Comic Reviews

Catwoman #4 – Review

Catwoman has hit another rough patch with an almost absent storyline and a heroine stuck alternating between two modes: survive and grieve.  Even Batman fails to show up and save this comic from being a bit bland and somewhat forgettable, but not completely un-enjoyable… just far from the cat-tastic performance I would have expected from Catwoman #4.

After showing up at a very bad time with a body, burnt evidence and a hysterical Selina, the police try to show Catwoman a good time before she makes her escape and continues to suffer the after-effects of her friend Lola’s death… as well as the electrifying grip of a new enemy.

Justice League Dark #4 – Review

I’m going to be honest here: Justice League Dark is getting progressively more difficult for me to review from issue to issue. It just happens to be consistently exceptional. At the risk of sounding redundant, JLD #4 continues the trend. The art is fantastic and the story is well-paced. For the first time, coverage is spread evenly among the would-be magical team mates. This means that instead of giving particular time to getting one character to where he or she needs to be we are finally starting to see all of the members come together as a group.

Static Shock #4 – Review

We have an abrupt but action-packed start to this vastly superior issue of Static Shock #4. After a boring third issue with villains barely piquing any reader’s interest, this issue of Static introduces a slew of new and interesting villains, moves the story forward in a thrilling new direction and makes previously interesting villains all the more entertaining. There are still some problems in the action sequences and artwork, but Static Shock is back to being great, if not the fun, super-charged series it can be.

Static faces off against a steel-skinned baddie while Pale Man contemplates his affiliation. But his change of heart may have come too late, as Piranha, obsessed with a new and powerful drug, decides to test a dangerous chemical on some thugs on the whim of a new and mysterious puppeteer, Doctor Nemo.

Swamp Thing #4 – Review

It’s not just the nostalgia talking when I say I am disappointed in Scott Snyder’s run on Swamp Thing. His story has been good, and the new characters he has introduced into the Swamp Thing saga are fantastic and possibly even worthy of their predecessors. But the treatment of the old characters fans know and love, their transformation into hollow shells of their former selves, and the artwork, which is clearly trying too hard, are impossible to overlook.

Alec continues to refute the Parliament of Trees who insist he take on the role of the Swamp Thing and become their warrior. Nonetheless, he continues traveling with the Swamp Thing’s once-lover, Abigail Holland, who is part of the rot and may turn out to be an even bigger foe for Holland than her seemingly all-powerful little brother.

Justice League International #4 – Review

As the JLI heads towards the final chapter of “The Signal Men,” the story is starting to get an epic feel and the dialogue is sometimes witty, but multiple clichés, and a boring storyline make this issue the weakest yet in the Justice League International series.

The JLI have been captured and finally come face-to-face with the leader of the Signal Men: Peraxxus, who has big plans for the Earth – and none of them involve a happy ending for our heroes.

Moriarty: The Lazarus Tree #7 – Review

Moriarty #7 takes a much needed break from the dragging story arc “Lazarus Tree” with a lot of back story on Moriarty and his world travels.  The story and artwork are very different from the usual Moriarty story, and the results are not as great as those from the first story arc, but Moriarty #7 still has an interesting story and solid artwork with a few awkward quirks.

In this issue, Moriarty recounts some of his time with the currently MIA Morley and how he came to control Kingston, with the help of an assassin simply called Mr. Moran.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #4

It has been a while, folks, but I am back. I figure, what better way to celebrate this entirely ceremonious occasion than a Buffy review? Truthfully, I imagine there are a great many ways that would be better, but here we are. Issue #4 finishes out the first story arc of Season 9, so this gets to be the book that dictates how this run starts and where the overarching story is going to take us. To put it another way: this could have been the issue to shake up the low key formula and hint at really big things to come. Instead, we get more of the same.

Blackhawks #3 – Review

So much action happened in this issue, with the uniquely designed Mother Machine reappearing . But despite all the action and the interesting technological babble, this issue was not satisfying after two solid issues.

While trying to deal with the madness that is Titus back on the Blackhawk’s base, Canada and Wildman continue to explore the wonders of a technologically advanced city run by the immortal Mother Machine who seems too good to be true.

Batman: The Dark Knight #3 – Review

Batman: The Dark Knight has never been the strongest Batman series of the New 52.  It is probably one of the weakest.  But that still does not stop it from being a fun series.  Yes, the story is all over the place with some uncreative plot points and twists, but most characters are interesting (with a ton to enjoy), the artwork is great, and sometimes the story becomes rather fascinated, though never deep.

Batman continues his study of the mysterious drug turning all of his villains into overpowered musclemen – but first he has to take care of a super strong Joker with the help of a surprising guest-star: the Flash!

Catwoman #3 – Review

I want to say this issue was purrfect – but that may be too bad a pun and no bad pun should be the opening to a review of something so wonderfully mortifying.  After a bland first issue and a great second issue, Catwoman redeems herself with every intense moment and gorgeous panel she gives us in Catwoman #3.

After discovering her friend has been killed because she stole a mobster’s trinkets, Catwoman is about to be tortured to death by said suave mobster while she goes through a huge meltdown.  Having for the first time been the indirect cause of someone’s death, Catwoman may take the ultimate plunge and kill Bone… unless Batman has anything to say about it.