Decisions, Decisions: Justice League and Green Arrow

Decisions, Decisions.  As I've said before, I'm giving each series three issues to WOW me.  Then I decide if they stay or go.  Due to the number of weeks I'm behind, I'm changing up my format. so here goes.

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

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Issue #3

Justice League

So I based this decision of of issues 3 and 4, since I was pretty sure this was one I would keep.

Recap: Super-humans are still hated by society, but now they are trying to fight the invasion of winged demons sent by Darkseid.  A sword-wielding Wonder Woman is introduced to join the fight, Aquaman surfaces to drive the demons from the deep, and Cyborg's newly-downloaded knowledge has all the answers to WHY the demons are here.  It's an action-packed couple of issues.

Issue #4

What Soars: The humor, the characterization and the tension among all of these "strangers" is perfectly clear.  Johns does an amazing job with the story and with the character development.  Amidst it all, he even injects a TON of humor.  Green Lantern is hilarious! Yes, he's the cocky douche he's always been, and yes he has that bromance with Flash, but he is a hoot! Of course, Jim Lee is astounding with his artwork.  I can't say it enough.  And even Aquaman is kick-ass.  Isn't that hard to do?

What Crashes: Wonder Woman sounds like a complete idiot.  I guess you have to remember, she is fresh in the new world from her secluded upbringing on Paradise Island, but she still comes off a little "challenged." What she lacks in brains though, she makes up for in balls. This chick is NOT afraid of a fight.  And although I thought her sword was stupid at first, it's kind of growing on me.

Decision:  Definitely a keeper.  As I've said before, this is my team.  I've been with them for so long and with the re-boot, I feel like I've been with them from the beginning.

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Green Arrow

Issue #2

Green Arrow is the Star City Batman.  While I never really latched on to The Dark Knight, there was something I loved about the Emerald Archer.  Rich playboy.  No real powers, but enough money to have any cool gadgets he needs. I guess if you're a real person hoping to be a superhero, this is the closest you can aspire to in the DC world.

Recap: A gang of superhuman criminals, led by Rush, are causing crimes and streaming them live on the net.  Very Running Man / Hunger Games.  Their next target is Green Arrow and their goal is to kill him live online.  They bait GA by enticing a young, enamored super-fan, calling himself Alpha, killing him live online.  GA can't resist getting involved.  After a good fight and an inspiring "The More You Know" message to viewers, the super-gang is locked away.

Issue #3

What Soars: This is a solid 3-issue arc.  The action certainly picked up in issues 2 and three and there was a clean and clear resolution.  Of course, it ended with a cliffhanger to begin a new arc.  Very typical, very formula.

What Crashes: Queen Industries has become Q-Core, the leader in innovative technologies like the Q-Pad and the Q-Phone. Q-Lame.  There wasn't much explanation of "why" in this story arc,  but I don't think the writers cared.  This seemed like a grabber to get new people interested.  I hope it did.  Oliver deserves it.

Decision:  While Oliver Queen will always have a place in my heart, I think it's time to let go of this series.  It's had it's day and I'm not sure this new run wil ever match the good ole days of Oliver Queen.

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All images copyright DC Comics and used under guidelines of Fair Use

SS Saturday: Green Lantern - The Animated Series

Did you catch the premiere of Green Lantern: The Animated Series on the Cartoon Network last night? It's the basis of

Star Sapphire Saturday!

So I've been hugely busy lately as you can see by my lack of reviews.  I'm teaching a class that's kicking my tail, BUT I'm LOVING it.  However, before bed last night I managed to squeeze in an hour for the new Green Lantern: The Animated Series on Cartoon Network.

As I watched, I thought to myself, "This is a better plot than the film that came out in June.  Maybe they should have gone with this script for the live action."  It had a great balance of "origin" explanation within it to appeal to the new fan, but it jumped into a completely involved storyline.  Impressive.  Of course, I was a bit disappointed in the lack of female characters. At least they included Carol Ferris.  I've included some very amateurish shots of her here.

No. This is not a Ferris Blow up doll.

While not in the SS role, introducing her early on sets the stage for having SS as a recurring character if they want (note the violet hues in almost any "Carol" scene).  They started right off the bat introducing Red Lanterns for a violent conflict, so I'm insure including the SS Corps won't be far behind.  Got to enjoy the conflict of the love interest.

I'll be interested to see how they mesh Star Sapphire with the animation style.  I've never been a fan of this kind of animation before, but as I continued to watch, it continued to grow on me and by the end of the hour, I was recruited.  It's still not my favorite, but it's not my least.  And I'll surely continue watching.

Love conquers all with violet light!

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All images copyright Cartoon Network and used under the guidelines of Acceptable Fair Use.

Review: Green Lantern #3

Yes, there's only one this week that has been circulating in full review mode.  That's a good thing.  I need a little break. Guess what?

It's New Comic Book Wednesday!

Green Lantern #3

You know a book, an issue, is amaze-balls when you get to the last page and you say, out loud, WHAT THE F*@k?!?  This is that issue.

So last week I complained about the plot of Stormwatch and how, after three issues, it had only spanned a short snapshot of time.  It bugged me.  But the same is true about this storyline.  Perhaps it's the writing, the lack of characters to focus on or the clarity in the threat and action that makes this so much more appealing.  Amazing what clarity can do to a story.

I am a bit puzzled by the fact that Carol (and the world) know the identities of Hal and the other GLs.  While it's not shocking coming from previous storylines, it doesn't mesh with the JL story arc.  Maybe I'm just missing the connection, or maybe there is none.  I have to catch up.

Hal's "Do anything to get your life back" attitude is a pretty universal one, and I like the challenge he's faced with.  He's forced to help someone bad, to do something good, hoping that he'll get back his reason for being in the end.

There's also this human side of Sinestro that Johns plays with.  We forget that even the most evil people have homes and families and lives, and they aren't evil to everyone.

GINORMOUS SPOILER ALERT: I'm not sure why Hal trusts Sinestro, and I'm not sure what Geoff Johns did in three issues to make me trust him too, but he did.  I don't think I'm enough like Hal, like Sinestro states "Because even if you're incapable of it, you always try to do the right thing." Yah.  That's not me.  But something inside of me, something about his need to fulfill his promise, to protect the people of Korugar, and his drive to annihilate those who are destroying his world, that something makes me do exactly what Hal did.  Trust Sinestro.

Good God, why do we trust Sinestro? Charisma? It certainly isn't his pedophile looks. I can FEEL Hal's pain in the last panel as he curses Sinestro.  But I think I'm sensing a little from Sinestro too. Darn you, DC.  Hurry up with Issue #4!

Decision: Without a doubt, I will keep this.  Of course, as a GL fan, I'd probably never give it up, but this is one I can preach about. HOLY MOSES!

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Watch out for some mini-digis coming soon!

Next week:  Green Lantern Corps #3 and Justice League #3

All images copyright DC Comics and used under guidelines of Fair Use

SS Saturday: Inked

One of my favorite "stuff" sites, Superherostuff.com is promoting a tattoo week on their FB site, so this week, I thought I'd contribute because it's...

Star Sapphire Saturday!

I've known for a long time that I wanted SS as a permanent, daily reminder, but I could never find the right art.  Finally, pushing 40, I decided to go for it last Spring.  I tracked down an artist through many recommendations and sat through many a session, but am happy with the results. Yes, I made some concessions based on my love for the female body and my other obsession with pinups, but hey, it's MY arm, right? (Sorry for the black box, but this is a family friendly site).

Now, Carol follows me everywhere in all her glory, reminding me every day that...

Love conquers all with violet light!

Reviews: Red Lantern #3 and Stormwatch #3

So I've been following along with this relaunch like a diligent, loyal little DC soldier, and sometimes it has been VERY painful.  There were books that I abandoned right away (I, Vampire or Legion of Super-Heroes) for various reasons, but I've been loyal to most. I decided, however, that the magic #3 would be my cut-off.  Any series that hasn't impressed me enough in three issues (half a TPB story arc) doesn't deserve my time or money.  There's so much more out there, especially in some impressive indie titles I've discovered.  Maybe I'll revisit them when they become cheap digital downloads.

So this is the start of the Issue #3 run.  "May the odds be ever in your favor!"

It's New Comic Book Wednesday!

Carrie.. is so very.

Red Lantern #3


I continue to be impressed by this title as it explores the complexities of rage, vengeance and manipulation.  Atrocitus calls on babbling Red Lantern Bleez to control and unite his ever-rebelling corps of lanterns.  Perhaps he feels he can control her best, perhaps because her pain has made her utterly mad, but whatever his reason, he made his choice.

I like the creation story of Bleez and her "evolution" into re-sentience. For this to happen, she has to drown in the Blood Ocean of Ysmault, a death which, strangely, calms her mind but resurfaces all of her painful memories.  While the intention is to bring back a fuel to direct her rage, it's drawback is the clarity it brings to her mind. In the end, it's her agenda, not his, that she pursues, even if it is in submissive silence.

I just stepped out
of the salon.

Also intriguing is the story of her people and the birth of her rage.  Bleez is of the Havanian race (a blue-skinned, bird people) and she is a woman of divine beauty, purity and a flippant and ignorant cruelty. While suitors pursue her, she turns down all of their advances in the kindest way she knows how. "I'd rather be buried alive and be eaten by slugs than spend one night with you." Naturally, her suitors take offense and bait a Sinestro Corps member Ranx into chasing her.  However, when he's rejected, he doesn't tuck tail and flee.  He tortures Bleez, strips her wings to the bone and slaughters her family. Finding out her former suitors are to blame, she seeks vengeance.

Such behavior makes you think about revenge on a human level and how we treat those who have wronged us.  What happens when justice is not served? Even when it is, is the "eye for an eye" mentality a justified one?  The death penalty?  In a parallel Earth (Sector 2814) story, the reader is reminded of the two brothers, struggling to cope with the death/murder of their grandfather. One understands that revenge is not the answer while the other is hell bent on his own brand of retribution.  I can see where this one is going.

One MILLION dollars..

At the end, Atrocitus ponders (in a delightfully Dr. Evil way) if he made the right decision choosing Bleez as his second or if, even in her state of mental babble, she manipulated him into giving back her intellect so that she can bend the corps to her own will.  While he strokes the kitty, she sits, deified, while the rest of the Reds gather round, complacent.

I'm still torn about the Carrie-esque cover.  It sometimes makes me laugh trying to decide what decisions drive the cover art.  Issue #2 was very propaganda reminiscent while #2 looks more like a sci-fi/horror Maxim cover.

Decision: Keep.  This is probably one of the best books I've read in a while. 

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Stormwatch #3

I had real hope for this title, especially with the promise of some strong, gay protagonists.  I want to like them, really I do.  But just because they're gay, doesn't make them compatible to me.  Or maybe they are and I just don't vibe with the crowd they hang around. Either way, I still support this title, but I'm not going to waste my time and money to follow it.

We're STILL in the midst of the same conflict introduced in Issue #1: some non-descript entity trying to take over some non-descript town in the middle of Nowhere, Colorado (literally) being fought by a team with some very non-descript powers.  Remember, this is the team that tries to hide from even the other superheroes. Very invisible.

I just have a hard time with superpowers like "talking to cities" and "sensing media" as weapons to fight the "scourge of the earth."  When the moon turns into a giant, all knowing eyeball creature (not OMAC), and an octopus-Goldblum-flyesque thing is destroying an entire town, I can't see what these "pansy powers" can do.  Hell, the only character with any real muscle (the gay one might I add), is sent into space for batting practice with some meteors.  It's a good thing the "scourge" absorbed all the other team members. Maybe now something will get done.  Wait!  The "media-whisperer" still lives. Aw, shucks.

The art is a little iffy, but again, I can't tell if the art is bad because the creatures are vague or the other way around.  But with the erratic story and the dark, poor illustrations, I get a little nauseous.  And then I saw something that made me lose it.  The "city talker," wearing culottes, had feet like Superboy.  That's it.  I'm done.

Decision: Toss.  I'll catch up with it later when digi-issues go cheap. Maybe it will get better.  Or if they break off and have a Midnighter title again, it will be worth picking up.

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Watch out for mini-digi reviews soon!

Next week:  Green Lantern #3

All images copyright DC Comics and used under guidelines of Fair Use