Review: DC Vs. Vampires #9

DC Vs. Vampires #9 came out last week marking the halfway point of the second arc of this book. As this second arc has Supergirl as a main character and ... gasp ... a hero I felt the need to grab it and review.

I have admitted in the past that books like this or zombie titles don't usually get my attention. I am probably not the target audience here. But I will also admit that I am a sucker for Elseworlds and that I have been enjoying this book so far.

Writers James Tynion IV and Matthew Rosenberg are doing what they should do in books like this, introducing us to the broader DCU in the context of this vampiric wasteland. Now I didn't read the first 6 issues so I don't know how or why so many heroes got turned to the dark side. But I like the ragtag group of uninfected heroes who are still trying to save the world. Steel, Jayna, Green Arrow, Batgirl, and a depowered Supergirl sort lead different factions on different quests. There is a very nice surprise in the middle of the issue which I didn't foresee which also made me happy. 

Perhaps the one thing that I worry about is that there are three very different plot lines happening in this book meaning each issue is sort of sliced into thirds. I am far more interested in the Batgirl and Supergirl plots than I am the Green Arrow one and so I wonder if so many plot lines are too many for a book this length. 

I love the art as well. Guillem March's covers are horrific and dynamic. I loves seeing Supergirl front and center fighting fanged Atlantean warriors. Otto Schmidt is on interior art and brings his somehow both loose and polished look to the inside. I really like his work.

All three plots are nudged along in this issue so let's get to the details.

Review: Action Comics #986

Action Comics #986 came out this week, the second and final part of the Only Human arc by the fill-in creative team of writer Rob Williams and artist Guillem March. The story is a fine pause on the bigger storylines of the title, examining the new relationship between Lex and Superman and commenting on human nature.

One of the things that has felt new in the Rebirth era of books is Lex actually being something of a super-hero. While more narcissistic and evil attitudes always seem to be bubbling just below the surface, Lex has pretty much been flying the straight and narrow. And Superman has had to reluctantly accept Lex as being the good guy he has been. I don't know, if I were Supes, if I could ever trust Lex. But Superman is also supposed to be optimistic, thinking humanity is inherently good. And that friction is good grist for the mill. This story kind of peels back the curtains a bit, showing who Lex truly is ... and maybe showing how Lex is struggling to be good as well.

Rob Williams makes sure the right character moments are in here, using a pretty insignificant conflict with the Machinist as the scaffolding that this main character thrust of the story is built on. And Guillem March brings a scratchy sort of urgency to the proceedings. And we get a great Mr. Oz moment at the end to bring us back into the main plotline.

Lastly, I am well aware of the comic history of covers being bait that rarely signifies what is on the inside. But I was waiting for a brawl with Titano that simply never happens.

On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #985

Action Comics #985 came out last week, a new arc with a guest creative team of writer Rob Williams and artist Guillem March. I suppose after the superb Superman Revenge Squad story as well as the upcoming Mr. Oz reveal, regular writer Dan Jurgens deserved a little bit of a breather.

This issue explores the new dynamic between Lex Luthor and Superman. With Lex being a 'hero' now and part of the Superman Family, but still having some nefarious history with the Man of Steel, this relationship is suddenly fresh soil to till. From the God-Killer arc to Revenge to this Only Human, it has been interesting to see a Superman struggle with a Lex who seems to be on the right side of humanity.

As a reader it has also been hard to take Lex at his word. Every so often he says a line which makes me think he is the same old Lex, just wearing a sheep's clothing.

Writer Rob Williams (who I know best from the quirky DCYou Martian Manhunter book) tells a solid tale of trust and mistrust even if he brings back The Machinist as a villain. I have to say very little of the Geoff Johns/JRJR run on Superman has stayed in my head. Was the Machinist part of Hordr? Did he die? Do I need to go back and look?

And I know Guillem March best from good girl art and covers. His art here isn't that style at all, bringing a rougher edge than what I am used to.

On to the book.

Guillem March Supergirl #35 Cover Process

The solicited cover for Supergirl #35 didn't exactly thrill me as it once again shows a mega-angry, red eyed Supergirl. This is the post-Red Lantern Kara, one who is supposed to have put mindless rage behind her. I don't need a cover with her skipping in a meadow. But this continues an outward perception of the overly angsty Supergirl.

Outside of the tone, I think the cover is one of the better ones for artist Guillem March. At times I think his stuff is stunning. At times I think he veers a bit too much into the body-contorted cheesecake covers I see all too often on the rack.

Over on his blog, March breaks down the cover process. Here is the link:
http://guillemmarch.blogspot.com/2014/07/supergirl-35-cover-process.html

And here is the black and white rendition.

But for me, I love to see the behind the scenes artistic process. When Josh Middleton was on Supergirl covers, he used to post process pieces on his covers all the time.

And my favorite part of those posts, and this post by March, was the rejected thumb nails for the cover. Now it is hard to know what the actual content of the issue is to know if any of these covers make more sense from a story point of view.

That said, I think these covers are a bit too much like a pin-up for my tastes. Seems a little coquettish too. And why is Kara donning or doffing the Red Hood? Anyways, of these, I suppose I like #3 the best.

But if the choices were these thumb nails or the final layout, I agree with the final layout.

As a long time fan, I love these peeks into the creative process!

Guillem March Supergirl Cover Tease

This one has been floating out there for a while now. Cover artist Guillem March posted this picture on his blog with the name 'Supergirl cover'. Here is the link: http://guillemmarch.blogspot.com/2013/10/supergirl.html

I don't want to sound like a prude but there is something a little unsettling with this picture of Supergirl flying at us crotch-first, her form-fitting trunks clinging to her cheeks.  And this doesn't seem to look like a 17 year old girl either.

Now I know, March is a cheescake artist. But this seems almost too obvious.

It isn't like I completely dislike March's work either. While he has had his share of clunkers (Catwoman #0 being the biggest target), he sometimes knocks it out of the park.

I love this cover from his Gotham City Sirens run.

And this cover for Huntress is really great, the concentric circles in the background give some sense of twirling motion to the staff she is holding.

And one more thing. In looking to the above Supergirl cover, she is floating above the Earth. While the motion sense of the cape makes it look like she is flying away from Earth, what if she is flying towards it? What if DC orients the cover that way.

Okay, it's a crude mock-up. But for some reason this isn't as jarring. Now it feels like she isn't flying towards me for an up-close encounter but away. This upside-down cover also gives a little sense of joy and fun into the character as well.

Anyways, am I overthinking this cover?

Review: Wonder Woman #600, Pt 1

With the comic world awash in Wonder Woman talk, I wondered if it was okay for me to join in the fray. I figured why not; I'm a Wonder Woman fan too. So here is the review of Wonder Woman #600. Plus, Supergirl appears in the first story so it is an easy rationalization.

Much like Superman #700, this is a over-sized anniversary issue with multiple stories, the last being an opening chapter of a radical new arc by J. Michael Straczynski. And just like Superman #700, there is too much to cover in one post.

My thoughts on the new arc are here.

But the thing that bothered when reading about this issue was the "need" for this new direction; many of its proponents imply that something is wrong with the character of Wonder Woman or her current stories/fan base ... something so wrong that her very history and look need to be completely torn down and rebuilt. And frankly I don't agree with that assessment.

Ironically, I thought the very issue that introduces the new arc does a great job of showing everything that is right about Wonder Woman.

The first story, 'Valedictorian', is written by Gail Simone and drawn by George Perez. It showcases both of these mega-stars' talents perfectly while encapsulating everything that is Wonder Woman.

A story of two halves, it opens with Diana leading a veritable army of women super-heroes against Professors Ivo's Cyber-sirens, robots with the power to enslave men.

Look at the fierce expression on Diana's face as she jumps into the fray.

Diana the Warrior.

Okay, I feel compelled to show the Supergirl parts of the story too.

The sirens have two major pieces of artillery, a grounded war wagon and a flying tank. Wonder Woman sends Supergirl (Diana's big gun in this group?) to take out the airship.

As with his interpretation of her in Brave and The Bold, Perez does a great job with this Supergirl. She takes off to handle the gunship.

Diana the Tactician.

It is something of a motley crew that Wonder Woman has brought together. It includes anti-heroes like Ravager and innocents like Misfit. Why would someone like Ravager join? Because Diana asked her too.

Diana the Unifier. Diana the Ambassador.

As expected (hee hee), Supergirl is able to corral the flying tank and toss it. Wonder Woman hoists the assault vehicle and flings it into the tank, ending the fight.

Diana the Powerful.

With the battle over, the members of Diana's army fall over themselves to talk to her.

Despite the utter respect they all have for Diana, they also want to be friends with her as well. Batwoman wants to hang out in a bar with her.

Diana the Friend.

Unfortunately, Wonder Woman has a prior engagement. She can't stick around. She praises her friends for fighting so bravely and leaves.

The heroes all wish they were her, have whatever it is Wonder Woman has. Even a gadfly Black Alice has a look of grudging respect on her face. They would all follow her again.

Diana the Leader.

Diana had to get to Vanessa Kapatelis' graduation and her Valedictory speech.

Vanessa had a rough time with Wonder Woman in the past, even being changed into the villain Silver Swan for a time. But Vanessa acknowledges that you need to have the strength to make it through the hard times. As Diana has taught her, you need to keep the faith.

Diana the Role Model. Diana, who Perseveres.

When Diana bemoans the fact that she could have done more for Vanessa. Maybe if Diana was there more, Vanessa would have had an easier life. She could have been a better friend.

Diana the Humble.

Vanessa chastises her; the world needs Wonder Woman. She taught Vanessa to face her problems and conquer them.

Diana the Teacher.

Diana the super-hero.

In 7 short pages, Gail Simone boiled down the character to her essence and showed how great stories are possible with this Wonder Woman. Heck, Simone had been doing it on the title for a while already.

I mean, that is just a great great comic story.

But wait there was more.

In another great story, written and drawn by Amanda Conner, Wonder Woman gives Power Girl some relationship advice. Not relationship advice about men ... it's about Karen and her cat.

It is a fun little story, showing a Diana during a down time, relaxing.

It also has a hysterical opening where the two fight Egg Fu.

And there is another great story by Louise Simonson and Eddie Pansica in which we see the friendship that Supermand and Wonder Woman share, the respect they have for each other. While Superman is on rescue duty, Wonder Woman does the heavy lifting by fighting the magic-powered Nikos Aegeus, laying him out with a bone-crunching right hook.

Nothing but home runs so far ...

And like the best anniversary issues, Wonder Woman #600 also includes a gallery of her by great artists. This also felt ironic since the costume change was such a big deal about the upcoming Straczynski run. Again, there was this undercurrent that the old costume just can't work any more. And yet we are treated to images like these ....

This one by Shane Davis, my favorite in the book. Nothing wrong here.

And this one by Nicola Scott, which came in a very very very close second to Davis'. This is screaming to be made into a poster.

Nothing wrong with the costume here.

Even this one by Guillem March while provocative in showing a sultry Diana (and maybe a little too much butt cleavage), is great. Here it isn't the costume which shines so much as the layout. The angle looking down from directly above, the 'animation' of her arm blocking the bullets, the lasso coiled and ready to lash out ... it is innovative a 'pin-up'.

And I didn't even scan the Adam Hughes, George Perez, Ivan Reis, and Francis Manapul ones ... all of which are stunning.

With all this sheer goodness in the issue, it made me wonder why there is a need for an extreme take on the idea of a 'bold new direction'.

Kudos to all involved here ... especially Gail. Your Wonder Woman will be missed.

Overall grade: A+