Review: Date with Disaster! by Shea Fontana

Title: Date with Disaster!
Series: DC Super Hero Girls Graphic Novels #6
Author: Shea Fontana
Format: eARC
Pub. Date: February 6th 2018
Source: DC Comics


Book Description:

Shea Fontana continues her mega-popular DC SUPER HERO GIRLS series with DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: DATE WITH DISASTER!

The girls think they have a day off, when suddenly there is a big explosion over at S.T.A.R. Labs. Not to worry, Batgirl, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Bumblebee, Ivy, Catwoman and Katana are off to the rescue! As the heroes work together to save the day, Lois Lane investigates the incident and discovers something fishy. In her search for the truth, Lois must team up with the DC Super Hero Girls to unravel what really happened at S.T.A.R. Labs.

Meanwhile, Batgirl takes on a side project: finding a date for her dad! She sets up an online dating profile for Commissioner Gordon and gets the perfect candidate lined up. Can Jim Gordon find love again? Will Lois Lane and the team be able to uncover the truth about the explosion? Tune in to find out in DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: DATE WITH DISASTER! This story continues to develop the relationships forged in DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: FINALS CRISIS, HITS AND MYTHS, SUMMER OLYMPUS, PAST TIMES AT SUPER HERO HIGH and OUT OF THE BOTTLE. Written by Shea Fontana, this Batgirl-centric story is perfect for girls ages 6-12.

Review:

★★★★

I'm in love with the idea of this series. Admittedly, I even own a Harley Quinn Super Hero Girls doll. I think it's a fun way to make classic DC Comic book characters more approachable to a wider audience. Even though it's recommended audience is girls aged 6-12, I think it's fun enough for any gender of the same age group, and it's perfect for those comic book fans who now have kids of their own that they want to share in this adventure.

The artwork of this comic book is super fun. It's very nostalgic and childlike, which is fitting. It's like a vivid cartoon. I like the design of these characters in a school aged setting.

The story arc for this particular book in the series was okay. I think it could have been done a bit better, a bit more organized. There seemed to be a lot going on that was flushed out rather quickly, making it seem rushed and forced in some places.

But all in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this installment, and would definitely pick up the next one. It's perfect for kids who love super heroes (or super villains- I don't judge!) but who aren't quite old enough for some of the darkness that appears in so many great DC comics.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.

Review: The War of Jokes and Riddles by Tom King & Mikel Janín

Title: The War of Jokes and Riddles
Series: Batman, Volume III TPB #4
Authors: Tom King, Mikel Janín
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: December 19th 2017
Source: DC Comics


Book Description:

Early in Batman’s career, the Joker and the Riddler would seemingly be natural allies. But each man determined that he and he alone must be the one to kill the Bat...and either would sooner burn down Gotham than be beaten to the punch line.

Untold until now, one of the darkest chapters in Batman’s history sees all of Gotham’s villains choosing sides in a battle of wits that soon turns into a full-blown war—complete with civilian casualties. In the War of Jokes and Riddles, only one side can claim victory...but the scars it leaves will shape Batman’s future as he makes the most important decision of his life.

From the critically acclaimed, best-selling creative team of Tom King (GRAYSON, The Vision) and Mikel Janin (JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK), the epic graphic tale BATMAN: THE WAR OF JOKES AND RIDDLES has quickly embedded itself as one of the great stories in the Dark Knight’s mythology. Collects issues #25-32.

Review:

★★★★★

I wasn't sure exactly what to expect from this book. I'm what I'd like to think of as a casual Batman fan- I know characters, I've read some comic books, and seen some movies. But I'm a far stretch from an expert, and I definitely haven't even scratched the surface of all the Batman comics out there. But when I see there's The Joker involved, sign me up. I was left blown away.

This book is so well done. It's dark, emotionally driven, and intense. It shows the psychotic, cold calculating Joker that tends to get lost in the folds of comic book franchises becoming part of more mainstream pop culture. It was gritty and there were so many moments that were both tragic and fascinating.

The artwork reflects the writing, with darker schemes and great detail. They match the writing perfectly, and carry out this fantastic story telling.

It's not a perfect collection- there are some plot points that seemed jarringly out of place, or that didn't quite seem to work. But by and large, this is a book worth reading. I can't really say how it compares to other Batman stories, as I'd quickly be out Batman-ed by other readers. But I can say that I personally really enjoyed it, and will definitely be looking for more of this particular arc.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. Thanks, DC!

Review: New Suicide Squad, Vol. 1: Pure Insanity by Sean Ryan & Jeremy Roberts

Title: New Suicide Squad, Vol. 1: Pure Insanity
Series: New Suicide Squad #1-8
Author: Sean Ryan, Jeremy Roberts
Format: Paperback, 192 pages
Pub. Date: July 21st 2015
Source: DC Comics


Book Description:

Setting the world’s most dangerous super-criminals against the most insidious threats to national security: that’s the idea behind the elite black-ops unit officially designated as Task Force X. It’s perfect…on paper.

But the real world rarely goes according to plan. Threats evolve. Teammates turn on each other. Blood and betrayals flow like rivers. And that’s why Task Force X is better known as the Suicide Squad.

Vic Sage aims to change the equation. Replacing Amanda Waller as the puppet-master of Suicide Squad’s motley crew, he’s introducing wild cards like Deathstroke and the Joker’s Daughter to whip the existing team-Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and Black Manta-into shape. But the world’s deadliest assassin and the Clown Princess of Crime have ideas of their own…and no explosive implants to keep them in line.

Can this new Suicide Squad survive-or will it implode before it even begins?

Collects issues #1-8

Review:

★★★

As I'm sure my regular readers and friends know, I'm a sucker for all things Harley Quinn related. When I got my copy of this collection, I was so excited. (No, seriously. I was on Skype with my girlfriend when it came in the mail and she'll attest that the weird pterodactyl-esque shriek that left my face was not human.) All in all, it was an alright collection.

Harley is a bad ass in this. There's nothing I love more than when good ole Harley is angry and out for blood. That's when I love her the best, and this collection has plenty of that going on. I adore the artwork and how she is portrayed in this series, and that alone is a surefire way to get me to keep reading the New Suicide Squad series.

I did think there was a bit too much going on over the course of this collection though. Pure Insanity is the name of this collection, and that is exactly what you can expect when you open this book: chaos. There are a million characters who come and go. For some of them, their appearance is made into a big deal/big part of the plot. Others seem to run on for a page, wave, and go, like a cameo where nothing really was happening. I really like how many characters were smooshed into such a short space, but I didn't feel that it necessarily always worked.

And then there's the Joker's Daughter. I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to not like her but damn it is so easy to hate on her. I'm not her biggest fan to say the least, and I wish there was more to her than running around talking about the skin on her face. Side note, that is a very, very strange sentence that I never thought I'd have to put in a book review, but there we go.

I'm not sorry I got it, and I'll keep it on my shelf. I'll likely keep myself invested with New Suicide Squad, but I won't be quite as giddy and excited for the next release.

I received a copy from DC Comics in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

Mini Review: Harley Quinn, Vol. 3: Kiss Kiss Bang Stab by Amanda Conner

Title: Harley Quinn, Vol. 3: Kiss Kiss Bang Stab
Series: Harley Quinn II #3
Authors: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Chad Hardin
Format: eArC
Pub. Date: December 15th 2015
Source: DC Comics


Book Description:

Harley was certain she could have it all: She could be the world's best landlord, protect Coney Island from the scum of the Earth, woo Mason Macabre, work her day job as a psychiatrist, volunteer at the puppy shelter...but that's a whole lot of spinning plates, and eventually they're bound to start breaking! What happens when a psychopath cracks up? Is it possible for Harley to go even more insane?!

Collects HARLEY QUINN #14-15, HARLEY QUINN ANNUAL #1, HARLEY QUINN VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL #1, and HARLEY QUINN HOLIDAY SPECIAL #1.

Review:

★★★★

Ah yes, another Harley Quinn graphic novel. It's no secret that Harley Quinn is my favorite character. So when I saw the new Harley Quinn collection was coming out, I had to scoop it up.

I wasn't left disappointed. I really like the artwork in this volume. It's weirdly bright and colorful; two words that one wouldn't normally associate with Gotham's residents. Nonetheless, I like the change, since I tend to find other Batman-related comic books way too dark and murky for my liking (I know, I know).

The writing itself was okay. I felt like Harley Quinn is kind of coming into her own a bit in this volume from where she was in the previous volumes, and I liked that about her. This collection contains two "normal length" comics and throws in three short "specials". I actually really liked the specials, and I'm glad they were included. They were a nice surprise added to the expected issues.

It was enough to make me excited to read the next installment to see where things go from here. If you're a Harley fan like me, I'd recommend checking it out. If you're a diehard fan of the darker artwork associated with Batman/Arkham/Gotham, then this might not be the series for you.

I received a copy from DC Comics in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!