Comic Book Reviews

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

After seven long months, we have arrived at the conclusion of Batman R.I.P. After reading and rereading all seven issues, it's clear that if there is one thing Grant Morrison does not do, it's spoon-feed his readers. R.I.P. has been possibly the most talked about DC storyline of the last year, and though the conclusion may leave as many questions as answers, few writers would dare to include so much history, controversy, and still find a way to let readers draw their own conclusions on what really happened to Batman. Morrison teased that the identity of the main villain would be someone so close to Batman, it would shatter Bruce Wayne to pieces. Though that may not be the case anymore, he made good on his promise to change the scope of Batman forever. ..

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

I once was asked what comic book universe I would prefer to live in, Marvel or DC. I immediately answered Marvel. Not because I prefer Marvel over DC, but because there is no way I could ever live in a universe with the Joker in it. Brian Azzarello's new graphic novel, simply titled Joker, reinforces my answer in a way that only the best Joker stories are able to do so. Joker is a deep-layered introspective tale that doesn't just give you a glimpse of Clown Prince of Crime's Gotham City. It takes you deep in her darkest, vilest corners, dragging you by the neck and making you witness every inch of her. It leaves you feeling dirty after every page, as if you've just witnessed something that you will pay dearly for later on...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

In 1993, Milestone Comics were founded by a coalition of African-American comic book writers and artists who believed minorities had been underrepresented in American comic books. Today, Milestone Media is primarily a licensing company, but many of its comic book heroes are faint memories of the Nineties. Earlier this year, DC Comics executive editor Dan Didio announced that the characters of Milestone would be brought back and merged into DC continuity and current writer of Justice League of America (and one of Milestone Comics' founders) Dwayne McDuffie is re-introducing these characters to a new generation of readers. ..

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

Superman/Batman is somewhat of a guilty comic book pleasure for me. Sometimes the storylines are so over-the-top that I can't take it seriously, but other times it works very well as an escapist series for the DC Universe, similar to Frank Miller's All-Star Batman and Robin. Supes/Bats has for the most part kept away from touching any current continuity ever since Jeph Loeb left the book, and instead has done updates for characters and events associated with the duo. We've seen retellings of characters such as Supernova, Kara Zor-El, the Metal Men, and even a new story (hated by many, loved by me) in the 50th issue of the series where we learned that Jor-El and Thomas Wayne actually met years before either of their future superhero sons was born, and how that chance encounter shaped the destiny of DC's greatest heroes...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

About six months ago, Supergirl was one of DC's monthly books that served little to no purpose. It seemed to lack direction, without even a set origin for its main character. In fact, I can't remember when I really had any interest in Kara Zor-El, aside from her first appearances in Superman/Batman, and the one issue where she went against Batgirl Cassandra Cain (and that was purely for fanboy enjoyment). That's all changed now, thanks to a young writer by the name of Sterling Gates...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

After "The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul", I never thought I would want to read another comic book featuring the Demon's Head. As talented as Grant Morrison is, the whole story felt like unnecessary filler before the death of Batman, which every fan knew was what Morrison truly wanted to work on. However, Tomasi is a completely different story. I can't stress enough what an asset this former editor is to DC as a writer. Just like he provides a broader perspective of the Green Lantern world in the GL Corps book, his Dick Grayson is probably the best written in the Bat family apart from the boss's own...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

As talented a filmmaker Kevin Smith is, around comic book circles he is infamously known as one of the most chronically late writers in either company. His runs on Spider-Man have been either completed by other writers, or never started at all. His Daredevil/Bullseye story was put on hold indefinitely after issue one. Over at DC, his status is somewhat more positive. He kicked off a 15-issue run of Green Arrow, bringing Ollie Queen back from the dead and introducing his new female sidekick, Mia Dearden...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

Batman: Confidential has carved a nice little, if slightly unnecessary, niche in DC, visiting different events in the Batman’s history and rewriting them for a new generation. The book’s quality has been dictated by the ever-changing lineup of writers and artists. The last storyline, recalling the first encounter between Batgirl Barbara Gordon and Catwoman, was a treat in both writing and artwork, but the arc before it, drastically rewriting the origin of the Joker, took some liberties to the fan-approved Alan Moore origin that might have rubbed longtime readers the wrong way...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

There’s something really great about seeing Geoff Johns writing Green Lantern, and DC has been smart to keep him on it for so long. Of all the characters he’s written, he seems to understand the GL Corps and its members better than any other (which is saying a lot, since he’s doing wonderful work with Superman and the Justice Society of America). Starting with Hal Jordan’s Rebirth back in 2004, John’s influence on the Green Lantern can be compared to Frank Miller’s influence on Batman in the late 80s. ..

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

We’ve seen small bursts of Krypto’s powers in the last few years, usually involving him going against Superboy Prime in the Infinite Crisis and the Sinestro Corps war. There is also supposedly an excellent one-shot issue hiding in Kurt Busiek’s house about Krypto dealing with the death of Superboy Connor Kent, which may never see the light of day thanks to a messy lawsuit regarding the name Superboy. But here, we see the Dog of Steel in all his lunging, biting glory, bravely picking up the slack while Superman takes a beating he hasn’t endured since Doomsday...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

The writers of Superman, Actions Comics, and Supergirl team up to write the first chapter to New Krypton #1, the mandatory one-shot issue before a big DC event. Despite some mildly confusing character twists, it’s a fine set-up to what may be the biggest Superman story in years...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

It was revealed early on that Superman was going to die, due to his body absorbing too much energy from the sun. I would not dare spoil if he does or not, but by the end of the series, Superman’s fate is exactly what it should be. The last shot of him is exactly where he belongs. But before that, we witness one final fight with his arch-enemy Lex Luthor, who has taken Superman’s powers for himself...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

The Great Leap begins much like his last one did, with Grayson skydiving right when Harvey Dent shines Nightwing's unofficial logo in the NYC sky. The highlight of the book is a scene and coversation between Grayson and Dent that elevates the book from good to great. It reminds us that Tomasi is not afraid to bring in some Batman A-Listers into Dick Grayson's world...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

In a book known (and sometimes criticized for) outrageous concepts and adventures for DC's most famous duo, "The Lil' Leaguers" combines superb humor and detailed art to give us one of the most fun and accessible storylines the series has seen. This isn't the first time we've seen kiddie versions of Batman and Superman, but it's definitely the most fun. Co-writers Michael Greene and Mike Johnson let their creativity run wild with the concept, and artist Rafael Albuquerque meets them halfway with character designs that could work just as well in any medium...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

Though not as popular as the Robins or the Gordons, Cassandra Cain is an integral, if unofficial, part of the Bat-family. Making her debut in the Batman crossover No Man's Land, she is the daughter of David Cain and Lady Shiva, two of the most skilled combatants in the DC Universe. Raised by Cain through violent and abusive methods without being taught how to speak, she instead learned to read her opponent's body language in accordance to fighting methods...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

As we saw in Final Crisis #1, the Martian Manhunter met his end when the Human Flame requested that Libra kill the hero that had ruined his life. Though MM's death was limited to one panel and a final call to his late wife, Grant Morrison and DC knew that a hero of J'onn J'onnz caliber deserved a fitting send off and eulogy. Final Crisis: Requiem takes us to his last minutes, his friend's mourning, and a celebration of the life of one of the most famous characters in comics...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

. Tim Drake has been a contender to be the next Batman ever since Infinite Crisis, and the cover of Robin 175 gives a cool foreshadowing of the using the classic "Death in the Family" cover as inspiration. It's clear that Robin will be affected by the outcome of Batman R.I.P. in a big way, and this issue is a new beginning for the Teen Wonder...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

Captain Marvel fans may have been disappointed to hear that his newest adventures would be a kid-friendly retelling through DC's Johnny DC line of children books. However, they would be wise to give Mike Kunkel's new series a chance. The creator of Herobear and animator for Cartoon Network's My Gym Partner is a Monkey has given us one of the most unique look at the Marvels in a long time...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

What may seem boring and forced with any other writer, McDuffie makes enjoyable by giving his characters a sense of wit and playfulness hardly ever seen in them. Particularly amusing is Batman, who uncharacteristically teases Superman on why exactly he was caught sharing a kiss with fellow team member Vixen...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

The original 1960s Teen Titans were Robin, Wonder Girl Donna Troy, Kid Flash, Speedy, and Aqualad. The junior Justice League of DC set examples for other teens and stopped villainy that seemed too minor league for the real heroes of DC to handle. In the 1980s, Marv Wolfman and George Perez revived the New Teen Titans franchise to great success...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

Grant Morrison (Arkham Asylum, JLA) kicks off what is easily the most anticipated Batman story since Knightfall, and from the looks of it, it's setting up to make Batman's back being broken look like a fairy tale. Batman R.I.P is the culmination of Morrison's run which started in July of 2006 on arguably DC's most famous character. Since then, we have learned that Batman now has two sons: an adopted step-son in Tim Drake, and a nine-year old assassin brat named Damian, who was raised by the League of Shadows...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

Thanks to Pfeifer, Selina Kyle has had one of the most interesting changes since 2005's Infinite Crisis. During 52, she teamed up and conceived a child with police officer Sam Bradley Jr., son of detective (and one of DC Comics' oldest characters) Slam Bradley. Tragically, Sam met his demise before he could ever meet his daughter Helena Kyle...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

Geoff Johns has been on an incredible streak for the last year. After wrapping up his much delayed Last Son of Krypton arc and his visit to the year 3000 with the Legion of Superheroes, Johns is once again ready to revisit classic Superman mythos within the pages of Action Comics...

reviewed by Hugo Bravo

From the first page to the last, Wanted is a big "Screw You" to your life, your job, your belongings, your relationships, and you. Before or after you check out the film, you owe it yourself to read it in all its graphic novel glory. It's violent, funny as hell, and one of the best, most successful creator-owned comic book series of the 2000s...