Proud Lion's Christmas Gift Guide, part two - Batman & his super friends!

The Proud Lion Christmas Gift Guide continues, and today we are moving on from the living dead and heading to Gotham City for a look at some of the best Batman - and other DC superheroes - gifts available this holiday season.

BATMAN VOL 03 DEATH OF THE FAMILY HC - £19

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's work on the Caped Crusader has been sublime - possibly the best thing in the New 52 (other than Green Lantern and the new Batman/Superman) - but the Death of the Family is arguably the storyline their run will be remembered for above all else. Featuring the return of the Joker, sporting a horrific new look. This decaying, strapped on, and stapled into place visage is immortalised on the front cover of this limited edition hardcover collection, thanks to an acetate dust jacket of his face which peels of to reveal the bare flesh underneath. When these are gone, they are gone, with DC pledging that any subsequent print run will feature a more mundane glossy paper cover rather than this deluxe acetate rendition. A truly gruesome and unique collectors item that will make an excellent gift.

BATMAN VOL 01 THE COURT OF OWLS

BOOK AND MASK SET - £19

For anyone who missed out on the start of Snyder and Capullo's run on Batman, this is the perfect introduction! This box set collects the graphic novel of that first story arc, introducing the Court Of Owls - a secret society that have moulded Gotham from the shadows for over a century and can no longer ignore the interference of Batman and Bruce Wayne. They unleash their assassins - known as Talons - to hunt down the billionaire vigilante as the city Bruce calls home reveals a dark heritage that had hitherto remained a mystery to the World's Greatest Detective. Accompanying the graphic novel, is a replica of the Court Of Owls mask as worn by all of the members and even their children, a chilling sight to behold. Another superb collectors piece and a great gift for the Batman fan in your family.

GREEN ARROW YEAR ONE TP - £11

From one billionaire vigilante to another! With the Arrow TV series capturing the imaginations of many of my customers - myself included! - here's the perfect gift for fans of the new small screen adventures of Oliver Queen. This self-contained graphic novel is illustrated by Jock and written by Andy Diggle, for whom the character of John Diggle was named in the TV series itself. Retelling the origin of the Green Arrow, from his ordeals on the island through to his return to society, the book also features recognisable villains such as China White, but it's still very much it's own story. Arrow's writers credit the book as a major source of inspiration for the tone of the show. Suffice to say, if you only buy one Green Arrow graphic novel this year, make it this one!

WE CAN BE HEROES JUSTICE LEAGUE ACTION FIGURES 7 PACK BOX SET - £100

Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg - the Justice League of the New 52. Seven DC super hero figures - normal RRP £23 each - in one beautiful box set for over 50 quid less than the combined price of all seven figures if purchased individually? In the words of Kevin Bacon, that's a no brainer! But it's better than that! 10% of the RRP of this box set is donated by DC Collectibles to DC's We Can Be Heroes giving campaign designed to increase awareness and raise funds to provide relief for the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa. 

DC NEW 52 SUPER HEROES VS SUPER VILLAINS 7 PACK AF BOX SET - £100

Another no brainer, seven figure box set from DC Collectibles, this heroes vs villains set is a grudge match that can barely be contained by the very box they're in! This set includes Aquaman, The Flash, Batman, Catwoman, The Joker, Captain Cold, and Black Manta, many of which feature all new redecos, or in the case of Aquaman a whole new head sculpt. On top of that, the Catwoman is a brand new figure, unique to this box set.

Watch this space with more wonderful Christmas gift ideas!

The Mane Event - Trinity War

If you have not read, or do not know what it is about, Trinity War is the culmination of a crossover between Justice League, Justice League of America and Justice League Dark wrapped loosely around the Trinity of Sin – Pandora, The Question and The Phantom Stranger.

To support the main cross over storyline held by the League titles there were also tie-in issues of Constantine, The Phantom Stranger and the newly launched Pandora title. Instead of divergent stories, these were character explorations; not necessary purchases to follow the main story, but in my experience of them they are a nice addition to round off the whole offering.

The main thrust of the Trinity War was written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Lemire, giving an intricate continuity throughout. The best thing about the story for me is that it never felt like it lost its focus. Johns and Lemire kept the pace fast and constantly hitting. Unlike previous DC events (like Flashpoint), there are no divergent and disassociated stories to detract from the main theme. Instead it brings together the various New 52 Justice League teams, culminating in something that none of them truly expected.

The story of Trinity War is initially based on the Greek myth of Pandora’s box. Once thought to be a gift from the gods it was opened by Pandora releasing the seven deadly sins upon the world (something which is looked to more in her tie-ins). However, the DC spin is that the box - in the form of a three-eyed golden skull - was not actually from the gods. In fact even they do’t know much about it. So where is it from and what is it’s purpose? Despite this Pandora is on a quest to open the box again, using either the purest or darkest of hearts so that she can put the sins back in the box for good.

To this end Pandora is the catalyst in bringing the Justice League into the story, as she hoped that Superman would be the one who could open it. Sadly during that meeting something goes horribly awry and Superman is tainted. In the process it appears he kills Doctor Light. The JLA are then introduced to the mix as Captain Marvel’s boyish naivety draws both teams into a politically charged international situation. Superman voluntarily places himself into custody but the incident, The Question has been watching from the shadows and putting things together; he realises that there is more than meets the eye, finally stepping in to break Superman out.

It is finally in Justice League Dark we catch up with The Phantom Stranger and discover that Madam Xanadu (who was believed to be killed) is held hostage by an unknown figure. The even bigger bombshell is dropped at the end when this mystery villain claims that there is a mole within the Leagues, casting doubt across almost everyone.

This is the end of what can be perceived as the first act. Interestingly enough the internal conflict, struggle and general chasing of Pandora are reflected in the triptych of adjoining covers. This imagery is then continued through the second act of comics, as another triptych depicts the hunt for the golden skull.

The story explores the idea that motivations can vary, change and evolve. The threat of Pandora's box is its ability to taint even the strongest of hearts and minds making them mad when in its proximity. Noble individuals suddenly covet the box for themselves or their own selfish reasons. Shazam - who has a childish honesty about him - almost managed the feat only to be changed by the box, becoming that which he clearly fears. The knock-on effect of his magic is that it opened everyones' minds to the world around them meaning, revealing the captured Madame Xanadu and dropping the skull into John Constantine’s grasp with no apparent effect. This provided me with the entire story's funniest moment when in typical flippant fashion everyone’s favourite anti-hero quipped that of course he wasn’t affected my the box: “Corrupt me? You can’t spoil an already filthy pot, love.” Brilliant!

There then followed a massive revelation for this story as Xanadu saw that the item that everyone ws fighting over was not the box as they had all thought but instead it was a doorway. Everyone had been played and things would only get worse.

The final issue - released this week - focuses on the identity of Xanadu's mysterious captor as this sinister gentlemen figure opens said doorway, against the backdrop of an outright internal war of heroes, harking back to our brief preview of these events in last year's Free Comic Book Day issue. Other horrors include Cyborg being forcibly removed from his cybernetic systems that transform into a new robotic body for a sentient and overreaching AI, plus the revelation that the traitor in the midst is the Atom. But the coup de grace is this thin man's identity as he stands revealed as the Alfred Pennyworth of Earth-Three. With a tongue in cheek reference of “the butler did it,” he reveals the skull's true purpose as he opens the doorway to his masters. The Trinity was never about the three sinners, it was about the number itself. Behold the Crime Syndicate - the yin to the Justice League’s yang in every way shape and form - and they are here to take over the world.

As a final issue it ties up the storyline brilliantly, and leaves the door open to follow straight into DC’s Villains Month and the Forever Evil event. Have the heroes survived? Is this why every bad guy is running riot? We shall see.

Across all of the issues a plethora of artists including the like of Ivan Reis and Doug Mahnke who have produced a concise body of work, which comes into its own in the sixth issue with several single and double page splashes, including interesting use of both portrait and landscape layouts. There are huge impact pieces which punctuate the issue fantastically. All of them are a must-see and choosing one as a stand out would be like choosing a favourite child, although at this particular moment the removal of Cyborg is edging ever so slightly ahead.

In the same vein as Flashpoint, Trinity War is a great piece of work to read on its own yet it also heralds a greater change. Whilst the debacle of the 3D covers has tarnished Villains Month before it even arrives, it seems that Geoff Johns and co are set to rise above that nonsense with the Forever Evil event. The Crime Syndicate aren't a new concept in DC Comics, but this may arguably be the best introduction they've ever had.

Matt Puddy loved the ride, can you tell?

New Beginnings - Justice League #22: Trinity War, part one

Following along from last week’s prelude we have this week, the first part of the main event in Justice League #22.

Now immediately you may notice that the first issue has a rather strange cover, seemingly incomplete. That's because the covers of the this issue of Justice League, plus the next issues Justice League Of America and Justice League Dark form a tryptic image. The concluding three issues’ covers of this crossover will form another image too. This is a fully tied in crossover story, both in terms of plot and presentation.

The build up has promised to shock the readers. There will be a murder. There will be a surprise killer, and there will be big repercussions too. Geoff Johns' first issue certainly keeps this in mind.

Opening on a very wet night in the middle of nowhere, Madame Xanadu hosts a frightened and weary young woman, prompting the psychic to become the issue's narrator, guiding the reader through the entire issue. Her tarot cards introduce the different characters from the DCU, before then expanding on them from wherever they left off in recent issues. Chief among them is young Billy Batson, the newly minted Shazam, who is another significant driving force behind the story. Following on from his recent clash with Black Adam, Billy decides that the best thing to do is visit Kahndaq and scatter his ashes, because, “Bad guys deserve to be buried too.” Guided by a child's morality and ideals, this powerhouse on a par with Superman casually flies into an international crisis in the making, because he recently saw two of his heroes do it as well.

This is essentially the catalyst to bring the Justice League into play, as they seek to remove him from a diplomatic incident. Director Waller sends the JLA in to the fray for similar reasons, albeit with the original Justice League as their targets. With tensions already frayed, things are stretched even further as these two teams do not see eye to eye.

To make matters worse, while on en route Superman and Wonder Womam encounter Pandora, who feels that Superman is the pure of heart soul she needs to open the box. This massively backfires and has enormous repercussions when the Man Of Steel encounters Doctor Light. Their two sets of powers interact with unpredicted and dangerous results, culminating in a shocking moment as Superman apparently kills him in a fit of rage. But is this what has really happened? The Question, the man who epitomises shadows and mystery, is already asking questions about the bigger picture, the real story and the honest truth of the matter. Nothing is clean cut or as it seems.

As a reader, would we really expect anything less from Geoff Johns?

Ivan Reis, who is almost as much of an industry standard as Johns himself, is at the visually creative helm. For those who saw his work on Blackest Night (or recently on the Justice League), you'll be familiar with his strong style and most of the visuals hit the mark. There are a couple of times when I felt perhaps things were a little too overemphasised - Shazam’s boyish glee for example, as he realises that he’s just knocked Superman off his feet. That can be easily overlooked though, when one looks at the other truly iconic images, such as when the Justice League are stood over Captain Marvel demanding to know why he’s in a foreign land. Though small. that image is powerful and imposing. Although there is a clear foreground, everyone has weight and standing.

As the first part, this issue has certainly waded in and got knee deep and dirty with the story. There isn’t any shirking and whilst there aren’t many questions answered - with plenty more asked - you’re already invested and brought into the arc. You may need to hit the ground running with this one, but if you can then it is worth it. I’m almost sad at the thought that there is so few issues to Trinity War.

Matt Puddy wonders who the mysterious individual is on the final page...

New Beginnings - Justice League Of America #1

So in the span of a week we have found out that Geoff Johns is leaving the Green Lantern series (boo!) and at the same time he is starting a new line with the (late) arrival of Justice League of America.

Over the years, the JLA has had various incarnations, quite often incorporating at least one of the Justice League main members. On this occasion it is for very different reasons and flows from the reimagining of the New 52 Justice League. For this team is there as a failsafe. A potentially redundant safeguard against the original Justice League in case anything ever went wrong. The original member included in this line up is the Martian Manhunter who rather unceremoniously left (before a brief stint in Stormwatch) after a dispute. This also fuels his inclusion with Waller’s line up and her agenda too.

Although this team member is one of the latter to be approached, the remainder of the comic is dedicated to the other associates that he will have. The line up is unconventional to say the least as it contains Hawkman, Katana, Vibe, Star Girl, Green Arrow, Catwoman and the new Green Lantern, Simon Baz. All of which are carefully selected - not because of who they are - but what they can do. Each of them possesses a skill, strength or power that can neutralise a specific member of the League. This is also something that Colonel Steve Trevor can also see through, which is why he is prime to mould the group.

Considering that some of the characters are either relatively unknown - or have not been in the DCU for very long - Johns does a good job of introducing everyone and respecting their relative character flaws and foibles, without dumbing down their character traits. He has also created a huge air of unease, which will no doubt be a plot vehicle around this dysfunctional team.  This mix is one that will also not be widely well received in the public eye. And the large personalities within the group will cause a certain amount of friction.

Simon Baz epitomises this fantastically as he is the new Green Lantern recently added to the Corps only a few issues ago in the Green Lantern title, currently perceived by many as a terrorist. Johns is not afraid to bring existing history over for any of these individuals.

Whilst reading it as well it’s very easy to forget that there are actually three different storylines being explored here. In addition to the team's formation, we have the Dark Hunter (later revealed as Green Arrow in disguise) on the run, plus a flashback depicting Professor Ivo some years in the past taking on the mantel - along with others - as would-be super-villains. All things to come in no doubt which shows the forethought and planning that is already afoot.

David Finch, who most recently gave us the artwork on Batman: The Dark Knight, has joined Johns to create this title. Having loved his work on B:TDK I was keen to see what he provided here too. It’s not what I expected though, as it is different in certain ways. Working with so many characters who have a reputable image has meant that he couldn’t really change them too much but there are small differences that set them apart with his own little twist. The one thing that hasn’t changed is the huge volume of information that the reader is visually provided with as every inch of every frame has been considered and used appropriately. He has also obviously enjoyed providing his take on an iconic image such as the cover which many will recognise, albeit not in bronze.

As a new beginning I didn’t feel that it was the strongest of stories, as it was more scene setting and by that the style also became a little clichéd. However, once you looked beyond the obvious you can see that there is a lot more going on. I also have a lot of time for Geoff Johns as a writer and have come to expect that there is most likely a lot more than meets the eye here, a literary iceberg in the making.

I may not necessarily follow this title straight away, but I will be keeping watch on it to see how it progresses.

Matt Puddy is pondering what to say about Jeph Loeb's new take on Nova...

The Mane Event - The Throne Of Atlantis

The Throne Of Atlantis crossover starts on Boxing Day!

Written by Geoff Johns, it wil alternate between issues of Justice League and Aquaman.

All Reservation Service customers who order either title will automatically receive the other issues as well, in order to get the full crossover.

Should you wish to opt out of this service, please contact me ASAP and let me know.

GEOFF JOHNS    IVAN REIS

PAUL PELLETIER

READ THE ENTIRE EPIC CROSSOVER!

DECEMBER 

• Part 1: JUSTICE LEAGUE #15
• Part 2: AQUAMAN #15

JANUARY

• Part 3: JUSTICE LEAGUE #16
• Part 4: AQUAMAN #16

FEBRUARY

• Part 5: JUSTICE LEAGUE #17

IT'S NOT SAFE TO GO IN THE WATER!

52 New Beginnings - The Dark

I, Vampire

reviewed by Kate Townshend

Well, after joking a couple of weeks ago that the next stage in female character outfit evolution would be Harley strutting around au naturel on a front cover, I, Vampire has made me realise that I’m already behind the times. Our protagonists are pictured looking mean and moody; him with jeans and rippling biceps, her with, well pretty much nothing at all actually (I refuse to count the ‘slightly darker shading’ that has been used to prevent the comic from being consigned to opaque plastic bags on the top shelf).

Despite this, I Vampire is exactly the sort of story I should like, focused as it is on the interpersonal dynamics between two rather striking characters. He is a tortured Angel type, wrestling with his darker impulses, while she is fearless and amoral and rather compelling actually. The artwork is pretty cool too, all flowing lines and stark blacks and whites juxtaposed against one another, and it works because this is a world where lines of good and evil are being drawn against a sense that it would be delightfully easy to just go with the flow.

And I love the fact that this first issue is fundamentally just a conversation between the two main characters... it’s an effective way of drawing us into their world and demarcating the lines that will drive the story. Some of the dialogue is a little clunky, but I can’t make up my mind whether or not this is just the awkwardness of the character or a flaw in the writing. The revolutionary parallels that Mary tries to draw are interesting if not terribly subtle, and there is a real sense of an epic narrative being set in place.

But back to the nakedness. Part of me wonders if this is just an explicit parallel being made between Mary and her animalistic side, in which case you could make an (admittedly rather tenuous) case for it as a justified part of characterisation. She is "magnificent", "free" and unfettered and maybe she’s just cooler than the rest of us with our bourgeois preferences for textiles. The less generous interpretation though, is that this is another tired attempt to link sexual women with evil ones. In which case, yawn.

Overall though, it’s fun, interesting and worth a second look. (At the contents… not just the cover!)

Justice League Dark

reviewed by D Kai Wilson-Viola

Of all the comics, bar Teen Titans, this has actually be one that I’ve been looking forward to. I live in a ‘Cartoon Network’ household, which means things like Teen Titans, Justice League and Static Shock are actually franchise sets that I recognise, so when I heard I was getting JL:D, I squeed a little.

And, of all the comics I’ve reviewed so far, this one has to be one of the better ones. Maybe it’s because I know some of the mythology they’re using for once, or perhaps I just really got the pace, the colouring and the techniques, but this one is definitely one that I’d like to continue with. It’s interesting enough that it held my attention from the outset, and I liked (and yes, recognised) some of the characters. There are some nice precedents established, plus, I was quite interested to see whom they’d dragged in from Justice League, so from the outset there is crossover and interaction. I won’t spoil that, but it’s enough to say that the overlay story and narrator works really well, while allowing the story just to unfold, which is something I think is very neat. There’s control and direction there while the story evolves, and as a writer, I love seeing that technique employed properly. In contrast to the Deadman comic last week (who, coincidentally makes a brief appearance), which swung and missed, this was perfect.

There are – kind of – styles associated with each character, though so far we haven’t seen them all in the same place, so I’m not sure if that’s going to be something that continue through the comic, which will be interesting, but mostly, I like the overall and underlying story, along with the stronger, deeper story going on. It’ll be neat to see where this one goes.

52 New Beginnings - Justice League

Aquaman

reviewed by Robert Barton-Ancliffe

As a relative newcomer to the world of Aquaman, I came to writer Geoff Johns’ new take on the character with few preconceptions, other than a sense of boyish excitement at the prospect of some old-school super-heroics from a bona-fide product of comics’ Golden Age. Having just finished part one of new series opener ‘The Trench’, I’m suitably thrilled.

This book’s strength lies in its fine balance of action and characterisation. Aquaman, Emperor of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, commands the power of the sea and its inhabitants, but behind the regal bearing is an all too human hero. After an opening that establishes his super-hero credentials in fine style, the issue slowly reveals a man who is misunderstood and mocked by the world he strives to protect. A refreshing reflection of the modern attitude towards Aquaman amongst most comic book readers.

Johns’ script is sparing, but the minimalist approach is not at the expense of depth and instead allows Ivan Reis and Joe Prado’s glorious artwork to take centre stage. Showcasing a staggering range, every page is vibrant and dynamic, flowing effortlessly in series of wide cinematic panels that are still packed with intricate detail, with the quieter moments displaying a true flair for character and stunning, naturalistic settings.

As silly as the concept could be, this take on Aquaman is nothing if not epic and full of potential drama, as our hero yearns to lead a normal life while reluctantly facing up to his legendary birthright. And although the fearsome, primal threat lurking in the shadows of the titular ocean trench is beautifully teased, Johns’ wisely keeps them to the background for now, instead concentrating on fleshing out one of the New 52’s more interesting leading men.

Aquaman turns 70 this week, but despite his age, he’s leading the charge for DC’s New 52 with a title as fresh and dynamic as the very best this re-launch has to offer. Hold your breath and dive right in, you won’t regret it.

The Flash

reviewed by Ben Fardon

The Flash. The Flash Fastest Man Alive. The Flash Rebirth. The Flash (again). Flashpoint. Wow, quickly thinking about it - DC has had quite a few goes at relaunching the Scarlet Speedster in the past decade.

And so here we are again. The Flash #1. Taking over from Geoff Johns must be a daunting task, though I have to say Rebirth and the following short lived ongoing series never really grabbed me, which is odd as I'm usually a huge fan of Johns work.

Here instead we have previous series' artist Francis Manapul taking over the writing duties whilst retaining the role of penciller. Colourist Brain Buccellato is the co-writer. The pencils are evocative and dynamic and the page layouts are sublime. Special mention has to go to the new costume which bursts from the ring in pieces ahead of Barry - he then runs into them and they form around him into the suit. It's a wonderful idea that will look amazing if it is ever realised on the big screen. It's beautifully showcased on the variant cover too! That said the colours themselves are oddly muted. I'd think brighter colours would better compliment the world of the Fastest Man Alive, so I think this is a bit of a misstep.

Aside form that though, this is probably the best first issue of The Flash I've read. Cleaner than the mess that dogged The Flash Rebirth and more compelling than the previous Flash ongoing, here we have an almost perfect mix of character development and action. Things have definitely changed for Barry in the reboot - having never been married to Iris we instead find him dating a co-worker called Patty. Iris is still present though, as a zealous young reporter creating a potential love triangle as the series develops. Older Flash fans may bemoan the change, but for me - since both women seem to be real characters rather than romantic interludes - it's a welcome dramatic complication in this instance.

Elsewhere the Flash encounters a gang of tech thieves stealing from a symposium and in his efforts to apprehend one member of the gang, he ends up throwing the criminal through a plate glass window. Seemingly killed on impact a shocked Barry is further stunned to learn the masked man is actually an old friend. Haunted, he sets out to investigate the evidence and work the case, only to be stunned when the dead man makes an unexpected return.

To see any more would ruin your enjoyment of this fantastic first issue. Run to your local shop and grab a copy today!

The Fury of Firestorm

reviewed by Matt Puddy

My knowledge and exposure to Firestorm, at best, is limited. I met the character whilst reading through Brightest Day when “they” clashed with Deathstorm and that really piqued my interest. As a character that I’ve never seen as a standalone title I was more than interested and wanted to take a peek.

Immediately the first thing you get is a massively vibrant cover. Firestorm is always been full of reds and yellows but on this occasion the crayons have definitely been worn to the nub. It’s great and so full of detail, typical of Ethan van Sciver.

What is different though as well as is that this has been written by Gail Simone but co-mapped and plotted with Sciver too. Simone has a huge association with female characters and van Sciver is prominent in artwork so the combination is not something I expected.

Saying that though, the issue felt really good and as a starting point it was easy to get into. There was a healthy skipping between a fraught first few meetings of our main protagonists and, on a collision course, a ruthless band of mercenaries on a killing spree. The story has kept its heritage and acknowledges Professor Stein which alludes to it being after Brightest Day.

What I’ve also liked is that it appears that van Sciver's influence has also been seen in the form that this takes as we are given a whole new direction for Firestorm. This is the first time that each of the heroes involved are their own individual Firestorms, as well as a new twist and the introduction of Fury.

Admittedly I was a little wary of this title but after reading it I have to say that it was all without weight. I loved it and will enjoy following it especially as on my second read you see so much more and so many little hints at further things to come. Exciting? Yes. Grabbing? Yes. Pull list? YES!

The Savage Hawkman

reviewed by Matt Puddy

Carter Hall is an interesting man, a contradiction in terms almost, but interesting none the less.

As an archaeologist he chases and seeks out the mysteries of the past. However, as a man he is depicted as running from it as he knows all about his own reincarnations. In trying to cast off the shroud of Hawkman, Tony Daniel takes the Hawkman story to a new level. Daniel also introduces a new villain in the guise of Morphicius.

Daniel has written a good story to support Hall in his personal struggling, both internal and external, and the story moves smoothly along. My problem is where it moves to.

As the story progresses and develops we see an enemy which is a black liquid which envelops and changes men as well as Carter's armour coming from within. For a new reader, or a devout DC (and only DC) follower this may not be a problem but for those who read Marvel titles then this immediately screams Venom and Iron Man respectively. It’s something I found a definite distraction which certainly took the edge off of the ending for me as my mind was directed elsewhere.

Philip Tan has used a style that I am not normally fond of, however, I have to say on this occasion with the combined inking of Sunny Gho something beautiful has been created. There are times when this slips a little but on the big moments even more detail and care is taking making for punchy and distinct moments.

I liked reading the issue but this is another character I tend not to associate with being a standalone. Enjoyable as the issue is, it’s not one I think I would follow. It’s a good jump on point for readers and has plenty of potential but I just don’t personally feel a draw to it.

Still well worth taking a look at, especially for the artwork, and Daniel has fine pedigree, I’ll just give this one a miss.

52 New Beginnings - Justice League

Captain Atom

reviewed by D Kai Wilson-Viola

A natural disaster threatens an unexpected city, and Captain Atom, whom has in the preceding pages been established as ‘breaking down’ in more ways than one, has to respond. Sounds like a good recipe for a comic right? Perhaps something even marginally ground-breaking?

It’s not all good though - I’m not sure if that was a deliberate allegory to the storyline, or if it was something accidental – but the first read through of the comic made me think ‘nothing special’. Just not till the very – absolute – last page of the first comic. Second read through and I spotted some subtleties I’d missed – but had I not been reviewing, and had that second page not caught me, I think I’d have not bothered again.

I quite enjoyed Captain Atom – like many of the superheroes that we encounter, he’s flawed – damaged in some way – and it’s a refreshing change to see someone that suffers inwardly instead of the tired tropes of being an orphan or other characterisation broad stroke that comics seem to employ. He’s been in a horrible accident, changing him, but this seems to be after his peak of power. Again, very interesting, but again, I found it difficult to empathise. There was definitively something missing from it.

Crisp artwork, mostly in shades that fit the mood that it’s trying to express, with clean, clever dialogue cap off a comic that didn’t go in the direction that I expected – and though I went into it reading something I thought was pretty much average, I came out of it wondering how they were going to run with the story. And what he’d done to create that very last thought, on the very last page.

It has action, and it has a certain amount of charm, but this is one of the comics that I think is going to kick ass on the back story – as well as go forward with what could be a very interesting – and possibly unique – setup.

DC Universe Presents

reviewed by D Kai Wilson-Viola

Amazing artwork with a bit of a cocky swagger to the inner monologue, and I was actually quite enjoying the whole thing until the third page when I got to, "flying through the air with the greatest of ease." Hello cliché. And they didn’t stop there, which is, in my book at least, unforgivable.

Deadman was a trapeze artist. Assassinated, I assume, because he was a bit of an arrogant piece of work by his own admission, he is to reincarnate and continue on to enlightenment. It kinda goes downhill from there. The concept has one touching element – the one thing that could redeem him – that he "had to do something" before possessing his next soul. The whole "cathartic healing of others via possession" concept could have been so much more – Quantum Leap for example did it in a much more interesting way.

Some of the other broad stroke characters that he’s ‘been’ that are dumbed down and expressed in one panel clichés: the priest who’s lost his faith; or the stripper who hates her father, yet cries because she misses him so much; the death wish stuntman (who makes an appearance at the beginning of the narration). All of them are trite and contrived - while I get that it’s supposed to be "just another step" for him and a life changing event for them – one panel just didn’t seem to do that concept justice. The encapsulation and back story dump, with the obvious stereotypes made me feel cheated, and that overshadowed the rest of the comic.

I guess that’s the other thing that bothered me – there was no working for the back story – and by the time I’d gotten to about the eighth panel of "I was once...", I wasn’t interested in his back story, I was bored. And to be fair, once again, that was perfect characterisation – Deadman isn’t enlightened, in the slightest. He’s still the self-centred guy that he appeared to be when assassinated. It’d might be interesting to see where this second instalment goes, but for now, I’m pretty much on the fence. It’s a pity, because the artist is amazing.

Wonder Woman

reviewed by Kate Townshend

Oh Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman! If you're expecting me to manage anything even remotely impartial on this one, then I fear I shall be a sad disappointment. You can’t offer up a gorgeous, wise Amazonian who takes down penthouse-owning misogynists and expect me to be anything other than dazzled.

Even the front cover, which is the most stylised and obviously ‘graphic’ of the DC offerings I’ve seen so far, is a feminist wet dream. She is fierce and sexy and focused, and most importantly, pretty damn well supported by that rather fetching bodice...

And although it doesn’t feel forced, the new writers have pretty much taken Wonder Woman’s status as a bit of a Suffragette icon and run with it. The most obvious ‘villain’ of the piece is introduced early on, and I think it would be fair to say that he might have some issues with his mother...

I worry slightly that other, ‘normal’ women in the series are going to be treated as slightly disposable, which rather undercuts the overall message, but I’m willing to hold fire on that for now. It is at least nice to see a female heroine protecting another woman. This is another one to add to my ‘comics that pass the Bechdel Test’ pile.

The artwork inside this issue is ‘graphic’ in the other sense of the word, and there’s a fair amount of blood being spilled from the word go. To be honest, there might even be a little bit too much going on as it all gets a little bit busy and confusing in places.

Then again, this does add to the sense of instant crisis and chaos that seems to make the pages sparkle with energy throughout. It raises questions, refuses to answer almost any of them and is generally a rather breathless read.

Most interestingly of all, is that although Wonder Woman instantly commands attention in any frame in which she features, it isn’t all about her just yet.

If the writers plan to ‘always leave ‘em wanting more’ of her, then it’s working. On me at least.

News on the DC New 52 titles shipping next week!

Ouch, just seen my invoice for next week's delivery. Some fairly severe allocations for the order increases we placed for some of the New DC 52 titles shipping next week. All the current customer reservations are fine, but if you want any of the following and you haven't already ordered it I advise you come in Wednesday morning!

Batman #1 (VARIANT COVER ONLY FOR THE SHELVES!!! Standard cover is sold out to pre-orders. Please note this variant will cost £9.)

Birds Of Prey #1

Blue Beetle #1

Captain Atom #1

Catwoman #1

DC Universe Presents #1

Green Lantern Corps #1

Justice League #1 (3rd Printing) (Diamond aren't sending us any of my order for the 2nd Printing - very disappointing, their response: "Allocations will occur.")

Legion Of Super-Heroes #1

Nightwing #1

Red Hood And The Outlaws #1

Supergirl #1

Wonder Woman #1

NO FURTHER RESERVATIONS WILL BE TAKEN FOR THE TITLES ABOVE.

If you want something that you haven't already ordered, you'll have to get down ASAP. First come first served I'm afraid!

We are now sold out of Action Comics #1, Animal Man #1, Batman & Robin #1, Batwing #1, Deahtstroke #1, Detective Comics #1, Green Arrow #1, Green Lantern #1, Grifter #1, Justice League #1 (1st Printing), Justice League International #1, O.M.A.C.#1 and Superboy #1! Some second printings have been ordered - reservations can be made for second printings will stocks last so please get in touch.

52 New Beginnings - Batman/Justice League

Batman & Robin

reviewed by Matt Puddy

Fresh from the pen and pencils of Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason we have Batman & Robin.

Many of you will know that it was only a relatively new title before the reboot. Begun by Grant Morrison, it very much seemed like a means to an end in the wake of the Return Of Bruce Wayne, but Morrison was followed by Cornell, Tomasi and then Winnick. But after only 25 issues does it have a place in the new DCU?

Well, the answer is yes, no point beating about the bush. Tomasi has taken the opportunity and worked it well. Instead of dropping everything that has happened in the past and setting things back five years as other titles have done, Batman & Robin continues from where the things left off much like Green Lantern. This is immediately seen with the new partnership of Bruce and Damian (Dick is off playing Nightwing), the short lived Russian Batman Incorporated crimefighter and more importantly a beautifully created new adversary simply named Nobody.

The writing is direct and pushes the personalities of the characters. Damian, for example, is blunt, matter-of-fact and lacks any idea of subtlety or modesty. Just the way he should be. It makes for awkward reading, but that it what it is meant to create as this is a fragile team at best right now. Things are also most definitely harsher now, which shows.

Gleason has also worked well on the linework. There is a lot to be said for someone who can literally draw only half a comic and use the shadow and shading to produce so much depth filling the void as well. There are almost understated backgrounds too which punctuate the art. Mick Gray also uses a varied but vibrant palatte to accentuate images. The combination has worked really well.

The premise may already seem a little formulaic but ultimately this is a good multi-layered title.

I’m dying to see where this Nobody goes with the attack on Bruce Wayne and not directly Batman and it bodes very well for the future. For at least Tomasi’s reign I’ll be following.

Batwoman

reviewed by Robert Barton-Ancliffe

Having had her first, slightly dubious introduction in 52 back in 2006, this week Batwoman finally gets a long awaited solo title. Following departure of original writer Greg Rucka, artist J.H. Williams III and Haden Blackman have assumed the difficult task of following the character’s stellar run in Detective Comics a couple of years ago. Thankfully, the character is in safe hands, as Batwoman #1 proves to be worth the wait.

Batwoman stands up well as a solo title, and while the DC Universe has undergone a major shake-up, the character thankfully emerges largely unscathed. The story follows on directly from the events of the ‘Elegy’ storyline in the aforementioned Detective Comics, but this issue nevertheless provides a good introduction to the character for the uninitiated, as a new status quo slowly take shape across the course of the issue.

Not only do we see Batwoman thrust headlong into action against ghostly new villain the Weeping Woman, but we also see the introduction of a new love interest for alter ego Kathy Kane and a potential new partner thrown into the mix. Also, there are hints of a longer term threat as a shadowy villain (the Black Mask?) begins to take an interest in Batwoman, sending a field agent out to confront her.

It is a testament to William’s and Blackman’s careful approach to storytelling that so many new twists and turns do not feel rushed or forced for the sake of a new beginning, and can be comfortably assimilated by old and new readers alike. William’s artwork is as stunning as ever, with creative layouts, rich use of colour and spot on characterisation which gives as rich an impression of Kathy Kane’s personality as the brilliant script.

Batwoman is an adult comic, but not through use of titillation or gratuitous violence. The professional and personal trials faced by the titular hero are complex and well developed and the overall experience on reading is one of sheer exhilaration. Batwoman is as original as any superhero book I have read within a mainstream continuity. My only proviso in recommending this book would be for new readers to seek out the excellent collected edition of Rucka’s run on ’Detective Comics’, entitled ’Elegy’ as the back story given within this issue is a little rushed, and should be experienced in its full glory.

Mister Terrific

reviewed by Ben Fardon

Why? That was the question that tripped off my tongue when I read the DC solicitations in July. Why Mr Terrific? Out of all of the JSA to survive the reboot and get a solo title, why him? I've never found Mr Terrific particularly inspiring as a hero - he's just very bland. Good in a team ensemble of heroes, but he just doesn't feel up to the task of carrying an ongoing series.

At best it seemed like pie in the sky thinking. At worst it was an attempt to raise the mix of ethnic diversity in the 52 line up. That treads a fine line between being a commendable goal and positive discrimination - which is something I personally find a little insulting.

Mister Terrific is the third smartest man in the world. His real name is Michael Holt and he's the wealthy owner of Holt Industries. He uses gadgets and technology of his own devising to become a superhero. Sound familiar? Are you immediately thinking of Marvel's Iron Man? Quite so.

Mr Terrific has added pathos in that he lost someone close to him. Not unlike another wealthy, intelligent, unpowered hero in the DCU. In Mr Terrific's case, he lost his wife in a car accident. There is potentially a darker cause behind this tragedy, but that remains to be explored. In the pre-Flashpoint universe, Holt also lost his young son with his wife, but in the this new DCU his unborn son appears to him from an interdimensional portal when a grieving Holt is at his lowest. This young man tells him not to give up and to use his intelligence to change the world.

The rest of the first issue consists of Mr Terrific doing standard superheroics and briefly hanging out with Karen Starr. It's unclear whether she is Power Girl or not, though there are definite hints that she and Holt have something of a casual relationship going on. I suspect all of this will just serve to infuriate JSA fans.

Overall, I simply didn't connect with this new book and I still question why it exists. The pencils clearly try to evoke US President Barack Obama in their portrayal of Mr Terrific, but I really feel that well has run dry now after the Spidey issue, Barack The Barbarian, President Evil and countless others.

A final page twist did nothing to convince me this book would deliver something unique. It felt less like the setting of a bigger agenda and more like a misdirecting cliffhanger akin to the end of an episode of the camp Sixties Batman series. Mr Terrific isn't an awful first issue, but it is just like the title character. Bland.

52 New Beginnings - Justice League #1

There's a lot riding on Justice League #1. The first full length offering from the new DC Universe will be judged by every blogger, journalist and comics fan - old and new - as the beachhead for this bold new venture.

Over the coming weeks the current Proud Lion blog team will review all 52 of the new DC comics and I kick things off today with my verdict on Justice League.

I was expecting big things from Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. These two titans of DC have served up classic tales from Hush to Green Lantern Rebirth and many more.

But I also remember that despite Johns' amazing work in recent years, he also penned the frankly appalling Infinite Crisis - a convoluted and insipid mess which include Superboy-Prime punching the walls of reality and changing select parts of the timeline. And his partner-in-crime Jim Lee was partly responsible for the trainwreck that was All Star Marv-in-a-cape-and-cowl & Robin. Sorry, I meant Batman, obviously.

So let's not put these two creators on a pedestal and worship them as demigods just yet. They're great, but even the Olympians had their off-days.

I'll nail my colours to the flag pole right now. Justice League #1 is good, but it's not great.

A lot of reviews seem to have neglected to take on board the fact that this opening story arc is set five years ago. This is a cool idea. The team haven't come together yet and superheroes are new to the public eye. They are feared and reviled by the media and hunted by the military - which sounds a lot like the story arc from the final season of Smallville. Suddenly that rings alarm bells. Don't get me wrong, Smallville got lots better during its last few years as it embraced its comic book origins, but it was still melodramatic nonsense. Borrowing from Smallville to reinvigorate the comics is a bad idea.

That said, the current zeitgeist of terrorism, heightened security, economic depression and civil unrest needs to be reflected in the modern comics. I think most of us accept that comic superheroes are the equivalent of the Greek mythology for the modern age; they need to feel like they exist in our world, not a shiny heroic age of white hats and villains. The idea that the authorities would hound superheroes is completely understandable - though the idea of three black ops military helicopters shooting up Gotham just to bring down Batman does slightly stretch any credibility.

Ultimately though, I like Justice League #1. I just don't love it and I really wanted to. Johns is smart enough to introduce the cast gradually rather than throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks. This creates an organic flow of action thus far. Batman and Green Lantern have their first meeting in Gotham as they chase down an alien creature that clearly serves a Dark master. There is a lovely bit of business where Batman removes Hal's power ring when he isn't concentrating and a great moment where Green Lantern realises Bruce has no powers to speak of.

Jim Lee's artwork here is great as well - Hal's constructs are superbly detailed and imaginative. The only artwork criticism I have is of the four pages of Victor Stone - the young man destined to be Cyborg - playing American football. As a narrative aside it works, but inker Scott Williams' attempts to make it look like dusk come across as pale and washed out, rather than twilight. Bit of a shame really.

I also have to say though, there is one very odd bit of characterisation with the way Johns depicts Hal in this - he often refers to himself in third person. "Green Lantern's got this." and "Note to self, Batman: Green Lantern can handle anything." I think it's supposed to make him sound arrogant and cocksure. Instead it just makes him sound a bit dense. It's odd considering Johns as spent years writing Hal Jordan - you'd think he'd have the character's voice down by now.

Moving on, our two heroes fly from Gotham to Metropolis in a power ring constructed plane, buzzing over the action with Stone and maintaining the flow. Starting their search for the alien Superman at a LexCorp building site they quickly encounter a red-blue blur (another Smallville touch? Ugh, I hope not!) and a certain Kryptonian hero enters the fray. His debut line leaves A LOT to be desired - really Geoff, is that the best you can do? Still the following full page reveal of Supes is classic Jim Lee and overall the issue left me looking forward to issue #2.

One additional niggle. Bob Wayne told us that DC would continue to hold the line at $2.99, other than four $3.99 titles including Justice League. These four more expensive titles would have extra pages, totaling 40 pages rather than the usual 32. Sadly in Justice League #1, four of these pages are given over to a sketchbook. It's a bit of a cheat really.

I remain massively excited for Action Comics, the Green Lantern titles, Stormwatch and several others but Justice League is simply quite good rather than mindblowing and as the flagship title, this is unsettling.

Minf you, I am reminded of a time over a decade ago when I first read Ultimate Spider-Man #1. I found it to be slow-paced and a bit boring - simply retreading the old Spidey origin.

Then some time later I read the first graphic novel collection and I was hooked.

I'm hoping by issue #6 of Justice League, I feel the same way about this re-imagined team of heroes.

Ben Fardon is gearing up for the midnight opening next week!