Happy New Year everyone! Here you go, my first review of 2009 and it was an unexpected doozy. Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! isn’t the type of comic I usually read. It’s targeted toward a much younger audience than my usual titles, I would say 9-12 year olds, and focuses largely on what it’s like being 11 years old and being a super hero at the same time, Earth’s mightiest mortal no less. However, Captain Marvel is my favorite DC hero so picking up this comic was a no brainer, for good or ill though?

This book is a part of Captain Marvel’s re-launch in the DCU and continues the story that was started by Jeff Smith in Shazam! Monster Society of Evil (SMSE). However, when and where these stories take place in actual continuity is very much open for debate. Anyway, on with the review.

(more…)

52 #25 Cover

Last week in 52: The new JLA, consisting of a new Firestorm, Super-Chief, Bulleteer, Firehawk and Ambush Bug, contact Green Arrow and ask him to join their team, but with little luck.  When the team has to go up against an arsenal of villains from different time periods, they discover that evil Skeets is behind the time rift and fail to stop him.  Afterwards, the newfound team disbands.

J’onn J’onzz poses a government official in order to infiltrate Washington’s power structure and steer its players into abolishing Checkmate, all in honor of those superheroes who died in battle, most notably Ted Kord/Blue Beetle.  However, upon abolishing Checkmate, it gets recertified as a U.N. Agency.

At the Great Wall of China, the Black Marvel Family speak with The Great Ten about maintaining peace in the world, but with the Chinese super-team baffled by Black Adam’s change of heart, a growing conflict begins to develop

Amanda Waller asks Atom Smasher to recruit a group of allies in order to soil the Black Marvel Family’s name.

**Spoilers after the break**

(more…)

52 Week 24 Cover

Last week in 52: Intergang takes William Magnus to Oolong Island where all of the missing mad scientists are being confined. Here, he runs into T.O. Morrow who explains to him that that they were sent to the island to help Intergang succeed in their world plans and create the Apokolips.

Meanwhile, Renee Montoya and Charlie find Isis’s younger brother Amon at Intergang’s secret HQs in Yemen. They, along with Isis and Black Adam, destroy the HQ and save Amon. Having been severely tortured and permanently crippled, Black Adam gives him a bit of his power transforming Amon into Osiris, healing his wounds in the process and giving him superpowers. With Isis reunited with her brother, the three decide to bring peace to the world one step at a time.

**Spoilers after the break**

(more…)

a tonfa will mess you right up

These days, a review about Nightwing is really a review about writer Peter Tomasi. Tomasi’s name is one I hadn’t remembered reading before I pounced on his Great Leap arc in Nightwing 147-150, but then I looked the guy up. His work on last year’s Black Adam mini was richly entertaining, but his Nightwing work has really been top notch. With issue 150, Tomasi concludes his Great Leap arc.

Great Leap, loosely part of the Batman RIP event, pits Nightwing against the villain many consider to be his true arch foe, Two-Face.

The twist?  Nightwing starts out the arc with a little help from Harvey Dent.

You heard me.

(more…)

52 Week 23 Cover

Last week in 52: Lex thinks that Supernova’s true identity is Superman; he makes clear that he wants to become a superhero to rival him.  However, after given a blood test he realizes that he is incompatible for the metagene therapy.

Meanwhile, Jon Standing Bear visits Metropolis to attend his father’s funeral.  Afterwards, his grandfather tells Jon of his obligation to follow family tradition and become the new Super-Chief.

On the fifth day of Week 22, Lex Luthor celebrates the grand opening of his Business School. Steel makes an appearance at the opening ceremony, intending to speak with Luthor about his niece and his own newfound powers, but another man who took part in the metagene therapy beats him to it.  After the man is taken away, Steel sympathizes with him.

(more…)

Last week on 52: Steel finds out that Lex Luthor has the ability to take away the powers of those who participated in the Everyman Project.  Meanwhile, alien parasites attack Sector 3500 until Starfire takes Lobo’s Emerald Eye of Ekron and destroys them.  However upon doing so, the Emerald Eye let off a signal to Ekron, in search of it’s missing eye.  Before reaching Sector 3500, Lobo, Starfire, Adam Strange and Animal Man leave on Lobo’s pilgrimage.

**Spoilers after the break**

(more…)

52 Week 19 Cover

Last week on 52: The Croatoan Society investigates the disappearance of their ally, Tim Trench and asks Ralph Dibny for assistance.  Ralph goes embarks on a quest with the Helm of Fate (the only remaining clue behind Tim Trench’s disappearance) to find out the answers behind the disappearance along with answers about his wife Sue’s death.

In Shiruta, Black Adam and Isis award Vic Sage and Renee Montoya medals for their heroic actions during their wedding.  After a slight misunderstanding between Black Adam and Renee, Vic explains that the real problem at hand is Intergang.
Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, Ohio Booster Gold’s funeral is being held.  Skeets finds a direct ancestor of Booster and asks for his help.

**Spoilers after the break**

(more…)

52 Week 18 Cover

Last week in 52: Lex Luthor’s dream team makes it’s first appearance in battle, but not without conflict from team member, Eliza Harmon.

Starfire, Adam Strange and Animal Man find themselves stranded in space and are attacked by Devilance.  The trio is later saved by the now pious bounty hunter, Lobo.

**spoilers below**

(more…)

Last week on 52: Isis and Black Adam celebrate their wedding, though with little peace.  Suspecting Intergang’s involvement, Renee Montoya stops a suicide bomber, but kills the young girl in the process.  Meanwhile, Starfire, Adam Strange and Animal Man escape the planet they have been trapped on for sixteen weeks.

52 Week 17 Cover

**spoilers below**

(more…)

Last week in 52: Renee Montoya and Vic Sage (The Question) break out of the Khandaq prison; but most notably, the death of Booster Gold.

52 Week 16

**the story continues with spoilers below**

(more…)