D.C. COMICS

"Can’t Go Home Again"

Writers: Keith Giffen and John Rogers
Art: Cully Hammer
Colors: David Self
Letters: Phil Balsman
Publisher: D.C. Comics
$2.99 U.S. / $4.00 CAN

"Coming home, I'm coming home"
I have to confess I hadn’t really put much thought into how this book was going to deal with "One Year Later", but I’m pleased to discover we haven’t been cheated out of what I consider to the most appealing aspect of character who has just been gifted with powers, as watching them discover the trials and tribulations of being a costumed hero has tremendous entertainment value if handled properly. The solution that the writing has come up with for the One Year Later gap is actually rather clever, in that it opens the door for all type of storytelling possibilities, as after the opening issue and roughly half of this issue manage to establish the supporting cast, the final page revelation has me looking forward to the fallout that is sure to result. Now I have to confess part of me isn’t quite sure what to make of the timeline that this issue sets in place, as I’m guessing the interaction with his supporting players takes place before the one year jump, as did the battle with the super-powered street gang. On the other hand the scenes where he’s wandering around in his birthday suit are clearly set after the jump forward, so the question becomes when did he make the jump. Still I’m guessing this will be explained in subsequent issues, so I really should simply sit back and enjoy the ride. The issue also managed to turn in a pretty entertaining tussle as Jaime gets knocked around pretty good, and one can’t help but get the sense that Jamie is far from being in control when he makes the transformation into the Blue Beetle. This in turn begs the question if Jamie’s not in control than what is, and more importantly are it’s intentions good or evil. As for the art I have to give Cully Hamner full marks for his work on this book, as there a real sense of energy about this book. However the art also manages to keep the story quite easy to follow, as the impact shots like Probe’s adverse reaction when she tries to scan Jamie, or the faces of his family on the final page are surprisingly effective. I also have to give the cover a big thumbs up as Blue Beetle’s discomfort with his new powers is nicely reflected in this image.

4 out of 5 Stars

CATWOMAN #54

"The Replacements - Part Two"

Writer: Will Pfeifer
Pencils: David Lopez
Inks: Alvaro Lopez
Colors: Jeromy Cox
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Publisher: D.C. Comics
$2.50 U.S. / $3.50 CAN

"Risin' up, back on the street"
I’m not quite sure where I picked up the notion that the identity of the new Catwoman was supposed to be a mystery, but I have to say I do feel a bit silly as I invested quite a bit of energy into dismissing the blindingly obvious cues and suggestions that Holly was the person behind the mask, as I just assumed these hints were put out there so the writing could have it’s "fooled you" moment when the mask came off. However, this issue the new Catwoman is unmasked and I have to confess I was a little disappointed to discover there was no secret plan, but rather everything was exactly what it appeared to be right from the opening chapter. I mean we still have the mystery of who is the father of Selina’s baby, but I have to say I’m a little disillusioned with Will Pfeifer’s seeming reluctance to take advantage of the opportunities that the "One Year Later" event offers up. I mean the only real major changes that this book underwent were revealed in the preview material that was released before the first chapter had even hit the stands, and while watching Holly and Selina adjust to their new roles certainly provides the book with ample material for future stories, I found myself let down by the simple fact that the book hasn’t really been changed all that dramatically. I mean this issue has Holly doing battle with the Angle Man who manages to briefly get the drop on Holly before she pulls herself off the mat and proceeds to pummel him senseless. However, rather than moving on to a more interesting villain, the book brings in a mastermind character who looks to be orchestrating a second go round between Holly and the increasingly tiresome Angle Man. The issue does benefit from a welcome visit from Slam Bradley though, who we see has fallen into the cliché plot device of trying to lose himself at the bottom of a bottle. As for the art, David Lopez turns in a very polished, highly expressive style and while the faces look a bit flat at times, for the most part the art does a lovely job on the key moments, such as the pained expression on Holly’s face when she’s tagged in the shoulder, or the panel where we see her rage is spent and she realizes what she was about to do. I also loved the inspired visual design of this issue cover image, as an enraged Catwoman is reflected in the pools of blood.

3 out of 5 Stars

SEVEN SOLDIERS: FRANKENSTEIN #4

"Frankenstein in Fairyland"

Writer: Grant Morrison
Art: Doug Mahnke
Colors: Nathan Eyring
Letters: Phil Balsman
Publisher: D.C. Comics
$2.99 U.S. / $4.00 CAN

"Green leaves must turn to brown"
Grant Morrison adopts the everything plus the kitchen sink approach to this final issue of the Frankenstein miniseries, as our undead hero wages a seemingly endless battle across the ages against Sheeda who is looking to wipe out every living thing on the planet Earth, so that the death-rebirth cycle can begin anew. Now there are a number of memorable moments in this final issue as Grant Morrison lets his imagination run wild but thanks to stoic lead character to keep the story from travelling too far off the beaten path, this book is surprisingly easy to follow. In the end the best comparison I could make is Clint Eastwood’s typical western hero transplanted into a Terry Gilliam film, as while it’s clear that this character doesn’t belong, one can’t deny that it’s fascinating to watch this character play in this new arena. This issue also provides readers with a very good look at how big the Seven Soldiers story is as Grant Morrison offers up a couple popcorn movie moments, with the most notable example being Frankenstein dealing a major blow to Sheeda’s plans. In fact the only real problem I found myself having with this issue is that it features a very abrupt ending, as while I can appreciate the value of a good cliffhanger to carry readers into the final one-shot, this issue ends on a note that doesn’t really spark a sense of anticipation but rather it simply ends. Still the issue does offer up a number of fan pleasing bits of action from a very intense struggle between Frankensein and Sheeda’s main underling, to a surprisingly effective scene where Sheeda basks in the glow of her impending victory only to discover Frankenstein has one final hand to play. As for the art Doug Mahnke turn in some of his best work yet on this issue, as while I enjoyed his JLA run, this issue’s big visual moments leave me convince that DC needs to let him have another crack at the big team. I mean the double page spreads in this issue alone are amazing, as Frankenstein moves through a visually striking environment. The art also does a lovely job of selling Sheeda’s steady transformation into a nightmarish entity, with the three panel sequence where she makes her transformation being an amazing piece of work.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

BIRDS OF PREY #93

"Progeny - Part Two: Gutshot Redemption"

Writer: Gail Simone
Pencils: Paulo Siqueira
Inks: Robin Riggs
Colors: Hi-Fi Design
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: D.C. Comics
$2.50 U.S. / $3.50 CAN

"Oh the sisters of mercy, they are not departed or gone."
This issue divides it’s time between two plots, and while there’s a brief moment where the two interact and the whole deal involving Dinah and Shiva is explained, for the most part this issue jumps back and forth between these two plot threads. Now the plot involving Dinah embarking on the same training regime that made Shiva one of the most dangerous hand-to-hand combatants on the planet does a lovely job of selling the idea that Shiva travelled a very difficult road, but I have to say I’m a little concerned about the friendship that Dinah has formed with the young girl, as the scene involving Shiva’s aversion to dolls does seem to telegraph that Dinah’s new friend will be used to teach her the very same painful lesson that seems to torment Shiva. With this in mind every scene that centres around Dinah forming a bond with this child feels a bit like the writing is setting the stage for an upcoming punch to the gut moment. As for the book’s other plot it’s a rather action heavy affair as we open with a high speed chase where Shiva gets the opportunity to display her ability to kick butt and take names. We than jump to the hospital where the Huntress finds herself being overwhelmed by the army that the Secret Society sends to retrieve the Crime Doctor, and this plot offers up a lovely cliff-hanger moment as we discover the big bad wolf that has been sent to retrieve this stray sheep. This is turn sets the stage for what promises to be a very engaging showdown, and I suspect most readers are looking forward to the next issue. In fact the only real compliant that I’d make about this issue is that Gypsy's debut with the Birds of Prey got lost in the shuffle, as she’s simply inserted into the cast with no effort made to explain who she is, and only a quick little glimpse at her abilities. As for the art, Paulo Siqueira turns in some pretty solid work, though it’s pretty clear that Robin Riggs inks is having a very strong influence on the finished product, as this issue’s art strongly reminds me of Leonard Kirk’s work on "Supergirl". In any event the art does a fantastic job on the impact shots, as Shiva and Huntress take turns delivering their wince inducing blows.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

J.L.A. CLASSIFIED #20

"Conduct Unbecoming - The Hypothetical Woman Part 5"

Writer: Gail Simone
Pencils: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Inks: Sean Phillips
Colors: David Baron
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: D.C. Comics
$2.99 U.S. / $4.00 CAN

"You've got stars in your eyes"
I know this is going to sound like I’m putting down this issue, but I have to say I was a little surprised when I hit that final page to discover that this wasn’t the final chapter, as it did feel like everything was being brought to a nice tidy resolution, and my reaction when I hit the final page development was more along the lines of is this story ever going to be over. I mean yes it’s a powerful final page twist that has J’Onn committing what looks to be an unspeakable act, but the simple truth of the matter that I spent most of the issue with the overall sense that this was the big wrap up. Now the issue does manage to do a fairly effective job of showing how the JLA manage to turn the tide of the battle back in their favour, and Gail Simone displays a wonderful understanding of the rule that if you want readers caught up in the drama of a super-hero battle than you offer up moments where the villains clearly have our heroes on the ropes, as there’s nothing worse that a battle where the villains never stood a chance. Instead this issue is full of impressive moments as Batman takes a moment to acknowledge that he’s up against an opponent who is kicking his butt, and the use of the Titanic as a battering ram was a lovely JLA level moment. The secondary threat involving the Starro virus also managed to build itself some nice forward momentum as this issue gives us a moment where we see that it might actually be the real planetary threat, while the super-powered group battling the JLA are simply something to keep the them occupied. I do find myself a little concerned that the writing has left such an obvious path to resolve this crisis though, but once again the impact of that final page is undeniable. As for the art while Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez’s work isn’t going to blow the doors off the barn, it’s extremely effective at telling the story in a clear, easily understood manner, and it also turns in a couple lovely impact visuals, with the panel where the Titanic makes it’s arrival being particularly memorable. Now quite sold on this issue’s cover though as it looked like a rush job.

3 out of 5 Stars

FABLES #48

"Wolves - Part 1 of 2"

Writer: Bill Willingham
Pencils: Mark Buckingham
Inks: Steve Leialoha
Colors: Daniel Vozzo
Letters: Todd Klein
Publisher: Vertigo Comics
$2.75 U.S. / $3.75 CAN

"And I'm hungry like the wolf."
A very entertaining issue that in spite of being listed as being part one of a two part arc manages to be a rather self-contained adventure as Mowgli pursues a lead in his search for Bigby, and along the way he gets a pretty good look at how difficult his search is going to be, as if Bigby doesn’t want to be found, he’s not going to be found. However this issue also makes it clear that Mowgli is able to think like Bigby, as when the trail goes cold, he’s able to figure out what Bigby’s next move was. Plus the issue does a lovely job of giving readers a look at the mentality of the wolf pack, as in order to secure the next piece of the puzzle Mowgli needs to earn a position of authority, and this results in a very intense clash as Mowgli clashed with the alpha-male of a wolf pack in his birthday suit, and no weapons. This in turn provides a lovely moment where we see Mowgli confronts his opponent with the fact that he’s been beaten, and he offers up one final mercy. However, in spite of the tremendous personal risk, there’s also something to be said for the fact that Bill Willingham was willing to offer up such a paltry reward for his efforts, as he has to know use readers are looking forward to Bigby’s return, and yet this issue ending makes it seem like his return is far from certain. We also get an interesting secondary plot involving Snow and Bigby’s children, as while there are moments that are a little too cute, for the most part these scenes perfectly capture the innocence of childhood. Also I have to say it’s great to see Rose is playing such an active role in the lives of these children, and the trick she plays on them does a nice job of establishing the personalities of the children. As for the art, there’s only so many ways I can state that Mark Buckingham is the perfect fit for this book, but my inability to express this idea in a new manner doesn’t make it any less true. From his wealth of facial expressions, cute as button children, and the sheer intensity of Mowgli’s battle against the alpha-male wolf, the art on this issue is Mark Buckingham at his best. This issue’s stark cover visual also stands up as one to the best yet, as it perfectly sells a sense of dread.

4 out of 5 Stars