Summer of Supergirl Special #1

Despite what some of you may think, this really has been the Summer of Supergirl. Unfortunately, a lot of you decided to forgo a really fun movie. May I just say that I am disappointed in you. Kidding. Kidding. Maybe Supergirl would have been better received if done as a series. Maybe if there was more Krypto. Maybe if Supergirl actually wore her costume in the film. Maybe if James Gunn wasn't involved.

I can see reasons to hate the film. But deep down, it was freaking entertaining to this fan of the Girl of Tomorrow. I stocked up on Supergirl merch. My office is going to look amazing this school year! While I don't buy everything with Supergirl on it, I always buy the comics. But if it wasn't for the guys at my favorite comic book store, I would have missed out on this summer special.

With my mystery blood disease, I get brain tired a lot more often than I want. One casualty in my comic book collecting hobby is that I haven't been checking out the new releases like I used to. A lot of times, I just plain forget. Others, I'm just too mentally and physically exhausted to check at the end of the day. Thankfully, Books Furnish a Room in Durham NC were looking out for me and they ordered this knowing how much a fan of Kara Zor-El I am. 

There's 3 stories in this oversized release. The main story features the main man himself, Lobo. Makes sense as he's making his silver screen debut in Supergirl. The tale opens with Supergirl and Lobo in space court. Apparently in Lobo #4, the two got into a massive brawl and were apprehended for the damage. Thankfully, you don't have to have that issue in order to follow what happens here. But I am interested enough in seeing if my LCS has a copy and getting the inside scoop.

Tale #2 is written by Gail Simone. It has Supergirl and Mary Marvel meeting for the very first time. The pair bond over the fact that both are orphans and essentially grew up in the foster care system. Dedicated to all children and families who have fostered and adopted, this is my pick thus far for story of the year! It was so poignant and sweet. And not saccharine sweet either. I loved it!

The final story is probably the most massive undertaking in Supergirl history. It sees Superboy, Jonathan Kent and the female Steel attempting to unravel the tangled history of Supergirl. Along with the real deal, you've had the Matrix Supergirl and that one that was an Angel, after a girl named Linda Danvers bonded with the shape-shifter in the 90.s You've got multiple origins. Tons of different costumes. The multiverse. Plus, a surprise for me, everyone seems to know that she died fighting the Anti-Monitor! Confessionally, I haven't been really up-to-date with DC's Crises in the past 15 years like I probably should. 

The last story was educational. But I feel like it gets hijacked towards the end by J'onn J'onnz. The middle story was the best. The opener was very funny. If you are a fan of any incarnation of Supergirl, you will want to add this one-shot to your Supergirl collection. As for the judges of the Eisners and other comic book awards, I employ you to give serious, SERIOUS consideration to Gail Simone and her story 'Lost Girls' for story of the year and writer of the year, if the nomination process for this cycle of publications are still open. It's really that excellent of a work!

Worth Consuming!

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

DC Dog Days of Sumer Special #1

8 action packed adventures for all you DC Comics fans. 

A $9.99 price tag might be pretty steep for most of you. But I am a holiday themed comic addict and since I was going on vacation this week, I could not pass it up. 

There's quite a few of DC's best working on this book including Dan DiDio, G. Willow Wilson, Stjepan Sejic and a cool-looking cover by Francis Manpul. While there's an impressive list of talent on this book, the quality of the stories do vary. 

The best stories were:

• A Killer Croc tale of the crime lord's Miami origins, set in the Everglades.
• Beast Boy's feats of strength during his much needed summer vacay.
• Red Lantern Dex-starr teaches a milquetoast the benefits of rage when some Khund vacationers go on the war path.
• On a jungle safari, Animal Man must protect his family when an ancient menace targets them as his next meal. 

The worst:

• A Superman and Krypto team-up. The story of the duo facing an alien menace was good. But the art was really poor. 

In the middle was:

• A Justice League story involving a Minotaur named Ferdinand. His quest to find a suitable main course for the League's BBQ was admirable, especially since I am a professional chef. But I don't know this character and that made it hard to make a connection with the story.  
• Captain Carrot's cartoon world is undergoing a CRISIS. With Earth-23's Superman out of commission, the bunny must rely on the grim and gritty Atomic Batman of Earth-17 whose all about logic Yet, with the sun feeling unappreciated, the only way to save the day means relying on some hilarious cartoon physics! Again, the art wasn't all that great. But it seemed to match this Looney Tunes inspired tale.

If you are keeping count, I just mentioned 7 stories. That's because #8 is one that I couldn't decide whether I loved it or hated it. It involved a pair of drunks deciding to ride an untamed bull (wearing a pained on smiley face) at a county fair. To the rescue is Batcow! This was an absurd story that had some hi-highs and some groan-worthy lows. I'm sure that I don't feel okay with this story. I just don't know whether to hate it or love it. 

Overall, I enjoyed this special very much. For the most part, the stories were great. It was the artwork that wasn't, in my opinion, DC Comics quality. If you are going on a vacation anytime this summer, pick up the DC Dog Days of Summer Special. Almost perfect for reading on a breezy evening after a long day of fun in the sun.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Catwoman/Tweety & Sylvester Special #1

In this DC/Looney Tunes crossover, the witches of the two franchises are having their Witches Conclave. During this gathering, a bet is made as to who would ultimately win if given the chance to fight to the death- the Tweety Bird or the Puddy Tat? But even when both are given the chance to finally off the other, the two enemies never can seem to finalize on their opportunities.

In order to accomplish this feat, once and for all, both Tweety and Sylvester are granted champions who will do the deed in their place. For Sylvester, he's paired with Selena Kyle- the Catwoman. For Tweety, he's teamed with Dinah Lance- the Black Canary. Though both heroines don't really want to participate in this blood feud, they are compelled. For you see, if Tweety dies, then birds of all sorts will died with him. That includes bird themed superheroes. The same happens for Sylvester. If he used up all nine of his lives, it's night-night forever for Selena too!

Though I had to read the first 3 pages about 10 times to understand the mumbo-jumbo of those in the Witches Conclave, I liked this book. There's tons of surprises in this special. Gail Simone and Inaki Miranda pulled out all the stops in this one!

I also enjoyed the Looney Tunes style back feature. It has both Sylvester and Catwoman trying to break into Granny's apartment. The Puddy Tat wants Tweety of course. The cat burglar wants some of Granny's ice, as in diamonds. It was a laugh out loud adventure that I would love to see done as an actual animated short.

The DC/Looney Tunes crossovers are always great fun and this one is no exception. Too bad the DC/Hanna Barbera pairings aren't as fun. Maybe it's because they try to reinvent the wheel that are the HB properties whereas these specials capture some of the original heart of the Looney Tunes gang.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Weird War Tales Special

Vertigo's 2000 special devoted to Weird War Tales was just plain weird...

In a tale from Garth Ennis, a quartet of buddies swap war stories while waiting out a rain storm. Then learn the secrets behind Helen of Troy. The brief history of warfare reveals a never ending pattern of bloodshed while a custodian attempts to make a nuclear holocaust a little bit prettier place to live. Plus a POW in Vietnam is saved thanks to his dynamic drawing skills. 

I should have known from the book's cover that this isn't my Weird War Tales. I have such fond memories of that title. This thing gave me heartburn.

The book doesn't have a rating but this definitely isn't for kids. There's some very, VERY graphic material here- mostly it's all in conversation (and mostly I'm pointing my finger at the Garth Ennis tale!) That one really shook me to my core and not in a good way at all.

I only paid a quarter for this from a bargain bin. Yet, I feel like I want my money back on this. 

And just what the heck is that thing on the cover supposed to be?

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Countdown to New Who: Advent 2016: Day 15

   
 Only the most serious of Doctor Who fans know that the first Doctor Who Christmas special happened the week of Christmas, 1981. It was on December 28th that fans in the UK got to tune in to the BBC for the hour-long show titled K-9 and Company. 

    It starred John Leeson as the voice/ operator of the Doctor's robot dog and the lovely Elizabeth Sladen as the perfect companion of all- Ms. Sarah Jane Smith. In the episode, the Doctor realizes that Sarah is quite lonely and he gifts her a K-9 robotic unit of her very own. Sadly, the Doctor doesn't appear in this episode at all.

   Anyways, my gift to you is a chance to see this rarely viewed special. So, grab a cup of egg nog (liquid custard) and a plate of fish fingers and enjoy!

(NOTE: Due to licensing issues, I can no longer present the full episode. So, here's a snippet. Best I can do folks!)

   

Spider-Man: Black, Blue, & Read All Over #1

First of all, I love the cover. It looks very retro, like the live-action Spidey TV-show of the 70s, which I love fondly despite knowing it was very hokey.

Then there is a great companion piece with a reprint of ASM #12 in which a very sick Spider-man is unmasked as Peter Parker by Doctor Octopus. The twist is everyone thinks Petey was trying to be heroic and isn’t the wall-crawler at all.

Lastly, there’s the title tale in which Spider-man convinces Jonah Jameson that he’ll unmask if the Daily Bugle will publish the wallcrawler’s side of the story for a change. It’s a nice tale that shows you how hard it is to be a hero. But, the ending is lame.

Average everything out, and I give this tale a 6 or of 10. But, it’s still very good and Worth Consuming, but just barely.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Justice League International Special No. 2 Featuring The Huntress

The Huntress, a somewhat disciple of the Batman’s joined the JLA in the late-80s. She lasted about a dozen issues, mostly as a bit player and then BOOM!- she disappears without much explanation.

This special tries to correct that oversight, by explaining where she went and why she begin’s the story in hiding. All seems well until the appearance of a new costumed vigilante in a local paper brings her out of exile and on the front doorsteps of the League.

It’s not a bad story, but there are a few problems, mostly with plotting. The background of Huntress is muddled. There’s still some Pre-Crisis bleed over of Huntress originally being the daughter of the Earth-2 Batman and Catwoman. Plus, she’s got some many aliases as she is now trying to hide from the mob, that even Huntress herself, can’t keep things straight.

The biggest problem is the title. It says “Justice League International” on the cover, but Huntress was never a member of that version of the League and the team she runs to for help is the Justice League America and NOT the JLE.

Other than that, the art is good and the dialogue is good capturing the silliness of Giffen and DeMatteis.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Star Trek Movie Special #2: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

The Enterprise crew, having restored Mr. Spock to life, must now return to earth to face their fate for their crimes of disobeying orders, stealing a starship, and subsequently destroying said starship. But, before the gavel can be lowered, a strange probe has arrived on earth, threatening all life. It appears that whales are descendants of an alien race and Kirk must attempt to travel back in time in order to bring the now extinct mammels into the future in hopes to saving the world.

This issue has some great back up info not included in the film. We see more of the crew’s struggles to repair their stolen Klingon bird of prey and to create the galaxy’s largest aquarium of all time.

Sadly, much of the out-of-time humor the Enterprise crew experience being stranded in the 1980s is omitted in order to keep all the plot points moving. It's that humor what makes ST:IV a classic amongst Trekkies and casual fans alike and it's missing here!

It’s slightly forgivable, but still lacks a little bit of that old cinematic magic. Still, it’s Worth Consuming if you find yourself wanting to see the film but without a copy to watch on DVD.

Rating: 4 out of 10 stars.