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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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