Current Reads

Hi folks! It's been a busy June for me between getting back to work and adulting. However, I did try to find some time for light reading. This month, I've focused my reading on either an on-going series or a finished series. For example, even though I bought most of the Snyder/Capullo Batman series years ago, I am only now getting around to reading through and finishing this epic series. Moreover, I made a concerted effort to dive into the DC's Rebirth line. Although I am a Bat-family girl at heart, I've tried to push myself into new territory hence Greg Rucka's Wonder Woman series. The verdict regarding Rebirth? I like it. There's a strong embrace between the old and new that works for the whole line as a whole. Whereas New 52 thrived or didn't (depending on where you fall in this argument) on creating a schism between new and old readers, Rebirth attempts to bridge the gap between the two. I've bought other Rebirth lines like Superman and the Flash, but I haven't gotten around to them yet. But, if they are anything like Wonder Woman, I have high hopes. -Jen

4/5 I thought Rucka made an interesting choice to insert a backstory in the middle of Diana’s realization that all the revisions to her canon might have been part of a larger fabrication. I preferred the art style in the previous volume more to be honest.

However, I like Rucka’s attention to Barbara Ann’s story. I’ve always had a cursory knowledge of Cheetah/Barbara Ann, so I’ve been enjoying her parallel development to Diana. I’m curious what’s to volume in the next volume which I can only assume takes place right after the first.


4/5 I’m enjoying the narrative path Rucka is paving for Diana. It was difficult to read and see Diana mentally broken after her realization that she never returned home. Adding to this sadness is Barbara Ann’s decision to transform into Cheetah once again and become a slave to her endless hunger for human flesh was hard to read. I thought that the solution to this particular narrative arc was a bit too easily wrapped up, but stayed true to Diana’s message and mission.

4/5 I think the way Rucka has put together this narrative the time skipping—flashbacks, flashforwards and present—can be confusing for some readers. I like how it all just loops and feeds into each other because it echoes the first issue and how Diana struggled to comprehend her massive canonical history. Volume 5 tries to fill in the gaps specifically those tied to Veronica Cale. How and why did she start her endeavor? How did she become this so-called villain? How did she and her accomplice Doctor Cyber interfere and direct Diana’s past over the past 8 years? In the end, you understand that Cale was merely a pawn in the quibbles of gods. Cale isn’t a villain because she sought to become one. She doesn’t want to cause chaos. She’s a mother and her daughter is lost and impaired

4/5 I just like Jason Todd as Red Hood. I followed Red Hood and the Outlaws during the New 52 era but stopped following sometime after the 3rd volume. Scott Lobdell returns to the helm and despite his follow through on other stories, I think he has a nice grasp on Jason’s voice and unlikely team ups. I came away from this first novel curious about Artemis this no nonsense amazon. She and Jason have a great rapport in that they are both assholes to one another. Bizarro is a strange but welcome addition to this team.

4/5 Lois knows that to be the heroes they need to be they need to get past their social awkwardness. However, her dinner takes a wayward turn when Poison Ivy gets involved and traps the trinity in a dream space where they must confront their internal struggles and worries. Of course, Ivy’s plan goes off the rails when Mongul invades their dreamspace and attempts to re-enter the real world through Superman’s empty vessel. As you might have guessed, his plan does not go according to plan. The trinity manage to defeat Mongul and escape the dreamscape and with that comes a reaffirmation of their friendship moving forward. I think this arc does a nice job of reintroducing the trinity and getting them to each take part of their emotional journeys to re-solidify their friendship and working relationship.

4/5 I like the dynamic that this book builds between Jason, Artemis and Bizarro. Bizarro’s intense allegiance to Red Him and Red Her is adorable, and I didn’t ever think that I would ever associate the word ‘adorable’ with Bizarro. But, what I like most about this book is how Jason works hard at having a chip on his shoulder but then he doesn’t have it in his heart to off Bizarro. He believes in Bizarro and wants the guy to have a real chance at living whatever life he can in this big world. Jason’s willingness to give Bizarro the benefit of the doubt extends to Artemis herself. He willingly goes back to Quarac (the place where the Joker killed him) for Artemis in her quest for find the Bow of Ra.
Artemis has an interesting journey. This book works to establish or reestablish (don’t know if she existed before this iteration in the same capacity) lore. I like the idea of an Amazon city whose patrons the Egyptian gods. I like how familiar yet unfamiliar these Amazons are to their Themyscrian counterparts.

Overall, I’m happy with this journey and this unlikely trio.


3.5/5 I didn’t connect with this volume as much as the previous ones. I do think there were some interesting bits like a RPG wedding and Susan’s clan of sisters. This volume did end on a bit of a cliffhanger about whether or not Susan and McGraw are back together. But to be honest, I’m not feeling Daisy’s relationship and I don’t think she is either. I want to see if and when Daisy chooses to follow Esther’s advice and say ‘enough.’

3/5 Comixology strikes again with their Marvel Rising sale. I’ve always seen Squirrel Girl around, but I’ve never taken an interest. However, for $2.99 for volume 1, I decided to take a chance. The verdict? Not my cup of tea. Squirrel girl is definitely playing into ridiculous quirky humor which usually I would be totally into, but North and Squirrel girl didn’t quite hit the right notes for me. I think it’s cute and a younger audience would probably like it, but I’m going to have to pass on this series.




4.5/5 This hit a lot of the right notes. Classic Superman and Lois? Check. Superman and Lois working for the greater good? Check. Superman and Lois as parents? Check.

I love how Clark and Lois were able to just be happy and in love with each other while also parents to their son Jon. I like how Jurgens digs into the sacrifices each of them have made in order to protect their identities and most importantly, their son Jon. I enjoyed reading how each copes with their inability to contribute to the greater good in the same roles they had. But, true, to Clark and Lois they each found a way to contribute anyways. Clark can’t be the Superman that the public knows anymore because the public already has a Superman. Lois can’t be the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist anymore because there’s already a Lois Lane out there. So what do they do? They continue to help and to write. Clark takes on smaller scale adventures and Lois anonymously publishes books exposing truths.

And, Jon? He’s the best of both of his parents. Inquisitive and good-natured and on a path to discovering what it means to have super powers.

4/5 The colors in this arc are amazing! They’re bright and vibrant and not what you would typically associate with Gotham City which works for Zero year. I like how young and brash Bruce reads in this arc and that he really is Batman in the making. He’s making mistakes, and bad guys are pulling victories over him. He’s raw power and a crude weapon which Gotham is shaping and forging through these initial trials.

3/5 I think the pacing was a bit off coming off of Zero Year in the previous volume. There was an obvious break between arcs and the events of Batman Inc definitely played a thread in this volume. While I don’t think that the villain this round was strong, I thought that the way Snyder dealt with Bruce’s grief over Damian’s death was excellent. He’s just hurting. He’s in pain, and he’s more Batman then ever. You see Bruce retreat into the Batman persona even more. Bruce’s choice to go into overdrive with crimefighting dovetails into senseless violence at some point which parallels Damian’s senseless death. He’s a father who lost a son and he doesn’t quite know what to do with himself.


4/5 This was big. There so many touchstones that Snyder called upon to build this story. What’s been incredibly enjoyable about this run is how Synder and company are building a Bat-verse of their own. Yes, Batman has 75+ year history and Batman doesn’t exist in a universe of his own where big DC verse event stories don’t affect him, but Snyder and co do a great job of creating an isolated tone for their series. I was intrigued but not necessarily sold on the Joker’s pale man story point. But, this story point doesn’t surprise me. Snyder is always about the history. The history of Gotham and how it informs and shapes every Gothamite. So, for Joker to be woven into that history is not a complete surprise.
I liked the inverse of team ups. Justice leaguers were the bad guys and the bad guys helped the good guys fight for a dying city. The bat orb, the owls, the red hood head piece, and the giant joker playing card were all nice touches that reminds the reader of the mythos Snyder has built for Batman in this series. I’m late to the game, but I know Bruce will resurface and go through a rebirth of sorts. I’m looking forward to seeing this Bat-story wrap up.


3.5/5 “So who are we, fellow Gothamites, with Batman?” One of the opening pieces of dialogue in volume 8. And, really, this line sums up this latest arc. The fallout out of Endgame finds Gotham without Batman as the city struggles to rebuild and find itself amongst the rubble. In his stead, Geri Powers installs Jim Gordon as a new Batman—one that works within and for the law. I’m not sure how I feel about this and I think Snyder and co do a good job of also showing this doubt through Gordon who is unsure of taking on the cowl.