Young Gotham Sampler 2015 Review

Something like this you have to review separately, so here it is!

• Grayson #1 "Grayson" 
• Tim Seeley - Writer 
• Mikel Janin - Artist 
• Published July 9th 2014 • 32 pages • 3$ 

To start with, Mikel Janin's art is spectacular. There is a nice, self contained plot that sets up the storyline while remaining its own story. There is however a few Russian words without translation that you would have to look up to learn their meaning. However, while keeping the plot self contained they also left out some details which may be annoying to some readers.
   Overall: 7/10

• Batgirl #35 "Burned" 
• Brenden Fletcher & Cameron Stewart - Writers 
• Babs Tarr - Artist 
• Published October 8th 2014 by DC Comics • 32 pages • 3$ 

I'm rather fond of the art for the series, the style and colors are rather appealing, however the characterization is awkward. Barbara seems to have been de-aged to a 14 year old, and Dinah seems to have been "bitched up" to a cruel adult. Sometimes the way the dialogue is set up doesn't make sense, and there is a scene that reads very awkwardly because of this.
   Overall: 3/10

• Gotham Academy #1 "Welcome to Gotham Academy" 
• Becky Cloonan & Brendan Fletcher - Writers 
• Karl Kerschl - Artist 
• Published October 1st 2014 • 32 pages • 3$ 

A very cute, nice issue to start the series. There are some confusing things surrounding Olive, like what is the age difference between her and Maps for one. And while that may be explained in another issue, this one leaves that in the dark. Other than that, the plot line was good and the art was rather cute. And there was, of course, the obligatory Batman reference.
   Overall: 6/10

To conclude, the art is nice throughout the issues while characters and plot lines sway dramatically. All are supposedly being marketed to younger fans but I would not recommend the first two to anyone under 13 as there is some PG13 content. Would recommend this to those who are either new to comics, or trying new things.

Robin: Son of Batman #3 Review

• Robin: Son of Batman #3 “Year of Blood part 3″
• Patrick Gleason - Writer/Artist
• Published August 19th 2015 by DC Comics • 32 pages • 4$ 

Very nice issue.  The art was lovely and the story is really picking up.  I wasn’t too sure about Patrick Gleason as a writer, but I like how it’s turning out.

The first part of the story was rather rushed and I didn’t understand it but once it calmed down more it was much easier to follow.  I do like the character of NoBody II though.  She’s almost like the female version of Damian when he was fresh off the writing board but less lethal.

There is also a nice scene that forces them to work together and shows the team they could potentially be, which is where I hope this story is going.  We get a nice heart to heart and some backstory for NoBody.

Next we establish a cult that looks like the new version of Red Hood and the Outlaws’ The Untitled.  Not as excited for them but they’re certainly an important piece of the story.

And the ending... oh that ending was very nice!  Before this issue I didn’t feel like I needed the next issue right away.  Now?  I can’t wait for next month.

8/10

Green Lantern 43 Review (Spoiler Free)

Story: Robert Venditti                                                                        
Art: Ethan van Sciver                                                                        
Published: 8/5/15

After being disappointed by “Green Lantern 42”, 43 really bounces back and is extremely enjoyable. The “Renegade” arc overall has been quite interesting in theory so far but fell kind of flat with issues 41 and 42 both being a bit lacking. 43 however is actually a lot of fun so it’ll be interesting to see how Venditti does on future issues. 

43 itself is a very entertaining read that does a lot of things well including developing the new supporting characters (Virgo, Darlene, and Trapper) subtlety though surely. Of all the new characters, the computer A.I. for Hal’s ship, Darlene, has to be my favorite and her conversations with Hal are especially great in this issue with some genuinely hilarious moments. Hal’s conversation with Virgo is also superb and is actually kinda touching. All the new characters seem to have the potential to become great so hopefully their development will continue in future issues to fully flesh them out and keep them from fading into just plot conveniences. It also sets up the next issue well, moves at a nice pace, keeps every panel interesting and relevant, and has some great moments. While the fight at the end has a somewhat abrupt ending it’s not too disappointing and is done well. The small Black Hand section is also really good and you can practically feel his utter despair through the pages. I actually almost felt bad for him (but then I remembered Blackest Night and that feeling ended quickly). Even though the issue offers a small break from the main plot, its individual plot with the return of Relic is very good. While the art has been great for the entire series, this issue’s is exceptionally good. Van Sciver does a phenomenal job and the whole issue just looks fantastic. 

Examples: 

To summarize: A really good read that offers some nice character development, a fun plot, and beautiful art in an arc that may finally be hitting its stride.

Rating: 9/10

Starfire #3 Review

• Starfire #3  “By Land and By Sea”
• Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti - Writers
• Emanuela Lupacchino - Artist
• Published August 16th 2015 by DC Comics • 32 pages • 3$

Mild spoilers!

I was pleasantly surprised at this issue since I had hated the first one so much.  I actually wouldn’t have continued the series if I hadn’t needed to purchase over a certain amount of money at the comic store today.

I’ve liked the art for this series since I first saw it. The colors and art style goes wonderfully together and are extremely breathtaking at times.

Now the actual story.  The issue starts off with some mysterious dude named Soren.  Should I know this guy?  Am I missing something from the last comic?  I don’t know!  Anyways he’s certainly something to think about and looks to be a future foe.

Then we cut to... Starfire not understanding earths customs.  Because she’s an alien.  Get it?  It’s funny, because she doesn’t understand anything!  Yeah I don’t either, honestly it’s demeaning.  She goes inside with Sol, apparently she’s staying in a smaller house across from the place he’s living. (this probably happened in the last issue)  We establish that Sol has a deep dark secret then cut to people getting swallowed by the sand.  Of course no one notices because it’s totally normal in Florida for people to be swallowed by sand!

Starfire tries baking soda, which I’ll admit was genuinely funny and it’s taking a great deal to resist putting those panels here.

But I can’t resist these panels

I love that bit very much.

Then begins again the extreme “dumb blonde” stereotyping that makes Starfire an “independent, strong, female character”.  Oh!  Did I mention she doesn’t get any of this because she’s alien?  Classic aliens!

Honestly, some of these are almost as bad as the “three big ones” we got in the first issue.

Anyways, Sheriff Gomez is running to a crime scene because of plot!  Kori gives her a lift and is brought along on the investigation.  Because that was a great-OH LOOK BLOOD!  Time for her to go, byebye!  But we might call you back for unknown reasons.

Enter the totally non suspicious Grant, who somehow survived.  Not fishy at all!

Starfire goes to a bar and it bought multiple drinks from drooling men, women, and... a cat?

Anyways the bar tender is totally cool and guides Kori through earth dating customs.

Wow, she’s really calm for talking to an alien. Then unexpectedly, enter sand muncher!  Actually he’s a Chida, thanks strangely knowledgeable bar tending girl...  who can also fly!  Turns out her name is Atlee, she’s somehow responsible for this monster and she would like Kori’s help.

Overall I liked this issue in all but Starfire’s personality.  The supporting cast was decent and I’m planning on grabbing next months issue to find out about Atlee.

Rating:  5/10

Constantine: The Hellblazer #3 Review (Spoiler free)

Story: Ming Doyle, James Tynion IV
Art: Ming Doyle, Vanessa Del Ray
Published: 8/12/2015

"Constantine: The Hellblazer" tells a dark story about a man named John Constantine who wields the supernatural to fight demons, spirits, and other otherworldly beings. John himself is not really a good person, and makes a lot of bad decisions which is one of his main personality traits. The ghosts of those killed by said bad decisions haunt him including the ghost of his best friend, Gary Lester, often referred to as Gaz. The plot of the current arc is that something is killing his ghosts and John needs to find out what it is and stop it before it kills any more of them. In this issue, John seeks help from Georgiana Snow, someone he knows from when he was younger and hates more than anything he's ever faced or encountered. While he goes back to his birthplace, London, to talk to her, flashbacks are shown of when he was younger and just starting out on his fight against the supernatural.

"Constantine: The Hellblazer: #3" is a very good, though not great, issue in a series that I've enjoyed a lot so far. While some of the issue feels unimportant and doesn't really advance the overall plot much, its a very good look into John's past and his relationship with Georgiana as well as others from his past who appear in the flashbacks. The flashbacks themselves are one of the best parts of the issue as they offer a great look into the backgrounds of when he was first beginning the path he's now on and some of the people who were there with him at the beginning. The introduction of Georgiana to the series is done well and she herself seems like someone who could become a great recurring character so it'll be interesting to see what the writers do with her from now on. The only thing I'm not really a fan of is the art that's been used throughout the entire series. The style did change from numbers 1 and 2 to 3 but not in any way that made it better for me. While it may just be a style that I don't appreciate since I know that a lot of the series' fans love it, I don't really care for it. Luckily, though, I've never cared about art too much and the plot is good enough that it overshadows the art.

To Summarize: A very good issue that offers a great look into John's relationships with others and introduces some new interesting characters into the story, including a possible recurring one with its only downsides being not advancing the actual plot very much and, for me at least, the art style.

Rating: 8/10

Batgirl Annual #3 Review

• Batgirl Annual #3  “The Gladius Objective”
• Cameron Stewart & Brenden Fletcher - Writers
• Bengal (pgs 1-18) David Lafuente (pgs 19-23) Ming Doyle (pgs 24-29) Mingjue Helen Chen (pgs 30-36) - Artists
• Published July 29th 2015 by DC comics 48 pages, 5$

While I haven’t liked what I’ve seen, which is admittedly not a lot, of the Batgirl of Burnside I enjoyed this comic greatly.  The art was amazing, with the colors just popping off the page, and the plot was stunning.

Oh and this bit was intense

Only one thing really stood out to me as being off, the portrayal of Stephanie Brown.  From her personality to her speech it all seemed off.  Which would be more understandable if this was straight on the streets Spoiler, but she’s been out for a while now after the events of Batman Eternal.

But besides that, Batwoman was cool. though her bit didn’t contribute much to the story, and I found the Gotham Academy part to be adorable while staying intelligent and focused.

Also the return of the bat-a-rang Damian gave to Maps in Gotham Academy #7.  Always love a good reference.

So strong art, great plot, mostly good characters, and a few great bits of humor.

Overall:  6/10