Blue Beetle - #9
Synopsis: Jaime and Paco are moving the boxes of Dani Garrett's files into his living room while his sister watches TV and Brenda is trying to organize everything. Peacemaker appears and Jaime's father yells at him to respect the family inside the house and he apologizes for his behaviour. Peacemaker then explains his background and what happened to him. He was a superhero in the past but decided that the heroes dun do enuf to help empoverished nations and decided to help them himself. He was in Egypt chasing Intergang when Infinite Crisis happened and fearing for his life, he fled into a pyramid, the same one that Dan Garrett found the Blue Beetle scarab in. He found the sarcophagous it came from but discovered it was alien in nature. Peacebringer ends the story there saying that he touched it but that everything after is on a need to know basis.
Paco shows Jaime something he's been working on. Working with 2 computer geeks, Paco was able to create a virtual "Beetle Cave" for Jaime. It is accessible through his Beetle suit as well as through ne computer with a internet connection and it'll allow him to coordinate his superheroics and get information, etc. It alerts him soon after about a factory explosion in his area and (with his parents permission) he leaves to save the day.
Brenda is at her aunt's house watching Jaime on TV when she sees her aunt leave with Fire who is representing Checkmate and wants Blue Beetle apprehended. Her aunt (who is actually the crime boss La Dama) refuses Fire's request and shows her out. Brenda sneaks into the room they were in and discovers a motherbox. She touches it and there is a loud BOOM heard in the house. La Dama and her guards investigate, thinking it was a bomb left by Fire.
Review: Another great issue from one of my favourite writers, Keith Giffen! :D I love the new Beetle ^_^ He, along with the new Atom and Supergirl (the Waid one, not the Kelly one) are 3 of my favourite young heroes. :) In fact I think I like all 3 better than the "mature" heroes. Watching them learn about themselves and heroing for the first time is very fun :)
I like how the new Blue Beetle is like Spiderman but in a less comic booky world. His friends and family are not idiots, and everything is very modern and realistic. :) Jaime's line about how he can't have Blue Beetle helping him move and that ppl would be idiots to believe that they're "friends" was great XD I've always wondered why ppl dun realize Peter Parker is Spiderman or Clark Kent is Superman given how close they work with their secret identities. :O I also rly like how his friends and family know he's a hero and help and support him! It's refreshing and makes sense :) If I was a hero I'd tell the ppl closest to me too! It's stupid to keep them in the dark and make excuses. :\ If you can't trust your family and friends, who can you trust?
The virtual Beetle cave is such a good idea!!!! XD In this day and age that's DEFINITELY the way to go and I love that he now has a home base. :) And his parents asking him if he's done his homework and not to fight supervillains is great too XD They rly want to be supportive and for him to be a good person, but they also worry and they're not sure how to handle it. It's very nice and realistic :)
I also like how Jaime naturally wants to help ppl and isn't guilted into it like Spiderman or feels like it's some sort of burden. He has powers, he wants to use them to help. He's naturally reponsible and a good person :)
The ending is sorta different, but so far the ending of every issue has been sorta different xD Brenda found a motherbox and got boomtubed :O I wonder how that's going to play into it :O Maybe Beetle will get boomtube tech now? It'd be handy! He can boom around the world to help out :)
Neways, this is another fun issue with great characterization and dialogue that's very realistic. I rly recommend this book, even to new readers :) It's a pretty self contained universe so you dun need to know much about the DCU. Grab the back issues if you can! :)
Angelwings Rating: 5/5
Recommendation: Get it! :D
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes - #24 Review
Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes - #24
Synopsis: The Legion of Supervillains have the Legion defeated and surrounded on Kandor in a museum. Cosmic Boy attempts to communicate with Dream Girl who is being telepathically isolated by Jeyra Entinn. Supergirl shows up and attempts to bluff them into backing off, but they realize that under the red sun of Kandor, Supergirl has no powers and is flying purely with the Legion Flight Ring. However, Cosmic Boy is able to suggest a course of action to Kara by stressing about her lack of weaponry. Kara realizes that as she can read Kryptonian, she knows what each weapon and device in the museum does. :) She then grabs various weapons and defeats the villains who flee as the Legion frees itself.
The Legion finds that the villains were after the Phantom Zone projector and discover that somebody in there is asking to be freed. The Kandorians bid the league farewell but tell them that they cannot return or talk to Kara ever again b/c Kandor is a closed society and she is now a member of that society. Light Lass is angered by this but cannot do nething about it and apologizes to Kara for how mean she was to her. Kara is upset that she cannot be with her friends and resigns herself to staying on Kandor before Cosmic Boy, Braniac 5 and Saturn Girl and tell her to come with them. She gladly accepts, and hugs Cosmic Boy while thanking him over and over and over again XD (It's incredibly cute :D)
Back on Earth, Lightning Lad is writing a speech for his campaign to be elected the leader of The Legion. Dream Boy mocks it and says that nobody will vote for him. Lightning Lad dismisses Dream Boy's statement at first until he realizes that since Dream Boy has precognitive abilities, he may not be putting down Dream Boy but may in fact be seeing into the future! He goes after Dream Boy and asks him for help. Dream Boy says that Lightning Lad isn't aware of nething around him and that's why he will fail to be leader. Lad then sees 2 Legionnaires holding hands and confronts them about when they became a couple, thus proving Dream Boy's accusation of being unobservant. XD Dream Boy then considers running for the leadership himself.
Brainiac begins work on the Phantom Zone projector and while doing so, Phantom Girl says that she can see the person who is trapped in the Phantom Zone. Saturn Girl is surprised as she can feel him, but not see him. Brainy suggests that the two should merge their powers to communicate with him and they do. The person reveals himself to be Mon-El and says that he's trying to warn them that the Legion of Supervillains is attacking them, RIGHT NOW!!! The last panel has an army of Supervillains attacking the Legion headquarters :O
Review: Phew XD That was a lot of plot :O However, dun let the large plot scare you, this is a GREAT book :) I've always liked the Legion of Superheroes, and adding Supergirl to the mix has been a great success! I think that's why this arc is continuing when I think that originally it was planned for 4 or 5 books. ^-^ Waid's Supergirl is just so cute and awesome :) She's heroic, she genuinely cares about other ppl, she seems confused as to why some guys fall in love with her and she's also afraid of being alone. :D It's very refreshing compared to the Kelly version of Supergirl who is selfish, vapid and slutty! >:O
I think what's great about the Legion of Superheroes is that they're not exactly part of the greater DCU, in that b/c they're in the 31st century, what they do has nothing to do with Batman, Superman or nebody else. B/c of that it's not necessary for the readers to know everything about the DCU. :) It's very self contained! ^^ Also all the characters are VERY likeable and very convincing as teenagers and young ppl who want to make a difference in the universe. I like the idea of various races, cultures and species from different planets co-operating together to do good :D And the names are so adorable! Yes it's girl/boy/lass/lad but it's cute that way xD And so simple! B/c they ALL do it like that, it makes it less stupid and just the way they want to name themselves :)
The character interactions are soooo good, and even without a plot, every issue has been a joy to read! :D I rly rly do like and recommend this series in general. I just worry that they're gonna eventually send Supergirl home and that's gonna be it for this story :( But I'm enjoying it while it lasts!
I think the way Cosmic Boy told Supergirl his strategy was very clever and the fact that Supergirl figured it out and without powers was able to defeat the villains :D That's the Supergirl we want! :D
The election subplot is very interesting too :) I hope they devote some space to it and how ppl are voting and maybe what platforms the various kids are running with! :) My vote goes to Saturn Girl or Cosmic Boy! I think Cosmic Boy will win it *nods* But he's a natural leader and is alrdy leading but not seeking the leadership, which is why I think he's the best fit and will win :)
Brainiac 5 is still my favourite character of the series xD He's by far the smartest character and knows it, but he has a good heart despite acting arrogant all the time. The last arc about him trying to bring Dream Girl back to life was very touching and he showed true emotion at the end, it was very sad :(
Neways, I <3 this book so much and if you're not a big comic fan but you want something fun and light to read, this is DEFINITELY the book! Also if you love characterization, b/c this book is all ABOUT characterization :)
Angelwings Rating: 5/5
Recommendation: Get it! Even if you're new, get it, and try to find the back issues, or get the Supergirl and the Legion of SUperheroes Trade Paperback (TPB) since it's out alrdy and will give you a good starting point :D But yah, support this book! Let DC know through sales that this is the characterization of Supergirl we want!
Synopsis: The Legion of Supervillains have the Legion defeated and surrounded on Kandor in a museum. Cosmic Boy attempts to communicate with Dream Girl who is being telepathically isolated by Jeyra Entinn. Supergirl shows up and attempts to bluff them into backing off, but they realize that under the red sun of Kandor, Supergirl has no powers and is flying purely with the Legion Flight Ring. However, Cosmic Boy is able to suggest a course of action to Kara by stressing about her lack of weaponry. Kara realizes that as she can read Kryptonian, she knows what each weapon and device in the museum does. :) She then grabs various weapons and defeats the villains who flee as the Legion frees itself.
The Legion finds that the villains were after the Phantom Zone projector and discover that somebody in there is asking to be freed. The Kandorians bid the league farewell but tell them that they cannot return or talk to Kara ever again b/c Kandor is a closed society and she is now a member of that society. Light Lass is angered by this but cannot do nething about it and apologizes to Kara for how mean she was to her. Kara is upset that she cannot be with her friends and resigns herself to staying on Kandor before Cosmic Boy, Braniac 5 and Saturn Girl and tell her to come with them. She gladly accepts, and hugs Cosmic Boy while thanking him over and over and over again XD (It's incredibly cute :D)
Back on Earth, Lightning Lad is writing a speech for his campaign to be elected the leader of The Legion. Dream Boy mocks it and says that nobody will vote for him. Lightning Lad dismisses Dream Boy's statement at first until he realizes that since Dream Boy has precognitive abilities, he may not be putting down Dream Boy but may in fact be seeing into the future! He goes after Dream Boy and asks him for help. Dream Boy says that Lightning Lad isn't aware of nething around him and that's why he will fail to be leader. Lad then sees 2 Legionnaires holding hands and confronts them about when they became a couple, thus proving Dream Boy's accusation of being unobservant. XD Dream Boy then considers running for the leadership himself.
Brainiac begins work on the Phantom Zone projector and while doing so, Phantom Girl says that she can see the person who is trapped in the Phantom Zone. Saturn Girl is surprised as she can feel him, but not see him. Brainy suggests that the two should merge their powers to communicate with him and they do. The person reveals himself to be Mon-El and says that he's trying to warn them that the Legion of Supervillains is attacking them, RIGHT NOW!!! The last panel has an army of Supervillains attacking the Legion headquarters :O
Review: Phew XD That was a lot of plot :O However, dun let the large plot scare you, this is a GREAT book :) I've always liked the Legion of Superheroes, and adding Supergirl to the mix has been a great success! I think that's why this arc is continuing when I think that originally it was planned for 4 or 5 books. ^-^ Waid's Supergirl is just so cute and awesome :) She's heroic, she genuinely cares about other ppl, she seems confused as to why some guys fall in love with her and she's also afraid of being alone. :D It's very refreshing compared to the Kelly version of Supergirl who is selfish, vapid and slutty! >:O
I think what's great about the Legion of Superheroes is that they're not exactly part of the greater DCU, in that b/c they're in the 31st century, what they do has nothing to do with Batman, Superman or nebody else. B/c of that it's not necessary for the readers to know everything about the DCU. :) It's very self contained! ^^ Also all the characters are VERY likeable and very convincing as teenagers and young ppl who want to make a difference in the universe. I like the idea of various races, cultures and species from different planets co-operating together to do good :D And the names are so adorable! Yes it's
The character interactions are soooo good, and even without a plot, every issue has been a joy to read! :D I rly rly do like and recommend this series in general. I just worry that they're gonna eventually send Supergirl home and that's gonna be it for this story :( But I'm enjoying it while it lasts!
I think the way Cosmic Boy told Supergirl his strategy was very clever and the fact that Supergirl figured it out and without powers was able to defeat the villains :D That's the Supergirl we want! :D
The election subplot is very interesting too :) I hope they devote some space to it and how ppl are voting and maybe what platforms the various kids are running with! :) My vote goes to Saturn Girl or Cosmic Boy! I think Cosmic Boy will win it *nods* But he's a natural leader and is alrdy leading but not seeking the leadership, which is why I think he's the best fit and will win :)
Brainiac 5 is still my favourite character of the series xD He's by far the smartest character and knows it, but he has a good heart despite acting arrogant all the time. The last arc about him trying to bring Dream Girl back to life was very touching and he showed true emotion at the end, it was very sad :(
Neways, I <3 this book so much and if you're not a big comic fan but you want something fun and light to read, this is DEFINITELY the book! Also if you love characterization, b/c this book is all ABOUT characterization :)
Angelwings Rating: 5/5
Recommendation: Get it! Even if you're new, get it, and try to find the back issues, or get the Supergirl and the Legion of SUperheroes Trade Paperback (TPB) since it's out alrdy and will give you a good starting point :D But yah, support this book! Let DC know through sales that this is the characterization of Supergirl we want!
Checking in :)
Hi! I just wanted to check in briefly ^_^
As you saw last week, I'm not doing weekly reviews in giant chunks nemore XD I think that makes it hard to read. Instead I'm doing them book by book. I might not get to some of the ones I got. I try to review the most interesting comics first or the ones I had something to say about XD
Neways, I just wanted to say that. :)
I just came back from the comic store and I think this week is a pretty good week :) Lots of good writing and all the books were good reads or at least, not bad reads. ^_^
So this is what I got this week (Nov 22nd):
52 - #29
Blue Beetle - #9
Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes - #24
Wonder Woman - #3
Action Comics - #845
Amazing Spiderman - #536 (Civil War Tie-In)
Off the top of my head, I recommend 52 (as usual), Blue Beetle, Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes, Action Comics and Amazing Spiderman. :) Even Wonder Woman isn't that bad, it's just a bit thick with Greek Mythology XD
I'm getting annoyed at the amount of delays from both companies. >:| It's unacceptable for their publishing lists to be THAT off! It's embaressing when Spiderman says "read Civil War #6 to understand what happened" etc... when Civil War #6 is over a month away (if it's not super delayed again)!
And almost everything on DC's publishing list is not coming out when it's supposed to. >:O It's rly annoying for readers! =_= If it's delayed, update your list accordingly, dun just leave it online and have ppl in their comic stores puzzling about where Superman/Batman is! :
Neways, so... that's my little update :) I'll have actual reviews up soon!
<3
Ami
As you saw last week, I'm not doing weekly reviews in giant chunks nemore XD I think that makes it hard to read. Instead I'm doing them book by book. I might not get to some of the ones I got. I try to review the most interesting comics first or the ones I had something to say about XD
Neways, I just wanted to say that. :)
I just came back from the comic store and I think this week is a pretty good week :) Lots of good writing and all the books were good reads or at least, not bad reads. ^_^
So this is what I got this week (Nov 22nd):
52 - #29
Blue Beetle - #9
Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes - #24
Wonder Woman - #3
Action Comics - #845
Amazing Spiderman - #536 (Civil War Tie-In)
Off the top of my head, I recommend 52 (as usual), Blue Beetle, Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes, Action Comics and Amazing Spiderman. :) Even Wonder Woman isn't that bad, it's just a bit thick with Greek Mythology XD
I'm getting annoyed at the amount of delays from both companies. >:| It's unacceptable for their publishing lists to be THAT off! It's embaressing when Spiderman says "read Civil War #6 to understand what happened" etc... when Civil War #6 is over a month away (if it's not super delayed again)!
And almost everything on DC's publishing list is not coming out when it's supposed to. >:O It's rly annoying for readers! =_= If it's delayed, update your list accordingly, dun just leave it online and have ppl in their comic stores puzzling about where Superman/Batman is! :
Neways, so... that's my little update :) I'll have actual reviews up soon!
<3
Ami
Friday, November 17, 2006
Catwoman #61 Review
Catwoman - #61
Synopsis: Film Freak appears on TV talking about how everybody in Gotham City is going to die, but before they do he has a quiz for them and lists 3 movies and asks what they have in common. Selina puts on the costume and goes out after him. Film Freak takes a film critic hostage and a car chase ensues with Catwoman on her motorcycle. Film Freak manages to blow up her motorcycle sending Selina into a wall and giving her a concussion. Holly's girlfriend comes up with the answer to Freak's riddle, all 3 movies involve a nuclear bomb. At the same time, Freak picks up his nuclear bomb, kills the film critic and sets it to blow. Selina wakes up and continues her pursuit calling in Holly who dons the other Catwoman suit to help. Selina catches up to Freak and angered by how annoying and homicidal he is, she punches and bashes his head into the floor. Holly shows up and they see that the bomb has only a few seconds left. Holly asks which wire to cut and Selina says that this isn't a movie, it's real life and all the wires are the right one. She cuts one with her claw and the bomb stops. They go home where Slam Bradley is holding Selina's daughter and wanting answers now that he's realized that her daughter is his granddaughter.
Review: Catwoman seems to be the comic that is OKAY every issue and never gets rly bad or rly good. I've yet to read a rly good Catwoman comic. This was another OKAY issue. I guess my problem with Catwoman, like my problem with Ragman and The Creeper and Huntress, and all those other superheroes in Gotham not named Batman, is that it's like watching minor league hockey. You know that ne problem that actually matters will be something Batman handles, nething else is just small potatoes.
So we get situations like this, where we can't believe that this is a legitimate threat. :\ After all somebody is threatening to NUKE Gotham! Why isn't Batman here? Is he sleeping? It's odd that given how close Selina and Bruce are now that she never calls him for help with this sorta thing. When millions of lives are on the line, ego should not play into it! :o
I guess this ends the Film Freak arc XD I didn't rly like Film Freak, he was neat when he first showed up but now he's annoying, like a b-list Batman villain. I thought Catwoman fought street crime and pimps and stuff, not Batman psychopaths who are killers but have a motif. I'm just tired of Film Freak talking about which movie emulates what's happening around him. :
I rly dunno if I liked that Selina was so brutal with him. :( A bomb is ticking next to you, brutalizing somebody is the wrong way to spend your time! And she bashed his head THROUGH the floor! I know he's not dead, but she could have easily killed him, or given him brain damage!
So yah, the plot was pretty standard. :\ At least they can finally move onto other things. Next issue is gonna be about what happened to Selina in that missing year with Sam Bradley and how they had smex and a child. I dunno if I'm all that excited to read about that XD
I honestly wonder how they're going to resolve the Catwoman killing Black Mask. It's like now that the police thought it was Holly and then Selina rescued her, it's all good! I rly dun like the idea that Selina murdered somebody in cold blood, even a villain and having it hang over this entire series makes everything less fun. :( What happens when Batman finds out? Or the Justice League? They're not going to condone it, b/c then they'd have to condone every act of murder or brutalization that heroes do from now on.
*sigh*
Neways... I give the issue at 2.5 out of 5 just cuz it was servicible but not great by ne means. :
Angelwings Rating: 2.5/5
Recommendation: Unless you're an avid Catwoman reader, dun pick it up
Synopsis: Film Freak appears on TV talking about how everybody in Gotham City is going to die, but before they do he has a quiz for them and lists 3 movies and asks what they have in common. Selina puts on the costume and goes out after him. Film Freak takes a film critic hostage and a car chase ensues with Catwoman on her motorcycle. Film Freak manages to blow up her motorcycle sending Selina into a wall and giving her a concussion. Holly's girlfriend comes up with the answer to Freak's riddle, all 3 movies involve a nuclear bomb. At the same time, Freak picks up his nuclear bomb, kills the film critic and sets it to blow. Selina wakes up and continues her pursuit calling in Holly who dons the other Catwoman suit to help. Selina catches up to Freak and angered by how annoying and homicidal he is, she punches and bashes his head into the floor. Holly shows up and they see that the bomb has only a few seconds left. Holly asks which wire to cut and Selina says that this isn't a movie, it's real life and all the wires are the right one. She cuts one with her claw and the bomb stops. They go home where Slam Bradley is holding Selina's daughter and wanting answers now that he's realized that her daughter is his granddaughter.
Review: Catwoman seems to be the comic that is OKAY every issue and never gets rly bad or rly good. I've yet to read a rly good Catwoman comic. This was another OKAY issue. I guess my problem with Catwoman, like my problem with Ragman and The Creeper and Huntress, and all those other superheroes in Gotham not named Batman, is that it's like watching minor league hockey. You know that ne problem that actually matters will be something Batman handles, nething else is just small potatoes.
So we get situations like this, where we can't believe that this is a legitimate threat. :\ After all somebody is threatening to NUKE Gotham! Why isn't Batman here? Is he sleeping? It's odd that given how close Selina and Bruce are now that she never calls him for help with this sorta thing. When millions of lives are on the line, ego should not play into it! :o
I guess this ends the Film Freak arc XD I didn't rly like Film Freak, he was neat when he first showed up but now he's annoying, like a b-list Batman villain. I thought Catwoman fought street crime and pimps and stuff, not Batman psychopaths who are killers but have a motif. I'm just tired of Film Freak talking about which movie emulates what's happening around him. :
I rly dunno if I liked that Selina was so brutal with him. :( A bomb is ticking next to you, brutalizing somebody is the wrong way to spend your time! And she bashed his head THROUGH the floor! I know he's not dead, but she could have easily killed him, or given him brain damage!
So yah, the plot was pretty standard. :\ At least they can finally move onto other things. Next issue is gonna be about what happened to Selina in that missing year with Sam Bradley and how they had smex and a child. I dunno if I'm all that excited to read about that XD
I honestly wonder how they're going to resolve the Catwoman killing Black Mask. It's like now that the police thought it was Holly and then Selina rescued her, it's all good! I rly dun like the idea that Selina murdered somebody in cold blood, even a villain and having it hang over this entire series makes everything less fun. :( What happens when Batman finds out? Or the Justice League? They're not going to condone it, b/c then they'd have to condone every act of murder or brutalization that heroes do from now on.
*sigh*
Neways... I give the issue at 2.5 out of 5 just cuz it was servicible but not great by ne means. :
Angelwings Rating: 2.5/5
Recommendation: Unless you're an avid Catwoman reader, dun pick it up
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Civil War #5 Review
Civil War - #5
Synopsis: Invisible Woman and The Human Torch escape SHIELD pursuit. Nighthawk and Stature defect from Captain America's rebels to join the pro-goverment side. Meanwhile, Ironman confronts Spiderman about his intentions. Ironman wants to talk it out and Spiderman throws him through a wall. Spiderman tries to escape but is foiled by the reinforced windows in Stark Tower. SHIELD agents burst in and despite Ironman's objection, they fire on Spiderman, shattering the (apparently not all that) reinforced windows and throwing Spiderman onto the street (100 floors) below.
Spiderman flees from SHIELD and is captured by The Jester and Jack O Lantern who are now working for SHIELD. Punisher then appears and shoots them both in the head, killing them. He takes Spiderman to Captain America for medical treatment as the rebels plan their next move.
Daredevil is captured and Ironman attempts to reason with him. Tony finally explains what the "50 state initiative" is. There will be superhero teams assigned to each of the 50 states to keep it safe. Daredevil gives him a silver dollar saying that this is the silver he deserves as he is Judas.
Review: Okay, I'll say this now, I dun like Civil War. This is just so you know where I'm coming from. It's an interesting idea, but the implementation has been terrible. :( I find that a lot of the people who DO like Civil War are those who just are in love with the idea.
Here is my problem with Civil War, it's likes a teenager who thinks he's smarter than all the other teenagers and is an adult b/c he uses bigger words. All the hype about Civil War has been how "adult" it is, how it's not a "typical" superhero story, how "smart" it is, etc...
Except that, the "adult" way to deal with the a situation where the government and the public support a cause you disagree with is to take legal action, or to negotiate, or talk, or resign your commission in protest, or use political means, or VOTE.
The "angry teenage boy" way to deal with this is to beat people up and form a "rebellion". DOWN WITH THE GOVERNMENT!!!!
I guess that's my biggest problem. Civil War is at it's very heart an angry, lonely teenage boy's fantasy. Nething the government does is wrong. It's evil. It doesn't matter WHY they might do it, the government must be defeated! Regular people are the enemy! Marvel is hoping that their fanbase will associate with Cap America b/c they're rebels... it doesn't matter what they're rebelling against. Rebels are good guys right?
It's like Smallville. Lex Luthor tries to do good, but he's portrayed in a negative light b/c he's Lex Luthor and we all KNOW he's evil right? So even tho he doesn't DO evil things, since we KNOW he's evil (in the comics) everything he does is evil.
Since we KNOW the government is evil, and superheroes are good, therefore actions dun matter, the sides have alrdy been drawn.
So far, Ironman has tried his best to TALK to every hero who disagrees with him. He offers negotiation, he offers a truce, he offers a chance to sit down and discuss things. When he let his guard down to talk to Captain America, Captain America sucker punched him! :O
And yet that's portrayed as being good b/c REBELS ARE COOL!!!!
I'm extremely annoyed by Daredevil's accusation that Ironman is a traitor. Other parts of the book also imply that Ironman is a traitor for betraying the heros to the regular people. I rly hate this idea of "superheroes vs regular people". I thought they were here to protect us. I thought they WERE regular people too!
It goes back to what I was saying, that this is catering to ppl who are prolly feel that they are unpopular and would like to see themselves as rebelling against the mainstream, as being unfairly persecuted and being "better" than "normal people". :
Personally, I disagree with the idea of superhero registration. I feel it's like forcing ppl to get a badge just to be a good samaritan. But, I would at least try to talk this out with Ironman and the ELECTED GOVERNMENT and see if we could reach a compromise.
I certainly wouldn't harm and KILL PEOPLE who I disagreed with!
The whole point was that the public was becoming scared of superheroes b/c of the power they wield. So to prove that they're not a threat, they... go to war with each other, levelling buildings, blowing up city blocks and killing each other with their superpowers.
*sigh*
Aside from my problem with the CONCEPT, the plot has been moving VERY slowly... Infinite Crisis, for better or for worse, was jam packed with plot and action. Lots of things were happening and every issue had 4 or 5 "OMG" moments. So far in Civil War, nothing much has been happening. It's all just been about how much ppl dislike Ironman. He tries to talk to somebody and they hit him in the face.
This issue was the worst b/c even less happened. Most of it is Spiderman trying to escape SHIELD. :|
And back to the whole "teenage boy" mentality, Punisher says that Spiderman's "on our side now". Um.. since when? Spiderman had a falling out with Ironman, he didn't say he'd join the rebels. It's such an "us vs them" mentality to assume that if somebody disagrees with your enemy, they must agree with you! Maybe Spiderman doesn't want to be on either side now? Maybe he doesn't totally agree with you?
And that's my biggest problem. Civil War claims to be adult and mature and NOT a comic book story, and yet when it comes down to it is very MUCH a comic book story of the most simplistic sort. It's "rebels vs government", and the issue is black and white, all heroes are grouped into nice neat little groups. You either are for freedom or you're for the EVIL GOVERNMENT!
I'm sorry... I believe in freedom too, and as I said, I would be against a registration, but I dun believe that violence solves political problems.
I guess I just would like to believe that Superheroes would set a better example and be able to solve their differences by talking. I mean... that's why they're HEROES right? The villains are the ones who want to fight, not the heroes.
Or maybe that's just the DC Universe.
Angelwings Rating: 2/5
Recommendation: Get it if you like Civil War, or the direction of the Marvel Universe, or are alrdy reading the arc, not recommended if you aren't alrdy into it
Synopsis: Invisible Woman and The Human Torch escape SHIELD pursuit. Nighthawk and Stature defect from Captain America's rebels to join the pro-goverment side. Meanwhile, Ironman confronts Spiderman about his intentions. Ironman wants to talk it out and Spiderman throws him through a wall. Spiderman tries to escape but is foiled by the reinforced windows in Stark Tower. SHIELD agents burst in and despite Ironman's objection, they fire on Spiderman, shattering the (apparently not all that) reinforced windows and throwing Spiderman onto the street (100 floors) below.
Spiderman flees from SHIELD and is captured by The Jester and Jack O Lantern who are now working for SHIELD. Punisher then appears and shoots them both in the head, killing them. He takes Spiderman to Captain America for medical treatment as the rebels plan their next move.
Daredevil is captured and Ironman attempts to reason with him. Tony finally explains what the "50 state initiative" is. There will be superhero teams assigned to each of the 50 states to keep it safe. Daredevil gives him a silver dollar saying that this is the silver he deserves as he is Judas.
Review: Okay, I'll say this now, I dun like Civil War. This is just so you know where I'm coming from. It's an interesting idea, but the implementation has been terrible. :( I find that a lot of the people who DO like Civil War are those who just are in love with the idea.
Here is my problem with Civil War, it's likes a teenager who thinks he's smarter than all the other teenagers and is an adult b/c he uses bigger words. All the hype about Civil War has been how "adult" it is, how it's not a "typical" superhero story, how "smart" it is, etc...
Except that, the "adult" way to deal with the a situation where the government and the public support a cause you disagree with is to take legal action, or to negotiate, or talk, or resign your commission in protest, or use political means, or VOTE.
The "angry teenage boy" way to deal with this is to beat people up and form a "rebellion". DOWN WITH THE GOVERNMENT!!!!
I guess that's my biggest problem. Civil War is at it's very heart an angry, lonely teenage boy's fantasy. Nething the government does is wrong. It's evil. It doesn't matter WHY they might do it, the government must be defeated! Regular people are the enemy! Marvel is hoping that their fanbase will associate with Cap America b/c they're rebels... it doesn't matter what they're rebelling against. Rebels are good guys right?
It's like Smallville. Lex Luthor tries to do good, but he's portrayed in a negative light b/c he's Lex Luthor and we all KNOW he's evil right? So even tho he doesn't DO evil things, since we KNOW he's evil (in the comics) everything he does is evil.
Since we KNOW the government is evil, and superheroes are good, therefore actions dun matter, the sides have alrdy been drawn.
So far, Ironman has tried his best to TALK to every hero who disagrees with him. He offers negotiation, he offers a truce, he offers a chance to sit down and discuss things. When he let his guard down to talk to Captain America, Captain America sucker punched him! :O
And yet that's portrayed as being good b/c REBELS ARE COOL!!!!
I'm extremely annoyed by Daredevil's accusation that Ironman is a traitor. Other parts of the book also imply that Ironman is a traitor for betraying the heros to the regular people. I rly hate this idea of "superheroes vs regular people". I thought they were here to protect us. I thought they WERE regular people too!
It goes back to what I was saying, that this is catering to ppl who are prolly feel that they are unpopular and would like to see themselves as rebelling against the mainstream, as being unfairly persecuted and being "better" than "normal people". :
Personally, I disagree with the idea of superhero registration. I feel it's like forcing ppl to get a badge just to be a good samaritan. But, I would at least try to talk this out with Ironman and the ELECTED GOVERNMENT and see if we could reach a compromise.
I certainly wouldn't harm and KILL PEOPLE who I disagreed with!
The whole point was that the public was becoming scared of superheroes b/c of the power they wield. So to prove that they're not a threat, they... go to war with each other, levelling buildings, blowing up city blocks and killing each other with their superpowers.
*sigh*
Aside from my problem with the CONCEPT, the plot has been moving VERY slowly... Infinite Crisis, for better or for worse, was jam packed with plot and action. Lots of things were happening and every issue had 4 or 5 "OMG" moments. So far in Civil War, nothing much has been happening. It's all just been about how much ppl dislike Ironman. He tries to talk to somebody and they hit him in the face.
This issue was the worst b/c even less happened. Most of it is Spiderman trying to escape SHIELD. :|
And back to the whole "teenage boy" mentality, Punisher says that Spiderman's "on our side now". Um.. since when? Spiderman had a falling out with Ironman, he didn't say he'd join the rebels. It's such an "us vs them" mentality to assume that if somebody disagrees with your enemy, they must agree with you! Maybe Spiderman doesn't want to be on either side now? Maybe he doesn't totally agree with you?
And that's my biggest problem. Civil War claims to be adult and mature and NOT a comic book story, and yet when it comes down to it is very MUCH a comic book story of the most simplistic sort. It's "rebels vs government", and the issue is black and white, all heroes are grouped into nice neat little groups. You either are for freedom or you're for the EVIL GOVERNMENT!
I'm sorry... I believe in freedom too, and as I said, I would be against a registration, but I dun believe that violence solves political problems.
I guess I just would like to believe that Superheroes would set a better example and be able to solve their differences by talking. I mean... that's why they're HEROES right? The villains are the ones who want to fight, not the heroes.
Or maybe that's just the DC Universe.
Angelwings Rating: 2/5
Recommendation: Get it if you like Civil War, or the direction of the Marvel Universe, or are alrdy reading the arc, not recommended if you aren't alrdy into it
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Supergirl #11 Review
Supergirl - #11
Synopsis: Pirates have been attacking cruise ships and killing people. Supergirl and Grace pretend to be pirates in order to draw the real pirates out. The real pirates show up and Supergirl and Grace join them. They raid a ship, many people are killed and to prove herself, Supergirl shoots a guy in the head. Some flashbacks show that Supergirl join the outsiders because she thinks Nightwing is hot. On board the pirate ship, Supergirl finds out that the pirates can turn into fish monsters because they eat pieces of some talking fish. The fish begs Supergirl to kill him and end his suffering, Supergirl can't because she killed her mother and feels regret for it. One of the pirates stabs her in the stomach. Grace throws an anchor at the fish killing it neways. Powerboy then shows up and saves Supergirl.
NEXT: YOUNG LUST (I'm not kidding, that's rly what it says on the last page)
Review: ...
...
You know when you have a room full of people in a rush and they all try to leave at once and they're pushing and shoving and nobody can get out the door? Pretend those people are swear words and the door is my mouth. =_=
I'm done with Supergirl. I am. I've given this book so many chances over the last year and a half and this issue was just it.
I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I MISS Ian Churchill. And he's a horrible artist! He can only draw one female face, and his Supergirl is extremely anorexic. But at least his ONE female face looks okay.
Supergirl looks like a bratz doll. And she's drawn to have a stripper body of a 20 something, and the face of a 9 year old. In her scenes with Nightwing it's like she's purposefully acting like a little kid to seduce him.
OH WAIT SHE IS!!!
Why does she want to join a superhero team?
"If you want to know, I'm trying to get close to Nightwing. Hottest Hero Ever."
The girl IS the Paris Hilton of superheroes!!!
Nightwing even calls her on it when he points out she tried not being a superhero and got bored of it. She tried a secret identity and got bored of it and he doesn't want this team thing to be just another fad of hers. The girl has NO concept of responsiblity! She sold KRYPTONIAN TECH just so she can live in luxury for the rest of her life.
SUPERMAN WORKS FOR A LIVING. That's the one rly good, human thing about him. Despite his powers, he NEVER abuses his heritage to become rich or famous.
No wonder Superman wants nothing to do with Supergirl. He wun even let her live with his parents!
And fishmonsters attacking boats at sea. Isn't this the ONE TIME Aquaman would be useful!? XDD Poor Aquaman. :( He can't even stop his own villains. :|
And Kara shot a man in the head. I'm sorry, I dun buy her explanation which is this:
she didn't fire the gun, she ran at super speed, flicked the guy in the head, lasered the gun barrel so it was smoking and ran back into position.
I have several problems with this "explanation". >:|
1) If she never fired the gun, why was there a gunshot? These are PROFESSIONAL mercenaries. They would KNOW what a gunshot sounded like. Is imitating gunshots a new kryptonian power?
2) She couldn't move fast enuf that nobody would see her. She couldn't even break the sound barrier or there'd be a sonic boom. She'd have to get to the guy and get back in EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE AND POSITION.
3) Flicking a guy in the head knocks him back. Shooting a person in the head does MORE than just knock them back. So these pirates dun seem to find it odd that a person shot in the head doesn't have a HOLE IN HIS HEAD!?
>.>
<.<
I'm esp annoyed b/c this is another example of Mary Supergirl in action, where to prove how awesome she is, she does something impossible and then brags about it.
And of course there's the scenes where she's obsessed with Nightwing. And then dressing up in skimpy clothes to tease Captain Boomerang and remind him how hot she is and why he has to stick around and do everything she asks.
She's the worst of every teenage girl stereotype out there! :(
And yes, this book is clearly for horny teenage boys who want to see her dress up in skimpy outfits (which she does MANY times for no reason whatsoever in this book, including wearing fishnets).
But what happened to Supergirl being meant for GIRLS? She was originally created for girls! Back when they cared about trying to make some superheroes for girls, these characters were supposed to be role models! Sure, they were still stereotypical b/c of the time period, but the idea was to appeal to women.
Now that's right out the window. Supergirl is here for teenage boys and so she acts in a way that is familiar to what I assume, is what they think the average comic fan is, a lonely teenage boy who can't get the girl of his dreams.
So she's Paris Hilton. Her fame is from her cousin, her money she never earnt, she doesn't want to work, she complains a lot, and all she cares about is jumping from boy to boy. >:O
Oh yah and what's up with Powerboy!? Powergirl's origins are no longer a mystery! She's the cousin of Earth-2 Superman. So where does Powerboy come from!?
Powerboy and Supergirl will be dating btw... :\ We know that's going to happen cuz they've alrdy spoiled it in the previews. And we know WHYYYYY right? B/c Powerboy and Supergirl can have smex! And they can finally have all sorts of slutty Supergirl smex panels!
I WANT to like Supergirl! In fact, Mark Waid writes an EXCELLENT Supergirl in Legion of Superheroes! WHY CAN'T THIS SUPERGIRL BE LIKE THAT ONE!?
I rly liked her when she first showed up 2 years ago in Superman/Batman. In fact she's the REASON I started reading comics. I like how curious she was about the world. I like how human she was, how scared she was and how brave she could be! I like that she had a heroic personality but was still a scared little girl who was on a strange world and lost both her parents (and unlike Superman, was old enuf to remember her parents).
She was cute and brave all at once! :O
But ever since she got her own series, all she's been doing is beating up other heroes, whining, not helping, teasing boys with her body, bragging about how awesome she is, and whining some more!
And just like she condemned millions of ppl to their deaths by LEAVING Kandor, she has no problem letting a bunch of ppl get mauled and killed by these fish people just to "fit in". :| Even if it's undercover, the other superheroes would never stand by and watch people die! And she's SUPERGIRL! She has ALL THE POWERS OF SUPERMAN! The minute she was near them she could have tied them all up or grabbed the boat and flown away with it!
Oh yah.. what happened to her tattoo? Way to go continuity!
>:O
THIS BOOK MAKES ME SO MAD!!!!!!!!
I honestly think that you could get Geoff Johns or Alan Moore to write this book and it'd still turn out horrible. It's like there's a curse on it. No matter who writes it, it's just going to get worse. :(
She's NOT a superhero! Why does she have her own book!? Every issue is about her whining about her life, wearing slutty outfits and talking about how awesomely sexy she is!
I wun even get into how the fish person could have stabbed her through the stomach without kryptonite even being in the equation. That's the LEAST of this issue's problems. >.<;;;
I KNOW boys defend her. It's the same reason boys defend Lana Lang on Smallville. B/c she's hot. Everything she does is okay cuz she's hot. They "like" the new take and that she's not a "good girl". But they dun get it. Supergirl is NOT FOR THEM!!!! Supergirl is for US! She's OUR superhero! She's supposed to say that young women can be heroes too, that we're just as brave and just as noble and just as good as everybody else.
Alas, she's a bratz doll. :(
It's sad but Ian Churchill is too good for Supergirl.
Angelwings Rating: -1000000000000000000000000/5
Recommendation: Avoid like the plague
Synopsis: Pirates have been attacking cruise ships and killing people. Supergirl and Grace pretend to be pirates in order to draw the real pirates out. The real pirates show up and Supergirl and Grace join them. They raid a ship, many people are killed and to prove herself, Supergirl shoots a guy in the head. Some flashbacks show that Supergirl join the outsiders because she thinks Nightwing is hot. On board the pirate ship, Supergirl finds out that the pirates can turn into fish monsters because they eat pieces of some talking fish. The fish begs Supergirl to kill him and end his suffering, Supergirl can't because she killed her mother and feels regret for it. One of the pirates stabs her in the stomach. Grace throws an anchor at the fish killing it neways. Powerboy then shows up and saves Supergirl.
NEXT: YOUNG LUST (I'm not kidding, that's rly what it says on the last page)
Review: ...
...
You know when you have a room full of people in a rush and they all try to leave at once and they're pushing and shoving and nobody can get out the door? Pretend those people are swear words and the door is my mouth. =_=
I'm done with Supergirl. I am. I've given this book so many chances over the last year and a half and this issue was just it.
I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I MISS Ian Churchill. And he's a horrible artist! He can only draw one female face, and his Supergirl is extremely anorexic. But at least his ONE female face looks okay.
Supergirl looks like a bratz doll. And she's drawn to have a stripper body of a 20 something, and the face of a 9 year old. In her scenes with Nightwing it's like she's purposefully acting like a little kid to seduce him.
OH WAIT SHE IS!!!
Why does she want to join a superhero team?
"If you want to know, I'm trying to get close to Nightwing. Hottest Hero Ever."
The girl IS the Paris Hilton of superheroes!!!
Nightwing even calls her on it when he points out she tried not being a superhero and got bored of it. She tried a secret identity and got bored of it and he doesn't want this team thing to be just another fad of hers. The girl has NO concept of responsiblity! She sold KRYPTONIAN TECH just so she can live in luxury for the rest of her life.
SUPERMAN WORKS FOR A LIVING. That's the one rly good, human thing about him. Despite his powers, he NEVER abuses his heritage to become rich or famous.
No wonder Superman wants nothing to do with Supergirl. He wun even let her live with his parents!
And fishmonsters attacking boats at sea. Isn't this the ONE TIME Aquaman would be useful!? XDD Poor Aquaman. :( He can't even stop his own villains. :|
And Kara shot a man in the head. I'm sorry, I dun buy her explanation which is this:
she didn't fire the gun, she ran at super speed, flicked the guy in the head, lasered the gun barrel so it was smoking and ran back into position.
I have several problems with this "explanation". >:|
1) If she never fired the gun, why was there a gunshot? These are PROFESSIONAL mercenaries. They would KNOW what a gunshot sounded like. Is imitating gunshots a new kryptonian power?
2) She couldn't move fast enuf that nobody would see her. She couldn't even break the sound barrier or there'd be a sonic boom. She'd have to get to the guy and get back in EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE AND POSITION.
3) Flicking a guy in the head knocks him back. Shooting a person in the head does MORE than just knock them back. So these pirates dun seem to find it odd that a person shot in the head doesn't have a HOLE IN HIS HEAD!?
>.>
<.<
I'm esp annoyed b/c this is another example of Mary Supergirl in action, where to prove how awesome she is, she does something impossible and then brags about it.
And of course there's the scenes where she's obsessed with Nightwing. And then dressing up in skimpy clothes to tease Captain Boomerang and remind him how hot she is and why he has to stick around and do everything she asks.
She's the worst of every teenage girl stereotype out there! :(
And yes, this book is clearly for horny teenage boys who want to see her dress up in skimpy outfits (which she does MANY times for no reason whatsoever in this book, including wearing fishnets).
But what happened to Supergirl being meant for GIRLS? She was originally created for girls! Back when they cared about trying to make some superheroes for girls, these characters were supposed to be role models! Sure, they were still stereotypical b/c of the time period, but the idea was to appeal to women.
Now that's right out the window. Supergirl is here for teenage boys and so she acts in a way that is familiar to what I assume, is what they think the average comic fan is, a lonely teenage boy who can't get the girl of his dreams.
So she's Paris Hilton. Her fame is from her cousin, her money she never earnt, she doesn't want to work, she complains a lot, and all she cares about is jumping from boy to boy. >:O
Oh yah and what's up with Powerboy!? Powergirl's origins are no longer a mystery! She's the cousin of Earth-2 Superman. So where does Powerboy come from!?
Powerboy and Supergirl will be dating btw... :\ We know that's going to happen cuz they've alrdy spoiled it in the previews. And we know WHYYYYY right? B/c Powerboy and Supergirl can have smex! And they can finally have all sorts of slutty Supergirl smex panels!
I WANT to like Supergirl! In fact, Mark Waid writes an EXCELLENT Supergirl in Legion of Superheroes! WHY CAN'T THIS SUPERGIRL BE LIKE THAT ONE!?
I rly liked her when she first showed up 2 years ago in Superman/Batman. In fact she's the REASON I started reading comics. I like how curious she was about the world. I like how human she was, how scared she was and how brave she could be! I like that she had a heroic personality but was still a scared little girl who was on a strange world and lost both her parents (and unlike Superman, was old enuf to remember her parents).
She was cute and brave all at once! :O
But ever since she got her own series, all she's been doing is beating up other heroes, whining, not helping, teasing boys with her body, bragging about how awesome she is, and whining some more!
And just like she condemned millions of ppl to their deaths by LEAVING Kandor, she has no problem letting a bunch of ppl get mauled and killed by these fish people just to "fit in". :| Even if it's undercover, the other superheroes would never stand by and watch people die! And she's SUPERGIRL! She has ALL THE POWERS OF SUPERMAN! The minute she was near them she could have tied them all up or grabbed the boat and flown away with it!
Oh yah.. what happened to her tattoo? Way to go continuity!
>:O
THIS BOOK MAKES ME SO MAD!!!!!!!!
I honestly think that you could get Geoff Johns or Alan Moore to write this book and it'd still turn out horrible. It's like there's a curse on it. No matter who writes it, it's just going to get worse. :(
She's NOT a superhero! Why does she have her own book!? Every issue is about her whining about her life, wearing slutty outfits and talking about how awesomely sexy she is!
I wun even get into how the fish person could have stabbed her through the stomach without kryptonite even being in the equation. That's the LEAST of this issue's problems. >.<;;;
I KNOW boys defend her. It's the same reason boys defend Lana Lang on Smallville. B/c she's hot. Everything she does is okay cuz she's hot. They "like" the new take and that she's not a "good girl". But they dun get it. Supergirl is NOT FOR THEM!!!! Supergirl is for US! She's OUR superhero! She's supposed to say that young women can be heroes too, that we're just as brave and just as noble and just as good as everybody else.
Alas, she's a bratz doll. :(
It's sad but Ian Churchill is too good for Supergirl.
Angelwings Rating: -1000000000000000000000000/5
Recommendation: Avoid like the plague
Friday, November 10, 2006
Week of Nov 8, 2006 Reviews
Hi! :D So this is my first review! I'll be writing some reviews for back issues later, like ones I want to talk about. ^^ But for now, this is just for comics that came out this week.
And it's going to be only for the ones I bought b/c I'm not a gajillionaire I can't buy everything :(
WARNING, I do post spoilers here. So if you dun want to be spoiled, skip to the end where I'll post the super short summary reviews!
So this week I got:
DC
52 - #27
Batman - #658
Batman and the Mad Monk - #4 (of 6)
Green Lantern - #14
Martian Manhunter - #4 (of 8)
Teen Titans - #40
Superman #657
Wildstorm
Gen 13 - #2
Kk, so I'll do this in order XD
52 - #27
Synopsis: Ralph Dibny asks the Spectre for help in bringing back his wife. The Spectre agrees on the condition that he punishes Eclipso for her crimes. He lends Ralph his powers to do this. Ralph, eager to punish Jean Loring (Eclipso's host) for killing his wife, takes her to the scene of Sue's death. He plans to keep her there witnessing her crime over and over, but watching his wife die is too much and he cannot go through with it. B/c of this the Spectre does not bring his wife back. However, Ralph tells Dr. Fate that he knows of somebody better than the Spectre to help them.
In the meantime, the Linear Man is visited by Skeets, who asks where Dr. Rip Hunter is. Linear Man says he doesn't know, and Skeets kills him.
Renee is still in the mountains training with Richard Dragon. She then sees Question coughing and when pushed, he reveals that he has lung cancer and is dying. While researching the "crime bible" that Renee took from Intergang, Question's friend discovers that according to the "crime bible", Cain will be sacrificed in the town of Gotham. Renee takes this to mean that her ex Kathy Kane will be killed in Gotham City by Intergang.
Review: Personally, I rly enjoyed this issue. It's awesome that we're past the halfway mark of this series and still going strong! Ultimately, it doesn't matter if this story is the next Watchmen. If DC manages to get out an issue a week for 52 weeks, they'll have done something amazing.
That being said, I'm still rly enjoying the story, even tho it's a bit annoying having so many storylines going at once. The Ralph plot was interesting. I've always thought it would have made more sense to make Sue Dibny the Spectre rather than Crispus Allen, simply b/c her death was much more in need of vengeance. After all, Sue was an innocent while Crispus was a cop. He knew he was putting himself in danger, she didn't ask for that.
I actually enjoyed Day of Vengeance, for the most part, and it was nice to see what happened to Eclipso. I also like what Ralph tried to do and that he couldn't ultimately do it. Personally, I've always been a bit disturbed by the concept of the Spectre, as he seeks vengeance and KILLS people, and that's not very superheroish, and it's nice to see Ralph not being able to go along with that. Where they're taking him though is still a mystery, and I rly like that. :) I always enjoy a story that makes you wonder what will happen next, rather than telegraphing the ending.
The Renee and Question arc is still one of the most interesting. I think the "crime bible" idea, although a bit silly, is also necessary. Of all the arcs in 52, theirs has been the most tame. They're after Intergang. They're not trying to stop Lex Luthor's newest plan like Steel, and they're not journeying across the galaxy like Animal Man, Starfire, Adam Strange and Lobo. They're just investigating a criminal organization. The idea that the organization has a much bigger plan than simply making money, and that they have a bible that they believe in, makes the odds so much higher and suddenly it seems like what Renee and Question do is so much more important. :)
Giving Question cancer is a good dramatic move. I know that giving people terminal illnesses in comics is such a used idea, and that often they get around it. But I think in this case he may not. They've been killing a lot of people in 52 after all, so killing Question isn't out of the.. uh... question XD
It's also nice to see some motivation behind Question's need for answers and his hatred of smoking. He is dying because of a product that the world pushes as being "cool" and companies who care more about money than lives. The Question has always been about investigating the "truths" we believe in, and looking deeper into the world we think we know. And it's good to see why he might be personally motivated to do this.
And the return of Batwoman? FINALLY. They've been hinting at her for months, then she shows up in one issue and we never see her again. :O
All in all, I liked this issue and I highly recommend it. I give it 4 and a half angelwings out of 5 :)
Angelwings Rating: 4.5/5
Recommendation: Buy It
Batman - #658
Synopsis: Batman finds Robin badly injured in the batcave b/c of his son Damien. After freeing Alfred (who Damien locked up in the mansion), he decides that Damien is there to distract him from Talia Al'Ghul's true plan. To take over Gibralter and use it as a launching pad for her schemes. Damien begs his father to let him help, and reluctantly Batman agrees but only if Damien plays by his rules.
He then reveals he has a bat rocket that can take them to Gibralter. They arrive just in time to stop Talia. Damien helps Batman defeat her ninja man bats (*sigh* yes, ninja man bats). XD Talia then says that she did all this to bring Batman here. She swears to give up crime if Batman would raise Damien with her. Batman doesn't answer, and the British Army fire torpedoes at Talia's ship "killing" her and Damien.
Review: I know IGN loved this story, but I'm sorry, I dun. Just read the synopsis. If you listed the number of comic cliches in that story, you'd run out of paper! O_O;;; The ninja man bats were cute when they showed up, but when Batman's not fighting them in creative ways for a whole book, they seem as silly as well, they are XD
And srsly... Batrocket!? That just seems a little too out there. :| But Morrison did need a way to get Batman to Gibralter in a few minutes. However, I'm never a fan of making up some previously unmentioned device just to make the plot work. :
The ending however is why I dun like this issue. Talia HAD Batman in her lair, tied up when she gave him Damien. If she wanted to talk to him about being a family, THAT WAS THE TIME :O Why didn't she? So she had a chance to talk to him, and then felt the need to threaten the world in order to get to talk to him again? o.O
And Batman looks terrible for not taking her on the offer! Esp if this is HIS SON. She offered to give up crime! I thought the new post-Infinite Crisis Batman was supposed to be about having relationships and caring about people and not being the meaniehead he was before :O I also dun like Batman having a son period. I thought they were gonna have him not be Damien's father. You just know that another writer in the future will retcon that away and he wun be. And this is BATMAN. No DNA test?!? He would never take it at face value.
And then the boat explodes.
OH NOEZ EVERYBODY DIED!
Except Batman.
And 20 dollars says that Talia and Damien are alive too. XDDD
I just rly hate ne ending that "solves" a potentially character building moment by having the building/ship/etc EXPLODE thus saving the hero from having to make a choice.
It always makes me wonder why if the villains survived, dun they immediately come back out to confront the hero? Why wait months before showing your face again if you survived?
And why do the heroes always assume that the explosion that failed to kill them would kill their enemies?
And why did I buy this book?
Neways, I dun recommend it. Even if you've bought the other 3 books in the arc, b/c the ending is so typical, you rly dun need to read it. :
I give it 1 and a half angelwings. :(
Angelwings Rating: 1.5/5
Recommendation: Leave it on the shelf
Batman and the Mad Monk - #4 (of 6)
Synopsis: The Mad Monk has found out who ratted him out to Batman and put the unfortunate lackey in a device that pierces him with spikes. He then goes on to say how this is an example of what it means to betray him.
Batman, meanwhile, is unnerved by the 2 bite marks in his girlfriend's neck and concludes after much deliberation, that his enemy is a vampire. To combat this menace, he creates silver batarangs and then follows her to the Mad Monk's lair where he is attacked by wolves!
After defeating the wolves, Batman ends up in a room where spikes pop out of the wall and the walls move in to kill him!
Review: I love this series. I do! :) It's so refreshingly simple and entertaining much like it's predecessor, Batman and the Monster Men. Matt Wagner's done an outstanding job taking 2 classic Golden Age stories and retelling them in a modern, yet simple, style. Also for a person who draws, writes, inks and colours his own stories, Matt still manages to get them out on time!
Srsly, the stories come out like clockwork. While some people *coughcoughfrankmillercough* take 8 months to come out with their next issue. It's ridiculous that the 5th all-star Batman and Robin book will have come out when the final Mad Monk book comes out. And that's if Frank isn't late AGAIN. We're talking 12 issues (Monster Men + Mad Monk) in LESS time than it took Frank to get 5 issues of All-Star out.
As for the story. It's simple, and very capitivating. This is a Batman Year One story, so Batman hasn't met supervillains or nething yet. This is his first real meeting with somebody who isn't a petty crook that's scared of him. As Wagner said in an interview, it's the first time in his career Batman says "boo" and the villain says "GRRR".
I totally recommend this book, and to pick up the other 3 books if you haven't alrdy.
Angelwings Rating: 5/5
Recommendation: Definitely pick it up.
Green Lantern - #14
Synopsis: Hal Jordan thinks about being captured by terrorists after he and his wingmen got shot down in enemy territory. He remembers about being tortured and how watching Cowgirl get tortured made him snap and break free and save his friends. Then he finds out she's been captured again. He grabs his ring and goes to free her but is attacked by the Global Guardians, with the Rocket Reds on the way.
In the meantime, it turns out everything has been set up by the son of Abin-Sur who wants his father's ring back!
Review: After the last arc involving the return of the Cyborg Superman, this story was a bit of a let down. Also, altho it's nice to have the Green Arrow point it out, why DOESN'T Hal bring his ring when he flies? He endangered himself and his teammates by not keeping it around him. It's not like it stops him from being normal.
I guess my beef is that ONLY Green Arrow said nething about this. I refuse to believe that Batman or Wonder Woman would approve either. Both believe in being rdy for danger at all times. Even Superman would not agree, as he places the priority of other ppl's lives above his own wants and needs.
At least Green Lantern feels guilty about it.
This being a Green Lantern book, I'm surprised at the return of THE GIRLFRIEND IN THE REFRIDGERATOR SYNDROME.
For ppl that dunno, the GITRS syndrome is a "plot device" whose name was coined by the DC writer Gail Simone to describe a situation where a female is killed or maimed by the villain to "motivate" the hero. The term comes from the Green Lantern story where Kyle Rayner (who was the only Green Lantern at the time) finds that his girlfriend has been killed and stuffed into a refridgerator by the villain Major Force.
The argument has been made that men are put into these situations too (such as Robin's death at the hands of Joker). But they're missing the point. Robin is an important character b/c he has history. Male characters put in danger have usually been developed over time and are valued by fans.
Female characters put in danger, are not necessarily those that have been around for some time, or are fan favourites. All you need is for the hero to semi know this female and then have her threatened and everybody understands it's a terrible act!
It's sad but true, and I'm guilty of writing this way too, but the easiest way to make a villain seem dispicable and hated is to have him threaten, rape or kill a female. INSTANTLY everybody hates him. It means no need for character development to make him bad b/c everybody just knows that violence against women is wrong.
Unfortunately this means that female characters are routinely introduced with the sole purpose of having them killed or harmed to make the hero angry.
And that's why it was dissapointing to see Cowgirl be captured, not once but TWICE, and threatened with rape and torture. Just to get Hal angry.
Hal had a male wingman too, why wasn't his fate just as disturbing? B/c if he had been tortured, the fan impact would be less. Sadly, a military man being tortured would be seen as "well part of the job, he can take it", while a female clearly would break quickly. The male wingman had his ARM broken. Yet that wasn't enuf to make Hal angry enuf to escape and beat up the torturers. It was Cowgirl being THREATENED that did.
NEWAYS. Steering away from that. The story is actually quite interesting, if not very exciting, and having Abin-Sur's son show up was neat. But honestly, when Hal became a Lantern, isn't it customary practice to have him go to Abin-Sur's family to tell them the bad news? Or at least have the Guardians do it? I thought the GL Corps was like a police force.
I'm interested to see where the story goes however, and that means good writing. :)
Angelwings Rating: 3/5
Recommendation: Pick it up if you have extra money to spend
Martian Manhunter - #4 (of 8)
Synopsis: The girlfriend of the man who was killed trying to help Martian Manhunter, recieves a video from her now deceased boyfriend telling her that he believes his death was caused by Manhunter.
In the meantime, the evil government organization trying to hunt down the Martians invents a bullet that explodes into flame when punctured into a Martian (due to their psychic abilities). Basically, that makes it an insta-kill bullet to Martians.
J'onn (Martian Manhunter) finds the girlfriend and saves her before she is apprehended. She doesn't believe his story however, but before it can be sorted out, the building they are in is attacked by the government! In the ensuing chaos, one of the Martians is shot and killed while the others (and the girl) escape.
Review: Honestly, I'm not very interested in this story arc. The book has been dissapointing b/c it's mischaracterizing J'onn. He finds out there are other Martians and suddenly he hates humans? It's like if I made Chinese friends (of which I do have) and then suddenly hate all my white friends cuz now I have REAL friends.
J'onn wouldn't do that! O_O
And now would be an EXCELLENT time to ask your friends Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman for help wouldn't it?
Overall, the story was OKAY. It told the story, but wasn't spectacular in doing it. It's nice to see that J'onn feels guilty for getting a man killed and protects his girlfriend tho. At least J'onn is FINALLY acting like a hero.
I'm going to prolly follow this plot to it's conclusion but this "new take" on Martian Manhunter isn't making me a fan.
Angelwings Rating: 2.5/5
Recommendation: Buy it if you're alrdy following the arc and have money
Teen Titans - #40
Synopsis: Bombshell tells the Teen Titans that Ravager is the traitor that they've been looking for! Ravager insists it's not her and then goes back to the base, planning to leave the team.
The Teen Titans also dun believe it's her and Bombshell reveals it could be somebody else. Suddenly, Miss Martian shows up and reveals herself to be a White Martian! They attack her and everybody starts fighting.
Kid Devil and Wonder Girl leave the fight and find where Raven's been hiding. She is doing some ritual. She reveals that it isn't Ravager OR Miss Martian! It's...
BOMBSHELL! Bombshell then takes out the heroes just at the second of the reveal but Ravager shows up and defeats her!
Raven then says that she was performing a ritual to bring back the former Titan (and Ravager's brother), Jericho!
Jericho appears before them VERY naked.
Review: *groan*
I'm sorry. But the story was TOTALLY cliched. TOTALLY :O
A character we've never heard of until now shows up to accuse another character of being a traitor? Check.
The character accused NOT being the traitor? Check.
The character making the accusation being the REAL traitor? Check.
The real traitor taking out the heroes RIGHT as she is revealed as the traitor? Check.
The accused character showing up just in the nick of time to save the day and prove herself? Check.
Srsly, it's like Johns didn't even bother to write, he took a previous script and changed the names.
That's dissapointing, b/c Geoff Johns is my favourite comic writer. :(
Also, apparently Miss Martian is joining the team. Surprise surprise.
So what we have is 3 girls.
Ravager is your typical sexy, slutty "bad girl". She'll sleep with nebody. She romps arouns in a bikini whenever she can. And she smokes.
Miss Martian is your typical innocent "good girl". She's cute. She wears a skirt and talks about how lonely she is in a cute, shy way.
Bombshell is a powerhouse, very butch looking, wears a tank top and camo pants, has short hair, very in shape, and is the military commander of her own unit.
And she's the traitor. The other 2 join the Titans for their regular adventures!
Guess which audience we're playing to boys and girls? XD
This is why when the comic and video game industries complain that they dun have enuf female fans it annoys me, b/c they're clearly writing for teenaged boys!
If you're a strong, butch woman with leadership abilities, you're evil.
It's not b/c Geoff Johns believes this to be true. It's b/c they're writing for an audience that fantasizes about dating the characters and Miss Martian and Ravager each fill a seperate fantasy while Bombshell, although prolly the most useful in a combat situation, does not. >:O
Neways... the return of Jericho!
Can't ppl just STAY DEAD!?
The only thing I can excuse about this is that Jericho will mean character development for his sister, Ravager and that can only be good b/c she's been such a 1 dimensional cliched bad girl right now.
I think the only thing I LIKED about this issue is that Miss Martian is not evil despite being a white martian. It means that an alien race, altho portrayed as being evil in the past, is not WHOLY evil. And that's a relatively uncommon thing to see in the comicverse. :)
Angelwings Rating: 2/5
Recommendation: Pick it up if you're a big Teen Titans fan, or if you're a teenage boy :P
Superman - #657
Synopsis: Arion of Atlantis tells the story of the future where Lois Lane, Jimmy Olson, Lex Luthor and The Parasite are among the only survivors on Earth and are going through the ruins of Metropolis hoping to find some resources.
They are attacked by some bad guys and some Arab hero named Sirroco shows up and then gets shot.
Arion describes how this evil villain named Khyber has been manipulating events in the world and plans to rise up and claim it. Superman then fights Khyber and gets beaten. Then Khyber throws Superman into Earth like a meteor, all the way to the core, causing Earth to explode in volcanos, earthquakes and kick up enuf dust to block out the Sun.
While he tells this story, Perry White, Lois Lane, Superman and Jimmy are listening on top of the Daily Planet to him. He then describes the RETURN OF SUPERMAN from the Earth's core, but says that Superman's return spells the end of Earth!
Review: Huh?
So Arion travels all the way to the future to tell some fairy tale? :O He wants to warn Superman about what will happen, why go into the detail of what happens AFTER? Why not just tell him what to do (or not to do) to avoid this future, rather than telling about what happens AFTER all hope is lost? Just tell him where this Kleb guy is and have Superman beat him!
Time travel is always hard to write into a story b/c if they have the ability to go to ne point in time, why do ppl always choose the time RIGHT BEFORE everything bad is about to happen where there's "not a second to spare"? XD
Why not travel 10 years before? or 5? :O
And why does he care to prevent THIS crisis and not Infinite Crisis or Our Worlds at War? Millions died in those events too!
NEWAYS. That's just the nature of these stories xD What I found weird is that Perry, Lois and Jimmy are SO important, that he must tell them as well as Superman. Yet, even tho other heroes are mentioned as having died in the future, he doesn't feel the need to tell them. And Superman doesn't feel the need to get them to here to listen.
Okay. o_o
Neways, the future story is kinda neat. But in an Elseworlds kinda way. I wish it was an Elseworlds tale cuz then it'd prolly have a more interesting conclusion O_O
I haven't been all that interested in the Superman book since Johns left and Busiek became the main writer, and this book continues that trend. :|
Angelwings Rating: 2/5
Recommendation: Get it if you're alrdy reading the arc
Gen 13 - #2
Synopsis: The Gen 13 kids are still locked up in their cells. They've discovered that if they go near each other their handcuffs explode in electricity and hurts them.
The scientists observe them, making notes. They take Fairchild and make her pose for pictures in various outfits in front of various fake scenaries. >.> They also cut off Burnout's dreadlocks.
The "buyers" on the instant messaging system, talk about what they want the kids to do. One of them says that he can't take what he's seeing and doesn't want Freefall.
So they go to kill Freefall. However, Burnout realizes that he can take advantage of the electric handcuffs and uses that to take out the guard attempting to kill Roxy, by putting the guard in between their handcuffs.
Grunge takes out the other guard, and Fairchild steals his gun, forcing him to let them escape.
They escape but Roxy is shot in the attempt. When they get out onto the street, she has a bullet wound and is being held by Burnout.
Review: *sigh* e_e This series has been SUCH a dissapointment so far. I was never a HUGE Gen 13 fan, but I did like many of it's concepts and their female characters. The problem was that, like most of the Image/Wildstorm comics back in the "bad girl" 90s, the strong female characters came at the price that they had to be drawn outrageously out of proprotion and semi-nude at all times. As well their sexuality had to be focussed on, and they always had to be in seductive or revealing poses.
It was okay to be a strong woman, you just had to look like a porn star doing it. >.>
So that's why I was very excited to see GAIL SIMONE as the writer for the Gen 13 reboot. After all, this is the writer who coined the term "Girlfriend in the Refridgerator Syndrome" and is excellent at writing strong female characters (ex: Birds of Prey).
So why is this book sucking so much? :(
I LIKE the idea to change some of their origins. I LIKE the idea of Fairchild being some picked on geek. I LIKE the idea that their troubled childhoods were manufactured to get the personalities desired. :O It has the possiblities of a real nature vs nurture exploration to happen!
But they get captured in the first issue before we even get to KNOW them! And immediately they're friends? :O
I think my biggest problem is that like a lot of "remakes", the author assumes that you alrdy know the story, the characters and what happened last time. So they dun bother with character development or plot development, b/c whatever they didn't change, you'll fill in the blanks in your mind right? :o
I do rly like the idea that ppl are paying to have these kids given superpowers just to see how they'll act. I like the idea that some ppl get off on the idea of a superpower girl posing for pictures.
They're interesting ideas! It also must be nice for Gail that Wildstorm is now owned by DC and they can legally make Fairchild dress up like Supergirl xD
This is the age where if you like something, there's prolly an organization out there willing to cater to you. o.o So this makes sense!
The story is just SO RUSHED.
There is NO character development. They care about each other for reasons I dunno, b/c I never saw them interact! And the love of showing off Fairchild's body (and the covers where her clothes are torn off) are still there! :(
It's like Gail Simone doesn't rly know how to approach this project. On one hand, she's hinting at new things, on the other hand, it seems like she's forcing herself to throw in sexual references as much as she can. :O All the scientists and clients are horny as heck and never stop talking about how horny they are >:O
The whole thing feels forced :(
And Sarah Rainmaker, the Apache lesbian, doesn't get a line of dialogue! She's just.. there!
I WANT to recommend this book. I rly do! But I can't :(
Angelwings Rating: 1/5
Recommendation: Forget this series
SUPER SHORT REVIEWS!!!
52 #27 - Great stuff involving Ralph, Renee and Question! Lots of set up for future events :) Highly recommended. 4.5/5
Batman #658 - Incredibly dissapointing ending that is very cliched. Not recommended. 1.5/5
Batman and the Mad Monk #4 - Excellent storytelling that is simple yet interesting and fun! Definitely pick it up! 5/5
Green Lantern #14 - Falls back into old patterns with using violence against women as a plot device, but otherwise, a solid beginning of a possibly interesting arc. Check it out :) 3/5
Martian Manhunter #4 - Uninteresting story that gets the job done, but doesn't hold interest. Get it if you're alrdy into the arc. 2.5/5
Teen Titans #40 - A former titan comes back to life, and the traitor is revealed! Unfortunately the story is incredibly cliched and aimed at teenage boys. Get it if you're a Titans fan b/c a resurrection issue is always a major issue. 2.5/5
Superman #657 - Confusing and at times boring, this story reads like somebody telling you about an Elseworld's book they read XD Avoid it unless you want to keep reading this arc. 2/5
Gen 13 #2 - Standard plot that speeds along with absolutely no character development. Interesting ideas are raised that are NEVER explored or even acknolwedged by the characters. Dun bother with this one. 1/5
Anyways, that's it for me this week! :D Thx for reading!!!
<3
Ami Angelwings :)
And it's going to be only for the ones I bought b/c I'm not a gajillionaire I can't buy everything :(
WARNING, I do post spoilers here. So if you dun want to be spoiled, skip to the end where I'll post the super short summary reviews!
So this week I got:
DC
52 - #27
Batman - #658
Batman and the Mad Monk - #4 (of 6)
Green Lantern - #14
Martian Manhunter - #4 (of 8)
Teen Titans - #40
Superman #657
Wildstorm
Gen 13 - #2
Kk, so I'll do this in order XD
52 - #27
Synopsis: Ralph Dibny asks the Spectre for help in bringing back his wife. The Spectre agrees on the condition that he punishes Eclipso for her crimes. He lends Ralph his powers to do this. Ralph, eager to punish Jean Loring (Eclipso's host) for killing his wife, takes her to the scene of Sue's death. He plans to keep her there witnessing her crime over and over, but watching his wife die is too much and he cannot go through with it. B/c of this the Spectre does not bring his wife back. However, Ralph tells Dr. Fate that he knows of somebody better than the Spectre to help them.
In the meantime, the Linear Man is visited by Skeets, who asks where Dr. Rip Hunter is. Linear Man says he doesn't know, and Skeets kills him.
Renee is still in the mountains training with Richard Dragon. She then sees Question coughing and when pushed, he reveals that he has lung cancer and is dying. While researching the "crime bible" that Renee took from Intergang, Question's friend discovers that according to the "crime bible", Cain will be sacrificed in the town of Gotham. Renee takes this to mean that her ex Kathy Kane will be killed in Gotham City by Intergang.
Review: Personally, I rly enjoyed this issue. It's awesome that we're past the halfway mark of this series and still going strong! Ultimately, it doesn't matter if this story is the next Watchmen. If DC manages to get out an issue a week for 52 weeks, they'll have done something amazing.
That being said, I'm still rly enjoying the story, even tho it's a bit annoying having so many storylines going at once. The Ralph plot was interesting. I've always thought it would have made more sense to make Sue Dibny the Spectre rather than Crispus Allen, simply b/c her death was much more in need of vengeance. After all, Sue was an innocent while Crispus was a cop. He knew he was putting himself in danger, she didn't ask for that.
I actually enjoyed Day of Vengeance, for the most part, and it was nice to see what happened to Eclipso. I also like what Ralph tried to do and that he couldn't ultimately do it. Personally, I've always been a bit disturbed by the concept of the Spectre, as he seeks vengeance and KILLS people, and that's not very superheroish, and it's nice to see Ralph not being able to go along with that. Where they're taking him though is still a mystery, and I rly like that. :) I always enjoy a story that makes you wonder what will happen next, rather than telegraphing the ending.
The Renee and Question arc is still one of the most interesting. I think the "crime bible" idea, although a bit silly, is also necessary. Of all the arcs in 52, theirs has been the most tame. They're after Intergang. They're not trying to stop Lex Luthor's newest plan like Steel, and they're not journeying across the galaxy like Animal Man, Starfire, Adam Strange and Lobo. They're just investigating a criminal organization. The idea that the organization has a much bigger plan than simply making money, and that they have a bible that they believe in, makes the odds so much higher and suddenly it seems like what Renee and Question do is so much more important. :)
Giving Question cancer is a good dramatic move. I know that giving people terminal illnesses in comics is such a used idea, and that often they get around it. But I think in this case he may not. They've been killing a lot of people in 52 after all, so killing Question isn't out of the.. uh... question XD
It's also nice to see some motivation behind Question's need for answers and his hatred of smoking. He is dying because of a product that the world pushes as being "cool" and companies who care more about money than lives. The Question has always been about investigating the "truths" we believe in, and looking deeper into the world we think we know. And it's good to see why he might be personally motivated to do this.
And the return of Batwoman? FINALLY. They've been hinting at her for months, then she shows up in one issue and we never see her again. :O
All in all, I liked this issue and I highly recommend it. I give it 4 and a half angelwings out of 5 :)
Angelwings Rating: 4.5/5
Recommendation: Buy It
Batman - #658
Synopsis: Batman finds Robin badly injured in the batcave b/c of his son Damien. After freeing Alfred (who Damien locked up in the mansion), he decides that Damien is there to distract him from Talia Al'Ghul's true plan. To take over Gibralter and use it as a launching pad for her schemes. Damien begs his father to let him help, and reluctantly Batman agrees but only if Damien plays by his rules.
He then reveals he has a bat rocket that can take them to Gibralter. They arrive just in time to stop Talia. Damien helps Batman defeat her ninja man bats (*sigh* yes, ninja man bats). XD Talia then says that she did all this to bring Batman here. She swears to give up crime if Batman would raise Damien with her. Batman doesn't answer, and the British Army fire torpedoes at Talia's ship "killing" her and Damien.
Review: I know IGN loved this story, but I'm sorry, I dun. Just read the synopsis. If you listed the number of comic cliches in that story, you'd run out of paper! O_O;;; The ninja man bats were cute when they showed up, but when Batman's not fighting them in creative ways for a whole book, they seem as silly as well, they are XD
And srsly... Batrocket!? That just seems a little too out there. :| But Morrison did need a way to get Batman to Gibralter in a few minutes. However, I'm never a fan of making up some previously unmentioned device just to make the plot work. :
The ending however is why I dun like this issue. Talia HAD Batman in her lair, tied up when she gave him Damien. If she wanted to talk to him about being a family, THAT WAS THE TIME :O Why didn't she? So she had a chance to talk to him, and then felt the need to threaten the world in order to get to talk to him again? o.O
And Batman looks terrible for not taking her on the offer! Esp if this is HIS SON. She offered to give up crime! I thought the new post-Infinite Crisis Batman was supposed to be about having relationships and caring about people and not being the meaniehead he was before :O I also dun like Batman having a son period. I thought they were gonna have him not be Damien's father. You just know that another writer in the future will retcon that away and he wun be. And this is BATMAN. No DNA test?!? He would never take it at face value.
And then the boat explodes.
OH NOEZ EVERYBODY DIED!
Except Batman.
And 20 dollars says that Talia and Damien are alive too. XDDD
I just rly hate ne ending that "solves" a potentially character building moment by having the building/ship/etc EXPLODE thus saving the hero from having to make a choice.
It always makes me wonder why if the villains survived, dun they immediately come back out to confront the hero? Why wait months before showing your face again if you survived?
And why do the heroes always assume that the explosion that failed to kill them would kill their enemies?
And why did I buy this book?
Neways, I dun recommend it. Even if you've bought the other 3 books in the arc, b/c the ending is so typical, you rly dun need to read it. :
I give it 1 and a half angelwings. :(
Angelwings Rating: 1.5/5
Recommendation: Leave it on the shelf
Batman and the Mad Monk - #4 (of 6)
Synopsis: The Mad Monk has found out who ratted him out to Batman and put the unfortunate lackey in a device that pierces him with spikes. He then goes on to say how this is an example of what it means to betray him.
Batman, meanwhile, is unnerved by the 2 bite marks in his girlfriend's neck and concludes after much deliberation, that his enemy is a vampire. To combat this menace, he creates silver batarangs and then follows her to the Mad Monk's lair where he is attacked by wolves!
After defeating the wolves, Batman ends up in a room where spikes pop out of the wall and the walls move in to kill him!
Review: I love this series. I do! :) It's so refreshingly simple and entertaining much like it's predecessor, Batman and the Monster Men. Matt Wagner's done an outstanding job taking 2 classic Golden Age stories and retelling them in a modern, yet simple, style. Also for a person who draws, writes, inks and colours his own stories, Matt still manages to get them out on time!
Srsly, the stories come out like clockwork. While some people *coughcoughfrankmillercough* take 8 months to come out with their next issue. It's ridiculous that the 5th all-star Batman and Robin book will have come out when the final Mad Monk book comes out. And that's if Frank isn't late AGAIN. We're talking 12 issues (Monster Men + Mad Monk) in LESS time than it took Frank to get 5 issues of All-Star out.
As for the story. It's simple, and very capitivating. This is a Batman Year One story, so Batman hasn't met supervillains or nething yet. This is his first real meeting with somebody who isn't a petty crook that's scared of him. As Wagner said in an interview, it's the first time in his career Batman says "boo" and the villain says "GRRR".
I totally recommend this book, and to pick up the other 3 books if you haven't alrdy.
Angelwings Rating: 5/5
Recommendation: Definitely pick it up.
Green Lantern - #14
Synopsis: Hal Jordan thinks about being captured by terrorists after he and his wingmen got shot down in enemy territory. He remembers about being tortured and how watching Cowgirl get tortured made him snap and break free and save his friends. Then he finds out she's been captured again. He grabs his ring and goes to free her but is attacked by the Global Guardians, with the Rocket Reds on the way.
In the meantime, it turns out everything has been set up by the son of Abin-Sur who wants his father's ring back!
Review: After the last arc involving the return of the Cyborg Superman, this story was a bit of a let down. Also, altho it's nice to have the Green Arrow point it out, why DOESN'T Hal bring his ring when he flies? He endangered himself and his teammates by not keeping it around him. It's not like it stops him from being normal.
I guess my beef is that ONLY Green Arrow said nething about this. I refuse to believe that Batman or Wonder Woman would approve either. Both believe in being rdy for danger at all times. Even Superman would not agree, as he places the priority of other ppl's lives above his own wants and needs.
At least Green Lantern feels guilty about it.
This being a Green Lantern book, I'm surprised at the return of THE GIRLFRIEND IN THE REFRIDGERATOR SYNDROME.
For ppl that dunno, the GITRS syndrome is a "plot device" whose name was coined by the DC writer Gail Simone to describe a situation where a female is killed or maimed by the villain to "motivate" the hero. The term comes from the Green Lantern story where Kyle Rayner (who was the only Green Lantern at the time) finds that his girlfriend has been killed and stuffed into a refridgerator by the villain Major Force.
The argument has been made that men are put into these situations too (such as Robin's death at the hands of Joker). But they're missing the point. Robin is an important character b/c he has history. Male characters put in danger have usually been developed over time and are valued by fans.
Female characters put in danger, are not necessarily those that have been around for some time, or are fan favourites. All you need is for the hero to semi know this female and then have her threatened and everybody understands it's a terrible act!
It's sad but true, and I'm guilty of writing this way too, but the easiest way to make a villain seem dispicable and hated is to have him threaten, rape or kill a female. INSTANTLY everybody hates him. It means no need for character development to make him bad b/c everybody just knows that violence against women is wrong.
Unfortunately this means that female characters are routinely introduced with the sole purpose of having them killed or harmed to make the hero angry.
And that's why it was dissapointing to see Cowgirl be captured, not once but TWICE, and threatened with rape and torture. Just to get Hal angry.
Hal had a male wingman too, why wasn't his fate just as disturbing? B/c if he had been tortured, the fan impact would be less. Sadly, a military man being tortured would be seen as "well part of the job, he can take it", while a female clearly would break quickly. The male wingman had his ARM broken. Yet that wasn't enuf to make Hal angry enuf to escape and beat up the torturers. It was Cowgirl being THREATENED that did.
NEWAYS. Steering away from that. The story is actually quite interesting, if not very exciting, and having Abin-Sur's son show up was neat. But honestly, when Hal became a Lantern, isn't it customary practice to have him go to Abin-Sur's family to tell them the bad news? Or at least have the Guardians do it? I thought the GL Corps was like a police force.
I'm interested to see where the story goes however, and that means good writing. :)
Angelwings Rating: 3/5
Recommendation: Pick it up if you have extra money to spend
Martian Manhunter - #4 (of 8)
Synopsis: The girlfriend of the man who was killed trying to help Martian Manhunter, recieves a video from her now deceased boyfriend telling her that he believes his death was caused by Manhunter.
In the meantime, the evil government organization trying to hunt down the Martians invents a bullet that explodes into flame when punctured into a Martian (due to their psychic abilities). Basically, that makes it an insta-kill bullet to Martians.
J'onn (Martian Manhunter) finds the girlfriend and saves her before she is apprehended. She doesn't believe his story however, but before it can be sorted out, the building they are in is attacked by the government! In the ensuing chaos, one of the Martians is shot and killed while the others (and the girl) escape.
Review: Honestly, I'm not very interested in this story arc. The book has been dissapointing b/c it's mischaracterizing J'onn. He finds out there are other Martians and suddenly he hates humans? It's like if I made Chinese friends (of which I do have) and then suddenly hate all my white friends cuz now I have REAL friends.
J'onn wouldn't do that! O_O
And now would be an EXCELLENT time to ask your friends Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman for help wouldn't it?
Overall, the story was OKAY. It told the story, but wasn't spectacular in doing it. It's nice to see that J'onn feels guilty for getting a man killed and protects his girlfriend tho. At least J'onn is FINALLY acting like a hero.
I'm going to prolly follow this plot to it's conclusion but this "new take" on Martian Manhunter isn't making me a fan.
Angelwings Rating: 2.5/5
Recommendation: Buy it if you're alrdy following the arc and have money
Teen Titans - #40
Synopsis: Bombshell tells the Teen Titans that Ravager is the traitor that they've been looking for! Ravager insists it's not her and then goes back to the base, planning to leave the team.
The Teen Titans also dun believe it's her and Bombshell reveals it could be somebody else. Suddenly, Miss Martian shows up and reveals herself to be a White Martian! They attack her and everybody starts fighting.
Kid Devil and Wonder Girl leave the fight and find where Raven's been hiding. She is doing some ritual. She reveals that it isn't Ravager OR Miss Martian! It's...
BOMBSHELL! Bombshell then takes out the heroes just at the second of the reveal but Ravager shows up and defeats her!
Raven then says that she was performing a ritual to bring back the former Titan (and Ravager's brother), Jericho!
Jericho appears before them VERY naked.
Review: *groan*
I'm sorry. But the story was TOTALLY cliched. TOTALLY :O
A character we've never heard of until now shows up to accuse another character of being a traitor? Check.
The character accused NOT being the traitor? Check.
The character making the accusation being the REAL traitor? Check.
The real traitor taking out the heroes RIGHT as she is revealed as the traitor? Check.
The accused character showing up just in the nick of time to save the day and prove herself? Check.
Srsly, it's like Johns didn't even bother to write, he took a previous script and changed the names.
That's dissapointing, b/c Geoff Johns is my favourite comic writer. :(
Also, apparently Miss Martian is joining the team. Surprise surprise.
So what we have is 3 girls.
Ravager is your typical sexy, slutty "bad girl". She'll sleep with nebody. She romps arouns in a bikini whenever she can. And she smokes.
Miss Martian is your typical innocent "good girl". She's cute. She wears a skirt and talks about how lonely she is in a cute, shy way.
Bombshell is a powerhouse, very butch looking, wears a tank top and camo pants, has short hair, very in shape, and is the military commander of her own unit.
And she's the traitor. The other 2 join the Titans for their regular adventures!
Guess which audience we're playing to boys and girls? XD
This is why when the comic and video game industries complain that they dun have enuf female fans it annoys me, b/c they're clearly writing for teenaged boys!
If you're a strong, butch woman with leadership abilities, you're evil.
It's not b/c Geoff Johns believes this to be true. It's b/c they're writing for an audience that fantasizes about dating the characters and Miss Martian and Ravager each fill a seperate fantasy while Bombshell, although prolly the most useful in a combat situation, does not. >:O
Neways... the return of Jericho!
Can't ppl just STAY DEAD!?
The only thing I can excuse about this is that Jericho will mean character development for his sister, Ravager and that can only be good b/c she's been such a 1 dimensional cliched bad girl right now.
I think the only thing I LIKED about this issue is that Miss Martian is not evil despite being a white martian. It means that an alien race, altho portrayed as being evil in the past, is not WHOLY evil. And that's a relatively uncommon thing to see in the comicverse. :)
Angelwings Rating: 2/5
Recommendation: Pick it up if you're a big Teen Titans fan, or if you're a teenage boy :P
Superman - #657
Synopsis: Arion of Atlantis tells the story of the future where Lois Lane, Jimmy Olson, Lex Luthor and The Parasite are among the only survivors on Earth and are going through the ruins of Metropolis hoping to find some resources.
They are attacked by some bad guys and some Arab hero named Sirroco shows up and then gets shot.
Arion describes how this evil villain named Khyber has been manipulating events in the world and plans to rise up and claim it. Superman then fights Khyber and gets beaten. Then Khyber throws Superman into Earth like a meteor, all the way to the core, causing Earth to explode in volcanos, earthquakes and kick up enuf dust to block out the Sun.
While he tells this story, Perry White, Lois Lane, Superman and Jimmy are listening on top of the Daily Planet to him. He then describes the RETURN OF SUPERMAN from the Earth's core, but says that Superman's return spells the end of Earth!
Review: Huh?
So Arion travels all the way to the future to tell some fairy tale? :O He wants to warn Superman about what will happen, why go into the detail of what happens AFTER? Why not just tell him what to do (or not to do) to avoid this future, rather than telling about what happens AFTER all hope is lost? Just tell him where this Kleb guy is and have Superman beat him!
Time travel is always hard to write into a story b/c if they have the ability to go to ne point in time, why do ppl always choose the time RIGHT BEFORE everything bad is about to happen where there's "not a second to spare"? XD
Why not travel 10 years before? or 5? :O
And why does he care to prevent THIS crisis and not Infinite Crisis or Our Worlds at War? Millions died in those events too!
NEWAYS. That's just the nature of these stories xD What I found weird is that Perry, Lois and Jimmy are SO important, that he must tell them as well as Superman. Yet, even tho other heroes are mentioned as having died in the future, he doesn't feel the need to tell them. And Superman doesn't feel the need to get them to here to listen.
Okay. o_o
Neways, the future story is kinda neat. But in an Elseworlds kinda way. I wish it was an Elseworlds tale cuz then it'd prolly have a more interesting conclusion O_O
I haven't been all that interested in the Superman book since Johns left and Busiek became the main writer, and this book continues that trend. :|
Angelwings Rating: 2/5
Recommendation: Get it if you're alrdy reading the arc
Gen 13 - #2
Synopsis: The Gen 13 kids are still locked up in their cells. They've discovered that if they go near each other their handcuffs explode in electricity and hurts them.
The scientists observe them, making notes. They take Fairchild and make her pose for pictures in various outfits in front of various fake scenaries. >.> They also cut off Burnout's dreadlocks.
The "buyers" on the instant messaging system, talk about what they want the kids to do. One of them says that he can't take what he's seeing and doesn't want Freefall.
So they go to kill Freefall. However, Burnout realizes that he can take advantage of the electric handcuffs and uses that to take out the guard attempting to kill Roxy, by putting the guard in between their handcuffs.
Grunge takes out the other guard, and Fairchild steals his gun, forcing him to let them escape.
They escape but Roxy is shot in the attempt. When they get out onto the street, she has a bullet wound and is being held by Burnout.
Review: *sigh* e_e This series has been SUCH a dissapointment so far. I was never a HUGE Gen 13 fan, but I did like many of it's concepts and their female characters. The problem was that, like most of the Image/Wildstorm comics back in the "bad girl" 90s, the strong female characters came at the price that they had to be drawn outrageously out of proprotion and semi-nude at all times. As well their sexuality had to be focussed on, and they always had to be in seductive or revealing poses.
It was okay to be a strong woman, you just had to look like a porn star doing it. >.>
So that's why I was very excited to see GAIL SIMONE as the writer for the Gen 13 reboot. After all, this is the writer who coined the term "Girlfriend in the Refridgerator Syndrome" and is excellent at writing strong female characters (ex: Birds of Prey).
So why is this book sucking so much? :(
I LIKE the idea to change some of their origins. I LIKE the idea of Fairchild being some picked on geek. I LIKE the idea that their troubled childhoods were manufactured to get the personalities desired. :O It has the possiblities of a real nature vs nurture exploration to happen!
But they get captured in the first issue before we even get to KNOW them! And immediately they're friends? :O
I think my biggest problem is that like a lot of "remakes", the author assumes that you alrdy know the story, the characters and what happened last time. So they dun bother with character development or plot development, b/c whatever they didn't change, you'll fill in the blanks in your mind right? :o
I do rly like the idea that ppl are paying to have these kids given superpowers just to see how they'll act. I like the idea that some ppl get off on the idea of a superpower girl posing for pictures.
They're interesting ideas! It also must be nice for Gail that Wildstorm is now owned by DC and they can legally make Fairchild dress up like Supergirl xD
This is the age where if you like something, there's prolly an organization out there willing to cater to you. o.o So this makes sense!
The story is just SO RUSHED.
There is NO character development. They care about each other for reasons I dunno, b/c I never saw them interact! And the love of showing off Fairchild's body (and the covers where her clothes are torn off) are still there! :(
It's like Gail Simone doesn't rly know how to approach this project. On one hand, she's hinting at new things, on the other hand, it seems like she's forcing herself to throw in sexual references as much as she can. :O All the scientists and clients are horny as heck and never stop talking about how horny they are >:O
The whole thing feels forced :(
And Sarah Rainmaker, the Apache lesbian, doesn't get a line of dialogue! She's just.. there!
I WANT to recommend this book. I rly do! But I can't :(
Angelwings Rating: 1/5
Recommendation: Forget this series
SUPER SHORT REVIEWS!!!
52 #27 - Great stuff involving Ralph, Renee and Question! Lots of set up for future events :) Highly recommended. 4.5/5
Batman #658 - Incredibly dissapointing ending that is very cliched. Not recommended. 1.5/5
Batman and the Mad Monk #4 - Excellent storytelling that is simple yet interesting and fun! Definitely pick it up! 5/5
Green Lantern #14 - Falls back into old patterns with using violence against women as a plot device, but otherwise, a solid beginning of a possibly interesting arc. Check it out :) 3/5
Martian Manhunter #4 - Uninteresting story that gets the job done, but doesn't hold interest. Get it if you're alrdy into the arc. 2.5/5
Teen Titans #40 - A former titan comes back to life, and the traitor is revealed! Unfortunately the story is incredibly cliched and aimed at teenage boys. Get it if you're a Titans fan b/c a resurrection issue is always a major issue. 2.5/5
Superman #657 - Confusing and at times boring, this story reads like somebody telling you about an Elseworld's book they read XD Avoid it unless you want to keep reading this arc. 2/5
Gen 13 #2 - Standard plot that speeds along with absolutely no character development. Interesting ideas are raised that are NEVER explored or even acknolwedged by the characters. Dun bother with this one. 1/5
Anyways, that's it for me this week! :D Thx for reading!!!
<3
Ami Angelwings :)
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Hi! :D
Hi! :D
I'm Ami :)
Umm.... I'm bad at these intro thingies, so I dunno what rly to say...
Basically, this blog is for my reviews of the comics I buy every week! ^^ I always have a lot to say after reading them and this gives me a chance to let it out!
I guess a little introduction about me...
I'm a 24 y/o Chinese girl in Toronto. :) I got into comics 2 years ago with the Superman/Batman Supergirl arc and I've been a big comic fan since then! I mostly read DC, but there are some Marvel titles I will occasionally venture into. House of M rly turned me off the Marvel titles tho. :( I can't afford to spend that much money either.
Neways, my favourite superheroes are (in on order xD): Batman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Black Canary, Blue Beetle, Green Arrow, The Atom and Ironman. ^_^
Kk, so I guess that's it for my intro post! I'll put up a comic review post soon!
<3
Ami Angelwings
I'm Ami :)
Umm.... I'm bad at these intro thingies, so I dunno what rly to say...
Basically, this blog is for my reviews of the comics I buy every week! ^^ I always have a lot to say after reading them and this gives me a chance to let it out!
I guess a little introduction about me...
I'm a 24 y/o Chinese girl in Toronto. :) I got into comics 2 years ago with the Superman/Batman Supergirl arc and I've been a big comic fan since then! I mostly read DC, but there are some Marvel titles I will occasionally venture into. House of M rly turned me off the Marvel titles tho. :( I can't afford to spend that much money either.
Neways, my favourite superheroes are (in on order xD): Batman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Black Canary, Blue Beetle, Green Arrow, The Atom and Ironman. ^_^
Kk, so I guess that's it for my intro post! I'll put up a comic review post soon!
<3
Ami Angelwings
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