DETECTIVE COMICS #971/ Written by JAMES TYNION IV/ Pencils by MIGUEL MENDONCA/ Inks by DIANA EGEA/ Colors by JASON WRIGHT/ Letters by SAL CIPRIANO/ Published by DC COMICS
Reviewed by MATT MORRISON
The Victim Syndicate have taken control of Arkham Asylum and Clayface is in their clutches. Now, as the public turns upon Gotham’s vigilantes and more of his allies begin to question their crusade, Batman must make a bold choice if he is to save his city. The artwork is much stronger than in the last issue, with Diana Egea’s finishes adding a shaded but not over-shadowed appearance to Miguel Mendonca’s pencils. James Tynion IV’s writing and handle on the characters is as strong as ever, making his the best Bat-book on the stands once more.
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #2/ Written by GEOFF JOHNS/ Art by GARY FRANK/ Colors by BRAD ANDERSON/ Letters by ROB LEIGH/ Published by DC COMICS
Reviewed by MATT MORRISON
Following the trail of Dr. Manhattan, Adrian “Ozymandias” Veidt journeys into another universe with the villains Mime and Marionette in tow as well as the new Rorschach. The artwork by Gary Frank and Brad Anderson is fantastic but Geoff Johns’ script has yet to say anything significant. The cynical may say that there is no point other than mining Alan Moore’s prior creative works for further profit but at least Johns seems self-aware of that point. “Nostalgia… they don’t make this anymore,” quips Marionette regarding her favorite perfume, and that’s as stinging an indictment of this series to date as I can make.
THE FLASH #37/ Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON / Pencils by SCOTT MCDANIEL / Inks by MICK GRAY/ Colors by HI-FI/ Letters by STEVE WANDS / Published by DC COMICS
Reviewed by MATT MORRISON
A new boss is taking over Central City’s super-criminal underworld and the revelation of who it is will stop Barry Allen cold. I loved Scott McDaniel’s work on Nightwing but his work on this issue of The Flash is a far cry from his glory days. McDaniel’s kinetic style seems ideal for depicting Barry Allen in motion and the best parts of the book are the scenes of The Flash and Kid Flash in battle. Unfortunately, many of the poses look awkward and the layouts seemed rushed. Joshua Williamson’s command of the characters continues to be fantastic, but this series needs a good, regular artist that can match his writing and it needs it fast.
HAWKMAN: FOUND #1/ Written by JEFF LEMIRE/ Art by BRYAN HITCH/ Inks by KEVIN NOWLAN/ Colors by ALEX SINCLAIR & JEREMIAH SKIPPER/ Letters by CLAYTON COWLES/ Published by DC COMICS
Reviewed by MATT MORRISON
Those hoping for an explanation of the ending of Dark Knights Metal #4 or a definitive origin story for Hawkman will be sorely disappointed by this comic. Jeff Lemire’s script is more concerned with introducing the concept of Hawkman and exploring the character of Carter Hall than explaining anything. While this results in a rather trippy read as we see Hall fighting his way through some kind of psychic landscape, it succeeds in its goal. That and the artwork by Bryan Hitch and Kevin Nowland make this issue worth reading, even if it isn’t much of a tie-in.
INJUSTICE 2 #38/ Written by TOM TAYLOR/ Art by DANIEL SAMPERE/ Colors by REX LOKUS/ Letters by WES ABBOTT / Published by DC COMICS
Reviewed by MATT MORRISON
The Titans have been freed from The Phantom Zone, but General Zod has come along for the ride! When The Justice League Task Force and Titans fail to stop Zod from escaping The Fortress of Solitude, it will fall to Batman and the one weapon he never dared use to bring Zod to heel. The Injustice 2 team deliver another fantastic issue. Tom Taylor’s scripts provide the perfect balance between action, humor, drama and horror. Daniel Sampere’s art is just plain awesome, with Rex Lokus and West Abbott providing the perfect finishes to the complete package.
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Kabooooom! 