From Evernote:

Swamp Thing #19 Review

5 / 5

There was good reason to be concerned when Snyder was announced to be moving away from Swamp Thing. After the first issue with Soule and Kano, I can safely say we're in good hands. Swamp Thing #19 is nothing short of spectacular. It picks up right where Snyder's series left off with Alec Holland now being entirely part of the green - not just a man within the green. From the very beginning we're seeing parts of his humanity slowly shed away as he performs his duties. While other books might focus on the horror of this or the struggle to maintain it, what this book does is focus and magnify the parts that remain. Swamp Thing IS the agent of the green. As a result it travels the globe putting out disturbances that would disrupt the balance. The problem is that it's facing an adversary that is performing miracles of biotechnology - creating oases in the desert, hyper-fertile crops in Asia, etc. It leaves the a very conflicted Alec Holland to reflect about what his role in the world is. On one hand his job is to be the guardian of the Green. On the other, by destroying these marvels, he's condemning thousands, if not millions, of people to die. It's fascinating watching him reflect on this. In order to get his bearings he decides to pay Superman a visit in Metropolis where he runs into none other than Scarecrow. The encounter is entertaining, but highlights still some of the disconnect between Alec Holland the man and Swamp Thing. 

This series is in great hands. If you've not been involved up until now, I see no reason why this is a bad place to jump in. This issue doesn't reference anything that happened previously and is just great in and of itself. 

From Evernote:

Arrow #5 Review

3 / 5

This has been a series I've really enjoyed, though this issue isn't its strongest moment. As is the case with every issue, this is a 3 story book. The first chapter is simply a 'Hood' in Shanghai story. Nothing bad here. Nothing special. The next chapter revolves around Laurel and her sister, Sara, as kids in school. It's a good story to have in that Sara plays such an important role in the show without having ever made an appearance (well, except the one where she dies). We get some snapshots of family life before Sara's death and how Laurel ultimately finds her calling in law. It's probably the strongest one of the three chapters, but nothing remarkable. Finally we get a story about Hood attacking a hijacked train. It's a fun hero kind of story, but nothing remarkable. 

Like I said, great series, average kind of issue. I certainly wouldn't skip this if you're already invested in Arrow, but there's no reason to jump in here. 

From Evernote:

Batman: Dark Knight #18 Review

5 / 5

Dark Knight is truly becoming one of my favorite series right now. I've commented in the past about how these series are less about Batman and more about the villains. This issue continues that trend in a most satisfying way. We get a bit more of Mad Hatter's childhood culminating in what actually caused his plunge into madness. While some aspects are predictable, some of them really are tragic and unexpected. I LOVE it. I wish we could explore all of Batman's villains with this kind of depth. Gregg Hurwitz needs to be nowhere but on this series as far as I'm concerned. 

Bruce is also dealing with the failure of his recent relationship. It's a running motif in the Batman mythology that he's unable to maintain relationships. It's not just his role as Batman, it's Bruce's neurotic secrecy that has always made him unable to connect for a longterm relationship. Something about his pianist girlfriend has really gotten hold of him, and it comes to the forefront in this issue in which he thinks back on a memory of his mother. This passion culminates in a change that will no doubt have interesting consequences in issues to come. 

The real story is with Jervis - the Mad Hatter - however. In his continuing story of how he came to be the Hatter we see more of his childhood. Much like Scarecrow in the previous arc, I've come to really sympathize and understand how he slips, and the snowballing effect that has on him. 

This series is a treasure. Get out there and read it. 

From Evernote:

Batman Incorporated #9 Review

5 / 5

Batman Inc #9 is basically Bruce's Requiem book (without discounting B&R 18 of course!). We see the family bury Damian. We see the moments following Damian's death as the team escapes from Wayne Tower. We see Cyril's funeral and then rebirth (read to find out). The biggest thing we get is the answer to the question I posed a month ago when this event went down - how was Bruce going to look at Alfred after letting Damian leave the cave. What we get is one of the most powerful scenes since Damian's death. I can't wait to see what happens next as far as that's concerned. 

The book as a whole is the story of issue 18's aftermath. How does Gotham respond? How does the government respond? How do individual team members respond? All of it carries the appropriate weight and heart. I wish Batman Inc had been like this for me since the beginning. 

I feel the need to comment once again how distracting the art is to me. While I know there are a lot of people who really like Burnham's work, it really pulls the entire product down for me. I wonder if I would have enjoyed the series more from the beginning had the art been sharper. This, obviously, isn't changing any time soon, but I feel like it's worth mentioning. 

All-in-all, great book. I just hope the rest of the arc stays this strong. Talia is about to have a bad time. 

From Evernote:

The Flash #18 Review

4 / 5

Thank the Lord! We've escaped all of the crazy, complicated arcs and can finally just have a fun issue! Flash #18 is a lot of things. It's the first issue in which we get to see Barry in his relationship with Patty while also being the Flash in front of her (something of a first in the New 52 as well I think?). It's the first issue with Barry in his new job. He's temporarily suspended from police duty until his status as deceased is resolved with the paperwork. So where does a guy like Barry Allen go to work? None other than Keystone Saloon, local watering hole for all of the rogues. When you think about it, it's kind of perfect. While he's not oblivious to the opportunity it provides in any way, it never feels like he's picked out that job specifically for the clientele. It feels like it's just supposed to be fun - or a plot device because very conveniently it leads into his next adventure. The Trickster is arrested for murder - a no-no in the rogue handbook. Barry realizes this is fishy and promptly begins investigating the situation. Before he can get too far, Trickster escapes the police leaving the Flash to capture him. Along the way things get complicated, however, as Albert and Gomez (two of the people Barry saved from the Speed Force) have decided they're ready to be superheroes. 

It's a fun issue. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and it doesn't feel like it's trying to build into something huge and important. It's just a fun book, which is really what I want out of this series. 

From Evernote:

Talon #6 Review

3 / 5

Talon #6 isn't a bad book, but for some reason I had a lot of trouble finishing it. It took more than one attempt to get through the book, which rarely happens unless a book is just awful. Issue 5 ended with Calvin getting trapped in the Talon stronghold at the same time Sebastien realized the Grandmaster of the Court was present. Issue 6 opens with 3 Talons, all members of the same family, monologuing while Calvin finds his way out of a cage. The rest of the issue revolves around 3 different stories, all happening concurrently. On one hand, Harmon, the massive Talon that has been hunting Calvin for the last few issues, spots Batman on patrol. We get more of a taste of his intense bloodlust as he nearly ignores orders and hunts Batman instead, only to be stopped by threats of cryobombs implanted behind his eyes. This leads to him taking some drastic actions that should make for some interesting consequences in future issues. Meanwhile Casey is back at base watching as Sebastien freaks out about Calvin being trapped by the Grandmaster. She begins investigating the complex they live in only to find some interesting tidbits that should change the group dynamics. Finally, Calvin spends the rest of the issue escaping from the Talons, while also putting some plans of his own into action. 

This is one of those kinds of issues when there are multiple plot threads that all tie neatly together by the end of the book. There is an interesting story to be told from here, though it will require the creative team take an issue to really discuss what's going on. The tempo really could take a notch down at this point to get us on the same page. Hopefully this series continues to be this strong. 

From Evernote:

All New X-Men #10 Review

4 / 5

First thing I want to note - these are some dense books. Page number-wise the Marvel books tend to pale in comparison to their DC counterparts, but All New X-Men doesn't let that stop it. The panels are small and are mostly filled with dialog, which suits me just fine. What we're getting is a lot of plot, a lot of discussion, and a lot of character development. What you're not getting is large pages with nothing but an action shot of a character or a few panels per page with very little happening. This is truly maximizing your space, and I commend the creative team for making it happen. 

Anyways, issue 10 is the followup to last month's arrival of Cyclops and the Uncanny X-Men at Wolverine's school. It's appropriately tense / amusing watching the two sides confront one another verbally (with the exception of the lawn of the academy which does attack the Uncanny X-Men at one point… :) ). It's an important issue in that we get to see the young X-Men confront Cyclops for the first time. What makes it particularly satisfying is that instead of it being in the context of a fight like most books would have done, the story is told in a setting in which you know there's not going to be any action. It allows the dialog and the characters' motivations to build the momentum and tension, which really is an impressive feat. Major kudos to Bendis on this. The exchange results in the young X-Men questioning which side really is right in the fight. Meanwhile, Cyclops has left an invitation to the students of Wolverine's academy to join his Uncanny X-Men. There are a couple of twists towards the end that make this worth reading. It also leaves you with one hell of a cliffhanger that makes waiting for next month's issue a pleasure. Keep up the great work!

From Evernote:

Teen Titans #18 Review

4 / 5

Teen Titans is a series I've had a renewed interest in reading since the whirlwind of events in 'Death of the Family' and Damian's death. As such, I've spent the last few weeks reading back through the entire series to get my self caught up with what's happening currently. In the process I tried to also get into Superboy, which ties in strongly through the first part of the series. Frankly, I'm not terribly interested in Superboy, especially knowing that some of the books I'm going to have to read from the point I'm at include more H'el on Earth tie-ins, but I have a few issues left in my pile, so we'll see. In the meantime I'm going to cover both Teen Titans as a series and issue 18 specifically. 

Teen Titans is the story of Red Robin (Tim Drake) setting out on his own to stop an international organization by the name of N.O.W.H.E.R.E from hunting teenage metahumans. The first few issues revolve around him saving individual members of the future Teen Titans team. After the team is assembled they proceed to take the fight to N.O.W.H.E.R.E. in hopes of stopping the organization as well as saving all of the metahumans they've enslaved. The plan is foiled, however, and the Teen Titans find themselves part of battle royale between different teenage metahumans called The Culling. It's a multi-issue arc with LOTS of tie-ins - one of the major problems I have with the series as well as the Superboy books. Once the team escapes The Culling they return to New York where they begin their adventures as the Teen Titans. We've gotten introductory issues since then explaining Tim Drake's and Wonder Girl's history in the New 52. I'm certain that as time passes the rest of the team will get their time as well. 

All-in-all, it's a great series. It captures some of the fun that teenagers bring to table. It also does a great job of taking the Titans from a group of heroes to an actual team. Part of what works best about the series is the perfect variety of characters. The team is well represented by different types of people from completely different walks of life. This, of course, constantly leads to quips, arguments, and self-realization that makes reading the series just fun to read. 

As of issue 18, Red Robin has just returned to New York with the Titans from the events in 'Death of the Family.' In issue 17 he introduced them to their new home - a super yacht complete with every amenity and service needed including a movie theater. The issue concludes with Red Robin clearly possessed, causing drama. Moving into issue 18 begins with Tim in the Bat Cave lamenting the loss of Damian. Of all the Requiem books, this is the one that really plays with the relationship. Tim finds himself talking to a ghost / mental projection of Damian, confronting unresolved issues between the two of them. It's important to see some closure, especially between the different Robins as it's a bond that no one else - even Bruce - can understand. Appropriately, it's Alfred who ends up grounding Tim and getting him back on track to go back to his adventures as a Teen Titan. 

Back in New York a week later, Superboy arrives at the yacht for the first time and just in time for Red Robin to lead them to their next adventure. They're breaking into a prison commanded by none other than Amanda Waller. The rest of the issue dives into a mashup between Teen Titans and the Suicide Squad (a book I admittedly know nothing about beyond what I picked up from this issue of TT), and some mysterious, dealing between Red Robin and Waller. It's not as tightly written as the other parts of the series have been, but I suspect that has more to do with a purposeful need to keep some things vague. The conclusion is certainly the important part as we now have a major villain making its first appearance in the nDCU, and makes reading the next issue exciting. 

All-in-all, issue 18 isn't the best one in the series, but it's entertaining enough. I'm looking forward to seeing where the next encounter goes, especially since it's a villain I know through DCU Online. Let me know what you think of the series and issue!

From Evernote:

Uncanny Avengers #5 Review

3 / 5

Uncanny Avengers #5 is clearly a filler issue. Having stopped the Red Skull from destroying Manhattan in issue #4, we're left this month with the clean-up from the events. In a world that was previously sensitive to Mutants because of the issues that constantly surround them, and then the most recent Phoenix event that almost ruined the world, a crisis in a place like New York in which masses of people are brainwashed into attacking mutants was sure to stir up more trouble for our new Uncanny Avengers. And it does. But just like that long, drawn-out sentence, the book is kind of just a mess. I think there are some really great ideas going on here, but the ambitions are so high that Remender's writing gets the best of him. We literally have Wolverine in two different continents at different points in the story, a very dark, confusing new villain introduced over the first few pages, and even more team members being added to the Avengers team. It's just kind of a mess. 

All-in-all, this is still a great series, I think the quality of this issue was just kind of a fluke. Like I said, trying to do way too much in too short a period. Things will improve if the creative team just settles down and focuses on telling a good story - let the other details come in on their own. 

From Evernote:

Superman #18 Review

4 / 5

Issue 18 of Superman is very much what I expected when H'el on Earth started months ago - with one caveat that I'll address at the end. This month's story is a story-driven adventure with a little social exploration tacked onto it. We're currently dealing with a Superman who isn't very well-liked by the governments of the world. Trust is so low as a matter of fact that they've summoned him to a national conference demanding that he let them explore, catalogue, and collect items from the Fortress of Solitude for their own protection. The famously diplomatic Superman of years past / previous DCUs is nowhere to be seen, showing that the New 52 really is going to be a different kind of world. He flatly denies their demands and leaves, setting a darker tone for how he is going to fit into the DCU. 

Back in Metropolis as Clark is dealing with now being unemployed having quit Galaxy News. This section of the plot is filled with dialogue between Clark and Cat Grant - an apparently flamboyant, but out-of-touch character that Clark knew prior to this issue. If she's been in the New 52, she really hasn't left a mark on me because I have no clue who she is. Regardless, the conversation serves only to highlight his unemployment and to put him in the right place at the right time for his next adventure as Superman. 

In both prologue and epilogue we're introduced to Orion, a god who has been an active character in the Wonder Woman books recently. He's been summoned home (wherever that is for gods in the DCU) to confront his father on some issue. We get a taste for his disdain for his lot in life and his generic opinions of humans (yes, I suppose we are imaginative and adaptable, aren't we?). I would probably be more excited about this if it wasn't for the fact that Scott Lobdell already majorly botched his first Superman arc by focusing on other characters (Supergirl) instead of giving us a good Superman story. I'm very wary at the moment of getting another arc where Superman isn't the main character. I just want a good Superman story. 

… And that's the real pity here, because if you take out my knee-jerk reaction to the prologue / epilogue from this issue, you get a really good book. First of all, the art is top notch. In particular, colors pop and really highlight the different settings. This is probably the best Superman has looked in years outside of the Justice League books. Second, I get the good balance of Clark Kent and Superman that these books should have. I care about both characters. In my opinion, Clark hasn't done anything in 2 years except be late to pick up Lois's sister and quit Galaxy News. What we get with this issue has some interesting potential. Meanwhile, I want to see Superman being awesome. I want to see him prove why he's the greatest superhero in the DCU. I want him to do wonderful, awe-inspiring things - and in this issue you actually get some of that. The point is, I want good Superman. We've waited a long time for a good Superman arc in the New 52. For the love of God, please don't make this a story about the gods of the DCU with Superman showing up to say hello.