The Brave and the Bold #11

Any fears that reader's had with the exit of George Perez are silenced in this issue. Oncoming artist Jerry Ordway does a fantastic job. I remember reading a lot of Ordway back in the late 80s early 90s and I loved his Superman. He gets to double up on the Supes with both Superman and Ultraman hanging around. Mark Waid has the threads of the Megistus arc coming together as the first year of this series draws to a close. Waid has kept me interested throughout this first year with the quirky team ups and running thread of the threat of Megistus. This issue continues with another interesting team up and moves the plot along at a good pace.

Without skipping a beat, "The Brave and the Bold" gets a new, top-notch artist and moves head first towards the final chapter in the Megistus story arc. I'm left looking forward to next month's last chapter and for whatever the future brings this excellent title.

The Brave and the Bold #10

This comic continues to be a fun and entertaining read. Writer Mark Waid has threaded the "Megistus" story line through the last four issues and it the tool has worked well in getting some unusual team ups. Superman and the Silent Knight wouldn't be my first choice for a team up but it works here. Artist George Perez's Superman is a throwback to the 80s look which brings back some found memories. It was also awesome to see Perez draw the early Teen Titans as they team up with Aquaman. Seeing classic Aquaman also made me want to see this character back in the DCU proper. Waid nails the characterization of the early, young sidekicks which mirrors what is going on in the "Year One" title. The "Megistus" storyline is inched forward but the team ups are really interesting.

While Waid may have failed to capture my imagination in his "The Flash" run, he stays in top form here. I'm sad to see Perez move on, but Jerry Ordway is a fine addition to the creative team. If you haven't jumped on this title, it is consistently one of the best of the DC monthlies.

Green Latern Corps #18

Part 10 of "The Sinestro Corps War" has Sodam "ION" Yat going toe to toe with Superman "Ultimate Fanboy" Prime. Of course, the fate of some of the players here have been spoiled over in "Countdown" which did reduce some of the dramatic tension. Writer Peter J.Tomasi does a fine job of interleaving a hard hitting fight scene with flashes back to Sodam's past. The flash backs really provide a good bit of character development on Sodam and show why he's so dedicated to the Corps. The art team does a great job of pulling together both the bloody fight scene and the flash backs.

While the outcome of this fight is truly spoiled over in "Countdown", I felt that Tomasi's story played out quite nicely with good art in support.

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.

Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Superman-Prime

I have been a big fan of "The Sinestro Corps War" crossover event in "Green Lantern" and "Green Lantern Corps". This crossover really caught DC flat footed as they didn't advertise it well, didn't have a marketing plan to speak of, and didn't understand the quality of the story at all. Playing catchup, DC put out a series of one-shots that have had some range of success in story telling. In this one shot focusing on the Superboy (yes I said Superboy) of the now gone Earth-Prime, Geoff Johns tackles all his inner demons as a geek fanboy using this comic to poke fun at all of the DC editorial decisions of the last few years. Johns lets Superman-Prime be the fanboy's voice on such matters as Firestorm, Aquaman, Bart Allen, Hal Jordan, etc. Many of the one liners regarding these characters could have come from any of the comic chat rooms on the net. The art by Pete Woods and Jerry Ordway is excellent bringing energy to the action sequences and emotion to the flashbacks. A highly recommended read!