Rebirth Wednesday-Week 4

Path of Doom, Part Two (Written by Dan Jurgens with art by Patrick Zircher and Ulises Arreola)

I'm glad that the first thing I look at this week is some delicious Dan Jurgens action. In this issue, Superman and Lex Luthor try to take down Doomsday and save the people it puts in danger, but have difficulty working together. At the same time, Lois and Jonathan watch from home as Lois tries to understand what's happening and stop her son from risking his life, and Mystery Kent is insisting he was never Superman, and that he did what he had to do in order to survive, while also trying to report on what's going on.

Most of this issue is just action, but it is good action. Doomsday definitely seems more intelligent than he did in Death of Superman, and it's made clear just how difficult it is for Superman, let alone Lex, to actually make the beast pause in his rampage, let alone come anywhere close to stopping him. This issue is mostly continuing where the last left off and delivering the fight you expect, ending with Lex near death and Clark wondering what to do. The issue is a fun read, but personally action-heavy issues like this leave me wanting more story or character beats.

Action Comics #958: B+

The Drowning Part One: The End of Fear (Written by Dan Abnett, Drawn by Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessey and Gave Eltaeb)

It's the big day: Arthur Curry's dream for years, the Spindrift Station, an Atlantean Embassy for the surface world, is having it's grand opening. Aquaman has put in every effort possible to ensure that this olive branch from his kingdom to the surface goes off without a hitch. Sadly for the King of the Seas, his archnemesis Black Manta is there to ruin everything, to tear apart Aquaman's dreams, and to destroy everything he loves, all in the name of revenge.

The issue also takes time to establish Lieutenant Joanna Stubbs from the Royal Navy and Sark of the Atlantean Royal Guard. The characters have good chemistry and serve as a good example of how surface and underwater people could possibly learn to interact.

This issue is full of great character work and establishes the scale of the situation perfectly. I especially love what's done with Black Manta at the end, a character who is pretty much entirely defined by his ocean-deep hatred of Aquaman. He has no other goals in life other than breaking and killing him, and is dead serious about that goal. He's a great counterpart for the charming, intelligent, and kind king who is our protagonist. This issue is a great start to the storyline, and it's hard to finish it without wanting more.

Aquaman #1: A

Rise of the Batmen Part 2: Apocalypse Now (Written by James Tynion IV, art by Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreier, and Adriano Lucas)

Training under Batwoman is punishing to the extreme, and Batman refuses to let his new team operate in the field until they're at peak condition. Tim is unsure of his future, Stephanie is trying to be there for her boyfriend, Cassandra is pushing herself farther than anyone else, and Clayface just wants to get an audition. While Batwoman talks to her father about her cousin, Batman is trying to put together who their enemy is when they ambush him, trying to take him captive.

This issue is mostly character building, for basically everyone in the cast. Clayface and Orphan get the least, though I did really like that the main issue with how Cassandra has been fighting is that her desire to protect others is leading her to take on everyone's enemies at the same time, overextending herself. Kate's talk with her dad reveals a little bit of history for her and Bruce's family, and you can empathize with Tim's position, being torn between his comfortable current life and the possibilities unfolding before him. There isn't much to say here except that it's a good issue.

Detective Comics #935: A

Lightning Strikes Twice Part 1: Dues Ex Machina (Written by Joshua Williamson with art by Carmine Di Giandomenico and Ivan Plascencia)

First off, I wanted to point out I have no idea why Captain Cold is on the cover of this issue when he doesn't appear in it. Just noticed that, sorry. I'm a fairly big fan of the Scarlet Speedster, and this issue was...okay.

The issue is the first appearance of August Heart, Central City police officer and friend of Barry Allen. He's partially responsible for Barry getting turned into the Flash and they bond over the fact that the criminal justice system makes mistakes sometimes. When a criminal starts attacking STAR Labs and stealing their stuff, August tries to intervene and gets struck by lightning himself, giving him access to the Speed Force.

The issue focuses mainly on Barry's inability to manage time. With super-speed and a selfless heart to tries to be everywhere at once, to take care of as many things as possible, but this dooms him to failure in cases where he divides his attention. It also causes him to constantly be late to work and social gatherings, as well as straining his attention most of the time. I won't lie, this is somewhat relatible for me, but I still feel like this is a little old-hat for personal Flash drama, and I hope they move through it quickly enough.

In general this issue sets up a somewhat interesting new character and villain group for the book to follow, and starts a storyline that has potential, but as an issue all on it's own it's just okay.

The Flash #1: B

The Lies: Part One (Written by Greg Rucka, Art by Liam Sharp and Laura Martin)

Like Aquaman, Wonder Woman is a character I've always defended and found somewhat interesting, but never read personally. Well, there's no better place to start than with a run by Greg Rucka!

Seeking answers after confronting the lies in her life, Wonder Woman is trekking through an African jungle, trying to find someone who can give her answers she can trust. Meanwhile, Steve Trevor and the rest of his black-ops unit are in the area working against a local warlord, with Etta Candy as his mission control back home. She's picked up footage of Diana in the area, and wants to know if Steve is up to something, but the two haven't spoken to each other in some time.

What's great about this issue is how it works in two different ways. If you already know the basics of Wonder Woman, it gives you a brief and interesting look into her honor and truthfullness in her scenes in the jungle, while also introducing Steve Trevor, Etta Candy, and hinting at the relationships these characters had together in the past.

Beyond that, it's just a treat to read. There's something about a character introducing themselves by saying they'll do something three times, then watch as they slowly and methodically move forward, examine their surroundings, and fulfill that promise. It gives the reader something to hold onto while unveiling the setpiece, and here it works masterfully. Next issue of Wonder Woman will be the beginning of retelling her origins, and I'm happy to see it done, even if I've seen the story told a few times before. Until then, join me next week on Wednesday for the Rebirth of the most well-known Superhero team DC has.

Wonder Woman #1: A

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