Batman 66 #16 Review

Written by: Tom Peyer
Art by: Ty Templeton
Cover Price:$0.99
Release Date: October 16, 2013

I Guess You Can Judge a Book by It's Cover

Anyone who thinks that DC Comics has forgotten what fun is just needs to look no further than the digital Batman '66 releases.  Fans of the Batman TV show will surely get plenty of inside jokes, but as issue #16 proves, campy Batman is fun for everyone.

The issue opens as Billionaire, Bruce Wayne and Robin, the Boy Wonder are dedicating a $4999.99 oversized check to the Gotham literacy program when Bookworm and his gang bust in.  Yes, Bookworm, played by Roddy McDowall in the original TV series is in the House.  You see, he is after the oversized checkbook kept by the Gotham Chamber of Currency.  It is as goofy and fun as it sounds.
However, Bookworm has more in mind than writing himself some big checks.

Jeff Peyer takes over writing duties and doesn't lose any steam.  The jokes and dialogue are spot on and you can't help but have a smile on your face throughout.  Seriously, the punches, kicks, bad puns and zany explanations fly at you at breakneck speed.  Ty Templeton's art is more of a realistic rendering of the dynamic duo and it fits the story.  My only complaint is that the Bookworm's plan seems a bit under developed, but this is the first issue of the arc so I'm sure it will be worked on in the next issue.

Side note: In the TV series, the Bookworm was the featured villain in the episode that featured the first "window cameo" with Jerry Lewis.  I hope that Peyer can mix one in during this arc.

Bits and Pieces:

If you are a fan of laughing and smiling, pick up Batman '66.  If you are a fan of scowling and frowning, pick up Batman '66.  This book is so much fun and #16 is the start of what already is another fun filled arc.

9.0/10

Wonder Woman #24 Review

Written by: Brian Azzarello
Art by: Goran Sudzuka
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 16. 2013

Gods of Bickering

Apollo has taken his place as ruler of the gods and has declared Wonder Woman the new God of War.  Unfortunately, Wonder Woman isn't really interested in the position.  The gods bicker, the gods yell, the gods cry.  The gods ask, how can one prepare for War without a God of War?

Brian Azzarello's Wonder Woman has been one of the best titles in the New 52.  The books mythology and characters have been thoroughly thought out and realized.  Coming off of Issue #23 and Villain's Month (especially the First Born issue) I couldn't wait to get back into the main series.  However, this issue lacked one important aspect for me, Wonder Woman.  She seems to on the outside looking in.  I'm a big fan of Apollo, but Diana should not be the least interesting person in her own book.  Plus, this issue is so dialogue heavy.  I don't need nonstop action, but I like a little.  This is a setup issue from start to finish.

Goran Sudzuka's art was pretty good, though it's hard to replace Cliff Chiang.  Everything looked good and proper.  Again, with so little action taking place it's hard for me to get a full grasp of what he is capable of.

Wonder Woman #24 was an average issue.  It seemed like a filler issue preparing for greater things down the line.  Wonder Woman spends most of the issue on the sidelines which is a pity.  If you like gods bickering with each other and decent art, you may enjoy this issue.  I will wait and hope for better next month.

6.5/10

Supergirl #24 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Michael Alan Nelson
Art By: Diogenes Neves
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 16, 2013

So If Brainiac Made Zor-El Look Like A Cybernetic Jor-El, And Cyborg Superman Took Supergirl's Body To Make Himself Look Like Zor-El, Does That Make Me Confused?

So back before Villain's Month Cyborg Superman wanted to change his mind and body to what it was before he became cybernetic perfection.  So he used Supergirl's body to reconstitute himself and we found out that he was Zor-El.

Explain It!:

So now that Zor-El has his mind, and body back, he is horrified that he destroyed his daughter to do it.  Now Brainiac is waiting above I'noxia, and demanding that Cyborg Superman turn over Supergirl to him, so he can study the effect of Kryptonite poisoning on a Kryptonian.  

Zor-El has a plan.  He wants to be turned back into Cyborg Superman, there by remaking Supergirl's body.  He tells his I'noxian assistant to tell Cyborg Superman that Brainiac interrupted the surgery, and it's his fault he did not achieve perfection in the knowledge of who he was.  To get his I'noxian assistant to go through with this, he tells him of a plan to shrink down the collective minds of the planet so they can move on away from the terror of Brainiac.  The I'noxians open fire on Brainiac's ship.  But they are no match.

Within the collective Supergirl fights her way out, seeking revenge against Cyborg Superman.  She frees herself and is now the power of pure imagination.  She can now do anything that she can think of and all she can think of is doing terrible terrible things to Cyborg Superman.  But before she can, her consciousness is sucked away.  Zor-El's plan worked the surgery changed him back, and Kara's body was reconstituted.  Cyborg Superman goes after Brainiac, for stealing his past, and Supergirl is told to escape while she can.  Revenge isn't worth the trouble she realizes, and takes off on a rocket bike, as the shrunken collective of I'noxia leaves the planet.  In the end Kara flies her rocket bike through space, until Dun Dun Duuun.  A giant monster monolith appears.  No idea what this is, but weird right?

Bits and Pieces:

This was a suspenseful issue.  It played a lot like a thriller, where time is running out and the good guys have a chance of getting killed.  Keeps you on the edge of your seat most of the issue.  This was a fun story arc, and I'm sad to see it end.  But hopefully the stories continue to entertain in the future.  Only thing that I wish could be different is, being a big fan of Cyborg Superman, I wish he was in the issue more.  Can't wait till we see him again.

8/10

Red Hood and the Outlaws #24 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: James Tynion IV

Art By: Julius Gopez

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: October 16, 2013

War Games: Untitled Assassin Warfare

The battle for 'Eth Alth'Eban is on!  Last we saw the battle was getting started and Red Hood sent Roy and Starfire to the dungeons, so he could have his battle without them getting hurt.  Oh and for some reason Red Hood had magical swords appear in his hands.  Apparently stuff like that happens.  So get on with it!

Explain It!:

Alright so battlins are going on.  Jason, and Bronze Tiger are kicking some ghostly untitled ass.  Some more battlins.  Yeah lots of battlins that don't really lead to anything to talk about.

Down in the dungeon Arsenal's feeling sorry for himself for being an asshole.  Cheshire's sitting there listening feeling sorry for herself, because no one loves her.  Yeah that goes on a while.

Back to the battle. Yeah!  Jason realizes that the well the Untitled are trying to destroy, is the way to beat them.  Jason and the leader of the Untitled fall from ledge (while battlin), Jason steers their fall so that they fall in the Lazarus well.  The Untitled leader falls in, having all his power drained away into the well.  The rest of the untitled are ready for round two, when the army of Man Bats shows up and whoops them into the well.  The end the fight is over, and now Jason will lead the League of Assassins.  Oh wait there's more!  Turns out that this was all the plans of the now returned; Ra's Al Ghul.  He wanted the Untitled's power to be absorbed into the well, so that he could claim it for himself.  Now Jason has to do something.  What is that thing you might ask?  Apparently we'll find out in the Zero Year cross over next month. Gonna go back in time.

Bits and Pieces:

Recently this title has become The Outlaws and Red Hood, and that's not really the title I'm looking to read.  But now we have Red Hood in the forefront.  But it's not really Red Hood, it's a blank slate that looks like Jason Todd.  Really it's just disappointing.  But maybe next month in the Zero Year tie in we'll see a Jason Todd that is closer to the one we know and love.  All in all we had the conclusion to a supposed big battle, that's not really interesting in the end.  

5/10

Awesome Superman Print

This is by Invasione Creativa entitled Happy Birthday Superman.  Awesome.

Check them out at invasionecreativa.it and invasionecreativa.tumblr.com

Vibe #8 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Sterling Gates
Art By: Andres Guinaldo
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 16, 2013

Sword and Sorcery and Vibe

When last we saw Vibe he went through a dimensional tunnel chasing his brother Armando (Rupture), who had kidnapped Gypsy.  So let's continue down the rabbit hole.

Explain It!:

So Vibe's explaining to someone what happened to him.  Apparently Rupture pieced his chest, and what absorbing all of Vibe's dimensional energy.  When there was barely any left, Vibe fell through the multiverse.

When he came out he found himself on Gemworld.  Now I did not read any of Sword and Sorcery, all the knowledge I have of this world was when Amethyst became a member of Justice League Dark for like two seconds.  But that's where Vibe showed up.  He touched Amethyst and she screamed, a big light show happened, and when Amethyst's army was about to stab the shit out of Vibe, Breacher shows up, and puts a arc reactor in Vibe's chest to keep him from blowing up.  The two disappear leaving Gemworld.

We find out that Vibe has been telling his story to Breacher, and a few armed mercenaries.  Breacher tells Vibe that he has just been recruited into his army.  Vibe protests until Breacher shows him the outside of this world.  Turns out that Armando came to this world, and with his new found power destroyed it.  Vibe freaks out, and is about to burst.  Breacher tells him to calm down, and control himself, otherwise the dimensional forces will "take him".  Vibe doesn't understand, so Breacher shows him.  Breacher takes off his helmet and shows that his body is just coursing with energy, and looks like his armor is the only thing keeping him together.  

In the end we find out that Gypsy is Breacher's daughter, and they must find her before Rupture takes her to his wife, and they use Gypsy to help them destroy Earth.

Bits and Pieces:

This book started out real strong, but over the last few months it has taken a down turn.  This issue sadly isn't helping.  The entire issue is a uninteresting recap of falling, and almost fighting, and then a dimensional temper tantrum.  The art was alright, but nothing spectacular.  Now that Vibe is confirmed cancelled, it won't have the time to find it's legs again, and that is sad, because this in the beginning was one of my more fun titles.  Should of just added Hawkman, and everyone would of been happy.

4.5/10

Justice League of America #8 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Matt Kindt
Art By: Doug Mahnke
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 16, 2013

Justice League Matrix

So the Crime Syndicate came to our Earth, and took over, and also blocked out the sun.  Somehow Stargirl remembers all this, No idea.  

Explain It:

Stargirl and Martian Manhunter wake up in a sunny field, when they see Jason Rusch.  Jason informs them that they are all being held within a holographic prison.  

Martian Manhunter and Jason descend into another chamber of the prison, and see Wonder Woman.  She's battling for her life, and believes that Superman is already dead.  She runs away from the two crying, ashamed at not being the warrior she was meant to be.  The two continue to descend and find a prison for Shazam, who's prison is made to let the child in him run rampant.  He's in a city and just wants to destroy things, and see them be remade, so he can do it all over again.  Further down the Flash is sitting in an apartment and tells the two all he has done that day.  Martian Manhunter realizes that all of these things were only done in his mind.  Each of the prisons seem to be built to break down the occupant, or at least keep them occupied.

Further down Martian Manhunter finds Superman trying to fly around the earth backwards to turn back time, in order to prevent himself from killing Dr. Light.  Moving on we find Simon Baz, sitting in a crater.  He let the small minds of the people around him get the better of him.  Everyone saw him as a terrorist, so that's what he gave them.

In the end Stargirl who was left behind in case of a trap, simply finds a way out ( really?  really?), and sees what the world has become on the outside.

Bits and Pieces:

This book is beautiful.  Doug Mahnke never disappoints.  But as for the story?  Just a lot of seeing heroes at their weakest.  It was a very tame Dante's Inferno where we went down the levels of hell.  But just each individuals hell.  Nothing really happened, and the ending was ridiculous.  Per usual Stargirl had nothing to do, and instead of trying to help the rest of the heroes, and maybe working together, Martian Manhunter just wants to go exploring.  But again beautiful issue.

6/10

Batman and Two-Face #24 Review

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Patrick Gleason
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 16, 2013

There's going to be a McKillin if I don't Flip My Shilling

Batman has gone through the stages of grief following his son Damian's death.  You would think that the Caped Crusader would get a little downtime, but not when Two-Face and a mysterious lady linked to Dent's past are causing trouble in Gotham.

Gotham isn't a place for rest and relaxation.  The cities crime families have gathered to discuss how to take Gotham back from the "Crazies" and the Bat. Among them is the prodigal daughter, Erin McKillin, the head of the McKillin Clan. She has been in hiding, but the families demand she get involved in the daily crap that is Gotham City. Erin who, you say?

It seems that Erin has a history in Gotham.  A history that involves the retconned origin of Two-Face.  Yes, this issue serves mainly as the introduction of Erin and the origin of the coin flipping psycho. I for one am not very pleased with this new origin.  It seemed forced and one part in particular felt unnecessary.

Everyone wants a piece of McKillin and when the GCPD close in on her, she runs, drives and swims to escape.  Unfortunately for her, Batman and Two-Face are both hot on her tail.  The issue ends with her and Batman fist-to-fist and face-to-face.

I like plenty of what Peter J. Tomasi gives us here.  The beginning of the book does a great job of tying up loose ends from Batman Inc. #13 and Damian's death that alone were worth the price of admission for me.  I suspect I won't be the only one that has a problem with Two-Face's New 52 Origin and I'm not sure how to take this Erin McKillin (I also must add, I hate that name), but this is part one of an arc so I will reserve some judgement.  What I can tell you is I am not on the edge of my seat waiting for the next issue.

I was hoping for more from Batman and  Two-Face #24.  We get a forced new origin to one of Gotham's best Villains and an introduction to one I don't care about...yet.  I hope that the introductory nature of this issue pays off with better ones to follow.  As it stands, though, I can't give this a glowing recommendation.

6.5/10

Green Lantern: New Guardians #24 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Justin Jordan
Art By: Brad Walker
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 16, 2013

Lights Out?  Nope, Lights In

Lights Out Pt 3 Oh yeah!  We start this story off with the destruction of Oa.  I miss Oa.

Explain It!:

Well as it seems to be happening in every other title, Hal Jordan is losing his shit.  Hal wants to send the Corps. after Relic, which everyone there knows is a suicide run, and you can tell he's going crazy because he calls Kyle, John.  Nuts.  So after everyone beats some sense into Hal, he decides that their going to go get the Red Lanterns and see how they effect Relic.  

When Suddenly all the entities except Red, and Yellow come out of nowhere, and invade Kyle.  Gross.  What's with Kyle constantly getting invaded by different entities?  I guess he just has that rape face.  So now Kyle is a Uber White Lantern, and is taken over by the entities consciousness, and flies away.  Hal, Carol, The Templar Guardians, and the Corps. try to stop him, but come on even I would know better.  They send the Corps. to Ysmault, because that's where they wanted to go, and Kyle flies off in search of the other entities, to become whole.

But the Templar Guardians showed some power of they're own, and withstood the teleportation attack, and commands the entities to stand down, and release Lantern Rayner.  They fight, and while they do, Kyle fights on the inside until finally he is able to subdue the entities, and take control of his body.

In the end Kyle showboats a little, and talks smack on the Templar Guardians about how he could control all the entities, but they couldn't.  But after that he tells the Templar Guardians that he understands what the entities were trying to do, and that they don't need to defeat Relic they need to help him.

Bits and Pieces:

Oh New Guardians never fails to be a great book.  With so many Lantern titles you might just be asking yourself "What book should I get into?"  Well the answer of course is this one.  I was a little iffy on the whole Lights Out storyline, but after reading this issue, I'm firmly back on board.  Excellent art, and story telling, nothing really at all to say bad about this book.  But since it's a Kyle-centric book you might not feel the size of the other Lantern titles here, but what you do get is a great character that continues to delight.

9/10

Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion #1 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Patrick Zircher and Scott Hepburn
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 16, 2013

With a Rebel Yell...

By now most readers know the setup to the Forever Evil event.  The Crime Syndicate claims to have killed the Justice League, they are recruiting Villains for global domination, Ultraman has blocked out the Sun, yada, yada, yada.  What do the Rogues have to do with this and why should the reader care?  

Yes, the Rogues are Villains, but not the "Wring their hands and laugh as the hero hangs over a shark tank" kind.  No, they are noble Villains.  As Captain Cold says in this issue, "...we're never about Superhero and Supervillain crap...we're about the Score!"  That always makes them so much fun.  It also makes them our eyes into this whole event.  They are just regular Joes who like to hang out, drink beer and make some quick cash.  They just happen to have powers.

There is not much to Brian Buccellato's story here.  The Rogues decline the Crime Syndicate's offer and return to Central City.  Unfortunately, Grodd has destroyed it and Captain Cold makes haste to the Hospital his sister is in.  This leads to the crazy return of Black Bison and his new gang.  The two teams have a fun throw down which leads to a visit by the Crime Syndicate that sets up the next issue.  The story may be simple, but what makes it good is the dialogue and character interaction.  It's fun to watch the Rogues fight amongst themselves only to band together to yell at Black Bison and his gang.  The Rogues aren't known for their collective IQ's and it's always fun to see them trash talk and announce their powers as they fight.

The art is a mixed bag.  Patrick Zircher's art is so good and is recognizable to Flash fans from his Rogues Villain's Month issue last month.  Halfway through the book, Scott Hepburn takes over and though his art style is not bad, it is so different from Zircher's that it takes you out of the flow of the book.  Zircher has a detailed darker style that is heavy on shadows while Hepburn's is a cartoony lighter style.

Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion #1 is a good start to the Rogues arc.  It's a fun story that is bound to get more interesting as it plays out.  The change in artists and art style mid-book really throws the reader out of the issue, but it's still good fun.

7.8/10

Trinity of Sin: Pandora #4 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Ray Fawkes
Art By: Francis Portela
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 16, 2013

One Woman Vs. The World, and Some Of Another World

We're still playing catch up since Forever Evil #1 started some time after the Trinity War.  We have Phantom Stranger, Constantine, and now this.  Pandora picks up at the end of the Trinity War when the box is opened by the Outsider.

Explain It!:

Pandora finds herself standing on top of skulls, faced by Earth 3's Martian Manhunter.  The Martian curses the Syndicate for leaving him behind, but as we see half of his body as been burned away, and before Pandora can get any answers from him he dies.  Then her pesky curse gets going and transports her back to Earth 1.  There she finds the shattered pieces of the box.

Pandora takes the pieces to her weaponsmith Marcus, so that he might put the box back together again.  After some convincing he agrees, and Pandora sets off in search of the one person she knows that can activate the box; The Outsider.

Pandora's hunt takes her to a small Mexican town, where Vandal Savage showed up the night before, and killed its populace.  He hasn't been the same since he touched the box, and started weeping.  So what better way to go and prove to yourself that your a bad man, than execute a village.  So Pandora and Vandal fight per usual, and Vandal agrees to help her find the Outsider.  He tosses her the Secret Society coin, and Pandora makes her way to Happy Harbor, to see the orientation meeting of the Crime Syndicate.

In the End we see what happens in Forever Evil #1, but Pandora goes inside the fallen Watch Tower to confront The Outsider.  The issue ends with Pandora putting a gun to his head, telling him, she has a few questions for him.  Now time for speculation.  In Forever Evil #2, the Outsider has someone tied up with a bad over their head, who the Crime Syndicate seems to want to keep around in case something from their world comes here.  Is Pandora that person?  Also how the hell did Pandora open the box in the first place thousands of years ago, if the only people who can open the box are from Earth 3?  Is Pandora from Earth 3?  More questions, hopefully in the future we get the answers.

Bits and Pieces:

I'm really enjoying this title, and hope it continues after Forever Evil.  With all the catch up work we're doing to get us to Forever Evil, it's fun putting the pieces together, and seeing what happened behind the scenes.  Now this issue takes us from the end of Trinity War to the beginning of Forever Evil, which we find out has only been two days.  Good stuff.  Anyone out there trying to follow the complete set of Forever Evil should totally get this issue, it seems to be filling in the gaps nicely.  Check it out.

8.8/10

Superman: 75 Years of Being a Jerk

It is Superman's 75th Anniversary and DC has released this great animated video tribute to the Man of Steel.  However, Superman hasn't always been the best friend and/or lover to the ones he cares most about.  The following are some examples of Superman being a total jerk.  I don't think DC is making an animated feature of "this" Superman.

I think he's rooting for Aquaman

Superman 75th Anniversary Animated Short

This is simply awesome and a must watch for any Superman fan.

Green Team Canceled with Issue #8

Oh well, it looks as if Green Team: Teen Trillionaires has been canceled.  The January solicitations reveal that issue #8 will be the last.

THE GREEN TEAM: TEEN TRILLIONAIRES #8
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
Art by IG GUARA
Cover by IG GUARA and J.P. MAYER
On sale JANUARY 29 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • FINAL ISSUE
Through thick and thin, the Green Team has endured more pain and suffering than any teen trillionaire can withstand. Will this final issue be their breaking point?

I really had high hopes for Green Team, thinking it would be a fun little title.  Though I will argue that it's better than The Movement, I can't say it is a good book and sales figures don't lie.  No one was reading it.  Another one bites the dust.

Batwoman #1 Review Columbus Day Edition

Good old Columbus Day.  The day we Americans celebrate the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus thus proving the World was round.  Alright, I know that he wasn't the first to step foot in the Americas and that any educated (and uneducated) person had known the World wasn't flat for centuries.  Yes, he contributed to the genocide of the indigenous people and really wasn't a nice guy.  Let's just focus on discovery for a moment.  In the spirit of discovery I decided to go back and read and review a New 52 book I hadn't "discovered" yet.  Will I be the first to read it?  No...but maybe history will be rewritten in my favor.  And so I bring You...Batwoman #1 Review

Written by: J.H. Williams III

Art by:W. Haden Blackman

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: September 14, 2011

Discovering a Gem

A ghostly figure abducting children?  A serial killer thwarting the Gotham Police Department?  A hot female detective looking for companionship?  Looks like a job for...Batwoman.  Yes, Kate Kane is back as Batwoman and she may be perfect.

J.H. Williams has crafted a story that is moody and smart.  The tension starts in the first panel and never lets up until you think it will burst.  What surprised me was how different this was than the usual Bat book.  It reads like a horror story with Kate Kane fitting right in.  By the way, Batman does make an appearance and treats Kate as an equal.  I really think that bit was inspired.

As good as the story is, the first thing you notice is the art.  Man this book looks good!  I mean REALLY good. W. Haden Blackman really sets himself apart here.  Every panel has so much detail and pop.

The relaunch of Batwoman is part horror part crime procedural and all good.  It is a moody title that is complemented expertly by Blackman's art.  I can't recommend it highly enough. 

9.5/10

Top 5 "Things We've Discovered In The New 52"

Happy Columbus Day!

So we decided that since it's Columbus Day to do something to continue the lies of Columbus, and how he was a great man. No god no..... No we will not be doing that, but that being said when you think of Columbus Day you think of Discovery, and that's what we're focusing on today.  So let's get on with the list.

#5.  Green Lantern is Gay?

  Now by the time the New 52 started, I had stopped reading comics, and was a little out of the loop.  The last thing I had read was the beginning of Blackest Night.  But then I heard that this New 52 was going to be doing something I loved, and found myself back at my comic shop, wanting to pick it up; Earth 2.  I love Golden Age heroes, so I had to get this title.  But then all the news stations started covering a story "Green Lantern is Gay".  I finally found out what they were talking about because I thought as most immediately thought, "Hal Jordan is gay?  How does that make sense?"  But who they were talking about was Allen Scott, the original Green Lantern.  Since he was being recreated all his old continuity was retconned, and we have the all new, young, gay, telecommunication president Allen Scott.  Just his origin story alone, should make people want to read this title, it was amazing.  But a lot of people really didn't respect the change, and talked a lot of shit about the re imagining.  All I have to say is, the character is great, and passionate.  That's all that should matter.

#4. Superman's Kissing Who?

Now reading comics most of my life, this little bit of young romance threw me for a loop.  "Superman loves Lois!" my fanboy side of me screamed out.  "How can he do this to her?  What about Steve Trevor?  He doesn't deserve this."  I'm pretty sure I was more outraged than if I found out my own girlfriend was making out with somebody.  But like I said "Fanboy".  Well after all the tantrums had stopped I looked at this and just thought about the possibilities.  Obviously DC was doing the same, because for a second there it seemed that the whole of the DC Universe would shake because of that kiss.  Hell even Booster Gold went AWOL because of it.  But this seemed to be put on the back burner with The Throne of Atlantis, Trinity War, and now Forever Evil.  It's funny because of all the build up surrounding this, I haven't heard anything really to continue the story.  Yeah they're together that's it for now.  Anyway maybe we'll get back into it with the new Superman/Wonder Woman title, or as I call it Young Romance Vol. 2.

#3. What the Hell is A Simon Baz?

Come on.  Another Earth Green Lantern, why?  Yup I remember thinking that back at the first anniversary of the New 52.  Zero Issue Month brought us the newest of the Green Lanterns.  Simon Baz, the ski mask wearing, handgun toting Green Lantern.  At first I only read this because I was a Green Lantern fan, and I had a bit of faith in Geoff Johns.  Now I find myself thinking "Why doesn't Simon Baz have his own title?"  This character came from a strange place, a muslim, suspected terrorist, car thief.  But we were given this information to teach us a lesson. Don't judge motherfuckers.  Good lesson.  This character quickly fell into our hearts, especially when paired with B'dg, and as soon as he came in, it seemed he quickly left.  Yeah he's a part of the JLA, but he is more unused, and useless than Katana in this title.  "Not to say that I want more Katana, please don't add more Katana!"  I was really hoping, that during the creative team change through out the Green Lantern titles, that Simon would take over the Green Lantern title and Hal, and John would take over Corps.  No what I got was Hal being an asshole, and Simon pretty much being forgotten about.  Oh Well.  We have the character, and hopefully we'll see a Simon & B'dg title in the future.

#2. Marriage is Wrong, But Killing Children is Fine.

Now with all the controversy lately with Bat Woman getting married, and DC's stance on single superheroes, you have to wonder, why is marriage wrong, and children dying okay?  Damian Wayne died in Batman Incorporated #8, and I was devastated.  Yeah we've heard up and down about this because you know what?  It shocked the damn world.  We've seen a Robin die before, but this was a little pumpkin headed ten year old boy.  Also I had just started liking him in the New 52, and I want him back.  Now I can't see any good way to do this, so I'll just keep my mouth shut.  But this is a hell of discovery right?  Marriage = Bad, Dead Children = Good.  I don't know, but it was a hell of a turning point for the Batman books.  At first this was a good thing, but now we're stuck with a Batman and Robin title, that isn't a Batman and Robin title.  I just really wanted this on the list because I haven't been able to bitch about it for awhile, So I guess it's out of my system for at least a week.  See you next list Damian.

#1. Thomas, and Martha Wayne are Terrible People.

So our entire life we knew Batman's parents as saintly people that did charitable work for the community, and were loving parents.  So the New 52 comes out, and Scott Snyder introduced a character for his Court of the Owls story line; Lincoln March.  AKA Thomas Wayne Jr.  Now we find out that the Waynes sent this child away to live in a home, and never told anybody, not even Bruce about him.  Then they die, and the charitable donations they sent to the home, to make sure they're unwanted child was cared for stopped.  So the home's budget dwindled down, until it became a home for mentally ill children, where the staff abused the residents.  This bothered the hell out of me when it came out.  "You can't say these things about Mr. and Mrs Wayne!  Blasphemy!"  I just wanted to forget this story ever happened, and it seemed for a time that DC wanted to as well, because we haven't heard a word about it since.  But now we have the new Owl Man who essentially is Lincoln, and I really can't say that this was a lie made up by the Owls to fuck over Batman anymore.  So what we're left with is, Batman has a psycho younger brother, and his parents weren't worth the sacrifice of becoming Batman.

So there you have it.  This concludes my list on "Things We've Discovered In The New 52".  Now maybe you have other ideas about what were bigger discoveries, and if you do leave a comment, and we'll talk about it.  Until the next list, and appropriate holidays that inspire them.  Happy Columbus Day

Constantine #7 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Ray Fawkes
Art By: Szymon Kudranski
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 9, 2013

Mister E, Mister U, Mister Everybody

So it looks like this month we have stories all over the place.  We've got stories from five years ago, present day, in the future, and this story which takes place during the Trinity War.  When last we saw Constantine, he tricked Billy Batson out of the power of Shazam.  But don't worry we're back to normal now, and we won't be seeing a cigarette smoking Shazam anytime soon.  Hopefully.  During the time Constantine was conning Billy, the Cold Flame took the advantage in the war on magic, and broke into Constantine's store house of magic items, and stole them all.  And here we are.

Explain It!:

Now that the Cold Flame has all the magical trinkets, that Constantine had been collecting, and safe keeping.  These items were keeping mages around the world hidden from the Cold Flame, but now Mister E can see them.  One by one he goes around the world finding these loose mages, that have not accepted the Cold Flame as their own personal savior, and kills them and absorbs their magical essence.  Now just picture your sitting at home watching The Hobbit, and the door bell rings.  You get up to answer it and Mister E is there.  "I say, I say, have you'un accepted the Cold Flame into you're un heart and home?  I guaruntee you'll want to read these here pamphlets."  Door slams.

Now Tannarak takes these objects and uses them to conjure three great magical forces, as they spring up out of the earth, he absorbs one into himself, and the other two stream into the sky, and all over the world, people with magical prowess see these energies and know that something is coming, and it's most likely not a good think.  We see the Spectre, Etrigan the demon, Felix Faust, and Papa Midnite.  Now Papa knows that this has to be Constantine's fault and curses his name as the energy flies above him.  

The last person we see Mister E visit, is a mage that used to be intimate with Constantine, and still harbors affections for him, Julia Everheart.  Now she knows why Mister E is there, and before he can kill her, she pleads allegiance to the Cold Flame.

As for Constantine, well it looks as if he has just given up.  His life's work has just been taken by his sworn enemies, and in his darkest hour, Sargon shows up.  Now it appears that she's there to kill him, but to our surprise she whisked him away to be her boy toy.  In the end after Constantine bangs some of his hate out, Mister E shows up to finish the job.  Wait that doesn't sound right.  I'm pretty sure he shows up to kill him.  There that's better.

Bits and Pieces:

Poor Constantine can't catch a break.  Even though this issue is full of things happening it really didn't keep my attention.  A lot of the story for me was lost due to how dark the issue was, and I felt that the artwork only hindered the story telling.  I can only wonder how this story is going to tie into whats going on in Forever Evil, or if it will just bypass it completely.  Hopefully next issue will be better.

5/10

Green Arrow #25 Preview

Written by: Jeff Lemire

Art by: Andrea Sorrentino
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: November 6, 2013


A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! He’s just returned from the island and must try to find his place in the world! Now, Oliver Queen becomes Green Arrow for the first time as he battles Killer Moth in Gotham City! 

Two Things that jump out...Bearded Ollie and the $3.99 price tag.  The beard is there because it's awesome, the price is because of a Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz backup.

Batman Arkham Origins' Joker Reads from The Killing Joke

The two Batman Arkham games (Asylum and City) were great.  One of the main reasons was Mark Hamill's portrayal as the Joker.  Seriously, it's hard to think of anyone else voicing the character.  When it was announced he wasn't doing Arkham Origins, I was very disappointed...disappointed and worried.  When they announced that Troy Baker was going to fill Hamill's shoes, I didn't know what to expect.  He is a very good voice actor, he recently did the voice of Joel in The Last of Us and was excellent.  Still, the Joker?

Well, last night at the NYCC Arkham Origins Panel, Troy delighted the crowd with a selection from The Killing Joke.  It's pretty damn good.

I can't wait to play the game and we may do a review for it eventually.  Look for Eric to review it since he has some time-space vortex in his house that lets him finish two games, watch two movies and a whole season of his favorite show, Gilmore girls (yes...Gilmore Girls) in a half hour.