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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Well my expectations were low coming into this book...all these Kryptonians is not very interesting to me...but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this book...it even has a retcon that seems out of place but right at the same time.   I never really got into the Kara Zor-El being ordered to kill her cousin. In some ways this is the story of how Supergirl came to Earth...a revisioned story and how Kara is dealing with her family being back...I think it was a pretty good story and the art was not bad and there seems to be a lot going on behind the scenes.

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I stopped reading Marvel for about a month or two, but I decided to come back and limit the books I read.  I loved last issue of this series, but this one was even better!  Deadpool is Marvel's top funny man and I love reading his book and I am glad Cable was dropped from the title.  Here Deadpool continues fighting Skrulls in his own hilarious and weird way.  The surprise guest at the end was an added bonus as I love that character and his team.  Also add in a little Nick Fury and some Super Skrulls and some intelligent The Office-like humor and I am totally sold on this series!

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Frighteningly bad...the plot really sux...dialogue is worse...I am all for comics where villains are the lead, but these losers can't carry a book...or mini judging by the first issue...

These villains are second generation of Copperhead, Persuader, Disruptor, Bolt, Clock King, and Deathstroke...while I love Ravager she was not good here...and the plot is kinda stupid...they work for the Dark Side Club capturing young heroes to fight in their arena...boring...and what a waste of the heroes they kill here...there was one hero in particular that I have enjoyed seeing in the Teen Titans recently and I hate seeing the character go...

The art on the other hand is wonderful and is worth the price if you just want to look at some pretty pictures...

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Ever since Rucka left this series, the books have been near to being deadly boring. This is no exception. Fire is walking around like she does not know what to do, but seriously wants to leave the book. Chimera is just a stupid character. The Global Guardians show for some reason that i am lost on. August General is boring as usual. Wanna read the book so far? The art is ok...I have seen better from this series. Overall I am disappointed, but DC is doing the right thing in cancelling this book next month.

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I love Cassandra Cain. I love seeing her back in this mini-series.

Cassandra Cain returns as Batgirl  and on a path of vengeance against Deathstroke and David Cain (who both returned Batgirl into a killer during 52). She is joined by Ravager (Deathstroke's daughter) and Marque...on the sidelines helping her is Oracle. Nightwing still does not trust her and is after her and Cassandra and her team have to deal with super assassins with moves similar to her.

I love this issue because Cassandra needs redemption. Hopefully she will find her marks and then leave them for the police...because that is what the Bat-family would do. She is trying soooo hard not to kill again. After Deathstroke had her kill sooo many...she even battled the Teen Titans and Supergirl...I want the heroic Cassandra to return and I want her to have her own series and to continue leading the Outsiders...

The art was very well done...I enjoyed the interaction between Cassandra/Marque/Ravager. And the talk with Nightwing and Oracle and Misfit was cool as well...I love Deathstroke so seeing him next issue will be a treat.

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First thing...who is this character Infinity. There are hints here saying that she might not be a new character at all. Hmm. Anyways this issue is super enjoyable. Manhunter vs Black Canary...find out who has the best kung fu. Infinity checking out a secured supervillain storage room. The Huntress pulling a move I just saw in the movie The Dark Knight. Also a villain from Bab's past shows up. O'Hare killed with the art here...loved it! And the quips were done very well...great job Bedard...I am still enjoying this series even though Simone jumped.

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Another chapter in the very good and complicated Valley Forge storyline. While Frank only makes a small appearance his actions from the past and his possible fate are the focus. I think this is a fine story and Ennis does a good job. I wasn't too impressed with Porlov's art though...I see traces of Steve Dillon, but not as good. Other than this it was great. A choice for a honest man: sully the reputation of the U.S. Armed Forces or help cover up what happened in the past. A must read...

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Chuck Dixon is an amazing writer and it pains me that he is leaving this series...next issue is his last. The detail he puts in his writing is really complex and I like that. No simple mysteries here. And Dougie Braithwaite has such beautiful art...he is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

This issue's big event is the return of Looker. While I don't know much about this character, besides the fact that she is a vampire, she comes into the story seamlessly. Batman was as always a scene stealer and Metamorpho was really funny as well as Green Arrow (who was funny without being there...that says a lot.) Remac is an interesting character and the big event will happen next issue as one character's conscientiousness is stuck inside. With the future of this book probably being without Batman as a leader will it stand on its own...I think so...especially with Cassandra Cain here. Great book!

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While not as good as Batman: R.I.P., this new storyline that is connected to R.I.P. called Heart of Hush is still very good. This book reminds readers what is so good about Dr. Thomas Elliot. He is ruthless, smart, and dramatic. He is one of the best of the newer batch of Batman villains in the past ten years. Here we are reminded of his past and why he hates the Wayne family so much. Also we get to see Batman and Catwoman go up against a new Batman foe that will leave you searching for a moral to these tails.

The writing is as almost always superb with Dini at the helm and while it always takes me a second to get into Nguyen's art...I always like it by the time I finish the story. So overall this is a very well done tie to an even better book. I hope that doesn't upset Dini...sorry. :-)

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I will be totally honest...I have never read a comic with Fray in it before, but I have heard of her and when I saw the beautiful cover of this issue...I was honestly excited. The first splash page should be made into a poster...the whole Buffy vs Fray picture is very very awesome. Sure I read one review that said they were disappointed with how little Fray was here...but there were so many other things going on that I was still very happy and Fray will be in the next issue too. Dawn gets a new look and the comedy ensues as Buffy and Willow go to New York...it is damn funny.

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