Hey everyone, I’m here with a whole new set of DC reviews for you all. I’ve got Gotham City Sirens, Green Arrow, and Time Masters: Vanishing Point for you this week.
Minor spoilers ahead!
Gotham City Sirens #16
Writer: Peter Calloway
Artist(s): Andres Guinaldoa and Bit
Cover Artist: Guillem March
Publisher: DC
With the amount of time Catwoman has spent with Batman, it was only a matter of time before even more criminals targeted her to find out his identity. If you’ll remember, when the three Sirens initially joined together Ivy and Harley tried to force Catwoman to reveal the man beneath the Bat mask. However, Talia had taught her some techniques that would prevent her from being able to speak his name. This issue begins with Selina strolling through Wayne Manor finally reaching Bruce in a dreamlike state, which is later revealed to be due to the use of magic. The issue cuts to six hours previous, where Alfred learns of a magical intrusion and immediately alerts Batman, who in turn has him contact another hero that is closer. It just so happens that that hero is Zatana who gives Catwoman what can only be described as the worst warning of all time, telling her to tell Ivy to stay away. Warning ignored, the three Sirens rush to the burnt park only to be attacked by mud creatures. Talia, by aid of Oracle, arrives just in time to see Catwoman get kidnapped and to explain that a bounty had been put out against Catwoman because of the knowledge she may have.
Overall, I enjoyed this issue. Although the story is slightly similar to the first story, the magical aspect adds a nice twist. Plus, the idea of Selina, Talia, and Zatana working together, three women who have had a thing with Bruce at one point or another, is an entertaining one. 3.5/5
Green Arrow #4
Writer: J.T. Krul
Artist(s): Diogenes Neves and Vicent Cifuentes
Cover Artist: Mauro Cascioli
Publisher: DC
This issue was set up in a way that left me feeling a little cheated. The first major scene in the issue was when Martian Manhunter came to the forest and attempted to burn it all down, because his powers had negatively reacted to the forest’s power. The only problem was that this was almost scene for scene a recap of what happened in Brightest Day #9. Logically, the scene feels completely out of place, regardless of how Krul attempted to make it fit. Furthermore, had I not been reading Brightest Day, I feel the scene would have been more confusing than anything else.
That being said, the rest of the issue was great. Star City is still in turmoils as a result of the massive explosion and the poor are getting no assistance. Mary, the woman Ollie rescues in the first issue, almost starts a riot but is saved by Green Arrow just in time. Ollie then suspects that Mary might be the killer that is on the loose, but when he goes to find her he is welcomed by a shocking discovery. This portion of the story was great. It felt a little like a filler or a setup issue because of the Brightest Day portion, but otherwise it was a good issue with a nice set up for the next issue. 3.5/5
Time Masters: Vanishing Point #3
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Artist: Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund
Cover Artist: Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund
Publisher: DC
A word of advice for those of you who haven’t started reading this mini-series, the subtitle “The Search for Batman!” is misleading at best and a lie at worst. Granted, this is just third issue, but for the most part there has been very little actual searching. On the other hand, if you are like me and you like Rip Hunter and Booster Gold, you should definitely pick this up. This issue picks up right where the last ends, with our heroes in danger. Rip has found himself separated from the others and in the grips of a mad sorcerer. Meanwhile, Green Lantern and Superman have found themselves trapped by a magic wielding witch and her dragon. Booster is able to save the two of them, but the heroes still find themselves trapped in two separate times and locations. Back at the Vanishing Point the Time Stealers release the imprisoned Matthew Ryder and Liri Lee, members of the LInear Men. The Time Stealers are attempting to use their knowledge of Rip Hunter to take him out of the equation. Like I said, if you’re looking for a companion piece to Grant Morrison’s Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne, you’re not going to be finding that here. What you will find is a fun, well written mini-series about Rip Hunter and co. Personally, I think the mini-series is great. The story is interesting and the art is nice, although considering the title I would like to see a little more of the “searching.” 4/5
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Arnab Pradhan
arnab@comicattack.net
Yeah, the beginning of Green Arrow 4 was just screwy. It added nothing to the issue, except a moment of thinking that I’d read that before.
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Great reviews Arnab! I too enjoyed seeing Selina, Zatana and Talia all working together.
I agree with you and Eli, the beginning of Green Arrow was odd, but after J’onn left it was a fun issue.
Gotham City Sirens is getting better, yay! This issue was much more interesting than the story before.
I am also a fan of Time Masters. I’m getting to know Rip Hunter and I am really liking him.
Yeah, this issue of Sirens is much better than recent ones. Still though, I feel like it’s missing…something.
Green Arrow I like, but agree with the above comments- the recap opening of Brightest Day #9 was weird.
Time Masters? Not reading it.
I think Sirens needs just a little more long term focus. It’s been a lot of mini-events, but nothing really evolves.
I still see no reason for the Brightest Day recap to have been in Green Arrow.
@Andy, I won’t go as far to say you’re missing out, but I’ve enjoyed Time Masters.
It sounds to me like JT is doing great with GA. The chick book sounds like a fun read as well.
JT is doing a great job with GA, especially when he’s not having to stick in random bits from Brightest Day. GCS has had it’s problems in the past, but it’s an enjoyable series.