Forever Evil ARGUS # 2 Spoilers - All of ARGUS' Secret Rooms

I've always been curious how many rooms DC's version of SHIELD has in the New 52 Universe and it gets answered in the most unexpected of places, FOREVER EVIL ARGUS # 2

What's in the issue:

- Deathstroke and his Society goons versus Steve Trevor
- A daring presidential rescue
- Dr. Light is still alive!
- Killer Frost and her longing for Firestorm

and of course, a nice reveal on how many rooms does ARGUS have in their disposal. I like the idea of the President having the only key to all the rooms. And to refresh your memory, we've already seen the Red Room which was where Batman brought Cyborg. There's also the Black Room which we first see in Justice League Dark. Here are the rest of the scans.

(Red Room, Black Room and the Circus)

They also have the Green Room which is a magical panic room for Obama.

Oh and there's one other special room that Steve Trevor likes to keep for himself... The Wonder Room.

It's where some Wonder Woman related stuff gets stored, partly as trophies and partly to remind Steve that once upon a time, he had Diana in his arms.

I want to know more about this. Hopefully DC Comics gets to focus more on this.

FOREVER EVIL: BLIGHT is an 18 Part Epic from DC

DC Comics just announced that they will be pushing the envelope when it comes to new stuff which will tie in to their FOREVER EVIL storyline. To do so, they plan on doing an 18-part crossover entitled FOREVER EVIL: BLIGHT.

The series will revolve around four titles from DC's Dark imprint namely CONSTANTINE, JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK, TRINITY OF SIN: PANDORA and TRINITY OF SIN: PHANTOM STRANGER.

Some of the characters you can expect to find in this story arc includes perennial favorites SWAMP THING and JOHN CONSTANTINE to some of the newer guys like NIGHT NURSE and PHANTOM STRANGER (which I last saw being accepted into heaven during TRINITY WAR).

The crossover will be written by Ray Fawkes and J.M DeMatteis. 

Is Earth 3 Really Part of TRINITY WAR? Spoiler Heavy

I love that there's a whole 'secret' aspect to DC Comics' TRINITY WAR that's more akin to the manga series KATEKYO HITMAN REBORN in terms of the usage of symbols (more on that later). Here are some of the rumors swirling regarding TRINITY WAR which is happening in Justice League, Justice League of America and Justice League Dark.

KATEKYO HITMAN REBORN similarities

In a more recent story arc, the arcobalenos reveal that things in their world are interconnected. The 7 arcobalenos have a connection to the 7 Vongola rings and 7 boxes or Tri-Ni-Set (you really need to check the manga and the anime series, cause it's cool).

In TRINITY WAR we get the same thing. Here's a bullet point rundown:

• DCU Trinity (Superman, Wonder Woman , Batman)
• Trinity of Sin (Pandora, Phantom Stranger, The Question)
• Trinity of Justice (Justice League, Justice League of America, Justice League Dark)
• New trinity teams (Team Superman, Team Wonder Woman, Team Batman)

And they're all interconnected. With some of them being put together by the various characters and the various leagues. Plus on the horizon, there's also a new trinity...

THE TRINITY OF EVIL featuring Ultraman, Superwoman and Owlman (yes, the Earth 3 version of the Trinity) set to be revealed either at the end of TRINITY WAR or the start of FOREVER EVIL. 

From left: Johnny Quick, Power Ring, Superwoman, Ultraman, Owlman

THE OUTSIDER and his Involvement

The OUTSIDER could really be Alfred Pennyworth. And it's not the FLASHPOINT Outsider but rather a name he calls himself despite coming from Earth 3?

According to rumors, this is the reason why the Kryptonite ring was easily stolen inside the very core of the Batcave. Batman is unsure who could do this especially since that room is DNA locked. Assuming "Evil Alfred" got inside the Manor undetected, he could've easily entered Bruce Wayne's secret bunker and steal the K-ring.

Going back to the Crime Syndicate of America or CSA, there's some interesting points raised regarding these guys. For one, there's heavy cycles of rumors suggesting that the CSA's unholy trinity will be appearing in September's FOREVER EVIL.

Earth 3 and the Crime Syndicate of America

Then there's some new information suggesting the following:

*Aside from Madame Xanadu saying that Superman didn't kill Doctor Light, she also says the "Trinity" are already here. And according to the more popular rumor, the Trinity she's referring to are Ultraman, Superwoman, and Owl Man from the Crime Syndicate.

*Pandora assumed Superman would not be corrupted by the Box because he's the strongest of heart, and yet we see that is--that could very well be a clue that the guy we assumed was Superman is not really Superman at all. Moreover, Pandora comments about how she says Superman is more human than she thought; correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Ultraman actually a human named Clark Kent who was genetically altered with Superman's powers?

*It would also explain why Superman violently lashed out against Doctor Light when the latter accidentally blasted Wonder Woman. On Earth-3, Ultraman and Superwoman are husband and wife, so seeing his lady love appearing to be attacked caused "Superman's" real personality to briefly emerge.

*When the Martian Manhunter uses his psychic powers to probe Superman's mind for answers, he instead see a Superman figurine with a message that says "Another trophy for the collection." Since the Watchtower was destroyed, it's very likely this could be referring to the trophy room of the Crime Syndicate.

*Superman is now experiencing coughing fits and looks physically ill. This could be because he's not being exposed to Kryptonite, which is how Ultraman becomes stronger.

*Superman saying how he can "feel" that something has been done to him, which we're supposed to believe is the result of whatever Dr. Psycho did to him. Well of course it is--because Dr. Psycho is likely the guy who used his telepathic powers to make Ultraman believe he's Superman, probably with Ultraman's consent. This also explains why he almost loses control again in this issue and has to tell himself how he's still in control--because his real persona emerges whenever he gets attacked.

*We have Firestorm pointing out how Superman illness is getting worse, suggesting it can't be the result of Dr. Psycho, which, of course, everyone, including the Question, ignores. Again, as long-time DC fans know, Ultraman gets his strength from Kryptonite. Which leads to...

*Firestorm being able to create Kryptonite. This is definitely going to be the Chekov's Gun down the road, I think, in which Superman will probably turn on his new teammates once they face Dr. Psycho and Firestorm creates Kryptonite in order to stop him--only to find out that it heals Superman and makes him stronger, thus revealing his true identity as Ultraman.

Props to stillanerd

So are you onboard now or what?

Justice League # 22 Review

Reviewing Justice League # 22 written by Geoff Johns with art by Ivan Reis with special thanks to Castle Geek and Comicx Hub!

This issue officially begins the new crossover "Trinity War" which pits the three existing Justice League teams against each other (namely the Justice League, Steve Trevor's Justice League of America and John Constantine's Justice League Dark).

I want to say that I loved this first issue but I'm caught between uh-uh to yeah. There's a ton of nice things about this issue but there are some major let downs as well. I loved the art for this book, Ivan Reis is just kicking ass in this book. He definitely shows us why he's the main man for a book/crossover this big. Rod Reis is also showing us that he's a great wingman for his brother's pencils. Loved how everything about JL # 22 ran on thing lines; really fine tuned for this big war.

Johns' writing here is so-so. Nothing really outstanding although I do admit that like Madame Xanadu, I did not see that particular attack coming which gives merits to the DC big boss. Still it rather feels contrived the way things are coming together. This issue also stands as another example of Batman being weird and badly written. Imagine Superman just gets zapped by some magical doohickey and he brings him to a League mission in Kahndaq not knowing what might happen to the Man of Steel when pressed hard; which by the way really happens.

Speaking of Superman. I'm sick and tired of DC turning Superman into a shadow of his former self. The guy was a rock and an absolute. He was a cornerstone, so turning him into a killer (whether premeditated or not) is just awful. In the years to come, when Superman smiles and talks kids into dropping the gun, said kid would probably laugh and shoot hostages. Yes, because Superman is a killer and they do not have to listen to stone cold killers like the Man of Steel. Obviously somebody at DC did not think things through on this end. 

SPOILERS HERE 

Mr. Johns also loves to tease us with things that might be more confusing rather than helpful. Things like the future fate of the mysterious Pandora just left me scratching my head. And while on the subject of Pandora, I feel like the character isn't exactly reader friendly. She's been running around the DCU even after Flashpoint but she's never pulled her weight. I suddenly get this feeling that she'll be fodder again much like the maligned casualty of this war. 

In terms of action, I am completely satisfied with this issue. If I were all for mindless hero versus hero fights this would have been a winner. The number of splash pages featuring fights between the two leagues were numerous and again thanks to the art by Reis, it makes for some great eye candy. 

At the moment, it's too early to predict whether "Trinity War" will be a dud or if it will soar. I'm going to consider all the pitfalls and negativity from this issue as 'birthing pains' and hopefully when Justice League of America # 6 swings into the local comic shops, everything becomes more clear. 

Verdict: 8/10

Justice League # 22 is still available at all Castle Geek branches (The Collective and Glorietta). You can still order JUSTICE LEAGUE # 22 online thru Comicx Hub by clicking HERE

Three Justice League Teams Tangle in Trinity War

Here's some astounding new details regarding DC Comics' next title spanning event 'Trinity War'.

- It's going to be a crossover on three different books (Justice League, JLA and Justice League Dark)
- The main story and plot will be done by Geoff Johns for all three books.
- Pandora is going to fully figure into this 'war' as she tries to right a wrong.
- Still no word on whether The Question will make his appearance here, Phantom Stranger on the other hand is a YES!
- The end of Trinity War will again have huge ramifications for the entire universe (like we've never seen that happen before). 

All in all, I'd say, dammit DC, shut up and take my money already! 
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Justice League Dark # 12 Spoilers - a Slew of Cameos and Appearances

Justice League Dark # 12 was a whooper due to the number of surprise cameos and appearances throughout the book. Plus we also find out more about Dr. Mist and why Zatanna hates John Constantine.

Madame Xanadu's Vision is Creepy in Justice League Dark # 10

DC Comics mystic Madame Xanadu encounters a vision that may or may not happen in the pages of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK # 10.