Phaedrus45
Avenger
- Joined
- May 20, 2005
- Messages
- 10,502
- Reaction score
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- Points
- 31
Batman-Gotham After Midnight #10: For the past few issues, it seems apparent who Midnight is...but, ya never know; sometimes I think I have something figured out, and I really didn't. It's just how many times do we have to see Bruce Wayne/Batman fall in love, and that love either gets killed or turns out to be his enemy. Sure, April died two issues back; but, all we saw was her chared body.
What does work, and it's also a formula we've seen before (made famous by The Long Halloween), is a 12 (or 13) part story that each issue includes a well known Batman Villian and many times features key holidays to show how this investigation plays out throughout a year's time. In this story, Midnight somehow injects the villians with a "synthetic control mechanism" that's introduced into the bloodstream, making them act out in whatever way Midnight wishes them to. What Midnight doesn't realize is that his/her next victim, Bruce Wayne, is actually Batman...who, if my guess is right, is the person she/he loves.
Steve Niles always writes a nice Batman story, and Jones art goes well with it. As I said, it's not anything groundbreaking; but, it's fun to read. (Best of all, I don't have to read another Origins and Omens tale, unlike with my next four DC titles I am going to read.)
7/10
Superman #685: This issue is all set-up for things to come, kind of like a full issue of "origins and omens." The new Superman maxi-series, Superman: World Of New Krypton" begins next week, and in this issue Superman says goodbye to Lois and his Earth mom, letting them know he is going to pretend to give up all his earthy desires to live with the Kryptonians. He explains it's the only way he can stay abreast of what Zod is going to do. Luckily, Mon-El is saved from the Phantom Zone when he's forced to leave it, and Superman finds a cure to Mon-El's lead poisoning somehow just appearing out of nowhere. This means even though the Superman titles will be having a "World Without Superman," they will have Mon-El to take over his duties on Earth. (He's now Jonathan Kent, as Ma Kent takes in every stray that comes along associated with Clark.)
As this was just a transitional story, retelling much of what has gone on before, I found it rather dull. Mon-El's adventures interest me in no way, and I can't see much of interest coming from them. Plus, the art looked pretty crappy, especially when compared to the beautiful cover by Alex Ross.
4/10
Teen Titans #68: With Teen Titans, Terror Titans, and Titans, it's all a bit too much lately. And, while I'm a McKeever fan, nothing he's done with this title has blown me away. Sure, it's a bit better; but, with what I've read before, that shouldn't be too hard to achieve.
This issue focuses on Kid Devil...who I think is now called Red Devil or something like that...and, it picks up where Reign In Hell leaves off. Kid Eternity takes Eddie to Hell, where he learns his contract isn't binding with the previous ruler, Neron. (Originally, Eddie agreed to his powers in exchange for his immortal soul and servitude upon his 20th birthday, granted he loses favor with Blue Devil.) He does get introduced to the new ruler, Lady Blaze, who tries to make him the same contract, without the whole Blue Devil part. Kid Eternity saves him from doing that (why he'd want to do it is beyond me), and due to Brother Blood stealing his powers from him in the previous issue, Eddie is still in his original human guise at issue's end. It turns out this mission was just as much about Kid Eternity getting out of his contract as looking into Eddie's.
In Origins and Omens, it shows the Teen Titans will forget about focusing on recruiting new members, and instead focus their attention on the Dark Side Club. With only four members active, this is a team that doesn't have a single standout member. (Fans of Blue Beetle might disagree with me, though.) It also feels like there are tons of loose ends just dangling with the various storylines I've been reading lately. I keep thinking I should drop the title; but, there is a small part of me that's interested in seeing what happens next.
6/10
What does work, and it's also a formula we've seen before (made famous by The Long Halloween), is a 12 (or 13) part story that each issue includes a well known Batman Villian and many times features key holidays to show how this investigation plays out throughout a year's time. In this story, Midnight somehow injects the villians with a "synthetic control mechanism" that's introduced into the bloodstream, making them act out in whatever way Midnight wishes them to. What Midnight doesn't realize is that his/her next victim, Bruce Wayne, is actually Batman...who, if my guess is right, is the person she/he loves.
Steve Niles always writes a nice Batman story, and Jones art goes well with it. As I said, it's not anything groundbreaking; but, it's fun to read. (Best of all, I don't have to read another Origins and Omens tale, unlike with my next four DC titles I am going to read.)
7/10
Superman #685: This issue is all set-up for things to come, kind of like a full issue of "origins and omens." The new Superman maxi-series, Superman: World Of New Krypton" begins next week, and in this issue Superman says goodbye to Lois and his Earth mom, letting them know he is going to pretend to give up all his earthy desires to live with the Kryptonians. He explains it's the only way he can stay abreast of what Zod is going to do. Luckily, Mon-El is saved from the Phantom Zone when he's forced to leave it, and Superman finds a cure to Mon-El's lead poisoning somehow just appearing out of nowhere. This means even though the Superman titles will be having a "World Without Superman," they will have Mon-El to take over his duties on Earth. (He's now Jonathan Kent, as Ma Kent takes in every stray that comes along associated with Clark.)
As this was just a transitional story, retelling much of what has gone on before, I found it rather dull. Mon-El's adventures interest me in no way, and I can't see much of interest coming from them. Plus, the art looked pretty crappy, especially when compared to the beautiful cover by Alex Ross.
4/10
Teen Titans #68: With Teen Titans, Terror Titans, and Titans, it's all a bit too much lately. And, while I'm a McKeever fan, nothing he's done with this title has blown me away. Sure, it's a bit better; but, with what I've read before, that shouldn't be too hard to achieve.
This issue focuses on Kid Devil...who I think is now called Red Devil or something like that...and, it picks up where Reign In Hell leaves off. Kid Eternity takes Eddie to Hell, where he learns his contract isn't binding with the previous ruler, Neron. (Originally, Eddie agreed to his powers in exchange for his immortal soul and servitude upon his 20th birthday, granted he loses favor with Blue Devil.) He does get introduced to the new ruler, Lady Blaze, who tries to make him the same contract, without the whole Blue Devil part. Kid Eternity saves him from doing that (why he'd want to do it is beyond me), and due to Brother Blood stealing his powers from him in the previous issue, Eddie is still in his original human guise at issue's end. It turns out this mission was just as much about Kid Eternity getting out of his contract as looking into Eddie's.
In Origins and Omens, it shows the Teen Titans will forget about focusing on recruiting new members, and instead focus their attention on the Dark Side Club. With only four members active, this is a team that doesn't have a single standout member. (Fans of Blue Beetle might disagree with me, though.) It also feels like there are tons of loose ends just dangling with the various storylines I've been reading lately. I keep thinking I should drop the title; but, there is a small part of me that's interested in seeing what happens next.
6/10
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