THIS WEEK: For this week’s column, we’re doing things a little differently…
Note: the reviews below probably won’t contain specific spoilers.They also won’t have a Final Verdict at the end of them. Read on safely!
I’m going to level with you, dear reader: I was at a loss for what to review for this week’s column. The DC Round-Up tends to focus its main review on the most notable DC release of the week. Usually it’s a first issue, a last issue, a special, or a milestone of some sort. This week’s DC releases include none of those. No giant-sized specials, no events destined to change our heroes’ lives forever. There are twelve DC titles out this week, and they’re all just normal comics. They’re just innocent comics.
And here’s the crazy thing about this week’s comics: they’re allgood. Sure, your mileage my vary on what you like and what doesn’t work for you, but even what I found to be the weakest entry of the week is still the most well-executed issue of that series so far, and a very enjoyable read.
So we’re going to break the format of the column for the week. Instead of a full-length review and then a few sentences about other titles, we’re going nothing but Round-Up this week. No long review, but quick looks at multiple books. I won’t cover all twelve titles, but I’ll hit at least half of them, trying to cover the breadth of the offerings for the week.
Let us know what you think of this format, would you?
The DC Round-Up: Oops, All Round-Ups!
Action Comics #1104
“Lex Luthor: Year One” continues asMark Waid,Patricio Delpeche, andSteve Wandstell the definitive origin story for Superman’s number one nemesis. The team presents a Lex who’s perhaps as sympathetic as he’s ever been, even as the adult Lex narrating the story tries to sharpen those soft edges in hindsight. There’s also the vibe of Waid’sNew History of the DCUto the story, as the writer weaves elements from various ‘young Lex’ stories into a cohesive past for the character. Delpeche’s cartooning is great throughout, his coloring adding nice depth and texture to his minimal, but very effective, linework.
Barbara Gordon: Breakout #7
Things go from bad to worse for Babs in the latest issue of the series fromMariko Tamaki,Pablo M. Collar,Tamra Bonvillain, andAriana Maher. Tamaki’s script turns up the tension, jumping from character to character throughout the prison as they make moves and countermoves ahead of Barbara’s upcoming trial for murder. The most fun addition here is Two-Face, who has a great scene between the two sides of Harvey Dent as they prepare for trial. Collar’s fill-in art is solid, a decent stylistic match for regular series artistAmancay Nahuelpanwith good storytelling chops on display, enhanced nicely by Bonvillain’s always-strong coloring.
Batman & Robin: Year One – Dynamic Duos #4
The latest Batman and Robin series from Mark Waid,Chris Samnee,Mat Lopes, andClayton Cowleshits its stride with this issue, as the dynamic duo are reunited, secrets are revealed, and Robin finds himself in over his head. The (no pun intended) dynamic between Bruce and Dick is the heart of this series, so splitting them up for the first few issues while Dick went undercover was a bold choice, and makes having them back together here all the more enjoyable. There’s not much to say about Samnee’s work that hasn’t been said before. It’s elite in every way, and his version of Batman and his world is quintessential. The cliffhanger at the end of this issue is executed flawlessly, from the physicality of the characters to the moody coloring from Lopes and the emotive word balloon from Cowles. I hope this team keeps getting to do whatever they want to do for as long as they want to do it.
Green Lantern Corps #22
Here we are with Part 2 of “First Light,” the latest “emotional spectrum”-heavy crossover between the twoGreen Lanternbooks.Morgan Hampton,Fernando Pasarin,Oclair Albert,Juan Jose Ryp,Arif Prianto, andDave Sharpehave a lot of heavy lifting to do in this issue, revealing the previously-unknown secret history of the Guardians and of the emotional spectrum. It’s a lot of exposition, but Hampton’s script handles it well, particularly in using the distinctive voice of Guy Gardner as the delivery mechanism for the information. Pasarin and Albert’s artwork for the sequences within the Nexus of Emotions is great as always, with expressive characters and exciting action. Ryp’s work on the Oa-centric sequences is also strong, and his Black Hand (new edition) is appropriately creepy. Prianto’s colors provide cohesion for the two art teams’ work, and establish distinct vibes for both sequences, with vibrant colors at the Nexus and muted hues or the Black Lantern-controlled Oa.
Supergirl #19
If there’s a book that more perfectly blends modern storytelling techniques with a classic Silver Age sensibility, I’ve yet to see it.Sophie Campbell’sSupergirlis always a highlight of the month, and this might be the best issue yet. With so many characters on Team Supergirl it would be easy to lose track of who’s who and what they’re up to, but Campbell gives each character a distinctive voice and purpose. The reintroduction of the ‘90s Matrix Supergirl has been a wonderful addition for longtime readers, and handled so well in the midst of everything else going on in Kara’s life.Tamra BonvillainandBecca Carey’s colors and letters fit the tone of this series beautifully, Carey in particular having mastered the lost art of the thought bubble. What a great, great series.
Teen Titans #3
It’s always a challenge to introduce an entirely new version of a beloved superhero team This newTeen Titansseries has managed the task fairly well, bringing together a mix of preexisting a new characters and giving the concept a decidedly modern update. This issue is the best of the series yet, asKyle Higgins,Daniele Di Nicuolo,Marcelo Costa, andBecca Careyfocus primarily on Red Hood and Fairplay for a story grounded in character. Jason Todd is maybe the most inconsistently characterized character in the DCU – is he a cold-blooded killer antihero or just kind of an outsider but still a trusted member of the Bat-Family? It depends on what book you’re reading. The way Higgins is using him here underscores the many dangers of the world this new team is living in, and it works well in that context. Di Nicuolo and Costa’s highly-stylized work is superb, with loose, energetic lines and pops of color propelling the characters forward even during dialogue-heavy sequences. Interested to see where this series continues to go.
The Doom Patrol #3
The Doom Patrol seems like it’s a concept that’s always been something of an acquired taste. Three issues in, the current DP series fromDarcy Van Poelgeest,Nico Henrichon, andLucas Gattonitastegreat. Van Poelgeest’s scripting strikes a perfect balance between lighthearted weirdness and outright horror, and Henrichon’s artwork brings it to life exquisitely. This issue features a deep dive into the most traumatic moments of the team, and of one of their regular foes, and it’s mind-bendy and heartbreaking at the same time. Van Poelgeest throws out big concepts left and right, and Henrichon visualizes them so well that it makes it easy for readers to grasp and follow everything. If you haven’t been reading this book, you’re missing out.
Missany of our earlier reviews? You can find them all in thefull DC Round-Up archive! And check out all of the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
