“Buried on Sunday, a Black Lantern on Monday!”

When I set down to write this review, I had a lot of problems figuring out what to say. To begin with, this is the seventh and last issue of the mini-series. I have read the whole serie, but to be honest, I had no plans of reviewing it. It’s not that I have negative things to say about it, this was just one of the titles that I’ve been reading that just hasn’t fallen on my review list. Let’s face facts, with as many books as I read a month, I can’t review all of them! After seeing the cover and seeing the potential tying of this title into the Blackest Night saga, I felt that perhaps I should “get it out” there to our readers.

This issue, as well as the entire series, is the product of Scott Kolins. He is both writer and artist. I am very familiar with his work, being the die-hard Flash fan. His run on that book, with Geoff Johns, has left a favorable mark with me. I also like the fact that this book has not only a Golden-Age villain but also(of course) Grundy’s arch-foe, The Original Green Lantern, Alan Scott. I’m always a sucker for the D.C. Golden-Age characters and I actively seek out any and all appearances of the “original” heroes and villains. There are also several interesting guest appearances from the likes of the Phantom Stranger, The Demon, Bizarro, Amazo, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, and Frankenstein.

This issue finishes off Cyrus Gold’s quest of finding out who originally killed him. Cyrus has been given only seven days to find out who did it before his next rebirth as Grundy. If he can succeed, then he can break the curse, end Grundy’s existence forever and finally move on to his final rest.

I enjoyed the issue and there are two nice twists in this book. One is the truth behind his murder – I didn’t see that one coming! The second was apprarent just by looking at the cover. Take a read and all will be made clear.

I thought the series as a whole was good, if not spectacular. I like the artwork and the chance to read about characters that I don’t normally read or are presented on a monthly basis. I find this book to be interesting in itself but I’m not sure it will be a must read because of the Blackest Night logo on the cover.

Issue #7: 3.5 out of 5
Series: 3.0 out of 5

Three of DC’s most notorious bad girls unite forces to survive the means streets of Gotham.  Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn headline this new monthly series written by Paul Dini.

While first impressions are neither totally accurate nor definitive, this book made a bad one because of the art.  Guillem March’s work seemed rushed and sloppy.  There are some glaring inconsistencies between characters from panel to panel.  Sometimes these gorgeous vixens look more mannish than pretty – not cool at all.  The poor art gives the impression that this title is not as important as the other Bat-titles.  It probably isn’t, but the quality shouldn’t suffer.

Paul Dini’s writing is the book’s saving grace.  He delivers some brilliantly funny moments between these bad girls while maintaining urgency to their concerns.  The end reveal makes me want to keep reading just to see how things pan out.

In the end, this issue felt flat.  With three great characters in a rare alliance, I hoped for much more.  Enough happens to bring me back, but I’m hoping for more next time.

2 out of 5