FOREVER EVIL: ROGUES REBELLION # 1 Review

Quick review for DC Comics' FOREVER EVIL: ROGUES REBELLION # 1 by Brian Buccellato, Patrick Zircher and Scott Hepburn.

There's a nice premise hidden in this little gem of a book. Never mind that it's the New 52 version of the Flash's Rogues, there's still some hardcore Rogues action here in the book written by Flash-man Brian Buccellato together with switching art team of Patrick Zircher and Scott Hepburn.

Captain Cold returns to Central City to find it in ruins in the wake of the events of the Gorilla Grodd issue of Flash for 'Villains Month'. Snart together with his gang of miscreants venture towards the hospital in the hopes of checking on Snart's sister and then more bad guys arrive and a fight ensues. The issue also ends with a hook with the Rogues having the need to deal with these guys from the Crime Syndicate.

Story and dialogue seems serviceable enough thanks to the plotting of Buccellato. I'm good with that but the art for this issue is what's truly polarizing. When you pop open the page, you see this gorgeous recreation of that infamous scene from FOREVER EVIL with the Crime Syndicate handing important trophies from the fallen Justice League teams. Zircher's work is always top notch. This guy's been on my radar ever since I saw his interior art for "Secret Avengers" years back.

A couple pages later and I'm kind of dissuaded due to the really cartoony artwork provide by Hepburn. It's nice and cutesy but it fails in the sense that you've been handed something from Zircher and the art styles suddenly change. It's confusing and a bit sad.

hey and look, they even brought in Plastique which was last scene in TRINITY WAR Chapter 1.

While FOREVER EVIL: ROGUES REBELLION # 1 might have flaws, I was still entertained by this. Hopefully the succeeding issues really shine as opposed to just glowing, which this issue did.

VERDICT: C

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. 

FOREVER EVIL # 1 Preview

And now sharing the preview for FOREVER EVIL # 1 by Geoff Johns and David Finch

i like that this is going to be the story of the bad guys joining up and becoming a cohesive fighting unit in the absence of the three Justice League teams. One question though, what happens to the other non-JL/JLA/JLD heroes? Where's STORMWATCH while this is all happening?

Maybe we'll find out next week. Oh and the art is stil "meh".

JUSTICE LEAGUE # 23 Spoilers

SPOILERS UP for JUSTICE LEAGUE # 23 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis and Joe Prado

I was wrong. So wrong in subscribing to the theory that SUPERMAN was replaced. Anyway I loved the latest issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE as it's the final leg of TRINITY WAR and the major reveal of who's really responsible for all this commotion.


10. Heroic Pandemonium

With the exception of Batman and Constantine, looks like the corrupting influence of Pandora's Box has seeped into the heads of the members of the three Justice League teams and it's giving us page after page of awesome fights. One of the best was when a really weakened Superman threatens to kill Batman after thinking that Wonder Woman will go for the Dark Knight if ever he dies. I'm also citing this as the number 1 silliest thing from the entire TRINITY WAR crossover.

9. ATOM revealed as TRAITOR

Wait, hold up, we already know that the female ATOM is the traitor right? Well the answer is partly yes and partly no. Yes she's a traitor and a mole but not for either the Justice League or the Justice League of America. She's been working undercover for The Crime Syndicate.

Meet GRID

It's next to impossible to take down Cyborg except if you separate his tech half from his human half; something that Atom (really Earth 3's ATOMIKA) exploited the moment she reveals GRID, a virus that's been inside Vic Stone for years now.

The Butler Did It

Yes, apparently the reason why the ring was easily stolen inside the Batcave was because it was the evil version of Alfred Pennyworth that did it together with Atomika.

Owlman (Thomas Wayne) and evil Alfred Pennyworth

Putting a Sliver of Kryptonite

That's easily one of the easiest thing you could do to take down Superman. And because of Atom's kryptonite to the brain trick, the Heat Vision surged which also cost them the life of Dr. Light.

A Dead Aquaman

Bad ass as he may be, he's actually dead already.

Imagine my surprise when we first see the Earth 3 version of Aquaman emerge from the portal that came from Pandora's Box

The Mystery Man

Who could this mystery man?? Why is he so important that the Syndicate needs to bring him/her along. Clues, probably are in FOREVER EVIL.

THE CRIME SYNDICATE!

Our first look at the CRIME SYNDICATE of EARTH 3. Nuff said.

Damn! Now we move on to FOREVER EVIL! 

The JLA Moves Operations to Canada and Renames Team as JUSTICE LEAGUE OF CANADA

DC COMICS' premiere superteam the JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA will be recuperating from the events of TRINITY WAR and FOREVER EVIL in the Great White North aka Canada and will also be going through a name change and a new writer by 2014.

According to the news, most of the team from the current roster will be there with a couple of new local flavor. Oh and the book will no longer be written by Geoff Johns as current Justice League Dark writer Jeff Lemire will also do the scripts. 

I'm seriously OK with transplanting the team to Canada but I just couldn't help but laugh at the idea of the JLA rebranding and renaming themselves the JUSTICE LEAGUE OF CANADA. That's just plain stupid. And I do not mean to offend or insult Canadians or Lemire; rather I intend to insult DC for even thinking about going through with this or even  having an inception of this notion.

But it does get interesting in the sense that why is this team moving from the US to Canada after the events of FOREVER EVIL??? Does something sinister befall on one of their members? Also got any news with the real JUSTICE LEAGUE? 

Yes, things are definitely going loco for DC Comics. 

DC Collectibles Teases Forever Evil Stars CSA

A few days after Geoff Johns revealed that Ultraman and the rest of the CSA or Crime Syndicate of America will be the main antagonists for September's FOREVER EVIL, we're now seeing a teaser for DC Collectibles' upcoming wave of CSA action figures.

Source

DC Confirms Crime Syndicate Involvement in FOREVER EVIL and TRINITY WAR

The rumors were true. The Crime Syndicate will be the main opponents for Geoff John's "FOREVER EVIL" as well as key figures in the ongoing TRINITY WAR.

You can check out the interview IGN posted with series writer Geoff Johns to learn more about this new development. Also one other interesting bit here is the addition of a new member for the CSA (Crime Syndicate of Amerika) in the form of DEATHSTORM which is that reality's version of the heroic FIRESTORM.

Check out the entire teaser below:



So maybe they really did replace Superman... Interesting. Very interesting.

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK # 22 Review

Reviewing JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK # 22 (Trinity War Part 3) from DC Comics written by Jeff Lemire with art by Mikel Janin. It's brought to us by Comicx Hub and Castle Geek

By far this is the part of TRINITY WAR that's fast paced as Sonic the Hedgehog on speed. It's also a looker in terms of art and certainly worthy of being lined up as the third act of the long teased DC crossover.

What made it such a great book:

The posturing was to die for here. There's Team Batman who are basically Phantom Stranger's team, team Wonder Woman (with Aquaman no less) hunting down Pandora and the box and then there's The Question who escaped ARGUS with the rest of Team Superman.

- The art was just WOW. Again, if I didn't read the title/ cover, I would've thought that this was another issue of Justice League. Janin did an amazing job in this issue. Just check out those big team moments such as the formation of Team Superman and the eventual creation of Team Batman and Team Wonder Woman. 

- Lemire crafted a well-thought of script (surprisingly). My only gripe is the fact that it's too short to build character but that's forgiveable since he's playing with a really huge cast. Much props to the writer for still casting an air of mystique on "The Outsider".

- Trinity War is definitely kicking into full gear with this issue. This third issue sold me on to this and despite all the bad shit DC might have been getting from each book, I think this is a really well thought of crossover.  It might be hard to figure out which JL/JLA/JLD member would but I'll give it more time and a few more reads to really remember where each character belongs or sided with.

VERDICT: 9/10

Get your copies of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK # 22 from Castle Geek and Comicx Hub (click HERE to order)

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA # 6 Review

Review for last week's JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA # 6 by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke.

Picking up where we left them off in Justice League # 22, we find the two leagues knee deep in fighting after what Superman did to poor Dr. Light. The fight continues till Superman determines that he's had enough, thereby surrendering to the JLA while his teammates are shocked and confused. Things escalate while Wonder Woman is away in search of John Constantine and the rest of the Justice League Dark. Plus The Question finally makes contact with one of the League's trinity. 

I've always applauded the premise behind JLA about a ragtag group coming together for Uncle Sam while aspiring towards the greatness that the Justice League has already achieved. Since it connected with Justice League for the ongoing TRINITY WAR, it gets twice the applause that I usually give it credit. And why not, it's got all the things you'll look for in a good book. 

There's a lot of great character and story moments here. Plus it's dropping bombs left and right when it comes to what's going to happen next. Issue 6 also allows us to get inside the heads of some of the other characters and members of each league such as the female Atom and how she is slowly breaking down due to the pressure of being part of two Justice League teams (she's basically the Amanda Waller's mole inside the JL). 

You may or may not like it but there's also a small part where Wonder Woman takes the center stage. She's written as a warrior AND a woman not wanting to see her lover suffering; this of course leads her right into the Society's plan. There's also the BROMANCE between Superman and Batman here as we even see Bats hanging around Superman's cell and looking out for his friend. I'm sure the yaoi/ fanfic loving female populace would be screaming with fangirl glee... maybe.

The payoff to this issue is good as we get a peak into what's driving The Question. Of course we're never treated to an origin but we certain read why he's compelled to do what he does. All those panels with The Question was EPIC I tell you.

Verdict: 9/10

Justice League of America # 6 is still available at Castle Geek and Comicx Hub (order your copy HERE). 

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

Justice League # 22 - Who Dies? What Starts Trinity War

Spoilers before my official review for Justice League # 22 (which is part one of Trinity War).

Superman and Wonder Woman square off against Shazam... in Kahndaq no less...

The Justice League makes an appearance and tries to get Shazam (Billy Batson) to leave with them...

Then the Justice League of America makes an appearance as well.

It's during this encounter between the two teams that Dr. Light's powers decides to go haywire (which was allegedly caused by being near Superman, who is a living, breathing solar battery).

Check back in a bit for my official review of Justice League # 22 from DC Comics.