Fantastic Universes

“Friends & Traitors” Writer: Adam Glass Artist: Bernard Chang Color Artist: Marcelo Maiolo Letterer: Rob Leigh Review by Steve J. Ray Summary I just have to come out and say it,  Teen Titans  #34 “Friends & Traitors” has blown my mind. The turncoat within the team, the one who freed Robin’s prisoners and has been in league with the Other all along, has  been revealed. I’m not going to give anything away here, but regular readers will NOT see this coming. Wowza! Positives Adam Glass is weaving one hell of a tale, and Bernard Chang can deliver more emotion on a character’s face with the squint of an eye, or the hint of a grimace than some artists can manage with all the intricate detail in the world. The incredible synergy that this team has is clearly demonstrated on every single page that they produce. It’s clear that Glass had a plan going in, and the way he has made us love and care about every member of this team, old and new, is test...

"Dead Reckoning" Writer: Dan Jurgens Artists: Scot Eaton and Wayne Faucher Color Artist: Jim Charalampidis Letterer: Tom Napolitano Review by Steve J. Ray Titans – Burning Rage  #2 is a 23 page action extravaganza. Once again the story is a throwback to the non-stop slug-fests of yore, but in the hands of veteran writer Dan Jurgens there are layers to be peeled away and much more than meets the eye bubbling beneath the surface.  The Fearsome Five are back  and they’re holding the entire city hostage. Robin, Beast Boy, Raven and Starfire are on the scene, but are they too late? These monthly gems fill me with nostalgia and joy. These are the kind of comics I was weaned on, and dearly miss. This is the stuff that will make today’s kids tomorrow’s die-hard fans. The best bit is, they’re available right now! No need to scour the long-boxes of your local comic-book store for a fix of vintage action, as this issue brings all of that to the audiences of today. Whil...

Supergirl #33 Writer:  Marc Andreyko Artists:  Kevin Maguire, Scott Hanna and Eduardo Pansica Color Artist:  Fco Plasencia Letterer:  Tom Napolitano Review by  Adam Ray Summary The dramatic conclusion to the “House of El United” storyline is here. We find the party responsible for the destruction of the Kryptonian homeworld, after the  previous issue’s battle . Throughout, Supergirl struggles with how long her journey has been across the universe. She reminisces, and gives us a very direct insight into how she’s feeling. After a brief tangle with interplanetary law, we really see a nice resolution to an arc many issues in the making. Positives This issue has some wonderful moments of character expression in the artwork. An entire scene is given to Supergirl, and we really feel her internal struggle. A lot of the issue is her describing how she feels, but this blend of detailed art and clear text that really shows the character in ways tha...

Supergirl #32 Writer:  Marc Andreyko Artists:  Kevin Maguire, Chris Sotomayor, and Kaare Andrews Color  Artist:  Fco Plasencia Letterer:  T om Napolitano Review by  Adam Ray Summary After  last issue , we catch up with Supergirl, Superboy and Krypto finally tracking down Gandelo, resolving to avenge her actions against Krypton. After dispatching some of her mutated minions, the return of Rogol Zar, dealings in the dark and a brief jaunt back to for a snippet of what’s to come, there's lots for us to consider in Supergirl #32. Positives Action abounds in this issue from start to finish. We get the tense opening of the Super Family tied up with horrific looking creatures. Fighting through them, fighting against Gandelo, fighting for the axe against Rogol Zar, the entire issue is roaring with excitement. When you couple that with the witty gags to and fro between Supergirl and Superboy, everything feels fun and jumping. Negatives ...

Harley Quinn #65 Writer:  Sam Humphries Artist: Sami  Basri Color Artist:  Hi-Fi Letterer: Dave  Sharpe Review by  Philip Clark Summary Harley Quinn #65  sees Harley dealing with the death of her mother. After a battle with cancer, we finally lost Mrs. Quinn, and Sam Humphries wastes no time, jumping us straight to post-funeral, as Harley's trying to cope with the loss. We also get the conclusion of the Trials of Harley Quinn, as she aims to become the Angel of Retribution. Positives The way that Humphries handles the death of Harley’s mother is genius. Something that could have taken an entire issue was brilliantly expressed in just a few panels. We got to see all of Harley’s grief and emotions conveyed in scenes that are brilliantly drawn and written, but not dragged out. Everything about this issue is fantastic. From the way that Humphries describes Harley’s grief, to the way that her personality shifts when Mirand’r shows up...

"City of Bane" - Part Five Writer: Tom King Artist: Clay Mann Color Artist: Tomeu Morey Letterer: Clayton Cowles Review by Max Byrne Continuing the hot streak that this wonderful title is currently on, Batman #79 manages to maintain the highest of standards. Very much a companion piece to issue 78 , the narrative takes us back to Bruce and Selina's tropical bolthole, as their rejuvenation on a physical and mental plain nears its conclusion. It's been hugely enjoyable taking a detour away from the mayhem and violence on offer in Gotham City to spend time in a reflective and enriching situation, getting to the heart of the two main characters and their complex relationship. But, all things must and do come to an end, as the issue concludes with the clear message that "Bane is in trouble now " The extended healing process is over and these two flawed, yet strong individuals have bonded back together; physically, romantically and mentally. The ar...

Professor Elemental And His Amazing Friends: Part 2 Review by Steve J. Ray With the summer rapidly coming to an end we need to grasp every ray of sunshine that we can get our grubby little mitts on. But, lo... what's that on the horizon? A new album by Professor Elemental? The day has been saved! It's been a while since we reviewed the excellent " School Of Whimsy " and the sequel (featuring the Professor's fate at the hands of squirrels, Mr. Swan, Gideon, Professor Zero and someone that left the Prof scared witless) is still in the works... but fear not, dear listener, our Chap-Hop champion has returned! I'm a weird nerd completist, so I've heard many of the tracks on this new collection before... but never like this! Professor Elemental and his buddies have made an album collecting some of Chap-Hop's rare and hard to find collaborations, but they're brand new mixes, and re-recordings, not the same versions we've heard before....