Book Review: Junkyard Joe volume 1

Throughout history, unlikely and strange heroes have risen and fallen, their identities and lives a secret. But for a Great Evil to be stopped, their stories must be told. They are The Unnamed fighting The Unknown War.

From the explosive pages of Geiger comes Junkyard Joe! The world knows him from the comic strip by recently retired cartoonist Muddy Davis, but the truth stretches back to the Vietnam War. It was there that the tragedies of combat and visions of a strange robot solider that saved his life still haunt him. However, dreams become reality when Joe mysteriously shows up on Muddy’s doorstep, warning us of a new and impending war.

Book Review: Flashpoint Beyond

The world of Flashpoint returns! After sacrificing everything to help the Flash put the universe back together and save Bruce Wayne's life, Thomas Wayne wakes up in a world he thought was no more. Forced to don the cowl once again, Batman prowls the streets of Gotham searching for answers to how this world still exists, but what he starts to uncover will send him hurtling around the globe. But the answers Thomas is seeking will have drastic effects on the DC Universe and its past, present, and future!

This collection of Flashpoint Beyond #0-6 was released in December 2022 by DC Comics.

Book Review: Stargirl - The Lost Children

When Stargirl of the Justice Society and Green Arrow's ally Red Arrow discover a tragic teenage hero from the past has gone missing, they set out to find him…only to discover he's not the first teenage hero of the Golden Age to have vanished without a trace. But where have they gone? Who are they? And what does the Childminder want with them?

An epic teenage DC hero event brought to you by Teen Titans writer Geoff Johns and iconic Young Justice illustrator Todd Nauck! Collects The Lost Children #1-6 and Stargirl Spring Break Special #1.

The collected edition will be released on October 24, 2023, from DC Comics.

Flashpoint #5 (***spoilers***)

Well, here it is...my final monthly comic book. It is Flashpoint #5 (of 5), the last issue of the big summer event mini series and the stepping stone to the new relaunch of DC Comics (which began this week with Justice League #1).

Be warned: this post will have spoilers galore for the final issue as well as major personal opinion. Take it all with a grain of salt.

Flashpoint #5 (of 5)

So, a quick recap of how we got here. At the end of Crisis on Infinite Earths, Barry Allen (the Flash) was killed saving the multiverse. Universes merged to a single continuity. That was 1986. At the end of Final Crisis, Barry returned to life and the universe. That was 2008. At the end of Brightest Day, his old foe Eoward Thawne (Professor Zoom) was brought back to life. That was 2011. Zoom vowed to destroy his old foe and went back in time to kill Barry's mother. We saw this in the most recent Flash title and the Flashpoint: Reverse Flash one-shot.

Back into Action Comics

Months ago I remarked in my weekly comic reviews how much I was digging the "Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes" arc in Action Comics (issues 858 to 863). Now, I had dropped Action regularly years ago but that arc brought me back.

Well, Geoff Johns writing on the title has caused me to come back and stay. I've gotten the next five issues in recent weeks (864 to 868) and I am loving all the elements coming back to the series. Some highlights:

864 - an epilogue to the LSH issue if you will, with Lightning Lad escorting Superman back to the 21st Century and Batman being none to happy. A nice intro to the Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds as well.

865 - a great issue featuring Toyman. Lots of resolution to some plot lines from the 90's where writers darkened the character too much by implying he was a child molester. I never liked that. This issue sorts all that out nicely and sets the villain up for the future.

866 - the beginning of another large arc, this one focusing on Brainiac. We also see the return of supporting characters Cat Grant and Steve Lombard. Nice! This sets up a classic Daily Planet line-up. Nice nods to the Superman films of the 70's too.

867 and 868 - parts two and three of the Brainiac arc. Oh, and if you thought you knew everything there was to know about Brainiac, you're wrong! I love how Johns respects the past and builds upon it, much like he is doing over in Green Lantern.

This book is definitely going back on my pull-list full time. Check it out if you like Johns' writing on other titles.