Green Pea Soup Special

Chemo made an appearance in DC Universe Legacies this week. It’s the first time we’ve ever seen him talk, and it was awesome. It’s fun to act like a giant walking cesspool until it goes too far.

I don’t think we’ve talked about the DC Universe Legacies books, which is a shame because they’ve been very enjoyable. This year marks the 75th anniversary of DC Comics and to celebrate they’re publishing a ten issue mini-series that covers the whole history of the DC Universe. Each “era” of comics gets it’s own two issues, hitting the highlights of different events and characters during that era.

Len Wein is a comic legend himself, so it’s fitting that he’s the one who gets to craft the 75 year history of DC’s superheroes into one cohesive whole. In the first issue, it seemed really campy that some random old man was narrating the saga of superheroes as he lived through the different eras, but by the end of that issue you realize that there is no other way to tell such an all-encompassing story succinctly and that it really does work. Each era is drawn by a different artist in the style of the comics of that era, which really adds to the uniqueness of this project. This week’s issue was the beginning of the Bronze Age and was drawn by George Perez whose art is really the defining style of Bronze Age artwork. Kris and I are amazed at how he can cram so much action into a single page of artwork and not make it seem cluttered or confusing.

There are four major eras in comics - Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Modern - so with two issues per era, that brings us to only eight of the ten issues. I’m not sure what’s going to happen in the last two issues, but I bet it’ll be awesome.

Travis, what’s on your pull list?

• Batman Beyond #4 - This issue ended with a furrowed brow. I’m hoping that it’s intentionally confusing and contradictory for a big reveal in the next couple of issues. If not, then a mini that started strong is going to collapse.
• Birds of Prey #5 - We start a new arc that picks up directly at the end of the last arc. Unfortunately, we’ve lost Ed Benes on art and the book really suffers for it, although Gail Simone’s writing is still top notch.
• Tiny Titans #32 - Any book that makes you giggle on the first page is worth buying.
• The Unwritten #17 - Bizarre and awesome issue that’s written as a pick your own adventure story. The book is written sideways with each comic page broken into two actual story pages. I haven’t read all the story paths yet, but I think they all ultimately lead to the same conclusion. It’s still an impressive feat of writing and artwork. Pick of the Week!
• Zatanna #5 - Great story, great artwork. I hope we get to see more of Zach in this book, because he’s being underutilized except for the disappointing Coven second feature.

Kris, what’s on your pull list?

• Azrael #12 - This book was getting so good in the last arc, only for it to get lost in it’s own mythology. I understand the Suit of Sorrows is supposed to a Christian artifact, but debating religion in a universe that contains the Spectre, emotional entities, and a living embodiment of the Big Bang seems a little odd.
• Batman Beyond #4 - This book was bad. There is no other way to put it. I hope that the oddities in this book are part of some insane plot line and not bad writing. But it feels like bad writing.
• Birds of Prey #5 - I love the way Gail Simone writes Huntress. This story is really getting interesting, but the art just isn’t keeping up. I hope that changes.
• Brightest Day #10 - Hey look! A book I’m not tearing down! This is the best issue of this series up until this point, and the last issue was the best issue of the series up until that point. If this happens again, we will officially call that a streak. I love the Firestorm storyline and anyone who can make Aquaman and Black Manta cool is my hero. Pick of the Week!
• DC Universe Legacies #5 - I’ve never given Chemo a second thought, but Wein’s addition of his “dialogue” made him awesome. Perez’s art really given this issue an old school feel which meshes perfectly with the time it’s showcasing. I wrote this series off as something silly before it came out, but I love it and can’t wait for every issue.
• Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #2 - Tomasi writes great dialogue sometimes, and this is one of those times. I’m loving Guy and Kilowog teamed up and my #2 Red Lantern Bleez makes this a book to watch.
• Justice Society Of America Special #1 - Awful! I’m not fully up to speed on Magog’s origin and dealings with Gog, but this book is just poorly written and drawn. I like Scott Kolins, but I can’t say anything good about this book. Add to it Magog’s tie into Brightest Day and Generation Lost, which is completely ignored, and this book should be passed on completely.
• X23 - We always said I only had a problem if I started pulling Marvel. This book might lead to me admitting I have a problem. I enjoyed it and was glad for the background info in the back of the issue. I’m very tempted to pull this book.
• Zatanna #5 - Oh Paul Dini, why can’t you write every book with the love you write this one? Or why can’t you at least write the books you are supposed to? But seriously, this book is great and looks to be leading up to something cool.