Justice Society of America #46

Marc Guggenheim is ramping up the heroes involved in his super-city story, and my interest is increasing at the same rate. This issue I spotted a lot more Dr. Mid-Nite, along with Mr. America and Blue Devil. I'm pleased that the Society's expansive membership is still a factor in the book, maybe Guggenheim was just starting out small with a core group.

This issue does has a race against the clock plot, but the real kicker is what happens to junior Societee Lightning. I've got to think she'll be ok, but it stinks seeing her taken down so hard. I find the whole Alan Scott story a bit laughable, just because I don't see his upcoming Battery-armor sticking around too long; some creator or another will want him back to normal shortly. I do like seeing all the danger in the Society's new home, they might want to ship in a couple more heroes.

Scott Kolins' art has looked better, but this is still very nice. The washed tones dont' work for me quite as well as the vibrant, clean look from Flash a few years ago. Kolins' average stuff is still some of the best art on the stands, though.

Fair

Green Lantern #61

I really get a kick out of the Spectre. He's so ridiculous with his punishments to fit every crime and his literal interpretations. Geoff Johns nails this with his "eye for an eye" argument voiced by Atrocitus. I like the hinted past between the two characters, it makes sense. They both really are angry dudes.

Atrocitus has become a pretty cool character, even with that ridiculous name. In fact, until I looked at this cover again, I forgot that Hal Jordan doesn't even appear in this book. I would have dug a different cover for "Red Lantern #61" but I guess that might throw some folks off.

This issue introduces The Butcher, the patron being of the Red Lanterns. It's interesting that he has such an adversarial relationship with his own corps, Atrocitus is definitely not his friend.

I appreciate Doug Mahnke skewing his Spectre closer to the classic look. That goatee just looks silly with the cape.

Fair

Justice League of America #52

I can only imagine how much I'd be enjoying James Robinson's JLA if he had a lineup I cared about. This is a pretty entertaining story even with that consideration.

I love all these off-hand references to Darkseid not being dead. Of course not, the biggest bad guy in the DCU is just about impossible to kill at this point; if Orion couldn't do it, I don't believe Batman could, even with a god-gun.

The Dark Supergirl aspect of the story is pretty silly, but I suppose it makes sense to put Ultraman and Supergirl on Omega's team to tip the deck. Even with the JLA and CSA teaming up, things look grim for the protagonists. I also find it interesting that Power Ring and Johnny Quick are already dead; what was the point of morphing around their identities to match up with the DCU last issue if they were just going to get pasted this fast?

I'm going to miss Mark Bagley's classic stylings on this title. His Blue Jay is a tad too Hawkman-ish, but that's a small complaint, especially since he still looks cool.

Good

Widowmaker #2

I must not have been paying attention. It seems that this limited series is actually a couple of regular issues of recently cancelled Marvel titles. Issue 1 was the next issue of Hawkeye & Mockingbird, and this issue is a new issue of the recently cancelled Black Widow. Boy, do I feel dense.

In any case, Duane Swierczynski does a great job picking up the cliffhanger from last issue. I guess these are "fake" Supreme Soviets (although really, who can tell at this point). I'm disappointed, I liked Vostok, Fantasma, and Perun, I would have liked the Soviets to still have a pretty expansive roster of their own heroes.

The coolest development in this chapter is personal; exes Hawkeye and Black Widow are left on their own while Mockingbird and Dominic Fortune go their own way. Both sides seem to have some chemistry that could make things difficult for Hawk & Mock. And how funny is it that they seem like the top couple of Marvel now? (They are on Valentine's Day on the new Marvel 2011 calendar!)

Manuel Garcia's art is fine, but I love David Lopez's stuff so much I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

Good

Justice League: Generation Lost #16

The sheer amount of Blue Beetle action in this issue made it a worthwhile purchase, even if the overall plot didn't advance too far.

Judd Winick does a nice job making it seem like Fire might actually get killed. Last issue, the Creature Commandos and GI Robots arrived and plugged her full of holes, and she looks to be in horrible shape. Most of the issue has Fire and Ice saying goodbye to each other. Fortunately, Blue Beetle spots a Commando-Mummy out on the field with healing powers. He snags the dude and gets him to heal up Fire, restoring everyone to a pretty solid status quo. The book ends with Max Lord showing up to snatch Beetle. I'm not sure why he'd want the guy, but I'm intrigued and it is a good cliffhanger.

The other big development has Power Girl and Batman starting to look into the Checkmate connection to all the mysterious happenings in this title. It's only a matter of time before they link everything to Max Lord. I'm hoping PG, Bruce Wayne, and Martian Manhunter all get on this team by the time the series wraps up.

Fernando Dagnino doesn't do a great job with most of the characters in this book. Captain Atom, Booster Gold, the monsters, they all look just OK. But he does a great job on Blue Beetle, Fire, and Ice, so overall, the art balances out as average.

Fair

Invincible #76

Hoo boy, another savage issue of Invincible. Actually, he really needs a more violent adjective before his name on the comic title. "Bloody" or "Gory" would be very appropriate. Robert Kirkman shies away from another upsetting death, Oliver is still alive. Sure, he's a cyborg, but at least he's alive. I also love the new status quo for the good guy empire. Having laid back Allen, as the new boss is a great idea. (The cameo from the Star Trek Next Generation crew is fun, as always.)

I'm not sure it makes sense for the Viltrumites to let all of their most powerful enemies live, especially if it is just to be a jerk and destroy the Earth.

Ryan Ottley gets to draw so much blood! And it's always cartoony, so it doesn't seem as upsetting as it should. I mean, look at those intestines and bloody bodies just floating in space. I'm reasonably sure I should be more upset than I am by that. I've just seen Invincible get such horrible beat downs, I know he can handle it.

Good

Green Lantern Corps #55

I like the Weaponer as a new villain, he's fun because he is unpopular with his own people as well as with the GL's. There isn't a whole lot of new plot movement here, but I am impressed that the Weaponer is capable of taking out so many Honor Guard Lanterns so easily.He can't be too dangerous though, because Ganthet finds time to go off and tell as story about the secret alliance that he and Guy Gardner made with Atrocitus. Doesn't that seem a bit rude? I mean, the Weaponer has to just sort of wait for his villainous rants while the GLC starts talking about their next villain.

It's too bad Tony Bedard can't spend more time focused on his own storyline, he already is having to steer his stuff towards the bigger GL plot. The problem is that there is no one I really love on this team. Kyle Rayner has been a wimp. John Stewart is still boring. Ganthet is a Guardian. Soranik spent this whole story as a prisoner, and Hannu had his fight and defeat off-panel. It's weird, I like Tony Bedard's plots, but I feel like the pacing is too slow.

Tyler Kirkham's art is still getting better. His take on Hannu is a bit weird, he's got a stone-beard, which I don't think I've seen before. I also like that Soranik always has time to show off her assets.

Fair

Happy New Year's, Lanterns!