Superman #13

Posted on October 24, 2012 by

This issue marks some big changes for the Superman franchise: new writer, new artist, and new career change! In this review, let’s just brake those down one-by-one.

New Writer

First off- I’m a huge fan of Scott Lobdell! He truly seems to enjoy what he gets to do for a living more than any other writer out there! He is always answers questions, doing interviews, and basically talking about the characters that he loves to write! That being said, I have not been a big fan of his writing in the past. I got on board with Teen Titans- which, thanks to this book, I have picked up again to give another shot- and tried superboy. Neither really held my attention, so when I heard that Mr. Lobdell was coming to take over Superman, I had mixed feelings.

Luckily, I had nothing to fear after all! This new story by Scott is great! It’s full of fresh energy, it’s got some great dialogue and monologue (more on that in a minute). There is even a narrator’s voice, which doesn’t get much explanation. It could be Clark, writing a blog or something. It could be whomever the planet hires to cover the Superman stories, since that job is now officially available. Or it could just be Scott Lobdell getting a little “Golden Agey” by adding an unexplained omniscient narration. Who knows? The bottom line is that this is the light at the end of the New 52 Superman tunnel that we have been waiting since Perez was on the book, But I don’t think Scott is the only one to thank for the new finally-enjoyable Superman book.

New Artist

Kenneth Rocaport brings such a fresh look to the Superman book, that it feels like finally coming up for air after being submerged for, say, 12 months. For some reason the art in this book has had this old 90s look to it since the relaunch. I held on for a long time, because I like the character, but it has been rough! This guy’s style is just what the book needed. The crazy thing is that he bring back a really old idea to the comic, but manages to keep it cool: Thought bubbles. Before you say anything, yes, I mean he uses the little clouds that float out of each characters head when they are thinking. If the old artist tried this, it would have been a last straw. But here, it’s interesting and fun. Since the rest of the book looks so fresh and new, the thought bubbles don’t age it as much as give it a certain quirky style. Now, can anyone tell me why Rocafort always gives his character shiny nose tips? Seriously, go look for yourself. they all have them if you look really closely.

Clark quits the Daily Planet.

Since it was on the news yesterday and all, I don’t think it spoils anything to say that Clark starts off this new chapter of his life with a new writer by quitting the Planet! I won’t say how, except that a certain boss that I abhor finally gets told off… and it’s great! What will Clark do next? Some folks think he will starting blogging his own news, or start his own new company. Either of those could be likely as they would very much update the character to our current world, since more and more people who can’t find jobs are choosing to start their own small businesses.

Bottom Line: Loved it! Great new direction! 100% new reader friendly, and sets up the next story really well. (I can’t wait for H’el on earth!)

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Justice League #13

Posted on October 21, 2012 by

Issue 13 of Justice League marks the introduction of Cheetah to the New 52. I must admit that I don’t know much about the “original” Cheetah, but this one is a great villian! She is fast and powerful… and a god, which makes her not only a match for Wonder Woman, but Superman and the rest as well. Obviously there was some great action in this issue!

Writing

Not only that, but I found the dialogue to be really enjoyable too! The team is final getting tight. In fact, I think this is the closest I’ve seen them in the New 52 thus far! You can see the friendships. You see who is close to whom, and where the tensions are; All in great dialogue that runs throughout the issue! I also think that this is a great “jumping on” book because of it. They explain everything that is happening of importance, and the new villain’s appearance all come together to make this a perfect first issue for someone you have been wanting to get into Justice League.

Art

Tony Daniel is guest artist on this two-issue story. He is awesome on this! My first introduction to his work was Detective Comics #1 and, though the art was good, the writing was not my cup-o-tea and it severely shaded my opinion of him. This just legitimized him as a fantastic artist in my eyes. The way he moves your eyes through the panels is great. And at some panels, I just had to stop reading a stare. (WW and Supes staring across the bridge of the watchtower with earth in the background, for instance)

“On the Outs” back up story by Geoff Johns and Jeff Lemire

This was worth mentioning. There is a great little intro to the new Justice League of America book in the back. I love that Jeff Lemire is working with two of my favorite writers nowadays! He and Geoff give you a great little convo in a bar with Green Arrow and Colonel Trevor. I really like how G.A. is handled here better than in his own book. I am already looking forward to JLA, and this just got me more excited! If you want to read it, here it is. DC released it online, no doubt, to promote the upcoming series.

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About Jim Lee’s Superman

Posted on October 19, 2012 by

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When it comes to comics, I am usually more of a “writer” guy than an “artist” guy. By that, I mean that I find the writing to be what gets gets me excited about a book, not necessarily the pictures. But since “Man of Steel” is coming out next summer featuring one of my favorite writers, I thought I’d pick up some work by the artist and see what his take on drawing Superman is like. Jim Lee is the artist here. And, apparently, Man of Steel isn’t his first super-rodeo. He did a run with Brian Azzarello called “For Tomorrow”. I picked it up and just finished it. So here is my review, looking specifically at the art:

Jim Lee was a genius! He took the Superman costume, and made it his own without actually changing a single thread of it. By using a lot of dark scenes, he made Superman look dangerous and imposing! Speaking of this decision, Jim said in the back portion of the hardcover, “Most people imagine Superman to be always in the light… I wanted to challenge this notion… He may be a preeminent good guy figure, but where does it say he can’t look intimidating? He should look elemental, when necessary, like a force of nature.”

When dropping Superman into shadow, though, he tried to keep the “S” logo and cape colored, since they are such defining features for the costume. When he started experimenting with that, he discovered that it would give the “S” a sort of glow. It looks awesome!

And as far as trying to make Supes look intimidating, it works really well! When he drops in on one villain from above, in the dark, S and eyes glowing, I freaked out! What a great take on the superman design! Now, I can’t wait to see what he does with the New 52 costume! Judging by the teaser image, it should be every bit as awesome as the For Tomorrow book! Notice how the S logo pops when surrounded by black. Just awesome! I can’t wait for summer to get here!

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My Comic Book Caveat

Posted on October 18, 2012 by

Yesterday, I mentioned that I had a new caveat to the assembly of my new pull-list; comics that I, personally, don’t care to read, let alone pay for. In order to explain, I must first say that this is a personal thing and that I don’t expect others to think the same way nor do I look down on those who don’t.

 

Death isn’t heroic. Taking life isn’t a display of strength. I don’t know about other countries, but in the states life isn’t very important. And redemption doesn’t go very far. We kill the most guilty of us by lethal injection, and the most innocent of us before they are born. We bomb those who may kill us. And only heal the ones of us who can pay for the medical services to do so.

I believe in life. I believe that redemption, like mercy, should be new every day. Books in which the “hero” takes life are in direct antithesis to those convictions. So, I have no time or money to waste on them. By contrast, books in which sparing life is seen as, not weakness, but true strength; And characters who never give up on the possibility of redemption, are true heroes. These are the kinds of heroes we need more of. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against fans of Deadpool, Punisher, Deathstroke, or Red Hood. And I don’t believe in boycotts. It’s just a matter of personal conviction. We need more stories that affirm life. Characters like Superman, who is powerful enough to kill with a mere thought, yet chooses the much more difficult option of protecting all life, even misguided life; And Batman who never gives up on the possibility of redemption and rehabilitation for enemies like Harvey Dent; or Animal Man and Swamp Thing, who’s very natures and abilities are forces of life and creation: These are stories I want more of. So, that’s what I’m looking for.

I don’t mean to be so serious about it. But I do mean to be clear. Anyway, with all that said, Let’s read some comics!

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I’m Back! And Just in Time…

Posted on October 16, 2012 by

Hey comic book fans! After a 2-month “vacation” induced by a lack of funds, Twentylist is back on the move! and just in time apparently! The New York comic-con is wrapping up and has given us a LOT to be excited about! Though I’m not a big Marvel fan, the relaunch, reboot,re-whatever-it-is that Marvel is doing is getting me into trying out a couple new books–What? Me? Read a Hulk Comic?–Yes, The upcoming “Indestructible Hulk” book by Mark Waid looks really good. Also, even though we must say a sad farewell to the long-running “Amazing Spiderman in a couple months, the new “Superior Spiderman” book looks… interesting.

And at DC, one of my dreams has come true: Scott Snyder (writer of Batman, American Vampire) is stepping into Super-territory for the first time with a new on-going book: “Man of Steel”

Snyder+Superman=At least one really happy reader!

That’s the promo art at the top of this post. Needless to say that is the most exciting thing to come out of comic-con for me so far!

As for now my actual Twenty…err… four… list is really short:

Action Comics

Superman

Batman

Amazing Spiderman

So, as I begin to put my Twentylist back together, there is room for about 16 more books! What would you guys like to hear more about? Let me know over the next couple months as I try to add titles until we climb our way back to twenty! There are some caveats though– Books that, this time around I will not add, for personal “healthy soul” type reasons. Check back here tomorrow for a post that will explain what I mean by that…

Until then,

Excelsior!

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One Evil Month!

Posted on July 14, 2012 by

I was looking over the last issues of everything, and came to an interesting conclusion: This has been a great month for VILLAINS! It seems like every issue that DC put out over the last month has focused on an introduction or battle of a great baddie. Here are some of the archenemies that dealt some deadly blows this past month:

SPOILER-ALERT: This article contains spoilers for the issues of Justice League #11, Earth 2 #3, Batman #10-11, and Spiderman #689. DO NOT read this until you’ve had time to read these issues.

 

Graves

This brand new villain final flexed his muscles in the last issue of Justice League. Single-handedly wiping them all out in a couple minutes, he stands to be one of the worst villains (in a good way) to come into existence in a long time!

 

Black Manta

Unlike Graves, writer Geoff Johns brought this guy back from past pages, back into the forefront, making him as bad as ever. He had one of the best fight sequences against Arthur in the pages of Aquaman. In the last issue, We also saw why he hates Aquaman so much. This is probably my favorite issue of Aquaman yet, and it’s all Black Manta’s fault!

 

Solomon Grundy

“Grundy, Grundy, Born on Monday!!!” Well, we might not expect him to do any of that kind of rambling any time soon, But it is exciting to have him back! He hasn’t gotten any punches in yet, but we do expect him to face off against The Green Lantern soon. Having him set as the avatar of “The Grey”, which is the force of death and decay on Earth 2, He will face Earth 2′s avatar of “The Green”, which is Earth 2 force of life. It’s going to be epic! We do wish he would still talk in third person though.

 

 

Anton Arcane

An old foe of Swamp Thing made his return to comics as well! But this Anton Arcane has undergone some major changes. He is now the undead king of the Rot, the force of death and decay that is the yin to Swamp Thing and the Green’s yang. I love the way Scott Snyder has written all these changes to the Swamp Thing mythos. It’s not like old history was abandoned and forgotten. More like this was what has been there all along and no one knew. Great writer. Great Villain. Awesome showdown in the last issue.

 

Thomas Wayne Jr. or is it Lincoln March?

Speaking of Scott Snyder, In his Batman series we finally get to see the man behind the court of owl’s latest happenings. And it was Bruce’s brother! At least, that is who he says he is. Batman doesn’t believe it. That doesn’t make the face off between these two any less epic! It kind of reminds me of Batman vs Owlman a long time ago. This is a different story entirely, but seeing a Wayne behind an owl-mask with a sidekick named Talon should sound faintly familiar to fans of the “crisis” stuff. Anyway, another truly amazing fight between these two. I actually think the fight took the entire issue this month!

 

The Lizard

I know this one isn’t from DC, but it was still an awesome battle between Spiderman and the lizard. The story is so personal, and sick, and twisted, and it all makes the lizard seem that much more evil! The lizard has destroyed his alter ego Curt Connors completely! Spidey and Morbius try to prove that statement wrong and change him back. But what is left isn’t Curt Connors. Apparently he is gone, because now it’s the Lizard trapped in Curt’s body! Awesome fight in the sewer between the Lizard, Morbius, and Spiderman definitely earned the last issue a place on this list.

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Swamp Thing #11 Review

Posted on July 12, 2012 by

In this newest issue, writer, Scott Snyder gives us more insight into Swamp Thing’s enemy, Anton Arcane. We also get some major developments to the battle between Green and Rot. If you have been reading Swamp Thing, then you do not want to miss this issue! If you haven’t been reading Swamp Thing, then… That’s just sad.

Arcane who?

When Swamp Thing issue 9 made that big reveal on the last page, announcing that “ANTON ARCANE IS BACK!!!!”, it was lost on me. This is my first Swamp Thing series, (surprising for an environmentalist  vegetarian comic fan, I know.) So bringing back an old villain didn’t really impress me. I had to do some googling to find out why I should be excited, and even then I wasn’t really into him. But with this issue, seeing how evil and twisted he really is and what he can do, it’s just awesome! This issue sold me on Arcane as the leader of the Rot. And to see the Rot’s god tearing up the “guardian of the green” was truly something that made me actually wonder whether Swamp Thing can handle him.

Huge fight!

This is a rare thing indeed. Not only does this book do a lot of setting up for future direction, It gives us some killer action to boot! Swamp and Arcane don’t hold anything back in a face off that has rotten flesh and grass clippings flying everywhere! This book is so well-drawn that even the nasty stuff looks great! and the fight with Arcane proves it!

Bottom Line: Another win for this fantastic series! If you don’t see yourself as a Swamp Thing fan, you should really give it a try. I did on a whim, and have been hooked ever since!

Starting Point: If you’d like to start reading Swamp Thing, but you don’t want to have to buy the past 10 issue just to enjoy this one, here is what you absolutely need to know!

The web of life on our world is held together by three threads. These forces of life and death are in constant struggle for supremacy, even though they all need each other. These threads, or forces, are called the Green, the Red and the Rot. Each of these forces has a powerful leader or counsel, and a chosen warrior. The Green, which is the web of all the plant life on the planet, is protected by the Swamp Thing. The Red, which is the web that connects all living creatures with blood in their veins like us, is guarded by the Animal Man. Then there is the Rot. It is the web of death and decay, which all living things inevitably become apart of. It has decided to rule our world. Now Swamp Thing must stop it and it’s leader, a dead man named Anton Arcane from doing that. Oh and by the way, the Rot wants Swamp Thing’s girlfriend to be it’s queen. She is Anton’s daughter.

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