JLA #106
by Chuck Austen & Ron Garney
You know that wonderful feeling you get when, after having been constipated for several days, you finally have a bowel movement? Well DC have finally crapped out the final issue of "The Pain of the Gods" and, as it says on the cover, No More Pain! Okay, in all honesty this concluding chapter wasn't the worst chapter in the story, but after the last two issues there really was nowhere to go but up. This focus this issue is nominally on Batman, but it's also the concluding chapter, so all of the JLA have to show up to act out of character to wrap the story up. At least we didn't have to see Batman cry--I don't think I could have taken that.
Rating: 2 (of 5)
Superman/Batman #12
by Jeph Loeb & Michael Turner
This penultimate chapter of "The Supergirl from Krypton" actually managed to slightly surprise me, as part of the plot resolves itself before ending with something of a shock ending. I am however still annoyed by the narrative style, as the overlapping captions make it difficult to read with any sort of flow. Loeb needs to drop this affectation, as it's gone from slightly clever to slightly annoying. Turner's art is the same as ever--you know by now if you like it or not--and the colors by Peter Steigerwald are excellent. Now if only they could explain why on Earth Ma Kent would fashion a costume for Kara that sports a bare midriff...
Rating: 3 (of 5)
Superman #209
by Brian Azzarello, Jim Lee & Scott Williams
There's still no making sense of the overarching plot, if any still exists, and things still happen for seemingly no reason. But the battle between Supes and the elementals that makes up the bulk of the book is exciting and oftimes clever, so it's at least an improvement over the past few issues. I have yet to see anything to make me change my mind about "For Tomorrow" though.
Rating: 2.5 (of 5)
Batman #632
by Bill Willingham, Kinsun & Aaron Sowd
It the final part of the middle act of "War Games," and lo and behold it's an issue that manages to maintain a narrative thread throughout. Some guy named Orpheus is dead, and Black Mask, now through torturing teenage girls, decides to impersonate Orpheus. Strangely, the World's Greatest Detective cannot tell the difference between one of his agents and one of his enemies. The story ends with a television reporter mouthing off against vigilantes--hey now, that's original. Kinsun's art doens't impress me as much as it did in the previous issue, but it's still competent and tells the story well. Plus, we get a nice Matt Wagner cover (obscured by too many logos though, so click on the tiny image here to see a larger, unmarred version).
Rating: 2.5 (of 5)
2 comments:
I too am put off by Jeph Loeb's dueling narration, especially when it continues to hammer home how Superman Trusts Everybody and Batman Doesn't Trust Anybody and They Both Ironically Respect Each Other. Ye gods.
Regarding Martha Kent and her midriff-baring design: I dunno, she's like a permissive grandma? It does seem way out of character -- assuming it's true, and not just a cutesy way to reference "Lois & Clark."
I'm not quite sure how you guys feel about a sequel but if you agree with me spread it around the net and maybe those dummies in Hollywood might listen. But in all my comic book collecting years and all the years I have analyzed Batman, the Joker has been quite a bit older than Batman. And (other than Jack Nichlson who without a doubt will be the greatest Joker hands down) , I think Sean Penn can do it. He has the ability, hell he played a mentally challenged parent(I Am Sam), he has the charisma and he can act his ass off( Mystic River), and most importantly to me is the fact I think he has that sinister smile. If you guys agree with me let me know my email is Sonny_Duth@yahoo.com. If you guys think that I am plum crazy and need neurological surgery please let me know and who should play the Joker in the next Batman flick.
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