Rapid Reviews are just what the name implies. These are quick first impressions based on, in most cases, a single reading. These are meant to let you know if *I* liked the book, and to advise you whether or not to check it out without completely spoiling the story.
I've added a rating system at the request of some of my readers. * = Not Very Good, ** = Below Average, *** = Average, **** = Darn Good, ***** = The Best.
Reviews for the week of Jun 7th: Astro City #22, Batman: The Gotham Adventures #27, Green Lantern #127, Martian Manhunter #21, Rising Stars #8, and Young Justice #22.
Extras: Rising Stars #1/2 and Reinventing Comics
Astro City #22
A man who is not a super-hero becomes one by luck and a little skill, and learns that it isn't all it's cracked up to be. I enjoyed the supporting cast of this one most of all. This man has friends who really know how to be friends. Another great tale, let's hope the next one comes sooner.
RAPID VERDICT: Wow, the magic is back. ****
Batman: The Gotham Adventures #27
A story that managed to keep me reading and enjoying it right up until the final twist. This was another strong tale from the only Batman book that matters to me.
RAPID VERDICT: Very Cool. ****
Green Lantern #127
What does it say about a book when I like the villains much better than the hero? As I read, I kept hoping that Kyle would leave and we could see more of the interaction between the two bad guys. And the ending left me cold.
RAPID VERDICT: Eh, it's ok. **
Martian Manhunter #21
I don't know if I like or hate the retcons that the DCU is going through in this title. In this case, the retcon involves the Green Lantern Corp and the Martians. I like Abin Sur, but didn't really enjoy his role here. I very much liked the way J'onn came into the fight, though, and his whole attitude about Abin Sur and the Corps.
RAPID VERDICT: Interesting. ***
Rising Stars #8
We're introduced to another special whose power isn't obvious, and the whole situation comes to a horrible climax for the specials. Well, at least for seven of them. For the rest, it's something far more dangerous. This was a page-turner, and the art seemed a little better than usual, even.
RAPID VERDICT: All action, pretty good. ****
Young Justice #22
Multiple stories, this issue came off as an anthology. While there was a lot of humor in the Bart story, for the most part this issue came off as pretty bland. It wasn't bad, just not as good as usual.
RAPID VERDICT: Very odd, funny in places. **
Rising Stars #1/2
This wasn't a bad story. An outsider wants a place among the specials for reasons of his own. But there were a few standard cliches (outsider doesn't see the friendships around him, outsider redeems himself) and for the price of this comic we needed spectacular story instead of cliches. The standard issue that came out this week was far better. One other problem: this story introduces an element that conflicts an earlier issue of Rising Stars. Whether that wrinkle is ever important depends on whether the earlier character is brought back.
RAPID VERDICT: An ok story. ***
Reinventing Comics
One of the reasons this set of capsules is so late is because I literally couldn't put this book down. Every spare moment I had I was reading it, and I was disappointed when I suddenly reached the end. This is really two books, and it's not as strongly unified as Understanding Comics, but it's quite a read nonetheless. The first section covers the current state of comics and the issues that are important. Unfortunately, there weren't a lot of practical solutions offered, but Scott never said he had the answers, only that the debate needs to start. The second section covers the use of computers and the future of on-line comics. His conclusions and opinions differed wildly from my own, so I found that section to be an incredible read. I've already seen some of his efforts on his website, now I've got to visit it again to see them in a different light. All in all, well worth the price and something all fans ought to check out.
RAPID VERDICT: Another Must-Read. ****
See you next week, with rapid reviews of (depending on what ships): JLA Annual, Superman Adventures, Hourman, and Empire.