“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
The Robot JLAer in his own series!
This series is a six issue one that focuses on the Red Tornado, a character created in 1968 by Gardner Fox and Dick Dillin.
For those not familiar with the character, I will provide a little background. Tornado was created by the criminal scientist T.O. Morrow in a plot to destroy not only the Justice Society of America, but also the Justice League. After Morrow’s plan failed, Reddy became first a member of the Society for a short time and then he served a much longer stint with the League. Later on it was revealed that he is the Air elemental of earth and that still seems to be the case in this issue. He later found his way on to teams like Primal Force and Young Justice. He is currently once again a member of the J.L.A. when this issue begins. Now, on to the review…
To be honest, I only got this book to see where they (D.C.) are going to take this hero. I have a passing interest in the Tornado, but he is not even close to being a favorite of mine. Like a lot of characters, in the hands of a skilled writer, he could become so much more than he is.
The issue had a lot of action in it with the introduction of some new “siblings” for Reddy and there was some neat little quirks added to his personally. Something was missing to make this a really good book. The story kind of jumped around a little and some of the story seemed to be missing. There just was too many pages given to the Red Volcano and not enough given to the Red Tornado looking for his sister. It’s like the creators of the book were doing everything they could to convince the readers what kind of of a badass he is. I hate to tell them their jobs, but sometimes more of something does not make it better, especially when it feels forced.
This book is written by Kevin Van Hook and penciled by Jose Luis. This is not a team that I’m very familiar with. Luis art was not bad at all and shows a lot of talent. The writing dialogue wasn’t bad either but they just didn’t hit it out of the park with this issue.
In this business, you have to do something to stand out from other books, especially a first-issue. I hope that the next issue is better, but I’m afraid that this issue might keep causal readers from sampling the additional 5 issues left in the mini.
2.5 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
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
Conceptually, this three-part mini-series is promising; delve deeper into the back-stories of some of the major players in the various ring corps of the Green Lantern Universe. However, put simply, it sucked.
Three stories share this issue, the Blue Lantern Corps’ Saint Walker origin tale, an annoying yarn about an adolescent Mongol, and a tease about the Indigo Tribe. Geoff Johns’ Saint Walker is a belabored attempt to show what it takes to really hope; it was preachy and boring. The Mongol tale was a waste of paper.
I was most exciting to learn about the Indigo Tribe (one of the reasons I bought this issue). At best, it’s a cheap tease that last for a few pages. While it boasts the strongest art of the three stories, we only learn that the Indigo Tribe speak a language unknown even to the Green Lanterns.
This is an oversized issue of nothing special.
1 out of 5
Dr. Lou’s Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 review
“Stories of the Rainbow Corps Revealed”
Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 is the first issue of a three issue weekly series that is a supplement to the current Blackest Night mega-event. The current issue has three stories pertaining to the Blue Lantern Corps, Yellow Lantern Corps and the Indigo Tribe.
The first story is by Geoff Johns and Jerry Ordway and deals with the past of Saint Walker of the Blue Lantern Corps. The tale is meant to show why Walker has great hope and why he is ultimately chosen for the Blue Corps.
The second story is by Peter J. Tomasi and Chris Samnee and it deals with the childhood of Mongul and why he is on the path of life that he is.
The third and last story gives the first reveal of the Indigo tribe and their leader which the tribe is named in a regular tale. It shows their interaction with a member of the Green Lantern Corps and Sinestro Corps that were fighting one another.
None of the tales are particularly memorable and this book does little to enhance the main Blackest Night mini-series. Its ok to read but its certainly not a necessity by any means.
2 out of 5
Ray’s Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 review
Writer Judd Winick takes the reins of the Batman flagship with a new hero wearing the cape and cowl. With last week’s fantastic first issue of “Batman and Robin”, I wasn’t expecting much form this one. What could be done with this title that would be relevant?
Glad to say, I was very pleasantly surprised. It fits more naturally between “Battle for the Cowl” and “Batman and Robin” #1. Dick Grayson gives his reasons for abandoning the Batcave for a new base of operations. Winick provides the context for Alfred and Dick Grayson to mourn Bruce and prepare for the future. The emotions were natural and unforced in their honesty. The humanity behind the tights and capes was authentic and tragic, yet didn’t linger too long with the tissues.
Ed Benes draws a sharp Batman book. With a number of panels needing to convey raw emotion, Benes is up for the task. Of particular note are the faces of Alfred and Dick as they share their feelings about each other and Bruce. He captures a powerful moment when Dick’s reflection merges with Batman’s cowl. It makes you want to clap or cheer.
Batman’s main title is in good hands with this creative team. The final panel is a true work of art, Batman poised ready to protect and serve – and scare the shit out of the bad guys.
4 out of 5
