Green Lantern Volume 3 The End Review

With the Guardians of the Universe having unleased their Third Army like a plague across the cosmos, two of the greatest lanterns Hal Jordan and Sinestro have disappeared. Their power ring has gone in search of a new recruit, the wrongly accused Simon Baz. This newcomer has joined the Corps in a time of great turmoil. He seeks to clear his own name and discovers was happened to the ring’s former wielders Hal and Sinestro as the Third Army rages across the galaxy. The third and final volume by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke in their 2011 Green Lantern series, collects Green Lantern #0 and 13-20.

The Green Lantern series is hands down one of the best DC comics series in publication, in 2005 writer Geoff Johns launched the series, having resurrected fan favourite and most popular Green Lantern Corps members Hal Jordan, making him once again the greatest Green Lantern and turning the series into the epic space opera it is today.

Rise of the Third Army is crossover event across several Green Lantern related titles. The collection opens with issue #0 “The New Normal” released after Green Lantern Annual #1 in which the epilogue of the story depicts the beginning of the Third Army. Issue #0 tells the origin of latest lantern recruit Simon Baz, growing up he faced much percussion after the events of 9-11 due to this ethnicity. In his adult years he lost his job during the financial crisis and later got involved with street racing and car theft. One night he had stolen a van which he soon discovered was carrying a bomb, he drove to van to an abandoned location to avoid civilian casualties. His heroic deed was short lived as Simon was taken in by the FBI as a terrorist suspect. While most of the other zero issues are serving to reflect on the past of its titular characters, Green Lantern #0 is instead looked to the future. Introducing fans to the mysterious new Green Lantern of earth in a modern socio-political climate. He becomes the latest recruit of the ring, inadvertently escaping imprisonment much to the attention of the Government and Justice League. On the run and wanting to clear his name and find those responsible, it’s a modern political thriller told within within the pages of a comic about a cosmic police force becomes an engrossing thriller. It makes for a great and diverse story arc. The zombie like plague continues without much interference to Simon Baz’s own story,all the while getting a little teases at a time to the fate of missing Sinestro and Hal Jordan, somehow having survived their ordeal since we saw them last. With the conclusion of the first story arc, the Simon Baz story makes for a refreshing and fantastic debut story that’s intense, compelling and at times emotive and funny. 

The second arc of the book and crossover event; Wrath of the First Lantern, with the Guardians misplaying their hand, the mysterious entity has escaped his prison and wishes to rewrite the history of the Universe. While the story to this point has had its newest Green Lantern as the lead, the mystery of Hal Jordan and Sinestro is about to be uncovered since their disappearance at the end of Green Lantern Volume 2 Revenge of Black Hand, they retake the spotlight as the main characters for this final chapter of John’s Green Lantern story. Issue #20 marks the conclusion of the arc and as well as the final issue of the series writer Geoff Johns nine year run on the title. The 64 page special final issue packs a lot for this big story making it a thrilling and epic, a satisfying end to his Green Lantern saga. An instant classic, bringing his whole run full circle with epic moments. The finale of his run is one of the best comics you will ever read, it embodies so much that made John’s run so memorable, acting as a love letter to long-time fans of the series. 

One of the most exciting aspects of this final issue is how it’s presented, the framing device of the Bookkeeper of Oa telling the story to of Hal Jordan a young new recruit. Chronicling Jordan’s time as a member of the Green Lantern Corps before the story returns to the main narrative. This look back reminds us of the stellar nine year run of John’s time on the title. A lot happens in this final issue with the current conflict with some surprises and ends in a fantastic way. When most creative teams pass the torch on a series they set up a tease for the new team to take on, Johns end his differently and in a vastly more satisfying way. Rarely in comic series do we get a definitive ending, but it feels right since this writer has had such immense run on Green Lantern creating many new characters for the mythos. He gives each of main characters an eventual fate and it’s great to see and gives the title that necessary to allow the book to end with a special quality. With all corps of the emotional spectrum on the front line for the final battle, the reader’s emotions are very much at the forefront of this amazing and unforgettable story. The final issue is one part final battle against the First Lantern while the latter gives the series its big finale send off to an epic series. The collection includes a special retrospective on Geoff Johns’ run on Green Lantern, it all gives for a strong sense of closure to Johns’ epic saga.

Sinestro’s complicated backstory is put to good use and there are solid character moments for both he and Hal in the amazing final issue as the story reaches its conclusion. Johns’ run on Green Lantern was as much about Hal Jordan as it is about his arch nemesis, Sinestro. Their relationship became more fascinating in it’s the final chapter. During the events of the story the two understood each other like never before that produces a very poignant moment as a perfect endnote to one of the most complex relationships between the hero and a villain in comics.

Artist Doug Mahnke carries out brilliant art throughout the book. His costume design of Green Lantern Simon Baz has a real standout quality to it. The excellent art carries throughout the story with many excellent moments. Early on I particularly liked the scenes in where Simon Baz’s ring erupts with energy as Sinestro and Hal Jordan’s message tries to free itself form the ring. The imagery of their heads wrapped around heads is amazing. Mahnke does solid work in the book while artists Ardian Syaf and Szymon Kudranski take over for two issues with the latter doing a great segment in the dark of the Dead Zone. His dark monochromatic art style is fantastic and if you’ve read Penguin Pain and Prejudice you’ll know what I mean. Overall the art is excellent with a few guest artists on the special finale issue.

I was initially concerned with that the collection featured two crossover stories that can make for an incomplete story. Thankfully there was only one instance where that was felt and it was minor so it doesn’t affect the enjoyment of the stories. For a book consisting of two crossovers, very little is missed. The final run by John’s is excellent is what long-time fans of his series would be extremely happy with. The introduction of a new Green Lantern whilst tying up and bring a conclusion to many elements of his amazing nine year tenure on this revolutionary series. All great things come to an end and the finale of this series is a great conclusion that could have been hoped for, an epic hit. After nearly a decade, Geoff Johns bids farewell to the character and concept he redefined for a new generation, creating one of the definitive superhero sagas of this era. 

The End is an apt title for the collection, providing a conclusion to nine years’ worth of storytelling and redefining Green Lantern for this decade. Johns’ final chapter created the newest human recruit and while giving a satisfying end to all of the major characters that existed in his Green Lantern universe. The series still continues with a new creative team, although what Johns gave us seemed like a series finale of the series that he redefined for years to come. Johns ends his Green Lantern masterpiece with a stellar blockbuster. Amazing, after a nine year run, comprising over one hundred issues, he had taken a somewhat cheesy character and turned it into one of the most consistently thrilling, compelling and outright enjoyable heroes in comics. He made Hal Jordan one of the greatest heroes in comics and along the way writer Geoff Johns became a hero to all Green Lantern and comic book fans.

Green Lantern Volume 2 The Revenge of Black Hand Review

The second volume of Geoff John’s New 52 Green Lantern series picks up exactly where the first volume left off. Sinestro has arrived on Hal Jordan’s doorstep after learning of a prophecy that will mean the end for the Green Lantern Corps and it will be the doing of their makers, the Guardians of the Universe. The former adversaries turned allies Hal Jordan and Sinestro discover that Black Hand, the villain behind the Blackest Night is found and is part of the Indigo Tribe, adding more mystery to that of many of the Indigo Tribe. Collects Green Lantern #7 – 12 and Green Lantern Annual #1 with art by Douge Mahnke, Ethan Van Sciver and others.

Picking up where the last one ended Sinestro envisions a prophecy of the Green Lanterns at the hands of the Guardians and its connection to the Indigo Tribe. Sinestro interrupts a reluctant Hal Jordan and during their confrontation the wielders of the indigo light appears, abducting the two and forcibly induct Sinestro into a member of their tribe.

This was one exciting read, the story features the villain Black Hand, the herald of Nekron during the events of 2009 event; the Blackest Night. In the epic , Black Hand resurrects an army of the dead as Black Lanterns. The story also marked one of the first major appearance of the Indigo Tribe and their leader known as Indigo-1. The story concluded with their disappearance along with Black Hand, taken prisoner on their home world. He seems to have been rehabilitated under the influence of the Indigo ring.

The collection covers two story arcs; the Secret of the Indigo Tribe and Revenge of Black Hand, this story arc about his return home and mission to resurrect the as many as the dead as he can with the underlying subplot throughout the book is of the Guardians preparing for their newest plan to replace their Green Lantern Corps, setting the stage for another amazing Green Lantern story, Rise of the Third Army. It’s a very thrilling read concerning two great characters once again on the same side; Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and Sinestro. It’s a great story with some fantastic visuals, with his power ring having limited functionality Hal Jordan must create other ways to get around as he can’t fly. This gives artist Doug Mahnke to be very creative for transport for Hal around the jungle of the home world of the Indigo Tribe giving way for few great moments. The story acknowledges the past Green Lantern stories, the formation and mission of the Indigo Tribe is very much tied to Abin Sur, the predecessor to Hal Jordan, the end fight between Hal, Sinertro and Black Hand is very reminiscent of the first time the trio first crossed paths in a graveyard in the revised back story Green Lantern Secret Origin. As you settle down to read prepare to read the final issue Green Lantern Annual #1 the dripping blood style Green Lantern logo, similar to the style of the Death of Superman story, lets you know that this 48 page special was going to be something else and it was. Ethan Van Sciver returns to Green Lantern, the hero he helped relaunch with Geoff Johns in their Rebirth miniseries that saw the return of Hal Jordan and launched a new Green Lantern series in 2005. It's fitting to have the artist back in the brilliant annual issue that sets the stage for the next big event in the Green Lantern universe.

The second volume of the amazing Green Lantern series is on track to setting up one big event and cross over, where the eradication of the Green Lantern Corps is at hand, but unlike other threats of before their extermination will be undertaken by their makers, the Guardians of the Universe, setting the stage for a soon to be epic; Rise of the Third Army. Longtime readers are rewarded with the origins of the Indigo Tribe, the ever-mysterious Corps were the only group not to have a back story since the Blackest Night, and it’s a creepy and eerie story.The tale makes use of prophecy scenes on page that Johns is famous for, creating a level of excitement for fans for what’s to come.

Green Lantern Volume 2 The Revenge of Black Hand is brilliant and better than the first, not to say the Sinestro Volume 1 arc was bad it was just a smaller scale story after the events of the War of the Green Lanterns arc that preceded it. The previous story had the reader guessing what Sinestro was up to or if we could fully trust him. That trail of thought leaves the reader in this story, the Sinestro arc was a more personal story as he attempts to free his home world from his own evil Sinestro Corps. This story sheds a little more light on his past and becomes more of anti-hero. Hal Jordan fans will be happier that the hero has more of active role in this epic that the earlier volume. After eight years and over 80 issues of Green Lantern Geoff Johns still provides fantastic stories in the series that shows no signs of dipping in quality or substance. Johns building to another fantastic story, revealing the origins and shedding more light on the formation of the mysterious Indigo Tribe while bringing the villain Black Hand back for another story before building to a shocking and eventful conclusion that builds the level of anticipation for the third volume in the series; Green Lantern Volume 3 The End.

My Collection: DC Universe Classics Wave 20 Green Lantern All Star Action Figure Review.

When I first saw this figure a few years ago I thought it was really cool. At the time I wasn’t a big Green Lantern but in the last two years I become more and more a Hal Jordan fan. It was Justice League books that I had gotten me more and more interested in Hal Jordan as a Green Lantern, especially the New 52 Justice League series. Hal Jordan is one to the most important characters in the DC Universe. Possibly like most people I was introduced to the Green Lanterns thorough the Justice League animated series. In the series John Stewart was earth’s Green Lantern. The stern straight laced militaristic Stewart did not instantly appeal to me. It wasn’t until I was first discovered Hal Jordan in the DC Animated Original Movie - Green Lantern: First Flight and later animated movies where I became more liking of the character. I really enjoyed the 2011 live action movie which I thought was great fun and gave another great introduction of the character and his universe. I hugely enjoyed the complex and the complex and dynamic relationship with Thaal Sinestro and along with the animated series which was great also, I felt like I got to know enough about the character and his surroundings to get into the books. 

Hal Jordan as Green Lantern became a growing favorite and his characterization in Geoff John's New 52 Justice League series really won me over and I began getting into the best of the pre-New 52 Green Lantern graphic novels from the 2005 series also by Johns. His departure from the team in the Villain’s Journey story arc and the how big a role the character played in Justice graphic novel by Jim Kruger and Alex Ross really influenced me to start getting into his books. Starting with Green Lantern:Secret Origin, the updated origin story which covered familiar ground and later got into John’s big Green Lantern trilogy; Rebirth, The Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night miniseries. I'm currently reading and enjoying the continuation of Geoff John's run on Green Lantern of as part of the New 52.

Hal Jordan made his comic book debut in Showcase #22 October 1959. This new Silver Age Green Lantern was created by John Broome and Gil Kane in a revamp of characters away from the magic and supernatural based stories of the Golden Age and replaced them with the science fiction based superhero stories.The Green Lantern of the Golden Age whose powers were derived from magic was named Alan Scott. Hal Jordan was the first human inducted into the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force. This new Green Lantern along with along with re-imagining of other DC heroes such as the Atom, the Flash and Hawkman marked the beginning of the Silver Age of DC Comics.

While training in a flight simulator, test pilot Hal Jordan was suddenly transported to the crash site of an alien spacecraft. The injured pilot named Abin Sur - Green Lantern of Sector 2814 passed on to Jordan his green power ring. Hal Jordan was chosen by the ring to become a member of the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force. The ring allowed him to make real anything that he could imagine, one of the most powerful weapons in the Universe. Hal Jordan is the most well-known Green Lantern and was the first earth man ever inducted into the Green Lantern Corps and has been heralded as possibly the greatest Green Lantern of all time. He fights evil across the Universe with a ring that grants him a variety of extraordinary powers. Hal is also a founding member of the Justice League of America. Hal’s been through some pretty dark times. He’s responsible for nearly decimating the entire Green Lantern Corps while possessed by Parallax, the evil yellow entity of fear. But since that event - and the subsequent redemption attempt during Final Night story line where he died trying to save Earth. Hal was later revived in the stellar 2005 miniseries Green Lantern: Rebirth by Geoff Johns making him a Green Lantern once more, representing the model Green Lantern and one of the greatest heroes in the DC Universe.

Green Lantern Hal Jordan has been released several times in Mattel's DC Universe Classics. As the most popular Green Lantern Hal Jordan first appeared in Wave 3 of the line several times since with various differences all with the stand 21 points of articulation. This final release comes in standard package design for the series since Wave 16. This All Star figure was included as part of Wave 20 of the action figure line. All Star are a series of figure of DC’s most popular characters re-released sometimes with new paint deco for the purchasing by newer collectors. All Star figures does not include collect and connect piece. The Green Lantern is the final Green Lantern by Mattel's DC Universe Classics.


To me this is the best DC Universe Classics Green Lantern figure available, and there has been quite a few. The new shiny metallic Green Lantern figure is great, the paint job speaks for itself. It’s a modern rendition of the same Wave 3 sculpt that was released in 2007 that featured his classic and best know look but now this 2012 release feature an improved figure featuring the modern look of Hal Jordan as Green Lantern. The new look is ditches the small over shorts look thus begins the iteration of the modern Green Lantern look, the green parts of the costume stops pointed above the waist, the look that Hal Jordan has wore since his return in the Rebirth story arc and is still retained this look since the New 52 reboot whereas most of the characters has their costumes had changed and updated. The change is style to his costume and the metallic paint application helps the costume looks more modernized. As well as making the costume appear like it is energy based uniform that would be part on an intergalactic police force. It is the only Green Lantern action figure to be given the metallic paint brings a new shade of green, The first and only of DC Universe Classics Green Lantern figures to get this metallic paint job. Green Lantern is such a big part of the DC Universe that it has its own sub line of figures as part of DC Universe Classics.


Hal Jordan has been released many times in Mattel's series of figures, having more repaints and re-releases than Batman. The character appeared several times as a Green Lantern as well as Yellow, Black and White Lantern action figures. This marks sixth figure release of Hal Jordan as Green Lantern. The initial five releases were the original Wave 3 release the classic look, first appearance with black shoulders that featured a two pack with his predecessor Abin Sur, 90’s Hal Jordan with grey sideburns that appeared in the Green Lantern’s Light 5 pack. Then came the metallic paint variations of the figure. First was the classic look with the metallic green, old fashioned logo and added pupils released in the Hal Jordan VS Sinestro two pack.

The first modern rendition of the figure was released in the Toys R Us exclusive 75 years of Super Powers All Stars release. The figure had the same look but had the metallic green paint only, the rest of the figure had the standard matt black and white along with a pale reddish brown hair colour which didn’t look right. This Wave 20 All-Stars version fixes that snafu and restores the darkness to Hal’s hair, making this figure complete and totally recognizable as the Hal Jordan. This new figure features all over new paint deco, the metallic green and the new glossy black and white that gives the gloves a peralised appearance. The one thing that the previous that figure release did have going for it was that included a lantern accessory. 


In my opinion the best Green lantern figure, this latest release is the best of the lot. The main selling-point of this Green Lantern figure is its shiny metallic paint job and luckily, the paint job turns out to be pretty spectacular. The green used is a nice reflective deep green metallic paint that makes Hal really shines as a cosmic action figure. Exceptionally neatly painted and the logo is clean and crisp on the figure. Photos don’t do the figure justice, it’s a real standout figure. The body is the basic figure mold that has been used on countless figures since but the detailing and focus is that paint job, it adds the necessary layer of depth to what would be otherwise a plain figure. It is what we’ve seen before but better, it looks stunning and is unlike any of the other DC Universe Classics collectors action figures I own.

It's a fitting end for the last of Mattel figure I will more than likely add to my collection. It's an excellent figure and representation of Hal Jordan who is on to the most important characters in the DC Universe. I never thought I would have wanted a Green Lantern figure until I seen this one a over a year ago. Initially I wasn’t a Green Lantern fan at the time but I really appreciated how distinctive this figure was. The more I got into DC comics graphic novels and became more of a fan of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps. All of the books I’ve read have been by one of the best and modern writers in comics Geoff Johns this brilliant writer who's always able to convey the best qualities in superhero comics and his highly acclaimed nine year run that was one of the main reasons I was such a big fan of Green Lantern Hal Jordan. 

I got this last Mattel DC Universe Classics figure at a great price when I was becoming a bigger fan of Hal Jordan. The final Green Lantern before Mattel DC Universe Classics called in a day in 2014. When I first got into comics, heroes like Batman and Daredevil appealed to me most, the gritty and realistic stories I was interested in. Green Lantern stories is the antithesis of those kind of heroes. Space, aliens, an intergalactic police force and a ring as the most powerful weapons in the universe. All these science fiction elements are of imagination and creativity is the reason superhero comics exist, taking inspiration from the one that stared it all, Superman in 1938.

All in all there is not as much detailing in this figure as other in the DC Universe Classics line and doesn't come with any accessories. The new paint job speaks for itself. Not a lot else to say, it’s the same figure that has came out before but different in one big way that makes up for it. Its modernized look fits in great with my other modern versions of DC heroes; Green Arrow, Superman and Batman. Signalling the time when I became a Green Lantern fan.

In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power... Green Lantern's light!

Green Lantern Volume 1 Sinestro Review

Sinestro, once one of the greatest of the Green Lanterns that were ever was. And in the wake of War of the Green Lanterns he has become a Green Lantern once more. One of the greatest villains in the DC Universe seeks the assistance of long-time adversary and Hal Jordan who is struggling with his own life that he was stripped of his power ring and is no longer a Green Lantern that is until Sinestro makes him an offer to once again become a Green Lantern and rescue the inhabitants of Korugar, the renegade Green Lanterns home world from the his own Sinestro CorpsCollects Green Lantern #1 – 6 by Geoff Johns with artist Douge Mahnke as part of DC Comics the New 52.

When I started getting into comics it just shortly before the DC Comics initiative the New 52, in which DC relaunched all its titles with new #1’s acting as a fresh start to all its titles. On first impression it appeared the Green Lantern title went back to when SInestro was a Green Lantern. The misconception here is that Green Lantern is one of the only titles of DC’s relaunch that remained unchanged by The New 52. The villain becoming a Green Lantern is just the next exciting chapter in long time writer Geoff John’s amazing Green Lantern saga with artist Douge Mahnke.

With conclusion of the previous story arc Hal Jordan is no longer a Green Lantern due to the belief that the Guardians of the Universe deem him to be too dangerous, they discharge him for the Corps taking his ring and sending him back to earth. As Hal tries to pick up the pieces of his life, struggling to live a normal life and mend his relationship with Carol Ferris, Sinestro is on Oa being reluctantly being re-inducted back into the Green Lantern Corps. As he is now reinstated as a Green Lantern the former villain sets out to protect his sector including his home world of Korugar which is under the control of his own Sinestro Corps. He requires help and gives Hal Jordan a chance to be a Green Lantern once more in exchange for his help to free his people. The two have a long history, and this story becomes more of a character driven story with complex rivalry between Hal and Sinestro. Even though the Green Lantern series follows Hal Jordan as its main character, in this story Sinestro becomes more of a main role in the tale. It’s a smaller scale story that follows the event of the massive War of the Green Lanterns story building towards another big Green Lantern epic by Geoff Johns. The best thing about the story is these two characters in a “buddy cop” style, emulating the relationship of the former friends back to their roles in Green Lantern Secret Origin, the origin story for Hal Jordan as Green Lantern and his first meeting of the pair. This story revisits the original relationship between the two characters while not forgetting their long complex history, it reinstates the teacher and student relationship with Sinestro in charge and Hal in the student role with limited power ring. 

It's a smaller scale story that's a bit more intricate than most, the pair have a long history with different methods and views paired together back in a story that makes for a great story with great art with imaginative work by artist Mahnke. The story has an interesting intriguing hook, that turns out to be a great character drama as they seek to rescue mission without being fully trusting of the rouge Green Lantern. The story produces some interesting character work, and after the previous arc of the War of the Green Lanterns, it stays away from galactic sized threats allowing time to build up a new larger scale story. It’s a nice change of pace while foreshadowing bigger threats to come. It’s a joy to read before what’s to come. It’s a more personal story focusing more on the entertaining rivalry of Hal Jordan and Sinestro.

The Flash Volume 5 History Lessons Review

The Flash Volume 5 History Lessons is the final volume in the series by one of the original writer/artists of The New 52 Flash series Brian Buccellato before an all new creative team took over the series with The Flash #30. The main part of the collection is the three part mystery story History Lessons, in which The Flash uncovers a serial killer that was active during the year that his mother was murdered. He investigates if both cases are connected and if he can find his mother’s killer that his father was convicted of. Also collected is standalone stories as the Flash tries to stop a thrill seeking thief and a story that is the first meeting of the Flash and friend Hal Jordan/Green Lantern. Collects The Flash #26 – 29 and The Flash Annual #2 with several guest writers and artists.

The Flash series so far has consisted of multi arc stories. Volume 5 History Lessons is made up of a variety of stories that take the Flash, to an alien planet with Green Lantern, to the skies to stop a thrill seeking sky pirate and investing a murder mystery with a supernatural element. The collection opens with “The Quick and the Green”, bucks the growing trend toward gritty realistic stories, it’s fun and light. It’s a reminder what superhero comics used to be all about. The Flash #26 is a standalone issue where the Flash has to chase down a group of thieves but, their method of transport leaves the Flash figuring out to stop group that travel by the sky. It’s a good straightforward simple story seeing the Flash in action and being tested in a way he hasn’t been before.

History Lessons is the final part of the book and the main story that connects more to the current series although, it’s pretty standalone in ways too. In this excellent mystery story the Flash/Barry Allen uncovers a mass grave that leads him to believe a serial killer had additional unknown victims. Barry believes that this could potentially include his mother Nora. Barry seeks to investigate if the there is a connection between the two cases. His investigation leads to the supernatural with the addition of a well-known guest star to help. I thought the premise of this was excellent and how it connects to Barry’s past and changes what we know. The interesting C.S.I. approach is brings it back to great elements of the series for a supernatural story. History Lessons offers an intriguing change to story of who killed Nora. The Flash T.V. series took it influences for the Flashpoint story and this newest take changes what went on before. Barry’s father had been convicted for the crime years ago and Barry always believed that he was innocent. This case is one he can’t leave alone, one that adds to his family drama. It’s a real good story.

Although thematically the Flash Volume 4: Reverse was more fitting conclusion to the original creators of this 2011 series. Brian Bucellato’s final few issues are good, offering variety to this volume before new creators take over the series. It gives you different elements and types of stories for the Flash while venturing back a bit more into his history and his mother’s death that make for the most compelling and intriguing reading by completing the final collection of issues by one of the original creators that made the New 52 Flash so great. A neat little collection of stories for fans of The Flash.

Batman Volume 7 Endgame Review

Batman Volume 7: Endgame is Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s latest addition of their Batman series. Engame is the sinister return of the Joker after his disappearance at the end Batman Vol. 3 Death of the Family. He’s back for their final showdown. For years, the Joker has regarded Batman with a sick, twisted love, thinking that one could never exist without the other. Last time the Joker set to kill members of Batman’s team, removing a weakness of the hero but now, he’s just out to kill Batman. The Joker has returned to Gotham City with a deadlier plan than ever before and is finally going to kill the Dark Knight. Collects Batman #35 - 40.

This is it, one of the biggest Batman Joker epics ever told, for decades the Clown Prince of Crime and the Dark Knight have battled it out for years with the Joker stooping to new lows and different forms of evil. The Joker’s latest agenda is to end all that and end the Batman once and for all. He’s deadly serious this time. The Joker’s first appearance in this New 52 Batman series was The Death of the Family story arc where he had returned to Gotham City after a year long disappearance after his face was cut off and reattached with belts, wires and hooks. Batman had thought he was gone for good at the end of the story. In this sequel, Joker has re-emerged with his face somehow repaired and he’s back with a vengeance this time. This story takes place after the events of Batman Eternal, Batman has a new base in Gotham and Alfred’s daughter Julia, who now works with Batman in his new base. Things kick off when Bruce Wayne is attack by members of the Justice League and battles the heroes on the streets of Gotham. Batman is horrified to learn that the Joker is behind the attack. What follows is a creepy, and sometimes bone chilling story. As the curtain is lifted on where the Joker has been hiding all this time is the first big chilling revelation of the sinister story. New light is shed on who the Joker is, it’s a thrilling read. Writer Scott Snyder first began his comic’s career writing horror comics, his unique style of horror had carried over to his Batman work and it’s been more evident in this Endgame story arc. His entire run has been horror driven, both the story arcs featuring the Joker have had a claustrophobic setting and a callous disregard for human life.

It’s a bit of a mind flip at times, twists turns and revelations, it messes with the readers head as well as Batman’s. What you thought to be true isn’t. its incredibly satisfying that readers are right there with a perplexed batman, so often is the Dark Knight depicted as a figure one step ahead of everyone else. One of the greatest stories of Batman run by Snyder and artist Greg Capullo, his artwork on the series reaches new heights of creative and gruesome imagery in Snyder’s masterful storytelling. The art complements to the horror elements of the tale. The ending duel is one the most brutal and bloodiest comic book battles I’ve ever read, this two icons slugging it out in a bloody frenzy to the end. It will considered as one of the greatest Batman Joker stories ever told.

Death of the Family was the first Joker story of the New 52 Batman series, Endgame is a brilliant sequel to one of the most significant stories of Snyder and Capullo’s Batman series. Endgame offers up a new mysterious origin for the Joker adding new mystery to who the Clown Prince of Crime was before what happened him in Zero Year, whilst still preserving the mystique that makes the Joker who he is. Endgame is an appropriate title for the story act, not only was the story originally intended to be both the creators final arc on their four year Batman run, that celebrated both the 75th anniversary of Batman and the debut of The Joker but it’s conclusion drastically changes the status quo of the Batman universe, opening the door to many new possibilities of storytelling. Endgame reads and feels like the finale, with its call-backs to the Court of the Owls and Zero Year events and serving as a sequel to The Death of the Family made it easy to imagine this as the series finale by Snyder and Capullo, thankfully it’s not. The creators aren’t jumping ship at a time they’ve made the title more interesting. It’s their second Joker epic is a brilliant story adding new mystery to an already mysterious character.

Batman Volume 7 Endgame brings a brutal and bloody conclusion between the Batman and Joker long running conflict to a close for who knows how long. Its display of action, tension and dark moments. Even though it may feel like another Batman Joker story this is the one to end all Batman Joker stories with raised stakes than ever before. Taking what has been done before and injecting it with more excitement. Batman Endgame is the biggest, boldest story told to date and will be for a long time, a modern classic. It’s the biggest story line during the creative duo’s excellent four year run on the series. A thrilling story of the most famous rivalries in comic’s history in honour of its 75th anniversary.  

Superman: The Men of Tomorrow Graphic Novel Review.

The Men of Tomorrow is the sixth volume in the New 52 Superman series. The story arc marks the beginning of a new era for the Man of Steel with one of DC Comics greatest writers Geoff Johns and Marvel’s legendary artist John Romita Jr, joining DC Comics for the first time and drawing Superman. A planet with no future, two brilliant scientists rocket their young child away to a better world where he will grow strong and survive the fate of this planet. But, this is earth and the disaster is adverted. Ulysses of the Great World, a hero with incredible powers returns to find the destruction his parents feared has been avoided. With Superman, this new hero Ulysses is an ally, kindred spirit and a friend to the Man of Steel but his plans for a better earth are yet to come. Collects Superman #32-39.

Geoff Johns is back writing Superman again. The writer is responsible for some of the greatest Superman stories written is joined by artist John Romita Jr. They duo have created a modern Superman story that’s great as a standalone tale for the sixth volume in The New 52 series. Johns has had much experience writing the character with superb stories.The Man of Steel is presented in a way that has a classic feel like Johns earlier Superman stories have always done. 

New character Ulysses shares a origin story almost identical to that of Superman. This new hero has arrived on back on his birth world, a place he thought was gone long ago. He has come into Superman's life at a time when he is feeling isolated and alone. He has found an ally, a kindred spirit in Ulysses and though the investigative journalist side of Superman as he introduces Ulysses to privileges that he could never enjoy. It's great action story with a lot of heart. Lois Lane is in the story but only in the background. Editor-in chief Perry White and photographer Jimmy Olsen, two other of the Daily Planet’s team get their moment in the spotlight. Clark is depicted as an outsider and Ulysses is someone he can relate to, but this story also shows how he can bond with both Perry and Jimmy. One noteworthy aspect of the story is that Superman gets a minor update to his costume as well as a new super power.

The sixth collection of the Superman series of The New 52 is a stand out read.I hadn't been interested in either of the two of the Superman series or their collected editions with one exception, I had been intrigued by Grant Morrison’s new take on the early days of Clark Kent in Superman Action Comics Vol.1 - The Men of Steel, it was good but I never continued on with the series. Superman Unchained the limited series by Scott Snyder and Jim Lee was amazing. When I heard that super star writer Geoff Johns would be taking on the Man of Steel I was very interested for the forthcoming graphic novel. After I read preview online of a major turning point in the story, it really had got my attention. The premise sounded great and with Johns as writer it only built anticipation for what could be a great Superman story. I was really looking forward to what this story was about and it didn’t disappoint. The arrival of artist John Romita Junior is a big deal, he and his father have been legendary comic artists at Marvel for decades. His art adds to the classic feel of the story with colourist Klaus Janson.

Johns has had many great story arcs previous stories of Superman, Brianic, Secret Origin, Up Up and Away and the unforgettable Last Son with Richard Donner. This latest story is the next in the growing line of classic feel Superman stories. It’s a great story and worth the hype. Johns joined the series for an eight issue arc that's one of possibly the best of the best of the Superman 2011 series. The series was reinvigorated by the creative duo making the series a lot more interesting. The introduction of a new character with similar experiences to Superman makes for a exciting and brilliant story that is a stand alone self contained story that anyone can get into without any prior reading of the Superman series. The collection is the sixth volume in The New 52 Superman adventures but is not labelled as such, possibly in an attempt to not intimidate put off by whats been a less than stellar series for one of the greatest comic book superheroes in existence. This helps the books stand out as a stand alone story or as new jumping on point as the series continues.

With this year’s release of Superman Unchained and Superman The Men of Tomorrow its been a great year for two very brilliant and very different Superman stories. It had big heroic moments and smaller kinder in between. Its an quintessential Superman tale with a retro charm that recent Man of Steel stories haven't seen since the 2011 relaunch. Its a character focused story with heart and charm. The cover logo is evocative of the classic Superman movie logo works good too. There is a timeless quality to the story making it one of the most accessible and one of the greatest Superman tales. 

Geoff Johns returns to writing Superman after so many great stories is now joined by artist John Romita Jr. The two legends together craft a modern story with a much missed classic feel to their story that works so well as a stand alone and fantastic Superman tale.