Batman: The Curse of King Tut

A series of gruesome killings preceded by riddles has attracted the attentions of the Dark Knight. However, the infamous Edward Nigma is still in captivity; indeed, he shows no signs of knowing who or what is behind the murders. But if the Riddler isn't behind it, who is?

Plot Summary:
One by one, members of Gotham's Museum are being murdered, with riddles being told to the people who view their deaths. When Batman begins to investigate, all the evidence points to one person; the infamous Riddler, who is currently residing in Arkham. However, Edward Nigma appears not to know of the crimes, and even offers to help solve them due to what he calls "professional pride." When Riddler escapes, Batman hunts him down, only to find that Nigma was in fact telling the truth; a new villain, dressed in the garb of an Egyptian Pharaoh, is behind the murders. King Tut, as he is labelled, is on a quest for revenge, and as Batman and his unlikely ally Riddler race to stop him from killing his next target, the reasons behind his hatred of the Museum's board of trustees is revealed.

Dramatis Personnae:
Batman
Commissioner Gordon
King Tut
The Riddler

Verdict:
This is a very slick and well-executed re-imagining of an old supervillain. For those of you who don't know, King Tut first made his debut as part of the 1960's TV rogue's gallery; to see him re-imagined from a comical and clumsy criminal to a sadistic killer. The plot itself is very well done, and the initial intrigue caused by the riddles adds to the sense of urgency. In general, the tension between the Riddler and Batman is very well done; despite their common cause, there's a lot of bad blood here and believe me, it shows. For everything the Riddler says, Bats has a sarcastic put-down, and even when it is clear that Nigma is not the threat, he is still just cold and uncaring enough for both Batman and the readers to question just how trustworthy he is.
The art in this series is very good, as art goes, with the colouring and positioning of the characters being natural and seamless between panels, which is only a good thing. The rendition of Tut's new costume is very impressive, too; gone is the stupid headress, replaced by a sinister and emotionless face mask styled after the death-masks of the Pharaoahs. Creepy.
Overall, then, a very fine read and a solid addition to anyone's Batman collection, especially if you like riddles.

Rating: 7.8/10

Why Captain America is Awesome: run-up to Reborn

And this is why we love you, Cap. 

The Programme (Vol. 2)

The second part of Wildstorm Comics' series The Programme finishes with a bang, with the Russian super-beings entering the USA and beginning their campaign of destruction. But can Max defeat them? Who is the so-called "Senator Joe" and what does he stand for? And does America have an answer to the renegade Doctor Korovin?

Plot Summary:

With the invasion of Las Vegas by the ex-USSR super-soldiers, the US government puts ever more pressure onto the shoulders of Max to defeat them. Meanwhile, the other American superman, known as Senator Joe, goes in search of his roots, and finds the horrible truth behind his creation.

Meanwhile, Agent Chivers prepares to force Max's original programmer, Mike Hinks, into transforming Max from an average human into the ultimate American fighting machine. Little do they know what the effects of this will be...

Dramatis Personnae:

Max

Mike Hinks

Agent Stella 

Agent Chivers

The President

Professor Korovin

Spirit of Lenin

Pradva

Revolution 

Stalingrad

Senator Joe

Verdict:

I have to say, I was slightly disappointed with this one. Though there was some excellent fight scenes, and the art in itself was a treat, the introduction of two new subplots (a race war and the subversion of liberty in the US) distracted me somewhat from the action, and as a result this whole thing felt somewhat rushed. However, having said that, I thought the backstory for Senator Joe was very clever, as was his new-found identity as a defender of the Black American community. He went from a right-wing nut I couldn't really emphasise with to a character with as much depth as the protagonist, Max, and I felt that the issue of racism and civil rights was dealt with well, considering the dangerous nature of the subject. The other sub-plot, in my humble opinion, was a lot more rushed, and in some places felt scrappy and almost too blunt. Yes, we get the idea that the US has become more hardline in recent years, but we don't need it rammed down our throats. 

Overall, not too bad, but it could really use some tweaking here and there. Oh well, at least it was enjoyable.

Rating: 6.7/10

The Flash: Rebirth

Barry Allen, the second Flash, died saving the universe from the infamous Anti-Monitor. Now he's seemingly back from the dead, to the jubilation of his friends and family. But what brought Barry back, and why does he not seem to want to slow down?

Plot Summary:

Many years after he seemingly died thwarting the Anti-Monitor, Barry Allen has returned to life. Though his family and friends are thrilled, Barry feels that something is missing from life. He embarks on a crusade to catch up on everything he's missed out on, whilst wondering why he was able to escape the Speed Force - the energy that gives the various Flashes their powers - when other deceased speedsters could not. Unbeknownst to Barry, however, he is not the only one to have escaped death. The Reverse-Flash too has cheated the reaper, and has launched a plan to destroy Barry's mind and reputation as a hero once and for all.

Dramatis Personnae:

The Flashes

Barry Allen

Bart Allen

Wally West

Jay Garrick

Others

Linda West

Iris and Jai West

The Justice League

Reverse-Flash

Jesse Quick

Max Mercury

Verdict:
Like Green Lantern: Rebirth before it, I found this mini-series to be an excellent, well-written resurrection of a very popular hero from the silver age of comics. The art in the series is just phemomenal. Every scene is lovingly brought to life by the talents of Ethan Van Sciver and the result is fantastic to read; coupled with the excellent writing of Geoff Johns, who clearly is very familiar with the second Flash, I found myself unable to put it down once I had begun. This is only a good thing, especially considering that Barry Allen has not been used as a main character for 20 years, since he was written out in 1985, and such a long absence deserves a momentous return. This was achieved, and achieved well.
The main villain of the mini-series is, of course, the Reverse-Flash, Eobard Thawne, and as villains go, he is diabolical. Though I can't say too much here without ruining the plot, it is revealed that he is far more twisted and sadistic than we as the readers ever realised; he truly is "the motiveless malcontent" and boy, is it awesome to see him work.
Overall, then, I would say that as an introduction to the Flash, or even for old fans, this is not a collection to be missed.  It's about £18.99, though I can't quite remember.

Rating: 9.3/10

Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War (vol. 2)

Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War

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WOW-o. This is the end of the Sinestro Corps plot arc, but what an end it is!

Plot Summary:
The attacks of the Sinestro Corps, powered by the entity of Fear and direct antithesis to the Green Lantern Corps' power of Will, have sundered the titular heroes, forcing them into a defensive strategy owing to the fact that they cannot use lethal force, whereas the Sinestro Corps can. Mogo, the living planet, has been besieged by Ranx, a sentient spacegoing city and it's Fear-powered allies, whilst in Mogo's airspace the battle for the future of the Green Lanterns is being fought out. Meanwhile, Sinestro, the former Green Lantern and now leader of this new Corps, begins his plans to capture the greatest prize of all, the entrance to the multiverse - located on Earth. 

Dramatis Personnae:

Green Lanterns:
Hal Jordan
Kyle Rayner
Guy Gardner
John Stewart
Kilowog
Sodam Yat
Mogo
the Lost Lanterns

Sinestro Corps
Sinestro
The Anti-Monitor
Parralax the Fear Entity
Cyborg-Superman
Superman-Prime
Ranx the Sentient City
Arkillo


Verdict:
A very well-written and exciting end to an epic storyline. This is pretty much the "final showdown" in comic form. Everything is here; the Green Lanterns being pushed back, knowing their efforts are futile due to their non-lethal responses, what seems like a final stand, only for a HUGE turnaround - The Lanterns are suddenly authorised to kill by their commanders and their rings are reprogrammed to act this out - and the REAL final showdown on Earth itself. The use of villains in this is excellent too. There is a real sense of hopelessness throughout, especially when it is revealed that all of the greatest of the Lantern's enemies have joined forces with Sinestro (as shown in the Dramatis Personnae) and are set on tearing Kyle Rayner and co. a new ring of a different sort. This, of course, makes the ending even more exciting and awesome, even if you did see it coming. Some interesting issues explored here - the use of fear as a method of control being the primary one - and some drop-dead gorgeous fight scenes.

Excellent stuff!
By the way, highlight the black text to read the spoiler at your own risk.Rating: 8.7/10

Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War (vol. 1)

The infamous traitor Sinestro returns, and this time he has his own corps! But will the Green Lanterns "burn like his power" and succumb to the yellow light of fear?

Plot Summary:

Having found a new homeworld on Qward, the anti-matter planet, Sinestro begins the forging of 7200 yellow power rings - rings powered by the fear the user can inflict on other people. One of these rings is intercepted by Kyle Rayner, the first Ion, and is captured, but it turns out to be a trap - Rayner finds himself fighting for his life against the newly recruited Sinestro corps, their evil namesake and the living embodiment of fear itself, Parallax. 

Meanwhile, the Green Lanterns come under attack all over the universe as this new corps begins it's murderous campaign for control of the universe. As the light of willpower fades, whilst the light of fear grows, can anything halt Sinestro's ambitions?

Dramatis Personnae:

Green Lanterns:
Hal Jordan
Kyle Rayner
Guy Gardner
John Stewart
Kilowog
Sodam Yat

Mogo

Bzzd


Sinestro Corps
Sinestro
The Anti-Monitor
Parralax the Fear Entity
Cyborg-Superman
Superman-Prime
Ranx the Sentient City
Arkillo

Others:
The Justice League of America (briefly)

Verdict:
An excellent start to a fantastic series. Of most interest is the fight on Qward between the trapped Kyle Rayner and Sinestro's minions, and the gradual wearing-down of the hero until his eventual defeat. Sinestro is really given a great role here as the smooth-tongued torturer, breaking down Kyle's resistance with his revelations to do with the death of Kyle's mother; trust me, it's easy to see why Kyle breaks and is susceptible  to Parallax in this.
The role of the Lost Lanterns, too, is well done in this. These guys know too well what Parallax can do, and their efforts to prevent him returning to the universe are easily identifiable with, especially when you consider their personal stake in it all.
Overall, this is truly an excellent first half, and trust me when I say it gets better from here.

Rating: 8.5/10

Heroes Reborn: Captain America

Rob Leifeld, you are SO not an artist.

Plot Summary: Captain America has been retired by his country, and is living a normal suburban life in the city, oblivious to his former nature. Meanwhile, his arch-nemesis the Red Skull has rounded up the rest of the Third Reich and is brainwashing the youth of today in Pennsylvania. In order to remove the threat once and for all, the Red Skull sends his agents to kill Cap once and for all - but they bargain without the intervention of one of Cap's old friends, and Captain America is reborn once more!

Dramatis Personnae:
Captain America/Steve Rogers
Red Skull
Master Man
The Falcon
Nick Fury
Baron Zemo
Assorted racists
Doctor Doom
Some superheroes

Verdict:
...
Well, I'm gonna be fair to the comic and start with the positives. The storyline is pretty good, with quite a bit of suspense generated as we view Cap's transformation from good ol' normal guy to the hope of America. There's also quite a bit of character development with the eponymous hero; Captain America finds that the U.S.A has moved on since the Second World War, and is questioning his role in a country that no longer shares his values. All very good stuff, and in any other comic this would get quite a favourable review.
BUT THE ART!
Rob Leifeld is the sole reason many Nineties comics sucked. His art is god-awful. Literally. I just looked at one panel and Cap's chest is three times the size of his body. His hands are twice the size of his head! As a result, I hate this damn comic, all the more so for the fact Leifeld took the story and made it over-violent, stupid, and full of nonsensical stuff, such as a racist southern cult (who bear a suspicious resemblance to Cobra from G.I Joe) being able to afford a huge futuristic fortress. All Marvel had to do was hire someone competent. Jeeeezus.
I would still advise reading it, as it's not too bad (Falcon is freakin' badass) but do not pay money for it. Hire it from your local library. That way you won't have to keep it.

Rating: 4/10 (saved by the very basic plot)

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