ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Teen Titans vol 2: The Rise of Aqualad

Teen Titans

The Rise of Aqualad

DC Universe Rebirth

Story by: Benjamin Percy

Art by: Khoi Pham, Wade Von Grawbadger, Phil Hester, Trevor Scott, Pop Mhan

issues #6-7, #9-11 and #13-14

Story: Jackson Hyde is tired of hiding who he really is, he tired of hiding his powers and of his Mom not telling him the truth of who his Dad is and why he can control water the way he does, being gay doesn't make it any easier. Jackson goes to the only place he thinks he will be welcomed, Titan Tower. It started with a prison break out an entire section of inmates went missing soon afterwards people started to go missing all disappearing in and around the ocean. When Beast Boy is giving an interview out in front of Titan Tower and the reporter disappears into the water right in front of him shortly after that King Shark comes on T.V. announcing his wicked intentions. Jackson shows up and proves his worth with the Titans when he helps take down King Shark. But the story is far from over when Jackson's Mom shows with the truth about who he really is and why she hit it from him. King Shark was only the beginning.

Art: The art is pretty much what I expect when reading a comic.

It's well done, nice lines, and great action sequences. I liked that each of the conversation bubbles for the characters were unique to them so you knew who was talking and when.

Review: Overall, it was a good read. I love the Titans and each unique quality lends to the group and makes them stronger as a group. Starfire, as long as she's been on Earth still is naive and her innocence in that aspect lets her believe in the good of everyone. It was also nice to see her take charge when Damian was acting like a brat. Beast Boy who loves attention and getting famous in Hollywood only made it worse, and it has been hinted that it will lead to something bad. Raven keeps her distance because her empathy, but she gives great insight when needed. Her understanding of having a horrible father connects her to Kid Flash and that gives them a bond with romantic inclinations. And Beast Boy with Starfire, yeah I don't see that. And then there is Damian, he was raised to lead but being taught by R'as and then Batman he doesn't always understand working with the team and leading them. I like where this is going and I like Jackson.

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Harley Quinn vol 2: Joker Loves Harley

Harley Quinn

Vol 2: Joker Loves Harley
DC Universe Rebirth
Issue #7-12

Story by: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti

Art by: John Timms, Chad Hardin, Brandon Peterson, Moritat, Bret Belvins, Joseph Michael Linsner, Michael Kaluta, Inaki Miranda, Andrew Robinson, Alex Sinclair, HI-FI

Story: Harley is having some issues, she has been dreaming really weird dreams and a friend suggests taking a vacation. So Harley and Poison Ivy take off to the Bahamas for a week but after a week Harley doesn’t feel any better she kind of feels worse because Ivy is still picking her cause over Harley not to mention the weird things Harley has been getting in the mail that are supposedly coming from the Joker. Wanting to vent her frustrations Harley goes back to the Roller Derby. Once there she learns someone who she previously wiped the rink with, Big Bertha, is back and out for vengeance and is in the process of kicking Harley’s butt when someone shoots Big Bertha in the head. Harley gets back to her place only to find The Joker sitting in her living room. Flabbergasted she kicks him out but only after she agrees to meet him again tomorrow on the boardwalk. Until then Harley is still restless so Red Tool and her go to the underground tunnels where they previously found a room of doors, one in particular caught her fancy, it’s all chained up. After Red Tool and Harley find what was in there and kick it butt, or should I say blow it the fuck up, Harley goes to bed to catch some much needed sleep. In Red Tools misguided need to protect Harley he sets her clock back so he can meet the Joker and deal with him himself.

Art: It’s so funny how long Harley’s hair grows in the span of one comic to the other. It was short Mohawk for her Punk Rocker undercover gig and her and Ivy’s vacation and in the next one it’s back to the long length again. The art is what I have come to expect with a Harley comic humorous and graphic. Very well done.

Characters: Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Red Tool, Frankie, The Joker, Eggy, Sy and Zena Borgman, Summer Daze, Sky Scrapper, Big Bertha and the whole Quinn crew.

Review: This was a real emotional story for Harley between her feelings for Ivy and the Joker she feels like she has so many unresolved issues and is pretty stagnate where she is in her life right now. The appearance of the Joker throws her off her game even more. Harley isn’t quite Harley in these issues she’s depressed and angry and the Joker seems to be the right outlet. As sad as this was it kept with the silly and morbid humor. The Christmas special at the end was perfect Christmas special cheese, very funny.  

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Suicide Squad vol 2 Going Sane

Suicide Squad Vol 2: Going Sane

DC Universe Rebirth

Issues 5-8 plus the April Fool’s Day special

Story by Rob Williams, Simon Spurrier,

Art by: Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Sean Galloway, Stephen Byrne, Carlos D'Anda, Chris Ward, Giuseppe Camuncoli

 Story: So Waller used the Squad to attain the extra dimensional orb from the Black Vault which contained General Zod inside but what also lays await them is driving them insane they begin to act irrational and out of control all except Harley. Harley manages to become sane again and is the only hope to stop whatever it is that is messing with everyone’s head.

 Art: As usual I love Lee’s art and with everyone else this action packed volume is beautifully illustrated. The detailed contrasting colors work perfectly with what’s going on in the comic. The April Fool's day special especially had some super cute Harley looked like she was a Powerpuff Girl or an Animaniac.

Characters: Amanda Waller, Katana, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Captain Boomerang, Rick Flag, Deadshot, Enchantress, Special appearances from the Justice League, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Lex Luthor, Man Bat and many more....

  Review: For being such a short volume it was really good. It was fun seeing the character act on impulse the opposite of what they normally are and seeing Harleen Quinzel as her sane self was nice. I kind of like the unusual friendship Killer Croc and June Moone are starting, it's amusing. I liked Warm Heart a Justice League vs, Suicide Squad Prelude I like Killer Frost. The Personnel Files are one of my favorite things because it gives me a look at the characters that are new to me, or ones I just don't know much about.