My...Something...In Comics 9-28-11

I had three weird Wednesdays in a row in September. I made no trips to the comic book store, trips that used to be a given. DC may have abandoned me in favor of new, younger (they hope, desperately) readers with their DCnU business and the younger Superman wearing jeans, workboots and a baby blanket cape, but I'm still interested in the Bongo Comics books I normally get (Simpsons, Futurama) and any others that might attract me. I suppose it's possible that something DC puts out might be of interest, but right now I'm just not ready to go back to them.

Instead of making a trip each week, though, I may just go once a month and pick up whatever books I need to. That's what I did this past Wednesday, with the three Bongo books and two others I was interested in, that were either released during September or a bit earlier...

Sherlock Holmes Year One 6 (of 6): This book was marred by some sort of production error, it seems. The fourth and fifth pages have the exact same word balloons in the exact same position on both pages, with different art (so on page 4 words are being spoken by the wrong characters, or no one at all). It took me a while to figure out how to read this, and it seems there is missing dialogue that would clarify what's going on. (Good thing this was the final issue of the miniseries because it would otherwise discourage me from future purchases.) Once I got through that mixup, I found a satisfying explanation for the "Twelve Casears" murders orchestrated by Professor Moriarty.

Kevin Keller 2 (of 4): No, I won't be buying Archie Comics regularly to replace DC Comics. As with the first issue, the story revolves around a celebration (this time, Kevin's dad's birthday party) and Kevin telling Veronica stories about his life before moving to Riverdale, including how he handled some bullies at his last high school. I guess the final two issues will follow the same pattern. Once again, I found this in Barnes and Noble instead of a comic book store. And again, the cover has numbering in smaller print indicating that it's an issue of the Veronica series (plus I noticed the store receipt lists it as "Veronica 208," not "Kevin Keller 2"). It seems the publisher is trying to have its cake and eat it too. (Come to think of it, what does that saying even mean?)

My (Last*) Week In Comics 8-31-11

Well, today was the big day. The final issue of "Flashpoint," the end of the DC Comics Universe as we know it and the launch of the new DC Universe, or DCnU, to use the shorthand that someone came up with. (Was it DC themselves? Not sure.) The first of the 52 monthly titles, all starting with issue 1 -- even long-running Action Comics and Detective Comics -- was also released: Justice League #1. So let's get to what I bought today, and then we'll discuss this some more...

Flashpoint 5 (of 5): In this issue, the war between Wonder Woman's Amazons and Aquaman's Atlanteans has begun, and unless it's somehow stopped, will result in an earth-shattering cataclysm. The attempt by some of the heroes of this world, including the Flash and this alternate world's Batman, finally gathered in an attempt to stop it, isn't going so well. Then Eobard Thawne, a.k.a. Professor Zoom, the Reverse-Flash, shows up to make things worse for Barry Allen by explaining exactly how the timeline was changed so drastically. The revelation is quite a twist. How things are resolved essentially boils down to one man's love for his mother, and another man's love for his son, and the sacrifices both must make in order to restore the correct timeline. The Amazon-Atlantis war itself is mostly an afterthought. Some characters from the various tie-in series show up dramatically for a couple of pages, but the whole thing is pretty much in the background of the Thawne/Flash/Batman drama. The final 9 pages feature a two-page sequence which bridges the old and new DCU, and hints at an upcoming threat, followed by Barry Allen waking up back at his police crime lab job. I guess it's kind of a spoiler but we all knew that when this was over Bruce Wayne would be Batman again, so it's no surprise when Flash rushes into the Batcave to find Bruce/Batman. There's a nice conversation and a touching moment.

My Week In Comics 8-10-11

Winding down to the end of the old DC Universe. Just two weeks of issues left after this. But first, a non-DC book that actually was issued a week earlier. The store I had gone to then didn't have it, so I had to wait...

Moriarty 4: So the back of the book reveals that this isn't the end of a four-issue miniseries, but just the end of the storyline, with more adventures starring Professor Moriarty to come in the fall. And my one suspicion, that at the end of this tale Moriarty would have to confront the thought-to-be-dead Sherlock Holmes, sort of comes true. Yay me.

DC Retroactive: Superman - The '80s 1 (of 1): The reprinted story features Superman being confronted by a being called Destiny, who teaches him that just because he can help everyone, he shouldn't always do so. You know, one of those "mankind becomes stronger by fighting their own battles" blah blah blah stories. The new story brings this Destiny character back -- to try and make Superman choose between two future paths, neither of which are very palatable, with the tactic of showing Superman "future" events such as "Identity Crisis" and "Blackest Night" and, of course, his temporary death in battle against Doomsday. (Remember, this is set in the 1980s.) But if he really wanted to show a bleak future, Destiny could have shown Superman his mopey walk across the country.

Teen Titans 99: I wasn't so thrilled by the last issue, in which Superboy-Prime returned. I wasn't going to buy this, but I started looking through it in the store and sort of got suckered in. Dammit. I suppose I'll have to buy the last issue now.

My Week In Comics 7-13-11

Since I have only two books I might as well knock this out so that next week, when I'll hopefully see a movie or two, I'll have one less post overdue. And since I have softball tomorrow I don't know that I'll get to it then. Plus there's nothing really new to complain about regarding DC's revamp in September, soooooooo...

Superman 713: Next-to-last chapter of the Superman-walking-across-America tour. I don't usually do this, but I'm going to summarize the whole issue for you. (Spoiler Alert! if you really care.) After skipping Los Angeles entirely (instead of for the reasons cited in this post, perhaps it was really due to Carmageddon?) the story picks up in Oregon, where Superman has summoned Supergirl and Superboy to inform them that he's abandoning his costume and his public identity as Superman. He'll just help people secretly from now on. They don't take the news well. Later, Clark Kent is in Portland, at a coffee shop, working on a Daily Planet article titled "Must There Be A Superman?" when a barista points out a guy wearing the "S" on his sweatshirt who knows more about Superman than anybody. The guy peeks at Clark's laptop and is appalled. So he takes Clark to the streets and solicits testimonials from regular people about how great Superman really is. Then, suddenly, a TV report from Seattle: Lois Lane has been taken hostage by a superpowered woman, demanding that Superman appear or she'll kill Lois. "It's got to be the one who's been following me!" Clark thinks as he watches the report. Yeah, maybe you should have checked her out one of those other times you saw her along the way! "To be concluded." Although I thought it started well (again, maybe the fact that he started his walk in Philadelphia swayed me), and a couple of times it briefly seemed like it might recover, this whole storyline has been lame. No, trite. No, both lame and trite. I'd more easily accept this whole DC reboot idea if it had canceled this tale early.

Sherlock Holmes Year One 5 (of 6): The "Twelve Caeasars" killer has not only struck again, claiming his 9th victim, but also has managed to capture Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Irene Adler. I don't know if I'm disappointed or not that I formulated a guess early on about one of Holmes's teachers in his university days, and my guess was confirmed in this issue. I guess if you're telling a "Year One" story, it's got to include the beginnings of the subject's greatest enemy as well...

My Week In Comics 7-6-11

Let's get right to this...

Flashpoint 3 (of 5): DC Comics continues to hype their coming final blow to their business reboot as well as selling "Flashpoint" and its tie-ins. One thing they're saying is that some of the changes occurring in September are being hinted at or previewed in "Flashpoint." A badly-hurt Barry Allen makes that point early on in the 3rd issue of the main series: "If we don't fix this soon...I won't even realize it's wrong." Yes, but we will. Anyway, Barry makes a speedy recovery and finally convinces Batman to help him get as much of the old gang -- the Justice League -- together again. So much has changed, but since Barry learns that a rocket ship crashed from outer space years ago, he knows that somewhere out there, there's a Superman. We knew that because of the "Project Superman" tie-in book that came out a week earlier. And since events in that book take place in flashbacks and the first issue ended with the arrival of the rocket from Krypton, this book lets us see what Superman is like now (and, gruesomely, the status of Krypto).

Flashpoint: Batman Knight of Vengeance 2 (of 3): Meanwhile, in the Batman tie-in, we learn that in the Flashpoint universe there is an Oracle in Gotham, but it's not Barbara Gordon. And in a stunning and tragic sequence, we learn the identity of this world's Joker. And that is one of the most surprising and entertaining reveals I've read in a book in a while.

Superboy 9: Again, not that it matters, since everything changes in a couple of months, Superboy faces off against the Hollow Men and learns that his ally is not who he appears to be. And we learn the true mission of the from-the-near-future Psionic Lad...I mean, Psion. He changed his name. But it doesn't matter since he probably won't exist in the new DC universe.

Moriarty 3 (of 4): The "to be concluded" note on the last page solves the mystery of how long this series will last. The mystery of exactly what the threat to London (and/or the world) entails is a bit clearer, I think. Took me two reads to come up with a guess. Moriarty also "catches up" with Inspector Lestrade, using him to deliver a message to Dr. Watson. With one issue left, it remains to be seen whether or not Moriarty's presumed-dead nemesis will make an appearance. My money's still on "yes."

My Week In Comics 6-8-11: A DC-less Preview

It was an interesting week in a couple of ways. First of all, I bought no DC comics. None of my regular books were out, and I wasn't interested in any of the "Flashpoint" tie-ins. Considering DC's pending reboot and my disdain for, and concern about, much of it, this could happen much more often come September. Perhaps even weekly. Since my last post, DC put out its word on the Superman books, and at least two of them -- the books starring Superboy and Supergirl -- are very likely off my purchase lists. I haven't decided on the Action Comics and Superman books yet. There's also been confirmation that the Lois Lane-Clark Kent wedding will no longer exist in the new order.

And there was this piece of information that is just going to lead to a lot of confusion some day, when future stories are being planned out. Many of the events that have happened in recent years are still going to be considered to have taken place, in the timeline that DC has built for itself:

DC confirmed that stories like Blackest Night, Brightest Day, Identity Crisis, Death in the Family, and Killing Joke are still part of the DCU history. In fact, editors said, some events in those stories are specifically referenced in September.

So they will have to explain how Barbara Gordon is no longer paralyzed, I suppose? The thing is, if the characters are supposed to be younger (after all, they want to try and get young people to buy into the new continuity), how can so many of these events have happened in such a brief period? Word is that while most books are set in what the story calls "contemporary times," two books -- "Justice League" and "Action Comics" -- are set at the "dawning of the age of superheroes," which, from one report, is only about five years earlier. And "Identity Crisis" was, in part, about superheroes' families being in danger after one wife is murdered (and their actions as a result). A major plot twist turns on a past event that some characters kept secret from others. If at least some of that history is gone, if some of those relationships (such as the Lois/Clark marriage) don't exist now, then how does the rest of the story make sense? I'm just not sold on any of this.

So on to the two books I did buy...

My Week In Comics 5-18-11

This comic book post comes first because I still can't quite sit myself here in front of this computer to write about the movies I saw last week. I think they're the posts that most feel like "work," unless a movie is so amazing (in a good or bad way) that it inspires me to knock it out right away. I'm not sure if I could be really successful at a job where I was paid to write, being assigned topics and asked to come up with "x" number of words. I really need to be inspired by something to just write. My comic book posts aren't quite as much trouble. So...

Supergirl 64: The conclusion of the "Good-Looking Corpse" story arc in which Supergirl and some of the other young DC heroes team up to defeat Alex, the Project Cadmus clone of Dubbilex with some bonus Kryptonian DNA. Of the books I read regularly, this might be the one that's been the most consistently good. It wasn't always that way. When the newest version of Kara Zor-El debuted in her own series, I read a few issues and then dropped it because I hated the characterization and the stories. But a combination of a change in writers and the book's tie-ins to the "New Krypton" stuff in the Superman series got me back, starting with issue 34, and I've been happy with it ever since. Let's just hope she doesn't feel the need to walk across America any time soon.

Sherlock Holmes: Year One 4 (of 6): The body count in the "Twelve Caesars" murders is up to eight, while Holmes is more intent on investigating the apparent suicide of a friend. And at the end of the issue we're introduced to Irene Adler, known as "the woman" to Holmes (as explained in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story "A Scandal in Bohemia"). So in the next issue or two, we'll be told more about why he feels that way...at least according to this story's writer. I wonder if Conan Doyle will approve?

Simpsons Comics 178: Sideshow Bob and some other prisoners are being sent to a top-secret penal colony...on the moon. Did you know that Springfield has a space shuttle launch center? Things go awry, thanks to Homer and Bart's new helicopter toy, the "Blackhawk Guillotine with admantium blades." (Bart to Marge: "But, Mom, it's got a French name...it couldn't possibly be a threat!")

My Week In Comics 5-11-11

I mentioned one of these last week, because it was previewed in DC's Free Comic Book Day giveaway. So let's start with that.

Flashpoint 1 (of 5): As I mentioned, the world has suddenly changed and only Barry Allen, a.k.a. the Flash, is aware of it. Except, because of one specific event that was changed, he isn't Flash now. So he has to actually drive to get around. Poor Barry. Now he's living in my world. Except he can drive and I can not. Ummm...where was I going with this? Anyway, Barry's headed to Gotham City to find Batman, the only hero he knows for sure still exists. Except Batman is...well, that would be a spoiler -- although if you go online, you'll find out anyway. That big Bat-twist is one of the best things about this story. I still feel like this is just a variation on the many stories involving alternate timelines, though. There are characters who are different, there are apparently a few new characters, and if you believe the hype there will be lasting repercussions after this story plays out. There always are.

Superman 711: Superman's in Vegas to do some gambling, take in some shows, and...no, wait, he's still wandering across America, and is in Utah when an emergency signal (signal watch, that is -- hey there, Jimmy Olsen) brings him to Vegas and a confrontation with Livewire. In a nod to earlier continuity, there's a cameo by an outfit Superman had to wear for a while a few years ago when he...wasn't quite himself, power-wise. The last couple of issues of this "Grounded" storyline have gotten a lot better, but I'm glad it will finally end in just three more issues.

Batman, Incorporated 6: Speaking of getting back on track, after the last two issues telling a very convoluted tale, this issue is back-to-basics, explaining a lot about how Bruce Wayne wants Batman, Inc. to function and how he wants the world to perceive it, as well as setting up what major threat Batman, Inc. is about to battle. It's full of good stuff, with appearances by many Bat-characters, a criminal called "Emoticon Man," a worldwide "flashcrime" event (you know about flash mobs? This is a criminal version)...and Bruce Wayne in a

My Week(s) In Comics 3-30-11, 4-6-11

Again, combining two weeks into one post for catch-up purposes. First, March 30th...

Gotham City Sirens 21: Harley Quinn is soooooo close to her goal: killing the Joker. How she manages to get past the last man standing between her and the Joker's cell at Arkham is as chilling as the ways she managed to get that far in the first place. It ends not unexpectedly, however. Meanwhile, after an issue off, we catch up with Catwoman and Poison Ivy, on the outskirts of Arkham, having a major disagreement over the situation.

Sherlock Holmes: Year One 3 (of 6): Holmes has figured out that a series of murders is marked by an interesting pattern: the reenactment of the deaths of the Caesars, the Roman emperors. Problem: there were twelve Caesars, so there are a few murders still to occur. Watson is still trying to figure out what makes Holmes tick. This, more than the Sherlock-Holmes-vs.-(insert name of monsters) books, feels like it could have been written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Action Comics 899: Lex Luthor has finally located the final group of black energy spheres, only to be confronted by Brainiac. Besides that, which leads to an even greater threat at the end (leading up to the big 900th issue at the end of April), at one point Luthor mentions keeping Superman busy "rescuing his disciples" and that "he should by now be caught in the same spacetime trap." I think this refers to the book discussed below...

As for April 6th, just one:

Superman/Batman Annual 5: "Reign of Doomsday" continues here, picking up where things left off in the Justice League satellite headquarters, as Doomsday faces off with Cyborg Superman, while Supergirl and Batman (the Dick Grayson one who's in the JLA) have additional problems. Based on Doomsday suddenly having so many different powers, my guess is this is the "spacetime trap" Luthor is referring to.

My Week In Comics 3-9-11

A week after I had nothing to buy, I ended up with five books -- thanks to one featuring a storyline tie-in and another being the final issue of a miniseries. So we'll get to them first...

The Outsiders 37: This is the tie-in book, that story being the "Reign of Doomsday." Much of the book was about the Outsiders themselves, though, and not only was I not interested in that aspect of it, I didn't like the writing throughout very much at all. But hey, just like in the recent Steel special, Doomsday displayed new powers and easily absconded with a severely wounded, if not dead, Eradicator. If you're familiar with the post-death of Superman period in the comics, he had four replacements. Two, Steel and the Eradicator, have now been attacked by Doomsday. So obviously Superboy and Cyborg Superman are in Doomsday's sights.

Victorian Undead II -- 5 (of 5): While this whole "Sherlock Holmes vs. ______" idea was fun, I think it's sort of run its course. After defeating zombies, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and, in this concluding issue, Dracula, I'm not sure they can keep going back to the well. Or can they? Holmes vs. Frankenstein? The Mummy? The Wolfman? For now, my Holmes fix has to come from...

My Week(s) In Comics 2-9-11, 2-16-11

I'm two weeks behind in this so I'm not going to write a lot about each of these. There are times when I feel like I'm not inspired enough and maybe I shouldn't bother writing about my weekly comic book haul. However, unlike many comics creators, publishers, fans, etc., I believe continuity is important. So, starting with the 9th:

Superman 708: Still not into this walking-across-America thing but developments here at least hint at a possible explanation for Superman's mental malaise. Plus he meets Wonder Woman for the first time (well, first time since her whole timeline was changed in her book so that she's not a famous hero and no one knows who she is).


DC Comics Presents: Superman - Sole Survivor 1: A reprint of four comic books in one issue, a couple of stories, from 1998 and 2001, that somehow I missed before. The second one was actually more interesting, telling the story of a scientist who, when his planet is about to explode, launches his only child into outer space to save his life. Krypton? No, in this story it's Earth.

Victorian Undead II -- 4 (of 5): Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula, part four. Unlike last issue, lots of action. No actual appearance by Dracula, though. Unfortunately, he's in Buckingham Palace.

As for the 16th...

My Week In Comics 1-12-11

Overdue! Overdue! This is not a library book but it's still overdue. Plus I bought a book that had been released a week prior, because I read an article about it. Let's deal with that first...

Starman/Congorilla 1 (of 1): This is a special one-shot tied into a storyline in the current Justice League of America series. In the current iteration of the JLA these two are members. I don't buy that book so I don't really know how it's tied in beyond what is explained in this book. Why did I buy it? Well, the article I read referred to this Starman character being gay, and the story in part deals with his not-too-healthy way of dealing with his grief over his lover's murder. And then another hero is brought back to life after being dead for a while. (I know, shocking!) And guess what? He's also gay. Can a "Justice League: Valentine's Day Special" be far behind?

Superman 707: On his Walk Across America trying to reconnect with the regular folks, Superman is in Des Moines, Iowa and still having doubts about what he's doing. If that isn't bad enough, the way he deals with a dispute between the workers and management at a chemical plant (after dealing with an explosion and fire there) makes Lois really mad. If he were going home that night he'd be sleeping on the couch, let me tell you.

Secret Six 29: This continues the story from Action Comics 896, the confrontation between Lex Luthor and Vandal Savage just before an explosion in the LexCorp building. While wrapping that up, it also provides a little backstory for Savage and his daughter Scandal. This is loopily narrated by Ragdoll, who thinks everyone was killed in the explosion.


Victorian Undead II - 3 (of 5): This entire book, except for the last couple of pages, consists of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, and then Holmes' brother Mycroft, comparing notes on Dracula with Professor Van Helsing and his associates. There's a lot of talk but not so much plot advancement.

My Week In Comics 12-15-10

A few days before Christmas. And the events in one of these books actually take place on Christmas Eve. Ah, synergy! But first...did you listen to my comedy recording I posted the other night? I'd like some feedback on it. It's only a little over 30 seconds long.

Superman 706: I'm just going to say it: this book is turning into a trainwreck. Instead of continuing to follow Superman in his walk across the USA, there's another "interlude." This issue goes back to Metropolis, where the Daily Planet has come under attack from a blog. Seriously. Occasionally awful dialogue and a simplistic resolution of the problem.

Supergirl 59: Here's the book set on Christmas Eve, although it's not really a Christmas story per se. It's the conclusion of the story in which Cat Grant's life is threatened. But after Supergirl saves the day, it concludes on Christmas with a super-powered being -- wearing a reindeer headband. (Okay, it's Krypto.) New writer coming on board next issue. I hope the characterization of Supergirl doesn't change with the change in writers.

Simpsons Comics 173: Remember the episode where Bart, Nelson, Milhouse and Ralph were turned into a boy band? This is like that, but there's no sinister subliminal YVAN EHT NIOJ angle, Bart is the only performer, and there's a different gender. Think Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana.

Victorian Undead II - 2 (of 5): Sherlock Holmes learns more about Dracula's nefarious plans to destroy the Royal Family and rule the British empire...although it's odd that Holmes, a man who deals in facts and data, so easily accepts that there are such things as vampires. Then again, he recently was dealing with zombies...

My Week In Comics 11-10-10

Here's a novel idea: post this on the actual day I bought the books! Oh, and by the way, I've finished the final two Scott Pilgrim volumes -- Vol. 5, Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe and Vol. 6, Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour. The last volume was only released in July, a month before the movie, so the film was obviously in the works for a while. Interesting. And, as I think I've said before, the differences between the books and movie aren't a detriment to the enjoyment of the film. Speaking of enjoyment...

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne 6 (of 6): ...or lack of it...this series ended up as kind of a mess. Confusing at times, and ending kind of abruptly. The best Batman moment this week came at the end of Red Robin #17, which I didn't buy but looked through at the store.

Comic Book Guy: The Comic Book 5 (of 5): This, on the other hand, I definitely enjoyed. Would it be a real spoiler if I revealed that Comic Book Guy wasn't actually dead? I suppose not. But the explanation is fun. Now, if someone can explain to me how Dr. Nick survived the giant shard of glass in "The Simpsons Movie" I'd really appreciate it.

Victorian Undead II -- 1 (of 5): So we've already had Sherlock Holmes vs. zombies and Jekyll & Hyde. Now, Holmes and Watson investigate a shipwreck and find themselves in danger. Meanwhile, Queen Victoria is also in danger, though she doesn't know it yet, as a certain Count from Transylvania is ushered into Buckingham Palace. Yep...now it's Holmes vs. Dracula!

The Right Way To Update Sherlock Holmes

I really disliked the Guy Ritchie "Sherlock Holmes" movie from last year, which was trying to turn Holmes into something more like a modern-day action hero. So when I heard about a new adaptation of the legendary character I was concerned. The plan for "Sherlock," airing on PBS' "Masterpiece Mystery!" series, was to not just make Holmes and Dr. Watson seem more modern, but to actually bring the characters into the present day. And not by being cryogenically frozen, either. I was very skeptical, but still curious.

The new Holmes and Watson

So tonight, instead of being bored and disgusted by election coverage, I fired up the old DVR and watched the first two (of three) episodes. While not everything is the same -- the deerstalker cap is long gone, as it was in the Ritchie movie, and instead of Holmes' exclamation that "the game is afoot," here he says, "The game is on!" -- the famous address of 221B Baker Street is still their residence, and Mrs. Hudson is still their landlady.

In the first episode, we learn that Watson (Martin Freeman) was wounded in Afghanistan, is shipped back home and is having trouble readjusting to civilian life. He wants to live in London but can't afford decent accomodations; an old colleague introduces him to Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch), who is very much a fan of texting and has his own website, "The Science of Deduction," and he quickly gets Watson involved as he is asked by Detective Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard for assistance in investigating a series of deaths that appear to be suicides.

The chemistry between the two leads is lots of fun, with quite a few allusions to the oft-speculated idea that Holmes and Watson are lovers. And the manner in which Holmes makes his deductions is visually striking. This is the fast-paced, energetic but still incredibly brilliant Holmes that Guy Ritchie didn't quite achieve with Robert Downey, Jr.

There's one more episode on PBS this Sunday, but if you didn't see the first two you can catch up online for the next month.

My Week In Comics 10-13-10

Recently DC Comics announced that they were dropping the prices of many of their books from $3.99 to $2.99. Seeing as how some of these are books that I buy, it pleases me. On the other hand, a lot of these books are also losing their backup story or "second feature," and the main story will include two fewer pages of story (in favor of more ads). The lower price is good, but I wonder if having two fewer pages will lead to better or worse books. Will plots be rushed or compressed to fit everything into one issue or will they get stretched into a two- or three-issue arc where not much happens in each book? We shall see.

Superman 703: It's been a while since this book came out, but Superman is still walking across the USA. He's gone from Philadelphia to Detroit to Cincinnati, where he's greeted by Batman, who thinks that Superman is having an emotional breakdown and needs to stop his walk, on the grounds that innocent people will get hurt. But it's not all walking and talking. In the town of Danville, Ohio, a chunk of debris from New Krypton has landed, and it somehow (seeds for future plots being sown) leads to a big fight scene and lots of destruction.


Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne 5 (of 6): Another book that saw a delay, and this story is finally nearing an end. What's good here is we finally get an explanation of why Bruce Wayne's fighting through time to get back to the present will be so cataclysmic if he's not intercepted first. The bad is, once again, this leg of his journey. From caveman to pirate and a few other stops, now he's a noir detective and he's asked to help expose the killer of Martha Wayne, his mother. This whole thing apparently ties into other Batman plotlines, so it made little sense to me. I just keep telling myself, "It's almost over..."


Bruce Wayne: The Road Home: Batman and Robin 1 (of 1)
Bruce Wayne: The Road Home: Red Robin 1 (of 1): ...except, it's already over! Well, in these books, at least.

My Week In Comics 4-28-10

I actually had two trips to the store this week. Besides the usual Wednesday run, today was Free Comic Book Day. All the publishers put out a special issue to be given out free of charge. So there will be a bonus post forthcoming. Meanwhile, here's what I had to shell out money for:

Superman 699, Action Comics 889, Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton 3 (of 3): All three Super-books out at once, in order to wrap up and set up: wrap up the Brainiac attack on New Krypton, with the Legion of Super-Heroes (and one important addition) returning to the future, and set up the event I've been giggling like a schoolgirl over for months now: War of the Supermen! Tremendous stuff in two of these three. It even picked up on a plot thread introduced in the "World's Finest" miniseries earlier this year. Oh, and in Action Comics the whole meandering, rather dull arc featuring Nightwing and Flamebird and a rampaging Rao in the Middle East ends. (Not giggling like a schoolgirl over that, just glad it's over.)

Teen Titans 82: Another story arc I'm glad is over (well, mostly over -- at least the part I was initially interested in, Static returning to his hometown), and another one I bought because I have this thing for completing sets.


Victorian Undead 6 (of 6): Speaking of completed sets, this one is over as well. The "Sherlock Holmes vs. zombies" idea was fun, and seeing as how this stayed much closer to conventional Holmes than did the Robert Downey Jr. movie, quite enjoyable.

Gotham City Sirens 11: And speaking of enjoyable, this was an improvement over recent, not so fun issues. Poison Ivy starts work -- at a legitimate job, although she didn't get hired under entirely legit circumstances -- and finds that taking advice on being a CEO from Lex Luthor has consequences. And Catwoman and Harley Quinn go out to look for missing dogs, though it turns out they didn't have to look far.

My Week In Comics 3-24-10

Okay, so I've fallen behind again so I'll be brief...

Batgirl 8/Red Robin 10: These were the two that were released a couple of weeks earlier, but I didn't pick them up right away. One of those little crossovers, I decided to buy them after all. I guess I can quote a certain American Idol judge:  for me, for you, it was just alright, dawg.

Superman 698: The third part of the "Last Stand of New Krypton" tale. This, on the other hand, is so much more than just alright, dawg.

Green Lantern 52: Racing towards the end of the "Blackest Night." And, as befitting a story that started with the premise that "the dead shall rise," someone is seemingly killed, only to return to life. It kind of seemed a bit like filler, though.

Superman/Batman 70: Somehow I thought the storyline of the last few issues was ending here, but it's not, and I'm not that interested in it anyhow. Do I bother to pick up the conclusion or not? Hmmmmm.

Futurama Comics 48: Zoidberg gives up his medical practice to become a lawyer, plus a sort of mash-up of "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." Meanwhile, new episodes of the show are supposed to debut on Comedy Central in June. Yay!

Victorian Undead 5 (of 6): Another story that's almost done. Things look bleak for England because of all the zombies. Sherlock Holmes has a plan to save the nation, but the prime minister doesn't like it. Ah, bureaucracy.

My Week In Comics 1-27-10

How the hell am I supposed to write about the 12 books I ended up buying? I have enough trouble when it's three or four. Ah, well. A little about each one will have to suffice.


The Atom and Hawkman 46: Another one-issue-only "Blackest Night" revival, but actually quite important to the main story.

Green Lantern 50: Also, obviously, "Blackest Night"-related. The only problem is that what happens at the end of the book is revealed on its cover.

Supergirl 49: Finishes off the Silver Banshee story from last month, and someone important apparently dies. Ooooh.

Superman 696: Picks up where Action Comics #885 left off two weeks ago. With the final issue of Superman: World of New Krypton out tomorrow, we'll be that much closer to the War of the Supermen!

World's Finest 4 (of 4): The miniseries featuring the first team-up of Superman and Dick Grayson-as-Batman is done, but it turns out there's a connection between this story and General Lane's plans for New Krypton.

Superman: Secret Origin 4 (of 6): It occurs to me that the title is misleading. There's really nothing "secret" about this. It's still just another revamp of how Superman became Superman and began his heroic career in Metropolis. Some parts I like, some I don't. This book tells the story of his first battle with the Parasite, and the way the book depicts Parasite's method of gaining strength begs the question: "Is it possible to give Superman a hickey?"

Batman and Robin 7: Dick Grayson has surprising plans for Bruce Wayne's lifeless body. Which is odd, considering how only Tim Drake has believed it possible to bring Bruce back. The way I see this particular story arc ending (considering DC Comics' already announced plans for "The Return of Bruce Wayne"), I'm not sure I'll pick up the next two issues.

Detective Comics 861: In the start of a 3-part arc, Batwoman is after a twisted criminal that was once sought by Batman (the original, not the current), with the past story told in flashbacks.

Gotham City Sirens 8: Much different tone than in the previous 7 issues. There's a different writer on this issue; not sure if it's a permanent change or not. If it is, I may not be buying this book much longer.

Teen Titans 79: Anyone who used to read the Milestone comics line knows that the characters of the Milestone Universe have been merged into the DC Universe and that Static is now a member of the Teen Titans. Thus, this story, in which Static returns to his hometown of Dakota after a long absence.

Victorian Undead 3 (of 6): The "Sherlock Holmes vs. zombies" story continues. Very much still enjoying this.

Futurama Comics 47: This was kinda fun, but I've run out of words, so...

Quick Reviews: The End-Of-Year Clearance

Last week I went to movies on four consecutive days. I'm pretty sure I've never done that before. I certainly haven't done it during the post-Christmas week, when theaters do major business thanks to people being off work and school.

I started off Monday with It's Complicated. Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin have great chemistry as a divorced couple who, on the occasion of their son's college graduation, find themselves in bed together and begin an affair. Problem: he remarried and she has another man (Steve Martin) who's into her. Particularly charming is "The Office" star John Krasinski as the future husband of Streep and Baldwin's oldest daughter. Much has been made of Baldwin's nude scene. It's not that horrendous, and it's not even him at any rate -- it's a stunt butt. Yes, he's older and gained weight, but Alec Baldwin is still rather irresistible. But let's remember him as he was (at left). My grade: A-minus.

Tuesday, in part because I got to the theater so early I didn't want to wait for what I planned to see, found me at Did You Hear About The Morgans? For a while I was wishing I hadn't heard about them. Unlike Streep and Baldwin, Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant are not a good match as the titular couple, successful New Yorkers who are separated because he cheated on her. Trying to win her back, he takes her to dinner. They witness a murder, are taken into protective custody and are whisked away to a small town in Wyoming. Oddly enough, I went to the restroom mid-way through and when I returned, for some reason I disliked it less. My grade: C-minus.

On Wednesday it was A Single Man, starring Colin Firth as a college professor, an older gay man mourning the recent death of his longtime lover (Matthew Goode, seen in flashbacks). It's 1962, well before the Stonewall riots set off a major push for gay rights, so things are much more difficult for him. Firth is excellent, as is Julianne Moore as his best friend who wants to be more than just friends. It's directed by fashion designer Tom Ford and, especially at the beginning, it looked too much like a fashion show or a perfume commercial with a lot of slick editing. Ultimately, the film as a whole was a little lacking, and the ending was hinted at much earlier. My grade: B-minus.

Which brings us, finally, to Sherlock Holmes. Guy Ritchie reimagines the legendary creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as an action hero in a buddy comedy starring Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. Watson. The flaws in this movie aren't in the acting but in the plot (about a villain who is executed but manages to come back to life and takes over a secret society with plans to overthrow the British government and eventually restore America to the British Empire) and especially the characterization. Holmes is still a brilliant detective, but he's also often boorish. Holmes and Watson spend most of the film bickering. Rachel McAdams is wasted as Irene Adler, the only person to ever outwit Holmes, here merely a plot device to set up the inevitable sequel. I can understand trying to make Sherlock Holmes more palatable to a modern audience, but Guy Ritchie botches the job. My grade: D-plus.