Infinity Inc. #7

Not only did I put off reading this comic, once I read it I really didn't feel I had much to say about it. I'm really just holding out until the new artist, Pete Woods, comes on board next issue. The first seven issues of this series have really fell flat for me. I just don't care about any of the characters except for John Irons. It looks like issue eight will take the "team" in a new direction - uniforms and all. The art looks good and I hope that writer Peter Milligan can turn this book around. I don't know or get what he was going for in the first arc.

Infinity Inc. #6

DC pulls a bit of a bait and switch in this issue. Don't let the cover fool you, the "Guest Stars" of Superman and Batman really appear on one page to provide some explanation (or exposition). Writer Peter Milligan is taking his time in setting up the world for this team. Milligan has assembled quite the cast of broken heroes for this team. The first five issues didn't do a lot for me but when I heard that Pete Woods would be coming on as the artist and, after catching some of the sneaks of his first art, it looked like a direction that I would find interesting. This issue begins to set up the true reason for these kids to hang together. I like the way Milligan is using John Irons and hope that he remains the "father figure" for the team.

If you've missed the first five issues, this might be a good jumping on point to test your like for this book. However, I think Woods' debut in issue #8 would probably be the best starting issue for new readers.

Infinity Inc. #5

I was all set to drop "Infinity Inc." after a four issue tryout because of the snail's pace plotting and poor use of Steel. I did not (and still don't at this point) like the direction of the book. As a fan of the original "Infinity, Inc." team I thought this book was just plain boring. However, while perusing NEWSRAMA I discovered that Pete Woods is coming on as the monthly artist. After looking at his new designs, I thought that maybe writer Peter Milligan would be taking the book in a different direction after the opening arc is complete.

This issue seems to tie up the first story arc and I can't say that it was very satisfying. I like that fact that Steel is back in his armor and that the kids are actually working together. I still don't care for the villain of the story or really understand his and his companions motivations. Now that Steel is operating again and the kids look to be forming a team, I look forward to moving towards Woods' team uniform design and the direction that takes this book.

I believe you could skip this first five issues of this book and pickup when Woods comes on for issue #8 and not really miss much.

Robin #169

"The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul" comes to a screeching halt in "Robin" #169. Writer Peter Milligan's dialogue is stilted and unnatural and the characterizations are a bit off. David Baldeon's art is okay but not on the level of the rest of this seven part story. When we left Batman in "Batman" #671 the Sensei had just been beaten by a bloodied and almost gutted Batman. In this issue Batman shows no signs of the fight he was just in. That's is a knock on Editors Mike Martz and Jeanine Schaefer. With a story this tightly plotted you would think that the visuals would be consistent throughout.

I know that Robin has a lost a lot of people close to him over the last few years, but I just don't see him even considering Ra's offer. It doesn't ring true.

"The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul" lost a lot of steam in this issue. Here's hoping Fabian Nicieza and Paul Dini can finish this story out strong in the upcoming parts 6 & 7 in "Nightwing" and "Detective Comics".

Infinity Inc. #4

I gave it four issues. My son gave it three and half. He couldn't even make it through this issue. I gritted my teeth and pushed through and read it all. I don't know what writer Peter Milligan is going for here. I'm guessing it supposed to be the Emo team, but they come off as a bunch of whiners. Milligan does a horrible job of explaining the character motivations and what is going on here. I'm saddened to see such a great character like John Henry Irons wasted. He needs to put back on the armor and get back to being the DCU's Iron Man.

This title never made my pull list as I would grab it when I saw it on the rack. If it had been good I would have put it on my list, but this wasn't the case. The book is a complete mess and is BORING to boot. Stay away.

Robin #168

Writer Peter Milligan takes the baton from Grant Morrison and kicks off "The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul" 7-parter. Milligan takes sibling rivalvry and turns it up to 11 when Robin confronts Damian entering the Batcave. The only characterization of Robin that I have read is what happens over in "Teen Titans" and I'm not sure this is the same guy. Especially when he's beating up on Damian and Damina cries out "Stop! You're killing me!" and Robin replies, "Maybe that's the only way I'll be rid of you!" Tim has lost two good friends over the last 18 months - Connor "Superboy" Kent and Bart "The Flash" Allen - and he has also lost his father. He knows what death truly means and I don't think he would act this way. Sure, he probably has some emotional issues with Bruce having a blood son, but this seems just way out of character for him. Freddie Williams II's art is much better than what he is putting out over in "The Flash". Once again it may be the colorist as Guy Major does a fine job here on Williams' finished art.

Does this issue advance the Ra's Al Ghul storyline? Not much. However, in the end Batman has a better understanding of what is going on. Next it is off to "Nightwing" to continue this story.

Infinity Inc #3

I read the original "Infinity, Inc" back in the 80s and thought their adventures were a fun read. Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway did a great job of introducing the characters and giving them a purpose for being together - McFarlane's first art wasn't too shabby either. This incarnation of the group has no link to the 80s version. It is the Emo group of the DCU - a bunch of kids sulking around, going to therapy, and just mentally unhealthy. I guess the thrust of this book is to answer the question what you would do if you had a super power and then lost it, but I'm not entirely sure of what is going on here. Writer Peter Milligan must have forgotten to take his pills because full depression is on display here. Every character from Steel to "Kid Empty" shows some form of psychosis. Does this make the book compelling? No. The art, once again DC, looks rushed as a gaggle of artist particpate in what looks like a hodge podge of styles.

With no connection to the past, a sulking cast, and uninspired art, I can't recommend this book.