The Hellblazer, Volume 1: The Poison Truth by Simon Oliver (Writer), Moritat (Artist)

Rebirth took Constantine back to London and because it’s Constantine you can be sure there will be someone wanting his head.

Our lovable rogue is back to doing what he does worse and screwing things up. I will say, Constantine needs to get with a gym and maybe a boxing coach …. I know he’s going up against magical creatures, but still be ready to run.

Rating 5 out of 5

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All-Star Batman Vol. 1: My Own Worst Enemy by Scott Snyder

So in my personal opinion Snyder is an amazing writer and “All-Star Batman” proves it. Volume 1 is OMFG good; collecting issues 1-5 you are taken on a serious battle for Batman’s life that will have you cursing at allies left and right. You can expect the bad guys to take on a bounty on Batman’s head, but other NON-baddies, well, talk about an ungrateful Gotham.

I want to write soooo much more, but I only semi believe in spoilers, all I can say is that this is a must read. My only issue is with the cover, there were a few covers in issues 1-5 that I felt portrayed Batman in cooler cover, but that’s just me, I always end up thinking “oh this cover would be better”.

One last tidbit, there was someone that literally had screaming “WHATTTT”, I won’t say who but just, you won’t see that coming.

Rating 5 out of 5
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Super Sons Vol. 2: Planet Of The Capes by Peter J. Tomasi

So Mr. Know-it-all, I mean Robin get's the Teen Titans in a bit of a pickle and who does he turn to, Superboy. With Superboy's help the Teen Titans are saved and Robin goes back to being young. Obviously the story can't end there, so, cue a portal to another realm and the Robin and Superboy being pulled through. 

Their adventure is interesting, difficult, and full of heroics. Definitely worth reading. Super Sons is actually a really good series that sees Robin actually acting more like a 13 year old. 

Rating 5 out of 5 
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Batman/The Flash: The Button by Tom King, Joshua Williamson

Okay, for months now we have heard of this mysterious event that will 
crossover Watchmen into the DCU knows as Doomsday Clock and we've all been waiting on baited breath for more hints and what not.

Well "The Button" is the road to Doomsday Clock; collecting BATMAN #21-22 and THE FLASH #21-22, this four issue crossover gives us all this drama and action as Barry and Bruce find themselves in the Flashpoint universe. Now, I'm not going to say more because if you were one of the ones waiting for the release of the collected series you're in for a treat. And, if like me you have a subscription at your local comic book shop and you picked up every issue like your life depended on it, then you already know how awesome this story is (I mean we see Bruce's dad as Batman again) and what answers our boys will find. 

We've covered story, now lets talk art and covers. When these issues released they were released in variant lenticular covers and two of those now grace the covers of the hard cover deluxe edition. 

The Covers:
Despite having all the issues and the variant covers, my collection felt a little lonely without the hard cover set. So which did I choose? I chose the one with Batman and Flash running side by side. Personally I felt that one was way cooler and really encompassed the teamwork between Batman and Flash and they try to solve this mystery.

The Insides:
Like the covers, the art inside does not disappoint. By the end you'll like treadmills and caves.

Basically, if you haven't read, go get yourself a copy and get ready for the release of Doomsday Clock.

Rating 4 out of 5
(had to wait to long for what comes next)

Issues & Hardcover purchased at Collector's Paradise in Pasadena
Digital ARC provided by NETGALLEY

Suicide Squad Special: War Crimes #1 by John Ostrander, Gabe Eltaeb (Illustrator), Juan Ferreyra (Illustrator), Gus Vazquez (Illustrator)

Suicide Squad stories are usually some random, let's go off and kill someone because Amanda said so.

This was just a mini-Amanda shows off what a big bad B** she is.

The “team” and I use that term so loosely, it’s basically falling apart; just has its usual antics.

Rating 3.5 out of 5
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Deathstroke: Rebirth #1 by Christopher Priest (Writer), Carlo Pagulayan (Illustrator)

Deathstroke is a really strong character, yet I personally felt that this Rebirth story didn't do the character justice.

I really hope that in upcoming issues they fix all this or at least make me like the new direction.

Rating 3 out of 5
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Green Lanterns #1-5 by Sam Humphries

Reviews Issues 1-5

The newest Earth Green Lantern’s (Earth must be really messed up if it needs that many GL’s) are about to have their first run in with the Red Lanterns and are about to learn so much about working as a team.

The art, especially for the baddies is amazing (no, I’m not rooting for the bad guys, I just love their art) and the story development is consistent enough that it engages the reader into the characters.

If you have a weakness for GL’s then checkout these guys. I’m loving the way we see these “normal” people really start coming into this whole hero business.

Rating 4 out of 5
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Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1 by Geoff Johns, Sam Humphries, Ethan Van Sciver, Ed Benes

Umm, Hal in my opinion can generally do no wrong, but, what the hell man?

Hal goes off to do his hero stuff in outer space and he leaves Jessica and Sebastian in charge of protecting Earth. 

Cool, cool, they’re pretty okay. Except for the fact that Sebastian is a bit of a douche, Jessica spends half her time super afraid and oh yeah, can’t make constructs. Oh and let's not forget that Hal binds their Lanterns. Now they need each other to recharge, so yeah, not that great.

This was a pretty good start off for these new GL’s; definitely looking forward to what they will bring to the table.

Rating 4 out of 5
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Green Lantern Corps: Edge of Oblivion #1-6 by Tom Taylor (Writer), Ethan Van Sciver (Illustrator)

Reviews All 6 Issues

If you have a Green Lantern story being led by Guy Gardner, we definitely know there is going to be a lot of fighting and some serious grumpiness going on.

The Green Lantern Corps is stuck in the universe before the current universe (not sure if this intergalactic travel or time travel), they are stuck in a universe with big, ugly monsters that actually kill a lot of GL’s.

For a short story it was good, plus, and this is a fave of mine, Kilowog is a strong supporting character in this story.

If you love your Green Lanterns, this is mini-story worth reading.

Rating 4.5 out of 5
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The Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade by Frank Miller, Brian Azzarello, John Romita Jr. (Illustrator)

This book wasn’t as good as I thought it was going to be. All this really do was cement that Bruce is a bit of an ass and Jason should know not to eavesdrop.

Rating 3 out of 5 
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Bloodlines #1-6 by J.T. Krul

Reviews Issues #1-6

This miniseries was somewhat interesting we see all these people getting infected by a parasitic alien that gives them powers….before taking over and killing them. 

Concept-wise the story seemed appealing, unfortunately there wasn't enough to really get you vested in the characters. The cliffhanging ending also didn't help endear the characters to the reader. 

The art style and coloring were appealing, so that was a major save. 

Based on how this series ended, I’d be interested in tie-up issue or maybe even an appearance of the surviving characters in Action Comics or Superman; after all, they did ride off to Metropolis.

Rating 3 out of 5 
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All-Star Batman #1 by Scott Snyder

Well Snyder definitely came out of the gate running with this one.

Our main baddy in this one is none other than Two Face and he is out for some serious blood; placing a major bounty on Batman’s head and turning somewhat decent people into bad guys.

Without giving any spoilers, Snyder will have you at the edge of your seat and screaming for the next issue.

Rating 4 out of 5 

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Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore, Brian Bolland

As a Joker backstory this book is amazing. I’m always team Batman, but in this book I was totally team Joker.

The same way Gotham created Batman, it created the Joker.

If there is one Joker book you read, make it this one.

Rating 5 out of 5 

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Batman #6 by Tom King, David Finch

This issue really focuses more on Gotham Girl, whom I now 100% sure is officially a new lasting characters.

Here we’re still reeling from the shocking end of issue #5, but we get some really good teasers for the coming future.

Rating 4 out of 5 
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Batman #1-5 by Tom King, David Finch

I was originally going to review each issue individually, however it’s a little hard to review a single issue on its own; they always end in cliffhangers and make you mad you have to wait a whole two weeks or so for the next issue.

The story begins with Bruce about to make the ultimate sacrifice to save all the people on a place Gotham. Just when things look their bleakest and you’re at the edge of your seat….BAM! Two heroes, with super strength and flight come along and help Bats save the day.

We get set up with two new heroes coming and the mystery of who they are and where they come from.

So were a little hooked now, plus Bruce donning a costume, not the Bat suit and actually going undercover has you like damn.

Things quickly take bad turn when we see Amanda Waller, because that woman is never good news.

The first act basically ends at issue #5 and let me just say “GO AND GRAB THEM.”

 

Rating 4 out of 5 

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Batman: Rebirth by Tom King, Scott Snyder

I’m a huge Batman fan, I mean come on; how can he not be your #1? Unfortunately this rebirth issue fell a little flat for me. We are basically given this hint of things are going to change and then Bruce working out shirtless of the side of a building in an extremely hot day.

Either way, as this was a transition issue from New 52 to the current universe I will definitely be sticking with this series.

Rating 3 out of 5 

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Swamp Thing #4 by Len Wein, Kelley Jones (Illustrator)

Alec’s old friend has gone off the deep end and as the NEW and Crazy Swamp Thing he’s out to kill Alec and destroy the world.

This is where the story get’s good and has you going all “damn”.

Rating 5 out of 5 
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Swamp Thing #3 by Len Wein, Kelley Jones (Illustrator)

Zatanna makes an appearance and helps lift the “swamp” curse from Alec, because that will not backfire.

Rating 3 out of 5 
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Swamp Thing #2 by Len Wein, Kelley Jones (Illustrator)

And zombie dude is back for round 2. Swamp Thing isn’t very bright sometimes, but he does know how to punch.

Rating 4 out of 5 
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Swamp Thing #1 by Len Wein, Kelley Jones

Swamp Thing fights a zombie! Enough said.

Rating 4 out of 5 
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