DC’S New 52- DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS: DEADMAN #1

Written by Paul Jenkins with great art by Bernard Chang, Deadman rises to the occasion(Get it, he “rises”..like “from the dead”? Huh? Yea? Ugh, forget it!).

This story is truely an orgin story, but to give u a little background let’s consult our good friend Wikipedia..take it away, Wik!

Deadman is a ghost, formerly a circus trapeze artist named Boston Brand who performed under the name Deadman, a stage persona including a red costume and white corpse makeup. When Brand is murdered during a trapeze performance by a mysterious assailant known only as the Hook (in fact his last words were “Gee, from up here it almost looks like that guy with the hook for a hand has a gun…”), his spirit is given the power to possess any living being by a Hindu Goddess (created for the purposes of the story) named Rama Kushna, in order to search for his murderer and obtain justice.

Thanks, Wik! Anyway, this issue gives you all of that, but it’s what I like to call, a “slow burn”.

No, not that crap movie!

Deadman is an interesting character with a rich history in the DCU, he just hasn’t been seen enough(Did you catch that one?! Ehhh?!!!  Sigh). He’s kinda like that cool Uncle that doesn’t come around much, but when he does, he always give you money!

MONEY!!!!

I highly recommend this issue to anyone that enjoys slow build-ups, to anyone that enjoys Jenkins’s work, to anyone that has a pulse(Not even gonna attempt).

All I am is dust in the wind,

Donnie Drama

DC’S NEW 52- Animal Man #1

Written by Jeff Lemire with art by Travel Foreman(Yep, real name!) and Dan Green, Animal Man #1 is a great addition to a ” high- brow” section in the DC Universe that doesn’t play dumb to an audience of educated readers.

The beginning opens with an interview between Lemire and Buddy Baker, AKA, Animal Man as a way to introduce new reader to the status of Buddy, his career and his family. He is a former Hollywood stuntman who, for the last few years, has been working as a superhero, less and less. He is also an animal rights activist and husband of ten years and a father of two children. Once again, it is with this dynamic, Lemire seems to work his magic, balancing a fine line of responsibility between being a husband, a father, and a super-hero.

While the story continues on, it’s the creepy factor that wins me over….the bleeding eyes, the “RED” dream state between Buddy and his children and the creepy back yard scene…well, let’s save that for you, the reader to behold!

While Animal Man is certainly the coolest Animal-Like Character, it’s good to see he’s not downplayed as a joke in this new DCU!  BUY IT!!!!!

Take THAT, Vixen!

Harnessing the poo-flinging power of a monkey,

Donnie Drama

DC’S NEW 52- Teen Titans #1

Written by Scott Lobdell with art by Brett Booth, Teen Titans #1 is as decent as Superboy #1 was, but with more characters we know and love(Kid Flash, Red Robin, etc). I think Superboy and Teen Titans will be intergrated into each other for a while as Superboy has now sided with the Titans against N.O.W.H.E.R.E. and is learning about himself and his team members(Some of which we are learning about as well…. Bugg, Wall and ‘Charcoal Girl’. ).

The opening scene starts out with Bart, AKA Kid Flash, doing more harm than good on the scene of a fire. This scene also sets up a growing controversy about metahuman teenagers around the world who are starting to be seen as a threat to national security.

Yea, real God damn dangerous!

The rest of the issue deals with Red Robin as he attempts to track down the mysterious Wonder Girl in order to have her assist him in the fight against N.O.W.H.E.R.E. While it’s cool to have the big-guns back this issue seems to be a bit stuck on Red Robin(Which is a lame-ass name if you ask me).

And a lame-ass burger joint!

Overall it’s a decent ride and if you have the extra bucks, go for it…otherwise, save up for Resurrection Man #2,3!!!!

Counting down the days til Resurrection Man #3,

Donnie Drama

DC’S New 52- Superman #1

Written by George Perez with art by Jesus Merino, Superman flys out of Action Comics #1, only to crawl into Superman #1. What exactly do I mean by that? It’s a bit boring!

It’s true…

We start out with the story of the old Daily Planet being demolished and the new one being opened courtesy of Morgan Edge, showrunner at The Globe, The Daily Planet’s competition over the years, and home of shady practices.  Clark Kent isn’t happy about this, but times are changing(Proof of this being Lois Lane running the behind the scenes of the nightly news network).

Just then, a fire Alien breaks loose in a building just as Superman is chasing down a truck full of terrorists and hazardous chemicals! This issue is a little too overwritten for my tastes, as I was not a huge fan of the direction Dan Jurgens took Superman after his death and rebirth…it became overwritten, boring, lifeless…..pretty much this issue.

Talk about lifeless…oh wait, here’s your mail.

The only redeeming factors are that Lois and Clark are not together at this point and the comments to society about the world of print and how important it really is to us. Otherwise, you can toss this issue and forget this title ever existed..sorry, George. 🙁

Up, Up, And Down The Drain,

Donnie Drama

DC’S New 52- Green Lantern Corps #1

Written by Peter J. Tomasi with art by Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna, Green Lantern Corps is a great, fun ride for any action/Green Lantern fan.

So’s your mom!

The story starts out with a few Green Lanterns putting up with a prisoners bullshit smack talkin. Just when things begin to settle down, they all get put in the hell of being cut to pieces!!! You know who else knows about that kinda hell?

Jack Burton, ME!

Damn skippy, Jack! Anyway, after that we are taken into a day-in-the-life of Guy and John as they attempt to have normal lives..it doesn’t work out so well.

We’re then led into their plans of working for the Corps someplace that deserves them, someplace other than earth.

Green Lantern Corps is a great intro to these two characters(Guy and John), along with a ton of action and death/destruction. I was quite pleased , but will sorely miss the the way Kyle and Guy played off each other in the old Green Lantern Corps book. It’ll be interesting to see how Peter manages to make John Stewart interesting(Is that possible?), while showing a stark contrast between two very similar personalities.

I recommend this book highly, fan or not…enjoy it..I did!

Hoping to someday be selected for the Corps,

Donnie Drama

DC’S New 52- Birds of Prey #1

I’ve always enjoyed Birds of Prey, I haven’t always read or purchased them, but I’ve always enjoyed what I read, even the mini’s that started it all! There is no difference now as I still enjoy Birds Of Prey, but like the previous series, I still will not add it to my ‘pull list”.

Written by Duane Swierczynski, this book is yet another “slow burn”, giving time to introduce all of the characters, hopefully giving them character and purpose for later on. Swamp thing has the creepy factor going for it, which will keep me coming back, Birds of Prey has huge-breasted women…decisions, decisions…

As much fun as he had with Australia, he felt compelled to go back to Hawaii.

While Birds of Prey #1 doesn’t have Oracle as a team member, it certainly isn’t without it’s “smarts”, as Barbara does make an appearance. 🙂

Birds starts out by introducing journalist Charlie Keen, who is investigating a formation of a covert all-female team.

Keen, not Sheen!

Keen gets himself in a spot of trouble by getting in-between an epic throwdown of crazy super-ladies in tight spandex and crazy assassin-types!

As I said in the beginning, this is an OK read, but just OK….save some money, buy Suicide Squad instead!

Avoiding becoming a prey of birds,

Donnie Drama

Sorry for the delay!

Due to the Horror Fest Screening Succubus was in, we fell a day behind on our reviews. My apologies….a few pics from the Con below:

DC’S New 52- Legion Of Super-Heroes #1

Written by Paul Levitz with art by Francis Portela, Legion Of Super-Heroes is NOT a comic for beginners, it’s not a comic for “jumping on”…it’s not a fun comic for non-Legion fans. It’s a well written book for people that are into the series, but it won’t bring in new readers.

It’s still better than your Legion title, Fabian!

Legion Of Super-Heroes #1 continues from the events of Adventure Comics and pre-relaunch Legion Of Super-Heroes. A reference to time travel leads us to believe that there is no change from before the DC Reboot. Why this is happening to the Legion titles is beyond me. (Perhaps an “out” if the New52 flopped?)

Either, or, this title is of little use to new readers and should get no further mention as it’s only discussing things I had no damn clue ever happened because I’m just not a fan of Legion, even when Mark Waid was convinced he could make it accessable.

You Failed!

Legion fans, buy the book…non-Legion fans, don’t waste your time or money.

Battling his way back to the 30th century,

Donnie Drama

DC’S New 52- Grifter #1

Written by  Nathan Edmondson with art by Cafu(Jesus Christ, really?!), Grifter is another “wait and see” comic to me. Much like Demon Knights, I’ll be giving it a 3-issue trial to see if it picks up, drops off or does that medium line of same bullshit.

The story is split  between the ‘present’ and past, starting off with our hero, Cole Cash, on a plane. He’s begun hearing voices and doesnt fully undersand why or what is going on.  I’ll tell you what’s going on…you’re bat-shit crazy, Cole, bat-shit crazy!

Nothing strange going on here!

Things on the plane take a turn for the worse as we wonder if this man really is crazy (Deadpool much?). or crazy like a fox!

Even I think he’s crazy!

Grifter is one of those Wildstorm characters that had his day in the sun, but faded over time. Ultimately DC hopes to cash in on some of these characters, and with the mild success of Voodoo #1 I think they’ve done just enough to peek interest in newcomers and old fans.

It’s worth a look if you have the extra cash, otherwise I’d skip this one!

Born to be a grifter,

Donnie Drama

DC’s New 52- All-Star Western #1

Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti with art by Moritat(What is it with these one-name dudes?!)

Ahem!

Oh, sorry, Madonna. Anyway, All-star Western is actually pretty good, maybe even better than the original Jonah Hex comic these two Hep-Cats wrote!

Here’s the lowdown on Jonah via our friend Wiks….take it away, Wiks:

“Hex is a surly and cynical bounty hunter whose face is horribly scarred on the right side. Despite his poor reputation and personality, Hex is bound by a personal code of honor to protect and avenge the innocent.”

Thanks, Wiks! Anyway, Johah Hex is pretty bad-ass…how bad-ass you may ask? Honey Badger Bad-Ass!!!!

Here’s what DC has to say about their product(Naturally, they’re thrilled).

“Even when Gotham City was just a one-horse town, crime was rampant – and things only get worse when bounty hunter Jonah Hex comes to town. Can Amadeus Arkham, a pioneer in criminal psychology, enlist Hex’s special brand of justice to help the Gotham Police Department track down a vicious serial killer?”

So Arkham is a little bit of country and Hex is a little bit of rock n roll…it all works out! This is easily the best western comic to come out this year(Was there more?!). I recommend this story to anyone that digs on westerns and digs on Hex!

Walking ten paces,

Donnie Drama