Subscription Reviews - Superman, Green Lantern, Supergirl

Title: Superman #708

Writer: Chris Robinson

Penciller: Eddy barrows

Colorist: Rod Reis

Letterer: John J. Hill

Cover: John Cassidy & David Baron

My Thoughts

Ok, so this issue was quite interesting.  First, it sheds some light to this whole Wonder Woman mystery – there’s not really a whole lot of realizations that occur but we do learn that we, the readers, aren’t the only ones who are perplexed by Wonder Woman’s current state.

I enjoyed the second half of this issue more than the first.  The overdone “inspiration” Superman has on the future was played out enough with the Legion, now we have an entire squad named after the Man of Steel.  I wasn’t completely turned off by it; it’s always fun to see what realities and futuristic worlds a writer can come up with, but it’s overdone and I’d like to see something else.

The second half was really exciting in how Superman comes to terms with how needed he is on Earth despite how much everyone seems to hate him right now.  Seeing Wonder Woman and Superman work together, becoming an inspiration for her was a fantastic twist as they fought against the tidal wave in the city.  But each page was flooded (no pun intended) with visually striking art that I would love to be able to recreate.

Rating: 8 out of 10

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Title: Green Lantern #62

Writer: Geoff johns

Penciller: Doug Mahnke

Colorist: Randy mayor

Letterer: Steve Wands

Cover: Ardian Syaf, Vicente Cifuentes, & Randy Mayor

My Thoughts

Doug Mahnke is, as I’m sure everyone reading would agree, is a fabulous artist; this issue is no exception to his already established excellence.  I think Mahnke has been playing his best “A” game ever since Blackest Night began.  And what artist wouldn’t?  But props definitely need to go to Randy Mayor for the different array of colors as they piled on top of the violets, reds, and greens.  Artistically, this issue is perfect.

But the story is nothing to be belittled because it doesn’t quite keep up with the artistry. Geoff Johns really hits us hard with some strikingly effective prose.  I’ve always known about Krona, but never actually understood what his role is in the Green Lantern mythos.  While I still don’t really understand his beginnings, I have a better handle on why this blue mini-me puts so much fear into the rest of the Lantern corps.  This issue is enjoyable and worth the new DC motto price tag, “Drawing the line at $2.99.”

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

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Title: Supergirl #61

Writer: James Peaty

Penciller: Bernard Chang

Colorist: Blond

Letterer: Travis Lanham

Cover: Amy Reeder & Guy Major

My Thoughts

This issue was an interesting approach to what technology is doing to people today.  Not only can cell phones make calls, they also have apps they can bring people together in a party of social networking harmony.  BUT…Peaty puts a twist on things by putting this technology in the hands of a new evil villain who has yet to be named and solidified into the Supergirl lineup of villains.  But I’m definitely interested in how things turn out.

Bernard Chang still remains as one of my favorite artists.  I love the approach he takes at making every character with the cleanest of lines with the most elegant figures.  But Chang has a fantastic partner in crime in Blond as he (or she, I can’t figure out of Blond is a guy or girl) colors every panel with his (or her) very unique and talented style.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Comic Book Review: Superboy #4

Written By: Jeff Lemire

Artist: Pier Gallo

Colorist: Jaime Grant

Cover Artist: Eddy Barrows, J.P. Mayer, & Jaime Grant

Letterer: John J. Hill

Editor: Matt Idelson

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

You have got to be kidding me!  You know I pride myself in being able to pick up on the clues giving by writers in stories.  Whether it be film, novels, comics, or whatever, I think I’m pretty darn good at it.  But even predictability doesn’t necessarily mean the story will be bad.  Neil Gaiman proved that with his phenomenal novel “Anansi Boys.”  Superboy started off with a bang, being predictable but still very good.  #4 seems to be a step backwards in the wrong direction.  And after I got done laughing at this issue, I sat back and found myself wondering if I should continue picking this series up.

So the story picks up where we left off last month.  A new character from the future, Psionic Lad, enters into Superboy’s time and life followed by a band of techno-cops ready to take the lad back into their custody.  Superboy, always quick to act and not to think, saves the day and brings our brain-wave kid to safety.  But, as is always with comics, we must always be wary of new people.

So first, let me say what I did like about this issue.  The side story with the Hallow Men, which began back in issue #1, is beginning to build up enough momentum to keep me interested.  And how Lemire has pulled Psionic Lad into the general framework of this story is a great way to keep continuity steady and strong; points to Lemire for that.

What I don’t like is how awfully predictable this issue feels.  When Psionic Lad made his appearance last month, my first thought was, “Oh man, he’s a bad guy!”  Of course I thought a monkey wrench would be thrown into the story and I would be taken by surprise at PL’s purpose.  Sadly, the final page confirmed I was right about who the bad guy is.  I’m sure many of you are saying, “well just be patient Jimmy, maybe he’s not actually the bad guy.”  Which, if this is true, would only mean that the heroes of the future wanted some aspect of their lives changed, and which could only occur through Superboy’s death; hence sending Psionic Lad to the future to complete the task.  Very predictable and annoying if you ask me.

But let’s address the high school drama motif permeating in this issue.  I like a good romance just as much as the next guy, (Do most guys like romance?) but Lemire is making this series out as some after-school special.  Superboy is too incredibly trusting and too much of a boy-scout for my tastes.  I can only hope that next month provides more substance to counter this issue’s poor progression.

Pier Gallo might be put on my “most hated comic book artists of all time” list.  The inconsistency in his artwork sends jolts up my spine.  In some cases, Gallo puts together some incredibly impressive pieces, while the majority of the time characters feel exceptionally wooden and dull.  But this isn’t helped by Jaime Grant’s poor coloring qualities as every page seems to have a blended look to it, making everything feel like it’s has a shade of yellow and tan. 

But if you’re one of those fans who loves collecting comic books because of the amazing covers, this book is a definite keeper.  In fact, I would say it’s the only redeeming factor of this issue.

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

Maybe I’m being a little harsh, but I hate seeing a series start off so well only to plummet so quickly.  I’m going to continue to pick this series up because the Hallow Men story line seems very interesting.  But if it doesn’t pick up after that…bye bye Superboy!

2 out of 10

Comic Book Review: Superman #703

Literary & Artistic Credits

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

Penciller: Eddy Barrows

Colorist: Rod Reis

Letterer: John J. Hill

Cover Art: John Cassidy & David Baron

Editor: Matt Idelson

Superman Created By Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

Last review I stated that, as good as this story arc is, JMS will really need to focus it into something different and new every month if it’s to last and be successful enough for the reviews.  Being the culprit of the subscription service, my Superman books come to me anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks after they hit the comic book stores.  I’ve read the reviews and the reactions have been less than stellar.  So, naturally I was a bit worried as I waited for my Superman #703 to be placed gently and elegantly into my mail slot.  As I tore away the packaging and opened up to the first page, I found myself in bewilderment because I actually enjoyed this issue where as the rest of geekdom seem unfavorable towards the “Grounded” arc.

The story starts off with Superman staring at us dead in the face with a death glare that would give Batman a run for his money.  We quickly learn though that this was, in fact, a Dark Knight tactic in scaring the sexual predator out of an innocent bystander.  The only difference?  Superman can dangle villains MILES above solid ground, and in mid-air. 

After the deed is done, Batman wanders onto the scene either wondering if he was out of a job or if Superman was beginning to see the light.  Either way, Batman’s concern for our Man of Steel comes into play, begging Superman to rethink his walk across America due to the fact that his very presence among civilians puts their lives in danger at an exceptionally high rate.  With stuff to think about, Superman continues his walk and runs into a possessed drunkard who temporarily received powers that equaled Superman’s.  The fight destroyed an entire block and it’s now causing people to wonder if Superman “among them” is actually a safe thing or not.

How many of us want to see Superman dubbed the bad guy?  I’d be safe in assuming hardly anyone wouldn’t I?  People expect batman to play the bad guy; his dark and menacing persona helps to personify that and we accept it, typically in a favorably way.  But Superman is our golden boy, why would we want to see him deemed a villain?  This is where the “grounded” story arc’s potential will lie.  After this issue, Superman’s fan base will be splintered off into two groups; those who love him, and those who think him a menace.  JMS may have found his nitch, now he’ll have to stick with it and create an amazing storyline filled with angst, drama, and conflicting questions that both the characters and the readers will have to answer before this arc is over.

JMS really does force us to ask a serious question, can someone famous truly be apart of the regular crowd?  Superman is a savior, but can he actually live among the people AS Superman without drawing attention to himself and those around him?  With his walk across America, will his enemies use this tactile advantage to strike knowing full well that Superman has a weakness for helping the helpless?

But even more prevalent is how much the destruction of New Krypton seems to weigh on the minds of the people.  Two worlds have been destroyed of which Superman would have gladly called home.  Will Earth see the same fate simply because Superman is a part of it?  We all know the answer to that question is no, but the rhetoric of fear will always outweigh logic within the minds humans.  What’s crazy for me, however, is the fact that Superman recently won back the hearts of his fellow Earth dwellers after the whole fiasco with New Krypton.  Now he’s on the verge of loosing them again, but not due to his connection to any alien race, but because of what could be called the “Superman Curse,” where Superman is always followed by death.

There’s nothing I can say that I haven’t said about Eddy Barrow’s work.  He did a fantastic job on War of the Supermen, and an even better job on Blackest Night.  Nothing Barrows attempts is poorly done, always utilizing the appropriate amounts of shading and light in order to create a certain emotional effect.  Gary Frank will always be THE iconic Superman artist for me, but barrows comes a very close second.

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

This arc seems to be an all or nothing deal for fans according to reviews.  They either like it or hate it, and it seems people are becoming more and more prone to hate this arc.  For me, I’m loving it; it’s a fantastic new approach for Superman and much needed if the “700’s” are to signify a new dawn for the Man of Steel.  You still get your punching and heat vision action, but this is a much slower paced Superman story so I would suggest giving it time and let it grow on you before you toss it out the window as garbage.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Writing: 10

Art: 10

Themes: 10

Comic Book Review: Superman#702

Literary & Artistic Credits

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

Penciller: Eddy Barrows

Inker: J.P. Mayer

Colorist: Rod Reis

Letterer: John J. Hill

Cover Art: John Cassaday & David Baron

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

I loved Superman #702, no doubt about it.  But can I just say if I were a non comic book reader, that the cover of this issue would have turned me off completely?  Holy shit!  Please DC, higher me instead of Cassaday and Baron; I can deliver a cover worth looking at.

Ok, sorry, I had to vent.  Typically, comic book company attempts to make the cover the most appealing visual aspect of any comic book they publish, which is why this cover vexes me in ways I’ve never experienced.  I think my gag reflex is about to initiate!  This is one moment where I can truly say my talent level far surpasses what was displayed on this issues cover.

Artistic frustrations aside, #702 finds the Man of Steel still on his walk across America in hopes to “find” himself.  With some unique encounters on the way, like a team of miscreant high schoolers playing basketball, an alien family in hiding, and a tired older man whose level of obliviousness surpasses my own, Superman displays both his need to help those in need, and his condescending inferiority complex in fine form.

Straczynski hits the nail right on the head with his depiction of Superman as a caring person whose conservative outlook on life can make him look like a complete asshole!  Was Mark Miller right with his Red Son storyline from Elseworlds?  If the circumstances were changed, would Superman have become an evil dictator?  #702 certainly causes me to ponder on that very fact.  His boastful attitude as he basically tells the aliens that they have no right to live on American soil without contributing to their community in some way definitely set off my ASS alarm.  I certainly wish the alien family had been more assertive towards the Man of Steel in explaining why he’s an arrogant, pompous prick, but that is the Superhero enigma isn’t it?  Every superhero must go through this guilt trip of knowing they are expected to help the people of the world since they do, in fact, have the ability to stop evil.  Like Ben Parker continually stated before receiving a bullet to the chest, “With great power, comes great responsibility.”  I don’t like it any better than the next guy, but when you know you can do something to help, it’s hard not to feel compelled to do so. 

Now while I understand Superman’s motives, I can’t agree with his methods of persuasion.  “Look here, I have a dead man in my arms!  If you don’t help him, you have no moral standing.”  Thanks for the guilt trip Man of Steel, your rhetoric is impeccable.  I guess I felt like Superman was suffering from a “high and mighty” complex which sickened me a bit, especially after how Superman has grown as a character in the last few years.

It was nice to see that Superman and Lois are still making time for each other.  I still think that if I were Lois, I would have put my foot down and told him to forget about it, but it seems they have a genuine respect and love each other enough to fight through this stage of life Superman is going through.  And can I just say that I love that the aliens attitude towards the series finale of Lost mirrors my own?  Straczynski definitely won some points with me...

Apart from the horrendously awful cover, everything seen within is gorgeous.  The alien armored suit flying down into the basement layer of the alien’s home was so good I might have to find a way at blowing this up and making it a poster for my already cluttered office at home.  I was wondering how in the world this could happen without the rest of the world knowing.  But then we see the boys wondering if there was an earthquake happening in their own backyard which quenched my inquisitive feelings towards the whole situation.  And Superman’s basketball game where he plays against the entire band of young adults was wonderfully impressive, even if he broke the rules of not using powers just a tad.

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

I’m pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this month’s Superman edition.  It’s hard to imagine taking on a project like this without worrying how it will be received by its readers.  I am happy with how things are going but I do wonder, if this indeed is a 12 month arc, how this is all going to end up on the road ahead.  Oh well, gotta keep my fingers crossed.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Writing: 9

Art: 6 (That cover just killed this rating)

Themes: 9

Comic Book Review: Superman #701

Book Information
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Penciled by Eddy Barrows
Inked by J.P. Mayer
Colors by Rod Reis
Letters by John J. Hill
Cover by John Cassaday & David Baron

Superman was created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion
Let us trail back in time a bit, ok? How many times have we actually seen Supes fly down and walk among mere mortals? Sure, he’s had brief moments where he has found himself in the middle of a human huddle, but never (at least in my life time) have I seen Superman actually take the time to descend from his heavenly plain and use his two feet. I don’t know about everyone else, but this feels like Supes has finally made a decision based more on what HE needs rather than what the people need.

As reporters huddle around him and throw out question after question, Superman responds with no more than one word answers, not giving them the satisfaction of some out-of-this-world response to explain his actions. He’s decided to do something different which he feels doesn’t need an explanation. Who cares right? The world cares more about Michelle Obama’s love for dogs than they do about poverty in 3rd world countries. Now we have the world more concerned about Superman taking a casual walk than the recent catastrophic events of New Krypton blowing up. It’s a common occurrence within American society and Superman is unintentionally showing the people that it shouldn’t matter if he decides to be normal or not.

Of course, Superman doesn’t allow the people to forget that he still maintains his super powered abilities by fixing car, lifting a Fox News-like reporter into the air, and burning some drug dealer’s stash with his heat vision, but the difference is he’s not intervening like he used too; he only told the old man that something was wrong with his heart, he only told the over confident car enthusiast that the fuel line was busted, but it was up to them to actually fix their problem. Now Supes did actually clean up the restaurant owners store room, and he did actually stop the hoodlums from dealing in that particular community, but this type of intervention is on a much, MUCH smaller scale than normal. Even with the young woman on the verge of jumping off a tall building, Superman only chats with her; he doesn’t force her down or try to stop her from actually jumping, he just listened to her and let her decision to jump or not be her own without any interference on his part. This new approach to Superman much resembles Gail Simone’s treatment of Wonder Woman, showing Superman’s more human and compassionate side.

There was, at times, some confusion on my part as to whether or not Supe’s walk on the sentimental side is more for his own edification, or the people’s. Maybe it’s both, I don’t know, but there is a mystery ahead as to whether or not this is the start of a new way of life for the Man of Steel.

I did become puzzled by the fact that Lois is just letting her husband pursue his own little walk-a-thon without even consulting her. Yes, Lois realizes that being married to a superhero comes with a certain amount of unpredictability and the willingness to let him do what is needed in the name of justice, but good grief, he just got back! I would think Lois would want him to stick around for more than one day right? If I were Lois, I’d have totally pulled out a can of whoop ass and tell it to Superman straight! This is not so much of a down side to this issue, just something that makes me tilt my head in wonder.

As for the art, Eddy Barrows is nothing less than a perfect artist. His use of light and dark has always been a pleasant highlight for me to enjoy. And with the help of Rod Reis on colors and J.P. Mayer giving the perfect amount of inking to the entire look of this issue, this is a great comic to stare at.

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion
The question to ask now is, where is Straczynski going with this? This was a wonderful change in the typical Superman storytelling crusade, but I can honestly say that getting a year long diet of this sentimental walk across the country, with all the cliché one liners and inspirational jargon that could potentially permeate throughout this whole run, really won’t sit well with me. I really enjoyed this issue make no mistake, I think it’s one of the better issues of the month, but hopefully something different occurs that gives this run meaning that’s fresh and inspiring.

Ratings
Writing: 9.5
Themes: 10
Art: 10
Overall: 9.83 out of 10

Comic Book Review: Superman #700

Book Information Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, JAMES ROBINSON & DAN JURGENS
Art by EDDY BARROWS, BERNARD CHANG, DAN JURGENS & J.P. MAYER
Cover by GARY FRANK

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion
Just like Batman, #700 has finally come within the Man of Steel’s clutches. It’s hard to believe that the corny, all American “good ‘ol boy” has been able to last this long. Don’t get me wrong, I love Supes, but there are times where I wonder how the heck a character as cheesy and goody two-shoish as he was able to last in our modern society this long. Just goes to show you how much people, deep down inside, truly want someone like Superman to exist.

#700 brings us three entertaining stories all written (and drawn) by numerous people. The opener brings us the Parasite running after Lois Lane (our proverbial damsel in distress if you will) because she stuck in her nose where she shouldn’t have. I’m not even sure what the heck Parasite and Prankster were trying to do, but it didn’t truly matter did it? All that mattered was giving Lois and Clark that one true intimate moment they have been lacking for over a year. At first I thought Robinson was going to really kill it for me, but instead made this entire section worth every penny in the $4.99 price mark. I think if Lois and Clark ever leave each other, it will truly be the end of comics as we know it. Out of all the comic book couples, Lois and Clark are the icons; the only true lasting phenomenon that has rooted itself within the DC Universe that will never be pulled up. Robinson wrote the greatest reunion of these two that will never be mastered by any other writer. Not even the great Geoff Johns or Gail Simone could have done better.

Bernard Chang in addition made this section that much better. Chang has excelled so much within this last year, but this issue marks a gold medal achievement for him. His attention to detail and clean artistic approach cannot be described as anything but perfect.

With a few turns of the pages, we come to the second feature by Dan Jurgens entitled, “Geometry,” Purposefully written in the classic story telling style, Jurgens brings us a tale where Robin goes out on his own despite Batman’s (Bruce Wayne) orders to stay home. Grayson gets in trouble and it’s up to Superman to save the Boy Wonder. It’s a pleasantly funny story with very corny ending that gives me an idea of what it must have been like reading comics when my parents were kids. I was worried at first that Batman and Robin were taking over this part of the book, but luckily Jurgens made everything come together quite nicely. And the art really gave the story that much more of an edge.

The final section of this book gives the new Superman writer a chance to show us what’s in store for the Man of Steel. With his recent return, people are flowering Superman with praise and bombarding him with questions about what life was like away from Earth. Being as humble as he could, Superman still meets a hateful and unloving slap to the face by an innocent civilian who blames her husband’s death on Superman’s absence. While the crowd is bewildered and offended at this lady’s actions, Superman takes her words and actions to heart and begins walking away, dwelling on the whole situation.

Even though I find this transition into Superman #701 a little too “Forrest Gumpish,” the message behind this transition is very powerful. After all Superman has gone through this past year, the one thing that pulls at his heart strings the most is the fact that he was unable to save a man who died of a tumor. This woman who so suddenly confronted him made a foot print in his heart that may never disappear. I appreciated this approach by Mr. Straczynski even though it’s only going to lead to a long, drawn out “coming-of-age” walk across America, but I think I can bear through it. I can at least give it a chance right? Especially with Eddy Barrows helming the art!

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion
In the same degree of Wonder Woman #700, Supes #700 brings an incredible amount of profound storylines to boost him into a new era of Superman stories. All we can do now is hope that Michael S. can do what James Robinson was unable to do.

Ratings
Writing: 9
Themes: 9
Art: 10
Overall: 9.33 out of 10

Comic Book Review: War of the Superman #4

Book Information

Written by James Robinson

Penciled by Eddy Barrows, Cafu, Eduardo Pansica

Colored by Blond

Inked by Mayer, Bit

Lettered by John J. Hill

Cover by Barrows, Mayer, Rod Reis

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

This just might be one of the most devastating comics of the year as the good guy winning is not the focal point.  On the contrary, the good guys are the ones that loose while the bad guys find themselves on a pedestal of historic achievement.  Just like Secret Six, WotS #4 defies the stereotypical comic book thread and gives us the most undesirable ending to a story possible.  But in doing that, Robinson and Gates have shown us that it’s not the level of satisfaction that a reader gets which dictates the book’s quality, but rather the message that it’s tries to convey.

The story gives all three “Supers” a chance to shine, mainly focusing in on Superman and Supergirl, with a glimpse of Superboy as he sucks numerous Kryptonians into the phantom zone.  Superman and Supergirl both fight defend themselves against Zod and Ursa, almost dying in the process.  The dialogue was fantastic despite a few cliché and silly moments from a couple of characters…

“Normally I have a rule about hitting women, but for you I’ll make an exception.”

“The Kryptonians are rabid dogs who need to be put down before—“

The transitions from panel to panel were smooth and the epic scenes were outstanding.  I honestly thought we were going to loose Superman forever as he selflessly put himself into the phantom zone to keep an eye on Zod.  Gates and Robinson kept me guessing as I wasn’t sure how this issue was going to end.  Was General Lane going to be stopped?  Was Zod going to be victorious?  Would Supergirl actually kill someone?  These questions and more kept swimming through my head with no answer in sight, the mark of an incredibly well-written story.

The deeper and more thought provoking theme of the final chapter in this arc really hits home for me as a sociologist, the inability for people to accept difference.  Both Generals were at the forefront of the problem, but people on both sides continued their belief that the other was bad.  And while the two generals were stopped, and people were safe once again, the entire Kryptonian race—minus the Super trifecta—was obliterated, and General Lane goes down in history as the “man who was prepared for the Kryptonian attack.”  Not only that, but Lois Lane and Supergirl both loose their parents during this devastating war.  The final moments where Superman and Lois discuss the future of Earth were very powerful; showing that humanities greatest weakness is their inability to give room for what they don’t understand.  This issue does not shed a positive light on human nature.  And for me, being someone who enjoys a good unhappy ending, this comic was candy!

I have to say, the artist toggle did not distract me as I thought it would before opening the book.  I would have preferred Barrows complete the whole book, but I found myself enjoying the artistry on every page.  Maybe the quality of the story was good enough that the artistic transitions made very little difference to me, or maybe it was something else, I don’t know.  But I do know that nothing in this issue artistically annoyed or pissed me off.

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion

War of the Superman….Great start, fantastic middle, and outstanding ending!  This was one of the more successfully executed minis DC has put out in a while.  It will leave you in an unsatisfied state but will give you many things to ponder on. 

Ratings

Writing: 10

Themes: 10

Art: 10

Overall: 10 out of 10

          + 2 incentive points

Comic Book Review: War of the Superman #0 [Free Comic Book Day]

Free Comic Book Day Review!

Book Information

Written by James Robinson, Sterling Gates

Art by Eddy Barrows, Aaron Lopresti, Gary Frank

My Thoughts

Free Comic Book Day is typically a time where comic book companies try to lure in new readers and long forgotten fans.  These FCBD comics are not always the most entertaining or well written.  Last year, however, DC broke the mold with the outstanding hit single, “Blackest Night #0.”  This started a new trend within FCBD, bringing more quality books to the comic book stores.  Now as War of the Supermen #0 is not the outstanding work that Blackest Night #0 was, it still maintained the quality that DC has brought to comic book stores everywhere.

While James Robinson scares the hell out of me, his team-up with Sterling gates seems to be paying off.  One thing Robinson established early in the WONK series was that Zod had ulterior motives; it was unclear if he did actually reform or was playing the entire city.  Robinson is, and always will be an “action” story kind of writer and this issue shows off Robinson’s style in full form.

The first half of the book isn’t that deep as it focuses mainly on Superman and Zod sizing each other up and going at it tooth and nail.  The mystery revolving around Zod’s motives was pleasantly revealed here, showing that Zod will never be anything more than an evil man.  My only complaint about this issue was the condensed storyline as ten pages into it, and after the mind bogglingly amazing two page spread of Kryptonians flying towards Earth, we move into the editorial piece where Lois Lane attempts to reveal her father’s evil and prejudice nature to the world.

Nothing new is revealed, which isn’t the purpose of the book.  Every page is a recapping of what has already transpired in hopes new reader’s will see the big blue “S” and pick this issue up.  But this isn’t unnecessary script writing as it all leads to the coming events in the Superman mythos.  This issue also leaves a lot of question running around in my brain.  What will happen between Earth and New Krypton?  Despite who wins the upcoming war, a decision must be made as to how the two worlds will interact in the future.  Will General Lane die before this series’ end or will he become a new arch enemy for Superman? 

Eddy Barrows delivers some fantastic artwork in the first half of the issue, giving off that same eerie feel he brought in the Blackest night tie-ins.  Superman bursting through the wall of Zod's domicile was breath taking and shocking!  The second half of the book, while still portraying some great art, was too distracting for me as I hate having to toggle between different art styles in the same book.

Overall

A lot of fun.  If anything were to get me excited about War of the Superman, this issue certainly did the trick.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Comic Book Review: Blackest Night JSA #1

Book Information

Written by James Robinson; Art by Eddy Barrows and Ruy José; Cover by Eddy Barrows; Variant cover by Gene Ha

Plot

Mr. Terrific does what he does best and studies the bodies of the now inactive Black Lanterns Superman and Psycho-Pirate in an attempt to figure why the Black Lanterns exist.  However, dark events are happening as the original Sandman, Mr. Terrific and Dr. Midnight have risen as zombie lanterns.  And as their first task, they lead a horde of Black Lanterns from New York to the JSA Brownstone.  Will the JSA be able to overpower the oncoming evil, or will they fall to their predecessors?

My Thoughts

Robinson finally delivered a stellar issue with Justice League #40.  That was the issue that told me he finally found his stride once again and was out of the “bad story-telling” outfit.  But this issue just proves that, when it comes to James Robinson, the quality of his writing will always be a toss-up. 

Keep in mind, the concept of this issue is great.  Having the JSA predecessors come back to hunt down and murder the JSA is just as much of an emotional train wreck as anything else that’s happened in the Blackest Night series.  I don’t doubt Robinson’s ability to create wonderfully creative concepts and ideas in his work, but I recently have been unable to invest myself into his stories.  BL: JSA #1 takes advantage of some great moments, but does not come out well from page to page. 

However, I will give Robinson two thumbs up when it comes to Power Girl.  As a reader, I could feel just from the writing itself how angry and vengeful Power Girl became upon learning of Superman’s (of her Earth) death.  Her reasoning for being so angry is not because Superman (of our Earth) or Superboy killed him, nor was it due to Wildcat’s ill-timed comment; rather it was because Kara’s Superman was dead and (in her own mind) at peace.  Kara feels the one responsible for raising these dead Lanterns are now being disturbed from their tombs and tortured by some force controlling the black rings.  This is a powerful moment in the book and Robinson does deserve credit for writing it so well.

The art is amazing.  Eddy Barrows is truly making himself known in the DCU with his clearly defined and intricate art work.  Pages six and seven have to be one of the best two paged spreads I’ve seen in a while; very dark, bloody and sinister all at the same time.  I think we are going to see a lot more of Eddy Barrows in the future.

Overall

Some moments of brilliance, but mostly not worth its weight in gold.  This had so much potential flowing through it and Robinson didn’t take advantage of what he was given.  Now it could be that this is just the beginning and maybe I need to wait it out and see what Robinson has in store for us.  However, this issue can’t stand on its own and wasn’t worth the time it took to read it.  However, if you just like comics foe the art work, then I would definitely recommend this book.

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming January 27, 2010

BLACKEST NIGHT continues! Black Lantern Lois Lane tracks down her undead husband, but their reunion could mean Power Girl's funeral! Don't miss this terrifying tie-in from James Robinson and Eddy Barrows!