Sgt. Rock #378

I've been holding on to this issue for quite some time in hopes to finally read it during Christmas in July. Yet, I kept forgetting about it. WELL, NOT THIS YEAR, FOLKS!

The title story is the only tale that is 'seasonal'. But it's a Joe Kubert classic. 

Sgt. Rock and Easy Company are so far into Enemy territory that it takes forever for the mail to arrive. When it finally catches up to the men, it's mid-July and yet their Christmas cards and presents have just now hit their hands. One of the soldiers, Jackie, has just become a father. Since he can't be home to play Santa to his newborn baby girl, Jackie's wife sends him a Santa suit and a bunch of toys in hopes he can play Father Christmas for some needy children on the front lines. Thus, for a bunch of French orphans, it truly is a Christmas in July to remember. 

Other stories are by Kubert's son Andy, members of the Joe Kubert School of Art and Robert Kanigher. These war tales involve a French child who finds a discarded Nazi helmet, a young American G.I. who fights bravely for his 'gal' back home and a set of 'fact sheets' about the war culture of a primitive tribal culture in South America, everything you need to know as World War II submarine warfare conducted by the Americans, and the various ways mine fields have been disarmed. 

My favorite story of course was the first one. The scene where Jackie is dressed as Santa and he's hesitant to go down the chimney, least he gets stuck was hilarious. Especially, when some Krauts show up with guns blazing and Jackie jumps down the chute head first- without thinking! Just brilliant stuff from Joe Kubert. The second story had that tragic 'war is hell' twist as did the third tale. But I think with a small child being the ironic victim, it's shocking finale was more gut wrenching.

I knew before I bought this book that there was only 1 Christmas story. Honestly, did one expect Joe Kubert and his disciples to come up with an entire set of warm weather Christmas-themed war stories? This book was published in 1983. Was Christmas in July even a thing back then? It's not the Hallmark Channel summertime movie marathon maker that the event has become today. That's for sure.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Dark Days: The Road to Metal

DC Comics and the Previews solicits tried to warn me. In order to fully understand Dark Nights: Metal, you had to have read the Dark Days one-shots The Casting and The Forge. But I didn't listen.

If you are reading Metal, STOP! Even if you are only the last page- just stop! You will miss out of so much detail. Things like why is XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX all of a sudden appearing in Gotham City? And why is the reappearance of  XXXXXXXXXXXXX such a big deal? Plus, you will fully understand why Batman has been preparing for a war against unimaginable evil!

After reading this volume, if one is still in the dark about the Dark Knight's crusade, then you've got several back issues reprinted here that delves ever so much more deeper into the roots leading to Metal. Going all the wa back to 2008 and Grant Morrison's Final Crisis. Yes, that means DC Comics has been planning out the foundations of this epic miniseries for over 10 years- maybe even longer!

A slew of talent worked on this very much required reading. Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Jim Lee, Andy Kubert and many more! While I love the work these guys have done, I will say that I am looking for some other great DC superstars to be given a chance to steer the ship. And NO- I am not talking about Bendis! I wanna see what Joshua Williamson, Mitch Gerads, Scott Lobdell and Jason Fabok have to offer the world's best superheroes on a much grander scale! 

DC has been getting raked over the coals for some very poor sales decisions that have resulted in cancellations, delays, firings, and controversial restructures. Well, no matter how badly the business side of my favorite comic book publisher has been run lately, I cannot fault DC's dedication to crafting the ultimate comic book universe mosaic. Metal and it's component parts has been fun to read. But let's face it, it's time for the DCU to be mapped out for more than just a select few who seemingly have a singular focus. 

It's time for the next great age of DC. Thankfully, this is the compass to get us there!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Dark Knight III: The Master Race

The latest chapter in the Dark Knight saga by Frank Miller has Bruce Wayne dead after being unable to recover from injuries in a battle with a super-powered Lex Luthor. Cassie, the Dark Knight's former apprentice has taken up the mantle of the Bat and has declared war on the corrupt cops of Gotham.

Meanwhile, Wonder Woman is ruling Themyscira alone with her new son; the product of a union between the Amazon and Superman. While their eldest daughter seeks her place in the world, the Man of Steel has exiled himself to the Fortress of Solitude after an unknown defeat. When a forgotten evil presents itself as the savior of the human race, which side will both Cassie and Lara, the Last Daughter of Krypton, take?

Yes, a lot seems to have transpired from the events of the Dark Knight Strikes Again. Some things which seem to contradict said events. For example, in the sequel to The Dark Knight Returns, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, Green Lantern had become just a source of Emerald power. Yet here, Hal Jordan has seemingly returned to human form and no explanation is given.

One of the reasons for these inconsistencies maybe that Frank Miller isn't doing the majority of the writing here. Instead, it's 100 Bullets Brain Azzarello who has taken on head writing duties. Miller is still involved in the project but at the time of production he was suffering from a number of health problems. Thus Azzarello's need to take over.

Unlike in the first two books, Miller does more art. Original series artist Klaus Janson is still around but he is on inking duty only here. Frank Miller is instead assisted by Andy Kubert for a majority of the nine issue series. But it's what Miller focuses on throughout this mini's run was my favorite part of the Master Race. 

At the end of each issue was series of tie-ins called The Dark Knight Universe Presents. These back-up features focused on characters mainly unexplored in Miller's Dark Knight universe such as the Atom and Aquaman. I actually wanted more of those stories than the main story of the Master Race I was presented. 

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this chapter in the Dark Knight story. But I enjoyed the back-ups more. I am told that a fourth volume is in the works and if so, I really hope Miller focuses more on the supporting cast as they were a lot more interesting to me than what was going on with the DCU Trinity.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars. 

Flashpoint #2

   Barry Allen has just awoken to a world that is not his own. Seeking answers to the insanity, he seeks out his old friend, the Batman. Only when he arrives at Wayne Manor, he finds the place hasn't been lived in for years. Worse yet- when he does come upon the Dark Knight, the vigilante doesn't even know him. See, there's a Wayne underneath the cape and cowl but it isn't Bruce! Can Barry convince this Batman that the criminologist is a true friend and that his claims that there's another, better earth out there isn't the delusions of a raving lunatic?
    Whereas issue #1 of Flashpoint was a tasting menu of what readers could expect from this massive crossover event, this issue really delivers the meat and potatoes of the story. There are dozens of mini-series and one-shots devoted to the world of Flashpoint (and I will read and review them all), but their purpose is to explore deeper the impact of whomever changed timeline. The main point of Flashpoint is Barry Allen's attempt to get back to his version of Earth-1.
   More than likely, since Barry has memories of pre-Flashpoint earth, he's the culprit behind the alterations to the timeline. But if that's the case, it's not been revealed up to this point. I'm just going to have to keep reading to find out...
    The team of Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert managed to hit another glam slam outta the park. The writing is superb and I just am in awe of Kubert's gritty artwork and amazing re-designs of some of DC's most iconic characters.
    Excellent stuff!

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.
   

Flashpoint #1

 Barry Allen awakens in a world that is not his own. He's no longer a speedster. He beloved Iris West is in the arms of someone else. And his mother is still alive!

  But this is just the tip of the iceberg. In this world, all of Europe has been sunk by Aquaman's Atlantean forces, the UK is under the control of The Amazons of Themyscira, and there's no such thing as Superman or the Justice League.

   One thing this earth does have is a Batman. But this version is more ruthless, cunning, and willing to use a gun. If Vic Stone- Cyborg can win him over to his cause, it will rally a global force of metahumans who could end the Amazon/Atlantis conflict and ensure global tranquility. But that's IF Batman agrees to lead this army of ragtag heroes.

   Geoff Johns does a masterful job in this opening chapter of Flashpoint. It truly is a DC Universe unlike any other that I've ever seen. As of right now, I’ve got about 100 questions. But to be fair, there’s about 100 Flashpoint related issues to dive into. So for right now, I’m going to try to shut up, sit back, and enjoy the ride. With deft artwork by Andy Kubert and colors by Sandra Hope, I think I can manage that.

  Worth Consuming

 Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.