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Geek Dad
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Mr. Terrific: Year One #1
Mr. Terrific: Year One #1 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: Mr. Terrific has been at the core of much of what's going on in the DCU, as the self-proclaimed third-smartest man in the world has been key to investigating the Omega energy spread around the world by Darkseid's death and the anomalies it's causing. But even he's running into some dead ends with the mystery, and that causes him to reflect back on the early days of his superhero career – which was the last time he saw something like this. We know the broad strokes of his early days, when he lost his wife and unborn child, but we haven't seen much of him from that period – and it's not a pretty picture. When we meet him, he's spent years in a stupor, sold his company to the shady tech magnate Athena Prescott, and mainly only talks to his AI. The only person still checking in on him is his best friend Dre – and Dre also has some serious concerns about what Prescott is doing to the city. Beyond the veil. Via DC Comics. Using Holt and Paula's technology, Prescott has built a powerful engine that promises to bring clean energy to Gateway City – but it's causing odd health side effects to everyone around it. Prescott is shutting down any debate and the city is all too willing to roll over for her, so it falls to Dre and his allies to investigate – by breaking into the tower. This leads to a tense escape segment as the assassin Comorant is dispatched to track them down – followed by a tense cliffhanger that leaves Holt with no choice to get back into the field and rediscover the grit and genius that makes him a hero. This first issue has a lot of strong moments, even if the ending does rely on a trope that's all too common in superhero comics. But I'm particularly interested in it because it looks to be one of the most honest portrayals of depression and grief in a superhero comic. Very impressive start by the creative team. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Batman #160: The Temptation of Jason Todd
Batman #160 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: One of the most defining scenes of the original Hush, of course, was the return of Jason Todd – or so it seemed. The Jason in that story turned out to be Clayface, tasked with screwing with Batman's mind, but the excitement over that moment led to the real return only a short time later. So it's only fitting that Jason is a key player in this story, with him surprisingly in league with Hush. Last issue, it seemed like this was mostly due to his rage over Bruce choosing to save the Joker's life, but this issue goes deeper – it seems that he's convinced that his mind is damaged, in a way that even the Lazarus Pit couldn't fix. Hush has promised to help him, which is likely a manipulative lie from one of the masters of them – but it doesn't matter, as Jason might be too far gone. And where one Robin is, the others can't be too far behind – as Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne are about to enter the fray. Don't say a word. Via DC Comics. Last issue, we saw Dick and Barbara contact the Riddler for help. Those who remember will know Riddler was actually the man behind the man in the first Hush, pulling the strings of Tommy Oliver. Now he's buffer and less evil, but no less unhinged. When Hush's scheme targets Jim Gordon, Barbara is pulled away, while Dick tries to track down his wayward brother. Bruce digs into the case, only to encounter two new members of Hush's team with unique powers and designs right out of the 90s. But the biggest shock of the issue comes when Damian shows up – with the very last ally you would ever expect him to have. This makes me think a very big twist is coming before the end of this first half of the storyline. Overall, just like the first Hush, the highlight here is the stunning art and blockbuster storytelling, but I feel like this one nails the tone a little better so far. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Batman/Superman: World's Finest #39 – A Tale of Two Robins
Batman/Superman: World's Finest #39 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: As the Legion of Doom traveled through time to target the heroes of today, there was an unexpected twist last issue – as the Robin of the past was hit with a time dilation gun, which sent him on a trip through the timeline – and deposited him smack in the present day. This creates a weird effect, where Batman suddenly remembers two timelines at the same time. He knows that Robin disappeared and was never seen again years ago, but he also knows Nightwing, who's right there. It might not make 100% sense, but does anything about time travel? This creates a cascading effect of people shifting through time, and that's where this issue is at its strongest. There's a great segment where past Superman meets present-day Lois Lane and has to grapple with the fact that 1) they're married, 2) Lois has powers, 3) they have a son together, and 4) that son has a boyfriend. He's pretty close to blue-screening. Ghosts. Via DC Comics. But that's not the only encounter that leaves an impact – at one point, Nightwing and Batman encounter the Alfred of the past, and that leads to some seriously emotional moments between Batman and his late adoptive father. I'm not sure how long DC actually intends to keep Alfred dead, given the typical pattern in comics, but every time he appears in flashbacks, it's a reminder of just how much the character brought to the Batman amid all the character work, there's some great action as well. Sinestro takes the lead among the villains this issue, and it's a reminder of just how far the character has come since then – he's pretty much a cackling stock villain here, but he has the power to displace the heroes once again. And where hey wind up at the end of this issue promises to be a lot less hospitable. A few more chapters of this entertaining, chaotic crossover are still to come. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Nightwing #126: Ghosts of Bludhaven
Nightwing #126 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: Dan Watters' run on Nightwing has had some very intriguing plot threads as the city is consumed by a gang war, but this arc is far and away the best. Guest-drawn by the brilliant horror artist Francesco Francavilla, who has drawn some iconic Bat-stories, it focuses on Captain Hallow, a mysterious plague-doctor inspired villain who stalks the Bludhaven Police Department. According to legend, this is the spirit of the first officer to fall in the line of duty in Bludhaven, and he uses his cursed guns to target officers who fail their oaths. But in reality, what we have is a serial killer who is targeting officers who are deemed to have betrayed their fellow men in blue – and one of their top targets currently is Commissioner Maggie Sawyer, whose efforts at reforming the police department have made her plenty of enemies. And it may not be one person under the mask at all… The collective. Via DC Comics. Last issue saw Captain Hallow nearly die at the hands of the officer he was targeting – but that's not close to the end of this threat. Maggie, much like last issue, is really the main character here, with Nightwing only playing a minor role. I think that's a smart choice – it nicely grounds the story in a much more street-level style of violence than we usually see. There's a great human storyline involving Maggie meeting her girlfriend's daughter for the first time, and trying to win over the timid young girl who has grown up distrusting police officers. But as the two try to awkwardly bond, the girlfriend's house becomes a danger zone as one of the assassins targets them – and they're not afraid to use the girl as a pawn. This is one of the tensest DC Comics I've read in a while, which is the result of this being a perfect fusion of writing and art. The tonal shift as this run began was pretty dramatic, but Dan Watters has solidly won me over. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Wonder Woman #21: Treachery on Olympus
Wonder Woman #21 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: Tom King is great at using small bridge arcs to really drive home the themes he's working with, and this two-parter was the perfect follow-up to the battle with the Sovereign. While still mourning the death of Steve Trevor, Diana is summoned to Olympus. Ares has been murdered, Hippolyta is the chief suspect, and Zeus intends to strip her of her immortality. Diana brings Batman to help solve the mystery – but Zeus demands collateral, and Batman's life will be forfeit if the crime isn't solved in time. Making things worse, as the two of them investigate the Gods, someone is out to get them – with one of Zeus' thunderbolts being used to target Batman and take him out of commission. With him recovering, Diana is left to handle the interrogations, and a twisted tale starts to unravel between Hephaestus, Aphrodite, and Dionysus – some of Olympus' biggest power players. Evidence. Via DC Comics. Tom King has obviously done his research on the Greek Gods, because this group is every bit violent, mercurial, petty, and dramatic as they are in mythology. And soon, a secret dalliance is revealed, turning one of the more gentle Gods into a raving maniac, while one of Ares' deepest secrets – stemming from his long rivalry with Wonder Woman – comes to light. And over it all, Zeus gleefully waits for the clock to tick down so he can claim Batman's life. It's cruel even for him, which neatly plays into the resolution. The mystery is great, but I have to say the real highlight here is some of the quiet conversations Diana and Bruce have as she continues to grapple with the death of Steve Trevor and her impulsive decision to become a mother as a tribute to him. Bruce, obviously, is no stranger to grief and the long healing process, and this story is a fantastic character spotlight for their bond. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
