4-SENTENCE REVIEWS (SEP 26-OCT 2)

So, I didn't plan very well this weekend. With a wedding, a six hour drive to Atlanta, a show, then a six hour drive home to North Carolina, I didn't have much time to write. So, while some of the promised full reviews won't be going up this week, I've included them here in 4-SENTENCE REVIEWS

Aquaman #0

(Johns, Reis)

It feels a bit like beating a dead horse, but Geoff Johns really does put all of his best work into Aquaman these days, telling stories that progress the current state of affairs, while also alluding to the past to flesh out Arthur Curry as a person, a hero, and the king of Atlantis. Aquaman #0 tells the rather necessary tale of how Arthur learns about his mother, his royal heritage, and his kingdom of Atlantis. Normally, it wouldn't be easy to fully explain all of these plot elements, but Johns introduces Vulko -  an Atlantean loyal to Arthur's mother who has lived on land for years searching for Arthur - who tells the tale without sounding like he's just reading from a textbook. While "Underwater" doesn't tie into the events of the current "The Others" arc, it beautifully and effortlessly preludes the upcoming "Throne of Atlantis" crossover between Aquaman and Justice League.

GRADE: A

Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #3 of 6

(Wein, Lee)

I've been a self-surprised fan of Ozymandias since it's first issue - Len Wein made a rather bold choice of presenting his series as Adrian Veidt's autobiography, told in the first-person, and covering most of the genius' life from childhood through his early days in the Watchmen. While I tend to shy away from inner-monologue-style writing such as this, Ozymandias is such a vain egotist that it totally makes sense that he would write his own autobiography in such a style. This month, Ozy faces off against the Comedian: the showdown I never thought I wanted to see, and it might be the most beautiful and elegantly written meeting in the entirety of Before Watchmen thus far. Eddie Blake is being slaughtered in his own title, but Wein makes it a point to show how the Comedian can be a force for absolute destruction, while also having a conscious that makes sense with his personality and misgivings about humanity, et al.

GRADE: A

Captain Marvel #4
(DeConnick, Soy)

While I've been enjoying Captain Marvel, it's starting to get a bit complex - Kelly Sue DeConnick is throwing a lot of new information readers' way, without a whole lot of follow-up to make it mean anything beyond face value at this point. Beyond the somewhat directionless plot, Captain Marvel #4 might be my favorite issue of the series thus far - DeConnick is exceptional at writing a powerful lead female character without condescending Carol Danvers down to female-related stories (not those kind of 'female-related'...), and it shines in this issue especially. Still time-lost in 1943, Carol is getting closer and closer to understanding why she's there, and why the Banshee Squad was affected by the same white light that brought Carol there in the first place. As a series, I'm still on the fence when it comes to DeConnick's vision for the future, but on a month-to-month basis, she's writing one of the wittiest, most intriguing titles currently published.

GRADE: B-

The Flash #0

(Manapul, Buccellato)

The Flash has been one of the best series DC releases each month, and it's due to the incredible creative team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato who have taken a somewhat aimless character - after being resurrected by Geoff Johns in 2008 - and turned him into one of the most multi-faceted, surprisingly intricate characters in DC's cannon. The Flash #0 is a fully realized "Issue Zero" that gives weight to Barry Allen's accident that results in his super speed, his eventual decision to become The Flash, and how his father's innocence in the case of his mother's murder was the root of it all. Manapul and Buccellato drop a big bomb concerning Barry's family, but the best part is that they don't make it clear what the bomb actually means - does Barry lose sight of his original drive only to find a new one, or does this new information serve to strengthen his current resolve? Ultimately, it feels like it should be up to the reader to decide Barry's motivation, and that's a freaking incredible way to tell a superhero story.

GRADE: A+ 

I, Vampire #0
(Fialkov, Sorrentino)

For a fringe series about vampires and death cults that came from the Vertigo line, I, Vampire has been doing very well for itself under the watchful eyes of Joshua Hale Fialkov and Andrea Sorrentino - it hasn't been cancelled, it's selling relatively well for it's position in the 'New 52' lineup, and it's had the same creative team for 13 straight issues. The origins of Andrew Bennet could have been easily phoned in as an attack by a vampire from Cain's lineage, leading to Andrew's connection to the original vampire. Instead, Fialkov pens a confrontation between the aristocratic Bennet and the scourge known as Cain, resulting in Cain's power being imprisoned within Bennet and turning him into the first true vampire. This issue was a chance for Fialkov to write a period piece - something that's extremely hard to pull off - and does so with eloquent dialogue, just the right amount of flair and emotion, as well as Andrea Sorrentino's haunting visuals to help push the horror of coming face to face with the right hand of evil.

GRADE: A

Justice League Dark #0

(Lemire, Garbett)

This was the Justice League Dark #0 we all wanted to read: the origins of John Constantine and his relationship with Zatanna. Jeff Lemire brings readers a bloody fun, action-packed adventure that transports the British bastard from his hometown to America looking to learn magic from Nick Necro, the most powerful mage in the New York City. Necro and his girlfriend Zatanna eventually take Constantine under their wing, and Necro proceeds to teach the younger two all he knows about the world of magic. Of course, Nick get's too big for his britches, and eventually seeks out ultimate knowledge through the Books of Magic and a cult known as the Cold Flame that was nearly wiped out by Zatanna's father, Zatara. Constantine and Zatanna work together to defeat Nick, only for Lemire to reveal that Constantine could have probably saved his old friend, but instead wanted to be 'top dog'.

GRADE: A-

National Comics: Rose & Thorn
(Taylor, Googe)

Thus far, the National Comics line of one-shots has been compelling and interesting, firs with Eternity, then with Looker, and now with Rose & Thorn, a tale about a girl with a severe case of multiple personality disorder. Rose is a shy, somewhat unpopular girl who becomes chummy with the popular kids seemingly overnight...even to herself - Rose doesn't remember anything, but soon starts getting text messages and 'Facelook' emails from Thorn, her erratic alter-ego. Rose's father was murdered years earlier, and Thorn intends to find out who killed him and why; a great way to start a series, perhaps, but trying to cram this much story into a one-shot feels like a big build-up with no pay off. I really, really wich DC would make Rose & Thorn into a least a mini-series, as it has such great potential for being a quality series that's not focused on superheroics or action-based stories.

GRADE: B

UPCOMING REVIEWS (SEP 26 - OCT 2)

Aquaman #0
(Johns, Reis)
- In Aquaman's "Issue Zero", Arthur goes to Atlantis for the first time! Knowing Geoff Johns, this issue, while set in the past, will most likely connect to the upcoming "Throne of Atlantis" crossover between Aquaman and Justice League.

Batman Incorporated #0

(Morrison, Burnham)

- Honestly, I'm not sure how this issue will pan out. Grant Morrison tends to have a pretty set path when it comes to his intricate narratives, so this prequel issue might throw a wrench into the gears. Then again, since Batman Incorporated #0 is all about Batman recruiting his soldiers around the world, it could have no effect at all. Them's the breaks.

The Flash #0
(Manapul, Buccellato)
- See Barry Allen get his powers! I'll assume he also gets into his first bout after receiving said powers. This issue would be pretty boring, otherwise. Fortunately, that won't happen with Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato at the helm, both of whom have guided The Flash over the past year and done a dynamite job doing so.

Justice League Dark #0

(Lemire, Janin)

- I'm skeptical about Justice League Dark, a team-based title that's only focusing on one character. I had the same skepticism about Green Lantern Corps #0, and that issue was a total bust. Hopefully, Jeff Lemire can keep the magic going with JLD #0 (pun definitely intended) as he looks into the life of young John Constantine.

Superman #0
(Lobdell, Rocafort)
- Well, one of my least favorite creative writers is moving in on Superman. Scott Lobdell has decided that tainting Teen Titans and Superboy wasn't enough, and now he wants to muck up the Man of Steel. Rumors have been flying about a Scott Snyder-helmed Man of Steel title coming out soon, which I hope is the case because with Grant Morrison leaving Action Comics, and Lobdell taking over Superman with this "Issue Zero", Superman's adventures are about to be lacking.

Talon #0

(Tynion IV, Snyder, March)

- I really, really have to stop second guessing Talon. I keep telling myself I won't enjoy it, that it's too narrow a premise to justify it's ongoing status. Then I remember that Scott Snyder is co-plotting this series with one of his favorite students, James Tynion IV. Snyder has done phenomenal work on Batman over the past year, and now the super-popular Court of Owls has a series all to itself.

Teen Titans #0
(Lobdell, Kirkham)
- With Superboy, Wonder Girl, and Kid Flash's histories (somewhat) already explained, it's time to focus on Red Robin, Skitter, and Bunker! I'll give credit to Lobdell for actually focusing on more than one (or two, in the case of The Ravagers) character in a prequel for a TEAM-BASED series. I'm not expecting much, as I never much do with Lobdell, but I'm still excited to see how Tim Drake came to be Red Robin without ever being an official 'Robin.'

4-Sentence Reviews

* Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #3 of 6

* Captain Marvel #4

* I, Vampire #0

* National Comics: Rose & Thorn

4-SENTENCE REVIEWS (AUG 8-13)

Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #2 of 4
(Wein, Lee)


Part of being an effective storyteller is knowing when to leverage 'showing' as opposed to 'telling', how to portray a character in the best way, and figuring out the best way to keep your audience interested. In the case of Ozymandias, Len Wein has found a nigh-perfect balance with Adrien Veidt, a man who takes the time to dictate his own autobiography because he's exactly the kind of person who would do something like that. While other characters like Comedian and (most of) the Minutemen weren't heavily characterized, even in the original Watchmen, Ozymandias has always had a god complex, a feeling that is thrilling to watch evolve as Adrien discovers more and more about how to be the hero he wants to be. I went into this series expecting it to be one of my least favorite of this whole Before Watchmen experiment, but I've found that it's pleasantly enjoyable and actually adds information that's worth reading (instead of, say, showing Eddie Blake killing Vietnamese soldiers).

GRADE: B

The Ravagers #4

(Mackie, Sampere, Martino, Rapmund)

The Ravagers has been anything but consistent so far in it's run that started back in May as part of DC's 'New 52: Second Wave' - it started as a spin-off to an already convoluted storyline, and since then hasn't really been able to pull itself up above being a series about a bunch of troubled kids who are angst-ridden. Now, this might be tolerable if the plot was strong, but Howard Mackie has really struggled to characterize and develop any of the main players of this series: Caitlin Fairchild is almost exclusively a worry machine, Thunder and Lightning have a stereotypical brother and sister relationship, I still really have no idea who Ridge is, while Beast Boy and Terra exhibit super-cliched "us vs. them" isolationist behavior. And they aren't actually even 'Ravagers' at all, in the strictest sense, meaning that this series' title is a total mislead. I have to hope for something better in the future, as all of these characters could be connected to other teenage series down the road - something I hope will inject something interesting into this lackluster series.

GRADE: C-

Spider-Men #4 of 5
(Bendis, Pichelli)

One my biggest pet peeves about comic books is misleading covers, and Spider-Men #4 commits a capitol sin in this regard, showing a broken and beaten Miles Morales in the arms of a distressed Peter Parker - a powerful image that never, irritatingly, ever happens in this issue, or even comes close to happening. In fact, this entire issue is about relationships, foregoing most if not all fighting in exchange for Peter connecting with people he's lost in his own universe, as well as meeting alternate versions of some of his closest allies. There's nothing wrong with this issue, per se - the emotional impact of Peter being in the Ultimate universe are palpable at Brian Michael Bendis' hand, and Sara Pichelli's artwork is stunning as ever - but the fact that the image on the cover was decided upon purely to sell more issues is truly frustrating. It's frustrating when such a good issue from such a good series and such good creators has such a big flub.

GRADE: B-

UPCOMING REVIEWS (AUG 8-14, 2012)

Batman #12
(Snyder, Cloonan)
- Now that "The City of Owls" is behind us, Batman moves forward with a stand-alone issue before the next month's Issue Zero then the return of the Joker in Batman #13. For now, we get a look at Harper Row, a new character Snyder is introducing who's actually made an appearance or two already!

Batman and Robin #12

(Tomasi, Gleason)

- This is the final fight with Terminus? I really feel like there hasn't been a first fight with Terminus, let alone a final one. But what do I know? Hopefully, the "War of the Robins" story continues this month, as it has proved a far better narrative than anything to do with that weirdo with a needle fetish.

Resurrection Man #12

(Abnett, Lanning, Saiz)

- It's the final issue of Resurrection Man, not counting next month's Issue Zero, which tells the tale of Mitch Shelley's origin. Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning will be wrapping things up nice and tight, hopefully, by giving us a definitive look at the way everything started going to Hell for Mitch.

Spider-Men #4 of 5

(Bendis, Pichelli)

- We've all been waiting for the meeting between Peter Parker-616 and Ultimate Aunt May (which is totally awesome to type), and it started happening at the end of last issue. Now, we get the fully reunion between two people who lost the most important people in their lives. Classic Bendis.

Superboy #12

(DeFalco, Silva)

- Yeesh. It seems, by way of DC promo material, that this issue of Superboy is about Kon-El dealing with dark influences and the choice he has to make whether to stay good or go bad. That's about as sappy and cliche as a teenage story can get, so hopefully Tom DeFalco has something up his sleeve to pull this story out of mediocrity.

4-Sentence Reviews
- Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #2 of 4
- Space: Punisher #2 of 4
- The Ravagers #4
- X-Treme X-Men #2

4-SENTENCE REVIEWS (JULY 4-10)

Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #1 of 6
(Wein, Lee)

Being a mixed bag of results thus far, Before Watchmen brings the origins of the most evil Watchman this week with a pretty comprehensive childhood flashback and the history of Ozymandias' supreme martial arts skills. Len Wein does an apt job navigating the life of Ozy, but the actual dialogue tends to sound stiff and flat. On top of that, Wein shoves a lot of plot into this one issue, which seems a bit overkill considering he's got six issues to flesh out the character. Overall, Ozymandias #1 isn't a bad read - in fact it's pretty engaging - there's just a feeling that there isn't much emotion in these characters, and that may prove to be a problem if Wein plans on attempting to make us connect with Ozy on a deeper level.

GRADE: B-

Detective Comics #11

(Daniel, Ferreira, Pansica)

Tony S. Daniel has really been letting Detective Comics slip since he ended the "Penguin" storyline and was somewhat pushed into making his title a part of "Night of the Owls". It seems as if Daniel is floundering, unsure of what direction to take the Dark Knight, resulting in a bunch of issues that feel disjointed, fractured, and (most of all) uninteresting. Mr. Toxic's introduction into the 'New 52' seemed like it would promise some fun panels, but instead we get an issue's worth of rhetoric pertaining to cloning and the way Mr. Toxic could be taking advantage of that technology. By the end of the issue, there are more questions than answers, which is just frustrating.

GRADE: C-

Dial H #3
(Mieville, Santoloucco)

To describe Dial H as confusing would be to only scratch the surface of China Mieville and Mateus Santolouco's thrilling mystery surrounding the enigmatic nature of the dials that turn people into super-powered beings. While the narrative-proper might be dodging and weaving a bit too much for the casual reader, the adventures of Nelson as he delves deeper into the conspiracy surrounding these weird dials just keeps you hooked - even when Nelson is at his most pathetic, I found myself strangely rooting for him. This is a testament to Mieville's use of specific diction and syntax to convey certain ideas, a hard feat for any type of writer. In the end, Dial H is still one of the best books you can pick up each month, not only for it's exciting narrative, but also for the distinct artwork and it's space in DC's 'New 52' universe.

GRADE: B-

Red Lanterns #11

(Milligan, Sepulveda)

This month, Peter Milligan takes us down the path to the end of the Red Lanterns, an endgame he's been working toward since the beginning of the series last September. Atrocitus' power is severely weakened, mutiny threatens his Corps from multiple directions, and now he's got a rather strong Abysmus to deal with before he can even begin to start making the Red Lanterns a forced to be reckoned with once again. It's hard to keep focused on this particular story when DC's already announced that October's issue 13 will be a crossover with the other Green Lantern-related titles for "Rise of the Third Army", signaling that the Rage Team isn't going anywhere anytime soon. While Red Lanterns isn't one of the best titles DC currently offers, it also isn't one of the worst.

GRADE: A-

World's Finest #3
(Levitz, Maguire, Perez, Cheetham)

Keeping with the theme of the first two issues in "Rebirth", Paul Levitz and George Perez bring readers another issue of World's Finest that not only reveals more about Karen and Helena's working relationship, but also gives more insight into their years since arriving from Earth 2. While the stalker-ish Hakkou is obviously a parademon from Earth 2 forced to become more intelligent to survive on Earth Prime, Power Girl and Huntress still have no idea who they're fighting, which is kind of annoying, especially seeing as Huntress is the daughter of Earth 2's Batman. The past sequence pages start making connections between the girls' operations and their effects on the DCnU, like Karen's relationship with Michael Holt. While enjoyable, World's Finest suffers from a lesser version of Earth 2's problem, which stems from having a large chunk of history to squeeze in between the current-day narrative.

GRADE: C+

Summer Blockbuster: Before Watchmen

Summer means different things to everyone. For kids and teenagers, it's a time of relaxation and pure bliss because there's no school. For college students, it's a time to work and maybe take more classes. For hippies it means festival season is in full swing, for water parks it means business, and for the comic book industry, it means big crossover events, and this summer DC Comics has the coolest one.

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Issue #1 covers for all seven mini-series and back-up.

As reported by many news outlets, the biggest - and most controversial - of these  is Before Watchmen, a look into the world of the Watchmen before the events of the original series by Alan Moore over 20 years ago. With some of the industry's biggest names in writing and artwork signed on, DC is going all-out and releasing seven mini-series complete with an ongoing back-up story and a bookend epilogue at the end of the summer.

Watchmen co-creator and author Alan Moore has publicly stated his distaste with the new series, likening DC's actions to writing a "Bible II" without consulting God. Moore's stance reflects his feelings toward the live-action feature film version of Watchmen released in 2009 to critical and popular praise. Many of the writers and artists attached to the project have come to their own defense stating their intent to enrich the world of the Watchmen, not to sully it as Moore believes.

Each of the main characters from the original Watchmen has their own title - Rorschach, Nite Owl, Comedian, Silk Spectre, Ozymandias, and Dr. Manhattan - as well as Before Watchmen: Minutemen which will focus on the first superhero team, the Minutemen, who operated decades before the Watchmen. The seven mini-series will be released intermittently, one issue per week, throughout the summer months until they finish up with Before Watchmen: Epilogue. At the end of each issue, a two-page back-up story featuring the Crimson Corsair will run the entirety of the event and finish up in the pages of Epilogue.

Stay tuned to "The Endless Reel" for weekly coverage of Before Watchmen as it unfolds this summer.