Blackest Night Series 6 Blue Lantern Flash Action Figure Toy Review

Blackest Night Series 6 Blue Lantern Flash Action Figure Toy Review

Creator: DC Direct
Price: 18
Size: 6.75”
Articulation Points: atleast 9

Eric’s review: 3.5 out of 5.














Positives
Head easily moveable.
Wrist articulation was a nice to have.
Rotation below shoulder an even better find.
Quality of sculpt (except for head) and paint job was good


Negatives
Design of sculpt very questionable, head looks very slender, Flash logo on chest off center.
Figure can’t hold lantern accessory in hand.
Said lantern accessory already came apart.
Package difficult to open.

Flash 8 review

Reverse Flash: Rebirth

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Scott Kolins

Colorist: Brian Buccellato

Letterer: Sal Cipriano

Cover: Kolins w/ Michael Atiyeh

Variant cover: Stanley Lau

Editors: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza

Well Eobard Thawne (a.k.a. Professor Zoom) is one really bad dude isn't he? Flash #8picks up seemingly where #7 left off with Professor Zoom running around. However this time he says he is free to change it all as he narrates his origin story.

The 25th century, where Thawne is from, is depicted as a scitenfic-social utopia where every task has to be done at an assigned time sometimes even to the second. Thawne stats were predetermined as it is the custom by genetic scientists and his parents. Thawne had a little brother. This is where the reader is given the reason for the story. Thawne goes back in his own time line and murders everyone he percieves from stopping him from his ultimate goal learning about the speed force. For the murders shown in the art he is in his uniform but some murders are only hinted at. My only problem with the writing is one page where Thawne is shown as the Flash of the 25th century. Could this be a single page retcon?

The art is really good in this issue but even great when Thawne shows up as Professor Zoom. Kolins use of red around the eyes really gives Thawne the look of do not (bleep) with me. Out of costume you can see Thawne becoming more evil with each betrayal from his viewpoint. Pages 12 and 13 are where this happens he looks real stern. Even the regular cover is intimidating with him grinding his teeth.

I also like that Barry does not show up in real time in this issue making the events of Green Lantern 59 and 60 correspond well to Flash 7 and 8. This issue would have been better had Thawne described how Barry ruined his future?
9(out of)10

Flash #7 review

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Scott Kolins

Colorist: Brian Buccellato

Letter: Sal Cipriano

Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato

Variant cover: Darwyn Cooke

Editors: Adam Schlagman and Eddie Berganza

This Captain Boomerang issue by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins was good but did not feel complete. The first half was a recap of Digger Harkness' life while the second half in present time was a talk with Professor Zoom seeking answers about his future.
The writing in the recap felt forced. HIs first job did not work out and because the Flash was more popular he decided to become an arch enemy of the Scarlet Speedster. The last part about him killing the man who raised him. Why include that in the issue? it did not relate to anything else in the book. When this issue took place as it relates to the just concluded Flash arc could also come into question. Digger indicates he is NOT escaping from Iron Heights. Then why do the rogues show up at the end. The art was good my favorite panel was the retake with the rogues aiming their weapons at a fallen Flash.
The conversation with Professor Zoom led me to ask only one question. Does Digger have to kill Dove to get hiss life back. Before I have only read that he has to throw the boomerang at her to complete his mission. Boomerang wants to know what his future holds so go visit a villian from the future at the same prison. Professor Zooms' taunts at first don't phase Digger but leave him confused at the end saying he knows enough that Digger will never amount to anything. Kolins art on Professor Zoom is fantastic. Zoom really looks evil especially with those red eyes. Professor Zoom just has nasty written all over him.
This issue was good but not great. The art was better than the writing as now I am confused as how to Captain Boomerang Brightest Day mission is suppose to be fulfilled is he meant to kill?
8(out of)10

Flash DC Origin 2-Pack Toy Review

Flash DC Origin 2-Pack Toy Review

Creator: DC Direct
Price: 30
Size: 6.75” (Barry), 6.5” (Jay)
Articulation Points: atleast 7


Eric’s review: 4 out of 5(Barry), 3.5 out of 5 (Jay)















Positives
Jay’s hat first Flash related action figure accessory I know of
Barry is very shiny
Quality of sculpt was good
Packaging requires no tools to open up
Twist-ties only around waist and feet for both

Negatives
Limited articulation only in elbow, knee, boot and mid section.
Hard to move Jay’s boots
Little head movement if at all (with Jay), after second thought Barry’s head does move all around but it may require effort.
Paint chips exist.

Note: I picked up the GL figures of the same series.

Flash #6 review

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Francis Manapul

Colorist: Brian Buccellato

Letter: Sal Cipriano

Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato

Variant cover: Ale' Garza, Sandra Hope and Alex Sinclair

Editors: Adam Schlagman and Eddie Berganza

Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul first story arc wraps up in a satisfying way along with a future warning. Nothing in this issue had me yelling YES!!! but it was just solid all around from the writing to the art.
The Flash proves to the Renegades what they think is history is actually filled with numerous paradoxes used by one of their own to secure his job. With everything in issue four being a lie. Top uses the opportunity in the 21st century to try to keep his family name intact by sending an innocent man to jail because an ancestor is the real murderer and if that got found out his job would be in jeopardy. The 25th century maintains one can not be a law officer with violations in family history. The Top was selfish in not appealing to his superiors. The story while atleast good would have been more interesting had he turned out to be like Roscoe Dillon or Sam Scudder. Overall Top's motive and identity were lacking in the arc.
Manapul art in this issue was plausible it was not great nor was it bad at the same time. However it did not justify the delay. With no single panels being amazing I tend to like the splash pages. The only one in this issue had the Flash returning from the future in the nick of time to save his wife from the top. The panel of Wonder Woman was interesting because it describes a real DC anomaly. The use of the color blue for time travel was a nice choice but Manapul and his colorists could have used something different for the future settings.
This final issue may have been a satisfying conclusion but it was not a great ending. Starting with Top and how the future is organized it feels incomplete.
8(out of 10)

JLA Classified Series 3 Zoom Action Figure Toy Review

JLA Classified Series 3 Zoom Action Figure Toy Review

Inspired by Star Joes

Creator: DC Direct
Price: 18
Size: 6.75”
Articulation Points: atleast 9


Eric's review: 4 out of 5
Positives
No accessories allows for quick setup.
Boot and lower forearm to hand articulation was a nice find
Quality of sculpt was good
Could be first ever normal sized action figure representing the Flash arch enemy.

Negatives
My copy has a bit of extra paint in left upper chest/shoulder area creating a rough spot.
Had to open package with a pair of pliers.
Who is this? Zoom or Professor Zoom.

Flash #5 review

Flash #5
“Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues”
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Associate Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato
Variant Cover: Ryan Sook, Fernando, Pasarin, Joel Gomez, w/Randy Mayor and Carrie Strachan
Published by DC Comics

In Flash #5 the identity of the mystery killer appears to be solved as the Renegades and Rogues fight it out. In the book itself there is an early letterer error, perhaps a writing mistake and art that does not justify the delay.
First off in the credits it states this is part 4 when this is issue 5 of a 6 part arc. OOPS!!! This issue did not even come out on time and nobody caught that before going to the printer. The writing by Geoff Johns was average in this issue but the one thing caught my eye is when the Flash found out he was deceived by Top he says “The Top” a reference to the Rogue version. At first I thought it was just a writing error but now could there be a bigger twist upcoming. It hints that everything Top told Flash in the previous issue was a lie, no Mirror Lords or Mirror Mistress. Does “The Top” have a history with Iris Allen?
The art by Francis Manapul was on the same level with the writing just average. Nothing made me scream YES!!! So its kind of hard to see the art justify a month long delay. The two page spread was cool but without The Flash in it I had no emotional reactioin. Two other good pieces were on the second to last page with Top/TheTop with Iris as Manapul transforms this good guy who always was seen to be calm into this rageful person in an instant The bottom panel has nice use of color to show the effects of time travel. I am also happy with the cover as it actually depicted the issue.
The issues in this story arc have been steadily getting worse and with nothing in this to get me excited it may have hit rock bottom. The delay of this issue may have helped as the previous installment was not fresh in people minds. So here is hoping the final issue comes out on time and Top is redeemed in some way if it is really him.
7(out of 10)

Flash #4 review

Flash #4
“Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues”
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Associate Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato
Variant Cover: Scott Kolins w/Michael Atiyeh
Published by DC Comics

Flash #4 is by far the most informative issue as far as storyline details. Top (Renegade version of The Top), decides to go rogue and tell Barry Allen about future events. Barry’s wife is caught in the middle of this thus connecting the dots from Flash #3. The entire issue is filled with action with the writing and art good but each having rough points.
The writing by Geoff Johns was good as we can now see the storyline starting to come into focus. Through Top Flash learns he simply mistakes the Renegade version for the Rogue version. So that could be his defense at trial mistaken identity. That is the writing weakest point of the issue as far as mapping out the story. For just this issue the writing is also pretty weak by how Barry gets rid of the black energy boomerangs (even though Manapul draws it amazingly). John’s makes up for this by telling us about Iris’s involvement with the Rogues.
The art seems to be good even though most of the splash pages do not grab my attention. I had to do a double take to appreciate the two page splash with the police helicopter. The other splash pages got nothing out of me. In the scene where Barry grabs the boomerangs Manapul takes one big panel and divides it into four equal sections. I just found that very interesting and outweighs the single splash pages getting no reaction. The cover for this issue would have been better had it been use for Flash #3.
As the story turns into another gear I initially thought the issue was bad but Johns and Manapul save it with fascinating story telling and art techniques. Now I am pumped for Flash #5 to see if we get the evil Iris. Also the one word “Possesion” for me indicates a spiritual force gets released.
8(out of 10)

Flash #3 review

Flash #3

“Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues”
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Associate Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato
Variant Cover: Greg Horn
Published by DC Comics

Flash #3 continues the good story that Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul are putting together. Barry has multiple things on his mind while the Renegades reappear more determined than ever to apprehend the Flash for a future crime. This issue finally connects the book in some way to Brightest Day through Captain Boomerang. Also the Renegades hint at some crime being committed against Iris West.
The writing by Geoff Johns, was good, not great but at the same time not bad. Captain Boomerang gets boomerangs made out of black energy. This is further evidence that those brought back at the end of Blackest Night for Brightest Day have retained some semblance of their Black Lantern forms. At first when Top Top version of the Renegades mentions Iris West I found it a bit odd. However what if the Flash didn’t really commit a crime and the Renegades just need him in their time to make sure Iris is safe in the future. Also to me it is obvious there is a bigger mystery surrounding the Renegades.
The art by Francis Manapul was once again solid with perhaps the two single splash pages featuring Captain Boomerang stand out especially with his weapons. It makes this timid guy look like a force to be wrecking with. The splash page with the Renegades cover by blue light is fantastic. The cover I don’t like when it has nothing to do with this issue inside. You can say that is a pet peeve of mine when it comes to comic books no matter how awesome the cover looks.
This issue has me really excited for #4 as I feel this is just one big mystery with the Renegades at the center of it all. Now we know that Iris play a bigger part than other for someone for Barry to talk with. I am very interested in seeing Manapul’s interpretation of Professor Zoom.
8(out of 10)

Flash #2 review

Review by Eric Ridgeway

“Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues”

Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul w/ Joel Gomez
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Associate Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato
Variant Cover: Ryan Sook
Published by DC Comics

Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul continue their new look at The Flash with a minority report twist. This issue picks up where the fist one left off with the Flash (Barry Allen) encountering future looking rogues serving as cops known as the Renegades. The big mystery after Flash #1 was who are the Renegades and what is their real purpose? Sadly that is one thing about this issue I did not like.

Geoff Johns does a good job of describing one of Barry’s other uses of super speed. Short term memory acquired at the rate of super speed but it goes away just as fast. The panels with Barry and his wife, Iris West, discussing Flash business out in the open is quickly becoming a pet peeve of mine. Wouldn't that make them easy targets for the Rogues and other criminals? The cliffhanger in this issue did not seem to be as climatic as the first issue but I must say there has to be a logical explanation to this last page.

For as good as John’s writing is Manapul’s art is really carrying this book. When there are no word bubbles on a page the art has to be tremendous. In this case it was when Flash was racing through the falling building. The art is not only clean but simple as well and there are no lightning bolts emerging from the Flash as he is running. In these panels Flash doesn’t use his powers to fight super villains but rather to help humanity. It is also nice to see some sunlight after everything that was Blackest Night.

Overall this was a good comic book but my biggest problem is that I hoped to see more of the Renegades. Even just one panel at their home base would have satisified my curiousity. As it stands right now we really don’t know if they have a hidden agenda and the suspense is killing me!

Overall Rating: 8 out of 10 (On Its Way to Greatness!)

Flash #1 review

Review by Eric Ridgeway
“The Dastardly Death of the Rogues.”
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Nick J. Napolitano
Cover: Manapul & Buccellato
Variant Cover: Tony Harris
Associate Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza


Flash #1(vol. #3) hits the ground running fast as Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul tell a good introductory tale on Barry Allen. This is a very good comic book for the novice comic book reader who knows nothing about the history of the Flash. We get to know Barry Allen, his wife and his job(s) in the simplest of terms.

Johns breaks down Barry Allen to his core while showing Barry adjusting to life in the 21st centuty. Barry has already picked up texting to keep in contact with Iris during the day, yet complaining about adjustable work chairs. The mystery in this story begins with the death of Mirror Monarch, a Mirror Master look alike. When the other rogue doppelgangers show up at the end of this issue my first thought was of Justice League Crisis on Two Earths DVD.

While the writing was good, the art may have been even better. Manapul’s art was easy on the eyes and very clean. It seems like Manapul was born to draw the Flash but that maybe too bold a statement to make after only the first issue. My favorite art piece was the panel with the Flash running up the side of the building. Also there seems to be less focus on the lightning coming from the Flash. I hope Manapul stays with this book for a long time.

This was such a good story on Barry Allen without the bothersome details of his death twenty-five years ago or the scientific mumbo-jumbo from Rebirth. About my only problem with the book is that I wanted more after the futuristic rogues show up. I have become such a big Flash comic fan over the past two years that I think I will never stop picking up the title after a fresh beginning.

9(out of 10)

2/10 comics

Adventure Comics #7 featured Black Lantern Superboy and Wonder Girl Cassie. Difficult comic to understand in the begging with the art and writing around Superboy. When he says "I mean, why spare your feelings if I'm gonna eat your heart anyway." doesn't match the art. Then at the Fortress f Soltitude the Ring gets confused. Story was better than the art.

Secret Six #18 Part three of their Blackest Night story involving the Suicide Squad. A temporary alliance is formed between the two groups to battle Black Lanterns. I finally understood which person was on which team. Amanda Waller (I don't like her jumpsuit) ends the battle with a Green Light Gernade Art was ok and story became clearer.

Batman & Robin #8 Dick Grayson in London trying to bring back Bruce in a Lazarus pit. I wasa expecting a Black Lantern version of "Batman." Don't know why saince it is not a tie-in. "Batman" rises, Dick realises its not Bruce Batwoman(I think her name is Kate) dies. Cameron Stewart draws Damein a little chubby compared to other artists an OK book.

2/3 comics

Blackest Night Wonder Woman #3 Definitely the weakest issue of miniseries. Diana joins up with Carol and they find a group of Black Lanterns to battle. Carol leaves to finbd Hal. Read Lantern Mera is nearby and picklss a fight with Star Sapphire Wonder Woman. I just didn't like that fight it seem to rehash stuff from #2. Wonder WWoman vs. Mera was the biggest theme in this miniseries when they are suppose to working together. I know Johns is pushing Mera as a top woman in the DC Universe but the fight was way overdone. The regular cover was amazing but on the last page the Flash looks horrible with black in the costume. Oy!

Red Tornado #6 I guess the biggest question about this issue was which side of the fight would Red Inferno join. At the end of #5 after the eearthquake at Tornado's home. Inferno took Tornado's daughter then dissappeared. Turned out he took her to their school where he transformed into Inferno. So while Tornado and Torpedo take care of Volcano. Inferno keeps Tornado's daughter safe while wanting nothing to do with his android family war. This last issue I felt had more to do with Inferno as he has to find the meaning of life as an android. Was this miniseries going lead to an ongoing?

The Question #37 was the last ressurected one shot title featuring Renee Montoya taking on Black Lantern Victor Szasz. The story was decent but anytime the artist draws rain it makes the art look sloppy. Futhermore the color is way off in this book when dealing with the emotionial spectrum they make compassion a light blue not indigo they make green the background and one time they ignore yellow. They seem to hint Renee Montoya will appear in the blackest night main book but this is an awful issue.

1/27 comics

Green Lantern #50 totally awesome. If I have one complaint its the amount of screen time given to Larfleeze and Luthor. You have Green, Yellow, Violet and Red all battling the Spectre while BN Flash #2 had the blue lanterns and the Atom and Hawkman had the Indigo stuff. Even though Luthor's one line was great it was like okay where did those two go. Like Hal comment about not being thrilled to team up wiith Luthor and Scarecrow. One line by Artrocius seemed to hint more about Spectre being the red entity. The kiss so are we now to assume they are back together or was it just for good luck. When the batteries got teleported I thought we would get atleast one panel of Kyle.

BN:JSA #2 More Black Lantern trickey with a very misleading cover heartbreaking for a Flash fan. There was no sight of Jay Garrick in this issue. Black Lantern Damage revives Black Lantern Superman and did Jessie change her outfit in front of her Black Lantern father. That scene was way too short two pages. The story was good but nothing spectacular and the art was fine except for the cover which has to rate second to Teen Titans #77 as misleading for Blackest Night.

Superman Secret Origin #4 Superman vs. Parasite. I thought Luthor was going to transform Rudy Jones on purpose. I als found the mention of General Lane a bit odd. I did not realize that was Jimmy Olsen with Superman and that the fight would last the whole issue from when it started. The covers of this miniseries have the same look but give us people in the issue besides Superman.

Batman and Robin #7 I thought that was a female Robin but it turns out to the Robin version of Dick's British counterpart. The story was good. and it actually got my attention away from the art which I thought was absolutely terrible in the beginning the way Batman looked while running and also in front. An unexpected visit from Batwoman who I know nothing about in the comic world.

Atom and Hawkman #46 Disappointed this didn't open with a nok After a quick battle with the Hawks. Indigo-1 tells Ray in order to contact her tribe she will basically be vunerable to any attack. Its up to Ray to keep her alive. Indigo-1 ring is infected by Jean Loring. After returning and restoring Indigo-1 ring he says to her help me find a way to bring the Hawks back to life. The various Lantern homeworlds are contacted. So with this ending and the GL #50 ending you can see the setup for Blackest night #7. Love the you crazy b*tch comment.

Blackest Night Flash #2 review

Review by Eric Ridgeway

Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Scott Kolins
Color: Michael Atiyeh
Cover: Kolins & Atiyeh
Variant Cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Letters: Travis Lanham
Editor: Adam Schlagman

This issue is a really nice change of pace from The Flash comic books of 2009. To be more specific it is great to see the Rogues heavily featured in a Flash book again. With news of the Black Lanterns spreading across the world, Captain Cold decides to take the proactive approach and leads the Rogues into a reverse prison break. They actually break into Iron Heights prison to hunt down the Black Lantern Rogues. Mirror Master and The Trickster face off with their undead predecessors while Heat Wave and Weather Wizard have to deal with old friends. The Blue Lantern Barry Allen appearance feels like a thirty minute TV show and lacks the action of the Rogues' pages.

Geoff Johns does a great job of taking the reader inside the mind of Captain Cold. No matter what odds he may face he knows how to get back up and soldier on. However, I was expecting the fight with Golden Glider to be more expansive, it ended well before I could really get into their interaction. Even though someone used the Sinestro Corps symbol instead of the Blue Lantern symbol Barry's caption I was slightly annoyed at his internal struggles. It made me wonder if Hal or Ganthet could have made some kind of difference. I am not sure what the purpose of the Flash was in this issue but his scenes did help synch this book up with Blackest Night and Johns totally delivers on the cliffhanger.

Scott Kolins artwork on this issue was good but not great. It was nice to see Captain Cold lose his glasses for a change. Seeing his eyes gives him a new dimension other than a criminal mastermind. His lack of emotion was perfectly displayed and even though his dead sister tried to draw more out of him his completely cool demeanor was completely in character. While Cold had some redeeming qualities Professor Zoom did not come off evil enough. (Weren't his eyes red in the previous issue?) Both the regular and variant covers captured the feel and story from the issue.

Overall I like the issue but I guess I am bothered by the blue ring having difficulties when Barry has been a source of hope and inspiration in the Blackest Night.

Overall Rating 8 out of 10 (On Its Way to Greatness)

1/20 comics

Green Lantern Corps #44 was a Mogo centric episode as he tells Saleek he has the ability to purge Oa to save the central battery from the black lanterns. Kyle Rayner attempts to talk to Red Lantern Guy Gardner but Guy dismisses Kyle as a black lantern trick. After the purging where Mogo will keep the black lanterns underneath forever. Kyle and the others decide to go find Guy but he finds them first. Now two thoughts first With Guy able to keep using his green ring does that mean he hasn't totally given into his red rage? Second with Guy still a red lantern at the end of this issue I think Green Lantern Corps will remain seperate from Green Lantern and the Blackest Night main book.

Starman #81 tells the story of David Knight, the second Starman as a Black Lantern goingup against Mason and Hope O'Dare as well as Shade known as Richard Swiftr. I don't know if he has any light powers but Black Lantern Starman rips out Shade's heart and a black ring attempts to rise him but the ring goes right through him and can't animate his body. Story was good but art was weird in certain places

Phantom Stranger #42 features the Phantom Stranger and Blue Devil battling the Black Lantern Spectre in an attempt to keep the animated Spectre from focusing on Hal Jordan. During the fight the real Spectre appears and encourages the two to keep battling. The second hald has the two helping Boston Brand put his body back to rest I think we have a clue when Deadman says "...white Light ain't got a snowball chance in hell of stopping Nekron" Story annd art was good. Cover a bit off with Zatanna appearing on the cover and just mentioned in the issue but I have seen worse covers.

1/13 comics

Adventure Comics #6 finishes up the backup story from #5 left off in which Lex finds Superboy at what turns out to be Lex's sister home. Lex's sister is not well and he enlist Superboy to run a couple of errands for him in order to cure his sister. Howerver Lex shows he has the ability to play god by giving the cure and then taking it away. I do not whose actions are worse Lex from this uissue or Professor Zoom based on what was revealed in Flash Rebirth #5. Superboy throws his list compariong Superman and Lex away. Story and Art excellent.

Catwoman #83 features Selina Kyle facing off with the one foe she actually killed the original Black Mask. With help from Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy Catwoman is able to thrwart Black Lantern Black Mask attempt to go after Selina's sister who was held in an insane aslyum for not having spoken a word since her husband was killed but still believes Catwoman was responsible. Story and Art were good.

Power of Shazam #48 was a bit weird in that you had Black Lanterns fighting each other. Osiris, a member of the Black Adam family rises and does not act like any other Black Lantern by not seeking people's hearts until Black Latern Sobek shows up and they have a duel. Orisis kills his Black Lantern version to destory Sobek in an effort to prove to himself he is a hero. Story and Art were fine for this unusual issue.

Secret Six #17 contines the Suicide Squad #67 in which Deadshot faces off with his Suicide Squad replacement who is now a Black Lantern called Yasemin Soze. Another interesting scenewas the fight to the death between Tiger and Catman but really this saga is much to do about nothing. I will probably not pick up Secret six #18. Story was ok and art was fine.

1/6 comics

Blackest Night Wonder Woman #2 was very fascinating as we got a look at Diana's thoughts as a Black Lantern. The fight was Mera was expanded of course from Blackest Night #6. However I have trouble with the change of scenary during the fight as it did not match up with the events of Blackest Night #6. Also I do not like the art on the last page of the issue with WW in the Star Sapphire costume it looks a bit off from the ad based on Reis's art.

Red Tornado #5 felt like a better read than the last issue of the miniseries. Tornado and Torpedo finally convince Inferno that Valcano is the bad seed in this family reunion. Inferno reveals to Tornado that Volcano's target is Tornado's human family. Inferno pulls out Tornado's daughter from the earthquake rubble but does not relay this to Tornado leaving a little bit of doubt as to which side he is really on. That is how I read it. Story and art were good.

Suicide Squad #67 was the first of the dead series this month. Also I am new to Suicide Squad comic world so I may confused squad members with secret six members. A black lantern fiddler comes back to target Deadshot and other secret six members that include the Batman villian Bane. The story and art were fine except for the fact it looked like Amanda Waller was wearing a sweatsuit.

Weird Western Tales #71 features a black lantern Jonah Hex which caught me by surprised. I liked the issue just because we found out what happen to the black lantern ring meant for Don Hall(Dove). The story potangonist was confused in thinking that the black lanterns were coming after him and his group for the ring. Other than that it was a pretty average comic book with nothing spwectacular about the story and art.

12/30 comics- Blackest Night #6

Blackest Night #6 picks up where #5 left off with certain heroes becoming "living" black lanterns and black rings chasing Barry Allen and Hal Jordan(Geoff Johns Golden Boys not to mention my favorite comic characters). Barry Allen takes himself and Hal Jordan two seconds into the future toescape the black rings. Once they get back to the battle and the New Guardians plan in #5 failed. Ganthet says all the colored rings are based on Oan technology and can duplicate to deputize others for 24 hours. This is done to buy some time until more regular lanterns join the fight on Earth Gathet makes himself a green lantern, Blue=Barrry, Indigo=Atom, Violet=WW, Red=Mera, Yellow=Scarecrow and Orange=Luthor. WW overcomes a black ring to get the violet ring because her love for the planet is great. Now I have no problem with Ganthet becoming a green lantern after being a blue guardian since he is more familar with the green power. Comic Geek Speak speculated why didn't the deputization happen sooner in the story. It could have taken place after #5 as well since it seemed like only 5 minutes went by in their time. Also people have asked why Superman did not get the blue ring instead of Barry. My response is that this series is proving why Barry Allen is back and that is Geoff Johns behind all of this.

12/23 comics

Green Lantern #49 is a John Stewart story(I know about damn time) showing him completely exploring Xanshi now a black lantern planet and coming face to face with a black lantern Katma Tui. So basically John overcomes his fear of letting Xanshi down. The backup played well to introsduce Blackest Night #6 but did it have to be in this book preventing John from getting a full issue?

Blackest Night: JSA #1 typical mini it seems like. Just 2 questions. Who is powergirl mad at? You would think Nekron but it did not say it outright. So Liberty Belle new costume in Flash Rebirth #5 doesn't last long or as far as the JSA is concerned she must be in her Libert Belle outfit since Blackest Night takes place after Flash Rebirth.

Teen Titans #78 shows Deathstorke/Slade son joining the fight against the black lanterns. However once the fight is over Rose turns her back on her father believing her mother is still alive and joseph after all he has been through decides to go under his dad's wing for more training. This story was confusing as no Teen Titans showed up in my opinion.

12/16 comics

Green Lantern Corps #43 So the end page of #42 didn't have any long term affect with Kyle back alive about 18 pages into this issue. He was "dead" only for minutes in their that only Guy Gardner and Soranik Natu reacted to it in the corps. Should they Guy keep the red ring to fight the black lanterns if he does not completely give into the rage. I think so.

Superman/Batman #67 The conclusion of Bizarro/Man-Bat vs. Black Lantern Solomon Grundy. Bizarro tosses Grundy to the suin and Man-Bat turns his back on a cure.

Justice League of America #40 featured the Black Lantern Dr. Light licking on Firestorm's girlfriend because she was turned into salt and then turning his attention to the new Dr. Light(Kimiyo). Kimoyo uses white light to dispatch him, Black Lantern Vibe and one other.

Outsiders #26 featuers the continuation of Black Lantarn Tara trick to gain an emotional response from her brother and others. Halo and Tatsu fight Tatsu's black lantern family berore Halo has to use white light on Tara.

The Brave and the Bold #30 features Green Lantern and Dr. Fate. After Dr. Fate puts a bit of his energy in Hal's ring he emerges to help Hal in a dangerous spot. Though the majority of this issue is a philopischical debate Dr Fate guides Hal off the terror planet. The art was story were good considering it was a short story that sahold have no ramafications for them in the future.