Mighty Avengers 22 review

There are some images that become instant classics. The Fantastic Four joining hands as they vow to stay together. Kingdom Come Superman catching a lightning bolt. Phoenix rising for the first time. And now, Hank Pym fixing Jocasta with his power tool (click to >ahem< enlarge). If that doesn't give you nightmares, you're made of […]

Outsiders 15 review

Oh, I do love to be surprised. Last week I was rather doubtful that the latest Outsiders revamp would be for me*, but here’s the first issue and it bodes very well for the future. The special saw Alfred, post Batman’s supposed death, accept his request to put together a new version of the Outsiders, […]

Birds of Prey 127 review

It’s bye-bye birdies week at DC, with the Birds of Prey following Robin’s example by flying the coop. And while Tim Drake’s upcoming changes can be seen as a story-led evolution of the character, the Birds’ goodbye feels forced. Sure, writer Tony Bedard does as good a job as probably anyone could in the circumstances, […]

Robin 183 review

Artist Freddie Williams II marks Robin’s final issue with an acknowledged homage to Brian Bolland’s cover for Tim Drake’s first mini series, back in 1991. It’s a smart piece of work, amply demonstrating that Tim Drake looks loads better in his Neal Adams outfit than the recently tweaked version. That was the idea, wasn’t it? […]

X-Factor 40 review

Last issue had one of the most unexpected turn of events I’ve ever seen in comics and writer Peter David, in a note preceding the story, asked readers not to spoil it online. I could live with that – if potential readers hear a buzz about an issue, but don’t know the details, they may […]

War of Kings?

Attack of the arses, more like. What are Crystal and Lilandra doing? Apart from putting their backs out. Well done Brandon Peterson, you must be proud.

R.E.B.E.L.S. 1 review

Over the last few years it’s been the habit of Legion of Super-Heroes writers to characterise Brainiac 5 as snooty and manipulative. Well, that’s not Brainy at all. That’s his ancestor Vril Dox, a character so much fun that after his titles, L.E.G.I.O.N. and R.E.B.E.L.S. were cancelled in the Nineties, writers grafted his personality on […]

Batman 686 review

‘Whatever happened to the Caped Crusader?’ That’s the question Neil Gaiman challenges us to work out in a two-part, extra-length story. And at first, it seems obvious. Batman is in the Dreaming, or he’s dead and with Death of the Endless. Both these scenarios are denied as an unseen Batman questions his unknown guide. Gaiman […]

Batman and the Outsiders Special 1 review

So, what happened to the Wayne fortune when Batman (comic-book) died? Alfred spent it on hair plugs. Seriously, have you ever seen such a luxuriant mane on the faithful manservant (below)? The ghost of Bruce Wayne isn’t half making him work for it, though, asking Alfred to get the Outsiders back in the game. Well, […]

Battle for the Cowl – why?

The marvellous Comic Book Resources this week posted a transcript of a New York Comic Con panel regarding upcoming Batman event Battle for the Cowl. Here’s an excerpt: All of the combatants in “Cowl” have “different beliefs,” Daniel said in response to the question of why Dick Grayson is not the anointed successor. For their […]