THE FLASH #67 DC COMICS
Writer Joshua Williamson does what I thought I might never see again. His reintroduction of the Trickster (the official James Jesse version) actually reads like a 1970’s issue of the Flash! And I for one couldn’t be happier. While Barry feels his speed fading in the hunt for Commander Cold, the rest of the world is going super creepy happy like in the Stepford Wives. And what is it exactly that the Trickster want from the good Commander’s future knowledge? An interesting storyline begins here and with cameos by Opal City, the Dark Church of the Black Hand, and Hunter Zolomon, things are looking good. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
DIAL H FOR HERO #1 DC/WONDER COMICS
I can’t believe what I just read and can’t wait to dive back into it for a second reading. The rebirth of Robbie Reed’s H Dial from the pages of the House of Mystery (#156-#173) is simply stellar! The current holder of the H dial Miguel has a perfectly suited backstory and this makes him totally believable. And once the dial is … well … dialed, we immediately reappear in the 1980’s with a new hero straight out of Rob Leifeld’s sketchbook! And for 4 pages we get sheer madness including a quick origin story on the new hero which is a new and interesting feature never really given in the original series. Add the mystery of the Operator and the Heroverse, the rebirth of the Thunderbolt Club and this is a title that is over the top! Plus what’s the deal with Robin, Lobo, Angel O’Day and Sam Simeon, Harley Quinn, Snapper Carr, and Alfred Pennyworth and their unusual connection to the H Dial? Slap a variant cover featuring the old dialed heroes from the original series and this old fan is in heaven! And yes, I can name them all! King Coil, Mighty Moppet, Human Bullet, Howzis, etc. I give it a 10 out of 10 Grahams!
FREEDOM FIGHTERS #4 DC COMICS
Another terrific issue with both writer Robert Venditti and artist Eddy Barrows showing their love of Alex Ross’s Uncle Sam mini series. Nazi Mt. Rushmore has been blown to bits and this act is the final straw to bring Uncle Sam back. The good Uncle’s visit to the graveyard in the Heartland is especially touching. And the backstories on some of the current Freedom Fighters is especially telling. We finally get an outside look at the Blue Tracer all purpose vehicle(!) and Adolf Hitler the Second’s kid is a total nutjob! Only thing that this book has against it is it is only 12 issues long and we just reached the 1/3 point. I give it a 10 out of 10 Grahams!
SYNERGY: A HASBRO CREATORS SHOWCASE IDW COMICS
While released for Women’s History Month, this delightful one-shot is something to check out. The interesting part is that the tales being told here are not epic battle scenes nor clues for future storylines. These are all great little slice of life vignettes with the best being the My Little Ponies biographical tale of Katie Cook and her long history with the Ponies. Showcase books like this need to be made more often. I give it a 9 out of 10 Grahams.
DETECTIVE COMICS #1000 DC COMICS
Another DC title hits the unbelievable issue #1000! And after a failed attempt to get married and a really weird way to spend a birthday, Bruce Wayne fans are treated to a collection of stories and art that will leave you speechless! Guest stars galore grace the pages include Detective Comics own Slam Bradley. Throw in former Detective back up stars Hawkman and Hawkgirl and Ralph and Sue Dibny and tons of super-villains and a few old character disguises for the full monty treatment. DC did a great services to the Bat-Fans out there. The story of Knute Brody by Paul Dinni steals the show and reminds us why will all miss the Batman cartoon that Paul did. Now lets hope that issue 1001 can live up to the stories and art shown here. Well done, everyone! I give it a 10 out of 10 Grahams!