Forever Evil Graphic Novel Review

Forever Evil is the first big event of The New 52. Earth is under the rule of the Crime Syndicate, evil counter parts of the Justice League. Earth's heroes have disappeared while villains join the syndicates Secret Society, and for those that don't, join earth's unlikely savior; Lex Luthor. The seven issue mini series is written by Geoff Johns with art by David Finch. For a story about villains Finch was a good choice of artist with his dark visuals of both characters and scenes.

Earth is under rule of the Crime Syndicate, they've taken the world's greatest heroes by surprise. They weren't prepared and the Justice League is gone. In place of the worlds protectors stands a tyrannical cabal of killers whose powers and personalities are an evil reflection of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and more. Their simple goal of ruling the world was instantaneous with their army of Earth's worst villains joining there cause. Lex Luthor is the one man who can stand against their rule, forming an allegiance with a crew of criminals as well as one legendary crime fighter making way for a confrontation where no matter the outcome, evil wins.

This is DC Comics and Geoff Johns' first big event of The New 52. It is pretty much a self-contained story spinning out of The Trinity War crossover. The event had building to ever since the series began, pitting the three leagues against one another and setting the stage for Forever Evil.

At the conclusion of the "Trinity War" a gateway was opened to Earth-3 allowing the Crime Syndicate to travel to our earth. Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring, Johnny Quick and Deathstrom. The leader of Secret Society of Super Villains was revealed to be the Alfred Pennyworth of Earth-3 who arrived prior to the Syndicate to prepare for their arrival along with their mysterious hooded prisoner. It was also revealed that The Atom was actually Atomica from Earth-3, who was an agent for the syndicate who had been infiltrating both A.R.G.U.S and the Justice League. Meanwhile Cyborg's body rejected his human half as a sentiment computer virus had taken over robotic parts coalescing into a robot named Grid. Our heroes were easily defeated and the Crime Syndicate claim that the earth is now theirs. Having read and enjoyed Justice League Vol. 5 Forever Heroes, a tie in to the Forever Evil event, depicting events that run parallel to this huge story. The issue cover images in the companion book mirror some of the events that happen within Forever Evil. The fight between Ultraman and Black Adam that began in the pages Justice League # 24 concludes here. Unlike the last two Justice League books, this isn't a story of crossovers or building to something else. This is a spin off from the Justice League series, it is the main event and was a thrilling event that exhibits that evil is relative.

Neither Forever Evil or Justice League Vol. 5 directly follow up on the events that transpired on the Syndicate's arrival, instead this mini series takes places a short time after when they have began to conquer our world. It leaves it accessible to new readers and merely alludes to the fate of the Justice League's, helping the series to start off on its own distinct note keeping it a straightforward in regard to events that preceded it.

The first act is to catch readers up with the apparent "hero" of this event, Lex Luthor. When the threat is realized that the world is in danger and there is no Superman here to save it. Luthor views this as the realization of how he always felt about the over reliance on superheroes. With no one left to save them, he makes steps necessary to take them out. This conflict may be enough to force even the world's most self-absorbed man to act for the greater good. He has always proclaimed he would have done such good if Superman had not been here, he has a vague notion of heroism. Luthor leads a pack of villains that disagree with the syndicates rule. It is an engaging read as it showcases characters usually viewed as antagonists in a light not seen before, while playing to John's strengths making villains more interesting and complex. As the story progresses you find yourself rooting for Luthor's Injustice League.

It’s an interesting and unique premise, most superhero graphic novels pit the good guys against the bad. Forever Evil’s unique approach puts the bad guys against a villainous group of world conquering tyrants. It is a great story and one of the best since The New 52 began that that dives straight into DC's super villain community depicting a war between the world's villains and the invading Crime Syndicate of Earth-3. Geoff Johns continues the trend of villains growing more complex and interesting. Forever Evil is an exceptional big Justice League style of story but without the worlds greatest heroes being featured making Lex Luthor the “Hero” as earth's saviour. Johns continues to do what he does best and brings the standard of large scale stories back to its former glory that hasn't been seen since Justice League Throne of Atlantis feature.

Issue #1 launches the Forever Evil event and even though it and the book cover features a large assembly of villains its story is not overloaded with them throughout. I was concerned that the story would filled with villains that I wasn't familiar with, but luckily we get a well known handful featured in Luthor's squad while others appear in there own roles in the many tie ins of the Forever Evil event. Bizarro makes his New 52 debut in this fresh approach that far exceeds his usual role as a brainless, comedic villain. Batman plays a secondary role and does his best to control Luthor’s squad. His main objective is a rescue mission for an close alley that the syndicate has already made an example out of.

The story ends as it began with Lex Luthor, he develops and possibly finds a new role in for himself going forward in the DC Universe, but do we buy that Luthor has turned a new leaf? No matter what it changes the dynamic for future stories. It is an epic read and has such a grand finale feel to it, as if it was the end of the series or writer Geoff Johns run on the Justice League comics, fortunately it is not. The mini series is a spin off from the Justice League series but is told in a way that is not heavily necessary or dependent on having read the previous releases as it stands well on its own.The New 52 debut of the Crime Syndicate is a fresh and novel approach, rather than facing off against their heroic counterparts the Syndicate clash a with a band of earth's villains. It's one of the biggest threats the world has seen since the formation of the League in Justice League Vol.1 Origin. Heroes fall, but villains rise taking on the role of earth's heroes. Johns tells an epic story and continues to do what he does best. It feels pivotal if you read the John's current Justice League comics as the upcoming graphic novel release in the series looks to have shaken things up with the outcome of Forever Evil, but again it works well as a stand alone epic tale.

Justice League Volume 5: Forever Heroes Review

Justice League Volume 5 is the latest collection of issues from Geoff Johns New 52 series. Forever Heroes is a collection of tie in's to the main event; The Forever Evil mini series. This volume doesn't pick right up after the events of Volume 4 The Grid, instead it reveals the origins of members of the Crime Syndicate, the evil counterparts to the Justice League, while the later issues progress on the story features the real hero of the arc, Cyborg.

The Justice League are gone now Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring, Deathstorm, Atomica and Johnny Quick, The Crime Syndicate have invaded earth from a alternate universe. The Syndicate are not just the evil counterparts of the league but have meaningful motivations for desire to rule the world. The begging of each issue spotlights the backwards and twisted origin of various members of the Crime Syndicate, some with their own motivations and some with hidden agendas. Ultraman, Owlman have their own issue and and the rest are featured the third issue. All expect Lois Lane as Superwoman, one of the most interesting origins of the group is left a mystery. Her files has been deleted from database only adds to her mysterious nature. One of my favorite moments along with the dark origins of the Syndicate was the moment where organised crime families were trying to find their place in a world where the Crime Syndicate has taken over, resulting with the incidental creation of Plastic Man.

Justice League #27 offers a change of pace for the series, the attention is back to Earth's dwindling lineup of heroes. Cyborg/Victor Stone had his human half ripped from its robotic body and left for dead. He is the only member of the Justice League that has escape the Syndicates attack and he is the only one who can save earth's heroes. On the verge of death, Victor emerges as a stronger, more confident hero who has fully embraced his place in the world. After a heartfelt conversation between Victor and his father work begins to rebuild his son and in the end, Cyborg earns his place among the Justice League in a way he hadn't fully before. Cyborg emerges in a new sleeker slimmer body and this is where the book gains momentum, with earth's heroes gone it is up to Victor Stone to act and he's gonna need help to do it. Enter Project Metal Men, into a story arc that's already crammed with super villian origins, Johns re-introduces the heroic Metal Men in this story.The Metal Men are heroes that truly want to help others even if it means self sacrifice, this is a completely straightforward and refreshingly earnest portrayal of superheroes. Cyborg plans to launch an attack on his Crime Syndicate counterpart Grid, the sentient computer virus that has taken control of Cyborg's previous robotic body. He leads the resistance against Grid who has taken control of the world's computer and communications.

The first half of the book was an interesting look at the origins and motivations of members of the Crime Syndicate. While the later half makes progress as Cyborg leads the fight to save to Justice League and stop Grid. Cyborg gets to really shine here as not just hero but a leader, he has fully embraced what he is and for a character that has had so many set backs keeps fighting. There’s a evocative moment in the final issue, one of the most famous images in superhero comics is that of Clark Kent opening his shirt revealing the Superman uniform underneath. The image that has been used many times throughout comics history, it’s symbolic not just of superheroes taking action, it’s a powerful image that resonates with everyone and this time that moment belongs to Cyborg. This story's strongest theme is about Cyborg embracing himself for what he has become and what he’s been all along, a hero.

Cyborg is the real star of the story and really develops as a character and it's great to see as he is the only founding member of the Justice League that doesn't have his own series. The evil origins was a fresh inclusion but these are only ties ins to the main event Forever Evil and Forever Heroes is the latest installment in the series that will hopefully resume to standalone epic stories that began this best selling series. 

K

The Flash: Rebirth Review

Hey everybody,

After I had read and hugely enjoyed Green Lantern: Rebirth by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver I became highly interested in Barry Allen's resurrection. This iconic character who is about to hit TV screens in a new live action series. Writer Geoff Johns has specified that this book serves as inspiration for the new show.

The success of Green Lantern: Rebirth led to popular acclaim for its creators and allowed them to revisit the concept for another classic DC character in 2009. The Flash: Rebirth gave Barry Allen the same treatment, which it had a lot to live up to. This six-issue miniseries celebrates Barry’s return to the DC Universe after a more than 23 year absence. Barry Allen died during Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 in the 1985 series. Barry's death was truly heroic and is often regarded as one of the greatest, most selfless sacrifices in superhero comics. It's probably why the character wasn't resurrected for so long. Barry became untouchable where no creator potentially taint the character's legacy. 

Barry Allen's eventual resurrection doesn't change the fact that his original sacrifice to stop the Anti-Monitor from destroying the universe remains one of the DC Universes most memorable and often-referenced moments. While some heroes had died saving a loved one, others maybe there beloved city or maybe even there home planet. Barry literally saved the entire universe from being erased from existence, he became a legendary hero. This Flash was a beacon of purity and inspiration which helped fuel the Flash lineage after he was gone for over 20 years. Barry’s return happened within the Final Crisis event and Flash Rebirth is the story that explores his return and the exploration of The Flash mythology.

Barry Allen has broke free from the speed force where he had been trapped and has now returned after a lengthy absence. While the stage is set for celebrations for both Barry Allen and The Flash's return, he is reluctant to do so and is still adjusting to a world where he was always felt so detached from. We see how is return has impacted the other heroes and speedsters and what he means to them. Forgoing the parties, Barry is eager to get back his role as The Flash, but all is not right for the speedster and his powers. Barry is a police forensic scientist and seeks out the mystery of what and why has corrupted his connection to the speed force and why others speedsters are being adversely affected by it. Barry's friends and family are also at risk with the change he is experiencing and flees back to the speed force to avoid harming anyone further. The Speed Force is a new addition to the Flash mythos, a major revelation in the story is about its origin. The Speed Force is a vaguely defined extra-dimensional energy force from which most, but not all, superspeed-powered heroes source their enhanced abilities.

The book and it’s issue covers contain some homages and references to key moments in The Flash's history including, meeting Jay Garrick the original Flash of the Golden Age, Barry’s accident, the race with Superman along with Barry's death and return. The travel through time system allows the story to refer to these moments along with the flashbacks into important events in his life as well as being integral to the story. As the nature of the story deals a tampering of the Speed Force, only one person could be responsible; Eobard Thawne/The Reverse Flash/Professor Zoom. This series brings back the classic Flash villain as Barry’s ultimate nemesis that just lives to antagonize him and ruin his legacy. There is a big revelation but if you’re like me have pieced it together from the episodes of The Flash TV series.

This was a hugely enjoyable and great story that reintroduced the character into a new age.
Barry Allen was back and the whole Flash family had joined him for the start of a new era. It' s a big story with many supporting characters and  many speedsters including Wally West, Bart Allen/Kid Flash, Jay Garrick, Wally’s twins and Barry's wife Iris West-Allen along with Max Mercury the "guru" of the speed force.

The Flash Rebirth successfully brought back the character that was dear to so many fans hearts without undermining his ultimate sacrifice. It maintains the same style formula of story that the creators did with their previous rebirth miniseries story line with Hal Jordan Green Lantern. Re-Introducing the character and his history while telling a epic story that is a great starting point for new flash fans thus making Barry Allen the important Flash there ever was.

Really looking forward to the The Flash TV series starting on Sky 1 on October 28th 2014.

Hope you enjoyed this

See ya

K

Green Lantern/Green Arrow Collection Graphic Novel Review

Hey readers,

Here is my next review. So after I read the epic Ra's al Ghul origin story by Dennis O' Neil in my previous review I got into the series that the writer is best known for with regular collaborator artist Neal Adams.

Green Lantern/Green Arrow by Dennis O’ Neil and Neal Adams is the famous and highly acclaimed 70’s era stories of Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen as the “Hard Travelling Heroes”. Green Lantern and Green Arrow travel across America encountering and tackling issues thus bringing real relevance to comics for the first time. The mismatched pair dealt with social issues like racism, bigotry, cults, drugs and pollution all combined with the superhero elements of comic book storytelling of the 70’s. Most famous of these was the story of drug addiction, the two part story revealed Green Arrow’s teenage sidekick to be one of the drug addicts in the high point of this series. This new 2012 edition collects the complete run of O’ Neil and Adam landmark run of their trailblazing series. This volume collects Green Lantern #76-87 & 89 and stories from The Flash #217-219 & 226.

Green Lantern and Green Arrow are two of my newly favourited heroes, its great to have both in a single collection of their classic interpretations after I've read the modern renditions of both. Now that I’m up to date on the best graphic novels of Green Lantern and Green Arrow its interesting to get into classic interpretations of the heroes in the series that first set standards in comics excellence.From the first tale, Green Lantern #76 “No Evil Shall Escape My Sight” you realise that this comic book run is unlike anything else from that time whilst still remaining relevant today. In the first story Hal Jordan stops an unruly teen harassing a well dressed business man. The Green Lantern sends the boy off to jail while helping the man and he feels that he has done the right thing. Green Arrow however decrees his handling of the situation pointing out that the business man is a fat cat landlord who owns the apartment building where the teenager lives with and cares for his elderly grandmother. The landlord plans to tear it down to make way and to make more money with a car parking complex. Both heroes take different approaches in trying to convince the the man not to go through with his plans, Green Lantern tries to work within the system while Green Arrow seeks to address the problem head on. O’Neil and Adams re-imagined the archer nearly thirty years after he was created and though Green Lantern is one of the most sci-fi heavy characters in the DC Universe, O'Neil created a way to ground him and tell stories that were socially relevant and held a powerful message. Hal Jordan who often quotes his Green Lantern oath that has new meaning for him as “evil shall escape my sight” now has an altered meaning for him in his ten year comic’s career. No longer black and white but shades of gray. Hal has always worked within the justice system but now learns that sometimes that it is harder and more difficult than before as the law isn't always the best solution to the problems faced, he becomes more socially conscious. This first issue speaks volumes to what kind of tales are expected with this series.

Writer Dennis O'Neil helped usher in a new era of social relevance for mainstream comics in the '70's, an era with far-reaching effects. It was during this period that one of the best known O'Neil and Adams stories appeared, in Green Lantern #85-86, when it was discovered that Green Arrow's ward Speedy was addicted to heroin. This remarkable two part story “Snowbirds Don’t Fly" & "They Say It’ll Kill Me ......But They Don’t Say When”  is a hard hitting realistic interpretation of a serious a issue. There is so much praise for this story that truly lives up the hype and is unlike anything I have ever read. The subject of drugs abuse, addiction and pushers are all covered here, as well as conveying an understanding of the addiction. It is serious storytelling and one that everyone should read, I cannot praise it enough, its the absolute highlight for the entire collection while being a very serious problem that is still relevant today, almost 30 years later. It was the first comic book story line to feature such a hard hitting topic that propelled comics to be taken more seriously and it is clear to see why it was award winning story. Recently I had watched a Green Arrow documentary online where artist Neil Adams discussed how the impact of this story had on how a drug user helped ditch the habit. The drug abuse problem was dramatized in an unusual and unprecedented way by showing Green Arrow's heretofore clean-cut boy companion Speedy turning into the heroin addict. Thus marking a major turning point in comics history while both being a terrific tales in their own right.

The collection is a fair mix of tales, although famous for social relevance and tackling issues some stories are less serious and are typical of the period that Green Lantern and Green Arrow come up against. Stories featuring our duo helping overthrow a tyrant with a army of robots under his control restoring the peaceful aliens to their rightful place, a young girl with physic powers and an attack of mythical creatures. Black Canary/Dinah Lance is featured prominently throughout the series. Another noteworthy and unmentioned aspect of this collection is the introduction of John Stewart as a Green Lantern, DC’s first black superhero. The cocky, stubborn and politically aware Stewart went on not only to break new ground for black superheroes, but who also became an integral part of the DC Universe in his own right and being the first Green Lantern many fans encountered in the Justice League animated series.

Great artwork provided by artist supreme Neal Adams, one of the best in the comic book industry. Showcasing my favorite classic art style his artwork was realistic, making these stories more three dimensional. The artwork, deftly handled by the great Neal Adams is the perfect marriage of theme and form within a graphic story. His realistic, measured and anatomically accurate style highlights the seriousness and rugged reality facing the characters.

Unfortunately the series didn't last as long as it deserved, it was ahead of its time and poor sales possibly down to it not being you typical superhero team up like readers would expect form a comic book title in those days. The series was cancelled but not before the creators gave us a powerful and befitting finale in issue #89, about a man and his ultimate desire to save himself and the world from pollution. Four months after the series was cancelled O'Neill and Adams's team up continued  with Green Lantern and Green Arrow appearing in back up stories of The Flash comics #217-219 and #226, also included here in this collection. A three part story revolving around Oliver dealing with a difficult time and the final of these mini stories is a fun read that brought a welcome smile to my face after the serious, mostly thought provoking and deep series.

This award winning series by Dennis O’ Neil and Neal Adams helped elevate the comic book medium to be taken more seriously. It is sad really that some of the issues from the 70’s which sounds like so long ago still exist today. O’Neil and Adams were commended by mainstream publications for advancing the comic book medium, foreshadowing the massive revolution that was to come in the 80's.

These superheroes went on to tackle issues of real world concerns, yes there is a few fun moments in stories that are a little more out there but the majority is solid reading. The collection begins and ends with powerful stories. Each reader will find some more powerful that others down to their own views. The series is unlike anything found in comics before or really since ,it doesn't get too heavy-handed though and it remains just as relevant today as it did three daces ago. Its the legacy that lives on as a fundamental building block of the modern DC Universe and comics in general. Whichever your preference this is a must for any Hal Jordan or Oliver Queen fan. In a time when many comics were insubstantial, Green Lantern and Green Arrow examined some tough issues in a combination of 70’s politics and finely tuned superhero storytelling.

Thanks for reading. I highly recommend checking out this stellar series. Next I'll be reviewing Flash: Rebirth. Now that its October TV shows of Green Arrow and The Flash aren't far away and I'm really looking forward to that. 

Bye for now

K

Batman: Birth of the Demon Graphic Novel Review

Hello,

Here is my latest review.

Batman Birth of the Demon

The trilogy of one shot graphic novel stories featuring Batman and Ra’s al Ghul, The Demon and the Detective. 

When I first got into reading Batman books, IGN’s original Top 25 best graphic novel list was a great help. The list has changed and been updated a few times since but back then I was seeking out the books that I was interested in. Two of those books were Birth of the Demon and Son of the Demon. Both were unavailable and I put them out of my mind for a time. Recently I saw an Amazon List of the Top Ten Batman Graphic Novels and this collection was listed. It contained the two aforementioned tales as well as Batman: Bride of the Demon, all referred to as The Demon Head trilogy. This new collection featured classic stories from the 1987, 1991 & 1993 respectively. 

BATMAN: BIRTH OF THE DEMON collects: 
Batman: Son of the Demon Written by Mike W. Barr and rt by Jerry Bingham
Batman: Bride of the Demon Written by Mike W. Barr and art by Tom Grindberg
Batman: Birth of the Demon Written by Dennis O'Neil and art by Norm Breyfogle

Ra’s al Ghul is character that doesn't appear in too many Batman stories, its quality over quantity. The only stories I have read where he featured as the main antagonist are Mark Waid’s Justice League Tower of Babel and Matt Wagner’s Superman/Batman/Wonder Woman Trinity. In my opinion he has always been one the scariest and creepiest of the Batman villain’s and yet a fascinating and interesting character. Ra’s al Ghul is great villain that is well matched for Batman and presents a very different kind of story.


The trilogy begins with a strong start with Son of The Demon features The Dark Knight and Head of the Demon form a partnership while they both track down a mutual adversary along with Talia, who has always been one of the more interesting of Batman’s love interests. Batman begins his allegiance with Ra’s and ultimately becoming Ra’s son after he and Talia marry and she reveales that she's pregnant with Batman’s child. It is a welcome change offering brighter light to a character that is so steeped in the darkness. One of the happier Batman tales of the 80’s. I really liked the story Batman, Ra’s and Talia all work together to bring down their enemy, another refreshing take for a solo character. Ra’s has no ulterior motive to double cross the Dark Knight, he trusts him and even allows Batman to train the his troops in non lethal forms of combat. This was a great story one of the great Batman tales you will ever read. Son of the Demon offers a fantastic mix of action and drama. Talia's loyalties become split between father and husband.

The beginning of the Ra's trilogy, Son of the Demon is a refreshing read. We get to see how Batman was portrayed in the late 80’s. Batman’s humanity is on full display in this tale. If you've ever had a fascination with the Demon's Head, Son of the Demon is one book you absolutely must read.

The second story Bride of the Demon, finds Ra’s al Ghul having moved on from his desire for the “Detective” to be his heir and instead seeks to create his own. The main plot of the story is Ra’s working with a environmental scientist to repair the damage done to the O-zone layer and have his own son to carry on Ra’s al Ghul improved world. He offers the chance to an aged Hollywood starlet to regain her youth in return to be his bride and to aid his determination of having a son. It feels like the kind of story that you would expect from Ra’s al Ghul story, the environmental terrorist. While the previous story consists of personal vendetta this is much more of the typical Ra’s al Ghul story, Batman attempts to thwart his plans for the betterment of mankind but with many human casualties in the process. The story does feature some great action scenes, detective work and one of the favorite moments of the story, Ra’s Al Ghul’s men leading an assault on the Batcave. The story also continues the conflict of Talia, torn between her Father and her Beloved. Ra's is shown as both tyrant and tortured soul, it's hard not to feel some sympathy for his cause.

It is an expected and great story featuring Batman and his biggest adversary Ra’s al Ghul. It’s good reading, offering a new element as Ra’s requires a bride and to be a father again. The story is the kind of story what you’d be expecting that feels right in this collection sandwiched in between two other great Batman and Ra’s al Ghul classic stories. 

Birth of the Demon, It is easy to see why this is title for this graphic novel and also why it was saved to the last. This was a brilliant story and gave me the biggest thrill of the three. The book ends in final Ra’s al Ghul tale detailing his origin in the time of the crusades.

Batman is determined to put an end to Ra's al Ghul's reign of terror. Not by killing him but by making it impossible for Ra's to revive himself within Lazarus Pit. Having discovered the secret to the location of each pit, Batman has been repeatedly foiling any attempts to create new pits. In response to this, Tailia sets out to prepare the final pit personally where she confronts Batman and the former lovers begin to discuss Ra’s Al Ghul and how he came to be hundreds of years ago. A key component in of most of the Ra’s Al Ghul stories is the Lazuras Pits, this tale does answer the questions to how and why they work and even why his name translates as Head of the Demon. The last story is the best, I thought the first story was very good, the second was good but the final story completely took me by surprise by how brilliant it was. It's more of a character driven story in the hands of the writer who created him Dennis O Neil. I was hoping when I bought this collection it would feature the famous first story arc featuring Ra’s al Ghul and Batman issue #232, but this final story pays homage to that infamous final duel that we've first scene in the aforementioned issue.This story is brilliant and was real surprise to actually how good it was. I loved the first story and thought it couldn't be topped but Birth of the Demon blows both those stories out of the water. Almost as if there was no plot, just a story of a man and how it came to be. A character driven tale unlike anything I have read before. The art is stunning too, it really fits the story. 

This spectacular story ends in a climatic showdown between the Demon and the Dark Knight. This final face is nothing more that a duel between these two long time adversaries, Ra’s no plans in place and Batman is not trying to prevent the latest evil scheme, just good old fashioned fight which lasts for several pages and is the thrilling to witness. 

Overall it is a great book featuring one of the most fascinating villains of the DC Universe. This collection offers fans a chance to get into these stories that are no longer available individually. Here the Demon trilogy in one great collection of classic stories. The book cover art is by Andy Kubert who also was the artist for the Batman and Son story. Each tale provides roughly an hour and half of reading, all the stories are different and the first two show us Ra’s al Ghul in the modern setting against Batman and the final story we learn of how he came to be before a epic face off with Batman. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and getting to get into stories of one of Batman’s infamous and mysterious villains. Ra's al Ghul will be the main antagonist in the upcoming third season of Arrow. I loved this book, the highlight for me was the final story, Birth of the Demon. Ra’s al Ghul’s origin and best story written by one of his creators Dennis O Neil. I've just stared reading Dennis O Neil and Neal Adam’s acclaimed stories that first brought relevance to comics in the 1970’s. That review will be up sometime soon after I get through the 18 issues.

Bye for now

K

New Graphic Novel reviews, Green Arrow: Road to Jericho, Batman: Zero Year-Secret City Volume 4 and Blackest Night

Hello all,

Few new book reviews, Green Arrow: Road to Jericho, Batman: Zero Year-Secret City Volume 4 and Blackest Night.

Batman Volume 4 Zero Year - Secret City

Batman Zero Year is a new take of the Batman origin. Since the New 52 relaunch DC Comics has changed, it has altered and modernized many of its heroes and villains in the DC Universe. Batman Volume 4 collects issues #21- 24, the first half of the Zero Year story arc.

Initially conceptualized as a Batman story line, that was announced in November 2013 and several titles would tie in directly to the "Zero Year" story arc. Writers of various titles in The New 52 were given the opportunity of writing a tie-in that would include their connections to Gotham City and first encounter with Batman. The Flash, Green Arrow, The Green Lantern Corps and Superman along with others in the Batman line, Batgirl, Batwing, Batwoman, Birds of Prey, Catwoman, Detective Comics, Nightwing, and Red Hood and the Outlaws all feature a tie in.

The Batman origin story has been told many times; most notably in 1987 by Frank Miller's and Dave Mazzucelli's Batman: Year One. This tale is hugely influential and that's still evident here in this modern retelling of the Batman origin story, along with the Batman Begins film of 2005 and more recently in comics the alternate origin story within Batman Earth One. Some would say the notion of redoing an origin over Miller's classic was untouchable. When I first learned that the next story arc in the New 52 Batman comics was going to re-tell the origin story, I felt unfavorable to the concept, the previous three aforementioned stories had been so well established in my mind. I loved the movie which was the reason that got me into comics and the Batman Earth One and Year One stories are two of my favorite Batman graphic novels and the latter my first graphic novel, if I didn't enjoy it I wasn't sure comics would have been for me, but I loved it hugely and continued getting into Batman books. Batman Earth One was an alternate origin told by one of my favorite and the best modern comic book writers Geoff Johns.

After Scott Snyder's and Greg Capullo's hugely successful and critically acclaimed run on Batman, the Owls saga; Court of the Owls and City of the Owls were a completely new facet and antagonist for the Batman. The idea of the city being as big a character part of the story also exists here. Then later their take on the return of Batman's arch nemesis the Joker was a brilliant story and one of the best Joker stories ever. I loved it, how could they follow it up after telling the best Joker Batman story of recent times? I became interested to see their take of the origin story of Batman. 

Starting off with Bruce Wayne as costumed Batman, taking place six months earlier in a four page prologue in a unrecognizable savage Gotham City, our story then skips back to five months earlier which see’s Bruce in a disguise in the middle of an encounter with the Red Hood gang. With a bag full of gadgets and Alfred in his earpiece providing him with information, Bruce dangerously but successfully saves the hostages from the Red Hood gang. The gang consists of wealthy Gothamites blackmailed into joining the gang by it's leader Red Hood One. You later see the frustration as Bruce's initial attempts at being a vigilante are failing, he has the skills, the methods and the gadgets, but some element is missing. Its not working. Where as Miller's Year One was a decidedly low tech Batman, Snyder’s is quite the opposite, Bruce is determined to take on the gang that is the biggest threat to Gotham. As the story progress you see that Bruce coming up short and needs to become the Batman. There are many familiar elements here that are consistent with the best known origin; young Bruce falling into the cave and the iconic moment of an injured Bruce seeing the omen of the bat and declaring "Yes Father I will become the Bat" straight from the pages of Miller's Batman Year One.

A Batman origin story is best when he takes on a non-super powered antagonist, like Carmine Falcone's and the mob in Year One. A great twist here in this tale is with the ever increasing gang of red hoods that can be anyone, anywhere. It's interesting to read throughout the story and notice the mannerisms and language of the leader of the gang, Red Hood One, it’s intriguing to see is this Red Hood, is he the man to destined to become the Joker? Is this his origin and beginning of his crime career? Before the Joker was never a factor in Batman's origin so this was a nice addition. This along with the backup stories at the end of the book showing up where Bruce got various types of training are nice bonus. Uncle Philip Kane is a new addition to history of Batman and his desire to have Bruce return to claim his place in the company, but yet his association with a certain somebody make his a suspicious individual. Jim Gordon plays less of a prominent role here as he did in previous origin stories; Year One, Earth One and Batman Begins. This first installment ends on an cliffhanger, it's likely that Batman Zero Year Dark City will feature the building of that partnership. Snyder’s earlier pre New 52 Batman: The Black Mirror was extremely reminiscent of Year One, getting to know Gordon and the bond between he and Batman. The Black Mirror is a one of the best modern Batman graphic novels and I would highly recommend you check it our, you won't be disappointed.

It doesn't go over all the same moments, a key component that is omitted is the is the shooting of the Wayne's in Crime Alley. Again, it's likely that in later issues in the next part of the arc will cover some of these important story elements. Its an intriguing to see a story that we've all been told before but in new and refreshing way. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's have already done exciting work on their Batman series. Although Batman’s Origin story is already so well known and legendary both in comic book form and live action, it is thrilling to see what these new creators would do with the already famous story. Although it may not have the same impact it’s a useful exercise in getting a new origin for a new generation. Exciting to see how these two creators would tell the origin story with their new twists and way of storytelling. Zero Year is especially praised for its unique spin on Batman’s origins, while also honoring the character’s history and spirit. 

How could you follow up the amazing Death of the Family story, that would be pretty hard to top, so taking it all back and tell a Batman story from the beginning was a stellar idea. If there is going to be a new origin for Batman it needs to be both retain familiar classic elements and well as new ones to make to stand out from the previous tales, and Batman Zero Year Dark City does just that and Snyder and Capullo were the right guys for the task. It is not a retelling of such origin stories like Batman:Year One but is a fresh take on the background of the Dark Knight.

Green Arrow Road to Jericho 

Road to Jericho is the 9th and final volume in this Green Arrow series collecting issues #66 -75 before Oliver featured in a new series with Dinah Lance titled Green Arrow/Black Canary.

What happened to Oliver Queen during the time before he became Mayor of Starling? Batman, Red Hood, Brick, Merlyn, Constatine Drakon, Deathstroke and the return of Black Canary all take place in this collection and finale. Road to Jerhico is a follow up that relies very heavily on the events of Green Arrow Crawling Through The Wreckage. The first three issues cover the events that took place preceding the events of the last volume. Oliver is again on an not so isolated island but this time he is here to improve on his training, this will only seem repetitive to the reader if they have recently read a origin story like Green Arrow Year One. The later story picks up from the last collection as Green Arrow teams up with Batman, as he comes to Starling City to track down the Red Hood.

The story opens on a wounded Oliver Queen and takes us back to fill in the blanks of the One Year Later event. Oliver, Mia and Conner are all on an island, Oliver feels the necessity to retrain himself and his partners to contend with the escalating threats they face. He has hired an assassin named Natas, the man who trained Deathstroke. These first three issues fill in the events of the year that Green Arrow was absent from Star City, as mentioned in the previous arc; Crawling Through The Wreckage. The rest of the story picks up where the last book left off. Oliver continues to deal with the crime in the Glades and as his role as Mayor. Things gets very interesting when Bruce Wayne shows up in StarCity and as Batman is on the trail of his former sidekick turned self styled vigilante the Red Hood. Writer Judd Winnick first created this character during his time writing Batman. I loved that aspect of this story, Batman Under the Red Hood is one of my favorite and one of the best animated Batman movies. The film is based on Judd Winick's Batman "Under the Hood" story arc and here you get to back to the character from Winnick's creation.The final arc follows Deathstroke and Drakon's escape from Alcatraz prison while continuing their feud with Green Arrow and these assassins are causing political difficulties for Mayor Queen.

A lot happens in this volume, from Oliver's time on the island to teaming up with Batman against the Red Hood, threats to his role as Mayor and the return of the two assassins seeking revenge against Green Arrow. The book and series ends on a high note. I liked the book the Red Hood arc was the most interesting to me and the great return of Deathstroke. Fascinating story and a great send off for this series. The book is very good full of great moments and the flashback to one year later missing events are just there to fill in the gap it serves a purpose within the story. The idea of a non powered superhero needing to retrain to be able to compete with the ever increasing threat of criminals was a worthy and thoughtful addition to the arc. I was extremely curious to what happened to Oliver during his time away along with to how is so skilled with a katana sword. Although the main draw of this volume presents itself later, the events the one year on the island was not a filler or wasted storytelling. Oliver and Dinah Lance/Black Canary are reunited and have a very personal reunion . A big part of Green Arrow is his true love Dinah Lance, and they share an intimate discussion about their love for each other, it's a pleasant change of pace for an action packed story. It is a worthy sequel to the events of Crawling Through The Wreckage so make sure and check that out first.

All in a all great book and one I was very much looking forward to with the inclusion of Batman and Red Hood featured in the for a segment of the story. Thrilling to get another face off between Green Arrow and worlds greatest assassin Deathstroke so shortly after their recent clash. It does feel like a grand finale of the series, all the stops are pulled out for this heroic showdown that has been building up to. My favorite moment of the end of the series the return of one very fan favorite arrow. The plot building in the background of recent issues of the series come into play in a grand finale. After the One Year Later events are revealed The Red Hood/Jason Todd, has come to Star City and Batman isn't far behind. The situation becomes one that will take the team of DC Comic's most recognizable vigilantes to handle. But with the likes of Brick, Merlyn, Drakon, and Deathstroke joining the fray in the aftermath, Green Arrow may have his work cut out for him. But all this action aside, the most important thing in this story is Ollie's relationships, most notably the one with long time lover, Dinah Lance/Black Canary. Great book with plenty to keep fans interested, action packed with quieter moments. Great end to a great series.

Blackest Night 

In the Blackest Night, the dead rise, the story that has been building for two years. Black Hand, a character that has been present in Green Lantern comics for some time and since Geoff Johns run has been preparing for his masters arrival for the Blackest Night. Across the Universe the dead have risen and are recruited into the Black Lantern Corps. Heroes and villains have risen for one purpose to extinguish life across the universe.This limited series collects the main story; Blackest Night issues # 0 - 8. It focuses on the events on earth and features various heroes of the Justice League while other aspects of the story being collected in Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps books. Other tie ins of the story are available, collected in other editions of the story.

The prophecy has arrived. Black rings descend and reanimate the dead, the prophecy that Hal Jordan’s predecessor Abin Sur had feared. The book gives a text introduction to what have happened before. The story begins with the main characters; Green Lantern Hal Jordan and Barry Allen/The Flash at the unmarked grave of Bruce Wayne/Batman. Barry, who has recently returned to life, is our point of view character at various points of the story including here where Hal fills him in how Batman died and what other heroes have passed away during Barry’s absence. Hal shows Barry all the heroes that have died in a double page spread using the power of his ring. So it helps the reader follow on what has transpired before this story.

Death is always something that was a big part of the DC Universe and now in the form of Nekron, the embodiment of death and leader of the Black Lantern’s poses the greatest threat to the Universe and all life. Many heroes like Superman, Green Arrow and the Flash have died and returned while others such as Arthur Curry/Aquaman and J’onn J’onzz/Martian Manhunter have been dead for some time. Earth’s heroes fend off the threat together. The dead just don’t return as mindless zombified versions but have a emotional response to those friends and colleagues they have targeted. As Barry Allen points out “Only the dead with emotional ties to people like us are rising. The rest are staying in their graves”.

Like Brad Meltzer’s Identity Crisis the story focuses on other heroes getting an opportunity to shine including Barry Allen/The Flash along with Aquaman’s wife Queen Mera, Ray Palmer/The Atom and the new Firestorm/Jason Rusch and Gehenna Hewitt. Although Hal is one the main characters in this book he is absent for a short time in the middle of the story as he must depart to fulfill his mission in order to help stop this threat on earth. His task is covered in collected edition of Green Lantern: Blackest Night. In the beginning of Part One, Hawkman and the Atom still dealing with the fallout events from the epic of Identity Crisis, this exemplifies how important of a story it is and some are referenced a few times. It is refreshing for a big event story like this where other heroes feature more prominently than the DC Trinity of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman take a back seat in this story. But unlike Identity Crisis their presence isn't felt. There is a reference to how important these heroes are and at one point The Flash informs The Atom and Queen Mera that they must stand in for Superman and Wonder Woman in the event of this current threat.

Great that the story focus on Hal and Barry, the two most recently resurrected heroes in the DC Universe, both their “Rebirth’s” were written by Geoff Johns. Hal and Barry have both recently returned from the dead and with their former team mates so far being denied the same privilege. Aquaman, J’ohn J’onzz and others possibly harboring some resentment towards the duo.The Blackest Night has been two years in waiting, sometime big event comics don’t live up to the hype, lose their grasp or going off-road with story quality declining halfway. This does not, each chapter gets better and better while the quality of storytelling remains consistent and has the threat ever increasing going from bad to worse for our heroes. It’s a thrilling story full of amazing, shocking and one particularly very sad moment.The art is stunning, Ivan Reis who has previously worked on Green Lantern comics does some gruesome artwork and great double page spreads and some great crowd scenes. I'm now a new fan of his since his work on New 52 Justice League. I appreciated how the dead see the emotional spectrum aura of their victims and how it changes depending on their emotional state.

The story is filled with some great fanboy moments including one that was so big that was spoiled by DC Universe Classics Wave 17 action figures here. There are some revelations to change that mythos and what we thought we knew according to one of the Guardians of Universe. As within the Sinestro Corps War it was revealed that Oa was not the center of the universe, instead earth is and this story shines some light on to the reason why. As a Green Lantern, Hal Jordan has faced his two biggest challenges, The Sinestro Corps War and The Blackest Night, fear and death, both things Hal has overcome before and now with the Blackest Night he must face and defeat death once more. This is a big story that is open to analysis and interpretations. It is one of the biggest event stories in comics, it also feels like it would make a great movie, it action packed on a large scale. It was a momentous and epic story.The miniseries event from DC Comics does double-duty both as a line-wide DC crossover and another chapter in writer Geoff Johns's ongoing Green Lantern series that has both engaging with emotional depth.

That is it for now. Check back for more soon, including Flash: Rebirth, Batman: Birth of the Demon and Green Lantern/ Green Arrow collection.

K

Batman: Assault on Arkham Review

Batman: Assault on Arkham is a 2014 direct-to-video animated superhero film that is part of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The hook of Assault on Arkham comes in its presentation. It’s a true heist film, full of schemes and subterfuge, plans within plans that's unlike anything that has come before it. It is not based on any graphic novel or comic series like previous DC animated movies.
The film is set in the universe of the Batman Arkham video game franchise and the story focuses primarily on the Task Force X better known as the Suicide Squad, consisting of villains Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Black Spider, Captain Boomerang, Killer Frost and King Shark while Batman features in a supporting role.

In the film the Suicide Squad is dispatched by a secret government agency to break into Arkham Asylum to complete their mission assigned to them by Amanda Waller. The task force attempt to complete their mission and must contend with breaking into the high security asylum and later Batman in order to recover a data drive stored in the Riddler's cane which is stored in the asylum.

After the hard hitting opening action scene of Batman taking down a group of Waller's black op's squad in order to get the Riddler.The movie shifts up a gear introducing each of Task Force X's members in a stylized intro that signals that this is going to be something very different than were used to from the DC Animated Original Movies, and honestly that's a huge part of the enjoyment of this movie. It's a kick ass great story and something so different from before. The action, the well plotted stories, a great voice cast are always consistent with the quality of the DC animated movies. But on this occasion the tone, the humour and villainous protagonists leading the movie makes this one the best in DC direct to video animated movies.

DC Universe Animated Original Movies are direct-to-video films are aimed at a more adult audience. They feature some mild language, bloody violence and other adult themes, showing the same kind of mature-rated print and viewing from modern-day DC Comics graphic novels and comics. The first of this film series Superman: Doomsday had been released in 2007 and the line up follow with various movies featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern Lantern and the Justice League. DC Universe Original Animated Movies most recent release, Son of Batman, (loosely based on Grant Morrison's story arc) was just okay, and I wasn't overall impressed with it. In my opinion the best film of the series has always been Batman: Under The Red Hood released in 2010 and has yet to be topped let alone matched. This Suicide Squad movie is so much fun and comes extremely close but whilst being a different beast altogether.

Due to its villainous protagonists and dark comedy making Batman: Assault on Arkham a successful experiment making it DC Comic's third small screen iteration of a Suicide Squad led story after both the Arrow TV series Season 2 episode "Suicide Squad" and "Task Force X" episode of Justice League Unlimited. Maybe DC testing the water to someday getting live action movie on the big screen sometime in the future. A great source of laughs is Harley Quinn with a ton of physical humour and a pitch-perfect voice performance from Hynden Walch, which was so important because she unlike her team mates that first appeared in the Batman Animated Series rather than in pages of DC Comics. 

Assault on Arkham is the 21st release in the series and takes place in the universe of the Batman Arkham video game series, a spin off the the franchise. Here Batman's appearance is based on how he appears in the early games of the series. The movie is a kind of spin off the the games but with no real connection to the video game series other that the appearances, which is a real treat along with some neat references, connections, and easter eggs. Plus, it’s just cool to see the video game designs of characters like Bane and Poison Ivy pop up in an animated feature. Another treat is unlike previous animated Batman movies it features references to previous live action versions of the Batman including two scenes reminiscent of Tim Burton's 1992 Batman Returns. There’s quite a bit of mature content in this movie, more so that any of the previous DC Original Animated Movies. Fortunately, none of it comes off as too forced or gratuitous - something to be grateful for after the amount of carnage in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox.

This movie defies expectations by basing the story on the flawed but intriguing members of the Suicide Squad instead of Batman. Their fun interactions and clashing character dynamics keep the energy levels high so you won’t even notice that Batman’s appearances are being saved only for special occasions. The mature content is handled well, infusing the heist elements with real stakes. This is still a refreshingly different kind of DC animated feature worth checking out.

The action, art-style, humor, voices, and characters make it one of the best films of DC's direct-to-video lineup. A heist film, that doesn't have no real plot arc to speak of instead relies on its violent action and clever character dynamics within the Suicide Squad to carry it. Batman: Assault on Arkham is unlike any other film from the animated films of DC movies and that's one of best things about it.

Hopefully you will enjoy Batman: Assault on Arkham as much as I have.
Later

K

Book Reviews: Green Arrow, Green Lantern and Daredevil

Hey guys,

Here are some new reviews of my recent Graphic Novels that I have read over the last month or so. Hope you enjoy them

Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters
This highly acclaimed Green Arrow story from writer and artist Mike Grell, who is currently is on art duties for the comic series Arrow based on the hit TV series. This three issue mini series see’s Oliver Queen and his partner Dinah Lance/Black Canary relocate to Seattle. Green Arrow is the urban hunter patrolling the streets, back alleys of crime ridden Seattle. He soon comes on the case of a serial killer and Dinah goes on her own investigation into the city’s drug lords. Ollie also learns that he is not the only archer on the hunt. This is a great, gritty and dark realistic approach to a superhero story. Suggested for mature readers it’s easily one the bloodiest and most violent stories since Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns both released in the 1980’s.

I admired how near the beginning in issue one where he recalls past events, his time on the island, becoming The Green Arrow, losing his fortune and that infamous moment from the Green Lantern and Green Arrow series from the 70’s series depicting Oliver discovery of Roy being a heroine addict. 

The plot which starts as Oliver tracking down the serial killer leads that to a much bigger threat and the meeting of the mysterious archer. The story plays out like a good thriller while keeping you intrigued to the very end to learn of the connection to everything that is in play. And as I said before one the most violent stories I've read. The art and layout is great. It’s a unique opportunity for a writer and artist to fully express their vision. Even though it is a three issue mini series that sounds short but the each issue is double the length as a standard comic book issue, so it's just as long as a six issue series. As far as I can tell it is the first appearance of Eddie Fryers and Shado, two prominent figures of Oliver’s time on the island in the Arrow TV series first season.

After the success of The Dark Knight Returns, DC decided to create another mature themed series. Led by Mike Grell, The Longbow Hunters gave us a darker, harder Green Arrow ridding himself of his trick arrows and donning a new more antiquated costume. Grell even insisted on never calling the hero "Green Arrow" within the actual pages of the comic, a similar trait to the TV series. The mature plot and great illustrations re-launched Green Arrow making him accessible to adult graphic novel readers. The success of this series would lead the Emerald Archer into his next  Green Arrow comic book series in 1988, that ran for 11 years, gaining a surge of new fans.

Green Arrow: Hunters Moon

This volume collects the first six issues of Mike Grell’s Green Arrow series, taking place after the events of groundbreaking graphic novel - The Longbow Hunters, these are dark and gritty realistic stories. Oliver and Dinah are dealing with the events directly after the Longbow Hunters and throughout the stories and have the same mature tone and plot for mature readers. In these cult favorite stories from the 1980's Green Arrow hunts down a child killer, races to find a lost biological weapon before Chinese spies can find it and tackles a rash of violence against gays. These stories help re-position Green Arrow as an inner city crusader for justice who deals not only with super-villains but also with street level crime. The first volume of the new trade editions of the original Green Arrow run reprints Issues #1-6, including the arcs “Hunters Moon,” where Oliver hunts down a child killer and Dinah wrestles her assault by a psychopath following the events in Longbow Hunters, “Champions,” where Oliver is hired to hunt down a weapon that could destroy the world and Dinah finally comes to terms with her assault, and “Gauntlet,” where the duo try to help a kid on the streets escape the clutches of a local gang leader. 

Mike Grell  helped reinvent Green Arrow into the dark gritty crime fighter that fans best know from the Arrow TV series. If you enjoyed the Longbow Hunters this would be worth checking out. It provides Oliver with new challenges, but he and Dinah still deal with the outcome of traumatic experiences from its predecessor. Great set of dark and realistic 80’s Green Arrow stories.

Green Arrow: The Archer’s Quest

In 1995 Oliver Queen had died in Green Arrow #101, since then his son Connor Hawke has taken up the mantle of Green Arrow until the series cancellation after issue #137. Then in 2000 Kevin Smith had brought Oliver Queen back to much acclaim. Artist Phil Hester featured on art duties for Kevin Smith's run and continues here on the third arc of the series. Thriller novelist Brad Meltzer made his comic book debut with this Green Arrow tale of Oliver seeking out his personal affects, some of which that may lead to the exposure of his secret identity.

The Archer's Quest continues the theme that was the foundation of Meltzer's Identity Crisis, he explores to the human side of superheroes. Oliver seeks to reclaim personal items in order to protect his loved ones safe from harm should identity made public. Oliver seeks to avoid that situation that Barry Allen/The Flash's loved ones were put following the death of the speedster.This is how Meltzer see these heroes as real people with families. The theme of Identity Crisis was all about when the loved ones of heroes were being targeted by an unknown assailant and it is a risk that every costumed hero takes. Oliver goes on a trip for his personal items and like his infamous road trip he's joined by a colleague; his ward and former partner Roy Harper now know as Arsenal.

You don't feel like you're missing too much if you haven't read the previous two story arcs in the series. There is no required reading, this is a good self contained story and a good place to start as it feels like a road trip down memory lane as Oliver seeks out meaningful items from his past. I really enjoyed this book that was a great idea for a story. I like how it reminiscent of Oliver's earliest and best known stories by Neal Adams and Denny O Neil's hard travelling heroes where he and Hal Jordan went on a road trip of their own in the 70's. It's a great story, giving an insight into the history of Green Arrow. I'm a new reader to the character, this being my third book and the first modern story. I will be getting into the legendary tales of Hal and Ollie's road trip adventures that'll help bring more meaning to this story. The story has some sweet and heartfelt moments which was surprising but matched the story well. Oliver's quest is not the kind of story that leaves you on a massive cliffhanger, it's simply a brilliant self-contained story that you don't need a huge amount of Green Arrow knowledge to enjoy it. An overall great story that is a very enjoyable read that's fun, lighthearted and sweet in parts, but it in final pages contain a shocking revelation.

A fantastic debut for thriller novelist Brad Meltzer. I'd highly recommend this great, character driven story that's one of the definite highlights of the Green Arrow graphic novels I've read. I was confident that this was going to be a standout read as I thought Brad Meltzer's Identity Crisis tale was an exceptional story. One the best Green Arrow stories and one of my early favorites. Fantastic. 

Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War 

Earth's Green Lanterns; Hal Jordan, Kyle Rayner, John Stewart and Guy Gardner and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps must fight an interstellar war against the Sinestro Corps, an army led by the former Green Lantern Sinestro. Armed with yellow power rings and seeking a universe ruled through fear. The epic story is told back and forth between issues of Green Lantern 21-25 and Green Lantern Corps 14-19. The arc is great and is referred to as the second big epic in the trilogy of Green Lantern stories, starting with Rebirth, The Sinestro Corps War and finally The Blackest Night. 

Previously collected in two separate volumes but now available in a trade paperback collecting the 12 issues of the story. The story kicks off with a brilliant double length feature Green Lantern Sinestro Corps Special#1 which see’s the return of Sinestro since he last escaped Green Lantern’s Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner near the climax of the Green Lantern Rebirth series. This story is all out war, action fills every issue as Sinestro creates his own corps to rival the Green Lantern’s to bring order to the universe but seeks to do so under his totalitarian control with his corps including The Anti-Monitor, Cyborg Superman, Superman Prime and the return of Parallax the living entity of fear that once possessed Hal Jordan. 

This is the fourth Green Lantern book I've read and as a general fan of Green Lantern it’s great to get a story with Hal Jordan’s former mentor as the main antagonist. As a casual reader it was easy to follow. I was mostly interested in the Green Lantern issues that were the best parts of the story featuring; the four human Lantern’s that we best got to know from Geoff Johns previous Green Lantern epic, Rebirth. I particularly enjoyed the Green Lantern issues. The Corps issues followed Kilowog, Sodam Yat and other members in side line events that ran along side the main story. It was a great read that I enjoyed thoroughly filled with some great moments and changes to the Green Lantern mythos. It’s a brilliant story full of amazing moments and great art of double page spreads. The ending served up some details and a minor tease in anticipation of its next epic tale; The Blackest Knight.

Green Arrow: Crawling Through The Wreckage

I was really looking forward to this volume, out of all the Green Arrow graphic novels I had intended to purchase this one had similar influences to the Arrow TV series. Crawling Through The Wreckage is a One Year Later story in which all titles in the DC Universe jumped forward one year in the wake of the large scale event known as Infinite Crisis.

Oliver Queen finds himself in the unlikely role of Star City's mayor. How Oliver Queen made the transition from super-hero to politician doesn't be revealed initially. In the wake of a disaster in one of Star City's underdeveloped districts known as The Glades and since said disaster Green Arrow has not been seen since, evocative of Season 2 of the hit TV series Arrow. 

Oliver, having once again amassed a large personal fortune is the newly elected mayor of Star City. He continues his fight for justice both on the streets and within the political system. He also has a new costume, which appears to be a combination of the classic Neal Adams look and the Mike Grell The Longbow Hunters costume. The new Mayor proves unpopular with some of the corrupt city’s corrupt investors, that hope to cash in on the disaster, prompting their order of an assassination on the Major. The world's greatest assassin; Deathstroke is accepts the contract to take out the Mayor ending their rivalry that started within the events of Identity Crisis. Their face off is the high point of the story and has a few surprises. Ollie is doing what he does best playing both sides as the new Mayor of Star City by day and the Emerald Archer by night, but all his efforts aren't appreciated by some other parties. The story is great and full of great moments and is quick read. One of the reasons for the One Year Later was to allow a fresh start of many of its titles allowing a starting point for new readers. I am looking forward to reading the next volume which answers some questions from the past year.

Daredevil Volume 5

Mark Waid’s Daredevil run has gotten better and better. Each issue is brilliant, this is the fifth volume of his series and collects issues 22 -27 of his highly acclaimed run. Chis Samnee’s art is great and really sets the tone for this new take on the Man Without Fear. This tale is about a more somber moment in Matt Murdock’s life as he receives sad news about one of his closet friends and a much loved character. At this difficult time in Matt's life, the villain behind Daredevil's recent problems is revealed along with the creation of a new one that we will hopefully get to see more of. One of the biggest talking points in the Marvel Universe of recent is featured in this story in its earliest stage; The Superior Spider-man. Doc Ock has taken over Peter Parkers body and is determined to be a better Spider-man. It’s fantastic that one of Marvels most popular events has crossed over into Daredevil series. It was teased in the last issue in the previous volume. Overall the entire book is great, action packed and fun mystery drama series by one of my favorite comic book writers. The series now in its second year has maintained the momentum and high standards of the previous books and I always look forward to the next. It is one of the best series of comics today. 

Bye for now

K