ZATANNA #1 #2 #3 Review

RATING 4 out 5 

I love it when a story exceeds my expectations.  Zatanna, by writer Paul Dini ...is wonderful, and I can't wait to get into the next storyline.

REVIEW some SPOILERS
   
I actually didn't know what to expect. I've not read any other Zatanna comic (I'm not sure if there are any), and  what I know of her character... is from her interaction with the rest of the DC universe, specifically Batman and the Justice League.

The first thing I noticed...in this series, was that Zatanna was...um ..bigger... in certain areas... than I.. remember.  It was like whoa... "Za...Tan ..Na, PUT those away before you put a eye out."

There were some serious[smile]  discussions on forums, pertaining to, if she exceeded the norm, or not.  I had to go to the resident expert...my husband.  He confirmed, without biased, that Zatanna has had those... large ...boots... since she was first introduced.  Lets just face it, some people are just ...jealous... of other people's well drawn... boots.[wink]

Getting pass the discussions on attire ...and onto the story, Paul Dini is a story-telling expert. 

 In the first issue, he does a setup of the characters that surround Zatanna, without being a boring recite.   He gets us emotionally vested in these new characters, from Zatanna's crew on her magic show, to the Detective who is investigating a bizarre crime.  Dini also gives us a truly evil bad guy, called Brother Night. "He wants to expand his crime empire to include the human world."

Having Zatanna on his heals, Brother Blood sends a demon named Fuseli.
Fuseli travels by dream to dream causing each dreamer to have nightmares, using their insecurities against them, until he lands into Zatanna's dreamworld. He is one nasty little meanie.


The third issue is the final showdown between Zatanna and  Brother Night with his underlings, Ronalithi (Transforms victims by touch), Ember(Buns up victims), and Teddy (likes to share his pets). Dini really knows his characters, and the ending is great.

I highly suggest these issues for a fun read.  I love the teasing art, of the sexy sorceress, and  I can't wait to see her in action in the next issue.

ZATANNA:
Issue 1 title: there's no title shown.
Issue 2 title: Fuseli's Nightmare
Issue 3 title: Night on Devil Mountain
Writer : Paul Dini
Penciller: Stephane Roux
Inker: Karl Story/Stephane Roux
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Colorist: John Kalisz

Publisher: DC Comics
Jul Aug Sep 2010

NEXT ISSUES

ISSUE 4:
Intel from DC website

Zatanna loves Vegas, and Vegas loves her – but should Zee be wary of the attentions of a handsome, well-connected casino owner? She can hold her own against the most ridiculous Royal Flush Gang ever assembled, and she can just about cope with her cousin Zachary's immature antics, but she'd better watch out for the sultry fire demons that are hot on her heels!

ISSUE 5:
Intel from DC website

Zatanna and her cousin Zachary might have their differences – okay, they drive each other crazy – but if they don't stick together, they'll be taken to the cleaners by one of Hell's most powerful demons! He's betting it all on a chance to claim Zatanna's soul, and in Vegas, the house always wins!

ISSUE 6:
Intel from DC website

Zatanna has been taken captive by the demon who intends to steal her soul – and it's up to her playboy gadabout of a cousin, Zach Zatara, to free her!

The TPB is not out till March 2011

ADVENTURE COMICS # 516 Review

RATING 2 out of 5

SPOILERS FOR THE STORIES

Feature story>
Superboy and the LEGION of super-Heroes: The early years:
Brande Speaks
This is a re-telling of how R J Brande became R J Brande.  Mostly captions by R J Brande. I didn't know that much about R J, now I know more then I wanted. Yawn...
It is... a complete story in this one issue.
Co Feature>
The Atom: Nucleus: Part 1 
 Title: Splitting the Atom
This is a continuation from The Atom: Brightest Day special(One shot, ah ha hahahahah)  featuring Ray Palmer as The Atom. Only 8 pages.

Mostly Captions.... again.  The color of the captions makes it hard to read.  The Atom's father is in the hospital, without much hope of recovery. He knows that someone is after him, and he finds the guy that was hired to do the planning, "The Calculator." (This contradicts what happened in the Batgirl 12 where Calculator was put out of the way  for awhile.) It has a cliff hanger continuation into the next Adventure Comics #517, but I'm not on the edge of my seat.  It was a meh... kind of a story. Maybe if there were more pages to give more story to it,  or maybe I'm just tired of seeing Calculator... but I'm not interested in the story.



Adventure Comics #516 Credits:

Feature Title: BRANDE SPEAKS
Writer: Paul Levitz
Penciller: Kevin Sharpe
Inker: Marlo Alquiza
Letterer: Travis lanham
Colorist :Blond
Cover : Scott Clark and David Beaty


Co-Feature: The Atom: Nucleus  part 1 Splitting the Atom
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Penciller: Mahmud Asrar
Inker: John Del
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Colorist: Pete Pantazis

BATGIRL RISING TPB :Review BATGIRL #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 2009

RATING 4.5 out of 5

This series just gets better and better with every issue. Stephanie Brown, as the new Batgirl, was the best move that DC has made in a long time. The series reminds me so...much of the original Batgirl, when she first appeared in the comics.  Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, wasn't always confident, and sometimes acted before she thought, and her detective skills increased as time went along, but most important she had excitement for what she was doing. I see all these things when I read the new Batgirl with Stephanie Brown. This storyline is complete within the TPB of issues 1-7, but I have a feeling, that once you  read it, you will be as hooked as I am with this series and want more.

Full Review, some Spoilers:

When this series started, the Batfans didn't like Stephanie Browns character for the choice of Batgirl, and was critical of everything.  I wasn't a fan of Steph's either, but I thought I'd gave the series a try.  The first two issues were building on Stephanie and the interaction with Oracle, Barbara Gordon who was the original Batgirl, they were solid issues but didn't "wow" me.
 The third issue..., Oh it hooked me, and.... I'm convinced that Stephanie was the perfect choice. 

The title, Batgirl Rising,  does rightly describe these issues. It is a uplifting story of an underdog becoming the hero.



 To help with the enjoyment for the series it might help to know about...

SPOILER, but it's not necessary.  If you already know about Spoiler you can skip this paragraph.

 Before this series, Stephanie was a crime fighter called Spoiler (picture on the cover to the right).  Her father was a bad guy called The Cluemaster. She got the name Spoiler because she would spoil her fathers plans. Every time her father escaped from prison, she would don the costume, and find ways to help police, and Robin, to capture him.  She decided she liked being a heroine and started following Robin around. 

Several adventures followed:

She had a baby that she gave up for adoption, 

She trained with Batgirl(Cassandra Cain) and with Batman,

She became Robin when Tim Drake quit.

She was raped and tortured by Black Mask and Dr Leslie Tompkins faked her death,

She came back sometime later as Spoiler and under Batman's orders helped the villains of Gotham make Tim a better Robin, 

Tim felt he couldn't trust her anymore and Ordered her to never put on the Spoiler costume again.  

This is where you start in issue #1, Stephanie is seen in the Cassandra Cain's  Batgirl costume.  In a really nice flashback, Cassandra Cain as Batgirl, fights side by side with Spoiler against some Bad guys.    Steph admits she shouldn't be in the Spoiler costume because of a promise.  Cass says, "That symbol...his crest, his fight, I fought for HIM. But no more. Now the fight is yours."  Then Cass disappears leaving behind the Batgirl costume.  

Oracle, Barbara Gordan, is also doing her own soul searching. She has a lot of pent up anger because she will never walk again.  Her father says, "It's like you don't want to be Happy." 

Batman/Dick Grayson, gives her a call, and tells her of seeing Stephanie wearing the Batgirl costume.  When Steph sees Barbara in her kitchen, she knows it's not good.  Barbara is pissed that Stephanie would dare ...wear that costume, with the Batgirl name, her Batgirl name.

In issue 2, a confrontation in the kitchen, and later in the issue Barbara has a caption, “And just like that, I suddenly realize I’m trying to break her on purpose.  And so does she.”

In issue 3, (the issue that converted me) it all comes together, in a scene where Scarecrow has Stephenie beaten and broken on the floor.  She pulls herself up, and turns the tables on Scarecrow and by the end of it, I'm crying, and Barbara's crying, because she was monitoring Batgirl from the Batcave, and Stephanie has earned being called Batgirl.  At the end of the issue Barbara has a new Batgirl suit to give  to Stephanie.

In issue 4, Barb and Steph start working together as a team, instead of against each other, becoming friends.

Issue 5,6,7.... I'll just sum these up...because I don't want to spoil everything, but Stephanie proves herself to Batman/Dick Grayson and Robin/Damian as they go up against Roulette. The interaction in these three issues is awesome.  A panel from issue 5 is to the right, and shows the confrontation between Dick and Barbara,  BUT by the end of issue 7, there is another misty eyed moment  as Barbara and Dick reconcile. Damian is his typical bratty self,  these issues are really fun.

I highly recommend these issues, or the TPB.  They are great and they leave you with a uplifting feeling, and a reason to shout, "Yea! You ...Go... Girl!









BATGIRL: Issues 1-7
TPB Title: Batgirl Rising 
Issues Title:
1-3: Point of New Origin
4: Field Test
5-7: Core Requirements
Writer:Bryan Q. Miller
Pencillers: Tim Levins & Trevor Scott & Lee Garbett
Inker: Trevor Scott, Dan Davis, Aaron Sowd, Sandra Hope, & Oliver Nome
Colorist: Guy Major
Letterer: John J Hill
Covers: Phil Moto

Publisher: DC Comics
2009-2010






 
 

BRIGHTEST DAY: THE ATOM SPECIAL 2010 Review

RATING 2.5 out of 5

Why does this issue have the Brightest Day banner? Why is called a One Shot? Why... oh why... does this issue have "Special" in the  title? This story continues in Adventure comics #516 as a.... C0-Feature, if it wasn't just a co-feature, I wouldn't buy AC 516 after reading this issue.

Full Review:

This story gets mired down in the past history of how Ray Palmer became the Atom, and not even creatively told. It has lots of captions(in a color blend that is hard to focus on).

It did show Ray Palmer being a better fighter then Ryan Choi.  If Ryan had fought like Ray,  Deathstoke (and company) wouldn't have touched him. I agree with other posters that it would have been nice if Ray had at least acknowledge Ryan's death, but who knows where in the time line this issue is supposedly happening.

I'm  having trouble with DC putting the Brightest Day banner on this issue, because Ray wasn't resurrected. He never died. He became a Indigo tribesman, but that was not mentioned or even hinted at in this issue.


Anyway... in this issue The Atom finds a mystery about his uncle, who he had idolized as a child, and thought was dead. 


BRIGHTEST DAY: THE ATOM SPECIAL
Writter: Jeff Lemire
Penciller: mahmud Asrar
Inker: John Dell
Colorist: Pete Pantazis
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Cover: Gary Frank and Brad Anderson

BATMAN ODYSSEY #1 Review

RATING 3.9 out of 5

Neal Adams...what else do I need to say?
Awesome Neal Adams... also comes to mind.
This is a twelve issue storyline. I love this first issue and hope the others live up to my expectations.

FULL REVIEW some Spoilers

When  reading this issue, you've got to think YOUNG.  Bruce Wayne is so...so...Young.  He reminds me of how Nightwing use to be, except a little more serious and more focused.  Those first few pages is a reflection to back when he first tried the Bat costume, and it is a story that he is recounting to Robin (Dick Grayson), so he is even younger.




Neal Adams addresses Batman carrying a gun, right in the beginning of the issue.  Why wouldn't Batman carry a gun, so many other crimefighters,  from The Phantom to the Lone Ranger... have chosen the gun.  A gun surely would be more efficient... then a boomerang, and Bruce being the smart man that he is, has to see that.

In the story, before the fight, Bruce has serious doubts about the costume, but the gun he didn't have any doubts about, and the gun was the first thing he pulled out to use.  When he confronted the bad guys,  the costume worked, it terrified and confused them.  The Bat costume needed adjustments to make sure it stayed on, but nevertheless worked. The batarang test model number 37, also worked "like a charm."



The gun? It was in the way.  Bruce says, "...now I have to climb with one hand...stupid."
...and when it was needed the most, when there was a train full of lives at stake, when his life was at stake, when his identity was at stake..., he couldn't pull the trigger... to kill the one life that was a threat to so many.  The gun was useless.   As the under cover agent in the story said, "You should not pretend to be what you are not... You are not a killer."

The rest of the issue reminds me a little of All Star Batman and Robin, without the crudeness and the harsh craziness.  Batman is trying to teach Robin, to become better, to out think their opponent, the Riddler.  Kirk Langstrom as Man-Bat is trying to warn Batman of something but can't seem to get it across.
There is a mystery that started on the train, yet at this point, Bruce has no ideal what the mystery was, or that it would cause his world to come crashing down.

My favorite parts of the issue .. were the Gadgets. I love gadgets, especially the four wheeled kind... that is ..the sleek...Fast... sexy...and ...cool four wheeled kind.  Yes ...I'm a girl...and it's all about...the car ... and I wouldn't be caught dead in the current flying reverse ladybug, but this one...um um um...mama like.  This one flies too..AND turns into a boat, but with style.
BUT I wouldn't mind if it was just... a little bigger.


I really enjoyed this issue and highly recommend it. I hope the rest doesn't disappoint...What am I talking about? This is NEAL ADAMS...the AWESOME NEAL ADAMS.





PS:
Note that the Blue Narrator Dialog is in current time with the first page, and is a recount of what is happening in the whole issue, it is not Bruce's thoughts during the story.  It is recounting about the time he told Dick, as a child, about the Train car.  So this Narrator Dialog is not part of the story, even when it looks like the story is back to current day where Bruce and Dick take off to get Riddler.  It is still coming from Bruce's recount from the first page.


Questions came up on the forum on Man-bat and I thought I would help with answers and maybe the enjoyment of the book.

Why did Man-bat have access to the cave?
Man-Bat was created by Neal Adams and Frank Robbins, it really shouldn't be a surprise to see him in the  mini.
Man-Bat use to have access to the cave, in the good ol' days, and knew Bruce's identity. In bat form the sensors see him as just another bat so the security measures don't activate. He is also a member of the support of the Bat-Family network.
Also... another reason for him to be there is that Bruce asked him to analyze something. Bruce asks, "Have you verified my suspicions Kirk?"
When Man-Bat is in human form he is Kirk Langstrom a brilliant scientist (he developed the bat-serum), in which, and at times, Batman  relies on his expertise. This is not the first time that Bruce has asked for his expert advise. Unfortunately Kirk is not nearly as smart in Bat-form.

Who is the big Man-bat with the earrings? I don't know. But since he is a BAT the sensors won't detect him either.


BATMAN ODYSSEY Part One.
Writter: NEAL ADAMS
Penciller: NEAL ADAMS
Inking: Neal Adams with
Inking Associate pp 19 and 20: Michael Golden
Color: Continuity Studios
Letters: Rob Leigh

Publisher: DC Comics
Sep 2010


WHAT'S NEXT

BATMAN ODYSSEY Part 2
Intel from DCcomics.com >

The Caped Crusader slowly but surely loses control. A dark presence lurking in the background begins pulling Bruce's strings...who is responsible? This second chapter is a tour de force of action as the greatest crime fighter on earth displays his vicious combat skills. What else can you expect? Adams's art at its best!

BATMAN ODYSSEY  Part 3

Intel from DCcomics.com >

In the third chapter of Adams's epic Batman tale, Bruce Wayne and Alfred strategize the next steps on The Dark Knight's odyssey…but appearances by both The Riddler and Talia al Ghul might spoil their plans!

BATMAN ODYSSEY  Part 4
Intel from DCcomics.com >

The fourth chapter of Neal Adams' epic Batman tale sees Bruce Wayne confronted with a terrible moment that harks back to his origin. Will this shocking episode derail Batman from his Odyssey? Guest-starring Aquaman, Deadman, Talia and Man-Bat! 

SECRET SIX #23 review

RATING 4 out 5

I was a little leery that Gail Simone wasn't writing the script for Secret Six #23, but she should be proud... because John Ostrander was able to deliver, and in one issue too. Yes.... a story...all contained...in one issue (...hear William Shatner in my voice?).  It's unbelievable that DC actually makes those anymore.

FULL REVIEW Some Spoilers.

Did I say "Delivery"? or was that "Carry Out"?
What I meant to say is Ostrander "Handed Out" a Whuppn'.

For the first few pages of the issue, I was a little put off, because I didn't know what was going on.  Yeah...I was slow on the up take, but once I got to the main Secret Six, it was smooth sailing.  Ostrander really knows the voices of the Secret Six, he had them all down pat.  I didn't care much for the art, but it didn't detract from the story.

The Bad Guys were wealthy nerds that wanted to have a little fun at the Secret Six's expense.  They just wanted to play tag using bullets..., that's all..., what could be the problem with that... he he he.

I actually think "the bad guys" would have a better chance if they had fought the six together, rather then separate them. They are more balanced when they are together. Instead of the really... unbalanced individuals that they are capable of being.


OKAY...Everybody SING!
WHat do we Do with a BENdy sailor, WHAT do We do with a BENdy sailor, whAT do wE do with aH benDY sailor..., Earl-y in the Morning!

SECRET SIX #23
Title: Predators
Writer: John Ostrander
Penciller: RB Silva
Inker: Alandre Palamaro
Colorist: Jason Wright
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover: Daneil Luvisi
Publisher: DC Comics
Sep 2010

BATMAN: THE DESTROYER: Batman 474 Legends of the Dark Knight 27 Detective 641

RATING 3.5 out 5

I was doing a little research into Solomon Wayne, and pulled these three issues out of my boxes.  Some interesting points are in these issues to be made about Solomon Wayne AND the buildings of Gotham City, so I decided to share my findings.  They were written by Alan Grant and Dennis O'Nell, who made a entertaining and interesting story.

Grant Morrison may have gotten the ideal for the panels on the right from these issues. These panels are part of the RIP storyline where Batman fights the devil.
Batman 679 (Batman/Zur-en-arrh hallucinating and seeing Gotham City as a grid that created Batman, the talking gargoyles were a nice touch)



This is not a review as munch pointing out some interesting points in the story.

There are SPOILERS for the story "The Destroyer"

PART 1: Batman 474: Title: A Tale of Two Cities
This first issue is setup for the rest of the story, with Batman's, Bruce Wayne's, detective work on what is happening.

After solving the crime of a Art forgery, Batman finds the answers to another crime in which someone is expertly demolishing whole buildings.  He sees that the old architecture of older buildings are revealed after the more modern yet run down buildings are demolished. He comes to the improbable conclusion that the crime was being done for Art.

Looking at the background of the overs you can see some of the architecture that was revealed.


Batman goes to the Wayne Foundation to look up the architectural histories that are too old to be in any computer records. 

PART  2: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 27: Title: Solomon

This issue is where most of the background information on Solomon and the buildings of Gotham is contained.

At the Wayne Foundation, Batman finds files that show the beginnings of  Gotham into a City, back during the Civil War Era.

Batman says;

"Judge Solomon Z Wayne, my great great grandfather...with a Harvard degree, and appointment of the judgeship and a reputation for cussedness."

Judge Solomon Wayne carried a Law book in one hand and a Bible in another. See the page below, and you can get a taste of  Solomon's nature.

Solomon was a true ...Bible Thumper... and a Whumper.
Solomon said,  "The bible and the Laws of the land--Between them, they leave no problem unsolved."  

Solomon  meets Cyrus Pinkney, the guy in glasses.  Cyrus is a architect and Solomon asks him about his sketches.  After seeing the sketches, Solomon sees them as his life's calling to bring Gotham up to parallel other great cities.

Solomon  makes a speech to the property holder's association;
"For what is a city, gentlemen? A Sanctuary! A stronghold! A fortress! A bulwark against the godlessness of the wilds..."

Most of others who looked at the sketches saw the architecture as ugly, and once it was built, the world agreed that they were ugly.


After returning to the Batcave, Bruce uses the Bat-computer to access private military records, while commenting that "Solomon Wayne would have me Hung" for doing something illegal.
Batman finds a ex- navy seal, Andre Sinclair, to be the likely suspect.

This issue shows Andre Sinclair looking at a modern building.   Captions  read; "Evil. A Devil's Building,"  because it is blocking one of Pinkney's designs.

Bruce visits Dean Freeberg of the Gotham State institute of Architecture and asks him about Sinclair.
Dean Freeberg said, "...he had some kind of mystical experience while he was with the military in asia. Says he realized that, the buildings, are what keep the demons at bay..."


There is an extra chapter in the back of part 2:Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 27:
Handcarts and Hellholes: A Brief History of Gotham City by Dennis O'Nell.
This mentions that Judge Solomon Zebediah Wayne started a dozen businesses including Gotham Buggy Whip Works. He became Gotham's leading citizen and its most Prosperous, and died at 104 years old.


He writes to a uncle in Boston,  "...Indeed, at times I feel that Evil seeps into our precincts from the areas of Godless Nature which surround us, That the Dark One rides the winds that waft through our lanes from the corruption of the woodlands, depositing lodes of Malice in our eaves and crannies."

On his death bed Solomon said, "I wished to lock evil out of men's neighborhoods and hearts. I fear that instead I have given it the means to be locked in."

 Part 3: Detective 641: Title: A Dream Is Forever

The building that Sinclair was looking at was the Gotham Police Department. It is not a abandoned building like the others that were demolished.  It is packed with people. Who can save the day?!

Anyway... back to Pinkney.
Sinclair finds Pinkney's original notes.
Sinclair says;

"Pinkney was inspired by his religious beliefs. He saw Gotham as a organic whole-- Almost as a living being that would itself fight against Evil" 

 Below is the splash page at the end of the issue.
The captions read:

Cyrus Pinkney's Gotham... Gargolyes to frighten people onto the path of righteousness.  Rounded Edges to Confuse the malevolent beings. Thick walls to lock in virtue.

BATMAN : THE DESTROYER
I don't believe that these are collected  in a TPB, as yet.


Part 1: Batman 474: Title: A Tale of Two Cities
Script: Alan Grant
Art:Norm Breyfogle
Colors:Adriene Roy
Leters: Todd Klein
Editor: Dennis O'Neal
Published: Feb 1992

Part 2: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 27: Title: Solomon
Writer: Denny O'Neil
Pencils: Chris Sprouse
Inks: Bruce Patterson
Letters: John Costanza
Colors: Steve Oliff
Editor: Archie Goodwin
Pinkey Buildings Design: Anton Furst
Published: Feb 1992

Part 3: Detective 641: Title: A Dream Is Forever
Writter: Alan Grant
Pencils: Jim Aparo
Inks: Mike Decarlo
Colors: Adrienne Roy
Letters: John Costanza
Editor: Dennis O'Nell
Published: Feb 1992


Publisher: DC Comics

WONDER WOMAN #600 REVIEW

RATING: 2.9 out of 5

The only thing that I liked about the issue were the pin up posters, because they gave me a walk through memory lane, which made the issue worth the price.  The stories, seemed really lack luster..., at best.

FULL REVIEW: Some Spoilers

This was  a milestone issue, and with the caliber of talent that was involved,  this..is... all... they can come up with.  This book should have knocked my socks off, but didn't, and I was disappointed.  If these creators were within reach when I read it, I would have flipped the back of their heads. 

They had one of the most gorgeous, sexy, SMART, powerful, exotic, independent, and recognizable W-O-M-A-N in comics, or the world, and I thought this was the most pitiful bunch of stories to be put in a Milestone issue.

I'm a woman, a married mother of three, and when I was a kid, I looked up to Wonder Woman.  I had a Wonder Woman doll. I absolutely loved that doll, because I felt more in tune with that doll, then I did with any of my Barbies.  Wonder Woman stood STRONG in a man's world and I wanted to be just... like... her.  

I've learned from her that I could take care of myself as a woman.  I didn't need a man to make me feel pretty, or to take care of me, or to make me happy, or to succeed as a woman.

I love my husband, and I love men (especially nicely drawn men).  I like being treated like a lady and being put on a pedestal, BUT I've learned from Wonder Woman... that I can make that damn... pedestal myself.  I don't need someone else to do things for me, and I've learned to accept.. nothing less... then to be treated as I should be treated, with respect.

The first story, Valedictorian, by Gail Simone, was great in the beginning with Wonder Woman leading a team in battle, but then I realized it was a all female team. Yes, I understood that the story premise was that the men couldn't be involved, but I felt that the whole ideal was placating to male readers, who think that the only time a woman can be in charge is when it is a female only group, AND what do they fight, Fembots.  Fembots being the villains, on top of it being a all girl team... pissed me off. 

Then Simone's story just got worse because it became boring.  Wonder Woman was being idealized by the other heroines in the group, who looked up at her with googly eyes, which didn't describe those individual characters very well.  Gail Simone is one of my favorite writers, and it pains me to say this,  but this sucked for a Wonder Woman story in a Milestone issue, or any issue.

The second story, Fuzzy Logic,  by Amanda Conner, was amusing, and Power Girl was at least able to talk to her as equals, but the subject matter of a... cat, that had problems, was a little lame.  I didn't know Wonder Woman ever had a cat to even be able to help Power Girl with hers. This would be a good story as a co-feature to a regular issue. But for a Milestone issue? not so much.

At least Wonder Woman,...who can't lead men, ...or fight men in the previous story with Simone, has another talent given to her by Conner... Everyone needs a back up plan.  She can give advice on ...pets, kind of ah "Pet Whisperer".  Perhaps Bruce can ask Diana about his dog,  Ace, when he chews the furniture or chews Robin's homework.

The third story, Firepower, by Louise Simonson, was a better fit for a Milestone #600 issue.  In this story, Wonder Woman stands on the same level as Superman.  They are fighting together as partners and as equals. She saved the pilots of the plane, who were grateful to be alive, and Superman saved a arm load of stewardesses(that did make me smile).  The story showed that Superman, a man, and colleague, had a lot of respect for her.  It was a charming read.

 The fourth story, 

The Sensational Wonder Woman, by Geoff Johns, was really a good story, but there needed to be more of it. 

It seemed rushed, and I guess it was because it was a lead into J.Michael Straczynski's story, ODYSSEY.  The last  line in John's story was "Let the ODYSSEY of Wonder Woman BEGIN." but his story was the only story in the book that made me want more, even though it wasn't meant to be more then it was.

The last section of the issue, ODYSSEY: Prologue: Couture Shock, by J. Michael Straczynski.

I guess the title has something to do with the makeover/redesign of Wonder Woman. 

Couture means custom clothing, or hand made clothing, or the redesign of the outside wrapper not changing the inside, which all could describe what  DC and Straczynski is trying to do with Wonder Woman.

The prologue was okay, until she was shown trudging through a sewer drain(EeeeU) with the stoic bald headed ladies dressed in gray, who were a little creepy. 

Then we meet, who I've termed "Chatty Cathy", or who Straczynski calls "Oracle".  I think she is Athena, but at this point, I'm really not interested and he's lost me as a reader. 

BUT.... I've got to say that I'm a fan of the TV series  Babylon 5, which was largely written by Straczynski,  and even though that first movie that started the Babylon 5 series, was bone braking boring, the TV series itself was awesome, so I may check in later on this story to see what's going on.

So there you have it, the MILESTONE issue, feels like a pebble in your shoe.

ACTION COMICS # 890 Review - Blackest Night: AFTERMATH Part 1 of SUPERMAN: THE BLACK RING

Rating: 3.3 out of 5

This story was very intriguing and I enjoyed reading it.  I'm not sure how many issues are involved in the whole story line, but the writer, Paul Cornell,  is on the series at least through #894. With 40 pages a story, he should be able to give us something good.

FULL REVIEW, Some spoilers 

< This is one of those times that the Regular cover is better then the Variant.

This is also one of the times where the story is better then the art work, and carries the book. Not that the art was bad, but it wasn't the grandiose stuff that has been coming out.  For the most part the art fit well with the story.
For 40 pages the issue passed quickly and was entertaining.  The writer, Paul Cornell, has written several Doctor Who novels, so ... he is no stranger to writing a entertaining story with interesting characters.

I'm not normally the type to like stories that have only the second bananas in it, and Lex Luther is not... my favorite bad guy, so I'm a  little... trepidatious  about the future issues in the story, but I'm intrigued enough to WANT more, which is true to form for the story.

During the Dc Comics Blackest Night mega event, Lex Luther wore the Orange Lantern ring of Avarice, extreme greed. Now that the ring is no longer on his finger, he still has the extreme greed.  He has always been greedy so whats the difference, he used to have  the ability to wait in order to obtain something that one wants.  

The  wanting ...and longing... that he has now, takes precedence over everything.   

He is already wealthy, so the extreme that he craves the most is power (nothing new). Specifically, he wants the power that a Lantern ring will provide. Why is he interested in the Black Lantern Rings? They all disappeared... didn't they? Because he is a smart man, and he knows that they are not totally gone.  All those rings and all that power for the taking.

It has the banner of Blackest Night: AFTERMATH  and looks like it could be a really sweet ride to read.

ACTION COMICS #890
Banner: Blackest Night : AFTERMATH
Title: The Black Ring - Part One
Writer: Paul Cornell
Artist: Pete Woods
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Cover: David Finch, Joe Weems & Peter Steigerwald
Variant Cover: Finch & Steigerwald

Publisher: DC comics
August 2010

WHAT'S NEXT IN THIS STORY

 ACTION COMICS #891

Intel from DC

When Lex Luthor finally regained control of LexCorp, he thought he had everything he wanted. But in BLACKEST NIGHT, he briefly became an Orange Lantern and got a taste of true power. Now he'll do anything – anything – to get that power back. Buckle in for a greatest hits tour of the DCU's most wanted as Lex Luthor begins an epic quest for power, all brought to you by new ongoing writer Paul Cornell (Dr. Who, Captain Britain and MI-13) and artist Pete Woods (WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON), with covers by David Finch (BRIGHTEST DAY, Ultimatum)!

ACTION COMICS  # 892

Intel from DC

Lex Luthor's all-consuming quest for power leads him straight into conflict with Deathstroke, the Terminator! What happens when the DCU's most ingenious mastermind meets its most lethal killer? We don't know, but it's sure gonna be fun finding out …

This issue also features a new Superboy story by Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and Pier Gallo (ADVENTURE COMICS) – the creative team of the upcoming new SUPERBOY ongoing series!

ACTION COMICS #893

Intel from DC

Lex Luthor is a pro at breaking man's laws, but when he leads a raid on one of Gorilla Grodd's bases and breaks The Law of the Jungle – "Don't Mess with Grodd" – can he make it out alive? Or will he become Grodd's latest meal?

Plus, this issue kicks off an exciting new co-feature starring Jimmy Olsen by up-and-comers Nick Spencer (Existence 3.0, Morning Glories) and R.B. Silva (SECRET SIX)! Get ready for an entirely different look at Metropolis – courtesy of Superman's pal!

ACTION COMICS  #894

Intel from DC

Link
ON the blog at DC










Coming in 2011 maybe January.
SUPERMAN: The BLACK RING HC
Writer: Paul Cornell
Artist: Pete Woods
Collects: ACTION COMICS #890-895
$19.99 US, 144 pages