Green Lantern #56

Green Lantern #56: Writer: GEOFF “I'm gonna party like it's 1959!” Johns. Pencils: Doug Mahnke.

Review: This issue begins with that strange little hooded character(the one who's been stealing the Entities)freeing Hector Hammond(he of the freakishly large head)to go after Hal Jordan. Hal is in Minnesota, where the town is having a Larfleeze problem(which is just about the worst type of problem I could possibly think of!). It seems that Larfleeze has taken up residence there, and has been writing a list to Santa Claus, since Larfleeze figures that Santa would bring him anything he wants. Hal tries to explain that Santa isn't real(unless you're reading this and you're under 7, in which case, he is!), before informing Larfleeze that his Orange Lantern Entity could be in danger. Larfleeze disregards that, since he had safely imprisoned his Entity in his Orange Lantern, and just as he says that, his Lantern is pulled away by Hector Hammond. Hal and Larfleeze join forces to rescue the Orange Lantern, but Hammond decides to just eat the thing. Well that's one way to make sure nobody can have it! This action frees the Greed entity, and it bonds with Hammond, granting Hammond vast powers, and ending this issue.

What I Thought: Hey, even though Larfleeze was prominent here, I liked this comic! If only the Brightest Day story was relegated to just this series... But that's neither here nor there I guess. The main story was pretty good, the back story with that weird little character, who's been collecting those Entities is interesting, it's like the real GEOFF Johns is still writing this, while some other, evil Bizarro GEOFF is writing everything else...

Score: 8 out of 10.Huh, and here I thought Hector Hammond couldn't get any uglier!

Red Hood: The Lost Days #3

Red Hood: The Lost Days #3: Writer: Judd Winick. Artist: Jeremy Haun.

Review: In this issue we find Jason Todd being trained by a German killer who was teaching Jason the types of fighting moves that he never learned from the Batman. While Jason is spending his time being beaten up and learning how to be a deadlier combatant, Talia Al Ghul is still trying to figure out what to do about Jason, since she had hidden him from her father, and couldn't return him to Batman. Meanwhile, after doing some sleuthing, Jason learns that the killer he was learning from was also involved with a child slavery ring. Deciding he could not allow this to continue, Jason waits for the killer's men to begin to take the children away, before ambushing the truck and freeing the kids. From there Jason returns to the compound to confront the killer and decides to take him on in hand to hand combat. This goes about as well as can be expected, with the killer getting the upper hand on Jason, until Jason reveals that he had poisoned the killer's drink earlier in the night, which leads to the killer collapsing and dying. Jason then burns the entire compound to the ground to erase any traces that he was there, and heads off to meet with Talia. Jason explains what he did, and rationalizes the death of the killer, which causes Talia to smile, as she remarks that Jason was finally learning.

What I Thought: Man, this mini is one of the front runners for best mini-series of the year! I've enjoyed each issue, this one included. You can see how Jason is slowly transforming from the sad, rage-filled kid he was when he first came back, to the cold and calculating character he was when he first ran into Batman as the Red Hood. The only real downside with this comic is the fact that there's only three issues left! If only we could get a Red Hood ongoing series...

Score: 9 out of 10.I bet that isn't the first time somebody called Jason a "little bastard"!

Picto-Review: Brightest Day #7

Brightest Day #7(of 2,000,983): Writer: GEOFF “I'm gonna party like it's 1959!” Johns & Peter Tomasi. Artists: Too many to mention.

This is the issue that basically reveals why the characters brought back at the end of Blackest Night have returned(besides that fact that GEOFFY wanted them back).

First off is Deadman, who is supposed to embrace life.


Then we have the Martian Manhunter who is supposed to become forest burning pyromaniac.


The Firestorms need to stop Black Lantern Firestorm, who inexplicably seems to still be around.


Hawkman can't allow “them” to leave Hawkworld...


...while Hawkgirl has to prevent Hath-Set from killing Hawkman.


Aquaman is ordered to find the new Aqualad.


As for the rest, Capt. Boomerang needs to throw a boomerang at Dove, Jade has to “balance the darkness”. Osiris has to save his sister, while Max Lord has to kill Magog. Reverse Flash doesn't have to do anything... And finally, Hawk has to prevent Dove from getting struck by Capt. Boomerang's boomerang. And that's pretty much that.


What I Thought: What a load of garbage! If you wonder why Marvel has been gaining more and more of the comic book market share, while DC has remained stagnant, look no further then this series... “Throw a boomerang”?!?! THAT'S why Capt. Boomerang was brought back to life?! And the Reverse Flash! He had accomplished his goal BEFORE Blackest Night EVEN took place, and yet he was brought back too! I mean give me a break! Yeah, yeah, I'm sure some people did enjoy this comic(I'm pretty sure my good friend JT did), but I was pretty much disgusted by the whole thing. “Embrace life”??? That's why Deadman was brought back to life?! Well whoop-dee-frigging-do! And why the hell is Black Lantern Firestorm even alive?! Sad. A few short months ago, DC was far and away my favorite comic company, but now? Make mine Marvel!

Score: 5 1/2 out of 10.

Shadowland #2

Shadowland #2: Writer: Andy Diggle. Pencils: Billy Tan.

Review: This issue gets underway with Moon Knight allowing himself to be “arrested” by Daredevil's Hand ninjas in order to see where the prisoners of the Hand were being held. Luke Cage and Iron Fist discuss DD's murder of Bullseye, and get a visit from legitimate business man(HA!!!), the Kingpin. Kingpin tells Cage and IF that he(like any innocent civilian)is concerned about DD's recent actions, and feels that somebody is going to have to take DD down, before he decides to spread from Hell's Kitchen. Black Tarantula goes to talk to DD about his murder of Bullseye, but DD doesn't feel the need to discuss his actions, and tells Tarantula as much. DD then sends Tarantula to put the word out that DD will tolerate NO interference from costumed heroes, and that if the heroes aren't with him, then he'll consider them against him. Back in Kingpin's building, using an ancient scroll that was procured by Lady Bullseye, Kingpin summons an old mystical foe of the Hand, who just happens to be Ghost Rider(!!!), and informs GR of what the Hand and DD had been up to. Back in Hell's Kitchen, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Colleen Wing, Shang-Chi and Misty Knight arrive and ask for an audience with DD, which DD's lieutenant, White Tiger reluctantly grants them. The 5 heroes soon meet with DD, and are eventually joined by Spider-Man. The heroes try to shame DD by mentioning how he's been scoffing at the laws he once fought so hard to uphold as a lawyer, and just as it seems the heroes may be getting through to DD, Ghost Rider attacks the Shadowland compound, leading DD to believe the appearance of the heroes was a ruse to allow Ghost Rider a way in. This issue ends with DD ordering his Hand henchmen to take down the 6 heroes, dead or alive!

What I Thought: While this issue was a drop off from last issue, it wasn't a drop off by much! This was still a highly enjoyable comic, as the story, and all of the main players are slowly beginning to gather. Cage and Iron Fist have rallied some of their allies, Spider-Man has shown up, Moon Knight is plotting in the bowels of the Shadowland prison, and Ghost Rider is attacking the Hand on the behalf of Kingpin of all people! This was a bit of a set-up issue, but it was still an excellent read.

Score: 9 out of 10.I sure didn't see HIM appearing here!

Shadowland: Bullseye #1

Shadowland: Bullseye #1: Writer: John Layman. Pencils: Sean Chen.

Review: This comic tells the tale of a biker gang that believed that Bullseye had saved them from a rival gang(although in all actuality, Bullseye pretty much flipped a coin and decided to help the one gang over the other), and decide to hold a funeral for him. The gang kidnaps Ben Urich, so he can write a fluff piece about what a great man Bullseye was, a priest, to speak at the funeral, several tourists, to serve as mourners, and finally, Bullseye's corpse itself. On top of that, one of the people present at the “funeral” claims that he can see the ghost of Bullseye, and that it occasionally talks to him. Eventually Daredevil and his Hand ninjas get wind of what the biker gang was doing, and they crash the funeral and easily take down the inept gang members. This issue ends with the man who believed he could hear the ghost of Bullseye deciding to take on a full battalion of heavily armed cops at the behest of a smiling Bullseye.

What I Thought: Meh, this comic wasn't great, but it wasn't awful either. It was a prime example of a perfectly acceptable comic. A fine way to spend a couple of minutes, but not something you'd be thinking back on often. It also isn't key to the Shadowland story, but for a completest like myself, I was happy to read it.

Score: 7 out of 10.Am I the only one hoping for a Deadpool/Bullseye's Ghost team-up?

New Comic Day!

Hey there comic fans, it's Wednesday, so that means it's New Comic Day! Before I get to which new comics I picked up this week(as well as a few that came in the mail), I wanted to talk about the two Picto-Reviews I did recently. First off, thanks to those of you who read and commented on them, by and large, they seemed to be pretty well received. I also wanted to mention the name, “Picto-Review”... I just don't know how I feel about it... I mean, does it really give an indication as to what the post is about? Picto-Review sounds a bit vague to me. So I'll leave it up to you guys. Should I stick with the name Picto-Reviews, or should I begin to look for something else? As usual, any suggestions or comments are of course appreciated.

Okay, with that out of the way, let's get to the stuff I got from the comic shop today. I have to say, the owner of that place must really love me, 'cause I'm always leaving there with more then what's on my pull list! As always, if you want me to review them, let me know, and better yet, if you'd prefer a Picto-Review, let me know that as well. So without further ado, here's what I got; Brightest Day #7, JSA All-Stars #9, Red Hood: Lost Days #3, Secret Six #24, Avengers Prime #2, Hawkeye and Mockingbird #3, Shadowland #2, Young Allies #3, Shadowland: Bullseye #1, Captain America: Forever Allies #1, Superman Last Family of Krypton #1 and SHIELD #3(but I'm not reading this until I have the full mini). On the mail front, 5(!)DC comics came today, and they include, Green Lantern #56, Justice League of America #47, Wonder Woman #601, Gotham City Sirens #14 & Green Arrow #2. So throw me those requests, and I'll get on them probably come tomorrow or Friday. Oh, and before I go, I had to laugh at how this week's DC comics that cost $2.99 have the price prominently displayed near the title, while their $3.99 books still have the price hidden near the bar code! Ah DC... Why not put the price of ALL of your comics, not just the $2.99 ones at the top of the book? Funny stuff. Anyway, I'm off to do some studying, X out.

Picto-Review: Superman #701

I couldn't resist doing a Picto-Review for this comic, because it's going to be such an easy post to do! Don't believe me? Then read on true believer!

Superman #701: Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Pencils: Eddy Barrows

This issue begins with Superman deciding to take a stroll through Philadelphia. Why? Well, I guess we'll find out later on... Or will we???

After some walking Supes cleans out a storeroom and eats a Philly cheese steak.

Superman walked through the day and night...

Occasionally stopping to talk to some of the locals.

And as you can see, we end this issue with Superman walking out of Philadelphia. Now the question on everyone's mind is, which city will he walk through next???

What I Thought: Uh-huh... That was... what's the opposite of riveting? Because that's what this issue was. I mean, what exactly was the purpose of this? Usually I can read a comic and say, “Oh, this comic was about...” here, I had NO clue! Was Supes depressed over the destruction of New Krypton? Was he tired of Metropolis? Did he REALLY want a Philly cheese steak? I have no idea. All I know is that he walked through Philadelphia, stopped a few minor crimes and that's pretty much that. What a strange way for JMS to begin his Superman run, or should I say Superman walk? Ah-hahahah ugh.

Score: 5 out of 10.

Picto-Review: REBELS #18.

Hey wait, isn't it Sunday night? Doesn't that mean it's supposed to be time for the “Random Scan of the Week!”(copyright pending)? Don't worry, you haven't stumbled into some sort of Bizarro version of this blog where all of the posts are good and your humble blog editor isn't a blithering idiot. Nope, this is STILL the same blog you know and love(like? tolerate? loath?), the reviews are STILL crappy, and I'm STILL a blithering idiot, I'm just trying out something a bit different tonight. I'm going to review the latest issue of REBELS with pictures instead of words, which would explain the incredibly clever(and original!)title of this post. In a way this is all JT's fault... Yes, the very same JT of of the strangely captivating http://jasontoddscomicspot.blogspot.com/ (there I plugged your blog for you this time, JT!)was in a way the inspiration for this post... Sort of... Well, not really, but kind of. Anyway, JT made the mistake of asking me about Vril Dox and the Brainiac family on one of the posts on this blog, which led to a REALLY long-winded explanation(sort of like this intro...). After finishing up that comment, I started thinking about just how good REBELS #18 was, and how it really deserved a review, even if nobody would read it... But alas, I knew I didn't really have the time to do a long, boring post. It was then a brilliant(hey, I'm narrating this thing, so yes, brilliant!)idea struck me... Why not scan a few pages(no more then 7)from this comic and simply add a few captions? That wouldn't take up TOO much time(unlike this blasted intro!!!), plus I'd be able to say(to myself I guess...)that I did indeed give this comic the review it so deserved! And thus the Picto-Review was born. If this post is well-enough received then I'll try to post a few more Picto-Reviews. If not then I'll act like it never happened. I've become quite good at pretending things didn't happen... Anyway, I think that's MORE then enough of an introduction(and really, did this post even NEED an intro?), let's get on to the pretty, pretty pictures!

This issue gets underway with Lyrl Dox(son of REBELS/LEGION founder Vril Dox and grandson of Brainiac)telling his newest weapon, Pulsar Stargrave(that big star thing with the blue eye)the history of the Dox family tree.

Meanwhile, Vril brings Brainiac home to the planet Colu, where the elder Brainiac is looking forward to a lifetime spent as a drooling vegetable in penance for his MANY crimes.

After turning Brainiac over to his fellow Coluians, Vril decides to pay his “father” a final visit in order to do some good old-fashioned taunting before taking off.

Unfortunately for Vril, Brainiac isn't nearly so much a drooling vegetable as much as he is a very large, very angry super-villain. Before Vril can decide what to do about the fully coherent Brainiac, the entire planet is suddenly attacked by...

Pulsar Stargrave and Lyrl!

We end this issue with Brainiac breaking free of his bonds and deciding that 3 Brainiacs were two too many.

What I Thought: If you were able to make it through the introduction(and if you did, good for you!), I'm sure you could tell that I really enjoyed this comic. As a matter of fact, I'd call it the PERFECT jumping on point for new readers. The Brainiac history is plainly laid out, and all three generations of the Brainiac family wind up at each other's throats. This comic really had it all, some insanity from Lyrl, some evil from Brainiac, and some general jackassery from Vril. What more could you ask for? Oh yeah, there was also a back story in which Starfire decides to sleep with Capt. Comet, but only to take her mind off of how much she missed Dick Grayson, which seems to hit the love-struck Comet pretty hard, as you can see here:

And that's pretty much that. As always, comments are appreciated, since that's pretty much the only way I can tell if anybody liked this post. X out.

Score: 10 out of 10. Yup, that's right, a rare perfect score. Told you I liked this comic!