THE FLASH #15 DC COMICS
Well, it looks like the genie has been let out of the bottle and there’s no putting him back. As a younger reader in the 60’s and 70’s, I was a big fan of Flash Facts. Little informative interludes between Flash stories teaching the readers about fun speed facts. Kind of like a mini science class. I’m glad I paid attention because little did I know that I’d need a physics degree just to understand current storylines. A duplicate Wally West vibrating at a different frequency so the two can co-exist? A grown son from the future trying not drop spoiler but wanting to help his past family out? And then toss in some bleed over from the All In Justice League Unlimited title? I really don’t envy writer Simon Spurrier especially since the current story line is all over the genre board. Where’s Captain Cold and Heat Wave fighting over a model when you need them? 6 out of 10 Grahams.
JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #1 DC COMICS
This isn’t your Cartoon Network JL Unlimited. After the confusing events of this last crossover crisis, DC has decided to finally do what they have only dabbled with in the past. Lets put everybody in the Justice League! So what started out as the ‘Magnificent Seven’ has become the Magnificent 700. Writer Mark Waid has his work cut out for him juggling that many characters and still have things make sense. And while I can’t help but be reminded of Marvel’s Defenders #62-63 when too many heroes tried to join the Defenders and the chaos that ensues. But Waid takes a page from former Justice League writers and seperates the roster into small group addressing various issues. Artist Dan Mora, on the other hand, gets to test his skills on the entire DC Universe. Classic Justice League members, Global Guardians, Teen Titans, Challengers, JSA, Teen Titans, New Gods all get some quality cameos throughout the book’s panels! War Wheels attack and Air Wave gets a tour. And with the exception of the big reveal in the final page, this has a lot going for it. The real question is how long can this title keep up? Time will tell, always does. 8 out of 10 Grahams.
BLACK CANARY BEST OF THE BEST #1 DC COMICS
Since the beginning, the Black Canary has been problematic. Starting out as a lovable super-villain in the pages of the Johnny Thunder feature in Flash Comics (starting in Flash Comics #86), then turning into a good guy when she took over the Johnny Thunder slot in issue #82. Eventually joining the JSA and then crossing over to Earth 1 and the JLA, leaving behind her world and her deceased husband Larry Lance. Only to quickly hook up with Green Arrow, a move explained by the creative storytelling of Roy Thomas in the now classic Justice League of America #219-220. While never being able to support herself in her own title, she was everywhere else! Action, Adventure, Brave and the Bold, Green Lantern/Green Arrow, World’s Finest, Birds of Prey, etc. And now, she’s back again. Writer Tom King has taken an interesting spin here. Las Vegas welcomes Diana to an intergalactic pay per view special as she takes on Lady Shiva in a battle royal. And all she has to do is go six rounds. Then Vandal Savage wins a bunch of money and Diana gets the cure for her mother’s illness. Yep, you heard me right! The original Black Canary is back! Looking a little worse for wear (while I did not see it mentioned, I’m guessing Cancer), Mom Canary has still got it! This is an interesting character study and a little standard tear-jerker but it still works. Not going to make a full series out of this but it is some much more than her appearances in the current Birds of Prey. However, the best part is the two page scene of the alter-egos of the Justice League watching the fight at Green Arrow’s house! Priceless! 9 out of 10 Grahams.
