intends to attack multiple planets simultaneously in vengeance.  While Han, Chewbacca, and Kes are involved in leading multiple counterstrikes, Shera becomes Leia’s pilot in her diplomatic return to planet Naboo.

As the Empire bombards Naboo with catastrophic weather-altering technology, it’s up to Leia, Shera, and an unexpected third pilot to mount a vastly outmatched counterattack against a Star Destroyer and its TIE Fighter squadron.  Their only chance is whether or not the Rebellion fleet can reach Naboo in time to save the planet from destruction.  A parallel between the Han/Leia romance and the Damerons’ young marriage is conveyed.   

Shera and Kes contemplate the quiet future they should commit to, along with her father and their young son, Poe.  Recruited by Luke Skywalker, Shera accompanies the Jedi Knight on his personal extraction mission to planet Vetine.  It appears that the Imperials are holding on to a Jedi relic that Luke desperately wants to recover without Rebel reinforcements.  A hint of Kes and Shera’s imminent future is revealed.       

Note: This title is also available digitally and in hardcover.

REVIEW:

It’s really a glorified hodgepodge. Aside from Marvel/Disney’s slick production values, the content of Shattered Empire is relatively good, but it isn’t a must-have.  Specifically, writer Greg Rucka, with a terrific art team, conjures up a sufficiently appealing premise for an episodic mini-sequel to Return of The Jedi. 

It’s a shame, though, that plot elements of Shattered Empire couldn’t have been extended out to six issues vs. the conventional four-issue industry standard.  That way, there could have been more time spent with the franchise’s original characters, as opposed to playing supporting roles for Shera Bey and Kes Dameron.  

If anything, the four-part Shattered Empire offers a good read for Star Wars fans for most age groups, in terms of setting up Poe Dameron’s future link to The Force Awakens.  Besides introducing Poe Dameron’s parents convincingly, Rucka’s conveyance of Han and Leia’s leadership during their own separate missions is well-constructed.  The final issue shifting to Luke Skywalker’s personal side trip (which conveniently includes Shara Bey), however, is more of an obvious plot tack-on than it should be.   

As for this title’s additional padding, Princess Leia # 1 and Marvel’s original Star Wars # 1 supply just enough to attain a respectable page count.  Serving best as a welcome library find, Star Wars: Shattered Empire, at least, offers a kid-friendly escape back into a galaxy far, far away. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The full-page cover precedes each issue.  The cover artists are: Phil Noto (Issue # 1) and Marco Checcheto (Issues # 2-4).  Splitting pages are variant cover reprints.  For Issue # 1, the variant cover artists are: 1. Francesco Francavilla; 2. Checchetto; and 3. Pasqual Ferry & Chris Sotomayor.  Issue # 2’s variant artist is Kris Anka.  Issue # 3’s variant artist is  Mike Deodato.  Sarah Pichelli & Paul Mounts are the variant artists for Issue # 4.          

The opener for the 2015 Princess Leia mini-series is then presented afterwards.  The issue’s creative team consists of writer Mark Waid; artists Terry and Rachel Dodson (who also supply the full-page cover); colorist Jordie Bellaire; & VC’s Joe Caramagna on letters.

Set immediately after Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope, Princess Leia recruits an embittered Rebel female pilot (and fellow survivor from Alderaan) for an unauthorized excursion to Naboo.  Defying General Dodonna’s orders to stay put (given there’s an Imperial bounty out on her), Leia gambles that her pilot can out-maneuver Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles, whose X-Wings are in an interception pursuit.

Between Mark Waid’s likable scripting and the Dodsons’ sufficient visuals (still, their cover image surpasses the average interior artwork), Princess Leia # 1 makes for a nice read.  Waid smartly plays up Leia’s often icy exterior for some insightful scenes with Luke (briefly), General Dodonna, and a newly introduced Rebel pilot, Evaan.  While this single-issue ‘teaser’ isn’t a must-read, Waid and the Dodsons make it easy enough to visual the familiar actors playing out the dialogue.   

From out of Marvel’s archives is the first issue of its original 1977 Star Wars comic book adaptation.  The creative team consists of writer Roy Thomas; artist Howard Chaykin; and letterer Jim Novak.  The uncredited cover art team is Chaykin and Tom Palmer. 

Though its artwork seems primitive today, this first issue’s plotting reasonably follows George Lucas’ script.  Including the film’s deleted Luke and Biggs sequence at Anchorhead on Tatooine, Thomas nimbly conveys the movie’s iconic dialogue in comic book form.  This Thomas/Chaykin collaboration, in that sense, makes for a decent blast from the past.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 5½ Stars

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Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics DC's Hardcovers & Trade Paperbacks

THE NEXT BATMAN (JACE FOX) – I AM BATMAN, VOLUME 2: WELCOME TO NEW YORK (DC Comics)

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

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Marvel Comics MARVEL's Hardcovers & Paperbacks

DAREDEVIL & ELEKTRA BY CHIP ZDARSKY, VOLUME 2: THE RED FIST SAGA, PART TWO (MARVEL Comics)

Written by Chip Zdarsky.

Art by Rafael De Latorre; Marco Checchetto; Manuel Garcia; Matthew Wilson; Eric Arciniega; & VC’s Clayton Cowles.

Cover Art by Marco Checchetto & Matthew Wilson.

SUMMARY:

Released by Marvel Comics in 2023, this 112-page trade paperback collects 2022’s Daredevil # 6-10.  Now married, international fugitives Matt Murdock and Elektra Natchios share the ‘Daredevil’ moniker and seemingly co-lead their Fist resistance group.  Yet, it’s to her beloved (and possibly deranged) Matt that Elektra cedes final decision-making to, as his senses are now vastly enhanced by ancient magic. 

Among their recruits are ‘Stick;’ Foggy Nelson; a former NYC cop, Cole North; and Leonard “Doc Sasquatch” Samson.  Upon being broken out of prison by the Daredevils, their cult-like contingent now includes Speed Demon, Bullet, The Enforcers’ Fancy Dan, Stilt-Man, Stegron, the Wrecker, and the symbiote Agony. 

Headquartered on the remote Makanrushi Island (free from the world’s radar detection), Matt and Elektra diligently train their disciples and push redirection of the criminal natures of some towards a greater good.  Specifically, a showdown against the nefarious Hand cult is imminent, as a mesmerized Frank Castle’s Punisher is in command, along with the mind-controlling Aka.  Also looming in the background are the evil Stromwyn siblings in league with The Hand as elderly multi-billionaires in for their own illicit gain.  With video footage captured on live television, Elektra’s team evades Iron Man before she murders an Aka-possessed U.S. President at his Paris hotel. 

Matt’s team next goes to Charlotte, North Carolina, to thwart a police-enforced Castlemax eviction of innocent residents from their housing.  A chilling warning is further left for the Castlemax CEO at his own private residence.  Aware of a mystical destiny indicating that one of them will die, the Daredevils lead a dangerous assault against The Hand in Yusuhara, Japan.  Their primary objective is to rescue Bullet’s abducted young son and free Bullet himself from mind-controlled possession. 

Barely escaping from total defeat, Matt and Elektra’s decimated team begins falling apart. Both of them (Matt in particular) are fully aware that their isolated group needs far more training and cohesion to stand any chance of survival against The Hand’s overwhelming numbers.  

Not only are trusted recruits abandoning the duo’s quasi-religious cause, but shock comes as at least one treacherous impersonator is revealed in their midst.  The worse-case scenario comes, as military jets and The Avengers (Iron Man, Captain America, the new Valkyrie, Black Panther, and Spider-Man) converge on the island.  In spite of the bleak odds, the elusive Matt is hellbent on not surrendering to his former friends.    

Note: This title is also available digitally.

REVIEW:

Despite its slim page count, The Red Fist Saga, Volume Two becomes a wearisome read.  That isn’t the fault of this art team’s solid and consistently appealing visuals; rather, blame falls upon writer Chip Zdarsky for the mostly blah storytelling. 

Including a predictable battle violence quotient (where characters quickly recover from seemingly fatal wounds), fans are hard-pressed to find any fun exploring this pretentious storyline.  Specifically, Zdarsky’s convoluted plotting backs the Daredevil franchise into a corner. 

Case in point: Matt Murdock is conveyed once again as a sanctimonious martyr overwhelmed by his religious convictions.  Zdarsky, therefore, makes sure that readers see a wounded Murdock multiple times (even literally) ever closer to the precipice of a nervous breakdown.  Hence, it isn’t necessarily clear if the Volume Two’s dire conclusion is meant as a cliffhanger or as a temporary end to the series itself. 

Aside from Daredevil’s climatic showdown against an outraged Spider-Man, Volume Two is at best a single read.  That is, this Daredevil storyline heavy on supernatural nonsense appears exclusively geared for Murdock’s die-hard fans who prefer him as a well-intentioned yet self-righteous ‘demigod.’ For other adults, though, perusing Daredevil & Elektra: The Red Fist Saga, Volume Two at the library makes the most practical sense.    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Prior to the credits page, there is a brief synopsis of this storyline-to-date.  Each of Marco Checchetto and Matthew Wilson’s full-page covers precedes its issue.  The variant cover gallery leads off with Issue # 6’s full-page Elektra homage by artist Peach Momoko.  With three cover images then allotted to a page, the following variants are included:

  • Issue # 6 (1. artist Kendrick “Kunkka” Lim; and 2. artists Checchetto & Wilson);
  • Issue # 7 (1. artists Frank Cho & Sabine Rich; and 2. artist Momoko);
  • Issue # 8 (1. artists Elena Casagrande & Jordie Bellaire; and 2. Artist AKA);
  • Issue # 9 (1A. artist Alex Ross; 1B. artist Ross – a sketch rendition of the same variant; and 2. artist Juni Ba); and
  • Issue # 10 (artists: Kevin Eastman & Richard Isanove).

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                            5 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics DC's Hardcovers & Trade Paperbacks

ELSEWORLDS: JUSTICE LEAGUE, VOLUME ONE {2024 RE-RELEASE} (DC Comics)

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

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics DC's Hardcovers & Trade Paperbacks

GREEN LANTERN BY GEOFF JOHNS, BOOK ONE (DC Comics)

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 21st 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

Categories
DC Comics DC's Hardcovers & Trade Paperbacks

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA, VOLUME 1: THE NEW GOLDEN AGE (DC Comics)

Written by Geoff Johns.

The New Golden Age # 1 Art by Diego Olortegui; JP Mayer; Scott Hanna; Jerry Ordway; Steve Lieber; Todd Nauck; Scott Kolins; Viktor Bogdanovic; Brandon Peterson; Gary Frank; Nick Filardi; John Kalisz; Matt Herms; Jordan Boyd; Brad Anderson; & Rob Leigh.

Justice Society of America # 1-5 Art by Mikel Janín; Jerry Ordway; Scott Kolins; Steve Lieber; Brandon Peterson; Marco Santucci; Jordie Bellaire; John Kalisz; Jordan Boyd; & Rob Leigh. 

Collection Cover Art by Mikel Janín.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics in 2024, this 177-page hardcover compiles 2022-2023’s The New Golden Age # 1 and Justice Society of America # 1-5.  In an alternate future ten years away, a young Helena Wayne senses once more that an unknown ‘boogeyman’ is stalking her.  Over the subsequent sixteen years, Helena suffers from the death of her legendary father, Bruce Wayne’s Batman, and becomes the Huntress to serve as his compassionate legacy.  Leading her own Justice Society – now composed mostly of reformed villains and a few stalwarts, like Power Girl, Helena is stunned to finally discover her perpetual boogeyman’s identity.

Meanwhile, with his time-warping powers, Per Degaton is ruthlessly annihilating incarnations of Justice Society dating as far as into the future as the 31st Century. Degaton’s homicidal spree ultimately leaves Helena orphaned.  Desperately transported by a magical snowglobe to 1940, Helena’s only hope is finding the right Dr. Fate, as Degaton’s first target each time is the one sorcerer who can mystically foresee his scheme. Still, nearly a century in the past, the Huntress meets the Justice Society’s first incarnation. 

Soon time-shifted into the present-day, Helena’s team-up with the current Justice Society sets up an intercept course with her lifelong tormentor.  Still, will a long-awaited reunion with an unsuspecting family member end in heartbreaking tragedy for both Helena and her new teammates?   

Guest stars include: Deadman; Detective Chimp; Madame Xanadu; the 31st Century’s fledging Justice Society; Helena’s alternate-future Justice Society; the Time ; Sgt. Rock & Easy Company; the Unknown Soldier; The Time Masters; and the present-day Batman.

Notably, Johns’ Stargirl: The Lost Children shares the same poignant cliffhanger as this volume’s last scene. 

Note: This title is also available digitally.  Presumably, DC Comics will release a trade paperback edition at some later date.

REVIEW:

It’s an excellent read for long-time DC afficionados.  Cleverly co-mingling multiple DC continuities (i.e. the recent Doomsday Clock; the long-running ‘90s JSA series and, more notably, the mid-1970’s Earth-Two JSA), writer Geoff Johns has concocted a tantalizing Justice Society reboot. 

Anchoring this new series (at least, for now) with an updated (and edgier) version of Helena Wayne/Huntress (whose original incarnation was last seen in 1985-86’s Crisis on Infinite Earths) is frankly an inspired strategy.  Hence, this latest re-launch of an ongoing Justice Society title has the welcome advantage, no matter how short-term, of fresh unpredictability.

Partially linking this first volume with Stargirl: The Lost Children and Alan Scott’s new Green Lantern series is another savvy move on Johns’ part.  The risky flip side, however, is that this hefty consolidation of classic JSA members (i.e. Jay Garrick’s Flash, Alan Scott’s Green Lantern, & even Power Girl); some newly resurrected mid’80s legacy characters (i.e. Beth Chapel’s Dr. Mid-Nite II & Yolanda Montez’s Wildcat); and an influx of new young characters (i.e. members of ‘The Lost Children’) is a lot to absorb for any reader.  To Johns’ credit, carefully spreading Per Degaton’s obsessively singular menace across the generations (much like John’s 2006 JSA, Volume 10: Black Vengeance) helps ground his ambitious storytelling into a more gripping narrative.  

Up to this daunting task is a high-caliber art team, as their visuals equal Johns, as far as supplying this volume’s best creative asset.  What stands out most, aside from its darker tangent towards homicidal violence, is that The New Golden Age leaves fans wanting more of this premise. 

Though notoriously delayed in DC’s release of the individual issues, Volume 1’s end result proves well worth the wait for fans.  Justice Society of America, Volume 1: The New Golden Age delivers an older teens-and-up gem worth seeking out.  At the very least, perusing The New Golden Age at the library makes good sense, so one doesn’t blindly jump into Johns’ continuity mash-up of a plot.

Note: For a terrific retro-read, this reviewer further recommends DC’s America Vs. The Justice Society.  Including both the original Helena Wayne/Huntress and Per Degaton, this last hurrah showcasing Earth-Two’s near-complete Justice Society is a most helpful overview of pre-Crisis JSA continuity.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Each full-page Mikel Janín cover precedes its issue. 

Designed as a retro-80’s DC Who’s Who, there’s a twelve-page character biography gallery.  Specifically, the profiles explore: the little-seen Golden Age/Earth-Two Aquaman (artists: Jerry Ordway & John Kalisz); the Lost Children’s Betsy Ross & Molly Pitcher – Miss America’s protégés (artists: Todd Nauck & Matt Herms); the Lost Children’s Boom – Jay Garrick’s daughter (artists: Nauck & Herms); the Lost Children’s Cherry Bomb – the Human Bomb’s protégé (artists: Nauck & Herms); & The Harlequin’s Son – The Golden Age Harlequin’s son (artists: Ordway & Kalisz). 

Additional profiles include: the Lost Children’s John Henry Jr. – John Henry Irons & Natasha Irons’ ancestor (artists: Nauck & Herms); the Lost Children’s Ladybug – Red Bee’s protégé (artists: Nauck & Herms); a redacted Legionnaire profile (artists: Nauck & Herms); a Golden Age Mister Miracle – Thaddeus Brown (artists: Scott Kolins & John Kalisz); the Lost Children’s Quiz Kid – the Golden Age Mr. Terrific’s protégé (artists: Nauck & Herms); Red Lantern – Vladimir Sokov (artist: Brandon Peterson); & the Lost Children’s Salem The Witch Girl – the Golden Age Dr. Fate’s protégé (artists: Nauck & Herms).  

Note: Though these profiles are terrific, an element of retroactive deception is curiously present.  There’s no dispute pertaining to the Golden Age Aquaman’s first appearance – it’s documented.  However, the Russian Green Lantern and the various ‘Lost Children’ are in fact all new characters.  In spite of what these profiles claim their 1940’s Golden Age ‘first appearances’ are, Johns created/co-created these characters.

The glorious padding concludes with a full-page variant cover gallery.  The artists are: 1. Dan Hipp; 2. Jay Hero 3. Todd Nauck & Matt Herms; 4. Michael Allred & Laura Allred; and 5. David Talaski (The New Golden Age # 1); artists 1. Jerry Ordway & John Kalisz; 2. Joe Quinones; 3. Steve Lieber & Nathan Fairbairn; and 4. Yanick Paquette & Nathan Fairbairn (Justice Society of America # 1); and artists 1. Tom Raney & Michael Atiyeh; and 2. Paquette & Fairbairn (Justice Society of America # 2). 

Continuing on are: artists 1. Steve Sadowski & John Kalisz; 2. Maria Laura Sonapo & Laura Martin; and 3. Paquette & Fairbairn (Justice Society of America # 3).  Next up are: 1. artist Jay Hero; and 2. Paquette & Fairbairn (Justice Society of America # 4).  Finally, for Justice Society of America # 5, the artists are: 1. Alvaro Martinez Buena; and 2. Paquette & Fairbairn.          

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             9 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics DC's Hardcovers & Trade Paperbacks

NIGHTWING, VOLUME 5: TIME OF THE TITANS (DC Comics)

Written by Tom Taylor.

Art by Travis Moore; Bruno Redondo; Vasco Georgiev; Adriano Lucas; & Wes Abbott.

Collection Cover Art by Bruno Redondo & Adriano Lucas.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2024 by DC Comics, this 176-page hardcover compiles 2023’s Nightwing # 101-105. Fallout from the recent Dark Crisis continues, as Dick Grayson intends to build a new Titans Tower in Blüdhaven. The team’s previous Tower in New York City lies in ruins after Deathstroke’s deadly attack. The Titans are soon startled by the discovery of a mystery corpse left deep within the wreckage.  

Continuing the storyline from Issue # 98, Dick Grayson and his perennial fellow Titans (Starfire, Beast Boy, Donna Troy, Cyborg, Raven, & Wally West’s Flash) are also protecting a nine-year-old orphan, Olivia Raymond.  Recently, unexpected magical intervention (and help from Dick’s puppy, Bite-wing) allowed Olivia to humiliate Neron’s demonic minions.  As it’s revealed, Neron seeks to collect Olivia’s innocent soul to complete a contract made with her late father: Blockbuster. 

With the shape-shifting Grinning Man now deployed, at least one homicide soon sets up the Titans taking on Dick’s own treacherous impersonator.  Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl joins Starfire & Donna Troy in defending Olivia on Themyscira.  Raven leads the other Titans on a raid into Neron’s underworld tower in Hell. 

Discovering the startling identity of Olivia’s mother, Nightwing must improvise a legal loophole to hopefully thwart Neron’s efforts to steal Olivia away.  Worse yet, Neron’s demons are simultaneously attacking Themyscira to abduct the child. Neron soon baits Nightwing with an offer of Superman-like powers in exchange for Olivia’s soul.  Dick explores his temporary powers knowing that Neron still awaits him and won’t be taking a simple ‘no’ as a reply. 

With Olivia’s fate evidently settled (at least, for now), Dick & Barbara soon find themselves assisting Aliki of the mercenary Double Dare rescue her abducted twin sister.  Per a Blüdhaven pharmaceutical CEO’s ruthless shakedown of a vulnerable nation, Dick confronts an old nemesis from his childhood.  More so, he must rely on an undercover Barbara to hold off a horde of corporate goons to rescue Aliki’s sister, Margot.  

Note: This title is available in both hardcover and trade paperback formats.  Presumably, DC Comics will release a digital edition at some later date.

REVIEW:

For afficionados of the classic Teen Titans/Titans line-up, Time of The Titans will take them for an entertaining ride.  Make no mistake: Tom Taylor’s two storylines in Volume 5 are really far more average than must-have.  Still, in the absence of genuine suspense, his playful storytelling and the art team’s high-caliber visuals mesh exceptionally well together.

More so, Dick Grayson’s chemistry with Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl; his Titans teammates; and Superman, unsurprisingly, delivers on all thrusters.  The presence of Olivia Raymond and Bite-wing adds a further element of innocent fun making Time of The Titans a welcome pivot from Batman’s gritty Gotham City epics.

Accordingly, Nightwing, Volume 5: Time of The Titans concocts a recommended library find –  if not, a long-term bookshelf option.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Bruno Redondo’s full-page cover precedes each story – though Issue # 105 (this book’s cover image) is co-produced with Adriano Lucas.   Also, a full-page variant cover gallery consists of these seventeen full-page entries:  

  • Issue # 101 (Titans): artists Travis Moore & Tamra Bonvillain;
  • Issue # 101 (Nightwing): artist Jamal Campbell;
  • Issue # 101 (Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, & Bite-wing’s Nightcycle repairs): artist Vasco Georgiev;
  • Issue # 102 (Titans at the malt shop): artists Moore & Bonvillain;
  • Issue # 102 (Nightwing): artist Campbell;
  • Issue # 102 (Nightwing): artist Georgiev;
  • Issue # 103 (Titans’ seated portrait): artists Moore & Bonvillain;
  • Issue # 103 (Nightwing): artist Campbell;
  • Issue # 103 (Nightwing’s friends & enemies): artist Georgiev;
  • Issue # 103 (Nightwing & Superman): artists Nicola Scott & Annette Kwok;
  • Issue # 104 (Titans & Bite-wing’s reflection): artists: Amancav Nahuflpan & Adriano Lucas;
  • Issue # 104 (Titans Together): artist Campbell;
  • Issue # 104 (Nightwing & a silhouetted Batgirl): artist: Georgiev;
  • Issue # 105 (Nightwing’s side profile): artist Dan Mora;
  • Issue # 105 (explosive high-rise rescue): artist Campbell;
  • Issue # 105 (Nightwing unmasked): artist Georgiev; and
  • Issue # 105 (DC Pride – Nightwing & Red Robin’s workout): artist Yoshi Yoshitani.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:              8 Stars