DC: The New Frontier #2

February 18, 2004

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Strange Adventures

A newcomer comes to Earth and more heroes are born

Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Editor: Mark Chiarello
Cover Art: Darwyn Cooke
Publisher: DC Comics

After the first issue of Darwyn Cooke’s “not-an-Elseworlds-but-not-in-continuity” miniseries, I couldn’t quite figure out what he was trying to create. With this issue I think I’ve got it – we’re seeing the DC Universe as it may have unfolded had the characters of the Silver Age appeared on the same world as the Golden Age characters instead of creating the Earth-1/Earth-2 concept. He mixes this in, of course, with liberal amounts of commentary on the Cold War and the Korean Conflict, and it comes together in a pretty good tapestry, even if all the pieces don’t seem to connect as of yet.

We follow several heroes in this book – the early career of Barry Allen as the Flash, the end of the career of Ted “Wildcat” Grant, and a take on the Martian Manhunter’s exile on Earth that both fits the time period and slips in some needed comic relief in the process. (I always knew he was a Looney Tunes fan.)

One thing about consolidating the worlds, however, is that some of the big characters like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman come across as Golden Age holdovers rather than contemporaries of the new characters. In and of itself, this isn’t a problem, but I find I do have to take issue with Cooke’s portrayal of Wonder Woman. Even out-of-continuity, like this is, Wonder Woman has always been a reluctant warrior, someone who fought while she yearned for peace. In this book she is painted as a very different, almost bloodthirsty character, and that doesn’t sit well at all.

Cooke’s artwork, however, is above reproach. This is one great-looking comic book. He takes the classic designs of these characters and incorporates them into an art style many people would dismiss as being “cartoonish,” and yet it all looks stunningly real. His Batman is a truer Dark Knight than we’ve seen in many an age, and his Superman has a fantastic style clearly and wonderfully inspired by the Max Fleischer animated shorts of the 1940s.

This title has a lot of plot threads, however, and even in the double-sized format the reader is left marking time, waiting for them to come together. I’m more confident now that they eventually will, but the question is, will they converge before the reader’s patience wears out?

Rating: 8/10

Hawkman (2002 Series) #23

January 1, 2004

Quick Rating: Good
Title:Black Reign Part Two

The Justice Society visits Hawkman in St. Roch for his birthday, unaware of the violent actions their former teammates are taking in the middle east.

Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Rags Morales
Inks: Michael Bair
Colors: John Kalisz
Letters: Bill Oakley
Editor: Peter Tomasi
Cover Art: John Watson
Publisher: DC Comics

The JSA/Hawkman crossover continues, and the only people likely to be disappointed are Hawkman fans. This is a fantastic issue, but the title character is barely in it – this would have been a stronger issue if DC had printed this as JSA #56 and that issue as Hawkman #23 – granted, Hawkman isn’t in that issue either, but neither is anyone else in the JSA, and it would serve as a stronger prologue.

This criticism is only valid for people who read only Hawkman and not both titles, however – people reading both, or even people who only read JSA and are only getting this issue for the crossover, will have nothing but praise. The team goes down to the city of St. Roch (a veiled New Orleans clone) during a time of “celebration” (it’s Mardi Gras, folks). Johns uses this setting to give us a peek into the personalities of many of the characters — Wildcat loves it, Green Lantern is uncomfortable and Dr. Mid-Nite tries to help people who may not have realized they needed help. There’s a great subplot with Hourman talking to his late father, the first Hourman (via a device that will allow him one hour total to speak to his father in a time-pocket before he dies). We also get very good scenes with Power Girl, Stargirl, Captain Marvel and the Flash. Even Hawkman gets a good scene – the only problem is that, in his title, his moment doesn’t come until the very end. Oh, but what a moment it is.

Rags Morales is a fantastic artist, and he gets a lot of great scenes in this book – including Hawkman’s brief battle with a nameless old man trying to make himself into a supervillain and an absolutely fantastic last page. It’s a terrible shame that Morales will be leaving this title soon, and one can only hope DC has an artist with half his talent lined up to take his place.

I’m deducting one point from the overall score because I feel this book may let down Hawkman fans – but fans of both titles, like myself, should add a point and not hesitate to pick it up. It’s great superhero storytelling.

Rating: 7/10

Catwoman (2002 Series) #29

March 30, 2004

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Under Pressure

Wildcat drops by to spar with Catwoman – just as the ninjas show up.

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Pencils: Paul Gulacy
Inks: Jimmy Palmiotti
Colors: Laurie Kronenberg
Letters: Clem Robins
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover Art: Paul Gulacy and Jimmy Palmiotti
Publisher: DC Comics

As Catwoman continues her search for the man who almost killed Slam Bradley, Wildcat shows up to give her friend Holly some pointers on self-defense. Neither of the feline furies is aware, however, that something is stalking them in the night.

This was a solid issue, although the Catwoman/Zeiss storyline is beginning to feel somewhat stretched. Hopefully, if the last page is any indication, next issue will close it off. Wildcat’s appearance was a surprise but, for a big JSA fan like myself, a welcome one. It’s odd to think that a member of the Justice Society would have trained such a notorious criminal, but if any of them would, it’s definitely Wildcat. Ed Brubaker also spends some time developing Catwoman’s relationship with Bradley, who isn’t taking recent events as well as one might like.

Although I’ve generally been a fan of Paul Gulacy and Jimmy Palmiotti on this title, the artwork this issue didn’t thrill me. Holly’s face looked oddly stretched, as though they had copied it onto a piece of Silly Putty and played with it, and a lot of the posing was awkward, especially in the early fight sequence. Laurie Kronenberg’s colors helped this issue a lot, though, setting off scenes like the sparring match and the rooftop dance through the rain. (Anyone ever notice how much it rains in Gotham City? People’s flood insurance premiums must be murder there.)

This was a solid issue and seems to have set up the finale of this storyline. I have no doubt that Brubaker will follow through with a knock-out punch. I just hope by next issue the art team is back up to speed and manages to follow through with him.

Rating: 7/10

JSA #55

December 7, 2003

Quick Rating: Excellent
Title: Be Good For Goodness’ Sake

The old guard of the Justice Society pays a Christmas Eve visit to an old friend.

Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Leonard Kirk
Inks: Keith Champagne & Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors: Hi-Fi
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Editor: Peter Tomasi
Cover Art: Carlos Pacheco, Jesus Merino & Hi-Fi
Publisher: DC Comics

I love this comic book. I love this more than my next 30 minutes of oxygen. I would buy a bushel of this book and give it out as Christmas presents if I thought everybody I knew would get what makes it so great. This is one of the sweetest, most joyful comic books I have read all year, but the only people who will get it will be people like me, who love the old-school, Golden Age superheroes more than anything else, who thinks of Allen Scott and Jay Garrick as the definitive Green Lantern/Flash team, and who misses those characters who have faded into the background.

Green Lantern, Flash, Wildcat and Hawkman spend every Christmas Eve visiting an old friend, once a comrade-in-arms, who has been sadly absent from the DCU for far too long. I can’t tell you the identity of this friend without spoiling the issue, but suffice it to say when I realized who it was, I literally cheered. And I don’t care if I am the only one.

This is a beautiful, self-contained, one-issue story that every JSA or Golden Age fan needs to read.

Leonard Kirk makes a fill-in return to the title he sadly had to depart four issues ago, and for my money, he’s always welcome back. He draws the classic heroes better than anyone in the business these days, and if a new creative team for Hawkman hasn’t been decided on yet, the editor should take a long, hard look in Kirk’s direction.

I can’t say enough good things about this comic book. JSA, month in and month out, is one of the most solid superhero titles on the market. This issue is a Christmas present for fans who remember a time when heroes were pure and innocent, when “grim and gritty” had not yet become part of our vocabulary, and when the silliest of concepts made for the purest of spirits.

Rating: 10/10

JLA/JSA: Virtue and Vice

July 30, 2005

JLA/JSA: Virtue and Vice (DC Comics)
by David Goyer, Geoff Johns & Carlos Pacheco

For superhero neophytes, here it is in a nutshell — the JSA were the first superhero team ever. These days it is comprised of elder statesmen like the original Flash, Green Lantern and Wildcat guiding younger second-generation heroes like the new Star-Spangled Kid and Mr. Terrific. The JLA made up of the current superhero top dogs, featuring Superman, Batman, the current Flash and GL and the like. In this tale the two teams gather for what they hope will become a Thanksgiving tradition, only to have their celebration thrown into turmoil when members of the two teams are possessed by the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man. (You’ve heard of `em, right? Sloth, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Pride, Envy and Greed?) The possessed members dispatch their teammates and go on a rampage, leaving the others to try to free themselves, save their friends and find out who’s behind this madness.

While a knowledge of DC Comics continuity helps, it is by no means a necessity to read this book. Goyer and Johns have written brilliant interpretations of the JSA for years now, and in this book they prove they can handle the JLA as well. Not only that, they can balance the two teams, giving each hero his or her moment in the sun, and utilize and develop not one, but three villains (not counting the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man) in a story worthy of the best these teams have to offer.

The artwork by Carlos Pacheco is brilliant. Superman looks strong, Captain Marvel looks innocent, every hero and heroine is perfect, and the double-page spread near the climax of the reunited heroes storming into battle is something I’d frame and hang on any wall.

This book is the best these heroes have been treated in years. Here’s hoping Goyer, Johns and Pacheco grace us with another one soon.

Rating: 9/10

JSA Classified #32

JSA Classified #32 (DC Comics)
By Junior Thomas, Staz Johnson & Scott Kolins

It’s a week late for Thanksgiving, but it look like DC managed to work in the JSA’s annual adventure after all. Green Lantern is depressed at the idea of facing another holiday without his daughter, Jade, but decides to join in with the Flash and Wildcat as they take a ride in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade gets shaken up, though, when Solomon Grundy attacks. Thomas plays nicely with Alan scott’s emotions here, using a very real depression that most anyone can relate to as the anchor for his story. The only weak point is in a choice of villains that feels slightly overdone — although when you consider how few truly legendary JSA villains are still up and around, I suppose it’s unavoidable. And it’s certainly an improvement from the last arc on this book. Not great, but for a Thanksgiving story, it’s not bad.

Rating: 7/10

Knight and Squire #1

November 4, 2010

Title: For Six Part One
Writer: Paul Cornell
Art: Jimmy Broxton
Colorist: Guy Major
Letterer: Steve Wands
Cover: Yanick Paquette, Michael Lacombe & Nathan Fairbairn
Editor: Janelle Siegel
Publisher: DC Comics

With Batman about to go international, this seems like the perfect time for England’s own dynamic duo to get their own limited series. However, if you’re looking for any sort of hardcore crime drama or intense detective work in a British setting, look elsewhere. In this series by Paul Cornell, the emphasis is on the fun.

This first issue issue is set in the world-famous “The Time in a Bottle,” a little pub that plays host for both the heroes and villains of Britain (plus any international heroes who happen to pop in, such as the Justice Society’s Wildcat). As Knight throws back a few with the likes of the Milkman, Death Dinosaur, and Jarvis Poker (the British Joker), Squire takes a young man called the Shrike on a tour of the place, where he gets to see both the heroes and villains of the British Empire, giving him something to think about when it comes to choosing sides.

Cornell really loads this issue down with new characters, which isn’t surprising, as one of his stated goals with this series is to really expand the roster of DC Universe characters based in the United Kingdom. The only weakness here is that a few pages tend to drift into the roll call territory, where we’re summarily introduced to lots of characters who don’t really factor into the plot of this first issue. That’s a danger any time you’re attempting to fill up on new characters in a big dump. A few of them get some nice exposition, but most are just quick one or two panel introductions, then they’re gone.

Fortunately, that one flaw does play into the book’s strength, which is that Cornell is obviously having a great time writing it. He really gives the book an authentically British feel, with the comedy stemming from that dry place most great British comedy comes from. He even gives us a page at the end helping we American readers understand some of the more quintessentially British references throughout the book. Jimmy Broxton has a ton of character designs to handle here, and he successfully evokes a number of different time periods and superhero types. (We don’t get any backstory about Faceoff, but if he’s not a product of the 90s I’ll eat my hat. As soon as I start wearing a hat.)

I’ve become quite a fan of Cornell’s this year, and I have no doubt his work will make me a bigger fan in the future.

Rating: 8/10