Red Hood and the Outlaws #0 (November, 2012)
"Everyone Has to Start Somewhere."
Writer - Scott Lobdell
Artists - Pasqual Ferry, Ig Guara & Brett Booth
Colorist - Blond
Letterer - Dezi Sienty
Assistant Editor - Darren Shan
Editor - Eddie Berganza
Cover Price: $2.99
When The New-52! was announced, there were a handful... well, more than a handful of titles that made me groan. I'm thinking of books like I, Vampire and Voodoo... books that I really didn't think had a reason to exist in this new DC landscape. I mean, who's gonna buy those books? (spoiler alert: very few people).
One of the titles that sorta intrigued me in a "so crazy it just might work" sort of way was Red Hood and the Outlaws. Now, I wasn't exactly on board with the whole "bring Jason Todd back to life" thing... I sorta stuck him in the bin with Uncle Ben, Bucky, and Gwen Stacy... those characters that should never be brought back. Well, as ever... the joke was on me.
When the first issue came out in the Fall of 2011, I... didn't buy it. So disenfranchised with the entire New-52! exercise, I didn't care enough to check it out... and of all the titles I didn't check out that month... this was probably the only one that kinda ate at me. Not sure why... maybe it's my blind devotion to things written by Scott Lobdell... maybe I just really dug the concept. Dunno.
Fast-forward to my deciding to quit my temper-tantrum and attempt to collect all the stuff I'd initially passed on... and, here we are. Was Red Hood worth the wait? Let's find out.
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We open on the happiest day of Jason Todd's life... the day he was born. We meet his mother... who is less than pleased to be in labor, and his father... who, devoted "baby daddy" that he is, is hanging at reception hitting on a reception-ist. A little background on them... Mama was a student at Gotham Academy... Papa was a kid from the wrong side of the tracks... I feel like we need some John Cougar Mellencamp to properly frame this.
As is to be expected, Papa wasn't someone who could be counted on... and so, Mama turned to drugs. Jason Toddler was thrust into a position of responsibility very early on in his life. He'd look after his mother when she was on benders... and tuck his drunken dad into bed each night.
It wasn't all bad though... Hell, this one time his Pop would come home and tell stories about running into a certain caped-n-cowled celebrity! Then again, we also see a bit where Jay has to bring him to an underground "hospital" to have a bullet removed from his back. Remember this scene... we'll be coming back to it later.
Next is the bit where everything changes. Papa Todd gets arrested... and we learn he dies in jail. Not too much later, Jason find his mother... dead from overdose (remember these scenes as well!).
He turns to a life of petty crime... and it turns out, he's not very good at it. One time, after a very thorough butt-kicking, he wakes up at the clinic of Leslie Thompkins. She treats him well... helps him recover... and to show his appreciation, he steals from her.
As he fled, he finally runs into the Batman. I think I'd have preferred him trying to steal the tires off the Batmobile, but whattayagonnado? Anyhoo, Batman slams the boy into a car and goes to arrest him (with actual handcuffs!), but Leslie stops him... imploring him to give the lad another chance.
This, of course, leads to Jay's becoming the ward of Bruce Wayne... and ultimately to his taking up the mantle of Robin.
From here it's a montage of Batman and Robin butt-kicking. Turns out Jason's pretty good at this... but, perhaps a bit too violent. His skull-splitting ways get him assigned to "monitor duty"... which really just feels like Batman mitigating the risk. Wonder if this Jason "let that dude fall". Anyhoo... while on monitor duty, Jay sees... his mother?!
And so, without even a note for Bruce, he takes off to the Middle East to follow up. While there he finds and reunites with his mother... 5,343 people dial 1-900-720-2666... and he gets killed.
Next thing we know, Jason's being laid to rest... but, not for long. We shift scenes to the Lazarus Pit... and our boy's eyes spring open!
This leads us to a sorta-kinda back-up story, that we'll call The Man Who Created Red Hood. It's narrated by the Joker, and flat out states that he was behind pretty much every big event in Jason Todd's life (and, er, death of course). He first saw our boy that night he brought his father to the underground "hospital" to have that bullet removed from his back. Toldja we'd come back to that.
He was also there the night Papa Todd was arrested... and the night Jason found his overdosed mother. Turns out what she "O.D.ed" on was nothing more than a rare African flower that made her look like she was dead... another machination of the Joker, natch.
The clown also dropped the lad at the door of Leslie Thompkins... and before he knew it... he wound up have created another Robin. I've got a little bit to say about this, but we'll save it for the end.
Bada-bing bada-boom, he kills Jason... who later returns to life using the Joker's own "Maiden Name" of Red Hood... annnnnd, we're out.
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Well... that didn't tell us a whole lot about "the Outlaws", did it?
Now, for those who have visited the blog before... you'll know that my New-52! game is kinda lacking. I really can't speak with a whole lot of authority on much of it... it's kinda like current day Marvel... just books I dismissed as "not being for me", and paid very little mind to. That said, many of my concerns here will likely be things that have already been answered/resolved.
First... let's get what this book "wasn't" out of the way. I was hoping to see a bit of Roy's origin. Having de-aged Green Arrow to match up with the TV show, I was curious as to how Roy now fit into his life. I'm sure this has been answered by now... but, it's really the story I cracked this book open to see.
I was pleased that this wasn't Starfire's origin... because all that Tamaran stuff really bores me. I'm glad we didn't have to see her enslaved... married off... enslaved again... fighting with her sister... enslaved again... and married off again here. The Tamaran stories were always the second roughest ones to get through back in the New Teen Titans days (the first roughest were any having to do with Azar, by the way).
So, what we do get is a soup-to-nuts on Jason Todd... which is fair enough. It was an enjoyable, if not a little cliche, read... and it was beautifully drawn by all the artists involved. That's one thing I kept noticing about this title... it always had awesome artists!
Now, my only concern (I wouldn't call it a "complaint") is... just how much does the Joker know? Again, pardon my New-52! ignorance, but... is this a clear indication that he knows Bruce Wayne and Batman are one in the same? If he meticulously plotted for this "kid nobody cares about" to become Robin... he's gotta know, right? Dropping him off with Dr. Thompkins... knowing he'd be taken in by Bruce Wayne... I mean, he's gotta know... right?
It's not like we haven't gotten the impression that the Joker "knows" from time to time... I think that ambiguity is key to the Batman-Bruce Wayne-Joker "hate-triangle", but, did he really have a clue this early on?
Again... apologies for being "outta the loop" on more contemporary Bat-lore... but, this wrinkle really makes that hamster start running on that wheel I got in my head. Maybe folks with more familiarity can fill me in... or at least direct me to books where I can find the answers.
Overall... I had a really good time with this... and I'm pretty psyched to continue my journey with the Outlaws (I have a lot of the run... but, still need to track down #1!). I'd definitely give this a recommendation. It's been collected in the scarily -spendy DC Comics: The New 52 Zero Omnibus, and is (for your... wallet's convenience) available digitally.
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Who's Who in the New 52!
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Earth 2 #1 (July, 2012)
"The Price of Victory"
Writer - James Robinson
Penciller - Nicola Scott
Inker - Trevor Scott
Colorist - Alex Sinclair
Letterer - Dezi Sienty
Special Thanks - Andy Kubert
Assistant Editor - Sean Mackiewicz
Editor - Pat McCallum
Cover Price: $3.99
Here's a book I remember being kind of excited for. The name "Earth 2" stirs up a lot of images for me... and I'd bet many a classic DC Comics fan. I guess I wasn't all that excited, because I actually forgot to preorder it!
I headed to the store and "Byrne-stole" it... ya know, flipped through it before buying it... and realized that it really wasn't what I was looking for. Especially not for $4!
Found it in a fifty-cent bin not too long ago... and figured for that price, it might be worth a read.
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It's Earth 2, five years ago. Just like we saw in the first New-52! arc of Justice League, Apokolips is on the warpath. Parademons have invaded, and it's up to Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman to save their world.
While they battle the baddies we get a bit of internal monologue from each. Superman laments the fact that this is all going down in Metropolis... his city, that fell under his watch. Also, Lois is dead. Diana thinks about Amazon Island also having fallen. Bruce, however, is tunnel-visioned on the task at hand. He approaches a tower, while checking in with his daughter, Helena Wayne... Robin!
Robin, in turn reaches out to Supergirl who is flying over Papua New Guinea.
On the ground below, a squad of soldiers being led by Al Pratt are guarding a nuclear device.
As the Earth 2 Trinity continues battling the Parademons, we flashback to their pre-fight strategy session in the Batcave. Bruce suggests introducing a virus program these strange Apokoliptan towers that have popped up. He volunteers to do the deed so long as his superfriends can buy him enough time to do so.
Back on the battlefield, Diana is visited by the Roman "messenger" God Mercury. The Gods themselves have suffered losses in this war. He comments that man no longer believes in Gods... and it's time that the Gods believed in man.
Mercury vanishes into the horizon, and Superman finds himself swarmed by Parademons. In the confusion, Steppenwolf is able to sneak up on Wonder Woman, and... kill her!
Upon seeing this, Superman goes super-nova... and explodes! Unlike the late New-52! "new" Superman-superpower, this nova blast doesn't just leave him nude and depowered for 24-hours... this seems to actually kill him.
Back in Papua New Guinea, the Parademons descend on the nuke. At the very same time, Batman arrives at the tower in Metropolis and prepares to inject the virus. Helena informs him that she'll swing by to pick him up... she doesn't seem to realize this was intended to be a suicide mission. Batman infects the tower... and it goes boom.
Despite the casualties, the mission was a success! Parademons fall from the sky. Robin and Supergirl reconnoiter and, catching a glimpse of a figure inside the boom tube, fly into it... directly into their Worlds' Finest ongoing series.
Back in the "present"... remember, all'at came before happened at the beginning of that "five-year timeline"... GBC owner, Alan Scott watches the documentary of the event we just read... complete with his own narration! How 'bout that? I hate listening to my own voice. We see that the Earth (2) still smolders even a half-decade hence.
We shift scenes to Lansing, Michigan where Jay Garrick has an argument with his ex-girlfriend Joan. They've broken up, and she has decided to head west to work for Tyler-Chem (likely an Hourman/Miraclo reference?).
We wrap up with Jay drinking his troubles away later that night. On a hill overlooking the city, he is visited by... Mercury!
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This was... okay. Not what I wanted from an "Earth 2" book... but, at the same time, I can't be mad at it.
If I'm going to read about Earth 2, I'd prefer to read about the classic Justice Society or All-Star Squadron... not sure the world necessarily needed younger versions of Alan, Jay, Al and the gang. Well, I guess it's not like a writer these days is going to create new characters, right?
While I still think the "five year rule" is kinda dumb, I appreciate the adherence to it for this issue. Apokolips attacking different Earths at the same time is interesting... and it's cool to consider that multiple Justice Leagues were all embroiled in these wars.
Not sure how I feel about the (presumably) God-given powers for the Flash. Not that breathing in "hard-water fumes" makes a heckuva lot of sense... but, there's a charm to it. I got a bit of an Abin Sur meeting Hal Jordan vibe here, but still... I prefer this Society not be comprised of "chosen one" heroes.
It wasn't the best... but a decent enough way to launch "Wave Two" of The New-52! Also... it's gorgeous! Nicola Scott is one of the most talented artists to pop up this past decade... her work is almost always jaw-droppingly amazing. It definitely does a lot of the "heavy lifting" here... raising a decent-but-skippable affair to something I'd recommend checking out.
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Green Lantern: The Animated Series #0 (January, 2012)
"True Colors"
Writers - Art Baltazar & Franco
Illustrator - Dario Brizuela
Colorist - Gabe Eltaeb
Letterer - Saida Temofonte
Editor - Kristy Quinn
Cover Price: $2.99
I don't have much of an intro today... your humble blog-host is fumblin' stumbling and rumblin' through something that might be a lesser-migraine, or a terrible sinus headache... so, we're gonna just jump right in.
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We open with some narration from Hal Jordan that introduces some of the concepts of the Green Lantern Corps. In the distance, there is a green light floating in space. Hal and Kilowog decide to deboard their spacecraft (which they call Aya) to investigate.
They head ever closer and are shocked to learn that it is a Green Lantern ring. Upon closer investigation, Hal notices that the symbol engraved on it is not quite right.
Moments later, the ring changes to it's real color... red! Before they know it, Hal and Kilowog find themselves surrounded by several Red Lanterns.
A fight breaks out, despite Hal's suggestion that they try and discuss things (like civilized beings). Outmanned, Hal suggests they beat a hasty retreat... and so, he heads back to Aya. He doesn't even look back to see Kilowog's capture. Whatta pal!
Onboard Aya, Hal learns that his oversized buddy didn't make it back. Hal orders Aya head back, despite her thoughts to the contrary. She feels the odds of him rescuing 'Wog are too slim to pursue... but, orders is orders.
Aya offers that she is detecting a strange secondary signal... and Hal is cool with the pit-stop. They soon arrive at a site where they find a Quantum Refractor.... which is like a "darker than black" cube, that has the ability to bend light around objects. This is how the Reds lured our boys in with the phony-colored ring. This also gives Hal reason to believe Kilowog might still be alive.
Speaking of Kilowog... moments later Hal is able to locate him. That's pretty convenient, but we'll allow it. 'Wog is surrounded by about a half-dozen Red Lanterns... and is shackled at a sort of alter.
Hal considers his options, as a head-on assault would likely not work in his favor. He runs a few scenarios past Aya... and concludes that his new Quantum Refractor could be of use... and so, he uses it to bend light around Kilowog, rendering him invisible!
The Reds are taken by surprise, and after getting in a few good punches, Kilowog and Hal retreat... that is, until Aya informs them that there are actually two energy sources coming from the Quantum Refractor... and it would be best if they retrieve it. Why Hal dropped it in the first place, I'll never know!
Kilowog runs a distraction, willing up a giant hammer... and Hal slides in for the nyoink.
They return to Aya, and Hal pries the box open... inside it they find a Particle Feeder... a little critter that feeds off of itty bitty ions and atoms. At this point it's so pale it's almost transparent... however, mere moments later it's back to it's bright and vibrant form.
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Eh. I think I'd mentioned when we discussed Superman Family Adventures #1 a few months ago that the concept of "All Ages" or in this case "Rated E" books is kind of lost on me. Maybe that's my "1980's privilege" talking, but it's still definitely something that hinders my ability to fully enjoy a book such as this. The distillation of characters down to catch-phrases and the keyest of character traits really doesn't help.
I mean, I get it. Just not the way I was introduced to the characters... and my current attitude toward the comics industry makes it so I'm quite annoyed that my kids won't have the same introduction to some of my favorites. Instead, they will get the "animated series" version, or the "adventures" version. I dunno... something about that just bugs me.
For the story itself... it serves as a perfectly fine introduction to Hal Jordan (and Kilowog). I suppose if this series really wants to emphasize the Corps, it's easier to launch it by having them face off with a whole 'nother Corps rather than a villain like Sinestro. Perhaps his story will come later... and will include his betrayal to the Green Lanterns. I dunno.
The art here was fine... although, man Hal's got himself some humongous shoulders! I mean, dude must have to get his shirts custom made. Wasn't too keen on the fact that Hal wasn't portrayed as being especially smaller than Kilowog. I mean, 'Wog is clearly larger... but not by as much as I'd have wanted. Overall, the artwork inside the book was nice... colors were bright and poppy. The cover however, looked a bit cheap. I can't really put it into words, but it's got this sorta digital look... that you'd see in commercials for a local "Technical Institute". There's a genericness to it. Dunno, don't dig it.
So yeah, not for me. Hindsight tells me it was probably quite unfair to subject a book of this sort to my brand of analysis... but, here we are. Kids will probably dig it, and comic fans less anal than me should as well. I suppose I can best sum it up by saying "It's not you book, it's me." If you think this book might be for you, it is available digitally.
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