Daredevil Volume 6 Review

Daredevil Volume 6 is the penultimate collection of Mark Waid's Daredevil series. Matt struggles to keep his law firm afloat while his best friend and partner Foggy Nelson undergoes treatment, a new case reopens a chapter from Matt 's past - pitting Daredevil against a conspiracy that grips the highest levels of law and order in New York City. Plus: Daredevil team-ups with Silver Surfer and the Indestructible Hulk. Collects Daredevil #28-30 and Indestructible Hulk #9-10 by Mark Waid with art by Chris Samee, Javier Rodriguez and Matteo Scalera.

Under the direction of Mark Waid Daredevil has easily become one of the best in superhero comics, It's exciting, fun, and engaging. This volume sticks to shorter stories, more than likely preparing for the final story arc of the series.

Now that the mastermind behind Daredevils recent troubles has been stopped. Matt Mudock can focus more on his life, Foggy’s recovery treatment and their struggling law practice. Matt's latest client is a man he once feared in his youth and now needs his help leading to a courtroom drama that takes a dramatic turn. It all gets very thrilling and exciting as a sinister organisation that has infiltrated the courthouse, opening up a new criminal conspiracy. Then, when Matt is visited by an alien seeking asylum on earth, that is being pursued by the “Cosmic Rider of the Spaceways”. It’s no big surprise that the guest star is in stand alone tale is The Silver Surfer. Teaming up with Daredevil is a delight and a fun action story.

The third and final storyline "Blind Rage " is another team up collected from “Indestructible Hulk” #9- 10 also written by Mark Waid with artist Matteo Scalera. This Hulk series has an interesting and innovative premise. Bruce Banner has willingly joined the spy organization S.H.I.E.L.D. allowing them to use the Hulk as a weapon in exchange for providing Banner with the means and funding to create a lasting legacy for himself. Matt Murdock is Banner's attorney, as insurance that S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't double cross him. Their latest mission; stopping a cartel of high tech weapons dealers just off the bay from Hell’s Kitchen. It’s a great concept and it’s definitely has its moments of big action and destruction scenes that only the Hulk can provide. It is great story as well as an extra bonus to the collection. It's not a integral to the Daredevil series but is still worthy inclusion.

These three stories has Matt Murdock, the man, being called upon more than his crime fighting alter ego. After everything that has happened in the series so far, Matt’s personal life and law practice are at the forefront. Shorter than previous Daredevil collected editions, the short self contained stories are enjoyable while not forgetting previous plot elements as the series gets better and better in one of the finest superhero comics series being published and being one of the best comic book runs in recent years.These books are serialized storytelling rather than self-contained tales. They're part of a larger story line unfolding with every issue, becoming one of the best superhero comic book runs. It is sad to see this much loved series in its final stages. I'm highly anticipating the series finale soon in Daredevil Volume 7.

Penguin: Pain and Prejudice

Penguin: Pain and Prejudice is a 5 issue mini series written by Gregg Hurwitz and art by Szymon Kudranski that highlights Oswald Cobblepott's back story that now has him hailed as the much feared, evil and vindictive Crime Lord. He is known as one of Batman's oldest and most persistent enemies. The Penguin runs a vast crime empire that is always at the of risk faltering due to the interference of The Dark Knight. Cobblepott's Iceberg Lounge acts as a front for his criminal dealings whilst appearing as a legitimate businessman to the public.

Penguin: Pain and Prejudice is a dark, gritty and psychological tale taking you all the way back to his childhood and the abuses that turned him into the ruthless and powerful Crime Lord. It tugs at the heartstrings making young Cobblepott a figure of mockery from the earliest possible age; spurned by his father, mercilessly taunted by his older brothers and his peers. The story is crafted in such a way that the reader gains a huge amount of sympathy for young Oswald but without condoning his violent actions, as an adult  you are swiftly reminded of how cruel and evil a man he is. He has grown to overcome his tormentors becoming one of the most feared men in Gotham City, this makes the clashes with Batman so interesting as The Dark Knight is the real ruler of Gotham. The Penguin sees him as the one final bully he has yet to overcome. A novel story highlighting his past but doesn't get too confined to that approach. Mid way through the narrative moves away from the grim and brooding character portrait and proceeds to the secondary plot involving the meeting a of a young woman as a love interest, in whom would give him the one this he was looking for.

It is a dark and disturbing tale of a man who has and can get everything, but lacks the means to get the one thing that would truly make him happy: love. It explores this notion as Penguin meets a young woman name Cassandra, who is not concerned with external beauty. He quickly falls for her but there's more under the surface here making the subtext so compelling. That is the beauty of the series, it's a much deeper story than the Penguin showing off how he always get what he wants, it's why the series is such accomplishment. When he meets a and falls for Cassandra, you believe it as it's genuine. He is not using her, he shows that he is capable of love, but is dubious because his own self loathing. You feel a great swell of pity for him as he finds himself incapable of trusting his love interest. On another occasion The Penguin demonstrates he's not a complete monster. For those that show love and kindness are generously rewarded displaying a humanity, a caring side previously unseen. While others that he views as having been disrespectful or wronged him suffer a horrible fate. Doing what he feels is right based on his own experiences, the Penguin doesn't just get even with someone, he ruins their lives with a series of horrible events befalling their loved ones. It works well because we've seen the the beginning of this in his childhood, isolated by his appearance he cultivates his precocious intellect to concoct schemes to rid himself of those that jeer him. He is rightfully feared.

Batman's appearance is limited in throughout the story. When he does appear, the reader is given only brief glimpses where very little of The Dark Knight is view. As we are repeatedly shown how young Oswald Cobblepot suffered at the hands of bullies as a child, we see how he views Batman as the worst bully of them all, who even acknowledges as much in a conversation with Jim Gordon. Questioning if it is fair that the people they protect are often just as terrible as the him. A view shared by the Penguin retaining that belief that has been the definition of the character since he was child persecuted because of his appearance. Batman and Gordon's heroism is preserved in the story, rather than portraying them solely as villains from the titular villain's perspective.The art is well suited to the materiel, The Penguin's world is a cold one, the overwhelming darkness reflects the way the light has gone out of Oswald’s life. Also included in this book is Batman: Joker’s Asylum: The Penguin #1 He Who Laughs Last, it shares a similar plot and could be viewed as inspiration and expanded into the five issue mini series.

One of my favorite Batman stories is Year One and The Long Halloween, stories that utilized mobsters and crime bosses such as Carmine "The Roman"Falcone. The Penguin is Gotham's current crime boss. It is a great story and the also gives fans of the Gotham TV series a better understanding and background of the one of the show's main antagonists. Pain and Prejudice gives us a new origin for The Penguin, the only back story I was familiar with was that of Tim Burton's Batman Returns, the climatic ending of the story is very and reminiscent of the movie.

It's not just a story that gives you a better understanding of a villain so evil and cruel but allows them to empathize with in a character driven story, seeing his point of view. It has similarities to Alan Moore's and Brian Boland's classic Batman: The Killing Joke. Building on DC Comics trend of villains in the main role in their own graphic novels and mini series.

The New 52 universe's examination of the character exhibits that the Penguin is rightly feared crime lord. It's dark, menacing, unsettling at times but more importantly fascinating. He is capable to kindness in rare circumstances as this story examines his pain and his prejudices. We see how young Oswald Cobblepot has went from being his mother’s good boy to the leader of underworld gangs and adversary of the Batman. Penguin: Pain and Prejudice is a thrilling and emphatic story of one of Batman's most memorable villains that can highly be considered as a definitive Penguin story.

Thanks for reading and more to come,

K

Back to business !

Hello all,

I hope you had a fantastic Christmas and a wonderful New Year. 

Having not done a blog post and review in over a month. I'm glad to get back into my corner of the internet to share my reviews, opinions on comic book graphic novel and collectors items.

So on the lead up to Christmas I hadn't bought any books for myself but now that its all over I've got a few new ones and a exciting new collectors figure to post about. The only books I had purchased over the last month were Ultimate Spider-man for my kid brother and a few Wonder Woman books for my amazing girlfriend.

I'm looking forward to getting into my new books and sharing my review of them, First up will be New 52's Penguin:Pain and Prejudice followed by Shazam Vol. 1, Batman - Zero Year: Dark City and Daredevil Vol.6

More to come  and see you soon

K

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