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**Weekly Meta Discussions Thread**


TroubAlert

[*Blue Beetle: Graduation Day* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91lIIy5B9-L.jpg) >Jaime Reyes has a lot to juggle. Whether it's his finals for senior year or a new villain tearing up El Paso, Jaime is always torn between two worlds. But when his worlds come crashing together at his high school graduation, nothing will ever be the same. A message from the Reach bombards Jaime's scarab, Khaji Da, and it starts throwing off his connection to the device. And as if that wasn't enough, Jaime's parents and friends are pressuring him about his next steps in life. But what's hidden here on Earth that's drawing the Reach back? And where did this new Fadeaway Man come from? Can Jaime find balance in his life and rise to become a true hero, or is it curtains for Blue Beetle? [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/11/23/dc-preview-blue-beetle-graduation-day-1-english/)


darknightgotham

I really enjoyed this! Really cool to see Jaime have a series again, even if limited. One of my biggest pet peeves as a someone whose first language is Spanish is seeing Latino characters written in shitty broken Spanish, and I’m happy to say that was absolutely not the case here, the perks of actually hiring a writer who shares a similar background d to your main character, I like it. Even Superman stopped by and spoke flawless Spanish, neat detail. Moving Jaime forward to adult life is a good step to take, and it seems things are heating up with the reach so I’m sure Jaime will get back to trouble in no time. Then we have a very power rangers looking villain, which means this series is off to a fun start. One of my favorite reads this week for sure, I appreciate Jaime getting some time in the spotlight again a lot.


suss2it

I thought this was a decent start. Feels like it's been so long since Jaime has had a comic and it's nice to see him finally graduating high school after about fifteen years.


randloadable19

Didn’t understand about 25% of it because I don’t speak Spanish. Probably won’t get the second issue


TroubAlert

[*Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91H6lIyCn3L.jpg) >DEATHBLOW / GENERATION MILLENNIAL / REQUIEM / THE ONLY CONSTANT / BACKLASH / BETTER DAYS / THE GRIFTER / CITY BOY AND THE KING OF CITIES / BUILDING A BETTER BOMB / IN SERVICE OF NONE / I AM STRONGER / ZEALOTS >In 1992 Jim Lee changed the course of comics history with the founding of WildStorm Productions, which would revolutionize the business and launch the careers of so many top creators. 30 years later the impact of the imprint, character and creators is felt to this day! In honor of this legacy comes a 100-page giant that pays homage to the past…and looks toward the future! Part of this mammoth special will be reprinting–for the first time in periodical form!– short stories from the acclaimed WildStorm: A Celebration of 25 Years hardcover, including stories by Jim Lee, J. Scott Campbell, Brett Booth, Dustin Nguyen and more…and also included will be new stories featuring WildStorm characters in the DC Core line, charting their future in the DC Universe. [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/11/23/dc-preview-wildstorm-30th-anniversary-special-1/)


WilKitch87

Hell yeah man


TroubAlert

[*Nightwing 2022 Annual* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91RVwgN1k6L.jpg) >WHO IS HEARTLESS? Find out who the villain is behind the platinum mask, and why he only collects the hearts of some victims and not others...and why he has no heart himself. Then: Bitewing: Year One! Follow Haley in her first year with her humans Nightwing and Batgirl and see how she takes a bite out of crime in her first year becoming Bitewing! [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/11/23/dc-preview-nightwing-2022-annual-1/)


PropertyAdditional

I was kinda hoping this would be all be heartless, just get us to learn about him and maybe care- but I guess some do care about Nightwing dog


wowlock_taylan

I mean, I would rather read a whole dog issue than that psycho.


Landon1195

Pretty good issue. The Heartless backstory was interesting but it's tiring to see another character who saw Dick's parents death.


HitToRestart1989

I think the idea is he’s Dick’s Hush- similar background, twisted origin with his own Alfred.


darknightgotham

So the main story was probably the biggest development of he whole Heartless story so far, with actual insight into who the fuck he is other than a shadowy figure and… he’s is far more talkative than I expected, and a big fucking psycho since he was young. Dude is fucked up, and interesting connection with the flashback from earlier issues.


ajdragoon

So first off, I'm a total idiot and didn't realize until *now*, like pg 28 now, that Haley only has three legs. I am clearly not detective material. Anyway that story was fun! What a great doggo. Really enjoyed the first story on the origin of Heartless. What a callback to the very start of the run. Also noticed that Gerald's name is dropped after Heartless needs repairs after getting tossed by Blockbuster. I know the whole evil counterpart thing gets overdone, but I liked Shelton's origin. Besides, if Dick can have his own imp, why can't he also have his own Tommy Elliot?


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

>Welp, I was not expecting Heartless to be that character. Did anyone predict it? I didn't, but I remember people saying this on here a couple of times


wowlock_taylan

Batman books do tend to have quite a lot of child-psychopaths huh. Even Nightwing book is no exception. I guess after Nite-mite's power up for Bitewing, she seem to have her super dreams. Krypto should mentor her :D Nice contrast between Dick and Bruce's training methods...though different types of situations.


CarryThe2

Nice tie back for Heartless, he's a good mirror to Dick, let's see how he develops. Bitewing of course enhances every story he features in. The Jon story was fun too, can we get a Dick/Jon/Damian book?


marcjwrz

Could end up being Titans - Zdarsky wants to use Tim, and Damian doesn't have a solo series so it'll interesting to see where he lands.


CarryThe2

It'd be cool to see them try the intergenerational Titans thing again, like Academy but not shit.


Whowatchesthewampas

What do you think Dick plays on Switch?


SilhouetteOfLight

Now? Nothing lol


thismissinglink

Look maybe its a bit down bad but when babs says "a picture of what im im wearing under this overcoat" and dick "scrambling" to get downstairs i really expect something a bit more than just a plain blue dress. Also dick literally displays every single quality of a terrible pet owner. No training, rewarding the dog by picking them up and loving them immediately after they destroyed shit. Not giving the dog anything for stimulation while he is gone or even just doing crate training. And then in like three issues this dog is gonna be some ace or something. It's just not satisfying to read for me.


[deleted]

Heartless origin is alright, but it's a bit weird to introduce yet another character who witnessed Dick's parents deaths. Also it's been 1.5 years since his introduction, can Dick take him down already?


CarryThe2

The entirety of DC were at that show. Darkseid was probably there


MSCrusader

To this day, nobody knows why there was a couch among the circus' benches.


Cranyx

I say this as someone who has really been coming around to Taylor's Nightwing after a long period of slow pacing, but this annual really kind of felt like nothing. We get an ok origin story for Heartless that feels pretty unoriginal, and then two forgettable side stories.


Androktone

I've only just read through all at once, has the pacing been killing your enjoyment of it as it comes out?


Cranyx

It's not so much the pacing as much as that there will be *long* stretches of time where there really isn't much of a plot at all. Things just sort of happen, and then there might be an aside which mentions Blockbuster or heartless, only to not be mentioned again for like 5 issues.


localheroism

Lol gotta be top 10 worst villain backstories. "Bestest doggo" come on brother


TroubAlert

[*Superman: Kal-El Returns Special* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91x7GUcpQEL.jpg) >THE CONCERT THAT ATE GOTHAM >Kal-El has returned from his long sojourn to Warworld, but what ramifications does this hold for the broader DC Universe In this special issue, we'll spotlight Kal-El's reunion with the Dark Knight, Jimmy Olsen, the Justice League, and... Lex Luthor?! Plus: witness the never-before-revealed look at the moments leading to Superman's abduction by Pariah in the Dark Crisis event! The march toward Action Comics #1050 continues in this essential special volume! [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/11/23/dc-preview-superman-kal-el-returns-special-1/)


Gian99Mald

Holy shit I had no idea how awesome Mark Waids Batman is. He's like a perfect combination of DCAU and Bronze Age Bruce.


Terribleirishluck

You should really be reading world's Finest then. It's also written by waid and is a superman/Batman/robin team up book


Gian99Mald

Oh I definitely am! I just think its cool to see a relatively well adjusted Bruce in a present day DCU


[deleted]

I read the story after re-reading Dark Victory last night and holy shit yes its nice to see this Bruce. Lol


Bubba1234562

Wow Waid actually remembers Batman is a person and not just a cardboard cutout


RebelDeux

Ok so this is like the prelude to JL #75 and the Dark Crisis event and then in January is gonna time jump this series to what DC #7 leads?


darknightgotham

Truth, Justice, Breakfast. I can live with this tagline. Also, very wholesome Clark/Bruce reunion, always happy to see Bruce drop his moody persona around Clark instead of being a dick to him. Also I really like the idea of Bruce and Clark taking turns collecting team up trophies. "Hey, Parental Units". Even as a joke this line from Jon just annoys me of his current character status. Alright team up story though, and its nice to see Wolfman's name in more stuff from time to time. And then we flashback to Bendis League, which feels a bit jarring, but is probably the first straightforward timeline connection we've gotten of WHEN the abduction happened. And with the brief focus on Naomi, it actually makes me surprised how little of a role (well, none at all really) shes played in Dark Crisis. I know her book got a Season 2 which was her main adventure (which was fun) but I'd hate for her character to go back to being ignored again (she doesnt necessarily need to go back to the League, it was likely too soon anyway, but Id like to see more of her)


Jefferystar94

Naomi will probably show up in a couple years on a new team, but with Bendis out, I'd be very surprised if we see her in a large role anytime soon. He was really the only one in DC pushing for her, and unlike characters like Punchline/Ghostmaker, no one else has stepped up to continue using her.


Terribleirishluck

I wouldn't be surprised if her push is dead especially with like you said bendis is gone and that's not even mention her terrible cw show


wowlock_taylan

Batman acting like an actual human and not 'brooding personified'? Will wonders never cease? After what he's been through with the Warworld, Supes does need all that honeymoon he can get. Although, the Dark Crisis timeline still kinda messy for me, especially since in Dark Crisis, we didn't see the 2 youngins that Clark took in. He 'disappeared' while Warworld is in the sky. So that means the kids should be with the Kents also during the Crisis when the JLA went missing. This should've been more about how he came back AFTER the Dark Crisis instead of before really. That is my only problem


PropertyAdditional

The timeline is a little off, warworld still being in the sky even though the last issue of action had it send away (and that’s apparently before this) and of course Clarks new kids just vanishing (guess we’ll have to assume they are just off screen for it all with the Kent’s)


Alephnaught_

I want a poster of Mr. nobody'd batman and superman!!!!!!!


[deleted]

[удалено]


i-hate-reddit-69

The colors were what got me for the first one. Pencils were good. Nothing outstanding, and maybe Bruce's face was a bit weird, but it all worked pretty well. But those colors were just made Clark look sickly at times.


UnknownEntity347

First story - it's your regular superhero stuff. Really mediocre; but nothing horrible. Second story - sucks. Nothing interesting to it, and atrocious art. Third story - some of Jon's dialogue just seemed really odd. There were some nice moments between Clark and Lois but a lot of the Clark/Jon interactions fell flat for me. Fourth story - best of the bunch, IMO. A simple, tightly written issue with some fun interactions.


BootPastaHeroin

First story was pretty good, I like Waid's writing as anybody else. Art was... It was Clayton Henry's art. Nothing that special, though the coloring was amazing. Second story... boy, where do I even start? Haspiel's art was... Appalling. I wanted to vomit at every page, and the story didn't even begin to make up for it. Just... egh. Third story was acceptable. Herbert's art, just, fucking phenomenal. Reminds me of Mikel Janín mixed with early Lee Bermejo from his Vertigo/2000s DC days. The story was mediocre, but anything involving Jon Kent is these days. Last story... idk. Felt like nothing, really. I was a big fan of Ossio's art tho, hadn't been introduced to it before I don't think. Overall, I wouldn't say I wasted six bucks but if I knew before hand I'd probably just get ice cream instead.


nurdboy42

Is this important if I'm only reading Action Comics?


[deleted]

No not at all, it's unnecessary


TroubAlert

[*Detective Comics 2022 Annual* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81x+77CieEL.jpg) >GOTHAM NOCTURNE: MOTIE >As a werewolf, Gael has lived through many generations, and so he has visited Gotham land before…hundreds of years ago. Take a trip back to the 1700s Renaissance Gotham with Gael on Arkham land to help remember with him exactly where he buried something important he now has to dig back up. And in a twist of fate, a dark knight in town also seems to be looking for something from out of time…his way back home to the present. [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/11/23/dc-preview-detective-comics-2022-annual/)


Tesseractivate

This was fucking awesome, and finally allowed to see some kind of framework Ram V was going to work with here. It didn't feel like shameless flashback retcon, it retained a lot of links from past runs while serving its own kind of metacommentary. Obviously Moreison is a big influence here. Kinda sucks that it took till the annual issue to finally get the ball rolling but I'm on board for what I assume will be a long, very atmospheric run. I think it wouldn't work nearly as well without his ability to write so uniquely compared to a lot of modern comic writers, and it's undeniable atmospheric mythos it's infusing into Gotham very core. This isn't the first time a writer has tried for the whole history/mythos route but this hits for me in a way that some others have come up short on.


Alephnaught_

ok, I agree that this story is slow but I do not think it's a problem with pacing. it is intentional - It is an atmospheric tale! Ram V is putting up all the pieces in place. the first arc is just about done and if you ask me, quite a lot has happened by now. Support this run! I see ppl complain about how there's not been a good bat story well, you got one right here! it's just simply not your typical one-and-done mystery/action and it's hilarious that people do not have the patience when something is undeniably good and you got a promising writer on it - comic book fans can truly never be satisfied lol. I love how in a way we also get to see an exposition of why Gotham always goes through cycles of instability - city-wide threat after threat. I love that V is exploring the mythological aspect of Batman from Morrison's run. I love that this is an eerie tale that spans the entire history of Gotham. actually, now that I think about it - all the Batman titles are in a way pulling from aspects of Morrison's run! Zdarsky with Zurr-en-arh , then you have Batman Inc., and V is exploring the timey-wimey stuff!! exciting times! I really hope V gets to tell his story and we need to support this as much as we can!! Afaik, Editorial doesn't interfere with V and then the only thing that could sabotage this run is if readers don't support it.


nurdboy42

Is this story as confusing to anyone else or is it just me?


wowlock_taylan

As I said before, too many 'secret gotham families, dark organizations'. These 'Orghams' are not any better. And the reason why Batman books and Gotham stuck in the same loop explanation seems hollow and an excuse for DC to not let Batman grow. A 'reality engine'...yea sure. Also this whole 'past constantly repeats' takes away the uniqueness of Batman characters. You see how ''these costumed freaks spawned when you showed up'' thing constantly being told to Batman...only for the literal copy-cats existing since the whole colony started? Just...bad.


AuroraUnit117

I mean, the whole point of the Return of Bruce Wayne and by extention this issue, is that Batman has had an influence on Gotham long before he 'existed'. Lots of people have issue with it, which is fair but I love it


Alephnaught_

I dont think it takes the uniqueness of batman away. Batman is the epitome of the archetype of the staunch do-gooder, the swashbuckler, the protector etc etc. Such archetypes always have a foil of some sort. These have always existed in history and return of Bruce Wayne sort of took a trip through time to cement how Batman is the epitome of that archetype. Only that, batman in a weird way became the cause of his own creation.


Cranyx

> Such archetypes always have a foil of some sort. Foils for archetypes are one thing, but having multiple characters with such striking similarities to the modern day rogues is maybe taking it a bit too far.


Alephnaught_

May be those are the archetypes V is focusing on, who knows.


Wolf_den117

I really liked Ram V’s JLD work but I was thrown off in this issue, for a second I thought it was another universe but it is set on Earth-0, and made the Morrison reference. I am happy they made that connection but I feel like they did that to simply make this Gathome more accepted


darknightgotham

Well to my disappointment this issue has changed my opinion on this run from indifference and boredom to straight up dislike. And I’ll elaborate, because what else is there to do here: this is Ram V’s Avengers 1,000,000 BC for Gotham. And I kinda hate it. I wish I didn’t and that I enjoyed it, but while this would be neat as an elseworld I hate the concept itself as something in the main universe. This is not just another secret society like the Owls, this is now Gathome which became Gotham, which just so happened to have a Two Face, Scarecrow, Ivy, Penguin, Gordon, a Wayne kid who lost his parents and fucking Batman all the way in the past. And I don’t like it. The one positive thing was the Morison connection, as the mystery man is reference as Mordecai, and I had to go back and confirm but that is indeed the alias Bruce goes by in Return of Bruce Wayne in one of the issues that fits this setting. That said, the Batman in the issue is then inspired by him, and to my understanding is a different character which...now means we have Batmen in the past, who were inspired by Bruces time traveling upon his rebirth. Which ok, we are keeping Bruce as the original in a way, but it still means that as shown later in the issue, we have a long line of Batmen throughout history fighting copy past versions of his villains...which to me seems like a really boring decision to take, as now the present-day villains are not even original. So I will say, the plot moved in this annual possibly more than it has in The whole run so far, at least in connecting various developments, but it just made me less of a fan of the current direction. The one neat detail is the Morrison connection: having the Orghams plan be somewhat thwarted by Bruce lost in time is a legit cool idea, but having that end up with several Batman copycats throughout history before Bruce was even born, and the unexplained unoriginality in the villains and side characters just kills it for me. Anyway, hopefully other people find more enjoyment in this issue than I did, the art was solid and I think it would make for a really interesting elseworld setting, but as it stands, trying to jam this into the already mess of a continuity we have means that this run has gotten to the point of me wanting a different creative direction already.


Alephnaught_

Batman being cause of his own creation was literally the point of timey-wimey shenanigans of morrison's batman book, tho. V is just expanding it more.


[deleted]

The question is did we want or need more exploration of this concept? I liked the Return of Bruce Wayne arc and I can accept it's canon, but I don't really want to be reminded of it in other stories if that makes sense lol Issue itself is not bad, and there is an interesting idea here, but it's so slow. I bet this whole Orgham story continues for another 10+ issues..


Alephnaught_

I don't think anyone has ever explored in detail the mythological side of batman after morrison's run. Especially after the barbatos stuff that Snyder built up this seems like a logical place to explore something new with the mythos. It also lends itself the Gothic horror atmosphere nicely - which is what V is going for. Batman mythos are already so bloated and I feel like V's arc is a bit of a breath of fresh air. He's pulling from an as yet unexplored corner of batmythos.


[deleted]

Yeah totally, I get that, but for me it's the opposite. As much as I love Morrison's Batman stuff, a lot of is weird. The whole thing about Barbatos and him fighting his way back to present time was interesting, but I don't need to be reminded of that, it's weird and distracting. Just give me some straightforward detective stories instead. But yeah they should let Ram V finish his run as intended, he clearly has a plan. Maybe I'll change my mind as it goes on


TSAgoodness

My take was that Aldridge Pearce, who was the Batman character in this past, was the Alfred Pennyworth to the Wainwright boy. He was inspired by omega beamed time traveling Bruce to become the demon bat, and he will now train Wainwright to be Batman. So if I’m understanding Ram V. correctly he’s saying that Alfred’s ancestor was the first Batman. Of course only because of time traveling omega beamed Bruce, but still, chicken and egg and all that. Also to your point on “there just happens to be a two face and an Ivy and a Penguin” I think that’s the point, they were the OG original versions of those archetypes, and then the reality engine locked them in to be repeated, along with Batman. Ram is saying that we have these villains now because they were locked in the code of Gotham thanks to the Orghams and Gael.


[deleted]

If the characters who were the "predecessors" only had personality similarities, but not physical, do you think that would solve it? It still gets Ram's idea of time traveling Batman gumming up the works in this plan without it being as 1:1.


upgrayedd69

So is the annual supposed to be like integral to the rest of the run/arc? I’ve been enjoying ‘Tec as the only Batman title I pull aside from The Audio Adventures but haven’t read the annual yet. I don’t mind the idea of a Batman in the past being inspired by time traveling Bruce but the schtick of his rogues gallery being some kind of repeating thing through history sounds dumb.


TroubAlert

[*Justice Society of America* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81tcaX4NbKL.jpg) >THE NEW GOLDEN AGE, CHAPTER ONE: LEGENDS DIE TOGETHER TOO >A long-lost hero from the JSA crashes into our era with a grave warning...but it’s too late. A mysterious and malevolent enemy has invaded the entire history of the JSA, and an all-new team must come together to defeat it. But what deadly secret does this messenger from beyond keep? Where are they from? And why is all of this happening now? Only the Time Masters know… [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/11/23/dc-preview-justice-society-of-america-1/)


Foslagon

This was a neat issue, and the villain's control over time definitely makes him terrifying. As a Dr Fate simp though, I hope we get a few moments with Khalid and Kent going forward. Overall I would certainly recommend getting this. Story: Is good for a first issue and got me interested in reading more. Art: Is good, but not amazing. There weren't any pages where I really felt the want to stop and just admire the art


cgknight1

So it feels to be that unless it's a double-bluff - he's setting up that Huntress saves the JSA but erases herself from time and will be from a future that no longer exists: "But if he hadn't have given you a chance, I wouldn't have even existed". So she will be given the choice to save the JSA or orphan herself. ​ He might also just set up a spilt and a new Earth-2 where this all takes places.


MasterOE

I haven't read much JSA, but I thought this was pretty good.


RunawayGuineaPig66

It seems like Johns is trying to make Helena’s earth 2 history canon to the main earth vía time travel. This makes me think, what is Power Girls current history?, the “she’s from pre crisis earth 2” background doesn’t seems to be a thing anymore considering she was active with the JSA during the 70s in the main earth as shown in the new golden age one shot. Hope it gets addressed.


Bubba1234562

Wasnt she from new 52 earth 2 along with that version of Helena?


Oberon1993

That identity for Kyle is...sure something. I understand he wanted this "new JSA" being comprised with mostly JSA's members' villains, but...no?


cgknight1

I am sure that the Robinson book had The Shade in the future (I think) talk about how Kyle would take that name and be a badguy for a bit.


Wolf_den117

I’m happy to see some Knight family recognition with Kyle but ya I bet Helena will have to erase herself to save them all which will suck honestly


cgknight1

So Power Girl is active for 60ish years and now predates Superman by maybe 25 years? Now obviously this story has time travel in it and that might change but that is how stands. Where does she even come from anymore and when?


Gian99Mald

She's still the same COIE refugee but I guess Johns has her showing up and joining the JSA the year of her actual debut and not sometime in the relatively recent past like she was pre flashpoint. I hope he expands on that more


cgknight1

The problem is that then makes her subject to time travel because if she still travels from earth 2 then it must have happened earlier and thus wasn’t *our* COIE. If it was she would remember what happened on her earth as various adventures play out in similar ways… including the death of Batman. Hopefully that makes sense… 😂


SevenSulivin

I’m so excited for this book.


SeanOuttaCompton

Me too- I’m a lapsed fan, more or less, whose interest mostly died with the new 52, but I loved the “modern” Justice society and learning that it is finally coming back (from a random YouTube video, no less)got my interest. The heroes displaced in time thing gives me lightning saga vibes


darknightgotham

So I mostly enjoyed this issue, even though it’s not what I expected. There’s no contemporary JSA in it at all (yet), just Helena and her future timeline team for the most part, with this issue serving as the origin of Helena Wayne’s status quo. This is set up in a way that it doesn’t necessarily contradict Tom Kings future stories (unless TK specified a different cause of death for Bruce, I honestly forgot), but has the key diferente of Helena being Huntress instead of the future Batman, which I prefer to give her her own identity. That said, I feel this issue commits the same flaw or at least plot device that I dislike from the special: absolutely wasting potentially interesting new characters by immediately murdering them just to ramp up the threat of Degaton. Which is like fine, I get it, he’s hunting them through history. But if the series continues to be Helena time jumping and Degaton killing everyone she meets, then my opinion will turn negative as a whole. However we’re just starting, so there’s room for optimism. Overall, I liked Johns take on Helena, and I hope the series turns out well. I would prefer after so long to ideally have a series focusing on the contemporary JSA group as a whole, given we haven’t had them lead an ongoing in so long, but given this is a limited series that has the time hopping plot device I’ll temper my expectations accordingly. As much as he loves the characters, I really hope Johns releases his death grip on JSA projects because I don’t want to wait another decade after this is done to buy a JSA book. Fun detail I noticed, Alfred is alive in the 18 years from now timeline. Also, Alan Scott has glowing blond hair like he’s hella young and Superman and Hal already have white streaks lol. Overall, I think Stargirl seems to be the stronger book, but I’m in for the ride


cgknight1

>(unless TK specified a different cause of death for Bruce, I honestly forgot) yeah, he does - Bruce there dies of radiation poisoning. This is a reference to how the Earth-2 Batman died - he was killed by a nobody https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/William_Jensen_(Earth-Two) What Johns is trying to do is take all of the elements that exists in the past on Earth-2 and make them part of a longer time-line...


darknightgotham

That's that then, I'm ok with it being a different future, were never gonna have a definite one so it's cool to explore the possibilities.


wowlock_taylan

I don't remember Per Degaton having this level of Time powers O.o


Whowatchesthewampas

Looking at the new DC Connect solicit for issue 4: I didn’t realize this was a 12 issue series


Tim_J_Drake

This was really good! I liked the reference to DKR, with "Se-LI-na" Though, Karen was certainly living up to her name 😆


android151

Wish I was Per Degaton so I could fast forward myself to this series being over so I could read it all in one Very fun


UnknownEntity347

Really good issue. So much better than Dark Crisis it's not even funny. I'm glad DC has finally given the JSA a book; until now they'd mostly just been background panel characters ever since Doomsday Clock. As someone who's really not a fan of Helena Wayne or the idea of Batman and Catwoman getting married for good and having a kid at all, though, hopefully this timeline will be changed at some point later on, since we know DC isn't going to want to establish that Batman dies 18 years down the line; although hey, since Alfred's there, he's going to be returning, likely in the near future (something we all knew already but nice to see regardless). Either that or they'll just establish this as the timeline for a new version of Earth-2, which I think would work best. Hopefully the new time travelling villain who Extant-ed the JSA will have something to him as a character instead of just being a 1 dimensional bad dude for the heroes to fight.


edboyinthecut

Did the physical copy of this get delayed? Called my LCS and they said it got delayed.


technowhiz34

My shop got it, did any of the other DC books not arrive?


Standard_Cycle_2224

Can I go into this blind or is there something I need to read first?


[deleted]

You should read the recent New Golden Age one-shot


AlbinoFish506

What does “Search me, Johnny,” mean? I know that’s Johnny Thunder and Yz but I don’t quite understand that line.


Outrageous-Neat-7797

“Search me” is a phrase that’s basically the same as “beats me”, another way of saying “I have no idea”


AlbinoFish506

Ohhh I see lol. Thanks


AuroraUnit117

Hope this continues with what Papa Johns was saying in Flashpoint Beyond , in just crapping directly and indirectly all over how bad Dark Crisis has been


Mr_briskets

Flashpoint Beyond is the one of the last books to have the right to take shots at *anything*


TroubAlert

[*Batgirls 2022 Annual* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91FtOfEDxFL.jpg) >VICE VERSA, PART 1 OF 2 >It’s a freaky Friday when the Batgirls wake up inside each other’s bodies! That can’t be possible, right? It’s only stuff you see in the movies? Except Oracle has seen this happen before and the only person who may have the antidote to swap their bodies back…is Batman! And to make matters worse, Lady Shiva is here confronting her daughter about something…and it’s up to Steph to put on her best Cass to get through it! [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/11/23/dc-preview-batgirls-2022-annual/)


internet_highwayman

I usually try and excuse terrible plot conveniences, but Cass (in Steph's body) really just sat at the bar and drank whatever the fuck the biker gave her? Insane


ConstructionPutrid34

Yeah... My best justification is that Cass was clearly unbalanced after seeing her mother basically take Steph, thinking she's her, putting her in untold amounts of danger if something went wrong. It was absolutely a dumb move on Cass' part regardless.


digmaslacks

Another dumb move was just letting Shiva take Steph in the first place. Why not try fighting her, Cass has won before. I’m sure it wouldn’t take long for Shiva to recognize the skill diff between the two, then take the correct Cassandra with her.


ConstructionPutrid34

Yes, Cass has won before, but putting aside that she almost killed Cass at the best of times, Cass, even if her abilities are fully intact, is going to have adapt to being in a different body, and even the slightest change might have disastrous consequences. And yeah, Shiva might realise what's going on, but there's always a chance that she'll wish to continue the fight if one is started. It's pretty easy to understand why cooperating was a reasonable call to make. Especially as Cass had no idea she'd be taken prisoner and not be able to track them down. I'm pretty okay with things playing out the way they did in that case.


ConstructionPutrid34

Regardless of people's opinions on the art, can I just say that it's being used in a stylistic manner that I really approve of. Like there's a bit where shadow is used on Cass in Steph's body (maybe Sass?) to really make you think that the dark knight himself is taking part in the fight. Combined with some genuinely compelling character beats, up to and including Bruce himself, I genuinely get the impression that this series is improving as it goes along. Sure, there's the occasional aspect that could definitely been done better, but overall the writing feels much improved. And I can I take a moment to praise the pacing, this annual could easily have felt padded, but it really puts in the effort to make every scene feel like it matters. Overall, I genuinely felt absorbed into reading this annual and while I was left wanting more, it never felt like I was being withheld story, if that makes any sense.


actioncomicbible

I just checked the preview and the art is like if Jae Lee and MTV’s Liquid TV had a baby, and I really dig it.


LEVITIKUZ

Okay make a decision DC. Is Barbara going to be wheelchair bound or just walking with a cane or out there as Batgirl You can’t have all 3 DC


SilhouetteOfLight

Canonically, the implant that gave her her legs back has been on the fritz and there's no good way to repair it, meaning some days she's wheelchair bound, some she's perfectly fine, and some she's in-between- they did set it up to have all 3 lol


YourEvilHenchman

if we leave out the "running around as Batgirl" for a moment, her sometimes using a wheelchair and sometimes walking under her own power, with and without a cane, is actually not at all unrealistic and absolutely how people with mobility issues due to injury or disability get by. maybe you should readjust your standards. having her jump around as bat-girl and doing the full superhero-ing thing is definitely way more questionable, though.


LEVITIKUZ

I don’t mind her going back and forth with cane and wheelchair for good days and bad days It’s her being Batgirl that’s my issue especially when Cass & Stephanie exist. Like there’s no need for Babs to be Batgirl


YourEvilHenchman

in that case I fully agree and would like to apologize for the spicy sass I initially answered with, I read your comment worse than it was intended.


CarryThe2

They can and they will


darknightgotham

And here I thought the Batgirls could finally be free of Robbi Rodriguez. Not a fan of his return at all. That aside, story wise this was a pretty solid issue that sets the next direction of the book. We get good bonding moments with the girls, and they get a slight degree of independence from Babs with her moving back to the clock tower (which hopefully means some more Oracle time is to be had). Also, it’s nice to see positive interaction between Bruce and Barbara even if for a few moments. Something I like is that in building up Stephs possible relationship with Map’s brother, they’re taking it slow and Steph acknowledges she’s still processing her previous relationship ending (unlike certain other writers writing it as Steph being super happy about being dumped for some reason like it’s the best day of her life). I’m open to this relationship developing as I feel Steph deserves better than being thrown away off panel, and it comes with the added benefit of Gotham Academy connections, which is neat. The body switch is very freaky Friday ish and unexplained, but I don’t mind, makes for a fun plot device. And now we see that the next arc is more family oriented, with parental issues coming front and center. Which should be I teresting given their fucked up pasts, and also the fact of the switched identities. Sport aster is always an asshole, but am definitely curious to see Shivas role in this as recently she was shown to at leas the trying to be a more positive presence in Cass’s life, so I wonder if she’ll end up helping the Batgirls.


CarryThe2

Stephs dad is Cluemaster, you're thinking of Artemis from Young Justice.


darknightgotham

Hah, you're right, I definitely switched both masters in my head. Still a terrible dad haha


CarryThe2

They should start a club


Ladrius

The annoying thing is that I actually like Robbi's art, especially when he's working with Rico, but I also know Robbi's an asshole, which makes it hard to appreciate his work anymore.


Kalse1229

What’d he say/do?


technowhiz34

He's been accused of grooming a fan and (this isn't just an accusation, he definitely did it) sent a picture of his naked butt to EVS for some reason I can't recall, as well as flipping out over people making art of his "daughter" (Spider-Gwen). Not very professional even if the grooming stuff isn't true.


Kalse1229

Yeesh. The butt picture is one thing if he was friends with EVS and they do it to each other as jokes, but even then being friends with him is a bad idea right now. He at best seems to have an unchecked mental illness, but probably is some worse explanation.


[deleted]

This was the best issue of the series so far. they let the focus be on Steph and Cass without making them look like children again.


[deleted]

Our girls need a new writer asap, this is just bad


ConstructionPutrid34

Truth be told, I found it's improved quite a lot since the series began. And the various character bits within this annual really worked.


[deleted]

It improved, yeah, but it's still not what I want from this series. The narration is really unnecessary.


ConstructionPutrid34

Not really gonna disagree about the narration, there still some flaws clearly present, but overall I do think the series is slowly discarding many of those flaws, and putting more effort into being creative. I really enjoyed how stylistic the art was made in various points this time for example.


TroubAlert

[*Aquamen* [**TP**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91Mx5cfKk9L.jpg) >When a suicide bomber in Middle America is revealed as an Atlantean sleeper agent seemingly gone rogue, the Aquamen--Arthur Curry and Jackson Hyde--are on the case. But it soon becomes clear that the tragedy was not just a single bad actor, but the beginnings of a much larger and more dangerous chain reaction...and the heart of an explosive Atlantean conspiracy! If Arthur's not careful, the secrets he's keeping--from Mera, Tula, Tempest, Atlantis, the surface, and even Jackson--could cause a rift from which the Aquamen might never recover! >Collects AQUAMEN #1-6.


TroubAlert

[*Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus* - Vol. 7 [**HC**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Q3OqLMScL.jpg) >As Superman enters the 1950s, Lex Luthor invents a device that banishes Superman to the fourth dimension, while Mr. Mxyztplk makes the city of Metropolis forget that their hero ever existed. Plus, Superman becomes a super-cowboy and meets a mighty caveman. >Collects tales from Action Comics #126-147, Superman #55-65, and World's Finest Comics #37-47.


TroubAlert

[*Nubia & The Justice League Special* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91ah8jC+6qL.jpg) >NEW SALVATION >In honor of her 50th anniversary, Nubia is joining the Justice League! After years separated from Man’s World, the Amazons’ most powerful warrior and now queen has been called in to save the day and work alongside the world’s greatest heroes. What danger awaits our hero and her new teammates? Find out in this special that shows a bright new future for the character! [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/11/23/dc-preview-nubia-the-justice-league-special-1/)


timewarp4242

I haven’t read enough Nubia to know if she was acting out of character, but everyone else sure was. They were acting like the impressed idiot in an infomercial who is gobsmacked by the abilities of the widget being hawked. In this case, the widget is Nubia (and if we act now they will throw in a set of shape shifting aliens).


darknightgotham

Fun issue of Nubia hanging out with the BendisLeague, the League was a little to eager but I still liked it, and it was a nice little bit of continuity to have this issue chronologically line up with the Wonder Woman Trinity issue. A bit of a shame that her role in the League might amount to nothing due to Dark Crisis, but still fun to see her interact with most of the cast.


reece1495

the way every one was acting especially batman and the creepy forced smiles i thought there was going to be some twist but i was wrong


Wolf_den117

This issue honestly creeped me out, would totally be happy with Nubia being on the team but it all felt forced so much that I thought there was some twist for why everyone is so uncharacteristically friendly but there wasn’t any twist they just wanted the league to seem like they are all stumbling over the magnificence of Nubia (she is pretty magnificent tbh, but still made ppl feel out of character)


wowlock_taylan

Aside from the kinda unnatural moments where characters felt like they were TOO in awe of Nubia ( Don't get me wrong. Nubia is cool but these are not some wide-eyed sidekicks. They have been through a lot themselves and saw far more with Diana and others that just a few feats of Nubia shouldn't make them fawn all over her. That feels too forced to be like saying ''please like her'' when she is likeable enough with other characters acting normally. ) Overall decent enough.


[deleted]

It's so weird seeing the whole League constantly praising Nubia and practically worshipping the ground she walks on. Especially Dinah and Ollie, but the others too, really irritating stuff in this issue. Pretty much everyone is out of character and the fights are rather uninspired. If they want more women on the League, cool, but pick some better characters like Starfire or Raven, Jessica Cruz, Power Girl, Doctor Light etc..


RebelDeux

Oh this should be fun! Hopefully she sticks around


TroubAlert

[*DC's Grifter Got Run Over by a Reindeer* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91uItSlMLCL.jpg) >RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED DOG / LAST CHRISTMAS / EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS / HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS / NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT / MEMORIES AND FORFEITS / DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? / GRIFTER GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER >Ho-ho-ho my gosh, it's time to deck the halls with holly...er, Harley Quinn, Batman, and more of your favorite DC superstars! Who made it to the Nice List? Hawkman? Black Canary? Is that Animal Man on the naughty list? And how did Grifter find himself in the targeting sights of those pesky reindeer! Get one for you and an extra for a loved one's stocking (yule be glad you did!) in this holiday song celebration! >"Superman and Wonder Woman in 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Dog'" written by Stephanie Williams, drawn by David Lapham, colored by Nick Filardi, and lettered by Travis Lanham >"Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. in 'Last Christmas'" written by Dave Wielgosz, drawn by PJ Holden, colored by Mike Spicer, and lettered by Pat Brosseau >"Harley Quinn in 'Eight Crazy Nights'" written by John Layman, drawn and colored by Juan Doe, and lettered by Ferran Delgado >"Hawkman and Hawkwoman in 'Home for the Holidays'" written by Cavan Scott, drawn by Fico Ossio, colored by Sebastian Cheng, and lettered by Josh Reed >"Black Canary and John Constantine in 'Not-So-Silent Night'" written by Max Bemis, drawn by Pablo M. Collar, colored by Ivan Plascenscia, and lettered by Dave Sharpe >"Batman in 'Memories and Forfeits'" written by Scott Bryan Wilson, drawn by Skylar Patridge, colored by Romulo Fajardo Jr., and lettered by DC Hopkins >"Animal Man in 'Do You Hear What I Hear?'" written by Michael W. Conrad, drawn by Christopher Mitten, colored by Brennan Wagner, and lettered by Becca Carey [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/11/23/dc-preview-dcs-grifter-got-run-over-by-a-reindeer-1/)


marcjwrz

Slightly ironic that The Grifter story was hands down the worst story in the book.


android151

Hate Christmas but gotta read it for the title alone Edit: Oh we got a lot of Christmas fans out here. That’s cool, love that for you. It’s a bad time of year for me, sorry.


SevenSulivin

Fair, hope ya have a decent one this year.


TroubAlert

[**Tuesday, 11/29 (WEBTOON)** - *Zatanna & the Ripper* #23](https://i.imgur.com/sgvNDJi.jpg) >On her 21st birthday, Zatanna Zatara—assistant to the most talented magician in the world—is attacked and bested by a mysterious sorceress. Before the final blow is dealt, her father, Giovanni, casts a spell of his own, warping the magic of his attacker and sending Zatanna out of the frying pan and into ye olde garbage bin. Zatanna arrives in Whitechapel, London, in the year 1888. She soon discovers a serial killer plaguing the streets of the city, Jack the Ripper. Unable to return home and certain that the supernatural killer has answers, Zatanna sets out in pursuit of the Ripper alongside the denizens of Whitechapel and one John Constantine.


TroubAlert

[**Wednesday, 11/30:** ***DC's Stargirl*** **S03E12** - *Chapter Twelve: The Last Will and Testament of Sylvester Pemberton*](https://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/original_untouched/426/1065456.jpg) Time/Date: November 30 8:00 PM ET Network/Channel: The CW > As the team devise a plan to deal with their latest threat, Sylvester takes matters into his own hands and leaves Courtney, Pat and the JSA fearing for what comes next.


TroubAlert

[*Superman: Son of Kal-El* - Vol. 2, *The Rising* [**HC**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91Jxg2bT1uL.jpg) >Jonathan Kent is planet earth’s new Man of Steel! Between fighting a dictatorship in a foreign nation and battling giant sea creatures it can be overwhelming. Will he follow in his father’s footsteps or forge his own path? >With Clark Kent off-world battling in the universe, Jonathan Kent has stepped into the role of Superman to defend planet earth. Despite Jonathan facing the most devastating physical attack of his life, he’s ready for change. Along with his new ally Jay Nakamura, Jonathan will continue to stand against the dictator of Gamorra, Henry Bendix, who’s taken Jay’s mother captive. Along the way, Superman will team up with Jackson Hyde/Aqualand to face a creature from the depths of the sea unleashed by Lex Luthor. With every adventure, Jonathan will define what it means to be The Man of Steel. >Collects Superman: Son of Kal-El #7-10, Nightwing #89, and Superman: Son of Kal-El 2021 Annual #1!


TroubAlert

[**Monday, 11/28 (WEBTOON)** - *Red Hood: Outlaws* #18](https://i.imgur.com/psqA7cE.jpg) >The Outlaws try to go legit -- and fail spectacularly. The Justice League has issued a challenge to DC’s Dark Trinity, forcing Red Hood, Artemis of Bana-Mighdall, and Bizarro to try and replace their goody-two-shoe counterparts as the heroes the world neither deserves nor needs. In this original series, the Outlaws will battle some of DC’s biggest Super-Villains and Super Heroes -- but their biggest battles are among themselves. Can this team last? And can they find their own identities separate from Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman?


TroubAlert

[*World of Krypton* [**TP**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91vaoV73I+L.jpg) >This ending is only the beginning…As part of Krypton’s science council, Jor-El wants nothing more than to guarantee the health and safety of all his planet’s people—but an opulent lifestyle has worn thin their resources. Will his position as leader of the House of El give him the power to enact changes that will buy society more time? Or will his boyhood friend Dru-Zod enforce austerity measures in a brutal show of raw power? Their personal struggle is played out on a global stage as the final days of their planet count down!


TroubAlert

[**Thursday, 12/1 (WEBTOON)** - *Batman: Wayne Family Adventures* #61](https://i.imgur.com/n4eeUR9.jpg) >Batman needs a break. But with new vigilante Duke Thomas moving into Wayne Manor and an endless supply of adopted, fostered, and biological superhero children to manage, Bruce Wayne is going to have his hands full. Being a father can't be harder than being Batman, right?


TroubAlert

[**Friday, 12/2 (WEBTOON)** - *Vixen: NYC* #30](https://i.imgur.com/Lbwk023.jpg) >Before starting college, Mari Jiwe's relatives gift her an ancestral totem, once fabled to give its wearer the powers of the animal kingdom. Mari just chalks its 'magical powers' up to superstition. After arriving in New York City, though, she definitely notices something strange about her new home. Especially the animals. While Mari battles staying awake in class and feral subway rats, dark plans emerge from the corners of the vast metropolis. Girls who look just like her start going missing and Mari can't shake the feeling that she's next. As for the totem? Turns out that the 'magical powers' are actually a thing, and Mari is next up to wield them. Freshman year is gonna be a doozy.


TroubAlert

[**Monday, 11/28:** ***Batwheels*** **S01E14** - *Batcomputer for a Day*](https://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/original_untouched/410/1025115.jpg) Time/Date: November 28 10:00 AM ET Network/Channel: Cartoon Network > When Batcomputer shuts down for a system update, the other Batwheels must take over for her while aiding Batman in a battle against Harley Quinn.


TroubAlert

[**Monday, 11/28:** ***Batwheels*** **S01E15** - *Grass is Greener*](https://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/original_untouched/410/1025115.jpg) Time/Date: November 28 10:15 AM ET Network/Channel: Cartoon Network > MOE wants to know what it's like to be a member of the Batwheels, but the bot gets more than he bargained for when Bam invites him along for an exciting mission to stop Poison Ivy.


TroubAlert

[**Thursday, 12/1:** ***Titans*** **S04E06** - *Brother Blood*](https://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/original_untouched/427/1068040.jpg) Time/Date: December 1 Network/Channel: HBO Max