Black Manta #1 review

When is a spin-off not a spin-off? When there’s no mother book. Along with Ocean Master, Black Manta is Aquaman’s most famous opponent, and here he is with a six-issue mini-series. Black Manta’s son, Aqualad, is also getting a limited run. Meanwhile, the Sea King, who has a blockbuster movie sequel coming, hasn’t had so […]

The Other History of the DC Universe #3 review

I’ve never liked Katana. I’m good with sword-slinging barbarians, but superheroes? Not so much – good guys shouldn’t kill, and if you’re only slapping someone with the flat of your sword, what’s the point of carrying a deadly weapon? Katana did seem popular with readers of Batman and the Outsiders in the early Eighties, with […]

Crime Syndicate #1 review

I do like a good comic book homage, and the first issue of this DC mini-series has not one, but two. The first comes as Metropolis’ protector/dictator reacts to a less than glowing op ed in the Daily Planet. A nod to Action Comics #1 makes perfect sense as we’re introduced to Ultraman, Earth 3’s […]

Superman: Endless Winter Special #1 review

At first glance, it looks like Superman is zooming down a mountain range on this cover. On closer inspection it becomes apparent that the Man of Steel is fighting a bunch of ice monsters. If you saw last week’s Justice League: Endless Winter #1 or this week’s Flash #767 you’ll know that these are creations […]

The Other History of the DC Universe #1 review

… or, the Life Story of Black Lightning. ‘1972-1995: Jefferson Pierce’ is the official title of Book One of 12 Years a Slave writer John Ridley’s DC Black Label project, which looks at the DC Universe through the eyes of the marginalised. Future issues will focus on Teen Titans Mal and Karen Duncan, Gotham cop […]