He's Here, He's There, He's Everywhere!

Etrigan, taunting DC readers

Is Etrigan the Demon the new Lobo?  Anybody remember back in the 90s when Lobo was turning up EVERYWHERE in DC comics?   Did anybody really like him?  Or was it a just a marketing push, thinking that if we were exposed to him enough, he'd eventually wear us down, and we'd begin to want to see more of him?  You know, kinda like Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan.  

It seems that DC's new Lobo is Etrigan the Demon.  He seems to be popping up in all of the DC comic books I read, and his rhyming speech is as annoying as reading Zatanna's backward spells.  Are there people out there that go ga-ga for Etrigan appearances?  And, if so, are they aware of this ailment from which they suffer?  

Tiny Titans Etrigan

Even the Tiny Titans aren't safe!

Enough with Etrigan, I say!  Let's put him in Hell and leave him there! 

Daken, Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!

My wish from my September 2009 posting came true: Daken -- Wolverine's son -- received his own series.  Unfortunately, that's where my enthusiasm ends. 

Having a day off recently, I sat down and read 4 or 5 consecutive issues of Daken: Dark Wolverine.  (By the way, I still hate that they use that title, left over from the Dark Reign days, only as an attempt to drive sales.) 

I didn't realize I had bought the new Tyger Tiger, Crime Lord of Madripoor series.  Each issue that I read of Daken was about crime lord (lordess?) Tyger Tiger, her henchmen, and other various criminals in the fictional country of Madripoor.   Did anyone bother to tell the writers that the title character should actually appear in his own comic series?  I'm all for supporting characters, but when title character BECOMES the supporting character, that's where I have a problem. 

There is so much depth, intrigue, and mystery to Daken, that to push him to supporting role status in his own comic book is equivalent to a slap in the face (and you don't want to be slapping Daken).  If I didn't already get to know him from previous comic book tales, I would have no idea who he is or what he is about from reading his new self-titled series.  The stories I recently read were of fair to mediocre quality, certainly not worthy of the complex character of Daken.  If he took over Wolverine's book for awhile and received his own title as a result of its success, don't you think he's worthy enough to have better stories written for and about him? 

Amazing, Spider-Man.

Amazing Spider-Man #655 was probably THE single best issue of Spidey that I've read since I started reading his adventures again three years ago.  To start, the cover was literally...well, amazing.  It said so much...in so little.  All the white space surrounding a genuflecting, sorrowful Spider-Man was beautiful and really set the tone for the story inside.

The story is set after J. Jonah Jameson's wife Marla dies at the end of issue #654.  As I opened the comic, I found page after page of wordless panels.  I studied each and every panel, as they all told a story.  The message was extremely powerful and well "written."  The image of J. Jonah Jameson lying in bed alone with his wife's side undisturbed.  Him getting up to turn off the alarm clock that was still on her side of the bed.  The wedding ring he still sported.  The dual bathroom sinks no longer being used simultaneously.  These images were so striking.  No words were even necessary.  It was a refreshing change of pace to see JJJ humbled, even under these unfortunate circumstances.  

I won't reveal anything more about this issue because I think it speaks for itself and should be read in full to really appreciate it.  This was the kind of story that Spidey has been missing for a long, long time.  Thank you, Dan Slott, for coming in, taking on consistent writing chores for ASM, and providing us with such a memorable story that will surely go down in Spidey history as a classic.

Joking Around With Lex Luthor

Action Comics #897

I recently read Action Comics #897, where Lex Luthor is headlining until the milestone 900th issue when Superman is supposed to return to the title. 

In Luthor's quest for the Black Lantern energy (see: Blackest Night), he has to visit Batman's arch-nemesis, The Joker, in prison.  What results brings out the best of Joker.  He's comical, yet cunning.  He's a smart-ass, yet sedate.  He's not the maniacal Joker we're used to seeing in the Bat titles.  Paul Cornell writes the Joker as if he has a real sense of humor, a trait sorely lacking in other Joker appearances.  He is not only The Joker, he's a joker.  After reading this interpretation of the Clown Prince of Crime, I would love to see a mini-series featuring the Joker, with Paul on writing chores.  

Teen Titans: Back on Top

Teen Titans #93

I just finished Teen Titans #93, and I have to say that I'm very pleased that my favorite comic series is back on track, thanks to fantastic writing by J.T. Krul and beautiful art by Nicola Scott.  Geoff Johns' Teen Titans is what got me back into reading comics after a 15-year absence (and The New Teen Titans was my favorite comic in the 1980s), so I have a special affinity for the team. 

I love the introduction of Solstice to the team.  She's a welcome addition; I think she has a lot of potential, and she brings a bit of diversity to the team.  I hope she sticks around and doesn't go the route of Terra.

Superboy,
art by Nicola Scott

J.T. Krul has a great handle on the schematics between and personality traits of each team member (unlike some writers whose name I won't mention again).  The dialogue is fitting and the stories move along quickly.  Nicola Scott draws each of the Teen Titans beautifully.  Superboy never looked more handsome with his dark hair and baby blues.  I can't help but look at the cover, though, and think that Solstice eerily resembles Mary Kate and/or Ashley Olsen.  Speaking of the cover, where was Red Robin?  Was he late for the photo shoot?   

Kudos to everyone on this issue.  I'm looking forward to reading The Teen Titans up through their milestone 100th issue and beyond!