Win first. Cry later.

New Mutants #14 ****
Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Ibraim Roberson
Cover Artist: Adi Granov
Publisher: Marvel

What a fantastic issue. I think that it is safe to say that this is the moment that we've all been waiting for. Ever since the day she was born Hope Summers has been hailed as the savior of the mutant race. And for years we've speculated just what this feisty gal would do to save the mutants and with this issue we are one step closer to figuring that out. The scene between Hope and Rogue was absolutely perfect. Scott's rally speech to the rest of mutant race to man up, was great. This issue was great because it gave you enough of each individual story to leave you wanting more without giving away too much. Also with this issue, the pace definitely is increasing. You can begin to feel it with the constant shift of focus, the bits of action here and there, and the hints of what's to come.

Everyone outside. Now! We're under attack!

American Vampires #1-3       *****

At the suggestion of my comic guy Andy I picked up this title and I can honestly say that I am glad that I did. With the Vampire craze infiltrating every ounce of our culture these days you're probably thinking, not another vampire story. I promise you, you're wrong. I mean, you've got the King of horror stories himself Mr. Stephen King as one of the writers.  As a fan, I would argue that that should be enough to get you to read this. But you do have to take in the fact that the other writer Scott Snyder is relatively unkown. Well let me tell you, he does a fantastic job with words himself. And while they're storytelling techniques are different they come together to create a well thought out and executed story. The artwork in this book is fantastic as well. Rafael Albuquerue does a tremendous job with the art that is executed in a painterly fashion that may call to some people's minds the stylings of Francis Manapul.

The story is split in two parts. The first part, written by Scott Snyder takes place in the Hollywood district in 1925. We meet aspiring actress Pearl Jones who is in for the ride of her life, especially after meeting Skinner Sweet. In the second story we follow Skinner's road to meeting Pearl. What these writers are doing is exploring the notions of vampire evolution as well as the eternal battle between the old and the young.

I-I wish I could do more but I can't. I can't go any faster...

Even if the thought occurred to you then, you never thought you'd actually be able to do harm to your parents.

Streets of Gotham #11 ****
I can say this week after week, but until you actually pick up the book you guys won't ever really know just what you are missing out on by not reading the Bat-titles. And to those of you who are thinking, why would you need to read 5 books about Batman,ere given the pleasure of witnessing young children locked in cages like animals. It turns out that Mr. Zsasz over here not only has been kidnapping orphans but forcing them to fight one another for the pleasure of his customers. Enter Damian. This little guy, who is becoming a bit more likeable with every issue, has deemed himself the protector of children around the world. This was another great notch in Paul Dini's book of Gotham stories. And man does Dustin Nguyen have the amazing ability to take Dini's words and bring them to life. Great series, great issue, just great stuff.

Can't a guy just show his kids how much he loves them?

Batman 697 ****1/2
What is there left to say about Tony Daniel that I have not been saying from day one. This issue marked the culmination of Tony's first major story, along with the culmination of Dick's first major takedown as the new Batman. Tony Daniel has been doing a tremendous job bringing out Batman in Richard and vice versa. The writing has been progressively getting better with each issue that Tony pens and his artwork has remained amazing. He's been going so great doing both the writing and the artwork, that I wouldn't want to be the writer/artist that is missing their deadline.
There are a couple of key points that should be taken away from this issue. The first is that Dick Grayson is badass. Now, taking into consideration that this was a job that Dick didn't even want to take to begin with, he has taken over for Bruce at a level that is nearly, if not already, That being said, it was particularly ocious in this issue that Dick will be a different kind of Batman, and Dic Grayson Batman. I'm looking to see how things tie up on Selina Kyle's part.

I still stick with this title being one of the best titles out there right now and anyone not reading it is severely missing out on everything.

Sam's dumb. Remember that time he bought a Rolecks?

Batman 696 ****
I don't know if I've effectively expressed just how much I am enjoying Tony Daniel's existence, so let me take the time to say just how much I am loving his presence in Batman. I've read comments here and there about his writing style and all I've got to say to those kids are, Pop off. The pacing in this issue was brilliant. The constant changing in the plot, switching from the past to the present and then back to the past, coupled with the different locales in each time frame was genius. It kept me on my proverbial toes the entire time. Dick Grayson being drugged, Robin pissed at the world, Oracle stressed over everything (maybe the finality of her words in Batgirl were not so final?), and there was the last scene where Dick came around to figuring out what we've all been wanting to know, Who the F is Black Mask. Great read, coupled with some amazing artwork, c'mon now, what more could a reader ask for.


Streets of Gotham 9 ***
So to reiterate my last review of this series, I'm not particularly sure what purpose these last two issues have had, seeing as they completely break out of the current major story. That being said, there are a couple of issues I had with the issue. The artwork was very good, as I come to expect from Dustin Nguyen. It's really the writing that I hold issue with. Not that it was bad mind you, but that it felt as if Mike Benson was writing a completely different Batman than the rest of Streets of Gotham. And while I understand that different writers have different techniques and styles, but it's one thing to have a different style and another thing to alter the personality of long-standing characters, such as Dick Grayson. All in all not a bad place holder, but I'm ready for Paul Dini to come back and finish up his story. I give this a 3 star rating for two reasons. The art was great and the cover was amazing.

Supernatural 2 ***1/2
I am so glad that I decided to pick this mini-series up. It was on a whim, there was only one issue of issue 1 on the shelf and I snatched it up like a fat kid in a candy store snatches up the good chocolate. This is a such a great show that even though I read the first issue, I wasn't sure that they would be able to maintain the feel of the show, and boy was I wrong. The writing is fun and flows well, the art is pretty cool. The issue are flowing like episodes of the show, each issue having a different villain to take care of, while still maintaining a separate long term goal. I reckon by the end of the mini-series I will be insisting this as a read for Supernatural fans, so why wait. All you fans, this is good stuff. All you non-fans, what are you thinking, read these and then watch the show.

Batman never fights to kill!

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record and I don't like it one bit. That being said, I will make a conscious effort to get my reviews out with a more consistent speed. Furthermore, I do have a question for the masses, ha, do my reviews make any impact in what you end up reading? Because in the past I have refrained from giving up too much information on the off chance that upon reading my review the reader may choose to pick up the issue and still have some excitement. Now though, I'm debating just review each issue in it's entirety.

Adventure Comics #7 ****
This is technically a Blackest Night tie-in and as such belongs in my forthcoming Blackest Night tie-ins part 3 review. However, I don't care. Conner has been and continues to be in my top ten favorite of all time, so he gets to bypass said rules. Also, the next issue will be focusing on the Legion of Superheroes, so look out for that.

There's so much to write about this issue I had to start a new paragraph. First and foremost this marks the end of Geoff Johns and Franics Manapul's run with Adventure Comics. Issue 7 is written by Tony Bedard with art by Travis Moore, who in all honestly I have never heard of either, but I must say that I was pleased. It started off with a basic history of who and what Superboy is and has gone through, granted I'm not particularly sure why that was there, but it did show that the writer did have some sense of Superboy's history, which is always nice. Being inside Conner's head the whole time was entertaining, his interaction with Wonder Girl was amusing, and the fact that his pal Krypto came to save him was great, 'cuz I love that dog. I thought the story was great; it was a fairly brilliant way in incorporating Conner's past to save him. And we can thank Rao for that.

Batman and Robin #8 ***
It's weird, pretty much everything I've seen on the internet, which isn't much by the way, talks about how great this story line is. So far, I must say that I enjoyed the previous story better. Not that I think this one is bad or anything, it's actually fairly good. Considering Final Crisis was Grant Morrison's baby, of sorts, it's only natural that he would use it in a pretty awesome way. A rogue, insane, double insane because of the Pit, Batman on the loose? How cool is that. I don't particularly like this desperate Dick that Grant Morrison is painting. I know why he is doing it, but I don't like it and I refuse to like it. Crazy Bats taking on Damian, who has a newly reformed spine? I'm interested, are you?

Batgirl #7 ***1/2
I can't say for sure why this is the case, but I am not particularly fond of Stephanie Brown. Maybe it's because my introduction to her has been recent, even though she's been around for years now, and she seems very annoying. Keeping that in mind, I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised with how I've enjoyed this series since issue 5. Her interactions with Damian is some of the funniest stuff I read. Having Barb around has been awesome (having her around with the rest of the Birds should also be pleasant.) A who can kill Batman first plot is entertaining enough. I just hope that St. Nick does not become a more prominent presence in our lives, and by mine I mean mine, Barbara's and Dick's.

Supernatural #1/6 ****
That's right folks. You heard it right from the source, I am now reading the Supernatural Beginning's End mini-series, and how great it is. those of you who are in the know, know how much I adore this show. It's just one of those shows that I love watching and so I picked this issue up on a whim to see how I'd like it. I've been a tad weary about comics that used to be, or in this case are currently, a show. In this case, I thought it was fabulous. The writers did a a great job capturing the feel, the tone of the show and I thank them for that. The artwork has a great look and feel to it. I can't particularly explain it, but it's got this great rough, graphic, rugged look and feel to it, not soft at all. And I think for this particular series it is very appropriate. I think the plot has a great thing going for it. The lead up to the show is a great story that should be told. I never liked John Winchester for a multitude of reasons, particularly his treatment of his children most specifically Dean. But I mean, smacking Sam? Jackass. Consider me hooked for all 6 issues.


And can I just say, what is up with all the Deadpool variant covers? I like Deadpool just as much as the next guy, but I mean, really?