Category Archives: DC Comics

Constantine #2

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At the time of my review of Constantine #1, I wasn’t sure if I would read issue #2 or not.  Since I love magic and sorcery, I had to give it another chance.

Constantine is a magician who travels the world to search for, and collect artifacts of a dark nature to keep them from falling into the wrong hands.  He obtains the artifacts by whatever means necessary, including at the expense of the lives of the innocent.  In this storyline, Constantine is searching for Croydon’s Compass, a powerful compass with evil potential, made by a sadist wizard.  The compass was split into three pieces; needle, dial and the lens.

Constantine is not the only person searching for Croydon’s Compass.  However he is the only one with good intentions.  We met Sargon the Sorceress in the first issue.  In this issue, we meet Mister E, a blind and wicked magician.  We also meet the Spectre.

Constantine is also self-centered.  He does not appear to be affected when a life is sacrificed at his expense.  If he does, he hides it well.  He also likes to tell jokes, especially just before escaping his evil captors.  I find that very funny.

Ray Fawkes and Jeff Lemire are the writers.  I like Constantine’s narration throughout the story.  We know what gets him going.  We also know his fears.  I especially like when he met the Spectre.  We know he’s terrified, yet he found a way to get out of the situation.  For now.  I was even scared for a moment.  By the way, this story is full of dark magic, so prepare yourself.  Especially for the last page.

I like the artwork, especially the cover page.  But I still don’t like Sargon, the Sorceress.  I don’t look her looks, but you can definitely tell that she’s evil.  I do like that visual aspect of her.  Renato Guedes is the artist.  Marcelo Maiolo is the colorist.  Juan Jose Ryp and Brett Smith are the cover artists.

Right now, Constantine, a New 52 title by DC Comics has captured my attention.  I complained in my first review of the lack of a backstory, which made the story hard for me to follow.  But after reading this issue, I feel more comfortable with the story, so I intend to continue reading the series for now, to see where it’s going.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this DC Comics New 52 title if you like magic and sorcery.

Demon Knights #19 Review

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Cain and his army has reached Themyscira, home of the Amazons. Cain’s quest is to take over the Amazons, the strongest army in the world. And the only way to kill Cain and his horde is by piercing their hearts and decapitation. Or expose them to sunlight because…….they are VAMPIRES!

The Demon Knights (I listed the Knights in a previous post) comes to the aid of the Amazons, but they have one problem. The Knights need Etrigan for his strength but he’s to weak to return to Hell to re-energize. And Jason Blood is refusing to swap. When Lucifer learns that Cain is creating an army on Earth, he returns all of Etrigan’s power, and then some. And the battle begins.

During the battle, Sir Ystin (Shining Knight) made a move that shocked the Demon Knights. Her explanation was that Merlin foretold her of this quest. What prophecy was fulfilled? What happened to the vampires? I am not giving out spoilers. You will have to read it and find out!

So far I am still enjoying this New 52 title by DC Comics. I love magic, sorcery, and monsters. I also like vampires. So I was very anxious to see The Amazons, led by Queen Hippolyta, fight side-by-side with the Demon Knights in the battle against Cain and his army.

I like how Robert Venditti, writer, kept the classic characteristics of vampires. Bloodlust. Victims turning into vampires within minutes. Can be killed by a stab through the heart. Hiding from sunlight.

Bernard Chang is the artist and Marcelo Maiolo is the colorist. The two are great visual storytellers.

I have been reading Demon Knights since the first issue, and I plan to continue following the series.

VERDICT (drum roll)

I highly recommend this New 52 title.

Constantine #1 Review

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The only things I know about John Constantine is that he was the main character in Hellblazer, which ended in February 2013.  I also know that he’s currently a leading character in Justice League Dark. 

Constantine, a New 52 title by DC Comics, is about magic and sorcery.  I found this debut issue hard to follow, most likely due to the fact that I have no idea who and what John Constantine is about.  I wish the story, written by Ray Fawkes and Jeff Lemire, would have included a backstory.  A lot of readers don’t know that Constantine is not a new character.  There are also readers that know he’s been around but haven’t read any of his stories (like myself).  I wouldn’t complain about a backstory if he was a new character.

There are also characters in the story that I don’t know if they are new or appeared in previous stories with Constantine.  There’s a young man named Chris that has a special ability.  But thanks to Sargon the Sorceress, we are not able to find out who Chris really is and what his special ability is about.  Sargon the Sorceress is the daughter of Sargon, a good magician gone corrupt.

From the reading, I gathered that Constantine is a magician.  I also gathered that he’s a detective, going great lengths to save the world from the dark.  There’s also people out to kill him.

The artwork is pretty good.  Renato Guedes is the artist.  Marcelo Maiolo is the colorist.  I do not like how Sargon the Sorceress is drawn.  She looks like an ordinary female wearing an old, worn and torn dress with body piercings.  It’s her eyes that stands out and makes her look evil.

As always, I gave my honest review.  That’s pretty much all I have to say right now about the story.  Again, without a backstory this issue is hard to follow.  As of right now, I’m up in the air as to whether I’ll be reading issue #2 or not.  As much as I love dark, magic and sorcery, the debut story of Constantine didn’t grab my attention at all.  If I decide to read issue #2, I will be sure to post a blog about it.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

Unless you know about Constantine, then I do not recommend this title.  There is no backstory which makes the story hard to follow for new readers of this character.

Justice League of America #2 Review

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In the debut issue we saw how Amanda Waller, director of A.R.G.U.S., and Col. Steve Trevor formed the Justice League of America.  I listed the members in my review of issue #1, so all I’ll say here is that this team consists of the big guns.  Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, Katana.  Everyone on the team is a bad ass, so don’t let Stargirl fool you.

Without proper training, not to mention never fighting alongside one another, Director Waller has given Col. Trevor 15 minutes to assemble the team for a press conference, and another 15 to prepare them for their first mission.  MISSION:  find and take out the Secret Society.

Justice League of America, DC Comics New 52, is an interesting, yet complex series.  The team members believe they are protecting their country, but they’re really in training to take down the Justice League, if needed.  Each member has been secretly paired with the member of the Justice League that he/she will fight.  Again, if needed.

I am enjoying this New 52 title so far.  The series is dark which is a major selling point for me, as I love dark stories.  It also has compelling characters.  I am liking Col. Trevor but I don’t trust Director Waller at all.  She is aggressive and manipulative.  Stargirl is a pretty, braces-wearing teenage Hollywood celebrity, but I’m pretty sure she can kick ass in battle.  Vibe is a friendly teen who, at times, have second thoughts about joining the team.  Hawkman.  Well let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be on the same planet with him.

This well-written story is written by Geoff Johns.  Great interactions among the characters.

David Finch is the artist.  Sonia Oback is the colorist.  Great visual storytellers.

This is one DC Comics New 52 title I definitely plan to continue reading.  I am more than certain this series will be around for a long time.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend Justice League of America.

Demon Knights Review

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If you like magic, mysticism, and monsters then you should be reading Demon Knights, a New 52 title by DC Comics. The series is currently on issue #17.

The Demon Knights is a team created and written by Paul Cornell. The members are:

Etrigan – Demon from Hell. Hates everyone. Tried to overturn Lucifer and his army. Wants to put an end to Merlin and Jason Blood.

Jason Blood – Former apprentice of Merlin. Soul bound to Etrigan’s by Merlin during the destruction of Camelot. They share bodies and can change at will.

Madame Xanadu – Magician trained by Merlin. Lover of Jason Blood and Etrigan.

Exoristos – An Amazon living in exile.

Shining Knight (aka Sir Ystin) – Transgendered knight.

Horsewoman – Mysterious. Skilled archer. Ability to communicate with horses. She can’t walk but can ride a horse, supported by the magic in her saddle.

Al Jabr – Has advanced scientific knowledge. Inventor. Little is known about him but he can build war machines and electrocute people.

Vandal Savage – Barbarian. Rowdy, deceitful.

The series takes place in the medieval times within the DC Universe. The team happened to meet by chance in a small village. They joined forces to stop the Questing Queen and her horde from destroying the village.

The series is well-written by Cornell. There’s plenty of jokes and all the characters are compelling. I love the interactions among all the characters. It’s hard for me to have a favorite because each character is different and have their own quirks.

The artwork, by Diogenes Neves and Oclair Albert, is excellent. Finely detailed. These two artists are great at visual storytelling. Flawlessly flowing panels.

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Robert Venditti took over as writer beginning with issue #16, where he begins his story 30 years later. Venditti’s writing is that of Cornell’s. Well written. Bernard Chang did a great job with the art.

The Demon Knights went their separate ways after the Battle at Avalon. Al Jabr has summoned the knights to stop a plague that is quickly spreading by a man known only known as Cain. Cain and his guide, an Amazon, infects people through their bites. Yes they are VAMPIRES. Al Jabr is unable to join the team because of his aging body. He’s not immortal like the rest of the team. Horsewoman, Exoristos and Shining Knight agree to stop Cain and his recruits. Needing Etrigan for his strength, the trio must first free him from Vandal Savage’s imprisonment.

Demon Knights is a must read series. It’s full of sorcery, dark magic, witches, monsters, and demons.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

Oops, I told my verdict two sentences up, didn’t I? Oh well I’ll say it again. DEMON KNIGHTS IS A MUST READ SERIES.

Justice League of America #1 Review

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I originally planned to buy all 50 state variant covers for Justice League of America #1.  That’s right.  A cover for each state.  Why did I change my mind?  Because I can take the money I would have spent on all those covers that would only sit and collect dust, and buy a variety of comics.  So I’m proud to display my MICHIGAN cover!

Amanda Waller, Director of A.R.G.U.S. (secret branch of U.S. military) is passive-aggresive, and manipulative from the beginning.  She wants Col. Steve Trevor to organize and train the members of the Justice League of America (JLA).  Although Amanda says the JLA will help other super-heroes, it’s pretty clear that A.R.G.U.S. plans for the JLA to take down the Justice League. If necessary.

The issue focused on Amanda and Steve reviewing the profiles of each team member and the reasons they were chosen.

  • Katana
  • Hawkman
  • Martian Manhunter
  • Vibe
  • Stargirl
  • Catwoman
  • New Green Lantern (Simon Baz)
  • Green Arrow

How Steve Trevor plans to organize and train the team is beyond my wildest guess.  I can’t wait to see how he plans to train Katana and Hawkman.  Katana was an assassin who came to America to track down her husband’s killers.  Hawkman (he scares me, and yes I love it) is a police officer from his planet (Thanagar) that captures Thanagarian fugitives.  He also passes judgment on the fugitives.  Read the comic so you’ll know how he passes judgement.  I’m trying my best to not put in spoilers.  I’m also trying my best to get you to read this comic, because that’s what this blog is all about!

Martian Manhunter is not one to be messed with.  He’s powerful, yet mysterious.  Spooky is the word I like to use.  He pops up out of nowhere.  He also knows the true reason Steve agreed to organize the team.  But he warned that he will erase the minds of everyone in the building if Amanda Waller or any other government official makes a move against him.  Including Steve.

Can A.R.G.U.S. be trusted?  I don’t think so, especially Amanda Waller.  Steve Trevor is going to have his hands full trying to organize such a powerful and diverse group.  The team roster is established and each member of the JLA has been paired with a member of the Justice League that he/she is going to take down.  IF it comes to that.

The debut issue ended with The Secret Society being mentioned.  What’s that about?  You’ll just have to wait and see like the rest of us.

Geoff Johns grabbed my attention with this story from the beginning.  Powerful opening.  Strong dialogue throughout.  Rapid progression.  Perfect timing.  I know this series is going to be around for a very long time.

I love the artwork by David Finch.  Scenes flow flawlessly between panels.  Sonia Oback did a great job with the colors.  I especially like the dark panels.  It gives me a sense of fear and suspense.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

This is one series you definitely want to jump on.  I have no doubts about this one at all.