More HeroesCon

J K Woodward has the greatest idea ever.  It is placed on the back of the below card.  This would be the combining of two of my favorite characters.  Space Ghost I grew up on during Saturday Mornings.  Batman Beyond was a character of my college days.  This idea would just rock.  Oh yeah, I bought this at HeroesCon.

BDS

Batman Beyond Unlimited #1

One must first pose the question, is this worth $3.99?  I thought hard about this question.  For me the drawing line was to be $3.  I am slowly asking myself if I have compromised?  The good thing is that the Batman part is solid.  The Justice League Beyond is luke warm.  So, for now I will say this one issue is worth the price.

That is something I think will continue on an issue by issue basis.  I feel like I am being punished because I was a fan and follower of the previous Batman Beyond series.  I am of the opinion that I would rather have the Batman Beyond book at $2.99 than add the JLU and a few more pages for $3.99.  The idea is to build a franchise for the JLU.  Maybe one day spin out a JLU series.  What troubles me is that the opposite could occur and we lose Batman Beyond because the extra cost drags the title down.

A big positive is the fact that the Batman stuff carries over the story plots from the previous series.  The story of Dana and her brother really heats up.  The way that the smaller plot of Max being recruited by this mysterious hacker that she thinks she can catch.  These are strong stories.  The second part involving the JLU is basically an expansion of the plot where Batman decides to be a part of the group.  It could have stayed a part of Batman Beyond and kept the price $2.99.

Learning the origins of the JLU members would be the only good that could come of this move.  I have seen that Warhawk is suppose to have an origin story.  I would love to know about Aquagirl.  Still, $3.99 will make this book have to meet a high standard for me to stay with it.

BDS

My Long Delayed Report on What Comics I Bought The Last Wednesday In February

            I am a week late in telling you about last week's trip to the comic shop.  I was able to get to Ssalefish Comics to empty some of my books out of the hold box.  It has been a rough time at the end of February financially.  I had the normal health insurance and medicine bills to deal with and a nice surprise.  It was time to renew the auto insurance.  I went shopping and changed the place I get my insurance from.  The main reason was the fact that the old company stopped allowing customers to stop by and pay the bill.  For me this is a problem.  I have to wait on checks and sometimes scrap the money together over a week or so.  I need the ability to drop by and pay.  So I ended up with a cheaper policy for the same coverage which is nice.  I also went to see the Sleep Apnea doctor, the reason I was in the same area as the comicbook shop.

            There is something I try not and let happen and that is letting my books pile up.  I like paying for and getting the books in a timely manner.  Rarely do I sort and buy only part of the books either.  This time I had too.  It means now there are two with a possible third on the way issues of ECHO in the box.  That is a $3.50 book so it adds up.  DC Comics helped greatly with the $2.99 across the board pricing.  What follows is what I picked up that last Wednesday in February.

            We begin with the newly added creative team on SUPERGIRL, which I added back to my pull list.  I need to state for the record that I love the new hairstyle on Supergirl.  Kara was always similar to Wonder Girl and Stephanie Brown in the long blonde hair look.  Add in Lady Blackhawk and any other fair haired gal and the DCU was looking like they had only one hairstylist for all the heroines.  Last issue saw a weird guy start a new app for smart phones.  “Flyover” is a social tracker of Supers and the idea was that everybody would take pics and upload locations.  Cool except for the fact that it is being used to send groups of villains to attack the younger heroes of the DCU.  What is awesome about SUPERGIRL #61 is that the brat Robin is in the issue.  He is on the phone in a pitch battle when Kara lends a hand.  What follows is what I have begun to enjoy, Damien and the cool older blonde heroine team up.  This book has been really good for two issues.  Let us hope for three and more.

            BATMAN BEYOND #2 finds Terry McGuiness facing down the future Justice League.  His mother and brother are part of a group of hostages being held by a new version of the Matter Master.  Terry really shines as he takes out the League one by one, except for as Bruce Wayne puts it, “the one he likes.”  Still, this is a book that is just well written and superbly drawn.  It is like having the animated series back.  Dana even gets a nice cameo.  This is just what comics should be in all forms.  It is a great read for the older fan and accessible to the younger reader.  This is a series I would give to my cousins as a gift.

            One of the books that I was reading that DC dropped the price down to $2.99 was GREEN LANTERN EMERALD WARRIORS #7.  I liked that as I was picking books to buy and ones to wait on buying that I could see how Guy Gardener was doing as he battled Krona's weird partner.  I was correct by the way, Krona was capturing the entities.  Speaking of Lanterns, GREEN LANTERN CORPS #57 had a guest appearance by Firestorm.  We get some resolution to the Weaponeer story.  Not satisfying, by well written.  I hate what happened to the guy at the end, but it will make the future interesting.  Sinestro is one messed up Dad.  He basically tells Sora that if she had been harmed he would have destroyed Qward.  The funny thing is I almost believe he wanted her harmed so he could do just that thing.  Sora Natu is fast becoming a strong Green lantern character.  I hope she and Kyle can go the distance in their relationship.  He needs a strong woman in his life and she is a great character to be outshining the big boys of the Corps.

            Catching up with WONDER WOMAN #607 makes me even more convinced that this should have been an Elseworlds story.  Diana is missing in the DCU right now and even though JMS is crafting a really cool story, I can't help put think about what this is doing top the character.  She is once again pushed aside after all this talk of her being part of this Trinity.  Batman is over-saturated and Superman is as observable as ever, yet Wonder Woman is almost invisible.  It should be her plane and not her that we cannot see well.  Again, cool read, but a bad decision to keep the character front and center.

            Judd Winnick has at long last kept me reading a series he is writing.  I have had bad experiences with his taking over a title I read.  POWER GIRL #21 has held this book in the pull list.  It is not the must read like it was when it first came out, but it doesn't suck either.  I am glad.  I have enjoyed reading about this character.  She has such a different group of heroes than I normal encounter in the DCU.  In this issue she has to make Batman remember Max Lord.  She gets some help from Batman???  If you have not been keeping up with batman then you will not get the attempt at humor there in that sentence.

            Because I am a puppeteer I was a bit upset with the prejudice of making them “creepy” here.  Everyone knows clowns are much creepier than puppets.  Still ZATANNA #9 is good.  We get a bit more of a look at the scary incident that made Zee be mind wiped by dear old dad.  What I really loved was the backup story of the child Zatanna dealing with getting braces.  It was just so cute and funny.  I love the way she handles things and the writing of her dialogue was priceless.

            I got the SECRET SIX #30 that was in the box, but skipped until next trip the picking up of the crossover issue of Doom Patrol that goes with it.  What did make the buy pile immediately was the awesome BIRDS OF PREY #9.  Gail Simone has returned to her excellence in writing as she returns the Birds back to the elite team of heroes we deserve.  Oracle is tying up loose ends with Calculator and the gals are in the middle.  Black Canary fights for her life inside her mind as that weird gal Mortis touched her last issue.  The others are captured and we are reminded why Lady Blackhawk is so cool.  She is handcuffed in a school bus and still puts a bully villain in his place and gives a great groin shot to a henchman.  Huntress shines even out of costume.  Helena is becoming who I think she was destined to be as a character under Simone's well crafted writing.

            A decision is made here.  I will begin talking about the TOP COW titles I read.  It was Top Cow that was used as a way to attack me where I last worked.  Part of me wants to play it safe and just leave this be, but another part feels like that is denying part of who I am.  So I will tell you that I bought WITCHBLADE #142.  It was a great solo Patrick Gleason story that will be continued.  Witchblade is a Mature Read.  I have always described it as like a Network Television 10 o'clock show.  It is not for the kiddies.  Under Ron Marz this title has become a wonderful story for older comic fans.  Gleason is the current partner and boyfriend of Sara, the wielder of the Witchblade.  Can he survive horrific forces without the mystical might of the Witchblade?  Guess we find out next issue.

            Rounding out the haul was BATGIRL# 18, BRIGHTEST DAY #19 & #20, and a free issue of JLA #53 because I spent more than ten bucks.  This ends my adventures in not being able to buy all my comics.

BDS

Batman Beyond #1 (New Ongoing Series)

Batman Beyond #1

            I have noticed through the new Blogger stats button and another page tracking site I am signed up for that many people are finding my comments on the Batman Beyond limited series.  I am thinking that this coincides with the release of the new volume of Batman Beyond as an ongoing series.  A friend of mine that I helped review comics for and with for many years would say not to do an older review of a comic, I always disagreed.  I may miss getting the second issue in a timely manner, so I am going to place this post on the first issue of the new series.

            My initial reaction was that it was not a strong start, and then I started thinking on the story a bit more.  What I was doing was confusing a strong start with a good start.  This issue sets a good foundation for the series.  There is a mystery, the current version of the Justice League, and the great supporting cast from the animated series.  That is what I think is really cool.  I liked seeing Terry on a date with Dana.  Having his little brother and mom end up at the place where the bad guy ends up sealing off works well.  All around we get what I see as lacking in comics many times nowadays, long haul writing.

            Adam Beechen did a wonderful job capturing the world of the future Batman.  It is great that he was given this book on a full time basis.  Ryan Benjamin has really made the look of the art match the animated look.  Dana was like seeing the television character on the printed page.  DC would do well to keep this team together on the title.  They have the feel of these characters and this world. 

            It remains to be seen how long we will have the world of Batman Beyond back in printed form.  I suggest we enjoy it while we can and hope for a long run.

BDS

Rapid Remarks!

Untold Tales of Blackest Night #1                Think of this as the “Deleted Scenes” of the Blackest Night.  That is what we get here.  The book has tales that are glimpses of moments we did not get to see.  Donna Troy and the effects of the baby bite.  Some dumb Flash villains trying to become Black Lanterns.  Animal Man in the middle of his struggle with being a former dead person.  Scarecrow and his Yellow Ring, which I had hoped for more of a tale.  A tragic look at the result of the Black Rings on Ragman.  Costly, it runs $4.99.  Might be for completist only.  It will probably be collected with the trades.

Power Girl #17                       Why does Winnick have to write this?  I want to follow this character.  I really do.  I am not liking Judd Winnick on this book.  I rarely enjoy his work.  I am trying to wait out his run and see if someone else takes the writing chores soon.  If not, then I might be dropping PG in the near future.

Secret Six #27             Spawn is on the cover.  Not really, but that is what it looks like to me and apparently many of the people who saw the cover in the store.  I like Simone’s writing, but this piecemeal story telling is getting old.  Back to basics please.  Still, an Awesome Amanda Waller tale in these pages.  So that is worth the price of Admission.

Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #3                       Still great.  Has some of the best of the Lantern Corps present.  Other Lanterns here as well.  $3.99 price so you must weigh the financial side of reading this in single issues.

Green Lantern #58                The mystery of the Lantern Entities continues.  Looks like Carol will be Queen of the Zamorans.  This book has Hal Jordan, Sinestro, Atrocious, Carol Ferris, and Larfleeze.  C’mon you know you are reading this in single of trade versions.  This issue has the Blue Entity saving a child and choosing her as the vessel.  Plus Atrocious kills a bunch of murderers.  What I want to know is when are we getting the DexStarr One Shot?

Green Lantern Corps #53                  One image.  Kyle punching the crap out of Sinestro.  We see what the Weaponer did with the White Lantern Ring energy net that Boston Brand made.  It is intriguing that he can use it that way.  All action issue with cool concepts for ring energy.  This is a must read right now.  Been where the cool stories have been.

Batman Beyond #5 of 6                    You know they gave Terry McGuiness his own series right?  This issue shows us why it is a great book.  Bruce expresses his softer side.  A Dick Grayson cameo times two and the new Catwoman.  It is just a great read.

Zatanna #6                 A really good book so far.  I like the almost Fanfiction mind-control element here.  This is a nice look at the magical side of the DCU.  We get her cousin Zach here as well.  Very good read.

            This may become a regular post.  I can cover what I am reading and get just the basic thoughts out there.  What do you think?  Hey tell a friend.  I really hope to have rebuilt some recognition before I get to the Convention buys.  I want the people to get a bunch of coverage if I can.  Thanks for dropping by.

BDS

Batman Beyond #3

                I will make my guess as to the person who seems to be Hush right now in this title.  I say Jason Todd.  It fits that Amanda Waller and Camdus would have him locked up in a mental ward of some kind in suspended animation.  I like the tension they are building between Bruce and Terry.  It was leading to this in the animated series and the movie, Return of the Joker.  Terry is a different type of Batman.  He has a style that is not as dark, but still effective.  Bruce building an army of robotic Bats is what seems right.  The old man wants to be in control and do things his way.  Still, the conflict here will definitely be a distraction I feel.

                The new Catwoman is providing a great foil for Terry.  The banter between the two is perfect.  While not romantic or flirty, it has its own special flavor.  The way that Adam Beechen is weaving Terry’s rogues with the old Gotham criminal element works well.  This Hush character has opened the door to what has happened to the aged villains of Gotham.  The shocker is seeing the one person of the Bat family that has never made their Beyond appearance, until the last page.  Awesome!

                This is an enjoyable mini that should give the green light for another, or dare we hope and ongoing series?  This would be terrific if that would happen.  The world of Batman Beyond is ripe with possibilities.  I for one would love to see more after this story closes.

BDS

Batman Beyond #1

Batman Beyond #1

I am someone who loves the animated series that still appear on TV.  One that was really great was BATMAN BEYOND.  It was the tale of a Bruce Wayne that had given up being the Dark Knight because of a bad heart and his having to grab a gun during a hostage situation.  This is a Gotham that was without a protector and that had entered the future full force without its moral guide Bruce Wayne.  That status quo becomes shattered when a young man named Terry McGuiness enters the world of Batman and avenges his own tragedy.  A new Dark Knight is born and Gotham has a protector once more.

There was a short lived comic by this name that ran as the cartoon ended on the former Kids WB.  It was nice and very kid friendly.  Here we get a more mainstream and balanced book that is stylish for adult fans and accessible to older kids.  This is a Six issue limited series that has some connection to the Superman/Batman Annual which I do not have because it was damaged in the store's bin.  I will probably find it one day, but for now I just have the current issue.

The story has a mix of Terry's villain base with a storm brewing using Bruce's villain base.  The funny thing is a cameo by Amanda Waller, and the usual Batman banter that Terry became famous for.  This really is a nice continuation of the story.  We have a rich background with the Future Gotham City and an easy setting of the world with a Justice League connection made.  It is a good start by Adam Beechen.  I also really liked the way Ryan Benjamin drew the world of Batman in the future.  He has a nice blend of the animated feel and the modern DCU style.  

I liked the start and hope the series carries through just as good.

BDS