Another week, another set of comics to which to look forward, geeks and geekettes! Now that the high of Infinity War is starting to wear off — and we’re still a few weeks until Deadpool 2 kicks our meta asses! — we’ve got a few heroes of the paper and ink variety to follow! Let’s get this week started the write way, with some great writers looking at this week’s titles!
AVENGERS #1 – Marvel Comics“Cardinal” Roberto de Bexar @RobBex2
Avengers Assemble!!… again
After the effects of Avengers: Infinity War I needed something of a pick me up and Jason Aaron and Ed McGuiness knock it out of the park with this first issue. Jason Aaron is a fantastic writer and he has a knack for connecting all of his books together and this is no different. Starting the issue off with his Avengers 1,000 BC we see the original bearers of the various totems we see in Avengers (original Black Panther, original Iron Fist, Agamotto, etc) and Aaron takes us through to Dr. Strange and Black Panther to the ‘Holy Trinity’ of Thor, Iron Man and Captain America working out their issues but as always when an earth ending situation arises, all issues are tabled and the Avengers assemble.
Ed McGuiness is one of the best artists out there, I don’t care what anyone has to say, It’s big, fun, loud and I think that it is going to look especially beautiful when you pair him with Aaron, and the Celestials.
While I wanted to see more Captain Marvel and She-Hulk, I get a feeling that they will be getting their fair share in the next issue. Overall, it is a very fun book that, and while it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it did get me excited to see what these two can do. I’ve been off the Avengers for a while, mainly because there were so many damn different teams, but let’s see if this duo can bring me back on board. My answer is yes. 4/5 Slinging Bibles.
-Robert Bexar
BATMAN #46 – DC ComicsTaffeta “Dutchess” Darling @TaffetaDarlin
Leave it to Booster Gold to turn a simple wedding gift for a Bruce Wayne into a disturbing, depressing, and horrific future where Bruce Wayne was never Batman, his parents never died, and Selina Kyle is a locked up serial killer who truly thinks she’s a cat… Meow. In the latest issue of Batman, writer Tom King shocks readers with a brutal, and violent alternate reality that has branched from the repercussions of Booster Gold going back in time to save Bruce’s parents. As he does, Booster Gold has a history of interfering, and things going horribly wrong before they go right, and gift-giving is no exception. Since he’s torn up the timeline tremendously, Bruce and Selina aren’t a couple, aren’t getting married, and in fact they’ve never met. Now Booster has to reunite them and get them to fall in love. Unsurprisingly though, restoring The Bat and The Cat’s best reality is not as easy as he assumed.
Writing my complete thoughts without spoiling what unfolds was difficult; I want Batman fans — and even more so Booster fans — to experience the “WTF” for themselves. We’re two issues into “The Gift” storyline, and we’re seeing a rare element of Bruce Wayne’s character: desperation. It’s heartbreaking. Although Tom King knows how to write a multi-faceted story more so than most working in the comics industry, he seems to have trouble finding Booster’s voice and writes him, at times, out of character. There’s a line between a stumbling jerk-off with good intentions and an insecure dumb ass completely oblivious to the world around him. (It’s a thin line, but it’s there). Artist Tony S. Daniel presents incredible work here, adding detailed intensity across the panels with action and emotion. Huge kudos to the Batman Returns nod that had the fangirl in me squeeeaaaling in delight! 4.75/5 Booster Good Fan Club Stars.
-Taffeta Darling
“Minister” Matthew GarzaDC NATION #0 – DC Comics
DC Nation #0 showcases three preludes to three upcoming stories for Batman, The Man of Steel, and Justice League. These radically different stories give readers the presentation of different choices either picking up one or two of the stories or maybe all three. The Batman story sets up the tone for the upcoming wedding of Batman and Catwoman. Then, Superman sets up his current life in the Daily Planet. And last, four teams of the Justice League, including villains, must stop an imminent calamity in its infancy before it reaches earth.
In Tom King’s story, “Your Big Day”, while holding a man hostage in his own home, Joker eagerly waits for his invitation to Batman’s wedding. It’s a tense story in which Roger, the hostage, goes from begging for his life, to trying to kill Joker, to begging Joker to kill him. At last the mail comes in, and he is so delighted he “received” the invite he kills Roger out of joy.The catch, though? It wasn’t an invitation at all, it was a letter regarding a tardy from Roger’s daughter’s school. This was more than enough to get me to start guessing what could out of this upcoming story. Clay Mann’s art was thrilling and dry and kept me on edge. Tom King’s building on the anticipation of the wedding through Joker, was exciting to say the least I am eager to see what Joker has in store in June when Batman #48 releases.
Next, Brian Michael Bendis’s “Office Space”, involves Perry White presenting The Planet’s new hot reporter, Robinson Goode. Clark Kent also writes up a story on Superman foiling a black-market sale of LexCorp weapons. After listening to the details, Perry pulls Clark aside and tells him he’s missed a step, and he misses the reporter Clark used to be. Miss Robinson Goode later meets with an individual to inform him she’s in position to take over The Daily Planet soon. Who is she exactly? What does she want with The Planet? Overall Miss Robinson Goode may not have intrigued me much, I’m curious about Bendis’s character work for Superman. You’ll have to wait till the end of May for the release of Man of Steel #1 to find out.
Finally, “No Justice: Prelude” by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Joshua Williamson,set the prologue for “Justice League: No Justice #1. While attacking Brainiac’s homeworld, Colu, Superman narrated about Brainiac’s terrified warning of four beings who absorb galaxies to sustain themselves have just awakened. Now, four teams, based on the four cosmic energies, must beat them on Colu before reaching Earth next. The teams are lead by Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Cyborg, filled out by heroes and villains. In the end, Supergirl, leaves the atmosphere to the shocking arrival of the Four Omega Titans. These three writers together just might be the Justice League of writers. Only some of the pros and cons for these teams were shown, along with setting up the struggles to come. Long time fans might be excited to see if these characters can put aside their egos and problems with each other to save Earth, and maybe Colu because they’re still on it. Find out this week starting May 9th with Justice League: No Justice #1. To new beginnings! 4.5/5 Bibles.
-Matt Garza
DEATH OR GLORY #1 – Image Comics“El Sacerdote” J.L. Caraballo Twitter @captzaff007
Death Or Glory has the feel of The Last Stand, A History Of Violence, and a much more action-packed, car-chase-filled adaptation of No Country For Old Men. I love all of those movies, so this title was right up my alley. Starting off with a veritable bang, writer Rick Remender throws a myriad characters our way: the independent, drifting, pin-up-esque female mechanic Glory Owens; a pair of crooked, dim-witted cops; drug runner (or is he?) Korean Joe; and the so-far-unnamed, stoic man whose favorite mode of execution is a mobile nitrogen tank.
Desperate to help her cancer-ridden mentor and guardian, Red (who has lived his life off the grid and off the books), Glory soups up her Challenger to rip off her drug-dealing ex. As can be expected, her plan goes awry, and she runs afoul of the aforementioned nitrogen-wielding-villain, and the end of the first issue ends with Glory in even deeper trouble, and with a few perforations for good measure.
The art by Bengal is dynamic, with a great use of motion and vibrant colors that continuously reminded me of Speed Racer. There was great sense of movement during a car chase, and the first instance of nitrogen-based-death was particularly well rendered and drawn. Rick Remender has great pacing, and this is a story that reads like a movie; the story opens innocently enough at a burger joint, before turning horrifically violent, and then BOOM! Title page, before the reader is is eased back into Glory’s domestic life. It was impressive, and this is a great start to what feels like an exciting, fast-paced adventure. I, for one, am gearing up and settling into the passenger seat. 4/5 Chili Peppers up the Ass.
Jason “Bad Preacher” BudGREEN LANTERN/SPACE GHOST SPECIAL #1 – DC
A DC/Hanna Barbera mash-up yields lustrous spacerock to pack yer cosmic pipe with. James Tynion IV (Batman Eternal) and Christopher Sebela (Injustice: Ground Zero) tag-team it to bring the interplanetary lore, as Ariel Olivetti (Cable, X-Men) drops astral waves of multi-dimensional imagery. Two legendary galaxy drifters eventually collide when they answer the same distress call, only to find themselves busting up one another after they dust-off a few dangerous foes. They fisticuff into atmospheric descent, only to plummet themselves onto an alien world wherein the mash-up factor may actually intensify; all the while discovering they may not be alone. Space thugs with weaponized droids, and cone-headed combatants to boot??? What kinda moondust you been smokin’??? 3.5/5 Four-Fingered Wristband Rings.
“Pontif” Tony Pattawon @thepattawontronDEADLY CLASS #27 – Image
Swords, Yakuzas and Gangsta ish!!!! This was a great prologue to the next arc of Deadly Class. As we travel back in time to 1980s Japan–and experience the origin of how Saya becomes the badass she’s been–it’s been revealed that Saya was raised, alongside her ambitious brother Kenji, by her father. Yeah, the head of Yakuza. All the same tropes you witnessed in Sons of Anarchy (drugs entering gangster tradition, family fueds, etc.) might explain why Saya enrolled at King’s Dominion in the first place. Rick Remender (Fear Agent) has, basically, written a Gangsta Yakuza movie in the making. It didn’t hurt to have artwork from Wes Craig and Jordan Boyd that finely placs the setting and the feel of a Yakuza epic. 4.5/5 Bibles.
“Sister” Savanna Leigh @SavannaDLeighSUICIDE SQUAD/THE BANANA SPLITS SPECIAL #1 – DC
With this wacky DC/HB crossover, I often wondered if the creators were fulfilling their fantasies while submerging down the rabbit hole on their latest LSD trip. When a comic has a smoking hound dog, a lion with better hair than myself, a bad-ass elephant and a monkey that frequently uses Crest Whitestrips.. well then, you know it’s going to be good. Suicide Squad/The Banana Splits was both very entertaining and aesthetically pleasing; this feeling of happiness surrounding me has not been seen in my past reviews. This is a new experience for me! The law firm of Bedard, Caldwell, Morales and Lawson were so good, they managed — not only to get all these freaks out behind bars — to get them to cooperate together. How cruel. 4.25/5 Bibles.
“Father” Sean Farrell @IAMSCFINHUMANS PRIME #1 – Marvel
The Terrigen Clouds are no more. The Royal Family is no more. No more King or Queen. The Inhumans as well as the NuHumans have decided that the old traditions are best left in the past. With this being potentially the last generation of activated Inhumans they have decided to run as a Democracy. But first, before new business, they need to clear up a bit of old business. Maximus (the Mad brother of Black Bolt) and his gang of hooligans are trying to escape from justice, and Medusa and Co. are not about to let that happen. Al Ewing (Ultimates 2) has the herculean task of whittling down this cast of many not so familiar to all members of the Inhumans community into a handful of characters. Caption boxes with names and powers are always helpful (thanks Brubaker ? or was it Fraction…) The art on this issue is a tag team effort by Ryan Sook and Chris Allen (and Wong & Champage on inks) which blends together rather seemlessy. Where do the Inhumans go from here ? Why, to the stars of course–to be continued in The ROYALS by Al Ewing and Jonboy Meyers. 3.5/5 Lockjaw Forehead Fork Thingies.
Maybe it’s only righteous that I take a deeper look into the time-shifting madness of Booster Gold (since that was one of the few brightspots coming out of Convergence for me–where’s our Booster Gold Rebirth, DC?) and Fred & the Gang (seeing how Mark Russell‘s The Flintstones was my, perhaps shocking, #1 overall comic of 2016). Sense of humor wise, this imaginative DC/HB combination makes complete sense, and comes trademarked with Russell’s tasty dialogue–thanks to penning some shifty, robotically zany quirps from our pal Skeets. The only minus here is the artwork, which desperately needs Steve Pugh. Not that Rick Leonardi can’t hack it, but after witnessing 8 or 9 issues with Pugh’s majesty, it’s hard to fall back to anything of lesser quality. Still, some of Leo’s action panels towards the back-end were just fine (he really knows how to handle BG in motion!) and the coloring job is mutedly superb. Don’t forget the tremendous Jetsons back-up from Harley Quinn power couple, Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, that’s sure to carry the strong legacy DC has installed with Hanna-Barbera. 3.75/5 Pebbles.
“Deacon E” Esko @eskobtsX-MEN PRIME #1 – Marvel
Maaaaan.. maybe i miss the cartoon from the 90s. Or, maybe all the movies just have me burnt out on X-Men. Or, maybe, this issue is actually as boring as it seemed. Diehard X-fans might enjoy it, but this prologue to the Blue & Gold just doesn’t do it for me. Ken Lashley‘s artwork is legit and Marc Guggenheim‘s dialog feels pretty natural, and that’s really important. And the pages that take place in the Danger Room are easily my favorite, with the chaos and complexity really well portrayed and awesome to examine. However, the foundation of the story seems very cliche, almost like an old cop movie or a 4th sequel to a spy movie. You know, the age-old “you gotta come out of retirement to help us solve this problem. Only you can help..and you might die..but just do this 1 last mission” storyline. If you can get past that, X-Men Prime sets the stage for a trio of possibly X-cellent titles. 3/5 Bibles.
“Saint” Timothy MarkhamADAM STRANGE/FUTURE QUEST SPECIAL #1 – DC
As someone who has been thoroughly enjoying the nostalgia caused by the current arc of the Future Quest series, this spinoff involving Adam Strange was a nice break from the chaos. The immediate action pulled you in for the entire ride. The seriousness of conflict mixed with the humor was a perfect blend. Marc Andreyko (Batman: Streets of Gotham) and Jeff Parker (Aquaman, Justice League United) really know how to keep a reader interested! Not to mention the twist on the signature Hannah-Barbara art style by Steve Lieber. In the end, there was a bit of a teaser for the new Top Cat/Batman spin off that I personally cannot wait for. The cunning nature we all have come to love from Top Cat fused with everyone’s favorite crime fighter is sure to be a treat! This issue had very little missing and was fantastic! 5/5 Vortex Spawning Humanoids Agree!
One DC Comics event down, another one up– or two, if you include both The Darkseid War and Divergence. If you haven’t read the free comic preview for Divergence, we can tell you that this “event” stands more as an era in the major publisher’s line than a mere series of event comics. In addition to the outstanding DC freebie, our “Padre” (who we missed dearly during his sabbatical) breaks down all the goods from Free Comic Book Day. After all, he IS the self-proclaimed “Free Comic Book Day King”.
In the other corner, 5 of our mightiest comic-reviewing congregants call the 4th round of Convergence titles. It’s surely been an up and down pay-per-view in the last month, but we break down which books avoided a technical knockout this week before throwing in the towel.
It’s our #FreeComicBookDay (#FCBD) Edition of the Sunday Stash!
Once again, back is the incredible…the one and only Padre returns for the 3rd Anniversary of the Unholy House of Geeky Cool. Yesssir, Yes Ma’am it’s a GHG free party with the one GHG Church Elder who always comes away from FCBD with all the swag. So how shall we party? With a Top Ten Padre Parish Pick List of the books you should have scored (and still can somewhere, somehow) this weekend. Let’s do this.
“Geeeeeeeeeeeekssss!!!”
1.) Kicking things off with something for the whole Geek Familia is Motorcycle Samurai by Chris Sheridan. Irreverent, fun and filled with dialogue that borders on the poetic, this issue serves as a solid intro to the popular digital series. Recently collected into a trade paperback, Motorcycle Samurai has enough cool characters, crazy scenarios, and kinetic art to pull you in for a fun ride. Grab the FCBD issue and then grab The Motorcycle Samurai Volume One: A Fiery Demise. You won’t be disappointed.
2 & 3.) For our big budget, summer blockbuster brothers and sisters out there, both the aforementioned DC Comics’ Divergence #1 and Marvel’s Secret Wars #0 deliver just the right amount of intro and tease to get you hyped for the summer of fun. Divergence sets up the post-Convergence DCU landscape as it pertains to the Big 3. The Wonder Woman/Justice League chapter follows up the stellar Justice League #40, sans Dangerous Disciple review from last week. Part two of the prelude to Darkseid War gives us the tragic (as in Greek, Amazonian, and altogether fucked up) birth of Darkseid’s daughter Grail. The Batman tale should be read only after you’ve checked out Snyder/Capullo’s Endgame finale in Batman #40. The other short focuses on the new Superman status quo to come by incoming team of award-winning author Gene Luen Yang and, of course, the legendary John Romita Jr.
Secret Wars #0 sets up the 616 vs. Ultimate U showdown kicking off this week and also includes the brief Avengers vs. Attack on Titan comic released only in Japan.
Overall, both books do a solid job of getting you hyped for what’s to come. Even if your wallets are screaming “Awwww, hell no!”
I counted 12 Sersi’s. You?
4.)Hip Hop Family Tree “Three In One” brings the noise like only Ed Piskor can. Flashing back to the illest eras of Hip Hop with an art and writing style full of flavor and dopest flow, Hip Hop Family Tree is one of the most talked about comics on the underground. Think Marvel Comics if Def Jam had taken over instead of Marvel Knights. Or something like that. Get the book. Nuff Said. This FCBD book is a must for any comic and/or true hip hop head. Side not kiss-assery: I grabbed one for the Monsignor. Gotta keep your editors happy, people.
5.) Book Five is the sequel to one of the coolest, craziest, most mind-fuck you movies of the last twenty years. No, I’m not talking The Revenge of Jar Jar Binks here. I’m talking about Fight Club 2. Released on Free Comic Book Day by Dark Horse, the continuing adventures of our main man Tyler Durden…sorry, just remembered the first rule of Fight Club. Trust me though with Chuck Palahniuk writing and Cameron Stewart on art this book brought the right amount of what-the-fuck to hook me. Double story bonus awards go to The Goon (Eric Powell) and The Strain (Guillermo Del Toro) for rounding out the book with some spooky looks into their respective worlds.
Beats, Rhymes, and Fight.
– The final five must-haves on ye ol Padrino’s list are:
6.)Savage Dragon Legacy (Erik Larsen) – Not content to just fuck with you all on the interwebs, one of the founders of the New House of Ideas (I’m talking about Image btw, DUH!) gives us a fun look at the current status quo of his long running creator owned world. I’ve never been a big fan of Savage Dragon, but this was loud, bombastic goodness. Nothing too serious but there was some real heart in there as well.
7.) Red 5 Comics Bodie Troll also includes stories from their Drone and Creature Academy books. Bodie Troll is possibly the cutest looking book I’ve, well.. ever picked up. Another all-ages read, this book has beautiful art and a funny story that left me with a smile on my face at the end.
8.) Archie’s Dark Circle Comics book offered previews of the already released The Black Hood #1 (great, gritty Philly crime comic, made my pull list after issue 1) and The Fox #1. There is also a sneak peak at the soon to be released The Shield (character sketches, concept shots). I included it here because this is a line worth checking out if you want capes and cowls, but with more of an indie flavor.
Goes great with Captain Crunch.
9.) Last but not least, those bad mofos in a half-shell. IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles FCBD offering will make you forget why you hate all things Michael Bay and help you remember why you first fell in love those pizza eating, Shredder butt kicking heroes of the NYC sewer system.
10.) ……sorry, still reading this one. But And Then Emily Was Gone from Comix Tribe looks so damn cool that I had to add it to the list even though I’m still in the middle of reading it. Hey, has the Padre ever steered you wrong before? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Pick it up. You won’t be sorry. If you are, it’s all Monsignor Moody’s fault.
I’m usually reticent to dive into crossover events (why can’t there just be a few self-contained stories every once in a while? Crossovers feel like…homework…), but with these two Convergence titles, I’m having a blast.
Action Comics covers two separate Earths, with two very different Supermans (Supermen?), each handling their de-powered lives in very separate fashions. Both Justin Gray (Jonah Hex, Batwing) and Swamp Thing/Wolverine co-creator Len Wein‘s titles feature Earth 30 — featuring the Communist Superman from Mark Millar’s great Superman: Red Son –prominently, and Detective ends with Earth-2 Robin and Commie Supes about to throw down.
While Claude St. Aubin‘s art in Action is lush, clean, and very Silver Age, Bill Sienkiewicz (Uncanny X-Men) and former Deathlok artist Denys Cowan‘s in Detective is, for lack of a better term, sketchy, gritty, and much darker; each style perfectly reflects the tone of each title. And I love the stylized backstory thrown in the closing pages of Detective. Very retro feel. I am intrigued with where Convergence is going and how it will end up…although DC once again cleaning house and doing away with many of its universes is getting a bit tired. Isn’t that what Crisis On Infinite Earths was about? Action = 4/5 Invisible Commie Jets; Detective = 5/5 Commie Supermen.
CONVERGENCE: PLASTIC MAN & the FREEDOM FIGHTERS #1 / WORLD’S FINEST #1
Convergence: Plastic Man & the Freedom Fighters #1, written by Simon Oliver (FBP) and art by John McCrea (Hitman), really gives that old timey comic book feel. I’ve never been one to read the Plastic Man comics because…well…no one would be caught dead in that costume, but I digress. The story plays out on Earth-X, a planet where the Nazi’s have won WWII, and everything is in shambles. We are introduced to the Silver Ghost, who is the ultimate weapon for the Nazi’s. Powers disappear, then return, then the ending warns of imminent battles. It’s a pretty simple setup, with little back story on anyone, but a quick fun read. Plastic Man is sarcastic and narcissistic as usual, and the set up for part 2 seems to promise tons of action.
Jimmy “Apostolic” Cupp @thejimmycupp
Convergence: World’s Finest #1, written by Paul Levitz (ahem, World’s Finest), is a bit unusual. It takes place in Pre Crisis Earth-2 Metropolis, and the story is told through the eyes of Jibbez, a cartoonist/journalist for a small newspaper in Metropolis. As per all of the Convergence stories, a dome appears, and powers disappear. I was hoping this story would follow Green Arrow and his merry bunch, but I was quickly told otherwise as pterodactyls attack, an earthquake hits, a tidal wave rushes in, and suddenly its all gone. A few heroes died in the “illusion” and the city is going under fast. Just when everything seems lost, it gets worse. Telos shows up, removes the dome, and in good comic book super villain fashion, makes the announcement of “Fight!” With 4 cities on the line here, this battle promises to be pretty epic. Both books = 3.5/5 Bibles.
CONVERGENCE: BOOSTER GOLD #1 / BLUE BEETLE #1
As president of the Booster Gold fan club, I was all too happy to get another Booster shot. In Booster Gold: Convergence #1, we have a story that picks up after the events of Future’s End where Booster is still a prisoner of Braniac. We also have post “Crisis” Rip Hunter alongside New 52 Skeets, trying to free the other time travelers. To some this might be confusing, but I promise you that Dan (Convergence: Superman) Jurgens does everything he can to effectively reintroduce his creation that is Booster Gold. Readers will certainly appreciate the interaction between Rip and (new) Booster as he explains that original Booster is his father. Jurgens makes this a family reunion by adding Michelle, Booster’s sister to the mix (as one of the captured time travels) as well. Artist Alvaro Martinez (Batman Eternal) has a great sense of flow throughout the comic, but it’s not completely perfect. There are times when the supporting characters looks rough and premature while Booster Gold looks great, but that might have been the artist’s point. I can see how some readers might get confused if they haven’t read Vanishing Point or BG:Future’s End.
Taffeta “Dutchess” Darling @TheTaffetaDarling
Hub City is on the edge of collapsing into insanity but Blue Beetle, The Question and Captain Atom have other plans and seek out a surprising source for assistance. In Blue Beetle: Convergence we get the return of Ted Kord in all his classic glory; it feels like we’re seeing him from the beginning. Seriously. Writer Scott Lobdell (X-Men) puts the Charlton Comics crew together again in a story line that although reads and looks like a Modern Age comic, it oozes with nostalgia. With the tense uprising of the MadMen in Hub City it’s going to be incredibly fun to witness these three heroes come together and work together as a team. Like most of the tie-ins with Convergence, it feels forced to tie into the main event and can feel a bit repetitive, especially if you’re reading ALL THE TIE-INS. But fans of these classic characters will definitely enjoy their revival. Yishan Li leaves her own stamp on Hub City that doesn’t appeal or appall. BG = 4.5/5 Inflated Ego-Boosting Shiny Bibles. BB = 3/5 Blue Bibles.
CONVERGENCE: CRIME SYNDICATE #1 / JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #1
This is my first foray into the world of DC’s Convergence line of comic books. The idea behind it is to bring back and pay homage to the time before dark and gritty comics took hold. A return to the bright and colorful days of yesteryear. Well, when I witnessed a woman being electrocuted while her friends tried desperately to save her, I get mixed feelings about that. A Metropolis finds themselves in an episode of “Under the Dome” as it removes their superpowers. Where did the dome come from? How does the dome negate powers? Tune in next week to the same Bat-Channel and hopefully Stephen King will have some answers for us. And then move the setting to Maine. Jokes aside, I found this issue, written by Detective Comics‘ Brian Buccellato and drawn by Howard the Duck‘s Phil Winslade, to be the tip of the iceberg and captured my attention. I enjoyed Lois Lane’s realization that maybe her group of characters were in fact doing ill before her demise. The back and forth between the Dome world and the Justice League pursued by Luthorians was, understandably, perplexing and reminded me of the Justice League Animated Series episode “Legends.” I couldn’t find a whole episode that wasn’t on Netflix but this commercial should incite some intrigue for those that haven’t watched the Justice League Animated Series.
Spencer “Papa Justified” Fawcett @whizbang813
The first issue of Convergence: JSA starts off five hours before the end of “Crime Syndicate.” It’s a little bit more grounded as old men talk of their old glories from the days gone by. It’s a humbling story about heroes who have to come to terms with their new world of mortality after, they too, have lost their powers due to the dome’s influence. It’s the old guard struggling to find their place in the new world. However, this is largely betrayed by the end of the issue when they revert to their young age and costumes after a challenge is issued by a disembodied voice in the sky. I have no idea where “Comatose Lad” got his “Young-ified” power but it must’ve been at the same convenience store that Superman got his “Memory-Erasing Kisses” or his “Build the Great Wall of China Vision” in the Christopher Reeve films. This first issue had the potential to have a Watchmen-esque tone but it was quickly substituted for a gallant and gun-ho return to the comics of old. In this moment, I believe that the concept of Convergence is in direct conflict with the writers. CS = 3.5/5 Bibles; JSA = 2.5/5 Bibles.
CONVERGENCE: SHAZAM! #1 / INFINITY INC. #1
I’ve always thought of the Convergence event as DC Comics releasing a live version of a greatest hits album; these are all the old favorites, but played by the artists as they are today. Greatest Hits albums have always seemed more like a gateway for would-be or casual fans, as any old die-hard is going to own the entire back catalog. When it comes to Shazam #1 – I just might be the casual fan that writer Jeff Parker (Aquaman) and artist Evan “Doc” Shaner (Flash Gordon) were trying to reel in. The whole first issue feels like a pilot for Bad Robot’s version of The Hardy Boys. It’s a fun serial with a large over arching sci-fi mystery. Any needed exposition explaining the state of Fawcett City (see the staffer above) is taken care of in the form of character development in the first 5-pages, featuring a very proactive Billy Batson dealing with social unrest at an town square meeting. From there on out Billy, Freddy, and Mary go out on an adventure worthy of a Alfred Hitchcock Presents The Three Investigators book if that series also included the fun, pulp elements of 1950’s science fiction. What makes this issue soar is that even being “Marvel-less” doesn’t stop the trio from being brave. Also, all the cheesy dialogue and dated sci-fi tropes work well in a book that sees this world mostly through a child’s eyes. By the time the Marvels do finally appear, it’s just icing on the cake.
“Brother” Myke Ladiona @onemyke
If Convergence: Shazam #1 was an old-school kid-detective serial, then Infinity Inc. #1 is a modern day, CW-type sci-fi drama. The aspiring JSA junior heroes have mostly all moved on with their lives in Metropolis under the dome, but have stuck together as a group. Half the issue travels throughout the city, finding the different Infinity Inc. members dealing with their loss of powers in different ways. Writer Jerry Ordway (The Power of Shazam!), with visual help from Ben Caldwell (Wednesday Comics: Wonder Woman), focuses the personal drama around Alan Scott’s daughter Jennie for the first ten pages, and while it isn’t too particularly deep – it services a little bit of exposition for anyone new to Infinity Inc. (having Google and Wikipedia handy is still highly recommended). When the dome’s barriers drop halfway through the issue, all of the interpersonal setup really ratchets up the stakes when Infinity Inc. decides to strike their opposing city first. If you love devastating cliffhangers, the rest of the book is definitely for you. SHAZAM! = 4.5/5 Kid Detectives; II =3.25/5 Super-Kids.
Our fourth installment of the FUTURES END Sunday Stash sees the end of it, cleaning up a pair of rivalries from last week with a smothering of titillating others. Which title prevails on top?
Scroll down to find out.
(From left to right): “El Sacerdote” J.L. Caraballo, “Templar’ Mark Majndle, “Christ-ine” Manzione, “Cardinal” Roberto de Bexar II, “Minister” Gabe Carrasco, “The Priestess” Eva Ceja, “Monsignor” Travis Moody.
Today’s development with the Futures End arc continues in the pages of New Suicide Squad #1 (“The Replacements”), and Teen Titans #1 (“Team Effort”). Of the two, New Suicide Squad’s muted palette and more solid story telling (courtesy of writer Sean Ryan) was a good way of easing into yet another front on the Futures End event. Teen Titans packed a lot into a single issue, which seemed a bit too packed, with a bit too much going on and felt more like an expository dump, though that’s not a missive on writer Will Pfeiffer, who has a lot to cram into a single issue. Here, the Titans are set to put an end to Archimedes Grant’s attempts to destroy the incoming hordes of Earth 2’s super- and metahumans. There is a lot to get through with this issue, which rushes past plot points and some surprising turns without taking the time for any one of them to register (a second read-through to get all the plot developments right was required. With New Suicide Squad, Ryan works a lot to set a measured tone and wry sense of humor, as DC’s badass office boss Amanda Waller rebuilds the Suicide Squad, and it is amusing to see what has become of both Black Manta and Harley Quinn. Suicide Squad has always been a great title, and a fun read, and this issue is no different on that front. Between the two titles, bet your money on the Suicide Squad — you won’t be disappointed. TT #1 = 2/5; NSS #1 = 5/5. – J.L. Caraballo
Okay clergy folk, your boy just finished reading through these two comics and I know what you’re thinking, “Templar’s a Super-Fan; how is this review even going to be legit?” Well, let me tell you something: It is. Why? Because although it pains me to say it, and I’m probably getting kicked out of the Superman Fan Club for this, but Futures End Flash just curb stomped the Kryptonite out of the S man. Superman: Futures End #1, written by Dan Jurgens (Aquaman: Futures End #1) and drawn by Lee Weeks (Secret Origins #1) just fell below par. The artwork was good and there was a story there, but nothing amazing or eye-popping. Hell, I don’t even know why they called this Superman, SPOILER ALERT!!!! The main character wasn’t even Superman! It was a different DC Hero pretending to be the king of my heart! The Flash on the other hand was near-amazeballs. Writers Robert Venditti (The Surrogates) and Van Jensen (Green Lantern Corps) started the story off a little strange for my tastes (I have special technology from the future! Blah), but then kicked it right into overdrive, with so much action my eyes are still watering. Add all this to artist Brett Booth’s (Backlash) fantastic linework and this book just kicked the Shazam out of Superman! Not only were the pictures greatly detailed, but there were so many freaking superb lightning bolts popping out everywhere I was almost afraid to turn the page. If you only have 4-dollars to your name and therefore can only buy one of these books, then, dare I say it, skip Superman and grab Flash. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go wash my mouth out with soap… Supes #1 = 2/5; The Flash #1 = 3.5/5. – Mark Majndle
Harley Quinn’s personality comes to life through the insane comments she has on the tribal island she’s been stranded on. When tribesman Bouba shows her the palace he’s built for ‘Tha’Jo-Kaa,’ you already knew who this mysterious God would be, and I was giggling throughout the whole book. Having a writing style mesh with ink and color so effortlessly is a hard feat that Harley’s dark humor pulls off with grace-– it makes the read that much more immersive. I understand with Futures End‘s once-offs, it’s difficult to bring a ton of backstory to a single-run story; I just wish it could’ve been a bit longer. Being stranded on an island worked well as it allowed Joker to shape the world around him (or so he thought), and we weren’t constrained within a cityscape with *yawn* rules. How often do you get to make tribesmen dress up as Joker’s most-hated do-gooders just for him to hunt them down? Another thing! Did Sholly Fisch (Action Comics), Amanda Connor (Power Girl) and Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex) decide this was the week to kill off the significant other? With Joker being fed to a volcano deity and Falcone eating the lead of Gotham’s most fearsome underground, Kyle and Quinn receive a new start with less crime-ridden baggage. Catwoman worked so well for me–- in a stark contrast to Harley’s fruity color palette, Sonia (Witchblade) Oback’s gritty, muted tones lend themselves well to the severity of Selina Kyle’s pressing matter of keeping the peace between warring gangs. In your typical purported Italian-mobster fashion, Falcone sets a car bomb up especially for Selina, hoping to take not only her life, but the reigns to their operation. The ever-clever Kyle, however, turns the entire situation around when Falcone notices his offshore bank account is completely depleted, earning himself more than a few begrudged gangster’s bullets. Kyle’s conversation with the Riddler at the end is well-appreciated, tying up loose ends through the Riddler’s sheer genius (he’s so smug). Harley = 4.25/5; Cats = 4/5. – Christine Manzione
Any time a comic makes me start humming It’s the End of the World by R.E.M. is not a bad thing. In this corner, with beautiful — almost painted — artwork from Scott Hampton is Star Spangled War Stories, with a really sharp story by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti (All-Star Western). Futures End SSWS is all about a zombie apocalypse coming to Gotham City and GI Zombie coming to the rescue. Re-read that last sentence and that’s all you really need to know about the book. The whole comic has a feeling of World War Z and 24 to it, with some great little panels and scenes that seriously made me want this to be more than just a one-shot. And in the other corner Andres Guinaldo comes out swinging for our favorite DC magicians, Justice League Dark, with a script by J.M. DeMatteis (Justice League 3000) and Len Wein (Wolverine). The JLD crew is caught in a nameless dimension trying to find their way home. I’m a not big Justice League Dark fan, and this book just did not want me to jump on. The characters felt very 2-dimentional and just weren’t all that captivating. By the end of both books, Star Spangled War Stories did a better job at keeping things tight and suspenseful, while Futures End JLD falls short of making me want more. SSWS #1 = 4/5; JLD #1 = 3/5. – Robert Bexar II
This week in the Technicolor Jewelry Universe, Guy Gardner and Sinestro end up “black and blue”, but not in the traditional sense (Spoilers, by the way!). First up: Red Lanterns. This issue is the equivalent of “I’m all caught up on Netflix, but the series finale is tonight, I guess I’ll see how it ends even though I have no idea how we got here.” This is the kind of ending that’s almost Disney-approved. (Complete with not-so-hidden sexual innuendo). The whole theme of Charles (Swamp Thing) Soule‘s book is “No More Reds” and surprise sur-freakin-prise, they beat the big baddie, then Gardner’s second in command goes crazy angry for like 4 panels before it’s “Happily Ever After.” Honestly, I’m conflicted. It’s a nice wrap-up issue, but this is the happiest issue I’ve read of anything, ironically coming from the angriest book from DC. And wait– isn’t this what we’d eventually want to happen? Either way, if that means at least five more years of Red Lanterns, I’m on board. Now Sinestro on the other hand falls into the category of “what happens when you give a bad guy his own book.” I love Cullen (Magneto) Bunn‘s series, but it’s issues like this that make some of the earlier ones hard to read. The book was one long internal monologue. (75 caption boxes!!) Fortunately, the story made a lot of sense, and would be a fantastic ending to a Sinestro movie or something. He’s so driven to be the leader of a powerful army that he raises his fallen soldiers from the dead, and leads them as Black Lanterns? That’s… I can’t even… Sinestro is such a badass!! And using the short amount of time given, through beautiful use of flashbacks, it all makes sense. I just wish we’d have a little more dialogue and less internal Sinestrologue. So Red Lanterns: Story’s great, ending’s super cliche, Sinestro: Story’s super wordy, ending’s great. Ladies and Gentleman, I think we have a tie = 3.5/5. – Gabe Carrasco
Christy (Fables) Marx delivers in DC’s Birds of Prey: Futures End. Free of Ra’s al Ghul’s control at last, Black Canary claims her rightful place as the head of the League of Assassins; thus, we learn Batgirl has turned against good. The Black Canary liberates women who have been captured and takes then under her care, sometimes making them part of her League of Assassins. This female-driven comic really sets itself apart with the intriguing story line and twist and turns. Throw in some excellent visuals from Robson Rocha (Superboy) and Oclair Albert (Demon Knights), and this one-shot winds up a simple — yet highly enjoyable — comic, with just the right feminist edge. Thank you DC and Christy Marx. Well played. Scott (Superman) Lobdell’s Red Hood and the Outlaws pits Jason Todd in the solo future, as he reveals hints to how the Outlaws and his partners, Starfire and Arsenal, parted ways; this premise also leads to Todd’s new mission of retribution and brutal justice. OK. As if we’ve never read this one before. Nothing “Fresh ‘n Easy” about this comic, which felt more like a recycled bag I use over and over at…the aforementioned grocery store. BOP #1 = 3.25/5; RHATO #1 = 2.25/5. – Eva Ceja
About time, Moody. Booster Gold — DC’s resident time-travelling Hollywood (wannabe) superhero — first caught my eye in the fall of 2007, with a new series from Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz following the 52 aftermath. Dan Jurgens, author of both of these Futures End titles (and the previously reviewed Supes), returns to the character he once created, and it’s only fitting your trusty Monsignor explore these comics with all the blue-and-bright-yellow eyes on The Multiverse. Booster has always been an intrinistic figure in the DC Universe, and Jurgens stop-gaps that visit various Earths and various superheroes (i.e. Kamandi, The Legion, J.L.I., etc.), giving longtime fans of BGizzle what they’ve always enjoyed. Unfortunately, there’s not much room in 22 to explore this hero’s singificant impact 5-years from now without, of course, going way of needless exposition. Jurgens avoids that, but the plethora of artists — despite some hefty names (Brett Booth, Ron Frenz) and the same colorist throughout — may muddle even more confusion. Shame on you, noobs. On the other hand, DJ’s Aquaman & The Others: FE is a more straight-forward tale. Jurgens’ “The Others” comic a.k.a. the complimentary Aquaman title has actually featured more of Arthur Curry than Jeff Parker’s more Mera-based titular version. To Jurg’s defense, we see Mera become the centerpiece of this issue, riding those tides between being loyal to her husband and Xebel. Art also swims! Imagine that. No longer does Aquaman have to explain his throne of H2O to those on land. Sean (X-O Manowar) Chen‘s art was clean enough for the more positive tone of the comic, but I’ll still take Booster’s story with all the importance of DC’s current events that surrounds it. Hey– it’s not often a monthly-themed comic had this much meaning. BG #1 = 3.75/5; A&TO #1 = 3.5/5. – Travis Moody
Is it Sunday again ALREADY?! On this day, the Year of Our Moody, 7th of September, 2014, The Congregation of Cool is going to defy physics and TIME TRAVEL so to best review for you TEN alternate timelines within DC’s Futures End New 52!
ALL #1’s! ALL YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS! ALL THE WHAT-IFS YOU CAN HANDLE IN ONE SITTING!
That’s right, God Hates Geekverse, we’ve got reviews on an unprecedented TEN DC Universal Titles!
Brother Myke tackles Earth 2 #1 again? — Priestess Eva and Grayson #1 won’t play second fiddle — Abess Jackie goes waist deep for Swamp Thing #1 — Minister Gabe beams up Green Lantern #1 — Dynast Dana takes to the sky with Batwing #1 — Lance the Apostle tells Aquaman #1 to go soak its head — Cardinal Gary follows the clues for Detective Comics #1 — Templar Mark leaps tall buildings with Superman #1 — But not before Saint Superkick hits the bullseye with Green Arrow #1 — And Reverend Ryan takes candy from The Phantom Stranger #1…
GET READY… BECA– USE IT’S THE SUNDAY STASH: DC FUTURES END EDITION!
EARTH 2 #1“Brother” Myke Ladonia @onemyke
I’ve got to be honest, as soon as I saw the cover of Futures End Earth 2 #1 I realized that I didn’t have a single idea about what I, a relatively casual comic reader, was getting myself into. But I have a feeling that even the more seasoned DC readers might be just as confused. Don’t expect a lot of questions to be answered, or even clearly posed. Power to the People tracks the story of Earth Prime, pre-Mr. Terrific, Michael Holt and his innocuous Earth 2 refugee partner, Sonia — albeit not very well. There are a few great set pieces for sale here, but, for the most part, the whole issue just tries too hard to let you know that it’s going to be important to the bigger Futures End arc with some really half-assed MacGuffin-esque set-ups. I’d say this title could be skipped, if it weren’t for the fact that Earth 2 may become a big exposition dump for the entire Futures End plot.
2.5 [out of 5] Obviously Symbolic Rubix CubesGRAYSON #1“Priestess” Eva Ceja @evaceja
Grayson: Futures End #1Tom King (Grayson, Futurama), in association with DC Comics, brings us a “Life After Superhero” prospective on Dick Grayson, a.k.a. Nightwing a.k.a. Original Robin. He becomes a hero to the newly resurgent, and dominant, Mother Russia, and a traitor. Now, he must conquer The Beast, aka President Anatoli Knyazev. With art by Stephen Mooney (Angel), this is sure to get some great coverage. This comic [series] reads the future to past, so at first I was trying to pick up all the hints King leaves as to whom this comic is really about. Everything fell into place very smoothly, and I really enjoyed the ending. There is a bit of romance for Dick within the comic that felt contrived, but the girl was hot, so what else was he supposed to do but get some. Right? 4/5 Bibles.
“Abbess” Jackie @Jackie_Henley
SWAMP THING #1
It is entirely possible that my faded recollection of science classes due to hangover has clouded my processing of Charles Soule‘s (She-Hulk, Inhuman) Swamp Thing. Within this lover’s battle over biokingdoms, the story encompasses a tried and true opposition of good and evil, a quest for a long-time love, and a journey that requires a rallying of troops, that will keep you reading to the end to figure out the whole story. Jesus Saiz‘s (Manhunter) artwork and coloring give a unique identity to each kingdom, while maintaining the marsh-density of Swamp Thing. Overall, I’d say it lacks only in action, but excelling in the mystery within its storyline. 3.5/5 Bibles.
“Minister” Gabe Carrasco @gooberade
GREEN LANTERN #1
Before we begin, I’d like to compliment all the artists on this book. It looks fantastic, and you guys nailed the Black Lantern’s signature look. Good job, guys.
Okay, so what the fu– Wait. Sorry. Let me try that again. Back in the first arc of Green Lantern by Robert Venditti (The Surrogates), they created an awesome villain. Relic is a scientist whose goal happens to oppose The Corps. So, they fight. Makes sense. And, in this issue, his motivation is well-written; but you can’t just take every thing a Hal Jordan fan holds dear and sacred, and simply tell it to RISE. In this issue, we’ve got the return of the Black Lanterns, the return of Krona, and the return of Hal’s dad — who appears in a particularly crucial moment with Hal, and you can’t just rush through something like that! Hal’s dad is literally the most important man in his life. Hal would not have been that calm and collected! There’s just way too much shit to deal with in one issue! I mean, come on, if you’re gonna bring the Black Lanterns back, don’t miss an opportunity to use Death-o-Vision. Oh, and why choose Krona to be the main villain? Of character in the Lantern Universe, you choose Black Lantern Krona? That’s a little high up on the Corps’ shit-list, dontcha think? Also, if you’ve read Blackest Night, the characters don’t wear the rings; the RINGS WEAR THE DEAD. That’s the twist! Hal’s dad’s willpower can’t keep him safe from being controlled by the ring. If you’re gonna fuck with this many significant elements in Lantern mythos, you’ve gotta introduce them slowly, you’ve got to follow established rules, and you’ve gotta respect the things the main character, and thus the readers will continue to hold it sacred. I don’t know what the goal here was, but if this isn’t shock-value, it’s blasphemy.
1.75 [out of 5] Red Rings of Rage
“Dynast” Dana Keels @hatandwand
BATWING #1
Five years later, Batwing has come into his own as a hero and a leader. This issue opens with a new criminal organization, Leviathan, wreaking havoc upon a dominant criminal organization. Led by a mystery man (Spoiler: it’s Batwing), the later group decides to attack Leviathan in order to survive. This story in this issue definitely had potential, but unfortunately it all felt flat. The older criminal gang has quite a few potentially interesting members on the roster, but due to the format, we never get to learn more about them, or even come to care for them. That’s the thing with this issue, I just didn’t care. It felt a lot like walking into the theater at the end of a summer blockbuster, having missed out on all the set-up and sitting through the final battle. Sure, if you love spectacle, not to mention gorgeous artwork by Eduardo Pansica (Wonder Woman: Odyssey), this is for you. But if you like substance, then you could certainly do better. I would have loved to have learned more about this future because it genuinely seems like an interesting story, but unfortunately we catch only a glimpse. 2.5/5 Batarangs.
“The Apostle” Lance Paul aka “The Traveling Nerd” @Lance_Paul
AQUAMAN #1
Five years into the future, and poor art work continues! If you’re a big follower of the current Aquaman run, then you will enjoy how closely this event book follows the current story. His lady love is in Xebel, no putting the Dead King down. Aquaman is trying to unite Atlantis with the surface world and Aqua has a new feminine companion. Though the writing of Dan Jurgens (Booster Gold, Superman) is this book’s only saving grace, poor pencil work almost makes getting through this read near impossible. Where the pieces lay after Futures End is anyone’s guess, but if one positive thing comes out of this companion book hopefully its the all new Aquasuit! 1.5/5 Naked Mermaids Agree!
The story starts like any standard Batman story should, with The Dark Knight racing toward danger, Alfred’s voice in his cowl.
With resident line-smith, Francis Manapul (Witchblade), off for the month, you’d think the art might suffer. Not the case here with four artists tackling this issue and doing a fantastic job emulating the comic’s far differing environments. Hell, they even manage to make Bruce look good as an ol’ Goblin-gliding Norman Osborne.
Brian Buccellato (The Flash, Hellbalzer) tells a fun team-up tale I thoroughly enjoyed, despite the fact it was Eddie Nigma himself who put Bats through, arguably, his toughest ringer in all of Year Zero. The future, here, is far.. far different. 3.5/5 Good Books.
ACTION COMICS #1“Templar” Mark Majndle FB @Mark Majndle
Ever wish you could have one of Superman’s powers, even for just a short time?
Well, in this book, some VERY lucky people get that regal opportunity. While Clark Kent is trying to make some plants grow in Ethiopia (go ahead, crack a joke about the S-Man, and I will hunt you down), his essence is traveling around the world helping people. These people are in some bad situations and to help them out, The Essence of Superman bestows upon them one of his powers.
Do they all use them for good?
Read the book to find out because it’s Superman and it’s freaking awesome! 4.75/5 Bibles.
“Saint SuperKick” Kenny Sanders @hueyskyywalker
GREEN ARROW #1
Having never been a big fan of the Green Arrow myself — despite the popularit of the hit show Arrow and all — reading this is a rare occasion.
Oliver Queen looks (and lemme quote Biggie Biggie on this one) “ready to die” in every sense of the word. Before heading off to his final fight (remember that video game, sinners?), he informs his companion, Emiko, to carry on the Green Arrow Legacy.
If you’re a fan of Animal Man scribe Jeff Lemire‘s dangerous run — or even the show — this new story should be as good as any bullseye time gone by. 4.5/5 Bibles.
“Reverend” Ryan Ford @nayrdrof
TRINITY of SIN: THE PHANTOM STRANGER #1
How many pieces of silver does it take to craft comic gold? I don’t know. I’m not good at math.
But what I do know is ThePhantom Stranger is infallible. An excellent combination of compelling narrative paired with artwork that tantalizes the eye, this story weaves a tapestry of myth and faith into one Hell of a ride.
Setting the foundation for the Trinity of Sin, this one-shot from DC crams so much information into such a small space that I read the book twice in one sitting. As the world anxiously awaits the second coming (or second episode), the “Reverend” Ryan Ford offers this edition as a tithe for the Altar of Awesome. In Dog we trust. 5/5 Bibles.
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