Pruning the Branches 3-D Extravaganza

Let's continue on. I'm way behind on this particular project, so I've no time for witty repartee! See you after the jump!


Part 1 Part 2

Supergirl & the Legion of Super-Heroes: I'm loving this title. I'm a Legion fan from waaaaayy back, and have enjoyed almost every version of the LSH, but I'm astonished that no one picked up on the stuff Waid/Kitson are doing before now. There hasn't been a bum in the lot, so guess what? This one stays. Verdict: Thumbs up.

Manhunter: Over at The Absorbascon, Scipio's been spending a lot of time giving reasons to read Manhunter. All of them are fine, fine reasons. And I'm adding a new one. Kate is Jack Knight's cousin. Boo-yah! Starman really is the center of the DCU! Actually, this one works super-fine on its own merits. I'm glad DC gave Manhunter a reprieve, and everyone should be reading it. Verdict: Thumbs up.

Shadowpact: I liked Day of Vengeance, and monkeys (or in this case, chimps) make everything better. I tend to enjoy Willlingham's work (I dig Fables), but I'm afraid that, unless something spectacular happens before the end of the initial arc, this one's getting the boot. Not because it's not good, but it's got to be SUPER-GOOD to make the cut here. If the funds open up a little, this one will make a return appearance. Until then, Verdict: Thumbs down.

Teen Titans: I don't know why Geoff Johns is getting all the hate from the blogosphere lately. I dug his work on Flash, he's done more with the JSA characters than anyone else has done in 25 years or more, and Teen Titans is a lot of fun, too. I've never been super-crazy about Robin or Connor (although Connor's obviously not a problem anymore), but I like the interplay between the old & new Titans. I also think this book has seriously benefitted from the One Year Later conceit. The glimpses of the team's turmoil as Cyborg blinked in and out during that year were VERY tantalizing, and I'm anxious to learn more about what happened. And who can resist Wendy & Marvin? Seriously. Verdict: Thumbs up.

Wonder Woman: I followed the Rucka run in trade, and picked up the first issue of the new series (which I reviewed here). As I recall, I gave it a hearty "meh." I like Wonder Woman, particularly what Rucka did with her, but I just couldn't get all that excited about the new series. I also miss Giganta's leopardskin bikini. I know it's impractical and probably sexist, but it's how I always think of the character. Blame Superfriends. Anyway, Verdict: Thumbs down.

All-Star Superman: Grant Morrison's one of those writers who gets a free pass from me. Not that I enjoy everything he's done (I thought Invisibles was too long, to name one problem with it), but I'll always give it a look. And unlike, say, All-Star Pedophile and Robin, the Boy Victim, I'm really enjoying this one. Of course, I also know that it'll be collected in trade, and that's how I'm going to have to enjoy the rest of the series. Verdict: Thumbs down.

52: Do I really have to answer this? Have you not been reading the Friday 5? Come on, now. You're going to hurt my feelings. Verdict: Thumbs up.

Batman/Detective Comics: I'm combining these, because that's how I picked them up, post-IC: together. That they had a (mostly) excellent story by James Robinson helped immensely, because I found out that I miss Batman. I dropped the Bat-books cold turkey several years ago, right at the beginning of "Bruce Wayne: Murderer", and didn't really miss the convoluted multi-phase crossovers, the Bat-dickery, etc. But Robinson's given us a Batman that takes care of business and his "family." And thank Buddha the family's been pruned back a little. Anyway, I'll be keeping Detective because I can't get enough Paul Dini. I'm dropping Batman because, as I mentioned 2 entries ago, Morrison's run will be collected. I'll read it then. Verdict: Thumbs up (Detective Comics)/Thumbs down (Batman).

Desolation Jones: I don't know. I like most of Ellis' work, but I'm not sure about this one. I'll have to reread the intial arc and get back to you. But until then, in the interest of pruning, Verdict: Thumbs down.

Ex Machina: Brian K. Vaughn & Tony Harris do great work together. If you like politics, you should be reading this book. If you like superheroes, you should be reading this book. If you like good shit, you should be reading this book. Need I say more? Verdict: Thumbs up.

We'll stop there for now, since 6:00am comes pretty damn early around here. We should be able to wrap this up in one more installment. We'll see if we can't manage that before I leave for vacation on Monday.