Marvels' Newest Spider-Man Tease

I doubt their do what their teasing--at least having it stay in canon--sorry but Marvel killed a lot of my faith in them with OMD.

Books I'm getting

Batman and Robin #35: You know I'm not a fan of this series because of how Tomasi handles the book. So why am I getting this? Well for a birthday present I got to choose two current comics as gifts. Honestly I couldn't think of any new books I wanted. I only chose this for three reasons: 1.) It has Jason Todd. 2.) I like the art. 3.) I want to see if Tim's still tall.

Supergirl #35: This was my first choice for my gift. I originally wanted to get it because of the Jason appearance but declined because of not liking the writers' work on another book. I hope it's a good read as I wasn't happy with the interview.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #36: Just when I think I have Lobdell figured he surprises me. I think if this was nearly any other writer this series would be getting a lot of attention. While the subject matter isn't one I'd like to explore I'm impressed with what I've seen so far.

Gotham Academy #2: I enjoyed the first issue and I'm curious to see where the plotlines go.

New Warriors #12: The last issue of Yosts' version of the team. It makes me sad to see another of my books ending. This was a good series but because it's not mainstream enough it's cancelled. I hope at the very least the team stays together and shows up as the New Warriors in other books.

Scarlet Spiders: I'm still unsure about this three part mini series. On the one hand there's Ben Reilly and Kaine. On the other it's Spiderverse. Still I'm pretty sure it's a different writer...

Spiderverse and my feelings on it thus far

I quit Marvel years ago after they ended the MC2 Spider-Girl series. It was the only thing that got me to hang around after One More Day. I recently returned to buy Scarlet Spider (Kaine Parker) trades and get the criminally underrated New Warriors by Yost. I've been iffy on Spiderverse since it's basically just an excuse to kill off different spider characters. From what I've read it doesn't matter if these version are beloved or from a cartoon series--chances are they will be brutally murdered. Some of them already have been. There are two bright spots in this however as there will be mingling of these characters and other writers will be handling mini series.

Seeing how some of my favorites have already been slaughtered for this storyline I'm not that thrilled. That said the team for Spider-Girl will be returning for a story which I want to get out of loyalty to them (plus they actually know how to write Mayday.) Maybe Scarlet Spiders since I'm a fan of Kaine and Ben...I'm not familiar with Jessica. Even so it's a little weird for someone that's been reading DC to see all these $3.99 price tags.

Speculation for SPIDER-VERSE TEAM-UP #3 ahead.

The morals of Spider-Girl May "Mayday" Parker

I feel the need to post this because it's come to my attention that a certain event has stripped her of her characterization recenty.

SPOILERS AHEAD for Amazing Spider-Man

Bette Kane: Wash Out Sidekick or Most Determined Hero Ever?

I've been trade waiting Batwoman and skipped one to get to the Wonder Woman team up. There was also a few issues of Detective Comics that weren't released in trade. I recently backtracked to fill in the gaps which creates an interest portrait of Bette Kane.

DC January Solicits

A few of my pull list are on this since I had nothing really to say although there are a few surprises.

DC spoils the Robin reveal in solicits

Shown here. Thoughts below so SPOILERS AHEAD.

November Starfire Month?

I want to devote a month to Starfire and decided not to do it in October. I'll be doing reviews of older comics, recommended readings and maybe a essay or two. As well as looking over some products (not the cartoon series though.) Koriand'r is an awesome character and deserves more than bashing from people online. At the very least it'll be interesting to compare the changes to the character not only from the relaunch but seeing who she is by the time the old universe ended.

The Multiversity preview

I saw the picture before I saw the name of the book and while I knew it wouldn't be certain characters it made me laugh. Batman and Luthor kissing which is misleading but also kinda truth.

Reading Batman Odyssey #1

I'm realizing more and more that it's becoming impossible to review this thing. There so much to comment on and so little sense to be found. It can't even focus on one story. And for some reason Bruce has gymnastic equipment attached to his bed using it as Ra's watches. Bees have rears on their faces and Bruce really can't say enough good things about his coffee.

I'm disappointed though since I found it more boring than anything else. Not Forever Evil boring just not nearly as entertaining as I was hoping.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #35

We've gotten a flashback issue with Kori after she won her freedom and back in #34 we saw her directly facing one of the men that tormented her as a slave. Let's see where this arc takes us as it deals with drugs and horrors of the past.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Batman #415

Remember how last issue left off on a cliff hanger with Batman vowing to find the dumpster murderer? Well too bad this is a Millennium tie in.

OLDER SPOILERS AHEAD

DC Collectibles: Red Robin

I believe this is my last new 52 figure of the year. I haven't gotten this many figures in a long time.

Batman #414

So far Jason Todd's Robin period has mostly been quirky and showed his worthiness of the mantle. The only time he's gotten mad so far has been after finding out the truth Batman hid about his fathers' murder. Things now take a much darker turn as the series has yet another writer although this one will be the one that changes Jason's fate. Starlin takes over writing duties getting rid of the lightheartedness for much grimmer stories and a desire to remove the newest boy wonder from the series. This story sets the tone for things to come--oh and no Jason in this issue.

OLDER SPOILERS AHEAD

Aren't the Solicits Late?

I'm pretty sure they usually are released on the Monday of the third week of the month.

Possible Marvel Reads?

After a long hiatus I came back for the Scarlet Spider (Kaine) trades and New Warriors (featuring SS.) I've been thinking about getting the Scarlet Spiders mini series when I heard about Secret Wars, Rather the Mc2 characters like Darkdevil and American Dream on the artwork. I loved Spider-Girl and her world so depending on how it turns out (much like Spiderverse) I might get it. 

Sometime I have to do a post about MC2 and all the Spider-Girl characters. It's a family heroic legacy done right.

Batman Odyssey?

This came up recently and I'm wondering if this is the book I should read. The sheer WTFness of it should be entertaining. I mean I enjoyed a mini series that made little to no sense about the chosen people the Guardians picked. This will be funny right?

Any happy book recommendations?

There's a book I'll be reading that's apparently soul crushing. I'm not sure if that's in a "this is so sad but written so good" way or "grim/dark for the sake of being grim/dark" yet. I just managed to miss spoilers only reading that the preview made people cry. So I need something happy to read right after that I never read before. It can be funny or just characters being happy together. I have a feeling I'll be needing a pick me up.

Batman #413

What type of student is Jason Todd and what does it say about his character? What is going on in a Japanese exhibit? For these answers read on.

OLDER SPOILERS AHEAD

Blood Moon/Crisis/Booster Gold story

Whatever it's called that's supposed to have Booster, take place after Futures End/Worlds End and be on the anniversary of the crisis. The hot topic for that seems to be whether or not DC will undo the new 52. I don't think so although I can see where others get that impression. The covers with characters from the old universe and all. There are two options I see here:

1. The old universe is now another world. This doesn't make any sense when you think about it as Barry Allen and Booster Gold both came from that world and we saw them change when that world was turned into DCnU. It might be similar though.
2. I believe that this is the perfect chance for DC to fix some of their mistakes in new 52 but I don't think their undo everything. Just reset problem areas and include some of the history that was previously there. 

I think the main trouble many are having is that the new 52 doesn't have it's sense of history, the legacies, or the closeness with the characters. That can be fixed. Increase the amount of time it took for the JLA to form. Make the TT go further back. Have the Robins spent more than months/a year being sidekicks. Show that legacy matters, that these people care about each other. That makes the stories matter and have more meaning.

Female Characters Don't Sell Action Figures?

This was an idea that's been around for awhile. That female character don't sell hence toy companies don't go out of their way to make them into toys. More female characters get made nowadays but not on scale that male characters do. Usually one in a wave (if at all) or in gift packs especially at retail.

Batman #412

After taking down Two Face what fiend does new Robin Jason Todd face with Batman? Prepare yourself for--the Mime!

OLDER SPOILERS AHEAD

Jae Lees' Batman/Superman figures

I think Wonder Woman and Catwoman look the best. These don't seem to be super articulated like the Capullo figures.

Why Bat family Conflicts don't work

This has come up a lot in the new 52 and besides the trope being overdone there's another reason it doesn't work. The writers drop the plot to move onto the next screw up Bruce does to piss them off. Nothing ever gets properly resolved showing there was never a story to begin with. First we have DOTF which few writers wanted to touch to begin with and usually had members of the family shrug off soon afterward.* Then Tomasi grief arc which should have lead somewhere but was quickly brushed aside despite one case having to do with Bruce doing something unforgivable. Both are quickly swept under the rug to get onto another jerky thing Bruce does. Bruce even belittles their lack of trust while promising not to keep anymore secrets from them.

You know what we could have instead of the unending loop of Bruce being an ass that never learns his lesson and is always forgiven? Fleshing out how these people relate with each other! We still don't know what relationship Dick has with Tim and Jason. Can't we have something a little more original or at least show that this has consequences like the family keeping secrets from him?

* In fact Tomasi even showed Jason got over DOTF in his grief arc as he was staying at the manor and thanked Bruce for taking care of him. Yet HE'S the one Tomasi has mentioning the fake faces in DOTF? He was over that part before anyone else.

Batman #411

Part 2 of Jason Todd's first case as Robin Post-Crisis.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Jurgens talks Booster Gold, Blood Moon, etc.

Not much is revealed here in terms of Booster but hey I'm just happy to see him talked about.

Short Review: Gotham Academy #1

I had no real expectations going in. I'm glad DC is promoting this but it kind of ticks me off that they haven't given other books this much attention. Anyway onto my thoughts about the book.

SPOILERS AHEAD