Posts Tagged ‘Tiny Titans’

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January 1st, 2012  Posted at   The Stack
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Now that is more like it. As I mentioned last month, there was a mix-up in my comic order, resulting in me getting two months’ worth of books at once, so I had a lot of ground to make up. And make it up I did.

Here’s December:

Action Comics (Vol. 2) #1-3
All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold #12-13
Billy Tucci’s A Child is Born
DCU Holiday Special 2010
Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #2-3
Green Lantern Corps (Vol. 3) #2-3
Green Lantern: New Guardians #2-3
Green Lantern: The Animated Series #0
Red Lanterns #2-3
Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes #1-2
Superboy (Vol. 3) #63-72
Supergirl (Vol. 4) #33-42
Superman (Vol. 3) #2-3
Team Superman #1
Tiny Titans #45-46
Young Justice (Vol. 2) #9-10
Young Justice #9-18
Young Justice in No Man’s Land #1
Batman Chronicles Vol. 6 trade paperback
Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 3 trade paperback

Total: 56 comics, 2 trades (Year total: 410 comics, 17 trades)

The Legion Showcase continued from last month, and I also started the second volume of Heroes, so more on that in the next installment.

But what a way to end the year, eh? The most productive month of the year, hands down. It was really nice to end the year on a high note — not just with reading a lot of books, but reading a lot of books that I truly enjoyed (more on that in a minute).

All said-and-done, the year-end total was 410 comics and 17 trades, not including any podcast-related reading. That averages out to roughly a book and a half per day. That’s not at all a bad rate.

So, as for the books from this month themselves… well, let’s start with the not-so-great. I’m a little sad to say I’ve just not been overly impressed with any of the “New 52” books. None of that I am reading are bad… they just aren’t great. A lot of it feels very much like business as usual, just with a new coat of paint that will wear off quickly.

The best is probably Grant Morrison’s ACTION COMICS. I actually went back and re-read the first issue before re-reading issues two and three, rather than just skimming it as I did the others. I actually wanted to re-read it. On the other hand, we all knew it would be among the cream of the crop and even given that, it still feels like something that will be far more enjoyable in trade form.

But, we’ll move on. I was dismayed to learn about the pending cancellations of TINY TITANS and ALL NEW BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD. Neither are surprising, especially the Batman book with the cartoon off-air now, but, still, both were solid reads pretty much month-in and month-out and I will miss them both.

“Johnny DC” titles traditionally don’t last more than a few years, which is unfortunate since, for some reason, it takes them a while to hit their strides. The good news is, the current YOUNG JUSTICE book is strong and the first issue (or is that “zeroth” issue?) of the Green Lantern book tying into the comic was fun, even though it felt like they were biding time. So, maybe there is hope.

On the reading project front, I got through just shy of a year’s worth of SUPERBOY, YOUNG JUSTICE and SUPERGIRL. SUPERBOY has been a little tepid, to be honest. Karl Kesel is doing Superboy through Kirby-vision goggles, which is fine… just not quite to my taste. And I can’t get into the Wildlands characters at all. But, Kesel still has a solid grip on the character and the book has taken a stiff upturn with the blockbuster “Evil Factory” storyline. Unfortunately, I know Kesel’s final departure is looming just around the corner. I can’t say I’m looking forward to that.

I haven’t been enjoying SUPERGIRL as much, but, as I recall, this is a bit of a lull period for the title. The last issue I read this month feature the return of Buzz, so things should start picking up soon as we hit the run-up to issue #50.

YOUNG JUSTICE is incredibly fun and very awesome. I can’t believe it took me so long to read this series. I’ve got one more issue, and then it will hit the “Sins of Youth” storyline, which I hope to be able to read in a concentrated dose over the period of a few days. Good times ahead!

Looking ahead to 2012, I have decided to keep going with The Stack. I should be able to wrap up the reading project by spring or early summer and plan to start another after that. I don’t know what that project will be. But, stay tuned!

October 1st, 2011  Posted at   The Stack
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It was a bit of a lighter month this time. At least it was on the surface. Anyway, let’s just get into it, eh? Here’s September:

Action Comics #904
All New Batman: Brave and the Bold #11
Brightest Day Aftermath: The Search For Swamp Thing #3
JLA: World Without Grown-Ups #1-2
Green Lantern Corps (Vol. 2) #63
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #13
Resurrection Man #16-17
Showcase Presents: Justice League of America Vol. 4 trade paperback
Steel #51-52
Superboy (Vol. 3) #52-56
Supergirl (Vol. 4) #22-25
Supergirl (Vol. 5) #67
Superman #714
Superman/Batman #87
Superman Beyond #0
Tiny Titans #43
Young Justice #1-2
Young Justice: The Secret #1
War of the Green Lanterns: Aftermath #2

Total: 29 comics, 1 trade (Year total: 314 comics, 11 trades)

SHOWCASE PRESENTS: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA Vol. 4 was actually started last month, but finished this. To be honest, I was let down by this volume. It’s mostly comprised of Denny O’Neil-written stories and, sadly, he’s never been my choice writer. It’s nothing against his ability, he (by his own admission) just doesn’t “get” the characters I’m most into. And conversely, the characters he does get, I’m not into as much. Still, it was nice to read the earliest appearances of the Earth-2 Superman.

Coincidentally, I also started the ABSOLUTE JUSTICE hardcover this month. I read the series when it came out in single issues. The art was beautiful, but the pacing was horribly slow. I thought reading it “all at once” would improve that. It really hasn’t. The art is still great, though.

Despite the tepid stories, all this JLA-reading has me really psyched for Charlie Niemeyer and Isaac Frisbie’s Podcast of Justice, coming soon to an iTunes near you. Gotta love the JLA, even in bad stories!

As for the Reading Project front, in September I bid farewell to STEEL and kicked off YOUNG JUSTICE, which is a title I’ve not read more than a couple issues of (around the time of “Our Worlds at War,” as I recall). I’m only two issues in and I’m really enjoying it. It’s the type of writing Peter David is great at. I have a feeling it’s going to be a really fun read.

I think I’m about halfway through the project now. I’ve enjoyed it, but future reading projects will be smaller in scope. (And one final note: The RESURRECTION MAN issues listed above were part of the project, as they were parts one and three of a three-part story with an issue SUPERGIRL).

As you can see, I closed out the post-Crisis DCU this month. It seems odd to say I read the last issues… since I really didn’t. There’s still lots of material from that era to read. As I’m sure others have said, most books went out with a whimper. None of the books I read had any real finality to them and the four Super-related ones were utterly unimpressive. The two Green Lantern titles were nice notes to end on, but hardly what they deserved. Even though it was forced, I liked that GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD WARRIORS went out with a one-punch gag, as that’s such a seminal moment in Guy Gardner’s history (and really, Batman and the post-Crisis DCU as a whole).

But on a more positive note, ALL-NEW BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD was another knock-out. This is seriously the best Johnny DC title since Mark Millar’s run on SUPERMAN ADVENTURES. It doesn’t exactly carry the tone of the cartoon, but, man Sholly Fisch is telling some good stories. Issue #10 was real heart-tugger at the end.

SUPERMAN BEYOND #0 was also quite enjoyable. It reminded me quite a bit of the tone of the DCAU stuff without being slavish to it, you know? We haven’t gotten a Superman story like this in the “regular” books for ages. Here we have a Superman who’s inspiring. Here we have a Superman who’s witty without being campy. Here we have a Superman who, while trying to find his place, does so without being a full-on mopey, “woe-is-me,” sad sack. If this issue leads to an ongoing series (which I’m guessing is the intention… why else number it a #0?), and can retain the spirit and tone of this issue, I am definitely interested.

But that’s it for September. My order from DCBS is in transit as I type this, so I’ll be getting my first issues of ACTION COMICS (*sigh* Vol. 2) and SUPERMAN (Vol. 3) next week and will include them in October edition of The Stack. Wish me luck.

August 1st, 2011  Posted at   The Stack
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July was an exceptional month for reading. For the first time since January, I am completely caught up on new material and the Reading Project. (It also tied January as the most productive month of the year, for what it’s worth.) I am hesitant to say that it won’t be a problem keeping up from here on out, but with my books getting cut drastically come September, obstacles are seemingly fewer.

Here’s July:

Action Comics #901-902
Adventure Comics #527
All New Batman: Brave and the Bold #8
Brightest Day Aftermath: The Search For Swamp Thing #1
Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #66
Green Lantern Corps (Vol. 2) #60
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #10-11
Hulk-Sized Mini-Hulks #1
Steel #38-44
Superboy (Vol. 3) #39-45
Superboy and the Ravers #9-15
Superboy Annual (Vol. 2) #4
Superboy Plus #2
Supergirl (Vol. 4) #9-15
Supergirl (Vol. 5) #64-65
Supergirl Annual #2
Superman #712
Superman/Batman #84-85
Tiny Titans #40-41
Young Justice (Vol. 2) #4-5
Showcase Presents: Superman Family Vol. 3

Total: 50 comics, 1 trade (Year total: 248 comics, 8 trades)

I started the Showcase volume back in May, but just finished it up. It was an excellent volume, though. It is, maybe, my favorite Showcase Presents volume so far. It is certainly my favorite of the non-pure Superman volumes. There are many classic and iconic stories in it.

The Reading Project is coming along nicely. I’m more than one-third of the way through now. STEEL and SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS will be dropping off soon, and YOUNG JUSTICE will be added. None of those are likely to happen in August, but we will see. While we are on the subject, SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS is a fun title. It’s unfortunate people pass on it because the dated (and kind of silly) title. Coincidentally, this era of Kon-El also gets passed on because of a dated costume and haircut. If you haven’t read it, you’re missing some fun stuff, folks.

HULK-SIZE MINI HULKS was… interesting. I don’t normally read Marvel titles outside of trades, but this looked cute. And it was, but also rather repetetive. It was also odd that the creators names were on every page.

My award for Best Book of the Month (which isn’t a real award, but I’m deeming it such for this post) goes to SUPERMAN #712, written by Kurt Busiek. It has taken its place as my favorite story of Kurt Busike’s run, topping out “The Best Day” from SUPERMAN ANNUAL #13. Not only was it an excellent done-in-one, it was extremely touching story. If you are a dog owner and don’t feel at least a twinge of emotion reading this, I might be lead to question your humanity. I might be sharing my thoughts on it more in an upcoming episode of “The Thrilling Adventures of Superman,” so keep an ear there.

And speaking of done-in-ones, GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD WARRIORS #11 was a nice one, with Guy Gardner in the lead role. Though I like him more these days than ever before, I never cared just a whole lot for Guy. That’s not to say he’s a bad character… just not my flavor. However, I enjoyed this story… even more because it was a self-contained, one-issue story. Comics need more of those these days.

July 1st, 2011  Posted at   The Stack
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Major comeback in June as I read more books than any month since January. I’ve discovered the key is forcing myself to sit down and read. Not that reading is a chore… but sometimes other things seem more appealing in-the-moment, but aren’t as fulfilling long term, you know? Anyway, here’s June:

Action Comics #900
Adventure Comics #525
All New Batman: Brave and the Bold #6-7
Brightest Day #24
Fallen Angel: Return of the Son #4
FCBD 2011 Green Lantern Flashpoint Special Edition
FCBD 2011 Young Justice Batman BB Super Sampler
Flash (Vol. 3) #10-12
Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #65
Green Lantern Corps (Vol. 2) #59
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #9
R.E.B.E.L.S. #27-28
Steel #33-37
Superboy (Vol. 3) #34-38
Superboy and the Ravers #3-8
Superboy Plus #1
Superboy/Robin: World’s Finest 3 #1-2
Supergirl (Vol. 4) #4-8
Supergirl (Vol. 5) #63
Supergirl Plus # 1
Superman #710-711
Superman/Batman #83
Tiny Titans #39
Young Justice (Vol. 2) #3
Total: 45 comics (Year total: 198 comics, 7 trades)

I also continued reading through SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN FAMILY, Vol. 3. I should finish that in the month ahead.

The Reading Project continues nicely. I’m about one-third of the way through it. While I am enjoying following the “lives” of these characters and as they evolve and grow in this era in tandom (and it will leave me in great shape when Michael Bailey and Jeffrey Taylor get to this era on From Crisis to Crisis: A Superman Podcast, I’m slightly regretting taking on such a large project all at once. The project encompasses more than 300 comics published over 8 years, which is… a lot. I think for future Reading Projects, I will aim for a more narrow scope.

If you’re interested in my thoughts on “The Incident” from ACTION COMICS #900, give a listen to episode 22 of “The Thrilling Adventures of Superman.” The topic that had folks all up in arms turned out to be a moot point for me, but the story still bugged me for reasons I go into in that episode.

So, the other big elephant in the corner: DCnU. I’ll spare you my personal feelings on the entire matter and cut to the quick: None of the titles sound interesting to me. I’m going to keep on with the three, soon to be four, Green Lantern titles and I will read ACTION COMICS (Vol. *sigh* 2) and SUPERMAN (Vol. 3). But reading those is based solely on past history. The Green Lantern titles, title shuffling aside, are making it through unchanged. I have enjoyed Morrison on Superman before, so I’m willing to give his year on ACTION COMICS a shot. And George Pérez is, well, George Pérez.

So, yeah. While it makes me sad that none of the books even sound interesting, I do recognize that it will give me more opportunity to read back issues and explore titles I have wanted to dive into for a while. So, to that, I’m looking forward.

May 1st, 2011  Posted at   The Stack
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This was simply not a good month for reading comics. Just when you start to make a little progress…

Here’s April:

Adventure Comics #524
All New Batman: Brave and the Bold #5
Brightest Day #20-21
Giant-Size Atom #1
Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #63
Justice League of America/The 99 #5
R.E.B.E.L.S. #26
Superboy (Vol. 3) #26-29
Superman #709
Steel #26-28
Supergirl Annual #1
Tiny Titans #37
Young Justice (Vol. 2) #2
Diana Prince: Wonder Woman Vol. 3-4 trade paperbacks

Total: 19 comics, 2 trades (Year total: 125 comics, 6 trades)

On the bright side, I finished out the DIANA PRINCE: WONDER WOMAN volumes. That was kind of an anti-climactic ending to a “new” Wonder Woman, wasn’t it? I did enjoy the four volumes, though, even though each successive volume got worse.

Now that those volumes are out of the way, I’ve moved on to the next book in the stack, which is BATMAN CHRONICLES volume four. After I get through with it, I’ll probably pull all the BATMAN CHRONICLES volumes out of the reading stack. Since Michael Kaiser and I are now doing the Batman podcast, we’ll be getting to the stories reprinted in the Chronicles series really soon, so I’d rather look at them from a fresher perspective.

On the reading project front, you’ll notice I read the SUPERGIRL ANNUAL from 1996! So even though I didn’t quite get to the SUPERGIRL series proper… or SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS… or the ERADICATOR… they’re inching towards the top. And, even though I’ve said this three times in a row now, I should start on them this coming month. Hopefully. Heh.

I’ve also decided I’m dropping ADVENTURE COMICS at the next jumping-off point. The Legion of Super-Heroes, while I like the concept, doesn’t seem to hold my attention unless Superboy (or another character from The Family) is involved. And this “training squad” of the Legion holds it even less. I’ve only stuck with it this long because it was said the title would tie into “Flashpoint.” That doesn’t seem to be the case now and since I’m not reading “Flashpoint” anyway, why stick around?

Dropping that (along with BRIGHTEST DAY ending and the cancellation of R.E.B.E.L.S.) will bring my list down to 10 titles. I’m waiting to see where what direction the Green Lantern titles take after “War of the Green Lanterns.” If those books don’t pick up, that will mean three more titles trimmed.

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