Sep 15, 2011
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
I think there are a lot of interpretations to Troop 142, an original graphic novel concerning Boy Scouts and adult chaperones up at a summer camp. It’s a credit to the creator, Mike Dawson, that the book is so rich with genuine-feeling human interaction and characterization that it merits discussion as literature rather than pop entertainment.
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DC
Written by Adam Glass; Art by Federico Dallocchio, Ransom Getty, and Scott Hanna
Sep 14, 2011
Comic Books
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As I neared the end of Suicide Squad #1 from DC Comics’ New 52 relaunch, the very last page raised the most important question of the issue: What have they done with Amanda Waller?!!?
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DC
Written by Geoff Johns; Art by Doug Mahnke, Christian Alamy, and Tom Nguyen; Colors by David Baron; Letters by Sal Cipriano
Sep 14, 2011
Comic Books
DC Comics
Green Lantern #1 picks up right where Geoff Johns left off, in the wake of his War of the Green Lanterns story arc. This bestselling title isn’t being rebooted because of “The New 52.”
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DC
Written by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman; Art by J.H. Williams III; Colors by Dave Stewart
Sep 14, 2011
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
With a bit of the “weird,” a nice set up of the new supporting characters, and a flashback to what’s come before for the character intermingled tastefully with the plot, Batwoman #1 is a promising kick-off.
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DC
Written by Scott Snyder, Kyle Higgins, Ryan Parrott; Art by Trevor McCarthy, Graham Nolan; Colors by Guy Major; Letters by Jared K. Fletcher
Sep 14, 2011
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
The final battle between the Bat-family and The Architect is somewhat anti-climatic after the first four issues of Gates of Gotham held such steampunk-y promise.
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DC
Writer: Sterling Gates; Artist: Rob Liefield
Sep 14, 2011
Comic Books
DC Comics
It’s a pretty obvious sign that the first issue of Hawk & Dove didn’t especially grab me when the two things that most stuck with (and bothered) me about it were, 1. the new grey and red costume for Hawk (admittedly a dumb criticism, but it looks stupid vs. his classic red & white); and, 2. Rob Liefield draws a crappy Deadman. I mean, Deadman is one of the coolest looking dudes in DC’s menagerie, and in his supporting role here as Dove’s romantic interest, his face looks like a weird blob.
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DC
"Joseph Rock"—Writer: Ivan Brandon; Artist: Tom Derenick; "Navy SEALs: Human Shields"—Writer: Jonathan Vanking; Artist: Phil Winslade
Sep 13, 2011
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
Men of War #1 seeks to reset the Sgt. Rock war stories in a modern age, complete with DC Superhero trappings. The backup story (concerning Navy SEALs and meriting an extra buck over most DC Comics prices), is a story without those trappings, more of a conventional military specialist tale. One’s okay. The other’s not.
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DC
Written by Scott McDaniel and John Rozum; Art by Scott McDaniel (pencils), Jonathan Glapion and Le Breau Underwood (inks), Guy Major (colors); cover by Scott McDaniel with Guy Major
Sep 13, 2011
Comic Books
DC Universe
In setting up the new status quo for Static, the electro-magnetic powered youth from the Milestone line of comics, as well as the star of a well-received cartoon, Static Shock #1 does a fine job. In generating interest beyond that, Static Shock #1 is surprisingly average.
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DC
Written by Paul Cornell; Art and cover by Miguel Sepulveda
Sep 12, 2011
Comic Books
DC Universe
I guess this is how DC is fitting in the Wildstorm characters into their revamped “New 52” universe. Stormwatch is the first of the titles featuring Wildstorm characters now integrated into the new DC Universe. The original ‘90s series centered on the eponymous, United Nations-sponsored super-team. That run eventually fell apart under the writing guidance of Warren Ellis and morphed into The Authority. This new issue is a sloppy amalgamation of both books and we learn next to nothing about these characters.
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DC
Written by Jeff Lemire; art by Travel Foreman (penciller, co-inker, and cover), Dan Green (co-inker), and Lovern Kindzierski (colorist)
Sep 12, 2011
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
Jeff Lemire’s Animal Man #1 ties Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #1 as the best issue of the first full week of DC’s New 52 re-launch, which is fitting, since Morrison’s late ‘80s/early ‘90s run on Animal Man was so amazing.
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