Comic Book Review: Superman #22 - DC Comics (2017)

"Black Dawn"
Chapter 3

Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
Pencils by Doug Mahnke
Inks by Jaime Mendoza and Ray McCarthy
Colors by Wil Quintana

Lois Lane is searching for her husband Clark Kent and their son Jon.  The boys were out with Damian Wayne(Robin) looking for Batman.  Lois finds out there is much more to her missing family and friends as "Black Dawn" continues.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Rebirth run on Superman thus far.  The "Black Dawn" story line had the seeds planted many issues ago and I feel that this is something that really sets DC Comics apart from many other comic book companies.  There is a plan in place and the stories have been wonderful because of it.  This isn't to say that you need to read all 21 issues leading up to this(plus an Annual and some cross-overs with Action Comics).  If you did read them, it's an added bonus.

The "Black Dawn" stories read a lot like a horror story.  We are also given these stories from multiple perspectives.  The majority of this comic book is from Lois' perspective as she uses her journalistic prowess to find Clark, Jon, Damian and Bruce.  Because this is Lois, we get to see her find much more than she had originally bargained for.  We also are treated to how tough she can be as she takes on assailants and gets to drive the Batmobile.  Superman is the person whose perspective is given to the readers.  There is a revelation at the end of this book that left me clamoring for more.

Doug Mahnke is one of my favorite artists and I am always happy to see his name on the cover.  Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason have been putting together incredible stories and they are that much better when Mahnke is in charge of the art.  The inks were nice in this comic as the use of black in some of the more eerie panels was beautiful.  The visuals are spectacular and Wil Quintana's colors add to the spooky feeling.

What are your thoughts on Superman?  Do you like the family dynamic that is used in this series?  What other comic books would you like Maskerpiece Theatre to review?

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Comic Book Review: Superman: Annual #1 - DC Comics (2017)

"Tangled Up In Green"

Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
Art by Jorge Jimenez
Colors by Alejandro Sanchez

Hamilton County(300 miles north of Metropolis) is where the Kent's have decided to lay down roots when they were pulled from their universe and placed into the current DC universe.  Clark Kent/Superman is trying to figure out why the land in Hamilton County is so dry.  Maybe Swamp Thing can help explain.

I know the old saying; "Don't judge a book by it's cover."  This comic book has Superman and Swamp Thing on the cover so I threw caution to the wind and decided this is a "must have."  This book was even better than I had hoped.  Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason are writing some of the best stories in comic books with their current run on Superman. This "Annual" fits with the story but can be read on its own as well.  The way Superman and Swamp Thing communicated with each other was great.  Swamp Thing helping Superman figure out why the land was drying up was awesome.  Superman didn't want to do things Swamp Thing's way but he can be quite convincing.  

Jorge Jimenez and Alejandro Sanchez were amazing choices to do the art in this comic book.  This was a very visual story so the art needed to be on point.  The two main characters are very different.  The vibrant Superman and the murky looking Swamp Thing.  Seeing the two of these characters with and against each other was a wonderful sight.  The visuals toward the end of the comic book when Swamp Thing helps Superman see the reason behind the drying of the land were absolutely stunning.  The art alone makes this comic book worth purchasing.  Luckily it has a good story as well.

I am all for another Superman and Swamp Thing team-up in the future.  This was the first meeting of this version of Superman with the current incarnation of Alec Holland/Swamp Thing and I hope for many more.

What are your thoughts on Superman: Annual #1?  Are you reading the Superman series or any other DC series?  What would you like Maskerpiece Theatre to review in the future?  

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Supergirl Review: Season 1 Episode 9 "Blood Bonds"

Supergirl Season 1 Episode 9

“Blood Bonds”

Synopsis:

When Director Henshaw is taken prisoner by Non, Kara searches for a way to rescue him, all while refuting Cat Grant’s claims that she is Supergirl.

Review:

While it was a shorter than usual mid-season hiatus, Suprgirl is back. We pick up were we left off, Henshaw has been taken and Kara now needs to find a way to rescue him. This takes an emotion toll on Kara as she learns more about her mother from the point of view of her Aunt Astra. We see this struggle within trying to determine to side with her blood or with the humans. The battle becomes worse when General Lane comes to over see the DEO and decides to take matters into his own hands by torturing Astra with Kryptonite for information on Hanks location. By the end of the episode Kara determines the only way to recover Hank is to agree the the swap of prisoners which Non demanded.

Also through out this episode Cat Grant keeps pushing Kara on her being Supergirl. Obviously Kara keeps denying these claims. Once Hank is rescued Kara finds out that he is J’onn J’onzz and uses his powers to convince Cat that she isn’t Supergirl. At the end we see Lord enter a secured room where he is holding a very injured woman, when her eyes opened they are completely blacked out, is this a Bizarro Supergirl?

Final Thoughts:

So I am not sure how I feel about this episode, the show is definitely improving but out of all the reveals of her true identity I was most excited and approved of Cat Grant learning Kara was Supergirl. Now the show has officially back tracked on this reveal and resets what had been a great growing relationship between the two. The other aspect which disappointed me is how many Kryptonians there seems to be, I don’t like the idea that there is more than 20 and it seems a little unbelievable that Supergirl will be able to battle all of them and win. She will need to have some help…Maybe from a certain cousin? 

On a positive note I am glad the writers decided to move forward with Kara learning of Hank Henshaw’s real identity so fast, this is a positive for the show and will hopefully allow us more opportunities to see Martian Manhunter. I also still enjoy the idea of Clark messaging Kara and having that little interaction (why is it ever time I see that interaction I keep Picturing Dean Cain as Clark Kent?) I still feel that Superman will have to show up at some point. This show doesn’t seem to be convincing me otherwise. 

In all this was a good episode however I feel it took a few steps back for that I give this episode One Thumbs Up. Let us know what your thoughts of the show were and leave your comments below.  

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Supergirl Review: Season 1 Episode 3 "Fight of Flight"

Supergirl Season 1 Episode 3
“Fight or Flight”

Synopsis:
Supergirl’s powers are tested when Reactron, one of Superman’s formidable enemies, arrives in National City and targets the young hero. Also, Cat plans to run an exposé on Supergirl.

Review:
So Episode 3 starts where 2 left off with the supergirl’s interview with Cat Grant. The interview reveals that Supergirl is cousins with Superman….Now everyone knows. We also learn that unlike The Flash and Arrow, a mask isn’t needed to hide your identity, only glasses.

In this episode we are introduce to Supergirls new hide out and we also know that James (Don’t Call him Jimmy) Olsen is horrible at keeping secrets and let it slip that Clark Kent is Superman…… (No Secret Identity is safe right Greg Berlanti). It also seems Jimmy is no Cisco, as he sucks at giving out nicknames according to Kara.

This episodes villain is Reactron a human with an outfit that allows him powers similar to that of Supergirl. He is also a villain that Superman was unable to beat. The first interaction with Supergirl ends with Kara needing to be saved by her cousin. After her fight with James for calling Superman, Supergirl finally defeats Reactron something that Superman never did. This allows Supergirl to finally feel like she is her own hero.

Final Thoughts, each episode in the early part of this season seems to be focus on developing the character of Supergirl and Kara and less about a season long story line. This may change, however with the show being on CBS I am unsure how much this approach will change. I am also wondering how much the show its self is trying to distance themselves from Superman. The name dropping in each episode seems to increase, every scene in tonights show seemed to use his name and we also got another blurred siting from the Man of Steel. I did like the interaction between Kara and Clark at the end of the episode, it was a nice touch and somewhat needed, and for some reason reminded me of the Dean Cain Superman. The show also has enhance the love triangle between Jimmy, Wynn, and Kara. I guess every show needs this but I am not so sure how much i need another stupid nickname to go along with olicity and Snowbarry. if that wasn’t enough, it seems we need another addition to the already crowded cast of character and were introduce at the end of the episode to Lois Lanes baby sister and previous love interest of Jimmy, Lucy Lane….. I have been saying all along “why haven’t we tied Lois Lane into the show” now we finally have it.

So what at first seems like an impossible chance now has increase to a probability that at some point this season or the next we will finally be introduce to at the very least Clark Kent and/or Lois Lane. If they do introduce Clark Kent my pick of actors is Matt Bomer, and yes that has everything to do with my love of White Collar.

Every episode i hope for more, but I am always left wanting. Im definitely not saying this is a bad show. I enjoy it and its much better than Agents of Shield and a step ahead of Gotham. But it can be much more than it has been, I am also not enjoying that Kara keeps coming off as whinny and jealous. Lastly can we try to avoid any more Cyndi Lauper Songs….Thanks

I give this Episode One Thumbs Up. What was your opinion of Episode 3? Leave your comments below.

Supergirl Review: Season 1 Episode 2 "Stronger Together"

Supergirl Season 1 Episode 2
“Stronger Together”

Synopsis:
When Kara’s attempts to help National City don’t go according to plan, she must put aside the doubts that she – and the city’s media – has about her abilities in order to capture an escapee from the Kryptonian prison, Fort Rozz. Also, Cat pressures James to use his connection to Superman to get her an interview with Supergirl.

Review:Episode two of Supergirl made a lot of improvements over the first episode, there was also a lot more name dropping in the second episode making reference to the Daily Planet, Perry White and both Lois Lane and Clark Kent. Nice little drops to continue to tie both worlds together. There also is the interaction with Cat Grant, which has been one of the stronger points of the early season episodes. They seems to be assisting with the development of Kara’s Supergirl persona as seen with the advice to slow down and learn. We are also treated to the a nice little training montage (who doesn’t like a training Montage?) Which was in response to the struggles that Kara is going through by learning to be a hero. James Olsen and Winn are finally introduced and now both are trying to help Kara. (Did anyone else get a Felicity vibe during the conversation with James?)

Through out the second episode we continue to see DEO try and train Kara by using her sister Alex to bring the two together. They also were tracking the villain of the episode Hellgrammite. In my opinion this is the most difficult part of the show to watch, it seems like the DEO will be the driving force behind most of the weekly villains, using the special forces team to fill in any gaps in the plot while the rest of the show is used to be build the relationships and Kara’s character. In many ways correcting many of the rush storylines which were developed during the pilot. With this being said, I definitely find myself intrigued with what they can bring later down the road.

At the end of Episode 2, Kara finally is reintroduced to her Aunt General Astra who she thought had died on Krypton. Obviously learning that she also was trapped in the Phantom Zone while in-prisoned in Fort Rozz. Astra goal is to save earth the same way she tried to save krypton. The ending of the episode see Astra learn about Kryptonite, how will this impact the remaining of the season? I am definitely intrigued as so far it doesn’t seem to have the same effects we have seen in the movies. Finally Hank Henshaw has powers? Man you have to love the teasers.

After watching episode 2 of Supergirl I find myself trying to figure out if I am at all being influences by not only the two CW shows but also the Superman movies. Its definitely not hard to compare, however i am happy with how the creators of the show continue to enforce the idea that Supergirl isn’t her cousin Superman. There is a lot of areas that I would improve or have done differently, but with that being said I am really enjoying the show. Agents of Shield and Gotham could both take lessons from Supergirl on how to create a show which may have areas of improvement but still is enjoyable to watch.

I give Episode 2 a one thumbs up. Let us know what you thought of the show and leave a comment below.