Elfbytes December '08

NIGHTWING, ROBIN, BIRDS OF PREY, BLUE BEETLE, SHE-HULK, ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, and ULTIMATE X-MEN all come to an end this month, so find something new to replace them with from our recommendations! 

DC

ADVENTURE COMICS #0

Written by Otto Binder. Illustrated by Al Plastino. Cover by Aaron Lopresti. 

This issue reprints the very first Legion of Super-Heroes story, from the long ago Adventure Comics #247. Whether you’re familiar with this classic tale, or are reading it for the first time, this issue is a can’t miss opportunity at only $1.00! And it’s the perfect place to jump onboard, as the next issue of this series is rumoured to see the relaunch of a certain super-team from the 31st Century. 

BATMAN #686 / DETECTIVE COMICS #853

Written by Neil Gaiman. Illustrated by Andy Kubert & Scott Williams. 

This month brings us the two part story “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” written by none other than Neil Gaiman! Gaiman’s occasional return to comics is always welcome, even more so when he is given one of the biggest of the big toys to play with. The last time he took a stab at the Dark Knight was in a short tale for BATMAN: BLACK AND WHITE, and now this special tale pays homage to one of the greatest Superman stories ever told (Alan Moore’s WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MAN OF TOMORROW?).

These two issues examine the aftermath of the recent R.I.P. storyline, exploring every facet of Bruce Wayne’s tenure as Batman, promising to delve into the realms of life, death, and the relationships Bruce Wayne cultivated between himself and his friends and enemies.

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #26

Written by Christina Weir & Nunzio DeFilippis. Illustrated by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez & Kevin Nowlan.

It’s a blast from the past (or maybe more of a mediocre wind gust)!  From the 1960s Batman TV Show, King Tut makes his comic book debut in this 3 part story-arc, with a special guest appearance by The Riddler. It might be good, and we might see a new rogue in Batman’s gallery, but honestly, I think this will be King Tut’s first and last appearance. 

BIRDS OF PREY #127

Written by Tony Bedard. Illustrated by Claude St. Aubin and John Floyd. 

Yet another final issue. In this one, Oracle calls on Batgirl to conduct an investigation on Infinity, the latest and most mysterious of her operatives. But the answer is a disconcerting one, and may not be entirely pleasant.

BLUE BEETLE #36

Written by Matthew Sturges. Illustrated by Carlo Barberi. Cover by Rafael Albuquerque. 

Damn it! Another great title comes to a premature end this month. Alas, this is the final issue of this consistently strong and very enjoyable book. If you’ve been reading, you feel the sadness. And if you never gave this title a try, it’s not too late to pick up the trades and see what you missed out on (and the publishers pay very close attention to the sales of collections, in case you’re wondering if there’s hope for more Blue Beetle). 

BOOSTER GOLD #17

Written by Dan Jurgens. Illustrated by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund. 

Booster Gold finds himself traveling back to an important moment in the Flash’s history: his origin!

GREEN LANTERN #39

Written by Geoff Johns. Illustrated by Philip Tan and Jonathan Glapion. 

“Agent Orange” part 1. The Orange Lanterns make their move as the Vega system erupts in conflict. As Hal Jordan faces off against the powerful Agent Orange, a dark secret of the Guardians regarding the criminals of the universe stands revealed.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #33

Written by Peter J. Tomasi. Illustrated by Patrick Gleason and Rebecca Buchman. 

Mongul continues his ascension in the Sinestro Corps by enslaving the planet of Daxam. But will the Daxamite Sodom Yat, the powerful Ion, save his homeworld? Even though he vowed never to return to it?

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #30

Written by Dwayne McDuffie. Illustrated by Ed Benes. 

Dr. Light (the good one) shows off her power as she and the League stand against the cosmic menace of Starbreaker, consumer of suns!

NIGHTWING #153

Written by Peter J. Tomasi. Illustrated by Don Kramer and Jay Leisten.

With “Battle for the Cowl” looming over the horizon, NIghtwing’s final issue carries more excitement and expectation than sadness and disappointment. With Batman “dead”, Nightwing knows that the mantle of the Bat has to be passed on, and he prepares himself to assume the role that he has been training for all his life. But it will not be easy. Nightwing will have to rely on all his training to make it through the coming battle.

THE OUTSIDERS #15 (Formally Batman and the Outsiders)

Written by Peter J. Tomasi.  Illustrated by Lee Garbett and Trevor Scott. 

This series drops the “Batman and” from its title beginning this month, and the latest incarnation of the team redefines their mission as they try to follow Batman’s final directives before his disappearance. This issue is a great starting point for new readers, so give it a try.  After all, it’s not like you’ll have NIGHTWING, ROBIN, or BIRDS OF PREY to read anymore. 

R.E.B.E.L.S. #1

Written by Tony Bedard.  Illustrated by Andy Clarke. 

Perhaps it’s late 80’s / early 90’s nostalgia, but this new series looks exciting.  Bedard can write Space Opera rather well, and Clarke’s art work is looking quite good.  The Green Lantern Corps hasn’t always been the only cosmic police force in the DCU. Brainiac 2 and his team once guarded over 80 planets, until a mysterious enemy suddenly ousted him. Now, Brainiac 2 has to put together a new team and take back his command. This time, though, he bases his team on the greatest heroes and villains of the 31^st century. This first issue guest stars Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes.

ROBIN #183

Written by Fabian Nicieza. Illustrated by Freddie E. Williams II.

Robin comes to an end this month, but will lead directly into the upcoming “Battle for the Cowl”. Robin will usher in change and all-new beginnings. There will always be a Batman and Robin, but who will fill those roles??? Stay tuned to find out!

SUPERGIRL #38

Written by Sterling Gates. Illustrated by Jamal Igle and Keith Champagne. 

“Who is Superwoman?” part 2. Supergirl continues her search for answers to the secret behind Superwoman’s identity, an identity the mystery woman will fight to protect. Also, Reactron continues his resurgence as a major force in Supergirl’s rogue’s gallery.

SUPERMAN #685

Written by James Robinson.  Illustrated by Renato Guedes and Wilson Magalhaes.

While Geoff Johns has established himself as one of the best action/adventure writers in comics today, James Robinson is one of the undisputed masters of character-centric stories. Robinson once again delves deep into the character of Superman, or more specifically Clark Kent, as the Man of Steel must come to terms with the death of his father and move on. Also, this issue explores the impact that the new Nightwing and Flamebird have on metropolis when the Kryptonian heroes decide to take up residence in the City of Tomorrow.

ACTION COMICS #874

Written by James Robinson.  Illustrated by Pablo Raimondi. 

The story of Mon-El has always been one of the tragedies of the Superman mythos. Exiled to the Phantom Zone, by Superman himself, because of a lethal dose of lead poisoning, Mon-El finally has a chance to return to Earth. But will he be able to survive? Also, the fallout of “New Krypton” continues as the anti-kryptonian sentiment sweeps throughout the planet.

BATMAN: THE HEART OF HUSH HC

Written by Paul Dini. Illustrated by Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs. 

Along with Talia Al Ghul, Catwoman has always represented one of the most passionate and volatile relationships for the Dark Knight. Tying-in directly with “Batman R.I.P.”, this volume explores this relationship as Hush returns to wreak havoc on Batman’s life by doing a most unspeakable and heinous act on Catwoman, an act that just might drive Bruce Wayne over the edge.

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL VOL.1 TP

Written by Keith Giffen and J.M Dematteis. Illustrated by Kevin Maguire and Terry Austin.

Here’s a bold statement: the late 80’s JUSTICE LEAGUE run had an impact on comics almost as much as WATCHMEN or THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Yes, that’s right. In an attempt to turn the Justice League into a family, DeMatteis, Giffen, and Maguire injected the grim and gritty 80’s with much needed humour and characterization. Under their mighty pens, characters like Guy Gardner, Black Canary, and (especially) Booster Gold and Blue Beetle, were thrust into the limelight and finally given their due. With this volume, you have a chance to get in on the story from the beginning, and bwa-ha-ha happily ever after.    

ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN FOR TOMORROW HC

Written by Brian Azzarello. Illustrated by Jim Lee.

Ever wondered what Brian Azzarello's noir-ish, quippy dialogue reads like when it's oversized? Ever wondered what Jim Lee's stellar art looked like oversized, but was too cheap to buy ABSOLUTE HUSH?

Here's your chance to have your questions answered.

SUPERMAN: THE COMING OF ATLAS HC

Written by James Robinson and Jack Kirby. Illustrated by Renato Guedes and Jack Kirby.

James Robinson begins his incredible and re-defining run on Superman by bringing in the Jack Kirby-created Atlas, the lost god of myth. Robinson takes this opportunity to explore every aspect of Clark Kent and Superman’s character by expounding on the various supporting characters, taking fresh looks at everyone from Lois to Krypto. This is one of the best Superman stories out there, so don’t miss it.

VERTIGO

100 BULLETS #100

Written by Brian Azzarello. Illustrated by Eduardo Risso. Cover by Dave Johnson

An epic comes to its conclusion! The Eisner Award winning team of Azzarello, Risso, and Johnson have crafted one of the greatest crime comics in history, and the end promises to be violent and bloody. One hundred issues, and all the questions will finally be answered. And for anyone who has missed out on the fantastic action along the way, DC is offering all twelve trade paperback volumes of this series to date, with the final volume to no doubt be offered just in time for you to read the complete story. 

FABLES #81

Written by Bill Willingham. Illustrated by Mark Buckingham

It’s the fifth and final chapter of “The Dark Ages”, and readers will finally learn why this arc has such an ominous title (and why the cover image is “Top Secret”).  If Fabletown knew what would come, they never would have gone to war. How do you like them apples????

HELLBLAZER #252

Written by Peter Milligan. Illustrated by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Stefano Landini.

John Constantine has a problem. Although he has a new girlfriend, he also has a bloody disgusting skin condition: knobby, weeping scabs are growing all over his body. But what does this have to do with a bloody dockers’ strike in Liverpool 12 years ago?

MADAME XANADU #8

Written by Matt Wagner. Illustrated by Amy Reeder Hadley and Richard Friend. 

Desperate to stop the brutal Jack the Ripper and save the women of Whitechapel, Madame Xanadu finds herself once again up against the mysterious Phantom Stranger as love and betrayal collide. For fans of SANDMAN, this is easily one of the better Vertigo titles on the stands, standing right alongside FABLES. 

SANDMAN: THE DREAM HUNTERS #4 (of 4)

Written by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russel. Illustrated by P. Craig Russel.

Russel’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s epic fairy tale concludes with this issue. If you’ve been picking up this series, this is a no-brainer. If you haven’t, and you’re a Gaiman fan, you owe it to yourself to go back and pick up this entire run.

AIR VOL. 1 TP: LETTERS FROM LOST COUNTRIES

Written by G. Willow Wilson.  Illustrated by M.K. Perker. 

The critically acclaimed new Vertigo series receives its first collection, and is being offered at a special “come see what all the fuss is about” price of $9.99 (likely a bit more for us in Canada, but still nicely priced).  Great buzz, and a great price, so there’s no excuse to not give it a try. 

TRANSMETROPOLITAN VOL. 1: BACK ON THE STREET TP

Written by Warren Ellis. Illustrated by Darick Robertson and others. 

One of the best Vertigo series ever gets a new printing, showcasing the first 6 issues, and will hopefully find many new readers. Imagine Hunter S. Thompson in the future, and you pretty much get Spider Jerusalem, outlaw journalist forced back from his idyllic mountain hideaway to The City, where he must write two more books. Along the way, he'll overthrow a beast of a president, only to have an even more soulless monster infest the White House afterwards. A soulless monster who hates Spider kind of personally. If you’ve ever liked any of Ellis’ work, do yourself a favour and buy this book. 

WILDSTORM

THE AUTHORITY #7

Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning. Illustrated by Simon Coleby.

StormWatch & The Authority attempt to revive the dead Carrier, and attract the attention of the Eidolon and his army of the mad. If you're sick of the SECRET INVASIONs and & FINAL CRISISes, and want some incredible post-apocalyptic superhero mayhem, check out the WildStorm books.

STORMWATCH PHD #19

Written by Ian Edginton. Illustrated Leandro Fernandez.

The truce between StormWatch & The Authority is put to the test as they are overwhelmed by the Eidolon's army of the mad.

SECRET HISTORY OF THE AUTHORITY: HAWKSMOOR TP

Written by Mike Costa. Illustrated by Fiona Avery.

Before Jack led the Authority, he was in StormWatch. But before StormWatch, he was basically Hobocop, a superpowered homeless person who fought crime. Here is the definitive origin of Jack Hawksmoor, genetically altered to exist only in cities.