Dark Avengers #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato

Review by Chris Clow

I have to admit, this is a review that I didn't think I'd be writing.

For those of you who've spoken to me in the shop, you know that the DC Universe is where I prefer to hang my hat. I was very, very critical of Marvel recently for a number of reasons (which I still believe to be valid), whether it's jacking up their cover price to $3.99 without providing any extra story content, the questionable directions they've taken flagship characters (*COUGH!*SPIDER-MAN!*COUGH*), and the lackluster conclusion to Secret Invasion.

So, why did I decide to pick up Dark Avengers completely cold?

Even I have to admit that a team of supposed villains-turned-heroes, made up of doppelgangers of real heroes, led by (arguably) Marvel’s greatest villain, is an intriguing premise. I’m familiar enough with what happened in Secret Invasion and the setup for Dark Reign being a regular Invincible Iron Man reader, and surprisingly that was really all I needed to know. For his other faults, Bendis at least made the title (relatively) new reader friendly. But, before I can review the book well, I HAVE to get my misgivings toward Bendis out of the way. I notice certain things in every title of his that I’ve read.

Practically, every. Character. Sounds. The same. He changes his style of dialogue only minimally no matter who he’s writing, with the exception of Luke Cage and Spider-Man. He’s an exceptional web-head writer, but I noticed his lack of tonal dialogue shifts after reading the first seven issues of New Avengers for the first time. He also paces things about on-par with a Michael Bay-directed or Jon Peters-produced movie. There’s some kind of action beat practically every other page. Do I dislike action? No, but I also appreciate moments where character and purpose can shine through. And since I read a lot of superhero comics, I know action comes with the territory. But Bendis just tends to overdo it in my eyes.

Now, as for Dark Avengers, I actually enjoyed it. This is one title that he didn’t oversaturate with action. He showed us exactly who each and every character was (something I didn’t expect out of a Marvel first issue) and showed us how much of a powder keg this new “team” could potentially be.

Mike Deodato's artwork is awesome from top to bottom. His line is strong, and he has great anatomical consistency, with a little unique style thrown in for good measure. The coloring was, well, dark and appropriate for the tone (and title) of the book. No real qualms about the artwork (except that it might be better to see this guy drawing the Man of Steel :-P).

There are a few totally unexplained story points that irked me, though. Exactly what did Norman Osborn give to Mac Gargan to make him more “presentable?” What the hell is going on with Sentry? And why do certain characters agree to become facsimiles of their greatest adversaries? Wouldn’t it disgust these people? Isn’t the point of comic book rivalries to have palpable hatred between enemies? Why would Osborn even want anything remotely resembling Spider-Man on his team?

It goes a little against the tenets of Norman Osborn’s character, but I’ll actually recommend an Avengers title (the fourth ongoing, but who’s counting?) written by Brian Michael Bendis. Give it a shot and I’ll be happy to hear if you love it or hate it. Bottom line, it has me interested enough to stick around for #2.

Price: $3.99

A variant cover was released, but is no longer available through our store.

GRADE: C+/B-

Final Crisis #6

Review by Neill McLaughlin

BUY IT!

For me to review this issue correctly, I would have to allow for spoiler alerts. In all good conscience, I cannot reveal ANYTHING to the fair reader because this issue was so poetic and triumphant as a single issue, you are just going to have to read it yourself.

After I read the sixth chapter of Final Crisis, I silently rose from my seat and replayed the issue in my mind like a bad memory. The kind that you witnessed first hand, but still can't believe it happened. Trying to piece everything together, as if you missed something. Not only did I reread the book five times in a row, I found myself flipping to specific scenes over and over again throughout the week. I'm not sure which scenes were better than others, because this issue is just so full of DC universe nerdgasms.

All I will say to make the review complete is... this is possibly the single, most important DC book out now. Put the Amazing Spider-Man 'Obama' book down and pick this up instead. Not only will you save about $50, you will not be disappointed.

Dead of Night featuring Werewolf by Night#1

Review by Neill McLaughlin

BUY IT!

Dead of Night featuring Werewolf by Night #1 starts off snarling and bleeding from the gums, just like a true werewolf story should. One glance to the opening page, you realize this is not your father’s protagonist and by the time you finish this book, it hits you like a claw slash to the gut.

Werewolf by Night first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #2 in 1972, later gracing the pages of many other Marvel books; such as Moon Knight, Marvel Comics Presents, and Doctor Strange. Throughout the years, Werewolf by Night took on many different authors and artists but never really sank its teeth into the mainstream Marvel universe. All the fans could hope for was a slight mauling, that is, until now. Unlike the Marvel superhero facsimile, this Werewolf by Night is raw and cuts to the bone. This is what a REAL werewolf book is all about… savage, smart, and sickening!

Writer Duane Swierczynski & artist Mico Suayan are relatively new to Marvel but have already shown surprising talent during their short run so far; Swierczynski comes from a crime novel background and is the current writer of Cable and Immortal Iron Fist, while Suayan penciled issues #9-12 of the recent Moon Knight series. While Cable has had its ups and downs, I did enjoy his Moon Knight Annual; which revolved around a serial rapist and the women he violated, giving you a surprising and fitting end. Swierczynski knows the visceral visage of humanity and is not afraid to tell you just how brutal your fellow man can be, and Suayan illustrates like he was conducting a murder scene. With Dead of Night featuring Werewolf by Night, Swierczynski crafts a spooky campfire side tale that lures us closer to the beast than ever before and keeps us on the edge of our logs with every turn of the page. Suayan’s brooding pencil work and attention to detail underline the classic werewolf horror within the pages, as well as, giving us conflicting feelings of sorrow and fear at the same time. When combined together, the writer’s anonymous, literal disdain and the artist’s disturbing, emotional artwork; you get a werewolf story that plays like a serial killer film.

Dead of Night featuring Werewolf by Night #1 not only eviscerates your entrails for the entire world to see, it actually takes the time to display them in front of you, while giving a fresh look into the eyes of both man and beast.

X-Men: Magneto Testament by Greg Pak and Carmine Di Giandomenico

Review by Brian Morgans

The Marvel Knights mini series always puts forth a story that pulls at our emotions and forces us to touch on thoughts, feelings and beliefs we might not have visited in some time. In short, they make you think and feel. These are pure gold in my opinion, deserving to be read as they are excellent.

X-Men's villain, or more specifically the foe of Charles Xavier is Magneto. This is Magneto's story of what events shaped him in his childhood. He grew up as a Jew in Germany during the thirties and forties. Magneto (or Max as his birth name is given) witnesses the slow constriction on the Jewish population within Germany and the surrounding countries. He sees firsthand how the Third Reich is taking everything from them, one thing at a time. Their belongings, their livelihood, their friends and families and even their identities. This is a horrific situation most of us can not even begin to imagine or understand. Greg Pak puts us in the midst of it all in as accurate a portrayal as is possible where we can get a glimmer of these authorities during this period of history. Carmine Di Giandomenico puts forth the artwork, completing the story wonderfully with emotion-filled visuals.

This story of which I've read the first three issues of five, has my mind and heart racing. I look at my friends and family and think about what would happen should the same thing occur here. One particular event of note is the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The Nazi Government removed the "Jews not welcome" signs just before the games began and promptly replaced them upon the completion of the last ceremony. I think to Beijing where they did a similar thing with their ban on cars to try and clean up their air for the games, only to recede the ban the second after the torch has gone out. History does indeed repeat itself to some degree. Governments and their propaganda never seem to change. This brief scene does show the darker side of humanity as Jesse Owens devastates Germany's best athletes in the Olympic Track and Field Events and then goes on to show how some of the German citizens take out their anger and frustration.

This story has been done with respect and does a service to those who have endured what no one should be subjected. I give deep thanks for my life and put into perspective my problems. It is remarkable that three comic books can evoke so many thoughts and emotions. The next two should be just as well done.

Final Crisis: Requiem by Peter Tomasi and Doug Mahnke

Review by Chris Clow

One of the most sobering moments of Grant Morrison’s Final Crisis #1 was the sudden and shocking death of a founding Justice League of member. Within a page and a half, a DC mainstay was murdered in cold blood by a punk supervillain with the Secret Society crowded around him. Libra, a one off character that had one previous appearance before bursting onto the scene in Final Crisis was the one that finally put the one JLA mainstay through all it’s incarnations on ice.


J’onn J’onzz, the emerald shape-shifting Martian Manhunter, is dead.

Final Crisis: Requiem is the exploratory story of the immediately preceding and following events of J’onn’s death, as well as the impact it has on many heroes of the DCU. It’s also an excellent recounting of the character’s (seemingly) little known history: how his civilization rose to power on the red planet, who his parents were, how a civil war killed his race and his family, and how he ended up on our little blue ball in space. Before J’onn’s life is completely taken away from him, he sends a telepathic message to his closest friends, who wake up from their nightly slumbers and verbally recount J’onn’s entire history of not only himself, but his Martian civilization. As his final act, he entrusted the last memories of the Martian people and society to five former teammates.

Writer Peter Tomasi shows us that he is not only well aware of the character and his history, but Tomasi’s sheer reverence for the Martian Manhunter pours from this story. He treats it as if a dear friend of his own has passed away, and shows us the solace that we can take in our memories of loved ones. Artist Doug Mahnke, normally known for gritty artwork from a run on Justice League Elite, the main Batman title, and the popular one-shot Batman: The Man Who Laughs, maintains the grit for J’onn’s death but also brings a much gentler approach to the grieving process J’onn’s dear friends go through.

Unlike other comic book deaths, there are no hints or hopes of a resurrection that are laid through this story. There are no tongue-in-cheek winks at the reader that say “gone today, here tomorrow!” This story and the characters in it are genuinely crushed at the loss of their friend, and bear the full weight of responsibility for carrying on not only the memory of J’onn himself, but of his entire race. After reading it, letting the full scope of this death settle in a way that Final Crisis #1 didn’t provide, it feels like a punch in the gut.

One of the most beloved and fun aspects of the character was his love of Oreo cookies, or as they’re called in the DCU, “Choco’s.” I found the ending of this issue highly appropriate. Batman, left alone with J’onn’s transparent casket, laid one of his favorite cookies on the lid, and simply said, “Goodbye, my friend.”

Goodbye J’onn. I hope to read some new stories about you one day, but until then, thank you for the memories.

Final Crisis #3-4, and Submit by Grant Morrison (#3-4, Submit), J.G. Jones, Carlos Pacheco (#3-4), and Matthew Clark (Submit)

Review by Chris Clow

Final Crisis is exhausting.

In multiple ways. The story is exhausting in the sense that "what else could Morrison possibly throw at our heroes?" The artwork is exhausting because of the ability of J.G. Jones...and now a few others. Even the scheduling is exhausting, because whatever day Final Crisis was supposed to come out on, it hasn't, which is mostly due to the exhausting art. The guy that the art is taking the biggest toll on is J.G. Jones. You've probably heard about how Jones has been joined by Carlos Pacheco to help get the issues out on time. I was pretty okay with that, it's reasonable. However, now we've found out that J.G. Jones will not have any interior artwork in the series finale issue #7.

I'm bummed, to say the least. I was blown away by Jones' work on the first three issues, but the man is such a perfectionist that he just can't get the work done fast enough. He's already issued a public apology about his inability to finish the series, and he seems genuinely disappointed. So I'm not going to lambaste the guy because there's no point, and he's done a hell of a job with the parts he's had.

Anyways, I was going to write the review to issues 3 and 4 together when I realized that three by itself seemed a little disjointed, and would probably read better in the context of the next issue's events. Unfortunately, four was delayed until this past week (10/22). If I'd have known that, I would've done this sooner. I'm also going to be reviewing the one-shot tie-in Submit, since it leads in really well to the events off issue #4.

In a nutshell, evil has won. If you'll recall, after #2 we saw the return of Barry Allen (which made me yell happily) outrunning the Black Racer in an attempt to save Orion from being assassinated. He failed, and felt miserable. Wally is with him, completely dumbstruck that his uncle has returned to the land of the living. In issues #3 and 4, as well as Submit, the Dark Knight is out of the picture. he was one of the Dark Side Club's first targets, and has not been seen since he was overtaken by the crazed club/cult.

Superman is also out of the picture. After seeing his wife nearly die in an attack on the Daily Planet, he stood by her side until a being said he could save her by retreating into "limbo" and finding his answers throughout the multiverse.

In the meantime, the big event that happens is the mass distribution of the Anti-Life Equation. The Dark Side Club with Libra as it's figurehead captured Metropolis Police Officer Dan Turpin and began undressing him, strapped him down on a table, and began reciting a strange incantation.

As the Equation spreads like wildfire, people realize the hopelessness of existence and surrender themselves completely to the "will of the dark side."

In Final Crisis: Submit, after the equation was let loose, we're given an interlude story involving JLA member Black Lightning and the new Tattooed Man. Tattooed Man is a Green Lantern villain, the most recent incarnation of which was introduced in my favorite issue of the current Green Lantern series, #9, where Hal Jordan and Batman put their differences aside to defeat and apprehend him. TM has many preconceived notions about superheroes being messianic and self righteous, but begins to change his tune when he sees the sleflessness Black Lightning has while trying to save TM's family.

In the end, Black Lightning holds off the hordes of people overtaken by the Anti-Life Equation and allows TM and his family to escape to safety, while Lightning himself is absorbed and possessed by the Equation.

In issue #4, we see the army of heroes united by Green Lantern Alan Scott as well as Shilo Norman, the new Mister Miracle, attempting to keep the heroes in the know by giving them information taht doesn't come from the posseessed outside world. At various Watchtowers around the planet, Mr. Terrific, Green Arrow, and Alan Scott attempt to help survivors of the Equation. At the Hall of Justice, the possessed wage an attack and invasion of the hall. Green Arrow stays behind and allows Black Canary and others to teleport up to the JLA's orbiting satellite, and is promptly taken over by his turned comrad Black Lightning.

After stopping their run, Wally West and Barry Allen and up a month in the future, surrounded by the possessed. Barry tells Wally that they ahve to save everyone, but "family comes first." They run to Iris Allen's, and see that Barry's wife has been possessed. Wally is mortified, but Barry simply walks up to her and kisses her, lightning flaring all around them, as Iris is restored.

In the meantime, Dan Turpin's body is graying. He tries to fight with his mind, but he cannot. The Dark Siders clothe him in Apokoliptian armor, and beckon Darkseid himself to enter his "new host." The crazed "reverend" proclaims, "Give us a sign, great Darkseid! Thumbs up for the triumph of the human spirit! Thumbs down to summon a day of holocaust that will never end!" Turpin's eyes redden as his skin becomes darker. Turpin's mind is lost...

...and Darkseid puts his thumb down.

I love this story, I can't say that enough. The artwork is solid (even with it's changes) and Morrison's storytelling is just as unpredicatble and crazy as it is over in Batman, if not moreso. I continue to wait to see how the DCU can bounce back from this, because it's been a pretty wild ride. For new readers, it isn't very accessible. But 45 minutes on Wikipedia or the DC Database Project, or buying the new edition of the DC Comics Encyclopedia (and supporting BOF in the process!) can fix that. We've seen the day evil wins, and since it's DC Comics, and they've suffered a crushing defeat, just imagine how grand their victory will be.

Grade: A

Nightwing #140-145 - "Freefall" by Peter Tomasi and Rags Morales

Review by Chris Clow

The following arc will be available as a trade paperback in-store on November 5th!

The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul was a transitioning point where the Robin and Nightwing titles are concerned. For Nightwing, Marv Wolfman finished (what ended up being) a relatively lackluster run on the title, and handed off the reins to Fabian Nicieza for the two parts that intersected with the Resurrection storyline. Many fans in the good ol' Comics Place were surprised at the quality coming out of Nicieza's two issues on Grayson's book, but I was a little nervous knowing he wasn't staying onboard after the Resurrection parts were completed.

That is, until I heard who was coming on as the new regular writer.

Peter J. Tomasi, an editor for the better part of 15 years at DC Comics, had been a fill-in writer from time to time on such titles as JSA, The Outsiders, Steel and his own creator owned miniseries The Light Brigade. In 2003, he was promoted to the role of senior editor, and worked on JSA, Aquaman, Hawkman, and most notably Green Lantern and Batman. Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver attribute much of the credit for Green Lantern's current success to the mind of Tomasi, as he was an essential part of the brain trust that saw Hal Jordan's rebirth and the war with the Sinestro Corps.

Last year, in a relatively unexpected move, Tomasi resigned his editor position to become a regular writer with an exclusive DC contract. He was appointed the regular writer on two monthly titles: Green Lantern Corps (which he helped revive 18 months prior) and Nightwing. He joined GLC at the tail end of the Sinestro Corps War, in an issue featuring a knock down drag out brawl between Superboy-Prime and the new Ion, Sodam Yat. (Jump on the Wikipedia if those names are unfamiliar to you, it's good stuff. -Chris) Tomasi's other major work for DC, Final Crisis: Requiem, was particularly terrific because he gave meaning to a death in the main Crisis series that we didn't have time to really process. A fitting end considering the way the Martian Manhunter went out, especially with the final scene between the Manhunter's lifeless body and our favorite Dark Knight.

Then, his first issue of Nightwing came about with issue #140, which kicked off a seven-issue storyline entitled, "Freefall." I was immediately impressed with the first issue. If anyone had any doubts about Dick Grayson's place in the Batman family, they were put to rest. We start with a conversation between Bruce, Tim, and Dick which features Bruce opening up to them and telling them how important they are to him. How he would trust them with his very life in any situation. We're even given insight into Dick's relationship with Superman. The title gets it's name from something Dick does to relax. He goes up to the very top of the atmosphere and jumps; An extreme form of skydiving. He always feels safe swinging around the streets of New York, because there's usually a flying hero within earshot that can catch him when he falls. He says this is the closest he'll get to feeling the same way he did while in the circus doing a death drop: it was thrilling.

We're then thrown into the story. When the bodies of fallen villains begin to disappear, Nightwing is drawn into a conspiracy involving Talia al Ghul and a deranged doctor. Along the way we see Superman (whom Tomasi writes exceptionally well), other Batman family members, and of course Talia. Tomasi crafts an inaugural tale that single-handedly puts Wolfman's run to shame, and makes us believe in Dick Grayson as a beacon for the DCU. In his own way, Batman even looks up to him. One part in particular caught me:

Dick saves a couple from falling to their death, and spends time with them, letting them hug him and laugh together, before taking off. Batman doesn't do that. Robin or Batgirl don't, and even Superman rarely does. But Nightwing is different. He can afford to, and he's that much more heroic for being "that guy."

I highly encourage anyone to read this story. The current story tieing into Batman R.I.P. is suffering slightly, but I believe that's because it's most likely an editorial mandate. When it passes, Mr. Tomasi will be able to spread his wings again and give us a tale that surely rivals this one.