Smallville: Alien #12 Review

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Edgar Salazar
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: March 7, 2014

Picking Up the Pieces

Lex is in a hospital bed and Clark gets judgmental.  Lois hates gossip reporting and Batman joins the team.  Steve Trevor and Wonder Woman look for missing evidence while Lex sends out a long distance call that may cost more than just crazy extra roaming charges.

Man, this arc was so good.  Bryan Q. Miller knows what he's doing and even this wrap-up issue is awesome.  He ties up the few loose ends from last issue and rockets us towards the next arc.  The heroes in the book may be getting a breather, but Miller doesn't let the reader rest.

Stormwatch #29 Review

Written by: Jim Starlin
Art by: Yvel Guichet
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 5, 2014

Parting is Such Sweet...Well It's Something

Before anyone gets upset, I know there is one more issue of Stormwatch.  However, issue #30 is a prelude to "Futures End" and features the original team so I still consider this issue the end of the run.  I am looking forward to see what Jim Starlin has in store next month even though I am still irritated by this issue.  Way to go DC, get the book involved in a big event the month it's canceled! Now on with the review...

It's a funny thing.  You think you can't stand something until it's taken away from you.  As Cinderella's Tom Keifer sang, "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone."  Well Tom, you gravely voiced metal god, this ain't one of those times.  Stormwatch was a bad book that Jim Starlin tried his best to save, but he's a writer, not a miracle worker.  This issue is a goodbye for now and also a good riddance.

Green Lantern #29 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Robert Venditti
Art By: Billy Tan, Marin Coccolo
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 5, 2014

Taking The War To Your Front Door

Last issue of Green Lantern was the Green Lantern/Red Lantern flip book.  So it was mostly about what to do with the newly raging Supergirl.  This issue we're back on track, and prepping for the war the shape shifting race the Durlans started when they infiltrated Mogo, shape shifted into Hal Jordan and sent out an open comm to the universe saying pretty much "Kneel Before Zod", but with the Green Lantern Corps instead of Zod.  So we have a fearful universe that knows every time the Corps. uses their rings they're killing existence.  So let's see if they can get the people back on their side, and stop all the factions that have banded together to take down the Corps.

Green Arrow #29 Review

Written by: Jeff Lemire
Art by: Andrea Sorrentino
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 5, 2014

Time is Ticking

Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino continue the Outsider's War this month and yes, it is awesome.  For monthly readers, that is no surprise at all.  For those who still haven't given this book a try, shame on you.  Shame on you, sir.

This issue continues the Outsiders War in grand fashion.  Lemire also builds off of everything he's given the reader since he took over the book and then rips it all away in one fell swoop.  Seriously, "cliffhanger" seems too little a word for what happens.

Batwing #29 Review

Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by: Eduardo Pansica
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 5, 2014

The Good Kind of Underground

Gotham Underground.  Those two words will strike fear in anyone unfortunate enough to be reading Ann Nocentis Catwoman.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, count your blessings.  If you are being introduced to Gotham Underground through Batwing then you are really lucky.  Palmiotti and Gray are turning a place I hoped I'd never see again into a place I want to see more of.  Of course it doesn't hurt that Batwing is there, he's pissed and he's fighting a bunch of guys dressed like Anubis.

I can't mention it enough, I love Batwing.  Since Luke Fox put on the suit, this book has become so good.  To me it is DC's answer to Peter Parker/Spiderman.  High praise indeed, but I think it's deserved.  Luke Fox is a young hero learning the ropes while trying to maintain some semblance of a normal life.  Throw in who his family is and their relationship with Bruce Wayne and Batman and you've got such great potential.

Earth 2 #21 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Tom Taylor
Art By: Nicola Scott, Trevor Scott
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 5, 2014

Oh The Horror!  The Horror!

When we last saw our heroes of Earth 2, they just got done escaping the ass whooping given to them by the Darkseid loving Superman.  The Batcave seems to be one of the last safe places on Earth, and Batman's plan to use a new Kryptonian (Val) as a secret weapon against Superman was shut down when we learned that Val is agoraphobic.  In the end we see him get a healthy dose of sunlight, so maybe we'll have a Kryptonian brouhaha after all.  So for the bad news.  Now that most of the heroes have been defeated or retreated, Superman scours the globe of all things good and decent, and destroys all things with religious significance.  Because we all know that Darkseid is the one true god.  Well that was a downer, hopefully our heroes can turn things around.  Let's find out.

Action Comics #29 Review

Written by: Greg Pak
Art by: Aaron Kuder and Jed Dougherty
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 5, 2014

The Given Experience

I'm going to start this review with a confession.  Superman never was and never will be my favorite Superhero.  However, the reason may not be what you're thinking.  In my crazy mind, Superman is above being my favorite character.  He is a given.  Him and Batman are two characters that are above mere mortals like myself.  No, my favorites were always the others like Nightwing and Flash.  It's this crazy reasoning why my favorite Penguin growing up was Ulf Samuelson.  Mario Lemieux was the given.  Everyone should love Superman, Batman and Mario Lemieux. Stick with me here.

Forever Evil #6 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Geoff Johns
Art By: David Finch, Richard Friend
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 5, 2014

The Mother Load Of Shit Getting Real!

Last issue we saw some of the most badass moments in the whole New 52.  Deathstroke killed Copperhead, and joined Luthor's Injustice League, and Batman and Catwoman joined as well.  Sinestro completely dominated and killed Power Ring, which was so sweet to read, but also lead to another badass moment at the end of the issue.  The ring went in search of a new host, but it sent out a signal that was able to be picked up throughout the multiverse.  So in the end of the issue the Crime Syndicate looked up in the sky and saw a tear in the dimensional fabric.  Looks like whatever big bad chased them out of Earth 3 is making his way here.  But don't worry about that this issue, we'll save that for later.  This issue we have some monumental badassery that will pick you up and punch you in the gut, and you'll look back up and say thank you.  Let's dive right in.

Larfleeze #8 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis

Art By: Scott Kolins

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: February 26, 2014

Alright Gang, Family Meeting.

In the last issue of Larfleeze we saw our guru of greed take on two gods of the House Tuath-Dan in his 

search of his Butler Stargrave.  He took on and whooped the asses of the goddess of chaos; Errata, and the goddess of despair; Dyrge.  Now that the dueling gods have run for the hills the people of this world want to reward Larfleeze for helping them.  I bet that ends well, and in the end the Errata calls a Tuath-Dan family meeting to discuss the death of Larfleeze.  Let's jump right in.

Adventures of Superman #45 Review

Written by: Ron Marz
Art by: Evan "Doc" Shaner
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: March 3, 2014

Only Child part 3 of 3

I have really enjoyed the first two issues of the Only Child three part story from Ron Marz and Doc Shaner for it's look at Superman as not just a super powered god, but as a person.  A person who, although surrounded by people who love him, still has a bit of him that's lonely.  When Earth was visited by an "Iron Giant" from Krypton, it seemed to fill an empty place in Superman's heart.  However, at the end of last issue, it is revealed the robot was a scout for a warlike alien race and they have arrived to take planet Earth for themselves.

New Batman Game Arkham Knight details and announcement trailer

Today of DC All-Access the trailer for the new Arkham game was shown.  Spoiler alert...it looks awesome. The game is being made by Rocksteady who made Arkham Asylum and Arkham City and features all of Gotham City.  The Batmobile is drivable and the game will at least feature Scarecrow, Two-Face, The Penguin and Harley Quinn (who is playable).

DC Universe vs Masters of the Universe #5 Review

Written by: Keith Giffin and Tony Bedard
Art by: Pop Mhan
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 26, 2014

Heroes and Villains Just See What You've Done

All roads lead to the House of Mystery, but the real mystery is who can be trusted.  Orko's origin is revealed even while unusual alliances are forming against him.  A smorgasbord of characters are heading for a showdown while Prince Adam heads to save Superman.

If you made a checklist of what would make a DC and Masters of the Universe crossover great, the first three checks would be next to tons of great characters, tons of great characters and tons of great characters. Last issue had the both the JLA and JLD show up with my favorite scene featuring Simon Baz, Moss Man and Swamp Thing.

Justice League Dark #28 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: J.M. DeMatteis
Art By: Vicente Cifuentes, Dan Jurgens
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 26, 2014

The Love Of A Good Nick Necro, Er.. I Mean A Bad Nick Necro

In the last issue of Forever Evil: Blight, the JLD was captured and hooked up to the Crime Syndicate's magical weapon; Project Thaumaton.  But Nick Necro picked the wrong guinea pig when he chose Pandora as it's test battery.  We saw Pandora imbue the light of the universe, which damaged the device, and teleport away.  But when she reached her destination she saw she only pulled Phantom Stranger, and Cassandra Craft with her, and with the damage she caused to the Thaumaton, the rest of our heroes wouldn't be able to survive it's magical implosion.  Let's find out if they stand a chance.

Just For The Hell Of It Mondays 3/3/14

So it was supposed to snow again last night, and the news made it look like we were in for a shit load of inches.  So I stayed up late to finish watching the Oscars thinking today was going to be a legitimate snow day.  But then I wake up, and mother nature makes me look like a jerk, and I gotta go into work.  That being said I was going to use this Just For The Hell Of It Monday to bitch about the snow again like I did the other week.  Yeah I know I just said I was looking forward to it, but I'm a hypocrite so get over it.  Instead I'll throw your way something that makes Jim and me laugh every time we see it.  So no snow, a little laugh, have a hell of a week.  Holy Act Of Congress Boosh!

Aquaman #28 Review

Written by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Paul Pelletier
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 26, 2014

Arthur and Mera's High School Reunion

Aquaman dodges torpedoes, fights off sharks and looks for answers.  Mera might just be Ariel and Arthur wasn't on the high school swim team, but took wood shop.  High School Reunions suck even if you are the King of the Sea.


Jeff Parker had the unenviable task of taking over Aquaman from Geoff Johns.  I mean, all that Johns did was take a character considered a joke by many and turn him into a kickass character.  So what did Jeff Parker do?  In his first three issues he has respected Johns' run while slowly injecting his own take, mainly his humor, into the book.  Aquaman #28 shows that Aquaman is in good hands going forward.

Teen Titans #28 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Scott Lobdell, Scott McDaniel
Art By: Tyler Kirkham, Art Thibert
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 26, 2014

Court Adjourned.

Last issue we saw the trial of Kid Flash, and the verdict put the courtroom in the danger zone.  Yeah that's pretty cryptic.  We find out that Kid Flash set this whole thing up from the beginning.  From when he first turned himself in, to him becoming Bart Allen in the past, all the way to this trial, which he planned to have all the high ranking dignitaries from The Functionary be there, so he could spring his trap.  Kid Flash had his revolutionaries attack the courtroom dealing The Functionary a mighty blow in one fell swoop.  Join the revolution and find out what happens.

Batman Beyond 2.0 #15 Review

Written by: Kyle Higgins
Art by: Thony Silas
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: March 1, 2014

The Bat Men part 7 of 7: Second Chances

Sometimes story arcs end with a bang.  Other times they end with the characters learning valuable lessons about themselves.  This ending has both.  Not only that, but Kyle Higgins ends The Bat Men story by showing a growth in the main characters that sets up the future of the series as well as being a really heartfelt story on it's own.

Kyle Higgins finishes his Bat Men arc in grand fashion.  Terry has grown a bit, Bruce gets a second chance and Kirk Langstrom gets to atone for his past.  Each characters fate seems natural and fits the story.  What makes it so great, though, is how the other characters in the Beyond Universe are affected by the decisions and actions of the main characters.  Terry's relationship with Dick Grayson in particular.