Teen Titans Annual: Tom DeFalco, Scott Lobdell, Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, Sal Regla, Marlo Alquiza, John Livesay, Andrew Dalhouse, Rob Leigh, Rob Hunter

So here it is…the beginning of The Culling, the huge crossover spanning between Teen Titans, Superboy, and Legion Lost. There are parts of this Annual that I loved, and there are lots I did not like. Let’s get started. I hope I don’t make this crazy long.

Tom DeFalco. I’ve said lots already in other reviews. But it seems like he had a heavy hand in writing this Annual, and possibly a lot of The Culling itself. A lot of weak dialog and some poor character choices that I’m more willing to associate with DeFalco much easier than I am Lobdell. Lobdell’s been able to show us consistency in his book, whereas DeFalco’s first issue of Legion Lost was a train wreck and a departure from Nicieza’s run. The worst is with the villains, Harvest and his crew. They seriously gave me indigestion.

Positively, BRETT BOOTH’S BACK! There were a few issues of Teen Titans handled by Ig Guara because of Booth needing time to work on this Annual. It’s so nice to see Booth’s pencil’s again, I’m not going to lie. There’s even one panel where Tim looks like he did in Young Justice all those years ago. Rapmund and Sal Regla help out with inks here, along with a couple others. I was able to talk to Sal about this issue, and he said that Andrew Dalhouse was the REAL hero on the art team. Regla pointed out how Andrew was able to add real depth to panels with his colors. It was cool to see.

Another really cool treat was BEAST BOY!!! Holy crap!! I really like Gar, I think he’s a great character. To see him back is a breath of fresh air. And he’s red now! I wonder how that decision went down. Anyway, there’s some GREAT art with Gar, thanks to Brett’s paleoartist background. The Titans end up fighting the Legion, but they eventually understand each other and team up. The best double-page spread I think I’ve ever seen comes from this, when one page is taken by the Titans, the other the Legion. It’s breathtaking. Nice job to the creative team.

And then it’s all ruined when Harvest goes nuts and destroys his monitors, claiming that everything that’s happened…was to his design. Yes. The Titans teaming up with the Legion, and taking everyone out, was exactly what he wanted. It leads to a future that he’s planned for. So…that all happened so Harvest could send his team in to kill them all? I don’t understand, I thought this Culling was to breed a new team of Ravagers to fight for Harvest. But his current team is just going to fight and slaughter them all? What even?

Teen Titans Annual #1, the verdict: So it all came down to, not a deus ex machina, but more a “I PLANNED IT ALL ALONG!” from the villain. How absolutely disappointing. I HATE those endings! It’s like everything the heroes fought for means nothing! Everything they did was in vain, and I think…”Why’d I read this in the first place?” See, a lot of writers think that whole, “Hahaha, everything you’ve done was anticipated, and exactly what I wanted you to do!” from the villain is exciting, and dramatic, and will get a great reaction out of us readers. Wrong. It negates everything our heroes have done. All I can do is take comfort almost all of the Teen Titans issues have been really great.

(Photo Source: Newsarama)

Legion Lost: Tom DeFalco, Aaron Kuder, Brad Anderson, Travis Lanham, Pete Woods

Sorry, folks. You won’t be getting a proper review of this issue. Why is that? Well, because this issue of mine was absolutely trashed by some spilled water that I wasn’t immediately aware of. So it’s practically destroyed. Why is that? Is it because it’s one of the worst pieces of garbage I’ve ever read, and a huge middle finger to Nicieza and his team, who did such an excellent job with the first arc? You can’t prove that. But this was one of the worst pieces of garbage I’ve ever read, and a huge middle finger to Nicieza and his team. The characters are off, the dialog is gag-worthy, there’s action for the sake of action (and not story), and the art is just atrocious. Atrocitus atrocious. See, because, I hate his redesi— Anyway, I felt like this issue was just a big F-you to us readers who have been loyal from the beginning. I felt pandered to. I felt like this whole issue was a joke. It made me sorely miss Fabian Nicieza…but more importantly, it made me stop buying this series. I’m done. As long as Tom DeFalco has his claws in it, it won’t be right. In fact, I’d like to take a moment to say how I think he’s ruining DC’s New 52. Notice at the top of the first page…the location tag for NOWHERE: it says “The Antarctic.” …………..WRONG. It was very well established already in Teen Titans that NOWHERE is in the Arctic - the north pole. Yet this mistake will continue on through multiple issues where Tom De-freaking-Falco’s name is attached…no matter what title. Who the hell is his editor, and why didn’t they catch it? I’m looking at YOU, Darren Shan and Brian Cunningham. You’re not doing your jobs. And this whole Culling event that eventually goes down? Well…I’ll get to those feels later in those reviews, but because Tom DeFalco’s name is all over it, it turned out shabby. What a shame.

Legion Lost #8, the verdict: UGH. I loved this book. And this guy comes along and just ruins it. In one issue. Ruins it. Nearly everything about this issue is bad or wrong, and I’m done. I’ll always hold onto my Nicieza issues like they were treasure, but DeFalco’s sullied it. He’s not only sullied this title, but Superboy and Teen Titans as well. I’m suddenly wondering just how much of the Culling idea was his. Because it was definitely executed with his sort of shoddiness. But, again, tune in to those reviews for more of that haterade. For now, I’m dropping this title.

(Photo Source: Comic Box Commentary)

Yup. I’m getting rid of even more titles. Gotta really cut back. Here’s what I’ve let go (thought this’d be faster):

Nightwing, Batgirl, The Fury of Firestorm, Superman, Superboy, Legion Lost.

These titles just don’t excite me anymore. I’m not anxious to read them every month.

That leaves 25 of the New 52 that I’m still buying, which includes ALL of the upcoming 6 Second Wave comics.

Hello everyone.

Due to continuing financial concerns, I am going to be dropping even more titles than my previous “Status Quo” post. I’ll list those below, so you can see if I’ll still be covering the titles you read and/or are interested in.

Also, I can’t guarantee how often I’ll be posting these reviews, and how on-time they’ll be in the future. Hell, I don’t even know how long this Tumblr, with its current purpose, will last. It’ll still be here, and I’ll continue to share incredible comics-related content, but beyond that I don’t know.

Basically, I’ve got too much on my plate. I’m writing for screenplay ideas I want to pitch and sell, and I’m currently the sole writer on a cartoon pitch I’m trying to get off the ground with a friend. Gotta cut back somewhere…and comic reviews is the only place that isn’t really showing the promise of a lucrative income. :\

Sorry, guys.

Here are the comics I’m continuing to purchase and read, and hopefully review for you:

Justice League, Aquaman, The Flash, Captain Atom, The Fury of Firestorm, Batman, Batwing, Batman and Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, Catwoman, Red Hood and the Outlaws, Action Comics, Superman, Superboy, Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Teen Titans, Legion Lost, All Star Western, Stormwatch, Justice League Dark, Swamp Thing, Animal Man, I, Vampire

And the Second Waves:

Earth 2, World’s Finest, Dial H, GI Combat, Ravagers, National Comics

As for Marvel, I’m only doing the following:

Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine and the X-Men

There may be a couple other titles I throw in as well, but this is the main bulk, which is - of course - subject to change. :)

Alright, you guys. DC has already canceled 6 titles from their New 52. Newsarama takes an educated guess at the next 10 that are in danger of seeing the guillotine, and gives their reasons why:

10. DC Universe Presents - I have to agree that the arcs need to be much shorter.

9. Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. - I, too, never got into it because it’s not a superhero.

8. Legion Lost - I believe this one’s sales are down, but it’s starting to see more DCnU integration.

7. Fury of Firestorm - Sadly, I agree here too. Not getting the focus or attention it deserves.

6. Resurrection Man - If this book keeps spinning its wheels, definitely in danger.

5. I, Vampire - This is a great book. Start reading it and SAVE it!

4. Grifter - Honestly, I lost interest, and if Liefield’s writing, it’s only a matter of time.

3. Blue Beetle - Can the recent change in the locale of this young hero save the book? Needs more attention!

2. Voodoo - It started out strong, but a writing change could be the final coffin nail.

1. Captain Atom - I was SHOCKED to see this on their list. This is one of the best books ON THE SHELVES right now! GO BUY IT!!

Click the link to read all what NEWSARAMA has to say about each DC title!

(Photo source: ComicBookRealm)

Legion Lost: Fabian Nicieza, Pete Woods, Travis Lanham, Brad Anderson

Ah, the pivotal fight with Alastor begins! Tellus and Dawnstar face off against a triplicated Alastor-mutated-with-carggite-DNA and we learn quickly how tough that makes the villain. It’s up to Tellus to dig into Alastor’s mind telepathically and try to bring him down. In that, we actually get to see a lot of really cool stuff. I love how Nicieza wrote Alastor’s internal monologue during these scenes with Tellus almost talking over him, or echoing him. I felt that was a slightly different take than we normally see. It made the exposition more tolerable than it is usually. The action in this issue was also very enjoyable, as we switch between the battle, and Tyroc, Wildfire, and Timber Wolf as they try to secure the re-discovered Chameleon Girl. This issue doesn’t necessarily focus on “failure” like the other issues of January have so far. At least…not on the failures of the heroes…but more on the those of the villain. In fact, the heroes kind of win out in this one - not to spoil anything. Instead, though, we do get to see some of the limitations of the Legion team. For example, Dawnstar’s physical limits, Tyroc’s hypersonics limits, and even Tellus starts to sweat against Alastor’s efforts. That much was fun to see. And there were TWO surprise faces we see in this issue!! TWO!! I’m really excited about this, and can’t wait to see where it goes. For Nicieza’s second-to-last issue, I can foresee quite the ending coming into being. The art is still fantastic, but the driver of the semi we see actually looks a lot like Timber Wolf, and that threw me off. I thought he had stolen another vehicle. I had always liked the art for Timber Wolf in this book, because he never really looked like anyone else. I thought the truck driver could have looked more cliche like a truck driver. But oh well. The big page with Wildfire showing what he can do was beautiful. I really loved that spread, along with the “tree” of human faces on the next page. There was a lot of “symbolic” art in this issue what with the telepathic battle, and I always enjoy symbolic, metaphoric art.

Legion Lost #5: Another great issue, and it did a good job of shuffling back and forth between the three locales: Dawnstar’s fight against Alastor, Tellus’s telepathic battle with Alastor, and the other three on the team. I loved the introduction of the other two surprise faces we see in this book, and I’m truly excited to see where this goes in future issues. My concern is with another writer picking up where the previous left off…are we going to see the same kind of quality and skill in storytelling as we have so far? I guess only time will tell. Next issue is Nicieza’s farewell.

Legion Lost: Fabian Nicieza, Pete Woods, Brad Anderson, Carlos M. Mangual
We’re developing into a real pickle here. Timber Wolf wants to go out and take down and help the humans exposed to the Hypertaxis virus that’s transforming them into xeno-hybrids, because he feels they’re somewhat responsible (though we still don’t know exactly why unless you were reading “Legion” before the relaunch). We found out that Chameleon Girl isn’t dead after all, but she’s a part of a Rdrayyj alien hybrid. Still no sign of Gates, though. Part of the team is still searching for Alastor, the man responsible for the Hypertaxis release on Earth, and having trouble locating him. The rest of the team, while hesitant to get mixed up in the “present day” and worried about getting caught, is on their way to help Timber Wolf…but they’re spotted by some kind of intelligence agency, who orders a scrambling of agents to intercept. Nothing’s really going well for this group, and I think that’s part of what makes this book so compelling. The first issue showed us the apparent deaths of two of the team members. It was really convincing too, the way Brin said he could smell their “remains,” essentially, in the falling rain. I was pretty much trying to rehinge my jaw after it fell to the floor when I read that. So part of the team is captured by Black Razors, and things go even worse when Dawnstar and Tellus finally find and confront Alastor. Looks like Chameleon Girl isn’t the only one suffering with the Hypertaxis…. Anyway, apart from a couple of faces in this issue, the art is once again very good. I really like how consistent the characters are, and how they always look like themselves. They’re also pretty unique, not appearing like other characters and there’s not really any annoying occurrence of identical extras. I’m liking this book, and where it’s going, but I’m just wondering…how long are we going to stretch out this whole thing with Alastor and the Hypertaxis? I have to wonder if the team will ever defeat him, and find a cure. And, if so, where will the book go from there? Obviously, the team will want to try and find a way home…or will the focus of the story be their being stuck here indefinitely, and them dealing with the aftereffects of the Hypertaxis? Trying to find and cure people suffering with the virus? That could definitely make for interesting issues - what with the potential for all the different alien species people could turn into. We’ll have to wait and see how it goes. However, it was revealed that #6 would be Fabian Nicieza’s last issue. Tom DeFalco will be taking over, so we’ll see where he takes it. I’m hoping still to see some kind of recognition of what’s happening in Legion Lost by the other mainstream DC characters…and Nicieza hinted at a guest star in #6, so we’ll see if that actually pans out. In any case, he’ll be missed. I’ll get more into all that, though, for the #6 review.
Legion Lost #4, the verdict: This is still a pretty fun book to read. I like how the team narrates the issues, usually focusing on one character per issue. It gives the book a unique voice, and we also get to see into each of their heads and find out more about them, which is usually difficult to do in a team book. Nicieza found the perfect way to do it. The art is good, dynamic, and consistent. I did finally learn that Pete Woods is the artist, and Nicieza the writer. I’ll definitely be sticking through Nicieza’s arc.

Legion Lost: Fabian Nicieza, Pete Woods, Brad Anderson, Travis Lanham

Alright, so I’m just about hooked. This was a pretty amazing issue. Last time we had the book narrated mostly by Wildfire. This time it’s primarily Brin…who is hilarious, by the way. I mentioned in the last review that I think it’d be cool to have the effects of the Hypertaxis virus scene throughout the DCnU, and we get something close to that here as Tellus scans the Earth and we see a bunch of the heroes of DC spread throughout this splash page. Not quite. But it still works. I like that Brin decides to take it upon himself to start taking responsibility for the team’s actions and start hunting down the hybrids…and he starts with one called a Rdrayyj. Now, this “Red Rage” has a very interesting secret that’s revealed on the last page…and I’m really excited about that. Look at me…excited about something happening in this book, this book that I initially didn’t like. The rest of the team continues to search for Alastor and figure out how to stop the Hypertaxis. Other than that, there’s really nothing more to this book. That’s the plot, really. It’s good, though, and I really enjoyed reading it. I’m also starting to really appreciate this art. I wish I could tell who’s behind it. The credits for the book aren’t specific on who’s drawing and who’s plotting. I do like Nicieza’s work, and I’m not familiar with Pete Woods. But in either case, I do really like the art here. The characters are so detailed and everything looks fairly real. The inking is a bit heavy, with the outlines being very bold and dark. But then when it comes to the Rdrayyj and and the Anaxian hybrid creatures don’t really have that bold outline, so they look somewhat softer, and sometimes like they were just inserted into the book via photoshop or something. They just sometimes look out of place. But I’m not all bent out of shape about it. I really liked where we see Brin starting to show symptoms of the Hypertaxis. Good art, and a very surprising panel that had me going, “Whaaat?” but in a good way. I wasn’t expecting that, and I thought something terrible had happened, at first. So I’m excited to see what happens to the other Legion guys, if the Hypertaxis affects them at all. Good book, still very enjoyable.

Legion Lost #3, the verdict: I’m still really liking this title. I was so surprised…and I can’t get past that fact. I was so out of this book when I read #1, and I was so lost and confused, that I never thought I would read it again. But it turns out that I really like it, and it’s quite fantastic. There’s a hint of danger, and while that danger is starting to make itself known, it’s still not completely obvious and in our face. There’s definitely this feeling of something big coming. I’m just still hoping we get the appearance of Earth’s other heroes in this book. Surely they cannot ignore the Hypertaxis effects. But we’ll see.

Legion Lost: Fabian Nicieza, Pete Woods, Brad Anderson, Travis Lanham, Pete Woods

I was unimpressed with the first issue. I had decided right there that I didn’t want to read this series. It’s a shame, because I am a fan of Nicieza. I just felt so alienated and lost (which is both ironic and appropriate considering this title and the characters). I felt like the creators of this book weren’t writing it for me, or the likes of me rather. I haven’t really ever read any “Legion of Super-Heroes” titles before, so I’m completely out of touch with these characters and their stories. The problem with this all is that the two ”Legion” books are not “relaunched” in the DCnU. So we don’t get any reset heroes, and we don’t get to start over. So, when new readers to the franchise - such as myself - come to the title, we don’t get any backstory or explanation about anything. And I think it’s especially necessary when it comes to the Legion…because not only are they all sorts of different species and all, but it’s also that they’re from the future and they have their own language and slang and everything. So to not have any kind of explanation was extremely overwhelming. Okay, I think I’ve beaten that dead horse enough. Sorry, but I’m just really chived about it…feels like there’s this cool club I wasn’t invited to. However, in reading #2 (and further issues), I’ve actually come to really like this book. It has some really good action, and we actually do get a bit of backstory in this issue. I’m really hoping for more, but this is enough to hold me over and really explain what’s going on. I like how the characters are starting to really make themselves more known to us new readers. In the first issue, for example, I had no idea to whom each name belonged. Not only do I got that down now, but I’m really starting to like each of the characters and their individual voices and personalities. For example, this book has Wildfire mainly narrating, and he has this really self-deprecating and pitiful sound to him. I like it. I was really confused about this virus thing going on at first, but I got it eventually. I like this plot and story here…and a huge part of me hopes that other titles incorporate this Hypertaxis thing as well. Maybe that explains a lot of the whole metahuman explosion across the DCnU. But it’d be cool if other books started looking into the weird science of these alien-human hybrids. I like the art here, it’s actually very well-done. I’m excited to see where this series goes.

Legion Lost #2, the verdict: From an initial frustration with this series came a surprising acceptance and even enjoyment! I can’t believe this hit me so hard. I’m still reeling from the deaths of Gates and Chameleon Girl, and I hope we get to see something come out of that. I’m also wanting to see repercussions from Alastor’s actions throughout the DCnU. It’s a longshot, I think, but it’d be neat to have. I can’t believe I’m starting to like something that initially had barely anything to offer. You know what this reminds me of? The movie “Masters of the Universe,” yes the one with Dolph Lundgren. That film started off with the characters just kind of appearing out of nowhere…and we didn’t learn a whole lot about them for a while. And they were using their own language and stuff. And, when I was a kid, I loved that movie. Go, Frank Langella! Anyway, this is a lot like that…and I’m really liking the book. Difference is…this book is actually good!

Legion Lost: Fabian Nicieza, Pete Woods, Brad Anderson
Hmm. Where to begin? This appears to be another of the books that’s continuing on after “Flashpoint” without actually restarting. And that’s somewhat disappointing, if only because I was hoping to be able to jump on this book and enjoy it. What actually happened was a lot of confusion. The story follows a portion of the team called the Legion of Superheroes, who live in the 30th Century. This is where my favorite DC character, Bart Allen, was born. He actually knows the Legion and has helped them before. This is partially why I wanted to get into this book, to find out more about Bart’s home-time and those that are from that century. I’ve never really read anything about the Legion and don’t know anything about it. I thought this title would be the perfect way to get in, because it’s set in this time, so it’d be less difficult to follow. I really wish it were so. Still, this book was interesting because a few members of the Legion are lost in time - our time - and are apparently stranded with no way back. So what will they do? I’m honestly not sure. So, unfortuantely, I did not learn much about the team here, the heroes. Only little things. And so the book was slightly confusing. I don’t know if I’ll be following this one, or the other “Legion” title, but it’s likelier I stick with this one…simply because it’s set in THIS time. Now to the art. I did really like it. It has that Nicieza feel to it…even though he’s writing. So, I’m not sure if he’s writingand penciling, along with Woods, because it’s never stated. But the art is good, if at times busy due to all the characters it has to follow. So it’s a lot to look at sometimes…but definitely entertaining and active.
Legion Lost, the verdict: Interesting, but pretty confusing. I was hoping for more of an explanation. However, a lot of these Number Ones are leaving TONS of questions by the end of the book. So, maybe, #2 will explain more. I would not like to have to read the past issues of Legion to understand. If you’re already a Legion fan, absolutely check this out. It’s an interesting story.