Review: The Kids Are All Fight Special #1

I haven't been collecting all the DC KO crossovers out there, sticking mostly to the main mini-series and the titles I ordinarily collect. But when I saw The Kids Are All Fight Special #1  I knew I would be getting it. I had several reasons. 

You might think that this being a Jon Kent centric special would be the top reason. I feel the last several years have been bad for the character and he has basically disappeared from being a headliner to getting a small subplot in the Superman books. Somewhere along the way, from de-aging to over-preaching, Jon has become an unfortunate afterthought. I like the character and want to see him treated well again so I was interested in seeing how he would be treated.

You might think that Jeremy Adams writing it was the top reason. Jeremy Adams is one of those creators I implicitly trust and will follow from project to project. So for sure he was a big draw. This looked like a fun book, the perfect book for his style. But that wasn't the main reason.

Maybe the Dad joke pun title, riffing on an old Who song? Great but not the reason.

The main reason was the presence of Judy 'The Boom' Garrick. Ever get asked to name a recently created comic book character that you think will stick and struggle to come up with an answer? I no longer struggle. The Boom is awesome and when I saw she was going to be in this book, I knew I'd be buying.

The plot is simple. Jon has to babysit some young heroes during the disaster of KO. The kids have other ideas, heading out on a mission requiring a rescue. Adams does a great little plot maneuver that leads to a wonderful character moment that makes the book. 

Travis Mercer is on art and I really love his art. I keep hoping DC will give him a standing title. He keeps the energy buzzing and seems to have a great handle on the DC Universe given the number of characters that waltz in and out of the book.

On to some details.

Review: Superman A Friendship Unleashed

We are one week away from the Superman movie. Look for me at the 7:15 show in the IMAX theater. I am pretty excited to see it.

In what has to be one of the most brilliant cross-promotions ever, Milk Bone has thrown Krypto the Super-Dog on their boxes. And even better, if you order the limited edition Krypto box from their website, you get a Krypto comic book with the treats.

So it is with sheer delight I get to give you some of the highlights of the short but very sweet 8 page comic Superman A Friendship Unleashed.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #28

Batman/Superman World's Finest #28 came out this week, the next chapter in the Imp-Killer storyline by Mark Waid, Dan Mora, and Travis Mercer. It is another dandy of an issue filled with crazy Jimmy Olsen action, dimension hopping, and a call back to one of the greatest Batman moments ever.

Mark Waid is clearly a fan of the DC universe and has used this book to bring back a lot of Z-list characters and DC historical events. He has brought back a sense of heroics and excitement to stories. And he continues that here, showing us a crazy story of 5th dimensional hijinks, 6th dimensional tyrants, Jimmy Olsen Silveriness, and showing us that it is hard to be Silver Age silly in the current DCU. It all just crackles with fun.

Dan Mora continues to bring us the best art on the rack. Again, this is a mix of high action and insanity. Only Dan Mora could bring us feisty Kara, a giant pie in the face, and Batman incinerated as a marionette and have it all look gorgeous. Travis Mercer steps in for the the dimensional interludes with Batman and Superman and brings a Mora-esque feel to things so we don't feel pulled out of the story. 

But couldn't help but give some love to this Nathan Szerdy variant cover. Such a nice little double homage to the Bruce Timm specials for Batgirl and Supergirl. 

But to catch us up to speed, the 6th Dimensional imp killer had just declared Jimmy Olsen the champion of Earth and challenged Mr. Action to a duel.

There is so much fun in this story as it veers from craziness to peril. But in particular, the characterization of young Robin is one of the best parts. Here he won't let Mxyzptlk disappear. Mxy's assessment of Jimmy is hilarious.

Review: Batman/Superman #27

Since it's inception, the Mark Waid/Dan Mora Batman/Superman World's Finest has been a revelation. It has been the most entertaining book on the rack, the perfect blend of adventure and fun, all set in an Else-When continuity that seems to be a mix of Classic DC and current continuity set in the past. I suppose with it's callbacks to pre-Crisis Bronze DC, animation, and Silver Age stories, it might be written for readers of a certain vintage like me.

Which brings us to Batman/Superman World's Finest #27, the next chapter in the Bat-Mite/Mr. Mxyzptlk arc. This is perhaps the craziest issue of the lot, amping up all the things I said I love about the title to 11. I get the sense you are either going to love this issue or hate it. And I loved it.

Waid continues to show us a world where every super-villain suddenly has a helpful 5th Dimensional imp. This is a world threat meaning Waid and Mora get to give us a deep dive into the DCU. Mora continues to show a complete mastery of comic art and the characters in the universe. Waid continues to make this a Who's Who book with Batman and Superman stirring the drink. 

And yet there is whimsy in this book. From Batman The Animated Series, the filmation Batman, to the wonkiness of Silver Age Jimmy Olsen, there is comic joy amidst the action battles. 

How can someone mix world-threatening plots and near omnipotent 6th dimensional overlords with the insanity of early comics successfully? This way I guess.

On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #1058

At NYCC earlier this month, it was announced that writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson is leaving Action Comics with Action Comics #1060. It is not news that I am happy about because Johnson has been crushing it on this book for three years. He will be missed.

That news stung even more when I read Action Comics #1058 last week, a tremendous issue which continues the Blue Earth storyline. Johnson is firing on all cylinders here. There is a tremendous super-hero throwdown in the Metropolis sky. There is a fascinating mystery involving Norah Stone and the Blue Sky. Is she tech based? Magical? And who are her allies? And he continues to write a superb super-family, especially Supergirl who he treats with utter respect. He knows his super-history too, tossing in some old school continuity. This book sizzles. 

Rafa Sandoval has elevated his art on this book bringing us frenetic, messy action when needed. He also is able to amp up the emotion in the quiet moments. He even gets a little old school Kryptonian history time in this issue.

My theory on who Norah Stone is remains intact and viable for now. In fact, I wonder if this time I just might be right. 

The best thing about this issue? Well, Action Comics is an anthology and all three stories in this issue are wonderfully entertaining. Gene Luen Yang and Viktor Bognanovic get the band back together to give us an interesting New Super-Man story exploring the aftermath of Lex's 'anyone who knows Superman is Clark has a stroke' plot. And new to me creators Greg Hahn and Travis Mercer end the issue with a hilarious super-twins story. 

Tack on a gorgeous Carla Cohen Supergirl variant cover and this book was a winner. On to the details.