In 2007, missing the old comic book letter columns, and dishearted by the downgrading of the DC message boards, I decided to try my hand at this new-fangled blogging thing. I started with a bit of a rant about bloated DCU events motivated by the non-ending of the Sinestro War.
In 2018, here I am at post 2000. In 11 years, that’s not a massive output but hey, a decade-plus, that’s not too shabby. I love blogging, I get to enthuse about great books, witter on about the less great, chat about the news and dive into the past with retro reviews. The best bit is swapping views with everyone kind enough to leave a comment.
Some posts get a great response, some very little, some, like that initial moan, none! – but what the heck, I can honestly say I’ve always enjoyed the writing. In this entry I’d like to point up a few posts – well, 20 – that looked at issues and series I especially liked which didn’t get the attention I felt they deserved from fans and the comics press. Just click on the text to read the reviews.
In no particular order…
Cary Bates and Renato Arlem kick off a terrific Elseworlds mini series.
Writer Dan Abnett and artists Luke Ross, Emilio Laiso and Guru-eFX take a Marvel superhero who had become a bit of a punchline and put him in sweeping stories that effortlessly combine the mythical and the modern.
More character redemption, as Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti and Emanuela Lupacchino rescue Koriand’r from the horrors of the New 52.
Chris Roberson takes over J Michael Straczynski’s misguided Grounded storyline and suddenly the Superman series begins to soar.
Gerry Conway and Chris Batista give us a future-set story of Buddy Baker that’s a logical follow on from the seminal Grant Morrison/Chas Truog run, with some great ideas all its own
A book I initially resented for not being the Legion of Super-Heroes quickly became its own thing – and what a glorious thing it was.
The Starman breakout supporting character, on a world tour, meets one of the most surprising characters of the Golden Age of Comics.
A much-derided character gets his own book, and under Sterling Gates and Pete Woods, it’s rather stellar.
It’s the Caped Crusader at his most gloriously gothic, in a beautifully twisted tale by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones.
The first of an 11-part series that’s pretty much DC’s version of Marvels sees three generations of creator – Joe Kubert, Len Wein and Andy Kubert – tell a heartwarming tale from the dawn of superheroes.
Ian Edgington and Mike S Miller reimagine the awful Outsiders character for a different DC Universe and I really rather liked it.
Conner Kent’s series closes, Jeff Lemire and Pier Gallo having given us a charming, wacky take on the Smallville Sensation.
A new take on Elasti-Girl from Keith Giffen, Matthew Clark and Ron Randall that fits with the character’s history – tragic, but so well done.
Sarah Vaughn, Lan Medina and José Villarrubia craft a dark romance with Boston Brand at the centre of it all.
Al Ewing, Butch Guice and chums show just how much fun crossing the Marvel Universe Pond can be as they introduce two great new characters during a pretty awful crossover.
The most-overlooked Justice League book of the New 52 was actually the best – see why in this issue from Dan Jurgens, Marco Castiello and Vincenzo Acunzo.
The least-loved of Jack Kirby’s Fourth World characters prove thoroughly entertaining under Dan DiDio, Keith Giffen and Scott Koblish.
Issues like this hugely fun team-up between Stephanie Brown and Supergirl remind us that this Batgirl series by Bryan Q Miller and Lee Garbett was one one of the saddest casualties of the New 52’s arrival.
The UK’s answer to Batman and Robin star in a splendidly quirky mini-series from Paul Cornell and Jimmy Broxton that started here as it meant to go on, with the introduction of Jarvis Poker the British Joker, Double Entendre and Faceoff.
Sterling Gates and Jeremy Roberts parachuted in and closed out the often-addled New 52 DC Stormwatch series with one of the most imaginative, compelling and sheer fun comics of the last decade.
And there you have it, 20 favourite issues from the first 11 years (oh dear, that sounds like a threat!) of Too Dangerous For a Girl. Thanks for reading!
Like this:
Like Loading...
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
Congrats on 2000 posts, Martin!
I, too, loved the Justice League 3000 run, though I think it would have been nice if they’d kept the originally advertised artist Kevin Maguire – much as I liked Howard Porter’s work, to see Maguire back with Giffen and DeMatteis would have made this old man very happy.
Knight and Squire, though . . . those six issues were just perfect, and a wonderfully British take on the superhero. Respectful on the whole, but still willing to point out that honestly, as much as we all enjoy it, it is just a bit silly.
By the way – spotted a typo in the Knight and Squire bit – you have “Jarvis Poker, the British Poker” instead of “British Joker”
Here’s to 2000 more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Gary, and cheers for the typo shout-out. Sorted!
LikeLike
Amazing accomplishment. I am envious of your writing style and love the reviews.
And you picked some great ones for this post.
I love Batgirl #14, Vibe #6, JLA 3001 (all of it), and that Doom Patrol. I thought I was the only one who got that Looker book.
But mostly, I am thrilled you bring up Chris Robeson’s reclamation of Grounded. That latter half save should be heralded.
See you at #4000!
LikeLike
You’re terribly kind. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without your own blog – prolific, enthusiastic and always nicely written… I live Supergirl Comic Box Commentary.
I wish we could get Chris Roberson back writing in the mainstream.
LikeLike
Congratulations on 2000 posts, Mart! That’s a huge body of work, and something to be proud of! I always enjoy your reviews, and thanks for turning me on to some cool comics along the way!
(Now I’m going to have to go back and look into that old Looker series!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rob, and thank you for the many supportive, insightful comments.
LikeLike
Here’s to 2000 more (and beyond). I’ve relied on your reviews a lot since I found this blog, and a lot of times I agree with them. Congrats.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Reno, you made my day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad I came by to check out the blog, I just realized I forgot to update my RSS app to the new site.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Paul, I really appreciate you visiting.
LikeLike