DC NATION (SEP 29, 2012)

It's been a long summer, but 'DC Nation' is finally, finally airing new episodes of both Green Lantern: The Animated Series and Young Justice. I'm just going to go ahead and pick up where I left off and do reviews for both shows each week in this DC NATION column. Sound good?

Green Lantern: The Animated Series
Season 1, Episode 14
"The New Guy"

The first 13 episodes of GL:TAS are a mixed bag. Some of them are dynamite examples of how well the Green Lantern universe can be adapted to TV, and some are just lame excuses at character development by way of making them ringless. I hated the episodes where Hal and Kilowog's rings wouldn't function - the whole idea behind Green Lantern is the power ring, and when you take it away as many times as this series did, it starts to get really annoying. Fortunately, Bruce Timm and this production staff must have realized this quickly, as episodes 10-13 were generally the best of the series as they focused on the invasion of Oan space by the Red Lanterns.


Now, I'm really excited for the rest of this first season going forward. Especially after "The New Guy", which is a double entendre referring not only to Earth's newest Green Lantern, but also to that GL's name, Guy Gardner. Voiced by the masterful Diedrich Bader, Guy was chosen to the the new GL of Sector 2814 while Hal was stuck in the far reaches of the universe stopping Atrocitus and his rage-filled soliders. Guy is a favorite on Oa, loved by the Guardians and other Lanterns alike, which is a huge departure from the hard-nosed stubborn Guy from the comic books. And while this show often stumbles in it's attempts at humor, the constant reign of compliments on Guy after Hal gets chewed out time and time again is very, very amusing.

While Guy is the focus of this episode, the real revelation is that the Anitmonitor has come to destroy the universe! Comic book fans know the Antimonitor as the catalyst for the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover in the 80s that streamlined DC continuity by merging different timelines and multiverse dimensions. In GL: TAS, the Antimonitor has sent a universe-wide signal to all of the Guardians' old Manhunter robots, reactivating them to slaughter any and all sentient life. It's a big, complex, and somewhat terrifying concept for a children's show, and I applaud DC, Warner Bros., and Cartoon Network for allowing such a bleak arc to be produced. It shows how much faith these companies all have in Bruce Timm's amazing ability to bring superheroes into animated form.

GRADE: A

Young Justice
Season 2, Episode 14
"Satisfaction"

While Green Lantern: The Animated Series keeps things more evenly balanced between the action and humor, Young Justice has been heavy on the story, trading in laughs for constant plot growth. Before the summer break, it was revealed that Aqualad had indeed not gone AWOL, but is instead working undercover to take down Black Manta's organization from the inside - as Manta's son, it made getting in all the easier. In tandem to Aqualad's position as a double agent, Artemis faked her own death so she could aid Aqualad in learning more about The Light, the still-unmasked big bad of the entire Young Justice series thus far. Oh, and Clone Roy finds Real Roy finally! Yes, "Satisfaction" has a lot of work to do.

Brooding is as brooding does.

Fortunately, the writers and producers are sticking to their guns and rolling out their story little by little each episode. For instance, Aqualad and Artemis are nowhere to be seen this week, Superboy gets to flirting while on a college campus, and the female members of the Team (as well as Black Canary) take on Captain Cold. But none of this comes even close to the main story, about a revived Roy Harper seeking answers about his missing arm, the other Roy Harper, and his life after being cryogenically frozen. Green Arrow tells Roy everything - from Lex Luthor's involvement, to the amount of time Roy's been frozen, as well as the fact that Ollie and the other Leaguers gave up looking after a relatively short amount of time. One-Armed Roy (which sounds like an awesome cowboy name) has a bit of a mental breakdown and sets off to take revenge against Lex Luthor.

Most of the episode is taken up by a fight between the handicapped Roy and Lex's bodyguard, the robotic Mercy, but near the end, the true meaning of this episode is revealed. Even though Luthor kidnapped Roy, cut off his arm for DNA supply purposes, kept Roy frozen for eight years, then tried to have him killed, Roy accepts the gifted offered by Luthor because at the end of the day, revenge is about making up for something lost. Usually, that something lost is totally irreplacable, meaning that taking revenge is the only option. In Roy's case, a bio-mechanical, weapons-infused arm is a new option that quickly becomes more favorable that killing one of the most powerful and influential people in the world.

GRADE: A

(DC NATION) MAY 26, 2012

Green Lantern: The Animated Series

Season 1, Episode 13

"Homecoming"

SAINT WALKER!!!!!!

I know I've ragged on GL: TAS before. Multiple times, actually, and with some pretty solid malice behind my words. And honestly, this show struggled for the first six or seven episodes before it really shifted into it's groove and became comfortable with Hal and Kilowog actually using their power rings. Fortunately, the latter half of this group of episodes has been getting better and better each week. Bruce Timm, the show's Executive Producer, obviously has a lot of love for Green Lantern, as evidenced by his various fan service inclusions this season like the Zamarons, the episode about killing a GL for his ring, Saint Walker, Mogo, the Thanagarians, and oh so much more. "Homecoming" is by and far the best episode of GL: TAS, marking a turning point in quality and content.

This episode, the Red Lanterns are moving in full-force toward Oa as Atrocitus has stolen the GL Interceptor, and the rest of the fleet moves toward the path through the asteroid field and into Oan space. Oh, and Hal, Kilowog, and Razer are stuck at the edge of Guardian space, and 18-month flight away from the Guardians and Oa. It's not looking too good for the Green Lanterns right now.

Hal and Razer travel to Zamaron to get help teleporting across a great distance like the Sapphire's did to Carol Ferris in "In Love and War", while Kilowog stays at the asteroid field to stave off the Red Lantern invasion fleet all by himself. Though Hal is able to travel to Earth - based on his base emotions for Carol - and therefore much closer to Oa, he loses his memory in the process. This sequence seems somewhat unnecessary since amnesia usually lasts a long time, and it takes Carol all of ten minutes - after she realizes Hal doesn't even know what a Green Lantern is - to find Hal's power battery and "reboot" him. Again, it simply feels unnecessary. Why couldn't Hal just come to Earth and fly off? That's what ended up happening anyway, it just took longer.

Kilowog, on the other hand, has a very necessary role and is soon joined by Saint Walker, complete with his new Blue Lantern ring and the ability to super-charge Green Lantern power rings. Of course, "two soliders won't change anything," as Kilowog points out. That's when Mogo shows up. Like I mentioned earlier, this is my favorite episode of the series thus far and part of it comes from this scene. Seeing Kilowog, Mogo, and Saint Walker ripping up some Red Lantern armadas was breathtaking and something that should have been on the screen years ago. It's such a compelling scene that I had to pause my DVR and just sit for a moment and think about how awesome it was.

Atrocitus succeeds by landing on Oa and nearly bringing the Guardian's to their knees. I was a bit confused by this scene at first. I kept wondering, "where are all the GL's?" Of course, they've all been sent toward the asteroid field to prepare for Atrocitus' armada. But this is a plot point that was only glossed over a few times in the past couple of episodes, and it just kind of felt like a way to get rid of the Green Lantern Corps so the animators wouldn't have to render 3,600 GL's at the same time. Salaak - the Guardians' right-hand-man/secretary/assistant - makes a fantastic appearance and even throws his computer module aside in favor of four energy daggers that seriously make Salaak cooler than he's been in years in the pages of the comic books.

I really have loved watching Green Lantern: The Animated Series grow from a childish, non-ring-having show that could be about any old space travelers, to a solid series that takes the legacy of Green Lantern and molds it into a more digestible form for a wider audience. If Blue Lanterns, Mogo, and Villius Vox as the leader of the Red Lanterns doesn't excite you for second season (which, at the time of this writing, hasn't been announced), then this just might not be the show for you. If space odysseys, the Rainbow Brigade, and action is your thing, I'll see you right here when season two begins!

GRADE:
A+

Young Justice

Season 2, Episode 5

"Beneath"

So far, what's made Young Justice: Invasion compelling has been the deft way the writers balance the A and B stories each episode. In the first season, there was a group of six main characters to follow, so splitting them up was usually confined to one-on-one interactions. This season, however, the extended cast gives writers room to create diverse teams that can be interchanged whenever they want. At the same time, more characters means more character development, which is never a bad thing. This week, Blue Beetle stars in his own solo adventure, while the Team's female furies - Miss Martian, Bumblebee, Batgirl, and Wonder Girl - gather to investigate one of Queen Bee's many illegal military compounds for signs of alien technology.

The girls, the girls.

Jaime Reyes' background has been tweaked a bit (as seen in last week's "Salvage"), but he's still the same character at his core - constantly fighting with the voice of the Scarab in his head. This episode, though, Jaime spends little time as Blue Beetle, instead forced to keep the Scarab at bay as he attempts to investigate the disappearance of his friend, Ty. It's not the most interesting plot, but it's nice to see any character in street clothes and it gives Jaime more personality that simply being the crazy kid who seems like he talks to himself.


On the other side of the globe, the girls' mission in Bialya takes a turn for the worse when Wonder Girl is spotted and taken down by a group of metahumans led by Psimon - who was thought to be safely under watch in an induced coma. Again, this is not a very plot-heavy tale. I would even argue that it was simply a narrative designed to bring the female members of the Team together in some meaningful way. There didn't need to be a very deep story, so there wasn't.


Overall, this might be one of the weaker episodes of the season plot-wise, but as far as fan service and character inclusions, this one's a winner.

GRADE:

B-

(DC NATION) MAY 12, 2012

Young Justice
Season 2, Episode 3
"Alienated"

Last week, Young Justice followed Superboy, Miss Martian, and newcomer Beast Boy to planet Rann on a mission to discover how the Kroloteans stole and developed their own Zeta beam technology. While not a bad episode, per se, taking audiences to another planet to focus on three team members kind of stalled the momentum from the season premier. Fortunately, "Alienated" brings us back to Earth in a big way with an episode stuffed with revelations, reappearances, and new mysteries about the Krolotean invasion. Honestly, Young Justice may as well be called DC Comics: The Animated Series because the writers have integrated the Justice League so tightly. This is not a bad thing! In the comics, all these heroes would be crossing over into each others' books anyway, so why not go wild?

The Bat Family comes out in force this episode.

"Alienated" introduces a host of new elements that help get the ball rolling for this second season. M'gann, Superboy, Beast Boy, and Adam Strange return from Rann with information regarding the six Leaguers who went missing five years ago, and Aqualad returns in a surprising way. Also, the Legion of Doom makes a cameo.

The story goes that Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern John Stewart, Martian Manhunter, and Hawkwoman all savagely attacked the planet Rimbor into submission, claiming themselves the Justice League of Earth and to beware their might. In essence, the Kroloteans began to invade Earth in response to the League's declaration of dominance - a fine twist if there ever was one. Often, plotlines like this can feel cheesy or forced, but the writers are pacing themselves well so as to make it feel organic.

In the season premier, Martian Manhunter explained that the Kroloteans' language is so alien, it would take days to psychically pierce their language. Last week, Miss Martian basically lobotomized a Krolotean to procure information and does so again this week to extract info about a rendezvous point in case of discovery by the humans. The volcanic Malina Island houses a new ship being built to take the remaining Kroloteans on Earth off-world to retreat. This is where Aqualad fits in.

Sometime in the last five years, Aqualad defected and joined his father as the second Black Manta. Both Mantas are working with the Kroloteans in some regard and Aqualad is furious with the League and the Team. Aqualad's allegiance is a great game changer and his appearance in general finally brings some answers to the question of Aqualad's whereabouts. Then, just when you thought this episode couldn't get any better, the OG Black Manta contacts the rest of the Legion of Doom - including Vandal Savage - to discuss the invasion and the Light's involvment. Intense.

GRADE:

A

Green Lantern: The Animated Series

Season 1, Episode 11

"Fight Club"

Sorry! I was unable to watch this week's episode in time. I've been told Thanagarians are involved, so I'm a little peeved. I'll have next week's episode here, I hope.

(THE WEEK) MAY 2-8, 2012 [update]

COMIC COVERAGE

Action Comics #8
(Morrison, Ha)
Grant Morrison takes us on a WILD ride through 3 different tales of alternate-universe Supermen, including President Superman! AWESOME!

Avengers vs. X-Men #3 of 12
(Aaron, Bendis, Brubaker, Fraction, Hickman, Romita Jr.)
Marvel's premier summer event continues into the third issue of the main series! After the fallout in issue 2, what will come of the conflict between Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the the world's mutant population?


Batwing #9
(Winick, To)
"Night of the Owls" continues! Special issue coverage! Batwing fights for his life against the Talons in Gotham!

Dial H #1
(Mieville, Santolouco)
Internationally renowned author China Mieville reboots the classic Dial H for Hero concept for the 21st century! Part of DC's 'New 52' Second Wave!

Earth Two #1
(Robinson, Scott)
The Justice Society comes to the 'New 52'! Follow the stories from an Earth parallel to our own! Part of DC's 'New 52' Second Wave!

Justice League International #9
(Jurgens, Lopresti)
The JLI must face O.M.A.C.! Includes a special crossover with this month's Firestorm: The Nuclear Men.

Teen Titans Annual #1
(Johns, Benes, et. al )
DC's first 'New 52' Annual issue! "The Culling" finally begins - it's the Titans and Superboy vs. Legion Lost!

World's Finest #1
(Levitz, Perez)
Follow the adventures of Power Girl and Huntress - both from Earth 2! - as part of DC's 'New 52' Second Wave! Why are these two heroes stuck on our Earth?


OTHER COVERAGE


DC Nation for May 5
- Young Justice Season 2, Episode 2 - "Earthlings"
- Green Lantern: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 10 - "Regime Change"

(THE WEEK) APRIL 24-30, 2012

COMIC COVERAGE

Aquaman #8
(Johns, Reis)
"The Other League" continues this month with a second part that explores Arthur's history - and other team membership - before he joined the Justice League.

Avengers vs. X-Men: VS. #1 (of 6)
(Aaron, Immonen, Waid)
The first issue of Marvel's only event mini-series! Expanding on fights from the main book, VS. is less about story and ALL about them fights! This issue: Iron Man vs. Magneto and Thing vs. Namor!
*Review may include details from other Marvel titles that are deemed pertinent enough to warrant coverage.

Green Lantern: New Guardians #8 
(Bedard, Kirkham )
Arkillo discovers that his Sinestro Corps has been disbanded -- by Sinestro himself! The fiercest yellow ring slinger goes on a mission to find a new source of yellow energy, and the New Guardians come along for the ride!

Justice League Dark #8
(Milligan, Sampere)
The crossover with I, Vampire continues this month as Zatanna and Shade face an army of hive-minded vampires -- ALONE!

Superman #8
(Griffen, Jurgens, Reis)
Helspont has Superman under his control, but how? Find out in the second part of Superman's excellent second arc that brings Wildstorm's Helspont to the DC universe!

Teen Titans #8
(Lobdell, Guara)
The team comes together (however slowly) as Red Robin goes after a missing Wonder Girl, Superboy announces his intentions to lead the Titans, Solstice works through some drama from her past, and Kid Flash sees the future!


OTHER COVERAGE


DC Nation for April 28th


- Young Justice Season 2, Episode 1, "Happy New Year"

- Green Lantern: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 9, "In Love and War"