Oct 17th RoundUp

posted by JediSheltie @ 7:16 PM

Brave and the Bold 7

I've been checking this out since the first issue, though the opening 6 part arc never really gave me a chance to do a review that wouldn't end up being en medias res. Now we get a refreshing little one shot story that acknowledges the previous issues without requiring they be read. A happy little combination of Wonder Woman and Power Girl doesn't hurt either, and there's even some Superman thrown on for good measure at the end.

Brave and the Bold is a team-up book. The first arc, though one story, featured a revolving cast of team-ups that all kind of came together near the end. The nice thing about a book like this is that is gives readers exposure to characters they might otherwise not have known about and it gives some characters who aren't regularly featured a chance to shine. In this case neither major players is without representation in a major book, though. Wonder Woman in, well, the name escapes at the moment, and Power Girl in Justice Society of America.

What starts as by the numbers team-up to put down some garden variety undead turns mysterious as Power Girl reveals her plans to kill Superman that afternoon when handing Diana's magic lasso back to her. Not sure about her own intentions, she rushes off, Diana in pursuit, wanting to help figure out what happened to the otherwise clueless Supergirl of a defunct Earth-2.

The remainder of the book is the effort to figure out who's behind the brainwashing and stop it. Obviously a happy ending is enjoyed by all in what was a nicely paced, self contained effort that is certainly a good cure for anyone suffering from epic story arc fatigue.

Perez's art is great. As the guy who was responsible for bringing Wonder Woman back after Crisis on Infinite Earths, he draws the "modern" Diana, with her straighter locks and slightly altered costume, very well. If one had to pick nits on this one, it would be that writer Waid's Power Girl is her "old self" in this one, headstrong and impetuous. Johns has shown her growing up and not making rash decisions so much as chairwoman of the JSA, and that wasn't the Kara on display here.

Justice League of America 14

Meltzer's gone and people are getting punched again, regularly. Though I just complained about doing reviews of comics in the middle of their arcs, I'll toss in a short one on this, the second entry of McDuffie's inaugural arc.

First off, I admit, and have before, growing up on Superfriends toons, so the big reveal of the Legion of Doom- er- Injustice Society's domed headquarters in the remote swamps of the Florida Everglades was certainly appreciated. The Hall of Justice and the Legion of Doom's HQ are both now part of DC cannon, and it's cool.

This issue focuses on the two remaining members of the JLA who haven't been captured by the Injustice Society - Black Lightning and Superman. Clark is itching for a rescue attempt, naturally, and Luthor shows up holographically to prey on that very desire, one he's counting on. The interplay with Luthor is well done. This is certainly the classic villain Luthor, openly goading the Man of Steel as he shows images of the JLA imprisoned and tortured. This is the Luthor that knows how to push Clark's buttons, force him to make the first move when he's already planned for it.

As vexing moral dilemmas go, Clark doesn't have much of a choice. He and Black Lightning both know it's a trap, but they have to go. Trap it is, and soon all the JLA are in the hands of the Injustice Gang.

Benes is back on art, and I've liked his work since the first issues. His art was one element that kept me going through Meltzer's lazy arcs. Glad he's getting a chance to flex his action muscles this time around. For once, no only am I interested in the exciting conclusion, I know some heads will be busted in the process.