Birds of Prey 121 review

Joker joins technological terrorists the Silicon Syndicate, new girl Infinity begins to integrate with the Birds and Charlie goes to school in the pleasingly titled ‘Bring on the Bad Guys (if you’re young, that was the name of Stan Lee’s Marvel villains book in the Seventies). The Joker is massively overexposed across the DC Universe, […]

Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds 1 review

The Time Trapper, in his latest scheme against the Legion, pulls Superboy Prime to the 31st century. There, the super-powered psycho destroys Smallville, visits the Superman Museum and frees the Legion of Super-Villains from prison planet Takron Galtos. And that’s the basics of this five-part Final Crisis tie-in. But God is in the detail when […]

Booster Gold 11 review

Writers Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz left this book on a high note last issue. Booster’s latest spot of time tinkering was a success, his long-dead sister Michelle was returned to his life and we learned the true identity of Rip Hunter. Soon, Booster’s creator, and current artist, Dan Jurgens steps up to the writing […]

Wonder Woman 23 review

The Ends of the Earth storyline concludes with Diana battling nasty demon chap D’grath in Washington while her barbarian allies remain in whichever sword and sorcery dimension they were in last month. I think it was that of Claw the Unconquered, but one sword and sorcery scenario is much like any another to me, Mart […]

X-Men Origins: Jean Grey review

The latest in Marvel’s high-end retellings of mutant beginnings, this features probably the most iconic X-Man this side of (spit) Wolverine. I’ve no idea why it’s titled Jean Gray rather than the more obvious Marvel Girl. Yes, that’s how Marvel tends to refer to her in current continuity, there having been various Marvel Girls and […]

Ms Marvel 29

Oh look, it’s the comic I swore off last issue. Seems it’s still in my order, so let’s have a look. Cover . . . quite amusing, a blonde woman in a Private Benjamin uniform who doesn’t look like Carol Danvers is showing us her tits and pouting. Oh, and there are some amusing anti-Skrull […]

Justice Society of America Annual 1

Now here’s a fanboy’s wet dream. Well, an old fanboy’s – I can’t see readers under 30 being as excited as I was at the prospect of Power Girl’s return to Earth 2. As a very pre-Crisis reader, the idea of DC’s Golden Age Earth having survived, and moved in on Peege’s absence, was thrilling. […]

Reign in Hell 1 review

Having given a lot of attention to its space heroes over the last few years, DC gives its supernatural sector a shot at greatness. The guiding light in hell is writer Keith Giffen, who helped make Marvel’s cosmic crew popular again with the Annihilation series. He’s joined by penciller Tom Derenick and, in what I […]

Uncanny X-Men 500 review

Can a comic be too pretty? It seems so. This anniversary issue features the artwork of Terry & Rachel Dodson and Greg Land & Jay Leisten. It’s gorgeous, especially in the case of Land and Leisten – characters have perfect skin, beautiful smiles, angelic grace . . . but little life, no real dynamism. Whether […]

Ambush Bug Year None 1

DC’s greatest character is back after nearly 20 years. Yes, ‘Mazing Man is in this comic. OK, it’s not a very flattering portrayal of the little guy, but it’s good to see him. It’s also good to see Ambush Bug back, breaking comics’ fourth wall and pointing out the industry’s cliches, silliness and general foibles. […]