My thoughts on the new 52 books that I have read so far:

Action Comics: Shout it from the roof tops but Grant Morrison has made Superman interesting, by setting the story in his formative years we have a Superman or Superyouth running around in a pair of jeans with a S logo t-shirt and a red cape.

Now my immediate thoughts were this is how I must have looked when I was a child running round the back streets of our home town, although I wasn’t as bulked up didn’t have a Superman t-shirt and my cape was my mothers best tea towel, but it brought back memories. Taking my reminiscing aside this book was interesting because this Superman is venerable, he can be hurt plus he doesn’t seem to have the same moral compass he has in his later years. The Superman of the old DCU would never have dangled anyone off a roof top to get a confession, which was more Batman style than the big blue’s. Throw in that the police, army and an ambitious Lex Luther trying to bring him down then you have one hell of a good book.

Catwoman: Now there have been a lot of things said about this book since it came out some good some not so good, I enjoyed the story and thought the way Catwoman was written was as true to the character as you could get. The only slight issue I had was with the final page while Selina’s characterisation was spot on, I felt the Batman one wasn’t but then again it maybe for this new Batman. I am willing to give this book a few more issues yet to see how it goes, a solid but not fantastic start.

Legion: Never read Legion so I didn’t know who most of the characters were or what there powers were, however this did not stop my enjoyment of the book. I am definitely looking forward to see where this book is going, and plan to continue buying the book.

Legion Lost: Never read Legion so I didn’t know who most of the characters were or what there powers were, and for some reason this did stop my enjoyment of the book.

I found it hard to figure what was going on and why it was happening, the reference to the Flashpoint Breakwall also had me confused (not always the hardest thing to do)

I will give this book at least on more issue but it didn’t grab me from the get go, which is a disappointment as I was looking forward to the Legion books.

Frankenstein Agent of Shade: This is the one book that had me hooked after listening to the podcasts from C2E2 and it did not disappoint, Frankenstein is a member of SHADE a type of X-files government funded organisation. After a village is decimated by creatures unknown Franki is sent in to investigate what is going on and to also find his four armed missing wife who went to investigate before him. There he is joined by a Wolf Man, Mummy, the Creature from the Black lagoon hybrid and a vampire crossbreed. I know this sound completely bonkers but trust me it works and if you haven’t picked this up please do so. The artwork reminded me of early Sandman type artwork which is not everyone’s cup of tea, fortunately for me it is to my tastes and I am loving it immensely.

Blue Beetle: I first read Blue Beetle when he appeared in JLI Generation Lost, and enjoyed the character that much I bought his past issues to read up on him. So when it was announced he would get his own book, my interest was peaked, as I thought he was OK as a team player but not sure if he could hold his own book. Well this first book goes a long way to prove me wrong, and what's really good about this first book is we get an introduction into the history of the scarab that creates Blue Beetle and how Jamie Reyes comes into contact with it thus creating the Blue Beetle.

The book its self is excellent in both the pacing of the story and crisp clear artwork, that suit this book perfectly, the villains are creepy enough to make you think I wouldn't want to take them on.

Now I have read some complaints on the Internet about the absence of Ted Kord who people see as the original Blue Beetle but as I never read a great deal of story's featuring Ted's Kord it doesn’t bother me too much, however if you look at your Blue Beetle history Dan Garret was the original and first appeared way back in the 1930's, and I don't hear no one crying for him to come back. Forget what went before this is a good read, I for one am in for the long haul on this on.

Swamp Thing: After the poor search for Swamp Thing mini series I had big concerns about this book but I needn’t have worried, this book is written by Scott Snyder a man who can do no wrong at the moment, check his American Vampire book out to see what I mean. This is a good solid start with the horror aspects of the story pitched just right, plus if you are unsure who the main characters are or their back story’s you are quickly brought up to speed without it affecting the main plot line. The fact that Swamp Thing’s appearance in the book, is not until the last panel didn’t effect my enjoyment of the story at all. If I do have one gripe its that the drawing of Superman (he makes a cameo appearance) is very poor, he looks unlike any Superman I have ever seen even in the new DCU, but it didn’t spoil the story significantly for me so its only a small niggle.

Green Arrow: A younger Green Arrow is in Paris to catch the bad guys with the help of an Oracle type assistant who feeds him information via an earpiece, I would love to know what network he is on as on our resent trip to the USA I couldn’t get a signal but I digress. The story is good with a ending that made me want to see more which is always a plus, So I have high hopes for book two and beyond.

If you like your Green Arrow young and without the beard, ala Smallville style then this is the book for you.

Batgirl: I wasn’t going to get this book as I have never had a desire to read any of the Batgirl book, but as I was a fan of Gail Simone I thought I would give this one a try, and I must say I wasn’t disappointed. For those of you not in the know Batgirl is once again Barbara Gordon the daughter of Commissioner Gordon, back in the old DCU Barbara the then Batgirl was shot by the Joker and lost the use of her legs. She reinvented herself as the cyber hero Oracle, and eventually headed a team of heroes in the book Birds of Prey (Gail Simone writer) that’s the abridged versions. In this new DCU she was also shot by the joker and wheel chair bound, something we find out through flashbacks with the first issue. However, something has happened and she is now cured, what has happened we don’t know yet but I look forward to finding out as there are always cheques and balances to pay in the DCU.

The new villain introduced in this first issue is called The Mirror and seems set on killing people who he/she believes cheated death, a bit of Final Destination plot here I think. The drowning of one man who was the only survivor of a ship disaster could have come straight out of the Final Destination films, and I may never water our garden without a shiver going down my spine again. Personally I can forgive any general similarities to the Final destination films as the book is top draw in both story and art work, this is a good first book and gets you hooked from the start it is a good addition to the overcrowded Batman family of books.

Justice League: The first story arc of this book takes place around 5 years before the present DCU story lines, and is the story on how the Justice League was formed.

In reality this first book is all about the first meeting of Batman & Green Lantern, now as these are two of my favourite characters I am not complaining. Batman is his usual confidant self who would prefer to work alone; Hal is a slightly inexperienced Lantern who is out to prove to Batman and the world he can contain any situation. The thing I enjoyed with this book is when they meet you don’t get the usual slug fest, then the decision to work together for the common good. We do get the distrust that Superheroes meeting for the first time would have of each other, and the scene where Batman takes Hal's ring off just to point out he’s not concentrating is a joy.

All in all it’s a good first issue and the appearance of a angry Superman in the last panel indicates things are going to start moving along, Jeff Johns as crafted a solid start and Jim Lee’s art work is well its Jim Lee’s artwork, for me its OK but not over exciting.

A book to keep your eye on I think.

So that’s all the new 52 books I have read so far, I have my Batman & Green Lantern books to read this week-end so I will report back my thoughts on those when I’ve read them.

Podcasts I enjoy to listen too

Like many people I get my comic news reviews via the Internet, if you’re reading this then that will be no surprise to you. One of the main way and also for me the best way is via podcasts, why podcasts I hear you ask. Well I its because as I listen to them I get the feeling that I am there sat with them, as they talk about the things that are excited about or things they don’t like. I constantly finding my self agreeing or disagreeing with the podcaster's and even laughing out load, and as some times I’m sat on the bus to work whilst listening I can get funny looks.

Below are the podcasts that I listen too and a bit of information of who the podcasters are, what they talk about and why I enjoy them.

Give them a try you never know you may start talking to your I Pod whilst sat in public, it is very liberating.

As they say on X-Factor in no particular order:

Raging Bullets: Sean Whelan and his co host Jim Sequlin host a mainly DC focused podcaste, they are a spoiler podcast and go in-depth on the stories and plot lines of the comics they are reviewing, so if there is anything you don’t want to know about you should go back later to better enjoy the show, their words not mine. From time to time they do tend to go off on tangents, and I have listed to discussions as diverse as who would play who in a Muppet Secret Six Movie to the annoyance of Colgate adds in the middle of comics, never a dull moment with the Raging guys.

What really comes over with this podcast is the community spirit that has been built up around it, they have a Facebook page, forums, and have a voice mail line which for the most part as far as I can tell are played unedited on the show. You can also send in emails or contact the guys through Twitter, which gives one big comic community feeling to the whole experience.

Comic Timing: Ian Levinstien & Brent Kossina, I can across this podcast when Ian made a guest appearance on Raging Bullets.

Again this podcast is very interactive and you can contact the guys via emails, twitter, forums and a dedicated Facebook page. The podcast covers all manner of books from the big two (Marvel & DC) as well as independents, films and games have also been reviewed from time to time but the main body of the show is comics. There can be some bad language from the guys during the broadcast so it is not for the narrow minded or prudish, as I am neither of those I don’t have a problem with it.

Ian also posts regularly on his own Facebook page about various topics, from Si-Fi, comics, food and baseball.

As a side note Ian pointed me in the right direction to get baseball tickets on our upcoming holiday to New York, if I bump into him while I’m there I will buy him a drink as a thank you.

Podcast of Oa: (via the blog of Oa) Myran Rumsey & Bill Giancoli – this one is self explanatory in that the podcast is Green Lantern, covering everything from the film, books and merchandise. As a Green Lantern fan this is a podcast I really enjoy, the podcast its self has only been running for around 3 months so is in its infancy, but given its slick production and quality content you would think it had been running for years. If you have a love of all things Lantern then give this one a go.

Where Monsters Dwell: - If I am honest I tend to dip in and out of this podcast and only listen to the ones that grab my attention, the resent Gail Simone interview from Australia and the resent Jimmy Palmiotti interview have been essential listening.

The podcast its self is very slick and well put together, there is a Facebook page and an email address so you can contact the guys if you want too. Again like all podcasts its down to personal taste but I enjoy what I listen too when ever I download it.

Earth Station One Podcast: This podcast casts it net quite wide in that it covers comics, TV and film, the format of the show is a bunch of guys sat around talking about their likes and dislikes. I first came across the show when I downloaded an episode which reviewed Torchwood Children of Earth story line, a very entertaining episode it was too. Like other podcasts they have Facebook, Twitter and even have merchandise you can buy if you want too.

If you like your podcasts with off the cuff talk, (not saying it’s that but its how it comes over) then you will enjoy it.

There are many other podcasts that I have come across, but the ones above are the ones that I listen too the most. There are others that I check on a regular basis, to see if there are items that are of interest to me.

I have listed them below and put links on them, give them a try you may find something you enjoy.

DC Noise:

The Taylor Network

Geek Brunch Podcaste:

Comic Geek Speak:

Books that I will be miss in the DC re-boot

As we say goodbye to the old DC universe, and hold our breaths as we prepair to embrace the new one. I took time to reflect on the books I have enjoyed that will not be featuring in the new universe, at least in the first few months that we know of. 

So in no particular order,

Power Girl: Now there are two reasons I love this book, and they are not the ones that jumped into your mind as you read the first sentence. They are that this is a fun book to read as it doesn't take its self too seriously, the other is simply Power Girl is a fantastic character and when written and drawn well you inevitably get a good story.

Superman & Batman:  This book has been one of the first ones I read when my monthly order arrives, we have had story's from the past, future, alternate universes as well as tie in to present day story lines. This book showed that a Superman / Batman story is never boring if it is done well, and it was consistently done well in this book.

Secret Six: Now I have to be honest in that I have been reading this book in trade, as I find it the best way to read these story's. The book is full of the most unlikeable villains you could ever meet, not that you would ever want to meet them, but here's the strange thing you actual find yourself routing for these guys week in week out, or month in month out in my case. It is a testament to the brilliant writing of Gail Simone, that you actually want these people to survive.

Zatanna: Now there are two reasons why I love this book sorry done that one already. In truth Zatanna is a much under used character, and when she was given her own book you saw the true potential of this character shine through. I truly hope we see her been used correctly in the new universe.

JSA: I am a big fan of team books and this was the best one of the lot, not much more I can say on that one except they will be missed.

R.E.B.E.L.S:  Now I know this was cancelled a few months back but in reality it was to make was for the changes to come, this book was space opera at it best and was praised by everyone who read it. Unfortunately there were not enough people reading it, which is a pity as this was a fantastic book.

Red Robin: Tim Drake / Wayne has been one of the best additions to the Batman universe, and I have read his progression from Robin to Red Robin and not missed a single issue. I am hoping he will get his own book once the re-boot settles down.

Batman Beyond:  Enjoyed the animation series, the book took the story of Bruce Wayne and his new protegee Terry McGinnis a step further.

So that's it the books I shall miss, i am sure there are many more that other people will miss that I haven't touched on, but these are the ones that are relevant to me.

So its out with the old and in with the new, lets hope its a good journey.

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 1969

This is a follow on book to League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 1910, in that events that happened in that book are also playing out to a conclusion of sorts in this book. So if you haven’t read the 1910 book it would be advisable to read it first, however in saying that I have read the first book and still had trouble following what was going on in this one, but that could be just me?

The story is set in London at the end of the swinging sixties hence the title 1969, where the dead magician Oliver Haddo is attempting to find a host body that is both suitable and long lasting. So far not too complicated, however when you throw in Haddo’s followers who are attempting to create a Moonchild who could also be the antichrist, add London gangsters, a Rolling Stone type rock band, and the Leagues attempts to stop all of this happening as they travel around London, and you have the plot of the book I think.

To be fair I may be over simplifying the plot to say the least, and I would not want to upset Mr Moore in any way, by being glib on what is truly a fantastic body of work. Just by looking at the book you can see the love of the subject, that the great man obviously has.

However what intrigues me most with this book more so than the previous ones in the series is the cameo appearances that seem to spill out of every page, some you will know some you will miss on your first read through. I would encourage every one who reads this book just to go back and look at the panels to see who you can spot, I have done this several times and I am still finding people.

It is important to note that not all the characters in a panel are there to drive the story forward in any way, I think they have just been put there because the writer or artist wanted to.

Edward Woodwoods Callan is hired by a London gangster who owned a rock star to find out what happened to him (read the book to find out), you are never actually told it is Callen he is called Mr. C. However in a later scene when he meets Lonely for information I took it as him, I have read on other blogs that it could be Carter from The Get Carter movie, or an amalgamation of both characters, I will leave it up for you to decide. Steptoe & son appear in a busy street, The Ruttles are shown on posters, I also spotted Reg from On the buses, along with the carry on gang in a London night club, maybe a reference to Barbara Winsor’s links to London gangsters in her early years, even the Patrick Troughton Doctor pops up along with far too many more to mention.

For any long time followers of the books, there is a references to the 2^nd book which featured the War of the Worlds. A Martian tripod is shown rusting away with children using it as a swing, in a later panel a statue of Mr. Hyde with the inscription Henry Edward Jekyll – Edward Hyde 1851 – 1898 Monstrous he died for Mankind is shown.

Well those days are long gone and this League is now reduced to just 3 people, Mina Harker of Dracula fame, Allan Quatermain a Victorian Indiana Jones and Orlando who appears to be multi-gender and has lived for several thousand years if his stories are to be believed. Mina has become almost unrecognisable from the first League of Extraordinary Gentlemen book, and has changed from a repressed Victorian woman, to a modern mini skirted free loving spirit, who is not out of place in this drug taking swinging London of 1969. At one point when trying to extract information from a young woman, she resorts to an interrogation technique (off panel) that would not have been out of place in Tipping the Velvet. So that’s what a bite from Dracula and immortality can do for you, who would have guessed.

                                       

                            

               

         Victorian Mina                                                60's Mina

 

As usual artist Kevin O’Neill visuals are spot on for the book, and they do give you a feel that this is what the 1960’s could have looked like, I was only 9 at the end of the 60’s so it kind of past me by. Kevin O’Neill is to be congratulated as throughout all this series of books his art has matched the mood of each era perfectly, which includes the jump forward to 1977 at the end of the book. Now I am only presuming here but the jump forward may have been done to lead us into the next installment of the book, which is rumored to be League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 2009, and may well be the last in the series.

On reflection is this book as good as the previous ones personally I don't think so, I found it a little over complicated, and it tied into plot lines from the previous books a bit too much for me.

 I am a big fan of the first two books, but that maybe down to my love of the classic characters from literature, that populates those books.

But having said that I did enjoy the book, and I would recommend it to any one who asked me. The only side bar I would add would be to read the previous books first, so that you get the full flavour of what leads these characters to this point in their lives.

On the whole League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 1969, is a good addition to the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen books.

For anyone who wants to have a total breakdown of the book panel by panel then go to Jeesse Nevins’ annotations, it’s fantastic; I take my hat off to you.

Real life superheroes in the UK?

From left to right: The Dark Spartan, Noir and Black Void

 As a fan of superhero comics I wondered what it must be like to be a real life superhero, the truth at least with the people on film was stranger than any fiction I had read. The programme centred around 3 people who were or believed they were superheroes, their story was told in segments throughout the programme. For the purposes of this blog I have split out each person and written their part of the story, or at least as I saw it.

We were first introduced to The Dark Spartan – real name Will a 27-year-old accountant living in Torbay, Spartan lived with his wife and two young children and was happily sat around in full costume eating his tea before going on patrol.

Will's costume was made up of police riot armour which he had bought off ebay, and he was happy to pose outside his home in full costume for all to see, no secret Bat cave or Fortress of Solitude for Will.

While been interview Will wore a mask that looked like it had been drawn on with marker pen, this was presumably to hide his identity. What I found worrying was despite wearing his drawn on mask, he was happy for his wife and children to appear on camera for the world to see. Well at least all those who watched the programme.

Spartan is filmed as he walks the streets or Torbay at night hoping to help any one in distress or in trouble, he seemed genuinely put out when the police intervened in a drunken street brawl before he managed to get there, and just stands in the crowd as the police do their job.

At the end of the night Spartan is reduced to trying to help drunks find there way home safely, but even they seemed to ignore him, “That one should be safely on his way home” says Spartan as the drunken man zig zags passed him, perhaps thinking to himself did I drink that much tonight.

In the end and under pressure from his wife to stay safe Will is reduced to looking for a sidekick, and where would you look to find a sidekick, yes you've guessed it Facebook. He eventually settles after an interview on the Black Void, a man wearing a basic lycra Spiderman type costume and carrying a cane. Black Void was happy to admit that his main weakness is his irritable bowel syndrome, which on reflection could be a problem if things turned nasty, this is also not a weakness you would ever hear Superman admit to.

Black Void & Dark Spartan

At the end of Dark Spartan's story, It’s revealed that he or his sidekick is yet to stop any actual crime.

Next up was Noir – a 17 year old comic book fan Kieran from my home county of Yorkshire. Kieran explained to us that he was called Noir because he dressed in black apart from a poorly made red mask, and the word for black in French was noir simple really. Kieran suffered from panic attacks which is not the ideal condition to have for a would be superhero, however he had an optimistic view on life and just wanted to help people, and you couldn't help but like the young man. In his first interview he excitedly told the interviewer “I saved a baby from a burning building, I stopped a car thief and I brought down a drugs ring,” when asked if this was true he admitted that it wasn't but this is the sort of headline he would like to have soon.

Kieran is later shown in the local park on the swings where he talks about a girl who has been mugged, and tells us how he would like to help her, now you cannot knock him for that. Unfortunately for Kieran he didn't knew where the girl lived, or had any idea on how to find her.

In the end he is reduced to knocking on doors and showing his newspaper clipping to locals asking if they know her, unfortunately for him after find out where she lives the girl is too traumatised from the mugging to meet him or appear on TV.

Undeterred Kieran writes her a letter and buys the girl a box of Maltesers, which he anomalously leaves on her door step. When asked how he feels about doing something good to help a stranger Kieran firstly says that he is ok “but its not the same feeling Spiderman has when beating Venom,” but then adds “You don’t need a mask or a costume to be a superhero, It’s what you do, not what you look like or what you wear that counts,” the phrase out of the mouths of babes comes to mind. At the end of Kieran's story it does seem a little sad to see him walking off alone, and I couldn't help thinking that if he had a few more friends he wouldn't be trying to be a superhero.

Lastly we meet The Shadow – real name Ken from Somerset who we first meet disguised as a bin bag in a back street, I must say he did look impressive as he jumped out and I will admit I rewound my recording to see it again (I am easily fooled). Ken AKA The Shadow models him self on the legendary Ninja warriors of old, and like Dark Spartan & Noir wants to help anyone in need. Unfortunately that's where the similarity ends with Ken, as he comes over as some one who is one step away from doing someone real harm if given the chance or is pushed too far. At one point while talking about dealing with a gang of boy racers, who have been terrorising a local car park for years despite complaints to the police from residents. He shows us his array of weapons that he keeps locked up in his back garden shed, as well as all the usual ninja weapons pointed stars, swords etc., there were a few guns hung on the wall. It was a armoury that the Punisher would have been envious of, and while I suspect most of them were only replicas, it was a worrying sight and I would encourage Kens local police to give him a visit just to check it out.

Ken planned his strategy for getting rid of the boy racers in his back yard using model cars and an action man toy, while watching this I could not shake the feeling, that any second his mum would come out and shout “your tea is ready.”

We were then shown scenes of The Shadow creeping around in the dark at the far side of the car park which was unfortunately for him empty, undeterred he decided the best course of action was to hide in the bushes. Which would be a good strategy if you did not have a film crew with you, The Shadow then treated us to more information than I actually wanted to know. As he explained how he could silently wait for hours undetected, and that he would even pee himself rather than move and give his position away. This is something I have never read of Batman doing, and I will add I don't want too.

The night ended with a voice from the film crew saying “Ken I'm going to bed,” to which Ken broke cove hopefully still dry and went along with them. However he did throw a smoke bomb to the ground, to hide his rather unsuccessful unnoticed getaway.

So that was it and to be honest although their intentions are good, the fact is superheroes don't work in the real world. In this week of riots across the country how many of us have wished there could be a superhero to deal with them all, I know I did, do I after watching this, not any more.

Superheroes of Suburbia, which was first shown on Friday 5th August at 7.35pm.

Friday Si-fi and Film News

A first look at the new "Man of Steel," showing Tudor’s star Henry Cavill as Superman. This is the first showing of Cavill in the costume which shows significant changes to the one worn by Brandon Roth when he played Superman in Superman Returns.

The film will also star Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as Daily Planet editor, Perry White. Martha and Jonathan Kent are played by Diane Lane & Kevin Costner; with Superman’s Kryptonian parents played by Julia Ormond & Russell Crowe.

Villains for the film are General Zod & his partner Faora played by Michael Shannon & Antje Traue, the film is scheduled for release on the 14^th June 2013.

The change to a darker costume is already causing a lot of noise across the net not all of it good, personally I am happy to see how the suit looks during film sequences before passing any judgement on it (but it does look good)

The BBC has announced that the final 6 episodes of Doctor Who will begin on Saturday the 27^th of August both here in the UK and in the USA, and not in September as many fans had believed it would. That’s a big sigh of relief for me as I had concerns it would start in early September when I was on holiday, meaning I would miss setting my V+ box to record it. Rumours that I petitioned the BBC on a daily basis to start the second part of the series in August are untrue.

Photos of Batman from the Dark Knight Rises have also been released this week, they show Batman fighting a rather puny looking Bane, I can only assume that Bane hasn't had his weetabix or he has not yet pumped up on the muscle enhancing steroid Venom.

 A first glimpse of the Catwoman costume was also released, the first photo shows Anne Hathaway's in full Catwoman mode and can be found on the films official website, the second photos shows Anne Hathaway's stunt double in costume.

And finally my wife and I spent a enjoyable few days in the wonderful city of York, and while doing so came across the filming of a new ITV supernatural drama. 

Eternal Law is in six part drama by the team behind Spooks and Life On Mars, the story focuses on two lawyers Zac & Tom who are Angels who have been sent to earth to try to understand the human condition. The series stars Samuel West as Zac & Ukweli Roach as Tom, Tobias Menzie of Rome fame plays the fallen Angel Richard Penbroke whilst Orla Brady plays the enigmatic Mrs  Sheringham, Fringe fans would recognise Orla as she played Elizabeth Bishop in that series.

The slightly out of focus shots (we couldn't get too close) were taken at York train station, and show Orla Brady, Tobias Menzie with a 3rd actor relaxing between shots. I have no idea who the the 3rd actor in the photos is, but apologise to him for not knowing on the off chance he ever reads this blog.

      

My DC 52 Comic order

After days / hours of deliberation I have finally completed my pre-order for the new 52 DC comics line, having done so I thought I would share my reasons on why I have gone with the comics I have.

JLA – Having Geoff Johns and Jim Lee on this book is a major draw for me; add into the mix that I have been reading JLA in all its forms as long as I can remember, picking this book was a no brainer.

Justice League International - As I said I have read all forms of JLA books which included JLI or JLE as they became known at one pint, add to that my resent enjoyment of the JLI Generation Lost book and this was always going to make the list.

Justice League Dark – The one main draw for me on this book is John Constantine and Zatanna, so that’s two main draws for on this book me.

Batman, Nightwing, Batman & Robin, Detective Comics, Batman: The Dark Knight – I am a Batman nut so I will always buy Batman books, add writers with the quality of Scott Snyder, Peter Tomasi and Tony Daniel and I am Bat happy. I can even live with the fact that Dick Grayson is going back to been Nightwing, come on guys you didn’t think it would be forever did you?

Catwoman – I wasn’t sure on this one but with Judd Winick on board I thought I would give it a try.

Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Green Lanterns: New Guardians, Red Lanterns – put the name Lantern on a book and you have me hooked it’s as simple as that for me, however, I my draw the line if they bring out a Cosmopolitan Lantern magazine.

All-Star Western – No one does Hex better than Jimmy Palmiotti, and when you put Hex in Gotham it’s got to be a winner.

DC Universe Presents – Now I have been shouting out for more anthology comics in every forum and website that will listen, so if I don’t buy this one the comic goods will hunt me down.

Aquaman – Its Geoff Johns so need I say more.

Swamp Thing – This is not a book I would normally buy but with Scott Snyder at the helm, it’s another one to try.

Legion of Superheroes – Heard good things about this book, so I thought the re-launch was a good jumping on point to try it out.

I, Vampire - I’m a big fan of vampire books, comics and films apart from Twilight, so this one has me interested.

Action Comics – I am not a Superman fan I normally find him a very boring character, he has super strength, he can fly and he is virtually invulnerable. So I don’t usually find myself been gripped on what will happen to him as he will always survive (I know they all usually survive) however when I read the blurb about this book it had me hooked. If I'm totally honest they had me at Grant.

On the bench or possible digital download -Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, Batgirl, Savage Hawkman.

So that’s it my list is in and to be honest its more comics than I, my bank manager or more importantly my wife originally thought it would be, I’m not sure how many titles will survive past 3 issues only time and the quality of the story’s will tell. The one thing I do know is that it’s an exciting time to be a comics fan.