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.

The Flash #236

"The Flash" #236 accomplishes several things. First off, it ends writer Mark Waid's run on the book. DC Editorial must have given Waid the job of establishing Wally back as the flash, explaining the new family dynamic, and explaining where Wally & his family spent their down time after "Infinite Crisis". This issue pretty much wraps up all of those points to varying degrees of success. For those wondering how Linda went from being a news reporter to the leading expert on juvenile speed force issues, we do get some explanation on that. This issue was the first read where I actually enjoyed both the primary and backup stories. I liked that Waid has tied the two together as well. Freddie Williams II's art is starting to grow on me. With each new issue, Williams is getting more comfortable with Wally and his supporting cast.

While Waid did not bring Wally back to the DCU with a bang, Wally's now firmly established back as the Flash. I look forward to Tom Peyer taking over the writing chores and moving the Flash into a new and exciting direction.

The Flash #235

From my previous reviews of Mark Waid's return to "The Flash" you can tell that I haven't been impressed. The plodding story involving Wally's family and a water-based alien invasion has just not captured my interest. However, in this issue, I believe Waid may be turning the corner. From Wally's interaction with the JLA members to his conversation with his son, the plot actually began to move forward. Freddie Williams II's art is much stronger in this issue as well. He looks like he is getting more comfortable in the Flash's world. I still think that the colors are a bit too bright making the comic look more like a Saturday morning cartoon.

The backup story continues to impress me and, without spoiling too much, I like that Waid has tied this fun story back to the main plot as well. "The Flash" picked up a little steam in this issue and has me looking forward to the next issue for the first time in a while.

The Brave and the Bold #9

"The Brave and the Bold" #9 is a hit or miss issue. Using the "Megistus" thread from the Challengers of the Unknown "Book of Destiny" arc, this issue covers three team ups throughout DC history. I enjoyed the Metal Men and Dial H For Hero team up because it presented the Metal Men with their traditional look. I've been reading the "Metal Men" miniseries but have to admit that I prefer George Perez's "old school" Metal Men over their look in the miniseries. It was nice to see the throwback to "Dial H for Hero" as well. I remember reading the Dial H adventures in the early 80s, back when readers would send in suggestions that were incorporated into the heros. The Blackhawk and Boy Commandos team up was somewhat bland and didn't add much to the story. I really enjoyed the final team up of Hawkman and the Ryan Choi Atom. Writer Mark Waid captured both characters well and provided a fun little adventure for them.

"The Brave and the Bold" continues to be a fun read that satisfies.

Comic Adventurer 2007 Year End Review: The Outstanding

In 2007, DC rolled out two very fun titles “The All-New Booster Gold” and “The Brave and the Bold”. Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz have done a fantastic job with brining back Booster Gold into the DCU. Booster was a star of “52” and DC has capitalized on the good will from that series. From the first issue through this week’s issue #5, “The All-New Booster Gold” has been a fun read. I enjoy sitting down each month and savoring this book. Artist Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund have provided great art to back up Johns and Katz’s action packed and funny stories.

Over in “The Brave and the Bold”, writer Mark Waid really shines with this team-up series. The first six issues set up the device that Waid uses to keep this series moving forward. One of my favorite all time artist, George Perez, is back in top form with this series and delivers every month. He draws the best Supergirl out there. I highly recommend that if you haven’t read the first six issues that you go out and get the hard cover collection that just came out this week. I enjoy this read immensely.

In “The Sinestro Corps Wars” Geoff Johns, Dave Gibbons, and Peter J. Tomasi delivered a galaxy spanning tour de force. I believe DC was caught off guard with how good (and popular) that this story was. From “The Sinestro Corp Wars” #1 right through to the epilogue in “Green Lantern Corps” #19, this story was engrossing, action packed, and, most of all, fun to read.

Finally, one writer has jumped up high in my top ten writers of all time. Robert Kirkman, writer of “Invincible” and “The Walking Dead”, captured my imagination. I didn’t jump onto either book until this year. Well, twelve TPBs later and hitting the monthlies this last month, I have definitely become a true Kirkman fan. If you haven’t tried out either of these Image titles by Kirkman, you should grab the first TPB of each and see what they are like. I highly recommend it.

52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen #4 of 6

I'm truly a lazy comic buyer. I had "52" and now have "Countdown" on my pull list. My local comics shop, being good capitalists, generally pull any miniseries that have that tag line. I didn't much care for the first three issues of "52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen", but I continue to buy it. I mean - It is in my box. I might as well just get it. Well, issue #3 popped up this week and I must say that writer Keith Giffen has turned the corner on this. While it pales in comparison to "52" and doesn't really continue that story, it does try to wrap up the Four Horsemen storyline that set off Black Adam on his World War III rampage. I have always been a fan of Giffen but I felt the first three of issues of this were awkward and wordy. This issue, however, have the seeds laid in "52" and the first couple of issues bearing interesting fruit. I like Giffens use of Snapper Carr here and his characterization of the Trinity. Wonder Woman is a bad ass here. Batman's interactions with both Snapper and Superman are sharp and Superman while injured shows some brains behind the brawn.

While I like Mark Waid's version of Dr. Caulder over in "Brave and the Bold" better, I liked seeing the Doom Patrol in a real fight. While the art by penciller Pat Olliffe and inker Johan Stanisci isn't "knock you out" spectacular it does serve the story quite well. The character designs for the Four Horsemen are somehwhat goofy but Olliffe nails the Trinity and gets good emotion out of his art.

While this miniseries is not a must have, issue #4 takes the story and propels it forward with gusto. While I was ho-hum on this miniseries, Giffen won me over here and I'm looking forward to the closing chapters.

The Brave and the Bold #8

Writer Mark Waid brings Wally's family from his other series, "The Flash", into this issue of "The Brave and the Bold" and teams them up with the Doom Patrol. I haven't been keeping up with who's who on the Doom Patrol and I found Waid's take on the team interesting - especially his take on team leader Dr. Niles Caulder. I didn't realize what an ass Dr. Caulder is. Having just read this week's "The Flash", I found this book to actually capture the family dynamic of Wally's family and provided more insight than Waid's "The Flash" monthly. Perez's art really pops making Wally's kids interesting for the first time. Waid captures the varying personalities of the Doom Patrol with Perez providing excellent layouts displaying quite a lot of detail and story. The bookends dealing with the Book of Destiny and the Challengers of the Unknown is a nice plot device for presenting these stories and provides a thread to connect them all. The little tidbits that are dolled out each issue is enough to keep that story moving along.

This is one of DC's best monthlies and should be on your pull list.

The Flash #234

Writer Mark Waid's current run on "The Flash" is beginning to wear thin. I was willing to give him a pass as he reestablished Wally and his family back in the DCU but it is starting to drag now. I get it. The kids have issues with their powers. Let's move onto something that involves Wally as the Flash fighting rogues or something. I like Freddie E. Williams II's clean art style, but there's something missing here. I"m not sure if it is the bright coloring of colorists Tanya & Richard Horie, but the art just looks flat. Williams, however, does a good job with facial expressions and I like his page layouts. Maybe he needs someone else to ink his pencilling to bring out the depth.

In the backup story, artist Doug Braithewaite really shines. Colorist Alex Sinclair gives a painted look to Braithwaite's art and it provides a really stunning graphic novel look and feel. I'm enjoying the backup story more than the primary as Mark Waid does a good job of keeping "The Fast Life" moving forward.

I'm sticking with this book because I love both the Flash and Waid's previous efforts. Here's hoping taking the battle to the alien invaders of the last few issues peaks my interest.

The Flash #233

New artist Freddie Williams II replaces the outgoing Dave Acuna and I'm not sure what to think about it. Williams can draw some good stuff. He did so in "Blue Beetle" and "Batman and the Outsiders" one shot. I know he can draw, but this issue looked rushed. Dave Acuna was in the solicitations for both this issue and the next and I wonder if Williams wasn't handed this issue very late and told to get it in on time. Doug Braithwaite's cover is very nice and captures the speed of The Flash. However, William's interiors almost look like something out of Johnny DC and not the DCU. The alien creatures come of as cartoonish. Some of the art looks tight - meaning a character in a panel - but all in all it wasn't very appealing. I hope Williams brings more to the table as he becomes the series regular artist.

The story also left me wanting. Billed by DC marketing as the JLA comes to take Wally's kids, it all really panned out to nothing. Lame aliens, lame characterization, all really builds up to a lot of nothing. I did, however, enjoy the Waid and John Rogers back up story "The Fast Life" much more than the primary story. This four part back up looks very interesting with great art by Doug Braithwaite. To me "The Flash" should be a premiere DC title and currently it is coming of as a second rate D-level hero title.

Brave and the Bold #7

"Brave and the Bold" is one of the comics that I read right after leaving my local comic store. I have been a long time fan of George Perez's art and he still has the good stuff. Perez can flat out draw. From the cover to the last page, the art presented here is amazing. Writer Mark Waid has fun taking the reader from Wonder Woman and Power Girl battling mummies and the undead to Superman's Fortress of Solitude all the while keeping it fun and interesting. Wonder Woman even whips out the old invisible plane for a cameo appearance. The weaving in of the Book of Destiny and the Challengers of the Unknown really makes this a fun book to read. I recommend this to any reader looking for the best DC has to offer.

The Flash #232

I was excited to see writer Mark Waid coming back to "The Flash". Two issues into his run and I'm not really sure where it is all headed. Wally's kids are taking center stage and while the book does have a "The Incredibles" feel to it, I'm not exactly on board yet with this direction. The Flash is my son's favorite character and I have always been a fan. I've been reading "The Flash" since the late 70s and love the simple power of speed. I was a big Barry Allen fan but wasn't one of those who was pissed about his demise during "Crisis on Infinite Earths". I thought DC did an excellent job of utilizing Barry's end to illustrate the hero's sacrifice.

Following Barry's demise, Mark Waid and Geoff John's did an excellent job of establishing the Flash's legacy role in the DCU. I thoroughly enjoyed both Waid and John's runs on the character. Waid brought a sense of family to the Flash's universe with John's fleshing out the Rogues and Wally and Linda's relationship. Wally was thought lost during the "Infinte Crisis" series but was brought back during the JLA/JSA crossover event "The Lightening Saga". Whether Wally and family were supposed to return or it was a purely editorial decision is still up for debate.

With the death of Bart Allen in "The Flash: FMA" series, Mark Waid came back as writer for "The Flash" with the numbering starting with the old "The Flash" series at #231. Waid has some great stuff going on in his current run, but I am not feeling the love for Wally's kids. I'm willing to give Waid time to work things out but this alien invasion story line is out in left field for a Flash comic.

The Flash has had some excellent artist through the years with Mark Wieringo and Howard Porter - just to name a couple - providing dynamic art for the scarlett speedster. Once again, I run into another issue with the current presentation of the Flash. Dave Acuna's art just doesn't grab me. I'm willing to give it more time to grow on me, but the art doesn't really convey the speed of the Flash. Acuna's art is not crisp like Porter's or action packed like Wieringo's. The over saturized reds and yellows just seem to lay on the page. There's no pop.

For a new reader to the Flash, I would recommend catching up on some of the TBPs that are out there before jumping onto Waid's new run. At this point, I can't recommend this series until I see Wally taking center stage and the art comes along more.

Blue Beetle #18

Blue Beetle is a fun book to read. I was a fan of the Ted Kord Blue Beetle and was saddened to see him offed during the build up to "Infinity Crisis". I did not pick up the new Blue Beetle book when it first came out. I got my first taste of the character during Mark Waid and George Perez's "Brave and The Bold". I liked what they did with the character and decided to go back issue diving at my local comic store. I ended up getting the complete run 1-14 (missing a few issues in there). What I found was an engaging character the was fun and interesting. John Rogers, the writer, has done a great job of fleshing out the supporting cast and the lead character's, Jaime Reyes, introduction across the DC Universe. I have enjoyed Rafael Albuquerque's art, but was disappointed that he could not do the whole issue. Substitute art by Davidl Baldeon & Dan Davis seemed rushed and did not match the tone established for Blue Beetle.

In the issue, Blue Beetle and the Teen Titans team up to take on Lobo. Blue Beetle's armor continues to pull tricks out of the hat and show just how powerful it can be. The team fights Lobo to somewhat of a standstill and ends with Robin commenting on Beetle's lack of fighting skills. Robin invites Beetle to hang with the Titans and Jaime considers the invite. I'm looking forward to seeing Beetle in the Teen Titans as of issue #50. I believe he will be a breath of fresh air to a morose comic book and bring back some of the awe that is needed for that group. If you haven't picked up Blue Beetle, I recommend it!

Supergirl #20

During one of DC's many panels at this year's San Diego Comic Con, Dan Didio explained Supergirl's place in the DC Universe. He was answering a question in regards to bringing new readers to DC. Dan asked the audience, "Who is Supergirl?" He responded with "Superman's cousin." In an attempt to rectify past mistakes with Supergirl, she was reintroduced into the DC Universe in the pages of Superman/Batman.

Here initial introduction in Superman/Batman: Supergirl #8-13, writer Jeff Loeb did a good job of setting up Kara in the post-Crisis (original not Infinite) Earth. Supergirl's new series jumped from her introduction and stumbled almost from the start. While some of the stories have been enjoyable, the inconsistent writing and art have hurt this title. The only book that has done an excellent job presenting an exciting and well thought out Supergirl is Brave and the Bold written by Mark Waid and illustrated by George Perez. In the pages of Brave and the Bold, Supergirl comes across as a powerful young woman getting to know her place in the universe.

Supergirl #20 addresses the aftermath of Supergirl and Wondergirl attempting to negotiate with the President on Air Force One during the Amazon Attacks war. DC has really dropped the ball on Amazon Attacks. What should have been a series spanning cross over event, turned into a continuity mess with poor writing. This issue of Supergirl begins by being hampered by this illogical storyline. Given that, I enjoyed the action that Tony Bedard put in this issue. We get to see Supergirl cut loose and even show that she is vulnerable, like Superman, to magic. Besides the Amazon Attacks tie-in, the big drawback to this issue was the art. Renato Guedes' version of Supergirl looks like a tube with thick hips and legs. I know that America is getting fatter, but does Supergirl have to follow that trend. My son, who is "ho-hum" on Supergirl as it is, picked up the book and immediately put it down based on the shoddy art.

How does DC fix Supergirl?
1) Pick a direction for the character and begin moving that way. The best of the DC heroes don't just go from fight to fight, they have a story arc to develop their character and their place in DC. This character should get young girls excited about reading comics. My daughter, who is just getting into comics, could care less about Supergirl right now.
2) Get a good writer for the long term. It looks like Tony Bedard is on for on three issues, two of which are crossover event tie ins. Therefore, I don't expect much from his run.
3) Get an artist that can draw young. Supergirl is 16 not 25 (or older by Guedes' art). Bring in an artist that can attract young girls (and guys) to the character.

While the answers above can apply to almost any book being published, they highlight what DC has done wrong in the handling of Supergirl. Good Supergirl stories can be published. Just go to Brave and the Bold for the proof.

-Matt

All Flash #1

I grew up with the Barry Allen Flash. His death in "Crisis on Infinite Earths" was poignant moment for me. At the time I was upset with DC for taking away one of my favorite characters but, with the introduction of Wally West (formerly Kid Flash) as the Flash, and the subsequent development of the Speed Force, I grew to admire DC's handling of the Flash mythos. The torch was passed to a Flash for a new generation and writers like William Messner-Loebs, Mark Waid, and Geoff Johns, Wally became the Flash for a new generation. A new Kid Flash was also introduced. Coming from the future, Bart Allen, grandson of Barry, would start off in the DC Universe as the aptly named Impulse and would move onto inherit the mantel as Kid Flash.

DC decided to see if lightening would strike twice by having Wally disappear during the "Infinite Crisis" saga. Bart would assume the role of the Flash in the Flash: The Fastest Man Alive comic book series. Having lived through the original crisis and death of Barry Allen, I was all for Wally going away and Bart becoming this generation's Flash. However, sadly, the transition was woefully mishandled by DC and its writers. By issue 13, interest in the Flash had dwindled and DC decided to kill off Bart Allen. Bart died at the hands of the Flash's original rogues gallery of criminals. Over in the Justice League of America and Justice Society of America titles, "The Lightning Saga" crossover was playing out. In the end, after a confusing appearance by the Legion of Superheroes, Wally and his family returned back to the DC Universe.

In All Flash #1, we get a story that provides a setup for the further adventures for Wally West as the Flash. Some things are not quite right as his kids, who were new born just a year ago are now 10-12 years old. Superman ponders this and Wally gives a quick "lets talk about it later" answer. Wally then sets off against the rogues to attempt to set up that story line for future issues.

I was happy to see Mark Waid back in the writing chair for the Flash. He knows Wally West best and can return the Flash back to a best selling comic with great stories. I though the one shot did a good job of returning Wally to the fold and setting up the future story arc. I hope Flash 231 brings tighter art direction as the team art displayed in All Flash #1 did not provide a cohesive picture of this version of Flash. All in all I'm pretty excited about the direction of the Flash. I'm hoping at some point Bart is brought back to serve as Kid Flash. However, with the addition of Wally's older kids I don't see that happening.

-Matt