If Your Not Reading These...
You Should Be!!!
Hey, kids. It’s been awhile since my last comics review, so as a treat/reconciliation, here I am bring you an extra-special, extra-fun, extra-sized comic list.
**Beware of Spoilers, All Ye Who Enter Here*
Blackest Night #8 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis
And so, Geoff Johns’ and Ivan Reis’ epic zombie Green Lantern tale closes with a bang. The entire series has been one fun ride, with plenty of cameos from long dead heroes and villains (Pariah from Crisis On Infinite Earths, anyone?). Everything is resolved quite nicely, with twelve (twelve!) heroes and villains ending up getting resurrected. Some of them were predicted, some were out of left field but aren’t too shocking, and then one is like…WTF. Definitely all interesting choices, though. Also, Hal Jordan and Barry Allen (Green Lantern and the Flash) realize that Tim Drake (Robin, or Red Robin as he goes by during his search for Batman) that Bruce Wayne is indeed alive. This nicely branches together the lately exclusive Bat-Books with the rest of the DCU. Here’s a link to all the resurrected heroes. (-Mike, leave the link here instead of putting the actual pic, don’t wanna spoil too much.)
Resurrected Heroes Of Blackest Night
Brightest Day #0 by Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi, and Fernando Pasarin
After the Blackest Night, comes…the Brightest Day! (Well, actually, Brightest Day comes before Blackest Night in the Green Lantern Oath, but who am I to judge DC’s marketing?). In this issue, we get a nice introduction of what the bi-weekly 27 issue Brightest Day is going to be about- the lives of those who were resurrected, and exactly why they were chosen to be brought back to life. Also, a personal favorite character of mine is the star of the show, none other than Boston Brand himself- Deadman!
The Flash #1 by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul
Barry Allen went from being resurrected in Final Crisis, had his life messed around in Flash: Rebirth, and then zombie lanterns went nuts. He hasn’t had much break time. Now, Barry’s settled back into his home at Central City, where he’s back to living the good life with his wife Iris. But, thing’s are a bit difficult for Barry- having been dead for a while, the Earth’s moving a lot faster than it was when he left. Everyone’s got an iPod, texting, calling, and what have you. But, because of its obsession with speed, Central City’s Police Department has foregone quality for quantity. Barry’s now taking on all the unsolved cases for himself. However, he hits a bit of a snag when someone starts killing off his Rogues Gallery…or are they? Pick up the series to find out!
Batman and Robin #11 by Grant Morrison and Andy Clarke
Last time, I said Batman and Robin #10 was one of the best single issues of a comic I’ve read. Grant Morrison doesn’t disappoint with his follow up in the “Return of Bruce Wayne” arc/tie-in. Dick Grayson continues to delve deeper into the catacombs beneath Wayne Manor, while Alfred uses the Batmobile to fend off the assassins sent for the New Dynamic Duo around the mansion. Damian Wayne meets up with the mysterious Oberon Sexton, who is trying to find out who the domino killer of Gotham is. But that’s a relatively small mystery compared to the two larger ones- where is Bruce Wayne, and who is Oberon Sexton? Is he Bruce? A new character? My money is on none other than the number one Batman villain himself- The Joker, incognito of course. Finally, we end with the reveal of who Talia plans to have possess her son’s body in order kill Dick Grayson- I won’t spoil anything, but all I’ll say is that he’s been waiting to deliver Grayson his death stroke for quite a long time now.
BMB’s magnum opus is almost at a close, finally tying up the mess created in the Marvel Universe after Avengers: Disassembled seven years ago. Steve Rogers returns as Captain America with the rest of the Avengers and kicks some ass in the name of Asgard in order to help their pal Thor. But, unfortunately, things don’t go as planned when the Sentry finally snaps. I read all the other Avengers tie-ins, but believe me, this is the one you’ll want to pick up. A majority of the action happens here, and it is definitely entertaining.
Kick-Ass by Mark Millar and John, Romita Jr.
Well…I’ve certainly never read anything like Kick-Ass before. Chances are, you haven’t either. The premise is basically what would happen if yours truly decided to buy a costume on eBay and go out and fight crime. Stab wounds, broken bones, metal plates, several dirty jokes, a plethora of cursing, and one internet sensation later, Kick-Ass accidentally changes the world. The book is definitely gory, bloody, disgusting, and nasty at times. I probably wouldn’t recommend it to anyone below 14-15. If the movie is anything like it, it deserves the R rating. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had to tone it down. But, for all its shock value there is a certain heart to Kick-Ass, found in the will of the protagonist to just do the right thing- even in the face of real-life evil.
Glad to be back folks... get out and support your local Mom n Pop Comic Book and Hobby Shops!!!
