DC’s New 52- Demon Knights #1

Written by Paul Cornell, Demon Knights #1 is a coming -of-age tale about a young demon who falls in love with a sorceress as they walk the earth a bit during the time of King Arthur and the Dark Ages. Seriously, I think that’s the plot. If you couldn’t tell, I’m a little confused…much like you will be when you realize it reads like you stepped half way through a tale already being told….It’s like going into the second Lord of the Rings and asking…where’s Boramir?!

I’m coming! Wait, I”m dead already?!

A little back story to the demon via Wikipedia:

Etrigan, son of the demon Belial, is summoned by the wizard Merlin, his half-brother.^[5] Unable to gain the creature’s secrets, he bonds the demon with Jason Blood, a knight in King Arthur‘s Camelot. This renders Jason immortal, though at times he considers this either a penance or a curse. He eventually becomes a prominent demonologist and settles in Gotham City.

Centuries later, Jason is called to the crypt of Merlin and discovers a poem that changes him into Etrigan.

That’s it in a nutshell. So back to the story!  We start out with the whole Merlin/Jason Blood story..then move on to years later…this is where we learn of an evil sorceress’s plans to dominate the world! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA….ERRR, SORRY, GOT CARRIED AWAY. AHEM…anyway…Jason,  and Madame Xanadu go to this tavern…stop me if you’ve heard this one…

Oh, that’s right…we’ve all heard this story. Now it’s my turn to roll!!!

So they run across Vandal Savage..why? Who knows, but I bet it’s important later! Then trouble happens, in the form of the evil sorceresses goons,  Jason turns into the Demon and BAM!!! DRAGONS!! Yep, DRAGONS!  Why? Are you really trying to understand it at this point? Seriously?…sigh…OK…

It’s not all bad though as I sense a nugget of a a story here. It’s just very hard to tell when there really is no story to this issue, just a bulid-up for what you hope will happen in the second issue (a plot).

And here’s a plot outline for ya! What, you don’t need it, Mr. Cornell? Oh, OK!

While this review rests heavily on the writing, lets not forget Diogenes Neves, who drew the book…beautifully I might add! His art saves this book. I’d say if you loooove the Demon, give it a try…hey, at least he’s not rhyming in this one…finally!!!!! Seriously, that’s his thing…he rhymes!

Your pal for now, til you read this review…afterwords, chunks you doth spew,

Donnie Dramma

DC’S New 52- Hawk and Dove #1

Before I get into this issue, let’s provide you with a little history on the characters via Wikipedia:

“Created by Steve Ditko and Steve Skeates, brothers Hank and Don Hall first appeared in Showcase #75 (1968). The pair gained their powers of heightened strength and agility from a mysterious voice (later, Secret Origins #43 explained the voice was from two Lords of Chaos and Order who had fallen in love) and fought crime together as Hawk and Dove, despite their diametrically opposed opinions about the use of force. The conservative Hawk (Hank) was hot-headed and reactionary, whereas the liberal Dove (Don) was more thoughtful and reasoned (but prone to indecisiveness).”

Basically, one was a frat boy and the other one was a “sensitive soul”. Together these two knuckle-heads went out and fought crime while constantly bickering at each other. The comic didn’t do too well, only lasting six issues, due to the fact that if people wanted constant squabbling, they’d hang out with my sisters.

 Eventually Hawk’s brother died, leaving a hole in his life.  Then came the new Dove, a chick…with  wayyy better “assets”! 

 Careful, Penguin,  you’ll put your eye out!

They didn’t get along….surprised?

Now on to the review!!!!!  Hawk and Dove #1, written by Sterling Gates with art by Rob Liefeld…wait?! What?! Did I just say Rob Liefeld?!  Oh yes, yes I did…and here is where it gets fun!  Rob Liefeld is drawing this book and all it’s glorious 90ism (yep, that’s a word now!) Tiny feet, hidden hands…plain backdrops..all here! 🙂 Would you like to know of how unpopular this guy has become since the 90’s bust of Image Comics???  Check the links below:

Personally I’m indifferent when it comes to Rob Liefeld, I’m more concerned with the plot, which is pretty terrible. It starts out with a plane being almost flown into the Washington Monument…never seen that before! It also has to do with a Mad Scientist..yep, you heard me..a Mad Scientist…all the cliche’s are here, gang!!!  Hank Hall, aka, Hawk, is pissed about everything (what’s new) and Dove is hiding a secret from Hawk..what could it be?! Deadman knows, cause they’re totally dating and it’s like soooo cool…but honestly, nobody cares..the plot is terrible…and is Hank Hall really that young?!! Seriously??!!!!  Just….Just don’t buy it…please…

Your Avatar of War,

Donnie Drama!

DC’S New 52- Swamp Thing #1

Today’s review is for another lesser-known character in the DCU, Swamp Thing! A quick way to catch you up on Swamp Thing would be to tell you to watch the movie, however since it’s about one and a half hours of pure pain, enjoy the crappy trailer instead!

http://youtu.be/gJf0Sr1Ktmk

Now that you’re caught up, I’ll tell you what exactly happened (midgets excluded)….right after I show you this sweet figure set I bought at comic con this year!!!

Cool, huh?! Anyhow, Swamp Thing, created by writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson, was conceived as Alec Holland,  mutating into a Swamp Thing after being drenched by an experimental formula, lit on fire and jumping into the swamp! I know, intense, right?! Anyway, in the 1980’s,  Alan Moore reinvented Swamp Thing by explaining that Swamp Thing was an elemental entity that absorbed Holland’s memories and personality upon death. Therefore removing all human aspects from the creature. This made him more of an elemental god, much like Gae. You remember her, right?

Gea, Mistress of the Elements!!!  Errrr, wrong series?

Anyway, this new take on Swamp thing is written by Scott Snyder, now known best for a creepy little mini-series he’s working on, called SEVERED.

Yes, I know the title is cut off, but you get the darn point!

We start out by learning of a mass suicide-type-cult/kool-aid drinking thing that happened with birds, bats and fish, yes…even fish!!!!  Superman notices this problem, as does Batman and Aquaman, but it is Superman that takes action by visiting Holland to discuss.  Holland talks to Superman  and in this discussion we learn that Holland died and became Swamp Thing over a year ago in the rebooted timeline. Holland retained the memories of when he was transformed but is hesitant to talk about it. This adds to a mystery element that is prevalent throughout this issue. What happened to Holland? Where is Swamp Thing? Who is Swamp Thing? And why are they called Grapenuts if they’re not made of either grapes or nuts!!!! This one seems to be a slow burn, fellow BUGS, so plan to stick with it for a while…it seems worth it! 🙂

Your comic pal….Donnie Drama!

DC’S New 52- Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1

Up next in my review of DC’s New 52 is Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E #1. I started reading this book with immense hesitation as I was uneasy with horror characters playing superheros in the DCU. I was aware of the creature commandos but never valued them as I was always more of a fan of Marvel’s Werewolf By Night or Curse of Dracula. However, knowing Jeff Lemire was writing it, I figured I’d at least try to read it with an open mind. You may or may not know Jeff Lemire; he’s currently writing a DC Vertigo book Sweet Tooth, which has a bit of a cult following for it’s quirky storyline and writing style.

With all that said, reading Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E. reminded me of  what books can be if written with a little care and a dash of creative flair. Don’t get me wrong, the art is a bit lackluster and at times hard to follow, but it blends in with the story, expertly crafted by Lemire. For example, Frankenstain works for an organization called S.H.A.D.E., ran by Father Time whom is now in the form of a little girl as he must regenerate and take a new form every decade.  Another bit of creativity comes from the organization’s headquarters in a micro-world created and designed by Ray Palmer. A nice addition to give the overall story a bit of science appeal and easily establish  the title within the DCU.

I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone, as I think it has plenty to offer! Check it out and if you don’t like it, you can slap me and call me TINA!

Yours Truely,

Donnie Drama

DC’s New 52—Mr. Terrific #1

Some of you might think that starting out my 52-day- long blog about DC’s New 52 with Mr. Terrific is a bit odd…but when you consider it’s written by Eric Wallace, it’s a no-brainer to me! Eric Wallace is an executive editor/writer for Scifi’s…errrr, SyFy’s Eureka! It’s a cute show with quite the cult following on the Sci…err, SyFy network. I love most things with science fiction so when I heard he was writing it as a man that polices science and technology in the DCU, I was sold. Unfortunatley that was before I read the first issue. Reading the issue, I felt a bit distant from the story, and much like an Eskimo in a sand castle competition, I couldn’t quite figure out how to get into it. The back-story seemed rushed and treated as a side to the action when it should have been center stage. It needed to start  out with the history, then move forward from there. But too often comic writers think people have the attention spans of gnats, and move straight to the action, which is usually quite cliched. Unfortunatley Mr. Terrific is a character I will only re-visit in old issues of JSA.

DC’s New 52!

Fellow BUGS! Each and every week this month, DC Comics is releasing #1 titles of all 52 comic books from their new re-booted world! It’s exciting news for everyone, especially Ted Kord, who may or may not be alive in this new world. While you ponder upon that exciting news, I’ll be buying up each and every issue of this new and exciting Comic Extravaganza!

I’ll also be offering a review for each issue (One review a day for 52 days!)….so stay tuned for more exciting updates and opinions from yours truely….Donnie Drama! 

Another Ted Kord Spotting!!!!!!

This photo is a little dark, but you can clearly make out what appears to be Ted Kord, overlooking a cliff, obviously spotting some sort of crime taking place!

MORE TO COME!!!!

More Pictures of On Set!!!!!

That’s right, Fellow BUGS, we’re back with more on-set pictures to tease your taste buds for:

  Blue Beetle Action!

ON SET!!!

Pictures to come…..Everyone’s having a blast!!!!! 🙂

Ted Kord: Spotted AGAIN!!!!

Upon further inspection of Ted,  at the entrance to the cave, we’ve noticed a white glowing orb.

 (see arrow in picture)             

Is this an Alien Life form, perhaps J’onn J’onzz? 

Or could this be something far more interesting…stay tuned!!!!