Behind the Capes

Need a Copy? Click Here to Own it Digitally. Tyrant King Writer - Dan Abnett, Artist - Kelley Jones, Colors - Michelle Madsen, Letters - Steve Wands, Cover - Andy Kubert & Alex Sinclair, Assistant Editor - Andrea Shea, Editor - Alex Antone, Group Editor - Brian Cunningham Initial Reactions: I found this issue really interesting.  It fleshes out Corum Rath's backstory as well as his present state of mind.  If you are wondering more about our villain and current King of Atlantis, check out this issue.  It also reinforces the political divides within the kingdom.  This is a pretty good jumping on point, as the beginning gives us a recap of what happened in the last epic issue .  Let's dive in to learn more about the King. The Story: The issue begins with Corum Rath recalling his father.  He belonged to the Hadalin of the Ninth Tride and was responsible for building and repairing the palaces of the royal family.  He was a hard worker an...

Join In On the Fun!  Get Your Copy Here . Bizarroverse, Part 2:  Black Mirrors Writers - Patrick Gleason & Peter J. Tomasi, Pencils & Inks - Patrick Gleason with Joe Prado, Colors - Stephen Downer, Letters - Rob Leigh, Cover - Patrick Gleason & Alejandro Sanchez, Associate Editor - Jessica Chen, Editor - Paul Kaminski Initial Reactions This issue is a lot of fun.  When we were first introduced to the bizarro doppelgangers last issue , it was an interesting direction with some great character beats from the Super Family.  In this week's issue the bizarro-ness gets cranked up to eleven, and it is a blast!  We get more great family character beats, and the reveal at the end is gloriously "fun" (You'll understand the reference by the end of the issue). The Story The issue opens parallel to issue 42, when Jon darts from Hamilton County after his day with Kathy.  The difference is we are seeing everything from Nobody's (Maya Ducard's) pe...

Batmen Eternal, Part 1 Writer - James Tynion IV, Artist - Javier Fernandez, Colors - John Kalisz, Letters - Sal Cipriano, Cover - Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira & Adriano Lucas, Assistant Editor - Dave Wielgosz, Editor - Chris Conroy, Group Editor - Jamie S. Rich Initial Reactions Since I have started reading Detective Comics for its annual a couple months ago, I have noticed that the issues have not had a lot of action beats.  Given the story Tynion is giving us, I am fine with it because he is navigating the interpersonal relationships between the team in a satisfying way.  Outside of Batman and Tim Drake, I do not have strong connections to the Gotham Knights, but as we progress through the story, I find myself caring a great deal for them, especially Cassandra.  This issue begins a new arc, and the setup done in this issue has me really excited for what is to come. The Story The issue begins several weeks ago, with members of the Yakuza, led by someone kno...

What Would Superman Do? Writer - Dan Jurgens, Art - Will Conrad, Color - Ivan Nunes, Letters - Rob Leigh, Cover - Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund & Andrew Dalhouse, Assistant Editor - Andrea Shea, Editor - Paul Kaminski Initial Reactions This was a bittersweet issue for me as this is the last full issue by the creative team.  Dan Jurgens' run on this title has been my favorite of everything that has come out since the 2016 Rebirth initiative.  In fact, it was Action Comics that got me back into reading single-issue comics again.  Like their counterparts on Superman , the entire run has been full of heart and I know this will go down as a personal favorite run of mine.  As for the issue itself, it excellently encapsulates heart of both Clark and Superman.  If you are emotionally connected to Superman like I am, this issue is absolutely for you! The Story The issue opens with Jon opening the door to welcome in his granddad Sam Lane.  A quick catch-up...

Bizarroverse Part 1: Father of Boyzarro Patrick Gleason & Peter J. Tomasi - Writers. Patrick Gleason - Artist, Alejandro Sanchez - Colors, Rob Leigh - Letters, Patrick Gleason & John Kalisz - Cover, Jessica Chen - Assistant Editor, Paul Kaminski - Editor Initial Reactions: I liked this issue, and enjoy the setup to this arc.  I had to read the Bizarro prologue a few times to absorb what he was saying due to the way he speaks, but those pages were very interesting.  The issue focuses on the heart of the Superman book since Rebirth, which is the Kent family.  Until we get to the last page, we are left feeling a real warmth, like we were guests at their family dinner.  The issue is really just setting up the whole arc, with no real action, but the family beats and the juxtaposition between the Kents and the Bizarros is very interesting. The Story:  The issue opens with an inner monologue from Bizarro.  He is lamenting that his family doesn't...

Cover - Brent Anderson Initial Reactions On first glance through the book, this is a Halloween-inspired issue.  In addition to some of our classic heroes like Green Lantern, Shazam!, and Superman, we also get Deadman and Phantom Stranger stories to add some great supernatural action in the issue.  Even though these stories are only 8 pages each, they tackle quite a few interesting topics that we can examine.  I will only be picking out the highlights, not every story will be referenced. Highlights Green Lantern:  Priest Script, Plot, and Pencils - James Owsley & M.D. Bright, Inks - Jose Marzan, Colors - Tony Tollin, Letters - Albert De Guzman, Assistant Editor - Dan Raspler, Editor - Denny O'Neil We open to see Hal running out of charge on his Lantern Ring.  He is picked up by an unknown alien that drags him to his planet.  Hal is dropped in the middle of a war between these another planet and their robots.  Hal is not of much use ...

The Trial of Batwoman Writer - James Tynion IV, Pencils - Alvaro Martinez, Inks - Raul Fernandez, Colors - Brad Anderson, Cover - Martinez, Fernandez, Anderson, Asst. Editor - Dave Wielgosz, Editor - Chris Conroy, Group Editor - Jamie S. Rich Initial Reaction This issue does not pull any punches.  We get to see a rare look inside the psyche and rationale of Batman, especially when it comes to his team.  While the book is light on action, I don't think you'll miss it.  It is also not really as much a trial as it is a "family" meeting.  The ending, while not particularly surprising, does seem to set a new status quo for Batwoman.  If you like issues that examine the characters, you will enjoy this issue. The Story The book begins with a flashback to the burial of Kate's mother.  Bruce and Alfred are there, and even throw the traditional shovel-full of dirt onto the casket.  After the funeral is over, Kate and Bruce bond over the loss of their p...

Booster Shot, Conclusion Writer - Dan Jurgens, Art- Will Conrad, Color - Ivan Nunes, Letters - Rob Leigh, Cover - Conrad & Nunes, Assistant Editor - Andrea Shea, Editor - Paul Kaminski Initial Reactions I like this issue a lot.  I have really enjoyed Dan Jurgens' stories since he went on the title to begin Rebirth.  While I know how subjective this statement is, this issue continues to get Superman "right" in my opinion.  This entire arc has been about the importance of family.  This is something Superman has been embracing since Rebirth in both titles, and Jurgens absolutely sticks the landing in the conclusion to this arc.  That is without even mentioning Booster Gold in this story.  He does some amazing things in this issue alone that allows Superman to focus on the family that he loves so much, even though it likely means he will be facing some stiff punishment.   While I am excited for Bendis to have his turn with the Man of St...