Mo Money

First and foremost, allow me to confirm that this isn't a slight on Jim Lee. I'm a big Jim Lee fan. Love his work and he seems like a genuinely nice guy. And being a DC fan, I'm glad Lee hitched his wagon to this particular horse. Being that I'm generally disinterested in creator-owned work (hypocritical, I know) I'd rarely see him if he wasn't at DC.

Bottom line, when someone says "its about the art, not the money" be it in comics, music whatever. They're a fucking liar. No matter how hippy-hipster you are, if someone offers to pay you more, you're not going to turn it down.

DC 4 life! Dolla dolla bill y'all.

-Gint

Soss' Pull List Reviews 8/30/12

Hell Yeah #1

Twenty years have passed since the first superheroes burst on the scene and changed the world forever. Now a second generation of heroes is ready to defend the world against evil. Did that sound generic? Good, because that's how this book read. 

There isn't anything new or exciting about Hell Yeah. Even the name feels ripped off (Kick Ass anyone?). I feel like I have seen incarnations of this story in a million different places. I know that this is only a first issue but shouldn't the reader at least know why the book is called Hell Yeah?

The art isn't horrible but isn't good enough to save this snooze fest. Andre Szymanowicz is kind of like a poor man's Darick Robertson. With a more of an interesting plot maybe this title would have stood a chance.

Prophet #21

I remember reading Prophet as a teenager. Well, I remember purchasing the book. I don't really remember the plot or who John Prophet was. I'm sure it wasn't very good. Luckily it seems like Brandon Graham and Simon Roy have taken the blank slate approach in restarting this Rob Liefield creation. 

Prophet reads more like a video game then a comic but that isn't a bad thing. John Prophet is more of a tour guide then a character. There is narration along with the story but it's from the third person and there is very little dialogue. It's certainly a different way to present a comic book. There isn't much that you find out about John Prophet in the first issue, only that he has awaken on a strange alien planet to perform a series of tasks. As he travels through this environment and picks up new items there are word ballons describing them as if they were power-up from a video game.

Simon Roy's art is fantastic. There is a very European art book feel to this title. The earth tone heavy color palate is also a nice touch that brings some reality to this alien world. Prophet is an unique read that captured my imagination with it's style and strangeness. 

Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this probably was the most anticipated book in the new Before Watchmen line. I know it was for me. As you know I love gritty, street level heroes. Batman, Punisher and Daredevil to name a few. No one embodies this style of anti-hero like Walter Kovacs. 

There is nothing groundbreaking about this story and thats what makes it good. Brian Azzarello doesn't try to make Rorschach a more sympathetic character or add layers to his personality. He is the same guy who would rather get blown to bits then lie so the world could have peace. 

There is a new drug cartel in town and Rorschach begins his investigation the only way he knows how. He breaks a guys arm in a peep show booth. Dude knows how to get results! Meanwhile, bodies of women with the words "I Can't Help Myself" carved into their flesh are popping up throughout the city.  Seeing that Mr. Kovacs is a notorious women hater I'm not sure how much of his time he will spend on this case. 

Lee Bermejo was an inspired choice as artist on the book. His realistically painted panels are beautiful and gruesome. He really captured the savagery of this world. 

I've been waiting for another Rorschach tale ever since Dr. Manhattan disintegrated him in Antarctica. It's rare that something lives up to the hype but I'm glad to see that Azzarello and Bermejo were up to the task.-Soss 

Panel of the Week: Bermejo deliveries a gory opening scene.

Weapon of Choice

I couldn't help but think of other things that silver bullets kill when I heard the new Coors Light tag line "Nothing kills a bad time like a silver bullet."-Soss

Gint's 8-22-12 Pull-List Review

This is pretty much the week of wrapping up storylines as most of our books get ready for new beginnings with issues 13 and 14.

Seventh Place:
Superman #12

The painful first twelve issues of Superman come to a close. George Pérez, Jesus Merino, Keith Giffen and Dan Jurgens did what they could but could never get the book to entertaining status. Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort take over at issue #13 and hopefully can steer this book in a better direction.

The first year of Supes ends with him saving the day and deciding he needs to live more. Deciding to do more fun stuff like most Earthlings do. Besides the introduction of Lucy Lane and the possible love triangle of Clark, Lucy and Lois (which never gets touched upon) they're throw away issues. A chief issue is this Superman never felt like the one in Justice League. Not even in the same universe even.

So, here's hoping Lobdell and Rocafort can make this book something I enjoy reading and I pledge to not be a battered housewife going back to the abuse and drop this book. Same goes for Action Comics, so get Superman together DC. I don't want to stop reading Superman, but I will if I have to.

Sixth Place:
Teen Titans #12

Scott Lobdell and Brett Booth wrap up an entertaining if not awe inspiring year on Teen Titans. They wrap it up revealing a little bit about Cassie's Silent Armor and what its capable of. Tim Drake and Connor are the most likeable they've been written in the New 52.

But what would a Scott Lodbell book be without a corny-named bad guy? "Diesel" is introduced as Cassie's ex, and new owner of the Silent Armor after he steals if from Cassie. The problem is, he wants to destroy the world with it.

A lot of ups and downs and goods and bads. An uneven title that has been making strides and being more cohesive in the next year of the New 52.

Fifth Place:
The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Men #12

Issue twelve closes out the first year of Firestorm in the New 52. It wraps everything up in a nice bow, and unlike some other books that didn't even make it to issue twelve in my Pull-List, Firestorm was pretty solid.

Beginning with Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone, Joe Harris finished up a year of a Firestorm from every different country and Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond having to clean it all up. The negative from this arc? The lack of feeling that Firestorm is part of the larger DCU. For all the destruction caused in these twelve issues, not once did another DC character show up. The positive? The art of Yildiray Cinar. He got better with every issue and while I love him on Firestorm, he's more than capable of drawing a more high profile book.

I'm not sure who will be the creative team coming out of the #0 issues, but the way this one ended, it leaves a wide open slate for the next year of Firestorm.

Fourth Place:
Green Lantnern: New Guardians #12

After twelve issues, it turns out it was Sayd (the only Guardian not brainwashed by the rest of the Guardians) who stole rings from each Corps and sent this title on its way.

Invictus has been defeated and is now owned by Larfleeze, the Weaponer has run off with the Orrerey and the other Lanterns have left Kyle all by his lonesome. Things are looking bleak as something has tapped into each Corps' rings and wants out. I guess we'll learn all about that in Green Latnern Annual #1. 

If you didn't jump on any DC titles a year ago, DC has done a great job making the beginning of year two just as accessible.

Third Place:
Justice League Dark #12

Unlike most of our books this week, Justice League Dark isn't slowing down to reset itself for the post-#0 DCU. Justice League Dark keeps rolling along like nobody's business.

There's a serious difference between the books listed prior to this one and this one. The difference is, I couldn't put it down. Jeff Lemire and Mikel Janin invest you wholly in this book. The story and dialog are sharp. Our storytellers roll this story out as smoothly as possible. Janin's art is incredible and begs the question how some other "artists" even earn a paycheck.

A great issue. Hard to say anything bad about it.

Second Place:
I, Vampire #12

Josh Fialkov and Andrea Sorrentino introduce Stormwatch into I, Vampire. The big difference between their guest starring role here and their guest starring role in Red Lanterns is that here, I really liked them. I generally don't trust anything not OG-DC. But Fialkov does a nice enough job writing these characters that I'd like to see more of them.

They help Andrew come to the conclusion that he's powerful enough to suck up all the vampire-ness from all the vampires and take it into himself. The good: he cures the world of vampires. The bad: he's now the super vampire. This sets up a brand new status quo coming out of the #13 issues.

Easily one of the best and most consistent books of the New 52.

First Place:
The Flash #12

Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato keep The Flash moving at high speeds. Pun intended. No panel or piece of dialog is wasted as the read through this book is incredibly smooth.

Piece by piece through the first eleven issues Manapul and Buccellato have set everything up for the fight between the Rogues and Captain Cold in this issue. They've reintroduced us to Lisa Snart, the Glider, who's back to take over revenge and kill her brother, Captain Cold. Flash also has an ally in former Rogue the Pied Piper. 

All the pieces are now in place for this book to continue being really fucking good.

Page of the Week

Manapul and Buccellato are at it again putting the art back in comics.

-Gint

Pimp My Ride

There really isn't any way to "masculine up" a New Beetle. Especially when your other passions revolve around comic books and 80s cartoons. You just have to own it: "Autobot 4 life, bitch!" And then hope you don't get your ass handed to you.

Sometimes comic ideas are pulled directly from real life. The first two panels are perfect examples of such.

-Gint

Soss' Pull-List 8/23/11

AvX#10

Cyclops comes toe to toe with Hope who has been training with Iron Fist for the last 2 issues. I'm not sure what the connecting between karate and alien firebird gods is but it is a thin one. 

Adam Kubert once agin draws a beautiful book.  The fight scene is insane but at least it looks good. 

It's becoming more clear that Cyclops won't be making it out of this one. I've heard the plans for All-New X-Men and it makes my stomach hurt. The plan is to have the original team time travel to the present day. Since Marvel has spent the entire summer writing Scott Summers as an asshole this will give them a chance to start over with him. Why can't we just write Scott as the hero that he is and have him fight bad guys!!!!! Ugh!

Wonder Woman #12

It's always good to see Cliff Chiang in the house! The issue features some fantastic art but the story feels stuck. Finally Zola had her baby so now we can see what the fuss is about.

When Wonder Woman first started I thought it was groundbreaking for this character. A fresh take on Diana as well as a new cast of characters. I still prefer  this over any other incarnation that DC has dreamed up for her but I would like the plot to start moving more quickly. 

Batman Incorporated #3

The cover hypes the return of Matches Malone and I immediately rolled my eyes. What's this? Another goofball Morrison character for me to hate? It turns out to be not quite as bad as I expected. For those that don't know I won't ruin the surprise but Matches is a seedy investigator who talks like Sammy Davis Jr. He is looking into the Leviathan conspiracy and things get dicey when he begins to uncover the truth.

Chirs Burnham hooks it up again. His style is a mix of Quietly and McFarlane. I'm a sucker for both of these artists. Nathan Fairbairn's color work is also worth noting. Another excellent chapter in Morrison's Batman saga, boy I hurts to say that. - Soss

Panel of the Week: The eternal battle between alien space gods and kung fu rages on!

Filling In The Blanks

Honestly I have yet to read Zero Hour. I can only imagine that it involves Hal Jordan losing his marbles when he is overcome with the deliciousness that is the Zero bar. Many a trip to the convenience store ended with Gint disapproving of my choice in candy bar. -Soss

Gint's 8-15-12 Pull-List Review

Artwork seems to be the theme through this weeks review. Some good, some not so good.

Fifth Place:

Voltron #7

New artist N. Steven Harris makes me long for the days of Ariel Padilla's woeful art. You'd think with all the good artists in the world, all the artists that would love a gig on Voltron, Dynamite would be able to find someone of quality to draw this book. Harris' art is just as bad if not worse than Padilla's in a lot of places. At least Padilla's inks didn't look like they're barely holding on to the paper.

Brandon Thomas' story is still incredibly solid. This book would rate a lot higher this week (and most weeks) if Dynamite could get a good artist on it. Its embarassing. It looks like weak fan fiction.

Dynamite needs to start getting it right before people stop buying this book.

Fourth Place:

Wonder Woman #12

Cliff Chiang delivers his usual beautiful pencils and is once again the highlight of the book. The problem I'm starting to have with it is I don't feel like we're getting anywhere. A lot of stuff keeps happening, but it doesn't feel like the story is getting anywhere. Zola had the baby though, and then it got kidnapped, so I imagine we're getting somewhere.

I suppose that's why I feel like some of the sheen has come off this book since it started. I need to start feeling like something is actually happening.

Third Place:

Supergirl #12

Cam Smith joins Supergirl as inker for Mahmud Asrar. I think up until this point Asrar has just been throwing down heavy pencils. A lot of the panels stuck out this issue because some of the smooth fluidity of Asrar's work got lost. The angles and figures are still great, but some of the detail is now a little too detailed.

As for the issue, Kara visits Clark at the Fortress and they talk all things Krypton and Kara. They still have an awkward relationship but Mike Johnson and Michael Green use a slow build. You can see the relationship they should have in this foundation.

I didn't read any of the 80s/90s Supergirl stories, but I can't imagine Green and Johnson's work not being the class of Supergirl stories.

Second Place:

Green Lantern Corps #12

Things are getting decidedly more dangerous for our favorite Lanterns. The Alpha Lanterns pretty much destroyed themselves and the Guardians are happy about it. They're bringing down their own empire on their own very subtly. They're also getting more and more evil. Normally the Guardians are just dicks, but now they seem to have gone off the deep end.

Tomasi and Pasarin do their usual great job leading everything up to the #0 issues and the Third Army story that will appear beyond.

First Place:

Green Lantern #12

Geoff Johns has me pretty damn nervous. All this end of the Green Lantern Corps talk, plus this new GL appearing post #0 issues and that bloody GL logo cover. If they kill Hal Jordan again, I will seriously fuck someone up.

And another clue appears in this months Green Lantern. The Book of the Black tells Black Hand that Hal Jordan will be the greatest Black Lantern. That means he'll have to be dead. Geoff Johns has yet to let me down, so I'll just keep trusting what he's doing.

The negative of this issue is the double art duties of Renato Guedes and Jim Calafiore. Calafiore's art was nice to see since I haven't seen his work since they cancelled Secret Six. A nice throwback to one of my favorite books of all time. Guedes however is just unimpressive. Light inks, thin lines, just not for me. I guess regular artist, Doug Mahnke is busy with that Annual coming up, but it would have been really nice to see him do this whole arc.

Panel of the Week

This is the garbage that Dynamite is trying to pass off on the reader. C'mon, Dynamite. Get your fucking shit together.

-Gint

Just A Good Ol Boy

Every so often, us jokesters here at Mc$oss wind up flexing our sensitive side. Soss is more familiar with this territory than I am. See: Secret Origin. Soss' love for The Dukes of Hazzard back in the day is a subtle example of the innocence of youth. Not that Bo and Luke were throwing on the hoods and stringing up some nooses, but as a kid the redneck aspects of The Dukes of Hazzard fade in the simplicity of two badass cousins in a cool car.

Still, its not my style to be serious for too long, so you, our faithful readers, get two strips for the price of one this week. We can call this one, the Director's Cut:

-Gint

Soss' Pull List Reviews 8/16/12

Batman #12 

I didn't really dig this issue. I understand that every book can't be a thrill ride but this read like an episode from some ABC Family channel show. No wonder Gint loved this one. A tomboy defends her outcast brother is fine for Love and Rockets but it felt forced and over the top to me. 

Becky Cloonan and Andy Clark do a decent job of filling in but neither holds a candle to Greg Capullo's outstanding work from this past year. It was also an odd choice to pick two artist's with such drastically different styles. DC books have been doing a lot of this as of late. Is it too much to expect the same artist to illustrate an entire book? 

All and all not an awful read just not the Dark Knight comic I was looking for. 

Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #2 

This issue is a brief retelling of Ozymandia's first foray into crime fighting. I was more entertained by last issues origin story. Something about this blonde adventurer that is just bland to me. 

Jae Lee does a fine job with the art. I love the "O" pattern that is carried thru the book. Each page has some circular element included in it. It's unique while not overly distracting. 

The great art however can not make up for a lackluster story. Maybe it's the central character or maybe it's writing but this book felt flat for me this month. 

Batman Incorporated #1-2 

As much as I have generally disliked Grant Morrison's take on Batman these two issues were pretty good. Morrison ditchs his usually convoluted goofiness and tells a straight forward Batman story. The first part features a group of goat headed assassins trying to claim the bounty on Damian Wayne. And who would place a price on a young boys head? His mother of course. 

The second half of the story focuses on Talia al Ghul, her childhood, motherhood and what eventually drives her to call for her own sons life. I'm not a big "Batman in the desert" person, so usually anything ending in al Ghul has me moving on to the next book. Morrison does a great job of fleshing out Talia. Probably the best characterization of Ms. al GhulI I've ever read. 

Chris Burnham's art was a pleasant surprise. At first glance I thought he was a straight Frank Quietly impersonator but by the end of the two books I was totally sold on his style. He draws a awesome Talia! 

Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #2 

Nite Owl and Rorschach stumble upon a masked dominatrix who exposes to drastically different sides of these characters personalities. This is a Rorschach heavy issue and I loved it. 

The single minded stubbornness that would drive me crazy about someone in real life is what makes me love this character. As JMS delves deeper in Nite Owl and Rorschach's respective pasts we see how two men with very similar upbringing's can have such different outlooks on life. 

Andy Kubert and his late father Joe once again team up on a beautiful looking book. Joe's inks bring a authentic retro look to the overall product. 

While the Comedian and Ozymandias books are hit and miss Nite Owl is a great addition to the Watchmen mythos.
-Soss

Panel of the Week: If Talia al Ghul was as cunning and charismatic in The Dark Knight Rises maybe we wouldn't have spent the last month bashing that film.

Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?

Paula Cole would be jacked at the particular lack of cowboys (villains) in the Marvel Universe. I generally don't read Marvel books. If you follow along with my Pull-List Reviews, you'll see its all DC.

But talking to actual Marvel fans, there doesn't seem to be many villains around anymore. From Civil War on, the bulk of the Marvel storytelling has been hero vs. hero. Besides Spider-Man, who always has a moral compass, the Marvel U. is populated with gray-area heroes. Heroes who aren't as morally ambiguous as the Punisher, but heroes (Captain America & Cyclops) that should be able to work it out without coming to physical blows.

That, however, doesn't sell books. Kang and Baron Zemo don't carry the emotional punch that they used to. If they ever did. So as long as Marvel continues to own the market share, our favorite baddies will continue to ride the pine while our "heroes" continue to take center stage.

-Gint

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

Four books this week and each of them brought their own level of enjoyment.

Fourth Place:

Superboy #12

This is almost the type of story I want to read in Superman. Conner goes out on the town with some new friends who happen to be a Paris Hilton type and an NBA star. How he just happens to roll in such "elite" circles, writer Tom DeFalco doesn't seem concerned with. But if you can get over that its a cool story about Superboy trying to be a normal guy. I say guy, and not kid, because he's clearly written as over 21 in this book. I can't imagine DC would allow one of their characters to do a shot if he wasn't. But he also gives his new friends an unnecessary PSA about it too.

Turns out Dallas Sorrentino, the aforementioned Paris Hilton-type owes some bad people with superpowers some money. Conner helps out and the next arc is off and running.

Pencils are handled by Robson Rocha and Eduardo Pansica and nothing is over the top bad or good. The art team put together a nice book for DeFalco's first issue of Superboy.

Third Place:

Batman and Robin #12

This was a quick finish to what seemed like a much bigger plot. The setup of Terminus and his cadre of freaks physically affected by Batman gets wrapped up in a quick issue with Batman donning his augmentation suit to steer a dirty rocket into Gotham Harbor.

It was a fine issue, expertly drawn once again by Pat Gleason, but it felt like it was forced to wrap up in a hurry to make way for the #0 issues and #13. Granted, there's no saying we're done with Terminus, and Gleason and Pete Tomasi will surely delve more into the relationship Damian has with his "brothers," but I feel like we could have gotten more from this issue.

Second Place:

Voltron: Year One #4

Space Explorer Squadron 686 teams up with Sven's girlfriend's squadron on a mission. The problem is, Sven's team is going in with a counter-mission that he can't tell his lady or her team about.

Voltron: Year One continues to be a great book about the pre-Lion days with great, consistent art by Craig Cermak. Writer Brandon Thomas has been doing a great job in both of his Voltron books of taking what was a pretty light-on-story cartoon and building an intricate back story with quite a lot of depth.

Each issue sets up enough of the next so that I can't wait for this book every month. If you're not reading this book, you should be.

First Place:

Batman #12

For an issue that was really very Batman-light, this was a great issue. Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV use the entire issue, including the usual 7-page back up story, to tell the story of Harper and Cullen Row, their troubles growing up in The Narrows, and how they come in contact and eventually help the Batman.

The story is about two brand new characters and the Bat-character appearances are few and far between. A little Alfred here, a little Batman there. But the way Snyder and pages 1-21 artist Becky Cloonan tell it, that doesn't matter. The story is sharp. The characters are interesting and Cloonan's art is pretty awesome in a grittier Darwyn Cooke style. They make you invested in these characters right away. Though I don't really want to see someone else become Robin or Batgirl and the late 90s-early 00s had WAY too many supporting characters running around Gotham, I'm all in for another Snyder-Cloonan team-up for more of their story.

The only negative? Cloonan doesn't draw the whole thing. Andy Clarke is brought in for the last seven pages and his style really doesn't hold a candle to Cloonan's sharp work in the first part.

An excellent issue and a nice move by DC thinking outside the box by putting Cloonan, who's more cartoony style doesn't scream Batman, on Batman.

Panel of the Week:

The devil is in the details as the missing light switch cover in this panel earned Becky Cloonan Panel of the Week.

-Gint

The Good The Bad and The Dommy

DC is sticking to it's guns. When they say The New 52 they mean only 52 titles. To keep the lineup of books fresh several rounds of cancelations have been rolled out. Titles like Voodoo, Hawk and Dove, Justice League International and Resurrection Man have all felt the sting of cancelation. But somehow All-Star Western is STILL being published! Even resident Western reader Dom has admitted recently to dropping this book. Who is reading this stuff? -Soss

Soss' Pull-List Reviews 8/9/12

Hawkeye #1

This would have been a great book if it wasn't supposed to about Hawkeye. Matt Fraction writes a lovely story about a character who can throw pennies, paper clips and playing cards with deadly accuracy. Sound familiar? Sure it does, cause that's Bullseye.

David Aja's flat stylized art probably isn't for everyone. It's Alex Maleev Light. 

An interesting story, but with not one appearance of his bow or mention of his archery skills it simply wasn't a story about Clint Barton.

AVX #9

Spider-Man fights Phoenix Force Colossus and Magik in Hell. And wins!

As you all know, I LOVE Peter Parker but there is no way that he could have beaten either one of these cats even before they turned into space gods.

On the art side of things Adam Kubert couldn't have done a better job. It makes me long for the days that top talent didn't just draw the big events and covers and actually did steady work on one title.

I'm so sick of heroes fighting heroes! Marvel NOW! had better steer this ship in a new direction. 

Earth #2

The Justice Society meets one another for the first time to battle Solomon Grundy. It bothers me that these guys just got their powers ten minutes ago and now they are jumping into the fray to fight a giant rot monster. We also get to meet this universes Atom who is a navy seal of some sort. 

Nicola Scott steps her game up. I had to stop eating my Cheerios when I came to Grundy's open mouth with maggots crawling around on his tongue. Awesome gag inducing work.

Before Watchmen: The Comedian #2

The Comedian argues politics at Ali vs Frazier then is sent to Vietnam. There we learn that this dude really likes to kill people. No real surprises here.

I'm not sure if it's the boring 60's politics or the overall slow pacing but I haven't been all that impressed with this title. J.G. Jones' art is fantastic but I feel like I'm still waiting for the story to start.

Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #2

Amanda Connor is a revelation. I've always heard that she was a quality artist who had a huge part in making the Power Girl books enjoyable but I'm blown away by her work here. I'm a sucker for an artist who can draw cute girls and Connors fits the bill. Her take on Laurie is pretty and tough without being over the top sexy. Props to Paul Mounts for his vibrant color palette.

This story is also fun and light hearted in contrast to the other Before Watchmen offerings. I'd love to see Cooke and Connor on other DC heroine books after this. -Soss

Panel of the Week: A panel from one of my new favorites, Amanda Connor. This just looks like it was a blast to draw.

Shortest. Trilogy. Ever.

The release of The Dark Knight Rises spawned some rewatching of the rest of the Nolan series. As my brother so pointedly pointed out, above is the key moment this trilogy ends ... unless the trilogy continues with the first ever one-armed Batman. An interesting concept that I'm sure fans would have loved just as much as Sean Connnery-playing Darth Vader-playing-Bane.

To be honest, the movie really wasn't as bad as we here at Mc$oss made it seem. Though we did get a lot more mileage out of it than I thought.

So here's to the next big comic book theater extravaganza and may it be just as good a muse as The Dark Knight Rises.

-Gint

Gint's 8-1-12 Pull-List Review

We say goodbye to an old friend this week. Not really. I never liked this book to begin with. $2.99 that will be much better allocated each month.

Fourth Place:

Red Lanterns #12

That'll do it folks. My last review of Red Lanterns since I won't be picking it up anymore. I'll just have to get the full story of "DC cosmic" from the good Green Lantern Universe books.

Skeptical from the start, this book never did it for me. Even with Ed Benes and his great ass-shots kicking things off, this book never became more than, "meh." I think 12 issues is a good barometer.

This issue Atrocitus reignites the Red Lantern battery by using a blood seed that he planted in Abysmus years ago. It was kind of a deus ex machina, but whatever. I don't have to care anymore.

A final opinion? The Red Lanterns work best as villains. They shouldn't have any redeemable qualities because that takes away from the frightening nature of their "supposedly" all-encompasing rage. The whole theory behind who these characters in this book are is flawed. They're fucking bad guys! They're not good guys with poor morals like the Punisher or even grey area villains like the Secret Six. They're evil. They should be written as such. I however will no longer be around to find out.

Third Place:

Action Comics #12

This issue was a lot to take in. And the ending sets up quite a bit of stuff even though Grant Morrison is leaving the book.

Superman beats the bad guy, a telepath, who wanted to steal Lois' niece who is also a telepath. Batman shows up at the end to tell Supes he knows all about Clark Kent and that Supes should bring back the Clark Kent identity. Lois also gets thrown on the hood of a car an has about 30 minutes to live. SO, Grant Morrison extends Supes' powers to just out of believable range. Or maybe they are believable, but I just don't like such an omnipotent Superman. He reads every medical journal ever written, and then operates on Lois lickety-split and fixes her right up. He's also able to read a USB drive just by looking at it. Isn't that a little too much for Supes' powers?

The end of the book sets up Mxyzptlk and some characters from the 5th dimension. I've never liked Mxyzptlk but for as hot and cold as I am on Morrison, I'd rather see him stay around and write that story than somebody else.

So once again, after more ups and downs, the Superman books seem to be inching towards being rudderless once again.

Second Place:

Swamp Thing #12

Part 2 of the Rotworld: Prologue, began in Animal Man #12 (see First Place). Feel free to read that review first if you like.

Swamp Thing and Animal Man jump headfirst into the world of the Rot. And things go really easily until they run into Anton Arcane and he cuts their tether (a vine from Swamp Thing's back) to the real world. They land at the bottom which isn't what they consider Rotworld, but the actual Rotworld which is our world ruined by the rot.

This issue is a lot of setup. A great two-parter into Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire's story. Where it falls short is the normally stellar work on Marco Rudy on pencils. The whole issue feels rushed. I'm going to blame the two extra inkers it took to get it done.

But that's a small gripe. Rotworld is off and running.

First Place:

Animal Man #12

The Animal Man-Swamp Thing crossover begins. Feels like its taken forever to get to this point, but its been worth it. Jeff Lemire and Scott Snyder, who have really been diamonds in the rough for the New 52, have put some great stuff on the table so far and look to expand upon it.

Buddy Baker and family go find Swamp Thing and Abby and agree they need to stand together to defeat the Rot. Granted, this is only one issue in, but its refreshing to see two heroes meet for the first time and NOT fight over some misunderstanding before they go get the bad guys. Unlike Marvel's "heroes" who do nothing but fight each other.

Steve Pugh does a great job on art. Lemire and Pugh (and Travel Foreman before him) have done a great job on this book. And maybe its the fact that its NOT a Superman book that helps their success, but I think DC should take a risk and put some of this new talent on some of the flagging upper-tier superheroes before handing them off to a vet like Scott Lobdell.

Panel of the Week:

Steve Pugh does a great job illustrating the force of Swamp Things tether really shaking this tree as he wraps around it.

-Gint