Welcome to the first issue of Irregular Reconnaissance. This section of the blog acts as a quick fire series of reviews. Okay, it’s a way to sound off about the comics we’ve been reading and what we think. Full reviews tend to focus on big issues, first issues, last issues or complete series runs. The Irregular Reconnaissance is a catch up with were we’ve got to.
Justice League Dark
This rag tag group of individuals are still having events happen to them. This is necessary because there’s no reason for them to hang around together or be productive in any way. The title “Justice League Dark” isn’t applicable. It’s only the nickname that other people are using.
In Episodes 20 and 21 we deal with the Cold Flame and Dr Destiny making off with the House of Mystery. Flash turns up and refers to the group as “Monsters” but this doesn’t really work because all he’s met at this point are Madame Xanadu, John Constantine, Deadman and Frankenstein. Okay, Frankenstein looks like a monster – but more than the Martian Manhunter? – the rest don’t. Besides, I still struggle very much with DC having a Frankenstein Monster character called Frankenstein.
Status: Going to keep reading, just.
The Hypernaturals
Episode 12
A great series from Dan Adnett and Andy Lanning. A new Universe. New characters. Okay, it demands some attention and won’t accept any lazy reading. However, the plot developments – “twist” seems like the wrong word – make sense and layer on the interest.
Episode 12 looks like the end of the run. A shame. No spoilers from me but if the Guardians of the Galaxy film makes it big expect DC to push this. Rightly so.
Status: Recommend to people.
Green Lantern
I thought episode 20 was the end of the run. I think it’s just the end of Geoff Johns’ run. It’s a big climax. We’ve dealt with the Third Army at this point and have the godlike Volthoom, the First Lantern, to take down. “End of the run” syndrome takes over and ALL THE PEOPLE turn up, big bads to a rainbow of Lanterns. Cheese? A little. Ruined? No! It actually works. Despite almost cameo like appearances from all sorts of characters the epic conflict manages to reach an epic finale.
Episode 20 takes the risk of looking into the future and suggesting what happens to some of the lanterns. This casts the White Lantern in the role for a good long while. Episode 21 picks up from where the action left off and does very well at very quickly getting you back into the swing of things. I expect we’ll see plenty more of Larfleeze. I think he’s even getting his own series.
Status: Happy to keep reading.
Swamp Thing
Episode 21
The Rotworld saga has finished. That got good and then a little silly – but does show how important the Red, the Green and the Rot are in the DCU. Episode 21 looks to bring back some of the morality drama to Swamp Thing (actually, some of the “Dark” that qualifies him for the Justice League Dark) and on this early look the plot is going to be a good one. Should Swampie protect someone, someone claiming an ancient rite of protection, without fully knowing what she’s done?
Status: Happy to keep reading.
Shadowman
Episode 7
I felt that the last arc ended rather quickly. I enjoyed the build up though. What episode 7 does it help me find the center of the situation again. Master Darque is much closer to Earth than he has been since gaining his powers and we know how dangerous that is. Episode 7 almost acts as the start of the series with the previous comic books helping to build up our background knowledge – we learned as the Shadowman learned.
Status: Happy to keep reading.
Dresden Files: Ghoul Gobin
Episode 4
Typically Jim Butcher – just as we think the situation is bad for Harry the wizard goes and makes it worse for himself. Actually, though, has Dresden just found the almighty gamble he needed to make in order to have any chance of saving the situation? Perhaps. We’ve been dealing with a curse and now we can factor in an ancient guardian spirit too. Roll on episode 5.
Status: Waiting impatiently for the next episode.
