Pop Culture Chronicles

The New 52 Review

The rebooting of the DC universe has so far been a huge success. DC Comics released 52 new first issues in a massive relaunch last September. In a prior post I had mentioned my reservations along with some enthusiasm for the new direction.  Now that we're five months into the new 52, here are my reflections:

Superman - I've always thought of George Perez as an artist and he is one of the best. But this book proves that he can also be an awesome writer. I like the fact that there is a lot of dialog. It takes me longer to read this title than any other, so I feel I'm getting more than just a picture book. It's deep and not fluffy. With the Daily Planet being purchased by Morgan Edge and the Planet staff adjusting to the mass media market, including Lois' promotion, it strikes a chord of reality with so many that have to constantly change with the times in the workplace. Characters, like Lois, must make hard ethical decisions in this book. The Clark and Lois relationship is back to its traditional formula. Clark likes Lois, but he doesn't seem to be on her radar, except as a co-worker. The exceptional art also makes this book worthwhile.

Action Comics - While relaunching Superman, in some respects Grant Morrison actually returns the Man of Steel to his roots. A younger and less experienced Superman whose alter ego, Clark Kent, is working for the rival publisher of the Daily Planet while getting to know Lois and Jimmy. I'll keep the Superman titles.

Supergirl- They haven't ruined Kara after all. The stories are great and you can sympathize with the character. I do wish she had a more modest costume though, especially in light of this character being a minor.     

Batman - With at least four relaunched Bat books and at least that many more Batman-family titles, I had to be financially responsible about which titles made my pull list. I began with Batman, Batman and Robin, Detective Comics, and Batgirl. I have so far dropped Batman and Robin and Detective Comics. I found both titles too gratuitously violent. I dropped All-Star Western for the same reason after just one issue. I don't mind some action in my comics, but with people being hanged, skinned alive, and knifed in the first couple of issues I'd had enough. I felt that this was gore for the sake of gore. Agreeing with several online reviewers, I don't think it was just me. If more of us simply stop purchasing when the product isn't doing it for us, maybe DC will get the message. Comics are too expensive for us readers to purchase anything that is short of awesome. 

As for the Batman title, I have been enjoying it up to the fifth issue which I did not feel moved the plot forward at all. It was good, however, to see Robin show up at the end and find out that maybe the little cuss has a heart in there after all and is concerned with his senior partner. The different format for the panels on several pages was also a nice touch, helping us to experience Bruce's surrealism along with him. 

Batgirl - I still think that if they were going to take Barbara out of the wheel chair that they should have done a hard reboot of the entire universe, wiping the slate totally clean. But so far the stories have been really good. I look forward to each issue because I wonder what's going to happen. I actually care about the character. This is how comics should be written. I'd heard about the great writing Gail Simone does and I am convinced. The art by Ardian Syaf is very good. And Barbara Gordon actually has a personal life. I like that.

Justice League - I love almost everything about this book--especially the team of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. The witty dialog, the humor, the way characters are drawn and introduced, the plot itself. This book has everything going for it. If I could only read one DC comic a month, this would be it. 

Pull List / Reviews July 2011, part 2

My previous post listed the DC comics on my current pull list. Here is what I'm reading from Marvel:

Marvel 

All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes # 1-2- This 8-part limited series is set in World War II, so it's right up my retro alley. A group of super-powered heroes join the army and are led into battle by Captain America. These include Timely heroes The Young Avenger, Invisible Man, Merzah the Mystic, and others.

Even Slow Motion Jones returns. He was the African-American sidekick of the Whizzer back in the Golden Age. He previously appeared in the first issues of USA Comics and All Winners Comics in 1941. In those days Slo-Mo was a racial caricature, but is now re-introduced as an intelligent super-speedster, faster than the Whizzer himself. His re-introduction is handled much like that of Whitewash Jones, renamed "Washington Carver Jones" in The Young Allies 70th Anniversary Special published in 2009. The Golden Age appearances of these African-American heroes are explained as the fictitious comic portrayals they really were, effectively striking the earlier versions from Marvel continuity. 

The new All-Winners story is told in retrospect by the alter ego of the Young Avenger, now in his 90s. He explains how Timely Comics was employed by the U.S. military to write fictional propaganda about his army buddies. The latest issue has a scene taking place in Martin Goodman's office as he sends for his nephew, Stanley. So cool! I love this series.  

FF # 1-6- I heard great things about Jonathan Hickman's run on the Fantastic Four, but I didn't want to jump into the middle of something I knew nothing about. So with the first issue of FF I thought this might be a good jumping on place. I wasn't completely up to speed with the threads that had apparently carried over from the Fantastic Four series, but I was piecing things together through the first five issues. I was especially sold on the Steve Epting art in the first three issues. I love it when artists draw people who look real. Epting's versions of Spiderman and Susan Richards is how these characters should always be drawn. By the fourth issue, however, it seemed that Barry Kitson had taken over the art chores. I wasn't as crazy about his art, but it's been growing on me. 

So along comes issue number 6. What? The FF doesn't even appear in this issue. It centers on an alien race called the Krees and the Inhumans who descend from a segment of the primitve homo sapien population of earth gentically engineered by the Krees. When the Inhuman city Attilan was attacked by the Krees, led by Ronan the Accuser, the Krees were defeated by Inhuman leader, Black Bolt who subsequently became ruler of the Krees. Black Bolt has since died, but FF # 6 is the precursor to his return. 

What this has to do with the current storyline is that Attilan is one of the four cities among whom four Reed Richards of alternate earths are trying to incite war which will (somehow) enable them to return to their own dimensions. The Future Foundation (FF) has assembled the most intelligent of the Fantastic Four's enemies in an effort to stop the Reeds.  

Issue 6 has yet another artist, Greg Tocchini. I wish this series would settle on an artist for the sake of consistency. According to Marvel's website, I can look forward to Steve Epting's return in issue # 8, but only for one issue since # 9 lists Daniel Acuna as the artist. The revolving door of artists is driving me crazy, as did the major departure of storyline in issue # 6. But I'm giving this title every chance before I give up and drop it. The characterization and dialogue are indeed above average.                     

Pull List / Reviews July 2011

Here is what I'm reading these days:

DC

Flashpoint # 3- I'm behind on this, but just read the latest issue. I was determined to stay away from any more big events, but I learned that this series will be the transitional point into the altered DC Universe. Here is where (I think) the changes in the time-stream will be explained. This issue by Geoff Johns was (not surprisingly) well written with good characterization, suspense, action, and witty dialogue. It was well drawn by Andy Kubert and Sandra Hope. It seems that the Flash is working to undo some changes in the time-stream due to events that were altered by the Reverse Flash. So Flash is in some alternate reality with Thomas Wayne, who is Batman, who did not die at the hands of a mugger, and whose son never became Batman. The two team up with Cyborg to release the captive survivor of a doomed planet whose rocket-ship was never discovered by the Kents, but landed in Metropolis doing fatal damage. The survivor was then taken into custody by the government who is conducting a "Project: Superman." Okay, I'm hooked. 

Justice Society of America # 52 - So we still don't know how Mr. Terrific lost his intellect, but now we know whodunit. Two issues to go before Mr. Terrific's own series is launched and the Justice Society is cancelled. I understand that in the realigned universe, characters who made up the JSA will still exist. But there will be no JSA. Superman will again be the first super hero in this altered continuity, which in a sense goes back to DC's roots. But it seems that the Golden Age of heroes is being retconned out of existence. The JSA has so often got the shaft when it comes to these reboots, relaunches, or whatever you want to call them. Following the orginal "Crisis on Infinite Earths" Golden Age heroes who had modern doppelgangers were retconned out of existence. The remaining JSA was banished to another dimension. So what happens to the JSA now? Will the earlier careers of originals like Jay Garrick and Alan Scott never have existed? Will the original Flash and Green Lantern ever have existed? We'll see. 

One plot in the current JSA arc that intrigues me grows out of one of Jay and Alan's WWII adventures. Will a retro guy like me ever be able to accept a JSA without the Golden Age backstory? I do hope the multiverse will play more of a role in the altered universe. I'd love to see the "Justice Society Infinity" team from "Justice Society of America Annual" # 1 return, with Superman and Batman of Earth 2 alive and well. Maybe they could have annual team-ups with the new JLA. Who knows?  

I'll review what I'm reading from Marvel soon.     

Pull List and Reviews (June 2010)

Here is a list of my current subscriptions and what I thought of some newer issues:

DC

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne This book picks up where the concluding issue of Final Crisis left off, with Bruce Wayne stranded in the caveman days. Now he makes his way forward through time toward the 21st century in this six-parter. In issue two he stopped off for an adventure involving some witch hunting Puritans, and he is moving on to a pirate's life for one issue, and then to the old west. It's interesting to see the bat-guy in all these different historical settings. History is retro.

Interestingly, Bruce has amnesia, yet his resourceful instincts aren't lacking. He is being pursued through time by Superman, Rip Hunter, Green Lantern, and Booster Gold. They have to somehow intercept Bruce before he unknowingly serves as Darkseid's weapon to destroy the 21st century, whatever all that means. I'm still not clear what Bruce was doing near the end of time unless maybe he was trying to pinpoint a position in time in order to return there and save an accused witch from hanging. Who knows? I don't totally get it, but I think I'm supposed to buy a zillion cross-overs before I do, including the forthcoming Time Masters: Vanishing Point mini-series, and several issues of Batman and Robin. It's all about marketing, but I'm not taking the bait.   

On the positive side, the cover art by Andy Kubert is exceptional. The Sprouse and Story art team did a great job on the first issue, but the Frazer Irving interior on the second didn't do much for me. I don't care for what I call the "sketchy" look, but I suppose it works well for the 17th century mood. For super heroes though, Iriving is not my favorite. In all, I would grade this series a B- but it does have potential.

JSA All-Stars The Johnny Sorrow story arc finally concluded and with some very interesting plot twists. Now we know why he appeared to be in love with Stargirl. It's great to see Atom-Smasher back with a JSA-related team. It will be interesting to see Al and Courtney's relationship develop, assuming it will. Romantic tension is good for a series. We need more of a human element in today's comics.  

I won't be missing Magog or Damage at all. I'm not sure why some characters with no JSA links to their origin are even on this team (i.e, Lightning, King Chimera, Judo-master). I wouldn't mind if they took a hike and Power Girl, Cyclone, Hour-Man, Sand, and Stargirl were returned to the mainline team. But these characters are why I keep reading. I don't care for the art though. While I don't know the lingo to be a good art critic, the lines just seem jagged and choppy to me. My grade: B-

Justice Society of America It's twenty years into the future and the neo-Nazi fourth reich has taken over America. All super heroes have been stripped of their powers. It's the day of Batman's execution in a prison camp where several heroes are incarcerated and Mr. Terrific, Clark Kent, and others are plotting their great escape. 

I LOVE this book! But what's going on? Is this someone's dream, the future of an alternate reality or parallel earth, or a failure that the JSA will travel back in time to "fix"? The next issue (#39) should be concluding this arc since the JSA-JLA crossover is coming up. So I'll be buying both titles for a while. 

This series has made Bill Willingham one of my favorite writers. The art team of Jesus Merino and Jesse Delperdang is outstanding. My grade: A 

DCU: Legacies This ten-part series which retells the history of the DC Universe is off to a great start. What could be better than a Len Wein story with the art team of Kubert and Kubert? Paul Lincoln narrates the start of the Golden Age with an appearance by Crimson Avenger and an exciting team-up of Sandman and the Atom who prove themselves to be heroic in character as well as in braun. A backup story features the Spectre and Dr. Fate with art by J. G. Jones. I like the way Inza was incorporated into the story and the art has a definite retro feel. My grade: A 

Marvel

The Torch This series concludes with its final issue in early June. Will the Torch survive and why does Thomas Raymond have the Horton cells? One of the highlights of this series for me was to see the original Torch and Toro team up with the Johnny Storm Human Torch for one issue (# 5). I can't wait for the conclusion. My grade: A+ 

Captain America: 1940s Newspaper Strip. This forthcoming 3-part series by Karl Kesel explores the newspaper strip that never was. With a story reflective of a 40s newspaper strip, I'm hoping for an age appropriate story that I can share with my kids. I'm also hoping for a fun read. 

Dynamite

Project Superpowers, Chapter Two I continue to read this, but I'm a little behind. My grade: B+  

My Pull List (September 2009)

So here is what I'm reading these days:

Marvel Comics

Marvel 70th Anniversary One-Shots

I've really enjoyed this retro return to the Golden Age era. Each issue includes a new story, usually set in the World War II era, and back-up reprints providing a good history of Marvel Comics and of the state of popular culture in that era. 

Marvel's Project

A retelling of Marvel history written by Ed Brubaker. The first issue blew me away. The Human Torch, the Sub-Mariner, and the Angel. Classic characters with story and art that are up to modern standards of excellence.

Torch

An eight-parter co-written by Alex Ross who proved that he could write with the publication of JSA Kingdom Come Special: Superman (one of the best comics I may ever have read). It seems that this all new tale might be bringing the Golden Age Human Torch and sidekick Toro back together again. This will pick up some threads of sub-plot that were introduced in Avengers/Invaders, which had plot and covers by Ross.

DC Comics

Justice Society of America

This remains the only ongoing title I collect. The characters continue to fascinate me and the stories are still good despite the departure of Johns. I hear that a new title will be spinning off from this one as the JSA divides into two different teams. The other series will be called JSA All Stars. I don't know that I'll be getting both, but I was of the impression that the JSA was getting too big. If the teams are divided evenly between older and younger members, I'll go with the more established team.

Dynamite Entertainment

Project Superpowers, Chapter Two

While the first mini-series left much to be desired, it did set the tone for the excellent spin-off mini-series Black Terror and Masquerade. This one seems to be as good so far.

As usual the comics I collect are typically either revivals of Golden Age heroes or are set in the Golden Age era. I'm wondering if the final issue of Marvels: Eye of the Camera will ever be released. But maybe there's more hope for that than there is for the completion of The Twelve limited series. Anyway, I'm not holding my breath.

Pull List and Reviews (Feb. 09)

For the first time in years, or possibly ever, I am reading more Marvel Comics than DC Comics. I wonder what that means? My DC pull list includes the two remaining issues of Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds and Justice Society of America (the only ongoing title I read). Here's what I've read lately:

Age of the Sentry # 5 - This series continues to be a lot of fun and kid-friendly enough to share with my son. It's a great combination of nostalgia, laughs, and adventure. This issue features a hilarious spoof of the Legion of Superheroes. We meet such characters as Blob Boy, Charlie-27, and the Duplicate Gentlemen. The editor's note referencing Marvel Mystery Comics # 616 is an obvious parody of the number designating the Marvel Earth in the Marvel/DC crossovers. Other subtle spoofs include the mention of Sun Girl the 52nd and Sentry's reference to a "multiverse of possibilities."  

The fake ad for Marvel fruit pies is a blast from my past when superheroes moonlighted for Hostess. I almost hope these Silver Age spoofs will go beyond the designated six issues, but I'll save some money if they don't. 

Avengers / Invaders # 8- Only four issues to go in this excellent limited series. The story is captivating. The art of Sadowski & Berkenkotter is great! The Human Torch never looked so real. The interaction between the two Captain Americas and between the new Cap and Bucky are priceless. And I just learned that there was a Golden Age Vision. A great read! The issue is a pivotal turning point as some of our heroes journey back to the 1940s. It will be interesting to see where the story goes from here and whether time will be thrown out of kilter. 

Captain America: Theater of War - America The Beautiful - The third installment in this series of one-shots and the best so far. A moving and well written World War II story in which Captain America keeps a promise made to a young soldier at Normandy decades earlier. Highly recommended.        

Marvels: Eye of the Camera - A sequel to Marvels in which photo-journalist Phil Sheldon produces a sequel to his Marvels. But time could be running out as Sheldon faces a personal crisis while defending Captain America and others in the midst of theirs. 

More pull list and reviews soon.   

Current Pull List (11/08)

Here is what I'm collecting and reading these days:

Marvel

Age of the Sentry Now this is just a fun comic! Set in the Silver Age with plenty of Silver Age spoofing. Hilarious, but great adventure for all ages. Watchdog is a great spoof of the super-hero pets like Krypto and Ace the Bat-hound.

Avengers/Invaders (Alex Ross co-plotting and covers) Nostalgia, time travel, and Alex Ross. What's not to like?

The Twelve The strength of this book is character development as obscure Golden Age heroes are re-introduced. The art is great too. This 12-parter is over half way to conclusion.  

Dynamite  

Project Super Powers (Alex Ross co-plotting and covers) The seven-issue first volume has concluded and I was going to check out after that. This series was just too chaotic and overcrowded. Unlike The Twelve  there wasn't much character development. Too many characters were coming out of the woodwork (or the urn) at once. The redeeming thing about this book was the Alex Ross "class photo" style character drawings in the back pages of most issues. I am undecided as to whether I'll collect volume 2, but my sheer love of the Golden Age keeps me coming back. Dynamite is creating a whole new superhero universe from public domain characters.  

Black Terror (Alex Ross co-plotting and some covers) I was prepared for disappointment after the fiasco that was Project Super Powers. Black Terror seemed very one-dimensional in that series. But if this book is any indication, it appears that the Super Powers spin-offs are going to be a lot bigger on character development. After one issue I'm beginning to care about the character. It helps that his background was developed and I am now more sympathetic with his plight to find Tim, his missing partner. I chose the Greg Land cover which I thought was awesome. 

It's clear now that the Project Super Powers universe is not our universe, but a world in which the "Super Powers" of nations have become corrupt and tyrannical (at least I don't think this is our universe) and so the heroes with super powers have been self-appointed to provide checks and balances. Interesting premise, but it would also have been interesting to see these Golden Age heroes in a setting more similar to ours, as Marvel has done with The Twelve. I can't wait for Masquerade and Death-Defying Devil to have their own books. 

DC

Justice Society of America (Alex Ross co-plotting and covers) This is the only ongoing title I am seriously collecting. The others are mostly limited series. If I only read one comic, this would be it. 

Now if Power Girl is not the Power Girl of the Earth-2 in the new multiverse, but the Power Girl of a now dead universe, there could be hope that the missing Earth-2 Superman could be found alive. Wouldn't that be cool. And I still wonder if there is hope of seeing a Golden Age Batman sometime. Did I pick up a hint in issue 20 or was it just my own wishful thinking?  

Final Crisis I really don't like this book, but I'm following it to see what, if any, sweeping changes come over the DC universe. Besides, I've got all the other crisis limited series so I'll complete the collection. But this one cannot hold a candle to the original Crisis on Infinite Earths which was far more intriguing, although I didn't like the outcome. 

This particular series shares the darker tone, grittier edge, bloodier violence and profane language (although often expressed as @#*#!%) of many of today's comics. This is also typical Grant Morrison, whose writing I enjoyed in All-Star Superman, but that's about it. His stuff is usually just too "out there" for me. You don't know what's going on until the end, if you even know then. Nor has much been revealed about the multiverse to this point. 

Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds Perhaps the only redeeming tie-in to Final Crisis, with original crisis artist George Perez and the best-current-writer-in-the- business, Geoff Johns. Some of the usual things I don't like about today's comics are present in this book as well, but the story, art, and multiversal storyline are excellent. 

A few things I'll note about my pull list: 

1) Alex Ross is connected with four of the titles I collect as co-plotter and cover artist. I am a huge fan of this man who provided the art for Marvels and Kingdom Come. He brought a new brand of realism to comics.         

2) Justice Society of America remains my only ongoing title. With limited series I can make shorter commitments. With the exception of JSA I may start waiting for the trades. 

3) Seven of the eight titles I'm currently reading have a large dose of Golden or Silver Age nostalgia. Another hint of my dissatisfaction with the direction of modern comics. But I'm not called Dr. Retro for nothing.