Tuesday, March 08, 2011

DC Preview Review for May Part 1 of 2

Jim: Well with the special Vertigo addition and this month’s books I think I’m back in the swing of things for the DC Preview Review. It really is more work then I remembered as I enjoyed my time off. You can see the plans that were in place are still being played out but I’m starting to sense the new EIC’s hand in refining the DC lineup.
Gwen: I'm feeling a little tired of all the Lantern events. I like a lot of the ideas floating around but I also feel that DC has been dragging of late.

GREEN LANTERN #66
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY
Cover by DOUG MAHNKE
1:10 Variant cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
The blockbuster “War of the Green Lanterns” takes it toll! Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart and Kyle Rayner fight on against their fellow Lanterns – and the carnage escalates to savage heights. And how will the other New Guardians capitalize on it?
On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Jim: The more I think about GL over the last few years the more I realize that it has been all events and very little growth and characterization. I miss seeing the private lives of these characters and at the same time what has really changed in 60 plus issues?
Gwen: What Jim said... These characters have had no room for actual growth as of late.

ACTION COMICS #901
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Art and Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
1:10 Variant cover by DAN JURGENS
We can’t tell you much about this issue without ruining some of ACTION COMICS #900’s surprises, but suffice it to say, Doomsday’s back – and you’ve never seen him like this before! Doomsday’s first appearance brought about the “Reign of the Supermen,” where four characters – Superboy, Steel, Cyborg Superman, and Eradicator – came onto the scene to try to fill Superman’s shoes. Now, with “Reign of Doomsday,” it looks like Superman might need to fill their shoes!
On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T
Jim: This just proves my point as even a “regular” issue of a comic is advertised more like it is an event. I’m glad to see Superman is back in Action Comics and want to see how Paul Cornell can handle the character.
Gwen: I'm pretty sure I've seen Doomsday beat up lots of people before. If Doomsday is going to be how I've never seen him before he'd have to be reciting Shakespeare or something.

FLASHPOINT #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:25 Variant cover A by ANDY KUBERT
Variant cover B by IVAN REIS and GEORGE PÉREZ
Not a dream, not an imaginary story, not an elseworld. This is Flash Fact: When Barry Allen wakes at his desk, he discovers the world has changed. Family is alive, loved ones are strangers, and close friends are different, gone or worse. It’s a world on the brink of a cataclysmic war – but where are Earth’s Greatest Heroes to stop it? It’s a place where America’s last hope is Cyborg, who hopes to gather the forces of The Outsider, The Secret 7, S!H!A!Z!A!M!, Citizen Cold and other new and familiar-yet-altered faces! It’s a world that could be running out of time, if The Flash can’t find the villain who altered the time line!
Welcome to FLASHPOINT!
On sale MAY 11 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Jim: Not a dream, not an elseworld, no it is an alternative timeline story. I have a gut feeling that this could be very, very lame. I hope not, but it feels like a bad idea. Plus since Barry has been back it is nothing but stories about time travel.
Gwen: Huh, time travel does seem to be a reoccurring (or only) theme in this series as of late.

STATIC SHOCK #1
Written by FELICIA HENDERSON
Art by SCOTT MCDANIEL and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by KERON GRANT
It’s been nearly a decade since Virgil Ovid Hawkins, a.k.a. Static Shock, rocked the pages of his own comic book. Now he’s back as DC Comics launches this new ongoing series!
Bang Babies are suddenly popping up all over the country: Hotstreak, Commando X, Virus, the Swarm and more are taking over where the Mafia no longer reigns. Can Static contain the rising mayhem? Not while he’s holed up at Cadmus Labs, undergoing vital testing!
For the first time, Virgil must ask: Why did he lose his powers? What caused The Big Bang in the first place? Why are new Bang Babies turning up outside of Dakota? Why has Dr. Rochelle Barnes arrived in Dakota? Stay tuned – because Static is back!
On sale MAY 4 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T
Jim: Two things are killing this book for me. First is Felicia Henderson, whose Teen Titans was dreadful (of what I read). Second I have no interest in Static, Icon or Hardware would have been more interesting in my book.
Gwen: I have no interest in this book or this character.

BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY #1-2
Written by PAUL DINI
Art and cover by CARLOS D’ANDA
Issue #1 1:10 Video game art variant
It’s been a year since The Joker took over Arkham, and Gotham is still trying to get back to normal in this all-new, 5-issue miniseries bridging the gap between the hit videogame Batman: Arkham Asylum and the exciting, upcoming sequel, Batman: Arkham City! And now, an attack by a pair of super-powered twins increases the threat level and triggers Gotham City’s new mayor to call for drastic measures.
In issue #2, amid the protests of both human rights groups and Bruce Wayne, a new Arkham rises. The Joker is scheduled to be its first inmate, but not if Harley Quinn has anything to say about it. Meanwhile, Batman’s suspicions lead him to investigate just who is really behind this new, more sprawling asylum and what their motivations might be.
Issue #1 on sale MAY 11; Issue #2 on sale MAY 25 • 1 and 2 of 5, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Jim: I avoid comics that are based on videogames like the plague. This book is no exception.
Gwen: The game was pretty cool though.

BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM #1
Written by SCOTT SNYDER and KYLE HIGGINS
Art and Cover by TREVOR MCCARTHY
1:25 Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
When a mystery as old as Gotham City itself surfaces, Batman assembles a team of his greatest detectives – including Red Robin, Owlman, I-Ching and others – to investigate this startling new enigma. As clues are discovered and the mystery deepens, Batman’s team soon finds itself on a journey that explores different eras in Gotham’s history and touches upon notable Gotham families including the Waynes, Kanes, and Elliotts.
This miniseries spins out of recent events in the Batman titles and sets the stage for several exciting storylines in 2011. Additionally, this limited series touches upon mysterious story elements introduced in Grant Morrison’s RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE. Featuring many exciting Batman Family guest stars!
On sale MAY 18 • 1 of 6, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Jim: Now if you want me to buy a series make Scott Snyder one of the writers, add to it building off what Grant has done and make it a Batman series and you can add the book to my list in a heartbeat.
Gwen: I love the idea of Scott Snyder writing Batman books.

DETECTIVE COMICS #877
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by JOCK
Batman plunges deeper into the mystery surrounding the brutal murder of a young woman whose body was found in the belly of a killer whale. But his detective skills lead him into a deadly trap set in motion by some of the Gotham Underworld’s newest and most fearsome players. Don’t miss the finale of “Hungry City!”
On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T
Jim: Easily my favorite Batman book. Snyder and Jock are doing a phenomenal job on this book. I love the overall feel the book has and the fact that there is some actual detective work going on in this series.
Gwen: It's always great to read actual crime and mystery stories with Batman as I feel like Batman's detective skills are one of the cooler aspects of the character.

BATMAN & ROBIN #23
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH
1:10 Variant cover by GENE HA
Jason Todd - Batman’s one-time sidekick, currently the anti-hero known as Red Hood - has been imprisoned in Arkham Asylum for the past several months. But after a period of good behavior, will a transfer to a lower-security prison mean reformation for Jason Todd . . . or is trouble waiting in the wings for Batman and Robin? Don’t miss “The Streets Run Red” part one of three!
On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T
Jim: What the heck is this? First we get Tomasi and Gleason held up before they can take over this series and we already need a fill in team after their first arc? That just guts the momentum right off this title.
Gwen: Hmm, this doesn't inspire me with a lot of hope for this book but we'll have to wait and see.

BATGIRL #21
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by DUSTIN NGUYEN and DEREK FRIDOLFS
Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
When the Grey Ghost puts himself in harm’s way to save Gotham City from the Reaper’s sound-wielding Harmony, it’s up to Batgirl to save the day. If Batgirl has her way, her first team-up with the Grey Ghost will be her last with the Grey Ghost – assuming they both make it out alive.
On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Jim: While this book just keeps on rocking. Since issue #1 each issue has built up Stephanie’s character and develops a cast of characters and relationships without skimping on the action. Mr. Miller has done a great job making Stephanie my favorite Batgirl of all time.
Gwen: This is hands down my favorite Bat-family book.


Part 2 on Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!

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