I bought my first ever comic book issues recently. I've always just bought the trades, or downloaded the issues onto my iPad from the Comixology store.

This is a pretty big deal for me, I grew up in a household where things such as comic books, games consoles and lego were considered to be a waste of time & money. All three are things I really enjoy now, but wasn't allowed when I was growing up. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't deprived - it's just certain things were off limits. So I guess I'm having a second childhood now.

I'm having fun with this new hobby, although my husband isn't that impressed because of the amount of money leaving our bank account over the past month or so. He'll get over it :-)

I've just been grabbing copies of stories I like, or like the sound of if I haven't already read them, or because I like the cover. I'm not 100% sure what I'm doing, but I'm having fun doing it.

Here I am, sitting at work... And there's less than 10 hours until I see Avengers! Woohooo! I haven't been this excited about a movie since.... Well, since Toy Story 3 :-)

I like it.

The first issue sucked me in, but the second left me feeling a bit "meh". It didn't hold my interest, I felt like I was reading it just to finish it. I was ready to put the whole series aside, and indeed I did for a long time. Then I was bored and decided to give the third issue a chance. I'm glad I did.

When we get to see the memories S'aru the Proctor takes, that was my "oh gosh" moment. For the boys at least.

Starfire - I had the overwhelming urge to yell out "yeah! stick it to them!" and I got angry - very angry - on behalf of the little girl in those pages. She may not be helpless, and she certainly doesn't want pity, but I wanted nothing more than to hurt those who were hurting her.

Roy Harper - I wanted to take him home, feed him hot chocolate, wrap him up in a blanket and take care of him. It's also the first time I've ever imagined that Killer Croc had a "human" side. I admit it, I got a bit tearful.

Jason Todd - the tearfulness I felt reading Roy's memory was unleashed with Jason's. In those few pages, we saw everything he was and everything he could have been.

Jason Todd & Roy Harper are both the kind of bad boys I'd fall for - one is dark, sexy, mysterious and dangerous, the other is brash, bright, reckless and cute - in an ex-junkie kind of way (I never said I had good judgement). And Starfire - oh wow.

To be honest, this series is the one I've read in the New 52 that has evoked the most emotion for me. Probably because I really wasn't expecting it.

Oh, and the action is good too.

Just a quick note.

I'll be the first to admit that when I heard Barbara Gordon would be returning to her role as Batgirl, I was peeved. I loved Oracle, and I thought that she was just going to be retconned out of existence. So it was with great trepidation that I opened the New 52 Batgirl... and now I'm eating my words.

I know not everyone likes the new Batgirl, but not everyone likes double choc and mint ice cream either. Personally, I love both.

Barbara is determined, but damaged. She's brave yet vulnerable. Here's a woman who was shot in her own home, and has suffered immense physical and psychological trauma - and the writers haven't ignored that. The end of the first issue hammers home just how traumatised she really is.

I like it. I like that she recovered her ability to walk, instead of having the shooting erased from her history. I like that she's both exhilarated at being able to be Batgirl again, yet scared she's not good enough.

I like her costume too :-)

Sadly, I also really liked Cassandra Cain as Batgirl. But I'm glad Barbara's back as Batgirl and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more.

Unlike Green Arrow, which I really really want to get into but I just can't. I tried, and I'm not sure if it's just me or if it really isn't very good.

Happy days.

Booked tickets this morning to the midnight screening of The Avengers on the morning of April 25. Just have to hope I've got the night off to see it (or... convince my boss to give me the time off). I sent my email begging for time off today.

In terms of movie excitement this year, this is second only to seeing The Dark Knight Rises.

Just wanting to share my happiness :-) Thanks for listening!