DC Power 2024

After spending the last two weeks burning my way through She-Hulk, I've ended up collecting a healthy (or not healthy depending on your point of view) backlog of my pull list comics.

So, this week I decided to dedicate my reading towards that pull list.

Until I discovered that DC had released a couple of anthology collections during February so far.

DC Power 2024 is the first of those, focusing on the a selection of African-American (or, in Nubia's case, African-Themyscarian) super heroes, to give us a glimpse into their lives and show us why they do what they do.

The stories are:

• Enduring Farewells - A sort of Coda to the Far Sector series. For me, it's great art, but a not so great story. It felt like I was catching the end of a movie on tv that i had you've never seen before. However, what little I was able to follow did seem interesting and the gorgeous art makes me think I need to buy the series.

• The Spice of Life - Focusing on a day in the life of the Pierce sisters a.k.a. Thunder and Lightning. This was a fun story with some cool art. I enjoyed it as it gave me insight into Black Lightning's kids and sure would like to read a mini on them if one exists.

• Pit Stop - A story about a superhero travelling between (Dante's) circles of Hell, I've got to admit that this was the weakest entry in my opinion. No shade on the creators but I still have no idea who the protagonist is which didn't help as I struggled to understand the story and the art wasn't to my taste.

• Pure Blackness - The reason I bought this comic, followed Val-Zod as he recounted his life and the reasons for why he does what he does. I love Val-Zod and have dont since his debut. But in the here and now, I absolutely loved the art which depicted him. Now, i thought the story was a little heavy but didn't stop it being a wonderful and inspiring read.

• Lost at Sea - A story of Black Manta working with a father/son Pirate team. This was another enjoyable story which provide a compelling Insight into Black Manta. I thought the art was good, if nothing to really write home about, which fit the story and setting well enough.

• The Session - A horror/mystery story primarily starring the Spectre. It was an good to see Crispus Allen again and the story was intriguing, with the art having a Francavilla vibe to match. However, the stumbling block for me was how the character of Crispus just didn't feel how I remembered him (from Final Crisis: Revelations), which made it a tough read to get fully invested in.

• The Natural Order - A story of Queen Nubia of Themiscyia as she captures a trespassing Mxylptlk. This was a story with vibrant art but, beyond that, struggled to hook me. The pages felt crowded and the story itself seemed like it was a tiny (middle) piece to a much larger story. Since her debut/return (I still don't know which), I've struggled to connect with Nubia and this entry didn't help.

• Jump Shots & Loose Watts - Following the younger Wally West as he helps someone perfect their jump shot, this story felt bright and optimistic, with an incredibly positive and inspiring nature. I also feel that the story gave me some insight into Wally Jr, something I've bever really gotten before. This waa a good read and certainly wouldn't make me opposed to seeing more of his story (I might even check out Speed Force).

• Fair Play - An action packed story which sees Mr Terrific protect an idealistic politician from hitmen. The art seemed a bit rough for Mr Terrific, as I expected would have expected something more more stylised and 'hi-tech'. Overall, however, this was a good read which really showed off all of 'Mr. T's' skills. On fact, this story does make me wonder; Is Ray Thomas related to Duke? Speaking of which ...

• The Light that Shines - Focusing on Duke Thomas' alter ego, the Signal, this is another fun story, although it took two reads to see its worth. That said, I found it an inspiring tale about not giving up. Thought the art was a little rough but then realised that it's actually a fitting choice for the story told. By the end, it made me realise that Duke would make an awesome visual Batman.

By the time I reached the end I felt the stories told in this anthology were attempting to share a combined message, one about seeing beyond the surface of a person and realising that there is more to them, and their actions.

Of course, that in depth assumption doesn't change the fact that DC Power was an eclectic selection of stories that, overall, presented me with an enjoyable read for the week.

Now, I just have to hope that, next week, How to Lose a Guy Gardner in 10 days can match it.

Dan Slott's She-Hulk Vol. 1

It's taken a little longer than was originally planned (something not helped by the subsequent purchase of Grayson Vol. 2 and Murder Falcon), but I've finally finished reading the comics I received at Christmas!

For the past two weeks I've been reading She-Hulk vol. 1 by Dan Slott, Juan Bobillo and Paul Pelletier. This series sees the Sensational Jade Giantess riding high as a successful trial lawyer by day, while partying both inside and out of Avengers Mansion with both her friends and a slew of beau's by night.

However, when she loses her job and her home within Avengers HQ, She-Hulk is offered a lifeline by the premiere Law Firm in town. However, there's one caveat: She must work in an identity she is eager to ignore, she must work as Jennifer Walters.

Let the hijinks begin.

As a fan of both the current Rainbow Rowell runs and (to a lesser extent) the Charles Soule run before it, I've always heard about Dan Slott's work with the character and its influence into both.

Now that I've read it, I can totally see that. These twelve issues are quirky, light-hearted fun which felt like the last vestige of a style of writing from the late 90's/early 00's which was all but eradicated in the Bendis era.

With an underlying narrative about a someone having to utilise a part of themselves that they don't like (which I think we've all had to do at one time or another), Slott manages to layer it so deeply under the fun and randomness the Jen faces issue by issue in her new job, that her evolution feels gradual but, by the end earned.

The artwork is a mixed bag but still a fun look which complements the story and series. Juan Bobillo's work for half of the series feels a little simple but in a cartoonish way, helping to emphasise the fun, absurd nature of the series. Meanwhile, the great Paul Pelletier (whose work I loved on both FF and Aquaman at various points) leans into that old school action packed aesthetic. It's this style especially which has me thinking (with some nostalgic glee) of that pre-Avengers Disassembled time period.

Like I said, this run of She-Hulk feels like a throwback to a more fun time, but also seems to be a precursor for some of the more 'normal life' stories we've been getting in the last few years a la Hawkeye.

Still, I found it to be quirky and a lot of fun and despite the abrupt ending (which would make sense if it is, as the title suggests 'volume 1'), I sure hope we will get to see a continuation of this run in the pages of a 'volume 2.'

However, I've been burned that way before with Marvel Knights Fantastic Four volume one

Murder Falcon

Ever since I read the 7 part series, Do A Powerbomb, I've been intrigued about the other works of Daniel Warren Johnson, thinking that first series of his I'd been introduced was something special.

Well, this week, after recently ordering the trade through my LCS, I read DWJ's second series, Murder Falcon.

A story that feels like Pacific Rim meets Bill and Ted, Murder Falcon tells the story of Jake, a former guitarist of the Metal band Brooticus, who ekes out a life of depression after a terminal illness cost him his wife and, successively, his bandmates.

However, existing in a world besieged by monsters from a dimensional portal, Jake is one day introduced to Murder Falcon, an anthropomorphic birdman with a metal arm. He's come to save the world and is powered by heavy metal from a guitar which he has now bestowed to Jake, who's destined to save the world with it.

So, obviously, Murder Falcon is a story in need of a rather convoluted explanation. However, this doesn't change the fact that DWJ has told a poignant and heartbreaking story about a man coming back from the brink and facing his fears.

For that reason, I found myself incredibly invested in Jake, whose tortured and broken soul, while maybe too sombre for where I am at this point (maybe it's a painful reflection of a time gone by), is still one I can understand and, thus begs me to root for him.

Thankfully, he's got a tremendous cast of characters (including the titular hero) who support, love and even praise him in an effort to show him his worth.

As a result to this, this is a tremendous story of someone climbing from their darkness in an effort to regain the life they lost in some way.

Of course, I can't not talk about the premise of this series. While evil continues to destroy the world, humanity's only defence is ... music (?). DWJ has done something really unique with this notion and, in a very Bill and Ted ending way, proven the healing properties of music. As such, seeing a guy with a cowbell or even a whole orchestra taking out monsters is an incredible sight to see.

Speaking of sights, Murder Falcon (much like with Do A Powerbomb) is a constant collection of intense incredible art from beginning to end. DWJ provides a style which is incredibly rough compared to many comics I read These days. However, this frenetic style, which looks like he literally pours every ounce of his emotion on the pages, displays such an incredible energy to it that the artwork practically feels like its imbuing the metal that Brooticus are playing in the story. Sadly, there is a distinct lack of (probably) jagged musical notes to accompany the scenes that the instruments are played, but, for me, it's a minor absence that, while noticed, doesn't affect my enjoyment.

Whereas Do A Powerbomb hit me like a steel chair across the head, I fear that my lack of musical acumen limited this title from having the same impact. That said, Murder Falcon is still an unbelievable read that still pierced my heart with every strum of a guitar and swing of a giant metal arm.

I'm already looking into picking up Extremity, because DWJ is 2 for 2 with me and I really want to see if it's just as good where it all began.

Nightwing: Get Grayson

It's been three weeks since reading Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo's first arc of Nightwing, Leaping into the Light. Since then it's been a two week wait for my LCS to get my order in and an additional week to catch up on my pull list.

Finally, however, I have reached the opportunity to read the second volume in this so far fantastic run of Nightwing: Get Grayson.

So Dick Grayson has moves forward with his plans to save Bludhaven. However, this has not gone down well with everyone and the original Boy Wonder finds himself with a price on his head for his benevolence. Fortunately, Nightwing isn't so hunted as Dick's alter ego (along with all his superpowered friends) set about putting a stop to any assassin who wants to take up the Bounty.

I continue to love this run as Tom Taylor continues to present a truly epic take of Nightwing. In fact, probably going so far as to say it's planting the seeds for Taylor's Titans run, this arc goes about showing Dick Grayson as the true linchpin of the superhero community.

I find this rendition of Nightwing a phenomenal character to follow as Taylor portrays him as a worthy successor to Batman; a character containing all of his strengths but very few of his weaknesses. This is best shown by much of the guest cast, particularly the Flash, who all display such a love and loyalty to Nightwing that it makes the eventual announcement of Taylor's Titans a natural extension to this story.

That said, it does falter in a couple of places, notably the near exclusion of the mystery villain from the story. This feels a little unsettling, as if the character is no longer important, although he does have a brief appearance which certainly cements his ongoing danger.

Meanwhile, the Superman arc, while a nice crossover, certainly feels like a pit stop which is unnecessary in the overall plot. That said, it's such a minor detour that it doesn't really affect my enjoyment.

Of course, the true MVP of this series continues to be Bruno Redondo's artwork. I've said before how I heard of the praise on the work Redondo contributes here, but seeing his work first hand makes that praise seem understated in comparison.

Again, with the mix of David Aja's Hawkeye-like set pieces and the Terry Dodson-esque close ups, Redondo's art style is a breathtaking masterpiece from cover (which is also fantastic) to cover.

Get Grayson doesn't quite hold up to Leaping into the Light in my eyes, but the difference between them is so minimal that even VAR would have trouble seeing that difference.

Nightwing has, in the space of a few weeks, become my favourite new series and the only downside is finding the money to go and Immediately buy volume three.

Fantastic Four #16

Continuing to catch up, post illness, today's read was Fantastic Four #16 as Ryan North offered up another single issue story focusing on the newly returned youngest members of the First Family.

Having permanently relocated to the Grimm farm in Arizona, the temporally displaced quartet of Franklin, Valeria, Nikki and Jo-Venn dace a new challenge in the vein of a new school. However, the school is nothing compared to the homework as the foursome attempt some mad science in an attempt at extra credit, leading to some mad capped shenanigans.

I really enjoyed this issue, with North producing a fun one-and-done issue that brings a nice bit of levity to a run that was starting to feel a little overly series. The idea of building the story around the children of imaginauts trying to impress their science class felt novel but what I enjoyed most was the nice dynamic amongst the kids.

The Grimm kids feel really well built from their introduction in the Slott run. I love how all four get on what astounds me the most are the Richards kids. Having been reading a long time, it's both disconcerting and a joy to see Val being so nice and less precocious. Meanwhile, as Val is very much her father's daughter, Franklin seems have become more his mother's son as he's shown to be so capable compared to prior appearances.

New artist Francesco Mortarino comes aboard with a while new style which I thought would be an adjustment given my love of Ivan Fiorelli's work up until now. However, Mortarino has brought a vibrant, youthful energy with pencils combined with Brian Reber's colours that it really works for the story that is being told.

After the first 15 issues being about 'retrieving the Baxter Building', this issue feels like a great pallette cleanser to set up what will probably be a similar length second act.

That said, if rather it's the beginning of many short stories then I'm equally on board with this.

Sensational She-Hulk #4

I was starting to catch up a little bit recently and then i got sick and I have fallen behind again.

Oh well, lets try again.

Last week I picked up and read Sensational She-Hulk #4. This most recent issue from Rainbow Rowell saw Jen dealing with the fallout from her recent Hulk battle. As media vilifies her and the public cower in fear of her, there's only one thing that help: a night out with Hellcat and Captain Marvel.

I thought this was another good issue which built nicely on the foundation that issue three laid in the sense of giving Jen's life new direction. I do find it weird that, after 15 issues of Rowell rebuilding Jen's life to something moderately happy, she would be so quick to devastate it once again. However, Rowell has shown that she can depict the Jade Giantess quite impressively and here, while she's down, there's little evidence to say she's out.

Ig Guara is new to the art duties on this book, but his/her style, while very different to Iban Coello's, feels very fitting for the emotional place the story currently finds itself. Guara's style has me thinking of Joe Madureira's work, although maybe something grittier instead. Kenneth Rocafort's work is more than likely a closer comparison (I'm thinking of his work on Action Comics just before the New 52), with the look being less dreamlike than Coello's, thus giving the vibe that She-Hulk has fallen and come back to Earth with a bump.

Sensational She-Hulk #4 feels, much like its predecessors, seemingly directionless at present. However, for me, this can't take away the earnest sweetness that the book seems to exude. The series continues to be an enjoyable read and would have no problem if She-Hulk maintained this trajectory for a good while to come.

(Although I truly look forward to its awesomeness once the greater narrative is revealed.)

Fire and Ice: Welcome to Smallville #5

Today's read was Fire and Ice: Adventures in Smallville #5, the penultimate issue of the Joanne Starer and Natacha Bustos series focusing on the titular JLI'er's ... well, adventures in Smallville (as the title attests.)

This issue sees the pair, still seemingly on the outs, continue to deal with the troubles of the town as their villainous employees decide to forgo their second chance, their home/salon goes up in smoke and a 'new' villain attempts to muscle in whole an old finally shows its face.

This issue came across as a marked improvement on the last couple as Joanne Starer moved all the pieces to their correct positions in order to begin this series' endgame. This issue felt far more 'full' than some of the others, as the tying up of loose ends seemed to require a lot of differing ends. It does make me wonder if some of it could've been better distributed to issues 3 and 4 to spread the load. However, for now, this cramming for the finish line has helped to make this issue more intriguing.

The artwork continues to maintain the standard I've been enjoying so far. I still love the Terry Dodson-esque look Natacha Bustos brings as well as Tamra Bonvillain's deep colours, to give the comic (and Bea in particular) a nice, unique look. Between the two types of work, it's given Fire and Ice's look a nice balance and consistency that the the story may have lacked.

I'm looking forward to the final issue now (although given how confused I felt as I started this issue, I would say a recap page night be nice). After a bit of a rollercoaster trip so far this series, issue five appears to moved the car up high for what hopefully will be a thrilling final drop.

Although, I will also try and remain prepared in case that doesn't happen.

Fantastic Four #15

To start the new week, I returned to my pull list, finally getting round to last week's new comics, beginning with Fantastic Four #15.

This issue continued the story from issue 14 as the Baxter Building still hadn't returned (talk about flogging a dead horse). However, as the Four (and Alicia) scramble to find out why, the answer is revealed by Megamind, the phone app turned superintelligence who knows the only threat to his existence are the Fantastic Four.

I've been enjoying Ryan North's and Ivan Fiorelli's run for the most part, but I have been beginning to think that the wait for the return of the Baxter Building has become far too drawn out. However, this issue felt like a real breathe of fresh air.

More than any other story so far in this run, North seems to have created a truly fantastic, high science story that is most in keeping with the idea of the Fantastic Four, the imaginauts. Indeed, everything, from the reveal to the twist, to the Four's attempts to save the day feels to me as the most reminiscent yet of stories from the Mark Waid/ Mike Weiringo run.

Speaking of that run, Ivan Fiorelli's art continues to really mesmerise me and is so reminiscent of Wieringo's work on this title, albeit Fiorelli does provide it with a new age twist (as I've mentioned so many times before).

Now that the Baxter Building is back, I'm hopeful that the book is going to have a sort of fresh start to its adventures. However, this final instalment to what could be called North's first arc was a tremendous read and I'm hoping for a lot more stories of this quality to come!!

Sensational She-Hulk #3

So, with Nightwing having taken up the majority of my reading time during the first week of 2024, I decided to cap it with a smaller read in the form of the Sensational She-Hulk #3

And small was most definitely the word!!

Picking up from where issue 2 cut off, the Hulk cousins continue to face off against the Booths, the Hulk obsessed Power couple from the previous She-Hulk run, who are attempting to find a fix for their own plight.

I have to admit, this could be, without doubt the quickest comic book I've ever read, as I burned through it on five minutes. Rainbow Rowell seems to have taken her foot of the gas in this issue to provide a quiet middle issue to her story.

Of course, this (along with its speed) doesn't mean that it was a bad issue because I thought, despite its relative quietness, the was a nicely heartfelt issue focusing on the dynamic between two cousins with Rowell's writing moving a nice consistent, if brisk, pace.

Meanwhile, Andres Genolet continues to provide some beautifully stylish artwork, maintaining the Jade Giantess' adventures with the sort of glamour look which feels in keeping with the character.

There isn't much I can say about this issue. The Sensational She-Hulk's third issue is very much a quiet affair, to the point one could call it filler. However, it's such a poignant and we'll written placeholder that I'm kind of sad I read through it as quickly as I did.

Hopefully, the next issue will take me a little bit longer to get through.

Nightwing: Leaping into the Light

I decided to start 2024 with a bang as I continued the readthrough of all my birthday comics (that had started with Star Trek Lower Decks).

This time, I opted for Nightwing: Leaping into the Light, the first volume of Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo's award winning run.

This arc saw Dick Grayson return to the town of Bludhaven, now a little older, a little wiser and, thanks to the will of Alfred Pennyworth, a lot richer. However, as Dick tries to decide how to best use his newly gained riches, he must also contend with the all controlling crime lord, a newly emerging killer and a new mayor whose last name means a deep and painful connection to the former Boy Wonder.

I absolutely loved this story. Tom Taylor shows a deft handle of Nightwing straight out of the gate. Confident, easy-going, optimistic, this rendition of Dick Grayson, which imbues the best parts of Spider-Man and Daredevil, comes across as a perfect culmination of the decades of growth we've seen of the character.

The pacing to this tale feels perfect to me, gliding effortlessly from beginning to end with no bumps or issues which cause it to screech to a holt. If there is one thing I am concerned about, it's a late twist that feels ripped from Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino's Green Arrow run. However, this isn't enough to hamper my enjoyment as Taylor rebuilds Bludhaven into its own place and Nightwing into a hero outside the shadow of the Bat.

Of course, prior to reading this arc, there was only ever one standout (despite the greatness of Taylor's writing) and seeing Bruno Redondo's art first hand, all of the hype I heard certainly makes sense. Redondo's style is breath-taking, looking like an amalgamation of Terry Dodson's visuals, Chris Samnee's Daredevil action scenes and David Aja's Hawkeye panel layouts. Coupled with Adriano Lucas' vibrant colours which remind me of Stephen Byrne's work, every page of Redondo's work here (including the covers) is phenomenal and an absolute joy to look at.

Long story short, I really feel that this run of Nightwing deserves all the praise and hype I've been hearing for all if these years. It was such an impressive read and feast for the eyes that I've already been to my LCS to order in the next volume.

Just a shame the wait will be a couple of weeks.