I'm Moving On

Hey everyone,
So I've decided to leave blogger and utilize Wordpress for all of my reviews and ramblings I like to post publicly on the web.  I feel Wordpress provides more as a blogging website than blogger does.  Blogger has enough frustrations about it that it ha cause me to look into other options for quite some time.  And based on what I've seen of sites like "Girls Gone Geek" and other blogs on Wordpress, I think it's time for a change.

I haven't actually made the new site as of yet but I wanted to give everyone a heads up.  I will post my new site once I have it ready to go so don't quite following this one just yet!  But the site URL will be just like this one...just take out the .blogspot and replace it with .wordpress.  In fact, there's a good chance I might pay the 15 dollars per year to not have that annoying .wordpress at the end and have my own .com website!  Wouldn't it be nice to just have to type www.hereticaljargon.com?

Well, anyways, until I have the new site up and going, no reviews for Comics or Movies will be coming out.  Be patient with me as I get my blogging life moved over to Wordpress.  In the meantime, like always, enjoy some silly comic book photos found in Google images...

Even the men at Marvel can't get over Power Girl's boobs

till one of my favorites Batman spoofs

Way too weird not to include in this picture parade

Yet she's still got nothing on Power Girl

Even green meanies get theirs

Super fast organisms

Raven....really?!?

Happy Valentines Day From The Heretic's Blog....

Comic Book Review: The Flash #9

Written By: Geoff Johns

Artist: Francis Manapul

Colorist: Brian Buccellatto

Cover Artist: Manapul & Buccellatto

Letterer: Sal Cipriano

Editor: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

The most frustrating thing about comics is how fast one can burn through all 22 pages. (Or in Flash #9’s case, 20 pages.)  In most cases, and I’m sure I speak for all comic book junkies, I find myself finishing up a comic and wishing it hadn’t ended so quickly.  With Flashpoint coming up next month, Johns is making a valiant effort in getting it off to a good start through Flash #9.  While the writing and plot progression is great, I felt a little empty at the issue’s end.

It’s one of those stories I like the most from my comics, when the writer takes time to develop the unmasked persona of a hero.  Barry Allen is bombarded with work and isn’t receiving a lot of support from his fellow policemen.  This in turn is having a major impact on his family and social life having missed the first Allen family picnic since they began who knows when.  But of course, this side of the story helps to initiate the angst and drama as Barry does his best to solve the mystery of the 16 year old Elongated Kid who somehow died of old age in less than a day.  But to top it all off, this Flash installment ends with Barry Allen chasing after Barry Allen…wait, what?

So this issue is pretty compact with practically three plotlines running through it; Barry having issues with his family, the Elongated Kid mystery, and the motorcyclist randomly speeding through the city who happens to be Barry Allen’s doppelganger.  I realize that this is the beginning of Flashpoint and Johns is just using The Flash to help move into the miniseries, but I did feel just a tad overwhelmed…mostly because I wasn’t expecting it.

I loved the focus on Barry’s family troubles due to his job and how he’s having difficulty coping with everything else surrounding his life, especially the tension that he and his wife are struggling through.  One thing is clear though despite all the tension, those two really do love each other, which is an encouraging thought.  I certainly wouldn’t want to see Iris leaving Barry after he’s been back from the dead for such a short time.

Let’s move to the crime scene with the purposefully confusing and wrinkly Elongated Kid because this is where I have minor difficulties.  It’s the perfect way to start a mystery; creating an event that seemingly has nothing to do with the major events in the story.  But connected to the family issues and the other Barry Allen, my imagination felt a little too congested.  BUT!!! This is in no way stopping me from going to pick up flashpoint and continuing with the regular Flash title.  I guess, despite the overwhelming nature of this issue, Johns is doing a good job at keeping me hooked.

Having recently voted Manapul as the best artist of 2010, I’m certain to say his nomination for 2011 is looking exceptionally bright.  But even more impressive is Brian Buccellatto’s usage of lighting, both bright and dim.  The crime scene flushed with shades of green and the bright orange light bouncing off of the motorcycle as it glides down the side of the building, illuminating off of Barry and his office is a definite sign of pure and error free artistry.

And just a side note…sure, it’s a surprising ending, but if anyone is really THAT surprised by Barry Allen traveling from the future to meet his past self, then you’re either really easily impressed or haven’t been around comics long enough to recognize this trend in comics.

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

I shouldn’t really complain should I?  This is the nature of comics. They come out once a month and we only get 22 pages of storyline that only takes us anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes to read through, I should expect some overwhelming stories right?  This isn’t a bad issue by any means.  It’s not the best of the series, but you won’t read it and think to yourself “What the fuck was that shit?”  It’s still worth your time.

7 out of 10 stars.

Best Artist of 2010...Francis Manapul

Sometimes it's hard for me to pick who I think made the top spot for best artist for the entire year.  There's so many good ones out there and they all do there part in giving stories life and gusto.  Amanda Conner and Gary Frank were close contenders, followed closely by Frank Quietly.  But there is no doubt in my mind as to who wins the title for this year.

In 2009 I picked Ed Benes, but he only worked on very few comics that year; it made me feel the need to alter my requirements for being the Heretic's Blog pick for best artist.  Well this year I think I got it right!  Say hello to the best artist of 2010, Mr. Francis Manapul! (applause!)

He hasn't been working in comics that long based on the information I was able to scrounge up on him, (that's right Manapul, I'm your personal stalker!)  but in 2007 he signed a contract with DC comics and has worked on some very popular titles like Legion of Superheroes, Superman/Batman and Adventure Comics.  While his career with DC is very short, he's definitely made a mark for himself within the comic book world and is progressively rising.

I should note that he has a resume with some very well-to-do comic book companies such as Aspen, Top Cow and Image Comics.  All of which truly help him boost into the artist spotlight today.

I've chosen Manapul as 2010's best artist mainly for his work in the 3rd volume of the Flash title.  For those familiar with his work, Manapul's style is unique and edgy, always pronouncing that "sketched out" look.  Most other artists out there take time to make everything they do exceptionally clean with extra smooth lines.  This isn't bad by any means, it's the way I draw for pete's sake!  But Manapul gives us something fresh and different to look at while enjoying our comic reading experience.  I hope to be at a comic book convention where he attends so I can shake his hand and tell him how much I enjoy his artwork.

Below are a few of his pieces, enjoy!

Super-Hero University

What would the superheroes we know and love have been like in college?  Chase Mitchell from College Humor provides a clue with these images....

Comic Book Review: The Flash #7

Literary & Artistic Credits

Writer: Geoff Johns

Penciller:  Scott Kolins

Inker: Scott Kolins

Colorist: Brian Buccellato

Letterer: Sal Cipriano

Cover Art: Francis Manapul

Editor: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

Look guys and gals, I enjoy the occasional deviation from a comic book title’s focus to dive deeper into a characters personality just as much as the next geek, but Captain Boomerang?  Of all the villains out there…

Ok, so maybe it wasn’t THAT bad.  I guess I’m just a tad bit upset by the fact that, after only six issues DC decides to take Flash out for one comic book installment to focus in on one of DC’s lamest villains.  The actual writing of this issue isn’t bad by any means; Geoff Johns is a fantastic writer and can typically turn even the most uncreative and boring characters/stories into a readable storyline.  But the outcome lends nothing to the title itself and is, more than anything, just a recap of stuff we already know.

Digger Harkness grew up in a crumby part of the world where his dad beats him, his brother enjoys the show, and his mother allows Digger to endure such ridicule from his father out of fear I’m sure.  But mysteriously, Digger constantly receives a boomerang in the mail, despite his dad’s consistent breaking of them.  One thing leads to another, and Digger becomes a master of the boomerang, leaves home and…well…you know the rest.

So let me ask this…what purpose did this issue serve other than to fill in the gap of the Flash’s deviation from a monthly schedule?  Is there a reason why Brightest Day is slapped across the top of the cover when the only connection this title has to the after math of the Zombie attack are the self generating boomerangs?  Was this merely an attempt to release the Reverse-Flash and allow him to return with a vengeance, but you needed a fill-in storyline.  I don’t understand how this specific focus on Captain Boomerang actually helps us understand the lead-in with the Reverse-Flash, nor how this aids to the title in general.

Boomerang is still a decent character, but I don’t think it merits making him a focal point in any single issue.  I’m all about the splurge of villain focused book, but keep Boomerang out of the mix.

Scott Kolins was a great replacement for Francis Manapul this month as he emulated this titles regular artist quite well.  Sure, you can tell the difference between the two styles, but by no means should anyone have anything to complain about.  The colors work even better as a representation of what Manapul and company have put in motion with this title, especially when Reverse-Flash finally pops out of his hanging, metal-cocoon prison; flashing about his yellow and red suit with piercing, blood-shot eyeballs. And let’s not forget about that cover!  Manapul, you’ve done it again.

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

Here’s the deal, everyone will probably be entertain by this issue.  I know I was thanks to the fabulous work by writer Geoff Johns.  But to be honest, skipping this issue is also a viable option.  We aren’t given much as far as new content and it really doesn’t serve the title that well.

Rating: 6.7 out of 10

Writing: 7

Art: 8

Themes: 5

Comic Book Review: The Flash #6

Literary & Artistic Credits

Writer: Geoff Johns

Penciller: Francis Manapul

Colorist: Brian Buccellato

Letterer: Sal Cipriano

Cover Art: Manapul & Buccellato

Editor: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

Do you know why stories dealing in time travel are so hard to write?  Because no matter how hard you try there will always be that paradox causing confusion within the storyline.  Very few books that use time travel as the plot base work fluidly and prevent headaches from occurring.  The guiltiest culprits of poorly written time travel stories are comic book writers, who taken advantage of this sci-fi genre, going a little over board and loosing track of the story in the midst of the excitement of jumping back and forth through time.  The exception to this crowd, however, is Mr. Geoff Johns.

The plot involves Flash calling the Renegades out in their methods and motivation. Flash manages to escape the futuristic police force and proves once again that he is the greatest Flash of all time.  Barry goes back to his own time to save the women he loves and clear his name.  But can he make it back in time before Top accomplishes his deed?  (I’m sure you can figure this one out right?)

Johns still has much to deal with, what with the same paradoxical issues that string along with this arc, but he manages to address those issues in elegant form and style.

First, as stated above, time travel stories face confusion and continuity problems; always deviating from reality and providing conclusions to the story that makes readers slap their hands against their foreheads in disgust.  Bill and Ted is one of the more successful plots involving time travel.  But here, Johns takes these unrealistic and confusing aspects of time travel storytelling and makes sense out of it, putting all the fault on the renegades and showing how they were the ones making the bad time traveling decisions.  This gives off the realistic vibe that trying to change the past really can’t succeed in the way you want it too.

Secondly, the tie-in with what’s currently going on in many of the DC titles helps to solidify that fact that the time stream in the DCU truly is having problems, which is why the Renegades made such awful mistakes to begin with.  Wonder Woman, Bruce Wayne, Brightest Day, etc, it all ties-in to this specific story in “The Flash,” but helps explain some things that many fans, I’m sure, have been severely disappointed in.  (Wonder Woman guys, Wonder Woman!)

As readers, we are tied between the uncertainty of the justice system in the future and wanting crime to be done away with using this type of enforcement.  We aren’t left with any easy answers and Johns does a good job in ending this issue very ambiguously; we still have a fairly happy ending, but both sides of the argument are presented in both positive and negative lights.  Even the villain, Top, wasn’t completely bad.  Living under a system such as this could drive anyone to committing a crime to clear his or her name.  The point is, you can’t put blame on any single person or group as everyone has done something a little sketchy.

How is it Francis Manapul continuously improves the quality of his art as the months push on I have no idea.  I’m beginning to like his style so much that I almost prefer it over the cleaned up, inked-to-hell look.  This sketched out look gives it a very fresh feel that forces the art to stick out, begging to be noticed and praised. 

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

Though Brightest Day is having a lot of trouble standing on its own, Johns is making the tie-in with the Flash fantastic.  But even if you aren’t following Brightest Day, the Flash #6 will still stand on its own and doesn’t RELY on the major DC event for excellence.  The Flash is a great book and you NEED to pick it up if you haven’t already.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Writing: 10

Art: 10

Themes: 10

Comic Book Review: The Flash #5

Literary & Artistic Credits

Writer: Geoff Johns

Art: Francis Manapul

Colorist: Brian Buccellato

Letterer: Sal Cipriano

Cover Art: Manapul & Buccellato

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

Where does Geoff John’s heart lie? (Other than with Green Lantern…) Why, with The Flash of course!  Johns seems to be luckier any other writer on the planet because he always lands the titles he cares about the most.  The Flash has been a delight to read from beginning to now; and with only five issues in the run, it’s still showing more potential and gusto than I could have hoped for.

The story has so much going on that Johns is justified in stretching the arc out as far as it has.  Most arcs we find today are prolonged for the sake of making it six to twelve issues long.  Johns is giving this Flash story so much meat that it leaves you wanting more.  Barry Allen is presented with the ultimate minority report, (Thanks Spielberg!)  going to jail for a crime he didn’t commit, or allow the inevitable to occur which results in the death of a human life.  And with Barry’s wife in jeopardy, Captain Boomerang on the loose, and the dilemma with the Rogues and Renegades, this Flash installment is nothing but pure excitement and thrills.

Speaking of thrills, Manapul certainly takes us on a roller coaster ride of sparks, flashes, and lighting bolt trails.  The structure and maturity in his artistry and talent is beginning to stick out as an unmatched quality among the comic book gods of art.  Even the depth, presented by colorist Cipriano, is so immensely defined and intense that Ed Benes could be challenged to the ump-teenth degree.

I do have some complaints about how much this title is tying in with Blackest Night and Brightest Day.  I really wanted the Flash to start off fresh and be able to stand on it’s own without referring back to Geoff John’s incredible hit mini-series.  Continuity is important, but can become a bit cumbersome in the midst of a fantastic story.

And of course, how many times have we seen a superhero go on trial by a futuristic police force, or an intergalactic alien government, leaving the hero clueless to the accusations. (That damned trial of Superman back from my childhood really left a bad taste in my mouth.)  And I really do wish we could move past the whole time paradox that exists within our comic books.  I understand it comes along with the territory of science fiction, but honestly, it seems to pop up more often than it should.

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

Apart from some minor gripes, this issue is a fantastic read and I recommend it to all.  Now with Iris in danger and the Flash on trial for something he hasn’t done yet, I can’t help but wait with great anticipation on what will happen next.  I wish comics didn’t have to be limited to 22 pages.

Rating: 9.66 out of 10

Writing: 10

Art: 10

Themes: 9

Comic Book Review: The Flash #4

Book Information

Written by Geoff Johns
Penciled by Francis Manapul
Colors by Brian Buccellato
Letters by Sal Cipriano
Cover by Manapul & Buccellato

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion
When it comes to Geoff Johns, there’s one thing we can be certain about…his ability to successfully revive a hero is unmatched. No wonder DC hired him to remap the DCU, he gives each reawakening such a fresh new start. The work he put in Flash: Rebirth and the secret origin stories of Green Lantern and Superman have been remarkably well done. And with being four issues into the reinstatement of Barry Allen’s once owned Flash title, it’s one heck of jump start.

With the first two issues of this run, we understood right from the beginning that the renegades weren’t necessarily bad people, but we still didn’t like them right? #4 shows us a different side to this futuristic police force, one of compassion combined with a conflicting sense of loyalty to their jobs and fallen comrades. Who should I route for? If the Flash beats these guys, then the Renegade’s deceased partner stays dead. But if the Renegades complete their task in apprehending the Flash, will this time paradox of arresting citizens before they commit a crime become a lawful standard in the future? With each positive option comes a necessary evil that isn’t beneficial to anyone. Just like in Alan Moore’s “Watchmen,” Johns makes us ask the question, “Which side do you choose when both sides are wrong?”

But Johns also brings to the literary table a sense of urgency. With Barry Allen’s new found knowledge of his wife’s possible life threatening predicament, and the secret plotting by Captain Cold and the Rouges to finally put and end to the Flash once and for all, all I can do is hold on tight for 4 + weeks and await the outcome. I just might die in all the angst driven anticipation!

Then there’s Francis Manapul, who has shocked me completely with his uncanny ability to create such marvelous works of art. The separation Manapul makes between what the world looks like when the Flash is running vs. when he isn’t is crisp and eloquently jaunting. And with the very unique painted look Brian Buccellato adds to the Flash Motif, you could honestly sit down in your chair, take an eraser and wipe out all of the dialogue and gaze upon each and every panel and still enjoy Flash #4 just as much as you would with the words. I think I have no choice but to make Mr. Manapul a candidate for my top comic book artists of 2010 list.

My Awesomely Climactic Conclusion
Alas, it hurts me to wait so long for the 5th installment of this awesome title. Johns, like always, has put so much hard work into making this title unique and fresh while still holding on to some of those classic story telling techniques. While I can say with absolute certainty that this issue will not make it as the best comic for 2010, it sure as hell is in the running for making the top ten.

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

Comic Book Review: The Flash #2

Book Information

Written by Geoff Johns

Penciled by Frances Manapul

Colored by Brian Buccellato

Lettered by Sal Cipriano

Cover by Manapul, Buccellato

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

Flash #2 begins where #1 left off.  Flash must decide if he accepts the fact that these futuristic versions of his old foes have traveled back in time to arrest him, or to escape.  (Gee, I wonder what he’ll do?)  After a pretty intense battle sequence, and one speedy rebuilding of an apartment, The Flash resumes his daily job routines only to discover that he is actually a suspect in a much bigger mystery. 

I can’t complain, this was a fun read.  It may not be the best issue of the month, but by no means is it the worst, far from it actually.  All Flash #2 is doing is doing is pushing the story forward and creating even more tension within the mystery while keeping it fun and exciting to read.  I love how Johns isn’t letting up on the unrelenting relationship the Flash has with time and space.  He only recently escaped his entrapment in time, now people from the future are coming back to take him through it all over again.  But even after the battle was done and these mystery men were sent back to their time, Johns puts Flash in a sticky spot by causing a near by, run down apartment building to crumble where he must use all his energy to save every tenant before the building crumbles away. 

I know what you’re thinking, “Where will these people live now that their home is gone?”  Don’t worry, Geoff Johns isn’t so evil that he didn’t have a backup plan.  I would recommend reading Flash #2 to discover how Barry Allen learns all of his construction skills.

I’ve never seen Manapul do much work in comics, at least not in the DC arena.  It’s a shame too, he is almost flawless in his artistry.  The one problem the Flash has been met with since his inception are the over abundance in speed lines.  Artists over the years have never quite been able to figure out how to make it work without becoming too much of a distraction.  Manapul loads up on the speed lines but somehow makes it work.  And while I’ve never been a huge fan of the trailing lighting bolts, it doesn’t detract from the visual appeal.

I'm not sure I understand the significance of slapping the "Brightest Day" title on the front cover.  I would think that connection between Brightest Day and Flash would at leasts be somewhat predominant in the story, but no such evidence has occurred.  maybe someone can enlighten me.

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion

Flash has never intrigued me until now.  I have always found him to be a creative idea but never thought of him as a timeless character.  That’s one of Geoff Johns’ many positive attributes as a comic book writer, he gives the characters purpose and a reasonable sense of being.

Ratings

Writing: 10

Themes: 9.5

Art: 10

Overall: 9.83 out of 10

Comic Book Review: The Flash #1

Book Information

Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Francis Manapul

Plot

A mystery is at hand! (like always) Barry Allen is back in the “Flash” and keeping people safe from the thugs and criminals who wish ill-will on the innocent bystanders of Central City.  But a Mirror Mask look alike has descended upon the City and Barry Allen has no idea what is going on.  The Flash must do all he can to solve this mystery before he is wrongly accused of murder.

My Thoughts

This issue was not what I expected it to be, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  Flash #1 focuses more on the reestablishing of Barry Allen and the people around him in the DCU, which means this is a much more dialogue driven script than anything else.  So I would implore those of you who are hoping for a lot of lighting bolt trailing action to sit back and not allow your pre-conceived ideas of this book to dictate your feelings about the story.

Writing

The book starts out with a nice entrance as the Flash shoots down the street after the Trickster who seems to have chosen a poor get away car to outrun the cops in.  But I guess the make and model of a vehicle is a secondary concern for Geoff Johns since the entire chase scene is pretty epic, ending with the automobile flying off a harbor dock and the Flash ripping the car apart mid-air to save a kid in a pretty silveristic-age style.

The next 13 to 14 pages place Barry Allen back into his old forensic position at the Central City crime lab.  My problem is I was never a huge fan of the Flash, especially during the whole aftermath of that damned Zero Hour so many years ago.  So for me, having a reintroduction to a lot of the classic Flash characters was a nice re-cap.  However, seeing as how fans wouldn’t want a complete history lesson of stuff they already know, Johns pushed through the re-capping pretty quickly, giving us enough to be informed without dragging the story down.

It’s interesting to me that virtually no time is spent on Iris and Barry catching back up on the years they have missed together.  I’m very much a fan of nostalgic story lines so I was a tad disappointed that Johns didn’t take advantage of that literary opportunity.  There was an instance where Iris and Barry look back on an agreement they made, defining the professional boundaries Barry has to take between his personal life and work; this moment was equally happy and sad, foreshadowing what this married couple’s future could be like.

Rating: 8.5

Themes

As the book reestablishes Barry Allen into the DCU, the loneliness that seems to following him along is an interesting aspect.  Not one character in this book is an unfamiliar face in the eyes of Barry Allen, yet the amount of loneliness I sense in Barry is more than I could have endured.  He walks into a city he hasn’t seen in years, finds himself at semi-odds with his wife, and is unable to make himself comfortable in his old workplace.  Now while Johns is presenting The Flash as a happy-dappy man who goes with the flow, and it’s possible I’m seeing things that aren’t there, I can’t seem to get past those moments of utter loneliness.

Rating: 7.5

Art

If you take out the word balloons and thought boxes, I would still find myself enjoying this book equally as much.  Francis Manapul might have just boosted himself as one of my favorite artists.  His style seems to combine both the clean, finished look with the rough sketch approach which makes it very appealing visually as no one else draws like that.

I’ve never been a huge fan of the lighting bolts trailing after the Flash (any of them) so it is a bit annoying to me to have to see that happy trail every time he shoots off.  But minor annoyances aside, I love how well done the speed lines are in this issue.  This is an important and vital aspect in the Flash mythos and if it’s not done well, it’s possible the book could fail.

I do find it odd that Both Barry and Iris look a lot younger than they probably should, but Power Girl has been around for ages and her boobs are perkier than ever with no sag in sight.  I guess I can live with a 70 year old man living in a 30 year old man’s body.

Rating: 9

Overall

A fun read; probably one of the better “first” issues I’ve read in a long time.

Rating: 8.3 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming May 12, 2010

BRIGHTEST DAY shines its light on the continuing saga of Barry Allen – The Fastest Man Alive! The Flash continues his investigation into the "Dastardly Death of the Rogues" as the case takes a dramatic turn and Barry corners a suspect...and can't believe who it is!

Comic Book Review: Brightest Day #0

Book Information

Written by Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi

Art by Fernando Pasarin

Plot

With the power of foreshadowing, DC takes us on a journey of what is to come by jumping from one end of the globe to the next.  The artist formerly known as Deadman, or Boston Brand, becomes and unwilling victim to this perplexing trek across continents, trying to decipher why he and the other twelve risen heroes and villains have returned and what their purpose is.  It is as the thesis of this issue states…

“Once dead, twelve heroes and villains were resurrected by a white light expelled deep from within the center of the Earth. Deemed a miracle by many and a sign of the apocalypse by other, the reasons behind their rebirths remain a mystery.  But it will not be a mystery for long.  This is Brightest Day!

My Thoughts

Geoff Johns might very well be DC’s greatest tour guide in history as we go from page to page of wonderfully written literary excursions through the past while remaining conflictingly in the present.  The plan for Brightest Day seems to have a very clear and focused agenda which we don’t see in comics to often. Most of the time plots are driven by poetic dialogue, prose and beautiful artwork…oh, and then the plots resolve and no one knows how.  I can tell Johns and Tomasi has put a lot of work and planning into this series and I’m sure Johns is going to flop on his bed and sleep for a whole week from the exhausting efforts Blackest Night and Brightest Day require of DC’s most popular writer.

Writing

Typically, I don’t like comics with an issue number of zero.  It isn’t necessarily because the stories are bad, weird or ridiculous attempts to bleed more money out of their readers; there are enough of those out there without being labeled with a zero.  No, zero issues are typically nothing more than reminders of what has happened in the past in order to propel us into future issues, and for me, it’s an unnecessary purchase.  But with Brightest Day #0, that wasn’t the case. To be honest, there was really no need to make this issue #0, but I guess DC has to make this stick out more I guess.

There isn’t too much to complain about here, with exception to the complete idiocy of characters constantly using the phrase “Flash Fact.”  It sounds more like the title of a weekly opinion piece to a local news program…

“And it’s time for Flash Facts with your host Barry Allen!” 

“Well thank you Jim!  Today’s topic…what the hell does ‘Flash Fact’ actually mean?  Are villains talking to me or are they unsuccessfully trying to make themselves look smarter?”

The problem with Johns continually jumping Aliveman (heh heh, sorry, couldn’t resist) around at sporadic moments, going from place to place with no revealed agenda makes it difficult to for me to review all the events.  Boston Brand sees everything while no one sees him.  The white ring bestowed on Brand seems to have a knack for popping in at the most inappropriate time, especially during Mera’s skinny dipping scene along the beach, and the birdie-nookie scene shared by our lovely Hawks.  But not only that, Brand finds himself discovering Maxwell Lord lying a kiddie pool filled with Ice Cubes, (possibly Lazarus Cubes?) a lovers green lovers triangle, and a very unexpected union of two experienced Firestorm Matrix users.  I liked the flawless transitions from scene to scene, giving us enough information to stay intrigued while not revealing too much about what lies ahead.

Rating: 9

Themes

I find the title of this series, Brightest Day, to be interesting when the first page shows a baby bird falling from its nest, cracking open its skull.  Along with this follows a series of events that seem to only point to more disaster and despair.  No one seems to be happy, and everyone portrays a sense of confusion, ambiguity, and depression.  How do you tell a man you’re sorry for killing his wife?  What should you do when someone you loved comes back into your life while you’re in love with someone else, but you still retain feelings for that long lost lover?  How does someone so strong move past the uncertainty he has about himself?  So much of this story seems to deal with these very questions, and I have a feeling the next phase of evolutionary changes within the DCU will be based on how these questions are answered.

With the exception of a few risen characters, this issue’s focus seemed to be on the relationships.  Hawkman and Hawkgirl.  Kyle, Jade and Natu. Aquaman and Mera. Hawk and Dove. Ronnie and Jason and the connection they share.  Everything revolves around the intimate relationships of the risen ones and I can only deduce that this will play a significant part in the progression of the series.

To top everything off, can anyone tell me if they saw that ending coming?  Because I sure didn’t.  I know DC has continually been making claims that Star City will become the most important geographic location on the DCU map, but I wasn’t expecting that importance to begin like this.  The explosion of Star City was in a perfect star formation.  Coincidence…I think not!

Rating: 10

Art

Apart from the cover being absolutely amazing, Fernando Pasarin puts together a set of absolutely stunning visuals that I was not expecting from him.  While I typically find his wooden, stiff approach to drawing people quite boring at times, the emotional impact is far from lacking on every page.  We have positive moments that we all would love to wake up too…

Dark and disturbing images that would scare the shit out of us in real life…

Incredibly nostalgic scenes in that sepia toned color…

And painfully gruesome portrayals of pain and torment…

Nothing but the best from Mr. Pasarin.

Rating: 10

Rating: 9.67 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming May 5, 2010

BRIGHTEST DAY continues, but in ways you can't possibly expect! What does BRIGHTEST DAY mean to the DC Universe? Is everything from here on out going to be bright and shiny? No, BRIGHTEST DAY means something else entirely, something we can't tell you...yet. But we can tell you our heroes will need to rise up more than ever to combat the forces of evil, and a select few will uncover a secret that binds them ALL.

Heretical Jargon: Why DC Is Better Than Marvel

Photo comes from theonion.com...I love that website!

Comic News: Birds of Prey and Brightest Day...no rhyme intended

I'm so happy to see that the new secret members that were cleverly hidden in shadow of the Birds of Prey was revealed at long last!  What's most interesting is the fact that it seems as if the Birds of Prey will induct a male into their ranks...go figure!  Gail Simone, as I'm sure everyone reading has figured out, is at the helm of this highly  anticipated title.  Her departure from Wonder Woman was a low blow to myself and many other Simone fans, but this new writing project she is taking on is a more than acceptable replacement for her.  The icing on the cake is that Ed Benes will be joining her as the artist!  My favorite comic writer and my favorite comic artist on the same book, it's almost like I've died and gone to Colorado...oh wait....

With this new revelation of Hawk and Dove joining the feathered females, I've also come to realize that Brightest Day will be playing into the first issue of Bird of Prey.  In addition, Johns revealed that the reasons for the rebirth of the dead heroes will become known in Brightest Day.  I had originally given Blackest Night #8 a rating of 7.5 merely based on the fact that so many question were left unresolved; that Brightest Day is simply a change in the title "Blackest Night" and the story won't be completed for a while yet.  But it is comforting to know that Johns has had a plan for this entire event from the beginning.

Now, with the return of these heroes, springs some new and revived titles.  Obviously Birds of Prey will be at the head of this "soon to come" titles, and The Flash (Barry) takes new strides with Geoff Johns managing the literary side of things.  The Justice League: International will also be returning to stores in April in a mini series called "Generation Lost," where Fire, Ice, Booster Gold and Captain Atom go on the hunt for Maxwell Lord. I'm wondering how long it will take before Aquaman gets his own title back as well as Firestorm.  And what of Deadman?  Why has he been given a chance at life once again?  Another mini series in the works possibly?  Only time will tell what DC is going to do.  One thing we can count on is Brightest Day is the ultimate remapping for the DC Universe that anyone could ask for.