Review: Superman Lois And Clark #5

We all know that #Rebirth is around the corner and as a result we'll have a new status quo in the Super-titles. We already knew that Superman Lois and Clark was truncated from 12 issues to 8 issues, meaning it will end right before the new reality of the DCU. So we are officially on the back half of this title.

And that is what makes Superman Lois and Clark #5 such an interesting issue. Writer Dan Jurgens is still giving us flashbacks to deepen the history of the couple on Prime Earth. There are subplots that have been simmering on the back burner for 5 months. Jurgens is even adding new subplots! It makes me wonder if Jurgens was really thinking about this series as a 12 issue maxi. Or maybe even an on-going.

It is a shame because this is a very good series giving us the Lois and Clark I think many (if not most) of us want.

Lee Weeks isn't on art this issue. Instead Neil Edwards provides the interiors. Edwards did some of Justice League United and has a nice style, clean and straightforward. I love his quiet home Lois and Clark scenes the best as the flow off the page nicely.

On to the issue.

Review: Justice League United #10

Justice League United #10 came out this week and was a very entertaining ending to the Infinitus Saga Legion crossover. This was a great ending for any number reasons which I will go over. But for a Supergirl fan, this is an excellent reason. There are great moments for Kara here including one scene that floored me. Floored me as it should floor all long term Supergirl fans.

I am trying to wrap my head around this month in DC Comics in the grander scheme of things. We get two months of Convergence coming up. We get a rebranding, rethinking of the entire universe afterwards. And while Justice League United is continuing, we know that this creative team is gone. We have no idea who will remain on the team. I am calling it here and now ... Supergirl won't be there. But we'll see.

Indeed, when you read this issue, it could easily be read as a 'final issue'. And that is a shame because I have really loved this book. Thanks to Jeff Lemire for putting together a diverse and engaging team. Thanks for writing an interesting Supergirl without making her too hard and bull-headed. And thank you thank you thank you for writing a great Legion! We need a Legion book by Lemire!

Neil Edwards wraps up his work on the book as well (as far as we know) and continues to do a great job with the massive cast of the arc. The action of this issue ends relatively quickly leading to more character moments and dramatic scenes. Nice stuff on those quiet moments too!

You might remember that last issue J'Onn lobotomized Ultra, ending the Infinitus threat. Unfortunately, Brainy had already fired his ultimate missile, resulting in a black hole opening up in Thanagarian space.

Byth wriggles free of Colossal Boy's grip and falls into the black hole, nearly taking Equinox with him.

And so we come to the first great Supergirl moment. With Star Girl and Equinox about to also fall in, Supergirl streaks to the rescue, grabbing them and flying them away from the gravity well. Great semi-splash here of a determined Kara saving her friends. Love it.

While the Star Boy tries to slow down the black hole's effects, the others go into rescue mode. Unfortunately, Thanagar is in danger of slipping into the black hole, destroying the whole planet.

When all seems lost, Dreamy gets a prophetic vision, two planets in proximity to each other. The answer is clear. Thanagar must be teleported away.

Hmmm .... okay ....

It isn't going to be easy. But if all the Rannian fleet fire Zeta beams at the planet's poles, and with an amplification boost from Mysa, it just might work.

I am a big fan of the White Witch so it was nice to see her have a little moment in the sun. She is able to work her magic and Thanagar gets blipped away. The whole planet is now in the same system, the same orbit as Rann! Now that is interesting and certainly opens up an opportunity for someone at DC to do a 'Cosmic' book looking at the new dynamic of Rann and Thanagar.

And no doubt, they have saved Thanagar.

But is the black hole still out there? I guess so.

We have seen Lemire make a hodge-podge Legion composed of members of every continuity and reboot. Does anyone remember a story where Mysa actually did an amplification spell on Takron Galtos?

Now, the best Supergirl moment of the book. And the best moment of the book for me. And a fantastic moment for Supergirl fans everywhere.

Kara finds Brainy to let him know that everyone is gathering for final goodbyes. Brainy stammers around Kara a bit. And then ...

He says this is the first time she has met him. But he comments on something happening between them in the future.

Lemire references a Brainy/Kara relationship. We haven't seen a whiff of that in the New 52.

I love it!

So all that is left is character moments as the two teams part. I say it all the time. I love the small moments in comics as much as the big ones.

Here, Brainy has to admit that his plan as leader would have failed. Dreamy actually was able to save the day and she was only around because she disobeyed Brainy's orders. He nominates her for leader.

I have always loved the Dreamy/Brainy relationship. There is some grit there. They are both smart and strong-willed. I love when respect grows out of there differences.

And then this nice moment. Dawnstar gets to meet her hero from the past ... Equinox.

That just makes sense. And it is a beautiful small moment that makes me like both characters more.

Great stuff.

And luckily, Lemire removes one of the plots that has irked me all along. Brainy is able to remove what I call the 'zeta beam insanity' between Alana and Adam. They can now be together.

I always hate the 'powers turn on an off randomly' or 'people change places randomly' storylines because they always seemed forced. The switch never happens when someone would die. The switch never happens when someone is in the bathroom.

I am so happy this is gone!

The Legion  head back to the future, taking Ultra with them. And the Justice League end up back in Canada.

The first two arcs basically revolved around Ultra. With the big threat gone, what happens to the team.

Thankfully, Green Arrow and J'Onn recognize that this team is strong and worth keeping together. Suddenly we are talking about team names and monitor duty!

Like many super-hero teams, they were brought together by chance. But they stick together. Very classic!

And then the third great Supergirl moment.

Courtney and Mi are all excited that they are part of a superhero team! And Mi invites both Courtney and Kara to head into town to meet her friends. Happily, Kara accepts.

You might recall Lemire calling Supergirl stubborn. She was an outsider. I worried that she would be a foil to Star Girl and Equinox. That they would hate each other.

So to see the three become friends and hang out socially made me happy.

Of course, Byth all along kept talking about how he had lived the Ultra story already. He talked about things being different, changing, etc. Now we learn why. The black hole sends him back in time, to prehistoric Thanagar, where he begins his life again. He will arrange for Ultra and Infinitus to happen again, in his future, in hopes of changing things.

I guess that makes Byth immortal?

This was a tremendous arc and great first year for this title. I suppose it appealed more to Legion fans and those buying the book for the JLU might have felt cheated. But for me, this sizzled. And even if you aren't a Legion fan, the quality of the book was high.

And so I have to worry about what is happening next. Where is this book going? Who is writing and drawing? Who is on the team? I will miss Lemire and his approach to the characters.

Kudos to Lemire, McKone, and Edwards.

Overall grade: A

Review: Justice League United #9

Justice League United #9 came out this week and was a very very entertaining and satisfying penultimate chapter to the Infinitus storyline. I am absolutely sure that I am enjoying this arc more than many because I am such a Legion fan. And frankly this has been one of the best Legion stories I have read in the last 5 years. This just feels like the Legion.

Writer Jeff Lemire clearly understands how to write the Legion, making the lack of a Lemire Legion as a title in the soft summer DC reboot that much more glaring in its absence. We see a lot of the Legion and even get a feel of their personalities. But Lemire also walks the line nicely making sure that the stars of this book ... the JLU ... aren't forgotten. Neither team dominates this issue. Both add a lot. Maybe 50/50 isn't what Justice League fans want. But I ate it up with a spoon.

And artist Neil Edwards' handles everything spectacularly. The cast of characters in this issue is insanely long. I don't know how easy a task this was for him. But we get a nice mix of large and small panels. We get emotion from the characters. And everyone looks great.

Best of all is that this feels like a second-to-last chapter. The story has been paced such that I think we will get a satisfying ending. Nothing irks me more than when I am heading into a final chapter with too much in the air, wondering how the writer will be able to wrap things up in 20 pages. Lemire gives us cliffhanger. But he wraps things up enough to tee up next month's conclusion.

As I said, we get a nice mix of splash pages and multipanel pages that make the issue progress in a visually appealing way. Unlike the recent Superman which was all big panels, we get the story we need and we get big art for big moments.

And nothing says big story like a splash page of a team heading into combat! We get the JLU and the LSH all heading to fight Infinitus' wraiths, trying to stop him from forming.

This page made me feel some sympathy for Neil Edwards. That's 38 characters in the role call! And that's just the heroes. Whew!

Despite the action which worms it's way through the book, for me it is always the character moments that I enjoy the most in mash-ups like this. Yes, seeing Legionnaires and Leaguers fighting wraiths is cool.

But seeing Animal Man mock Green Arrows rallying cry of 'Justice League Attack!' gold.

And seeing Brainiac 5 match wits and personalities with Dream Girl is also good. These two have sparred in the past, usually when Brainy underestimates Dreamy. But having him make a doomsday bomb seems like flirting with disaster.

One panel which fell flat for characterization was seeing Phantom Girl seem almost scared about Infinitus manifesting. Tinya has been treated pretty rough the last couple of years.

On the other side of the bleed, Supergirl and Byth battle it out.

I have liked the strength of Kara in this title. I was worried that she was going to be dark and bitter (based on early Lemire comments) but she has really just been pro-active and the muscle of the team. Here I love how disgusted she is by Byth's attempt to be with her. She's sixteen!

Love it!

In response, Byth shows his 'true face', becoming a monstrous tumorous mass akin to The Thing at the end of Carpenter's film.

With the Wraiths streaking towards Rann, the teams split up. Some will head to the planet to defend it from this invasion. The others will stay in space to battle Infinitus.

Again, it is small details that deepen these books and make me love them. Mon-El activates the 'Legion Planetary Defense Squad' of Wildfire, White Witch, Lightning Lass, Element Lad, and Bouncing Boy. That is one tough squad, even if Chuck is the weak link.

But inter-team squads like the Legion Espionage Squad are nice little flourishes that make love the Legion. Is this the first naming of this squad?

But it is also important that everyone get a little moment to shine. Even someone like Bouncing Boy. When Animal Man gently mocks him, Chuck shows his stuff, bouncing to smash the crystalized wraiths. It's completely ridiculous.But I love it.

One of the difficult things about writing the Legion is giving everyone a purpose, a moment.

But this isn't just a Legion book. Remember, the title group is the Justice League.

And team leader Martian Manhunter has some great moments in this book.

I love this page breakdown of J'onn entering Hawkman's mind to wipe away the Byth brainwashing. There is a puzzle-like feel to it as J'onn puts together the pieces. And even the half-faces, the two heroes looking in different directions, gives it a sort of unique feel. We have seen pages like this before, but usually the faces line up. This shows they aren't quite in synch yet.

Luckily it works and J'onn, Hawkman, and Dawnstar streak into the rift. They hope to get their friends out of there before Brainy fires his bomb.

While the heroes bash on Byth (that toothy thing in Colossal Boy's hand), Dawnstar communicates their coordinates to Gates who is able to open up his own rift.

Colossal Boy is able to grab Byth and his friends and pull them free of the bleed.

Byth seems to be much much more than a shapeshifter. He seems to have some sort of psionics. And he seems particularly strong. But alone and facing the entirety of the Legion, even Byth has to surrender.

It happens relatively fast ... but some bruisers from both teams have been pounding on him for about 3 issues. So I can believe that he finally was overwhelmed.

Alas, the cute little multi-alien we knew from the beginning of this title is gone. In his place is this suddenly ultra-intelligent, supremely self-aware Ultra. And he thinks he's God.

Despite some frank talk from J'onn, it looks like Ultra is going to manifest as Infinitus.

I wasn't expecting this! I thought for sure there would be some twist where Byth was Infinitus.

Nope.

Ultra becomes a villain and is becoming Infinitus.

That is until J'onn lobotomizes him.

Since the beginning, J'onn has been Ultra's biggest defender. He has been something of a father figure. So this is pretty powerful to have J'onn be the one who has to defeat him this way. It must be killing J'onn on the inside. But what choice did he have.

And like that, the emerging Infinitus fades away. Only the damage Ultra is left.

There is some meatiness to this moment, mostly because of the relationship between the two characters.

You would think the story is over. Infinitus was the big bad and he's been defeated.

But Lemire throws in a nice classic Legion twist.

Brainiac 5 didn't trust his friends to beat Infinitus. He launched the Infinitus bomb. And with no huge cosmic being to take the brunt of the bomb, it simply explodes and opens up a black hole right above Thanagar!

Brainiac 5 accidentally creating something deadly is a well-worn path. Computo! Omega! Computo again! Having him potentially make things worse is classic Querl. But with Infinitus and Byth out of the way, having the teams deal with this threat can happen in the finale. This ending can happen in one issue.

In fact, I anticipate that somehow, something happens with Byth and this black hole. Remember, Byth has said all along that he has done all of this before. I bet that Byth is thrown back in time via the black hole and has to relive everything we have seen again. He is stuck in a time loop.

I am pretty happy with this title and with this arc. Great Legion stuff ... truly. Nice characterization for the Leaguers. A feel of DC Cosmic. And very good art to boot!

Overall grade: B+

Review: Justice League United #8

I have been waiting for what feels like a very long time to read a good Legion comic.

Who would have thought that I would find it in Justice League United? Because Justice League United #8 is just that, the best Legion comic I have read in the last couple of years. Writer Jeff Lemire uses this issue to showcase the heroism of the Legion, re-introducing us to a true Legion of heroes, a hodge-podge of all the different incarnations of the team. And since this feels like a primer on the Legion for newer readers, Lemire doesn't necessarily get into any nitty-gritty, instead telling us the ideals of the Legion and then showing us how they try to achieve those ideals. I was thrilled reading this as it reminded me of just what the Legion should be.

And since this is the Legion, artist Neil Edwards, with inkers Keith Champagne and Jay Leisten, gets to stretch his legs a bit with splash pages and double splash pages of the Legion troops flying into battle. I always say that big moments deserve big art. There is a lot of big art here! For a Legion fan like me, these were big moments. The cover by Andrew Robinson has an old school sci-fi movie poster feel.

But with splash pages and action shots, the plot of Ultra and Infinitus only progresses a baby step, although that movement forward brings about a major plot change. I wonder what people who don't like the Legion or don't follow the Legion think of this issue, a sort of expository piece on the Legion more than anything else.

We start out in the future, with Dream Girl ruminating on the Legion. How RJ Brande decided to form a team of young heroes from all the races of the United Planets. How the Legion became a symbol of home.

It almost sounds Pollyanna in this current cynical world where heroes are darker and grayer. The Legion was a true force of good that inspired people. And this discussion while the world seems to be burning around Dreamy is a nice juxtaposition.

And we then get a pages showing the team battling their greatest enemies, groups like the Fatal Five and Universo.

Just look at this page. This just screams the Legion to an old fan like me. Fifteen Legionnaires are flying through a fleet of enemy ships. Fifteen!! And we get a mix of costumes, from a mix of Legion histories.

Yes, the team grew and grew.

But those are memories of victories. The current situation is dire. Earth has been overrun by Infinitus wraiths. The Legion is in full rescue mode, getting the survivors on ships, and trying desperately to regroup and decide on the next steps.

Veteran readers know not to underestimate Dream Girl. She might be a big flirt but she is highly intelligent and a great leader. I love the look of strength in that top panel as she barks her orders to Cosmic Boy. The only hope is in the past ... they have to join Brainy in trying to stop the ascension of Infinitus.

So the Legionnaires gather at the Time Institute. Look at this motley crew of Legionnaires. In this scene we see Legionnaires from every version. And no explanation. This is the reality!

Is that Andromeda in the top left!!!! Laurel Gand!! And Ferro Lad? And others that even I don't recognize.

I will admit there was a time when I left the Legion. Once Zero Hour undid the 5YL Legion, I dropped the book. The Legion has been a near constant in my comic book life. But there is this gap. So someone will need to fill me in on some of these Legionnaires and Legion Lost members.

But I will smile smile smile if Laurel Gand is around.

And it seems like Dream Girl is quickly becoming Edwards' favorite Legionnaire to draw.

This is the New 52 Universe ... so I suppose I just roll with the different Legionnaire versions I am seeing.

But then we get back to those Legion ideals. It is time to head back into the past, to save the universe, even though this might be a suicide mission.

They will go together and fight together. Look at the determination on the faces here.

Long Live The Legion!

It has been too long since I have heard those words and felt they meant something in a comic.

And then, another double splash page of the team streaming to the rescue ... this time in the present. A true Legion is here to help the Justice League.

One thing I like about the Legion is that they are Legion!

This is going to sound lousy, especially given the fact that some people might say the same about Supergirl. But I think Ferro Lad should stay dead. I love his story being brief, tragic, and heroic.

But that is a beautiful splash page.

But despite this influx heroes, Byth is still able to speed towards the rift with Ultra. And oddly, Ultra seems like he wants to go. He is curious about what is on the other side.

The only person with a shot at stopping the speeding ship is Supergirl. And she once again decides to ignore orders. I think the best adjectives for Supergirl in this book is pro-active and impetuous. Nice look of determination here by Edwards.

Unfortunately, Kara can't catch up with the ship. She, along with the ship with Byth and Ultra, disappears into the rift. She's gone.

Interesting. What is on the other side? And how does it effect Kara?

But this is a failure or defeat of the League and the Legion. Ultra went through the rift. And now Infinitus has manifested. Another splash page, this time to show just how massive Infinitus is.

I'm starting to wonder if it isn't Ultra who is Infinitus ... but  Byth! And maybe Supergirl, being on the other side of the rift, will play a key part in the ultimate defeat of Byth and Infinitus.

So if you are a Legion fan, this is a great issue. This felt like a Legion issue, a true Legion issue with heroic people working as a team, trying to save everyone. And the art mirrors those high ideals.

If you are not a Legion fan, this might have felt like a pause issue. Lots of splash pages without a lot of story advancement. And very little League action.

But I am in the former group and not the latter. Dreamy as leader? Andromeda? Members from all the incarnations? "Long Live The Legion"? It was all fantastic.

I will await the announcement of the Jeff Lemire penned Legion book. So let's start guessing about the artist.

Overall grade: B+

March 2015 Solicits

The DC March solicits were released this last week and struck the death knell for 13 books. This will be longer than the usual solicits post, so settle in.

Between the move to the West Coast, the Convergence months 'off' from main continuity, and general lackluster sales on some titles, apparently it was time for DC to clean house. But 13 books! That's 25% of the New 52!

Here are the books getting axed!

 Aquaman and the Others
Arkham Manor
Batwoman 
Green Lantern Corps
Green Lantern: New Guardians 
Infinity Man and the Forever People
Klarion
Red Lanterns
Secret Origins
Star-Spangled War Stories Featuring G.I. Zombie
Swamp Thing
Trinity of Sin
Worlds’ Finest

Just a few thoughts about this list before I review the super-titles.

I am sad to see Batwoman go. For me, the book was absolutely beautifully rendered by JH Williams early in the title. The stories were confusing and underwhelming, but the art made up for it and so I collected. Williams left under some controversy. Marc Andreyko and Jeremy Haun came on board and made the book a more straightforward Bat-book. Frankly, I enjoyed those issues more than the Williams one because story and art were very good. Lately, the horror/vampire theme has been less than fantastic so I am not surprised to see them go.

I had high hopes for Worlds' Finest when it was announced. A book about Power Girl and Huntress, with art by George Perez and Kevin Maguire, seemed like a no-brainer. But the book languished a bit under Paul Levitz. And so it is sad that DC couldn't make a book that seems built for sales work.

I was looking forward to Landry Walker's run on Red Lanterns. And it is already over!

Lastly, at this time last year, I thought for sure that Supergirl was careening towards cancellation. Nelson's issues were pretty terrible. Krypton Returns portrayed her horribly. We had just heard about Red Daughter and I thought it would sully Supergirl even more. It is amazing to me how much more optimistic I am about this book just a year later. Congratulations to Charles Soule, Tony Bedard, K. Perkins, and Mike Johnson for bringing us the 'true' Supergirl.

I assume post-Convergence, we will see an large number of new books announced. 

On to the solicits. Here is the link at Newsarama:
http://www.newsarama.com/23007-dc-comics-full-march-2015-solicitations-including-batman.html

SUPERGIRL #40
Written by K. PERKINS and MIKE JOHNSON
Art and cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
MOVIE POSTER Variant cover by MARCO D’ALFONSO
It’s time for final exams at the Crucible Academy – and they may just spell the death of Supergirl!

So much to talk about even with this brief solicit. 
One, is this the end of the Crucible arc? Or just final exams?
Two, I love this new costume and keep wondering if it is the new default look for Kara.
Three, how great to see Michael, the 'boyfriend' from Tony Bedard's run on the cover! As I have said, I like that Perkins and Johnson have picked up the ball from Bedard and not simply erase/ignore what came before!  

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #10
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by NEIL EDWARDS and JAY LEISTEN
Cover by ANDREW ROBINSON
MOVIE POSTER Variant cover by MARCO D’ALFONSO
“The Infinitus Saga” reaches its stunning conclusion! The combined might of the JLU, the Legion of Super-Heroes, the Rannian War Fleet and the Thanagarians learn the true meaning of sacrifice as events unfold that will change the DC Universe forever!

At last we have the finale of the Infinitus saga.

But I like that this JLU seems to be going the Cosmic route. Rann/Thanagar/Infinite Man/Ultra. That is all intergalactic stuff!

I would love to hear about Lemire's love for Ultra. What is the history behind this love?

ACTION COMICS #40
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by AARON KUDER
MOVIE POSTER Variant cover by JOE QUINONES
Bizarro make Superman sane! Happy to see each other! No fighting ever!

With the horror story in the rear view mirror, Pak and Kuder head back to some classic Superman stuff. Glad to see Bizarro returning and love Jae Lee's look!

Superman #40

Written by John Romita Jr

Art by John Romita Jr and Klaus Janson

Movie poster variant by Dave Johnson

The spotlight shines on John Romita,Jr. as he goes solo to  tell the story of the testing of Superman’s new power against the Justice League! But the appearance of an unexpected enemy could end the Man of Steel’s life!

I am worried about this issue.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #20
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by ARDIAN SYAF and SANDRA HOPE
MOVIE POSTER Variant cover by TONY HARRIS
The devastating truth behind the terrorists from Kandor has been uncovered! Now, Superman and Batman must piece together who set this plan in motion and stop them before more innocent lives are destroyed!

At least we hear that the assasins are Kandorians, something sussed out by blog friend Thomas Hayes weeks ago! I am glad that Greg Pak is picking up and finishing the subplot of the awakened Kandorians that Scott Lobdell started. 

BATMAN/SUPERMAN ANNUAL #2
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by ARDIAN SYAF and JONATHAN GLAPION
Superman and Batman have defeated the menace that was targeting the Man of Steel for months, but not before he set something deadly in motion – their greatest foes have been given the means to kill Clark Kent. And for Clark, time is running out.

And again, part of the Kandorian subplot. 

SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #17
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA
Cover by ED BENES
MOVIE POSTER Variant cover by GENE HA
It’s a bloody showdown as Circe and Magog attack the power couple! And the outcome will bring about a major change in Kal and Diana’s relationship.


Hmmm ... a major change?
Maybe they stop being romantic?
If there is a proposal I just might quit comics.

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11: CONTINUITY #4
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by IG GUARA, MARCELO DI CHIARA, JULIO FERREIRA and RUY JOSE
Cover by CAT STAGGS
Superman has defeated the Monitors, but what can he possibly do to
keep the Universe safe from them in the future? The people of Earth pick up their lives as best they can, and our heroes make some hard decisions about their own futures. As Season Eleven ends, new lives begin.

I am behind the times I know. The book has ended digitally. And I will be reading the ending 4 months after the fact. SO I am trying to savor this whole experience. Love that Supergirl on the cover!

So sad to see this book end. 

SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #9
Written by SHOLLY FISCH
Art and cover by DARIO BRIZUELA

Superman needs help from Scooby and the gang – so they speed to Metropolis and the horribly haunted Daily Planet offices. But then Superman is turned into a super-powered monster! Even with help from Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Krypto the Superdog, how can these meddling kids stop the transformed Man-Monster of Steel before he wrecks the city?

I don't know where this book is in the production line, but please please please have "Rupergirl" make an appearance!

Whether she shows up or not, I am in.

Sales Review: November 2014

Comic sales for November 2014 were released earlier this week and the numbers are somewhat interesting to review. As always, my go-to site for sales is ICv2. Here is the link:http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/30454.html

For me, it was interesting to see Spiderman and the Spider-verse comics dominating the top of the sales chart. Outside of the Spider-Gwen origin issue, I haven't bought any of those books. I can't remember the last time I bought a Spiderman comic monthly. I think the Jenkins/Ramos Spectacular book a dozen years ago?

And given the possible Marvel reboot I am hearing about as well as the released DC purging of titles (reviewed later this week), these sales are interesting.

On to the focused sales review.

Supergirl #36 was released last month, the first issue of the 'bold new direction' by K. Perkins and Mike Johnson. DC certainly did a great job of pushing the new team with interviews of the creators on all the usual sites.

More importantly for me, the book built on what Charles Soule and Tony Bedard had done to the character. It wasn't so much bold and new, although heading to Crucible is a wrinkle. The heroic Kara, embracing Earth is the norm now. And this issue cemented that, even having Kara talking sternly to Clark about his duties.

I don't know if I should be surprised but this issue sold more than the last. Supergirl #35 sold 26,371. Supergirl #36 sold 28,373. Is that because stores anticipated more sales because of the new team? Did more people tell their stores they were going to pick up the title? Was a Lego variant responsible for the uptick in sales? Who knows?

But the fact that sales are up is always a very good thing.

I usually use this space to discuss a book which isn't selling well in hopes of spreading the word. But DC seems to be cancelling all their lower titles ... especially the ones I collect!

So instead I thought I would trumpet a book selling moderately well that should be higher on the charts.

I have loved the Justice League United book, its approach to stories with a mix of modern angst and Silver Age themes. Supergirl, while a bit 'bull-headed' is clearly the muscle of the book. And now we have a Legion worth reading!

This book is selling very well for the current market, selling over 34K.

But this is a Justice League book. DC is probably expecting huge sales. I worry that this book isn't meeting expectations.

Tell everyone to read this book!

Anyways, congrats to K. Perkins, Mike Johnson, and Emanuela Lupacchino for their work on the book and the increased sales!

Review: Justice League United #7

Justice League United #7 came out this week, the middle chapter of The Infinitus Saga. This arc is re-re-introducing the Legion into the New 52 DCU and so far I have little to complain about. This is a great League. And this is a Legion I wouldn't mind reading on a monthly basis (hint hint to DC).

Writer Jeff Lemire has done a great job since the inception of the JLU title to give it both modern storytelling sensibilities while infusing it with a more classic feel. It is one of the things I like the most about the book. Whether it is banter between Green Arrow and Animal Man or the inclusion of Silver Age characters like Byth and Ultra, Lemire has walked that fine line with great results. In this arc, we get a team crossover that has the feel of the old JLA-JSA crossovers, with the teams joining together to defeat a common enemy, meeting and mingling. And, frankly, after the last Legion series which ended roughly and abruptly, it is great to see Lemire bring back a familiar LSH.

Neil Edwards continues on art here and is bringing his A-game. I don't think he has a choice. With around a score of heroes and a handful of villains, he has to! There is action sequences and some character moments that are great.

Does anything say 'classic team-up' like the head-shot roll call! This reminds me not only of the JLA-JSA crossovers but even some Legion books were we saw this on the opening page.

And there is my second favorite character, Wildfire, blasting into action!

One thing of the many things that confused me about the last Legion was the placement of the Legion Lost on the main DC world while the Legion itself was hinted to be on Earth 2. I am glad the Lemire seems to settle that question, putting the team on Prime Earth.

The book starts with a brawl. The JLU and Legion are fighting Byth, his Cadre, and the energy Wraiths flying out of the rift that Ultra has opened in the vicinity of Thanagar.

What is the rift? What are these wraiths? Why did Ultra do it? How will Infinitus manifest in Ultra? I can't answer any of those questions.

I have always been a fan of Dawnstar. Nice to see her in action again and Edwards' take on her is great.

Byth grabs Ultra and takes off in his ship, trying to get Ultra into the rift. And before they are overwhelmed by Wraiths, Sardath and Brainiac 5 teleport the heroes back to Earth.

Wraiths? Dire wraiths like in Rom?

As I have said, Lemire brings some nice light moments in the book. Usually it is some friendly ribbing between Buddy and Ollie.

But I laughed at this moment. With 20 heroes stuffed in the League's headquarters, the place is crammed. And Phantom Girl tells Animal Man he should be happy that Duplicate Girl isn't there.

Again, things have been dark in the DCU over the last couple of years. So some fun moments are welcomed.

Now I am used to seeing Byth simply as a sleazy shapeshifter. But in this book he has stood up to Supergirl in battle. That says he is something more and we see that again here.

J'Onn tries to telepathically find Ultra and calm him. But there, on the telepathic landscape, is Byth. And Byth is able to fight off J'Onn, kicking the Manhunter out of Ultra's mind.

I liked this panel with Ultra literally being pulled in opposite directions.

So what is Byth?

I will stick by my guess that he somehow gets stuck in a timeloop, destined to relive this arc over and over.

This is my second favorite moment of the book.

One thing I haven't liked in this storyline is the Legion coming back in time to kill Ultra, trying to undo a galactic cataclysm. A little too bloodthirsty for me.

Here Courtney states the obvious. No one in the League thinks killing Ultra is the way to go. Settled! Lemire has said from the beginning that Courtney represents brightness and optimism. I am not surprised that she is the one who lays it on the line here.

Hurray for heroism!!!

This ends up becoming a multi-front battle. The team has to fight these energy wraiths pouring out of the rift. But they also need to stop Byth from getting Ultra to the rift where he will ascend to Infinitus.

Again, we have a funny GA/Animal Man fun here. But I liked the bestowing of the flight rings to the League. Welcome to the Legion!

Now you might be wondering what could be better than that Courtney moment.

Well you know Supergirl is my favorite character. And you know Wildfire is my second favorite character. So seeing them fly into battle together? That's like chocolate and peanut butter!

This is my favorite moment, a sort of comic dream come true for me!

Lemire has called Supergirl 'bull-headed' in the past. He does like her as the 'punch first, ask questions later' muscle of the team. When Mon-El says the team needs to be on the defensive, she ignores him and flies into the fray, hoping to stop Byth directly. And Wildfire, always a bit of a hothead, likes her style. In this instance, I agree with Supergirl. Stopping Byth from getting Ultra to the rift has to be the primary goal.

Can you name the last time Mon-El, Wildfire, and Supergirl streaked into battle together???

That's right! As part of the assault team going to the Anti-Monitor's fortress in Crisis on Infinite Earths #7!

The two teams try to mesh as much as possible as they fight the wraiths. Some gel easier than others.

'Space wolf pack'? I hope this Sabretooth form isn't one we keep seeing in Buddy.

But this sort of stuff is fun! A rare commodity these days.

Byth is streaking to the rift in a ship piloted by the brainwashed Hawkman. Ultra is closer to becoming Infinitus. (Is it possession? Evolution?)

Despite her physicality, it is nice to hear Supergirl say part of this mission is keeping Ultra safe. The heroes can't just blow the ship out of the sky.

While they can't, someone else can. A Thanagarian in hawk-armor blasts the ship from the sky with some sort of rifle.

Nice cliffhanger in a mostly action issue. The overall plot wasn't moved forward too much in this issue. Instead we have a lot of battles and a lot of small moments. But this feels like the right pace for this story. We know enough to feel like this can be wrapped up satisfactorily in 2 more issues.

While the action scenes are fine, it is the character moments that I like in this issue most of all. The humor. The team's interacting. The courage of Courtney to state the obvious. All great.

I would love for Lemire to write a new Legion book!

Overall grade: B+