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Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 7/11/15
Someday I’ll go to San Diego for Comic-Con. I don’t necessarily want to go. I imagine the crowds are horrendous and unbearable. But I’d still like to go, in theory, and that’s important too. But at least I have some good comics to read while I’m stuck in New York.
It’s a Marvel-less week this week, with Secret Wars dominating too much of their time and energy. Fortunately, DC is more than happy to pick up the slack, with quality new issues of Gotham Academy, Starfire and Justice League of America.
Comic Book of the Week goes to Batman #42, the second consecutive issue of the new series to earn the award! Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are just killing it with their new Robo-Batman.
Commissioner Gordon may never be the same again
I’m chomping at the bit for the crossover with We Are Robin!
Over at Word of the Nerd, my latest dive into Secret Wars tie-ins left me rather disappointed. Civil War #1 is a waste of a comic, spinning its wheels with backstory and exposition as it tries to set up a ‘What If…’ scenario. Skip it.
Comic Reviews: Batman #42, Bloodshot Reborn #4, Gotham Academy #8, Justice League of America #2 and Starfire #2.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 6/20/15
Sometimes I just can’t help myself. There are weeks when I tell myself to keep the Hench-Sized reviews under control, that you fine readers can’t handle me rambling for so long and so intensely! But this week was filled with great comics! DC continues to pump out some fun titles with their rebranding, and a few of my favorite indie comics were in my stack. This was a good week.
Comic Book of the Week was a hard one, but I think I’m going to give it to Justice League of America #1. The new series is written and drawn by Bryan Hitch, and is a great example of DC’s new style. Bucking the constraints of up-to-the-minute continuity, the new Justice League is just a straight forward, fun adventure by my favorite comic book artist. It’s a good launch.
Everybody loves diplomatic sessions
Unfortunately, Marvel Comics remains mired in Secret Wars. Even the great Ms. Marvel is now tied into that event. I skipped that new issue this week before it’s basically just Kamala Khan running around trying to be a hero while the world falls apart. The next issue is the one to watch out for, when she finally teams up with Captain Marvel!
Speaking of Secret Wars, I took a look at Squadron Sinister #1 at Word of the Nerd. It’s pretty much a dud.
Comic Reviews: Black Canary #1, Justice League of America #1, Kaijumax #3, Lumberjanes #15, Prez #1, Robin: Son of Batman #1 and Secret Six #3.
Those Other Two Justice League: Gods and Monsters Clips!
I posted the first Gods and Monsters clip when it came out, and I figure today’s a good day to fill you all in on the rest. We’ve got one starring the new Superman and one starring the new Wonder Woman. Enjoy!
I’m still not all that impressed. But it’s a lazy Monday, and we could all use a little entertainment!
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New Bruce Timm DC Cartoon Is Alright, I Suppose
I dunno. Everybody’s making a big deal out of this Bruce Timm-designed new cartoon series, but I don’t think it looks all that interesting. It’s called Justice League: Gods and Monsters, and it’s a dark re-imagining that’s going to focus on evil versions of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Along with the DVD movie, they’ve also produced a few mini-webisodes, and here’s the first one now. It’s the new Batman vs. a very scantily dressed Harley Quinn. Somehow, Timm came up with a way to make Harley’s outfit even skimpier than it has been in recent years.
Maybe the movie will be better, but then I haven’t been impressed by one of DC’s animated movies in a long time. Here’s an interview with Timm if you’re interested, but for me, I think this whole thing is going to be a pass. Adding heads in jars and skimpy underwear on Harley Quinn does not a good show make.
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Darkseid’s Daughter is Everything Wrong with Comics Today
Since the very beginning of the New 52 at DC Comics, writer Geoff Johns has been teasing the Darkseid War, an epic battle between the villainous Darkseid and the equally villainous Anti-Monitor. They are two of DC’s biggest bad guys, the sorts of villains who could threaten the entire universe, and Johns is going to send them to war against each other — with the Earth and the Justice League likely caught in the middle. As a comic book fan, that sounds incredibly awesome.
But I cannot abide by the utter garbage that is a key player in this war: Darkseid’s daughter. Introduced this past week in Justice League #40 and DC’s Free Comic Book Day prologue, Darkseid’s daughter is everything that’s wrong with comic books today.
Yes, steal all the Justice League weapons, that’s kewl
Prepare yourself, this is definitely going to be an angry geek ranting about comics on the Internet.
Look at her, just look at her! The very sight of this character makes my skin crawl due to annoyance. Has DC learned nothing from their own success? Does the massive fan support of the new Batgirl comic mean nothing to them? I see this new character and I roll my eyes at how much of a colossal step backwards she is for comic books. It’s not 2011 anymore, DC! And it’s definitely not the 1990s!
If their upcoming summer rebranding is a sign that DC actually has learned a few lessons and is going to change for the better, Darkseid’s daughter is their one last hurrah for idiocy.
And if you need further proof that this character is ridiculous, her name is Grail. Yeah, exactly. She is a work of zero creativity.
Join me after the jump so I can actually explain why I’m ranting at you today.
Henchman-4-Hire 