Review: "Superman" #9

The "Escape from Dinosaur Island" story line began with a quite charming, albeit not flawless first chapter. The more surprising (or call it confusing) it is that Tomasi and Gleason have already concluded this story arc for now. 

Consequently, character developments and story elements feel overly rushed here, as Superman #9 tries to do too many things at once. It wants to be a Halloween-inspired Dinosaur/Monster rampage with detective story elements and a WWII aesthetic that also treats Clark's and Jon's father son relationship. Nothing here is a real failure, and Mahnke's aerial battles are deserving of a special nod, but a lack of focus and a supporting character that is both doomed by tiring clichés and a development that is way too rushed make this a rather underwhelming affair.

5/10 

Review: "Superman" #8

"Escape from Dinosaur Island" is the title of this new Superman story line. At best, you might think, this could be full of vintage B-movie charm. At worst, it might be an embarrassing oddity. But writers Peter J Tomasi and Patrick Gleason actually manage to do neither, and instead craft a story that (so far) is also intelligent and insightful.

It's especially the warm and close relationship between Clark and Jon, impressively drawn by artists Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza and Will Quintana , and the latter's careful curiousness that steer the story towards more serious topics. It's not what you'd expect, and it's all the better for it.

7/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Superman" #7 / "Wonder Woman" #6 & #7

"Superman" #7: Another proof how well Superman can work on a small scale. A very down-to-earth story with a very down-to-earth Superman, who changes space and Doomsday for a country fair and petty thieves. A welcome change.

7/10

"Wonder Woman" #6: There'll never need to be another Wonder Woman origin story, because it can't really get any better than this. Scott's art wonderfully matches the grace and beauty of Rucka's story.

9/10

"Wonder Woman" #7: A rather confusing finale to what used to be a thrilling and captivating storyline so far. There was potential for a far better ending, but this feels like a rushed affair.

6/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Cyborg: Rebirth" #1 / "Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #3 / "Superman" #6

"Cyborg: Rebirth" #1: It's exactly what you'd want from a "Rebirth" title, with its concise Cyborg origin story and a premise that is able to set this series apart from its predecessors. One to have an eye on in the upcoming weeks.

8/10

"Deadpool & The Mercs For Money" #3: Cullen Bunn and The Mercs For Money have, gladly, arrived at the same conclusion: Deadpool is better off without the Mercs, and vice versa. While there were some fun moments throughout the various series over the last year, undoubtedly the team-up has lost much of its chemistry and dynamic in recent outings. Go Deadpool, but go alone. 

6/10

"Superman" #6: First it's a large-scale fight (with, admittedly, some quite confusing art by Patrick Gleason), and then a pompous celebration of the return of Superman. It all feels a bit thin for one entire issue, as Gleason and Tomasi clearly seem to have run out of steam towards the end of the "Son of Superman" storyline.

8/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Superman" #5 / "Wonder Woman" #1 / "Deathstroke" #1

"Superman" #5: The action is solid here, as the "Son of Superman" storyline slowly approaches its conclusion. But the real highlight here is the Kent family going crazy with Batman's gadgets in his moon cave. Pure fan service that is.

7/10

"Deathstroke" #1: Its narrative mode, where little chapters jump back and forth in time is a good choice of telling the comic's story, but Deathstroke himself, unfortunately, has lost some of the grit and mercilessness of the "Rebirth" issue. 

6/10

"Wonder Woman" #1: It's reliance on art over dialogue continues to be a thorough success for "Wonder Woman", perfectly fitting the protagonists sturdy quest for truth. One of DC's best "Rebirth" titles.

8/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Detective Comics" #938 / "Superman" #4 / "The Punisher" #4

"Detective Comics" #938: We see more and more classic Batman themes and moves in "Detective Comics" recently, and it is all the better for it. The dynamic between Batman and his team has also notably improved, making this a solid read throughout. 

7/10

"Superman" #4: The series seems to have finally found its rhythm and footing, while Jon's significance to it grows with every issue.

7/10

"The Punisher" #4: It's a pure joy how pissed off and angry everyone here just is. Not as violent as you might have hoped for, but still really, really good.

8/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Aquaman" #2 / "Superman" #2 & #3

Aquaman #2: Abnett is playing it relatively safe here, as the moral conflict between Aquaman and Black Manta is presented solidly, but relies too heavily on well-known tropes.

7/10

Superman #2: More than anything else it's the father-son relationship between Clark and Jon that shines most here, as Tomasi and Gleason finally nail this aspect and make the latter a truly integral part of the story.

8/10

Superman #3: The story around the Eradicators appearance is slightly underwhelming, adding to the sense of imbalance that pervades this comic as a whole. At least the end promises a badass next issue.

6/10

Keepin' It 360: "Superman" #1

"Rebirth" Superman already find his form in issue #1, as Clark Kent takes up the cape and shield with a visual blast by artists Gray and Gleason. It sets up many potential conflicts and encounters, including some more trademark DC characters. Only young Jon does not manage to convince entirely, as he becomes gradually more inconsistent in his emotions.

7/10

Further Links: 

Superman: Rebirth #1

Action Comics #957

Keepin' It 360: "Superman: Rebirth" #1

At least this one ties in nicely with the actual "DC Universe Rebirth", as pre-"New 52" Superman meets Lana Lang. It lacks excitement and doesn't have much to tell, but is solid in contextualizing the two universes and gives readers a crucial retelling of the Doomsday encounter, as artist Mahnke packs a lot of information into his amazing larger panels.

6/10

Further Links:

More Thoughts on the "DC Universe Rebirth"

DK III: The Master Race #4

Action Comics #51

Comic of the Day 10/5: "Detective Comics" #52

With the DC rebirth less than a month away and Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo ending their impressive run at Batman, we're all a bit tired of the James Gordon Bunny-Ear-Batbot by now. And judging by "Detective Comics" #52, the writers are as well. While the first part of "Our Gordon at War" had its moments, the wheels have completely come off on this one. Quite possible DC didn't want to waste any good stories before the Rebirth any more.

To put it bluntly, everything about this comic stinks. James Gordon is weirdly out of character throughout the story and writer Peter J. Tomasi and penciller Fernando Pasarin do the Commissioner a huge disservice when showing him in some of the comic's larger hand-to-hand battles. The Gordon of the Marines and that of the GCPD seem two completely different characters, denying any coherence with earlier titles. 

Clearly a central issue for Tomasi is to emphasize the loyalty and unity among Gordon and the Marines, but he does so by only using a succession of pathetic and clichéd phrases. Branded for some reason as a horror story ("Horrors from the Crypt!"), the only thing that really scares is the quality of Tomasi's writing. The action is lame and predictable; and Amun-Set and hic cult is the same cheap Mola Ram copy that we have seen in so many movies over the last 3 decades.

Detective Comics #52 is a disappointment on every level with a story that seems pure filler material so close to DC Universe's Rebirth.

2/10

Further links:

Detective Comics #51

Comic of the Day 25/4: "Action Comics" #51

There's not much going on in Action Comics #51. It's still enjoyable, but as a part of the larger "The Search for Supergirl" story arc, it falls into the old trap of not sufficiently existing in its own right. While it starts out with a spectacularly paced action scene that sees Superman take his daughter away from the D.E.O., the comic doesn't have much too offer afterwards, with an apparent lack of pace or tension.

Peter J. Tomasi's dialogue between Supergirl and her father is stale and clichéd, while Paul Pelletier's pencils and Tomeu Morey's colours are often too playful to add a real dramatic tone to the story. Taking some risks would have benefited Action Comics #51, as its safe approach does not allow for too much creativity or fun.