Hey everyone! It is time for your weekly dose of DC reviews. I’ve got a great Bat-book and a Flash book for you all, plus I’ve added a new Green Lantern book as well. Enjoy!
Minor spoilers ahead!
Batman: Streets of Gotham #16
Writer: Paul Dini
Artist: Dustin Nguyen
Cover Artist: Dustin Nguyen
Publisher: DC
After a teaser two issues ago, “The House of Hush” has finally arrived. Quite a bit happened in this issue, and the majority of it all was good stuff. Thomas Elliot has been biding his time ever since the Renegades showed up. Meanwhile, the inmates in Arkham have been released by Jane Doe, who is running around in the skin of a guard. Meanwhile, the new criminal in Gotham has a vendetta against Bruce Wayne, which works out perfectly for the good guys, because that is who Thomas Elliot is pretending to be. Overall I thought that this was a great issue. I think that it’s about time that Hush made his move, and I’m thoroughly pleased it isn’t going to be terribly easy for him. I think that Dini does an excellent job of developing and incorporating the history of the Wayne family. As always, Dustin Nguyen did a great job with the interior art and an even greater job with the brilliant cover. 4/5
The Flash #5
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Cover Artist: Francis Manapul
Publisher: DC
With the Rogues and the Renegades exchanging blows on the street, it’s only a matter of time till the giant mirror, left behind by Sam Scudder, is shattered. Unfortunately for Barry, the breaking of the mirror is the catalyst that will lead to him murdering Mirror Monarch, according to future Top. Making a valiant effort, Barry and Top take on both the Rogues and the Renegades in an attempt to leave the mirror in its pristine condition. However, after a struggle, the mirror is cracked by the Rogues, seemingly releasing the evil that will lead Barry to murder. I thought that this was a good issue. Francis Manapul’s art was absolutely fantastic in this issue, maybe even the best of all five issues. The direction of the story is leading up to the climax in the next issue, and that works really well for the issue. 3.5/5
Green Lantern Corps #52
Writer: Tony Bedard
Artist: Ardan Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes
Cover Artist: Ardan Syaf, Vicente Cifuentes, and Randy Mayor
Publisher: DC
To recap what has been happening in this series, since this is my first issue reviewing it, a number of Green Lanterns have been forcefully changed into Alpha Lanterns. It turns out that Hank Henshaw, Cyborg Superman, had been working under orders from the robed creature in Green Lantern. He then coerces Ganthet into reversing the process that turns Green Lanterns into Alpha Lanterns, in the hopes that this knowledge will help him turn back into his mortal self. Meanwhile, Kyle, Soranik, John, and Hannu are able to rescue an ailing Boodikka and lead a revolt against Cyborg Superman. Ganthet is able to separate the battery pack from an Alpha Lantern, however the Alpha Lanterns were now left with emotions where they had none before.
This was a really good issue. The way the arc came to an end worked out really well. The characters were well written and flowed effortlessly through the story. I especially liked Boodikka’s role in this arc, which is saying something, because Alpha Lanterns in general are a strange bunch. Ardian Syaf, who is joining the Birds of Prey team, did a great job with the art. 4/5
Arnab Pradhan
arnab@comicattack.net
Batman sounds awesome. I might actually buy it in the near future. 😛
Streets of Gotham, when it’s Dini writing, tends to be some really great stuff. When it’s not him or when the second feature takes over, it’s decent. But as a fan of “Heart of Hush” I’m hoping “the House of Hush” will be just as good. And in my opinion, from this first chapter, it looks like it will be.