Off-Topic: Comic Book Reviews

DC's JUSTICE LEAGUE: DARK # 28
Overall, there were things to like about this issue. And for the most part I've liked the BLIGHT storyline. But truthfully it is starting to get repetitive and to suffer from some of the things that have plagued JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA the last few issues. It is all dragging so darned much. The discussion of the Criminal Syndicate's hidden enemy and the exploration of Nick Necro's love-hate feelings toward Zatanna and Constantine were good. But they were not good enough to keep me from getting a little bored.
Storyline: 2.5 Stars
Dialogue: 3.5 Stars
Pacing: 3 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars

Big Dog Ink's THE LEGEND OF OZ: THE WICKED WEST #15
I have already reviewed the following issue, #16, and I said it was great. Well 15 wasn't too shabby either. The Flying Monkey Origin Story was wrapped up this issue, and I rather liked it. But more than that I liked the exploration of Dorothy, and how she is growing as a character. The king of the flying monkeys has given her a lesson in the consequences of power and it isn't a lesson she seems well disposed to. Does this portent her future downfall, also alluded to in issue 16? We shall see. What is clear is that a little girl has grown up, and a mortal now has the power of the cosmos focused into her hands. Where that all leads who knows, but I'm happy to be along for the ride.
Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 4.5 Stars
Pacing: 4 Stars
Art: 4.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Dynamite's ASH VS HACK/SLASH #6
This crossover concludes with some amazing scenes. Ash reveals a truth the reader has long suspected: he has power the likes of which we know little. Hack has betrayed Ash and now Ash must appeal to her better angels to get her back on the straight path. Ash is not very good with words, so this is quite a challenge. The whole thing has the right mix of pathos and hilarity. The pacing is off, and the storyline isn't out of this world, but the dialogue is very much on the mark. Definitely a good ending to a good story, and it was all worth the money and time spent.
Storyline: 3 Stars
Dialogue: 4.5 Stars
Pacing: 3 Stars
Art: 3 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

DC's TEEN TITANS #28
I really hate the way this book has gone. This turn in this issue, and the way it all ended, it just put me off big time. The whole thing has become a big mess. Some books improved under New 52, others suffered. Teen Titans has suffered. Its last incarnation was so much better. I'm sad about this.
Storyline: 2 Stars
Dialogue: 2.5 Stars
Pacing: 2.5 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 2.5 Stars

DC 's DC UNIVERSE VS MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #5
This was the penultimate issue of this epic crossover and boy was it good. I really think this book has avoided a lot of the pitfalls it could've faced. The only bad thing is that some of Skeletor's motivations as a character are unclear, and his behavior isn't very consistent. I enjoyed the explanation of Dark Orko's origins and I really think having him as the villain has been an interesting twist. Seeing him toy with Superman like that was also wicked. A good and entertaining book with moments of greatness. It'll do.
Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 3.5 Stars
Pacing: 3 Stars
Art: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

Dark Horse Comic's SERENITY: LEAVES ON THE WIND #2
This great follow-up to the Firefly film SERENITY is proceeding very nicely. The characters are consistent with what has come before and the storyline contains some awesome twists. One of the crew is left behind in a way that doesn't sit well with me, but I understand why it was done. The return of an old villain from the television show increases the sense of continuity and it was very well done. This is a book worth picking up.
Storyline: 4 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 3 Stars
Art: 3 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Marvel's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #12
The main storyline in this book right now hasn't been that great. And that has been an unfortunate pattern for this comic book. Another pattern, also maintained well here, is great dialogue. That is what makes this book worth reading. So much of what is said has me thinking or laughing, it is worth the cost of admission. As long as the dialogue is that good, I'll stick with it. But some solid stories could turn this 'good' book into a 'great' one.
Storyline: 2.5 Stars
Dialogue: 4 Stars
Pacing: 3 Stars
Art: 3 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars