What, did you think I forgot to post my column last night?  BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN #2 (OF 3) $2.99 (Peter J. Tomasi / Adrian Syaf)GREEN LANTERN CORPS #40 (BLACKEST NIGHT) $2.99 (Peter J. Tomasi / Patrick Gleason) Again, to save time and probably reader patience, I am going to lump these books together as they are both a part of the "Blackest Night" event going on in the DC Universe right now. First, we have Blackest Night: Batman where just about everyone that could come back to life and cause problems appears to be doing so. We already know that someone/something has removed the bodies of Batman's parents; whether or not we will see them again remains to be seen. Personally, I am thinking "no." I just don't feel that it is going to happen. Of course, I am also the guy that couldn't believe that Marvel comics brought back Bucky Barnes, so really, what do I know? But here's why I think we won't be seeing the Waynes any time soon: I think they are at peace. Sure, Tomasi and company could still prove me wrong, but during this "Blackest Night" we've already seen that those beings that are at peace with their death are not coming back to life, and really, by "those beings" I mean only the first Dove, Don Hall. We've seen so many other heroes and villains come back from the dead you'd think that just about anyone was fair game. Heck, I admit being surprised to seeing the Graysons. I was almost sure that they would be another of the "at peace" group, but apparently not.  Still, I still get the impression that the Waynes are at peace and we won't be seeing them as zombified Black Lanterns.Remember a few years back Ra's Al Ghul used Batman's own notes on his fellow Justice Leaguers against them and even kidnapped the bodies of his parents, threatening to dump them into his Lazarus Pits? It didn't happen; I think that would have been a good time to bring back the Waynes if ever it was going to happen, and still, it didn't happen. As such, I stand by my thoughts that we're not going to see them here. However, it does appear that we're going to see the Flying Graysons as well as Tim Drake's father. OUCH. DC really isn't pulling any punches with this "Blackest Night" thing. And speaking of raising the dead, we've seen that all of the dead Green Lanterns as well as all of the deceased opponents of the Corps interred on Oa have risen up to take the GLC on at its own home world. Leading the fight are Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, and Kilowog, but really, how can one kill something that is already essentially dead? Also, thus far it appears that any of the other power rings seem to have little to no effect on the Black Lanterns, so what are the members of the GLC supposed to use, harsh language? I honestly don't see how the GLC is going to make it out of this, which just makes an issue like this all that much more fun to read, to see HOW they get out of it. Lastly, two more words that mean a LOT to any GL fan: Katma Tui. GOOD stuff!  DARK AVENGERS/UNCANNY X-MEN: EXODUS $3.99 (Matt Fraction / Mike Deodato)I have to admit, I have liked the Dark Avengers ever since they first showed up in their own book; yeah, I whined about the price of the comic, but I have to admit that they are a pretty interesting group of "heroes." Likewise, everything that Matt Fraction has been doing lately, in my opinion, has been gold. I love this work on both Uncanny X-Men and The Invincible Iron Man. This "Utopia X" storyline has been more of the same for me. I could understand Norman Osborn creating his own version of the Avengers. After all, he became the head of HAMMER (born from the ashes of SHIELD) and with super-powered beings having to register and become essentially government operatives that essentially made the Avengers HIS team to control. So yeah, him fielding his own team made sense. His team was the public face of superheroes. But Osborn wanted more than that: he wanted to control how people perceived mutants as well, so why not secretly create your own team of X-Men as well? So, he did. They guy has balls, that's for sure. Do I know where this is leading? Nope, not in the slightest, and again, that's part of the fun. Are things going to be changed where I might not like some things? Probably so, but I have to say that I've enjoyed the journey so far so I'm not getting off of this ride now. Just one question: really, the X-Men haven't been in San Francisco all that long, so why move them out already?  ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #2 $3.99 (Mark Millar / Carlos Pacheco)Yes, YES. YES! THIS is the Ultimates/Avengers team that I have come to expect and LOVE from Mark Millar. Maybe his style isn't for you, but personally, I loved the first two volumes of The Ultimates. Maybe Jeph Loeb is more your style, and if so, hey, that's great for you, I certainly don't want to take away from that, but his tenure on the third volume of The Ultimates just didn't ring true for me. But THIS, this is the team I was hoping to see again. And did you catch that twist at the end of the first issue (OK, maybe it was spoiled for you online before you read the comic; don't worry, I won't ruin here if you're not aware)? YES! This is the over-the-top superhero action that I needed. Thank you Mr. Millar and Mr. Pacheco; if I ever have a first-born child s/he is all yours. What comics did you get geeked out about this week? Just stop by the WLG message boards (see link below) and share! See you next week! Peace! -Diaz |
