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Batman #45
Written by Tom King
llustrated by Tony S. Daniel
This is the beginning of a major storyline right here!
And to show it, DC has enlisted Tony S. Daniel to draw it. It totally feels earned though. Tom King has been doing great on this title and it’s finally time to cut loose.
Booster Gold has come to recruit Batman and Catwoman!
They have to help Booster save a younger version of himself. It’s a long convoluted tale through Batman’s history.
And it’s a joy to read through.
The art is excellent. Daniel really knows what he is doing and it show. They story is entertaining and it has some great story beats. King is just making each issue better than the last and it’s his peak work.
RATING: A-
Mister Miracle #8
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Mitch Gerads
This is Tom King’s other book which is also one of the best series of the past year.
It’s funny and full of some of the best characterizations we’ve seen of this character.
In this issue, it’s time for Mister Miracle to head back to Apokolips!
This means it’s back to war for everybody! Scott Free finds himself up against Darkseid’s forces! But Barda is not at his side!
What’s a New God to do?
The story is damn entertaining. It’s the Mister Miracle story you’ve always wanted! The art by Gerads is tops. This is some good stuff people. Pick it up!
RATING: A
Aquaman #35
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Riccardo Federici
Holy hell this is a damn good time.
Dan Abnett ratchets up the drama a bit and it’s great!
King Rath is back and he’s pretty angry! He’s a great villain and Abnett uses him to full effect.
King Rath finds out Aquaman is still alive!
And this makes him super angry! This is part one of the “Kingslayer” storyline!
He sends the villainous Murk after Aquaman to finish the job!
And then things get really insanely crazy.
The story is very good. Abnett is the best writer this character has had. The art is something else. Federici does amazing work here.
Pick this up. Everything is really great and it’s a clear cut winner.
RATING: B+
Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 #6
Written by James Tynion IV and Ryan Ferrier
Illustrated by Freddie Williams III
Well, here we are. The last issue of the second team-up between all of these characters. And it may in fact be the nuttiest one yet!
Tynion makes the story as crazy as it can be and it looks like he just wanted to top himself. Former FOG! contributor Ferrier also delivers top notch dialogue for both The Turtles and Bat-Families.
The setting for this deadly finale is Liberty Island!
Batman and the Turtles have to bring Bane down! But can they?
And what does the Shredder have to do with it all? Find out here!
The best part of this book is the artwork. Williams has made the book his own and it’s damn good.
The story is just silly. But you will smile.
Pick it up and turn your brain off!
RATING: B
Injustice 2 #24
Written by Tom Taylor
Illustrated by Daniel Sampere
Tom Taylor. What a great series he has put together. This issue is no different. He’s takes a different glance at the DC Universe and makes something all his own.
Everyone gathers together for the final fight against Amazo!
Can the heroes take down this dastardly fiend?
And what is the secret weapon that they have at their disposal?
Find out here!
The art is very good as well.
I said it before and I’ll say it again. If you aren’t reading this series, you are missing out for sure.
RATING: B+
Deadman #6
Written and Illustrated by Neal Adams
Neal Adams finishes his Deadman saga on a sort of whimper here. I wish this was better but it’s not very good. Boston Brand deserves a better story than this!
The truth behind Ra’s al Ghul’s plan is finally revealed in this final issue!
Boston Brand’s death it seems wasn’t an accident! It was a gruesome murder!
And now Deadman has to face off against Ra’s. He may need Batman’s help though.
This book is deadly boring and overwritten. I got bored many times reading it. The art isn’t bad but it’s sadly lacking spark.
Thankfully, it’s over now and maybe we can get a decent Deadman series again.
RATING: D
Batman: Creature of the Night #3
Written by Kurt Busiek
Illustrated by John Paul Leon
This book is surprisingly good.
I knew with the talent behind it, that I would enjoy it. I never knew how much however I would absolutely love it. The concept seemed weak on the outset but I should have known better based on Busiek’s former real world take, Superman: Secret Identity.
Bruce Wainwright has grown up.
Yet, he still has trauma from his childhood with him.
But then Bruce learns that everything he ever believed might be a lie.
It’s all coming to an end.
The writing is just wonderful. Busiek is writing an incredible story here and it’s awesome. The art by John Paul Leon is the best of his career.
Pick this up. It’s really just excellent.
RATING: A
Bombshells United #16
Written by Marguerite Bennett
Illustrated by Sandy Jarrell
I love the art of Sandy Jarrell. It really elevated this already great series. I love that it has an independent sensibility to it that we don’t see very much over at DC.
In this issue, the Bombshells go to a place to fight that’s always a fun time!
What it it, you ask?
Well, a volcanic lair! I love those!
This issue is basically a huge fight.
But it’s a well done fight so why not?
The story by Bennett is pretty good. You may not be picking this up currently but you should.
It’s a good book with tons of entertainment value!
RATING: B
Superman #45
Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
Illustrated by Patrick Gleason
Well, this is it. The finale of the “Boyzarro Re-Death” storyline. Tomasi and Gleason have had a great run.
Myself? I’ll follow this creative team to whatever they happen to do next.
The Super Foes battle the Legion of Fun!
Superman and Superboy return to Hamilton to recharge.
Here they find out what they meant to the locals.
They also learn what the town means to them.
The story is tops. It’s a nice send off to the next era of Superman.
The art is great again. Make sure to read this entire run. It’s some excellent comic books indeed.
RATING: A
Super Sons #15
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Illustrated by Carlo Barberi
This is the beginning of the end for this title. Tomasi has had a nice little run with these characters.
Here, he looks to be ending on a high note.
Superboy and Robin have been through a lot. Now they have to go through something called “The Amazo Project.”
Kid Amazo is back! Ready to cause havoc! What he has planned may indeed tear this superteam apart.
The art is very good here. I look forward to see how Tomasi wraps this up.
Give it a shot. It’s been a great run thus far.
RATING: B
Damage #4
Written by Robert Venditti
Illustrated by Cary Nord
Maybe this title deserves a second look.
Venditti has been writing an okay story that has had decent enough art. It’s basically the Hulk for the DC Universe.
But in this issue they found my weak spot: artist extraordinaire Cary Nord.
Poison Ivy has attacked a bunch of fieldworkers!
Should Ethan turn into Damage and save them? Or should he protect his own sanity?
What does he choose?
I won’t tell you, but I will tell you that there is a lot of destruction in this issue.
The art is the draw here. Cary Nord is one of the best out there. He’s at the top of his game here, too.
Pick this up. Nord elevates the book and makes it something worth checking out.
RATING: B
Future Quest Presents #9
Written by Rob Williams
Illustrated by Aaron Lopresti
I loved the last few issues of this book.
That’s why it’s such a disappointment to me to read this issue. The story is bland and the art is blander.
Young Dorno of the Herculoids Clan wants to make his own way into the world.
He wants to be away from his parents. He goes on a dull adventure that may make him grow up too fast.
Seriously, that’s as exciting as it gets.
It’s a kind of depressing book overall. I feel like this one got away from them.
Pick it up at your own risk.
RATING: D-
Nightwing #43
Written by Michael Moreci
Illustrated by Minkyu Yung
Nightwing’s book has been a strange title since the DC Rebirth began.
It started off strong, then it dipped in quality a bit. I lost a bit of interest quite honestly in the book over time.
This issue, however, was a good introduction back for me into a character I really like.
Dick Grayson is tired. He’s been working non stop. It’s tough having your own solo title and being part of a team book (one has to wonder how Batman does it). So he’s taking a night off! He deserves it! But then Arsenal and Robin show up. They need his help. Of course.,So Dick suits up and decides to lend a hand. He quickly finds himself fighting the League Of Assassins and a bunch of ninjas! Their leader is Arsenal’s ex girlfriend!
But even worse for Dick is Robin and Arsenal bickering. It makes for a terrible night off but a delight for the audience.
This is a good jumping on for new readers. The story has a nice angle and Moreci runs with it. The art is decent as well. I always felt that with the right take, Nightwing’s book could be one of the top. Let’s hope somebody realizes that at DC and we get more good stories like this one.
RATING: B+
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