It’s a DC Comics takeover today as we get closer to the Rebirth event and a new Batman on screen. We start off with a new creative team on Grayson before Rebirth, more Gotham sidekick action with We Are Robin and Teen Titans (guest starring Wonder Woman). Over in Secret Six, Strix is faced with dilemmas from the League of Assassins.
Are you ready for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice? Be sure to check back Friday morning for the Forces of Geek review when it is posted!
Grayson #18
Writers: Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly
Artist: Roge Antonio
Publisher: DC Comics
Pub. Date: March 23, 2016
UPC: 76194132185101811
PRICE: $3.99
BUY IT HERE
Things are really heating up for Dick and Spyral this issue, but Grayson aka Agent 37 isn’t really at the center of all the action.
With Lanzing and Kelly (Batman and Robin Eternal) jumping on as writers to wrap up this arc, where a lot of threads were just sort of hanging there, we start the issue in the middle of the action at the St. Hadrian’s school for wayward spy girls.
With guest appearances from Bronze Tiger, Grifter and Midnighter, Dick leads a team against Leviathan.
Helena is seriously injured in the melee, but at the end we have Agent Zero and her sister vying for the top of the stack as someone from their past makes a surprise appearance.
This is most certainly not a jumping on point for readers, perhaps not many people out there are even aware that Dick is a spy now, but no matter. With Rebirth, Nightwing returns and we can turn our back on this now overly complicated spy story.
I sure wish Seeley wrapped this arc up, though because this issue is a bit confusing, and I have been reading this book since the beginning!
We Are Robin #12
Writer: Lee Bermejo
Art: Coro Jorge
Publisher: DC Comics
Pub. Date: March 23, 2016
UPC: 76194133116401211
Price: $3.99
BUY IT HERE
The Robins get the band back together in this action packed issue after Smiley and the Jokers open fire at an open mic comedy night!
The extremely talented Lee Bermejo (Joker, Luthor) deploys one of my least favorite/overused writing devices, the text message/chat bubbles between teammates, complete with misspellings. I suppose it is inevitable, and not the fault of the author.
See DKIII for some of the worst examples of this.
Regardless, the story is decent here and fun to follow along, this is my first crack at the Scooby gang in the We Are Robin title. When all is said and done, I’ll check out the collection, after just enjoying Bermejo’s volumes of Luthor and Joker.
Bermejo’s Joker gang leader Smiley in We Are Robin challenges the idea of Gordon taking on the bat-mantle and the silly idea that a small militia is taking on the role of Batman’s sidekick and he has a great point. This issue ends on a cliffhanger that will have me tuning in for more as the Robins take on The Jokers in a final round.
Teen Titans #18
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Ian Churchill
Publisher: DC Comics
Pub. Date: March 23, 2016
UPC: 76194132186801811
Price: $3.99
BUY IT HERE
Picking up after last issue’s reveals of Wonder Girl’s past is the second part of Who is Wonder Girl? It is no secret to readers of this column that Greg Pak is one of our favorite writers, tackling everyone from World War Hulk to Batman/Superman other Justice League team up book Superman/Wonder Woman, Pak sure knows his way around superheroes!
As Wonder Woman reveals some of the story to Red Robin Tim Drake, the rest of the Titans Power Girl, Raven, Bunker Beast Boy and Wonder Girl are transported to Southern Greece by way of Cassandra and her Hyena Men.
At the Temple of Apollo, Wonder Girl reveals her own secret, her body armor to tackle a big snake beast!
Great action in this Teen Titans issue, and we learn more about how Wonder Girl and Wonder Woman are bonded! This issue is rated certified fun as the Secret Origin of Wonder Girl is revealed!
Secret Six #12
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Dale Eaglesham
Publisher: DC Comics
Pub. Date: March 23, 2016
UPC: 76194132507101211
PRICE: $3.99
BUY IT HERE
Simone and Eaglesham’s Secret Six trends as the ‘best DC book you aren’t reading’ and has been since its inception.
It’s no Justice League nor is it Suicide Squad, these team members are way out on the fringe of the DCU. Or DC You, Or New 52. I’m losing track here people!
Familiar baddies League of Assassins led by Lady Shiva are after former Talon (Batman: Court of Owls) the mute Strix for recruitment. Luckily, Batgirl (of Burnside) and Catman are there to help dissuade her from that…but when it comes time to choose will she make the right choice?
Secret Six has an always will be about character development for C and D list characters you didn’t think you cared about until you get to know them. Special guests in this issue includes the (long awaited?) return of Elongated Man!
Simone is one of the best writers working today (see her Leaving Megalopolis books as well as her long run on Batgirl to see what I’m talking about). Dale Eaglesham (Villains United, Punisher, JSA) has that classic style of cartooning that DC is known for. Be sure to catch up on these baddies and the rest of the Secret Six volumes if you love rooting for the bad guys and underdogs.
These volumes are instant classics.
