Yep. DC does it again. With their low selling performances, Legion Lost, Frankenstein Blue Beetle and Grifter will all be cancelled as of their #17th issues. This titles, added to the other previous cancelled books that include Voodoo, Static Shock, Mr Terrific, Blackhawks,OMAC, JLI, Men at War, Hawk & Dove, the recently started GI Combat, Resurrection Man and Captain Atom. That makes 15 titles, over 1/4th of the new 52 has been cancelled.
While the announced new Superman title by Snyder & Lee plus Justice League of America do bring in some hope ..., that doesn't change the fact that DC is getting very used to chopping off titles.
According to CBR though, not all the cancellation were part of the 4 lowest selling books:
Fro example, two of the cancelled books – "Grifter" and "Blue Beetle" – are definitely the lowest-selling books in the New 52 line that haven't been announced for cancellation already, so their end comes as no surprise. However, "Firestorm: The Nuclear Men" is next in lowest sales before "Frankenstein," and a number of other titles like "Hawkman," "I, Vampire" and "DC Universe Presents" mix in before "Legion Lost." Meanwhile, the next lowest series up are "Deathstroke" and "Demon Knights."
The final issues of these books will hit stores this February. And maybe it is time to have Grifter & Voodoo on a new incarnation of WildCATS .... I'm just saying.
Hey Infinites. I got another panel I wanted to breakdown for you from the Philadelphia Comic Con aka Wizard World Philly. This time, we swing over to the writer side of things as I go in Sunday afternoon to the Writing and Editing in Comics Panel featuring Nathan Edmondson and Duane Swierczynski.
As I and a friend entered the panel room, we noticed children in cosplay slowly making their way out the door. A man with blond hair and a hat on came up to me and my friend as asked us what room this was. I had said Room B when he said, "Thanks. I'm in the right room." Low and behold, it was Nathan Edmondson.
I smiled at that and took my seat. Taking out my notebook, like I did in previous panels, I looked around when Swierczynski walked in the room with a book bag, taking a seat next to Edmondson on stage. After the children cosplayers left (some of them had some really great costumes), the panel began.
Swierczynski started first, going over his start in comics with Cable and Iron Fist, mentioning his current comic book series, Birds of Prey for DC, the recently debuted Godzilla for IDW and the upcoming July release of the new Bloodshot ongoing. He went on to describe that he goes his start writing crime novels and that when he broke into comics, he started by just pitching.
"Make no mistake. I didn't just get a contract to write comics. If you are a good storyteller, you start out not by getting the contract but by pitching," stated Swierczynski.
Swierczynski went on to stated about his love for comics growing up and his writing with crime noir novels. After he plugged his current work again, Edmondson took over.
"I wasn't a big comic fan growing up," Edmondson reminisced. He went on stated that he started by writing stories even thought that was not what he was going to college for,earning a degree in art history. His love for comics ignited thanks to a particularly legendary artist. "I was living in . . .Georgia; living down the road from Tony Harris."
Talking with Harris lead to Edmondson breaking in to comics yet admitted that his art history degree makes him picky when it comes to the artist but Edmondson gives off the sentiment why he loves comics. "It is the last great bastion of art where artist get paid."
Swierczynski added his love for comics by stating, "It's like Christmas everyday."
Edmondson continued stating that his writing, he always felt, was good but always could be better. He revealed that he is like that cause of his father, who is a scholarly writer. Edmondson's father, as the writer told, would always look at his stuff and say it was good but never overly compliment; which pushed the writer to get better and better. He described how he wrote Olympus and more to the point where he is currently writing The Activity and working on an upcoming Marvel project.
After that, Swierczynski talked about the difference between writing novels and writing comics. "In novels, there are no limits. In comics, you have this limited space. In novels, it was just actions and people . In comics, it made me write descriptions of everything."
After going on about how he needed to describe pictures and the script format for comics, Swierczynski talked about how he goes over his over all plots and storylines." I like to write myself into a corner so it lights a fire on my backside." Going on that he doesn't plot everything but rather picks a starting point and a destination.
Edmondson continued that with a glowing example as to how he sets up his stories. "It's like driving from here to LA. I know where the story starts. I know where the story will end up but I don't know all the beats. I don't know what's gonna happen along the way. I may have a flat tire. I might have to drive through rain and snow. . . all these things will affect the story and while originally, I was gonna go to LA; I might have changed my mind and go to Scacramento. It depends on what happens in the story and the characters."
When asked about how to break in the business and how to do so, Swierczynski advised to get a mentor while Edmondson gave some interesting device. "Do creator owned stuff to be published by someone else, NOT self-published. That is one of the biggest issues with people wanting to break in the business. Self-publishing . . . does not count."
After a few more stories and answered questions, the writers thanked all for attending. It was a really good panel with some very eye opening information. Still, a great way to learn something new on a Sunday afternoon.
Welcome Ladies & Gentlemen to another edition of CBC NEWS!
MORE OF THE DC CREATIVE SHUFFLE
by Frankie Rodriguez
The more things change . .. the more change comes about it seems. With all the recent looks at sales from DC and Marvel Comics since the New 52 came out, DC has been determined to make sure that they and their readers are not complacent. 2 weeks ago, Hector Ramirez reported about the 6 titles that will be ending in April and their 6 replacements premiering in May. Yet, DC is still making more changes with certain titles, hoping that the new creative teams will have readers staying and bring in new ones.
So what else is changing? Prepare for the breakdown.
Batwing's sales have been doing extremely well. Yet, there will be an artistic change as of issue #9. Ben Oliver's last issue of Batwing will be issue #7; tying Gotham City into his current Massacre storyline while also setting up a crossover for the Bat-books dealing with the Court of Owls, called "Night of Owls", that has been prominent in Batman. And while issue #8 will have a fill in artist, Marcus To, who was regular artist on Red Robin Pre-New 52 & artist on the Huntress miniseries, will be taking over art chores. To nearly everyone's delight (and to some's disdain) Judd Winnick is still writing the book.
Marcus To commented on his approach to his new job:
Actually, at first, when I was approached to draw the book, it took me a second to think about my approach to this book, because he is a different character from the traditional Batman look. So I had to think, how am I going to do this? Ben Oliver did such a great job on launching the title. So I looked at the art and thought to myself, how can I put my own spin on this?
I think readers are going to see a different aspect of my art. That's the great challenge of this job, figuring out how I want certain angles to look, how I want his armor to look, but how to keep it in the vein of Batman. Just like you said, you can use the silhouettes that Batman has, with the wings and the symbol and the ears and everything, to really pull it together, and associate the Batman look with Batwing. . . we're actually starting my run in Gotham, which is where my attention is concentrated right now. But Batwing will be back in Africa soon, and I've talked to Judd about some ideas we have. He's sending me a movie that has a style that's related to the story he wants to write next. So we're communicating about the direction the book is going and where we want to take it visually.
But once we get back to Africa, and once I know what the location is for the next story, I do intend to use references to do my best to make it accurate and pay respect to what is real.
Meanwhile, Rob Liefield was slated to take over 3 books after finishing Hawk & Dove with #8. Which 3 books? Rob Liefield will be co-plotting both The Savage Hawkman and Grifter. His co-writer on Hawkman is none other than Mark Poulton, who currently also writes Avengelyne over in Image Comics. And former Deathstroke artist Joe Bennet will move to take over art duties on The Savage Hawkman.
Co-writing Grifter is writer Frank Tieri , who recently wrote Marvel vs Capcom 3, with Stormwatch's very first artist Scott Clark will stay on as artist. And finally, Liefield will be taking over the Deathstroke book, handling both writing and art chores on the book.
Over in Batman: Dark Knight, Gregg Hurwitz takes over completely as full writer while David Finch steps down from writing chores to just draw the Batman book.
Peter Milligan steps down as writer for Justice League Dark yet he ends up taking another popular team book; Stormwatch. The writer decided to jump over after 2 fill in issues by Paul Jenkins and seems to be enjoying the book and making it fit into the DC Universe.
Peter Milligan joins regular artist Miguel Sepulveda as the new creative team as of issue #9 this May. And while he did confirm that he will keep the roster as is for the time being with 1 possible edition, Milligan teased his direction for the book:
I want to dig deeper not only into the characters themselves but also the history and meaning of Stormwatch. The strange strategies they’ve employed to do what they do and remain covert. Before I start throwing people off of the team I want to get deeper into them. However, we will have an appearance of a character who was around long before this team was formed who throws a different light on the life of a Stormwatch agent.
My first story deals with an intruder on earth from the planet Ysmault — he’s red and he’s got a lot of rage — and also a former Stormwatch member. We’ll also get deeper into the mind of Midnighter.
And finally, fan favorite writer of the one of DC's highest selling titles, Animal Man writer Jeff Lemire, will be taking over for Milligan on Justice League Dark. Calling the title his dream gig, Lemire is more than happy to dive into several of his favorite characters: Deadman, Shade - the Changing Man, Zatanna & John Constantine. He promises to bring a true connection to the Justice League to answer why they have the name with a few other surprises:
One of the things I’m anxious to explore is just why the name “Justice League” is in the title of this book. I want to explore and create new connections between this team of mystical misfits and Geoff and Jim’s big guns in the Justice League. On that note, Geoff and I have had many discussions on how to link our two books and make the Justice League franchises connect in new and unexpected ways.
With that, Lemire also promises two new members, one guy and one girl to this already seemingly stacked mystical team and plans to have John Constantine emerge as the leader of this group. Mike Janin will stay on as artist for the book.
With all these changes, DC hopes to keep readers. Will this work? I am sure it will to some extent but there will be a lot of competition. While all this is happening, Marvel will be knee deep into Avengers vs X-Men event, Extreme Studios relaunch will be in full steam with all 5 titles will have debuted and Valiant Entertainment returns with X-O Manowar debuting during the first week of May. The gauntlet has been thrown and we will see if these changes will help or hurt DC's books.
WINNER OF TOP COW'S PILOT SEASON WINNER IS . . . by Frankie Rodriguez
Over the last few years, Top Cow has used the pilot season , a contest with several different one-shots where the fans choose the winner, in order to set up new miniseries with concepts and ideas you may not see anywhere else. This year, there were 8 different one-shots of all kinds but only one emerged as the winner. And the 2011 Top Cow Pilot Season Winner is The Beauty.
The Beauty was created by writer Jeremy Haun and artist Jason Hurley. The Beauty is about a sexually transmitted disease that has people become nearly irresistibly attractive. So much so, there are scary consequences and implications because of this STD. It is up to two detectives to stop the people who are infected by it.
Jeremy Haun talked about the upcoming series:
Now that we've won we're going to be able to finish the story. I'm really excited to do that. It's exciting to be co-writing and drawing something like this. The process is surprisingly fast and a hell of a lot of fun. The trick of it is going to be balancing work on The Beauty with my regular art duties on The Darkness monthly book. Luckily, they're both books that I absolutely love. It also doesn't hurt that I just love to work. As crazy as it may seem, drawing two books is kind of my idea of fun.
And while artist Jason Hurley added:
Winning Pilot Season is easily the biggest moment of my career so far, and I couldn't be happier. It was a hard-fought battle, but thanks to all of the fans of The Beauty, we came out on top. I can't wait to get back to work on the book. We've got a lot of exciting stuff planned for the future of The Beauty, and since we've won Pilot Season, we'll be able to share all of that with our fans. More than anything, I just want to send a huge thank you out to all of our family, friends, and fans for their support throughout the entire voting process. It's thanks to them that we're able to continue The Beauty.
The Beauty is set to debut later this year.
IRREDEEMABLE & INCORRUPTIBLE SAY GOODBYE by Frankie Rodriguez
As recently stated by writer and creator Mark Waid, he is ending his cult following books: Irredeemable and Incorruptible. The BOOM! Studios comics have been hit with fans since shortly after their release and have won multiple awards and grabbed fans. Waid stated that while he knows he has dealt with all the darkness within him, he felt that it was time to end both series.
Okay, really, truly — I’m just stretched thin right now both personally and professionally, and I live in mortal fear that I’m going to overstay my welcome on these books. Moreover, I feel that Max Damage’s character arc is reaching its end in Incorruptible. And in Irredeemable, I’ve long known what the end of that series is, and lately, it’s as if all the characters are moving into position for it whether I want them to or not. So let’s go out big and grand, I say.
The final arcs of Incorruptible will be played out from issues #27 to #30. Meanwhile, Irreedeemable's storyline will reach its climax in issue # 34-#30. Fans will miss these series but everyone can understand. Between all that Waid has been doing in Marvel along, the man needs a breather.
FAN REVIEW OF SUPERGIRL
By Brickie Bowman
it's not much but I have read the first 3 DC 52 Supergirls and so far I am impressed with the story thus far for one she not some sniveling teen but a confidant young adult she hasn't quite got the hang of her power here on earth but she has a good teacher after she beat the crap out of him for a minute. I did notice that as with Kal El in his book the take a interest in the costume and it is just as indestructable as they are and that goes back to the original story that his cloth that his cape was his baby blanket he was wrapped in when he got to earth.
it It was well drawn. The artist did his homework on the character to give the right look for her. She is s a young adult and the art is also close to the look for Action Comics and Superman which is good so if the stories cross the art won't throw you off.
I like the the look she has in this and the writing would hold you if they keep this style going but if they change the formula it will fail add all that. I like the ideal that she already has some people trying to capture her and had her for a moment but she got away and she is also dealing with the fact that Krypton is no more but if this story keeps going like it has so far the book 4 and 5 should keep me roped in I have always like her but this to me is a better portrail of her in the DCU and should go a long way.This Supergirl is a better version in my point of view. She is more sure of herself than the teenage one and more assertive. She is a serious minded person that is wanting to learn why Krypton is gone.
I give it thus far it's 4 out of 5 Superman Shields.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
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Here are some thoughts on the book. from the third week of the DCnU.
BATMAN & ROBIN
Gerald Williams of Hemstead, NY
Interesting book. Batman is a very imposing figure. He has always used fear to intimidate his adversaries and allies. He is a control freak as evidenced in Grant Morrison’s run on JLA and how he deals with his Bat family, so it is very strange to see him give Damian so many passes as Robin in what he says and how he acts. If Dick, Jason, or Tim had acted the way Damian acts in this book, he’d never have a cape on his back again. It’s as a friend said to me, in the past all of Batman’s allies and protégés had to gain his respect. In this book it is Batman who has to gain Damian’s respect.
CBC's Hector Ramirez of Philadelphia, PA
Good action. Decent story but I cannot stand Damien Wayne and for that reason alone, I probably will not read Batman and Robin past this issue.
CBC's Frankie Rodriguez of Vineland, NJ
This was a great new beginning. It established a lot in those few pages. Batman Inc is very much alive and well and someone . . . well NOBODY likes it. We get to see Bruce go through a major character change as he has decided to let the past go and celebrate the lives of his parents instead of his death. God, I hope they use the letter from Flashpoint #5. Anyway, Tomasi did an excellent job showing that this Batman & Robin will be very different from any other considering that this time . . . it is full fledge father and son. And Damian wants to play by his own rules but he and Bruce will have to learn to get along. Gleason & Gray give us some great art to look at. truly a feast for the eyes.
BATWOMAN
Eric McLeod of FL
Batwoman was easily my most anticipated title of the relaunch because the book had been delayed countless times before the relaunch. This book is a great continuation of her run in Detective Comics and does a great job of setting up a story and character relationships. The introduction of Bette Kane (Flamebird) as Batwoman's sidekick seems like a natural progression and the dialogue between the two is great. My only problem with the book is that to get the full enjoyment out of it, you need to be already invested in Kate's character. The book does a good job of establishing who she is and some of the things she's been through, but they do leave some details of her past vague enough that only people familiar with her character would get. I think some people can get into this book without doing some prior reading, but I do recommend you pick up the Batwoman: Elegy tradeback if you really want to know more about Batwoman.
Dante Franklin of Baltimore, MD
Coupled with Wonder Woman, Batwoman had to be one of my more anticipated books. I was a big fan of Greg Rucka's great work with the character in Detective. And his collaborator there, J.H. Williams, continues what was started with a pretty good debut issue. We see Kate with her father as well as the relationship with her cousin, Bette, the former Teen Titan known as Flamebird. Plus, Batwoman continues encountering some of the more creepy and supernatural aspects of GothamCity, which I find appealing and a departure from the usual vigilante fare. I thought it was a good first issue that sets things up nicely, including establishing relationships and new threats. Definite recommendation.
Gerald Williams of Hemstead, NY DC has finally released this book. This was the story that I’ve been expecting since Batwoman’s run in Detective Comics and it picks up where that left off. JH Williams does a great job of picking up where Greg Rucka left off, the only issue is not how Batwoman fits in the new 52 but how her cousin Bette Kane (Flamebird) does. Interesting is how Batwoman treats Bette the way Batman treats his protégés/sidekicks.
DEATHSTROKE
Louis Laughton of Chicago, IL
Okay. Slade Wilson is awesome. Most readers who know the character know that. For new readers, they would have to learn that. But do you have to remind us of that every 5 minutes Kyle Higgins. SERIOUSLY. Every 5 minutes or less, we are getting told how awesome Deathstroke is in caption boxes or other people say it. You know, action speak louder than works at times but you know . . . there were some awesome moments in it. It was just kinda of . . . annoying to get constantly bombarded with the fact that we are being TOLD that Slade Wilson is bad***. If he really is, then show us. Yesh.
DEMON KNIGHTS
Eric McLeod of FL
Finally, there's Demon Knights. Okay, I wasn't too familiar with Paul Cornell's work before the relaunch, but his work on Stormwatch and this book make me want to check out more. Demon Knights is a fantastic swords and sorcery book featuring some of DC's most famous mystical characters such as Etrigan the Demon and Madame Xanadu, but fortunately you don't need to know anything about the characters prior to the story to understand everything. The artwork is great, the character interaction and dialogue are great, and the book is full of awesome Arthurian lore and Conan the Barbarian-esque scenery. If you're one of the people who avoid DC comics because you don't like superhero books or just love swords and sorcery fantasy, you need to pick it up. I really hope this finds an audience and continues for a long time because honestly it's one of my favorite books of the relaunch so far.
CBC's Hector Ramirez of Philadelphia, PA
Another story that started at the core beginning and it spins an interesting tale. It’s refreshing to see Etrigan with a crew but one thing that got me was Etrigan wasn’t speaking in rhyme. Still not sure if it’s a good thing or bad thing.
Derrick Jones of Brooklyn, NY
Let me start off with I am a huge fan of Dungeons and Dragons, Middle Earth type
genre. All that sword and sorcery jazz really speaks to me, so I was very excited
when I heard that part of the NU52 was going to include Demon Knights, The first
issue did not disappoint.
I am not familiar with Paul Cornell’s previous work but I will be looking for
his name from now on. He has a very good grasp on the lore of that time period
and he manages to introduce the characters of the book quite well. It takes a lot
to write Jason Blood/Etrigan as a combo and make both characters likeable, or
most importantly not make Etrigan a standard demon who is only let out to fight.
If I have one complaint, and it is a small one, it is that this version of the demon
Etrigan does not rhyme, which is as much a staple of the character as Zatanna
speaking backwards.
Diogenes Neves provides pencils for our first issue, someone else I am not
immediately familiar with but he seems quite talented and the rest of the art team
very much compliments his work. He is not a lazy artist, his attention to detail is
quite good and I for one like that he did not take the easy way out and make all the
women waif model types wearing next to nothing.
All in all I found that the introductory issue more than serves its purpose (unlike
some other NU52 #1’s) you get some nice character intro and the pacing is good
so that when the end of the book comes it is not jarring. I will definitely be coming
back next month for more.
FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E.
CBC's Frankie Rodriguez of Vineland, NJ
This series interested me because of the Flashpoint miniseries & the recent appearance of the Creature Commandos in JL: Generation Lost. It felt like a great new beginning for Frankenstein as he meets his new team, becomes a leader and we see the base for SHADE all in one foul swoop. Jeff Lemire is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers and this book is just adding to the awesome that he writes. The cast were distinct, the art was kind of gloomy at first glance but grows on you and find it sets the tone of the book perfectly. The characters were all fun to watch . . . including a certain person who has the ability to shrink and is a scientist. Between this and Animal Man, I am now with Lemire for the long haul.
GREEN LANTERN
Gerald Williams of Hemstead, NY
As expected, not a reboot and all I can say is well done. Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke have remained the creative team, picking up from the Aftermath of the War of the Green Lanterns. This book continues the upheaval that the Green Lantern Corps has been experiencing since the Sinestro Corps War and based on what I read in issue #1, there is more on the way.
CBC's Hector Ramirez of Philadelphia, PA
Well seeing as I didn't read Flashpoint (or War of the Green Lanterns) there were some things that I didn’t understand and there was very little action. But the cliffhanger ending guaranteed my purchase of at least issue 2.
Derrick Jones of Brooklyn, NY
I have to admit I was not overly excited about this one. Don’t get me wrong, I have been
enjoying the Lantern saga pretty much since Hal came back to life. And I knew that the Lantern end of the universe was going to pretty much remained untouched after all the work done to it over the last three years with the “Wars of light”. So I figured I would keep right on reading but the coming of the NU52 would bring nothing new. Sometimes I love to be proven wrong!
Geoff Johns brings it in the first issue and does it with very little action. Yes the story of Sinestro is interesting and I think it is supposed to be the main focus of the story but for me this book is all about Hal (and trust me as my least favorite of the Earth bound lanterns I never thought I would say that). What does a man do when he can no longer do what he is clearly born to do?
That is what this story is for me. Let’s face it Hal Jordan is good at two things, Slinging the green and flying planes and now you are living a life where you can’t do either. And because you have lived your life doing just those two things how do you cope when there gone.
Doug Mahnke brings his usual movie like panels and if you have read any of my other reviews you know I am a stickler for backgrounds. Well there are backgrounds without intricate backgrounds but it is not noticed because you’re either on a close up of a character or you’re in space and space should be the background. I will be back if for no other reason than to see if how low Hal will fall before he gets desperate. This one is going on the pull list.
GRIFTER
CBC's Frankie Rodriguez of Vineland, NJ
Now this book was interestingly good. It wasn't great but it was good. It gave us our man character who more than lived up to his name. It gave us an interesting premise . . .being able to see Aliens that no one else can see. And it gave us a realistic reaction . . . going commando cause you see aliens and then being labeled a terrorist/ serial killer by the media. Edmonson & CAFU set up the story well enough to be interesting but not OMG .. . this is great. Not yet anyway. The potential is there and I am looking forward to more as another Wildstorm Alumni, Max Cash (aka Condition Red) has been sent after his brother. This is gonna be good.
LEGION LOST
CBC's Frankie Rodriguez of Vineland, NJ
I love Fabian Nicieza. I like the LSH. So I grabbed this book and it was good. It was nearly great. My problem . . . I felt like I stepped in about halfway through the story when it first started. The story got wheels quickly and great characterization. The stakes were high. The cast was good. Just felt lost. Like these Legionnaries. I guess that is what Nicieza is going for but not sure. We'll have to see. I did enjoy the book.
MISTER TERRIFIC
Gerald Williams of Hemstead, NY
In this one issue, DC has given Mister Terrific a better developed history of how he became a hero than his entire time in the JSA. I hope that the writing in this series stays at the level that of the first issue so that it can be around for a while.
CBC's Frankie Rodriguez of Vineland, NJ
I loved this issue. This was definitely one of the best first issues, not only of the new 52, but that I have read in a long time. It gave us a small but solid history/origin of the character, introduced us to Michael Holt in the present with all of his intelligence and charm, intro us to his supporting cast, show us where one other JSA member ended up at and dealt with status, race and politics added with a mystery that was easy and fun to read. Kudos to the entire creative team. This is a book I will be following for a while to come.
RED LANTERNS
Gerald Williams of Hemstead, NY
Ed Benes is one of my favorite artists ever since his days on Birds of Prey so I would have pick this book up just for him. Peter Milligan is telling a good story but I’m not sure that there characters can support a book. Miniseries, yes but not an ongoing title.
RESURRECTION MAN
Louis Laughton of Chicago, IL
You know, this was actually pretty good. Mitch Shelly seemed very interesting as a character . . . not only for dying a lot but coming back with new powers to learn each time and a slight variation of the character. This kept the book interesting and the art made the book very wonderful to look at . DnA, as the writers are known at times as, have a solid new beginning for the character they created back in the 1990s. Mitch Shelly is back and it seems to be pretty good.
SUICIDE SQUAD
Gerald Williams of Hemstead, NY
Same concept as the last run of Suicide Squad, just different characters. The only thing that has changed is how they are selected.
Louis Laughton of Chicago, IL
I want to say good stuff about it but . . . it's torture porn. Seriously . . .it's TORTURE PORN. Sure, Deadshot, El Diablo & Harley got great amount of character development and the ending was kinda cool and horrifying at the same time. This just makes me miss Secret Six even more which made you care about the characters but over all . . . it's Torture Porn . . . and it's not bad. It's gonna have to do something a bit better to impress me. And did Amanda Waller go on Weight Watchers?!
SUPERBOY
CBC's Hector Ramirez of Philadelphia, PA
They show Conner from his very roots which I loved but it played out a lot like the Dr. Manhattan sequences from Watchmen still it’s safe to say I’ll be following this series.
CBC's Frankie Rodriguez of Vineland, NJ
Superboy ended up being very intriguing, very well written and wonderfully drawn. The team of Lobdell and Silva give us a new Superboy who is just learning to deal with his powers and finding out who and/or what he is. There is a solid cast with some twisted motives and development here. It also ties in directly into Lobdell's Teen Titans, which comes out in 2 weeks. Definitely a lot going for it. A great job and I definitely want more.
And those are the opinions for this week. Seems like fans really love Demon Knights and Batwoman. Hmm . . . wonder what will next week will bring. Well, till then, this is CBC. Keep Clashing.