Longbox Review

Here some quick thoughts/reactions to the comic books I read during January, 2023 (count: 85). What did you think of these issues?

Sex v2 (9-14): I bought a digital Humble Bundle that included this. I had bought the first 7 print issues and wondered how the series ended, so I was looking forward to continuing my reading. However, this second volume doesn’t really expand the story beyond what I’d read previously. I haven’t yet read v3.

Legion of Super-Heroes v3 Annual 3: Listen to the Tales of The Legion Project episode 13 for my and Peter’s thoughts about this issue.

Justice 4: I wrote about the issue here.

Wonder Woman: Black and Gold 1-3, 5-6: I finally got the collection and enjoyed it, for the most part. I also posted some pages I liked from the series on Instagram.

The Crows gn: Based on the solicitation, I was excited to read this, but it came across to me more like college-level short story: it was fine, but not really getting into the more interesting elements to me.

Jane Foster and the Mighty Thor 4-5: I was so looking forward to reading this series, but it was nothing like the previous outings with those two characters (under Aaron’s writing hand). It was fine.

Crisis on Multiple Earths: Team-Ups v1 (Flash 123, 129, 137, 151; Showcase 55, 56; Green Lantern 40; Brave and the Bold 61): I had only previously read the Green Lantern issue, so it was interesting to see how the Earth-1/Earth-2 stories progressed over time. Given the issue numbers of the Flash where Jay would team up with Barry, you can tell it was a popular story idea. Bonus: I got to read a few stories featuring my favorite Golden Age character, Hourman!

Friday v2 (4-6):  This is a must-read series! The only bad thing about this series is that the collections are too short (only three issues) and it takes too long in between them! :)

Danger Street 1: Given the inspiration behind this and the sheer audacity to weave them all together, I expected more out of this first issue — I was not wowed. I’d much rather read King’s Gotham City: Year One (but that has a lot to do with Hester’s art on it, not that Fornes is bad).

Dark Crisis 7: This series was such a disappointment… I thought I would at least enjoy the spotlight on Nightwing and the elder Titans, but this was an insult to the original Crisis.

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 10: I feel like they should have expanded the Boy Thunder’s story just a bit more. Still, I get more Teen Titans! And I love their compassion for their fellow sidekick, given his trauma.

Batgirls 13: I only got this because of the Dan Mora Batgirl/Robin variant cover, but I decided to read it and I think I should have been reading this series all along!

Nightwing 99: I kinda feel bad for issue 99. Coming off the high that was 98 and Nite-Mite and before issue 100, it’s kind of like the middle child. In other words, it continues the ongoing plot, but there’s nothing special about the issue, save for the Dan Mora Nightwing/ Batgirl variant cover.

Action Comics 1050: We all knew that eventually DC would put the cat back in the bag (i.e., Superman’s secret identity), and I’ll be damned if they didn’t do it in an interesting way! Now, what does this mean regarding Lex going forward?

The Atomics 1: This popped up in my Comixology Unlimited perusal, and given that I just read Allred’s Silver Surfer run with Slott, I decided to give this a try. I will not be reading issue 2.

Gotham City: Year One 3-4: As mentioned previously, this is a lot of fun to read because of Hester’s work on it. This might be the best Slam Bradley story I’ve ever read.

Barnstormers 4: When are we going to get the techno-demon angle explained?

Dr. Strange & Dr. Doom: Triumph & Torment: Long on my Marvel Unlimited To Read list, The Daily Rios chose it as a book club offering, so I finally had to read it. It was an interesting take on the Strange/Doom dynamic that I don’t think I’d ever read before.

History of the Marvel Universe 3: I’m reading these after I see another issue is being covered on the Resurrections podcast. If nothing else, you will enjoy the Rodriguez art of this series.

The Altered History of Willow Sparks gn: While the logic of it doesn’t quite add up (or explained), the fantasy of literally rewriting your life in a book was interesting.

Side Effects gn: This is billed as someone who gets super powers after taking medication for depression, but it’s really a story about dealing with depression, and I’m glad they decided to focus on that aspect more.

Silver Surfer v1: New Dawn (1-5), v2: World’s Apart (6-10), v3: Last Days (11-15), v4: Citizen of Earth (1-6), and v5: A Power Greater Than Cosmic (7-14): What an amazing story! I’ve never cared for Silver Surfer, and Allred and Slot made me care! Yes, it’s Doctor Who on a surfboard (Toomie!) with Dawn as his Companion, but it’s also a romp through Marvel Cosmic and I enjoyed the hell out of it.

Fantastic Four 51: Because I hadn’t read this and it was the inspiration for Fantastic Four: Full Circle, I had to read it. While it filled in the gaps for Full Circle, I don’t think I really needed to read this issue.

The Black Ghost 1: This kept popping up as I perused Comixology Unlimited and it sounded neat. It was not.

Usagi Yojimbo Book 1: The Ronin: I’ve never read Usagi, and Comixology Unlimited made it possible. This is a collection of short stories, but you start to get a sense of a larger narrative. It definitely made me want to read more.

Redlands v1 (1-6): This was another Comixology Unlimited read, and I won’t be reading any more. What is it with these Comixology Unlimited books for me?!

Star Trek: Harlan Ellison’s The City on the Edge of Forever the Original Teleplay (1-5): Finally, another Comixology Unlimited offering that I enjoyed! While not better than the broadcast version, Woodward’s art in places and the major differences made for an interesting alternative take on the classic story.

Iron Man 24: I loved the surprise twist in this issue, and then the discussion about trust later made an average story about Tony Stark buying back all these weapons more interesting. I’m very curious how Cantwell is going to wrap up his run on this title next issue.