Plan B: Roll Around in Toxic Waste

This week’s stack of comics included both Jaime Reyes’ Blue Beetle) and Metamorpho. With the prominence of Hawkman & Hawkgirl in Brightest Day, I was struck by how many characters got their powers while either in Egypt or through some supposedly Egyptian artifact.

A lot of these characters (or their predecessors) stem from the early 1960’s where ancient Egypt was a great “land of mystery,” so it’s no surprise. It’s actually really interesting to see how different aspects of ancient Egyptian culture got integrated into the DC mythos. Take an all powerful god that imbue objects with their power, throw in a hapless archeologist and - BAM - you’ve got Metamorpho! The perpetual mummification and resurrection of the Pharaohs served as the perfect basis for two tragic lovers across time. My favorite is how Blue Beetle spans both the Egyptian mystical and the belief that aliens built the pyramids by taking the Blue Scarab that everyone thought was a mystical artifact and actually making it a piece of alien armor. Suffice it to say, if I ever get to go to Egypt I’ll definitely be looking for the ancient scepter of King Alfa-Khufu to gain my chance at superpowers.

Kris has been really enjoying Osiris’s) return in Brightest Day. He’s amazed how a character both created and killed in 52) could become so important. We all know he’s hoping that Osiris will bring back Black Adam, Kris’s favorite DC magic user. I haven’t read a lot of the Black Adam stuff that Kris has - a grave mistake I will have to rectify soon.

Travis, what’s on your pull list?

* Batgirl #11 - Babs dream sequences, techno-zombie Huntress, awesome Batgirl fight sequences, and Wendy! What’s not to love?
* Secret Six #22 - This book continues its visceral (and graphic) story telling. Everybody in the book is an absolutely despicable human being but Simone makes you care for them anyway.
* Superman/Batman Annual #4 - Meant to get this last week but Bedrock was sold out. Fortunately, they got a copy from one of the other stores. You’d think I’d pass up more Terry McGinnis? Crazy talk!
* Unwritten #14 -Every month a little more of the intrigue and mystery gets revealed in this very engrossing book. Looks like next time we’ll get more of Lizzie’s backstory, can’t wait!

Kris, what’s on your pull list?

* Batgirl #11 - We decided the “010110101001” spoken by the techno-zombies in this book should be pronounced as the modem noise. Kids, ask your parents.
* Batman #700 - I love the concept that there will always be a Batman.
* Booster Gold #33 - The new writing team steps in while tying into Generation Lost. Find the link that fell off the chain.
* Cowboy Ninja Viking #6 - The beginning of the continuation of the mini that became an ongoing series. It’s finally here and it’s awesome.
* Doom Patrol #11 - Ambush Bug and Negative Man, the Tag Team from Hell.
* Jonah Hex #56 - Stand alone story used as a movie tie-in. Two pretty good stories that help you get the feel of the character.
* Justice League: Generation Lost #3 - Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Rocket Red, if they threw in a Green Lantern and the Pink Power Ranger I’d be one happy camper. Truly a great book riding the line between humor and despair.
* Outsiders #30 - Oh Dan DiDio, I will keep reading this just to see where you take us next.
* Secret Six #22 - Gail Simone knocks another one out of the park. I’m excited for the new arc to start.
* Titans #24 - Yay Osiris! I can’t wait to see where this book goes, because my guess is it’s somewhere no one will see coming.