Deathstroke 1-6

Today, Shelby and Peter are discussing Deathstroke 1-6, originally released September 14th, October 12th, November 9th, December 14th, 2011, and January 11th and February 8th, 2012.

Shelby: I picked up Deathstroke at the recommendation of my local comic shop. I was looking to broaden our pull list with something the guys weren’t reading. Plus, Deathstroke is a virtually unknown character to me; I first encountered him when I read Identity Crisis last year, and I what I learned from that book was the limit of my knowledge of Slade Wilson. He’s classified as a meta-human, with enhanced strength, speed, tactical abilities, and a regenerative ability allowing him to heal faster than your average blogger from nearly all wounds. I have, in previous posts, compared titles to action movies, but I have been forced to take it all back. Deathstroke is the ultimate killing machine; he does so with precision, accuracy, and impunity. It’s almost kind of refreshing; so many superheroes make a point of not killing their enemies, enough so that on the rare occasion when they do, it’s shocking (Wonder Woman, I’m looking at you). There is something really appealing about a character who exists solely to kill others. Moreover, if this character isn’t a villain, isn’t someone I despise, then I think we’re onto something interesting.

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Justice League 6

Today, Shelby and Patrick are discussing Justice League 6, originally released February 29th, 2012.

Shelby: I can appreciate the appeal of tradition. There is something very appealing to me about doing things “the old-fashioned way.” This isn’t to say that I can’t appreciate innovation, either, far from it. I just enjoy the comfort of doing things the way they’ve always been done. To me, this issue of Justice League is definitely a “classic comic book story.” Two parts action, one part cheesy dialogue, it’s precisely what you expect, and sometimes that’s what you want. There’s a fine line, however, between the enjoying the comfort of a classic and being frustrated by the same nonsense you’ve seen again and again. A very, very fine line… Continue reading

Aquaman 6

Today, Shelby and Patrick are discussing Aquaman 6, originally released February 22nd, 2012.

Shelby: You may not know this about me, but every weekend I put together the headers for the Alternating Currents for the following week. Doing so means I take a little sneak peak at the cover art for upcoming issues. Last weekend, as I was working my way through these, I got really, really excited for Aquaman 6. I mean, just look at it! We’ve got fire and water constructs and cars flying around and, front and center, we’ve got Mera herself, looking like all kinds of badass. “This is it!” I thought to myself. “This is that moment I’ve been waiting for since the relaunch! Time for Mera to shine!” Ultimately, I was let down.
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Chat Cave: Relaunching the Multiverse

With the Second Wave of the New 52, DC will reintroduce the Multiverse, the mulitple-earthed solution to continuity issues, with titles like Earth 2 and World’s Finest.What do you think about the Multiverse coming back? The Retcon Punchers sound off. Welcome to the Chat Cave

Shelby: Oh, Multiverse, you confuse me so. Trying to keep track of the Multiverse is, to me, akin to herding cats in a straight line: a mildly amusing, but ultimately impossible endeavor. Honestly, I think the Multiverse is just silly; come on, have you ever read the Wikipedia list of Multiverse worlds? Originally, it was meant to enable cross-overs between Golden and Silver Age comics, and has since been compressed, smoothed out, re-shaped, forgotten, remembered, and now apparently relaunched. It is a sink-hole of continuity issues and alternate realities. Continue reading

Wonder Woman 6


Today, Shelby and Drew are discussing Wonder Woman 6, originally published February 15th, 2012.

Shelby: Let me explain: I have loved Greek mythology since I was just a young lass. I picked up a copy of Jason and the Argonauts from my middle school library many, many years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I think what is most appealing to me about the Greek gods and goddesses is their human failings. They toe the line between being the source of human characteristics, to just being overly emphasized caricatures. They’re silly, stupid, petty, jealous, vain: they fall for the same tricks and make the same mistakes as all us regular folk. In this way, the gods of Greece are the great lessons for what to do and what not to do; their “nobody’s perfect” depiction makes them relatable. Wonder Woman continues in this vein, much to my delight. Continue reading

Green Lantern 6

Today, Shelby and Patrick are discussing Green Lantern 6, originally released February 8th, 2012.

Shelby: I forget how much I like Green Lantern. You wouldn’t think I would be able to forget; I devoured Rebirth and Blackest Night. Green Lantern was my introduction to the wackiness of the DC universe. Without Green Lantern, I probably would not be sitting here writing this post.  Hal’s cocky attitude, his eternally doomed relationship with Carol, his never-ending-struggle with Sinestro, his former mentor and partner: I enjoy it all. While I’ve been enjoying Green Lantern so far with the relaunch, it was this issue that really made me remember just how much I like Green Lantern. Continue reading

Green Lantern Corps 4-5

Today, Shelby and Patrick are discussing Green Lantern Corps 4-5, originally released December 21st, 2011 and  January 11th, 2012.

Shelby: When it comes to comic books, I have a sort of traditional archetype in mind of the “classic comic book.”  You’ve got action action action, a lost battle where someone from our side is captured, a villain monologue that reveals the plan while a rescue is coordinated, and a big final battle. It’s a very aggressive, masculine style of story-telling, and GLC fits into this stereotype perfectly. It could be because we haven’t met any of the awesome lady Lanterns I know to be out there (Soranik Natu, where are  you?), but I think it mostly has to do with Guy Gardner. Oh, Guy; you are the douchebag frat boy that I can’t help but love. Maybe it’s those moments where you see his toughboy act is just that: an act meant to cover up the fact that he’s just a guy (ha!) trying to get by. Continue reading