Final Crisis: Requiem — Writer: Peter J. Tomasi;  Pencils: Doug Mahnke;  Inks: Christian Alamy and Rodney Ramos “Requiem” is apparently Latin for “bait and switch,” since DC has packaged this Martian Manhunter tribute exactly like the Final Crisis main books (with “Final Crisis” in huge letters and “Requiem” in tiny, easy-to-miss ones), so that many fans will pick it up thinking they’re buying the next installment of Morrison and Jones, only to end up with Tomasi and Mahnke instead. That’s unfair to those creators, who’ve done the best they can with this thankless assignment involving a character that (a) no … Continue reading →

Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! #1 — Writer/Artist: Mike Kunkel Surprisingly good — Kunkel’s open, expressive, cartoony style suits a Johnny DC title like this, and he’s using most of the Jeff Smith setup from last year’s Shazam mini-series, so the foundation is solid, with Billy, Mary and the return of Adam (who, in this version, has a pre-teen alter-ego just like Billy, and can’t remember his magic word… yet). Of all the established super-heroes, Captain Marvel’s probably the most kid-friendly, going all the way back to his origins (well, yeah, Plastic Man, too), so it’ll be interesting … Continue reading →

The Walking Dead #50 — Writer: Robert Kirkman; Art: Charlie Adlard One of a number of books this week that were more than good enough to read, but that I just wasn’t quite attracted enough to to buy. Kirkman’s zombie comic reaches its landmark 50th issue (a rare accomplishment for an Image title) with a comparatively-quiet story, as Rick lies near death and his son has to cope. There are a few false notes — a conveniently recoilless revolver, and the is-Dad-a-zombie? chain that gets pulled one too many times — but deft characterization, and Kirkman’s ability to evoke grief … Continue reading →

Final Crisis #2 (of 7) — Writer: Grant Morrison;  Art: J. G. Jones It feels better than the first one, partly because of lowered expectations and partly because Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern has already introduced the Alpha Lantern characters used here, so Morrison’s script doesn’t feel so disconnected.  As for the story, it doesn’t have the simple who-can-you-trust flash and bang of, say, Secret Invasion, but a more subtle psychological intensity — the gradual realization that the enemy has taken out the JLA’s two tactical experts first, and so easily, creates an air of dread, a certainty that this first … Continue reading →