My biggest criticism of the revamp of Superman by DC Comics so far is how they are mishandling Superman's invulnerability.
After some eight months, DC has proven it has no idea how it is missing the mark.
First, Darkseid takes out Superman like any ordinary person.
Next, Superman gets a new costume that's supposed to be indestructible and yet he still gets dazed and dizzy by being hit with this and that.
Shouldn't that new fangled costume make him double invulnerable?
Anyway, what happened to magic, kryptonite and red sun as being his only weaknesses?
Instead of being creative with those weakness for the Man of Steel, DC is not paying attention to detail and legacy.
Superman gets stunned more than any Justice League member.
So much for invulnerability!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
New Smallville Comic: Three Stars!
DC's new "Smallville" comic is quite good and I'd rate it three out of four stars.
It is intended to pick up six months after the final season of Smallville WB TV show ended a year ago.
It captures the flavor of the characters well and unlike that limited Smallville comic did during the TV show's early years, this one has great artwork and storylines.
It's sad whenever a TV show ends, and yet here's a good way to keep the imagination of Smallville alive.
DC has now unveiled a new "Earth Two" saga and line of characters. This is a new spin on and old idea and is also turning out worth a read.
It is intended to pick up six months after the final season of Smallville WB TV show ended a year ago.
It captures the flavor of the characters well and unlike that limited Smallville comic did during the TV show's early years, this one has great artwork and storylines.
It's sad whenever a TV show ends, and yet here's a good way to keep the imagination of Smallville alive.
DC has now unveiled a new "Earth Two" saga and line of characters. This is a new spin on and old idea and is also turning out worth a read.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Update on New 52: Justice League
I just read Justice League No. 6 in the new DC "52" revamp.
The first five issues seemed OK on this story of he first confrontation with Darkseid, but the final one, issue 6, was rather disappointing.
In the old DC world, Darkseid would never take on the entire League himself, nor would so easily soil himself with personal combat.
Superman is represented as weak, a super being who still uses just one of his powers at a time against very powerful opponents.
It was kind of refreshing that Darkseid is after his "daughter" this time, instead of the "Anti-life equation," that was so overused in some past DC comics.
But it was plain silly that Darkseid was beaten back only because all the Mother Box computers, capable to creating portals to Darkseid's world, were destroyed.
(With Darkseid's resources, it would take but a short time to create new ones and return to Earth.)
No, DC, this ending was poor and shows little imagination.
You can and should do better.
The first five issues seemed OK on this story of he first confrontation with Darkseid, but the final one, issue 6, was rather disappointing.
In the old DC world, Darkseid would never take on the entire League himself, nor would so easily soil himself with personal combat.
Superman is represented as weak, a super being who still uses just one of his powers at a time against very powerful opponents.
It was kind of refreshing that Darkseid is after his "daughter" this time, instead of the "Anti-life equation," that was so overused in some past DC comics.
But it was plain silly that Darkseid was beaten back only because all the Mother Box computers, capable to creating portals to Darkseid's world, were destroyed.
(With Darkseid's resources, it would take but a short time to create new ones and return to Earth.)
No, DC, this ending was poor and shows little imagination.
You can and should do better.
"Doom" Review: C+ Video
DC Comics just didn't measure up on their latest animated feature, "Doom."
There was just no spark to this story, rather lackluster.
Vandal Savage seemed disappointing as a super-villain and Batman himself appeared more of a villain.
And once again, does Superman have super-speed or not? He gets shot with a kryptonite bullet, as easily as anyone.
Flash would move out of the way. Why doesn't Superman too, when he has super-vision to help know when to suspect a trap?
And, why do most animated features never show the "S" symbol on the back of Superman's cape?
I wish I never would have bought this video, because it will not be calling to me to watch it ever, for a second time.
Not since "Justice League New Frontier," has DC came up with so below average an animated film.
There was just no spark to this story, rather lackluster.
Vandal Savage seemed disappointing as a super-villain and Batman himself appeared more of a villain.
And once again, does Superman have super-speed or not? He gets shot with a kryptonite bullet, as easily as anyone.
Flash would move out of the way. Why doesn't Superman too, when he has super-vision to help know when to suspect a trap?
And, why do most animated features never show the "S" symbol on the back of Superman's cape?
I wish I never would have bought this video, because it will not be calling to me to watch it ever, for a second time.
Not since "Justice League New Frontier," has DC came up with so below average an animated film.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Superman's 'New" Origin Story: Superb!
DC Comic's new "52" revamp includes a retelling of Superman's origin from Krypton in the latest Action Comics, No. 5 and I've got to admit DC payed incredible attention to a lot of gaps in the previous origin tales.
For example (spoilers ahead!):
-Why didn't Superman's parents just enter the Phantom Zone, instead of dying when Krypton exploded? They answer that the Zone's villains made that an impossible option.
-Where does Krypto the dog fit in? He entered the Phantom Zone before it shattered, trying to protect his family.
-Why did Kal-El's rocket ship crash on Earth, instead of land? It malfunctioned, hence the crash.
-Why didn't government authorities detect the rocket ship's crash? They did in the new 52 tale and the Kents scramble to cover up what they can.
-What powered the rocket ship? A Kryptronite engine. (And that is stolen and hence a new Superman tale coming up.)
ALL in ALL, this is an intriguing retelling of the Superman origin and best of all -- the Legion of Super-Heroes are shown as working with Superman to find the stolen engine.
"When Superman Learned to Fly" is the title of the next Action issue, No. 6.
Action comics is living up to its legend again. This is great stuff ... Marvel get out of the way ... the magic may be coming back to DC's flagship character.
For example (spoilers ahead!):
-Why didn't Superman's parents just enter the Phantom Zone, instead of dying when Krypton exploded? They answer that the Zone's villains made that an impossible option.
-Where does Krypto the dog fit in? He entered the Phantom Zone before it shattered, trying to protect his family.
-Why did Kal-El's rocket ship crash on Earth, instead of land? It malfunctioned, hence the crash.
-Why didn't government authorities detect the rocket ship's crash? They did in the new 52 tale and the Kents scramble to cover up what they can.
-What powered the rocket ship? A Kryptronite engine. (And that is stolen and hence a new Superman tale coming up.)
ALL in ALL, this is an intriguing retelling of the Superman origin and best of all -- the Legion of Super-Heroes are shown as working with Superman to find the stolen engine.
"When Superman Learned to Fly" is the title of the next Action issue, No. 6.
Action comics is living up to its legend again. This is great stuff ... Marvel get out of the way ... the magic may be coming back to DC's flagship character.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
DC -- "The New 52" Update
OK,it has been a few months now since DC Comic's "New 52" or entire reinvention of all its characters began. How well is DC doing?
I'd give them a B grade, at least in how Superman and related characters have been handled so far.
Superman Comics themselves rate an A-
It is only how DC has mishandled Supergirl. Superboy and the villians that drags down the quality.
I like that DC has two different timelines going, in Action and Superman comics. One is present day and the other shows how he was some years ago, when his debut was relatively new.
It is great that DC would have Darkseid as the first real villain that the Justice League faces together. There's nothing like starting with the best villain of all.
Superman's new costume is OK too, but the villains in the Man of Steel's own comics so far have been simply lame and unimaginative.
I still don't care for Cyborg in the JLA either. He's the odd duck, even more so than Aquaman.
Looking back, DC really had no choice redoing everything, as the magic in all its heroes was gone. They've gotten some of the spark back, but other than concentrating so much on just the heroes, they do need to spend more time planning out craftier villains, because except for Darkseid opposing the Justice League, most of the rest have been dismal.
Great heroes shine best when they face great villains; and with the one exception, DC has yet to realize that.
--In other DC scrutiny, I do like the Legion of Super-Heroes and Star Trek crossover.
It's good stuff and who ever would have thought that Spock and Brainiac Five would ever meet, let alone work together!
I'm still hoping for a Superman and Star Wars kind of crossover someday, but I'd settle for a Superman and Star Trek tale at the least.
--Regarding DC's continuing "Elseworld" stories, I still strongly want to see "Secret Identity" made into a DC animated movie. It would be great and a few new twists of the plot could be made to keep it fresh.
I'd give them a B grade, at least in how Superman and related characters have been handled so far.
Superman Comics themselves rate an A-
It is only how DC has mishandled Supergirl. Superboy and the villians that drags down the quality.
I like that DC has two different timelines going, in Action and Superman comics. One is present day and the other shows how he was some years ago, when his debut was relatively new.
It is great that DC would have Darkseid as the first real villain that the Justice League faces together. There's nothing like starting with the best villain of all.
Superman's new costume is OK too, but the villains in the Man of Steel's own comics so far have been simply lame and unimaginative.
I still don't care for Cyborg in the JLA either. He's the odd duck, even more so than Aquaman.
Looking back, DC really had no choice redoing everything, as the magic in all its heroes was gone. They've gotten some of the spark back, but other than concentrating so much on just the heroes, they do need to spend more time planning out craftier villains, because except for Darkseid opposing the Justice League, most of the rest have been dismal.
Great heroes shine best when they face great villains; and with the one exception, DC has yet to realize that.
--In other DC scrutiny, I do like the Legion of Super-Heroes and Star Trek crossover.
It's good stuff and who ever would have thought that Spock and Brainiac Five would ever meet, let alone work together!
I'm still hoping for a Superman and Star Wars kind of crossover someday, but I'd settle for a Superman and Star Trek tale at the least.
--Regarding DC's continuing "Elseworld" stories, I still strongly want to see "Secret Identity" made into a DC animated movie. It would be great and a few new twists of the plot could be made to keep it fresh.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Super-Supergirl?
In the new Supergirl No. 2 comic, Supergirl seems to be shown as being stronger than Superman.
No explanation was given for that.
This scenario has been tried before, the last time Supergirl rebooted. Even then, no real explanation was given.
I just don't care for a slim Supergirl being stronger than a much heavier, taller and muscular Superman, so DC had better make this only a temporary situation.
IT's OK for the new Supergirl to have an attitude, but not greater powers.
UPDATE: Even at Comic Con 2012, there were references to Supergirl's superior super abilities..
No explanation was given for that.
This scenario has been tried before, the last time Supergirl rebooted. Even then, no real explanation was given.
I just don't care for a slim Supergirl being stronger than a much heavier, taller and muscular Superman, so DC had better make this only a temporary situation.
IT's OK for the new Supergirl to have an attitude, but not greater powers.
UPDATE: Even at Comic Con 2012, there were references to Supergirl's superior super abilities..
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