Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Stryder's Favourite Comics - 5/16/2012

Sooo much to talk about this week!  Let's just jump right into it with


Nightwing #9 - Of COURSE there's more Night of the Owls!!  So much more...in this issue, the self-proclaimed BEST Talon, the one who's been tormenting Batman since the new 52 began, the one who is in actuality Dick Grayson's Great-Grandfather William Cobb attacks Nightwing!  He also gives him a history lesson in-between stabbings, like any loving Grandpa would.  It turns out that this Talon CHOSE his fate.  Not only that, but he kidnapped his then-infant son and turned that child over to Haly's Circus to be raised!  In this way, he began the process to breed NEW Talons from his line that would ultimately lead to Dick himself.  He even coined the last name...the Gray Sons of Gotham...

After reading about all of these different Talon fights throughout the Bat-books of the DCU, I'm a little amazed that they've managed to keep them all fresh.  The way they've done it is to make everything personal.  When you have so many crime-fighters with deep, generation-spanning ties to one location, it's not hard to pull the threads and see that everything's connected.  Kudos though, for the writers being brave enough to build the universe in that way and play with the continuity without contradicting anything!  The Owls story-line of course has been excellent in Batman, and here in Nightwing, it's just as awesome and in some ways much MORE personal.  Good work DC!

Lots more Owls and the rest of the DCU too!  After the JUMP:


Birds of Prey #9 - When the Birds of Prey fight their Talon, they definitively prove a couple of things that have so far only been suggested.  First, they prove that the Talons themselves, although they seem to be self-aware and reason well, don't really see the world as it truly IS.  Their minds are inflexible and unable to break away from the time they ACTUALLY lived in...the time period in which they were ALIVE.  This leads nicely into the second thing the Birds proved to me.  The Talons truly are 100% undead.  Katana's soul-stealing sword had no effect - the Talons have NO SOULS.

You would think that this would make using lethal force against them all the easier, conscience-wise, and yet Black Canary still holds back.  Seems she's feeling some guilt over that whole "I murdered my husband" problem.  Now is not that time for soul-searching, however, as Batgirl informs the team of how Batman figured out a way to stop their foes with ice. 

"Of COURSE Batman figured it out.  Say, what's the Dark Knight doing this evening?  Think he'd want to meet us for beers?"  Starling's got a crush on Batman!  Don't tell Selina...


Catwoman #9  - Selina and her new companion Spark were on their way to steal an antique knife from the Penguin last time...you know, one that was part of a set and had a bird-theme.  What bird was that again?  Was it...an OWL???

So of course Selina and Spark run into a Talon about to murder the Penguin and get his knife back.  This particular Talon has some emotional issues...apparently he cares about honour!  He wants the knife because he believes it will restore his standing with the Court of Owls.  The Court isn't too pleased about him failing way back in the past and losing his knives in the first place.  On the other hand, you don't really need a PERFECT Talon just to murder Penguin, do you?  Naaaw.  Unless maybe Selina, for some reason decides to HELP Penguin.  She IS enigmatic sometimes.  As she says, "I know when someone has been damaged by those who raised him.  Mirrors come in all sizes."  Sympathy for the Devil??


Red Hood and the Outlaws #9 - What does Jason Todd have in common with a Talon?  Well, for starters, they've both been dead.  Oh and hey, for one night only, they both get to walk around despite that fact!  The only question is, who's still going to be walking once the Night of the Owls is over??

Not only that, but Mr. Freeze versus the Outlaws!  He's the Talon's target...looks like he was working for the Court of Owls in order to fund his research.  Their severance package apparently includes severing heads from shoulders...early retirement is mandatory!  Jason and friends are supposed to be "rescuing" Mr. Freeze but he isn't particularly interested.  Extensive property damage is only the beginning of their tribulations...

Incidentally, I know I claimed earlier that Talons have no souls, but not only this Talon, but also the one from Batgirl #9 and the one from Catwoman #9 all walk a pretty thin line between "outright villain" and "sympathetic character".  Many of the Talons seem to be just as much victims as the people they hunt and kill.  Really, Jason has more in common with the Talon at his throat than he does with any of the other Bat people.  A point highlighted well in this issue and capped with a Batgirl cameo!  It always amazes me that this book can be simultaneously the most superficial and the deepest comic of the month.


Justice League #9 - The DCU doesn't begin and end with the Owls!  "The Villain's Journey" begins here as we start this issue with Mr. David Graves, an author who wrote the novel "Justice League Gods Among Us" after he and his family were saved from Darkseid's minions by our heroes back in the first story arc.  His popular novel seems to have not only given the League it's name (Flash wanted to call them the Super Seven!) but also helped cement their reputation as heroes who could practically do no wrong.

We come in on David Graves about one year after the events of the first League story (so about 4 years in the "past" of the New 52) to see that his life has taken a turn for the worse.  He seems to have aged terribly and is confined to a wheelchair.  A doctor is gently discussing the merits of euthanasia with the once-vital author.  What has happened to him?  Well, we don't know, but we do know that he blames the Justice League...and that Colonel Steve Trevor, as the liaison to the League and the only one who's easy to locate, may just pay for his hatred!

Incidentally, we look deeper into Steve Trevor's life this issue.  His job is NOT one that I'd want, I'll tell you that.  Being Justice League liaison may sound like fun, but he isn't a particularly happy guy...

In other news, Shazam continues in this issue as Billy Batson tries to adjust to going to school.  He's a bitter little dick for the most part, but he does beat up some kids that are picking on his new foster (we're NOT a) family...just like Captain America, Billy doesn't like bullies.  Unfortunately, these bullies are the kids of some wealthy jack-ass and Billy gets in more trouble than he should.  Meanwhile some archaeologist is looking for the tomb of Black Adam (I guess the original Shazam?) and finds SOMETHING...I'm sure we'll find out exactly what NEXT month...


Resurrection Man #9 - Ok, I admit I've never bought this comic and just wanted to see how last week's Suicide Squad story ended.  Good work DC, you got me!  Regardless this was an interesting tale.  Resurrection Man was about to be chainsaw dismembered by Deadshot at the end of Suicide Squad #9.  This issue jumps right into that story with a competing group of government agents interrupting Deadshot and the Squad to claim Resurrection Man as THEIR prize!  What shadowy, shadowy spooky government agency will get their hands on poor Mitch?  Well, the optimum word is HAND.  And Chainsaw.  Maybe they don't need ALL of him...

Seems this guy is sort of old TV show Hulk...he's wandering around on the run with no one to trust.  His only sort-of companion is being forced to work as a double agent and betray him.  Oh and he can't stay dead.  Sucks for him!  I do think that it's cool that every time he dies he comes back to life with a new power though.  I'd probably go public and defy the government with the amazing power of media.  Regardless, neat concept! I doubt I'll get more issues or anything, but still...


Supergirl #9 - The Black Banshee thinks he's hot stuff for beating up his daughter, Silver Banshee along with our hero, Supergirl!  Little does he know that they are strictly minor league.  Kara still doesn't speak a single human language and just learned about Earth clothes last month, and the dude's daughter is struggling AGAINST her powers, so as not to lose herself in ancient, evil magic.  Try beating up someone cool like Wonder Woman or the Flash and see how far you get, Stupid Irish ghost guy!

Well, the Black Banshee does something really interesting to Supergirl wherein he seems to overcharge her...she suddenly can't control her powers and has a bit of a freak out.  Luckily no innocent bystanders get TOO hurt.  By the end, Kara's literally glowing hot with the power of our lemony yellow sun!  Can she figure out what to do about this before she turns into a tine supernova in downtown NYC?  Can she???

  
Wonder Woman #9 - When last we left Princess Diana, she had been shot through both her so-called impenetrable bracelets and her chest by the golden pistol of Eros, held by Hades, who now wishes to make her his queen.  Sucks to be her!  In this issue, she's NOT dead, of course...rather, she may actually be in love??

This of course doesn't sit too well with Hades CURRENT wife, Persephone, who is introduced this issue...
But IS Double W in love?  Hmmm...it sure doesn't seem like it.  Still, I guess if you get shot by the pistol of Eros, it A:  Leaves a weird hole in your chest that aches and  B:  Makes you fall in love with the next person you see a la cupid?  Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  Hades isn't too sure.  If only there was some way to be SURE that Diana isn't lying!  Luckily when Wonder Woman came to hell, she brought with her this nifty golden lasso thingee that makes people tell the truth!  Look at the cover art and I think you can fill in the blanks.  What happens?  We won't know till NEXT month...

And that's it for another week!  Phew that was a long one!  No rest for the geeky, however, as tomorrow launches a whole new week of comics, including brand new Batman title, Batman Incorporated #1!!  Not to mention Superman, the Flash, Aquaman, and more!  We even get the next part of "The Culling" with Teen Titans #9!  Exciting!

While we wait, why not visit Stryder's Dementia and see what ELSE I did this week?  There's a video with a pretty girl!  Have a great one!!

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