Comics This Week.

Light week.

Action Comics #841 was okay. The basic premise is that no one believes Superman--who has recently returned after a year-long absence--is the real deal. This is a pretty credible plot point considering the last time Superman was gone, four imposters showed up, one of which ended up destroying an entire city. Superman acts surprised (and a little hurt) when people are skeptical of his authenticity, and this actually compromises the situation when an alien force begins stealing churches from three major cities. While the issue moved and the ideas were compelling, I couldn't help but find it a little dry. After reading a Busiek script brought to life by the masterful Pacheo, it is hard to go back to ho-hum art. I felt, also, that many of the guest stars were sort of shoe-horned in. It was kind of cool seeing Firestorm, who is fast becoming a favorite character of mine, but Nightwing's inclusion seemed a little forced and once the Teen Titans showed up Superman's book was co-opted. It is a good enough story for a fill-in before the new writers, but I cannot wait for Johns and Donner to get on this book.

Batman # 655 is the strongest book I picked up yesterday. I am used to reading Morrison's take on the Justice League or Superman, but I didn't know what to expect from his Batman run. I own a copy of Arkham Asylum and I had read Gothic before, but I knew from his interviews that he would not be going in that direction. In this issue, Batman has essentially wiped the streets up with the crazy villains he usually faces; bored and pushed to reestablish his identity as a millionaire playboy, he goes out to London for a society function. Upon seeing the former Man-Bat Kirk Langstrom, he knows something is up. What he doesn't know that is might involve a lovechild he had with Talia and Ninja Mutant Bats! In this post-Infinite Crisis DCU, Batman is more well-adjusted, but Morrison (and Dini over in Detective) have an ability of writing him a little softer without making him sound out of character. There are real moments of humor here, especially with Alfred, who really steals the show. Even Robin makes a brief appearance, but his characterizatio under Morrison is interesting and fun. I have always preferred Adam Kubert over Andy, but his work here is great. I look forward to seeing what Talia has in store for Batman. With Morrison writing no one can be sure!

It has been out for a couple of weeks but I just got ahold of Wonder Woman #1 when I was in the city. I read some people who virulently hated this book while others felt it was a return to a time in Wonder Woman history when she was a little more fun. My reaction is simply, "Meh." I had heard great things about Allen Heinberg from his work over at Marvel and the Dodsons seem to be solid artists. However, what we got just wasn't the kind of kick-off to a rejuvenated Wonder Woman that I wished to see. Too much of the story was dependent on the mire of events, and Donna Troy is temporarily Wonder Woman as the book starts out, making it somewhat inaccessible and counter to the clean start the issue one was suppose to denote. So much of the drama and the mystery was dependent on previous stories by other writers. In addition, the threat was ill-defined and a little silly. Donna Troy, former Wonder Girl, has taken over for Diana for the last year. A group of Wonder Woman rogues has taken over a museum and taken people hostage, asking the "real" Wonder Woman, Diana. Donna Troy fights the villains and loses. She is then kidnapped. The last page is Diana showing up in a new role, somewhat of a throwback to the old television show. The problem is I had a hard time caring. The conflict is simplistic and the hook to the story--will Diana reclaim the mantle or give it to Donna indefinetly--rings false because anyone who read Justice League #0 knows Diana will be back in no time. Heinberg is only on for six issues. Not sure I will pick up #2 next month.