Thursday, May 23, 2013

From A Canary, to a Puddin'

I present two graphic novel reviews today. Both are from the "New 52" line, but a bit darker than most fans will remember. What type of audience is DC going for? Do tell, but I like where its going.

Birds of Prey Vol 1 – Trouble in Mind (New 52)
2011/2012
Written by Duane Swierczynski
Art by Jesus Saiz

With the aftermath of Darkest Night, and Brightest Day, the Birds of Prey crew has prided itself on protecting their home. Now up against an unknown enemy, Black Canary sends the message out for “heroes for hire”. A new team is assembled, the new crew is:
1) Team leader – Black Canary = After the loss of her husband, Green Arrow, she has lead a life of healing, taking out any adversary that crosses her wing (even if it’s a friend).
2) Batgirl = With her healing factor in check, Babs has regained her strength and stamina to reclaim her title as Batgirl. While still working alongside the “Family of the Cowl”, she also operates with her longtime friend / sister Black Canary
3) Starling = A former op, who now works alongside BC on various intel. Although she has a past no one is quite sure of, she can be trusted and loves clonking bad guys.
4) Katana = A lone swords (uh I mean woman) who lost her husband to the Yakuza. (*and also believes her husband’s soul is embedded within her sword.
5) Poison Ivy = No longer locked up Arkham Asylum, she has been recruited to join the team. In the long run, her powers have been amplified like never before. But one question remains, can anyone trust Ivy?

So that’s a short and sweet summary, but BOP is one badass (shut yo mouth) crew like no other. This new team is a bit more aggressive, smart, sassy and sweet. The writing is clever, yet retains a bit of the “Detective Comics” charm. Each issue actually moves back and forth throughout their mission(s). Even halfway into the book, time has been lost and it’s up to the crew to figure out who or what set them up in the first place.

Overall, this is an awesome restart of the series, and fans of the old series will fall in love all over again.
(*note it is a bit more violent than the past run, so for those who love some bumps and bruises, this one is for you.)


Suicide Squad – Vol 1 Kicked in the Teeth (New 52)
Written by Adam Glass
Art by Dallocchio & Friends
2011/2012

Bad guys assemble! -
So there was this book awhile back where villains were put in some dark situations. Some lived, some died, or turned opposite sides. It became a super whodunit without the good guys. But are all the bad guys truly evil?

In the past, it was pretty garish and harsh for some readers. Oddly enough DC Comics rebooted the series on an evolved level that will scare the pants of new and old fans. And some of the characters do get axed! (think DC is kidding?) (*Just to note, the events in this series, happen right after Batman RIP. If you haven’t read that mini-series before this, stop and go check it out.)

Deadshot, Harley (yes Joker’s puddin’), King Shark, El Diablo (just to name a few). Become a part of the new Task Force X, notorious in missions and getting them done. But with their lives on the line, even some of the team members begin to question whether this gig is worth it. There are no superheroes in this tale, it is all on the villains to pick up the slack with the good guys saving the day elsewhere.

This book is notoriously dark, moody, and sometimes comedic. But when it comes to scenes of brutish aggression, this series does not hold back. (so please don’t drink or eat while reading this book, King Shark is hungry). Plus like the classic run, this title is definitely not for kids to be reading. There are some serious themes, sexual, violent, messy, and lots of ketchup. (putting it lightly)

Each issue covers the team in unique fashions, from truth and consequences, to their boss barking orders. If anyone disobeys, they meet a dismal end (and it doesn’t matter what side they’re on). From a zombie attack: to Harley’s quest to find her puddin’. This book is a series that any fan of the dark side of comics will definitely find worth a read. (plus its being pushed as an ongoing series! Even crossing over!?) Oh yeah, they went there, and taking their readers along for the ride.

*I am so not kidding about the ketchup, you could fill tons of bottles. Just need fries.

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