Outsiders #25 review
The Outsiders jump onto the Blackest Night bandwagon as Terra, Geo-Fore’s half-sister, squares off against the team. The dramatic tension is written well by Peter J. Tomasi as Black Lantern Terra pleads for her brother to kill her. Meanwhile, Katana holds her
ground against deceased family, all sporting shiny new black rings. The plot is pretty standard Blackest Night cross over, heroes are attacked by their dead teammates or relatives.
What makes this issue memorable is its terribly inconsistent art. With two pencillers and three inkers, its no wonder this issue looks like a middle school art project. Some pages are great, but most utterly fail. This is some of the worst art I have ever seen in a DC comic. Lifeless, flat, and boring are nice adjectives to describe the shit I just bought. I feel bad for Tomasi, a talented author, whose decent story was butchered by a team of artists who obviously didn’t care bout this issue.
Outsiders is a good read, but I almost dropped it after this fiasco. For $3.99, this isn’t acceptable. Dan Didio, senior VP of DC comics, you should be ashamed.
1 out of 5
“Donna Troy’s horrors realized!!!”
When I rated the first issue of the Blackest Night: Titans series, I said that I thought this was the weakest of the three mini-series. I have to say that this issue propelled this series on at least equal footing with Blackest Night: Batman and Blackest Night: Superman!
There are three main stories that are weaved throughout this book. The writing of J.T.Krul and the art of Ed Benes, do a fine job handling this task.
The first is the on-going conflict between Beast Boy and his one true love Terra. While his teammates are trying to deal with the reborn Lilith, Gar has to find the will to resist Terra before it costs him his life. Some last minute help from Starfire, helps save the day for him.
Number two story is the continuing conflict between Hawk and Dove. Dove has to not only deal with the devastating loss of her sister but her resurrection as one of the undead too! And sharp readers should note that there is something special about dove that could pay-off later in the Blackest Night main book.
The final story has Donna Troy dealing with not just a returning dead husband but also her dead infant son! And all I can say is that child is vicious to his mother! Its looking like Donna might be rejoining her dead family soon…as one of the undead!
All three stories get there proper focus here and they help to set up the final issue. I’m starting to think this series might have more repercussions for the main Blackest Night mini than I first imagined.
4 out of 5
“Blackest Night comes to Smallville!”
In the second of three issues in the Blackest Night: Superman mini-series we find Superman and his family under siege by not just the Golden-Age Superman, but also his wife Lois. The townspeople are having their own problems with the Psycho-pirate and his emotion manipulation powers. To top it off, even New Krypton isn’t off-limits to the Blackest Night. Supergirl is forced to confront her newly deceased father, Zor-El. There is a ton of conflict in this issue!
I found the first issue to be very good and I have to say that this issue continues the trend. There is plenty of action and some really good emotional conflict. This series shows where Superman and Co. are while the main Blackest Night series is progressing. I love that the main series is focusing on other characters than the bib three, but the additional mini-series show that the conflict is world-wide.
In summary, issue #2 is another winner and a no-brainer of a purchase!
4 out of 5
In issue three of Blackest Night, Geoff Johns’ epic battle of the Ring Corps gains momentum. The Indio Lanterns, whose role and powers have been up to this point a mystery, reveal their skills and battle plan. The full page spread of the Indio Lanterns’ explanation of the origin of light and the various rings’ power is sharp. The fate of the new Firestorm and his joined partner is a great moment.
Ivan Reis’ artwork gives Blackest Night a true blockbuster feel. His panels are expertly details and graceful in their transitions. His effects are dynamic and convey the action with authority.
My one grip is the Black Lanterns’ cheesy dialogue. The poorly written tongue and cheek banter lessens the Lanterns’ terrifying nature. Elongated Man is squeezing Green Lantern like a boa constrictor as he quips, “We were never really tight, were we, Hal?” It works with the Joker, not the undead.
The event is living up to the hype. Unlike the rambling Final Crisis, Blackest Night is delivering an immense story with a clear plotline. The vast cast of DC characters are smartly being integrated into a cohesive tale. I want more.
4.5 out of 5
Batman, Robin and Red Robin prepare to defend Gotham against the Black Ring wearing undead hordes.
The battle tactics of Gotham’s defenders fall into the cheesy clichés of any zombie story. I was hoping that Blackest Night would steer clear of this pitfall, but no luck. The predictable return of Dick and Tim’s parents as Black Ring Corps members adds a little of emotional tension, but for the most part it falls flat. Tomasi’s dialogue between Dick and Damien is fun and appropriately real for the characters. I found his witty banter to be the star of this issue.
Ardian Syaf’s art is magnificent. He achieves a fluid dynamism pulling t reader from panel to panel. His polished skills make this series feel like it’s important in the big scheme of all things Blackest Night. We will have to wait and see if that’s true.
3.5 out of 5
“Plenty of dead heroes to choose from in this Universe!”
Blackest Night: Titans #1 is the first issue of the third series to be brought out to tie-in with the Blackest Night main series. This one should have a lot to bring to the plate considering how many dead Titans there are! But because of that, I’m concerned about how many they might try to bring back and jam into this series. If they all comeback, that could be a real issue for our heroes…I think there may be more dead Titans than live ones!
The cover pretty much lets you know that Terra was coming back, but i was curious as to which one. They decided on the original traitor. I have to wonder if the other one might show-up too. I have to say that Garth really took it in stride when it’s revealed that he was kissing a corpse! Darn that Lilith for tricking him!
A lot of the issue focuses on the Hawk and Dove characters. I like those characters and I’m glad to see that they recovered from the Titans East Special where they were gravely injured. But, I have to say that I wasn’t remotely surprised by the end of the issue. I saw it coming from a mile away. I’m sorry to say that the predictability of the ending took something away from the issue for me.
The book still was a good read and I will still stick around for the next issue, but it is the weakest of the three mini-series so far.
3.5 out of 5
“Death comes to Smallville”
Blackest Night: Superman #1 is the first issue of the second 3 issue series that D.C. is releasing in conjunction with the Blackest Night series. This, just like the Batman one before it, is to supplement the main series with a look at the Superman universe.
The story starts in Smallville with the rising of the Golden-Age Superman and proceeds on like a horror movie. There is a ominous feel through-out the book as the sun goes down on the small town. You know that bad things are happening but your not quite sure how bad they are. Is Kal-L observing people and their fear or is the story implying that he’s putting them out of their misery? By the end of the book, nobody seems to still be around in the town, so they all could be dead! Guess I’ll find out next issue.
I love how they introduced the Golden-Age Lois Lane from the dead but I almost thought it might be our Lois instead with everything and everybody so far in this series ripe for the picking! I also like that New Krypton is not immune to the goings on of Blackest Night.
The book is written by James Robinson and Eddy Barrows and they did a super job at adding to the series with this book. It looks like another winner from D.C.!
4.5 out of 5
“More dead rising and things are getting darker!”
After the events of last issue, I couldn’t wait to see what was coming next. And I wasn’t disappointed in the least! The story picks-up with the Atom talking to a transformed Hawkman over the phone who causally lures Ray to come over to be killed. It gives you the feeling that no hero is safe in the story, which really raises the stakes for the readers.
From there we see more dead heroes rise, the death of another one and the corruption of two more of the undead: Deadman and Spectre. But something that I found even more interesting was the twist that one dead hero cannot be resurrected as a Black Lantern. I hope that plays out more in the future for I find that intriguing.
I should also point out, that I really dug Mera’s fight with her dead husband. Her character showed real strength and this could be the biggest defining moment ever for her in the comics (if she survives).
The last page will certainly bring me back next month and I find it almost scary how many of the satellite era J.L.A. are no longer among the living! If your not reading this series, then you are not a true D.C. fan!
4.5 out of 5
“Blackest Night invades Gotham”
Blackest Night: Batman #1 is the first issue of three issues. This is the first of the mini-series brought out by D.C. to supplement the Blackest Night on-going storylines. The story starts with the new Batman and Robin investigating the desecration of Bruce Wayne’s grave by the Black Hand. It seems that the Blackest Night is going to greatly affect the denizens of Gotham but also another of the D.C. Universes heroes: Deadman. We also get to see several of Batman’s deceased villains return from the grave to cause their own brand of havoc.
I’ll have to say that I can get very leary of books that are brought out to support the big event titles, in this case Blackest Night. Many times in the past, these books and series fall far short from the quality and interest generated by the main books. But, I found this issue interesting and having the potential of adding to Blackest Night, instead of diluting it.
This is a solid book that I hope continues to entertain.
4 out of 5
In this final issue, this three-part mini adds depth to the many ring corps as they prepare for battle in Blackest Night. Divided into three parts, two original stories and a neat commentary on Blackest Night issue #0, this issue works, but it’s not outstanding.
Guru of all that is Green and involving Lanterns, Geoff Johns scripts the two stories. First, he tackles Kilowog’s rookie Lantern tale. Smartly written, but predictable, Johns gives Lantern fans a cute story about a fan favorite. I found the plot lacking creativity, but amusing. The second short stars the Green Lantern Arisia. Once gain, it’s a cute story. Johns effectively depicts her love of the Corps and the legacy of the Lanterns within her lineage. Lastly, we are treated to the sketch version of a few of the pages from Blackest Night #0. Johns and the editors weigh in on their thoughts from panel to panel. This was interesting, being able to see how these minds worked their way through the issue.
The art was average. I felt lesser pencils were assigned to these pages, saving the big guns for the two main Lantern titles and Blackest Night.
3 out of 5
