Comic Reviews

Batman: The Dark Knight #1 – Review

If you’re looking for nothing new, Batman: The Dark Knight will heavily supply you with overused ideas that everyone has seen before in a Batman comic.  This issue starts the series off to an okay note, but is easily overshadowed by the awesomeness that is Batman #1.  The only thing this issue does manage to do better at times is the great artwork from David Finch, who manages to draw beautiful women and Arkham’s deadly inmates well.

Writer Paul Jenkins begins Batman: The Dark Knight with Bruce Wayne making a speech about how we cannot let fear affect us.  Bruce then gets into a heated argument with internal affairs officer Forbes.  Their dispute is quickly broken up by the beautiful (and undoubtedly newest addition to Bruce’s long list of love interests) Jai Hudson.  But Bruce’s time with her is cut short when he has to rush to Arkham and stop the inmates from escaping, which includes a very changed Two-Face.

Superman #1 – Review

After reading Justice League #1 and the amazing Action Comics #1, I was very excited to see what George Perez would do with the highly anticipated #1 of good ol’ Supes. While I enjoyed the beginning, and the premise for the issue showed a lot of promise, the middle just became a mess to me, and (even with its pretty stellar artwork) what should’ve been at least a decent read ended up being what felt like a chore to finish.

The story begins with The Daily Planet being bought out by Galaxy Communications, which is owned by the corrupt businessman, Morgan Edge. From here, Perez shows us how Superman reacts to this buyout, as well as expressing some of his beliefs against the corrupt company. While this portion of the comic was interesting, what left me disappointed was… well, everything else. This issue had so much going on, from unknown alien beings blowing unknown alien conches (which we have to learn about in an issue of Stormwatch #1), to random fire beings wreaking havoc on Metropolis (which I did enjoy, thanks to the artwork). It just felt as if there was no focus on Superman in this issue, which is all I really wanted to see.

Catwoman #1 – Review

Catwoman is back and sexier than ever.  Unfortunately, she couldn’t bring a thrilling storyline or personal narrative along with her for this somewhat bland romp through Gotham City that ends with something that would fit nicely on Skinemax.  The art and colors are some of the more enjoyable aspects of this issue.

Catwoman’s night starts out fine – a couple of guys barge into her apartment to find something while she runs away, ready to go back in the morning to collect all her stuff… until an explosion goes off in her apartment and she has to find a new place with some help from her friend, a former show girl by the name of Lola.

Optic Nerve #12 – Review

In a world where indie comic creators have migrated to hardcover editions, Adrian Tomine has chosen to go against the grain and continue releasing his indie comics on the floppy format, and after four years, Optic Nerve #12 has finally been released. With this issue, Tomine has shown that not only does Tomine still got it, but he’s at the top of his game. With two very compelling short stories, a great letters page, and even a dashed-off autobio, Adrian Tomine has released what I believe is the best comic released in 2011 thus far.

With the Summer buzz coming to an end, as well as the beginning of The New 52 and many Ultimate Comics series, Optice Nerve #12 really changes the pace from what’s been hitting the stands lately, but with Tomine’s masterful storytelling, you can’t help but keep turning the pages and just finishing off this 40 page comic. While there are two different stories in the comic, it’s hard to choose which I liked more. They were both just that good.

Nightwing #1 – Review

With the New 52’s arrival, there were many concerns amongst
fans. One of the larger qualms included Dick Grayson switching from the ol’ bat
costume back to his roots as Nightwing. While there were many naysayers out
there (as I’m sure there still are and will be), Kyle Higgins’s Nightwing
managed to prove that Dick can easily jump back into the suit and get back to
action. With stellar artwork and a solid storyline, Nightwing #1 may leave some
of the long-time Grayson fans a bit disappointed, but it is an excellent introduction
to what appears to be a promising series for new fans and a decent read for
comic fans in general.

The first issue revolves around Dick’s new life now that
Bruce is back in town, and really gives the reader a chance to get to know what
he lives like now, as well as what his thoughts about Gotham and his past.
While many may find this aspect a bit on the boring side, it was definitely a
great way to introduce us to Dick once again, and it was meshed with enough
action to keep everyone happy. While the story wasn’t anything spectacular,
Kyle Higgins managed to deliver a solid issue while still introducing us to his
character, which is what was expected from a #1 issue.

Batman #1 – Review

So far
the flagship DC books appear to be untarnished by the DC relaunch, and Batman
#1 is certainly no exception. For those that still think the DC relaunch was a
bad idea, these writers certainly aren’t giving you much evidence to back it
up. Starting
off as an introduction to Gotham and ending with a bang, Snyder shows us that
he means business with this one.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 – Review

Red Hood and the Outlaws misses the point of the New 52 and doesn’t manage to do much right. The point of the re-launch is to entertain and enrapture new readers into comic books by starting a new story and not expecting the reader to know much. This comics expects you to be a connoisseur on Red Hood and Roy Harper history. None of the characters are likeable, the story is barely there, and the artwork is nowhere near as great as expected.

The comic opens on our only action scene where Red Hood (the second Robin, Jason Todd, who went crazy after dying), rescues Green Arrow’s old sidekick Speedy, with some help from Tamaranian Princess Starfire. The motley crew continues to stay together and enjoys some time on the beach… and in bed.

Swamp Thing #1 – Review

The unfortunate thing about Swamp Thing #1 is that it has automatically been compared to the wonderful Swamp Thing run written by Alan Moore. This is a shame since, while in comparison to the original series this issue may fail to match the story, characters or even artwork of the original, this issue has elements from the original that are fun and incorporated well and is a good, enjoyable entry in the Swamp Thing saga.

Mass numbers of animals have been dying out all over the world: Every bird in Superman’s home of metropolis, every bird in Gotham (or at least Batman’s batcave) and every fish under Aquaman’s watch in the sea. Alec Holland, now separated from the Green that turned him into the creature known as Swamp Thing, is haunted by the memories of his past life and has taken a leave from his career as a botanist to start a new and normal life as a construction worker…  until Superman drops by, and then another familiar face that will change Holland’s life.

Green Lantern #1 – Review

Green Lantern #1 is a unique case in the widespread relaunch DC is currently unleashing on the world. The Corps remains relatively untouched by the events of Flashpoint, as it had its own crap to deal with in terms of the War of the Green Lanterns. Sinestro is now a Green Lantern again, and Hal is simply human again – destitute and depowered.

Action Comics #1 – Review

Apparently Superman has converted back to his attitude from the original Action Comics #1 and has forgotten the other half of his costume. There is a lot of great action in this comic, but it only manages to fulfill the title and nothing else.

Grant Morrison takes his turn writing the beginning of this Superman story. Superman has been in the eye of Metropolis for three months. His vigilante ways put him on the wrong side of the road with Lex Luthor and Lois Lane’s father hot on his trail. And of course, he must save Lois Lane’s life yet again.