DC Comics 22 - World Comic Book Review

The Flash #1 (review)

October 21, 2016July 10, 2016 by DG Stewart

The Flash #1 (review)
(DC Comics, September 2016)
Writer: Joshua Williamson

This title is one of the host of new releases from DC Comics as part of the “Rebirth” event by which the publisher engages in one of its periodic continuity replenishments, the first of which occurred in 1959. The Flash, as the name suggests, is an unimaginably fast superhero. On the front cover of this first issue, the masked face of the Flash is caught mid-stride, the edge of his hand at the zenith of its swing, a jaunty wave to the reader. The mouth is not set with the stereotypical gritted teeth of a crime fighter: instead, the Flash has a slight smile. It is the return of an old friend.

Green Lanterns #1 and #2 (review)

October 21, 2016July 9, 2016 by DG Stewart

Green Lanterns #1 and #2 (review)
(DC Comics, June 2016)
Writers: #1 =Geoff Johns and Sam Humphries
#2 – Sam Humphries

The comic book characters known as and featuring in the new title “Green Lanterns” are, in American comic book publisher DC Comics’ mythology, a corps of interstellar peacekeepers, their numbers derived from various alien species. Each Green Lantern is armed with a ring capable of translating thought into plasma constructions. The concept remains fresh even though it was (re-)formulated in 1959 (there was another, non-science fiction version dating back to 1940).

We have written about two “Green Lantern” comics before (Parallax Error and Edge of Oblivion) with disparaging conclusions. This review is no different in tone, although on this occasion we concentrate upon the broader, systemic flaws of one of the writers, Geoff Johns, rather than the editorial failure in conceptual delivery we described previously.

Detective Comics #935 (review)

October 21, 2016June 25, 2016 by DG Stewart

Detective Comics #935 (review)
(DC Comics, August 2016)
Writer: James Tynion IV

This story follows the classic bridge format of serialised superhero comic books: a pillar of action at both ends, supporting a broad span of melodrama. It stars DC Comics’ major character property, Batman, and over half-a-dozen ancillary characters: Red Robin, Spoiler, Orphan, Azrael, Batwoman and her father Colonel Kane, a young Clayface, and Batman’s loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth. Missing are the other significant associates: Nightwing, Robin, Red Hood, Man-Bat, and Batgirl, no doubt caught up in their own or other titles.

New Suicide Squad #21 (review)

October 21, 2016June 22, 2016 by DG Stewart

New Suicide Squad #21 (review)
DC Comics, August 2016
Writer: Tim Seeley

On the back of our recent and very positive review of “Harley Quinn and the Suicide Squad April Fool’s Day Special“, we engaged in precisely the sort of consumer behaviour that US comic book publisher DC Comics wished us to do: we purchased the latest issue of DC Comics’ related publication, “New Suicide Squad”. DC Comics were hoping to ensnare new readers with this sales strategy, but in its execution, offering to new readers such a poorly crafted issue as an entry, the publisher fails entirely.