Not Another Island!

Benjamin Percy, Otto Schmidt “Green Arrow, Volume 2: Island of Scars” (DC Comics, 2017)

GA Volume 1 did a decent enough job of clearing away the debris of Nu52 & setting up the new normal. But it wasn’t a home run, and there is plenty more work to do. 

This is really the chance for Percy to show what kind of stories he is interested in telling.

On the whole it works. The first section of the trade is devoted to Oliver’s sister. I’m not really sold on the character yet, but I appreciate the variety & the attempt to establish her as a solid supporting character.

It’s the third story arc in the book that really clicked for me. Oliver, Diana & Diggle are on a superfast train that runs under the sea. Of course some villain shenanigans start going down.  It’s a big crazy adrenaline ride & a ton of fun to boot.

It felt like the overall arc of the book is improving as it went on. It’s not yet up there with King’s Batman or Tomasi’s Superman, but absolutely you should be checking it out if you are into the character.

Thanks to Netgalley & DC Comics for a review copy.

Face It, He is Better ThanYou

Peter J Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, “Superman, Volume 2: Trial of the Super Sons” (DC Comics, 2017)

This is a fantastic book.  Really.

After all the misfires over what seems like the last couple of decades, here’s a Superman book that embraces the core of the character.

Too often it’s felt like there’s some sort of embarrassment about a character who is fundamentally nice.  But that’s just it: Superman IS better than us.  That’s the point.

Here we have a big hearted Superman who is a loving family man – a husband and a father. And can I just say that if there has ever been a hero who felt right as a father it is Superman!

We get to see Superman interact with Batman, consistent with contemporary continuity, but still harkening back to when they were best friends.

I love this book.

This is what Rebirth is all about.

Read it.

Thanks to DC Comics & Netgalley for a review copy.