POWER GIRL #1 DC COMICS
Well, the Dawn of DC is proving to be a bit of a hit or miss deal. Unfortunately, Power Girl’s new title is falling a bit short. While the original concept of an Earth 2 Supergirl has fallen by the wayside, the constant revamping of the character has left us in a sort of Donna Troy mishmash with no one really knowing what to do with the poor woman. And now Kara Zor-L is back with her “Hey My Eyes Are Up Here” oval and a cool new belt. The problem is that DC is still on the fence about what to do with her. On the one hand, they want to incorporate her into the Superman Family as made apparent by our Superman cameo and the blatant use of the term “Super-Family”. On the other hand they want her to remain seperate as a member of a Krypton variant with potential connections to their New Golden Age universe. Trying to cram both concepts only makes it confusing. We get a new super-villain who has a beef with Kryptonians. And a new variant Krypton virus that affects humans. Nothing new there and to make matters more confusing. The usual confident Power Girl is now panicking in a high stress moment (which Superman chastises her for) but he also expects her to figure out the virus that apparently comes from her version of Krypton. Plus is it my imagination or is the Dawn of DC obsessing over what I like to call the “Glorious Godrey Syndrome” where mankind is ready to turn on a dime and condemn the super-heroes of the book? This one only reaches a 4 out of 10 Grahams.
THE FLASH #1 DC COMICS
Apparently, the Dawn of DC includes turning some of it’s classic titles into Vertigo books because that’s what the new Flash title reminds me of. And don’t even think you can buy me off with the Legacy #801 small print of the cover. What started off with an excellent continuation of the Max Mercury/Impulse plot from the old series quickly slams into sitations that could only be found in a early Vertigo title circa mid 1990’s. Max and Bart try to cross back into the Speed Force to time jump only to hit a “flaw” and get kicked out but before having a vision of a red eyed buffalo and three men dressed in dusters? Wally is gliching and Grodd is giving condolences? And vomitting? And welcome our new super threat, The Uncoiled who look like something from Grant Morrison’s Vertigo’s Doom Patrol. And what’s with the monolog highlighting Linda’s depression. This one is all over the place. I give it a 5 out of 10 Grahams.
BACK ISSUE MAGAZINE #147 TWOMORROW PUBLISHING
Being the old duffer that I am, I’m more of a Alter Ego reader. But every now and then Back Issue presents me with a theme that I can’t resist. And a magazine filled from cover to cover with the words, wit, and artwork of the late great George Perez is something that all comic fans can’t pass by. With unused comic art, a look at his reboot of Wonder Woman, and a loving look at some of the characters he brought to life just remind us what we lost when he passed away in 2022. I give full credit to Twomorrow Publishing for putting this together. It is a wonderful tribute. 10 out of 10 Grahams.
GREEN ARROW #4 DC COMICS
At least Dawn of DC has this title to fall back on. Even though we know that Ollie is not dealing with the real Hal Jordan/Parallax, Joshua Williamson really makes you want to believe it. And even when the truth is revealed, you can’t help but wonder how much of the real Hal Jordan rubbed off on this creature. And with various members of the Arrow family bouncing arounf in time and space looking for clues as to why Oliver Queen couldn’t stay with his family, the story keeps on track and interesting. And Sean Izaakse really knows how to draw multiple flashbacks! This is what the Dawn of DC should be. 8 out of 10 Grahams.
GODZILLA WAR FOR HUMANITY #2 IDW COMICS
A new kaiju has appeared and is controlling other classic kaiju by throwing up in their mouths? Gross! Andrew Maclean’s weird story has it’s moments but Jake Smith’s art definitely takes some getting used to. Moguera looks pretty good but the rest look like a combination of Big Daddy Roth’s Rat Fink art and those odd Godzilla knock off action figures you find on line that are not colored right and have strange body styles. And what the heck is going on with Baby Godzilla’s teeth? Is he part beaver? Whole lot of weirdness going on here. I give it a 6 out of 10 Grahams.
