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Wonder Woman #771
Publisher: DC
Writer: Michael W. Conrad and Becky Cloonan; Jordie Bellaire (back-up story)
Artist: Travis Moore; Paulina Ganucheau (back-up story)
Inks: Travis Moore; Paulina Ganucheau (back-up story)
Colors: Tamra Bonvillain; Kendall Goode (back-up story)
Letters: Pat Brosseau; Becca Carey (back-up story)
Cover: Travis Moore and Tamra Bonvillain

Part Two of the “Afterworlds” arc solidifies this story as being one of the best current mainstream superhero stories at DC. Conrad and Cloonan have placed Diana in Valhalla, among the immortal warriors of Norse mythology, in a story that is refreshing for both its content and its setting, but still stays true to Wonder Woman’s character. She’s lost much of her memory, but continues to fight and struggle against injustices and irrationality, which in this issue take the forms of the Norse god of thunder, Thor, and in a surprising turn, Dr. Psycho, whose presence in Valhalla somehow makes no sense and yet fits well within the story. Surprisingly, one of the best parts of this arc so far is a new character, the trickster squirrel Ratatosk. Conrad and Cloonan has a great handle on Ratatosk’s voice that make this issue a fun read. The back-up story is also intriguing, with a focus on Diana’s youth on Themyscira and the beginning of her education in some of the darker parts of the Amazons’ past. 4/5 – MT

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Challenge of the Super Sons #1
Publisher: DC
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Art: Max Raynor
Color: Luis Guerrero
Letters: Rob Leigh
Cover: Jorge Jimenez & Alejandro Sanchez

The pairing of Jon and Damian is probably one of the DC moments I look forward to the most. Their adventures have been a breath of fresh air thanks to Tomasi who once again delivers quite the fun and entertaining tale. This time we begin in the far future as the two are arguing over a video game while their grandkids dive into a yet another tale of the Super Sons. From here, Tomasi brings us to present(ish) day where the two heroes are doing what they do best. However, this leads to death prophecies, time travel, and saving prominent members of the Justice League. What makes this work so well is that Tomasi never fails at bringing some great dialogue between Jon and Damian. He gives us two best friends that get on each other’s last nerve but will have each other’s back no matter what goes down. Then he throws in a classic vehicle from Superman’s past (I so wish I still had mine) that adds to the charm of this issue. Raynor and Guerrero are a spectacular art team that deliver some impressive visuals throughout. From the dynamic panel layouts to the art inside, this is one of the better looking books to hit the shelf this week.

The Supersons carry the legacy of their father’s but with a style all their own and with a much needed levity to counter the adventures of their parents. This is also a great way to just jump into a story and enjoy it for what it is without the confines of continuity in the larger DC universe. 4.5/5 – IS

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Batman: The Detective #1
Publisher: DC
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Andy Kubert
Inks: Andy Kubert
Colors: Brad Anderson
Letters: Clem Robins
Cover: Andy Kubert and Brad Anderson

A new, non-continuity six-issue limited series, Batman: The Detective takes a page from some of Frank Miller’s Batman work by featuring an older Bruce Wayne who, at the beginning of the story, contemplates his life’s mission and whether his past actions as a masked vigilante have served to help make Gotham a better place. The time period of the issue is a little murky, as Bruce is still affected by the death of Alfred in a way that makes it seem that event was very recent, yet the rest of the issue includes internal narration as Bruce comments to himself that he’s not as young as he used to be. Small contradictions like this aside, there’s a lot to like in this issue, including some well-choreographed fight scenes (one featuring some unique tactics and some magic gloves gifted to Batman by DC’s favorite bad-boy magician) and some London-based characters with callbacks to Batman Incorporated. Kubert’s art is excellent, with some interesting and non-traditional panel designs that are especially useful in portraying a chaotic scene in the first few pages. Despite all the action, this version of Batman is a true detective, constantly having an inner dialogue, even during fight scenes, analyzing the situation, his opponents, and his allies. Taking Batman out of Gotham is a good way to get a different, fresh look at the character, and the twist ending promises a great mystery for the world’s greatest detective to solve in the future issues of the series.  5/5 – MT

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Superman #30
Publisher: DC
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson; Sean Lewis (back-up story)
Artist: Scott Godlewski; Sami Barsi (back-up story)
Inks: Scott Godlewski; Sami Barsi (back-up story)
Colors: Gabe Eltaeb; Ulises Arreola (back-up story)
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Cover: John Timms

This beginning of a new arc packs a lot of information and story, which mainly serves as background and without a focus on the main characters. Lois Lane appears in the first couple of pages, but does not have much of a role, and Jon Kent is mainly in the issue to act as the POV character in order for his father, Superman, to explain about an adventure in his past that has led them to travel through space to another planet. Johnson is setting a complex story with a lot of world-building and a fantasy-like mythology behind a new culture never previously seen before. His attention to detail is admirable, and Godlewski’s designs for the aliens are fun and engaging, but so far this doesn’t feel like a Superman story. The back-up story featuring Ambush Bug and Jimmy Olsen is weird and slightly confusing, which is appropriate for the characters, but almost too much to be enjoyable.  3/5 – MT

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Martin Thomas
martin@comicattack.net

Infinite Speech
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