Injustice: Ground Zero #23 - A Review

The battle to save the Earth of Injustice continues!  The tide turns when the still-noble Superman of another world arrives to aid the Insurgency. Yet when this Superman is ambushed by a mind-controlled Doomsday, who will save the savior?

Who do you think? She's only been narrating the whole story so far! Yeesh!



Much like in last week's review, I have to question Tom Derenick being tapped for the art duties on this issue. Derenick is a fine artist but his talents are best spent on close-combat and conversations. As a result, the epic, large-scale battles depicted in most of this issue look sloppy and off-model.

Christopher Sebela's story remains on point, however, and thank goodness for it! Harley's journey from hench-wench to hero in this reality has been an engaging one and it's a real treat to see her step-up to be what the world needs, as it is needed. I just wish we saw more of this smart, heart-felt Harley in the real DCU.

Injustice: Ground Zero #22 - A Review

The battle for the Earth of Injustice has begun in earnest. As Wonder Woman fights her alternate universe countepart for leadership of the Amazons, The Harley Horde raid one of Lex Luthor's old armories. They aren't looking for weapons - they're looking for tools to keep the people caught in the crossfire safe.


While I love Tom Derenick as an artist, I fear he was the wrong choice for this particular issue of Ground Zero. Derenick's animated style would normally be a good fit for a story focused on Harley Quinn. Sadly, it doesn't really work here, where Harley is narrating most of the action and trying to be serious. The Wonder Woman fight suffers the worst in this regard, looking more like a slapstick sequence than a brutal battle between two Amazons. Despite this disparity between the art and Christopher Sebela's excellent script, this issue remains a good read.

Injustice: Ground Zero #18 - A Review

With most of her gang turned upon her and out destroying Gotham on the parallel Joker's orders, Harley Quinn is in dire straits. At the same time, Cyborg struggles to commandeer the Watchtower and escape before the Tyrant Superman figures out what he's doing...


This week's Injustice: Ground Zero is an enjoyable comic. Christopher Sebela continues to build upon and around the story of the original Injustice, with his portrayal of a Harley Quinn struggling to break free of her codependency remaining the serie's high point.

The artwork is somewhat weaker this week, with Secret Six artist Tom Derenick delivering some uncharacteristically sloppy work. There's some slight inconsistencies from panel to panel, such as how low-slung Harley's pants are and how high her underwear is riding up on her hips. Still, Derenick does draw some great expressions, such as the forced smile Harley wears in dealing with The Joker that does not match her horrified eyes at all.

Injustice: Ground Zero #13 - A Review

As Batman and his allies from another world plot against The Tyrant Superman, Harley Quinn finds herself shut-off from helping out. Again! Thankfully, after a little prompting from her loyal henchmen, she knows just what to do to help The Insurgency - Kill The Joker from the other world! Now she just has to find him...


Christopher Sebela takes over writing and plotting duties with this issue, to no apparent change apart from slightly more scenes recapturing the story of the Injustice: Gods Among Us game. These scenes are well handled and it's a treat listening to Harley's commentary on the other heroes' battle. Still, the best bits are the original material focused on what Harley Quinn was up to outside of the action of the game.


Tom Derenick is one of my favorite artists and this issue is a good example of why that is so. Derenick is a great visual storyteller, who fits an amazing amount of detail into every panel he draws. Sometimes those panels are obscured by the inks but the darker aesthetic suits this story well. And J. Nanjan continues to rock on the colors.

Injustice: Ground Zero #9 - A Review

Batman's big plan is in motion and Harley and her gang are still stuck on the sidelines. Luckily, Harley knows just what to do to get back into Batman's good graces. Unluckily (for Billy Batson, at least), her plan to steal back The Batmobile from Wayne Manor requires her going through Shazam!


I know I dote upon this series' humor but it truly is one of its best features. This issue easily has the funniest dialogue in Ground Zero to date. More importantly, Brian Buccellato and Chris Sebela continue to show a masterful understanding of Harley Quinn's character and the fact that Harley only plays dumb.


The humor extends into the artwork, with Injustice: Gods Among Us artists Tom Derenick and  J. Nanjan returning for this week's issue. J. Nanjan delivers a masterful performance on the coloring, as always. Derenick draws great expressions and takes full advantage of the comedic script to deliver cartoonishly hilarious images of Harley being electrocuted or licking Shazam's nose cutely. I also love the quick sight gag of Batgirl playing Mortal Kombat.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #34 - A Review

The Resistance has proof of Superman killing innocent civilians! Unfortunately, Superman still has some allies who believe the order he's imposing is more important than justice. And with his final plan thwarted, Batman will have to turn to his most desperate gamble yet.


The action is starting to die down as this series enters into its final issues. Thankfully, the plot here doesn't seem like pointless padding. Brian Buccellato does a fine job of keeping this story moving but there's not much he can do at this point to offer up the surprises and twists that made this series such a delight to read.

The artwork is stronger this week, but still seems a little rushed at times. Tom Derenick still has some issues with over-inking certain panels, though his pencil-work is much stronger in this chapter. And Rex Lokus continues to amaze with his color art.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #33 - A Review

The race is on for both The Regime and The Insurgency. As Batgirl desperately tries to hack Cyborg's memory banks and find some proof of Superman murdering unarmed protesters, The Regime works to find Batman's team and to save the life of a poisoned Superman. And even now The Flash can't help but wonder if he's chosen the right side...


This art in this issue is uncharacteristically weak. I'm quite fond of Tom Derenick's work - both here and on Secret Six - but there are a lot of panels here that just look off, whether it be due to the proportions of the characters, some oddly chosen angles or the overly heavy inks. Every artist has their off days and this is definitely not one of Derenick's better pieces of work.


Thankfully the writing is as strong as ever. Brian Buccellato makes The Flash our point-of-view character again - not surprising his long history of writing the character and Barry Allen's status as a man in the middle in this story. And the scene in which he confronts Lex Luthor with his fears is a dramatically ironic one, given that Barry is totally unaware of Lex's own secret campaign against Superman.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #28 - A Review

Barry Allen sought out Iris West seeking solace, only to find that she wanted nothing to do with him anymore. What is more, she's now part of the resistance fighting The Regime and she'd just been caught and cornered by King Shark and Girder - two brainwashed villains now in Superman's employ. But even if The Fastest Man Alive can save the woman he loves, is there still any hope of reconciliation?


I was hard-pressed to choose an image for this review because there's so much about this story I don't want to spoil. The creative team of Buccellato, Derenick and Lokus continue to fire on all cylinders as we approach Injustice's conclusion. It may be a bit late for me to encourage new readers to give this series a shot, but if you haven't been reading this series you are missing out on one of the best things to come out of DC Comics in the last decade.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #27 - A Review

Five years ago, Barry Allen made a choice to join Superman's Regime in the hope that he could steer his friend's grief towards productive ends. It was a choice he'd come to regret, even before a psychotic Superman declared him a traitor and tried to kill him! Because that choice also cost Barry Allen the love of his life... and it may cost him more yet.


Despite a number of comics in the past which focused on The Flash and his moral conflicts while acting as the angel on Superman's shoulder, we haven't had any stories discussing Barry Allen's life outside of being The Flash in the Injustice universe. Brian Buccellato's script for this issue corrects this oversight and while more is hinted at than stated outright, what we see is heartbreaking. There's also an excellent fight scene between Superman and The Flash for those more concerned with action than emotion.


This action is once again ably illustrated by Tom Derenick and Rex Lokus. If pressed to pick a favorite creative team among the many wonderful artists to work on Injustice, they would probably be my choice for the best. Lokus always finds the perfect palettes to enhance Derenick's pencils and inks and it's always a good issue when they're at work on the art.

Secret Six #14 - A Review

The League of Assassins is determined to convert former Court of Owls Talon agent Strix into one of their own. But Strix has a family who are equally determined to get her back. The Secret Six shall be tested as never before as they ponder just what they've come to mean to each other in their battle with Lady Shiva.


I am seriously sorry to say goodbye to this book. Gail Simone recaptured the magic of one of my favorite pre-New 52 series and gave us a lot of laughs in the process. And if nothing else you have to praise her for bringing back Ralph and Sue Dibny in some capacity - they have been missed!


I hope Tom Derenick and Rex Lokus will be working on another project together in the future. Their work on this issue (along with Jason Wright) is wonderful and I greatly enjoyed their work together on Injustice: Gods Among Us as well.  The comic stands are a little less funny without Secret Six, but this final issue was a fitting end to a light that burned brightly, yet briefly.

Secret Six #13 - A Review

Strix has been recruited by The League of Assassins and her friends in The Secret Six aren't taking it lying down. They're just having a barbecue as they work out what to do next. Meanwhile, Strix is pit against a team of killers modeled upon The Six, told that if she cannot kill them all in under a minute, the corresponding team-mate will die!


I love this book. I was saddened when I learned that it wasn't coming back post-Rebirth. Still, Gail Simone seems determined to make sure this book ends with a bang. And I don't just mean Catman being asked to father Scandal Savage's child. *rimshot*


Tom Derenick's artwork is as fine as ever. Derenick is a gifted fight choreographer with a great eye for detail. And Jason Wright's color art proves perfectly applied.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #18 - A Review

The partnership between The Trickster and Bizzaro comes to a sudden and violent end. Now, as Bizzaro turns to the only other friend he has seeking a way to save the funny man who introduced him to cheeseburgers, Superman scours the globe looking for his "evil" counterpart.


Much as I want to grouse over just how the heck The Trickster could ever fall to his death (Air-Walking shoes, anyone? It's his main gimmick!), I still enjoyed this issue. Brian Buccellato draws off of both Frankstein and Of Mice and Men in his portrayal of Bizzaro to rich effect. And the artwork by Tom Derenick and Rex Lokus is equally impressive.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #17 - A Review

The Trickster may have gotten himself into a mess even he can't fast-talk his way out of. He's befriended the Bizzaro Superman but keeping the big guy under control is a tricky task even for him! Still, he's managed to steer the big guy in the direction of doing good. Well, sort-of.


For the most part, this issue is a perfect palette cleanser after several weeks of darkness. The relationship between Trickster and Bizzaro is oddly sweet once if you look past the fact that Trickster is only making nice with Bizzaro in an effort to gain an advantage or, at the very least, not die. The ending of the issue, however, sparks an odd parallel with the conclusion of last week's issue, begging the question what is worse - a mad god or a vengeful one? Or is there even a difference?


Tom Derenick's artwork for the issue is impressive. Derenick boasts an exaggerated style which well-suits the cartoonish nature of this issue. And the color art by Rex Lokus is as wonderful as ever.

Secret Six #12 - A Review

The League of Assassins is dying to recruit a Talon. Well, technically other people are dying so they can recruit a Talon but the organization is quite anxious to enlist one of the shock troops for The Court of Owls. And they've sent Lady Shiva to enlist Strix... one way or the other.


There's so much in this issue that I love. I love seeing Barbara Gordon written as a smart, competent crime-fighter. I love seeing Scandal and her two wives. But I think I love the final page of this issue most of all.

No, I'm not going to show you or tell you what it is. But I will say that there's no small amount of irony that one of DC Comics most dark and generally twisted comics should be responsible for the return of one of the DCU's most happy and cheerful heroes... though he could be pretty twisted in his own way. In any case, I commend Gail Simone for this issue.

Dale Eaglesham and Tom Derenick were two of my favorite artists before this series started. Their work on Secret Six has only increased my regard for their talents. Their styles are not exactly similar but unlike many series with multiple artists, there is no obvious visual discontinuity between their pages. The book's artwork is as great as its writing and I'll be sad to see it go post-Rebirth.

Secret Six #11 - A Review

Batgirl doesn't go into the Gotham suburbs often. But she has little choice when she learns that some bad people are looking for her former Birds of Prey teammate Strix. Now if only she can get past Strix's new friends.  Meanwhile, a phone call from a special someone is about to make Big Shot's jaw drop - an impressive sight given his powers.

This proved a bittersweet issue in several regards. I've missed Gail Simone writing Batgirl and seeing her subtly satirize the new Batgirl of Burnside (well, it's sort of subtle) is a real treat. And Big Shot's enthusiasm is infectious, leaving you really hoping that things are going to work out for Sue and Ralph after all this time.


The artwork is also up to its usual standard. Dale Eaglesham and Tom Derenick are both talented artists and while their styles are quite different, the differences are not so drastic as to be noticeable. Colorist Jason Wright may deserve some of the credit for this, insuring a uniform look to the issue.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #9 - A Review

Under Batman's command, The Rogues Gallery orchestrate a coordinated attack on multiple Regime bases simultaneously. This does little to soothe the temper of Superman, who is already angry due to delays in the construction of a new super-prison and the loss of the drugs needed to enhance his army of Super-Soldiers. Despite this, things are looking bleak for The Resistance, though they may have just found the most unexpected of allies...


It's always a treat when Brian Buccellato writes The Rogues Gallery and this issue proves no exception to that truism. I'm curious as to the absence of Captain Cold but I'm certain he's being saved for something special later on. I would like to see more of this world's version of The Trickster, however, who seems to be cut from the same mold as the TV series' Joker-Lite - a characterization I've never been fond of but find preferable in this case to the idea of James Jesse selling out his fellow Rogues.


The artwork this week is competently done but not as fine as usual. Tom Derenick's pencils seem rushed in some places and Juan Albarran's inks seem a little too heavy at times. The colors by Rex Lokus are as fine as ever and the artwork doesn't look bad - just not quite up to the usual standard.

Secret Six #10 - A Review

With Black Alice leaching away all the world's magic at an accelerated rate and the magical pillars holding back terrors beyond imagining close to destruction, Earth needs a hero. THE hero, in fact. But can even the might of Superman thwart the sheer moxie and insanity of The Secret Six? And will Black Alice save the day herself by making the ultimate sacrifice?


There is little I can say about this issue's story without giving away the game completely. So I will say only two things. Gail Simone does a grand job of both balancing several subplots and surprising even a jaded reader like me. And her introductory text, in which Zatanna watches Superman in action before approaching him for help, is one of the best bits of writing about Superman I've read anywhere.


The artists for this issue continue to perform at their usual level of high quality. Dale Eaglesham and Tom Derenick are two of my favorite artists and it's a relief  that I don't have to choose between them this month. And Jason Wright does a masterful job finishing things up with his coloring.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #3 - A Review

Superman receives some unexpected help in his fight against Doomsday from the criminal mastermind known as Bane. It seems The Man Who Broke The Bat wishes to prove his worth to The Man of Steel and proposes an alliance to deal with their mutual enemy. It is an offer Superman has little time to consider, however, because The Parasite is also on the loose and about to destroy Hal Jordan and Cyborg!


This issue will probably be the one that marks the turning point for Injustice. Both as the moment when Superman passed the point of no redemption and the point where the series itself became more focused on serious drama with little comedic contrast. In any case, while there's little of the humor that has made this series a fan favorite in this chapter, Brian Buccellato's writing remains as strong as ever.


The artwork this time around proves serviceable but not quite outstanding. Tom Derenick's inks are a little too heavy at times, though his character designs as well as his command of visual storytelling and panel placement remain excellent. And Rex Lokus' colors are as well-chosen and as skillfully applied as ever.

Superman 47 - A Review

The notorious hacker known as HORDR_ROOT has stolen Clark Kent's secret identity and with it his job, his life and a goodly portion of his power. But nearly killing Jimmy Olsen was the last straw. Now Superman is going to take the fight to HORDR_ROOT and bring him down to Earth, with a little help from his friends.


The artwork for this issue is all over the place, with three different artists with completely different styles. Howard Porter has done good work in the past but he seems to be channeling the spirit of Rob Liefeld for the better portion of this issue, with his male figures overlarge and the perspective forced to hell. This is somewhat better than Raymund Bermudez, whose contribution to the issue seems half-finished, being sketchy and under-inked. Only Tom Derenick delivers consistently, but even his work seems ill treated by the two conflicted colorists.


This is a shame because this may be the best single issue of the series Gene Luen Yang has written snice taking over Superman. It's a rare treat to see an issue where Clark fights with his head more than his fists and the fight with HORDOR_ROOT necessitates that. And let's give Yang credit for a truly novel plot twist regarding HORDOR_ROOT's connection to a classic DC Comics villain and a rather nifty origin story.

Secret Six #9 - A Review

The fate of all reality hangs in the balance as The Secret Six - aided by a cult of ancient Atlanteans - seek to destroy four magical columns in order to save Black Alice. The fact that this will also unleash a horde of otherworldly abominations on the universe doesn't really matter that much to them. Are they crazy?


Every time I think this book can't surprise me any more and that I have a handle on the characters, Gail Simone finds a way to shock me. For instance, until now I'd just assumed that Ferdie was a manifestation of the id of Shawna (aka The new Ventriloquist). I hadn't seriously considered that he was an independent entity. I still don't believe that yet his new-found ability to break the fourth wall is just one of the things about this book that keeps me second-guessing myself. The one constant is that this book is always darkly hilarious.


Tom Derenick delivers the same quality artwork that made Injustice: Gods Among Us so delightful. There are some great splash pages and the action is well choreographed.  The colors by Jason Wright show a varied and well-considered palette throughout.