Review: Justice League Unlimited #10

 Justice League Unlimited #10 came out last week and was a pretty busy comic, weaving three plot threads together while holding down one overlying arc. 

We just finished 'We Are Yesterday'. Time Trapper Doomsday, World Forger, and Gorilla Grodd had all escaped. Air Wave was revealed as a traitor but redeemed himself. And the Legion of Doom has been defeated.

What we get this issue is the aftermath of all that. And what I like about this is that DC seems to be a bit united in the entire line's storyline. Or maybe I am just reading the titles that are aligning. But Darkseid, and Doomsday are pretty big elements here as well as in the Super books. Given the link to the Absolute Universe and the upcoming mega-event DC KO, it feels like we are in a coherent and consistent universe right now. 

And I am glad that Justice League is part of it. The JL should be the axle the whole universe spins on. Writer Mark Waid has us dealing with Doomsday, Apokolipitian Fire Pits appearing on Earth, and an embedded threat. But the biggest thing in this issue is a sudden disruption in the Trinity. If hero is meant to fight hero in DC KO, you probably need dissension in the ranks. 

Meanwhile, Dan Mora continues to just light the comic world on fire with his incredible work. He is doing multiple titles too! But seeing his take on Metamorpho (again), Power Girl, and a new hero (for me) Capejos makes me want him to draw everything. 

On to the book. 

Review: Justice League Unlimited #9

I was unsure if I was going to review Justice League Unlimited #9, an epilogue to the We Are Tomorrow arc. But it is clear that DC is building on something here. There is a lot happening here, weaving nicely with this week's Superman #28 and pulling the eventual clash with the Absolute Universe and Darkseid that much closer. Throw in a killer Supergirl moment and it was a no-brainer.

Writer Mark Waid brings this arc to a high-energy close by bringing in some old villains, peppering in time-tossed (and reality-tossed) DC characters, and giving us a subtle cliffhanger that left me wondering what is next. I wonder if Waid is taking advantage of his writing the New History of the DC Universe to remind him of character variations to try to showcase here. And he and Joshua Williamson are making me like this Time Trapper Doomsday, no small feat. 

Dan Mora is on art here as well as Superman #28 which makes these two issues read like a mini-event or double sized Annual. And Mora gets to have fun as he is also allowed to pepper in these character variants. He draws everybody so well so whenever he spotlights a favorite of mine, I smile. 

I will say it was luck that I read this before Superman #28 because it sort of reads better that way. Interesting they came out on the same week with this being a 5 Wednesday month.

On to the book.

Review: Justice League Unlimited #7

Justice League Unlimited #7 came out last week, the next part in the 'We Are Yesterday' storyline and taking another step forward in the eventual crossover of the main universe and the Absolute one. That Omega shape has been seen a lot lately and the FCBD story seemed to hint it's going to happen soon.

Writer Mark Waid continues to give us a fun story, showing us the new large League fighting a past-version Legion of Doom. I have enjoyed seeing him show the breadth of this JLU as well as the DCU (some special guests this time) as well as an old-school villain team. I have never been the biggest Grodd fan but I have enjoyed seeing him run this LoD, outsmarting Lex and coming close to ultimate power. There is even a redemption arc for poor Airwave, the unwitting traitor.

Travis Moore is on art this time and gets to stretch his legs a bit, giving us big action in different times with a large cast. He draws a pretty solid Grodd which can't be an easy task. 

I don't know if this storyline will be an all-time classic but it has been fun, especially seeing the 'past' incarnations of heroes and villains dealing with the present day world.

On to the issue.

Review: Justice League Unlimited #5

Justice League of America #5 came out this week and featured Supergirl so prominently that I felt I should cover it here.

This new title by the tremendous creative team of writer Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora. These two brought us Batman/Superman World's Finest and that book was the best on the shelves for some time. When Waid had characters guest star in that book, I would always say that Mora brought such polish to them that he should draw that character's solo book. Now with the Justice League Unlimited, in essence, being every hero in the DCU, I actually get to see Mora's take on the entire universe. 

I don't know if I am 100% behind the 'everyone is a Leaguer' idea. Back in my youth, being named to the League was a big deal. Dick Dillin would draw a big scroll welcoming the hero with some sort of certificate. Perhaps a better screening process would stop a traitor from being in their midst, one of the plot points here.

Still, this book has been fun and it does allow both Waid and Mora to allow different heroes to be in the spotlight. As I said, Supergirl is front and center here, as is Impulse, Star Sapphire, and Red Tornado. They wouldn't get a showcase with the big guns unless they are in the League. So there is an upside.  Plus, given Waid's love of the DCU, this allows him to do a deep dive. into every nook and cranny. I am convinced he is hinting at something in this book which is one of my great loves. 

Plus the League is up against 'Inferno' an evil society they seem helpless against. We learn who they are at the end which only ups the ante.

Add to it all Mora and his jaw-dropping work. I love his work. Mora makes the 'jacket' Supergirl costume work. And the action is stellar throughout. 

I don't think I'll always review this book so let's just dive in!

Happy Thanksgiving - Supergirl Trades

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here in the states and those that celebrate.

It has been a while since I have had Supergirl content on this here Supergirl blog so I am thrilled to give you this news (and hat tip to excellent friend Mart Gray for sending it my way!).

There are two new Supergirl trades coming out in the near future! 

Here is a link to Bleeding Cool's coverage:  https://bleedingcool.com/comics/aquaman-supergirl-superwomen-new-dc-comics-collections/

Now the trades themselves are great, showcasing most of the Supergirl stories in the DCAU comics, those based on the Bruce Timm animated shows. 

But for me, and maybe I am grasping at hope or maybe I am looking to give thanks for something, but I have to wonder the timing. Why release two Supergirl specific trades in the near future?

And the only thing I can think of is that there is a new monthly on the horizon. 

How better to promote a new Supergirl book than to put out Supergirl trades showcasing her.

I can dream, can't I?

Even if there isn't a new monthly, I will definitely grab these books. I have covered some but not all of them here over the years.

Back Issue Box: Justice League Unlimited #7

With regular super-books either cancelled or on hiatus as we await the coming of Bendis, I have been dipping into the back issues for comics to cover. As usual, I try to tap into some zeitgeist when I review older stories. And there has been a confluence of events that made me revisit Justice League Unlimited #7.

For one, it was Jack Kirby's 100th year birthday this year, resulting in a ton of Kirby stuff hitting the market. Whether it was the Allred's Bug mini, the Kamandi Challenge, or the ongoing and critically acclaimed Mr. Miracle by Tom King and Mitch Gerads, there is more Kirby specific books on the rack now than ever.

Then the news that a New Gods movie was going to go into production with Ava DuVernay behind the director's chair broke.

And then, Supermates Chris and Cindy Franklin started up the JLU cast looking at the Justice League animated show. Find it here: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/show/jlucast/

With all that happening, it seemed like this issue with Supergirl embroiled in Fourth World war while learning a lesson about family seemed due for a thorough review. There is a lot of action and a lot of emotional heft to this story told in an all ages book. So sit back and enjoy.

The Creeper!

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I have a great fondness of The Creeper, that wild superhero created by Steve Ditko in 1968.

Whether it is the absolutely insane costume, or the manic laughter the Creeper uses, or his occasional brutal justice that he metes out, there is something about the guy that hits me right. The Creeper finally made a return to the DCU in the new Rebirth continuity and all my pals reminded me to look for his latest incarnation.

And kudos to friend Mart Gray of the Too Dangerous For A Girl comic review site for forwarding to me the (I believe) only interaction between The Creeper and Supergirl! Creeper and Supergirl ... that's like chocolate and peanut butter.

This panel is from Justice League Unlimited #8, written by Adam Beechen with art by Carlos Barbieri. The League has to team up with the Creeper hoping his madness will help them track down the Madmen. I don't own this issue ... but now I have to find it!!

I love how Supergirl is ... well ... creeped out by the Creeper. Too funny!