Tag Archives: Flash

Retrospective: Teen Titans vol 3 (part 6)

I’ll be looking at the One Year Later stuff now with issues 34-49.  And I’m going to say now that some of these issues have to be Johns’ worst in this series.

Continue reading →

Review: Wednesday Comics #3

Wednesday

Last week’s Wednesday Comics was the first to really disappoint.  The premise of the project should suggest that the creators compress their stories as much as possible, at least in general – when all’s said and done, they only really have 15 pages to finish the story.  While some creators have risen to the challenge, like Caldwell on Wonder Woman or Pope on Strange Adventures, some strips that started out strong have begun to peter off already.

There is still the seeds of genius that were strongly evident in the first two issues, but there are too many non-starters here.  The flaws remain relatively unfixed, with the weakest pages among the first two issues showing little improvement.  Not all is bleak, of course – a project with this many gifted creators is bound to have some astonishing moments – but I am not sure that a book facing all the challenges that Wednesday Comics faces can afford to have many more issues like this one: Not bad, but not quite worth the trouble.

Grade: B-

– Cal Cleary

Wednesday Comics #2

Wednesday Comics #1

Review: Wednesday Comics #2

Wed2

Though Wednesday Comics #2 didn’t do much to improve over the flaws of the first one, and certainly won’t change any minds about the project as a whole, it also kept all the charm, wit and creative energy of the first issue, and even improved upon some of the slower stories.  The keyword with Wednesday Comics is variety, and you get a lot of it.

Busiek’s Green Lantern is a wonderfully retro The New Frontier-style sci-fi adventure, while Pope’s Strange Adventures is classic pulp action.  Flash reads like a bizarre blend of romance and super-hero stories, while Baker’s Hawkman offers a dark, fascinating look at a frequently muddled character.  As with the first issue, not every story is a hit, and the two biggest offenders from #1 (Teen Titans and Sgt. Rock and Easy Co.) remain relatively weak, though both show at least some signs of improvement over the previous issue.

Meanwhile, the creators are making full use of the space, sometimes in interesting ways.  The Gaiman/Allred Metamorpho is essentially one enormous panel while Caldwell’s surreal Wonder Woman features roughly fifty panels on its only page.  

The format is definitely bringing out the best in many of these artists, most of whom have admirably risen to the challenge.  The less-glossy pages and creases that come from the folding were a worry to some people when it came to the quality of the art, but rest-assured, this is rarely the case.  Only Caldwell’s Wonder Woman and the Arcudi/Bermejo Superman seem to have been hampered by the fact, each of them a little too dark for their own good.  Despite that, however, both pages remain well-crafted and interesting.

Wednesday Comics is too scattershot to appeal to everyone, but those who try it out will find a selection of interesting stories by star creators that hearken back to the early days of comics and the traditional stories without being lazy or condescending.  Everyone involved seems to be having far too much fun to either.

Grade: A-

– Cal Cleary

Read/RANT

Wednesday Comics #1

Review: Wednesday Comics #1

Wednesd

Wednesday Comics is here!  While DC often struggles to stay relevant in the fact of a vastly more trendy Marvel Comics, it’s had a few successes in recent years.  One such success was their year-long event, 52, a weekly with an absolute powerhouse of a writing team that managed to gain both critical and fan acclaim – no small feat for an event comic largely lacking Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman.  After that, of course, DC felt the urge to repeat their success story with the watered down Countdown and then again with Busiek’s Trinity.  Still, three years in and the weekly format, once a fresh revival, had begun to seem stale.

That all changed with the announcement of their next weekly, Wednesday Comics, a 12 week long project, packaged as a newspaper, in which superstar creative teams would be given continuity-free reins on a vasty supply of DC characters to tell their stories… one page each week.  There were a lot of risks, obviously, but the announcement of the creative teams was where they had it: Gaiman, Busiek, Allred, Azzarello, Risso, Gibbons, Pope, Baker and many more, all getting involved in the project.

So, with all that expectations, how does the issue stack up?

Very well.  Very well, indeed.

It’s tough to review due to the grab bag nature of the book – Caldwell’s Wonder Woman, for example, is gorgeous and surreal, while Kubert’s Sgt. Rock and Easy Co. on the very next page is about as bland as can be.   I toyed briefly with the idea of reviewing each story, but the simple fact is this: these stories stand together or fall together, but the strength of an Azzarello/Risso Batman doesn’t necessarily offset the slow start of the Berganza/Galloway Teen Titans.  You buy one, you get ’em all.

And, as a collection, it works.  This, this is traditional super-hero comics done right.  For those yearning for a set of simple, gorgeous stories, Wednesday Comics delivers.  Not every story will be a hit, but #1 offers a number of strong starts and relatively few missteps.  I eagerly await seeing where it will go.

As a note, however, the stand-outs of the issue for me were Batman, Kamandi, Supergirl, Metal Men, and The Demon/Catwoman, with Superman and Wonder Woman having okay starts but gorgeous art.  The only pages I didn’t really appreciate at all were Teen Titans and Sgt. Rock and Easy Co., so the bulk of the issue was, for me, a hit.

Grade: B+

– Cal Cleary

Read/RANT

Review: Flash: Rebirth #3

 

Since the Wally-lover handled the last issue, I thought it’d be a nice change of pace if an actual Barry-lover (Yes, I’m a hundred years old, you young whippersnapper) reviewed this issue. Having said that, let’s get the bad out of the way first.

The Bad: This issue came with the promise of some kind of big Superman/Flash race. Yeah, that lasts about a splash-page, fitting, I suppose, since the Flash is so damn fast. However, where this issue does seem to meander a bit is in Barry himself. Now, as a big fan of Barry’s, I couldn’t be happier, but some of the youngins have never read a single Barry comic. Will they care? Probably not. To them, they’re paying to see an old man reminisce about bow ties. And what doesn’t help is the fact that we’ve seen so little action so far.

The Good: Johns has done a good job of modernizing Barry. He’s from the Silver Age. Barry is a consummate hero, and that’s “boring” to today’s audiences. So, Johns’ main goal is to try to give Barry new purpose. We’re seeing the part Barry plays in the Flash family dynamic. We see that Barry still has an unsolved case to solve. We may also see the return of some old Barry villains. Also, the fact that Barry himself keeps asking “Why am I here?” is a very smart move in that it helps answer the fan’s questions, and makes him more relatable. Though every issue has been near-actionless, at least they all have a cool last page. This one is no different. Oh, and Sciver is still rendering the best work of his career.

Final Word: This is the best issue yet. As a Barry fan, I’m happy and touched to see Barry alive and running again. I just worry about the Wally and Bart fans. Johns has tried to please them, but I’m not sure they’re sold yet.

Grade: A-

For more comic goodness, go here.

July 2009 Solicitations

Wow! This July will apparently be the best month for comics ever! Check it out!

REBORN #1 (of 5)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by BRYAN HITCH
50/50 Covers by BRYAN HITCH & ALEX ROSS
Variant Cover by JOHN CASSADAY
Solicit to be revealed soon
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Is Steve Rogers coming back? That seems too obvious, but then again, Marvel and DC aren’t usually subtle about these things.

UNCANNY X-MEN #513
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils & Cover by TERRY DODSON
Variant Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
“UTOPIA: CHAPTER 2”
WHO ARE THE DARK X-MEN? He has his own Avengers team and now Norman Osborn has his own X-Men team. The other shoe has finally dropped and Emma Frost has betrayed Cyclops and the rest of the X-Men. And that’s just one of the huge surprises in “UTOPIA”.  Is that Namor? Cloak and Dagger? Professor X?!  The thing that you aren’t ready for is that Osborn is right.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

DARK AVENGERS #7
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils & Cover by MIKE DEODATO
Variant Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
“UTOPIA: Chapter 3”
The DARK AVENGERS/UNCANNY X-MEN crossover continues!
San Francisco teeters on the brink of absolute chaos and the X-Men keep getting in the way of Norman’s vision of law and order.  So Norman takes his game to the next level: who are the DARK X-MEN?  And will Norman’s Avengers play nice with Norman’s X-Men?  Here’s a hint: no.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Ok, so it may not be the most exciting Marvel summer event, but it is the first crossover helmed by Matt Fraction, one of my favorite writers. And it appears that the whole thing will be written by Matt Fraction himself. No Bendis here!

CAPTAIN AMERICA #601
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Pencils and Cover by GENE COLAN
70th Anniversary Variant by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
*Black & White Variant Also Available!
A special double-sized issue featuring art by the legendary Gene Colan! Bucky and Nick Fury uncover a lost tale from Cap and Bucky’s days in WW2 – a tale of horror and war and brothers-in-arms.
48 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Again, not a big event, but Gentleman Gene Colan returns! That’s cool, right? And, though the book does cost 3.99, it’s double-sized. So, that’s also cool, right?

 

INCREDIBLE HULK #600
Written by JEPH LOEB
Penciled by ED MCGUINNESS
Cover by ALEX ROSS
50/50 Variant Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Variant Cover by TIM SALE
WHO IS THE RED HULK?! 
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN IS GOING TO TRY AND FIND OUT! 
GREEN HULK!  RED HULK!  SPIDEY!  SECRETS REVEALED!
A STORY SO BIG IT CAN BARELY BE CONTAINED IN THE INCREDIBLE 600TH ISSUE OF HULK!  ALL THIS AND A STARTLING SURPRISE ENDING TO TOP ALL THE OTHER SHOCKING SURPRISES THIS HULK BOOK IS KNOWN FOR!
The chart-topping team of Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness bring you a 600th-issue celebration guest starring your friendly Neighborhood Web-Head as the original Incredible series returns!  Plus, back-up story by Fred Van Lente featuring the Savage She-Hulk! And representing the first issue of the Loeb/Sale HULK: GRAY series,
104 PGS./38 All-New Pages & Reprints/Rated A …$4.99

Will we actually find out who Rulk is? I’m guessing it’s this dude.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #600
Written by DAN SLOTT, STAN LEE & THE REST OF SPIDEY’S WEB-HEADS
Pencils by JOHN ROMITA JR., MARCOS MARTIN, MARIO ALBERTI & MORE!
50/50 Wraparound Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
50/50 Cover by ALEX ROSS
Variant Cover by JOHN ROMITA SR.
Wraparound Variant Cover by JOE QUESADA
The greatest Marvel super hero of all celebrates his 600th issue with the biggest all-original issue of Amazing Spider-Man EVER! This one’s got it all! The return of Doctor Octopus, Daredevil, a wedding you never predicted, and the return of one of the most important people in Peter Parker’s life in a giant-sized lead story by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr.  Doc’s back in town, but it’s only a prelude to darker days ahead as Spidey unknowingly prepares for a gauntlet he can’t even see coming.
On top of all that, witness the return of one of Spider-man’s creators, Smilin’ Stan Lee (along with Masticatin’ Marcos Martin) as he presents a story of unbridled passion, drama and angst as Spidey reflects over his many, many years of adventures.
But that ain’t all…as the rest of the Spidey Web-Heads bring you several short features showcasing some rarely explored aspects of both Spidey and Pete’s life, drawn by some of the greatest artists in comics. Plus, several other surprises and NO REPRINTS! 104 pages of goodness brought to you by some of the best creators that have ever worked on Spidey!
104 PGS./All-New/Rated A …$4.99

Yes, Marvel renumbers to get your money.

ULTIMATUM #5 (of 5)
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Sketch Variant by ED MCGUINNESS
Gatefold Variant by DAVID FINCH
Fallen Heroes Variant by OLIVIER COIPEL
Is this what the end of the world looks like? You better believe it!!

As only Emmy & Eisner award-winning writer Jeph Loeb and superstar artist David Finch can deliver, it’s an apocalyptic conclusion where every, and we mean EVERY, score is settled! The Ultimate heroes have faced their final judgment…and when the dust settles will they be found wanting? If you can handle the growing body count, stick around as ALL is answered in this explosive series finale that will shock fans for years to come!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Yes, it was solicited back in May. Yes, a lot of people hate it. But it is a big event. Will it finally conclude?

BLACKEST NIGHT #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert
Variant cover by Ethan Van Sciver
Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert
Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis raise the dead in the most anticipated comics story of the year! Throughout the decades, death has plagued the DC Universe and taken the lives of heroes and villains alike. But to what end? As the War of Light rages on, the prophecy of the Blackest Night descends upon us, with Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps at the center of it all.
Don’t miss this 8-issue epic taking the DCU beyond the grave!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with three covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver). For every 250 copies of the Standard Edition, retailers may order one copy of the Sketch Variant Edition (with a cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 15 • 1 of 8 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Really, it’s the biggest event of this summer. My only problem so far is that Arthur Curry appears to be among the dead. But he came back in Final Crisis, damn it!

 

 

GREEN LANTERN #43
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy
Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari
The official prologue to BLACKEST NIGHT starts here as the first Black Lantern is born! Black Hand has been an enemy of Hal Jordan since Hal’s early days as a Green Lantern. But even Black Hand is unaware of the true power he holds that will connect him to the Blackest Night! Discover this villain’s connection to death and the Black Lantern Corps!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Rodolfo Migliari). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

GREEN LANTERN #44
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy
Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari
“Blackest Night” continues! As Hal Jordan and Barry Allen investigate a bizarre crime in Gotham City, they come face to face with one of their oldest allies – J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter! But their old friend is not there for reunions; he’s come for much more. Meanwhile, Sinestro seeks to rebuild his army and take his revenge on the being who would usurp it – Mongul!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Rodolfo Migliari). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 22 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Doug Mahnke, one of my favorite artists, has found a home at Green Lantern, one of my favorite comics!

BATMAN AND ROBIN #2
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and cover by Frank Quitely
Variant cover by Andy Kubert
“Batman Reborn” continues with the reteaming of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, WE3, New X-Men)! In a blazing Gotham City police department, the new Batman and Robin face the bizarre, fighting freakshow that is the Circus of Strange and find that they don’t make as good a team as Batman had hoped! Meanwhile, the mysterious Sasha escapes from Professor Pyg and vows vengeance on the people who killed her father.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Frank Quitely), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Andy Kubert). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 1 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Yeah, Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely are just about the best creative team in comics. This will be AWESOME!

DETECTIVE COMICS #855
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by JH Williams III; co-feature art by Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams III
“Elegy” part 2 of 4 by Greg Rucka and JH Williams III! Batwoman captures her enemy, a madwoman known only as Alice who sees her life as a fairy tale and everyone around her as expendable extras – including Kate! But when the tables are turned, Batwoman finds herself in a hallucination slamming the present into a collision with the past, and the hints of a threat that will claim the lives of every man, woman and child in Gotham City.
And in the all-new co-feature starring the Question, Montoya’s quest to find a missing young girl turns deadly.
On sale July 29 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Greg Rucka+Batwoman+Renee Montoya+JH Williams III+Dave Stewart+Cully Hammer=BUY THIS BOOK!

THE FLASH: REBIRTH #4
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and covers by Ethan Van Sciver
Barry Allen left a legacy that thrived after his death. Now his return threatens it all. What secrets does Barry hold inside him about the fate of the Flash Family? What destiny awaits Wally and his twins? What murderous force targets Bart Allen? And what does it truly mean to be a speedster?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 22 • 4 of 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

I wasn’t too impressed with the first issue, but this is probably the best Sciver has ever looked. And hey, I do love Barry Allen.

WEDNESDAY COMICS #1-4
In July, DC Comics gives a fresh twist to a grand comics tradition with WEDNESDAY COMICS, a new, weekly 12-issue series by some of the greatest names in comics today!
WEDNESDAY COMICS is unique in modern comics history: Reinventing the classic weekly newspaper comics section, it is a 16-page weekly that unfolds to a sprawling 28” x 20” tabloid-sized reading experience bursting with mind-blowing color, action and excitement, with each feature on its own 14” x 20” page.
Spearheaded by DCU Editorial Art Director Mark Chiarello, whose past editing credits include BATMAN BLACK & WHITE, DC: THE NEW FRONTIER and SOLO, each page of WEDNESDAY COMICS spotlights the continuing adventures of DC heroes, including:

  • BATMAN, WEDNESDAY COMICS’ weekly cover feature, by the Eisner Award-winning 100 BULLETS team of writer Brian Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso
  • ADAM STRANGE, by writer/artist Paul Pope (BATMAN: YEAR 100)
  • METAMORPHO, written by New York Times best-selling writer Neil Gaiman with art by Eisner Award-winner Michael Allred (Madman)
  • THE DEMON AND CATWOMAN, written by Walter Simonson (Thor, MANHUNTER) with art by famed DC cover artist Brian Stelfreeze
  • DEADMAN, written by Dave Bullock and Vinton Heuck, art by Dave Bullock
  • KAMANDI, written by Dave Gibbons (WATCHMEN, GREEN LANTERN CORPS) with art by Ryan Sook (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, ARKHAM ASYLUM: LIVING HELL)
  • SUPERMAN, written by John Arcudi (The Mask) with art by Lee Bermejo (JOKER)
  • WONDER WOMAN, written and illustrated by Ben Caldwell (Dare Detectives)
  • GREEN LANTERN, written by Kurt Busiek (TRINITY, ASTRO CITY) with art by Joe Quiñones (TEEN TITANS GO!)
  • TEEN TITANS, written by Eddie Berganza with art by Sean Galloway
  • SUPERGIRL, written by Jimmy Palmiotti (JONAH HEX) with art by Amanda Conner (POWER GIRL)
  • HAWKMAN, written and illustrated by Kyle Baker (PLASTIC MAN, Special Forces)
  • SGT. ROCK, written by Adam Kubert (SUPERMAN: LAST SON), ilustrated by legendary comics artist Joe Kubert
  • THE FLASH, written by Karl Kerschl (TEEN TITANS YEAR ONE, THE FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE) and Brenden Fletcher, illustrated by Karl Kerschl
  • METAL MEN, written by Dan DiDio with art by Ian Churchill (SUPERGIRL)

WEDNESDAY COMICS will arrive in stores folded twice to 7” x 10”, with the first issue set to reach stores on July 8.
Issue #1 on sale July 8; Issue #2 on sale July 15; Issue #3 on sale July 22; Issue #4 on sale July 29 • 1-4 of 12 • 7” x 10”, 16 pg, FC, $3.99 US

This is original, and it feature’s some of the medium’s top creators. It’s fantastic!

So, comics in July will kick ass! From Marvel: The likely return of Steve Rogers, a Dark Avengers/X-Men crossover, the end of Ultimatum, and renumbering up the ass. From DC: Wednesday Comics, Flash: Rebirth, Blackest Night, and some phenomenal Batman books. Will DC finally beat Marvel this year? Or at least in July? Maybe?

Review: Final Crisis #2 – Spoilers!

(*****)

Whew. Let me start by saying that this is probably the hardest comic to read and especially to write a review for. But I love it for that! It’s one of the most intelligent comics I’ve ever read. I have to give major props for any book that makes me want to read it 3 or 4 times the first day I get it.

The book opens with a splash page of a bunch of kids in front of a club. The bouncer says “Stop! You must be supercool to proceed! Your life depends on it!” I think in addition to a comment on youth culture, this is a humorous way of Grant telling us that we need to be on our A-game to read this book. Also, one of the kids is wearing a Killing Joke shirt with a Robin bag. That’s hilarious! I want to say that I love J.G. Jones’ art and he is doing a fantastic job on this book. I love his detail.

Inside there is an old Japanese hero of sorts complaining about the youth. The kids don’t like this guy. They want to be superheroes themselves and one even expresses her want of being a gimmick, “the transformation of man into merchandising”. That’s hilarious. One of the kid’s idols enters the scene. He rips out a man’s heart and puts it into a glass. The kids love this guy and want his autograph. I believe this is Morrison commenting on today’s youth. Of course there is plot to this too. Mr. Miracle recruits him for his team. So the New Genesis guys are fighting back, cool.

We next get a look at Uotan, that monitor who was banished last issue. He’s working in a fast food place and is going through words in the dictionary looking for “the magic word that’ll take me home”. He is also drawing pictures of what kind of look like Superman, when he thought he was Darkseid’s son, to me.

We next see Turpin, who is beating the hell out of the Mad Hatter. This is because he feels he is responsible for controlling the children. This is weird because when we last saw Turpin, he pretty much was given an explanation to why the children were the way they were, and the Darkseid figure told the children to “show him what you’ve learned about anti-life”. Turpin buys a ticket to Bludhaven for some reason. The title of this issue is Ticket to Bludhaven.

We then see Martian Manhunter’s funeral on Mars. It looks like the whole league is there. Superman is giving the eulogy. He says “We’ll miss him. And pray for a resurrection”. I actually laughed out loud when I read that. Is Grant commenting on the silliness of comic characters coming back from the dead? Seems like it.

We take a look at an abandoned strip bar where Libra and all the baddies are at. He asks if everyone is satisfied with Martian Manhunter’s death. Luthor isn’t and would have preferred if something happened to Superman. Clayface makes a silly comment, but I’m sure in Morrison’s hands it will end up being foreshadowing. Luthor feels that he has to form an alliance against Libra, that this is all too good to be true. Smart man. He asks if Vandal Savage is in and he declines. He feels that if Libra can offer him an end to boredom that he’ll take it. I feel that this is Morrison commenting on the situation of a wise and ancient man making a stupid decision when he should have all the right answers. The much younger Luthor seems to be the smarter one. When no one but the Human Flame and Libra are around, Libra says that he answers to a higher power. Also, he feels Luthor will turn when he sees what happens next. Also, the Human Flame seems to owe Libra something big for killing Martian Manhunter.

The JLA are still investigating Orion’s body. Batman feels that he was shot with a bullet. An Alpha Lantern comes in and disagrees. It seems like she is taking over the situation against the league’s wishes.

John Stewart is analyzing the crime scene.  A GL (sorry don’t know his name) enters the scene. John says he has found a bullet that seems to have been buried for fifty years. John’s ring starts to go haywire and his lantern buddy construct spikes him against the wall. He even makes a hilarious construct of a guardian with cymbals. John Stewart then says “My God. It’s you!” Oh, and his lantern buddy heard something right before he went nuts.

The Alpha Lanterns and the GL we just saw show up in Hal Jordan’s bedroom and arrest him for murdering Orion and the attempted murder of John Stewart. Well, last issue when John Stewart got the deicide call, Hal didn’t respond, but seeing as how the guy that just threw spikes into John Stewart is also arresting Hal, it seems he is innocent.

The Alpha Lantern and Batman are alone back at the place they are keeping Orion. She messes up Batman and it seems that this is Granny Goodness.

We next see Turpin in I guess Bludhaven, and he sees the strangest thing. He sees two knights riding dogs. Did anyone understand this? Did parademons ride dogs on Apokolips? Is that what this is supposed to be? I guess so. Turpin runs into reverend Good. This is the guy you’ve been seeing on T.V. talking about cleaning up Bludhaven. So I guess Bludhaven is new Apokolips. The reverend starts talking to Turpin like he is Darkseid and makes comments about “your son, Kalibak the Cruel”. Turpin’s ear is also bleeding. The lantern guy that turned earlier said he heard something right before he went nuts so perhaps how the New Gods, or at least the Apokolips people, enter your body is through the ears? Turpin sees that Batman is being held in this place and something is being done to Batman.

We next check out the Daily Planet. Lois, Mr. White, Clark, and Jimmy Olsen are all present. Lois give Jimmy something on the missing children case. Clark says “I thought I just saw Jimmy down there on the-“. We then see it isn’t Jimmy Olsen in the elevator but Clayface, see it was foreshadowing. The entire floor of the Daily Planet blows up. We see Superman looking at a hand with a wedding ring under the rubble screaming “Lois!”

Lastly, we see Wally West and Jay Garrick checking out the old strip bar that Libra and the baddies were at earlier. They know that this is where Martian Manhunter died. Wally talks about a concept of a time bullet that Batman came up with, the concept that is, not the bullet. About a bullet being fired backwards through time and that is why when John Stewart found the bullet earlier he said it had been buried for fifty years. The chair that looks like Metron’s that Dr. Light and Mirror Master got Libra last issue is still there and it begins to light up. The issue ends with a splash page of Barry Allen running from two objects. One is some kind of tube thingy. The second is the more sinister looking Black Racer character that we saw last issue in two panels hovering behind Turpin.

Man that was a lot to cover. Sorry for the long review, but hopefully it helped some of you notice or figure out some things. I’ve read this issue and the last one three times so I think I noticed a lot. I’m sure there is a lot I missed or misunderstood. Hopefully Morrison will give another commentary like he did on the last one. Please let me know if I helped you guys understand anything. Or if I missed something. Or if you think I misunderstood something. Man I love this comic so much. I can’t wait till it’s all over and a hardcover of this stuff comes out. I’m going to buy it on the first day and will probably need to read it four times. I love your genious Morrison!

Spoiler Review: Final Crisis #2

The scans I’m about to present to you are filled with spoilers. Be forewarned. Also, a word from our sponsor:

Sumo guys rips out MegaYakuza’s heart!!! (Yeah, I have no idea who these guys are either or why it’s relevant. Whatever. Read on, shall we?)

…and then drops it into a glass of water. Well, not exactly in the glass.

Why is this relevant? Because the Sumo guy is actually a New God. Here’s Mr. Miracle recruiting his big ass for a team he’s “putting together.”

Next, what the hell is up with Turpin? And why is he taking it out on Mad Hatter? Even Batman doesn’t go THIS crazy.

Oh, he gets off on it. It appears that Turpin may not be all that he… appears.

Okay, so Luthor is like, “Killing the Martian is like whatever and all, but if you want my vote you’ll have to do better.” Libra replies, “Superman?”

Confused, that’s okay. Here’s the writer, Grant Morrison, telling us not to worry. It’ll all shake out in the grand scheme.

Alpha Lantern Kraken lays down the law. I’m not a huge Green Lantern history buff, so maybe someone out there can tell me if this issue if jurisdiction has ever been brought up before. Either way, I like it. It seems like a fairly obvious idea and one that should have come up before.

Next, John Stewart re-investigates the scene of the crime and discovers the missing bullet. He’s promptly jumped by parties unknown… and then Morrison quickly jumps us to the arrest of SPOILER for the murder of Orion and the attempted murder of John Stewart. Whoa. Better get a good lawyer, dude. I wonder if Matt Murdock makes inter-dimensional house calls. That guy never loses a case.

OH NO! Batman is betrayed and captured by SPOILER!!! Not really betrayed, I guess. Only a friend can betray you, right? Hehe. Ah, Vs. System, we always laugh.

Wait, that’s not Jimmy Olsen!

KA-BOOOOOOOM!!!

Um, would you believe “Time Bullets?” Yeah, Jay, it gives me a headache too.

And the worst kept secret in comics, the return of SPOILER JUST TO BE SAFE.

So, what did I think? I like the time bullet thing (once I got my head around it). I like the final page splash, especially the two objects/people/things chasing SPOILER. I liked the part where Turpin beat the shit out of Mad Hatter. I liked the Seventh Soldier Mr. Miracle. I liked the way Libra hurts the Man of Steel. I like that Turpin is probably a SPOILER, and not just any SPOILER, but SPOILER himself… I’m basically on board with every scene in the book judged individually on their own merits…

…what I didn’t like is how fast paced the story is! I had to catch my breath between panels! SLOW DOWN, GRANT!!! This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. There’s just so much fricking information in this issue. It’s packed too tight. I know I complain about Secret Invasion and its slow pacing, but this is the other extreme. I need time, as a reader, to digest what is going on. I had to read the book twice, cover to cover, before I could even review/scan it intelligently. And yet, I still feel like I failed. Ugh, I like it so far, I may even love it. But please, for the sake of the rest of us who are not as insane-o smarty pants as you, Mr. Morrison, please… slow down. Thanks.

Posted (deep breath), time for another read through. 😉