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DC New 52uesday Review Round-up, August 14

By Dan Horn
August 14, 2012 - 16:30

Here are your DC reviews for the week:



Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #2

"After a great opening salvo, which was packed with interesting philosophy, and gave us one of the most interesting and unique superhero origins of all time-all about one of the most unique and interesting superhero characters of all time, Len Wein completely reverts to simplistic superhero fisticuffs and acrobatics for issue #2. Ozymandias/Adrian Veidt is nothing more than a pompous Batman/Bruce Wayne in Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #2, and the story suffers for it. I understand that his superhero chops have to be established, but I just wish Wein did so in a way that fits the most intelligent man in the Watchmen universe. Ozymandias might be into busting up his dead girlfriend's drug pushers, but he's way too intellectual and powerful to be running around the mean streets. There's still four issues to go yet though, so maybe Wein will rebound the story for us. At least we have his first confrontation with a certain polar opposite Watchmen character to look forward to next issue, if the end of this one is any indication of next issue's direction..."

(read the full review)



Smallville #4

"All of the above goes for the art of Smallville as well. Pere Perez draws the most confident, contemporary, and believable looking Superman. I wish that the changes that were made to the classic Superman suit that appears in Smallville was how the New 52 suit was altered. It's much more subtle and heroic looking (i.e. NO COLLAR!). Sharp, crisp, clear, and beautifully choreographed characters and action are the norm, not the exception, in Smallville."

(read the full review)



Punk Rock Jesus #2

"Sean Murphy’s Punk Rock Jesus is the kind of series that is tailor made for Vertigo. A little bit sci-fi, a little bit social and religious satire, and a whole lot relevant to current society, it is like a refracting mirror held up to our current consumer, religious, and politically moribund culture. Murphy’s near future society isn’t as dystopian as it is completely fabricated. Everything and everyone has some kind of money or power based agenda and cares nothing for anyone but themselves. Even McKael’s motivations are motivated from a desire to alleviate guilt over his previous actions. Gwen tries to be a good parent to Chris, but she rapidly crumbles under the scrutiny of the public and the manipulation of her benefactors."

(read the full review)



Batman #12

"As Batman reaches its one-year mark, artists Becky Cloonan and Andy Clarke provide fill-in art for Scott Snyder's script with Greg Capullo taking a well deserved break. Cloonan and Clarke don't collaborate in this issue, mind you, leading to a jarring art transition late in the issue. Both artists turn in some truly brilliant work, Cloonan with her thick-limned, manga-influenced cartooning and Clarke with his hyper-detailed illustrations and ingenious layouts, but the uneven and not-so-subtle shift between the two might be enough to suck you right out of an otherwise great reading experience."

(read the full review)

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12