DC Preview Review for May Part 2 of 2

The second part, which follows the first part of two parts.

BIRDS OF PREY #12
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ
They’ve had the growing pains, the split-ups and the reunions. Now it’s time to see the Birds of Prey do the dirty jobs no one else can. When a mysterious yet familiar villain threatens to organize all East Coast criminal activity, from loan sharking to illegal arms trading, Oracle is forced to test the limits of the Batman Incorporated strategy, using her own operatives as pawns in a battle for the soul of Gotham City!
On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Jim: I know Chuck Dixon started this series, but Gail Simone over the years has made this her signature series, along with Secret Six. Group dynamics, strong characterization and fast paced action filled plots always abound. I very happy to see Jesus Saiz on this book as the artist, this book demands a top flight artist who can draw beautiful women and Jesus is just such an artist.
Gwen: I'm pretty happy Dinah and Ollie's forced marriage was brought to an end allowing Dinah to be part of the return of the Birds of Prey group. I also think Dove has been a good addition to the group.

WONDER WOMAN #611
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI and PHIL HESTER
Art and cover by DON KRAMER and JAY LEISTEN
1:10 Variant cover by ALEX GARNER
The penultimate chapter of “Odyssey”! Who is behind Diana’s altered reality? Who made the world forget that she is Wonder Woman? Who wants the Amazons dead? And, most importantly, why? The answers start to come right here!
On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Jim: As much as JMS’ Superman was a horrendous failure, this has been good stuff. I care more about this version of Wonder Woman then I did about the last few incarnations of the character. I just hope the younger and more inexperienced Wonder Woman becomes the norm inside the DCU. Of course it causes major headaches about Donna Troy; Wonder Girl could be worked around as her origin is not truly tied to Wonder Woman.
Gwen: I have to agree with Jim in the sense that this is the first time I've been interested in the Wonder Woman character in a long time. It's much easier to empathize with this Diana - less of a goddess and more of a human being. Characters are always easier to care about when they are more accessible and understandable. It was hard to feel much in common with Wonder Woman before but JMS has managed to put WW in a story that gives readers a window into her world in a similar way to Superman having a life as Clark Kent.


DOOM PATROL #22
Written by KEITH GIFFEN
Art by RON RANDALL
Cover by MATTHEW CLARK
It’s all been building to this! To retake Oolong Island, The Doom Patrol must face a pan-galactic array of foes, old and new alike. Hanging in the balance is the fate of the team, the island – and maybe even the world!
On sale MAY 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, FINAL ISSUE • RATED T
Jim: DC is cutting out a bunch of lower selling series. Unfortunately I enjoy almost every one of them, but this was my favorite of the series that have bitten the dust. Giffen caught the essence of the Arnold Drake and Grant Morrison takes on the DP and made it something unique and enjoyable. I see the fact that we have a ton of Flashpoint books coming on line and a new EIC in Bob Harras being behind the revamping of the DC line up. Looking forward to see what new maybe offered.
Gwen: I always mourn the loss of good solid series. Like Blue Beetle and Manhunter.

SECRET SIX #33
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by J. CALAFIORE
Cover by DANIEL LUVISI
This is it! The conclusion to the most requested Secret Six story ever, as the team travels straight to their own personal hell! Someone has a card to free a soul from Hell forever – but who has it, and who gets to use it? And can you really spit in the devil’s eye and get away with it? Find out in the stunning, violent conclusion to “The Darkest House!”
On sale MAY 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Jim: Its Gail Simone day at Comics And. Gail does such great work with this series that I wish DC would do a higher end collection of the Secret Six. I love how Gail is tying this back to the beginning of the series.
Gwen: Ah the get out of Hell free card. I loved when Gail Simone introduced this idea. It's such a perfect idea for this series.

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #7
Written by NICK SPENCER
Art by CAFU and BIT
Cover by FIONA STAPLES
Kick-starting the second arc of the hit new series, this issue shines a spotlight on the original Iron Maiden! What ties does this classic foe of the original team have to the current lineup? All we know for sure is that the new Dynamo better watch out, because she sure enjoyed causing the old one pain! Action and intrigue abound in this perfect jumping-on point for new readers!
On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T
Jim: This has been a fun book, but it needs to have a main plot more than just rehashing the origin of all of the characters. I love the character development, but we need an overall story too.
Gwen: Iron Maiden... what a creppy name.

AQUAMAN: DEATH OF A PRINCE TP
Written by STEVE SKEATES, PAUL LEVITZ and others
Art by MIKE GRELL, JIM APARO and others • Cover by JIM APARO
Don’t miss this dramatic 1970s tale from ADVENTURE COMICS #435-437, 441-455 and AQUAMAN #57-63! As Aquaman faces his greatest foes, Black Manta plans his ultimate revenge on the Sea King – resulting in the death of Aquaman’s infant son and the dissolution of his marriage.
On sale JUNE 29 • 336 pg, FC, $29.99 US
Jim: Loved Jim Aprao on Aquaman and if memory serves this was one of the better Aquaman stories ever done. Plus 336 pages in full color for $30 is a good deal.
Gwen: I'mactually kind of curious about this as I never did read the original story behind the death of Aquaman's son and it keeps coming up (especially recently in the Brightest Day Mera stuff).


ABSOLUTE IDENTITY CRISIS HC
Written by BRAD MELTZER
Art and cover by RAGS MORALES and MICHAEL BAIR
“The IDENTITY CRISIS mystery uses all of Mr. Meltzer’s skills as a thriller novelist.” — The New York Times
“A genuine comics landmark.” — Publishers Weekly
The unforgettable 7-issue miniseries from New York Times best-selling novelist Brad Meltzer (Dead Even) is now in DC’s Absolute format! Starring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the entire Justice League, this is the widely talked-about tale of intrigue and an inventive look at the world of Super Heroes, fantastic powers and secret identities.
When the spouse of a JLA member is brutally murdered, the entire super hero community searches for the killer, fearing their own loved ones may be the next targets. Before the mystery is solved, a number of long-buried secrets will threaten to divide the heroes before they can bring the killer to justice.
This gripping mystery includes a gallery of the variant covers, previously unpublished script pages and more!
Advance solicited • On sale OCTOBER 12 • 288 pg, FC, 8.25” x 12.5”, $99.99 US
Jim: I want this, but will pass. I have the hardcover and while I would love to see Rags work in the oversized format, $100 is a little steep for this mini-series. It certainly upset the status quo in the DCU but not sure it was a good thing. If I see it on sale for half price I will fold like a napkin and buy it.
Gwen: A little steep? That is an insane price for this!

THE JACK KIRBY OMNIBUS VOL. 1 STARRING GREEN ARROW HC
Written by VARIOUS
Art by JACK KIRBY and others
Cover by JACK KIRBY and MIKE ROYER
In 1957, Jack Kirby returned to DC Comics to draw the Green Arrow feature that ran in ADVENTURE COMICS and WORLD’S FINEST COMICS, pitting the Emerald Archer and his sidekick, Speedy, against a plethora of foes. At the same time, Kirby kept busy with work on DC’s mystery titles. These short tales spotlighted extraterrestrials and earthly monsters, nuclear threats and super-intelligent animals, magic wishes gone wrong and cities lost beneath the seas, challenging Kirby’s ever-fertile imagination in every story.
Now, for the first time, DC Comics collects all of Kirby’s many stories from the pages of HOUSE OF MYSTERY, HOUSE OF SECRETS, TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED, MY GREATEST ADVENTURE, ALL-STAR WESTERN, ADVENTURE COMICS, WORLD’S FINEST COMICS, as well as a trio of 1940s stories from REAL FACT COMICS.
On sale JULY 20 • 304 pg, FC, $49.99 US
Jim: I’m Kirbyed out in my collection, especially for this type of stuff. Oh I may change my mind one day, but I have plenty of Kirby in my collection and do not need to own every story he ever did.
Gwen: Yes, but at least this is only $50 for 300 pages even if it is a different format. Much more reasonably priced.


GREEN LANTERN (MOVIE): GREEN LANTERN POWER BATTERY PROP REPLICA
“In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil's might,
Beware my power...
Green Lantern's light!”
In a vast and mysterious universe, a small but powerful force has existed for millennia. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. Cosmic warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants superpowers.
When a new enemy threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, the fate of the Green Lanterns and of the Earth lie within the hands of the Corps’ newest recruit – the first human ever selected: gifted but cocky test pilot Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds). With determination and willpower, he possesses one thing no member of the Corps has ever had: humanity.
Jordan must quickly master his new powers and find the courage to overcome his fears to defeat the enemy and become the greatest Green Lantern of all.
This full-sized, light-up power battery prop replica was created from a cast of the actual prop used in the movie! The power battery also comes with a Green Lantern ring that lights up the lantern when the ring is pressed against the face of the lantern. This hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain prop measures approximately 15” high x 7.5” wide x 5” deep, with the ring a men’s size 14.
Packaged in a 4-color box.
NOTE: The Green Lantern Power Ring is a prop replica ONLY and is not meant to be worn.
Limited Edition of 2500 pieces.
*Quantities may be allocated
On sale June 15, 2011 * Prop Replica * $350 US
Jim: For $350 I’m wearing the ring baby. I know a movie is coming out, but how does DC expect to sell of these high end “collector” items, especially in a down economy. The days of consuming just to consume is over for most of us.
Gwen: Especially when you can get the other prop rings for much better prices. Also, seriously, why can't you wear the ring?

Jim: I’m still a big DC fan, but my overall love for the DCU has been slowly fading. We have too many events and not enough just telling good stories and character growth.
Gwen: I am sick of events. They drag on and make it so you can't just enjoy individual series because single issues are tied to some omni-plot. It makes it hard to enjoy mainstream comics sometimes.