Decisions: Birds Of Prey and The Huntress

No, it's not Lady Marmalade, but these girls are just as tough and sexy.

Warning: Most likely contains spoilers.

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Issue #3

Birds of Prey

Issues #2 and #3

Re-cap:  Canary and Starling are reeling from the sudden explosion of the man they were trying to protect.  Turns out he had a bio-bomb in his head triggered by hypnotic suggestion.  What will technology come up with next?  In an effort to find those responsible, Canary recruits Katana and Poison Ivy. They encounter and defeat some bad guys with strange inviso-armor and the same bio-brain bombs as  prisoner of war kill switches.  While they don't get their man, they do get the names of some other "walking dead" and set out to rescue them.  In a masterfully orchestrated train rescue, Canary learns she's been implanted with a brain bomb herself.

What Soars: Any time you have strong women leading the charge, I'm all for it.  While gun-slinging, butt-kicking badassery aren't the best role models for young women, it's also important to me that female characters in comics aren't always the sidekicks, the background art, or the talentless comic relief. Our own world is made up of people (male, female, straight, gay, disabled... the list goes on) who are strong badasses in their own right.  Our comics should reflect that.  I also like the storyline here.  While it can make you think, "huh?" at times, there's a lot of action, plot and conflict in a short 20 pages.  It's important to me that a reader gets his money's worth when buying comics.

What Crashes:  Can you tell I'm picky with art?  While the pencilling in this book is not awful, the rendering of Poison Ivy makes her look old and haggard.  I'm sorry, but that's not the Ivy I know.  The story seems a little far-fetched as well.  Hey, I know this is sci-fi and you can pretty much dream up anything you want, but my brain has been running over the whole idea of Dinah being implanted by a simple kiss. It's a hole-filled plan I'm not sure I buy.

Decision: It's interesting and fun to see chicks kick some butt.  While the cliffhanger has had me wondering, "What next?" I'm not sure this is a title I want to follow in the long term.

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Issue #2

Huntress

Issues #2 and #3

Re-cap:  Huntress is still in Italy trying to track down the mob boss responsible for trafficking weapons and women. While she's able to knock off henchmen pretty easily, she keeps running into walls when it comes to apprehending the big boss, Moretti.  Her pursuits take her to Pompeii and she learns about an arrangement with Magreb to accept and protect their outgoing leader.

What Soars: There's really very little wrong with this.  The artwork is pretty good, the story line is complex and action packed.  This would be a great book to pick up for "Bat" fans into crime drama.

Issue #3

What Crashes:  I thought I could be into this title, but I'm finding that I'm just not into stories of mob boss crime and politics.  No matter how sexy and powerful Huntress is, and I know she's doing the right thing, I'm just not engaged.  Perhaps it's too much "reality" for me.  I guess if I wanted to hear about trafficking, I'd turn on the news.  I'm also not sure I buy that her tiny arrows do so much damage AND can support her weight when climbing.  Also, there was one scene where Huntress shot an arrow which ricocheted multiple times before embedding itself in the side of a ship.  Suddenly it had a bomb strapped to it.  You think they would have caught details like that somewhere along the line.

Decision: It's only a six issue run, so I was really hoping to see it through, but I simply can't do it.  I'll save my cash for other, more compelling titles.  I'm hoping with the more "sci-fi" permise, I'll be more into the Huntress in World's Finest come June.

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

Decisions: Batgirl and Wonder Woman

This time, it's two big girls who can hold their own.  No help needed.

Warning: Most likely contains spoilers.

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Issue #3

Batgirl

Issues #2 and #3

Re-cap:  Barbara Gordon is trying to get back in the game of Gotham crime-fighting and her target is the Mirror, a god-complex vengeance criminal who is righting the miracles with justice.  In his own life, a miracle saved him from a car fire where the rest of his family burned.  Since then, he is carrying out killing those people who should have already died. Batgirl is on his list.  Meanwhile, Barbara is constantly having to prove, to her father and to Nightwing, that she can take care of herself.  Even though doctors have told her to take it easy or her condition could deteriorate, she's back in full-force.

What Soars: I like that Batgirl is back although I'm not sure how she was ale to recover from her paralysis.  I guess that's sci-fi.  Anything can happen.  I'm also interested in this Mirror criminal.  It's an interesting concept and I'm excited to see how it plays out.  Unfortunately, this guy doesn't seem like he'll have a long career in Gotham crime.

What Crashes:  I realize that Barbara and Dick have a history together and that they are in this never-ending flirtation cycle, but bringing him in to Issue 3 just seemed like needless filler.  I felt like I was watching a bad Lifetime movie as Nightwing tried to convince her that they were concerned because they love her.  Barf.  If she was a man, would they still be having the conversation? No. Point made.

Decision: I'm going to finish this story arc off because I want to see who Mirror is and how this conflict plays itself out, but when it's done, I'm done.  

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Issue #2

Wonder Woman

Issues #2 and #3

Re-cap:  Diana returns to Paradise Island with Zola and Hermes because it is the only place she can protect Zola.  Zola is carrying Zeus' baby and a jealous Hera will stop at nothing to kill the child.  Strife arrives at Paradise Island and the Amazons attack. Her powers turn them on each other and mass slaughter ensues.  While grieving, we learn that Diana's origin story, being molded from clay, is untrue and she is actually a daughter of Zeus which puts her in even more danger from Hera.  Angered and ashamed, she leaves Paradise Island and vows never to return.

Issue #3

What Soars: I really (and I do mean really) like that the Wonder Woman story gets back to its origins in mythology.  While seeing her battle alien and real-world criminals is exciting, I get enough of that in Justice League and any other title.  Going back to some of our world's legends and myths is truly fun for me even if they are modernized.  It's why I liked the Percy Jackson series so much.

What Crashes:  I'm not sure.  There's just something about this series that hits me the wrong way and I can't pinpoint it.  The art is acceptable in most cases, the story is interesting although common place (Hera wants to kill Zeus' illegitimate child. Isn't this a career for her?) but maybe it's because it's either not going fast enough or because they are spending too much side time on Diana's backstory.  Maybe you should be the judge. And Wonder Woman is a little too barrel chested for me in most panels. Frown.

Decision: I'm going to follow this through Issue #6.  It's a natural stopping point in most books and I want to see how it plays out. Maybe by then I'll have figured out what's bothering me.

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

Panel of the Week: Teen Titans 3

OK, so it's not every week, and it's from an older title, but it's so much fun.
What I love:

1. It reminds me of those Richard Scarry books I loves as a kid where you had to follow the action.
2. The art, even in tiny detail is so much fun.
3. Kid Flash is getting a firehose which reminds him he has to take a leak. And he does. And whistles while he whizzes. So funny. (Step 5)

And all of this is on a title page.  Classic!

Panel of the Week:  Teen Titans #3

Go ahead.  Click to enlarge. 

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

Decisions: Aquaman and Action Comics

Both of these were new series to me. Have I added something new to my permanent plate?

Warning: Most likely contains spoilers.

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Issue #3

Action Comics

Issues 2 and 3

Re-cap:  Lex Luthor and General Lane have captured Superman and are running tests on him (electrocution, exposure to sarin gas, you know, the usual tests), his cape and the ship he was sent to Earth in.  Meanwhile Lois is outside the military base pleading with John Corben to let her in.  Because they don't understand Superman yet, he is able to escape.  They realize he is indestructible and John Corben volunteers to be Steel Soldier. Lex has been getting info form some strange space alien, The Collector of Worlds.  While Clark is fighting off intense "anti-superman" public opinion and the scrutiny of the MPD,  the Collector of Worlds is taking over earth (and Steel Soldier) through our digital networks.

What Soars: I'm a huge fan of the "everyman," blue-collar costume.  To me, there's something more sexy about a beefy guy in jeans, work boots and a tight fitting shirt.  Much hotter than tights.  I also really like the way they embrace the feeling of the early 20th century origins of this title while still keeping current with technology and social issues.

What Crashes:  If I have to pick something, it's the way Clark is depicted.  As Supes, he's hot, beefy, tough, working-class.  As Clark though, he's ragged (although he still has a hot bod and looks phenomenal in his undies - this is why they invented paper bags) and the eyes  on the characters in this title border slightly on anime size.  It's a bit distracting.

Decision: Overall, it's a good series, but it just doesn't grab me in the long term.  I know Superman. Who doesn't?  I always will and he'll always be great in my book.  I just don't think I have the energy to follow Action Comics.

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Issue #3

Aquaman

Issues 2 and 3

Re-cap:  Strange creatures from the ocean's deep are surfacing to find food. They first attack a fishing boat and then a small seaside village looking for fast food and reserves to stock their pantries.  A frightened deputy seeks out Aquaman's help since this hero knows all about the sea.  Unfortunately, when they investigate, Aquaman and Mera have no clue.  They take a creature to an old marine biologist "friend" who establishes these creatures have come from the deepest part of "The Trench."  Throughout the story, we learn about Arthur's youth.

What Soars: As always, Ivan Reis' art is a winner in my world.  It's hard to open one of his books and not be amazed by the detail.  The story itself is also engaging and transparent.  They play with the typical perception that Aquaman as a lesser hero, but counteract those claims by showing how completely badass he can be.  Geoff Johns' writing is always strong.  He uses subtle foreshadowing throughout the stories and directs hidden visual clues throughout. Another bonus is that Aquaman is not a "secret identity" hero.  While most establish their alias as a way to protect their family and love interests, AC doesn't have that on the surface.  He is protecting his family, but it's his Atlantean and aquatic family he's must hide and protect from the humans.

What Crashes:  The story is not moving as quickly as I'd like which seems to be a style for Johns.  It shouldn't have taken this many issues to get the story to where it is.  It's following in the vein of Justice League and, to an extent, Green Lantern.  While I really like Johns as a writer, taking so long in exposition could really turn of some readers.  Maybe this is what he has to do in order to keep three titles going at a time.

Decision: Strangely, I'm going to keep following this one.  I want to see what happens and I want to get to know Aquaman and Mera more.  Maybe this is Johns' way of holding his readers a little longer, but I'm not sure it's a good way to gain new ones. It's a good thing he's got a big name.

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

May the odds be ever in your favor

Yes, I'm a nerd.

I get excited about things I love.  When I was approached by someone at work to make a READ poster to promote literacy in our schools, I got a little too excited. Of course there was only one series of books I wanted to promote right now.

I dressed myself up and Tammy, our master of Photoshop, put together an awesome READ poster of me.

It's fun things like this that help me to love the job I do.

The New 52's Second Wave

So I haven't even caught up on my current issues, but with the news of DC's Second Wave coming out, I wanted to set myself a new wish list and some new goals.

Now that the dust has settled with the first relaunch, and the interest (or lack thereof) in some issues has waned, DC comics is moving forward, releasing a set of six new titles.  With these, I'm mostly more intrigued than super excited to see a new version of an old friend.  For me, they are all new.

Earth 2
In keeping with the ever-present idea of multiverses (multiversi?), DC explores the adventures of the JSA on Earth 2. No doubt, the alternate versions of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc. will all collide with the current versions and confusion will commence.

World's Finest
A much "toned-down" or "reduced" version of PowerGirl teams up with The Huntress (both from Earth 2).  They are trapped in our universe and try to figure out how to get back to their own.  Should be a killer chick adventure.  Nothing as awesome as some bad-ass bitches kicking some supervillain ass.

Dial H
This is one that is making me a little excited.  It's a revival of an old title (Dial H for Hero and H.E.R.O.) which I had never heard of.  This title brings the possibility of metahuman powers to anyone.  Essentially, if you come into possession of this dial, and you dial H-E-R-O, you become a superhero.  If you see me frequenting random phone booths, you'll know why.

The Ravagers
I'll never know why I'm attracted to "teen-based" story lines in books, tv, movies or comics.  Either it's the kid in me who refuses to grow up, or the teacher in me, but this title looks fun.  As a spinoff to Teen Titans, these super-powered kids try to accept their powers while simultaneously trying to escape from a group who wants to recruit them as villains.  Run, Forrest, Run!


Should be an exciting new wave.  DC retired some titles to make way for these, but none of them were ones I read so I'm ok with that.  Hopefully, once I make my decisions to let titles go, I won't be overwhelming myself too much.

See you in the next multiverse!

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

Review: Green Lantern #6

Finally, I'm caught up to the most recent issue of at least one of the series that I follow.  Keep up, Jim.

SPOILER ALERT: The following reviews contain them. 

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Green Lantern #6

Now that he's back on Earth and deprived of the powers of the ring, Hal has given up wanting to be a lantern in favor of a life of love and romance with Carol and some good old fashioned vigilante justice on the side. He's got the skills, even if he doesn't have the ring.  Why not rough up those hoodlums? You have to have something to keep secret from Carol, right?

In this issue, Sinestro tracks down Yellow Lantern Lyssa Drak (doesn't it even sound like a vampire name? - She's got the teeth to prove it) to strip her of her ring, in pursuit of his "eliminate the Sinestro Corps" mission.  In doing so,  he finds she is in possession of the black book. Through his close call with it, Sinestro learns of the guardians plans to destroy the Green Lantern Corps and create a new army: a destructive one.  Sinestro seeks out Hal Jordan, his new slave, because he knows there's no way he can take this on himself.

This is definitely a good way to finish up the first story arc and lead into the conflicts with the Indigo tribe.  It's a clean stopping point for anyone who wants to jump ship and a strong enough cliffhanger for those who want to stay on the ride.  I have to say though, Carol always gets the short end of the stick.  Just when she thinks Hal is truly hers, another Lantern emergency rips him away.

The saying, "Be careful what you wish for," comes startlingly to life with this issue.  For months I have been complaining about Doug Mahnke's artwork in this book and hoping for the illustrations to change.  Well, I guess I got my wish.  Guest artist Mike Choi lends his skills to this issue with some pros and cons. Choi is certainly an artist of a different caliber. His Sinestro is so much less pedophile that it's comforting. I enjoy looking at Sinestro now and not in some sick sexual way.  Choi makes enough of an effort to be more like Alex Ross, bordering on a soft-focus realism, in his art, and succeeds pretty well in his close-ups.

However his full body panels tell a different story.  While his Hal Jordan no longer resembles a low-budget transvestite, the characters come across more like Archie throwbacks. It's almost as if they are one step away from Tiny Titans.

I'm not sure if Mike Choi comes from a background of undead books, but his characters seem to all have fangs.  This is slightly disconcerting when you enter super-hero world.  I expect to see it in my movies, books and tv, but not when I come to Coast City.

Up Next: The Indigos

"Tor lorek san, bor nakka mur,

Natromo faan tornek wot ur.

Ter Lantern ker lo Abin Sur,

Taan lek lek nok--Formorrow Sur!"

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

Being Human Recaps on FBOTU

Being Human is like a Real World: Boston for sexy supernaturals. 

While Green Lantern and comics are what I love to read, my time is also taken up tremendously by other aspects of sci-fi, music, entertainment, etc.  I'm not just a one-trick pony.

For about a month now, I've been writing recaps on a show called Being Human for a website called Fanboys of the Universe.

Read my recaps HERE. 

Being Human is a show about a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost who live together and try to live "normal" lives, just like other humans.  It sounds a bit hokey, but is a ton of fun.  Originating as a BBC series, the Syfy channel picked up the idea for the US and has been taking it in awesome directions.

Fanboys of the Universe is a great site for people like me: gay guys who love all things sci-fi.

Hopefully, I'll start expanding my blog to include more of my other eclectic interests.  May this be the first of many.

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All images are copyright the Syfy Channel and are used with permission under guidelines of Acceptable Fair Use.

Review: Green Lantern #5

Since I'm in some severe catch-up mode, you may be seeing a string of these today.  Thank goodness for holiday weekends.

New GL Comic Book Reviews!

SPOILER ALERT: The following reviews contain them. 

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Green Lantern #5

When we last left off, Sinestro had created lantern rings for the citizens of Korugar who immediately turned on him.  No surprise there.  The Sinestro Corps he created had tortured and enslaved them.  They felt betrayed.

But finding their rings can do no harm to their creator, instead they band together to rid Korugar of the Sinestro Corps members enslaving the planet. Sinestro uses his new corps as bait while he and Hal head to deactivate the yellow battery.  What a bold and brave move. Save yourself at any expense.  That should win their trust.  Speaking of not winning trust, in the end, Sinestro goes back on his word and sends Hal back to earth with no lantern powers.

The whole issue is a bit Hallmark Channel.  Sinestro begs Arsona to understand and forgive him as he was only trying to protect the world he loves.  While they appreciate what he did this time, she says she will never forgive him and he is never welcome back on Korugar.  He leaves them with the promis that he will seek out and defeat the remaining Sinestro Corps members so Korugar will stay safe.

Upon returning to Earth, Hal realized his need for the ring was an addiction and it kept him from truly loving Carol.  Without his powers, he is dedicating his life to her and her alone.  Seriously, I did throw up in my mouth a little.

While Mahnke's art not getting any better for me (of course taste is relative), it is getting more tolerable. I've resigned to the fact that Sinestro will always look like a pedo as long as Mahnke is around and Hal will always look like a reject from RuPaul's Drag Race.  I must accept it and move on.

Now I can have issue with character decision-making.  What's with all these fat blobby villains that seem to keep popping up in DC books? 

This New 52 storyline really make you hate the guardians, no matter what incarnation of the series you read.  Where old and faithful fans know them as beings invested in protecting the universe, this time around, they are nothing but selfish, fiendish, conniving creatures bent on their own gain. They want to get any obstacles out of their way and make no question that Hal is too powerful and he had to be gotten out of the way.

The next most powerful force that could oppose them is the Sinestro Corps.  They're on their way out too.  Luckily Sinestro only put them in a coma and can still reactivate them when he needs to.  I have a feeling they won't be dormant for long.

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

Star Sapphire Saturday: Doom Meeting of the Minds

I must admit, it has been a while. I'm hoping this will make up for it.

Star Sapphire Saturday!

So, tomorrow Justice League: Doom is available for download on XBox and PS3, and it is officially released next Tuesday for Blu-ray and other media types.  I will be buying my copy.

In the meantime, I was browsing the interwebs and while there are several pirated YouTube copies of the film in its entirety, I avoided them.  I want my virgin experience to be on the big screen in my darkened living room.

HOWEVER, I came across this one clip which teased my SS desires.  Enjoy!

Love conquers all with violet light!