Monitor Tapes comics and reviews for 1/5/2009.
BATMAN #684
Dennis O’Neil- Writer
Guillem March- Art
The second and final part of Denny O’Neil’s Nightwing story in a Gotham sans Batman. Nightwing escapes the previous issues cliffhanger (Detective Comics #851) with the assist of a Pizza Delivery Man’s (hmm, could be an new DCU hero, serving slices of justice) help and compares himself to Batman for half the issue. Nightwing makes mistakes and it’s a bit intragal to his character, whereas Batman “always” has a plan, Nightwing has the unfortunate handicap of being a character who’s not Batman or Robin, but a self made hero who makes mistakes and overcomes them, not unlike Marvel heroes OS. The issue (and story it’s self) is good, O’Neil is a great Bat-Writer even when he does something standard. The problem with the issue (though it works in the context of the story) is that of the Shadow of Batman, forever looming over his supporting cast.
Nightwing overcomes and beats the faux Two-Face and meets up with the “Face of Gotham” character, previously scared by the fake. The big to do in the story is that of the fact that everyone (including Gordon and the GCPD) is starting to get nervous without Batman, as pangs from criminals are getting bolder and just over the horizon is a fighting future where Gotham criminals wont be kept in check by Batman. Good story, great art by March, but unfortunately it’s not a Batman story and any stories told without him are going to feel a bit “fill in” till Bruce’s whereabouts are revealed.
FINAL CRISIS: SECRET FILES
Len Wein-Writer
Tony Shasteen-Art
One of the things about reintroducing an old character or even introducing a new character is the speculation of who’s under the hood (or mask). With the return of Libra, speculation ran from Barry Allen (Flash 2), Professor Eobard Thawne (Reverse Flash/ Professor Zoom), Glorious Godfrey, Desaad, and even Darksied.
As memory serves, Libra had no known origin to speak of, no known identity other than the mask, and disappeared as soon as he appeared. In his reintroduction in DCU #0 and role in Final Crisis, he was plucked from obscurity and revamped for the summer event as a kind of herald of Darksied/ catalyst to get the FC ball rolling. This lead to much speculation as the character previously had no ties to Kirby’s 4th World and was last seen being absorbed into the cosmos that he tried to harness for his own insidious needs.
Secret Files actually goes back to the original concept of the Secret Files series. In recent years, SF was a kind of one-shot with stories and “Who’s Who” type pages, almost acting like an annual to the series or event series it would be tied to. In this case, there’s no real conventional “Who’s Who” pages and more story than supplemental material.
Len Wein got tapped to tell the origin of Libra in addition to tying him to Final Crisis, fitting since he co-created the character. True, noting earth shattering is to be found in the path Justin Ballantine walked from child surrounded by tragedy to that of supercriminal Libra. Good story, ties everything together, what more could you want!
In addition to Libra’s story, we also get another page from the Crime Bible illuminated by Greg Rucka, Steve Lieber and Eric S.Truman.
Grant Morrison types up a cosmic recap on the Anti Life Equation where it’s been and recaps Mister Miracles Seven Solders adventure.
Morrison and J.G. Jones fill the remaining pages with additional FC Sketchbook material, it’s amazing how the images and text give so much info on the characters when invited into the thought processes involving the DC character remixes presented.
Aquaman is presented in a classic look with the iconic costume he should be wearing, with some updates and tweeks to bring the character to a modern look without sacrificing his signature look.
Despite enjoying the recent Doctor Fate series (in by the Late Steve Gerber and friends (he unfortunately passed before completing his story), this is the version of Fate I want to see. Part Doc Savage, part Lovecraft monster hunter, part Indiana Jones, all badass! A rexmix on the character that takes the Doctor Fate version and Len Kaminski Fate character with a pulp hammer and smooshes ‘em together. This is the Fate I want to see in the JSA on New Earth, though being based on Earth 20 gives a much wider toy box for crazy adventures.
Ironically, as I mentioned I expected more “Who’s Who” stuff as that’s usually what comes with SO books. The story was a pleasant surprise, but I almost want more sketchbook with new crazy character remixes!
GREEN LANTERN #36
Geoff Johns- Writer
Ivan Ries- Art
Green Lanterns, Red Lanterns, Yellow Lanterns too, Violet Lanterns, Orange Lanterns and even Lanterns Blue!
Green Lantern continues to blow me away! The Red Lanterns now are in possession of Sinestro and are holding him as prisoner for crucifying Atrocious amongst other things, like using him as a claw sharpener for the other Red Lanterns.
New Blue Lantern Saint Bro’dee Walker, explains that Sinestro needs protection from the Guardians (and death as everyone wants him dead) as Sinestro is important to future events (The Blackest Night? Lantern War?). BL, who’s ring is powered by hope maxes out the charge on Hal’s ring while also curing the Red Lantern hate infection in GL John Stewart. Bro’dee whisks Hal off to Odym, homeworld of the Blue Lanterns and current residence of Ganthet, “banished” former Guardian.
Over on Zamaron, home of the Star Saphires (Lady Guardians and “Violet Lanterns), Fatality as a member of the Sinestro Corps is being “reeducated” and transformed into a Star Saphire. As she emerges, she names John upon her lips and commands her ring to locate him, “no time for love Mr. Stewart!”
Really, I’m doing you the reader a disservice even trying to describe Green Lantern issue to issue, it’s something you just have to pick up and read. Even trying to explain the concepts is no where as good as the jobs Geoff Johns and Ivan Ries (and other artists as well) do.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #22
Geoff Johns and Alex Ross- Writers
Alex Ross and Dale Eaglesham- Artists
The inevitable conclusion to One World Under Gog, true it ran a little long, but it was sad to see it end.
Kingdom Come Superman has become the original Superman, or Earth 2 Superman. He’s come to represent the old school superman who does what’s right and draws a line in the sand and lets no on cross. He’s also a mirror to which the DCU proper Superman is held to, a reflection of tragedy, loss, and inaction. Due to continuity constrictions, you knew when KC Superman came on stage he wouldn’t be around forever. DC and Alex Ross had no intention of changing the story of Kingdom Come or tarnishing it in any way.
Gog, previously attempting to bond with earth and taking away the gifts given to the heroes upon their refusal to worship him, gets hit by the JSA and hit hard. With earth at stake, the old timers and young folk attack Gog and forcibly remove his head in an attempt to sever his connection with the body he created from the planet. Superman (along with Starman, now crazy again) take Gog’s head, still mocking them and plant it into the Source Wall, along with the shells of the Old Gods of the 3rd World to which he belongs. Gog wounds Superman with the knowlage that he failed to save his world sholdering Kal El with the weight of knowing he has to go home despite the hope he has amongst new friends found on New Earth (DCU proper). Starman helps this with the use of the Multiverse map he wears as a costume while Superman thanks the JSA and Starman for the help they’ve provided in the hard time he’s been through.
Superman returns to the point where he disappeared during Kingdom Come (during the great battle near the end) arriving to find the familiar landscape of corpses from the story. In a rage, Superman attacks the UN as in KC while Lance wonders why he’s still not only alive, but Magog as well.
Most important about the end of the story is the “Happy Ending” we see as related by Starman. Clark and Diana get together as he memorializes the lives of those lost in the great battle as Diana presents him with a gift to make him a little more “Human” (it has to do with seeing things in a certain perspective). Unlike the psudo-sequel “the Kingdom”, we see a future with hope, loss, rebuilding, and a very bright future 1000 years into the future with a familiar old man smiling at tomorrows heroes flying overhead. Much so in diametric contrast to the powder keg of super-brats from Kingdom Come.
The future’s going to be alright Mr. Kent.
Next week (or rather this Wednesday, as comic deliveries go back to normal schedule)
DC COMICS FOR 1/7/2009
BIRDS OF PREY: CLUB KIDS
BLACK LIGHTNING: YEAR ONE #1 (OF 6)
DC UNIVERSE ILLUSTRATED BY NEAL ADAMS VOL. 1
DETECTIVE COMICS #852
EL DIABLO #5 (OF 6)
FACES OF EVIL: GRUNDY
GREEN LANTERN: WANTED – HAL JORDAN
JUSTICE VOL. 3
SECRET SIX #5
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: STRANGE ADVENTURES VOL. 1
SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL: MAELSTROM #5 (OF 5)
TALES OF THE BATMAN: TIM SALE
TERROR TITANS #4 (OF 6)
TRINITY #32
VIXEN: RETURN OF THE LION #4 (OF 5)
Next week a bit of catch-up as due to the late delivery this week I didn’t get to go over everything. Plus, upcoming essay and look at Superman’s past, present and future.
THANKS FOR READING!