So, it becomes more horribly likely each day that Babs will regress to Batgirl. As I've mentioned on various forums, my problem is this would be a complete regression of the character. Babs has outgrown the Batgirl costume (figuratively, literally perhaps, I'd imagine she'd have gained some weight), she is not Batman's sidekick and I don't think she'd ever want to go back to being that. Not to mention, they're having a 27/30/whatever year old calling herself "girl", or else they're deaging her, which is equally demeaning to the character. It's like making Dick Robin again.

My one hope is that DC must realize how confusing it would be to have redhead Kathy Kane running around as Batwoman, and redhead Babs Gordon being Batgirl despite the fact she's the more experienced superhero. It would look like Babs was Kathy's sidekick!

Also, it's more of the trend of DC going back to the past instead of moving forward, and reliving some idealized version of their childhood, which alienates younger readers, like me over here.

That said, as I've stated, if Babs becomes Batgirl, I am going to consider cutting back on DC Comics. If Cass is killed to do this, I will likely completely drop them. I will write a letter telling DC why. Or should I write it now?

On that subject,parsimonia 's post (community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/7193254.html#cutid1) cemented my resolve, and utterly depressed me for a night and day. The comments at the comic con really made me feel like "Wow, they don't care about me or respect me at all do they (by "me" I mean female fans, or fans with my tastes). The "catfight" comment really made my stomach turn, as well as the general tone. Especially that douchebag who yelled "who cares?" about Steph. How utterly rude.

Anyway, stress from scholarships and school also had me acting down, so I ended up telling Mom all my woes, including the comic ones, and how I was really upset that I might have to give up a big part of my life. Mom was mildly annoyed at my news about Babs (Birds of Prey is her favorite comic I've read her) but mostly attempted to console me in a way that made me feel pathetic. She also suggested I write a letter. And went on about how I'd make a comic someday and "show them" and they only listen to "their people" which was all very weird.

Apparently she told Dad, because he asked me "Now what's going wrong with Batgirl? Is there a new...artist or something?" And I had to explain. He was mostly like "huh."

I have no idea why Mom would mention it to him. Imagining the conversation is hilarious.

Mom: Caitlin's pretty upset about scholarships.
Dad: Uh huh.
Mom: And apparently this thing with Batgirl, it's got her down too.
Dad: What thing with Batgirl?
Mom: Oh, whatshername (Mom is bad with names) that...that...Oracle...she heard Oracle's going to be Batgirl again or something, maybe.
Dad: Oh. That's bad?
Mom: Yeah.
Dad: Oh.

My life: Nothing resembling normal.

So, lets not think of that unpleasantness. On to comic reviews!

Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? Part One.

I actually really liked this. I think the difference is, unlike Grant Morrison's stuff, it's really more character driven than concept driven, which is why I like it better than his when they're both equally trippy. Also, it wasn't advertised as the "THING THAT WILL CHANGE ALL THINGS EVER!" just as a trippy little epilogue peice which it was. And finally, while it didn't make any sense, we had Bruce actually pointing OUT it doesn't make any sense, so we know it's not supposed to, it's not that we aren't on "the secret wavelength". And the no-sense-it-makes is presented as a mystery. "You're the world's greatest detective. You figure it out." I hope the payoff's good.

And I just love the really great character moments, like Joe Chill's comment (which was perfect) and Selina getting the cats to watch her car, Penguin and Mad Hatter being hat buddies, the Joker telling the kid he doesn't randomly kill people, he only kills people when it's funny, and poor Gordon. (Though I have no idea what Babs meant when she said "You can't just-" and Jim said "Sure I can, Babs." I actually thought she was going "you can't just PUSH ME LIKE THIS DAD DON'T FUCKING PUSH ME HOW DARE YOU WELD THOSE HANDLES ON THIS CHAIR WHILE I WAS ASLEEP!" which would have been GREAT.

And a whole lot of quotable lines too. I really liked the Catwoman one it was so...Selina. It was no-sense-making, yes, but it encapsulated the essence of Catwoman to me. And Alfred's story was just plain weird, but I liked it anyway. I find is odd Notdead!Bruce pointed out Alfred couldn't be the Joker because the Joker was sitting there when HELLO, Alfred was also sitting there too, by Dick, as the other Alfred walked down the aisle! Two Alfreds! Can the world contain that much awesome?

And Andy Kubert's art captures the old school perfectly, I love it.

Dad found this one and read it, apparently and he was all "What, why is Alfred the Joker and how did he die twice" and I explained it wasn't supposed to make sense and there's a second part and he said "Oh. I liked it then."

I did a review on BSR for this too: www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/archives/3970

4.5/5
 

Batman and the Outsiders special

Alfred! Yay, Alfred! I love you Alfred!

Now we've gotten out of the way, did I mention I like Alfred?

This was okay. I really liked the first few pages, with Alfred over the parents grave and being all wibbly, and then Bruce's secret "I'm dead" message, with the handwave "Dick and Tim will figure it out, no use talking to them" (Yeah, or maybe Tim will go crazy or something. Just saying).

The best part was Bruce telling Alfred that he was grateful to him and "You weren't like my father, you WERE my father. I was lucky enough to have two amazing ones in my life." Oh my god, that nearly killed me with the LOVE. I wanted to hug Bruce AND Alfred, and my heart, it BROKE.

Of course, then you realize "Um, why didn't you tell him this while you WERE ALIVE, Bruce?" and of course, realize he could never tell that to Alfred face to face, because he's too emotionally constipated. Oh Bruce.

Anyway, what we get next if not much happening, just a bunch of character introductions and Alfred being generally awesome as usual. It was a basic set up issue.

So, I'll probably get the next one, because ALFRED, though I debated it, as I don't really have any deep attatchment to the other characters, but hey, maybe that will change.

4/5


Booster Gold #17

Meh. Nothing really happened. The origin and omens thing was kind of hilarious, because it was Booster randomly recounting his history to his sister and Rip for NO APPARENT REASON. Heh.

2/5

Thaaaaaats all, folks!

Before I get into reviews, I should note that I am very happy to find the Stephanie Brown Database linked on Steph's actual wikipedia article.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Brown_(comics) And I didn't even do it! Some other person did! I feel important.

And now, my reviews:

Robin #180:

Remind me to post an in depth analysis of some of the pro's and con's of Fabian's Steph sometime. For now, I'll just say this was a good issue.  I'm mostly happy that Stephanie didn't think of the stupid "Put Robin Under Pressure to Make Him a Better Robin" plan on her own, that Batman, in his RIP crazy, ordered her to do it. It still strikes me as OOC but at least I can rationalize she'd be paranoid about not listening to Batman after War Games, no matter how ridiculous his orders were. Of course, either way, it will lead to more pointless Drama!!!111 between Tim and Steph, I just hope Stephanie gets a chance to defend herself instead of the "Tim condemns her as worst person ever, Steph is ashamed" stuff Fabian seems to be fond of.

Anyway, a good issue. I especially loved Steph's hesitant inner monologue and "I don't need help!" when Tim grabbed her. Oh, Steph, you're so stubborn, I love you. And Tim's use of fear gas is interesting. I especially liked Freddie's splash page that followed it, very striking. Freddie's art has improved, Tim still looks awful with his Elvis sideburns, but Steph looks a lot better.

The General is Red Robin surprise surprise. I guessed that last issue. And Tim gets blowed up by Anarky, oh noes (according to scans_daily, Anarky blowing up stuff randomly is OOC)

4/5

Supergirl #35

Another excellent issue. Though I'm dissapointed we didn't get a reaction to Jonathan Kent's death from Kara, the conflict between her and her parents is very interesting. And we got a quick, believable yet hilarious clean up to all her different personalities and convoluted origins! Kryptonite poisoning, ha. I demand that be the fix to Cass and Donna Troy's respective situations. I don't care if it doesn't make sense for them. It does make sense for Kara, who was trapped in the stuff when Batman found her.

Also, I love the art. It's very expressive, and the design for Superwoman is lovely. I've already guessed who Superwoman probably is (Thara Ak Var, Kara's friend...you could tell because she was in Kandor and had brown hair) but never mind. It could be a red herring. (Oh, how I'd love it if it was Linda. Unless Linda's Flamebird, because that would be good too.)

Very good issue, I'm optimistic about the new team.

5/5

Terra #2

Oh, Amanda Conner. Your art is so cheesecakey, but I don't mind cuz it's fun. And this was a fun comic. The Power Girl/Terra team up was cool, and Terra showed more of a personality (Extremely private and standoffish, but also sarcastic and good at manipulating people) and the plot thickens with the random origin talk and Geoforce. Even if it didn't, I'd keep buying, because Amanda Conner's art is so cute!

3.5/5

BatO #13

What the HELL is this shit? Spoiler, still with random invisibility powers? Frank Tieri, I don't know what canon you're inhabiting, but STEPH IS NOT INVISIBLE and NO ONE CARES ABOUT GOTHAM UNDERGROUND. And the worst part is, Cass and Steph were in the same place and didn't even HUG or TALK or anything. AGGGGGGGGHHHH NOT CANON NOT MY CANON.

I want a proper reunion dammit! Where are the editors? Couldn't someone have said to Tieri "BTW Cass and Steph are bff's and haven't been reunited yet, and Spoiler isn't invisible?"

And the art. I can only hypothesize the reason Spoiler is invisible is that there is an alien with no internal organs and a spine made out of silly putty wearing her costume. Cass noticed, which is why she didn't say hi, and is off to tell the real Steph. Together they will defeat this alien menace.

Til then, this is not canon. I demand someone else write a proper Batgirl/Spoiler reunion. NOW.

Oh, other stuff happened too but it was boring and Cass is better written here than by Beechen, but that isn't saying much. At all.

1/5


Annnnddd tha-tha-that's all folks. I have today off, it's a snow day except not really, yay!
 

Woo. Lotsa stuff happenin'. I got into a stupid internet fight. I visited my brand new comic store again with my friend John, and got lotsa free stuff (A couple JLA bits- This JLA vs. The Crime Syndicate thing and and thise thingamajig right before IC (judging from the Omacs) where Batman was a huge dick and so was Green Arrow, but Black Canary was cool and there was this whiny Faith girl with a dead husband. Also, Elektra: The hand mini 3-5 which I haven't read yet) John took all the free stuff that was offered super seriously and got a giant box full (He doesn't have much money, his mom and him are on food stamps. I always pay for everything because of this, which I am happy to do). I'm thinking of getting John to be my boyfriend. He's perfect. But I have no idea how to seduce a man. Whenever I want to make a move, I freeze up. I'll think of something though, I know I must hurry before he's taken.

News from Fabian:

>>Saw the new solicit for Robin 183. It's cool Lady Shiva's going to guest star. Will there be any mention of her relationship with Cass?

No.

>>Also, will Steph be in the final issue? Will she have a home in any other title now that Robin is canceled? Will the issue set up a direction for her?

She will be in the final issue briefly. Her future direction is for future writers of Tim to determine.

>>And you know that if we asked questions about the issue on Wednesday you'd just say wait and see! But I'll give it a shot: Will the Red Robin/Tim and Stephanie/Scarab fights be happening seperately and concurrently, or will there just be a general melee between those four?

Wait and see.
Actually, the opening fight is very brief.

-- fabian

*droops at second question* Oh Steph, I am worried about you.

Hey, wouldn't it be great if the replaced Robin with a Batman family book? It could focus on the Tim, Cass and Steph and occasionally others and be brilliant! DC I WILL WRITE THIS CALL ME.

Cass is gonna be in the final issue of BoP which is good, but it's the final issue of BoP which is bad. *droops*

Also, she's not in BatO (Sorry, "The Outsiders") anymore it seems. *double droops*

Soooo, reviews! Including comics I don't normally get.

Booster Gold #14

A resounding "meh." Nothing of interest happened here. And where did Michelle go?

2/5

Action comicss #somethingorother

Pete Woods! EEEE! *cuddles his art* A decent issue. The General Lane plot is interesting, and Doomsday dude was dispatched with minimum annoyance.

3/5

Detective Comics #850

I got this when I saw thru Scans_daily the Alfred awesomeness at the beginning, and the Selina awesomeness at the end. It was a very good issue, and basically a parade of goodness. Alfred kicking ass, the T-Rex kicking ass (it was a robot, who knew? Not I.), Tim!Banter, Batman invoking the Edna Mode rule and Selina's REVVVVVEEENGE! Eeee, I love Catwoman so much. I also loved how she got Harley and Ivy and Oracle involved. Revenge of the kickass women! That's what you get for calling people gutter sluts, Hush!

I also liked the moment with Selina and Zatanna, it was very cute and I loved the art. Also, the moment with Bruce and Selina. I ship Bat/Cat, I'll admit. Selina being around somehow makes Bruce more tolerable, and it's sweet how he opens up (a little) for her.

So, yes, very glad I got it.

5/5

Nightwing #150

Got it for the Babs, and because it's #150. A nice issue, I really liked seeing Babs in a batbook again, the stuff between Dick and Two Face, and the pretty art. Also, Dick was awesome.

4/5

And, lastly, is this not adorable?



From http://vespertila.livejournal.com/119161.html

Hasta la vista for now!

So, surfing TV Tropes has again left me to wonder why people have such a huge problem with scans_daily . There's quite a few people on Superdickery who hate it because it's too negative.

Super. Dickery. They THRIVE on negativity there. I find this hilarious.

Anyway, the way I see it, all comic book fans are either cynical or stupid/naive. I say this as someone who tends to be a realist leaning towards optimist. This is what being a comics book fan DOES to you. Comic book fans are routinely jerked around. Favorite characters are killed off pointlessly only to be ressurected years later. Due to the huge amount of writers, you'll constantly find characters written badly, either because they don't "get" the character, didn't have time to do the RESEARCH to get the character or are just plain bad writers. There is gratuitous violence, immature and offensive images, writing and humor. A definite problem with racism and sexism. Characters are constantly being marginalized or pushed aside to make another character look badass. Any SECOND something horrible might happen to your favorite. EVERY storyline is "SHAKE UP THE UNIVERSE NOTHING WILL EVER BE THE SAME." There's no sense of security.

This is the genre. It breaks you. It jerks you around. But you stick around for the good stuff. Or you give up in frusturation.

So yes. Comic book fandom is the most cynical, negative, frustrated fandom I have ever come across. It's enough to make a girl wonder why she still reads 'em.

But I do. I couldn't tell you why. Maybe there's something that just appeals to me about superheroes. Maybe the good characters, the good stories, have just taken hold of me so hard I can't let go. Maybe I just love the fact these are epic action adventures told through panel by panel art. Maybe it's some of the bad stuff- like the fact nobody ever stays dead- that attracts me. A sense of non-permanence you can never get in real life.

Maybe I'm just an idiot.

So, yes, sometimes scans_daily gets too negative even for me. But there's plenty of love of comics there too. It's got a LOT of comic fans, so there's going to be a few who are unreasonable and just hate everything, yes. But seeing some of the most cynical people I know bashing the community, saying the community is "groupthink" is just ridiculous. There's lots of different opinions there, and sometimes it leads to huge messes.

But what I like is I can read comics I've never heard of before. I've gotten into a lot of series through posts at scans_daily I never would have known about otherwise. Also, sometimes the comments are just hilarious and sometimes there are just tons of warm fuzzies I get from discussing the love of comics with a member. Pretty good for a "negative" community. I've seen a lot of good ideas and theories in comments too.

On one end of the spectrum you have Comic Bloc, where they are oblivious to the flaws of comics to the point of hysteria and get angry when someone challenges their rose colored world. On the other end, DC Boards, which are truly a cesspool of hate and arguing. I see Superdickery and scans_daily as somewhere in the middle, though sometimes they stray a little negative for my liking, and conflicts explode.

So basically, no, these communities are not hatedoms. We are just a bunch of sad broken geeks, so let's just stop warring amongst ourselves.

Girl Wonder, by the way, is just incredibly civil while recognizing these flaws, and there's intelligent reasoned discussion in the place of bashing. I'd say it's the least frustrating place for me to hang out without either being depressed or sickened by the sycophants. Too bad it doesn't get as much traffic as it should.

While I'm here, quick reviews of those other two comics I readhis week.

Batman and the Outsiders #12:

It's better than Beechen's Batgirl, I'll give it that. The art makes me want to gouge my eyes out, but the writing is not as terrible as I expected from Tieri. ManBat comforting Cass was sweet, and Tim was actually nice to her. And Cass punching the computer gives me the giggles (though I imagine that's not what Tieri intended). Beechen, you have reached a new low, being outwritten by the man who had Wolverene call the Punisher gay as an insult.

It wasn't good, but it wasn't bad either. Just...there. Which is enough for me, my standards for my Cass fix have been lowered as of late.

2.5/5

Booster Gold #13

A decent issue. A few jokes amused me, like Daniel accidentally picking up Starro. Oh, Daniel. And hey, Booster may find out Rip's his son next issue! That'll be interesting.

3.5/5
 

Nev out.

Finally, I get around to reviews
But first, an update on the ongoing battle:

> Though her acknowledgment as a main character
> frustrates me more than when my Company cut my
> signing bonus in half,
>
> Wow, and I thought I was extreme...

Well, the fact that I was able to quickly dump that Company and jump Contracts did soften the blow.

>
> Of course, being extreme in your love for a character
> is a lot more fun than being extreme in your hate.

I am extreme in my love for the character of Tim Drake, which is why I am extreme in my hatred for Stephanie Brown. I honestly feel her continued presence ultimately weakens the title and hurts the character's development.

***

After that, I got bored and decided to jump ship, but left a parting shot.

***


Yeah, I mean, you saw how the title completely went to the dogs for 127 issues she was a part of it!

....but I've been in this argument before, so I won't get into it again, and leave it here.
***

(127 not counting the first two issues, because she didn't show up in Robin till issue #3...and I like to pretend Robin #130 never existed)

Saying Steph weakens the title and hurts Tim's development is completely stupid though. After all, the book was a quality title until Steph died. Then Willingham's wretched run, and Beechen's ambivalent one...and Tim's character development could be summed up as "ANGST" at that point.

But, onto reviews!

Robin #177:

I have mixed feelings about this issue. I enjoyed it (especially Tim comparing the Bat Family to the Brady Bunch) and the last page both intrigued and terrified me, but I didn't really feel invested. Mostly, I'm interested to see where it's going. Jason's lines amused me, and I'm indifferent about his characterization, though surprised he got arrested.

The art I didn't really dig...the too huge eyes, Steph's scribbly hair and big boobs, Tim's sideburns...the faces mostly. And in the last panel, Steph has a black hole in her stomach and her sash is glued to her boobs. Hopefully Freddie will improve.

We'll see where this goes, though I wish Fabian wouldn't torture me so.

4/5

BaTo #10

A very "meh" issue, which is sad, considering it's Chuck's last one. The awesome colorist is gone and the art is horrible. Bats inexplicably made Cass leader of the Outsiders in his absence. She's not very suited for the job, but I guess he wants to keep it "in the family"? Also, her voice was off this issue, which is weird since Chuck did a great job with her voice before...

2/5

Batgirl #2

Meh. Is all I can say. Oh, hai, a disposable love interest for Cass out of nowhere. She's teaming with a killer and expecting her not to kill. And inexplicably can't tell when an old guy is lying to her. But actually, decent Babs/Cass interaction, so there's that. I wonder if the foot on the last panel belongs to Slade or Rose. Probably Rose.

1/5

Thas all, folks!

So I have to review like 50 comics or something.

Or maybe just...*counts* ...seven. Okay, that's not so bad.

Okay, after my absence I finally got more comics today:

BatO #8

YAY CASS! It's your birthday! Okay, it was a bit shorter and less dramatic than I expected, but she was awesome. Competent, kick ass Cass always wins at life. Also she had a little Bat on her shoes.

Green Arrow wins at nothing, and should shut up, she just saved your ass, you moron. And she was DRUGGED. And she doesn't NEED a sarcasm radar.

Thunder finally got to do something, which is good. And Grace said she wouldn't be an Outsider if Thunder wasn't. FINALLY.

Alfred was great, and so was Salah, the geeky Remac controller. "HEY YOU MADE THE SANDWICHES!"

Nightwing was sort of there, and I guess it's more the coloring than the art that makes the pages pretty, but I do like how the guy draws Cass.

I can't believe Dixon's leaving, because I really adore how he writes Cass. And Katana and Metamorpho. And Grace and Salah and Alfred. Oh well, two more issues with him at least. Then...Tieri *barfs*.

4.5/5

Teen Titans Year One #5

The art continues to be adorable, and everyone is awesome but Roy, who deserves to be smacked around for making Donna cry. And going all "You're a GIRL." Yeah, go shoot up or something, loser. Donna was cool, though, being all hyperactive, but kind of shy. And she saved the day. But she seriously needed to get on Roy for his suckiness. "I don't want you to carry me, let's take the bus which is so much slower because of my machismo". You grab that jerk up and FLY him, Donna. Drop him if you feel like it.

Aqualad and Kid Flash are a duo of hilarity. Especially the water balloon fight and the confiding in the turtle. And the 0.o when Batman comes. "Mr. Batman!"

I wish this were an ongoing.

5/5

Birds of Prey #119

I can read this book without hating everyone in it again! Oracle's competent and Misfit is likable again, thank God, and the banter is neat. Lady Blackhawk's back to her hard drinkin', snarky self. Thank you, Tony Bedard.

4/5

Runaways #30

OH MY GOD, finally. Seriously, I used to care about this title so much, but the delays...eh. It was okay, I guess. I still like all the characters, and Chase was in fine form. I'm not sure what the point of the arc was, but that's probably because I forgot what was happening.

The art is great, but the delays...ugh. I'm not feeling to hopeful about the relaunch, either. I want BKV back.

3.5/5

Well, I'm heading to Chicago for a wedding of someone I barely know tomorrow, so I'll be gone a while again. Try to survive, all of you.

Should be fairly short.

Obviously, I sort of already reviewed Robin in my Steph post of GLEE, so yeah. It was totally tubular and gets a 5/5. I would like to mention that I do adore Chris Batista's art, not only because he gave Steph a believable body type for a teenage girl, but also Steph was recognizable as Steph, because he appeared to be using Tom Lyle (the artist who drew her in her first appearance) for reference, which is the way to go if you want to keep a character recognizable in their big "I'm-not-dead" reveal- use a well known "look" a previous artist gave the character and incorporate it into your style. All the better to use their first appearance. Though I may be imagining the resemblance.



Hmm...maybe a little Jiminez too.



...I'm thinking about this too much, yeah. Well, I do run a wiki.

Though seriously, that is a Lyle face with Jiminez hair. It even has the lips and hanging strand of hair on the left side of the head...

Okay,  I will stop.

Batman and the Outsiders #7

Yay Cass!

...Okay, I always say that. But look, she's there! And she's going to save them all and she's not evil! And aw, Katana wants her to save herself that's sweet. Don't worry, Katana, Cass will deliver an asskicking so complete on your captors, they will hear it in Alaska.

Seriously, it's really sweet how Katana and Cass are bonding. It's about time Cass had an adult to look up to who didn't suck (Babs not withstanding, but she did randomly not look for Cass when Cass was drugged, which was so OOC)

Other than that, this issue was pretty average. Movin' along, yada yada. I do enjoy that Batman gave Scientist!Guy sandwiches after knocking him out.

The coloring on this book is fantabulous, but they had a different artist for this ish, I could tell right away,because the anatomy was a bit off.

And it looks like Thunder may have a chance to do something next issue. That would be nice. REALLY REALLY NICE.

3.5/5


Birds of Prey # huh, I forgot

Well, the plot was generic. Obviously totally forced on Bedard.

But I didn't want to kill Black Alice or Misfit! (Though, agh, when they mention anti depressants. Black Alice is NOT depressed, that is not her condition! And anti depressants don't work that way! But that's McKeever's fault.)I actually sympathized with them! That's good.

I just wait for next ish to see what Bedard can do.

3/5

First off, someone at Superdickery discovered this totally awesome DCAU hero generater. I made Steph, naturally.


Link for anyone interested:

http://www.heroomatic.k6.com.br/

On to reviews:

Robin #173:

I imagine you'll see this coming but...

Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh.

This was unbelievably awesome. Even my Dad agrees and he isn't even that invested in Steph. (He knows about her because I randomly tell him whenever something new happens with her.

"DAD! There's going to be a Spoiler miniseries!"
"That's...nice."
"IT'S FANTASTIC!"
"Well, um, read it to me when it comes out"

And I've read him stuff with her. Yes, I read comics to him. And Mom. They're both desperate to bond with me despite the fact I spend lots of time with them anyway. Plus, they do like comics (Dad since he was little. )

BUT. Spoiler has to be Steph or a carbon copy of her in personality because her dialogue SCREAMED Stephanie. I loved the opening sequence. It was like "Steph beating up bad guys! It's been so long!" (Plus the narration was hilarious. This was partly because nobody says "chippie" anymore, but do I care?) I adore how Chris Batista draws Spoiler. I am officially a fan of his after seeing it. Her body type is believable (yes, I mean her boobs aren't humongous) and her costume is just...wow. I missed that costume so much, because it's one of DCU's smartest female duds, and Batista really does it justice. It's not like it's painted on and the way he draws the light hitting it in her full page spread...

Spoiler's reaction to NotDanDiDio calling Violet Tim's girlfriend was hilarious and so...her. "How DARE he have a girlfriend even though I've been supposedly dead for more than a year!" She's always been the jealous type. Also, she was using the bionic ear she used in her debut in 1993! Yes, I noticed that immediately which makes me a huge dork. I was like "STEPH!!!" Also, she has the same motorcycle, it looks like. No, really. I compared it. I think it's supposed to be the same one.

Then heeereee sheeee comes to saaave the daaaay! Totally awesome spread with Tim's slow "Oh...my...God." You can feel his shock. Oh, and apparently Tim can't hit girls or something. Which is weird. Though he has shown signs of that before. (Steph's debut, when he ripped off her mask he was like "OMG! A GIRL!" and then Steph hit him with a brick.) He's always been the straight laced chivalrous type. And Steph SPOILER (I'm trying okay, just in case. But come on!) had the same reaction I would to that sort of thing, exasperation and "You are unbelievably stupid." And then she kicked Violet in the face, which was awesome. (I think Tim's going to need Steph around just to hit girls for him now. "OH GOD A GIRL! Spoiler?" Spoiler: *sigh* Oooh, Casstoon idea!)

Tim naturally thought Spoiler was an impersonator.(I'm assuming this denial is why he didn't recognize her voice. Either that or Dixon forgot that detail for plot convenience) and then came the RAGE. Which was awesome and long overdue. Tim can apparently hit girls just fine if he thinks they're dissing Steph. And his "desecrated the memory of someone I loved!" Man, that line was so...perfect. It's like, FINALLY. (Seriously, Spoiler better hope she's Steph, because if not, Tim is going to beat the crap out of her. Even if it's a friend of his, he'd at least make them ditch the costume, and since I don't see any costume ditching in the solicits...) And Spoiler says Tim's name! And there it ends on an annoying cliffhanger.

I cannot believe I have to wait a whole month!

Stupid comics. Stupid me for getting into a medium rife with cliffhangers.

Oh and in case you couldn't tell, 5/5

Gotham Underground #7

No Spoiler. But the solicit promises some Spoiling of Penguins plans by her in the next ish! Yay!

So Eddie was pretty awesome. Dick was pretty useless. The Leslie thing baffles me. Huntress was on crack or something because she was way too happy. Yay Cass! Oh, did anyone notice Huntress killed a girl by throwing her in the path of the bullets? I thought she decided to keep the lid on that sort of thing in BoP? And Cass was standing right there. And seemed okay with it. WEIRD.

Batman vs. Vigilante. I could care less.

3/5

Batman and the Outsiders #7

So, good, solid issue. Sadly a lack of Cass. BUT, she's going to rescue the team with the Soultaker, which is great.

Ollie switched between endearing and annoying. I admit, Grace's line to him (before she tripped him) made me laugh. Metamorpho is awesome too. Poor Sapphire.

Artwork was gorgeous as usual.

4/5

My list of things to do during Spring break once I got back for vacation:

Scan and try my hand at coloring new Casstoon in reaction to recent news about Spoiler

Do blog post

Write next chapter of Shades of Gray. Possibly do two if I have time

Call my friend John to see if we can hang out. I must force myself to socialize. Another motive for this is I want the Avatar DVD's and YJ comics I let him borrow back.

Ink, scan and do speech bubbles to OTHER Casstoon I did in reaction to recent news about Spoiler. I was going to computer color it, but doing the one I just did took HOURS, and I can't have more time eaten up.

Maybe try to fix speech bubbles on OTHER Casstoon I did before I left on vay-kay.

Do Algebra homework (I've decided to procrastinate till Sunday on this. It's due Tuesday anyway)

Look up stuff on UNCA on the 'Net, find out more about it since I'm considering going there for college.

...

Well, felt better to list that. I like lists.

That news on Spoiler I was talking about? Behold, an interview with Chuck Dixon reveals she's going to have a mini! Yaaaayy! And appear regularly in Robin! This is so fantastic, seriously, since we're 99% sure it's Steph now. I am going to buy the friggin' mini OUT. Chuck Dixon can have my babies. Except not really. Man, it feels creepy when you say that about a real person doesn't it? Well, I need to express my love and adoration for him at this news.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=13470

Now, onto reviews for this week and last week!

Robin #172

This issue revealed the Spoiler running around to be Steph, almost definitely. When Tim wasn't looking (so no hallucination) she was standing on a rooftop above him, and unmasked and made puppy dog eyes at our retreating Robin and said "good night, Tim." Yes! STEPH! I missed you so much!

This issue gets a five for that.

...okay, I'll TRY being fair. Other than the Steph reveal it was pretty average. Obviously a bit of a "breather" issue, or something. I did enjoy Tim talking to Zoanne's parents on the phone and totally not paying attention to his mission. ("ZOMG! Gunshots! I mean, popcorn, Mr. Zoanne's dad, popcorn! REALLY LOUD popcorn! Yeah! I, uh, have to go!" Oh, Tim. You're a dweeb, and I love it.) And he was so TIM. Being able to charm Zo's parents because he's such a little dorky goody two shoes, trying to talk to Violet even though that didn't work before, assessing situations and trying to get gunfire away from civilians, and making dry little quips in his head. And he thought about Steph again, awwww...we need as much reminding that Tim remembers Steph as possible to make up for lost time. I can't wait for Tim and Steph's joyful reunion, it's going to be so awesome. I hope crying and hugging is involved.

I'm giving it a 5/5.

Batman and the Outsiders #5

YAY, Cass ownage! "You smell like strawberries". Heh, that's my girl! Then she goes all batarang on...whoever that guy they were fighting is! Aw, Cass. I missed your badassery.

And the Dibny's are back! And totally in character! And not fazed at all about the fact they are dead!

And Metamorpho's in space!

Dixon, keep delivering. We're glad to have ya back.

4.5/5

Blue Beetle #25

Ohfreakingwow. This was so much awesome. From the scarab's little monologue (I continue to be amused by how it is Booster's fault the scarab didn't work for Ted) at the beginning, to Guy showing up. ("That's right, baby girl. I'm the crazy one.")

Then Ice! ("I thought she was dead." "She got better. I thought you were dead?" "I got better.") Brenda and Paco badassery (I heart those two so much. Clearly, they are both so awesome they realized the only people good enough for them to make out with were...each other. Good decision there.)

 Fire then of course is obligated to show up (I love Ice's reaction. "NEAT! Bea!") Then the scarab and Jaime try to go for the heroic sarcifice (The scarab is officially awesome. "Reyes=Friend. Sacrifice=good. Scarab=hero." Yes you are! Good wittle scarab! This may be the most quotable issue of any comic ever) but in the nick of time...BOOSTER GOLD!

Every superhero battle should end with Booster popping out of nowhere and rescuing everyone just because he CAN. And he should always yell "Time is something I have plenty of!" YES. Jaime is such a good person he tries to save the negotiator (Booster doesn't seem to care. Heh) and it's then, with this gesture, Negotiator realizes "...We never had a chance." Because in trying to save the enemy, Jaime showed exactly why his own sense of right and wrong was able to override the scarab. Because it was so strong. So no, no chance. This shocks the Negotiator to tears, and he gets blowed up.

Booster drags Jaime to his family, and for irony, Ice is all "OMG BOOSTER YOU IS ALIVE?" and proceeds to hug him. Guy is all "WTF?"

Then we have a barbeque. No seriously, this comic is so awesome it ends with a BARBEQUE. Booster decides he must wear his goggles even when out of costume, the silly. It is apparently a complete coincidence the JLI showed up together, Booster was just "checking up on the kid", Bea was nearest, ect. Jaime doesn't buy this and neither does Guy, who blames Batman for everything. Oh, GUY. Your vendetta against Bats knows no bounds. By the way, Jaime totally got Batman to help him by sending him a LETTER, so the Reach didn't sense it. Ha, ha. And Oracle helped too! Yay!

The comic ends with Jaime reflecting on how the Blue Beetle is really a legacy now. "And I think that's kind of cool." So do we, Jaime. So do we.

A bazillion out of five. BAM.

Okay, past my bedtime. I must away. See yas around.

In-ter-resting...

This post will cover solicits, reviews and meaningless small talk...ALL AT ONCE!

First, I am upset. About many things:

Written by Chuck Dixon; Art by Chris Batista and Cam Smith; Cover by Freddie Williams II

They thought the Penguin was bad, but he was nothing compared to Sin Fang! It's an all-out brawl, and Robin, Violet and Spoiler will have to work together if they want to get out alive. By the end of the night, casualties will be counted and the ultimate mystery of Spoiler's true identity will finally be solved!

Batman  |  32pg.  |  Color  |  $2.99 US

On Sale May 21, 2008

***

WHAT??? I have to wait until MAY? MAY? FRIGGIN' MAY? THAT IS LIKE THREE MONTHS FROM NOW OR TWO I DON'T KNOW GAH!

*calms down*

How will my sanity survives this?

Dammit, DC, you are so manipulating me. I know that's what a business does, but it is ANNOYING. I want Steph back NOW. And if the new Spoiler turns out NOT to be Steph after all this and just some other random blue eyed white chick, I will be angry. Because you have found my weak spot. This better be worth it.

I'm glad I saw the solicit before I picked up Robin #171, so I was prepared to be dissapointed. It was a good, solid issue and I felt actual affection for Tim (man, that has not happened in forever. It's official, I think Tim is awesome again. As long as Dixon writes him.) But Steph was only mentioned for two pages and it was just Tim thinking he saw her again and doing that cliche where it turns out to be a purple piece of cloth. ("A flash of purple. Not violet." No, Tim, eggplant. How many times must she tell you?) I expected a bit more with her being on the cover. Damn misleading covers.

*sigh* But I won't hold this against the issue.

4.5/5

(By the way, I do love the artwork in the solicited cover. Though I'm not sure Steph's mask works that way)

The other thing I am upset about is Will Pfiefer is taking over Blue Beetle for a bit. All I know about Pfiefer is he did Catwoman, which people say is good, and also Amazons Attack, which is of course, atrocious.

All I know is I don't want John Rogers to leave. Even for a little while. What if he leaves forever? I'm just so protective of Jaime, I want him to keep being awesome, and Rogers brings such a unique voice...man, I'm just worried.

*sigh* Come back quick, John.

Onto happier topics. Batman and the Outsiders was pretty good. Cass's dialog was on, and she was shown as a very competent martial artist for the first time in well, forever. Sure, Green Arrow got a shot in, but it was pretty clear she kind of let him do that, and she was the better martial artist. And arrow dodging and working out your problems through violence! That's my girl! And Ollie decided he liked Cass, so I won't have to put up with his dickery in the future. Towards Cass anyway. Maybe.

And the art is freaking gorgeous. I'd buy this just for the art. I love the way the guy draws Cass, and Ollie and Katana and everyone. The action sequences are awesome.

4.5/5

Wonder Girl #6

Surprisingly, this fell kind of flat for me. I like the interaction between Cassie and Diana, and this is still the best Cassie characterization we've gotten since Young Justice but...well...it didn't really come together. #2 and #3 were really this mini's high points, I absolutely freaking loved those two issues and loved Cassie in them, but then it was kinda like "Um, fight? Rarr?" So. Still, decent miniseries. I would really love for Cassie to get an ongoing. I think Torres would be great on it, and she deserves some major rehabilitation, which he can offer.

And "Sisterhood of the Star Spangled Pants" made me laugh. But a lot of it was just people explaining stuff, and "Oh, must go on quest", so a very flat ending.

3/5

Birds of Prey #115

I didn't think it was possible, as I like them both, I now want Misfit and Black Alice both to die, quite horribly. And Sean McKeever? ANTI DEPRESSANTS DO NOT WORK THAT WAY. They are supposed to perk you UP, not mellow you out. I mean, I've been on anti depressants for years. Do I seem mellow to you? Didn't think so. Whatever diagnosis you could put on what Lori had wrong with her, it wasn't depression. Depressed people do not go out and beat up drug dealers. They don't have the energy for that. They can't bring themselves to get pissed off like Lori did. Her DAD, who was missing work and moping around the house and having Lori take care of him, HE was the typical depressed guy. And then you say HE made HER take the anti depressant meds? HA, I don't think so, unless that was a cover for him hocking happy pills.

In fact, I think the thing that would have helped Lori the most is NOT medication, unless it was some meds for anxiety, but THERAPY and LOTS OF IT. Grief counseling. You know, for her grief? Over her Mom? Who died of a drug overdose? Which makes it pretty unlikely Lori would take meds, and yes, I know that was mentioned she had a hard time doing that because of that, it's still not something she would do.

McKeever, do not write about things you don't know shit about. When you do research, actually TALK to someone ON the medication. If you had called me, I could have straightened you out in two minutes. For god's sake, Google exists for a reason.

Geez.

Yeah, so Misfit was totally emo here, and she called Lori emo which just adds to the hilarity.  At least Babs did not break any bones.

McKeever at least writes a decent Zinda. But Huntress is not as inexperienced as he makes her out to be. And oh look, brain washing. Yawn.

Tony Bedard, don't let me down. For you must save this title.

1/5

I think that's it. Yeah, sure is. Now, feast your eyes on this lovely Wonder Woman cover in the solicits.



Oh yes. I am drooling. Clearly, Lopresti was an excellent choice for this title.

Oh, and Spoiler's going to keep playing a role in Gotham Underground, so looks like I have to keep getting it. Damn my Steph addiction (I sure am damning things a LOT in this post)

So, meaningless small talk. I am on a major Avatar: The Last Airbender kick right now. Which of course means Nickelodean is not showing it for some reason. But I recently got the first and second season DVD's, and watched the whole third season, so...HOW CAN ONE SHOW BE SO GOOD? I have fallen hard. I mean, I was sort of into it before, but now I'm hardcore.

Love. So much.

Also, I have about four/five pages of the War of the Wild done. Maybe I'll post him. But I don't think anyone cares, so meh.

My ranting to no one is done! On to other things!

Yesterday I got Birds of Prey and Batman and the Outisiders.

That means reviews!


( Behind the cut )