Batman #2: That great cliffhanger from last issue is undercut, though deftly, with the reveal that there’s a perfectly logical reason that Dick Grayson’s DNA was found on a victim. Plus, we get to see that Wayne money being spent on wonderful Bat toys (“photogrammetric scanner”). This is actually one thing I really enjoyed about Snyder’s Batman: he really uses the tech aspect of Batman AND we get the detective aspect as well. I also loved where Bruce tells Dick that out of everyone, save perhaps Alfred, Dick knows him best. Aww. I love touchy feely Batman. :) This is by far the Batman book to be reading, I will concede that point, but sometimes Snyder’s Batman narration goes a little over the top. Case in point, at the end, Batman tells us that he’s the only legend that Gotham needs. *shudder*

Birds of Prey #2: Hmm, I have to admit, I love Starling. She’s the break-out character of this book so far. I love Dinah, too, and like how much of the narration filters through her, but Starling is just fun to watch. I still do not care for Katana, but I do like that they’re portraying her to be a bit crazy, perhaps. I’d actually like that better than if the whole dead husband residing in her sword thing is true. And how weird is it to see Poison Ivy not clad in some green suit? It’s good to go against type sometimes, but an orange leaf motif? Definitely different.

Blue Beetle #2: More of Jaime’s personality is coming out in this issue, so that’s good. Also, the interaction between Jaime and the scarab is interesting, but since I’ve been watching Blue Beetle in the Batman: Brave and the Bold cartoons, this is nothing really that new. I like how the alien connection keeps coming back thus far, but overall, I’m not really seeing anything in this book that screams at me to read it yet.

Catwoman #2: I only bought number one because of the hype surrounding it and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it (disturbing coupling scene aside), but it was watching the Catwoman short on the Batman: Year One DVD that prompted me to pick issue two off the shelf at my comic book shop recently. I enjoyed this issue as well, again surprisingly. I’m not totally on board yet, but if my shop has an issue on the stand, I will buy number three next time I’m in.

Fear Itself #7: And we’re done. The Serpent is vanquished, and Thor is dead. Again. Actually, it really bugged me the way Spider-Man and the other heroes seemed very nonchalant about their friend’s passing. Is it just because they figure that he’ll be back? Does death really hold so little meaning to these characters in the Marvel U? Overall, this story was what I expected it to be: a protracted fight scene with little treasures scattered throughout, ending with everything pretty much as it was before. Of the little gems in this issue, I liked that a mere human came back to help Cap, that Odin cast out everyone from Asgard, and that Cap’s shield, broken to pieces previously, was repaired in Asgard, though it does still have a battle “scar” (like the Liberty Bell–is that just a little too on the nose?).

Justice League #2: This comic remains at the top of my reading pile (it’s number one overall). Jim Lee’s work on this is solid (his Superman is the best out of anyone I’ve seen so far) and Geoff Johns continues to build the story in a way that naturally flows, each character introduction growing in an organic way. I love the way that all of the characters react and interact with each other. I love how Batman, and not just in this comic, is being portrayed in the DCnU–he’s less the stoic, “I am the goddamn Batman!”, and more analytic and commanding. People aren’t listening to him just because he’s Batman, but because what he’s saying makes sense. Similar, too, with Superman. He’s not the arrogant strong man or boy scout that he’s been portrayed in the past, but someone who will, if provoked, break heads, and he’s not afraid to use his powers more aggressively. Hal does come across as a bit of an ass, but that makes sense to me. And this Flash is a character I wouldn’t mind reading more of, unlike in his own series. Can’t wait for issue three!

Nightwing #2: The cover reads: “Saiko Killer!” Really? Can’t we have a little bit of subtlety? And who didn’t think that Dick and long lost circus pal Raya would end up sleeping together? Duh! She’s a red head and he’s, well, Dick Grayson. :D

Star Trek/LSH #1: The title alone was enough to sell me, but I worried about the execution. Basically, this issue is two storylines–one Star Trek and one Legion– that don’t ever really merge (sort of they did), so that leaves next issue and the remaining four to introduce the villain(s), resolve the crisis, return to the status quo, but most importantly, get the two groups to interact to produce those nerdgasms! I love that what we get from the two groups is our classic Trek line up (not the new Trek) and Paul Levitz 80s era Legionnaires, including the founding three. The plot crux involving the goatee Trek universe is overdone, so I hope we get something that’s a little more interesting than what’s come before. The art reminds me a bit of Dave Cockrum’s work, which is fitting, and the Phil Jimenez cover is bee-utiful! One of the things I define as successful in a Star Trek comic is if the artists can draw the starships well enough, and not get sloppy, but so far, so good.

Wonder Woman #2: Weird to see Hippolyta as a blonde–change for change’s sake, hmm? I am really liking Cliff Chiang’s art. It was talked about some time ago, but here is where the idea that Diane does have a father is introduced. When I first heard about it, I didn’t like the idea, but having pondered it a bit, so what? Does it fundamentally change what Wonder Woman is about? I doubt it very much. I’m not saying I prefer this change, but I don’t think it’ll have much of an impact on the future–for this storyline, sure, but long term?

I also read DC Universe Presents #2 (the only thing really interesting in this issue was the old woman angel in the library), LSH #2 (oh noes! A renegade Daxamite’s on the loose!), and Red Hood & the Outlaws #2.