Elfbytes November '08

DETECTIVE COMICS #852 & BATMAN #685

Written by Paul Dini.  Illustrated by Dustin Nguyen.  Covers by Andrew Robinson & Alex Ross. 

A two part “Faces of Evil” story begins in ‘Tec #852 and concludes in Batman #685.  Catwoman is out for vengeance, and Hush is the source of her scorn.  As Selina Kyle creeps ever closer to her villainous roots, will Hush be able to withstand her wrath?  And where’s Batman? 

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #1

Written by Matt Wayne.  Illustrated by Andy Suriano & Dan Davis.  

The Batman cartoons are always pretty cool, and each version seems to take a different direction.  The first one, THE BATMAN ADVENTURES was very slick, with the 40s style of Gotham City.  THE BATMAN had an anime feel to it with some crazy kung fu action.  Now we get the Brave and the Bold, which looks like a throwback to some SUPER FRIENDS and Adam West, but in a good way.  Anyway, if you're a bit sick of the grim and serious Frank Miller Goddamn Batman, maybe this is for you. 

BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS SPECIAL #1

Start reading here! 

Written by Peter J. Tomasi.  Illustrated by Adam Kubert.  Cover by Adam Kubert. 

Remember when DC announced their huge coup of pulling two of the top artists, the Kubert Brothers, away from Marvel to give them a chance at the DC Universe.  Too bad they couldn’t handle the grind of a monthly schedule and are doing little more than covers now.  This one-shot features an increasingly rare occasion of some interior art-work by Adam Kubert in a tale spinning out of “Batman R.I.P.” and DC UNIVERSE: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.  This special features the birth of a new era for the Outsiders and is a perfect entry point for past and present readers alike! 

BLACK LIGHTNING: YEAR ONE #1 & #2 (of 6)

Written by Jen Van Meter.  Illustrated by Cully Hamner. 

Original Outsider and recent JLAer Black Lightning receives the secret origin treatment in this new mini-series, shipping twice a month.  Jefferson Pierce returns to Suicide Slum in Metropolis to bring a measure of order and hope to his old neighbourhood.  Kind of like Daredevil crossed with an electric chair.  Hamner's art never fails to impress, but here's hoping he can make it through six consecutive issues.  Despite little attention, many of the YEAR ONE minis have been decent comics, so this one is worth reading. 

FACES OF EVIL: DEATHSTROKE / GRUNDY / KOBRA / PROMETHEUS (one-shots)

Written by various.  Illustrated by various. 

This month sees the release of four one-shots focusing on four villains, all of whom will supposedly be playing significant roles in the DC Universe this year.  These specials will also thematically connect to the “Faces of Evil” issues in many of the ongoing titles this month. 

Comics also featuring “Faces of Evil” this month;

BATMAN #685

DETECTIVE COMICS #852

BIRDS OF PREY #126

BOOSTER GOLD #16

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #32

GREEN LANTERN #38

GREEN ARROW/BLACK CANARY #16

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #29

JUSTCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #23

NIGHTWING #152

ROBIN #182

SECERET 6 #5

SUPERGIRL #37

SUPERMAN #684

ACTION COMICS #873

TEEN TITANS #67

TITANS #9

VIGILANTE #2

WONDER WOMAN #28

FINAL CRISIS #7 (of 7)

Written by Grant Morrison.  Illustrated by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy.  Covers by J.G. Jones & Doug Mahnke. 

Despite the controversy regarding artist J.G. Jones’ inability to complete the series, this issue of what has been one of the most unique and intriguing “event” comics brings the limited series to its stunning conclusion!  Final Crisis stands as a triumph of imagination and mythology over repetition and formula, driven by the sterling work scribe Grant Morrison.  Rather than take the usual formula of previous event comics which feature physical battles of heroes versus villains, Morrison instead chose to use Final Crisis as an arena in which to examine the nature of the soul, heroic or otherwise, and utilize such concepts as the Anti-Life Equation, the multi-verse, time travel, Gods and Superheroes as a means to expound on the notion of what heroism really means.  As seen in this series, the battle of good versus evil is not so much heroes versus villains or law versus lawlessness.  No, the battle against evil is the battle against despair; the battle against the oppression of one’s soul.  Whatever you may think of it (and there have been complaints from some), Final Crisis is an allegorical masterpiece, the likes of which we, sadly, don’t see too much off.  This stands right up there with ALL-STAR SUPERMAN as one of the better superhero works of this era. 

FINAL CRISIS: SUPERMAN BEYOND #2

Written by Grant Morrison.  Illustrated by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy. 

Tying in directly with FINAL CRISIS, this issue concludes the epic quest of the Supermen from five worlds as they race to obtain the elixir of the supergods, expose the dark origin of the Monitors, and battle the ultimate evil: Mandrakk, the Dark Monitor.  All that, plus a 3-D section to enjoy using the included glasses! 

GREEN LANTERN #38

Written by Geoff Johns.  Illustrated by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert.

A “Faces of Evil” issue that features the conclusion of the first bloody battle with the Red Lanterns and the Guardians of the Orange Light revealing themselves.  The march towards “Blackest Night” continues! 

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #32

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

“Sins of the Star Sapphire” concludes as Kyle Rayner fights for the life of an innocent child.  But this is also a “Faces of Evil” issue, the evil in question being Mongul and his attempt to take over the Sinestro Corps. 

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #29

Written by Dwayne McDuffie.  Illustrated by Ed Benes. 

Dr. Light (the good one) is back, and the timing couldn’t be better as the League must face the cosmic terror of Starbreaker in this “Faces of Evil” issue.

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #23

Written by Geoff Johns & Alex Ross.  Illustrated by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan Masengill. 

A new arc begins showing the aftermath of “Thy Kingdom Come”, and the JSA trying to regroup to face an angry Black Adam.  Making Hulk angry might be the only thing worse than pissing off Black Adam, and following the events of 52 and BLACK ADAM: THE DARK AGE, Black Adam is extremely pissed!  Felix Faust foolishly imprisoned the soul of Black Adam’s dead wife Isis, and he will stop at nothing, including the JSA, to get her back. 

LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #50

Written by Jim Shooter.  Illustrated by Francis Manapul and Livesay. 

As LEGION OF THREE WORLDS rewrites the future of our heroes, the current series comes to an end with the climax of the Universal Annihilation War.  The entire Legion, including the reserves and the United Planet’s Young Heroes, fight to save the universe.  And a legionnaire dies!  

MANHUNTER #38

Written by Marc Andreyko.  Illustrated by Michael Gaydos. 

Alas, this favourite book comes to an end with this issue, due to almost non-existent marketing and advertising from DC.  For everyone who has been reading this series, you know how good it has been and how much it will be missed.  And for those of you who weren’t taking our advice and reading this, it’s your fault the book won’t be around anymore, and we’re coming to get you. 

SUPERGIRL  #37

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

“Who is Superwoman?” (part one of five) begins as Supergirl seeks to discover just who this new Superwoman is and why she is wearing the El family crest.  

SUPERMAN #684

Written by James Robinson.  Illustrated by Jesus Merino. 

A “New Krypton” epilogue, this “Faces of Evil” issue focuses on The Parasite, always one of the more troublesome of Superman’s foes.  From the creative team that made Jimmy Olsen cool again! 

TERROR TITANS #4

Written by Sean McKeever.  Illustrated by Joe Bennet & Jack Jadson. 

Fans who remember Static as that wise-cracking and lighthearted hero from the cartoon are in for a shock as the Milestone character introduces himself to the DCU, via a one on one battle with Ravager. 

THE LOSERS BY JACK KIRBY HC

Written by Jack Kirby.  Illustrated by Jack Kirby, D. Bruce Berry & Mike Royer. 

In 1974 Jack Kirby wrote a series of stories that drew from his own experiences in WWII.  I’m really excited for this book as the Vertigo series THE LOSERS (which is absolutely brilliant and one of my favourites) was loosely inspired by this series.  It also happens to be Jack Kirby, and he is the King after all. 

SUPERMAN: BRAINIAC HC

Written by Geoff Johns.  Illustrated by Gary Frank & Jon Sibal. 

In case you missed it, here is the story that many regard as one of the better Superman tales in quite some time. Now collected in a beautiful hardcover, is the story arc that revitalized Brainiac, killed off an important character, and provided the jumping off point of the “New Krypton” event.

VERTIGO

100 BULLETS #99

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

I’m sooo Excited!  Are you Excited?  I’m excited!  You have to be Excited!  The penultimate issue of the award-winning series sees old scores settled and new bloodshed!  Questions will finally be answered, with one issue to go in this epic series, you won’t believe what happens next!  Oh and by the way, this is issue is definitely not a jumping on point for new readers, although now would be a great time to buy volumes 1 through 13! 

THE COMPLEAT DEATH DELUXE EDITION HC

Written by Neil Gaiman.  Illustrated by Mark Buckingham, Chris Bachalo, & others. 

After the ABSOLUTE SANDMAN volumes, it was inevitable that his big sister’s stories would be collected into a deluxe (but not quite “absolute” sized) edition.  This volume collects everything in one place for the first time ever, and will look fantastic next to the four ABSOLUTE SANDMAN books.  This book is a must for everyone! 

DMZ VOL 6: BLOOD IN THE GAME TP

Written by Brian Wood.  Illustrated by Riccardo Burchielli.  Cover by Brian Wood. 

There's a new leader in the DMZ, and it could spell trouble for Matty Roth, freelance journalist living in the Zone.  The critically acclaimed series exploring a war-torn New York City continues in this volume collecting issues #29 to 34.  If you haven't checked out this awesome series yet, there are already five volumes already out, SO WHY AREN'T YOU READING IT RIGHT NOW? 

HELLBLAZER #251

Written by Peter Milligan.  Illustrated by Giuseppe Camuncoli & Stefano Landini.  Cover by Lee Bermejo.  

Peter Milligan starts a run on Hellblazer, which up until now, has featured stellar runs by some of comic’s best writers.  Camuncoli's art is spectacular, too.  I'm not sure if he's replacing long-running Hellblazer artist Leonardo Manco, but either way, good writer, great artists, awesome covers by Bermejo, this is definitely something to check out.  This new story has John Constantine delving deep into his past and discovering that some secrets are better left buried, in part one of “Scab.” 

UNKNOWN SOLDIER #4

Written by Joshua Dysart.  Illustrated by Alberto Ponticelli. 

After reading the first issue of this series I can honestly say I had a very pleasant treat.  Unknown Soldier continues the Vertigo tradition of strong stories involving some of the most fascinating characters in comics today, and the title character here is no different.  Come explore a side of the world we’re not exposed to very often and don’t forget to buckle your seatbelt. 

WILDSTORM

THE AUTHORITY #6

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

The Authority, trapped in a ruined, post apocalyptic London with all of their powers drained or stripped away, discover a StormWatch spy in their midst.  The history between StormWatch and the Authority has always been a bitter one (last time they met, it was a six-issue slugfest in THE AUTHORITY: PRIME), and when they meet for the first time since the World's End, you can bet it's not going to be a team-up. 

STORMWATCH PHD #18

Written by Ian Edginton.  Illustrated Leandro Fernandez.