Writer: James Tynion IV
Artists: Lisandro Estherren, Patricio Delpeche
Color Artist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Text Page Designer (Thessaly Special): AndWorld Design

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

The second volume of James Tynion IV’s take on The Sandman Universe, Nightmare Country: The Glass House is finally here!

This gorgeous hardcover edition includes all six chapters of The Glass House and the one-shot Thessaly special. The dust jacket art, featuring the Corinthian, and the main cover, with the King of Pain, are both by Reiko Murakami. Also collected are all the main and variant covers.

New York artist, Madison Flynn, has been murdered by the re-animated corpse of her best friend, Kelly (AKA “Kells”). Now, the reborn Corinthian, along with Madison’s spirit, are both on the trail of the deadly duo behind Kelly’s murder, Mr. Agony and Mr. Ecstasy.

The two rogue nightmares killed Madison, and others because they could see a new nightmare, The Smiling Man, during waking hours. More troubling still, this nightmare was seemingly not a creation of Dream. To add even more fuel to the fire, it seems that Agony and Ecstasy had been commissioned to commit these murders by Desire, Dream’s younger sibling and frequent adversary.

Madison has been granted new flesh by Death of The Endless, at her brother Dream’s behest. Neither one seems to know of Desire’s involvement at this moment in time.

Positives

Nightmare Country‘s back! Thankfully Lisandro Estherren, Patricio Delpeche, and Simon Bowland have returned, alongside James Tynion. This issue cleverly picks up exactly where volume one left off, adding new characters to the tale and, by the end of the book, bringing back yet another huge presence from Neil Gaiman’s original Sandman run. We also meet another old “friend” from the classic “The Doll’s House” saga, again.

There are still people out there who have also seen The Smiling Man, and we can only wonder how long it will be before Agony and Ecstasy will be on their trail. Add a whole ton of supernatural intrigue, clubs that no one should want to be a member of, and the return of Kells, and this is one super-loaded graphic novel!

It may be hard to believe, but the art and colors by Lisandro and Patricio have actually improved since volume one. This book looks amazing, and Madison’s new form made me very happy indeed. The nods to the first arc are wonderful, and the love for the entire Sandman Universe, as created by Neil Gaiman, is palpable.

Simon Bowland also continues to impress with his letters, particularly when they clearly differentiate humans from angels, demons, and Endless.

James Tynion is sick, twisted, and terrifying. Great work, sir… keep it up. The saga of Kels and Max is as dark a love story as I could ever dream of and features a set of circumstances beyond my wildest imaginings. How does he even think this stuff up? Kelly’s just the sweetest… entity/ghost/spirit and I’m sure the undead deserve love too, right? Of course, when her beau, Max, discovers who she was and what she did; cats, pigeons, cans, and worms will be all over the place.

Kelly’s one of the residents of “The King Of Pain”, a nightclub that links our plane to Hell itself. This is the place where the richest, and those in their employ, can cater to all their most twisted needs and desires… or should that be Desires? Of course, we now know that Agony and Ecstasy, the evil duo who killed Kelly and forced her to kill Madison, were working for Desire of The Endless, one of the younger siblings of Destiny, Death, and Dream.

The addition of Thessaly as a main character opens up a world of storytelling possibilities that this exceptional creative team is grasping with both hands and running with.

Never in my wildest imaginings could I ever have believed that love between an undead girl and a mortal man could feel beautiful and real, but Max and Kells are so brilliantly written and drawn that I can’t help but root for them. Thessaly has always been infuriating, and now that she knows who’s been pulling the strings, even hers (from waaay back in the original Sandman series) I know that sparks are going to fly. Will she and Daniel’Dream cross paths?

Seeing Azazel, The King Of Pain, Dream, and his siblings in this book always makes me happy, so this book ticked a lot of boxes.

The creeping horror continues to unnerve and disturb, in the most delicious and entertaining ways. Is the Corinthian going to revert to type? Is he really working with Madison and Dream, or with the demon Azazel? Knowing the mind of James Tynion, I think we’ll get an answer somewhere between those two extremes that will both surprise and delight us.

All the breadcrumbs James Tynion’s been dropping since Nightmare Country volume one are starting to bear fruit, including the huge bombshell that closed the story. Dream has become embroiled in the events occurring in this series, so I can’t wait to witness the fireworks when he discovers that, once again, one of his younger siblings is neck-deep in the whole mess. In fact, it looks like they’re the one who’s behind the whole scenario.

I’ve been following Dream and his siblings since day one, so seeing them honored and homaged in great new comics makes me very happy indeed.

The secret of the Smiling Man has haunted readers for close to two years now and the story of Madison Flynn has been a source of terror and delight the entire time. Seeing her, The Corinthian, Max, and Kells get swept upon by a wave of demons, serial killers and the whims of The Endless has made this series feel closer to Gaiman’s classic than any other spin-off/follow-up that’s come before.

The power that Dream displays in this collection is nothing short of awesome. The way he handles both his creations and his various enemies is unbelievable. Tynion’s take on Daniel is perfect; he’s got the will and determination of Morpheus, but an edge and confidence that the original Dream never possessed.

First, let me say straight off the bat, that Thessaly is a horrible person. However, she’s a fascinating, deep, and extremely complex character. I’ve followed her story since her first appearance in issue #32 of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman (1991). She’s gone from being a terrifying, bigoted, and ultra-powerful witch in “A Game Of You“, to Dream’s lover, magical avenger, and force of nature in her more recent appearances.

James Tynion has a real grasp on the character and is finally showing us her past in Nightmare Country: The Glass House. By doing so, he lets us see some of the moments that made and forged her. The brilliant part is that all of this fits in with what we’ve already seen of her over the decades, honoring what her creator has already told us about her while adding more flesh to the bones of her history. I must also laud the way James creates new side characters that I immediately fall in love with. They’re all so flawed, human, and real!

Maria Lovet is a wonderful artist who gives readers a Thessaly as great as the one drawn by her co-creator, the inimitable Colleen Doran. The art in the chapter starring Thessaly is gorgeous; simple, clean, atmospheric, and, dare I say it, magical. This great story works both as a follow-up to The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #6 and as a chapter in the ongoing saga of Madison Flynn.

Yes, the writing, art, and Simon Bowland’s lettering in this book are (as always) first-rate, but I think I need to name guest creators AndWorld Design (AKA Deron Bennett) as the MVP of Thessaly’s tale.

I love experimental comics, and DC has been spoiling us recently with issues that tell a story as one continuous 20-page image, an entire story seen from one character’s POV, and the incomparable DC Black Label horror series, The Nice House On The Lake (also written by James Tynion). This chapter contains entire pages dedicated to text and art that are so seamlessly intertwined, that the reader’s left wondering whether the artist, colorist, or letterer was responsible for the final result. With this story, I finally have my answer.

The tale features several text pages, but they’re so lovely to look at that you’d be completely justified in calling them works of art. Some look like ancient scrolls, others like pages from a storybook, and yet others like a movie script (the scroll pages are featured below).

AndWorld didn’t just letter these pages. No. Just like the way they did in TNHOTL they imagined and executed the designs, created the textures, and provided the color. As usual, I’ve been left in awe. I cannot understand people who don’t see comics as true literature or art, because, for me, they’re the perfect marriage of both.

Negatives

How long until the final volume? Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh!

Verdict

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House closes with style and power. James Tynion’s foray into Neil Gaiman’s world of dreams and nightmares has never disappointed, and with the final act of this incredible dark fantasy/horror coming in 2024, a clash between Dream and Desire (and possibly Despair too, if the cover for the final chapter’s anything to go by) is edging ever closer.

A war is coming, and I can’t wait. The final chapters of this tale are tantalizingly close, but still just beyond our reach. I will wait, however impatiently, as I know what’s coming will deliver a story for the ages. This book gives readers the perfect close to this arc while leaving us all begging for more. Like the winter season itself, the wait will be a long, cold one… but one I believe will ultimately be worth it.

I’ll see you all again in dreams.

Review Copy Courtesy of Penguin Random House. Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment.

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House Collected Edition is available now from all good book and comic retailers: ISBN 9781779520722

The post Book Review: Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House – Collected Edition appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Lisandro Estherren
Color Artist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Simon Bowland

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #6 closes the latest volume of the title with style, and power. James Tynion’s foray into Neil Gaiman’s world of dreams and nightmares has never disappointed, and with the final act of this incredible dark fantasy/horror coming in 2024, a clash between Dream and Desire (and possibly Despair too, if the cover for the issue’s anything to go by) is edging ever closer.

Positives

The secret of the Smiling Man has haunted readers for close to two years now and the story of Madison Flynn has been a source of terror and delight the entire time. Seeing her, The Corinthian, Max, and Kells get swept upon by a wave of demons, serial killers and the whims of The Endless has made this series feel closer to Gaiman’s classic than any other spin-off/follow-up that’s come before.

The power that Dream displays in this issue is nothing short of awesome. The way he handles both his creations and his various enemies is unbelievable. Tynion’s take on Daniel is perfect; he’s got the will and determination of Morpheus, but an edge and confidence that the original Dream never possessed.

The art, colors, and letters by Lisandro Estherren, Patricio Depeche, and Simon Bowland are a delight. Estherren’s pencils, painted over with water-color style hues make this series look and feel ethereal, and dream-like. Just like the Sandman books of the 90s, this series doesn’t conform or fit in with what fans may feel comics should look like.

Bowland’s letters are stunning. Just like the legendary Todd Klein, Bowland creates voices for his characters, making them all feel individual and unique. Believe me, comparing any letterer’s work to Klein’s is about the highest praise I can give.

Negatives

A war is coming, and I don’t want to wait. The final chapters of this tale are tantalizingly close, but still just beyond our reach. I will wait, however impatiently, as I know what’s coming will deliver a story for the ages.

Verdict

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #6 gives readers the perfect close to this arc while leaving us all begging for more. Like the winter season itself, the wait will be a long, cold one… but one I believe will ultimately be worth it.

I’ll see you all again in dreams.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

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Writer: Dennis Culver
Artist: Chris Burnham
Color Artist: Brian Reber
Letterer: Pat Brosseau

Reviewed by Davydh Tidey

Unstoppable Doom Patrol #7 is a book I’ve been excited about yet simultaneously dreading for some time now. Keep reading; it’s a positive review, I promise. 

The final issue of this series has everything you could possibly want and have come to expect from this bombastic, exciting, heartbreaking series. This is one for the fans. 

Positives

This is it, the final execution. The DP, Flex Force, the ‘Brotherhood of Evil or whatever’ and our new (but instantly recognizable) players on the field are all where they need to be for the final grand plan. Everything’s coming together, just as our villains planned. 

Except, well, they’re the Doom Patrol… and you can never account for the Doom Patrol. 

This series has never been shy about referencing old-school DP, bringing back characters from classic runs like there’s no tomorrow. From Grant Morrison and Rachel Pollack all the way through to Gerard Way, there’s a deep mythology to draw from, and that’s being done to full effect. Even Lotion is here, I love Lotion!

Not to say that there aren’t some new and surprising characters along the way, giving us an ending and a setup for Vol 2 that just can’t be ignored.

Speaking of that ending, all I’ll say is, never play cards with Dennis Culver, his poker face is pretty incredible. 

Culver has achieved something really special with this series. From sources old and new, he’s created a story that not only moves the DP forward as both people and as a team but he also reconciles their pasts and helps them face the future with a newfound strength.

Wherever they end up next, these characters are forever changed, and Unstoppable Doom Patrol will always be influential for them. I’d love for this series to continue forever, and I have no doubt we’ll be getting that Vol 2, but its legacy will last far longer than that. Not many creators can say that for the characters they’ve worked on, and all praise for this run is well deserved. 

This series would not have been the same without Chris Burnham and Brian Reber’s amazing artwork. As I’ve said before, the thick, dramatic linework and bold colors really make this book special and give it one of the most unique aesthetics on the shelves. Maximum effort has been put into every panel and every page of Unstoppable Doom Patrol, and it shows. Similarly, Pat Brosseau’s lettering has always been unique and distinct adding so much to the style of the book, I couldn’t not mention it for the final issue. 

Negatives

Zero. Zip. Nada. 

This was the ending we needed and deserved. I just don’t know if I can deal with waiting for Vol 2!

Conclusion

Here it is, the end of the ride. Unstoppable Doom Patrol #7 wraps up an unforgettable series for the team and closes the book on one of the best DC series of the year. 

With the renewed popularity of these characters, it’s inevitable that we’ll see them all again, in some way, shape, or form. I sincerely it’s in the form of an Unstoppable Doom Patrol Vol 2, because Culver, Burnham, Reber, and Brosseau’s interpretation of these characters has become one of my favorites. 

The Doom Patrol will return.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: Unstoppable Doom Patrol #7 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Lisandro Estherren
Color Artist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Simon Bowland

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

In this month’s The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #5, we see several puzzle pieces finally falling into place.

Thessaly’s protecting Madison, in her Dream-given cat form, and Max. Both are on the run from the evil angel and corrupt millionaire behind the nightclub that doubles as a gateway to hell. Meanwhile, The Corinthian has infiltrated the club, in an effort to liberate Kells, Max’s undead girlfriend.

Positives

I’m wondering whether you’re reading this review without having enjoyed any issues of this remarkable series. Why? Because the last paragraph should have your head swimming and asking yourself, “OK… what?!?” I’m also asking myself, regularly, why more people aren’t reading this title, because it’s consistently fantastic.

All the breadcrumbs James Tynion’s been dropping since Nightmare Country #1 are starting to bear fruit, including the huge bombshell that closed issue #5. Dream has become embroiled in the events occurring in this series, so I can’t wait to witness the fireworks when he discovers that, once again, one of his younger siblings is neck-deep in the whole mess. In fact, it looks like they’re the one who’s behind the whole scenario.

I’ve been following Dream and his siblings since day one, and seeing them honored and homaged in great new comics makes me very happy indeed. Lisandro Estherren and Patricio Delpeche keep taking us into a world that feels like it’s come out of our darkest dreams. The art’s creepy, yet beautiful, and the colors are spooky and ethereal. All put together, these comics stand out from the crowd. This is intelligent, psychological horror at its finest.

Never in my wildest imaginings could I ever have believed that love between an undead girl and a mortal man could feel beautiful and real, but Max and Kells are so brilliantly written and drawn that I can’t help but root for them. Thessaly has always been infuriating, and now that she knows who’s been pulling the strings, even hers (from waaay back in the original Sandman series) I know that sparks are going to fly. Will she and Daniel cross paths?

Seeing Azazel, The King Of Pain, Dream, and his siblings in this book always makes me happy, so this issue ticked a lot of boxes.

Simon Bowland keeps up the class, too. His lettering is as elegant, essential, and perfect as the script and the art. I can feel the heat coming from those candles as I hear them light up.

Negatives

I WANT TO SEE DREAM AND THESSALY CONFRONT THE ENEMY! AAAARRRGGGHHH!

Of course, this is just me being selfish and impatient.

Verdict

I’m sure that it will come as no surprise that I loved Nightmare Country: The Glass House #5. Everything about this title just works for me, and I leave every issue wanting more. The only trouble is, I  don’t want to wait.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #5 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer/Artist: Sina Grace
Color Artist: Chris Peter
Letterer: AndWorld’s DC Hopkins

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

Sina Grace (Iceman, Ghosted in L.A.) has always been a writer/artist whose work I’ve enjoyed and admired, and Superman: The Harvests Of Youth isn’t just one of the best things he’s ever produced, it’s become one of my favorite YA books and Superman stories… ever.

DC’s range of Young Adult Graphic Novels are some of the finest books out there. I haven’t been a teenager for over thirty years, but these volumes make me feel, think, and are always super entertaining.

This story is, at its heart, one about ordinary people. Yes, everyone knows that Superman is far from ordinary, but that’s part of the magic and power of the character. As Clark Kent, although he’s handsome, smart, and talented, all he wants to be is an ordinary guy. Superman is all about protecting the “ordinary”, the innocent, and those who need his help.

Positives

Let’s be honest, if we had powers like Superman’s, would we use them in the same way he does? Or would we be more like the pitiful super-powered deviants that populate the pages of stories like The Boys? Superman’s greatest power isn’t his superhuman strength, his ability to fly, or the ability to shoot heat beams from his eyes. No. What makes Superman great and inspirational is the way he uses his special abilities to protect and aid those who have none.

Sina Grace gets this. Superman: The Harvests Of Youth gives us a young Clark Kent, a teenager still trying to find his place in the world and learning to use his gifts. When tragedy hits Smallville he learns that, even with his amazing abilities, he can’t save everyone. We may have read tales like this before, but seeing real teenagers with real problems and all the pressure they face – with the future Man of Steel as one of them – makes this Superman story feel all the more grounded and real.

Of course, having a story based in Smallville means that we get to see all the classic residents of this wonderful mid-western town; Lana Lang, Pete Ross, Chloe Sullivan, and Ma & Pa Kent. All of them are pitch-perfect in this book, but the addition of brand new characters Gil Stockwell and Amy Buenaventura (great surname, get your Spanish phrasebook out) adds to the uniqueness and power of this book.

Sina says in his afterword:

There’s no denying that Clark Kent and the people of Smallville are amongst the most iconic in pop culture, so the importance of getting to write and draw a story about Superman’s formative years was not lost on me.”

He goes on to say:

Who are these people in real life? How much will they resemble previous interpretations of the past? What makes my perspective unique?”

Having read the book, all I can say is, “Sina… you nailed it.”

The dialogue is fresh, realistic, and modern, the character designs are perfect and timeless, and the surprises and twists are next level. As soon as we see the teenage Lex Luthor certain expectations are raised. Of course, young Lex clearly showcases some of the characteristics of the man and villain he will eventually become, but the real antagonist of the book is a massive surprise. In fact, the term antagonist may not be the best one to use in this case. The real enemy here is humanity and the way people treat each other, the “villain” of the piece just uses all of that in the worst ways possible.

Sina’s writing and art are terrific throughout, and the storytelling is absolutely sublime. Just check out the facial expressions and love displayed by Ma and Pa Kent in the pages above. What’s amazing is that his work is elevated even further by the gorgeous warm, subtle color palette employed by the brilliant Chris Peter. The earthy, natural tones in this book enhance and add to the atmosphere. Somehow, even in the powerful action scenes near the end of the story, everything feels grounded, and real. Just the fact that we get bronze/copper-toned robots, instead of the usual chrome/steel deal is a huge plus. Nice work, Mr. Peter.

AndWorld Design is one of the finest lettering/design studios in the comics industry, and the work by DC Hopkins in this book is exemplary. There are very few sound effects in this story, in fact, most of the lettering is made up of character dialogue. However, the design choices made by Hopkins and Sina Grace are completely on the money. Where we do get sound effects, they look like part of the art, rather than big, hyper-flashy special effects. In fact, in places they look like Sina may have just drawn them in himself. Also, the choice to have lower-case font dialogue throughout the book really works and adds to making everything feel like conversation, rather than melodramatic exposition.

In short, every member of this creative team has knocked it out of the park.

Negatives

This is just nit-picking. Some of what happens in these pages (and I hate the fact that I’m typing this) goes against what we know to be Superman canon. However (and I love the fact that I’m typing this) I DON’T CARE! These people feel real, the emotions hit home, and we’re being shown the ugly side of society in a way that doesn’t feel preachy or heavy-handed. This is the kind of book I want every teenager and young adult to read; not just because they need to know that they’re not alone, but because this book is fun and one of the best Young Superman tales I’ve ever read.

Verdict

Superman: The Harvests Of Youth is a wonderful story. For me, it ranks with John Byrne’s original Man Of Steel, and Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s Superman For All Seasons as one of the finest tales of Clark Kent’s formative years. Please, do not sleep on this book, buy a copy and share it.

Review Copy and Cover Art Courtesy of Penguin Random House. Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

Paperback
$16.99
Out NOW
ISBN: 9781779511058

The post Book Review: Superman: The Harvests Of Youth appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Lisandro Estherren
Color Artist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Simon Bowland

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

After a brief (but brilliant) interlude last month with Thessaly, we return to The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #4, exactly where we left the previous issue.

While the Corinthian enters the King of Pain nightclub (the demon Azazel’s portal from Earth to Hell) Madison and Max are confronted by the witch Thessaly. We witness murder, and mayhem, and get a visit from a tall librarian plus a final page cameo that left me jumping for joy!

Positives

This issue has it all. There’s enough intrigue, subterfuge, and plotting that we’re making wild guesses at to what’s going on, while James Tynion slowly drops breadcrumbs, red herrings, and guest appearances to leave readers clamoring for more.

No, we still don’t know how or why Desire is involved, whether the Corinthian’s turning back to the dark side, nor what the Angel and the Hollywood producer are planning, but boy are we along for the ride!

The addition of Thessaly as a main character opens up a world of storytelling possibilities that this exceptional creative team is grasping with both hands and running with. The art by Lisandro Estherren and Patricio Delpeche continues to inspire and delight, particularly when we get to see the true power of the forces of darkness at play on page five of the book, as one of Max’s work colleagues is on the receiving end of a particularly sharp spell… The use of color on this page is truly phenomenal, contrasting the prelude and aftermath of the event beautifully.

As always, Simon Bowland’s use of design and innovative text fonts and balloons, for the supernatural characters of the book, are wonderful.

Negatives

I’m only calling this a negative because I’m selfish. Guys! You cannot close the issue with a cameo of that significance! I mean, seriously… this is (exquisite) torture!

Verdict

The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #4 had me gripped from start to finish, and this entire series has consistently been great to read, and amazing to look at.

I honestly believe that issue #5 will be a Dream come true for some… myself included.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

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Writer: Dennis Culver
Artist: Chris Burnham
Colour Artist: Brian Reber
Letterer: Pat Brosseau

Reviewed by Davydh Tidey

After the therapy session we saw last issue, Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 puts us right back into the action, going up against the evil corporation using the newly-discovered metahumans for profit. The Lazarus Rain has changed so much about the world, but even it can’t stop the slow trudge of capitalism. 

Also, someone let Niles Caulder out into the field. This can only go well, I’m sure.

Positives

This series really only goes from strength to strength and the latest issue’s no exception. This chapter turns the classic evil corporation trope on it’s head and delivers a fairly thought-provoking message about the dark side of superpowers; someone will always try to use them for profit, in sometimes horrifying ways. 

The issue also addresses the rather large elephant in the room; Niles Caulder. While he’s no longer the Chief, the former Doom patrol leader’s still around in an advisory capacity. This, obviously, presents its own dangers, particularly with him being the direct reason for the accidents that created the Doom Patrol in the first place. The new Chief seems to have a handle on him, but who knows what he could do next and how he could influence things, and who he could put in danger to prove another theory? The situation’s tenuous, to say the least. 

This issue also does something rather unique for Niles Caulder, as it has him admit that he was wrong about something. We’re shown a side to this immoral, arrogant character that we haven’t seen before; genuine remorse and owning his mistakes. 

I know I asked for more Niles Caulder, Dennis, but DAMN, I didn’t expect this! 

Along with humanizing the inhumane, Dennis Culver delivers another amazing issue here. Caulder’s characterization is nailed, giving us all the flaws of the man while still progressing him forward and showing genuine development.

Elasti-Girl and Robotman still continue to struggle with being professional in the field, but deliver the results in spectacular fashion anyway. The relationships between characters in Unstoppable Doom Patrol have always been a highlight, each one is unique and well thought out. Cliff doesn’t talk to Rita like he does with Larry, and Larry doesn’t talk to Beast Girl the same way he talks to the Chief. All of this makes the dialogue so natural and easy to buy into, I love it. 

It’s lovely to have Chris Burnham back with Brian Reber on the art, as I’ve sorely missed his dynamic feeling action and unique facial expressions. The pages with the “new superhero” are equal parts thrilling and horrifying, and I’ve come to expect nothing less from this art team and this amazing book in general.

Negatives

This is a very small gripe in the grand scheme of things, but I’d really like to see Beast Girl’s character developed a little further. We’ve seen her touching origin story, and as the lead character in Unstoppable Doom Patrol #2, but I’d love to see more from her and get more of a real sense of her character. 

Apart from that, this series only has two more issues left?! Boo! I’ll miss it sorely when it’s gone. 

Conclusion

Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 is a really great distillation of what this whole series has been about; overcoming your past and pushing forward. This issue made Niles Caulder face his demons, but the whole series feels like it’s been about addressing trauma and past mistakes, while also helping as many metahumans as possible. It’s a positive, and relatable, message for people of this generation. Your past doesn’t define you. 

I have nothing but love for this series, and this issue is no exception. 

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writers and artists discussed their upcoming books including Nicole Maines, Sina Grace and Jeffery Brown.  Maines, known to most fans as Dreamer on Supergirl, was there  to talk about Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story.  Sina Grace shared his excitement over his upcoming book Superman: The Harvests of Youth.  Penelope and Jerry Gaylord chatted about Diana and the Hero’s Journey and Clark & Lex. Jeffrey Brown was there to talk about the hit Batman and Robin and Howard. Bestselling author Jim Benton got fans hyped for Fann Club: Batman Squad.

With all that star power there were bound to be some special announcements, and the panel did not disappoint! Jeffrey Brown is writing a sequel to his Batman and Robin and Howard middle-grade graphic novel, it will be called Batman and Robin and Howard: Summer Breakdown. It will be a 3-issue comic book series and will arrive in March of 2024.

To top it all off, Sherri L. Smith showed up as a secret guest. She will be writing her first DC graphic novel. it will be aimed at middle schoolers and will be titled Lightning: Changes. Lily J Allen will be doing the art. Lightning: Changes will focus on a  young Jennifer Pierce as she deals with a rough summer. Safe to say the rest of the Black Lightning family will be involved! Lightning: Changes will hit stores in the fall of 2024!  Check out a few preview images below!

The post DC Young Readers Panel At SDCC 2023 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Maria Lovet
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Text Page Designer: AndWorld Design

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Summary

Following and fitting in seamlessly from, through, and between Nightmare Country #6, Dead Boy Detectives, and Nightmare Country: The Glass House #3, The Sandman Universe: Thessaly Special #1 gives us a look at DC Comics’ mistress of witchcraft’s history and dark power. It also finally shines a light on her involvement – involuntary as it might be – in the ongoing investigation into the horrific death of Madison Flynn.

Positives

First, let me say straight off the bat, that Thessaly is a horrible person. However, she’s a fascinating, deep, and extremely complex character. I’ve been following her story since her first appearance in issue #32 of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman (1991). She’s gone from being a terrifying, bigoted, and ultra-powerful witch in “A Game Of You“, to Dream’s lover, magical avenger, and force of nature in her more recent appearances.

James Tynion has a real grasp on the character and is finally showing us her past. By doing so, he lets us see some of the moments that made and forged her. The brilliant part is that all of this fits in with what we’ve already seen of her over the decades, honoring what her creator has already told us about her while adding more flesh to the bones of her history. I must also laud the way James creates new side characters that I immediately fall in love with. They’re all so flawed, human, and real!

Maria Lovet is a wonderful artist who gives readers a Thessaly as great as the one drawn by her co-creator, the inimitable Colleen Doran. The art in The Sandman Universe: Thessaly Special #1 is gorgeous; simple, clean, atmospheric, and, dare I say it, magical. This great issue works both as a follow-up to The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country #6 and as a chapter in the ongoing saga of Madison Flynn.

Yes, the writing, art, and Simon Bowland’s lettering in this special are (as always) first-rate, but I think I need to name guest creators AndWorld Design (AKA Deron Bennett) as the MVP of the issue.

I love experimental comics, and DC has been spoiling us recently with issues that tell a story as one continuous 20-page image, an entire story seen from one character’s POV, and the incomparable DC Black Label horror series, The Nice House On The Lake (also written by James Tynion). This saga contained entire pages dedicated to text and art that were so seamlessly intertwined, that the reader was left wondering whether the artist, colorist, or letterer was responsible for the final result. With this issue, I finally have my answer.

The Sandman Universe: Thessaly Special #1 also features several text pages, but they’re so lovely to look at that you’d be completely justified in calling them works of art. Some look like ancient scrolls, others like pages from a storybook, and yet others like a movie script (the scroll pages are featured below).

AndWorld didn’t just letter these pages. No. Just like the way they did in TNHOTL they imagined and executed the designs, created the textures, and provided the color. As usual, I’ve been left in awe. I cannot understand people who don’t see comics as true literature or art, because, for me, they’re the perfect marriage of both.

Negatives

I have nothing to say.

Verdict

The Sandman Universe: Thessaly Special #1 is virtually flawless. James Tyion has crafted a story that scares us by asking what it is that people really want, and the design, art, and lettering of the book are of outstanding quality.

Seeing Thessaly’s past, getting glimpses of Dream (and his other famous lover), plus a dark and ominous hint at one of his younger siblings’ deeper and continuous meddling in his affairs, all made this aging Sandman fan very happy indeed.

I cannot wait for The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country: The Glass House #4!

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Review: The Sandman Universe: Thessaly Special #1 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer/Artist: Jeremy Haun

Color Artist: Nick Filardi

Letterer: Troy Peteri

Reviewed by: Bryant Lucas

Summary

Black Adam faces his greatest fears, as he traverses a living nightmare in this month’s Knight Terrors: Black Adam #1.

Adam (like the rest of DC’s heroes and villains) has been forced into an eternal slumber by a new player named Insomnia: a Gotham-based villain searching for the mythical Nightmare Stone, which was hidden by Doctor Destiny in the nightmares of an unknown hero.

The issue opens in Kahndaq, with Black Adam fighting some unnamed skeleton goons who seem to be associates of Insomnia. Things take a turn for the worse as he then falls asleep, plunging into a nightmare world where once again he has to fight off more villains. However, Black Adam’s powers seem to be on the fritz, and the Rock of Eternity’s sprouting Cthulu-looking tentacles. After his powers disappear for a moment, he meets a talking cat named Bast who convinces him to transform back into Black Adam and journey into the tower at the center of the nightmare world.

After ascending a very tall set of stairs (apparently, he’s no longer able to fly), Adam witnesses a giant Crocodile eat his long-dead family: Isis and Black Adam Jr. The monster swats Adam out of the tower, sending him flying across the nightmare city. Bast tells Adam he must continue into the next Tower, but he has questions for this bizarre kitty. However, before she can answer, Batman appears offering help.

Positives

After 12 months of Christopher Priest’s convoluted Black Adam book, it’s nice to have a story that’s a little more straightforward. The issue’s easy to follow plot-wise but also does a decent job of dishing out details that kept me interested. I’m particularly intrigued as to what Jeremy Haun has planned for the Rock of Eternity. It appears to be corrupted by Insomnia; however, this could simply be a product of Black Adam’s nightmares.

Also, I really like the throwback to 52. For those of you who may not be familiar with a 17-year-old series (dang, I’m old), during DC”s weekly series, 52, Black Adam married Isis and saved her brother, Osiris, by sharing his powers, making him Black Adam Jr. At this point, Adam had reformed, due to the moderating influence of his new family.

However, the story ended in tragedy, as Adam was betrayed by Sobek, a bioengineered talking crocodile who eats Black Adam Jr.  Upon the death of Osiris, Adam goes on a murderous rampage, leading to his downfall. As far as I can gather, this is the first time that Isis and Osiris have been mentioned after the New 52 reboot of 2011. It’s a neat nod to a pivotal story in the character’s history.

Negatives

For starters, this book completely ignores the recently set status quo. At the end of the Christopher Priest series, Black Adam and Teth Adam were split into two different beings. However, at the beginning of Knight Terrors: Black Adam #1, they are clearly the same person. My guess is that Haun wrote this well before Priest had finished his run, and DC’s editorial didn’t bother to check with Priest. This means that the book loses a couple of points for continuity issues.

Also, I’m not overly thrilled by Haun’s art. Don’t get me wrong, it’s impressive that he’s able to both write and draw. However, the main character in his hands doesn’t look like Black Adam, as his hair and face do not match previous iterations of the character. I’m not sure what Haun was going for, but his version more resembles The Rock, circa 1998, than it does any contemporary rendering of the anti-hero.

Conclusion

Knight Terrors: Black Adam #1 feels like a generic tie-in to the larger event. It’s not doing anything particularly special beyond confirming that Isis and Osiris are canonical characters post-Flashpoint. Haun’s script and art are both serviceable but nothing to write home about.

While Batman’s appearance at the end of the issue does pique my interest, I’m guessing that this tie-in won’t matter in the larger scheme of the Knight Terrors story.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment

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