Flashpoint #3

July 11, 2011

Title: Flashpoint Chapter Three

Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Andy Kubert
Inks: Sandra Hope
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Nick J. Napolitano
Cover: Andy Kubert
Editor: Eddie Berganza    
Publisher: DC Comics

In the first two issues of Flashpoint we saw Barry Allen get perplexed at the way the world has changed around him, and we followed him as he encountered this universe’s Batman, Thomas Wayne. We even saw him attempt to restore his own missing superpowers in an experiment that could prove deadly. This issue, despite his injuries, the experiment continues. He needs his power back, he and Batman need allies, and he knows the most important one in the world is the man who, in our world, is called Superman.

The first two issues were a lot of setup, but now that this is mostly done with, this third issue has kicked things into gear. Barry and Thomas’s quest (now with 100 percent more Cyborg) has led to a really interesting place, picking up from the Flashpoint: Project Superman miniseries and not only exploring this world, but using it in a way that we haven’t seen before. It’s not just the history of this world that has changed, but the rules are different as well. Barry is forced to work with a different kind of Batman with a different kind of morality. It’s not something that the heroes of the DCU will always be comfortable with, nor is it something that’s entirely wrong. The world is also expanded further by bringing in more characters that we haven’t seen in Flashpoint or the DC Universe before, which is pretty cool in and of itself.

Andy Kubert is telling a solid story and doing some very cool redesigns. The depiction of Kal-El in this world is so different from anything we’re used to – he doesn’t look anything at all like our hero from the neck-down. But the strength of the art shows in the face. Clearly this is our Kal-El, clearly it’s the same man, but something has happened to him. It’s a great artist that can do that in a series where our Superman hasn’t even appeared.

Very good issue. This story is just getting better.

Rating: 8/10

Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy #1

January 24, 2006

Quick Rating: Great
Title: The Prophecy Part One

DC’s greatest soldier returns!

Writer: Joe Kubert
Art: Joe Kubert
Colors: Joe Kubert and Pete Carlson
Editor: Will Dennis
Cover Art: Joe Kubert (Cover A), Adam Kubert (Cover B), Andy Kubert (Cover C)
Publisher: DC Comics

Joe Kubert is back, and doing what he does best – World War II-era action with Sgt. Rock. Arguably the greatest of all DC’s war comic stars, this is a character Kubert has been associated with for many years, and I’m very excited to see both of them back.

As the story starts, Rock and the men of Easy Company are parachuting into a tiny Lithuanian town to meet up with a local contact with a very important package that’s being sought by both the Germans to the west and the Russians to the east – and it’s too valuable to fall into any of their hands. Rock and the boys don’t know exactly what it is they’re going in to retrieve, but that doesn’t matter – they’re soldiers, they have their orders and they’re going to carry them out.

I’d be lying if I said this was a remarkably original storyline – soldiers running behind enemy lines to get a mysterious item has been done many times before, and unless there’s more to the package than the last-page revelation, that’s how it’ll remain. But the book is still written and drawn extremely well, in Kubert’s own classic style, which is still one of the best in comics. It’s always great to see one of the legends doing new work, and I’m very excited about this.

I also have to say, this is one of the few times I actually approve of variant covers. Since both Kubert and both of his sons are working at DC at the moment, it seems perfectly natural to have the Kubert brothers covering their Dad’s work – all three of the covers look very good, and I really can’t decide which is my favorite.

DC is branching back and picking up a lot of their older properties again – Jonah Hex, this… heck, even Captain Carrot made a reappearance in Teen Titans lately. As long as the quality keeps up, I’ll keep reading.

Rating: 9/10

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #4

August 7, 2010

Title: Dark Night, Dark Rider

Writer: Grant Morrison
Penciler: Georges Jeanty
Inker: Walden Wong
Colorist: Tony Avina
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover: Andy Kubert
Editor: Mike Marts
Publisher: DC Comics

Bruce Wayne continues to ricochet through time, landing in the Gotham City of the post-Civil War era. The town is gripped with the fear of a “Cowboy in Black” who has been exacting brutal vengeance on certain unsavory elements of the population, and so the bounty hunter Jonah Hex is called in to take him on.

Aside from the question of why Gotham – always depicted as an east coast port city – has all the earmarks of a Clint Eastwood spaghetti western, this is a really strong issue. Jonah Hex (despite the crappy movie) is a great character that doesn’t often get to interact with the rest of the DC Universe, so it’s a lot of fun when a story gives a truly natural reason for him to turn up. It makes sense for him to be here, and it leads to a really strong confrontation between him and Batman. This has been a solid series from the first issue, and this is no exception.

Georges Jeanty, who’s been kicking butt and taking names on Buffy the Vampire Slayer the last few years, finds time in his schedule to turn this out, and he does a great job. His depiction of the Bat-Cowboy is really cool, and his Jonah Hex is so strong that I’d like to see him handle an issue or two of that series.

Good stuff, Mr. Morrison. Good stuff indeed.

Rating: 7/10