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Giant Size Graphic Breakdown: “Deathstroke Stands Tall as THE BEST BOOK of the DC Rebirth” Plus More Rebirth Reviews!

Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

The cold winter months are upon us! Let’s talk comic books, shall we?

 

Deathstroke #8

Written by Christopher Priest
Breakdowns by Larry Hama
Illustrated by Carlo Pagulayan
Published by DC Comics

Holy crap! This was awesome! Deathstroke fights Superman in this issue and it’s an amazing, funny, action packed issue from start to finish. This was so well done and smart.

Deathstroke stands tall as THE BEST BOOK of the DC Rebirth.

Christopher Priest is a great writer and here he shines even more than usual. Just from start to finish, I was grinning ear to ear.

The fourth page after the big splash page was one of the smartest bits of dialogue I’ve seen in years. So good!

The pace is so good too that you dive in and Priest keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout.

The art is something to behold too. Hama on breakdowns has been great and adds a great pace. Pagulayan is awesome as well and he has proven himself even more with each passing issue on this series.

The cover is pretty awesome as well. The whole thing is. I’m raving about this book. I should though. It’s just plain fantastic.

RATING: A

 

The Flash #12

Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Davide Gianfelice
Published by DC Comics

The cover on this issue was pretty damn awesome. I only start off with that because the rest of the art was pretty flat and uninspiring. Thankfully, this is the last issue that we have to put up with it. But man, it’s dull.

The story is a little better in this issue then it’s been. Still, it’s not completely up to par with the first six issues.

Time is running out for The Flash and Kid Flash as they race to help the Shade regain control of the Shadowlands, the dimension of pure darkness from which the Shade draws his terrible power, before it reaches our world and consumes the light forever.

Like I said it was a little more thrilling storywise. But not up to the first few issues. Williamson does what he can but it doesn’t amount to much. Carmine di Giandomenico returns next issue. I’m looking forward to it.

RATING: C

 

Suicide Squad #8

Written by Rob Williams
Illustrated by Jim Lee and Giuseppe Camuncoli
Published by DC Comics

The biggest disappointment of the year for me was the Suicide Squad. I loved the original comics. I loved the reboot from a few years back. The movie was announced and it looked promising.

And then, the film came out.

And it was just…okay. But I was okay with it.

The comic book then came out…and that was the bigger disappointment for me. I was so hopeful and it’s hard to like.

Harley Quinn goes sane!

The prisoners and staff of Belle Reve Penitentiary have succumbed to the devastating effects of General Zod’s Black Vault, rendering them all insane.

But it has the opposite effect on Harley, who must fight her way through a crazed Suicide Squad—with the help of the Enchantress—to stop Zod from waking and conquering the world. No pressure, right? And in a bonus backup story, learn how super-villains are conscripted into the Suicide Squad!

The unlucky Killer Frost is about to find out when she arrives for her first day at Belle Reve.

Rob Williams doesn’t do much on the writing department here. It’s overstuffed and overwrought. Likewise, the art is lackluster. I wish I could say it has passion, but it doesn’t.

Hopefully the upcoming Suicide Squad vs The Justice League crossover will correct this book. Because right now it’s just not working.

RATING: C

 

Detective Comics #946

Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Eddy Barrows
Published by DC Comics

Eddy Barrows is back drawing this book on this issue and all is right with the world. I love his work and it’s full of skill and passion. I jumped for joy here. The story is pretty good too.

The storyline here, “The Victim Syndicate,” is pretty darn good.

In it The Victim Syndicate is taking their message to the streets in an attempt to turn the citizens of Gotham City against Batman and his allies!

They can fight villains, but what happens when the whole city turns against them?

Tynion does better in each issue in the writing department. I’m liking it.

This is a very enjoyable storyline, and I’m happy this team is back together. They are really great together. The Tim Drake developments are awesome…and it actually references Rebirth. Which we need more of. Good book overall.

RATING: B+

 

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #5
Written by Julie and Shawna Benson
Illustrated by Roge Antonio
Published by DC Comics

This certainly isn’t a bad title. It does come across as “lightweight DC fare” but that’s ok. The characters are likable and the art isn’t half bad. I just wish it had a tad more “oomph” to it all.

“Who is Oracle?” Has been the story these past five issues.

In this issue, The new Oracle has led the Birds of Prey all around Gotham City, forcing them to deal with the worst of what the city has to offer. Now Batgirl, Black Canary and Huntress will learn the reason when this impostor’s secrets are revealed!

But Oracle isn’t the only one with a secret past…where did the mysterious Fenice come from, anyway?

The identity of Fenice is revealed at the end of the issue and it was kind of a shrug for me. The writing is decent enough however. The art by Antonio is decent too…although he is getting better I’ve noticed. Overall, not a bad book to read and then forget about an hour later.

RATING: B-

 

Clean Room #14

Written by Gail Simone
Illustrated by Walter Geovani
Published by DC Comics

I have to confess I have never heard of this title. So imagine my surprise when I find out it’s fourteen issues in and written by the always reliable Gail Simone?

I figured I would dive into the latest issue and see if I could figure it out. I’m not sure I did but I was entertained enough to keep on reading.

After an act of apparent sabotage, Killian and Chloe find themselves trapped inside the memories of a vicious serial killer, where the entire world is a victim. Meanwhile, is Astrid’s seemingly innocent niece the final omen before the end of all humanity?

The story is well done as is always with Simone. The art is really good too…enough to make me go and order the first 13 issues immediately. I want to see where it goes and where it’s been. Until then…

RATING: B+

 

Red Hood and the Outlaws #5

Written by Scott Lobdell
Illustrated by Dexter Soy
Published by DC Comics

I rather like this book. It’s good Lobdell is writing…I always enjoy him. He comes up with these nutty stories that keep getting nuttier.

And hey, that’s okay by me. He also knows how to write action and keep things moving.

It’s part five of the “Dark Trinity” storyline!
Red Hood and Artemis team up against a rampaging Bizarro—and it’s a race against the clock to save him—and the city—from Black Mask’s mind-controlling techno-organic virus!

Read the synopsis. It even sound ms nutty. But it’s very well done. Dexter Soy also does a spot on job on the art.

These have been fun comics through and through. Keep it going! Good job to both Lobdell and Soy!

RATING: B+

 

The Lost Boys # 3

Written by Tim Seeley
Illustrated by Scott Godlewski
Published by DC Comics

I wish this series was a bit better. It’s fun seeing some old characters in a new light. Still, it kind of drags and the whole thing feels rather unimportant. Maybe that’s because it is?

It’s getting to be so a guy can’t go out on a Friday night in Santa Carla without somebody trying to sink their teeth into his neck! The Blood Belles are wreaking havoc across town.

The Frog Brothers are missing, Star has run away, and Sam and Michael are one step ahead of having their blood drained.

Only the mysterious vamp hunter known as the Believer can help them now!

The writing is okay and the art is fairly good. Maybe I’ll read this all together when it’s collected but as for right now it lacks (here it comes!) bite.

RATING: C

 

And the rest…


Earth 2 Society #19
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Bruce Redondo
Published by DC Comics
This is one of those books that really isn’t half bad. The characters make it work and keep you reading on this. The writing too is capable and the art is okay. If you like these characters? Give it a shot.
RATING: B

Gotham Academy Second Semester #4
Written by Brenden Fletcher
Illustrated by Jon Lam
Published by DC Comics
I normally hate the “animated look” a lot of these comics these days are using. But Jon Lam does a fine job on art here and the story is compelling. I liked it! MUCH better than the previous issues.
RATING: B+

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #10
Written by Robert Venditti
Illustrated by Ed Benes
Published by DC Comics.
Another book that was better than the previous issues. While the story is still dull, Ed Benes does a great art job here. I enjoyed it enough not to throw it away.
RATING: C+

 

New Superman #6
Written by Gene Yuen Lang
Illustrated by Viktor Bogdanovic
Published by DC Comics
This was a lot of fun. I am not a huge fan of this book. That being said, it moves fast, and was okay. I enjoyed it very much. The writing is decent and the art really moved on this book. Definitely better.
RATING: B

Red Thorn #13
Written by David Baillie
Illustrated by Meghan Hetrick and Ryan Kelly
Published by DC Comics
I have never really read this book before. But it’s totally not something I would ever read. This is the last issue so I’m not sure I’ll ever read it! Maybe better marketing would have helped it…but I had no idea what I was reading.
RATING: C-

Scooby: Apocalypse #8
Written by Keith Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Illustrated by Dale Eaglesham and Ron Wagner
Published by DC Comics
I can’t stand this book. But I have to give the creative teams props. At least they are sticking with it. It’s fairly unreadable sure. But hey, they haven’t given up. So I’ll give t a slightly higher grade.
RATING: D

Scooby-Doo: Where Are You? #76
Written by Sholly Fisch
Illustrated by Scott Jeralds
Published by DC Comics
I love Sholly Fisch’s writing. It’s fun, and it doesn’t have any irony to it. This is fun for kids and even adults. Not going to change the world, but solid just the same.

RATING: B

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