Review: Superman #14

Superman #14, part 4 of the House of Brainiac event, came out last week and was just another excellent chapter in this arc. Writer Joshua Williamson continues to push this story forward while adding new mysteries and wrinkles to keep the momentum building. He also is leaning into DC history and continuity here. From all the Brainiacs, to call back to recent mini-series, to maybe deeper dives, I love it.

There are three sort of plot lines in this issue. Superman and Lobo are skirmishing while General Chical watches on. This plot sort of truncates in this issue and not in the way I assumed it would. I like being surprised. And when I say it truncates, it truncates.

There is the ongoing Lex and Supergirl team-up. Obviously I am following this one pretty closely. Given the weird history when Matrix Supergirl hooked up with Lex, seeing the two together always has some historical resonance. I like here how both don't seem to like or trust the other but they understand that Brainiac is the bigger threat. Here there are a couple of new nuggets to mull over.

The last plot is Brainiac's actual plot. We know he has some holes in his memory ... I have a theory, We know he is building something. We get to finally see it. He actually kind of wins in this issue with the book ending on an ominous cliffhanger. 

Together that is some great stuff. I have the usual questions and nitpicks. But from a story view, this is great.

Rafa Sandoval and Miguel Mendonca combine on art again here and continue to shine. Sandoval's Superman is the sort of physical presence I like. Giant, broad chested, intimidating when he needs to. Mendonca does most of the Supergirl pages and his style is a little rough but solid. The action and panel composition is great. 

On to the details.

Review: Adventures of Supergirl #6

Adventures of Supergirl Chapter 6 was just released and continues to impress as writer Sterling Gates keeps the pedal down on plot progression. This was a dense book looking into Kara's psyche and showing us some lingering fears and desires she has. While there are the usual number of Easter Eggs and comic history mentions to keep an old-timer like me tickled pink, it was the emotion of Kara that made me happy here. Remember, Supergirl is truly a newcomer right now as this story takes place early in the season. So seeing some doubt in her as she faces her fears makes sense.

Now whether intentional or not, this story also seems to impact some of what comes in the future in the show. The Rampage chapter riffed on the idea of aliens, imprisonment, and justice, topics which were covered in the 'Truth, Justice, and American Way' episode. Last month, Vril Dox tried to attack Supergirl via computers which definitely riffed on the 'Indigo' episode. Now this month seems to resonate with the 'For the Girl Who Has Everything' episode (more on that later). It is as if this series is enriching the show's themes that much more.

The art in this arc sparkles. The cover by Cat Staggs is a visual delight as we see several incarnation of Supergirl in one, including the K-Armor we saw in the Crucible arc of the comic and what looks to be an 'Iron Munro' sort of white pants/black t-shirt look. We see an armored cat (Streaky?) and a zombified Alex as well. Grabbing.

Internal art is by Emanuela Lupacchino and Ray McCarthy. I love her art both on the old Supergirl title as well as on Starfire. Lupacchino seems to be perfect for Supergirl so I am glad we are getting some extra pages of the Girl of Steel by her. This is really dazzling.

Review: Adventures Of Supergirl #5

Adventures of Supergirl Chapter 5 came out this week, the finale of Supergirl's battle with Vril Dox. For me, my biggest questions about this chapter was going to be how it was going to be able to be told from a fresh viewpoint when so much of it seems to happen down the line in the Indigo episode of the aired show. Dox historically is from Colu and is attacking the internet, much as Indigo does on the show. So how could this have happened before but the characters seem surprised by her then.

I shouldn't worry too much. Writer Sterling Gates smoothed over any concerns I had about the plot as well as putting in a nice line which hints about something I criticized in the episode when it aired. As a result, both stories seem better. And, as usual, there are a ton of homages and Easter eggs for those who are looking for them.

This chapter also introduces a new character who I wouldn't mind seeing again either in this book, the #Rebirth book, or the show itself.

Everything is neatly wrapped up at the end of this chapter, making this a faster paced story than Rampage. As a result, much of the fallout is given as exposition at the end. We don't get much Alex here, but that may be on purpose given the semi-falling out the sisters had at the end of Rampage.

The art here is done by Pop Mhan who I know mostly from Spyboy way back in the day. His art is a sort of a more standard house style. After the electric art by Bengal and then Jonboy Meyer, it did make the book feel more classic and less stylized than usual. This felt a little old school in a good way.

Review: Adventures of Supergirl #4

Adventures of Supergirl:Chapter 4 came out digitally yesterday, starting a new mini-arc within this 13 chapter storyline. Writer Sterling Gates continues to have a great hold of the characters' voices. This is still a show Supergirl who is early in her career and so still working out the wrinkles of being an active hero. So seeing her response to difficulties here, both inflicted and self-inflicted is spot on.

The new villain is Vril Dox, an old frenemy of Supergirl's from the R.E.B.E.L.S. days and close enough visually to Brainiac 5 to make their encounters a bit more juicy as a fan. This storyline dovetails a bit with the recent Indigo episode, focusing on computer threats.

Jonboy Meyers comes on board as artist and brings a very stylized look to the book. I'm used to a more cheesecake-y take with Meyers but he reels that in nicely here. There is a jagged sort of electricity here to the proceedings, best scene in a panel shown below. And that Cat Staggs cover is electric. I like the mix of photo-realism with Supergirl/Benoist mixed with the pixel-y Brainiac screens.

Gates continues to shine, no big surprise. There is a wonderful mix of character moments, nice little riffs on his prior runs, homages, and action that really makes this crackle.

Review: R.E.B.E.L.S. #28

R.E.B.E.L.S. #28 came out last week, the last issue of this title in what is a tough month for DC's lower selling books. R.E.B.E.L.S., JSA All-Stars, and Doom Patrol, all on my pull list, all got cancelled this month. I always felt that this was the 'little book that could', a title that started with almost unknown characters followed by a period of hodge-podge middling characters that just never seemed to 100% gel. The book has been in flux for the last year as it tried to find the right roster and right feel. The better known characters added to the title pushed the newer ones into the background but didn't add to sales.

Still, Tony Bedard handled the book well because he kept Vril Dox at its center. Dox is such a great character; he was the tent pole that held this book up.

Despite that great characterization, the title is over. What amazes me is that I reviewed the first 2 issues because of a guest appearance by Supergirl. The hook in those early issues kept me here and kept me reviewing. In a lot of ways I am sort of sad to see this book end.

One last opening comment. Aaron Lopresti did the cover and it is just great. Lopresti better find a home on a DC monthly after Weird Worlds ends. I loved Lopresti's work on Wonder Woman. I really hope to see him on another DC book soon.

The book picks up in the middle of the attempted Starro take-over of Ranagar. While the original R.E.B.E.L.S. are on the Psion homeworld trying to get Lobo, the newer members of the team are fighting Starro's hordes.

Starro is pretty confident he is going to win, stating that he will make the Tamaranian sisters Starfire and Blackfire his concubines. Captain Comet, always a bit overzealous in his thought of Starfire, declares his intentions, claiming Kory is spoken for. I have to say, I have never quite understood Comet's powers. Here he shoots a beam of energy from his chest. I didn't know he could do that.

I love Komand'r's smug look as she ask Kory about his claim. But Starfire blushing seems out of character. She would probably have a sarcastic or perplexed look on her face by his statement.

Meanwhile, Lobo and Smite continue to drink on the Psion homeworld. The other R.E.B.E.L.S. are understandably confused. Aren't they supposed to be fighting? Even Smite states that he is looking for revenge for Stormdaughter. Lobo says her death is really on the hands of Starro for sending her.

Unfortunately, with the title ending, it seems Stormdaughter won't be revived or resurrected. Too bad, I liked her a lot.

After a quick discussion, the R.E.B.E.L.S. leave for Ranagar while Lobo and Smite stick around. Unfortunately, the subplot of the Lobo clones also will remain unanswered as we don't know what happened to them.

The fight on Ranagar seems to be slipping towards a Starro victory as Captain Comet falls to a face-hugger.

One thing I have liked about the last few issues has been the addition of the complex Komand'r. She is almost a reflection of Dox, an unlikeable hero. She is a fascist, power-hungry, sadistic. But she is also fiercely loyal to her people, has helped Dox maintain order, and has suppressed her desires to become part of the Ranagar world. Here she teams up with her Starfire while claiming she will always hate her. That depth of character has always been a strong part of R.E.B.E.L.S., everyone was three dimensional here. It is something I will miss when this title ends.

Luckily, Tribulus shows up with his psionic lightning and starts freeing portions of the enslaved populace including Dox. Now how his psychic lightning only affects the Starro starfish and not the host body, I don't know. Shouldn't the bodies be charred or hurt by such a blast?

Anyways, with his power levels dropping because of loss of slaves, Starro tosses out a bluff saying he will have all the Ranagarian slaves kill themselves (including Alana Strange and family). It is a clear bluff. If all the slaves die, Starro will be powerless. Also, I am pretty sure that the heroes won't be forgiving to a genocidal maniac.

It doesn't really matter because before he can actualize the bluff, the freed Dox takes control of Tribulus and batters Starro.

I don't think that Dox acted like a puppeteer in the past when he controlled Tribulus. I think he just mentally commanded him. Here, Tribulus mirrors Dox' movements. I thought this seemed a bit off.

The beaten Starro is then pushed through an open teleporter channel, sending him to the Psion homeworld where Lobo and Smite are eagerly awaiting him. My guess is this doesn't end well.

Back on Ranagar, Dox is reinstated as a hero and a ceremony links him Blackfire.

How great would it be to have read more of these two, explore their relationship. They are both manipulators. But they probably respect each other tremendously. Would they work together seamlessly? Or always have friction? I do like how Dox is now called Blackfire's consort.

Meanwhile, Komand'r knows that Kory isn't going to stick around and be with Captain Comet.She is simply too big a persona for someone like Comet, she is too much. Even here on the page she is bigger than life, existing outside of the panels. I love Comet's sad look, knowing it would be futile to try to hold on to her.

I thought this was a great closing page for the title. Look at this team, they don't look like they are having fun. They look more like weary reluctant heroes. Unlike the dramatic last pages of JSA All-Stars, or the humorous last pages of Doom Patrol (which I thought was a misstep by Giffen and crew), this seemed more like a resolute group who understands they need to plod on.

But it an interesting last page for other reasons. These were the original team members, they guys swept aside when the newer team members joined the book. Look at this group. Outside of Dox, none of them are on the cover. For me, these are the 'real' R.E.B.E.L.S.. You know that Starfire, Lobo, Adam Strange, and Captain Comet will all land somewhere else. These characters are probably destined for comic limbo and that's too bad.

R.E.B.E.L.S. was a fun ride, an nice look at some of the dustier corners of the cosmic DCU. But it was the early issues when Dox was making a team out of people who otherwise would kill each other that stand out for me. Too bad we won't see more of Dox.

Lastly, Claude St. Aubin should be commended for his art on the book, stepping in for Andy Clarke and giving the book a distinctive look.

Overall grade (issue): B
Overall grade (title as a whole): B

Review: R.E.B.E.L.S. #26

It's hard to believe that we are nearing the end of R.E.B.E.L.S. Never a mega-selling book, it simply seemed impervious to cancellation in the same vein as Jonah Hex and Hellblazer. Sales have always been on the low end. But couldn't there be room for a DC Cosmic book? Maybe the answer is yes ... just a different one after Flashpoint.

Still I have enjoyed R.E.B.E.L.S. way more that I thought I would. Initially I was only going to be on board for the first 2 issues. They guest-starred Supergirl. But something about the book grabbed me. Mostly it was the characterization of Vril Dox. But the slick art work of Andy Clarke and the semi-Legion feel of the book kept me coming back for more.

I have said before that the book seems to have lost it's way a bit over the last year, throwing new bits and pieces into the mix ... like Green Lanterns and Lobo and Starfire. As a result, it has felt a bit like R.E.B.E.L.S. lite, with nary a sighting of the original rag-tag team.

R.E.B.E.L.S. # 26, out this last week, comes close to the bright beginning of the title. Maybe it is because Starro is back and he played such a key role in the first year of the book. But this felt a little like the old R.E.B.E.L.S. (if there can be such a thing after just 2 years). Tony Bedard does a nice job dealing with the personalities of the characters here, letting there nuance show. And Claude St. Aubin and Daniel HDR split art chores but have such similar styles, or are inked similarly by Scott Hanna, that it is seamless.

Last issue ended with Lobo killing Astrild Stormdaughter by impaling her in the temple with his hook.

I have said it before, Stormdaughter was a great new character, one I hoped (and still hope) makes it through this title alive. The tragedy of her origins, the sense of emptiness in her, is such great soil for more stories. But part of me has hoped all along that there was going to be redemption with her character. She lost everything fighting Starro, then turned to him when she lost her resolve. I keep thinking that somehow her powers ... as a life/death goddess ... will lead to a rebirth, cleansed of her sins, ready to make amends, and being crucial in the ultimate defeat of Starro.

Even if R.E.B.E.L.S. is ending, the team will be out there for further DCU adventures. I hope she joins the team when all is said and done.

But without raising a sweat, Lobo defeated one of Starro's generals. Even the Conqueror knows that an angry Lobo is pretty much unstoppable. With no answers of their own, Starro turns to Dox and momentarily frees him from his Starro drone. When asked how to stop Lobo, Dox replies 'only Lobo can stop Lobo'.

Ummm ... so I don't know why he needed to remove the starfish from Dox. Doesn't he control Dox? Couldn't the face-hugged Vril answer the same questions? Or does the being a Starro drone make you an empty vessel. Seems to me we have seen plenty of people under Starro's control talking and acting with their intellect intact.

In the meantime, Rann is trying to hold the fort, not realizing that they are being taken over from the inside.

In what I thought was a nice bit, Komand'r offers her help to the Rannian forces to rescue Dox and protect the planet. In some ways it shows tremendous growth on Blackfire's part that she is willing to work with Sardath here rather than hoping the Rannians are killed so the Tamaranians can try to run the whole planet.

But as I said, Rann is far from safe.

I love this disturbing panel of Adam Strange's daughter cutely skipping into the home to present Alanna with her own drone-fish.

Panels like this are what keep me coming back to comics. That's just a great image.

Dox' words about Lobo lead to a quick recap of Lobo's origins.

Smite thinks the best way to stop Lobo is to implant a hatred for the genocidal Czarian into the Lobo-clones and release them to fight him. It is a plan that makes sense. But Starro wants no part of it. He still wants to control the Lobo clones and releasing them would be a lost opportunity.

I can see both sides of the argument. Couldn't they split it down the middle? Couldn't they release half the clones?

In the worst bit in the book, after Starro rejects Smite's idea, he tells his General to 'grow a pair' and go fight Lobo? 'Grow a pair'? Doesn't that sound just a bit vulgar coming from Starro who has been more regal in his words in the past?

Smite doesn't take kindly to the words either. He lashes out at Starro, knocking him off his feet. It was a simple way of showing me just where Starro stands in power. We learned in the first story that this Starro gains strength from the numbers he controls. Clearly he doesn't control many yet.

Despite that, Smite actually does go to engage Lobo. His motivations are actually noble. He wants to avenge the death of Stormdaughter, someone he held as a friend. How interesting! I like complex characters. Smite's origins also have a tinge of sadness to them. Is this his redemption?

Either way, I don't know how the Lobo clones will be dealt with. Maybe killed in their pods by the main man himself? Or drained of power by the reborn Stormdaughter?

While Smite and Lobo fight on the surface, Starro has the Psions move the Lobo clones to a safe location and teleports off to Rann with Dox in tow. Seems a bit premature for Starro to head there if his power is as low as it seems. Of course, sticking around to face Lobo doesn't make much sense either.

And on Rann it looks like Starro's forces are getting the upper hand. It is enough to make Brainiac 3 hustle to finish his surgery on Tribulus so that the monster can start stomping on some starfish. Plasteel and neuragel? I guess we now have an explanation for the more Validus-like appearance of Tribulus on next month's cover.

There is so much good stuff in this comic that I really am going to miss it. Sure, Vril Dox is the straw that sturs the drink. But there are more stories out there for Lyrl, and the R.E.B.E.L. team, and Smite and Stormdaughter. In some ways, I think it is a shame that the new faces have dominated this book for so long because I still want to see those stories ... much more than I want to see Captain Comet's or Adam Strange's.

Hopefully the book ends on a high note and we see the team now and then in a big JLA or GL story line.

Overall grade: B/B+

Review: R.E.B.E.L.S. #25

It has been a while since I have felt that R.E.B.E.L.S. is the same book that I enjoyed in its earliest issues. Remember those early issues when the book looked at some of the more underutilized corners of the DCU? We saw Branx warriors, the Citadel, the Khunds, etc. Growing on the original concept of L.E.G.I.O.N., this was a quasi-Legion of Super-heroes in current times and led by the Machiavellian Brainiac 2 Vril Dox.

Somewhere along the way, for me at least, the book lost it's focus. Rather than looking to capitalize on these dustier parts of the cosmos, it seemed to try to bring the book into the more well-traveled parts of the DCU. So no more Dominion, no more Durlans, no more Star Haven. Instead we have Oa and Rann.

And we haven't had the original R.E.B.E.L.S. team for some time as well. Part of the beauty of the early issues here was that Dox was such a master manipulator that he could wring a team out of the combustible parts of an ex-Dominator admiral, a Khundian warrior, and a sadistic Durlan. There was energy there and it all rotated around Dox and his anti-hero personality. Instead we now have Lobo and Starfire and Adam Strange and Captain Comet. We have had issues devoted to rookie Green Lanterns. And while those have all been interesting additions to the team, their presence has decreased the screen time for the original members to near zero.

So why the depressing beginning to this review? Well, because there is a silver lining here. R.E.B.E.L.S. #25  had those original team members actually in the book! And some of them had dialogue! And with the returning threat of Starro, this issue felt like slipping into cozy slippers. I was in a comfortable place.

I seem to say it every month. Dox is the straw that stirs the drink here. I don't necessarily want to read an Adam Strange or a Lobo book. I want to read a R.E.B.E.L.S. book. So I hope that somehow Tony Bedard is able to stir this book back to its roots. (Can a book 2 years old have roots??)

With Starro the Conqueror back in business, his acolytes Smite and Astrild Stormdaughter bring the fight to the R.E.B.E.L.S. While Smite battles with Tribulus, Stormdaughter grabs Vril. And wisely, she removes his force field belt. He is basically unprotected now.

But this is a battle on the R.E.B.E.L.S. home turf. Starfire skirmishes with Stormdaughter. Unfortunately, both Tribulus is defeated, a battle axe buried in his head. And Starfire gets overcome. Starro's generals escape, teleporting away with Dox in tow.

It shows how far this book has come with Starfire having to ask who Smite and Stormdaughter are.

The rest of the team mobilizes a little too late. Look! I see Wildstar ... and Ciji ... and Amon Hakk!

And poor Tribulus is there too, the axe still lodged in his cranium.

As for Dox, he is brought to Starro's new seat of power, the Psion homeworld. I love the shocked look on Dox face. Starro controlling a planet of unscrupulous and wildly intelligent scientists is a scary thought.

There is a bit of Starro monologuing here ... lording over Dox and explaining how he came back into power. You think Starro would immediately enslave his biggest foe. But he wants Dox awake and aware of his defeat. It makes it that much sweeter for Starro. I still don't know though ...

In the meantime, Lobo flies off, enraged that Astrild Stormdaughter defeated him. Lobo plans to track her through space and confront her.

It isn't the plan Adam Strange wanted. But he knows better than to let an opportunity slip by him. If Lobo can lead the team to Dox, then the team should follow the Czarian into space. And hey! Wildstar will use her Dawnstar-like powers to track him! We actually get to see her in action. As a big Wildfire and Dawnstar guy, I love the Wildstar character and always hope she'll get some screen time.

Finally, Starro shows Dox his secret weapon, all the Lobo clones the Psions have been creating.

Dox wonders why none of the Lobos have the face-hugger starfish yet. Something isn't right. And with that, Starro has heard enough and slaps a starfish on to Dox' face.

I do like the idea behind this panel. This is a huge moment in this book, Starro's victory over his biggest enemy. So there needed to be some energy here, some kineticism. So the ghost images, the motion lines as Dox' head snaps back, the loud 'shlup' ... it all adds to the moment.

Starro's problem is that the cloned Czarians cannot be enslaved. They resist until they burn themselves out.

Is the emphasis on kidnapping Dox because Starro thinks Brainiac can come up with a solution around this? Or was it pure revenge?

So the R.E.B.E.L.S. all pile into their ship, following Wildstar to the Psion homeworld. When did Adam Strange officially become second in command?

And why does the rest of the team fall so quickly in line to listen to him? I mean why would Xylon listen to him. Wouldn't a Dominator Admiral think he should lead? It takes Dox to keep these guys in line. I would have loved one panel of Strange demanding people listen to him rather than this happy crew sitting around the bridge Next Gen style.

But with the team gone, Starro starts to infiltrate Ranagar taking over the defensive troops.

This doesn't look good. Of course, Komand'r and the Tamaran army are just on the other side of the planet. So maybe a battle for Ranagar is going to happen!

Lobo arrives on the Psion on homeworld and immediately seeks out Stormdaughter for a rematch, this time wearing a clothespin on his nose to ward off her pheromone attack. And then, in a shocking cliffhanger, Lobo sinks his hook into Stormdaughter's head.

Man ... I hope Stormdaughter isn't dead. Of all the original characters in this book, I like her the best. Her back story was so tragic. I keep hoping that redemption is in her future. I keep hoping she'll become a 'good guy'. So I would hate it if she died. Of course, she is a goddess of life/death/rebirth so I doubt it will take. Maybe a rebirth will set her mind straight?

Anyways, this wasn't a perfect issue but it seemed like the first time that there has been a merger of the old R.E.B.E.L.S. and the new. It was nice to see the original member shake of the dust a bit. And the threat of Starro, while just recently visited here, also works.

Lastly, I have to say that Claude St. Aubin's art is really slick here. It seems like his work improves every month.

Overall grade: B/B+

Review: R.E.B.E.L.S. #24

I'm just catching up with reviewing the comics released last week. And some big issues came out yesterday. So I better finish up last week's books with R.E.B.E.L.S. #24.

This book has been on a slow decline in my mind. I loved the earliest issues that were a mix of the DC galaxy and superb characterization of Vril Dox. I also like the 'Legion in the present' feel we got from the make-up of the team ... a Wildfire/Dawnstar amalgam, a Validus like creature, a Bouncing Boy equivalent,  a Blok type.

The initial story, the R.E.B.E.L.S. facing Starro was a great read. Tucked in distant corner of the DCU, it showed that all big stories don't involve Earth. I thought the Starro story went just about as long as it should, the threat ending before the comic became stuck on that one note.

Since that story, the book has gone off on a bit of a tangent, leaving the new characters behind and trying to become more relevant, more involved with the larger DCU. So now we have Green Lanterns, Lobo, Adam Strange, and Captain Comet instead of Wildstar, Bounder, Ciji, and Amon Hakk. That change is obvious when you look at this month's character driven cover. Outside of Vril, none of those original R.E.B.E.L.S. are there. Frankly it was the original team that I found so compelling. Only the dominating character of Vril Dox could keep a team made of a Dominator, a Khund, and a Durlan work together. We haven't seen those REBELS in a meaningful scene in a long time.

Frankly, I don't know if I would have picked up this title with the team seen on this cover. As a result, my passion for this title has waned a lot. It isn't an ultimatum, but I am hoping writer Tony Bedard and artist Claude St. Aubin find that early magic again or I might leave the book after this next arc.

This issue concentrated mostly on the relationships of the team members, looking at their romances in this rare time of tranquility. With Starro defeated, Rann and Tamaran sharing a planet, and the rookie Green Lanterns gone, even Dox has time to take a deep breath and enjoy a night out.

The idea of a Vril/Komand'r romance is an interesting idea. Both have totalitarian ideas, think they should lead, and are willing to do just about anything to make sure their will is done. I can understand why they might be attracted to each other. I also think it would be a highly combustible relationship.

Here they act coy,talking about their dinner date being a diplomatic meeting when clearly it is a bit more.

Would Dox really try to have a romantic relationship with the recent galactic upheavals? It feels a smidge out of character ... but even he needs some down time. And right now it feels like a victory party for him. So much has gone his way recently.

As I said before, in this calm before the resurgent Starro storm, we get to see how all the new REBELS are dealing with their love lives.

One scene that didn't feel right was this scene between Adam Strange and his wife Alanna. It reads nice with the two of them restating their love for each other, a love that spanned galaxies. Alanna is glad Adam is back home with her and not in space with Starfire.

But there was just some discordance between Alanna's dress and the fact that she is parading around in that lingerie in front of her child. Trust me, I am no prude. This scene and her attire would have been fine (if a bit over the top) if daughter Aleea wasn't there. There should be some passion between the husband and wife after such a long time apart. And it would have worked fine if Alanna was in a more subdued robe in front of her child. But those two things ... mom's see through negligee and her school age child ... just shouldn't be in the same panel in my opinion.

Starfire has started a more physical relationship with Captain Comet in the last few issues.

While that might be fine with Kory, the Captain is having a harder time with it. He wants something more. And in his despair, he tries to drown his sorrows.

Leave it to Lobo to sum things up succinctly. Starfire is 'playin'' Comet; there aren't any dates, only booty calls. (I can't believe I am reading a comic where the term 'booty call' is actually used.) While that sort of thing might be fine with Lobo, it clearly isn't working for the Captain. He storms off rather than being ridiculed by Lobo.

In a clear mental lapse, Dox divulges to Komand'r that the implant on his head is what allows him to control Tribulus. Maybe love has lowered his defenses? It really isn't like the always calculating, always keeping the upper hand Vril Dox to just offer up information like that.

I don't trust Blackfire as far as I can throw her. How long before she removes the control pod and takes control of Tribulus herself?

And let's not forget Lobo's love life. A long time ago, some time when she was first introduced, I commented how Astrild Stormdaughter looked like a Czarian. She gets close enough to Lobo for him to see her and get her scent, both of which are suspiciously Czarian.

He chases her down the streets of Ranagar finally catching up to her. And in that back alley, she kisses him deeply.

Of course, Astrild is not Czarian. She was sprayed with Psion-created Czarian pheromones (I love comics!) to lure Lobo into her arms. What Stormdaughter can do is absorb life energy and give it to others. And Lobo has a lot of life energy. She drains him to the point that he collapses.

She then turns around and shares her new energies with the main Starro symbiote allowing it to not only shed face huggers but to feed the little starfish, speeding up their growth. Suddenly Starro has the ability to form an army.

I am interested to see if or when Stormdaughter will accept another Starro starfish. She clearly is loyal.

Of all the villains in the book, of all the Starro related characters, Stormdaughter is the most complex. There is a lot of stories that could probably be written about her and her damaged psyche.

With things progressing nicely, Starro decides that the time is right to attempt his revenge on Dox.

The first step is for Smite to smash Dox's ship and grab hold of Tribulus. A Starro-controlled Tribulus is a scary thought. What would have ultimate control of the monster - Dox's implant or the starfish?

With Starfire flying nearby, it looks like the battlefield is set.

The presence of Starro and the intriguing Stormdaughter echoed enough of the early issues of this title to keep me engaged with the story. And the Vril/Komand'r scenes crackled as you wonder how much of their attraction is a ruse to obtain a favorable power position. For all I know both Vril and Blackfire are faking their romantic interests, both scheming behind the polished smiling exteriors. That is the beauty and the appeal of Brainiac here ... you feel like you are always a step behind him.

But the rest of the issue read a bit like fluff. While adding some depth to the Strange and Comet characters, I don't know if they added enough to warrant their page space especially when other characters have been completely ignored.

I'll ride out this Starro story ... but after that, I guess we'll see.

But I still keep thinking that a character driven cover for R.E.B.E.L.S. should look more like this than the one above.

Overall grade: B

Review: R.E.B.E.L.S. #23

R.E.B.E.L.S. #23 came out last week and continued a trend of sort of vexing issues. As usual, the story itself was good with solid if unspectacular art throughout. But, continuing a trend of the last half year or so, the R.E.B.E.L.S. team is barely in it, overshadowed by Green Lanterns who already have 3 books on the market. At least this book really showcases just what a manipulator Vril Dox is. As I have said often here, Brainiac is the straw that stirs the drink of this book. You need Dox to be at the center of the action.

I understand that this is sort of the DC Cosmic book and it would make no sense to ignore the presence of the Corps. That said, this book did just that for the first year plus. And I know that DC is a business and Green Lanterns are a hot commodity right now. Including them makes sense as a way to bring in new readers. And that said, sales have remained steady or slightly declined, so it isn't like the hordes of GL fans are flocking to the title.

But I digress ...

As I said, R.E.B.E.L.S. #23 really was a great issue to show just how far Dox will go to make a point and further his agenda. It is almost villainous.

 One subtle change in the character of Dox is his sudden use of the media as a weapon. I feel that the Brainiac from the earliest issues simply wouldn't care about how he was portrayed in the court of public opinion. Now, he actively courts the media, spinning things the way he wants.

For example, I like how here he is glad-handing John Stewart when you know he would rather slip a knife between his ribs. It is basic politics but it is interesting to see Dox use it so effectively.

Stewart is on Rann/Tamaran as an emissary for the GL Corps as they try to deal with the R.E.B.E.L.S., either by forming an alliance or by having the Corps maintain their supremacy. Of all the REBELS, Adam Strange is the one holding the olive branch, trying to bring the two groups together.

While the two groups try to play nice with each other, however, a threat is looming in the background. Starro and his lieutenants are trying to regain power. Knowing the Psions experimented on Starro drones in the past, realizing that the Psion scientists could help 'reactivate' Starro's powers, the group lands on the Psion homeworld.

Astrild Stormdaughter, another of my favorite characters in this book, uses her life draining/giving powers to emaciate and murder several Psions. It was a nice and deadly use of her powers, convincing the remaining sniveling lab tech to work with them.

I had hoped Stormdaughter would join the R.E.B.E.L.S. after the initial Starro threat. But her loyalty appears steadfast.

The Corps is having a hard time remaining as the law enforcement unit within the Vega system because the general populace of the planets seems to be rejecting their authority, choosing Dox and his group instead.

In fact, seven different terrorist groups within the system have vowed to do whatever is in their power to get the Lanterns to leave. Stewart thinks this is another manuveur by Dox; that Dox is the person who has inflamed the terrorist cells. Now that is a loaded accusation. Does that mean Stewart regards Dox as a 'terrorist'? Can such a person really be the 'hero' of a book?  It is what makes R.E.B.E.L.S. such a unique title.

As if on cue, one of those terrorist groups, the Citadel Liberation Force, state they have a doomsday device that will blow up the sun. When Dox says he will send his team, Stewart says that the rookie Green Lanterns will deal with the problem.

And here is the best moment of the book. Dox knows just what strings to pull to manipulate people. Here he brings up Xanshi to Stewart, picking at an old wound. It is such a nice panel, Dox sitting at a sumptuous table, relaxed and smug which GL fumes, energy leaking from his ring. You can almost feel Stewart's hand shaking in rage. This is Dox going for the jugular.

For those who don't know, way back in the mid 1980's, in the Jim Starlin/Mike Mignola mini-series Cosmic Odyssey, Stewart refused any help from his teammates, feeling he could stop any problem. Unfortunately, he was wrong and this bomb exploded, destroying the planet Xanshi. Stewart has been dealing with the guilt over this incident since then.

The Citadel soldiers appear to be stupid brutes and are easily captured by the Lantern initiates. But the bomb they are packing is highly complex tech. Clearly someone is behind this situation ... and that person is probably Dox. What's more, the device is some sort of black hole bomb. If it goes off, it would snuff out Vega's sun, destroying all life on the planet.


If Dox is responsible for creating this 'sun-eater' then he has a lot of explaining to do. Even if he thinks he has all the bases covered, there is still significant risk here.

Amazingly, Stewart sees 'behind the curtain' realizing that Dox is behind this whole thing. Despite the fact that the rookie Green Lanterns don't know how to deal with the bomb, Stewart won't let the R.E.B.E.L.S. rush in and be the hero. Despite the another Xanshi jab, Stewart remains obstinate. The Lanterns are here to keep the peace.

Nice staring contest between the two leaders. My guess is this isn't the last time they are going to clash.

Luckily the rookies figure things out. If they smash the outer casing of the bomb before the inner mechanics kicks in, the black hole won't manifest. It is a calculated risk but it pays off. The bomb is defused and the system is saved.


And apparently, John Stewart has learned his lesson. He did ask for help. Veteran Lanterns Rayner,Ganthet, and Natu were all there as back-up in case the rookies needed some help. But since they didn't need help, the initiates are graduates to full-fledged GLs, earning the uniform symbol.

I still have concerns that this title is becoming too enmeshed with Green Lanterns. While Dox has tremendous moments, much of the book is devoted to these Lanterns. They have the big action moments of the book. And we still haven't seen the other R.E.B.E.L.S. in action since the Starro run.

I read Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps for my GL fix. I read R.E.B.E.L.S. to read about R.E.B.E.L.S.

Clearly, Dox isn't happy about the Green Lantern victory. In the meantime, Stewart is able to turn the tables, acting smugly as he discusses the virtues of those chosen to wield the green ring. And in a counterpunch to the Xanshi jabs, Stewart belittles Dox' character, reminding him he was chosen to be a member of the Sinestro Corps.

I don't think these two can easily co-exist. I can't imagine Dox taking this lying down. This characterization of the Brainiac 2 is what keeps me coming back for more.

And it turns out that Dox was behind the bomb scare. Unreal!

The bomb was designed by Lyrl who is still kicking around. I worried that the animosity between the two would simply be swept under the rug. It looks like there is still some hate bubbling under the surface. Lyrl will remain Vril's 'secret weapon' (a little wink to Supergirl history?) even if things are not settled between the two.

Knowing how Machiavellian Vril is, I am surprised that he would leave Lyrl around. Could it be that his fatherly love and pride is blinding him? I am very glad that the two aren't suddenly chummy. There is too much history to just eliminate it.

Will Lyrl hook up with his prior allies? The Psions have been successful in re-animating the Starro starfish on the Conqueror's chest. Starro the Conqueror is back. Still, his power was based on the sheer number of slaves he had plugged into his system. With no slaves, does Starro have any power? Even Smite and Stormdaughter are 'fishless'. He probably needs to start invading again to regain some of his former stature.

I will reiterate how much I loved the tragic origins of Astrild Stormdaughter. I think she has a lot of potential as a character. So I was glad to see her again.

So overall, this was a very good story about Brainiac and the lengths he will go to prove a point. But really, this was just as much a Green Lantern story. I seem to say it every month but I'll say it again. When was the last time that Wildstar, Amon Hakk, Bounder, Ciji, or Xylon done anything of note in this book? When will this book be a purely R.E.B.E.L.S. book again?

Overall grade: B+