DCU Comic Book Reviews

WEDNESDAY COMICS #12

September 23rd, 2009

Written by Various

Pencils by Various

Inks by Various

Cover by Various

A Brief Introduction by Binkley (e-mail)

When this weekly series was first introduced, I immediately started to brainstorm how I would review these issues.  There were 15 stories per comic, so it seemed to make some sense to write reviews for each of the 15 stories.  I came up with a variety of different ways to present the text, but ultimately I decided to wait until I actually read the first issue before making a decision.  After reading it, what struck me the most is that a single page of a story is not enough to write a review.  There just isn’t enough to critique the plot, structure, or character.  And then it hit me.  I can provide my impression of the stories, my thoughts and ideas of what struck me as I was reading.  So, that is what you’ll get each week.  However, when the weekly series is done, I will go back and review the entire story, much as I do for a single issue of a comic.     

Impressions by Binkley (e-mail)

This week, Supergirl takes the big spot on the cover, while Kamandi (last week’s big circle) and Hawkman (the rotating circle) move around.  In a 12-week series and 15 titles, that mean 3 did not get the big spot on the cover.  That would be Teen Titans, Demon and Catwoman, and Batman.  If I had thought batman would get the last spot, but I am guessing that being the lead strip each week outweighed being the big circle on the cover.  If that were the case, I am not surprised that Supergirl took the big spot this week. 

This is the final week, so all of the titles naturally had to finish the story.  Some of them actually ended the conflict the previous week, with this week providing the dénouement.  What I found while reading this week’s issue is that a lot of the titles had very awkward final strips, almost as if the writer realized, “hey this is the end,” and made a sudden decision to end it.  There are a number of shifts and jumps in the narrative to rush to the end.  This is most apparent in say Green Lantern in which we say Hal dealing wit the aliens and then suddenly we are back on Earth with Hal and Dillon. 

The plots for both Deadman and Strange Adventures ended earlier; the strips this week are epilogues to close the narrative structure and the overall story.  Both were done very well; I liked out these turned out.  However, my favorite ending is Metal Men.  I didn’t like the way the threat of excessive violence clashed with the comedic antics of the Metal Men, but DiDio managed to wrap it altogether, provide Magnus with a nice sucker punch, and gave the Metal Men a wonderful goodbye. 

I also liked the ending to Supergirl, even if there was a lot to digest.  The first couple of weeks were dialogue free, while this last one is dialogue heavy.  It works mind you and I like the twist at the end, but mostly I felt like it wasn’t in the same spirit as the previous installments, if that makes sense. 

I also like the ending to Metamorpho, especially with the fake adverts for Element Dog and the monthly comic (someday).  What I find interesting is the single panel of the cocoon entity planning revenge.  The only reason to hint at future stories is if you knew there would be future stories.  Based on the initial sales for Wednesday Comics, I don’t think we’ll see another one of these.

I am not sure what to make of Superman wearing tightie-whities.  Usually the red underwear is shaped ore like boxer underwear, but Bermejo drew them more like Speedos.  The big white Daily Planet is a little odd.  I get what they are going for with the newspaper cast in the white background of the building, but with the globe so far above them, it looks as if there was a printing error. 

Again, I have to wonder about Hawkman in which a bunch of guest stars suddenly appear out of nowhere.  I think it robs the ending, taking away from some of Hawkman’s exploits.  Aquaman defeats the T. Rex, Superman defeats the aliens, and Hawkgirl rescues the passengers from the plane crash. 

Teen Titans is a mess.  The story was disjoined and lacked focus.  It never came together.  This week, it took me a few minutes to realize the Titans were using holograms and few minutes more to realize they weren’t using holograms.  Out of all of the strips, this one was easily my least favorite. 

Week in and week out, The Flash had the best layouts and structure.  I love the way Kerschl and Fletcher used the single page.  It didn’t always work smoothly, but there was always something fresh, either in the dual storytelling or the page layout.  This week is no exception with the comic inside a comic. 

I also like the ending to Kamandi, which provides a sense of hope for the last boy on Earth, but still manages to provide some pathos with the death of the girl.  Overall, Kamandi was one of the most consistent titles and one of the best. 

In Batman, the Dark Knight kisses Luna in order to protect his secret identity.  I am not sure what else to say.  The strip worked perfectly to the strengths of Azzarello as he wrote a decent mystery and managed to add a little bit of emotional turmoil for the Dark Knight.  Good stuff. 

On the one hand, I kinda like the ending to Sgt. Rock and the way the old man helped Rock because he might have known who he was related to.  On the other hand, that is a might big coincidence for Rock to run into his Uncle. 

If the rest of the strips in The Demon and Catwoman were like this one, I think I might’ve enjoyed a little bit more.  Selina and Jason are infinitely more interesting that Morgaine and Ertigan. 

And, once again, I didn’t bother to read Wonder Woman.  Yeah, I know.  I stare at it for a few moments and think maybe I should give it a chance, but then my old-man eyes can’t quite make out the lettering and I give up.  Maybe I’ll give it a shot once this is put into a single collection. 

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