Pwaelchl Comic Reviews

Jurgens provides a rich narrative here for any reader to enjoy. He knows that Superman stories are often strongest when the characterizations are strong. There were moments of this development during the first Doomsday arc, but it was focused on action. During this issue and the previous issue, #964, Jurgens has slowed the pace down and gone deeper into the characters. Lois and Clark's humanity are often more interesting than Superman's powers, and this is true here.

Any Superman fan needs to read this issue. Any lapsed or casual Superman fan will love this issue. Anyone who put off checking outAction Comics or Superman's cast of characters since Rebirth or even since the New 52 launch should read this issue. Honestly, if anyone out there hasn't thought about Superman and his world since Dan Jurgens wroteSuperman #75 back in the 1990's, this is the issue to pick up to be reminded whySuperman remains an icon.

After this year's San Diego Comic Con, there was buzz about this series and AMC's announcement of a Briggs LandTV series. The buzz is well deserved. There is an engaging story to be told here, but whether it is a sustained narrative or self-contained story is hard to determine. This first issue sets up a world of possibilities, but it is also a strong candidate for a trade paperback. Inching these characters forward month by month may not sustain the narrative or readers. But Wood has proven inDMZ, that those readers that stick around are in for a heck of a ride.

Briggs Land continues to be a compelling must read. The characters and world this creative team are developing are worthwhile storytelling elements that can stand up against any other comics work.

Campaigners works as a graphic novel, but is challenged as a limited series through an indie press. Hykes clearly has a story to tell for these characters and for our society, unfortunately with an underfunded IndieGoGo campaign the conclusion of Campaigners is uncertain. If the series remains in limbo the questions it raises are worthwhile to consider. If the story of Kydra and Bee doesn't have a conclusion, maybe that is part of the story. Social expectations, acceptance, and the American electoral process doesn't have a neat and clean conclusion either. Time marches forward, but slowing down to consider the world Hykes has created may help us create a better world right now.

Long time fans will be left with a lot of questions about Palmer and Choi's history. New and casual fans will find an engaging and personal super hero tale. Orlando, MacDonald, and Rauch create a small, subtle world that is a good thing for any comic fan.

The Ray is moving and empowering without being preachy. Ray Terrill's journey to super hero reflects Orlando is creating an emotionally rich cast of characters for the JLA that look to shine light onto the world.

Justice League of America: Vixen is not just an origin story, this is an introduction to a wonderful character who deserves a chance to soar.

All of this praise is warranted, the Bensons and Roe succeed in the creating a world and characters to be proud of. Unfortunately, this first issue's storytelling is not executed as well. The story moves from one chase scene to another and unfortunately Roe's excellent depiction of the characters does not carry over into excellently choreographed fight scenes. On those merits, the book is a solid middle of the road 7.0. But the character dialog, friendship, and tension combined with the strong art direction elevate the book to an 8.0 and any reader not stuck in the muscle bound 90's would do well to keep an eye on this creative team.

The story arc of issues #8 and #9 are a strong 8.0, but this issue stumbles after a strong start. The forced connection to the larger plot feels coincidental at best and contrived at worst. Overall, Percy has a great handle on this cast of characters and now that they are reunited, fans of any version of the Green Arrow are in for a treat.

Returning readers and those new to the series have a lot to look forward to with Percy and Schmidt. The first eleven issues of theGreen Arrow may have resulted in some hits and misses, but #12 lands a bullseye.

Optimus Prime#1 is structured in a way that honors the backstories fans have followed, but reduces the barrier to entry for casual fans of the franchise. This is a successful start to a new and exciting series for this long running franchise.

This is a first issue, and it is as accessible as a #1 should be. Readers also benefit from Raven's increased visibility over the past few years through television cartoons and DC's animated direct to video films. The combination of character awareness and character relevance makes Raven #1 a great jumping off point for fans of the character and readers looking to identify with the feeling of isolation in a crowded world.

Readers who see the cover with a sampling of B-list characters from DC's holy trinity of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman may not have a lot to grab onto. But Lobdell succeeds in drawing new readers in with a larger plot that doesn't assume too much prior knowledge and a cliffhanger that will bring new readers back. For a group of B-list characters, Lobdell and Soy make a strong case for this as an A-list title if they can keep up the pacing and progression.

An average issue of what has the potential to be an above average series. There is still a lot of potential here for Lobdell and Soy to tap into. Feel free to skip this fight-scene heavy issue, but return for issue #3 when the third outlaw's introduction will be extended and certainly further shake up the dynamic between these characters.

Lobdell and Soy took on an interesting new roster of outcasts and are giving readers reasons to care about each of them. If this pacing and character exploration continues, this book deserves to stand out among the other titles set in Gotham.

For readers who haven't yet decided on the series, issue #4 is a good point to jump back in. For those that have stuck around, the story is finally starting to payoff. Either way, Lobdell and Soy have set up an adventure worth following.

Parents and others looking to get younger readers interested in comics have a great new series in Super Friends. Thanks to Batlzar and Franco, Super Friends is a prefect jumping off point for younger readers looking for explore the rich history of DC's legacy.

A new roster of the Teen Titans is formed, but readers learn nothing about why they are brought together or how they will work together. As a #1 issue, it raises enough questions that most readers will want to come back to find out more. And they should, the solicits for the rest of 2016 have the Teen Titans battling Ra' al Ghul. This story-line of Damian forming a team to take on his grandfather is a great setup, we can only hope it delivers.

He-Man ThunderCats #1 is a great setup to merge these properties together in a meaningful way. If David and Goldfine can create characters and worlds that readers care about, this series has the potential to pull in a large fan base.

He-Man and Thundercats moves beyond cheesy cartoon action and creates an interesting mythology that has room to grow and develop. The creative team of David, Goldfine, and Williams has created a book true to these characters and deeper than most readers know.

Readers who were engaged during the first two issues, have enough here to keep them coming back. Readers who found the first two issue too self serious and not at the core of these characters now have hope. Regardless of the audience, this creative team treats both franchises with respect and continues to cultivate a compelling narrative.

With solid pacing in the storytelling and beautiful artwork, this creative team has the power to carry these characters beyond this initial six issue limited series. The limited series is a fan's dream, but without previous attachments to these characters the appeal of the series may be limited.

Russell and Pugh have created a unique and timely take on The Flinstones. This is not The Flintstones of old, but this modern stone age family has a lot to say about our current world. If Russell stays with this direction and doesn't lean further into the trendy one liners, DC has a socially meaningful and successful new book on the shelves.

Even thoughFlintstones #2 is a flop, do not give up on this series. Feel free to skip this issue, but don't give up on the world that Russell and Pugh are trying to create.

If you were interested in this new version of the Flintstones, but haven't picked up an issue, now is the time. If you drifted away from the series, now is the time to come back. If you been reading all along, be glad that Russell has finally found the emotional voice for the series.

Make a New Year's Resolution to pick this title up. There are often practices and habits that readers what to change and Russell'sThe Flintstones may be just the right reflection and recording of humanculture to motivate that change.

Easton's interpretation of MASK puts the lead characters on the run, wanted by law enforcement, and hunted by VEMON. This fugitive framework creates opportunities for the MASK team to struggle in battle and to provide moments of characterization. There was a short lived G.I. Joe cartoon that had the team as fugitives and it created a number of both personal and action packed stories. With Easton framing MASK as rogue organization and not an established military force, he has laid a solid groundwork for future stories.

Superwoman started off strong, struggled in issue #2, and now is finding the voice of this new super hero. Jimenez and Lupacchino have work to do to keep readers engaged with this Superwoman, but with his knowledge of the universe and her artistic style, readers should be in for a ride.

Taylor has a history with Injustice of taking thin properties and adding weight and significance to them. He may yet provide readers with a significant story as the series develops. But for now, just like the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers of the 1990's, this first issue is flashy but not serious.

The story creates a rationale for Nightwing to return to Bludhaven, which may be the most lasting impactNightwing#9 has on the character. But the story's positive message about support and grief may last a lot longer with certain readers.The issue itself carries a positive message, but is ultimately not essential.

The star of this issue is Brett Booth's depiction of the action. In an issue all about a fight scene, good artwork makes the difference. Booth was involving with theTeen Titanslaunch around the New 52. His artwork is often in the stylized, muscularly defined vain of super hero comics. Booth's style is akin to acclaimed Jim Lee's artwork. Given their history of working together on Image and Wildstorm titles, the similarities are understandable. Fortunately, this style works well for the action heavy, super powered battle. As exciting as the action is, the action could have been accomplished with any super powered team of the last 20 years. Without more narrative momentum from Abnett, Booth's art makes a fun but shallow issue.

While the story doesn't really move ahead, these Titans continued to be developed as characters. The arc is just getting rolling for this team of forgotten former side kicks.

No joke. This new Teen Titans series is shaping up to a wonderful book with a lot of potential. Percy's statement through Robin's words is more than a pitch, it is a promise. In spite of the initial trauma, these Teen Titans are go!