Justice League International #10

Writer: Dan Jurgens

Artist: Aaron Lopresti

Back from France after their brief team-up with the Firestorms, the JLI returns home to face the gruesome realities that await them there: a dead comrade, three more hanging to life by a thread, and a dangerous anarchist organization threatening with finishing the job they successfully started. Narrated by August General in Iron, the story shows Guy Gardner's softer side, elaborates on Batwing and Vixen's connection, and continues developing Godiva's clumsy infatuation with Booster Gold. Even the bad guys get some characterization without robbing the issue of any action. Lopresti, Ryan, and Hi-Fi deliver another clean, sharp, and vivid installment; their panels are neat, and with just the right amount of detail where is needed; not too much, not too little. It is unfortunate that a series with such a diverse cast is coming to an end; it just sends the wrong message.

Driven, Brash, Secretive, Enigmatic

Art by Aaron Lopresti, Matt Ryan, and Hi-Fi

Avengers vs. X-Men #5

Writers: Aaron, Bendis, Brubaker, Fraction, Hickman

Artist: John Romita Jr.

The first act of AvX concludes with the arrival of the Phoenix and a wacky twist. The Good: The stray fighting is replaced by a contained confrontation with less background characters. Hope's admission and prompt action upon realizing she was wrong make it easier to like and sympathize with her. The unexpected turn of events does away with predictability, at least for a while. The Bad: Why would Cap take Hawkeye and Black Widow to what is expected to be a decisive battle that includes a cosmic entity, is beyond comprehension. Namor vs. The Thing for the 5th time since the event started, Cyclops shooting at Cap, and Wolverine getting cut, mauled, and burnt, are all overkill. The ending twist is a rehash of Fear Itself where funny talking beings took over random characters. At least the X-Men seem to be getting a breather.  John Romita Jr. ends his stint with unimpressive artwork and lots of almost blank pages.

Earth-Two #2

Writer: James Robinson

Artist: Nicola Scott

This is how new eras are written. Five years after the "Trinity of Wonders" died, Mr. Terrific arrives to the parallel dimension of Earth-Two, and the surprises don't make anyone wait as an unexpected party greeting him is revealed. That sequence alone was worth the $2.99, but is by no means the best part of the story. Just like the 50's ushered the Silver Age with the introduction of Flash, this book echoes that same grandeur by marking the dawn of an aptly named new Age with the debut of its own speedster. While this happens, the much discussed spin on Alan Scott's character unravels smoothly, only to be disrupted by three words: magic, train, fire. Any fan of his knows what this means and what comes next; Flash may be the first in this world, but Green Lantern will be the greatest. Nicola Scott and company deliver A+ art to make of this title an absolute must have.

A New Age by Nicola Scott, Trevor Scott, Alex Sinclair, Pete Pantazis

Batman #9

Writers: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV

Artists: Greg Capullo & Rafael Albuquerque

More than the closing chapter for "Night of the Owls," this issue is the anchor for the entire event, piecing together several of its tie-ins into a cohesive, understandable, big picture. The backup feature "The Fall of the House of Wayne" in the meantime, starts a significant retcon and makes bold changes to Bruce's childhood, all told from an unexpected, but compelling point of view. The most impacting element in the main story is the development involving Lincoln March, which is still giving me a bad feeling about the possible outcome of the arc; his character is becoming too similar to Tommy Elliot a.k.a. Hush, so I am crossing my fingers in hopes that my concerns are unfounded. Capullo and Albuquerque render the great writing into distinctive and flawless art, making of this issue yet another hit in the overall "Court of Owls" saga.  Nice variant cover by Dale Keown.

Savage Hawkman #9

Writers: Rob Liefeld & Mark Poulton

Artist: Joe Bennett

A new era begins for the winged wonder with "Nth Ways To Die" led by comics personality Rob Liefeld. With only a couple of references to previous storylines, this next phase starts on a blank slate and feels like a #1 issue for its accessibility and simple premise. Somewhat formulaic, the story has a few good things in its favor that make the title worthy of a second chance. Although the dialog is a bit clichéd, the internal monologue does a great job in summarizing who Hawkman is in this new continuity, and where his recent dilemmas have taken him. The issue also jumps right into the action, saving readers the suffering of a slow set-up chapter. Joe Bennett's art is an immediate breath of fresh air for a series that sorely needed it. Finally, the seeds are planted for the introduction in the DCnU of a character very dear to my heart. Overall, a good start.

Wolverine and the X-Men #11

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Nick Bradshaw

This one runs along with VS #2 and AvX #4, and graciously covers several fronts at once while focusing on Wolverine and Hope as they try to find a way to get to the Moon. If this book intends on keeping its light, comedic approach, Nick Bradshaw's sparkling and clean pencils are much better suited for the task than Chris Bachalo's over-the-top style. I don't know whether it will come to that, but it would be nice to see a rematch between Rachel Grey and the Death Commandos; after all, they wiped her entire family in "End of Greys." Speaking of, it seems that everyone and their mother was able to make it across the universe before the all-powerful Phoenix did: Nova, the Commandos, now Gladiator; for a cosmic entity, it certainly moves at a glacial pace. While not a necessary read, the issue nicely fills some holes left by the main series.

Nightwing #9

Writer: Kyle Higgins

Artists: Eddy Barrows & Andres Guinaldo

While "The Court of Owls" might be one of Batman's greatest stories ever told, it for sure is the one that redefined the character of Dick Grayson to his core. This tie-in to "Night of the Owls" certainly cements that. Through Talon William Cobb -Dick's ancestor- more of Gotham's past and nature is revealed, as well as Haly's Circus true, sinister purpose. Higgins is able to recreate the Grayson lineage in such an organic, non-forced manner, that it is almost as if it had been designed like that from the very beginning. Barrows and Guinaldo's shared art duties are yet another highlight of this issue, and the crossover in general. Their post-Victorian interpretation of old Gotham is flawless, while the present day fight scenes are crisp and fluid. The impact this secret origin will have on Nightwing is still to be seen; the potential for endless conflict and turmoil is clear, but right now the book is in such good hands, that it should not be seen with any concern.

X-Men Legacy #267

Writer: Christos Gage

Artist: Rafa Sandoval

What starts as a misunderstanding, quickly turns into an all-out battle when the Jean Grey School staff leaves neutrality behind, and Rogue goes rogue against the Avengers. The point this tie-in strongly drives is that the southern belle has taken Earth's Mightiest down before, and she can do it again now that her buttons have been pushed. It is great to finally see that the big guns are starting to come out on the X-Men side of the house to join the fight. After all she has been through, having Rogue in control of her abilities, even in tough situations is exciting, but it's not just her; Gambit and Kitty Pryde also show some great display of power themselves. Sandoval's pencils are quickly adapting to the characters, their surroundings, and situations, and are engaging and fun; now, if only he stopped drawing the giant belt pouches and elephantine boots, everything would be great.

The Most Viewed in May 2012

And the most checked reviews in May by the followers of this blog were:

1. The Avengers vs. Ultron

2. Earth-Two #1

3. VS. #2

4. Avengers vs. X-Men #3

5. The New 52 FBD 2012