$oss' Pull-List Reviews 2-29-12

Voodoo #6

I'm seriously going to have to stop torturing myself with this. There's not really anything new to say about Voodoo, great pencils and a generic plot. For the sake of my adoring fans this will be my final review of this book. It simply isn't worth the effort of reading or reporting on. 

Rachel Rising #1

The dramatic turn from Strangers in Paradise creator Terry Moore is more hype then substance. I appreciate dramatic pacing but most the book is panels of Rachel digging herself out of her shallow grave and walking home through the woods. I also understand that there is a certain amount of mystery Moore wants to build in this suspense thriller but by the end of the first issue I know zero about the main character. Shouldn't the reader have some kind of emotional attachment after the first book?

It's a shame that Moore's storytelling always falls flat for me because I enjoy his pencils. I wish this book was in color, but even so it's a solid black and white book. I know as soon as Gint would see the lack of color he would vomit a little in his mouth and throw this directly in the flaming trashcan. 

I'm interested to see why Rachel was buried alive and who was behind this but in the words of the immortal Busta Rhymes, Terry Moore is gonna have to "give me some more".

Wolverine and The X-Men #6

Intergalactic gambling. Microscopic Brood swimming in Kitty Pryde's belly. It's this kind of off the wall quirkiness that I dig about this series. I love the melodrama normally associated with the X-Men as much as the next nerd but there is something refreshing about Jason Aaron's version. 

Nick Bradshaw once again shows that he is the perfect fit for the mix of this mutants, robots and aliens. This book reminds me of all the great things the Morrison-Quietly run had to offer. 

Justice League Dark #6

Our heroes are still unconvinced that becoming a team is the right thing to do. To show the group that it would be in everyones best interests to team up Madame Xanadu projects a nightmarish alternate future into each of their dreams. Unfortunately these dreams are TOO authentic as they follow our heroes into the real world.

When you look at Justice League Dark you see the template of how to write a story about a team forming. I wish Geoff Johns would have taken some queues from this style of storytelling when assembling the new Justice League. In the same amount of issues with a similar threat I have a much clearer sense of the characters in this book then in the Johns and Lee team title. I have to give Peter Milligan all the credit in the world to make me care about a dope name Shade The Changing Man. Once again Mikel Janin provides the creepiest Deadman and most beautiful brunettes in the DCU.-$

Panel of the Week: Happy campers rejecting the idea of teamwork.

Begrüßen Sie Er-Mann

Just a little mash-up of two of my favorite things: He-Man and Liam Neeson. Thought I was going to say Nazis didn't you?

On a separate note, if you're into the Twitter, you're more than welcome to follow @Gint_McSoss to keep up with all things Mc$oss and some other random nonsense as well.

-Gint

Gint's 2-22-12 Pull-List Review

A HUGE week of 7 books this week. But that number might be getting lower next month. Read on...

Seventh Place:

Superman #6

The George Pérez era is over. Finally. I've been equal parts underwhelmed and disgusted at these first six issues of Superman. As far as I'm concerned, The New 52 Superman starts at issue #7.

Superman gets banished to space while his doppleganger takes over Metropolis. Supes comes back and kicks his ass and all is well. Also, Supergirl is in this issue for some reason. No one ever says why though.

Bottom line: this arc was a mess. The first few issues were all cluttered art, too much text and same-old characterization. It progressed slightly, but a new creative team for this book is really a mercy killing. Here's to Keith Giffen and Dan Jurgens giving us a better flagship title than George Pérez did. Though Giffen and Jurgens are old school too, so I guess hope is all we have to look forward to.

PS, Nicola Scott was on art, so at least this book was a nice-looking turd.

Sixth Place:

Teen Titans #6

I really want to like this book. I really do. I want to be excited about picking up Teen Titans. But each issue is really split between some good stuff and some bad stuff.

The good? Bunker. OK, his name is uninspired and sucks, but he's a cool character. He's Latino AND gay but its hardly ever mentioned. He's not a caricature of himself, and that's a blessing. Scott Lobdell is writing him as an interesting and funny character.

The bad? New bad guy Grymm. Yep. You read that right. Grymm. Much like last week's problem with Reign in Supergirl... c'mon! Grymm?! That's so fucking LAME! AND he has a purple perm! GAAAAH!!!! He's more cheesy than worrisome on any level.

Basically I'm not getting a big payoff from this book and its found itself on the chopping block.

Fifth Place:

Green Lantern: New Guardians #6

You want a fight book? Here's your fight book. Invictus, ruler of the Orrery, has arrived to essentially smite the sinners. The sinners being Kyle Rayner's group of Lanterns.

Its a solid chapter in the arc that puts our heroes in mortal danger as Invictus kicks all their asses. Its also a book well-drawn by regular New Guardians artist Tyler Kirkham. He does some pretty cool stuff this issue that I wasn't expecting.

So far, Tony Bedard and Tyler Kirkham have managed to stay away with doing anything overly corny or cheesy. With the entire universe at their disposal, they have a lot of chances to fuck things up. With garbage like the aforementioned Grymm happening, they've shown restraint and good taste and I pray they keep it up.

Fourth Place:

The Fury of Firestorm #6

This is an example of a book that started out a little shaky but has really found its footing. The story and art have really pulled together and the last two issues of Firestorm have been great issues. The unfortunate thing is that Gail Simone is leaving the title. I don't know how much she's been responsible for, but she hasn't written a bad book yet. So I hope losing her doesn't hurt the title too much.

Yildiray Cinar has come on to the scene as a virtual unknown but keeps getting stronger each issue. His work is getting a little sharper and cleaner as he realizes how this book needs drawn.

I don't expect The Fury of Firestorm to be a top seller, but I sincerely hope enough people are buying it to make it a solid part of DC's lineup.

Third Place:

Aquaman #6

This issue would have carried a lot more water (pun intended) had Ivan Reis been the artist. Reis did the breakdowns, but Reis' regular inker, Joe Prado did the art. Prado, while an expert on the art of Ivan Reis, just isn't Reis. Since the layouts are by Reis and the color is still done by Rod Reis the art is similar enough that it isn't jarring, but its clearly a step back from what we're used to on this title.

What's unfortunate about this issue is that its a nice little story about Mera learning to live in Amnesty Bay, but the art pulls you out of the story every step of the way.

Maybe I'm being too hard on Joe Prado. Its certainly still better than a lot of art I've seen. But the fact that its SO CLOSE to being Ivan Reis, but clearly ISN'T gets it a negative review.

Second Place:

The Flash #6

This issue was a little too Gwen Stacy for me. But I liked it. And since Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato have talked about Barry, Patty Spivot and Iris West in the future, that leads me to believe they didn't actually kill Patty at the end of this issue. But stranger things have happened.

This issue moves pretty quick and is written and drawn just as well as the previous five installments. We learn a little about the new Captain Cold, get to learn about his new powers and get a good breakdown of the status quo in Keystone/Central City.

If there's anything to complain about its the parallels between Patty Spivot and Gwen Stacy. Almost like Manapul and Buccellato are setting her up just to knock her off. But they haven't done it yet, and I have more faith in them than that kind of cheap ploy.

First Place:

I, Vampire #6

Joshua Fialkov and Andrea Sorrentino strike again with another very well done issue of I, Vampire. If I said one of either the writing or the art were carrying the story, I'd be lying. I, Vampire is an exemplary mix of what a comic can be when both work hand in hand.

Sorrentino knows how to draw a creepy gothic melee and Fialkov throws in a couple twists that I didn't see coming. Batman guest stars again and Fialkov has a nice grasp on who the Dark Knight is. Sorrentino draws him like Christian Bale's Batman which lends itself to the realism of the artwork of the book.

I'm not particularly looking forward to the coming crossovers in the DCnU, but the Rise of the Vampires crossover with Justice League Dark will get my full attention.

Its hard finding good things to say about such a steadily good book. Its also a pleasure knowing I'm going to get my monies worth every month.

Panel of the Week

Something about this panel got it done for me this week. I assure you it wasn't the giant titty on the right side. Well, it mostly wasn't the giant titty.

-Gint

The Range of Emotions

This is an accurate depiction of how the members of the Mc$oss crew reacted to the announcement of the Watchmen prequels. I've always felt that Watchmen is the greatest example that the medium of comics can be just as complex and thought provoking as movies, television and feature films. Gint was never a huge fan of the original series so his reaction on the prequels was a resounding "Meh." Dom is new to comics and has yet to read Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' masterpiece. He has interest but isn't really sure what his level of enthusiasm should be. And Brizzle, like most of America I'm sure, has no idea what this is and couldn't care less. -$

$oss' Pull Reviews 02-22-12

 Uncanny X-Men # 7

A strange arc keeps getting stranger. The advanced aliens, the Apex, are horribly disfigured beings that look like they stepped off the pages of Fangoria. However, the menacing nature of these two beings goes right out the window when they start calling each other "unwife". I can't take villain's seriously after that! 

Greg Land was toned down this week. Nothing looked taken straight from the pages of Playboy. As much fun as this arc has been I'm ready for Storm, Cyclops that the gang to make their way back to San Fran. Too bad there is one more issue left in The Alien Unwife Saga.




Avenging Spider-Man #4

Zeb Wells can write the shit out of Spider-Man but that isn't what makes Avenging such a great read. He has successfully made Red Hulk and Hawkeye interesting characters in four short issues. I love when I get to see an aspect of a character I have never seen. Hawkeye's relentless training regimen is revealed to be the result of his insecurity about being a normal human among super soldiers, gods and mutants.

Two Greg Land books in a row! This dude is a tireless slave to his craft. Too bad his "style" is overly distracting in Avenging. On one page Hawkeye looked like Brad Pitt, Channing Tatum and Bruce Willis in consecutive panels. This took me right out of the story. Pick a head and stay with it Land!


Batman #6

The trippy battle against Talon and The Court of Owls rages on. Scott Snyer paints Batman not just as a master detective but an expert on the city he protects. All of his knowledge about the minor details of Gotham turn out to be the ace up his sleeve time and again in his struggle with Talon. 

Greg Capullo is quickly becoming my favorite Batman artist. His outstanding page layout teamed with FCO's coloring has given this book a distinct look. You can open any page and know without a doubt that you are in Gotham City.







Panel of the Week: When you are the illustrator on 2 of 3 books a read this week your chances of winning PotW is pretty high. Bravo Mr. Land.

Nice Shootin' Tex

With crossovers like IDW's Infestation circling the comic book shelves these days, we thought we'd take it a step further. Who doesn't want to see Peter Venkman and the gang make a trip to Hogwarts to team up against Zuul and Voldemort? Ghostbusters 3 has been in the works for year now. And the Harry Potters are going to need an eighth movie eventually. I smell cinema gold!

-Gint

Gint's 2-15-12 Pull-List Review

After last week's mediocrity, we get three solid books for February 15th.

Third Place:

Supergirl #6

The coloring of Dave McCaig was almost enough to put this book in the number one spot. The way he blends everything so smoothly and creates the mood of each local blows me away every week. Mahmud Asrar's work is also pretty stellar, but McCaig takes it over the top.

As for the story. Its OK. What's ruining it for me is the main villain, Reign. That's a dumb name. How many times are we going to run into evil aliens whose alien names are phonetically pronounced as evil words in English? It really chaps my ass.

Overall Michael Green and Mike Johnson are writing a very good book. We get an early glimpse at the new Silver Banshee (who isn't as hot as the old Silver Banshee or my favorite Silver Banshee, Jeanette), and it looks like she may not be a bad guy. Or at least an all-bad bad guy.

Supergirl continues to be one of the sleeper hits of the New 52.

Second Place:

Green Lantern Corps #6

Well, I guess the way Peter Tomasi is going to define the character of John Stewart is to have him keep killing other Green Lanterns. Granted, his actions this issue (much like when he blew up Mogo) may have saved the Universe. But yet again, Stewart essentially murders another GL. ALSO, Guy Gardner takes two Sinestro Corps. prisoners and I thought they were going to let them run rampant over the main bad guys. Nope. They blew them up in a Fear Bomb. Again, effective. Saved the Universe and all that, but the GL's are really taking liberties with the killing these days. It doesn't feel natural or in character for these guys. But Tomasi has a proven track record, so we'll see what his plan is.

And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the fantastic art of Fernando Pasarin. My man can draw. And draw well and on time. He's gotta be an underrated contributor in DC's artist stable.

First Place:

Wonder Woman #6

Last issue Tony Akins filled in for the titular Cliff Chiang. He fills in again this month, but this time I'm more impressed. Chiang's work has been outstanding. So last week getting the curveball of Akins really messed me up. But this week, after knowing what I was expecting, I really appreciate what Akins did on this book. I really appreciate his attention to detail. He does a great job filling in. I should also mention the color work of Matthew Wilson. Top of the line.

The subterfuge gets deeper as Hell (who has a pretty cool design) kidnaps Zola in exchange for half of the throne of heaven. Azzarello isn't afraid to throw around some lofty ideas and he works Wonder Woman into the world of mythology quite nicely.

I'm still waiting patiently to see the "shared universe" in this title, but since I don't think that's Azz's style, I'll guess I'll just have to continue to be patient.

Panel of the Week:

Being someone who does a little art himself, I choose this spread for panel of the week based just on how long this must have taken. Fernando Pasarin puts in the work!

-Gint

More Than A Movie

I like Mark Ruffalo. I really do. From 13 Going On 30 to The Kids Are All Right, I'm a fan. I'm also a fan of comic books and the characters within. So I know that there's a lot more depth to Steve Rodgers or Bruce Banner than the general public knows about. But when an actor says something like the above (which is a direct quote) it just sounds pretentious.

Chances are pretty good I said that about Mallrats though. I'll stand by it to this day.

-Gint

$oss' Pull Reviews 02-15-12

Thief of Thieves #1

The debut issue of Image's newest title introduces us to master thief Redmond and his apprentice Celia. Most of the book is told in flashback style to show the reader how these two decided to go into the business of crime. This book was awfully boring and brings up a theory that Gint and I have about Robert Kirkman. How can the creator of a book as consistently thrilling as The Walking Dead put out uninspired stuff like Super Dinosaur and Science Dog? Because Kirkman sold his soul to the devil in order to write The Walking Dead! I imagine that he sits down to bang out a script of WD and his eyes roll back into his head as his body is taken over by beings not of this world. He wakes up from his traces and boom, another awesome script.
The back of the issue features a piece entitled "I Believe in Comic Books". Kirkman paints a future in which comics become as mainstream as movies, book and television. He does go off on a anti-superhero rant but for the most part it's a very positive look at the medium that I love. " I want to meet someone new, and NOT be surprised to find out that they read comics. I want not reading comics to be as weird as those weirdos who don't own a television." Lofty goal, but you never know.


Uncanny X-Men #6
X-Men West get's sucked into a dimension filled with reptile people who worship a guy in an astronaut suit. Kieron Gillen is a solid writer but I can't excuse this one. While most of this story is ridiculous there are a few redeemable parts. Magneto questions Psylocke's involvement with the 
X-Force, Wolverine's assassin squad that's been known to murder children here and there. The balls on Magneto to question anyone's motives! Doesn't he remember that he was a villain ten minutes ago? All this AND Greg Land is on pencils! Is he a tracer? Probably, but I can't help but be entertained by some of the expressions that make it to the printed page.





Wolverine and the X-Men #5
"This is disturbing...and kind of hot" was what Gint had to say about a pregnant Kitty Pryde swimming in a sea of baby Brood. I agree, although after finding out that she is actually pregnant with these baby Brood it was considerably less hot. Nick Bradshaw has taken over on pencils and it's a welcome change of pace. The dude draws awesomely weird creatures and pretty girls. As far as I'm concerned that's the foundation for all great comic artists. Jason Aaron has put together a great cast. Wolverine, Iceman, and Beast blend seamlessly with new characters Kid Gladiator, Broo and Genesis. Given time I'm sure these characters will become permanent additions to the X-Men's ever growing roster.



Swamp Thing #6Oh Alec...you dragged your ass about accepting the mantle of Swamp Thing and now Abby and The Parliament of Trees are in deep shit. Let this be a lesson for all you kids, if a giant moss 
monster tells you that you have to become a moss monster too you listen to him.

I've gotta give credit where credit is due. Marco Rudy does such an exceptional job as fill-in artist that I didn't know it until I started to write this review. There is some pretty nasty stuff on these pages and Rudy hooks up every vein, broken neck and cracked jaw. The only thing wrong with this book? Six months in and STILL no Swamp Thing! Maybe next month...

Panel of the Week: The prototypical Greg Land female. I'm pretty sure this was an advertisement for headphones.

The Fourteenth of February

Do something nice for your lady before someone else does. -$

Gint's 2-8-12 Pull-List Review

A nice, quick three-book week. Lets jump right in.

Third Place:

Green Lantern #6

Geoff Johns seems to have lost a handle on who Hal Jordan is. In the last eight years Johns has created a strong, sure-in-himself character that has remained true to his Rebirth roots. But now we're getting a new Hal Jordan each week. The Hal Jordan in Justice League is pretty much a joke. He's being written as a parody of his young, brash self. In the first few issues of the New 52's Green Lantern, we get a Hal pretty much needing a Green Ring fix, willing to do anything to be a Green Lantern again. And NOW we get a Hal that's perfectly content living on Earth and NOT being a Green Lantern. What are you doing, Geoff Johns?! This used to be the tightest book on the DC shelves and now it reads like its fucking Sybil.

Lets wrap up this Sinestro stuff and make the book about Hal Jordan being a Green Lantern again. Take it back to the roots.

Also the fill-in art of Mike Choi sucked. This would have been a way more enjoyable book had Doug Mahnke done the art as usual. This book earned Third Place.

Second Place:

Superboy #6

This issue doesn't really offer a whole lot. Superboy laments over kicking the Titans' collective ass last week, realizes he can re-materialize his suit and meets Supergirl for the first time. They fight of course because heaven forbid two heroes meet for the first time and don't fight first. I don't care what two heroes you pit against each other, I'm tired of it.

So Superboy and Supergirl don't really understand each other and each flies away without any more understanding. Its at least a well written issue and R.B. Silva's art hasn't let me down yet. But overall an uneventful issue.

First Place:

Batman & Robin #6

This book has just earned the title of Most Consistently Good Book On My Pull List. I would also like to nominate Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason to be spoken with the teams of Morrison & Quitley, Millar & Hitch and Loeb & Sale. This is a damn good creative team that has really made each book they've been on sing.

Damian, who had seemed to go over to the "dark side" and join Morgan Ducard was just playing him the whole time. Unfortunately, now he's being tortured by Morgan and Bruce can't get there quick enough. Great story though. Great characters. I never thought I'd like Damian Wayne. Just the idea of him at first steamed my beans, but Tomasi has done a brilliant job writing him.

A First Place finish yet again for Batman & Robin.

Panel of the Week:

Patrick Gleason does a great job molding the subtle expression of surprise on Damian.

-Gint

Staying in Character

I always have a soft spot in my heart for those that commit one hundred percent to the things they are passionate about. In one years time our buddy Dom has gone from a guy who was mildly interested in superheroes to someone who trades comic books in parking lots. I can neither confirm nor deny that I am the other party involved in these trades.


You can also check out what Brizzle is referring to in the old classic "Holy Happy Birthday" -$
http://www.mcsoss.com/2009/10/5-23-08-holy-happy-birthday.html

$oss' Pull-List Reviews 2-9-12

The Defenders #3
The Defenders finally get their hands on Null, The Breaker of Worlds but it turns out he isn't as tough or menacing as his title would suggest. This story is just drifting along with no sense of urgency and no creditabe villain. Even Terry Dodson's hard work on pencils can't make this an interesting read. I'll probably come back for next issue after that I'm out. 










Animal Man #6
I can't decide if this issue was a stroke of genius or a cop out. Red Thunder felt like a rip off of Kick Ass but I'm sure Jeff Lemaire is too clever for that. I wonder what role Red Thunder will play down the road. Both Jean Paul Leon and Travel Forman do a great job with the art. The contrast of the two different realities works perfectly. 

I was pretty bummed that I'll have to wait another month for the Swamp Thing / Animal Man crossover. I'm pretty sure the payoff will be well worth it.







The Boys #63
The Homelander puts his plan to seize the United States government into action. Wee Hughie comes face to face with A-Train for the first time since he murdered his girlfriend. Starlight leaves The Seven. And this stuff all happened in the first three pages! 

It's like Garth Ennis remembered that he needs to wrap this series up in the next three issues so he is making up for lost time. The end result is an issue that was more satisfying then this book has been in years. The pieces are in place for a grand finale. I have faith that Ennis has one last great tale in him for Billy Butcher and The Boys.-$







Panel of the Week: Red Thunder takes a stand.....right before he gets a beat down.

The Grand Dragon

I don't think that Moon Knight designed his uniform to resemble a Klansmen's robe on purpose. Marc Spector is nut's....but not THAT nuts. -$

Gint's 2-1-12 Pull-List Review

Wow. I'm astounded at how mediocre this week's offering was. Its easy to get passionate and write about a book when its impressively ass or amazingly good. But when you get a whole week of, "eh," it leaves you wanting.

Fourth Place:

Red Lanterns #6

Pencils this month are a combo of Ed Benes and Diego Bernard. That means our blatant ass-shot quota is cut in half. Bernard handles all the Earth-based scenes which is all dudes, and Benes does give us some nice unnecessary shots of Bleez's ass but they're limited. Bernard's art is similar enough to Scott McDaniel for me to almost hate it. But it's slightly better so I can stomach it. Inker Rebecca Buchmann has a heavy hand on the inks that doesn't help out either Bernard's or Benes' work.

The most amazing thing is that we've read six issues of this book and the story told could easily have been told in two. Peter Milligan is doing his best to really drag this shit out.

Bottom line is that its not terrible, its just really fucking slow. A book about raging Red Lanters should have a quicker pace. Right?

Third Place:

Action Comics #6

It should be known that this issue barely beat out Red Lanterns #6. Grant Morrison really had me hooked with his first 4 issues and I hope he gets back to those in issue #7 because the last two were too crazy.

The Legion (who I never find entertaining) come to help Superman fight the Anti-Superman Army who have taken up residence inside a hollow microscopic bullet that has been shot into Superman's brain. Classic Grant Morrison wackiness. I had to re-read issue #5 and start this one over before I understood what was happening. I guess I don't have the best brain for high-concepts.

Andy Kubert's work was stellar though. And John Dell did a great job on the inks. That's not something I'd normally recognize if not for the shitty inks on this month's Red Lanterns.

This story was crazy and will clearly have serious reverberations down the line, but hopefully those will be more exciting than what we got from the last two issues.

Second Place:

Animal Man #6

So, um... what the fuck does Buddy Baker's previous acting career have to do with the current story? I guess I'll just have to trust Jeff Lemire that the first 17 pages of this issue weren't a waste of time and that eventually Buddy Baker's starring role as the Red Thunder will tie back into the previously excellent story we were being treated to.

As mentioned above, nothing happens this issue besides Cliff, watching on his phone, what appears to be a movie his dad starred in back in the day. The actual Rot in the Red story doesn't advance and the uniquely excellent Travel Foreman only draws 3 pages. All the movie pages were done by John Paul Leon. Meh.

So, uh, here's to a better next issue.

First Place:

Supernatural: Caledonia #5

Dean! That's right, we finally get some Dean Winchester in the mix. And aside from some fairly forced Dean Winchester-type dialogue, its pretty good.

The plot moves just as I had imagined it would, but surprise in a comic isn't always the key to a good comic. Sometimes, you can see whats coming and so long as its written/drawn well, that's just fine.

And above everything that's what Brian Wood and Grant Bond have created here: a fine story. Its not going to change lives like Before Watchmen is going to (ZING!) or be passed off as something hideous to be forgotten (Countdown), but its a solid book. And if you're a Supernatural fan, you'll appreciate it.

Panel of the Week:

Andy Kubert gets this week's nod because whoever this mummy-type guy is, I think he has a pretty cool design.

-Gint

Epic Fail

 

I love Green Lantern. Not just Hal Jordan but the whole mythos. So imagine my disappointment when I was researching the material above and realized that the Green Lantern Corps is really good at dropping the ball. Aquaman has a good point and should probably be treated with a little more leniency.

-Gint

$oss' Pull-List Reviews 2-2-12

Voodoo #5 

Voodoo makes her way to the crash-landed Daemonite spaceship on her mission the retrieve valuable information. Standing in her way is another of her alien kind who doesn't agree with Voodoo's mission. Queue Daemonite brawl.

Sami Basri's pencils were unusally bland. It doesn't seem like drawing backgrounds was a priority this month. Every panel feels empty, just characters drowning in a pool of empty space. Come on Sami! You are better then that! 

Justice League #5 

It amazes me that JL misses the mark as much as it does. A book featuring the talents of Geoff Johns, Jim Lee and Scott Williams shouldn't ever be mediocre. This whole arc has felt very empty. It's just one big slugfest. Substance, you go sit over there in the corner for now. 

I finally agree with Gint about the portrayal of Green Lantern. It's pretty awful. He flies around getting his ass kicked and screaming cheese-ball battle cries. How is the reader supposed get behind this doofus? It's like Johns sits down at the computer, cracks his knuckles and says "How can I make Hal Jordan look like a dickhead THIS month?" 

I'm anxious to see how a cap-less and cowl-less Batman is going to save the day in issue #6. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if he hit Darkseid in the face with a creampie and called it a day. Actually, that's the ending I'm rooting for. 

Batman: The Dark Knight #5

Scarecrow cracks Batman's mind open with a cocktail of Venom and fear gas. This would have been one impressively wild ride if Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo didn't do something similar last week in Batman. It's weird that the DC's editorial staff lets stuff like this happen so frequently. Batman's Venom fueled temper tantrum doesn't go unnoticed. Superman shows up to try and make sense of the situation but then things get out of hand. 

David Finch worked some overtime to make this book look amazing. There are several panels worthy of this weeks Panel of the Week. 

Superior #7 

With his town being destroyed by Abraxas, Simon makes the choice to sacrifice his soul to become Superior one last time. Now I don't want to give the ending away but I would like to say that before signing off on any agreement of soul-swapping magnitude it's best to read the fine print. 

 Issue seven marks the end of the series and now I can look back and say that this was a highly entertaining read. While the ending felt like a bad Saturday morning cartoon the story as a whole had a great balance of action, surprises and sad moments. Simon's battle with M.S. and the choices he is forced to make to save his friends and family were truly heart wrenching. If you are looking for a break from the familiar hero's from Marvel and DC I recommend giving Superior a read. 

Justice League Dark #5 

The world is getting REALLY weird and there is only one way to get it back to normal. Too bad this involves Constantine banishing Deadman's possessed girlfriend to parts unknown. I have a feeling this is going to put a dent in team morale. 

Mikel Janin provides more of his skin-crawling art. A rain storm of rotting teeth never looked so cool. I'm sad that this is the end of the first arc. Hopefully the same creative team will stay on for another five or six issues. -$

Panel of the Week: Images come pouring out of Batman's mind.