Detective Comics #960 - A Review

As Batman continues to win-over Zatanna, the rest of the team in The Belfry explore the mystery of Jean Paul Valley's Azrael armor and the intricate artificial intelligence hidden inside the seemingly ancient suit. Unfortunately, another sort of intelligence seems to have taken over Jean Paul himself...


Many great artists have tried to capture the mood and spirit of Gotham City over the years. For the life of me, I can't recall any of them doing so fine a job of it as Alvaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez and Brad Anderson. The ennui and depression inherent to the setting of Batman has rarely seemed so strong as it does here, with most everything rendered in muted blues and greys with shadows that seem far deeper for not being ebon masses.

James Tynion IV is an equally amazing writer but his work on Detective Comics has suffered somewhat as he has taken on more and more subplots. The interplay between Batman and Zatanna and the revelations regarding "Zee" are far more gripping and exciting than the rest of the team and the business with Azrael. This is particularly vexing as Jean Paul himself seems removed from the action of the issue and is a supporting player in what is meant to be his story!

The Final Analysis: 8 out of 10.

Detective Comics #959 - A Review

The Order of St. Dumas - the mysterious cult responsible for creating Azrael - have returned to Gotham and their ultimate weapon has been unleashed. As Jean Paul Valley prepares for the fight of his life, the rest of the team learn of his odd origins. Meanwhile, Batman seeks out his old friend Zatanna to seek her aid on another case that requires her magic touch.


Detective Comics is my favorite Batman book and that's almost entirely due to James Tynion IV. His grasp of these characters is phenomenal. While a flashback to a young Bruce Wayne and Zatanna Zatara discussing magic might seem indulgent under a lesser author, here it is a joy to read even if it ultimately has little to do with the main plot. Such is the magic of Tynion's pen and his gift for gripping dialogue.

The artwork is as excellent as the story. I'm hard pressed to think of any artistic team who has captured the savage beauty of Gotham City as well as Alvaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez and Brad Anderson have here. I regret that Martinez' gorgeous two-page layouts cannot be properly conveyed due to the size of my scanner but they are simply gorgeous and guide the reader's eye perfectly.

If this issue has a flaw it's that for all the focus on Azrael and revising his background for the reality of DC Rebirth there's surprisingly little of Jean Paul Valley in it outside of the fight scenes. It does make more sense for Batwing to be explaining the Azrael costume's AI given how taciturn Jean Paul is but it still seems a bit odd.

The Final Analysis: 8 Out of 10. A solid issue that suffers only in its inaccessibility to new readers.

Injustice: Ground Zero #15 - A Review

Back under the spell of Mistah J (albeit one from a parallel Earth), Harley Quinn is unable to help Batman and his otherworldly allies from the parallel Justice League in their raid on Stryker's Island. But Harley isn't entirely helpless and a twist of fate and a little magic may help her save her army... if not herself.


If ever a comic proved that a good inker can make or break a book, it is this latest volume of Injustice: Ground Zero. The difference between the two inkers who worked on this issue is like night and day. One uses a light touch that enhances the original pencils of Derlis Santacruz. The other uses thick lines to outline everything, leaving the finished artwork looking like a coloring book page. Granted, it's a fantastically colored page thanks to Rex Lokus, but it's still distracting and amateurish.


Christopher Sebela's script remains the high point of the series. There's little he can do fight the repetitive feeling within the sections of the story which replicate the action from the original video game Injustice: Gods Among Us. His take on Harley Quinn, however, is pitch perfect, presenting a Harley who only acts dumb and is crazy like a fox.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Three #11 - A Review

Left with few allies in the wake of their failed attack on Superman, Batman and John Constantine puzzle out the prophecy of Madame Xanadu and plot their next move. Meanwhile, The Phantom Stranger questions The Spectre and it becomes clear that something is not right with The Spirit of Vengeance. And in order to get at Superman, The Resistance may have to raise a demon that even John Constantine is reluctant to summon...


I've said before that Tom Taylor has done a fine job of adding little moments of humor and character into this series and that's certainly true of this issue.  Little touches such as Catwoman playing with Karlion The Witchboy's familiar Teekl or Harley Quinn's continuing to call out Dr. Fate on not being a real doctor help to lighten the tone of the story as more serious characters discuss the dark business of killing Superman.  What I've never noted, however, is Taylor's boldness as a writer and if having Detective Chimp wearing a T-shirt mocking Rocket Raccoon on the same day that Guardians of the Galaxy is released on DVD in the USA isn't bold, I don't know what is!


The artwork matches the script in courage and audacity.  Bruno Redondo captures the cosmic scope of both The Phatnom Stranger and The Spectre perfectly, depicting them walking on the rings of Saturn!  And inker and finisher Xermanico does a fine job of enhancing Redondo's pencils, going far beyond offering mere outlines and shading.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Three #10 - A Review

John Constantine may have escaped The Spectre's wrath but two allies have paid the price for his freedom.  First The Ragman fell and now Boston Brand - the ghostly acrobat known as Deadman - is about to die his final death.  As Brand races the clock to appoint a successor to his position as an agent of balance, John Constantine must face the one being he dreaded seeking aid from most... The Swamp Thing!


What makes this issue so wonderful - and indeed this series so amazing - is Tom Taylor's command of the characters.  This goes beyond well-written situations and funny dialogue - Taylor truly understands the essence of each character and finds unique ways of playing them off one another.

For instance, Pairing John Constantine and Batman seems like an odd coupling until you realize they are both pragmatic strategists who have both invested a lot of time and effort into thinking on how to take down their more powerful colleagues.  Likewise, Taylor gives us a successor to the Deadman mantle who proves so natural a fit that it's a wonder no other writer has run with that same idea before.


Per usual, the art by Mike S. Miller and J. Nanjan is wonderful.  Miller's figures are expressive and Nanjan shades the artwork without overemphasizing certain elements. or obscuring the details in shadow.  This is of particular concern in the sequences with Swamp Thing, which manages to maintain a certain vibrant level of energy despite its dismal setting.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Three #5 - A Review

I know I risk growing repetitive in talking about my love of this comic, but I do love this comic.  If this comic were a woman, I'd be afraid of asking her out for fear that it would ruin our friendship and drive her out of my life forever, leaving me a sad, broken husk of a man doomed to spend the rest of my days wallowing in eternal sadness. It is THAT good!


Tom Taylor fits so many little things into this issue that are just so perfect.  Harley Quinn being presented as a competent medical doctor.  Doctor Fate reluctantly admitting that he isn't really a doctor.  John Constantine being soft enough to lie to a scared little girl.  Klarion The Witch Boy's glee at being able to say a ludicrous thing out-loud.  And best of all, signs that despite all that has happened there is still something of the old Superman - the inherent nobility of Superman - somewhere deep inside the tyrant who now wields the power of fear as a weapon.


All of this is ably illustrated by Mike S. Miller and J. Nanjan with their usual skill and attention to detail.  I particularly like Miller's design for Harley Quinn and the way John Constantine's angry face is reflected in Doctor Fate's helmet.  Nanjan finds the perfect balance between light and dark, with inks that shade without shadowing the pencils.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Three #4 - A Review

John Constantine's plan to unite Batman's Resistance with a number of willing magicians has run into a little snag.  An ivory-skinned snag in a big green cloak known as The Spectre!  Nobody knows why The Spirit of Vengeance is after them nor is anyone willing to stick around to find out. But escape may prove tricky, if not impossible...


As usual, there is much to admire in Tom Taylor's script.  The characters are captured perfectly and their unique abilities and personalities are well displayed. Drama and comedy are balanced in perfect measure. And I dare say that for all of the great moments in which Batman showcases his sheer awesomeness, Batman going to face down The Spectre with nothing more than his own certainty that a spirit of retribution can't touch him and no back-up plan if he happens to be wrong must number among the ten greatest of all time.


The artwork by Bruno Redondo also manages a unique balancing act.  There is darkness and mystery in the artwork, yes, but there is humor here as well, including a neat little tribute to the great Kevin Maguire.  To say more would spoil everything but it will suffice to say that fans of Justice League International would do well to check this issue out.

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

Injustice: Year Three #3 sees John Constantine in the unusual role of the general rallying the troops. Uniting Batman's resistance movement with all the magic users interested in giving Superman a good punch up the bracket isn't going to be an easy task. And the arrival of an enemy intent on thwarting the alliance before it begins won't make things any easier.


Tom Taylor has two great gifts as a writer.  The first is an encyclopedic knowledge of the characters of the DC Universe and how they should act. The second is a creative instinct to find the perfect ways to play characters who don't normally interact off of each other in ways that make perfect sense and leave one wondering why we've never seen these characters interact before.  Taylor brings about magic on these pages, from Harley Qunn's immediate attraction to bad-boy John Constantine to Detective Chimp talking to Harvey Bullock, detective to detective, after the later declares that he can't cope with talking animals and magic.


The artwork by Mark S. Miller and J. Nanjan proves a prefect complement to Taylor's script.  Miller offers some wonderful designs for each character and has a particular affinity for drawing unique faces and injecting life and humanity into every expression.  Yes, even the non-human face of Detective Chimp has a distinct sense of humanity, if you'll pardon the phrase.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Three #1 - A Review

John Constantine has never been one for getting involved in noble causes. When Duty Calls, you can usually find John running the other way. But Superman's war with the Green Lanterns has changed many things and killed a lot of innocent people. And while he's not one for getting involved in noble causes, John Constantine also isn't one for letting bullies get away with murder.

Throw in a new magical menace that has been awakened by Superman's actions and John has ample reason to get involved even before things get personal.  So the rest of the world had best be wary. For when John Constantine gets involved in things, it usually means that a bad situation is about to become a whole hell of a lot worse.


Any fears that might have existed about this series dipping in quality as it shifted in gears from super-heroic space opera to street-level mysticism prove completely unfounded.  Tom Taylor rounds the curve into the new series effortlessly and his decision to focus this year upon DC Comics' magical heroes and their response to Superman becoming a tyrant is proving to be an interesting one thus far. John Constantine is the perfect central character for this story, being both an every-man figure the newer readers can identify with but also one of the few characters who can play comedy and horror with equal effectiveness - an essential trait in this series!


The artwork by Bruno Redondo and Xermanico is as wonderful as ever.  The characters are all well designed and the action of the story flows naturally throughout.  Colorist J. Nanjan creates some rather impressive effects throughout, particularly the light reflecting off Doctor Fate's helmet.  And because I don't think I've ever praised it before, let me say that the lettering by Wes Abbott is quite lovely and easy to read.

Dallas Comic Con 2014 - ALL THE PICTURES! - Part Seven

Poison Ivy, Black Canary & Harley Quinn


Bombshell Wonder Woman seems to be enjoying this far more than M. Bison.


Black Canary & Zatanna


The Doctor attempting to hotwire Luke Skywalker's land-speeder.
This isn't exactly out of character for The Third Doctor...


Columbia from The Rocky Horror Picture Show and John Constantine.
Questionable British Deviants must be her type.


Another group of X-Men.


The Joker shilling for his own action figure.
Hey, laughing gas doesn't pay for itself!


Gambit


AT-ST Walker


Hope and Cable, defending the GeekLurv booth.

Free Comic Book Day 2014 And Texas Frightmare Weekend 2014.

Saturday, May 3rd, 2014 was a busy day for your intrepid author. Not only did I plan to traipse hither and yon to visit as many comic shops as possible for National Free Comic Book Day but I also had to attend Texas Frightmare Weekend - the biggest horror convention in the southwestern United States.

I didn't get much chance to take pictures but here are some of the pics I got over the course of the day.

Supergirl, Zatanna, Queen Amidala and The Green Ranger, camping it up at Keith's Comics.

Your author with Zatanna and Supergirl 

(AKA Taffeta Darling and Natalie Green of The Fangirls Of The Round Table podcast.)

The Ninth Doctor

Zombies!

Rotti Largo, Blind Mag and Shilo Wallac from REPO! The Genetic Opera.

Ash from Army of Darkness.

Another Blind Mag from REPO! The Genetic Opera.

Pyramid Head vs. Predator.

My pal Michael Ryan vs. Jack from The Shining.

All-Con 2014 - Day Three, Part One

Saturday was my busiest day at All-Con by far. It started with the early-morning screening of Doctor Horrible's Sing Along Blog - once again organized this year by Rick Gutierrez and The United States of Geekdom.  While I wasn't helping out in an official capacity this year, I was still on hand to riff the movie along with the rest of the usual suspects. 

I was, however, officially involved with USG's Marvel Cinematic Universe: The Story So Far panel.  Rick Gutierrez, Andrew Farmer and I spoke for an hour about the hidden connections between the various Marvel Studios movies.  I don't think I added much to the panel, save that I was the only one of our trio who had seen every episode of Agents of SHIELD and thus the only person who knew the significance of Odin (i.e. a disguised Loki, as of Thor: The Dark World) sending Sif to Earth to recover Lorelei - a frequent Loki ally/conspirator in the comics.

Speaking of Loki, the trickster himself showed up for the panel along with one of Captain America's back-up dancers.  Because even a god gets lonely.



After that, I had to dash to lead my own Introduction To Doctor Who panel.  Once that was over, I had a few hours to walk around and capture some cosplay pictures before grabbing a late lunch/early dinner - a necessity given my schedule had my entire evening booked solid.



Black Mariah (of Naked Girls Reading) on her way to the Ms. Star Wars contest.  


Sif and The Enchantress


 Enasni Volz as Slumber Party Harley Quinn.

Storm


"Gallifrey Stands!"- The War Doctor



Ariel from The Little Mermaid


A little dancing robot with blinking lights.  



Neil Gaiman's Death


Anna from Frozen


White Lantern Kyle Rayner


Poison Ivy attempting to restrain a hyperactive Riddler.



Another new attraction at All-Con this year - a Slot Car Racing Arena!



Wonder Woman, Black Canary and Zatanna after their race was done.

Dallas Sci-Fi Expo 2014 - Sunday, Part Two

While I had plans to take as many cosplay pics as possible, there were two groups I was determined to catch on Sunday.  One was a group which included Reese of Reese's Pieces and The Taffeta Darling - who were dressed as the Sugar Rush racers from the movie Wreck-It Ralph.








The other group - whom I mentioned in Part One of my Sunday Con Report - was attempting to recreate Adam Hughes' classic Women of DC print.




I wound up missing the final shoot when the whole group was assembled but I did catch Deadpool trying to infiltrate part of the group... badly.



I did catch most of the group individually, though.  In fact, apart from Power Girl, I didn't miss a one!



I'm rather proud of this last shot, featuring Chelphie Cosplay as Poison Ivy, Enansi Volz as Harley Quinn and The Uncanny Gamma Kitten as Catwoman.