Pull List for 10/1/08

Batman #680 - I don't now if it is a problem with "Batman RIP" or if it is because I am also reading Morrison's Final Crisis but with each issue of this story I am starting to get annoyed by how Morrison has plotted out this, and Final Crisis, story. Still I have high hopes for this issue and if nothing else this issue should be entertaining if Morrison does actually have Batman vs Joker in this issue.

Nightwing #149 - I have been enjoying Tomasi's run on Nightwing and he has been able to bring this title back from the dead. I can't wait to see how Nightwing be able defeat Batman's rogue gallery and if that whole situation is only an illusion from the Scarecrow toxin in his system.

Captain America #42 Review

Creative Team
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artists: Steve Epting and Luke Ross
Inkers: Rick Magyar, Steve Epting and Fabio Laguna
Colorist: Frank D'Armata

Issue Rating
Story: 8.8/10
Art: 8.6/10
Overall: 8.7/10

Issue Summary
Captain America (Bucky) bust into the communication room and stops Sin and her crew assassination "attempt" on the Presidential candidates. As Senator Gordon Wright, Red Skull's secret candidate, is helped out the building Bucky makes quick work of Sin's crew as she is able to make her escape to the roof of the building. Before Sin can make her escape all the cops arrive at the building putting an even bigger wrench in her plans to get in her fathers good graces again.

Outside of Red Skull's base Natasha and Falcon are their way through AIM members with the help of some SHIELD soldiers in order to make it inside the base.

Inside of Red Skull's base Red Skull and Professor Zolo prepare an operating table and drag Sharon Carter's body onto the table after knocking her out with a stun gun. It seems that Red Skull and Lukin are finally tired of sharing the same body and with Steve Roger and Sharon's unborn baby's death Red Skull plans to use Sharon Carter as his new host body. When Sharon comes to Zolo's body transfer device is already active.

Elsewhere in the same building a capture Grand Director, who still believes himself to be the real Captain America, is shouting at the top of his lungs to let him because he is Captain America. Suddenly an explosion is set off inside the building by SHIELD.

Back at the building were the Presidential debate was broken up by Sin's assassination attempt Bucky continues to mow down Sin's crew while Sin prepares to shoot a parking lot filled with people, cops, and cars with a rocket launcher.

Shifting the scene back to Red Skull's base the Skull's transfer into Sharon's body is going according to plan when the explosion that hit the room with the Grand Director finally hits them and machine they were using is destroyed. In the aftermath of the unsuccessful body transfer Red Skull is yelling at Zolo that he cannot believe he has to continue to share a body with Lukin. Zolo tells Red Skull to follow him to activate his backup plan.

Finally reaching the roof of the building Bucky gets their in time to see Sin preparing to lauch her rocket launcher at the crowd. Bucky starts to run at Sin in order to stop her from killing all those people.

Meanwhile, in the now destroyed Red Skull's base Natasha and Falcon are finally able to track down Sharon's abandoned GPS tracker wondering were in the hell she is. Sharon on the mean time is wandering the destroyed base halls and grabs one of the knock out guards gun in order to find and shot Red Skull with.

Speaking of the devil, it seems that Zolo was successful in seperating Lukin and Red Skull with Lukin back in control of his body telling Zolo he is a genious. As Lukin praises Zolo Sharon appears and shots Lukin three times in the chest not knowing Lukin and Red Skull are not sharing a body anymore. As Lukin is dying Zolo is about to berate Sharon for what she has done Zolo is stab through his robot by the now escaped Grand Director. Sharon than faints before she can ask Grand Director a question due to all the drugs Zolo and Red Skull pumped in her body.

Back at the roof of the Presidential debate building Bucky is unable to stop Sin from shooting her rocket laucher. With no other choice, Bucky jumps in front of the rocket headed towards the crowd hoping his shield and the suit Tony gave him protects him from getting seriously hurt by the blast. The rocket explodes upon making contact with Bucky's shield and aftershock of the explosion launches Bucky into a cop car and Sin against a wall. A knocked out Sin is arrested by some SHIELD agents. As Bucky comes to he is greated by a SHIELD agent a bunch flashing cameras with people asking questioned by the crowd. Bucky starts to think back to how this is how it used to be when Bucky and Steve were partners.

Elsewhere Falcon and Natasha finally find Sharon and wake her up. As Falcon is holding Sharon, Sharon starts crying and admits to Falcon that she is the one who killed Steve. Falcoon tells her it will be alright as he continues to hug her.

In the aftermath of Red Skull's failed plans we get three epilogues that show us where the main characters of the story are. In the first epilogue Tony confirms that Sharon indeed had a miscarrage to Sam as Sharon sits in the next room. It also seems that Doctor Faustus made Sharon forget that she was even pregnant in the first place. Sam tells Tony that he will take care of Sharon while she recupperates from these events and will hold off in telling Sharon about her miscarrage until she is ready.

In the second epilogue Natasha is in Senator Wright's office telling him that if he does not drop out of the Presidential race all of his dirty secrets of working with Red Skull and Kronas and will be labeled a traitor if he doesn't drop out. With no other choice Wright agrees to drop out. Later at Bucky's apartment Bucky and Natasha are suggled infront of the TV watching Wright's official announcing his withdrawl fro the Presidential race and Bucky as Captain America's first national appearace. As Bucky turns off the TV Natasha tells Bucky to enjoy the spotlight while it last because while Steve made being Captain America look easy it will be a while before Bucky can do the same. Bucky and Natasha then start to make out as we see the Grand Director walking through New York City in a trench coat and hat wondering were he is headed.

In the finale epilogue we see what happend to the Red Skull. From the looks of things Zolo transfered Red Skulls brain into a similar robot Zolo himself is in. The issue ends with Red Skull's disbelief in his new body.

Highlights of the Issue

"Honey I'm home!"

"I'm the Goddamn Captain America!"

"You know that is going to hurt in the morning"

"First impressions are everything and Bucky definietly made a splash as the new Captain America."

"Who says the good guys don't get the girls."

"I don't think this is what Red Skull had in mind for a new body"

Review
Captain America #42 was another great issue by Brubaker and Epting that brings "closure" to the "Death of Captain America" arc that has been going on for the past year and a half. I know that many people may be upset that this did not bring an actual end to Red Skull but the way Brubaker decided to end this long story arc is a fitting way to end this great story and leaving open the eventual return of Red Skull in future stories.

Now before I start praising this issue lets me just say this that for those who are expecting a big ending that resolves all the plotlines that have been building since the first issue than you are going to be disappointed. Because while Red Skull, Zolo, and Faustus plan of destroying the USA from the inside fails all three villains are still alive in some form. Also because Bucky never actually got to fight or even come face to face with the Red Skull many people are expecting for a story of this magnetude there is no actual final resolution to Bucky getting revenge on those that were behind the death of Steve Rogers.

But again for anyone that has been reading Captain America, and to the same extent Daredevil, should trust Brubaker enough to know he has long-term plans to were he wants to take the various characters. But if you are someone that is not satisfied with getting an actual ending to every plotline than I recommend getting this story when it comes out in trade paperback form since Captain America is read much better in one sitting.

The great thing about this story has been how Brubaker has developed Bucky from being the Winter Soldier to Captain America in a way that it feels natural. Like many people I was hesitant of the idea of someone other than Steve Rogers being Captain America but Brubaker has shown that my hesitation of a new Captain America was for nothing. Brubaker has shown that Bucky as Captain America is much more interesting than Steve being Captain America and I know that some long time Marvel purest may think this is blasphemy but that is how great Bucky has been in his new role.

What makes Bucky a great Captain America is that what Natasha told him that even today he was succesful in taking down Red Skull and his crew and is now in the spotlight that times will not always be that way and he is still going to have to grow more into his role as the new Captain America. Bucky along with the reader knows this and there will be a time were Bucky will fail as Captain America and it will be interesting when his first failure happens and how he will feel he let Steve down. But right now it was nice to see that Bucky does get a victory because since he has returned he never has had a victory and it was nice that in the end he was able to spend time with his girl after all the crap he went through.

Outside of Bucky, Brubaker has also done an excellent job building up the supporting cast of this title specifically Sam and Sharon. Before Steve's death Sam has been a D- or C-list hero but not anymore and he has now gone to being a B-list with potential in being A-list if his character development continues in the pace it is going. And Sam taking care of Sharon after all the Red Skull put her through not only shows how good of a friend Sam is with Sharon but also just how much respect he has for Steve to take care of his girl.

After all the torture Sharon has been through she will need friends like Sam to pull her through. I hope that Sharon does not turn all emo for several arcs because that will get old fast. I want to see Sharon return to her Sharon Carter Agent of SHIELD persona and not someone that is a shell of herself. But with Sharon having her memory of the death of her and Steve's unborn baby being wiped out it place Sam, Tony, and Bucky in an interesting spot when the truth is revealed to her and who it will be that actually tells her. In any case I expect we will see a little emo Sharon before Brubaker returns her to her old self.

Enough of our heroes lets talk about the other side of the what made this story great: the villains. It is amazing that for the past 42 issues of Captain America their has been really only one villain behind everything and that is Red Skull. I can't rememeber if their has ever been a story this long that has used the same villain for more than 8 issues. And for Brubaker to use Red Skull as the main antagonist for 42 issues shows how great of a story teller Brubaker has been. It is only fitting that Red Skull does not die and that he will return in some form or fashion.

And even though I was expecting a big brawl between Bucky and Red Skull I actually think it is smart that Bucky first victory as Captain America is not against the Red Skull but against his daughter Sin. Because for all the skills Bucky has it seems to soon for Bucky to take down an A-list villain like Red Skull. It would make the Red Skull look a bit weak to be taken down by a "rookie" Captain America. Seeing Red Skull ending up like Zolo is a fitting end to all of Red Skull's master planning that still leaves open Red Skull to gain a new body and torture everyone close to Steve after rethinking his strategy.

I kind of feel bad that Lukin died only moments after getting rid of Red Skull from his head. Even though Lukin is an evil bastard like every villain it was to bad that we may not see what a Lukin free of the Red Skull would be like. If he would have continued to be a villain or find redemption for what Red Skull made him do. But now we will never know.

It is interesting to see that the the Grand Director is still alive after this story. Now that he knows that he is not Steve Roger's or even the real Captain America it will be interesting if he will accept that or take revenge on everyone close to the Captain America name as revenge for what he has been through. Seeing him walk through New York City makes me feel bad for the guy and I hope that in some way he does find happiness and who he actually is.

This issue brought another partner for Steve Epting to help in the art chores in Luke Ross. I didn't even realize that Ross was actually helping out Epting on the art and I thought Epting drew the whole issue. It's amazing that almost every artist that helps Epting with the art chores is able to channel their inner Epting and mirror his artwork were you do not notice Epting is getting help or not even doing the art for the issue. It has been Epting's dark and gritty art that has made Brubaker's whole story so great and mixes with Brubaker's writting style perfectly. The Bucky action scenes in this issue were some of the best action scenes I have seen this book. Great work by Epting and Ross on this issue.

Pull List for 9/27/08

Captain America #42 - This is the final chapter of Brubaker's "Death of Captain America" arc and the book I am most looking foward to. Brubaker run on Captain America has been one of the greatest run's in comics and can't wait to see were he takes Bucky and crew after this story.

Daredevil #111 - Another Brubaker title I am looking foward to. It has been a while since I read Daredevil on an ongoing bases but after dropping a few titles I have decided to pick up this title up again. Hopefully Brubaker can finally achieve something that not many writers have been able to do in the past 20+ years: create a compelling new villain with longevity. And from the preview this new Lady Bullseye character looks to be a compelling villain.

Superman/Batman #52 - The last issue of Superman/Batman just a pure fun. I loved the little Justice League and can't wait to see the appearance of the little Injustice League and what mischief they get into. This should be another funny issue.

Teen Titans #63 - The last few issues of Teen Titans was very disappointing but I still have hopes McKeever can deliver a good read since I liked his last actual story arc "Terror Titans."

Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men Annual #1 - This part two of the F4/X-Men annual and even though the X-Men/F4 annual wasn't the greatest read this F4/X-Men annual should be a nice popcorn for the brain issue to set up Loeb's Ultimatum story.

Ultimate Spider-Man #126 - What can I say about Ultimate Spider-Man that hasn't been said before other than it should be another dependable read. And even though I have never been a big Venom/Symbiote fan Bendis has been able to make at care for them more than in the 616-Marvel symbiote.

Well after two weeks of very weak reads it looks like Marvel and DC have decided to put out some of my favorite titles in one week. Great! I also have another DVD review of Dragonball Z Season 6 in the works that should be up next. And because I have a couple of tests in my business classes the next couple of days I wont be posting a review until Friday or Saturday.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 3 DVD Review

Studio: Nickelodean
Creators: Michael Dante DiMartino and Brian Konietzko
Writers: DiMartino, Konietzko, John O'Bryan, Nick Malis, and various others
Directors: Joaquim De Santos, Lauren MacMullen, Dave Filoni, and various others
Martial Arts Choreographer: Sifu Kisu
Voice Cast: Zachary Tyler Eisen (Aang), Dante Basco (Zuko), Mae Whitman (Katara), Jack DeSaena (Sokka), Jessica Flower (Toph), Dee Bradley Baker (Appa and Momo), Greg Baldwin (Uncle Iroh), Grey DeLisle (Azula), Mark Hamill (Ozai), and various others

DVD Rating
Show: 10/10
Video:10/10
Audio: 9/10
Extras: 9/10
Overall: 9.5/10

Summary
Book 3 continues the journey the last airbender and avatar Aang on his journey to stop Fire Lord Ozai and the Firenation from taking over the world with the help of his friends Katara, Sokka, Toph, and pets Appaand Momo. After an unsuccessful Invasion during the solar eclipse Aang and his group are joined by their former enemy Zuko, who has also had his journey in the story. With Zuko's help Aang learns how to firebend in time for Sozin's Comet arrival. With all of his friends behind him to help fight the Firenation the day of Sozin's Comet comes and a still unsure Aang fights the Fire Lord Ozai, now known as Phoenix King, and Zuko faces of against his sister Azula in Agni Kai to see which one of them becomes the next Fire Lord.

Review
Book 3:Fire brings the end of Avatar: The Last Airbender and what an end it was. If their ever was a great way to end a show this is how a show ends. As much as I love this show I am glad that the people behind it decided to end it in such a high note and not drag out the story like so many cartoons and anime have done in the past and present. A lot of props have to go to creators DiMartino and Konietzko and the whole crew who work on this show for creating one of the best shows on TV and definitely the best show Nickelodean has produced. And even though this DVD set is not loaded with special features the amount of commentary by the creators that is in this DVD makes up for it.

It is hard to put Avatar in a category because it is not a cartoon but at the same time it is not a anime either. But it really doesn't matter which category this show falls under because the animation in the show is just beautiful and it is great that this show did not shy away from things like death that so many shows like avoid now. With many animated series that airs here in the US in the various networks it can be seen in the animation that the creators and directers of shows don't have much contact with the Korean animation studios. But Avatar is not like that and it could be seen in the details the show produces that everyone who work on this from the creators to the directors to the Korean animation studio put in there best effort to create the world of Avatar. Listing to the commentary for each episode and watching the special features the creators of the show do give those in the Korean studios a lot of well deserved praise for their hard work on the show.

Just to see how hard these animator's work you should all see the making of the finale with all the sketches. To hear that the fire in the last four episodes was all hand drawn is just amazing since fire is one of the hardest things to animate due to the wild nature of it. One of the highlights of this show was just how awsome the Lion Turtle that taught Aang to spiritbend was just some awsome animation. The Lion Turtle was greatly detailed and one of my favorite creatures in the Avatar World.

Some recommended episodes for Book 3 that deserve repeat watches are:

• "Sokka's Master" - A great episode for Sokka fans and just some awesome sword choreography. And the swordsmaster Pianfao was an excellent addition to the show and who doesn't love the old master swordman's type character
• "The Beach" - This is a nice episode since we get to see Zuko hanging out with Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee. Also this is the episode that starts the downfall to Azula since we get hints of her having some serious mother issues.
• "The Avatar and the Firelord" - A great episode that shows the world of Avatar before the war during Rokku's time as Avatar. This episode also reveals gives a connection between Aang and Zuko that I did not expect.
• "The Runaway" - Nice Katara and Toph episode that shows a different side to Toph.
• "The Day of Black Sun Parts 1 & 2" - Good two part episode that set many things in motion for all the main characters to take their individual roles more seriously.
• "Firebending Masters" - A nice history of the origins of firebending and awsome to see some dragons in this show.
• "The Boiling Rock Parts 1 & 2" - A nice team up between Sokka and Zuko. Also it is nice the creator's did not forget about Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors after they were captured in the second half of Book 3.
• "The Southern Raiders" - Great episode for Katara were we see more of an edge to her character and her bloodbending.
• "The Ember Island Players" - Nice poking fun at some anime voice work and the calm before the storm.
• "Sozin's Comet Parts 1-4" - One of the best finales to a show with some awsome Avatar State action, spiritbending, and an awsome looking Lion Turtle. We finale get the apperance of the mysterious "Order of the White Lotus" that is lead by Uncle Iroh and some of the old masters we have seen throught the show. Also the reunion between Zuko and his father figure Uncle Iroh was a very touching reunion.

The great things about Avatar has always been about the journey for the five main characters. The journey for all five characters Aang, Zuko, Katara, Sokka, and Toph had in this series was about putting the past behind them, learning from their mistakes, taking responsibility, and learning to accept themselves and others. At times you forget that these characters are just kids especially Aang who literally has the weight of the world on his shoulder. The creators are never shy to show us this fact because there are plenty of episodes were these characters just make mistakes that we all do at their age.

Now while each of these five main characters had there own moment to shine there were really three characters that really stood out in my mind after watching all of Book 3. The first one is the most surprising and that character is Sokka. Sokka started the series as nothing more than a comic relief a role that he played for most of, if not all, of Book 1 and 2. While there were small instances were Sokka was able to take the spotlight but these moments were to far from in between that when it happened they never stood out as character defining moments. But in Book 3 that all changed and we finally see Sokka become a swordsmen in "Sokka's Master" and develop his skills as a general in "Day of Black Sun Part 1 & 2," "The Boiling Rock Part 1 &2," and in the four part "Into the Inferno" finale. In each episode Sokka was able to show his worth and become much of a central character that and a key in helping to defeat the Fire Lord. And with all that he was still able to be the comedy relief and deliver some of the funnier lines in the show.

The second stand out character of Book 3 is really second star of the show Zuko. No other character in the show has gone through more changes and challenges than Zuko and in some ways Avatar is as much Zuko's story of redemption as it is of Aang saving the world. For much of Book 2 not only did fans think that Zuko would end the Book by joining Team Avatar but the creators also mention that Zuko was meant to join the good side in in the DVD commentary. It was great seen how from being the inexperienced master-level Firebender that was always angry to at the beggining of the series to the calm and cool Firebending master by the time he fought the out of her mind Azula.

In truth Zuko and Azula were opposites of one other because were Zuko started the series as a guy who was always angry, never really in control of situations, and showed his emotions on his sleeve who was more about using power than strategy, Azula started out as the calm, always in control of situations, and emotionless who was a very polished Firebender. But by the time it came to the finale showdown between brother and sister the roles were switched were Zuko due to finale accepting his destiny and joining Team Avatar was the calm and in control while Azula due to feeling betrayed out of control wack job and showed more of an unpolished Firebending. And let me just say this that the Zuko and Azula fight was probably one of the best if not the best fight on Avatar. Seeing the power and beuty of two Firebending masters was a thing of beuty and was help with some great music and sound effects.

Before I go onto the third standout character let me just say this, I know some fans are pissed off with Azula's break down at the end of the season but I actually thought it work well with how her character development from the beggining. There were already slight hints of some buried mother problems with her since the Book 2 episode "Zuko Alone" and those mother issues came to the forefront in "The Beach" were we saw her true emotions come to the surface at the end. And with the betrayal of her two supposed best friends in Mai and Ty Lee it was inevitable she would become the paronoid and out of control character she became at the end.

Now to the third, and not suprising, stand out character and the star of the show is Aang. Now I know this is an obvious choice but I just love how the creators made Aang into one of the most innocent and pure hearted character on TV. This is highlighted in how he took out the the Fire Lord/Phoniex King in their final battle. Because throughout the series all of the people around Aang even his past lives told Aang he had to kill the Fire Lord to bring peace to the world. But killing the Fire Lord would have been to out of character move for Aang to do. Plus it seems that at times fans forget that even though Aang is the Avatar, saver of the world, at his core he is still a 12 year old kid who is still sees the good in people like all 12 year olds should.

I am glad the people behind Avatar did not forget this fact and the scene were Aang spiritbends was the second best moment after the Zuko/Azula fight. Before the whole spiritbending the moment were Aang goes Avatar State on the Fire Lord's ass was another must see moments with the four elements working together like they did.

Now even though these three were stand out characters for me in Book 3 does not mean the ladies of Avatar didn't get their moments to shine. It could be argued that Katara, Toph, Azula, Mai, Ty Lee, and Suki kick just as much ass if not more during the series. Whether it was Katara learning how to Bloodbend (which was great), Toph mastering Metalbending, or Azula being a natural Firebender and being able to create lightining (something Zuko still could not do) these were all ladies that kick some series ass in the show and girls no guy would want to mess with. And it was great that it was Katara who took down Azula because it is really through her eyes that most of the story is told through.

Also even though this is technically a show about the journey for the kids to become adults does not mean the adults were no slotches. In truth we got to see through all the adults on the show how far each one of the kids still have to go to become the best at there craft.Even though Zuko and Azula both showed a lot of power with there Firebending they still don't compare to the amount of power their dad showed in the battle with Aang. And even though Sokka started to shine as a leader he still has a ways to go before he becomes a true general like his father.

Now I could go on and on about how great this show is/was but I won do that. But I will say that this is definetly a show that will go down as one of my favorite shows of all time and something I recommend for any cartoon/anime fan who loves good deep storytelling that is for all ages with some great comedy and kick ass fight sequences. And as I said earlier, a lot of credit must go to everyone who work on Avatar from the creators to the Korean animators to to the voice actors to those in the Nickolodean Stdios who allowed the creators to stay with their vision of they wanted the world of Avatar to be and not shying away from things like death like so many show do in this PC world we live in. Now every should go out and buy this show and hope that the live-action movie does a good job at properly telling the story of Aang and his friends.

Action Comics #869 Review

Creative Team
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Gary Frank
Inker: Jon Sibal
Colorist: Brad Anderson

Issue Rating
Story: 8.7/10
Art: 9/10
Overall: 8.85/10

Issue Summary
Braniac's space ship continues its attack on Metropolis and starts to release pods containing Brainiac's robots to attack the citizens. At the Daily Planet Brainiac's robots attack the Daily Planet's employees and Supergirl and Lois on the roof. Even though Supergirl is shaking with her fear of Brainiac she still attacks his robots to buy Lois time to escape.

Inside of Brainiac's ship Superman is having head squeezed by Brainiac. Brainiac downloads all of Superman's memories including his fears. As Brainiac threatens the Earth Superman grabs and bits the cord in the back of Brainiac's head of and punches him into one of his pods. Superman then goes to find the Bottled City of Kandor.

When Superman finds the city an odd psychic connection happens and someone starts to talk to Superman. Superman first thinks it might be his father but it is actually Zor-El and his wife Alura the parents of Supergirl. Zor-El explains that unlike the rest of Krypton he and his wife did heed Jor-El's warning of the disaster that would destroy Krypton and used some of Brainiac's technology that was recovered by General Zod to created a force field to protect Argo City. When the force field was activated Brainiac sensed his technology being used and integrated Argo city with Kandor. But before Brainiac finished the integration process Zor-El and Alura saved Kara by placing her in a spaceship so she could escape and be with her baby cousin Kal-El.

As Zor-El finishes his story Brainiac recovers and attacks Superman again. Brainiac reveals that the body Superman has been fighting is nothing but a shell Brainiac was using to fight Superman with and that his body and mind are the ship itself.

Back at Metropolis Supergirl is becoming overwhelmed by Brainiac's robots and even with a timely save from Lois is captured by Brainiac. Brainiac then proceeds to shrink and place Metropolis and its citizens in a bottle like he did to Kandor.

A captured Superman is in a trance and being fed as much information into his by Brainiac until he becomes overloded by all the information and become brain dead. As Brainiac does this he also launches one of his Solar-Aggressor machines towards the sun to make it explode and incinerate Earth just like Krypton. The issue ends with Superman coming out of his trance and giving Brainiac a look like he is about to kick some serious ass.

Highlights of the Issue

"Superman pulls a Mike Tyson on Brainiac."

"Supergirl has turned into the new Hawkman with all the retelling of her origin."

"The Bottle City of Metropolis!"

"Who ever said 'knowledge is power' hasn't met Brainiac"

Review
Action Comics #869 was another great read. Like I have said before Geoff Johns is turning in one of the best Superman stories in a long time and setting things in motion for the next big Superman story "New Krypton." If you still have not picked up this story yet due yourself a favor and pick this story since this only part four and I am sure you can find the other three issue in stock in your comic shop.

One of the problems I have had with Superman is that he has never really had villains, outside of Lex Luthor, Apocalypse, and General Zod, that could hurt Superman physically and emotionally. To be honest for as popular as Superman is, his Rogue Gallery is not very deep and/or as rich as other superheroes like Batman, Spider-Man, or Flash. The villains Superman usually fight are either super strong, i.e. Doomsday, or use kryptonite to weaken him and then beat him up, i.e. Metallo, which leads to most Superman stories to be boring and predictable.

That is certainly not the case here with Brainiac who has been one of Superman's more underutilized villains. In this story not only is Brainiac a threat due to his super genious IQ but also because he may actually be physically stronger than Superman. Even when it looks like Superman finally has Braniac down for the count Johns reveals that the Brainiac Superman was fighting was nothing more than a organic shell Brainiac was using just to be a physical presence to Superman. I love that the Braniac turned out to be the space ship it self and not some androind or organic being.

This twist in the story really makes me wonder how in the hell Superman is going to take down in the next issue since it is the last issue of the story. Even with the look of determination in Superman's eyes I don't think he alone can take down Brainiac. To be sure Supergirl will play a part in helping to take down Brainiac but even with her help its hard to see that those two alone can beat Brainiac in Supergirl's current state of fear. But I trust Johns will have something up his sleeve and not have Brainiac go down like a punk in the next issue.

Now the other interesting development in this issue was the presence of both of Supergirl's parents being alive. I did not expect that. With Zor-El and Alura still alive it places both Supergirl and Superman in a tough spot once they release the surviving their remaining family and fellow Kryptonians. It is going to be especially hard for Superman because his alligences are going to be questioned the most of chosing Earth the planet were he was raised, shown to be a man, and all thr people he loves are or choose the Krypton the planet he was born in.

Now the only problem I had with this issue is that we were again presented another origin story of Supergirl. This was the second retelling of her origin in one week since this weeks Brave and the Bold issue also retells her origin. I get that DC wants the reader to be emotionally invested with her character but to continue retell her origin is not the way to do it, especially twice in the same week. It was this part of the issue that really keep the issue from being rated a 9 or 9.5.

But even with this slight problem I had with the issue Johns is probably the first writer to actually make me like the Supergirl character. Before this story I have thought she was just an annoying Superman lite. But here I really like that Johns has given her character depth with her constant fear of Brainiac which has prevented her from fighting at 100%. Even when she tries to put on a brave face the fear she has is always present. But that fear might change to determination when she finds out her parents are still alive.

Now praise has to go to Gary Frank, Jon Sibal, and Brad Anderson for bringing Johns story to life with the art. The art in this issue was just awsome. I especially love how Frank's draws the fear in Supergirl's eyes right before she fights Brainiac's robots. Also the scene were Brainiac is holding a shurken Metropolis bottled up like Kandor was also great spread.

Titans #5 Review

Creative Team
Writer: Judd Winick
Artist: Julian Lopez
Inkers: Prentis Rollins, Bit, and Rodney Ramos
Colorist: Edgar Delgado

Issue Rating
Story: 4/10
Art: 7/10
Overall: 5/10

Issue Summary
Beast Boy and Raven go on a "date." Cyborg shows of his new body to Wally, Roy, and Donna. Dick and Starfire are alone at the pool and decide that they only love each other as friends and not lovers. Beast Boy and Raven are attack by Raven's three returning brothers. Raven turns into her demonic form and leaves with her brothers through a portal leaving a beat up Beast Boy behind. End of issue.

Highlights of the Issue

"Cyborg strikes a pose in his rebuilt body."

"A final kiss?"

"ADRIAN!
Sorry I couldn't resist."

Review
The one thing I'll give Winick credit for is that he never disappoints in taking characters, in this case a whole teams, that are some of my favorites in comics and turning them into one-dimensional characters and in an story that is hard to become invested in the heroes and villains. The story in Titans #5 is no different with the continuation of the Trigon sons story that wasn't very good to begin with.

One of the only reason's I actually rated this issue higher than the last issue is because Winick suprised me that he did not use the Dick and Starfire scene to put them back together and end up in bed like Winick usually likes to do. I was actually suprised that Winick could write a scene that did have some interesting development. Even though I did like the Dick and Starfire relationship back during the Wolfman/Perez era on Titans at some point these two characters need to move on from one another. It was nice to see some closure between the two and have them realize that they are just friends and not boyfriend/girlfiend anymore.

This scene was a more of important moment for Starfire as a character than for Dick because ever since her introduction Starfire has always been defined by Dick and has never been given the proper character development a character that has been around as much time as she has in the DC Universe. At least now there may be a chance that we will see Starfire start to develop from just the hot alien chick she has been into a more multi-dimesional character that she was shown to be in 52 when she was able to interact with characters outside of the Titans. Now just hopefully Winick does not mess this chance up and actually gives Starfire's character some development but I doubt that.

I was also glad to see that Cyborg finally got rebuilt after sitting on the side lines for the past four issue as nothing more than a potato. Though I thought that Winick could have shorten some of the scenes with in order to see what new tech Cyborg has integrated into his parts.

Well that is as close to giving Winick praise for his writing as I could. Now how stupid are the kids at Raven's school to not even ask about a big green polar bear in the middle of their school. I know that teenagers can act aloof sometimes, since it wasn't to long ago I was a teenager, but I have to believe that at least one student would recognize that it was Beast Boy transformed since he has been a very public figure with all of the adventures he has had with the Titans and Doom Patrol. It just an example of Winick dumbass logic that really doesn't work for anyone other than himself.

Also I get that there are a lot of fans out there for Beast Boy and Raven being together but I am just not one of them. It wasn't until the Tee Titans cartoon that DC started playing around with there relationship but I just they should have more the brother sister vibe than boyfriend/girlfriend thing they are trying to do. But I huess I may be in the minority in this I guess since there are people that enjoy this couple.

This gets to my next point, Winick is just trying to hard to show how good of friends Dick, Wally, Donna, Roy, Cyborg, Starfire, Raven, and Beast Boy are. The whole dialog between Cyborg, Donna, Wally and Roy just seemed to force and did not feel like natural dialog between these long time friends/family. And I know from interviews with Didio and Winick that they have said that they want the relationship between these characters to feel like Friends but I seriously hope they are just joking because if Winick tries to use Dick and Starfire or Beast Boy and Raven to act like Ross and Rachel "we were on a break" thing than I will blow my own brain out.

Also I could care less about Trigon's three sons and Raven reverting into her demonic form. I understand that Trigon is probably the next biggest advesery to the Titans next to Deathstroke but there was absolutly no build towards this plotline. This story could have been much better if Winick and Didio decided to slowly build on Trigon and his son's appearance as a sub-plot to the first few arcs. But by using Trigon's sons as the first villains for Titans just doesn't give any weight to the story and the villains don't feel as a big of a threat as they should if Winick and Didio actually decided to build up these villains slowly as maybe background characters pulling strings behind the scenes before they made their move. Also having Raven revert back to her demonic form is just a lame try at making Raven the villain again is not very interesting at all.

The only thing that saves this issue and actual puts it in the average range is Julian Lopez art. Now I am not to familiar with Lopez art but he had some very nice art in this issue. The art was at its best in the Dick and Starfire scene wand credit to Lopez and his inkers for giving some actual weight to a Winick scene. The only problem I had with the art is that there were some inconsitencies with some of the some of the up close shot to characters faces because I don't remeber Raven looking Asian and Beast Boy look more like a fifthteen or sixteen year old than a nineteen or twenty year old he should be. But overall Lopez and his inkers art help make Winick story much closer to being average instead of horrible to mediocre it would have been.