Monitor Tapes for Tuesday, September 8, 2009

BATMAN AND ROBIN #3

Issue 3 wraps up the first part of the 12 issue arc (4 arcs, 12 issues in total) and weaves into the next, Revenge of the Red Hood! Why do I mention that first? Due to the neat wrap up of the introductory story within issues #1-3 that still leaves lingering questions and inquiries floating in the either. Don’t get me wrong, it was a great story, but it’s really the setup for the series.

Robin begins to actually grow on me quite a bit. Despite the attitude, the annoying behavior, and the general arrogance, he is his father’s child. Frankly, I’d be more concerned with Robin than Batman if I were a criminal of the night. That said, in stark contrast to Miller’s borderline psychotic Dick Grayson Robin, Damian is vicious, but he’s vicious due to nurture, unlike All Star Robin who’s vicious in nature.

Also, if you go back and read Batman #1, in the story that first introduces the Joker, Robin’s capture mirrors that of Dick’s way back when he was Robin. The major difference though, is Damian escapes and brutalizes Pyg and his Dolltrons not unlike his father would have. ”Lil’ Wayne” brutalizes Pyg and his drugged up Dolltron hench-things not unlike his father would, however, while promising to save partially mutilated

Sasha, ends up leaving her behind while perusing Pyg.

Meanwhile, Batman after his “ride” with Phosphorus Rex, discovers the intentions of Pyg’s plan to infect Gotham with an airborne desease that leads to crippling addiction, while also learning of Pyg’s hideout. As he rushes in to Robin’s rescue, who’s been knocked in the head by Pyg and about to have his face pulped off. While they both knock the foe through a wall, Robin who is taking everything in realizes Dick has saved him, as he offers Damien back his “Badge”, and back into the Batman & Robin team.

And speaking of the Joker, where is he in the scheme of things? When we last saw the Clown Prince of crime, he’d transformed himself once again into the Thin White Duke of Despair. Is he the Red Hood, changing his appearance and MO once again? Perhaps he feels as though it’s his right to be the new defender of Gotham, blasting away cops, criminals, Batmen and Robin’s or whoever he feels so inclined to. Or maybe he really is Jason Todd, still using the Red Hood motif now trying to make a mockery of Dick’s Batman in his “Grown up” murderous vigilante motif. Time will tell soon enough!

As for the bits and pieces of the overall mystery of the criminal mastermind of the arc with a domino fetish, who could that be? With all the clues and hints in the background thorough the three issues, I could speculate up a storm. Rather than hear my interpretation, I’m curious to hear what you readers suspect and expect!

DETECTIVE COMICS #856

The jigsaw of Kate Kane’s background begins revealing more of the puzzle of Batwoman’s history. Skipping ahead, Kate joins her father and stepmother, Colonel Kane and Catherine Kane respectively at the 129^th Annual GCPD Charity Ball, where her cousin, Bette Kane (formerly Flamebird) is also in attendance. Though it’s not spelled out, it seems Kathy Kane (Pre-Crisis Bat-Woman, retconned) once romantically linked to Bruce Wayne, who was murdered in the past, is in fact the mother of Kate and Aunt of Bette, linking all the characters together. Also taking into account the flashbacks to Kate’s mother dying, it seems within continuity (well Post-Crisis continuity) with some updates and tweaks to fit it all together.

Back to the story, Abbot and his “associates” (as previously mentioned, turns out the snake woman is not Whisper as previously assumed) are in fact there to “save” Batwoman, as it turns out they are no longer part of the “Religion of Crime” though call themselves “The true believers, Once upon a time at least”. As Abbot and the Colonel make their escape wit Kate from Alice and the Order, they determine the poison is opioid in nature and manage to neutralize it and make their getaway.

As Kate licks her wounds with her father’s help, he urges her to take the night off from her “nighttime” activities with her injuries and attend the fundraiser at his and her stepmother’s invitation. Finally agreeing to attend, much to her stepmother’s dismay, she arrives in a immaculately tailored tuxedo, not to “draw attention” to herself as Catherine states, but rather to make sure she doesn’t stay “hidden”, in her sarcastic remark. As Bette strikes up a conversation with Kate, the Colonel is called into the Army Base as Kate finds herself distracted by a possible familiar “face” that turns out to not be who she expected.

While Kate finds herself alone and awkward after mistaking the identity of one of the party-goers as that of a former lover, Maggie Sawyer (Former Metropolis PD, now GCPD) introduces herself to Kate as a fellow “Tuxedo” aficionado, asking for a dance after quips about names and work. While flirting and getting to know one another, their dance is cut short by the “cutting in” of Abbot the wolf-man, dressed for the party and backed up by associates seen previously in the rescue of Batwoman.

While Kate allows the interruption with “one dance”, Abbot explains he’s not there to reveal the secrets of the “Twice-Named” and hopes his rescue the previous night shows his intentions to be true and assuring. Asking for a bit of trust due to said act, he elaborates on why he dose not follow the current Order or its mad leader, the enigmatic Alice. Going back to the Crime Bible’s prophecy of the death of the “Twice-Named daughter of Cain”, he believes the prophecy is wrong and believed Kate should in fact live, an assurance to his actions. Still stating he believes in the dark faith, he contends that the current order is wrong regarding their interpretation, making the plot and story behind the “Crime Bible” more complex and layered in context to the story and characters. While Kate questions if it’s not about her, Abbot informs her that Mannheim and the order see Gotham as their “Sodom & Gomorrah…Their Vatican City, their Mecca, Their Jerusalem”. Kate realizing what this all means, as Alice plans to destroy Gotham, she attempts to contact her father, though it may already be too late…

THE FLASH: REBIRTH #4 (OF 6)

The only bad I can give this series is the “slowness” of which it comes out! Seriously, it’s two months between issues! OK, now that that’s out of my system, I can live with it due to the quality, rather than have a mish-mash of fill-in artists. Hell, I buy and read ALL STAR BATMAN & ROBIN, and I don’t even know when or if the next issue is coming out (though admittedly I read these two series for to completely different reasons).

As I was saying, the story has a break-neck need-for-speed pace along with final pages leaving you begging for more (this issue included). As revealed previous issue, “Prof. Zoom, the Reverse Flash AKA Ebord Thawne stands revealed as the sinister Devil Ex Machina behind Barry’s current predicament (disintegrating other speedsters when he touches them) as the Black Flash (the herald of “Death” for speedsters).

The biggest revelation this issue not only explains Barry’s return, it also adds another layer to the Flash/ Speed Force mythology while posing more questions. As for what it is, you’ll just have to read the issue yourself!

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #3 (OF 6)

On the opposite end of the spectrum (opposed to the Flash: Rebirth) James Robinson takes it slow building the story in “Justice”. By the end of this issue, the majority of characters have assembled a team (with the exception of Congo Bill and Starman, who end up attacked by robots, and Batwoman, yet to be introduced) in addition to revealing the “Big Bad” Prometheus.

Robinson is taking his time crafting something here, everyone thus far is looking for “Justice”, but are frankly walking the borderline need for vengeance. Even though the intentions of the characters are inherently noble, centered on Hal and Olie, these are characters who will kill in the name of justice to protect others. Also going down the same road is Ray Palmer, who’s now had his life darkened tenfold and probably picked up a thing or two from Hawkman in applying pressure, as he bounces around Prometheus’ head giving him “The mother of all headaches”. While bits of information come forth in third person from “Prometheus”, it’s quickly revealed that he’s not the man they’re looking for, rather an impostor for the purpose of destroying the new League.

Meanwhile, the “Real” Prometheus working on his secret plot with I.Q. AKA Ira Quimby (the Solar Powered Mad Scientist), unaware to Prometheus’ true intentions, his inquiry into “the Plan” turns out to be his last for the moment. Prometheus gives an account of his origins, plan, intentions, and the recap of the slaughter recently perpetrated upon the Global Guardians (resulting in his new “animal” rug made from the skin of the hero formerly know as the “Tasmanian Devil”). While not revealing the full intricacies of his plot, he establishes that the items stolen (the kidnapped gorilla scientist, Cosmic Treadmill, Time Pool, and Zeta Beam tech from Rann) are part of a greater whole, while the drugged I.Q. loses his faculties and memory due to a chemical cocktail administered in the glass of wine he’s drinking, reverting his mind to that of an infant. Prometheus doesn’t screw around.

Also included, another one of Robinson’s great prose pieces, extrapolating upon the greatness of a fantastic and underused villain, Prometheus, the “Anti-Batman” who’s origin mirrors the “Wraith”, a similar opposite Batman previously from an old DC Batman special (and recently seen in a Batman: Confidential Arc). As before in previous issues, JR goes into what makes the specific character great in his own discovery and observation of said villain in this case. The two page “Who’s Who” bios and JR’s behind the scenes bits about the characters and story are true labors of love by him, and add an extra special something to the series. Not necessarily needed to enjoy it as a whole, but defiantly adds to the reading experience and I’m glad he took the time to do so.

BATMAN: WIDENING GYRE #1 (OF 6)

Batman’s face gets really mussed up, mussed up real bad. Like Legends of the Dark Knight, another off the cuff Mini featuring your monthly dose of Bruce Wayne Batman with a “fit in where you will” tale. Nazis, the Demon, a mysterious vigilante and stuff stew in a pot in this Kevin Smith penned story.

With the beginning of the story, in flashback Batman & Robin, Robin’s never been this joyous and funny to read. Robin’s always intended to be the “Kid you could be” hanging out with Batman, having crazy adventures, but I think that element has long gone away from the character some time ago.

As the memories fade into the here and now (or rather then and at the time I guess), Dick as Nightwing quips to Batman as they cover themselves behind grocery shelves while being shot at by Neo-Nazi robbers. As a goon emerges wearing the worn, patch-worked, and salvaged former battle-suit of Barron Blitzkrieg, Batman and Nightwing strike the inexperienced goon, making quick work of him and his cohorts.

Nightwing reveals the reason he called Bruce in with showing him the remains of Gavin Adam, once a Psych Major at Blüdhaven Med, now a corpse with stalks growing out of the body. Clearly pointing to Poison Ivy, the mystery leads to Arkham Asylum, where Ivy’s been in lock-down for the last year. As Batman speeds to the Asylum, things get strange and stranger, leaving readers with questions, and Batman with questions and a terrible beating to overcome.

I’ve got to say, reading Smith’s Robin/ Nightwing in this issue, I could really see a great All Star Batman & Robin from Smith with an excellently written, fun, and exciting Robin. He surly fits the All Star criteria and looks to be getting back into comics with completed runs, if DC takes ALL STAR off hiatus and finishes the Miller/ Lee run, I’d defiantly read a AS book written by him. I’d even imagine it could be the “All Ages” Batman series under the banner of AS, if Smith sticks with a less “Adult” humor shtick, as seen with the aforementioned Robin in this issue.

Be sure to check out dccomics.com for more news, previews, and more! Also, make sure to come back Thursday for the full list of new DC, Vertigo, and Wildstom books on shelves 9/10/2009!

Thanks for reading!

Monitor Tapes for 8/24/2009

BATGIRL #1

Written by Bryan Q. Miller; Art by Lee Garbett and Trevor Scott; Cover by Phil Noto; Variant cover by J.G. Jones

Spoiler up front (pun intended)! I’m sure you’ve already seen the identity of the new Batgirl, so I’m not going to bother with tip-toeing around it. After months of speculation, the mostly logical choice and unsurprising (well, to me at the very least) was made.

Stephanie Brown, the daughter of the Cluemaster, former girlfriend of Robin Tim Drake, former Robin, formerly dead (but not dead), formerly back to Spoiler (much to Drake’s dismay) is now the All New Batgirl!

To the nay sayers, I’m just going to say deal with it.

Stephanie takes over the cape and cowl from former Batgirl Cassandra Cain, who’s origin and history is fantastically muddled and complex in it’s own right. Cain, daughter of the assassin known as David Cain was taken in to the Bat-Family as a mute assassin and given the Batgirl costume formerly (and briefly) worn by Helena Bertenellie during No Man’s Land.

Anyway, this is Steph’s show, so I’m not really going to dwell in the past.

Batgirl, opens with Steph stopping a drag race and manages to do so in an extreamly sloppy manner, as she’s saved by the invisible intervention of Batman (Dick Grayson) and Robin (Damien Wayne).

I cant say the books it’s self really wowed me or blew me away, but I’ve got to admit I find the concept far more interesting than the former Snake-Eyes knock off. Not that there’s anything wrong with Cassandra’s character, I just think more should be done with her than running around as Batgirl every once in a while.

DC BOOKS YOU SHOULD BE READING!

I’ve already been all over BLACKEST NIGHT, so really at this point you should be reading both Blackest Night and Green Lantern! Now, Blackest Night is self contained (though I’d consider Green Lantern required reading as well) there’s more to read should you chose. And chose you should, just look at the other books available currently-

BLACKEST NIGHT: TALES OF THE CORPS #1-3

Written by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi

Art by Various

The three issue mini-series fills you in on all the headlining Lanterns of the various Corps.

Covering the following characters- Blue Lantern Saint Walker, Yellow Lantern Mongul, Indigo Tribe leader Indigo, Red Lantern Bleez, Star Sapphire Carol Ferris (explaining the references to her, mentions and brief glimpses in the GL/GLC series), Orange Lantern “Construct” (as he/she/ it was previously a living creature) Blume, Green Lantern Kilowog (and his drill Sergeant Ermey, clearly based on actor R. Lee Ermey), Green Lantern Aristia.

Plus, in addition to a great series of small character stories, you get the Blackest Night director’s commentary with Writer Geoff Johns, Editor Eddie Berganza, Associate Editor Adam Schlagman and un-inked pencils by Artist Ivan Ries. Among some of the commentary are some hints and previews of what’s to come in BN, such as why the Martian Manhunter was not part of the Justice League and more.

One of the things I love about this series, especially illustrated in the Director’s Cut is how it’s Barry (Flash) and Hal (Green Lantern) at the center of a huge story, as Johns mentions, “With Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman facing their own problems, Hal and Barry are at the center of the DCU.”

They are the Brave and the Bold on a super size adventure, like an unlimited mega summer blockbuster, up against unbelievable odds. Two cops from different worlds, against an unstoppable foe and their army of undead!

GREEN LANTERN CORPS

Written by Peter J. Tomasi; Art and cover by Patrick Gleason and Rebecca Buchman

The companion series featuring Green Lanterns Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, and John Stewart (not of the Daily Show) showcases the “earthling” GL’s in addition to the many additional GL’s making up the interesting and diverse characters that make Green Lantern Corps great.

The series it’s self is like Star Wars/ Star Trek (classic series) with Space Cops! Among recent events from the fall-out of the “Sinestro Corps War”, the GLC’s been after remnants of the Yellow Lanterns. Mongul, a constant yellow thorn in their side recently took the planet Daxam as a beachhead for this Corps. The recent issues have several story thereads including the previous, and the recent swarm of Black Rings destroying the crypt honoring the fallen lanterns, now newly minted Black Lanterns, ready to kill! Great series on its own, now with the Blackest Night adding to the mix, a great time to pick it up!

Coming up in the DC Must read’s series!- SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON, WEDNESDAY COMICS, and BATMAN (featuring STREETS OF GOTHAM, GOTHAM CITY SIRENS, and more).

For more, check out dccomics.com and DC’s Blog The Source for news, previews, and more!

Thanks for reading!

Mandroid

BLACKEST NIGHT #2

 Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert; Variant cover by Mauro Cacioli; Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis

The horror amps up this issue.

I expected great things from this series, but even though I knew the rules of the game had changed in issue #1, I still wasn’t prepared for this issue.

Ray Palmer, the Atom is still trying to get through to Carter Hall AKA Hawkman (FYI- for those of you not in the know, they shared a book not unlike the current DC series co-feature books), still in need of a friend and a shoulder to support his tiny stature, both in mind and body. Unaware of the recent attack on the Hawks by former Leaguers Ralph and Sue, the now “undead” Hawkman answers his call, Atom’s fate remains to be seen…

On top of the Gotham City Police Department building, the Gordons, Barbra and GCPD Commissioner James share a moment and coffee. The Bat-Signal has been lit, not as a calling to the Batman, but rather due to the “unusual” darkness over the city and the unease in the bones of Jim Gordon. He tells Babs about how his awful gut feeling is not unlike the sensation he had when “Batgirl disappeared”. As Babs relates her story of “hope” in regards to her rehabilitation in physical therapy after her crippling by the Joker (Batman: Killing Joke), the moment is shattered along with the Bat-Signal as Green Lantern Hal Jordan comes crashing through it!

Skipping over to Amnesty Bay, the birth and resting place of Arthur Curry AKA Aquaman, Mera has finally allowed the removal of Curry’s body from his grave on land to a monument crypt under the sea. She’s allowed this not due to the insistence of her people, but rather to the pleas of Garth AKA Tempest, who wants to reunite the people of Atlantis with this gesture. Unfortunately for them, the Blackest Night has other plans. Upon approaching the grave, Mera, Tempest and a small legion of Atlantian Warriors find Arthur’s grave desecrated and the body missing. At first believing this to be the work of one of his enemies, either sea pirate Black Manta or jealous brother Ocean Master, they are suddenly surprised and shocked to see their former King now among the Un-living, spewing hatred and contempt towards his people, lover, and friend. As fear grips the Atlantian Warriors, Aquaman reaches out and rips the beating heart from one of his “former” subjects.

Going back to Gotham, Deadman, formerly circus acrobat Boston Brand shudders and convulses over visions of the dead returning while trying to keep his body in the ground (more on this in Blackest Night: Batman #1).

Over in the nation’s capitol, Washington D.C., the rings seek out the brothers that formerly served Chaos and Order, Hawk AKA Hank Hall, also known as Monarch (Armageddon 2001) and Extant (Zero Hour) and Dove AKA Don Hall. As the Rings continue their resurrections throughout the DCU, the ring attempting to raise Dove finds its self ineffectual, due to Don being at peace. The “peaces” of the mystery of the “Blackest Night” begin fitting together and solving some mysteries behind the Black Lanterns, as previously revealed only the dead with “unfinished” business or “trauma” regarding their deaths are claimed by the black rings.

Back to Mera and Tempest, they attack the creature claiming to be “Aquaman” still shocked by the shambling corpse. He attacks them with words of discouragement (you’ll have to read the book to find out what he says) to make them feel a heightened state of emotion, moving towards those of the Lantern Spectrum. With the sudden appearance of Dolphin and Tula, former lovers of Tempest’s, Garth finds himself torn up between them and the madness, before having his heart torn out. It’s revealed while Garth has hope in his heart, the Black Lanterns feed on the emotional state of the living, the removals of the hearts being “metaphorical” and essentially killing them to make them susceptible to the black rings by “dying” in an emotional state. Also, like a Lovecraftian nightmare, Aquaman summons a host of undead creatures from the deep to attack his own people. After Tempest is turned into one of the undead “Aqua-Family”, Mera escapes with her emotions hidden.

There’s of course a lot more story here, including the continuation of the battle between Black Lantern Martian Manhunter and “living” (despite having died) JLAers Flash and Green Lantern. I feel as though I’ve already said too much and would prefer you experience the full story by rushing out and picking up a copy of Blackest Night #2. And while you’re at it, it’s not 100% necessary to enjoy or get the full story out of the series, but also pick up Blackest Night: Batman #1 and Green Lantern Corps #39 for an extension of the story that won’t disappoint!

 As for the big spoiler? I’ve listed it at the bottom of the page so you can skip it if you so choose.

 This week I was to include a follow up to the Doom Patrol history in brief, but it’s been pushed up (or back?) to the upcoming review of Doom Patrol (Featuring the Metal Men) #2. I’ve managed to get backed up on articles and work, including my upcoming DCU Status report in regards to Batman Reborn and Superman New Krypton and the status of both characters and their respective “goings on” if you will. Plus, I’ve managed to miss the halfway point of Wednesday Comics, so expect a full Monitor tapes coming up dedicated to just that!

 Also, I’ll be listing the DC ship list on Wednesday mornings from here on out so I can link the previews listed on dccomics.com in addition to having any corrections in correlation to Diamond’s ship list. If you’re not sure about a DC book, DC does a great job in providing previews for readers every week on their comic lists and their blog, The Source.

And now, SPOILERS!  For BLACKEST NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 keep going….

BLACKEST NIGHT #5

 Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert; Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari; Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert

The moment you’ve hungered for finally arrives! Who controls death in the DC Universe? NEKRON – Lord of the Undead! The dark being behind the undead Black Lanterns makes his presence and purpose known, and our heroes discover they’re not only fighting for their lives, but their after-lives as well. Don’t miss this game-changing issue from superstar writer Geoff Johns and stellar artist Ivan Reis!

That’s right! Nekron, first appearing  Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #2 is the master behind the Black Lanterns and the Blackest Night! Long time readers have long suspected this, as everything thus far revealed fit the creatures MO.  And check out the chain of formerly dead heroes lined in front of him! Clearly he’s gunning for those slipping from the grasp of death, as we’ve seen previous, but do these characters mean something in the larger scheme of things?

 For more info on DC Comics, from news, release dates, DC Direct figures and collectibles, previews and more, check out dccomics.com! and while you’re there, check out DC’s blog by Alex Segura, THE SOURCE!

Thanks for reading!

Mandroid!

DOOM PATROL #1 / METAL MEN

Written by Keith Giffen; co-feature written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis; Art by Matthew Clark; co-feature art by Kevin Maguire; Cover by Matthew Clark; Variant cover by Matthew Clark and Kevin Maguire

The Doom Patrol’s latest incarnation is possibly the darkest, most bottomed out version we’ve seen yet. As depressing as it is to see the characters no longer care for themselves in regards to their own personal welfare, it almost seems like they’re simply going through the motions of living, if it can even truly be called that. Considering the number of times they’ve died and weirdness they have survived, it’s a wonder none of them are locked up in Arkham Asylum on suicide watch.

Of course with their history, I can’t really blame them and their state of mind or situation. Last seen in Teen Titans Vol. 3 (One Year Later) #35-37 and 52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen #1-4, the Doom Patrol had just barely been retconned yet again during the events of Infinite Crisis (Teen Titans Vol. 3 #32), where the Doom Patrol’s history re-aligned and made “All” Doom Patrol stories cannon (it’s a long story, of which I’ll be coming back to).

Back to the new issue (and new #1), as I said they’re all in a dark place, of which they seem to try and ignore to lesser success. Within the first part of the story, we’re introduced to “Dusty” Marlow, support and transportation for the current Doom Patrol consisting of original members (or reasonable facsimiles, more on that later as well) Cliff Steele AKA Robot Man, Rita Farr AKA Elasti-Woman (formerly Elasti-Girl), Larry Trainor AKA Negative Man, and John Byrne Era DP’s Mi-Sun Kwon AKA Nudge and Henry Bucher AKA Grunt. As seen in the preview in several DC comics and DC’s the source, they’re mid mission searching for Dr. Amanda Beckett, who’s creating genetically engineered “Botflies”, some kind of creepy human/ insect hybrids. After an exchange of displeasantries between Dr. Beckett and the Doom Patrol, she strips down to her underwear (much to Larry’s pleasure) and morphs into a hybrid monster (much to Larry’s dismay) and attacks them. Reading between the lines here though, I almost wonder if Dr. Niles Caulder AKA the Chief (Leader and mad scientist of the Doom Patrol, formerly dead?) is not sending the Doom Patrol to stop her for the good of humanity, but rather either Beckett being an ex lover or just a fellow mad scientist he simply wants to kill out of spite. While leaving, Nudge explodes in a bloody mess in front of Grunt gunned down by one of three helicopters attacking them as they escape, Grunt runs off into the woods with what’s left of her corpse screeching and howling (they leave him behind).

Once back at home base, Oolong Island (tropical mad scientist haven and playground), Chief sends Father Leslie “Rocky” Davis (of the Challengers of the Unknown fame) to evaluate the members without “Exacerbating existing traumas..” as Chief eloquently puts in his email to Rocky. What follows are snippet’s of the personalities and mental damage the individuals carry around with them. Giffen’s managed to put DP and their history and characters in a blender, and clearly that’s how they came out, mixed up and messed up. Still, the story harkens back to the original series, while maintaining modern versions still in play. Not bad for a series that’s gone through strange permutations and publishing label jumps (from DC to Vertigo to back to DC). The “Doom” is back in Doom Patrol.

All in all, not a bad start and I’m going to stick it out to see what happens, especially with the final page reveal that they’ll be sent out next issue to negotiate with a black hole!

THE METAL MEN

The Metal Men nearly steal the show in the second half of the book. Doc Magnus and the Metal Men are another one of my favorite kooky teams of the DCU, after some lukewarm restarts over the years, post 52 we’ve got the best set up for the characters returning to their roots and adding to the concept without loosing the original.

Dr. William “Will” Magnus, now living in a suburban community is subjected to a “neighborhood” meeting with concerned neighbors who want Doc and the Metal Men out of their community. Seems they’re not as of yet at least concerned about the possibility of Supervillain attacks, but rather the “mettle” their made of, in regards to being strange and that one of the local children ran up and licked “Lead”. Ah kids do the darndest things! The set up here is great, harkening back to old TV sitcoms (like I Dream of Jeannie or the Addams Family) and runs through the story, it’s a perfect fit for the characters and doesn’t feel stale or dated, just right if you ask me.

Meanwhile, the Metal Men themselves are out on an assignment in Brazil where they’ve unfortunately awaken Zummazumma the Living Idol. Tin the least fortunate of the bunch has become not unlike flattened gum upon the foot of Zummazumma, most likely in some feeble attempt to stop the Idol or perhaps just the first to fall. A museum in Sao Paulo has paid them to recover a large ruby from a pedestal (simple right), much to Mercury’s dismay, Lead who removed the ruby and set off the Idol didn’t stay awake to watch the Indiana Jones movies to learn bad things happen when you commit to such a simple act.

As the group try and stop the Idol, Copper (newest addition to the metal family) tries to get the others attention (they don’t know who she is or that she was on the flight over with them, thanks to their “human” personalities), after giving them a refresher, she melts herself over the Idol’s eyes to assist in stopping the rampaging monster (they end up losing the ruby and looking around the jungle for 12 hours for it).

After a battle that was more shenanigans than tactical takedown, the Metal Men return home where Doc repairs Tin. Also, the hot-headed Mercury is off his “Meds” and is overly emoting according to Doc. To which Mercury throws back at the Doc who’s on medication himself due to his delicate mentally unstable mind. Meanwhile, Platinum (now calling herself “Tina”, cooks up Doc a “Tofu Turkey” dinner, in hopes of “seducing” the good Doctor (ah Tina, will Doc ever love you, despite not being a robosexual?)

The Metal Men feature reunites Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire, formerly known for their crazy Justice League run. The story is brilliant and fun, comparable to Venture Bros as the most modern example I can think of. As much as I liked the Doom Patrol story, their Metal Men really almost overshadows the main feature. Pick it up, its great!

Welcome to your DOOM!

A brief history of DP.

Who are the Doom Patrol? It’s a bit of a complex answer really.

Originally appearing in the series “My Greatest Adventure” issue #80 in June of 1963, the 60’s “freaks” of science first assembled under the Chief to stop a bomb (probably set by Caulder himself, as it was later revealed that he was the one behind their “accidents”). After 41 issues and strange adventures involving a geriatric madman named General Immortus, plastic men, evil robots, a human brain in a bucket and a talking French gorilla, the Doom Patrol lived up to their name, dying at the hands of former Nazi U-Boat captain, General Zahl. Interesting side note, the creators book-ended the story in a meta way, later to be used by Grant Morrison, though many DC stories crossed this line.

Years later in 1977 (specifically in Showcase #94), it is revealed that Cliff “Robotman” Steel was the only survivor of the explosion that killed DP. After being rebuilt by Doc Magnus (of Metal Men fame), he returns to DP’s home base to find it inhabited by a new Doom Patrol, now run by Arani Desai, who was married to Niles Caulder (well, at least according to her). She’d assembled the New Doom Patrol to protect herself from Immortus, as she had the immortality serum coursing through her veins that he desperately needed. After a shift in mission statement and addition of new DP members, Arani begun a mad quest to find her husband, the Chief after finding evidence he could still be alive…. To be continued next week!

DC COMICS IN STORES 8/12/2009

DC/ JOHNNY DC

* ACTION COMICS #880

* ADVENTURE COMICS #1

* BATMAN #689

* BATMAN: HUSH

* BLACKEST NIGHT #2 (OF 8)

* BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN #1 (OF 3)

* BOOSTER GOLD #23

* CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #40

* FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: ESCAPE #4 (OF 6)

* GREEN ARROW AND BLACK CANARY #23

* GREEN LANTERN CORPS #39

* JSA VS. KOBRA #3 (OF 6)

* THE LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #4 (OF 6)

* LOONEY TUNES #177

* R.E.B.E.L.S. #7

* THE RED CIRCLE: INFERNO

* RED ROBIN #3

* ROBIN: SEARCH FOR A HERO

* THE SANDMAN BY JOE SIMON AND JACK KIRBY

* SHOWCASE PRESENTS VOL. 3: THE FLASH

* SUPERMAN SECRET FILES 2009

* TITANS #16

* WEDNESDAY COMICS #6 (OF 12)

VERTIGO

* DMZ #44

* FABLES #87

* FABLES VOL. 12: THE DARK AGES

* THE UNWRITTEN #4

WILDSTORM

* GEN 13 #31

* PROTOTYPE #5 (OF 6)

* RED HERRING #1 (OF 6)

Check out dccomics.com for more info on upcoming DC titles, previews and more! Also don’t forget to check out DC’s Blog, the Source!

Thanks for reading!

MANDROID, My love of DC Comics is real, though I am not.

The Monitor Tapes for Tuesday, July 28, 2009

GREEN LANTERN #44

Overlapping with Barry and Hal’s investigation into the desecration of the remains of Bruce Wayne’s grave (and theft of his skull) in Blackest Night #1, #44 continues the story with their encounter with the resurrected Martian Manhunter, now a Black Lantern. As an undead agent of the Black Hand, he attacks Flash and Green Lantern while remarking the fact that the resurrected heroes “…should both be dead.”

Further revealing the abilities and powers of the Black Lanterns, as with Sue and Ralph Dibny in BN#1, John Jones (AKA- J’onn J’onzz/Martian Manhunter) also sees the emotional spectrum strongest within the living (in this case Hope with Barry and Will with Hal). Also as part of the powers bestowed with the black ring is control over the emotional spectrum in much the way the individual different Corps use their power rings (Green-Will, Red-Rage, Yellow-Fear, Ect.). Plus, the resurrected John also has all of his abilities, shape changing, invisibility, “Martian Vision”, and more) and are being used quite possibly in the most efficient way ever seen! Possibly my favorite line in the book, John saying “I’m as powerful as Superman. Why does everyone forget that?” Why indeed.

Barry and Hal’s battle against their former friend and colleague is magnificent and terrifying. As sinister as it was to see the Dibny’s attack Hawkwoman and Hawkman, John is raw, unchecked, power here as said previous on par with the Man of Steel. I’m honestly not sure which is worse for the heroes here, the sheer numbers of undead looking to devour the hearts and emotions of the living, or the fact that they have undead powerhouses at their disposal, including a super-powerful version of Superman.

Good issue all around with lead in tease into the next chapters. Nice amount of information filled in, but enough held back to keep looking forward to future installments. Can’t wait for more!

DC COMICS FOR 7.29.2009

DC/ JOHNNY DC

* BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #7

* BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM! #6

* BIRDS OF PREY: PLATINUM FLATS

* BLACKEST NIGHT: TALES OF THE CORPS #3 (OF 3)

* DETECTIVE COMICS #855

* FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: INK #3 (OF 6)

* JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #35

* JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #29

* THE LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #3 (OF 6)

* SUPERMAN #690

* SUPERMAN AND BATMAN VS. VAMPIRES AND WEREWOLVES

* TEEN TITANS #73

* TERROR TITANS

* WEDNESDAY COMICS #4 (OF 12)

* WONDER WOMAN #34

VERTIGO

* MADAME XANADU #13 (JUL-29)

* NORTHLANDERS #19 (JUL-29)

* NORTHLANDERS VOL. 2: THE CROSS + THE HAMMER (JUL-29)

* UNKNOWN SOLDIER #10 (JUL-29)

WILDSTORM

* FREE REALMS #1 (OF 12)

* WILDCATS #13 Preview Available

For more info about your favorite DC comics and more, check out http://www.dccomics.com and the DCU blog the Source- http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com

Thanks for reading!

The Monitor Tapes for Monday, July 20, 2009

BLACKEST NIGHT #1 (OF 8 )

Geoff Johns (W)

Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert (A)

Blackest Night is one of the most anticipated event books by fans dating back to the final issue of “The Sinestro Corps War” (February 2008) showing the prologue teaser to the current mini-series.

I expected a great story from Johns as he’s completely drawn me into the Green Lantern universe in addition to making me love Hal Jordan, of whom I’ve always thought of as the least interesting “Lantern” out of the many over the years. So going into Blackest Night I had high expectations and a guarantee that the story would be satisfying, I didn’t expect it to be more than my expectations! Not only that, Johns simultaneously manages to bring new readers up to speed on the current history leading into the story without beating longtime readers over the head with the information. As the later, I thought it was a great recap and completely organic within the framing of the story it’s self.

As the story in this issue starts, we’re introduced to the concept of that in which the day Superman “Died”, “a national day of mourning” was declared. Now we all know Superman returned very much alive, so now the day has become a holiday similar to Veterans Day where people celebrate the lives of fallen heroes, superheroes and “innocents we failed to save” as Hal puts it. It’s moving without a cheap emotional stunt-pull and adds to the richness of the DCU, while making it more real and relevant to their world.

In addition to the celebration and parade in Coast City in honor of the fallen, we get glimpses of other “families” remembering their friends and family no longer among them. At the grave of Jonathan Kent, Clark, Connor (recently resurrected himself) and Martha remember the man who was a loving father and husband to the unconventional family. Connor takes it pretty hard still being young as he is as he wishes he’d had been there for his adopted father, and how he wishes he could switch places with Jonathan. Although the scene is brief, it reveals what the series is about, family, loss, and death, things we all experience in life. Though Clark is from another planet and Connor is a clone grown in a lab, John Kent was a father to the both of them and the man who shaped the men they are today, even if his time with Connor was brief.

Following that, we glimpse several other unconventional families in a sense also mourning their losses. At the grave of Ronny Raymond, Professor Martin Stein (part of the original Firestorm Matrix), Jason Rusch (the current Firestorm), and Gehenna (current partner/ part of Jason’s Firestorm Matrix), who notices something’s wrong as while it begins raining, plants begin dying. Also in brief, the Teen Titans with the newly resurrected Bart Allen/ Kid Flash, the Rouges of Keystone in their “Secret” graveyard, and remaining members of the Giffen Justice League, including a resurrected (see a theme here) Ice paying their respects to Ted Kord, the second (and best known) Blue Beetle.

There’s much more as the day continues, but the most disturbing is that of Alfred Pennyworth discovering the desecrated remains of Bruce Wayne, who was buried in an unmarked grave next to his parents. As it says in the first pages of the book, somehow he’s connected to “Them” all, as Black Hand states. As a matter of fact, the skull of Bruce’s remains (or whatever the thing that was left after Darksied’s attack on Batman during Final Crisis) is now in Hand’s possession, which he carries around licking and cradling in a disturbing manor.

As I said before, the history leading up to this point is explained by Hal telling Barry (the Flash) of all the fallen heroes and friends. As Barry is a perfect fit for the role of the observer for the reader, Hal must elaborate on the deaths and events much to Barry’s dismay. So much so he has to sit down to absorb it all.

Without running the story, two DC characters have an encounter with two resurrected heroes who are now Black Lanterns. I personally was shocked, surprised and deeply disturbed by the events, to say the least. Though I’ve revealed much in this review, I’m really only scratching the surface here, really I’ve only barely touched on the Black Lanterns altogether!

In closing, you might be put off from picking up this book as for months many have callously without any inspection into the lead up to Blackest Night compared it to Marvel Comic’s “Marvel Zombies”. True, the Black Lantern’s are in fact “Zombies” in a manner of speaking, but where Marvel Zombies was a satire in the style of their “What If…” books, Blackest Night is more in a vein of true horror. The story in a single issue is filled with heart, family, and loss, and the coming of the Blackest Night will test the emotions of these characters in a way never seen before. In a medium where “resurrection” of characters has become a commonplace and butt of jokes, the terror of your friends and loved ones coming to kill you is far darker and terrifying than the latter (not that there’s anything wrong with Marvel Zombies).

Do yourself a favor and get this book! Even if you don’t read Green Lantern, this book will not disappoint you, matter of fact it just might be the best series this year!

DC COMICS AVAILABLE ON 7/22/2009

DC/ JOHNNY DC

* ABSOLUTE NEW FRONTIER-NEW PRINTING

* BLACKEST NIGHT: TALES OF THE CORPS #2 (OF 3)

* CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #59

* FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: DANCE #3 (OF 6)

* FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #5 (OF 5)

* FINAL CRISIS: ROGUES’ REVENGE

* GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #2

* GREEN LANTERN #44

* THE OUTSIDERS #20

* POWER GIRL #3

* SHOWCASE PRESENTS: BATMAN VOL. 4

* THE SPIRIT #31

* SUPERGIRL #43

* THE SUPERMAN CHRONICLES VOL. 7

* TINY TITANS #18

* WEDNESDAY COMICS #3 (OF 12)

VERTIGO

* 100 BULLETS #1 – VERTIGO CRIME SAMPLER (JUL-22)

* HELLBLAZER #257 (JUL-22)

* JACK OF FABLES #36 (JUL-22)

WILDSTORM

* FREDDY VS. JASON VS. ASH: THE NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #2 (OF 6)

* GEARS OF WAR #9

* KILLAPALOOZA #3 (OF 6) Preview Available

* WILDCATS: WORLD’S END BOOK 1

For more news, previews, blogs and more, be sure to check out dccomics.com.

And as always, thanks for reading!

The Monitor Tapes for 7.13.2009

GREEN LANTERN #43

Geoff Johns (W)

Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy (A)

Green Lantern #43 is the “Official” prologue to Blackest Night (as Blackest Night #0 takes place after this issue) and the perfect jumping on point. Beginning with a brief update/ history lesson via narration by the Oan Guardian known as Scar, we’re shown the events leading into the “Blackest Night” starting all the way back to when the Manhunters first malfunctioned and wiped out 99.9% of life in Sector 666.

Post Infinite Crisis (though beginning back in Green Lantern: Rebirth), William Hand has been retconned and tweaked by Geoff Johns into a much more interesting and compelling character than he was previously. I won’t go into the “Original” origin here, especially since this issue gives all you need to know about Hand, without prior baggage.

Johns and Mahnke create a terrifying vision of the death obsessed and possibly necrophiliac William Hand, AKA the Black Hand. Little Billy was born into a family who’s business is that of the dead, as his father’s specific profession is a mortician, with the family living in a cemetery and their house a funeral home. William becomes death obsessed from a young age, dabbling in taxidermy and ultimately pushing it too far once the missing family dog is finally found.

With the disturbing discovery, he’s sent into therapy with a number of psychologists whom all attempt to cure him of his disturbed nature. Unfortunately the only thing he learns from these encounters is how to sound “normal and cured” with specific responses in regards to the treatments and inquiries.

As the black sheep of the family, he’s still involved in the family business and ends up encountering the alien fugitive from Sector 666, Atrocitus of the Five Inversions. Persued by the Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and Sinestro, William is saved by their intervention and flees with Atrocitus’ cosmic divining rod (capable of draining Green Lantern Rings). The recap is interesting despite being a replay from issues #33 and #34 (found in the Green Lantern: Secret Origin TPB) as it gives insight towards Hand’s perspective.

Further fleshing out previous backstory (also showing additional scenes from prior Green Lantern issues), Hand walks through the graveyard of the family home as he hears the “voice” whispering of the dead, and those who’ve escaped “death”.

Without revealing or spoiling the rest of the issue, I can say it’s fairly grizzly and is the final pay-off in the wait and anticipation building towards next weeks Blackest Night #1. If you’ve not read Green Lantern or plan on picking up Blackest Night due to it being an “event” book, definitely pick this issue up, you wont be disappointed!

And in addition to Blackest Night comics, San Diego Comic Con exclusive Blackest Night figures by DC Direct/ Graphitti Designs, Inc.

DC Direct Blackest Night Action Figures

More info at- http://www.comic-con.org

Fully-articulated DC Direct action figures featuring Hal Jordan not only as a Green Lantern, but as a member of the Red, Orange, Blue and Yellow Corps as well, will be made available exclusively at this year’s Comic-Con. Each figure comes with its own lantern and a wearable power ring customized to specifications of each Corps. Each figure also comes in its own four-color, clam-shell styled box.

Sales of the figures will be limited to a maximum of two each of each of the five different figures that’ll be made available. Tickets will be handed-out twice each day that will allow recipients to purchase the exclusive figure designated for that day. The HAL JORDAN GREEN LANTERN Figure will be available beginning Wednesday until quantities are sold out.   Each of the other four (4) figures will made available only on the days listed below

HAL JORDAN GREEN LANTERN (limited to 3000 pieces), sales to begin on Wednesday   07/22.

HAL JORDAN YELLOW LANTERN (limited to 1500 pieces), available for sale on Thursday   07/23.

HAL JORDAN BLUE LANTERN (limited to 1500 pieces), available for sale on Friday   07/24.

HAL JORDAN ORANGE LANTERN (limited to 1500 pieces), available for sale on Saturday   07/25.

HAL JORDAN RED LANTERN (limited to 1500 pieces), available for sale on Sunday   07/26.

(via comic-con.org)

Taste the rainbow! Unfortunately I’ll not be going to SDCC this year, but I’m hoping one of the many locals here in SLC who are going will be able to pick up a figure or two for me! (Leave a comment if interested and I’ll provide $$$)

WEDNESDAY COMICS #1 (OF 12)

Various Writers and artists (see dccomics.com for full list)

WOW was this AWESOME! WOW!

Wednesday Comics is fantastic! Frankly the only flaw I could find in it was the fact I can’t wait till next week to read the next issue!

Just to get it out of the way, Wednesday Comics is bold, in both format and being the fourth weekly from DC. The huge formant is fantastic, but may be off putting to fans of the standard comic size and paper. Though it’s not the slick glossy paper most fans are use to, the heavy newsprint used is great in how it both allows the large format and retain bright, brilliant colors that don’t rub off on your fingers (or silly putty if so inclined). Also, the weekly format is one many fans have been burned out or burned on, though this being 12 issues over as many weeks I don’t think allow a real gripe on the latter. As for the content it’s self? It’s all fantastic!

All the stories start very well and make excellent use of the format. They hit the ground running and drop you right into the story. I’d initially expected some of the strips to be weak, but much to my surprise, they all were really good in my opinion.

Now, with this being weekly for the remaining 11 issues, I’m going to try in an unbiased fashion to spotlight the best single strip week to week. True, the stories are serial in nature, but I’ll be looking at what really grabs me issue to issue.

For the first issue, it was really hard but I ended up selecting one. My tastes automatically leaned towards Gaiman and Allred’s Metamorpho strip (due to my love of those creators, the character, and the story going back to his “Swinging 60’s” roots). I own a handful of original Metamorpho comics (from both his early first appearances in Brave & the Bold, to his title series). I’m also a huge fan of Mike Allred and fond of Neil Gaiman’s writing as well. So rather than go with the obvious, I ended up settling on this instead.

Kamandi is also a character I’ve a fondness for (though again going back to the original stuff by Jack Kirby in the 70’s). However, the way Dave Gibbons and Ryan Sook (who’s rapidly becoming one of my favorite artists) utilize the single-page-strip format is something to behold. Riffing on Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant strips, the story is told in narration in the art of the panel, rather than traditional word balloons. It fits perfectly into the world of Kamandi and also complements the artwork immensely.

Also, an honorary mention and shout out for The Flash, by Karl Kerschl and Brenden Fletcher, who split their Flash page into two strips flowing into each other. The first strip Flash Comics (with “The Flash”), features Barry Allen fighting Gorilla Grodd while worrying about losing Iris. Moving into the second strip “Iris West”, shows a distraught Iris leaving Barry due to his tendency to be consistently and constantly late. I love how it’s set up as two strips in one!

If you’re still on the fence about picking it up or managed to pass it over while “waiting for the trade”, I suggest you pick this up NOW, as most likely when reprinted will not actually maintain the huge format. Plus it’s just fun to read! After the trip to my local comic shop (http://www.blackcat-comics.com/), my friend Dan and I sat down at my house, each with our own copies pouring over the pages! Get a friend or two and go get some Wednesday Comics!

DC COMICS AVAILABLE ON 7/15/2009

DC/JOHNNY DC

* ACTION COMICS #879

* BATMAN #608 SPECIAL EDITION

* BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #2

* BATMAN: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CAPED CRUSADER? DELUXE EDITION

* BLACKEST NIGHT #1 (OF 8)

* BLACKEST NIGHT: TALES OF THE CORPS #1 (OF 3)

* THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #25

* FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: ESCAPE #3 (OF 6)

* JSA VS. KOBRA: ENGINES OF FAITH #2 (OF 6)

* THE LIGHT BRIGADE NEW PRINTING

* SUPER FRIENDS #17

* SUPER FRIENDS: CALLING ALL SUPER FRIENDS

* SUPERMAN AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES

* SUPERMAN/BATMAN #62

* TITANS #15

* VIGILANTE #8

* WEDNESDAY COMICS #2 (OF 12)

VERTIGO

* AIR #11

* DMZ #43

* FABLES #86

* FABLES #1 – PETER AND MAX PREVIEW

* MADAME XANADU VOL. 1: DISENCHANTED

* PREACHER BOOK 1

* SCALPED #30

* YOUNG LIARS #17

WILDSTORM

* ASTRO CITY: THE DARK AGE BOOK 1

* WORLD OF WARCRAFT #21

For more info on all things DC, make sure to check out http://www.dccomics.com and DC’s blog The Source http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/ for news, previews, and more!

As always, thanks for reading!

SOLO Best of!

Solo ran for 12 issues before facing off against the ultimate comics supervillain, cancellation. Looking through those books, I’ve decided to list the best single story from each issue (though some were framed in a larger story). Please mind the story’s listed are “my” personal favorites, and are in no way me trying to make you love them yourselves (though you should!)

1- Tim Sale (with Jeph Loeb, Brian Azzarello, Darwyn Cooke, and Diana Schutz)

Date Knight (written by Darwyn Cooke)

Date Knight is a great Catwoman “romp”, as she sets up a heist not to steal, but rather gain the attention of Batman, for a danger filled fling with the caped crusader. Batman peruses Catwoman over rooftops, into a cart of roses, and even through a restaurant, excited by the thrill of the chase. Not by any means heavy reading, it’s just fun to read Catwoman so brilliantly characterized, and Batman’s frustrations in dealing with her.

2- Richard Corben (with John Arcudi)

Belzon’s Treasure

As most of these issues, all the story’s are good, but the one that struck me most was the first, Belzon’s Treasure. Much like an old EC Horror comic, this is a story of a savage time where gentlemen searched the lost corners of the world for treasure. George Belzon, of the title is on the run from thieves of whom his guides sold him out to and left him without the map to the treasure of Queen Dulor (luckily, he’d memorized the map as part of a 15 year search and obsession). After locating the tomb, he passes out succumbing to the elements of the desert and lack of fluids. Lucky for him he’s discovered by Uldro, the caretaker of the holy tomb who revives him and re-hydrates him. As he asks Uldro to see the treasures, “She” reveals herself as a beautiful woman, striping down to nothing, leading to a bit of embarrassment to George, as he tries to explain he meant the “other” treasure”. As she delivers a warning (the second as it starts becoming clear), Belzon begins to go for his gun right before the thieves enter.

Without ruining the rest of the story, grizzly justice is met in the end, but not the full story. If you can track down a copy (or any copies of SOLO), I strongly suggest reading it to see what happens.

3- Paul Pope

Life-Sized Monster Ghost

Spinning out of the previous story (an “homage”/ Pope style reworking of Kirby’s OMAC), a young boy orders a life-sized “Polyethylene Ghost” from one of the many ads found in the comics of the time. Much to the dismay of the kid, he finds the expectations he harbors and the actual product differing radically. Despite the disappointment we’ve all shared in much the same way, the boy finds another “mystical artifact” and orders it, only to learn the life lesson of repeated tiny disappointments.

4- Howard Chaykin

Horrors!

Perhaps I’m drawn to this story in particular due to it’s autobiographic nature. Howard Chaykin hosts and narrates this story illustrating and illuminating his life in brief, starting with finding the magic of comics and an inherent fear of horror comics (and horror in general). As it tracks his influences and career, it gives a fantastic if all to short insight to one of the greatest comic creators in the history of the medium.

5- Darwyn Cooke

Funny Pages

Not so much a story, but rather a “Funny Papers” style Sunday section. Rather than write about it, I’ll just show you what you may have missed.

Again, hard to chose as there are many great story’s in this issue, but this was the most fun part!

6- Jordi Bernet (with John Arcudi, Joe Kelly, Andrew Helfer, Chuck Dixon, and Brian Azzarello)

Back Bone (written by John Arcudi)

Hilarious “Horror” in the vein of the TV show “Eerie, Indiana” (look it up!) Single mom and her daughter rent a room in their house to make up for lack of income from the “absentee” father. The daughter who’s named Lainie suspects something is off with the renter, from the way he talks to the way he smells. After reports of strange pig mutilations, Lainie investigates the stranger further, finding he’s clearly “strange”, leaving her to figure out a way to let her mother know and believe her. How she figures out the solution to the problems is hilarious to say the least.

7- Mike Allred (with Laura Allred and Lee Allred)

Doom Patrol VS Teen Titans

This was one of the harder choices, considering all the great stories in this issue, but ultimately the only one I could make. With Speedy proclaiming “We’re gonna’ party like it’s 1969!”, Robin and the Titans “crash” Bruce Wayne’s “Penthouse Pad” to host a super-teen party. While below the penthouse, Rita Farr and the Doom Patrol are using Rita’s apartment to allow the Chief and Co. to get some shuteye before the “Crimefighters Conference” the next morning.

Needless to say, wackiness ensues. And it has nothing to do with the random appearance of Bat-Mite.

More super-teens and super-pets show up, an attack from Phantom Zone criminals, and Bobby Sherman records ensure things getting “really” out of hand, forcing Doom Patrol and Teen Titans to clash. Good times all around!

8 Teddy Kristiansen (with Neil Gaiman and Steven Seagle)

On the Stairs (written by Neil Gaiman)

I’m a sucker for cutesy ghost stories, and that’s exactly what Neil Gaiman excels at. Kristiansen’s artwork and Gaiman’s words mix like peanut butter and jelly in this story about Deadman. As Deadman tells a young girl about his day, we see him end up delving deeper into his past, as a ways to explain to the girl what’s around the corner for her.

9- Scott Hampton (with John Hitchcock)

Batman: 1947 (Written by John Hitchcock and Scott Hampton)

An actor who portrays Batman as a promotion for a theater showing Batman serials tucks his children (who believe he’s really “The Batman”) before going to work. As a robbery takes place across the street, a child fan pushes the “Dark Knight” into action to catch the robbers. Planning to run down an alley to avoid the robbers and sneak back to the theater, he’s unfortunately spotted by them. Fortunately for him, the real Batman appears. It’s a simple fun Batman story, not unlike many that appeared in the Black & White series, also spearheaded by Mark Chiarello.

10- Damion Scott (with Rob Markmam and Randee Carcano)

Superman is… (written by Damion Scott and Randee Carcano)

Not so much a straightforward narrative, rather a series of eight pin-ups illustrating the Man of Steel and how a picture says a thousand words.

Distilling the power, majesty, morality, hope and more of the character, his art both runs wild while also showing what makes Superman great.

11- Sergio Aragonés (with Mark Evanier)

I Killed Marty Feldman

Frankly, I don’t know if the story is true, nor do I care if it is (though Sergio “Swears” it is). Truth is, it’s a great little story about Aragonés working in movies an meeting the legendary Marty Feldman. As much as I’d like to go over the story like I’ve done with the rest, you really just have to read it yourself and have a love of both Marty Feldman and Sergio Aragonés.

12- Brendan McCarthy (with Howard Hallis, Steve Cook, Sir Trevor Goring, Robbie Morrison, Tom O’Connor and Jono Howard)

Batman (Written with Robbie Morrison, illustrated with Sir Trevor Goring)

By and far the “Trippiest” of the SOLO issues, my favorite out of the bunch is probably the most straight-laced of the bunch. The narrator is in search of a lost 1960’s Batman story he’s not sure if he read or dreamt up in his own mind. After deciding to recreate it, he ends up meeting with Lionel Percival, an old artist no longer working but taking commissions. Unfortunately, he’s killed in a fire when his apartment building goes up in flames. Believing all was lost, Percival’s sister contacts the narrator informing him of surviving items going up for sale, some of them being the pages he commissioned. What follows is a fairly simple Batman story in which he fights off an army of disembodied hands, lead by a giant hand. Trippy, but fitting into the Batman of that era, it’s a great dual story that you should read, as this issue is pretty easy to find, as it was the last of the series and wasn’t in huge demand.

Planned future issues were to include issues by the following creators- Brian Bolland, John Cassaday, Dave Gibbons, Adam Hughes, Kevin Maguire, Tony Harris, J. G. Jones, Kevin Nowlan, Bill Sienkiewicz, Walt Simonson, Jill Thompson, Brian Stelfreeze, Bruce Timm, John Van Fleet, George Pratt and Matt Wagner.

Somewhere, there’s an alternate Earth where this series continued……and I weep for not living there.

Elseworlds, 52, and Beyond! Mandroid schools you in the 52 Alternates of DCU.

With “Elseworlds” no longer being around as a label for an infinite well for alt-continuity stories, with the new continuity playground that is “52” (51 versions of alternate DCU Earths) we can hope that new stories are on the horizon when the “Playground” officially opens up to creators (see “Multiversity” below).

I’m only highlighting and listing a handful of the 52, to spare not only my sanity (as my brain is rapidly becoming a brain melt with aju sauce), but that of you readers as well. Pre Final Crisis there was a “hard list” of the 52 that has now changed post Final Crisis (for example, Earth-8 was previously Home to JLA second generation characters like Kyle Rayner and Connor Hawke, now it is “Angor”, the Marvel-Esque villain earth).

Selected Post-Final Crisis Alternate Earths (The 52)

New Earth/ Earth 0- Regular DCU continuity

Earth-2- Justice Society Infinity based off of JSA and Infinity Inc. combining (based off Earth Two pre-COIE*)

Earth-3- Crime Society of America, “evil” JLA counterparts (similar to Antimatter U** and based off of Earth Three pre-COIE)

Earth-4- “Charlton Comics” Earth, including the characters of said comics (a mix of pre-COIE Earth-Four and Watchmen). Soon to be featured in Grant Morrison’s Multiversity series.

Earth-5- “Fawcett Comics” Earth, featuring the Marvel Family (Shazam!) (based off Earth-S Pre- COIE). Also featured in Multiversity (Thunderworld).

Earth-8- Marvel-esque Earth called “Angor”, violently ruled by Villains lead by Lord Havok

Earth-9- Based off of the “Tangent” Universe, featuring new takes on classic characters only in name

Earth-10- “Quality Comics” Earth featuring the Freedom Fighters and Nazi versions of the JLA (based off of Earth X pre-COIE)

Earth-20- Pulp versions of DC’s heroes, including Doc Fate, Lady Blackhawk, Immortal Man, the Mighty Atom, the Green Lantern, and the Bat-Man. To be featured in Multiversity.

Earth-22- “Kingdom Come” Earth, of the title series by Mark Waid and Alex Ross.

Earth-50- “Wildstorm” Earth, containing the Authority, Planetary, and Wildcats.

Earth-51- “Jack Kirby” Earth, where the New Gods (Fourth World) have been reborn (post Final Crisis), along with Kamandi and OMAC taking place there as well.

* Crisis on Infinite Earths)

**Of note, the “Antimatter Universe” containing the “Crime Syndicate of Amerika” (first appearing in the Graphic Novel “JLA: Earth 2”) and the Weaponers of Qward is actually part of DCU/ Earth-0.

And with that, let’s look at next year’s “Multiversity” by Grant Morrison

Eight issues coming next year, six of them are one-shots highlighting one of the post Final Crisis 52 Earths (or really 51, as Earth-0 is DCU proper), and the final two issues are a two part story highlighting the entire multiverse its self. Though they are to be stand alone in nature, they interlink as an over-reaching story when read all together (not unlike the Seven Solders mini/ mega-series)

Earth-4- Charlton/ Watchmen Mash-Up, Charlton’s characters done in a Watchmen style (ironic considering they were the original basis for Watchmen). Not necessarily a “Watchmen 2”, the book will feature the original Charlton characters slightly revamped while retaining their roots. The Captain Atom of the series has already appeared in Morrison’s Final Crisis: Superman Beyond 3D as Captain Allen Adam, a mix of the Charlton version and Dr. Manhattan from Watchmen.

Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family will be featured in “Thunderworld”, a classic Marvel in line with the original Faucett Comics version. With that in mind, don’t expect a complete retro throw back as Morrison plans to make it with a PIXAR sensibility and in the style of how All Star Superman was done. No artist announced as of yet, but if Quietly can slip it into his schedule, it would be perfect.

“90’s” Earth (not it’s official name or designation) features a throwback to the era of coffee houses and grunge, as the new generation of heroes (offspring of Silver Age? JLA) run around hot dogging for media attention and moping. Think the bastard children fighting in the streets in Kingdom Come meets the Hills.

Earth-20’s story features the Society of Superheroes, a pulp version of DCU including Doc Fate and other Pulp versions of DC characters. There’s much more including looks at additional Earths stories, but I’m holding off looking up more info until I receive new solid info, more likely closer to the date of completion.

Myself, I hope to see a spinoff of this series leading into some Alt-U books/ series, really hoping that “Multiversity” (supposedly the “Team” in the final two issues consisting of Alt superheroes from different Earths teaming up) spins into an ongoing along the lines of Marvel’s Exiles. Speaking of, I’m surprised Marvel does such a book and DC doesn’t, considering the idea it’s self is so very DC and lends perfectly into the tapestry of the DCU/ 52. Think about it, wouldn’t you love to read about a team consisting of Red Son Superman, Batman Beyond, New Frontier Wonder Woman, In Darkest Knight Green Lantern (Bruce Wayne), and more teaming up to protect the multiverse from threats beyond comprehension!!!

DC COMICS AVAILABLE THIS WEDNESDAY, 6/24/2009

DC/ JOHNNY DC

* ALL-STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER VOL. 1

* BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #6

* DETECTIVE COMICS #854

* FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: INK #2 (OF 6)

* GOLDEN AGE STARMAN VOL. 2

* GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #1

* GREEN LANTERN #42

* GREEN LANTERN: TALES OF THE SINESTRO CORPS

* JLA: DELUXE EDITION VOL. 2

* JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #34

* JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #28

* THE LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #2 (OF 6)

* SGT. ROCK: THE LOST BATTALION #6 (OF 6)

* THE SPIRIT #30

* SUPERMAN #689

* SUPERMAN: TALES FROM THE PHANTOM ZONE

* TEEN TITANS #72

* WONDER WOMAN #33

VERTIGO

* THE LITERALS #3 (OF 3)

* MADAME XANADU #12

* NORTHLANDERS #18

* UNKNOWN SOLDIER #9

WILDSTORM

* FREDDY VS. JASON VS. ASH: THE NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #1 (OF 6)

* KILLAPALOOZA #2 (OF 6)

* STARCRAFT #2

* WILDCATS #12

Check out dccomics.com for news and updates on your favorite DC comics, and as always, thanks for reading!

WEDNESDAY COMICS!

Well, we’re roughly 22 days away from DC’s next weekly project, “Wednesday Comics” (release date July 8, 2009) and as I’d planned to cover it before release, I figured the “lateness” of this column landing on a Wednesday was the perfect opportunity.

Two things I love about DC is it’s iconic, classic heroes and the company’s willingness to experiment. Like DC’s SOLO and ALL STAR line, Wednesday Comics is presenting DCU’s sandbox sans continuity restraint by fantastic talent.

Mark Chiarello, you may not know his name, but you’ve read his stuff (if you haven’t, shame on you!). He’s the man behind such projects as Batman Black & White and SOLO (both unrestrained “takes” by talented creators), in addition to teaming Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb together for the popular “Hush” run on Batman.

Just look at what’s lined up!

* Batman – story by Brian Azzarello with art by Eduardo Risso

* Adam Strange – story and art by Paul Pope

* Metamorpho – story by Neil Gaiman with art by Michael Allred

* The Demon and Catwoman – story by Walter Simonson with art by Brian Stelfreeze

* Deadman – story by Dave Bullock and Vinton Heuck with art by Dave Bullock

* Kamandi – story by Dave Gibbons with art by Ryan Sook

* Superman – story by John Arcudi with art by Lee Bermejo

* Wonder Woman – story and art by Ben Caldwell

* Green Lantern – story by Kurt Busiek with art by Joe Quiñones

* Teen Titans – story by Eddie Berganza with art by Sean Galloway

* Supergirl – story by Jimmy Palmiotti with art by Amanda Conner

* Hawkman – story and art by Kyle Baker

* Sgt. Rock – story by Adam Kubert with art by Joe Kubert

* The Flash – story by Karl Kerschl and Brenden Fletcher with art by Karl Kerschl

* Metal Men – story by Dan Didio with art by José Luis García-López

Each issue featuring 16 pages in a huge 28″ x 20″ tabloid-sized format will run for 12 issues (one a week) and comes folded twice into a 7″ x 10″ size so you can still fit them in standard bags/ boards if that’s your thing.  Keeping with the format, DC announced that USA TODAY will be syndicating the Superman strips into their newspapers and online site! Huge comics! Huge characters! Huge talent! What’s not to love!

Regarding the above statement, it’s not going to make some happy with the format unfortunately, plus some may not pick it up either due to price point ($3.99) or the “lack” of continuity. The talent alone should be the selling point, but I know small groups of retailers and fans are concerned with “how well will it do?/ how many to order?” and “Should I pick it up?/ Wait for the trade?” respectively. With the “waiting for the trade”, it’s unknown if the size will remain in collected editions or even if the entire series will be collected in one edition?

So, if you’re on the fence about it, despite my DC bias I think this is going to be one of the greatest books of the year, so take a chance on it. Tell your local retailer to order it in for you as you wont want to miss out!

And on another note, Mark Chiarello is the man who should be spearheading a new line of DC comics either “rebooted” or “remixed” like an Ultimates line, only ten times more excellent (as DC has the greatest superheroes in my opinion). All Star Comics is great for what it is, but I still want to see a new line of DC with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and co. sans nearly a century of continuity (I’m more a “consistency guy if you couldn’t tell).

Things you must buy this week!! My DC picks of the week! (full ship list below)

DC Comics available today, 6/17/2009

BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #1

Written by Paul Dini and Marc Andreyko; Art by Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs and Georges Jeanty and Karl Story; Cover by Dustin Nguyen : Variant Cover by JG Jones

Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen return to Gotham City, this time with more of a focus on the people of the city, like secondary support characters such as Commissioner Gordon and the GCPD. Judging from solicitation info, “Bruce Wayne” will be returning with Dini & Nguyen continuing their story with Hush/ “Tommy” Elliot/ Faux Wayne.

Also, Marc Andreyko and Georges Jeanty will be continuing the adventures of Kate Spencer AKA Manhunter as she sets up shop as Gotham’s new DA.

BATMAN: THE BLACK CASEBOOK

Written by Bill Finger, Edmond Hamilton and others; Art by Sheldon Moldoff, Dick Sprang and others; Cover by Alex Ross

Featuring reprints of Batman #65, 86, 112, 113, 134, 156 And 162, Detective Comics #215, 235, 247 And 267, And World’s Finest Comics #89 and an intro by Grant Morrison. A “must have” for fans of classic Batman, and/or insight into recent Batman stories in Morrison’s run.

HITMAN VOL. 1: A RAGE IN ARKHAM – NEW PRINTING

Written by Garth Ennis; Art by John McCrea

Preview Available at dccomics.com

Hitman “finally” avalible again in a new series of Softcover TPB’s collecting The Demon Annual #2, The Batman Chronicles #4 And Hitman #1-3! Batman hits a guy (Tommy Monaghan, the title character of the series) so hard he pukes on him!

THE STARMAN OMNIBUS VOL. 3

Written by James Robinson; Art by Tony Harris, Gene Ha, Dusty Abell, Phil Jimenez, J.H. Williams III and others; Cover by Tony Harris

Collecting Starman #30-38, Starman Annual #2, Starman Secret Files #1 And The Shade #1-4. Features a Batman team-up that includes the greatest Solomon Grundy story ever told, and a discussion on favorite Woody Allen Movies (Batman in naturally resistant to such shenanigans).

DC/ JOHNNY DC

* ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #12

* BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #1

* BATMAN: THE BLACK CASEBOOK

* THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #24

* CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #58

* FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: DANCE #2 (OF 6)

*FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: ESCAPE #2 (OF 6)

* GREEN ARROW/BLACK CANARY #21

* GREEN LANTERN: SINESTRO CORPS WAR VOL. 2

* HITMAN VOL. 1: A RAGE IN ARKHAM – NEW PRINTING

* THE OUTSIDERS #19

* POWER GIRL #2

* THE QUESTION: THE FIVE BOOKS OF BLOOD

* THE STARMAN OMNIBUS VOL. 3

* SUPERGIRL #42

* SUPERMAN/BATMAN #61

* TINY TITANS #17

* VIGILANTE #7

* WILL EISNER’S THE SPIRIT ARCHIVES VOL. 26

VERTIGO

* AIR #10

* FABLES #85

* HELLBLAZER #256

* JACK OF FABLES #35

* YOUNG LIARS #16

WILDSTORM

* EX MACHINA #43

* GEARS OF WAR SOURCEBOOK

* MYSTERIUS: THE UNFATHOMABLE #6 (OF 6)

* SLEEPER SEASON ONE

* WORLD OF WARCRAFT #20

DC DIRECT

*LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT BOX SET (feat. 4 repaint figures, Batman, Commissioner James Gordon, Joker, and Two-Face + Legends Of The Dark Knight Special, a unique 64-page collection of stories featuring each character’s secret origin and other tales.)

*DC UNLIMITED: WORLD OF WARCRAFT: SERIES 4: LADY VASHJ

*DC UNLIMITED: WORLD OF WARCRAFT: SERIES 4: MURLOC 2-PACK: FISH-EYE AND GIBBERGIL

*DC UNLIMITED: WORLD OF WARCRAFT: SERIES 4: SUCCUBUS DEMON: AMBERLASH

For more info check out dccomics.com!

Thanks for reading!

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1

Written by Grant Morrison

Art and Cover by Frank Quitely

Variant Cover by JG Jones

Wow! I expected an awesome comic, but this was beyond, way beyond!

Batman and Robin might just be the perfect single issue #1 released in the past ten years (debate amongst yourselves).

In a nutshell, Mr. Toad and his two henchmen are on the run after an “exchange” going awry. After an explosion removing the pursuant GCPD from their tail, they make their break into a tunnel to escape. Too bad for them, Batman’s not in fact “dead” as Toad remarks, also bad for them is the fact Batman and Robin have a flying Batmobile.

The midway cool-down to get you up to speed and explains to readers why Dick and Damien are Batman and Robin in a single page. As Alfred and Dick leave Wayne Mannor for the last time, it closes off the final chapter of Bruce Wayne’s tenure as Batman (for now). Now for the new, like the film “The Dark Knight” and Batman in the 70’s, the new Bat-crew operates out of one of Wayne’s downtown buildings, complete with penthouse, Bat-garage, and underground tunnels to pop out of secret locations through the city.

While Batman and Robin punch in back on the clock, Pyg’s people go to work on rescuing Mr. Toad, while an army of Dolltrons march on to go after Toad’s henches who abandoned the job. Batman and Robin show Gordon and the GCPD that they are in fact still on the case, and the plot thickens as Professor Pyg shows what a horrible monster he is.

As most of Morrison’s work, there’s two stories at play here, there’s the surface “superhero action” at play, and deeper mysteries and metaphors under the surface. Plus it’s a fantastic array of influence and pedigree, from Lynchian flavors mixed with the Batman show of the sixties, Mr. Toads Wilde ride, to Pygmalion (or My Fair Lady) gone real horrorshow. All that with Quitley rocking a Will Eisner style along with the sound effects, without aping Eisner. Plus, freaks and mysteries!

The dynamics of the new “Dynamic Duo” are great on many levels. Dick Grayson is Batman due to the need for a Batman. Despite his doubts and feeling like he’s wearing his dead father’s clothes is a different Batman due to how he was raised. In stark contrast, Bruce was a pessimistic haunted atheist, who saw a cruel world around him due to the tragedy that shaped him. He knew that he’d never completely stop “crime”, despite his best efforts in his Quixotic quest to make sure no one shared the pain he’d endured. Even worse, he knew he wouldn’t live forever, every day he lived another was one more that might be his last.

Grayson on the other hand, had an unconventional childhood before he even became Robin. With him and his parents in the circus, despite preventative measures knew accidents could happen, that’s why there was much preparation before “performing”, and knowing what to do if something went wrong. With all that, you know there were guys with missing arms or members buried due to things “going wrong”. Unlike Bruce’s parents dying, I really feel Dick knew mortality at his age far better than Bruce.

Dick is an optimist with deep faith who’s made his amends with his ghosts and wounds. In the face of impossible odds and is quick witted enough to improvise on the fly, plus he doesn’t need to result to fear mongering to put the bad guys away (though he does now wear the Batsuit). He’s clever, he’s got experience, and he’s Batman now.

With the light nature of Grayson, Damien Wayne makes the “grim” scene as the spoiled little monster who thinks he’s “King Shit” of the castle. He’s brash, egotistical, snotty, too smart for his own good, and ultimately looking to Dick as his new father.

With he and Bruce having little time together, all he did with said time was act like a ADD-addled kid trying to get his dad’s attention. With Bruce, he figured he could get away with anything, because well, “That’s my dad, what’s he going to do?” With Dick though, he’s a bit more reserved than he was previous, when he tells Dick “You can have my respect if you earn it…”, he’s really trying to earn Dick’s respect. Unlike Bruce, Dick doesn’t have to deal with Damien at all, hell were Dick not such a swell guy, he could have very well sent him to live on the moon or dropped him off at a youth correction facility. Even though Damien is a “Young Tough” on exterior observation, deep down he’s a kid with daddy and family issues.

From the Arc preview

Batman fighting conjoined triplet kung-fu powerhouse member of the Circus of Strange.

Robin getting stomped nearly to death by Dolltrons

What do the dominoes mean? Double twelve’s from the look of them.

Coming up this year in preview!

Robin quits! From the looks of it, Damien’s gong to walk away from being Robin, what’s going to cause it though? Doesn’t Dick know he just wants to be loved!

Who are the Red Hood and Scarlet? I’d bet on “Red Hood” being the same “Red Hood” Batman knocked into a vat of chemicals all those years ago. Yes, the Joker (who was strangely absent from BFTC), I’m betting he’s not happy about the “New” Batman “I can hear Mark Hamill in my head screaming “THAT’S NOT HIM!!! THAT’S NOT BATMAN!!!!” After Jason’s little stunt stealing his old ID, it would be perfect for him to take it back and be a “Hero”, though I doubt his motives will be heroic. As for Scarlet, I’d have to assume it’s Sasha, the recently introduced character in this issue.

The cover to Batman and Robin #4, tell me that’s not a hand written note for Dick by the Joker.

Bruce Wayne Rising? Is that Bruce’s “corpse” returning from the Lazarus Pit? And why is Dick fighting Batwoman/ Kate Kane? I can only assume if that is the “body” from Final Crisis, it’s going to end up being a soulless abomination, Kate’s probably just trying to take him behind the woodshed and off him with a shovel, like you do with abominations.

Dr. Hurt and the keys to Wayne Mansion? I can only assume he’s gong back to loot more stuff that belonged to Thomas Wayne. That and drink all the cognac.

Batman and Robin is weird, fun, explosive, mad pop brain candy, that won’t rot your brain!

DC COMICS FOR 6/10/2009

DC/JOHNNY DC

* ACTION COMICS #878

* BATMAN #687

* BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #30

* BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM! #5

* FINAL CRISIS

* FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: ESCAPE #2 (OF 6) Preview Available

* FINAL CRISIS COMPANION

* THE FLASH: REBIRTH #3 (OF 5)

* FLASH: THE HUMAN RACE

* GREEN LANTERN CORPS #37

* GREEN LANTERN CORPS: THROUGH THE AGES

* JSA VS. KOBRA: ENGINES OF FAITH #1 (OF 6)

* R.E.B.E.L.S. #5

* RED ROBIN #1

* SCOOBY-DOO #145

* SHOWCASE PRESENTS: GREEN LANTERN VOL. 4

* THE SPIRIT #29

* SUPER FRIENDS #16

* SUPERMAN: LAST SON

* TITANS #14

VERTIGO

* DMZ #42

* FABLES #85

* UNCLE SAM DELUXE EDITION

* THE UNWRITTEN #2

* YOUNG LIARS VOL. 2: MAESTRO

WILDSTORM

* GEN 13 #30

* RED – NEW EDITION

* STORMING PARADISE #6 (OF 6)

For more DC info, check out dccomics.com.

Thanks for reading!