Shut Up and Take My $5: Green Lantern #18

We’ve all been there: two issues in your hand, you can only afford one. What is the broke geek to do?! Sean Sorensen is here to guide you in your thrifty comics crusade by providing you with the one issue each week that'll make you say, "Shut up, and take my $5!" It always feels good to get the most "BIF! BAM! POW!" for your buck, doesn’t it?

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This week’s choice was a tough call! We had Tony Stark head butting aliens (Iron Man #7), Ultron rocking a 90’s style foil cover (Age of Ultron #1), Hellboy sulking (Hellboy in Hell #4), and the Hulk having a hard time counting Angels (That would be two, Hulk; All New X-Men #8)

All noteworthy issues, but this week, your five dollar bill should be exchanged for Green Lantern #18.

Geoff Johns is only two issues away from ending his marathon run on Green Lantern, and he is pulling out all the stops. After the events of issue 17, Baz finds himself trapped with Hal and Sinestro in THE DEAD ZONE! It’s a rather tense situation, as tempers flare among the three Lanterns.

And, boy, is it wonderful.

Sinestro is a glorious asshole. Hal continues to be the fearless knight, still trying to fix everything, albeit stripped of his sword. Then there’s Baz. Oh, Bazzy Bazzy Bazzy... I’ve been liking him more and more ever since his introduction back in GL #0, but Geoff Johns manages to propel him to favorite GL status with two brilliantly written frames. Baz doesn’t put up with any bullshit. To top it all off, Geoff also leaves us with one hell of a cliff hanger that will probably secure another hard earned $5 with GL #19 next month.

As excellent as Johns’s writing continues to be, I should be clear, though: he doesn't deserve all the credit alone. No sir, Szymon Kudranski and Alex Sinclair elevate this book to masterpiece status. Kudranski and Sinclair create an amazing inky black shadow realm for THE DEAD ZONE! It’s like seeing the shadow realm from Lord of the Ringson paper. But what really drives the art home is whenever Baz uses his ring: the green light pierces through the page’s black void. It is an absolute feast for the eyes.

Ardian Syaf and Mark Irwin create the four pages in this issue that take place outside of THE DEAD ZONE!, but their art doesn't even hold a candle to to their co-artists. These pages are necessary for the story, sure, but the others take top prize. That would be my only complaint with this book. And it’s miniscule.

So don’t bother with any other book on the shelf this week, boys and girls. Green Lantern #18is guaranteed to give you the most Willpower for your buck. If you still don't believe me, the issue title is “Dead or Alive, You’re Coming With Me!” A RoboCop reference in a book about space cops. Well done, Mr. Johns. Well done.

NYCC 2012: Green Lantern - The Third Army Arrives

It wouldn’t be New York Comic-Con without our annual dose of Green Lantern from the ring-slinging brain trust at DC Comics. With the Third Army currently rising from the pages of the four Lantern titles, fans were curious to hear about what will befall the seven (potentially nine) corps in the coming months. Once again moderating the panel was Bob Wayne, DC’s Sr. VP of Sales, who was joined by editors Matt Idelson and Pat McCallum, writer Peter J. Tomasi (Green Lantern Corps), and artist Aaron Kuder (Green Lantern: New Guardians).

To get the ball rolling, Tomasi put it all right out there for the audience. “You’ll see some pretty intense stuff happening in those books coming out. The rise is right now but it really kicks into an all-out war with the Guardians being the uber bad guys.”

Starting with the flagship Green Lantern title, Idelson briefly brought up the newest GL, Simon Baz, who is quickly becoming a fan-favorite. His brush with the Justice League at the end of GL #13 will lead to some "action, although the way Geoff [Johns] handled it is pretty unusual and pretty funny. It leads him into his next mess in the next issue, but I'm reticent to say anything because I'll be fired."

Switching gears to Green Lantern Corps, the projector screen showcased and image featuring Guy Gardner surrounded by police officers. “A lot of bad, bad mojo happens to Guy in these next issues,” Tomasi said, adding that Baz would be looking for help from Guy on how to use his ring. “It’s just two guys kicking some serious Third Army ass.” Tomasi also gave an explanation for why Lantern Vandor, whom he developed over the course of the last year, was the first Corpsman to join the ranks of the Third Army. “Vandor got taken out because he was around for a while in Corps and it meant something for him to go instead of a random ‘red shirt.’ The next two issues will be pretty crazy. It kicks into a full out war. After what happens at the end of #13, Guy is full of himself and the next issue brings him down to Earth. He’s in a very tenuous position and he may be without a ring.”

Click below to read more about what DC has planned for The Third Army!

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DC Nation Slips to 2013 After Only Airing 2 Episodes Following Summer Hiatus

Tired and groggy after a closing night of partying at NYCC followed by an early flight back to my home in DC, I turned on my television to hit my DVR and catch the stuff I missed over the con weekend.

As I unpacked, I looked my recordings of DC Nation.  Young Justice and Green Lantern: The Animated Series are excellent examples of great, youth-oriented animated series (although not without faults), and I'd be able to enjoy them while nearly passing out.

But then, something odd happened.

Neither Young Justice's "Before the Dawn" and Green Lantern's "Steam Lantern" were recorded -- instead two episodes of Dragons: Riders of Berk were in their place.

A little searching revealed that the entire DC Nation block was pushed back to January 2013, based on a mysterious tweet from the Cartoon Network:

Hey #DCNation fans! Have you heard?? DC Nation will return in January with all new episodes!

— Cartoon Network (@cartoonnetwork) October 13, 2012

A bit curious, considering that the shows literally returned from an extended hiatus two weeks prior.

The schedule change must have been so abrupt that even the people in NYCC didn't seem to know it happened -- as the new DC Nation sizzle reel was released for all to see over the weekend.

Cartoon Network seems to be avoiding all opportunity to give any extended rationale for the abrupt push back, but some are speculating that they will be holding off until Beware the Batman finally arrives, while others are saying that TMNT's recent success on Nickelodeon (starring friend of OTF, Rob Paulsen!) are pulling viewers away.

Either way, the only people this really affects are the fans of Young Justice and GL:TAS.  Young Justice, being a extensively serialized series, would be the most troubled by these schedule shifts, as the constant breaks alienate potential new viewers and disappoint current viewers.

To say we're disappointed would be an understatement. Hopefully our DVRs will automatically record the new episodes when they resume in January because, by that point, we'll forget they were ever even set to air in the first place.

Review: Green Lantern #0

This month marks the anniversary of the New 52 relaunch from DC Comics. However, instead of simply going ahead with business as usual and filling the comic shop shelves with #13s, DC is publishing issue #0s for every New 52 title still in print, from "Action Comics" to "World's Finest." The #0s will be stand-alone stories, according to Bob Harras, DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief. “Some issues will tell the origins of a character or a team, or in some case where an origin has already been told, they will fill in the blanks in terms of questions readers may have about the New 52 DC Universe. Each of these issues promises to reveal something surprising.” Only 13 titles have been released thus far, but one book in particular deserves special attention on this particular day.

"Green Lantern" #0, released on September 5th, marked the arrival of a new hero in the DCU. His name is Simon Baz, and he is a Muslim.

Master "GL" storyteller and DC Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns has been a key factor in the success of the New 52, lending his talents to such titles as "Green Lantern", "Aquaman", and "Justice League." For this particular story, Johns drew upon his own life experiences to bring Simon Baz to the page. The character and creator share Lebanese ancestry and hail from the Detroit area, which boasts one of the largest and oldest Arab communities in the US. With the most recent "GL" arc leaving prominent Corpsmen Hal Jordan and Sinestro in a mysterious state of limbo, expect to see a lot of Simon in the coming months.

"Green Lantern" #0 opens with a very poignant series of panels, devoid of words, yet speaking volumes through the art of Doug Mahnke. It's a scene to which every American can relate as it depicts the Baz family captivated by the image of the burning World Trade Center on their television. Through this depiction, the reader sees that Simon has been affected by these events just as much as anyone else. However, it is the following page that illustrates the true ramifications felt by the Arab community as the Baz family endures hatred in the form of vandalism, violence, and profiling over the next 10 years. 

Up to this point, Simon Baz is quite unremarkable. However, when we catch up with him in the present, we find him behind the wheel of a stolen van and pursued by police. It doesn't take too long for both Simon and the reader to learn that this was the wrong van to steal. The resulting arrest puts Simon directly under the microscope of both federal and international authorities as they accuse him of having terrorist connections. It is through this scene that Geoff Johns creates a sympathetic character, despite Simon's illicit actions. Stealing cars was his means of getting money for his sister, a single parent. Simon, himself, is a laid-off automobile engineer. It is the interrogation that sparks a series of events resulting not only in the unexpected appearance of a particular Green Lantern ring recently separated from its owner(s), but also Simon earning the attention of both Amanda Waller and the Justice League. While we never see Simon in a Green Lantern uniform by the end of the issue, we are left with the mystery of what drew the ring to him.

There has been plenty of vehemence regarding a Lantern ring choosing a Muslim, but if there is one group known for its diversity, it's the Green Lantern Corps. When you can bring together an intergalactic peacekeeping force made up of men, women, giant pig guys, trees, squirrels, bugs, microorganisms, and Guy Gardner, there is no tolerance for petty bigotry. We are the Corps. Through Simon Baz, Geoff Johns can and will show that character isn't defined by your religion, skin color, or culture. Car thieves don't usually become superheroes, but Johns clearly has a plan for Simon in the future of "Green Lantern", especially with Hal Jordan MIA and the "Third Army" arc right on the doorstep.

"Green Lantern" #0 is a well-timed comic, and I hope the new and young readers that the New 52 was intended to reach will welcome this character with open minds. To paraphrase a quote from one of OTF's recent interviews, "He’s a Green Lantern, first and foremost. Secondly, he happens to be of Arab descent."

Green Lantern #0, written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Doug Mahnke, is on comic shop shelves and available for digital download now.

DC Comic's Next "Green Lantern" Event Shines in October

The Guardians of the Universe, it seems, are finally embracing to their emotions.  And, beware, Lanterns: the Guardians don't appear to need you anymore.

Announced today via DC's The Source, a new Green Lantern event is happening at DC Comics, and it's spanning all power ring-based titles that have been relaunched with the New 52 - Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Green Lantern: New Guardians, and Red Lanterns.

Get ready for "Rise of the Third Army," starting this October with Green Lantern #13!

"The Third Army," it appears, is a reference to these new white, mouthless beasts with "a curious resistance to death" shown in the above art by Ivan Reis, being the third force the Guardians created to police the galaxy. (The Manhunters and the Green Lantern Corps are, of course, the first two.)

There are few things to take from this image:  the center spot for the mysterious, new Green Lantern, the notable lack of Hal Jordan and Sinestro, and the Guardians' apparent rage.  They were never ones for emotion, so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out later this year.

Teasing "The Third Army," venerable DC scribe and DC Entertainment's Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns said:

Absolute power corrupts absolutely--and the Guardians time is finally here. The Lantern titles spent the first year of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 re-establishing themselves, but it all comes back together with year 2 starting with GREEN LANTERN #0 and leading into October's #13's - which share an amazing cover by Ivan Reis. In October, the Guardians' Third Army rises to replace the Green Lantern Corps - but how is horrifying and why will change the Guardians and their ancient mission forever. As we discover what the Third Army actually means, our strongest Lanterns are targeted for absolute destruction. From Atrocitus to Guy Gardner to our newest Green Lantern from Earth - who may have been wrongly chosen - all their darkest secrets and failures will come to light.

Welp, consider me appropriately teased.  More info of "Rise of the Third Army" will no doubt find its way to the public with a certain comic convention happening next week - we'll be sure to keep our ears to the ground and report with updates.

Review: Justice League: Doom

When it comes to the DC Universe Animated Original Movies, it’s hard to know what to expect.  Ranging from amazing (Wonder Woman) to horrendous (Superman: Doomsday), the ongoing series of direct-to-video movies tends to be hit-or-miss.  Thankfully, Justice League: Doom, the 13^th and most recent film in the series, ranks near the top.

Loosely based on the comic JLA: Tower of Babel, written by Mark Waid and originally published in JLA #43-46 in 2000, the members of the Justice League find themselves at the mercy of some of their most formidable foes.  Having stolen Batman’s secret files pertaining to the heroes’ weaknesses, the new Legion of Doom, led by Vandal Savage, systematically incapacitates the Justice League, leaving the world undefended.  It’s not exactly a new story, having also been adapted in Justice, the 12-issue series from 2005 – 2007 by Jim Kruger and Alex Ross, but Justice League: Doom manages to tell it well, exposing the physical and metal vulnerabilities of these larger-than-life superheroes.   Heavy on the action, but not skimping on drama, the film keeps your attention and even has a few good moments that will make the fans cheer.  However, like past films Justice League: The New Frontier and Superman: Doomsday, JL:D feels rushed as a result of compressing a multi-issue story into an under-90-minute movie.  Much of the Tower of Babel story is left out, most notably the communications breakdown that occurs throughout the entire planet. The story is stripped down to its barest elements.

JL:D also falls victim to the all-powerful force of marketing, taking plenty of creative liberties in order to tie the film into the current state of the DCU.  Gone are Aquaman and Plastic Man, who appeared in the original Tower of Babel comic, only to be replaced by Cyborg in order to reflect his Justice League membership in the New 52.  Kyle Rayner and Wally West are also absent, replaced by their Silver Age predecessors, Hal Jordan and Barry Allen, both of whom have been resurrected since 2000, and are extremely prevalent in ongoing DC storylines.  Bane appears as well, joining up with the Legion of Doom.  I’m sure his starring role in The Dark Knight Rises prompted his inclusion.  The replacement that makes the least sense is that of Vandal Savage in the place of Ra’s al Ghul.  It’s essentially an exchange of one immortal for another.

The biggest treat, however, to come out of JL:D is the cast.  Voice director Andrea Romano opened up her little black book and brought back almost every major player in the DC animated universe from the last 20 years.  Leading the cast are, of course, the only men who should ever be allowed to voice the World’s Finest, Kevin Conroy and Tim Daly as Batman and Superman, respectively.  Joining them are Justice League alumni Susan Eisenberg (Wonder Woman), Carl Lumbly (J’onn J’onnz), Michael Rosenbaum (The Flash), Phil Morris (Vandal Savage), and Olivia D’Abo (Star Sapphire).  Rounding out the core of the League is none other than Nathan Fillion, reprising his (rightful) role as Hal Jordan from Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.  Even David Kaufman, the voice of Jimmy Olsen from Superman: The Animated Series makes an appearance.  Having heard many of these voices coming out of these characters for so long, it’s hard to imagine an animated Justice League without them.

It has its shortcomings, but Justice League: Doom is a great deal of fun for both fans and casual viewers alike.  Spectacular action coupled with great character moments make it one of the better installments in the DC animated movie series.  Directed by Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight) and written by Dwayne McDuffie (All-Star Superman, Justice League), Justice League: Doom arrives on DVD and Blu-ray on February 28^th.

Justice League: Doom is dedicated to writer Dwayne McDuffie, who died in February 2011.

NYCC 2011: DC All Access Panel - Green Lantern

New York Comic Con 2011 saw the return of the talented minds behind DC's multiple Green Lantern comic book series.  At the DC All Access - Green Lantern panel, GL editor Brian Cunningham, Geoff Johns (writer, Green Lantern), Peter Tomasi (writer, Green Lantern Corps), and Tony Bedard (writer, Green Lantern: New Guardians) sat down to give the fans some insight into what can be expected from the three titles in the near and distant future.

Moderator and SVP Sales Bob Wayne, Editor Brian Cunningham, Geoff Johns (writer, Green Lantern), Peter Tomasi (writer, Green Lantern Corps), and Tony Bedard (writer, Green Lantern: New Guardians)

Kicking off the discussion with Green Lantern proper, Geoff Johns delved into the relationship between Hal Jordan and Sinestro.  With Sinstro reinstated as a Lantern and Hal drummed out for having too much Willpower, all is not well in the world of the Green Lanterns. Hal wants his ring back and Sinestro wants to get rid of the ring. Now that they are in opposite positions, the pair will be addressing the personal issues that have caused so much tension between them in the past.  Johns also teased that the Justice League will attempt to intervene by approaching the Guardians directly.  Not wanting to give too much away, Johns switched gears and focused on the upcoming Green Lantern Animated Series, due to launch on November 11th on Cartoon Network.  He stated that the first arc will deal with Hal and the Corps encountering the Red Lanterns for the first time.  A tie-in comic is also in the works, which will continue and expand on the show's stories.  Once the individual storylines have been established, the comic will then provide more connectivity to the series.

Preview page from the upcoming Green Lantern Animated Series tie-in comic

Moving the discussion over to Green Lantern Corps, writer Peter Tomasi came out and talked about what to expect from his book.  According to Tomasi, the New 52 relaunch has not affected his storytelling.  "We haven't torn everything down from previous stories," he stated.  "We just want to make everything accessible to new and old readers alike."  He also made quick mention of a looming threat to the Corps, The Keepers.  These mysterious new bad guys are the ones who possessed the power batteries before the Guardians took them away.  Needless to say, The Keepers aren't pleased.

Tony Bedard, writer of Green Lantern: New Guardians came out next to talk about the newest addition to the GL publication family.  At the forefront of GL:NG is Kyle Rayner, the youngest of Earth's GL's, who, according to the New 52, has only been a Lantern for two years.  Bedard went on to say that, "Kyle may not ever be as strong as Hal, but he's capable of doing things across the entire spectrum that others just couldn't."  An exciting prospect to say the least.  Again, not wanting to give too much away, Bedard mentioned that the mystery of why all those rings are choosing Kyle at the same time will be unfolding throughout the first year of GL:NG's run.  He also revealed that fan-favorite Larfleeze, the Orange Lantern, will return in issue #4 of the book.  Geoff Johns added that we will finally hear the Orange Lantern oath.  Tony Bedard closed with the statement that he is not concerned with giving origin stories to the characters, but instead is focusing on developing the characters themselves.

Preview page from Green Lantern: New Guardians, featuring Sinestro Corps bruiser, Arkillo

Speaking on the subject of Red Lanterns, editor Brian Cunningham revealed that the first stories in that book will take Atrocitus across the universe, discovering there are a multitude of situations that demand his attention.  Tony Bedard added that this will be something new for Atrocitus, since all he wanted in the previous story arc was to kill the rogue Guardian, Krona.  Denied that opportunity, Atrocitus is looking for "an eye for an eye and then some."  

During the Q&A portion of the panel, Geoff Johns shared his thoughts on the director's cut of the Green Lantern movie.  In addition to a multitude of interviews with the creative team from the comics, the new cut features additional scenes that, according to Johns, "added more heart to Hal's story."

To close out the panel, Geoff Johns dropped a huge bomb on the crowd, asking them to keep it secret, at least for the next 15 minutes.  As he prepped to head over to the Robot Chicken panel, he revealed that he was working with RC creators Seth Green and Matt Senreich on a DC Comics special, similar to RC's successful Star Wars specials.  Look for it in 2012!

With the future of Green Lantern in capable hands, I'm looking forward to the upcoming stories, on both the page and screen!

Review: Green Lantern - New Guardians #1

The final week of #1s from the New 52 has arrived, and with it, a new title from the ever-expanding Green Lantern line.  Green Lantern: New Guardians #1 further explores the multiple corps, but how bright is the future of this new tale?

Hal Jordan now shares the spotlight with Sinestro in Green Lantern.  Guy Gardner and John Stewart can be seen in Green Lantern Corps.  So, naturally, Kyle Rayner gets to be the focal point of GL: New Guardians.  The issue opens with a brief retelling of Kyle’s origin, being sought out by Ganthet to be the “Last of the Green Lanterns” following the destruction of the Corps.  Originally seen in the New Dawn arc in 1994, we can assume that this momentous event now takes place within the last 3-5 years, the time span into which the history of the DCnU has been compressed.  After being reminded of the humble beginnings of the artist-turned-space cop, we jump to present day to check in on members of the other six Lantern Corps.  In a series of vibrant pages from artists Tyler Kirkham, Batt, and Nei Ruffino, we see seemingly random members of the Red Lanterns, Sinestro Corps, and Star Sapphires spontaneously lose their rings, leaving them vulnerable at key moments.

On Earth, we reconnect with Kyle as he flies around, doing the superhero thing.  Writer Tony Bedard takes a few humorous jabs at Kyle, having a kid ask him a bunch of snide questions about why he isn’t “the Green Lantern from Coast City” and why his uniform is different.  Immediately following the encounter with the obnoxious youngster, Kyle is recruited by the three rings we saw desert their owners earlier, as well as rings from the remaining corps.  The rings are followed by representatives from most of the Corps, including Arkillo (Sinestro Corps), Bleez (Red Lanterns), Munk (Indigo Tribe), and Fatality (Star Sapphires), all of whom accuse him of stealing the rings.  At this point, Kyle Rayner and the reader are in the same position – neither has any idea what is going on.

It seems like not a lot happens in this issue.  It’s pretty flat.  Rings abandon their owners and flock to Kyle, making him the target of every corps.  It’s over before you realize it.  The mystery and unanswered questions will obviously capture the attention and curiosity of fans, but there is no guarantee that a new reader will be prepped to dive into the pre-established world of the emotional spectrum and the fanatics that inhabit it.

Review: Green Lantern #1

The Green Light of Willpower continues to shine in the galaxy.

To counter the lukewarm debut of Red Lanterns, Green Lantern #1 hit shelves this week, launching the latest chapter in the history of the intergalactic police force.  Like a handful of other DCnU #1s, GL#1 picks up exactly where the final issue of the previous volume left off.  In the wake of War of the Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan has been stripped of his ring, Sinestro is reinstated as Lantern of Sector 1417, and Ganthet is still telling the Guardians where they can shove it. 

Hal is back on Earth, unsuccessfully readjusting to life as a normal human.  However, the hero in him refuses to go quietly, and after some failed heroics, he ends up in jail…again.  He then looks to Carol Ferris for help, but even after the passionate moments they shared in the recent past, Hal manages to screw things up with her...again.  Meanwhile, Sinestro, like the rest of the Corps, is pretty miffed that he once again has a green ring on his finger, and, for some reason, he can't get it off.  To make matters worse, he learns that his own band of miscreants, the Sinestro Corps, has defied his orders to protect his home planet of Korugar in his absence.  Instead, they are enslaving the population.  In a stunning display of pissed off brutality, Sinestro kills one of his own Corpsmen and promptly destroys the fleeing ring.  Back on Oa, Ganthet, the only Guardian with a pair, bitches out the other Smurfs for allowing Sinestro to keep his newly acquired ring.  They, in turn, make a vague statement about how they must all be "united in opinion and thought" for their "new mission."  These three unfolding storylines have already captured my attention (as Geoff Johns tends to do), and have me excited to see where it all goes.  The last page alone has me chomping at the bit for #2.

Geoff Johns continues his successful run as writer for Green Lantern, once again pairing with artist Doug Mahnke, who joined the GL creative team during Blackest Night.  Johns can do no wrong in my opinion.  That’s all I can really say about that.  Mahnke, who I only saw as “Ivan Reis’s replacement” for a while, has definitely grown on me since Blackest Night.  He has perfected the upward angle perspective shot, showcasing a pissed off Sinestro. 

Green Lantern #2 cannot come fast enough.  Will our favorite Guardian be forced to undergo some Oan reeducation?  How will Sinestro deal with his insubordinate Corps?  Where are the other Green Lanterns of Sector 1417?  And most important of all, what does the future hold for Hal Jordan?  With Green Lantern Corps #1 and Green Lantern: New Guardians #1 due in the next two weeks, we will certainly be getting more from the emerald space cops, but they will be hard-pressed to match the quality of Green Lantern #1.

Endings & Beginnings: Flashpoint #5 & Justice League #1

The hammer has fallen.  Wait… wrong universe.

On Wednesday, August 31^st, 2011, the DC Universe ended and the DC Universe began anew.

Flashpoint #5, the culminating issue of this summer’s widespread comic event, hit shelves and revealed the nature of DC’s alternate timeline.  Barry Allen, aka The Flash, learns that his efforts to prevent The Reverse Flash’s plan to change history has, in fact, destroyed history as we know it.  He must now correct his own mistake, no matter the cost.

While Barry Allen finally received the attention he has deserved since his triumphant return to the DCU in 2008, Flashpoint, as an event, failed to become the all-encompassing success it could have been.  Let’s face it, Blackest Night was a hard act to follow.  Flashpoint had some phenomenal character moments in its 5-issue run (Barry’s painful struggle to regain his speed), and some stand-out stories among the 3-part tie-ins (Thomas Wayne as Batman.  Enough said), but in the grand scheme of things, Flashpoint never really gets up to speed.  The 5-issue limit might have been a factor, since most series that attempt this scope usually run for 7 or longer.  Sadly, instead of a resounding sonic boom or a blinding light, the DCU as we know it goes out with a dull thump and a flicker.

But hope is not lost.  As The Flash makes a final effort to restore the timeline, he hears the voice of a mysterious, hooded woman, who has been appearing sporadically throughout the DCU in its final months.  While her main message heralds a “third timeline”, to which Barry is about to give birth, her words also hint at a possible reset button that might be the backdoor DC’s braintrust has left open for themselves in case the New 52 relaunch is not the success they hope for.

The Mysterious Woman witnesses the creation of the New 52 in Flashpoint #5

With the timeline (somewhat) restored, we begin a new era of DC Comics, an era where Superman doesn’t have red shorts, Sinestro is a member of the Green Lantern Corps, Barbara Gordon is out of the wheelchair, and Resurrection Man has his own book.  DC begins this era with Justice League #1.

Brought to the page by DC’s golden boys, writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee, Justice League attempts to ease you into this new continuity by telling the story of the formation of the world’s premiere super-team.  However, you’re not exactly eased in.  More like thrown.  The world’s “super-heroes” are feared by the public and not yet seen as champions and protectors.  Batman is seen as as much of a threat as the criminals he pursues, Green Lantern is cocky to the point of annoying (even for Hal), Cyborg is still 100% human, and Superman is simply “the alien” flying around Metropolis.  We have a long way to go.

On a personal note, Jim Lee portraying Batman being chased by the police, and later, having a tense exchange with Green Lantern, immediately evoked memories of the disaster that was All-Star Batman & Robin.  I had to remind myself that Geoff Johns was writing this book, not Frank Miller.  I’m curious if those similarities will enter the minds of other readers and what effect it will have on their interpretations.

Justice League is not exactly the momentous #1 that comic fans are probably expecting, but it’s definitely the first chapter in what I hope will be a broad, engaging story.  I will definitely stay with it to see how it all plays out. 

With 13 new #1s hitting shelves this week, we will be watching closely to see how the first few weeks of the relaunch play out.  Keep checking back for more on the New 52!