Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Wonder Woman #48 – “Fang and Claw” – George Perez/Jill Thompson/Romeo Tanghal
Last issue, Diana (aka Wonder Woman) and Donna Long (aka Troia) came to Greece in response to some shared dreams they’d both been having. Diana suspected Circe might have something to do with it and her suspicions seemed to be confirmed when they were attacked by a were-creature (reminiscent of the Bestiamorphs Circe used as pawns before). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 48, Green Arrow 39”
New Titans #71 – “Beginnings … Endings … and (We Promise) New Beginnings” – Marv Wolfman/Tom Grummett/Al Vey
This one starts with the Titans returning from a mission against someone named Flashfire. They discuss Troia’s recent nightmares and say farewell as she and Terry head off to Greece (which means this intro takes place before Wonder Woman 47). The Titans part ways, but plan to get together for a party at a restaurant later. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 71, Legion 13, Suicide Squad 47”
Justice League America #44 – “Pastiche” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Adam Hughes/Jose Marzan Jr.
Last issue, a struggling tabloid reporter named Wally Tortolini won a poker game with a bunch of supervillians, collecting their various weapons (Brainstorm’s helmet, Crowbar’s crowbar, Sonar’s gun, Cavalier’s sword, Black Mass’s armbands, and Blackrock’s … uh, black rock) as his winnings. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League America 44, Justice League Europe 20”
Batman #456 – “Without Fear of Consequence” – Alan Grant/Norm Breyfogle/Steve Mitchell
Last issue, an epidemic of so-called “Crimes of Whim” started, where seemingly ordinary, law-abiding people suddenly decided to become homicidal maniacs, all while wearing skull masks. Batman stops the latest one, a department store Santa who went on a killing spree. The cops tell him the perpetrators have nothing in common and don’t seem to be acting under the influence of drugs or hypnosis. When one of the cops mentions Vicki Vale’s investigation of a guy named Marcuse, he goes to check it out. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 456, Detective 623, Legends of the Dark Knight 12”
Wonder Woman #47 – “Common Ground” – George Perez/Jill Thompson/Romeo Tanghal
As you can tell from the cover, this story features Donna Troy (aka Troia) as a guest star. In post-Crisis continuity, Wonder Woman had nothing to do with Donna’s origin; in fact, they haven’t even met yet. And we’ll have to wait a while before they do, since they start off on opposite sides of the world. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 47, Green Arrow 38”
New Titans #70 – “Clay Pigeons” – Steve Erwin/Will Blyberg
This is a Deathstroke solo story about him getting involved in politics in the (fictional) South American country of San Miguel. Deathstroke is hired by an arms dealer and rebel sympathizer named Ramon Trujillo to destroy some weapons the government planned to use against the rebel forces. Without their weapons, the government is forced to release the rebel leader Jorge Zaxtro, a champion of the poor (and an old friend of Trujillo’s) who’s been in prison for twenty-five years. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 70, Legion of Super-Heroes 12, Suicide Squad 46”
Justice League America #43 – “If You Play Your Cards Right” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Adam Hughes/Jose Marzan Jr.
This one starts with Sonar pulling off a bank job only to be confronted by the Justice League when he gets outside (including their two newest members, Orion and Lightray). Sonar can’t believe the JLI would show up for a bank robbery, but he uses his sonic gun to keep some of them off balance (which causes Fire to accidentally incinerate the money Sonar stole). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League America 43, Justice League Europe 19”
Batman #455 – “Identity Crisis: Part One” – Alan Grant/Norm Breyfogle/Steve Mitchell
This one starts with Batman hearing gunshots and rushing to the scene of the crime, where someone in a mask is shooting people at random. Batman takes the shooter down but when the mask is removed, it turns out to be an old lady. She shows no remorse for her actions, but says it was just an old woman’s whim. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 455, Detective 622”
Wonder Woman #46 – “Chalk Drawings” – George Perez, Mindy Newell/Jill Thompson/Romeo Tanghal
The cover pretty much gives away what this one is about: Vanessa’s friend Lucy Spears kills herself, leaving everyone to wonder why, and if they could’ve dome something to prevent it. The story jumps around in time, from Lucy’s funeral (where Julia wonders how to help Vanessa through this whole mess), to a few weeks ago when Vanessa and Lucy were hanging out and Lucy was preoccupied wondering what God might be like. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 46, Green Arrow 36, Green Arrow 37”
New Titans #69 – “House of Cards” – Barbara and Karl Kesel/Steve Erwin/Bob Smith
Last issue, the Joker put together a new Royal Flush Gang to work for him, but what none of them realize is the “Joker” is really the Gambler tracking them into doing his bidding. Wanting to prove how great he is, Danny Chase let himself get recruited by Ten to join her own band of street thieves (colourfully referred to as Ten’s Little Indians), but the Gang figured out Danny is a friend of the Titans. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 69, Legion 11, Suicide Squad 45”