While not a spectacularly funny issue, Deadpool #16 was a solid and interesting read.  Deadpool is upset after not being allowed to be a X-Man.  The art was pretty good, but I have to admit not to caring too much for the cover.  Deadpool is getting crazier and crazier.  Deadpool fights a certain X-Force member from his past in this issue.  Deadpool also makes plans to off an X-Man's father.  Get ready for a crazy and fun and smart read!

Phil Hester...All I can say is wow.  I have not reviewed a comic in a long time, but after reading this issue I am going to start again.  Hester has made an intriguing beginning for a new story arc here.  I am very happy with Jackie's direction now going after host bodies of his enemy, The Sovereign.  I do have two complaints that kept this issue from being 5 stars: 1) While I do like the art by Hester in the interior of this issue...I spent many moments wishing the art inside was as good as the multiple covers...wow. 2) I think that the new villain, Scab, is lame and is not a viable challenge to Jackie...I am up for Hester proving me wrong.  Also, I do kind of like the Bog monster.  The violence inside was fun as well.  Give this series a try...again. :-)

The War between Neron, Lord Satanus, and Lady Blaze is over.  In my opinion, this was better, grander, and more relevant than Final Crisis.  I say this because there are actual repercussions.  There is only one leader of Hell and Purgatory now.  Things have changed in the normal world and the underworld.  This book has the death a character, many changes in roles for other characters, and a character I hate has become tolerable to me: Lobo.  There is mystery for Blue Devil and Black Alice.  There is a major battle between Lobo and Zatanna, Ragman, The Enchantress, Sargon, Ibis, and Dr Fate.  Check this series out and you will see what I mean.  Oh and what great crafting Keith Giffen and the awesome dark art of Tom Derencik.  The cover by Justiano is beautifully dark as well...the repurcussions I feel will be huge.

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This issue is part Rage of the Red Lanterns, Origins & Omens, and the upcoming Blackest Night and War of Light.  What a great issue written execellently by Geoff Johns and drawn beautifully by Ivan Reis! Hal Jordan, Green Lantern, is infected by the red ring and becomes a member of the Red Lanterns of rage after Sinestro kills Laira of the Red Lanterns.  It is cool to see Hal struggle not to kill Sinestro while under the influence of the red and this issue’s conclusion is cool with Hal, but the back-up makes it seem that it is easily reversible.  The Sinestro Corps, Red Lanterns, Blue Lanterns, and Green Lantern all battle here.  The Star Sapphires also gain a new member who was a member in the past.  Sinestro learns of Mongul’s taking over of the Sinestro Corps.  And there is a teaser of the new Orange Lanterns coming up and it says of avarice.  The emotional spectrum of light sounds complicated, but in reality it works.  The Blackest Night is near and the dead will rise.  Scar also forsees the future for Hal and also of Jon Stewart and Alan Scott.  Check this issue out!
 
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After a brilliant first issue, Norman Osborn as Iron Patriot leads HIS Avengers’ on their first mission!  This issue was almost perfect for me.  The only problem I really had with it was that Deodato had Norman’s face look too much like Tommy Lee Jones…it just took away from the issue.  I also loved the 2 different covers: the first one as seen here just rocks and the second shows Moonstone’s machinations.

Roll Call: Iron Patriot (Norman Osborn) is awesome as the new leader of the Avengers, H.A.M.M.E.R., and continuing with the Thunderbolts.  I love how political he is nowadays, but keeping himself under control.  He wears some old Iron Man armor that Tony did not destroy.  Ms. Marvel (Moonstone) is the Avenger’s field leader and as always is working with things behind the scenes to screw everyone over.  Spider-Man (Venom) is funny in this book as the resident “can I eat it” character…ha ha.  Hawkeye (Bullseye) is hilarious with his creepy comments and rebellious nature.  Captain Marvel (Marvel Boy) is new to me, but I did see some of his attitude in a recent Ms. Marvel comic.  Wolverine (Daken) is as Norman put it their “Wolverine” they have one and we have one.  He is Wolverine’s rebellious son.  Finally, 2 former Avengers are also members: Sentry and Ares.  Ares really puts Norman in his place when he bosses Ares around.  Sentry is bad-ass…he is similar to a puppet or puppy Superman…Norman tells him to rip off someone’s head and he will do it not realizing if that was bad or not.  In this book, we also see H.A.M.M.E.R.’s second in command: Victoria Hand.  Also, Morgana Le Fay and Dr. Doom make appearances.  Pick up this book it is freaking good! Way to go Marvel…much better than their stupid stupid stupid Spider-Man crap.

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This book has lost its flavor.  Similar to JSA, JLA has too many members for their writers to really focus on.  Apparently this is the JLA's last mission before Final Crisis.  If the Origins & Omens backup is to be believed then the JLA will have a major facelift soon.  I am all for it. 

In this issue, the JLA and the Shadow Cabinet battle each other and the Shadow Thief.  Hawkman also shows back up to fight the villain and to show back up in the life of Hawkgirl much to the chagrin of Red Arrow.  The issue seems like a big fight scene that is really dull.  The art is pretty, but the art with the story just doesn't work.  Superman's final saving of the day was also boring.  I look forward to the big change in the coming months.  By the way, Dr Light returning is a good thing!  And the back-up story was so so...I am ready for the Blackest Night!

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Wow...this was probably the best issue of Hellblazer I have ever read! And that is saying something for this long running series.  John Constatine is entering into a new relationship with a girl named Phoebe.  I like Phoebe and hope she sticks around.  Also, John reacquaints himself with an ancient skin-shedder named Julian.  I like Julian so far...very creepy.  The art makes the whole book scary and Milligan's writing in superb.  John's entire chest is covered in a "scab" which is really like a magical rash.  Pieces of his flesh is easily pulled off and is very painful.  I really recommend this beginning of a three part arc.

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While this issue is standard hero fare as Green Arrow and Black Canary hunt Merlyn who is killing people for money, I am so happy with the new direction and creative team that I am not caring about the simplicity of this issue.  Andrew Kreisberg is such a better writer than Winick. Winick made Green Arrow/Black Canary a stupid and corny book that I despised reading.  Kreisberg is a breath of fresh air and hooray for the new artist Mike Norton.

The cover on the other hand sucks arrows; Norton should have done it.  Merlyn looks like he just got out of bed and is about to shoot kids off his lawn. “DAMN KIDS!”

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I love Prometheus especially from his first two appearances.  Prometheus is Batman if he had been raised by criminals.  Besides Prometheus's fighting capability and intelligence, he also can download information into brain.  He once beat Batman in battle by downloading the moves of 30 of the greatest martial artists ever including Batman to beat Batman.  After his defeat by Batman and Martian Manhunter I was wondering why Prometheus sucked so hard.  He was beaten by Green Arrow, the Birds of Prey, and teamed up with Hush.  This book explains why.  I am supremely happy with this issue.  The cover and art are gorgeous and the storytelling is seamless.  Prometheus returns as a quality and awesome villain. 

My chief and only complaint from this issue is the death of Anima.  Anima was from the 1993 DC Annuals storyline "Bloodlines."  I loved that storyline from when i was a kid.  While most of the Blood Pack are dead now I had hope for Anima.  She is arguably the best thing to come from Bloodlines (Hitman is more of a fan favorite...I really wasn't into him.)  Also in 1995, the Anima character won the Squiddy award for best character and another Squiddy for favorite ongoing series.  She tried for a comeback last year as a part of Cyborg's failed Titans East.  I just felt she deserved better than what she got (especially that last picture of her corpse.)

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This was not a good way to go for this series.  I have enjoyed this book quite a bit, but this two-parter really sucked.  The cover was good, but I have never been a fan really of the art of this book.  I know this issue is set in the future, but the characterization seemed off...maybe Marc Andreyko was sad for having to end it.  Sweeney Todd is a stupid villain also.

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