The Emerald Speedster is back, and blazing towards DC's reboot

6th place Punisher # 2

This book had high hopes since superstar writer Greg Rucka seemed to be on top of the project. The pacing is great and there’s a big difference between this and the first issue, but yours truly as well as every other castle’s fan out there don’t just want to see the Punisher in action. We also want to listen to him and know what’s going on inside that psychotic mind of his. Although it is nice to get a refreshing supporting cast/villain point of view throughout the story, it would also be nice if Frank would at least say a thing or two. There are no negative comments for this book, just mixed feelings and a sense of uncertainty for what the future may hold for the Punisher. Let’s just keep fingers crossed and hope that Greg Rucka hasn’t lost his touch yet.

5th place Wolverine # 14

We followed Logan through hell and back, we've seen who sent him there and why, hell we've even put up with a weird excuse for an "Enter the Dragon" scenario for 4 issues! And oh my it was worth it. Sort of, even though this book lacked pacing at times and it dragged on where it didn’t have to. It made up by over hyping the next issue and giving the reader an enjoyable cliffhanger. Honestly there were only two things that saved this issue. 1. The fact that the red right hand also recruits children whose lives have been inadvertently destroyed by wolverine’s careless impulses. 2. The climax of this issue was really well thought out. This book may have not been the best there is out there, but it most certainly is one to pick up this week.

4th place FF #8

Unlike the last 2 issues this one finally gets back on track and takes us for a ride. The stage is set, and everyone seems to be ready to take on "The Reeds" but does the team up of the FF and marvels makeshift Legion of Doom (no pun intended) have what it takes to stop a legion made up of alternate versions of one of the greatest minds the Marvel Universe has to offer? The last two issues left the book on a bad note, especially since they sidetracked trying to bring back a special someone who should have been brought back in a bigger way. As long a Hickman doesn’t sidetrack like that again this book should be a fine read.

3rd place Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost 3 (of 3)

Yes, this is the final flashpoint tie in that will be reviewed here, and to be honest there’s not a better tie in to send off the DC's final event before the re-launch. For those who haven’t kept up with this book, you should have because it’s a key point to the whole series, but since this is a special edition there will be a quick synopsis of the past two issues.

Issue 1- This tie in picks up where Flash #12 left off with kid Flash being dragged to parts unknown by the speed force. He wakes up in an alternate future where Brainiac reigns supreme over the earth, kind of like a post-apocalyptic version of the DCU online game without Lex Luthor of course. Kid Flash finds himself in a bind for he realized that he lost his connection to the speed force. Lucky for him he’s not alone, there’s a motorized speedster in HOT PURSUIT of him and willing to help Bart escape, but can hot pursuit and the fastest teen alive escape braniac’s clutches and figure out how to fix everything in time?

Issue 2- The last time Kid Flash saw hot pursuit it was a future version of his grandpa Barry Allen and he was killed by the Reverse Flash in front of his vary eyes. The hot pursuit that rescued Bart was not grandpa Barry but Barry’s old friend and forensic science colleague Patty Spivot, she put the suit on and saw an opportunity to help, next thing she knows she’s in a post flashpoint future and Braniac took the speed force tank from the bike and without it they can’t time travel in order to fix everything. And to top it off they learn that Braniac’s lair was the only thing keeping Bart in existence. Now they have to go back to Braniac’s place, get the speed force tank and find The Flash before it’s too late.

Issue 3 was an amazing closer and probably the key point to the entire series, it is recommended that you read this very issue before you read the final issue of Flashpoint (in stores next wed. 8/31/11) and yes, it’s THAT good.

2nd place Batman Incorporated #8

Grant Morrison has delivered hit after hit ever since he brought Bruce back and gave him his own book again. And to be honest if it wasn’t for the artwork this book would have been the pick of the week. The theme of this issue was supposed to be in a virtual world so the art was expected to be like that, but that’s no excuse to make it too confusing. The cool part is that apparently Leviathan knows no bounds when it comes to getting the drop on the bat family. In spite of the artwork this book is as solid and enjoyable as it gets.

1st place Green Lantern Emerald Warriors # 13

This issue was a great send off to the Guy Gardner emerald warrior tale. It was a one shot type story where someone was murdered at a Wayne Tech satellite, and it was up to Guy to team up with his worst frenemy Batman in order to solve this case. The story was amazing and the way Guy and Batman carry each other throughout it was second to none, you can obviously tell that writer Peter J Tomassi had a blast writing this specific issue and who wouldn’t? You put Guy Gardner and Batman teaming up and that has the makings of a fantastic story. The entire emerald warrior run was fun and this issue couldn’t have been a better sendoff even if they tried.

These were the books that tickled my funny bone for the week of 8/24/11. In their own special way they all got their point across and they delivered while doing it. As we say goodbye to some legendary titles such as Detective comics, Action comics, Teen Titans and Justice League. We say hello to brand new #1 issues of those books. Let’s just hope that the re-launch turns out to be a success and meets everyone’s expectations. This has been the Emerald Speedster with this week’s comics and until next time. DEUCES!!!