Skip to Content

Andrew Doscas’ Summer Reading List

There are different themes and moods associated with each season that, aside from the weather, make them remarkably different from one another.  Summer in particular is associated with vitality, energy, and joy, while winter, in contrast, is most linked to death, lethargy, and hopelessness.  These seasonal moods extend to all aspects of pop culture like …

Read More about Andrew Doscas’ Summer Reading List

‘Green Lantern: Secret Origin’ is the Emotional Core of Geoff Johns’ Run

Geoff Johns’ run on Green Lantern produced the seminal take on Green Lantern. Johns took a struggling and insipid franchise and turned it into a consistent top seller. He made Green Lantern matter again by crafting an entire universe based solely on the power of emotions. His run never lacked heart, as the biggest theme was the complex relationship of Hal Jordan and Sinestro. This was never more evident than in Secret Origin one of the most compelling and insightful stories ever conceived by the legendary Geoff Johns.

Read More about ‘Green Lantern: Secret Origin’ is the Emotional Core of Geoff Johns’ Run

‘Justice League’ #48 charges toward the endgame

Justice League #48, which is part 8 of the DC Universe spanning event “Darkseid War, is winding up for a slamming finish. There’s a lot to be said for an event sized book being told mainly in one title and one-shots over the course of the run. Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, and Brad Anderson continue to maintain a level of epic sized awesome inside this core title and not one part of this book dissapoints.

Read More about ‘Justice League’ #48 charges toward the endgame

‘DC Comics Rebirth’ Announcement Video – Reboot? Revamp?

In late January, DC Comics’ editor Dan Didio tweeted this mysterious image. Almost immediately, the internet started doing what it does best: wildly speculating. The most common interpretation was that this was the beginning of the end for DC’s current comics universe, referred to as “the New 52”. The controversial new continuity timeline began in 2011, …

Read More about ‘DC Comics Rebirth’ Announcement Video – Reboot? Revamp?

5 Fourth Wall Breaking Comics Fans of Deadpool Should Check Out

The Merc with the Mouth is infamous for two (often overlapping) categories of crazed conversation: 1) comedic quips similar to Spider-man’s, sans a profanity filter, perhaps slightly more emphatic on non-sequiturs and random ramblings, and 2) fourth wall shattering soliloquies to the reader. For many, the concept of a character cognizant of being in a …

Read More about 5 Fourth Wall Breaking Comics Fans of Deadpool Should Check Out

Gods are Forever in ‘Justice League’ #47

With the clock winding down and with only 3 issues in the War to go, not all of the characters are at the forefront in Justice League #47, but it works lest the already packed title become overstuffed with players. With the main artist back on to finish the event, the “Darkseid War” should begin to wrap up character arcs and pick up steam to change the landscape of DC Universe in issue 50.

Read More about Gods are Forever in ‘Justice League’ #47

Alan Moore’s ‘Tygers’ Shows The Haunted Truth Behind the Fall of Abin Sur

However, it was one of Moore’s shortest stories that proved to be one of his most impactful works. Being just 12 pages long, “Tygers”, found in the pages of Tales of the Green Lantern Corps. Annual #2, depicts the inciting action for Abin Sur’s eventual demise. It is a terrifyingly haunting portrayal of Abin’s descent into a hellish world rife with disturbingly dreadful demons and torturous landscapes. If you combined The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, and Dante’s Inferno, you’d get “Tygers”. For all intents and purposes, Alan Moore somehow crafted a horror story from a Green Lantern comic book. As it stands, the results have never been more grotesquely enjoyable.

Read More about Alan Moore’s ‘Tygers’ Shows The Haunted Truth Behind the Fall of Abin Sur

Godhood Calls in ‘Justice League’ #46

Justice League #46 Writer: Geoff Johns Artist: Francis Manapul Colorist: Francis Manapul Letterer: Rob Leigh Publisher: DC Comics Being caught in the middle of a cosmic war between the two of the most powerful beings in all existence can be difficult to manage. Wonder Woman makes it look easy even with six of her team members …

Read More about Godhood Calls in ‘Justice League’ #46

The Darkseid War shifts in ‘Justice League’ #45

The Darkseid War rages on and is proving to be the biggest and largest story DC has told yet in the New 52 and DCYou era through the Justice League title. Readers are treated to an artistic switch with Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato, who were the team that ushered in a new era for The Flash at the New 52’s inception to give us this aftermath of the insanity that went down in issue #44.

Read More about The Darkseid War shifts in ‘Justice League’ #45

‘Blackest Night’- Hoping the Dawn Never Comes

What makes Blackest Night one of the best event comics of the past 10 years is that it seems real. Not in the sense that dead superheroes wanting to eat your heart could actually happen, but in the sense that it’s one of the most organic crossovers ever written. Because it was borne from another series that slowly began to escalate into a line wide conflict, Blackest Night never feels like an annual gratuitous crossover, as many event comics do. It makes sense that something as encapsulating as the War of Light or the Blackest Night would invariably affect the rest of the DCU, and because the crisis is injected into the rest of the DCU with such precision, the Blackest Night comes off as being a much direr situation than previous event crises. Blackest Night never feels complimentary or lifeless because it was the natural progression of what Geoff Johns was building to on Green Lantern. But as we praise Blackest Night as the seminal comic event, let’s not forget that it all really started with Alan Moore.

Read More about ‘Blackest Night’- Hoping the Dawn Never Comes

The Flash, Ep. 1.10, “Revenge of the Rogues” an infectiously fun blend of special effects, comedy and drama

The CW’s hit series came back from its mid-season break with “Revenge of the Rogues,” an action packed hour juggling many subplots and further building the DC universe. When last we saw our hero, he was defeated by the mysterious Man in the Yellow Suit, but thanks to a wild card in Firestorm, the Scarlett Speedster made out with his life. That encounter played heavily into the show’s mid-season premiere which opens with Barry’s narration changed to reflect his battle with the Reverse Flash, followed by Barry working on improving his speed through various training exercises that force him to dodge drones piloted by Cisco (How cool was that?).

Read More about The Flash, Ep. 1.10, “Revenge of the Rogues” an infectiously fun blend of special effects, comedy and drama

‘Justice League: Origin’ the worst way to introduce the Justice League

Created as the flagship title of the New 52 and the opening arc for this new era of comics, Justice League “Origin” is a cringe-worthy retelling of the League’s beginnings. Despite having the talented Geoff Johns handling story and drawn by Jim Lee, Justice League “Origin” is a boring and underwhelming tale.

Read More about ‘Justice League: Origin’ the worst way to introduce the Justice League

The Flash, Ep. 1.04 “Going Rogue” will impress the geek core and non-fans alike

Taking into account a DVR playback The Flash series pilot has risen to 6.8 million viewers since it first premiered. That’s The CW’s most-watched telecast in the network’s history. It’s also the network’s second biggest rating ever among adults 18-49. If you count all platforms, the tally rises to 13 million viewers. If anything, “Going Rogue” will only help boost those numbers. With a script that never forgets its heroes’ humanity, and two superpowered set pieces, “Going Rogue” lives up to its hype — and raises the bar for the DC canon. Not only does this episode introduce Wentworth Miller playing one of the Flash’s best-known enemies, but the special guest star turned in a great performance as the famous Captain Cold. And if that isn’t enough to tune in, “Going Rogue” was co-written by Geoff Johns, responsible for his fair share of some of the best Flash comic book stories. Finally, “Going Rogue” is also the first crossover episode, bringing Felicity Smoak over from established hit series Arrow.

Read More about The Flash, Ep. 1.04 “Going Rogue” will impress the geek core and non-fans alike

Monster Mashup: Superman vs. Dracula

Unlike Marvel, with its successful Tomb of Dracula series, DC never integrated a specific iteration of Dracula into their superhero universe. However, once the loosening of the Comics Code allowed for them, vampires of all different sorts certainly found their way into the pages of DC’s comics, but there was never a definitive Dracula that existed alongside Superman, Batman, and the rest. As such, the DC heroes have encountered a handful of different Dracula-esque characters through the years. Once such example can be found in 2002’s Superman #180.

Read More about Monster Mashup: Superman vs. Dracula

The Flash, Ep. 1.01, “City of Heroes” is fantastic right out of the gate

The Flash Season 1, Episode 1 ‘City of Heroes’ Written by Greg Berlanti, Geoff Johns, and Andrew Kreisberg Directed by David Nutter Airs Wednesday at 8pm ET on The CW There are two very important aspects of The Flash that need that to be addressed. The first is that back in 2012 it took Arrow some time to …

Read More about The Flash, Ep. 1.01, “City of Heroes” is fantastic right out of the gate

Forever Evil #2 Explores the Crime Syndicate, but Suffers from Too Much Decompression

Forever Evil #2 Writer: Geoff Johns Penciller: David Finch Inker: Richard Friend Colorist: Sonia Oback Publisher: DC Comics Whereas last issue focused on the actions of the Crime Syndicate of America, Forever Evil #2 focuses on the motives behind these actions. It also begins to flesh out the various members of the Syndicate from the strong and …

Read More about Forever Evil #2 Explores the Crime Syndicate, but Suffers from Too Much Decompression

Forever Evil #1 Plunges the DC Universe into Even More Darkness

Writer: Geoff Johns Penciler: David Finch Inker: Richard Friend Colorist: Sonia Oback Publisher: DC Comics One week after DC and Geoff Johns wrap up “Trinity War”, they plunge headfirst into another event Forever Evil. The first issue skips around from location to location and doesn’t have much of a plot, but Johns and artist David Finch …

Read More about Forever Evil #1 Plunges the DC Universe into Even More Darkness

Justice League #23 is a Fittingly Epic Conclusion to Trinity War

Writer: Geoff Johns Penciller: Ivan Reis Inkers: Joe Prado, Oclair Albert, Eber Ferreira Colorist: Rod Reis Publisher: DC Comics This was a hard comic to review because of the spoilers leaked by DC about their upcoming Forever Evil miniseries. However, despite a little bit of the ending being ruined, Justice League #23 ties together all the loose ends of …

Read More about Justice League #23 is a Fittingly Epic Conclusion to Trinity War

JLA #7 is a Decent Table Setting Issue with Some Good Fight Scenes and Characters

Writers: Geoff Johns, Jeff Lemire Penciller: Doug Mahnke Inkers: Christian Alamy, Keith Champagne, Doug Mahnke, Marc Deering, Walden Wong Colorists: Nathan Eyring, Pete Pantazis, Gabe Eltaeb Publisher: DC Comics After the events of last issue which was full of conflict between different superheroes and involved a lot of switching teams, JLA #7 decided to slow down the pace. …

Read More about JLA #7 is a Decent Table Setting Issue with Some Good Fight Scenes and Characters

JLA #6 is a Very Small Piece in the Bigger Puzzle of the Trinity War

Justice League of America #6 Writers: Geoff Johns and Jeff Lemire Penciller/Inker: Doug Mahnke Inkers: Christian Alamy, Keith Champagne, Tom Nguyen Colorists: Gabe Eltaeb, Nathan Eyring Publisher: DC Comics Like many of the “event” comics released recently (Marvel’s Age of Ultron and Avengers vs. X-Men spring to mind), “Trinity War” will read much better in trade paperback format. …

Read More about JLA #6 is a Very Small Piece in the Bigger Puzzle of the Trinity War

Justice League #22 is a Summer Action Extragavanza with a Bit of a Brain Too

Justice League 22 Writer: Geoff Johns Penciler: Ivan Reis Inkers: Oclair Albert, Joe Prado Colors: Rod Reis Publisher: DC Comics Justice League #22 could never be done as a film. It is the first chapter of DC’s first true “epic” in the New 52 filled with exotic locations, intense action sequences, and heroes crossing the line. …

Read More about Justice League #22 is a Summer Action Extragavanza with a Bit of a Brain Too

Five DC Characters Who Deserve Their Own Solo Series

With the announcement of the upcoming Damian: Son of Batman and Sinestro Corps series, DC has (for the time being) decided to stop making new series that don’t involve Batman, Green Lantern, or Superman. This is a shame because they experimented and are still experimenting with books in different genres, like war (G.I. Combat), western (All Star Western), …

Read More about Five DC Characters Who Deserve Their Own Solo Series