Nightwing #142

DC puts out another great read in "Nightwing" #142. In just a few issues, writer Peter J. Tomasi has propelled Nightwing to the forefront of the DCU. He has him firmly established in the Batman family and with the greater DCU as well. He's a player. Dick - I mean Richard - is finally looking like the man that I thought he would grow into while reading those "New Teen Titan" stories back in the 80s. Penciller Rags Morales does a great job of incorporating Dick's aerial acrobatic past into his Nightwing moves. He gives him a fluidity that I haven't seen in any other book. With this creative team, I have gone from not wanting to pick this title up to looking forward to it every month.

If you haven't tried Tomasi & Morales' "Nightwing", you should. These guys have this title clicking and I hope that translates to sales.

Green Lantern Corps #21

With the end of "The Sinestro Corps Wars", DC had me pumped to see the Mongul story play out. However, that has to wait a couple of months while we deal with the "Alpha Lanterns" story from "Green Lantern" and its impact on the Corps. I believe if Tomasi had done this issue it might have turned out better. Sterling Gates' story read like an expanded backup Tales of the Green Lanterns. I'm not sure that Boodikka was the best choice as an Alpha Lantern. I'm sure Geoff Johns picked her for specific reasons and I was hoping that Gates would illuminate us here. That doesn't happen. We just get a very robotic Boodikka that treats pretty much everyone badly. The high point of the issue was Nelson's art. While it isn't spectacular it serves the story well. I particularly liked his layouts for the flash back pirate fight.

This two parter just seems to be spinning its wheels until Tomasi and company can get back on schedule with the Mongul story. I'll be picking up the next issue, but I'm truly looking forward to Tomasi's return.

Nightwing #141

The best read of the week goes to "Nightwing". The combination of writer Peter J. Tomasi's excellent script and Rags Morales outstanding art makes for a very good book. I was never much a fan of Nightwing's monthly series, but Tomasi has peaked my interest. He has taken Dick's character and given him a new location, new job, and a new outlook. Tomasi firmly establishes Nightwing's prominence in the DCU by having cameos by Superman and the Flash. Superman treats Nightwing as pretty much and equal and the Flash harkens back to the character's rich history. I have been very impressed with this book over the last two issues. I'm hooked.

The future looks bright for this title.

Black Adam #6 of 6

"Black Adam" ends with a bit of a whimper. I have enjoyed writer Peter J. Tomasi's miniseries as his Black Adam is a driven yet conflicted character. My only complaint is that the ending is a bit rushed. We've got competing parties tracking Black Adam as he attempts to revive Isis and then nothing much comes of it. I do like the setup for Black Adam discovering his magic word and, no, it isn't "sorry".

Doug Mahnke's art is very dynamic and expressive. It is the true highlight of this issue. From the opening shot of Black Adam flying to the look on both Black Adam and the kid's face when he finally figures out the magic word, Mahnke is on point. I'd like to see more from this excellent artist.


This issue begs for more Black Adam adventures. I'd buy a monthly if Tomasi and Mahnke were onboard.

Nightwing #140

The first thing that struck me about "Nightwing" #140 is the art. Penciller Rags Morales and inker Michael Bair are top notch talent and really shine in this issue. With bringing on this new team, DC looks ready to push "Nightwing" to a new level in the DCU. Writer Peter Tomasi makes this issue an excellent jumping on point for new readers. He firmly establishes Nightwing in Batman's realm while giving him a distinct/separate agenda. I hope that DC can keep this crew on this title for a long time as Dick Grayson has been a favorite character of mine since the "New Teen Titan" days. Although I was never felt compelled to try the "Nightwing" monthly, the new team has me hooked for the near term.

Green Lantern Corps #20

Issue #20 comes across as an epilogue to the epilogue of "The Sinestro Corps War". The last issue showed the aftermath of the war and now we see the affect on both Guy and Kyle. This issue serves as more a character piece with Guy and Kyle trying to find their place in the world (universe). I like the secondary story dealing with Mongul's new found power with the Sinestro Corp ring. It is too bad that we have to wait until issue #23 for that story to come to the forefront. The art in this issue is a bit inconsistent. Gleason & Rollins cover is exceptional but the interiors aren't up to that standard with some of the pages looking rushed and Guy just not looking like Guy.

I put this book on my pull list at the start of "The Sinestro Corps Wars" and will keep up with it for a few more issues - at least until the Mongul story is complete. However, if Guy's bar is a central point and the series loses focus, it won't stay on my pull list for long.

Black Adam #5 of 6

"Black Adam" continues to impress me. Peter J. Tomasi captures both the world spanning scale and the personal tone of this tale. I like his take on Black Adam as it is very consistent to what was portrayed in "52". While this issue slows down on the action a bit in exchange for character building, you can feel the tension build throughout. Artist Douglas Mahnke does an excellent jog of capturing both the power of Black Adam and the strength of Teth Adam. Rob Leigh's coloring is also outstanding.

While this issue gave the reader a chance to catch their breath, the next issue looks to be an explosive conclusion to an excellent miniseries.

Green Lantern Corps #19

I am not a huge fan of epilogues, but after the break neck "The Sinestro Corps War", I'm willing to give "Green Lantern Corps" a down issue. Not a lot happens here as the book jumps around to the various Green Lantern Corps members as the return from the war. The art is not that great and looked a bit rushed. While it wasn't an exciting read, almost boarding on boring, the final page provides an exciting jumping on point going forward.

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.