HR Boards

      WEDNESDAY 9/4/13
1      Action Comics #23.1 Cyborg Superman #1
2      Batman #23.1 The Joker #1
3      Batman and Robin #23.1 Two-Face #1
4      Batman: The Dark Knight #23.1 The Ventriloquist #1
5      Detective Comics #23.1 Poison Ivy #1
6      Earth-2 #15.1 Desaad #1
7      Green Arrow #23.1 Count Vertigo #1
8      Green Lantern #23.1 Relic #1
9      Justice League #23.1 Darkseid #1
10      Justice League Dark #23.1 The Creeper #1
11      Justice League of America #7.1 Deadshot #1
12      Superman #23.1 Bizarro #1
13      The Flash #23.1 Gorilla Grodd #1
      
      WEDNESDAY 9/11/13
14      Action Comics #23.2 General Zod #1
15      Aquaman #23.1 Black Manta #1
16      Batman #23.2 The Riddler #1
17      Batman and Robin #23.2 The Court of Owls #1
18      Batman: The Dark Knight #23.2 Mr. Freeze #1
19      Detective Comics #23.2 Harley Quinn #1
20      Earth-2 #15.2 Solomon Grundy #1
21      Green Lantern #23.2 Mongul #1
22      Justice League #23.2 Lobo #1
23      Justice League of America #7.2 Killer Frost #1
24      Superman #23.2 Brainiac #1
25      Teen Titans #23.1 Trigon #1
26      The Flash #23.2 Reverse-Flash #1
      
      WEDNESDAY 9/18/13
27      Action Comics #23.3 Lex Luthor #1
28      Batman #23.3 The Penguin #1
29      Batman and Robin #23.3 Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins #1
30      Batman: The Dark Knight #23.3 Clayface #1
31      Detective Comics #23.3 The Scarecrow #1
32      Green Lantern #23.3 Black Hand #1
33      Justice League #23.3 Dial E #1
34      Justice League Dark #23.2 Eclipso #1
35      Justice League of America #7.3 Shadow Thief #1
36      Superman #24.3 H’el #1
37      Swamp Thing #23.1 Arcane #1
38      Teen Titans #23.2 Deathstroke #1
39      The Flash #23.3 The Rogues #1
40      Wonder Woman #3.1 Cheetah #1
      
      WEDNESDAY 9/25/13
41      Action Comics #23.4 Metallo #1
42      Aquaman #23.2 Ocean Master #1
43      Batman #23.4 Bane #1
44      Batman and Robin #23.4 Killer Croc #1
45      Batman/Superman #3.1 Doomsday #1
46      Batman: The Dark Knight #23.4 The Joker’s Daughter #1
47      Detective Comics #23.4 Man-Bat #1
48      Green Lantern #23.4 Sinestro #1
49      Justice League #23.4 Secret Society of Super-Villians #1
50      Justice League of America #7.4 Black Adam #1
51      Superman #24.4 Parasite #1
52      Wonder Woman #3.2 First Born #1

So I've been hooked on the 3D covers and I'm working towards getting them all.  Here's what I've got so far:

      WEDNESDAY 9/4/13      
1      Action Comics #23.1 Cyborg Superman #1      Acquired
2      Batman #23.1 The Joker #1      In my monthly sub service from DCBS  Acquired
3      Batman and Robin #23.1 Two-Face #1      On Order from LCS  Acquired
4      Batman: The Dark Knight #23.1 The Ventriloquist #1      On Order from eBay  Acquired
5      Detective Comics #23.1 Poison Ivy #1      On Order from eBay  Acquired
6      Earth-2 #15.1 Desaad #1      Acquired
7      Green Arrow #23.1 Count Vertigo #1      Acquired
8      Green Lantern #23.1 Relic #1      On Order from LCS  Acquired
9      Justice League #23.1 Darkseid #1      On Order from LCS  Acquired
10      Justice League Dark #23.1 The Creeper #1      Acquired
11      Justice League of America #7.1 Deadshot #1      On Order from eBay  Acquired
12      Superman #23.1 Bizarro #1      On Order from eBay  Acquired
13      The Flash #23.1 Gorilla Grodd #1      On Order from LCS  Acquired
            
      WEDNESDAY 9/11/13      
14      Action Comics #23.2 General Zod #1      Acquired
15      Aquaman #23.1 Black Manta #1      Acquired
16      Batman #23.2 The Riddler #1      In my monthly sub service from DCBS  Acquired
17      Batman and Robin #23.2 The Court of Owls #1      Acquired
18      Batman: The Dark Knight #23.2 Mr. Freeze #1      Acquired
19      Detective Comics #23.2 Harley Quinn #1      On Order from eBay  Acquired
20      Earth-2 #15.2 Solomon Grundy #1      Acquired
21      Green Lantern #23.2 Mongul #1      On Order from LCS  Acquired
22      Justice League #23.2 Lobo #1      On Order from LCS  Acquired
23      Justice League of America #7.2 Killer Frost #1      Acquired
24      Superman #23.2 Brainiac #1      Acquired
25      Teen Titans #23.1 Trigon #1      Acquired
26      The Flash #23.2 Reverse-Flash #1      Acquired
            
      WEDNESDAY 9/18/13      
27      Action Comics #23.3 Lex Luthor #1   - Acquired    
28      Batman #23.3 The Penguin #1 - On order from LCS  Acquired      
29      Batman and Robin #23.3 Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins #1 - On order from LCS  Acquired
30      Batman: The Dark Knight #23.3 Clayface #1 - Ordered on eBay  Acquired      
31      Detective Comics #23.3 The Scarecrow #1  - On order from LCS     Acquired   
32      Green Lantern #23.3 Black Hand #1    - On order from LCS  Acquired   
33      Justice League #23.3 Dial E #1 - Ordered on eBay - Acquired      
34      Justice League Dark #23.2 Eclipso #1 - Acquired      
35      Justice League of America #7.3 Shadow Thief #1 - On order from LCS  Acquired      
36      Superman #24.3 H’el #1   - Acquired       
37      Swamp Thing #23.1 Arcane #1   - Acquired       
38      Teen Titans #23.2 Deathstroke #1   - Acquired       
39      The Flash #23.3 The Rogues #1   - Acquired       
40      Wonder Woman #3.1 Cheetah #1   - Acquired       
            
      WEDNESDAY 9/25/13      
41      Action Comics #23.4 Metallo #1 - Acquired      
42      Aquaman #23.2 Ocean Master #1 - Acquired      
43      Batman #23.4 Bane #1   - ordered from my LCS   
44      Batman and Robin #23.4 Killer Croc #1 - Acquired      
45      Batman/Superman #3.1 Doomsday #1 - Acquired      
46      Batman: The Dark Knight #23.4 The Joker’s Daughter #1 - Ordered on eBay      
47      Detective Comics #23.4 Man-Bat #1- ordered from my LCS      
48      Green Lantern #23.4 Sinestro #1   - ordered from my LCS      
49      Justice League #23.4 Secret Society of Super-Villians #1 - coming from DCBS     Acquired   
50      Justice League of America #7.4 Black Adam #1   - ordered from my LCS      
51      Superman #24.4 Parasite #1 - Acquired      
52      Wonder Woman #3.2 First Born #1       - Acquired

1      Action Comics #23.1 Cyborg Superman #1      
6      Earth-2 #15.1 Desaad #1      
7      Green Arrow #23.1 Count Vertigo #1      

CYBORG SUPERMAN
This was a complete reimgination of the character.  The story in and of itself was decent enough but I don't think I like the characters new identity.  Makes the character seem petty and pathetic and that's not how I remember him from the past universe.  I might change my mind later but for now I like the Cyborg Superman from Geoff Johns Green Lantern arc better.


DESAAD
I never like DESAAD in the old world and this new one hasn't changed my mind.  That said, this issue was definately dark.  Had some disturbing moments in it as DESAAD makes people do some horrific things.  I'm not sure what the point of this issue was as I don't think I really learned anything about DESAAD other than he's trapped on Earth.

COUNT VETIGO
The best of the three I've read so far.  I'm seeing a trend as this story was also very dark.  I should expect no less from Jeff Lemure.  Very good issue.  A complete origin in flashback which brings his past and present together with a good, although very predictable, ending.  This actually got me interested in the new Green Arrow book and I might have to pick up a regular issue to see if it's also good.

 >:(
Damn it, Jeff. You're gonna just make me read all these damn things just to compare notes now. Your expensive habit is starting to cost me time.
 >:(

 ;D

With ya 101% here.

Never read an issue with Count Vertigo, so I was coming into this totally cold, and while yes, this had a completely predictable ending, I also agree it was well done. I have always liked the denounced or rejected lord returning to claim what is his type of a story, so I fell into this easily enough.

Also a classic case of art fitting the tone and making the writing even better.

EDIT - would you pronounce his name as Zy (like eye) ler (like sir)? I am guessing, but it may be one of those odd Vlatavian type names I am mispronouncing.
 ;D

That said ...  now I am gonna have to wait on the Cyborg issue ... my boy Dave didn't bring me that one! Have to ask him if he even has it. He didn't bring me any of the 3D versions of these though, so I still have only seen a couple.

Revenge!  Bwahahahahahahahaha!    ;D

I was really surprised as of almost all of the villain issues I had no interest in reading Count Vertigo.  Your spot on with how the art and writing combined to make this interesting.  Like you I didn't mind the predictable ending since the journey getting there was so....fun?

I pronounced Zyler same as you so if your wrong, I'm right there with ya.

It's too bad the 3D versions can't translate in a photograph.  They really are pretty impressive.

Can't respond to Cyborg Supes. Dave no have.
 :-[

NOT a fan of this re-imaging. If all of the new Superman universe must be intimately connected to him, I'm not going to be very interested in this new Man of Steel. As it is...I'm still rather uninterested in the world around him. Snyder is helping (and Unchained is the book that should have rolled off with the new launch, not what they actually did).


Of any character that needed a 'nu' treatment, it was GA. And this book by Lemure is great. Glad to be on board, glad to see this Ollie be something I can get behind, love the new Count treatment too! Great issue here!

Come on, Jeff. Waiting to see what book to read next  ;D

I read Creeper last night and will post on that one next.  Probably tonight when I get home from work.

Pfffttt! Do it while you are at work. Come on man, priorities.  ;D

10      Justice League Dark #23.1 The Creeper #1

CREEPER
First let me say, I thought the Creeper was a good guy?  I'm only vaguely familiar with the original but I'm not a big fan of this new one.  There were some interesting parts as we start out in Samurai times and there is an interesting link between Creeper and another character in the DCU (don't worry, not gonna spoil).  That's probably the only thing I really liked abut the book.  It looks like we're going to have a Bruce Banner/Hulk type relationship between Ryder and Creeper.  It has potential, I guess, but where I like Banner's Hulk, I'm not a fan of Ryder's Creeper.

How about during lunch?    ;D

 :D
Well sure!


Have to be honest. I am not a fan of Ann Nocenti. So when I saw her name attached to the first page, I was already dreading reading further. A couple pages in I remembered why I was not a fan of Ann Nocenti.

And then,
The art - eh, not bad

I give this book a 2 out of 10 for the art, coloring and lettering alone. Not too bad considering the writing brought it down to a -5 to start.

But truthfully, I really have no idea what happened between the pier and the last page, just a blur of nonsense. This ranks right up there with that FOOLKILLER from Marvel's MAX line a few years back.
 :D
 :D

3      Batman and Robin #23.1 Two-Face #1
4      Batman: The Dark Knight #23.1 The Ventriloquist #1
5      Detective Comics #23.1 Poison Ivy #1

TWO-FACE
This is one of my favorite covers.  I like how the coin is coming right at you.  This story is more about how Two-Face is dealing with the new world than anything new in his background/origin.  Will he join the Society or save Gotham?  It's one of the more solid stories from the villains month but feels like more of a prelude to future events.  I'll give it a 3 out of 5 coins.

THE VENTRILOQUIST
Wow.  I expect a lot more from Gail Simone than this. How can you have any incarnation of the Ventriloquist without Scarface?  Even if I could get past that she lost me when the one guy is running in terror from the dummy but then stops and says, "Hey what's this box of letters?" and then actually stops fleeing for his life to open up and read some of the letters!  ::)
Very very disappointed with this one.

POISON IVY
Another one of my favorite 3D covers.  And the story and art are good on the inside.  I don't want to spoil so I'll just say you do learn some new things about her past.  This is definately an origin story and nothing more but a decent read and fun to look at.  4 out of 5 thorns from me.

Because of the release order and reading order, I know you are not going to get to the Scarecrow issue (DETECTIVE COMICS #23.3) for awhile, but I just want to say that I was sorta disappointed in the 3D Effect of this cover. It was still good, but upon seeing original layouts, I thought this issue was one of the ones that were going to "WOW" me. Again, it still looks good, and I can't pin-point why it doesn't hit me as strong as I suspected it would, but it just doesn't blow me over as much as some. Two-Face is still my fav I think ... so far.


Yes on the cover. I agree. Simplistic, but it just seems to work very well.

As for the inside, I found it to be much like a lunch trip to Subway Subs. An enjoyable romp with a sandwich that satisfies, but if you look, there is not a lot of meat
 ;D

I'm also not sure if Tomasi, who I think is one of the most under-appreciated writers at DC, really nailed the Two-Face, opposite speak he was going for on page one. He gets it correct with -
"I LOVE THIS CITY / I HATE THIS CITY"
and with -
"I HAVE SERVED (THIS CITY) / I HAVE MADE IT SUFFER"
but then he fails on the -
"I HATE HEARING IT LAUGH / I LOVE HEARING IT CRY" (Pssst, That is not really the opposite there, Tomasi  ;D)

Still, I like how it ties in, even slightly, to the Villain Event DC has going on ... that I can't remember the name of at this time.
 :D

A typical, well done comic, with nothing that will hit you as great or as overly negative.
5 outta 10 COIN FLIPS
(Just slightly different than Jeff's "Coins"  ;D)


Why is this not BATGIRL #23.1? Why make things more confusing than you have to. This is the first comic (with many more to come) that really confuses the system, by not just having the villain represent the book associated with the villain. And also part of the reason why the orders got screwed in the first place. Did it sell that much better being a "DARK KNIGHT" title than it would've being a "BATGIRL" title? Can't see that, but ... whatever.
 ::)

You guys know I am kinda anal about character dialog and the proper use of it, and like Jeff described, this book fails in that VERY IMPORTANT department. Not as egregious as The CREEPER from a couple issues back, but bad non-the-less.

Art wise, this book looks like a Dynamite title. Generic back-ground work, generic character work and generic panel and layouts. Just booooring.

3 outta 10 OFFERS TO SIT ON MY LAP
 :-\

8      Green Lantern #23.1 Relic #1
9      Justice League #23.1 Darkseid #1
12    Superman #23.1 Bizarro #1

RELIC
This must be a new villain in the Green Lantern world that I'm not familiar with.  This story was a good history lesson on Relic and I found it interesting.  I had no issues with this comic but like Two Face, its a setup for things to come.

DARKSEID
Excellent - the origin of Darkseid.  I liked this one.  I don't know if it syncs up with the old world or not but I liked this issue.

BIZZARO
Eh.  Not a fan of this issue.  I want the old Bizzaro with Bizzaro world.  I don't care how ridiculous it was.  A talented writer could take that world and update it for the current universe.  I don't want to spoil the issue for anyone but it's lame.

Now, I've read Bizarro and Darkseid from these recent postings.

As far as earlier versions of Darkseid, well...I don't care about those. Here's where heresy comes in:

I don't give 2 flips about Kirby's Fourth World stories.

I've been reading comics for 26 years. And yes, I've gone back to read comics from before my time as well. But never the Fourth World, and also, that stuff was never around at any time for me to read.

In a general, unfounded statement, I'll say that the Fourth World and the New Gods mean nothing to current readers. So whatever they are doing with it now (as in Wonder woman which is utterly fantastic) then I'm all the more for it.

I even loved what Morrison did with them in Final Crisis, since all the stuff had long ago been lost to any sort of relevance.

On Bizarro....I just want a Bizarro. Yet, even I don't know which one I want. Goofy, offbeat Superman? Scared, misunderstood child-creature Frankenstein monster? Horribly wrong and murderous foe? I really don't know. Do I like the Luthor creation aspect? That's a loooong time thing in the comics, and I'm fine with that. Pure magical being? Not sure...probably not.

Although, I think I'm past the Bizarro planet.

Oh yeah! The Bizarro issue was good for the Luthor part, actually. :D

Coming in the next Previews -

VILLAINS MONTH 3-D MOTION COMPLETE SET
Written by VARIOUS
Art and 3-D Motion Covers by VARIOUS
RESOLICIT • On sale FEBRUARY 12 • FC, $199.99 US
DC’s red-hot 3-D motion covers are set to return in the new VILLAINS MONTH 3-D MOTION COMPLETE SET, now resolicited for February on-sale! This set will include second printings of all 52 Villains Month titles with 3-D motion covers plus the FOREVER EVIL #1 3-D Motion Cover Variant edition!
Retailers: This item is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled.

Wonder if DCBS will sell this as a bundle still for $100 ?

I'm assuming they are the same covers?

I would imagine. It is just the "resolicit" so I doubt anything new, other than including the 3D version of FOREVER EVIL with this pack to make up for screwing all the orders on the original order.

The Flash #23.1 Gorilla Grodd #1
Detective Comics #23.2 Harley Quinn #1

GORILLA GRODD
I liked this cover and the story wasn't bad.  My only complaint was the ubrupt ending.  The last page made no sense to me.  Seemed lie a whole lot of effort on Grodds part for nothing.

HARLEY QUINN
Also one of the better issues from villain month.  Another flashback issue giving us the villains origin.  I have an affinity for Harley so I maybe looking at this one through rose colored glasses but I didn't find anything I hated.

Perry - did you quit reading?

No, Was going to try and wait until Dave brought me all the issues. So I could whip them out as you go. Still wanting him to get that Cyborg Superman issue, so I am trying to convince him to get them all.
 ;)

I LOVE the Ocean Master 3-d cover. Like seriously, truly worth this month's enterprise for this cover!

And, as it turns out, my favorite issue of villain's month too.

Zod's issue was pretty good too. And, I've got the basis now for who 'this' Zod is.

Firstborn was also a fantastic cover! And, it was a naturally continuing story as well, not really interrupting the story either. Great issue. Great, great issue, but I expect no less from Azzarello on WW now.

Doomsday...was all frosting, but no cake. Doomsday is bad, was bad, and now we know where he's at. So, I guess there's  that. But again...just sugar, no filling.

And SOMEONE has gotta tell me who this new Reverse Flash is. I just...gotta know!

21      Green Lantern #23.2 Mongul #1
22      Justice League #23.2 Lobo #1
14      Action Comics #23.2 General Zod #1
2      Batman #23.1 The Joker #1
16      Batman #23.2 The Riddler #1
49      Justice League #23.4 Secret Society of Super-Villians #1
15      Aquaman #23.1 Black Manta #1

MONGUL
Not what I expected and has nothing to do with the Forever Evil event since Mongul is out in space.  It does show how evil Mongul is as he gives an enemy admiral a tour of WarWorld.  I liked this comic in and of itself.

LOBO
My first thought was WTF?  since the Lobo in this comic looks nothing like the Lobo on the cover.  That finally gets explained but that answer only makes me think WTF?  I've never been a Lobo fan and altough this new incarnation is probably better, it didn't make me interested in the character.  Nice little twist at the end and it sets up for what could be a decent story.

ZOD
Good origin story for this General Zod.  Greg Pak does a good job on this story.  Gives you insight to why Zod is who he is and what brought him to the Phantom Zone.  I'd give this a thumbs up.

THE JOKER
OMG. This sucked.  If this is a prime example of Andy Kubert's writing, I"m glad I didn't buy the Damian mini.  The whole story revolves around the Joker taking in a baby gorilla and raising him as a son.  The premise is dumb, the dialog bad, and the ending is predictable.  This could be my first ever rating of Zero out of 5 chattering teeth.

THE RIDDLER
Nice 3D cover and one of the better ones.  The story itself is also decent which I should expect since its by Scott Snyder.  This ties into the current Zero Year story-line running in Snyder's Batman.  Since Riddler's origin is being handled in the Zero Year story this issue is more of a companion to that story and not an origin.  I liked it.

THE SECRET SOCIETY
3D cover didn't wow me on this one.  The origin story on the other hand, I liked.  I love parallel world stories and getting the origin of the secret society from Pennyworth is a fun ride.  4 out of 5 pieces of Talon.

BLACK MANTA
The 3D cover is one of the better ones with all of the blood in the air.  I'm glad I read Forever Evil #1 before this issue.  There is a lot of overlap between that issue and this one.  I found it an interesting companion and clearly Black Manta is going to play a bigger part in the overall story of Forever Evil.  I don't want to spoil it but I'd give it 4 Tridents out of 5.

Very happy with these. Great looking covers, and most of them had good origin stories for the villains.

Here's what I ended up getting:

-Action Comics #23.1 Cyborg Superman #1
-Action Comics #23.2 General Zod #1
-Action Comics #23.3 Lex Luthor #1
-Batman #23.1 The Joker #1
-Batman/Superman #3.1 Doomsday #1
-Earth-2 #15.2 Solomon Grundy #1
-The Flash #23.2 Reverse-Flash #1
-Green Lantern #23.1 Relic #1
-Green Lantern #23.2 Mongul #1
-Green Lantern #23.3 Black Hand #1
-Green Lantern #23.4 Sinestro #1
-Justice League #23.1 Darkseid #1
-Justice League #23.2 Lobo #1
-Justice League #23.4 Secret Society of Super-Villians #1
-Justice League of America #7.4 Black Adam #1
-Superman #23.2 Brainiac #1
-Superman #24.3 H’el #1

I wish I would have ordered the Two-Face, Bane, Ra's Al Ghul, and Deathstroke ones, too. Seeing how cool looking these were, now.

Damn it. I just put the books in order Jeff had them numbered, so I can read and reply on Jeff's posts accordingly, and he switches up the posting order.
 >:(

 ;D

Lol.  Clearly I don't have my stack in order.  I'll fix that  tomorrow so were in sync.

Crap, I forgot this and read the Darkseid one thinking it was first. Oh well, I'll get back to this


Sadly I totally disagree with my man Jeff on this one. While I kinda enjoyed the ending /// seeing all the dead Superman versions ... a dead Superman is a good Superman  ;) the reasons behind killing all the Supermen was weak. And Darkseid as nothing more than a farmer is just not something I buy into as part of his origin.

4 outta 10 "mudgrubbers"
 :(

17      Batman and Robin #23.2 The Court of Owls #1
18      Batman: The Dark Knight #23.2 Mr. Freeze #1
20      Earth-2 #15.2 Solomon Grundy #1
23      Justice League of America #7.2 Killer Frost #1
24      Superman #23.2 Brainiac #1
25      Teen Titans #23.1 Trigon #1

THE COURT OF OWLS
I must confess I don't know who James Tynion IV is but he wrote a pretty good Court of Owls back-story.  I get why this is Batman 23.2 but I really think it would fit better as a Talon villain issue.  But either way I liked this one.  The 3D cover was fun for me.  I like the floating pictures in the background.

MR FREEZE
No real complaints here other than the little mohawk.  I'm not a fan of the change in Freezes origin but that was done in the Batman Annual and only expanded on here.  Not a bad issue but nothing unpredictable either.  One of the less impressive 3D covers too.

SOLOMON GRUNDY
Origin story for Solomon Grundy.  No real crossover with Forever Evil since this is on Earth 2.  Honestly, I didn't hate it but I got bored reading it.

KILLER FROST
Nice 3D cover and I liked this story as well.  To me its not really Killer Frost without George Perez drawing her.  That said, I enjoyed this comic and would be tempted to pick up Firestorm just to see his rogues gallery updated.

BRAINIAC
3D cover doesn't pop as much as some of the others.  Interesting origin story for Brainiac.  Definitely a robot like person.  Almost borg-like with all of the other machines scouring the universe.  Nothing here that sucked me in and made me want to see more though.

TRIGON
3D cover was pretty cool.  I like the smoke coming off of his hands. My man Marv Wolfman returns to write the new origin of the villain he created.  I liked this origin story and the last page was compelling.  Making me wish Wolfman was back to writing my Teen Titans from the 80's. 

Yeah, Brainiac was fine, but nothing that really stood out. If you read the Johns arc from Action a couple of years ago, and slugged through Morrison's Action run, you already had this story.

I hated this issue. I really enjoy Venditti's writing, usually, but not here. I think he goes a tad overboard when trying to channel Geoff John's style of writing. I mean, writing things like -

"WAS NOT GRAVITY SIMPLY ONE OBJECTS PASSION TO BE NEAR ANOTHER?"

- is a perfect example of trying to do too much, because the answer is ... no.  :D

I also found the reason for this "villain" to ... be a "villain", total bullshit. Of course, I am not reading GL, so maybe that is NOT what is going on, but the way I read this issue, that is what his goal is to be.
 ::)

The art saves this book, making it just an average comic

5 outta 10 questionable motivations
 :-\

Wow, guys, sorry, but I just can't seem to get motivated to discuss my feelings about some of these books. The're just not good. At all. I stopped trying to read them in any order and have now just pulled aside the ones that showcase villains I am interested in reading about. Gonna read these and try this again, but no way I can read everyone of these. I can't get passed 3 or 4 pages on some (Harley Quinn being one example).
 :-[

Then you'll REALLY want to skip Dial E - it was awful writing and awful art.

 ;D

Oh no doubt there are some AWFUL stories for this month! Joker the worst!

But, I did like my last purchase of them; Black Adam, Black Manta, H'el, Cheetah; so, there were some....but people have a hard time writing a 'short story' kind of tale. Done in one, and make it good. Eh...a lacking skill it seems.

People aren't raving so much about the stories as they are the beautiful covers.

Yep, and we've been down that road before.

Well, if we're going to go down that road. DC hasn't had a good story since New 52 began.

Not true.

Wonder Woman is perfection and has been since issue 1. Two+ solid years of fantastic story telling
Batman is as good as its ever been in the past 25 years or so
I've heard a lot of praise about a few others, including most of the GL titles which you yourself lauded (I seem to remember GREEN LANTERN #20 being one issue in-particular that had you giddy with joy)

Okay, yeah, that issue was fantastic. But most of Green Lantern before New 52, was much better.

And I've never been a fan of Wonder Woman, so I have no clue what's going on there.

But the Superman books, the JLA books, Earth-2, and Captain Atom (and of course the GL books) I all followed, and the few issues of the Batman books I picked up; and I haven't been impressed with any of them for the most part and find myself just wanted the classic DC versions.

The New 52 just comes off as this dark and depressing place where all the heroes are more worried about coming off tough than they are being heroes. It doesn't feel like DC.

What exactly was so good before the new 52? Other than Batman and Green Lantern, what was DC doing or selling that was so good? Not much, that is why they had to pull this reboot to begin with, because sales were crap.

Look, I know that most of the titles DC puts out now are ... not great, but there are some that are ... just like before the reboot.

It felt like the DC Universe. The heroes acted like heroes. And everything wasn't trying so hard to be dark and stylish. New 52 is almost like Ultimate DC Comics, or something; in the way it all feels.

I was really enjoying Justice League of America, Justice Society of America, the Green Lantern books, and I was getting into the Batman books before the New 52. And Flashpoint itself was an excellent crossover event (I just didn't like the results, so much). I normally like the Superman books, but right before New 52, in particlar, they were at a bit of the low-point, admittedly.

Can absolutely agree with that. DC, since the relaunch, has gone totally dark, sexual and brooding. While I think deep down that most of that is DC taking the aura of the best selling books they had prior to the reboot, Batbooks and GL books (Darkest Day more to the point), misinterpreting the idea that "that" is what made the books popular, and have since tried to force that general 'bleakness' onto every title in the DCU.

And while that darkness and lack of overall joy works well for the dreary atmosphere of the Bat books, the emptiness and solitude of space (or the graveyard as in Darkest Night) and a book about Greek Mythology (Wonder Woman), it doesn't work on all titles. Not all titles need, nor should they have, a limb being ripped from ones body or women's breasts exposed up to the nipple every month (Power-Girl aside. Best thing DC did was get rid of that ridiculous attempt at eliminating Power-Girls "boob window". Not because she 'needs' the "boob-window", but the other options they tried just looked stupid)

So while I don't agree that all of the DC titles are totally crap now ... and honestly think there are some GREAT titles coming from that company, I can, and do, agree and understand your rationale, reasoning and feeling that they are not "DC" anymore, nor as fun ... nor as good.

(And you should really try and pick up a copy of WONDER WOMAN. Hell, try and "Bryne Steal" about half a copy while at your LCS next time. The reason you have never liked her before may just be the reason you would love her book now. Mileage may very of course)
 :)

Day-um, Perry, you TOTALLY nailed it there!!

However, for Didio's side, he's got his sales up, and that's what he wants (even when not looking at the Villains month sales, monthlies are doing better within DC).

And Nate, WW is great, fantastic!

11      Justice League of America #7.1 Deadshot #1
26      The Flash #23.2 Reverse-Flash #1
27      Action Comics #23.3 Lex Luthor #1
28      Batman #23.3 The Penguin #1
29      Batman and Robin #23.3 Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins #1
30      Batman: The Dark Knight #23.3 Clayface #1
31      Detective Comics #23.3 The Scarecrow #1

DEADSHOT
Nice 3D cover.  It's like the bullet's comin' right for ya.  Nice origin story too.  I like Deadshot from the reboot of Suicide Squad so I might be biased but this issue made me want to jump back into that title...almost.  I just can't take King Shark.  But as for this Deadshot issue - liked it.

REVERSE FLASH
So THAT's who the Revere Flash's true identity is!  Interesting.  I've heard good things about the Flash books and so far the villain titles under Flash have been decent.  I might have to pick up the Reverse Flash run in TPB. 

LEX LUTHOR
Guess what?  Lex Luthor is evil.  That's pretty much what this is about.  I didn't hate this issue but I didn't learn anything new either.

PENGUIN
Ha ha ha!  I like this Penguin.  Even though they stole part of the plot from The Godfather Part II, it shows the cunning and lengths that the Penguin is willing to go.  Definitely setting him up to be a force in Gotham after this is all said and done.  Hopefully Frank Tieri will get to write more of this character.

RA'S AL GHUL
Nice 3D cover.  Nothing too exciting with the story.

CLAYFACE
Interesting one shot tale but I think Clayface looks too cartoonish.  That may have been too distracting for me.

SCARECROW
I like the 3D cover.  I liked the story too which is basically Scarecrow going through Gotham trying to recruit Batman's rogues gallery to join the Secret Society.  Tomasi does a good job, IMO.

32      Green Lantern #23.3 Black Hand #1
33      Justice League #23.3 Dial E #1
34      Justice League Dark #23.2 Eclipso #1
35      Justice League of America #7.3 Shadow Thief #1
36      Superman #24.3 H’el #1
37      Swamp Thing #23.1 Arcane #1
38      Teen Titans #23.2 Deathstroke #1

BLACK HAND
Loved this issue.  The Black Hand has developed into one of my favorite Green Lantern villains and this issue keeps the love going.  I don't want to spoil the end because clearly this is going to play a big part in Hal Jordan's future but it was cool.

DIAL E
I can't decide which was worse, The Joker issue or this complete waste of time.  Bad story, bad art.  I can't think of one positive thing to say about this issue.  Even 3D cover couldn't save it.

ECLIPSO
Cool 3D cover.  So I read this story and enjoyed it.  Then I went back and saw it was written by Dan Didio and I said wait a minute,  I can't really like this story can I?  But yeah, I did.  Art was good too.

SHADOW THIEF
Another nice 3D cover.  I didn't know anything about Shadow Thief and this issue is a good introduction to her.  And a well written story too.  This made me want to see more of Shadow Thief and her story.

H'EL
Sigh.  This new 52 universe had the opportunity of putting Superman back in the role of last man of Krypton.  All ready we have to many people from Kryption running around and here is yet another one.  On its own, this story is interesting and I like how the time travel aspect deals with H'EL's origin.  It's a good story but hampered for me by my fatigue of everything and everyone in Superman's world coming from Krypton (Brainiac, General Zod, Cyborg Superman, Doomsday).

ARCANE
CREEPY!  But awesome one shot story.  Now this guy is pure evil.  Nice origin story and good art.  You also get Abigal Arcane's back story.  Big thumbs up here.

DEATHSTROKE
So now we know how slade lost his eye.  One thing I didn't like is the retcon of his son's death.  Instead of dying as the original Ravager he goes out in a blaze of glory.  Perez and Wolfman's Teen Titans was my favorite series growing up and anything that tosses that out of the window is hard for me to like.

39      The Flash #23.3 The Rogues #1
40      Wonder Woman #3.1 Cheetah #1
41      Action Comics #23.4 Metallo #1
42      Aquaman #23.2 Ocean Master #1

THE ROGUES
3D cover isn't that great.  But the story inside - excellent.  So far I've liked the Grodd issue, the Reverse Flash issue, and now the Rogues issue.  Makes me wonder if I should be reading Flash.  Nice history on the Rogues and how they got their powers.  Captain Cold is great as always. 

CHEETAH
Good 3D cover.  Origin story for Cheetah was interesting and filled with family issues.  Another dark origin which is pretty much the theme of all the villain issues this month.

METALLO
Not bad but not great either.  Didn't make me interested in seeing more.

OCEAN MASTER
Cool 3D cover.  Good story inside as well and good art.  Why did I stop buying Aquaman?  I reccomend this one as I enjoyed it.

43      Batman #23.4 Bane #1
44      Batman and Robin #23.4 Killer Croc #1
45      Batman/Superman #3.1 Doomsday #1
46      Batman: The Dark Knight #23.4 The Joker’s Daughter #1
47      Detective Comics #23.4 Man-Bat #1

BANE
This is just a setup for Arkham War #1.  No mysteries or origins for Bane revealed here.  Basically it's page after page of Bane killing willing followers. 3D cover is lame too.

KILLER CROC
As far as characters go, Killer Croc is not one I particularly care for.  That being said, I really liked this issue.  Good origin story for Killer Croc and I like the art too.  I love a good revenge story and this is a good one.

DOOMSDAY
Oh cool!  A villain from Krypton still exists!  That NEVER happens.   ::)  I can say that the art in this issue was pretty good and at least the story focused on Kara El, Zor-El, and Alana El.  Overall, I didn't care for this one.  Maybe Jimmy can give a little more insight into this one.

JOKER'S DAUGHTER
A true origin story as this seems to be where Duela becomes Joker's Daughter and the end says we'll see her in Catwoman.  But as I wasn't fond of the writing of the origin however.  I know Ann Nocenti is a famous author but it doesn't seem to be my style.  I'm also not buying that you can find Joker's skin floating in the water and it would still be intact.  Shouldn't it rot away by now?

MAN-BAT
This issue kind of reminded me of the old days when Man-Bat was in Detective Comics back in the 70's.  At least art-wise it did.  Not the best written but I like the story over all.  Bringing back the tragic origin for someone you want to overcome his failings but isn't going to.  Should make future Detective Comics issues interesting.

I still have 5 issues to go and then I'll have read all 52.  Then I can finally start reading my stack of September comics!

Yeah, I'm not even sure what Doomsday is supposed to be or what he represents. This issue just wasn't...enough....

Very well could mean just that, but remember, the FLASH team has now left that title and is heading to DETECTIVE. One of the reasons I added it back to my pull. So just another thing to consider. Is it the Flash you enjoy, is it the team working on the Flash you enjoy or is it Memorex
 :D
(Sorry for the blast from the past)  ;)

I don't pick up my books from my LCS until the week Walking Dead usually ships, so imagine chagrin when I complain to my comic guy that I have a whole bunch of random DC villain books that I didn't order/want in my pull.....

Shows you how much I've been paying attention to the DCU in general.   :-\

In the end, I had my comic guy returned the unwanted books back on the shelf. Not interested in another gimmick event.....I'm burnt out.

He just threw every single title into your pull? What the hell?

I had no idea about the Villains month, so when I expected to have my regular monthlies like Batman, Action Comics, and I forget what else.....I got like 8 books that I didn't care for..... ;D

Just noticed I never posted about the last 5 books.  I should do that.

Ohhh, so not every villains month title. Ha, I was thinking what kind of shop what do that.  ;D Yeah, don't blame him for trying to be cool and hooking you up with all the titles that are associated with the DC books you do get.

Felt the same. Though I liked the payoff in the current event.

Question, was Bobby (the subject) anyone in particular from the old DC?

So ... no ... I guess ... ?
 ;D

I have no idea but assume "No".

Did they even give Bobby a last name? If not, I believe he's just a dead nobody then.