The DC3: Villains Month Week 3 Round-Up

While all of us at Multiversity are fans of a wide spectrum of comics, there are a few of us that tend to self-identify as “DC guys.” We’ve cried for justice; we’ve been through the blackest nights and the brightest days. And now, we’ve been culled together for a new column to focus on some of the bigger goings on in the world of Detective Comics Comics. If you’re wondering who is going to stand up and discuss what is happening at DC – don’t worry:

This month, the DC3 will be looking at each and every book DC releases that ties into Villains Month, and grading them on a three point scale: H’el-ish means bad, Two-Faced means so-so, or Killer (Croc) means great! And be warned, there are some minor spoilers discussed.

Action Comics #23.3 – Lex Luthor
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by by Raymund Bermudez
Evil genius, sadistic businessman, sociopathic inmate—Lex Luthor is all this and more. Now released from prison, there is nothing to stop Luthor from getting his way…not even Superman!

Vince’s Thoughts: Charles Soule clearly loves to script dialogue for his villains. Luthor is at his most charismatically bastardly in his spotlight issues. Like Zach, I really appreciate the way that Lex Luthor has been brought into the forefront. In contrast with how I will later complain about the mishandling of Deathstroke, I have to say that Luthor has been handled with extreme care. He’s been trusted with (mostly) top-notch creators who know how to make him a thematic antagonist to Kal-El. Though Soule goes ahead and spells that thematic connection right out for you in the last couple pages, the clunky ending is capped with a couple of choice lines and some dirty Luthor deeds. This was a good’n, though I wasn’t as jazzed about the art as others.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Action Comics?” – Yes.

Zach’s Thoughts: It’s really not a surprise, but “Forever Evil” has provided the perfect vehicle for Lex Luthor to rise to the forefront of the New 52. “Forever Evil” #1 and the “Bizarro” issue each gave glimpses of Luthor’s ruthless intellect, but Soule’s Luthor-centric piece provides the purest distillation of the character since Paul Cornell’s brilliant “Action Comics” run. Luthor’s far-reaching power and scheming occasionally borders on the unbelievable at times, it ends up working out in the end. Bermudez does respectable work, especially his fantastic rendering of Luthor’s signature battle armor. Luthor has been handled…oddly, to say the least, since the launch of the New 52, but this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Verdict: Killer (Croc)

Is this better than the average issue of “Action Comics?” – Yes

Brian’s Thoughts: This, refreshingly, is nothing like an origin story whatsoever. This is a simple “day in the life of Lex Luthor” comic, and a pretty good one at that. I think there is one small misstep towards the end (involving his assistant), which seems a little too cruel for Luthor, but other than that, we get all the elements of a great Lex story: the ego, the brain, the body armor, the cunning, the ruthless desire to win, the incredible plan. This shows what the world would be like, truly, without Superman. It would be Lex’s for the taking. Soule nails the character (and plants some seeds for new stories going forward), and Bermudez does fine work as well. His Lex starts to coalesce around the midway point – before that, the face wasn’t consistent, page to page. But once he does, the book gels into a really solid offering that does something pretty unique for this month: it has me excited for the future.

Verdict: Killer (Croc)

Is this better than the average issue of “Action Comics?” – Yes.

Batman #23.3 – The Penguin
Written by Frank Tieri
Illustrated by by Christian Duce
Follow The Penguin’s latest quest for power as he prepares to undermine one of Gotham City’s most powerful politicians. What does the criminal mastermind stand to gain?

Vince’s Thoughts: Wow. I normally try to restrain myself when trying to write semi-professionally about comic books, but that was fucking dark. I know I’ve criticized DC Comics all month for doubling down on violence and disgusting intimations, but I almost have to applaud how far Tieri went on this one. The book loses points for being dry up to a specific gruesome scene. Like the Senate and pornography, I know senseless violence when I see it. It makes for bad stories, in my opinion. But while this was grossly violent, it somehow all worked. There was an escalation. There was proper pause and weight given to the scenes. It went all the way there. With that and Christian Duce’s sobering sequences of depravity, I have to applaud this issue – even if I’ve jettisoned other books for going too far.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Batman?” – No.

Zach’s Thoughts: Bugh. There’s nothing particular wrong with this issue, but there’s nothing particularly great either. It doesn’t add anything worthwhile to the Penguin’s character, but it does tell yet another dark, violent, depressing story of villainy and murder. Like last week’s “Mongul,” “Penguin” attempts to wow the reader by showing just how “bad” and “in control” the character is, and like that issue, it doesn’t make for worthwhile reader.

Verdict: H’el-ish

Is this better than the average issue of “Batman?” – No

Brian’s Thoughts: Starting with “Penguin: Pain and Prejudice,” the Bat-books have been very good to the character of the Penguin in the New 52. It is interesting that this comes out the same week as the Lex Luthor issue of “Action Comics,” because the character has been positioned as Gotham’s Luthor, to a certain degree. Lots of money, ruthless businessman, vengeful to the nth degree – but with a better developed backstory and some real sympathy from readers. This issue, again, thankfully not an origin tale, is a very good Penguin story, with really nice art from Duce, who captures the grotesque world of the Penguin through the shadows he drapes himself in. Tieri, as well, gets the character and does a really nice job.

Verdict: Killer (Croc)

Is this better than the average issue of “Batman?” – About the same which, coming from a non-Snyder script, is pretty impresive.

Batman and Robin #23.3 – Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Jorge LucasThe origin of Ra’s al Ghul in The New 52! For centuries Ra’s has had a plan for this world, and now he is faced with an offer from the Secret Society that could help him achieve what he wants…or undo everything he has worked for. Which path will the Demon’s Head choose?

Vince’s Thoughts: Going back and looking at the issue again, I have to admit that I see where Zach is coming from. You’ll know what I mean when you read his little blurb on “Ra’s al Ghul.” However, I think the exposition took up just enough of the issue’s time. We may have gotten Ra’s al Ghul’s entire life in one comic book, but it does so at a brisk pace. I didn’t find myself getting bogged down in anything the first time through. Tynion IV writes Ra’s as an alternate version of Batman, which is always the best approach to take with the character. Like some of the other Villains Month issues, the villain here basically spells out the thematic exploration that’s going on in a bunch of expository, which was a little disappointing. The Jorge Lucas art tips the scales more in the book’s favor, as he re-creates epic scenes from Ra’s history, including the infamous shirtless duel with Batman.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Batman and Robin?” – Yes.

Zach’s Thoughts: Ok everyone, hop aboard the exposition express! “Ra’s al Ghul” is unabashedly formulaic. One of the worst offenders of the “origin recap” issues, Tynion uses a no-name villain to hamfistedly guide the reader through Ra’s’ long life, while weaving in a few “Lord of the Rings” references. There’s very little meat on this bone, which is disappointing considering the richness of the character. Haun’s art is pretty great, however.

Verdict: H’el-ish

Is this better than the average issue of “Batman and Robin?” – Nope.

Brian’s Thoughts: Ra’s al Ghul is maybe my favorite Bat-villain. Everything about him, to me, represents the best of Batman comics, and through Grant Morrison and Batman Begins, he has finally claimed his place as one of the most recognizable Bat foes. But DC apparently doesn’t think that is the case, because they gave us this lame recap of an origin story, told to us by a red shirt of the lowest order. Haun’s work is laudable, especially his ability to draw each time period in a specific and identifiable way, and the way he makes Ra’s seem at home in all of the time periods, but not of any of them. As I’ve said countless times in these three weeks, this isn’t a terrible comic, it is just an unnecessary one.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Batman and Robin?” – No.

Batman: The Dark Knight #23.3 – Clayface
Written by John Layman
Illustrated by by Cliff Richards
It’s the biggest audition of Clayface’s life as he attempts to impress the Secret Society and join their ranks. Desperate to prove himself more than a monster, Clayface sets a scheme into motion that quickly unravels! Will he make his mark—or dig his own grave?

Vince’s Thoughts: I had fun with this one, because I could positively compare it to what Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber are doing over in “Superior Foes of Spider-Man.” That is to say, we get a peak into the life of the everyday, blue-collar villain. Clayface sits around a bar, drinks, kibitzes (in his overly gruff, doughy way), and tries unsuccessfully to get a football game on the TV. It’s not nearly aiming for the playfulness or the laughs of Spencer’s aforementioned Marvel title, but seeing the villains sitting around and occupying the background of a very mundane tavern was somehow really satisfying. Layman played Basil Karlo as the ultimate “born loser” case, but earned sympathy through plot developments, rather than applying exposition, an overly tragic childhood, or by having him mope around and whine about his lot in life too much. It’s not “special” (I don’t think a single one of the Villains Month issues have been), but it earns the Killer (Croc) rating by being extremely competent in everything it does, and by giving us the villains in their natural habitat.

Verdict: Killer (Croc)

Is this better than the average issue of “Batman: The Dark Knight?” – Yes.

Zach’s Thoughts: This is a fun, if somewhat shallow, tale that manages to break out of the standard Villain’s Month mold. The down on his luck Basil Karlo may be dimwitted muscle, but he’s got ambition and a temper. That dangerous combination leads to a wacky series of confrontations, ending on a promising note for future stories. Cliff Richards’ art is strong, but not particularly memorable.

Verdict: Two-Faced (but on the high side!)

Is this better than the average issue of “Batman: The Dark Knight?” – Yes

Brian’s Thoughts: This week has been blissfully short on origin stories, and this one, while not entirely bereft of beginnings, does far more with a simple character study than a straight origin story would do. Layman does something remarkable here, which is he takes a character that is totally unrepentant, doing terrible things, killing others, and makes the reader feel sorry for him. Richards, too, does fine work adding sympathy to the amorphous Clayface. This is an outsider’s story, a tale of temper and ambition, and a damn good comic to boot.

Verdict: Killer (Croc)

Is this better than the average issue of “Batman: The Dark Knight?” – Hell yes.

Detective Comics #23.3 – The Scarecrow
Written by Peter Tomasi
Illustrated by by Szymon Kudranski
See the new Gotham City through the eyes of the Scarecrow! It’s Arkham Asylum unleashed on humanity—and it’s all the Scarecrow has ever wanted!

Vince’s Thoughts: Kudranski’s art has fallen far from where it was when he was drawing the “Penguin: Pain and Prejudice” miniseries near the start of the ‘New 52′. The stiffness of his characters’ expression and body language and his penchant for re-using images is no longer being used to maximize storytelling efforts or as recurring thematic motifs. Tomasi is a fine writer, but given that we just saw Gregg Hurwitz do a pretty definitive take on this character, there’s nothing really novel brought to the table here. I was surprised to see that the thematic and visual potential of the Scarecrow character were barely explored at all – again, something done to great effect in Hurwitz’s Scarecrow arc. But most of my real problems are with the art, where obvious photoshopping is used to patch things up, reuse images, and keep the backgrounds out of sync with the characters that inhabit them. The technique has worn thin and borders on unacceptable (for my tastes). I’m just not sure I get what was so great about this one.

Verdict: H’el-ish

Is this better than the average issue of “Detective Comics?” – No.

Zach’s Thoughts: Peter Tomasi is two for two when it comes to deliver engaging, worthwhile stories for the villains of Gotham. This does three things extremely well; showcasing the conniving, cunning of the Scarecrow, providing insightful looks into each of the major Arkham players (sometimes better doing a better job than their respective solo issues), and building excitement for next month’s “Arkham War” crossover. I’ll admit, that particular mini was low on my radar, but “Scarecrow” has definitely piqued my interest. Kudranski’s art is a little disappointing at times, lacking in fine details, but it is definitely appropriate for the story’s mood. This one was a (surprising) delight.

Verdict: Killer (Croc)

Is this better than the average issue of “Detective Comics?” – Yes

Brian’s Thoughts: Much like the issue of “The Flash” released this week, this issue was really a prologue to one of the minis spinning out of this month, “Forever Evil: Arkham War.” This issue is ostensibly a Scarecrow comic, but features Poison Ivy, the Riddler, Killer Croc, and Mr. Freeze, while also mentioning the Penguin and Bane. This is really a Gotham, post-Secret Society book, and that book is actually a pretty fun read. I’m a big Kudranski fan, and his Scarecrow is the best he’s looked in the New 52, even if that isn’t all that much of a compliment. Tomasi nails the psychobabble manipulation very well, and the book has me looking forward to “Arkham War,” something I didn’t think possible.

Verdict: Killer (Croc)

Is this better than the average issue of “Detective Comics?” – Yes

The Flash #23.3 – The Rogues
Written by Brian Buccellato
Illustrated by by Patrick Zircher
The Rogues have their rules and their ways of doing business—so what do they think of the Secret Society’s claims that the Justice League is dead, and that the world’s villains need to unite? It’s a culture clash that won’t end quietly!

Vince’s Thoughts: Setting aside the fact that the “origin” segment of the issue is basically an in-comic explanation for how DC Comics’ and the writing team weakened the characters’ essences by changing the nature of their “powers”, this is an okay continuation of the stuff that’s been going on in Manapul and Buccellato’s “Flash” series. In fact, this seems both essential for regular readers of “The Flash” as well as anyone planning to pick up the “Forever Evil” Rogues tie-in. On the other hand, I found the Rogues to be a little too brooding and bro-ish for my tastes. Geoff Johns’ take is still fresh in my mind, and I definitely miss it. Patrick Zircher’s art is the real star here, proving that he can do just about anything DC wants him to do. His detailed style fits in with the Jason Faboks and David Finchs of the ‘New 52’ world.

Verdict: Two-Faced.

Is this better than the average issue of “The Flash?” – No.

Zach’s Thoughts: Just as “Scarecrow” sets the stage for “Arkham War,” “The Rogues” does for next month’s “Rogues’ Rebellion” miniseries. This issue doesn’t accomplish that task quite as gracefully, but remains a strong read. The Rogues are among the best villains DC has to offer, and Buccellato definitely plays to their strengths. Ultimately, this issue is held back by its extremely awkward pacing and seemingly random plot developments. Patrick Zircher sure can draw a mean comic though, am I right?

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “The Flash?” – No, but not far off.

Brian’s Thoughts: I am a huge fan of the Rogues, and have been long before the New 52. While the New 52 has updated (read: ruined) their costumes, a lot of what makes the Rogues the Rogues is still present. Unlike most of the adversaries in the New 52, the Rogues might been taken a little too far in the nice/heroic/not-horrible monsters direction, but the camaraderie and humor always present is still there, and this issue does a nice job giving new readers a primer on the gang. This isn’t an origin story, and only sacrifices a few panels to the exposition overlords. Instead, it is a good entry to the upcoming “Forever Evil: Rogues’ Rebellion” mini. While that doesn’t exactly make it essential, Patrick Zircher’s art helps its cause mightily. Buccellato gets the essence of these characters, and allows them to be an entertaining gang of near-villains.

Verdict: Two-Faced (but on the high side)

Is this better than the average issue of “The Flash?” – No, but it comes pretty close.

Green Lantern #23.3 – Black Hand
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by by Alberto Ponticelli
In a world with no heroes, death lies behind every turn! Black Hand arrives to take advantage of Forever Evil, and he may be the most dangerous player yet! And when last we saw him, Black Hand was a pile of dust in the Dead Zone! How did he manage to return?

Vince’s Thoughts: I’m not sure I understand Black Hand’s motivations or his character at all. At the same time, he’s not really evil for the sake of being evil. They’re going for something here that mostly feels like a re-tread of Geoff Johns’ initial Black Hand rebirth issue before ‘Blackest Night’ began. “Green Lantern” #43 – now that was a ‘Villain Issue’. I’m also not sure that there’s a true philosophical or dramatic connection between the “why” and “how” of what Black Hand is going to be coming after Hal with. Really, including his father just feels like an artificial way to tug on some heartstrings – again, akin to what we saw used time and again in ‘Blackest Nights’ tie-ins. The issue looked gorgeous, thanks to a more refined Alberto Ponticelli, and Charles Soule clearly relishes writing such a dark character. I’m just not sure this connected with me as an interesting or novel idea.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Green Lantern?” –

Zach’s Thoughts: Soule makes no attempt to explain Black Hand’s sudden return, and that’s OK. He also spends little time recapping the character’s history and origin, devoting plenty of time to the winning combination of “Walking Dead” and superhero comics. Soule make’s great use of Hand’s ghastly powerset, showing off what appear to be a few new tricks. Ponticelli’s gritty, jagged pencils are perfectly suited to drawing the undead. The issue’s end is a little silly, but it does set up the potential for some interesting stories for the Lantern writers to pick up.

Verdict: Killer (Croc)

Is this better than the average issue of “Green Lantern?” – About the same, perhaps a little better.

Brian’s Thoughts: Black Hand, as a character, really came into his own under Geoff Johns, but it is under Soule (writing four books this week – three villains month books and “Thunderbolts”) that he shines here. Without spoiling the ending, Hand gets the perfect, well, hand, that he’s been missing, and sets himself up to be one of Hal Jordan’s most formidable foes. Alberto Ponticelli does a great job bringing the dark and the weird here, and his style, which doesn’t work on everything, is a perfect fit for this story. Soule impresses with the way he uses Hand’s powers in unusual ways too, such as using a recently vaccinated cop as his weapon.

Verdict: Killer (Croc)

Is this better than the average issue of “Green Lantern?” – About the same.

Justice League #23.3 – Dial E
Written by China Miéville
Illustrated by by Mateus Santolouco, Jeff Lemire, Jock, Alberto Ponticelli, David Lapham, Riccardo Burchiellz and more
You can’t stop dialing! In a special VILLAINS MONTH coda to the fan-favorite DIAL H series, a lost E-dial is discovered by four young criminals on the run in Littleville. But who is chasing them? And will they figure out how to control this nefarious dial before it’s too late? Hindsight is twenty-twenty when you’re sprinting through dark alleys! This issue features 20 new villains, 20 pages of creative insanity—and 20 top artists, each drawing a page of the action!

Vince’s Thoughts: I described this as a “victory lap” for China Mieville and “Dial H” in my review this week. Of course, I realize that the book was cancelled due to low sales, ultimately, but it was a victory of inventiveness and mold-breaking when it comes to the ‘New 52’. Well, just look at the sort of artists the book attracted and was willing to let into its world! A couple of heavy hitters like Jock and Santolouco, but aside from that, just a bunch of really cool artists that deserve a spotlight for their work. I mean, Sloane Leong? Zak Smith? These are magnificent choices. Completely worth the $3.99 gouge-attempt: “Dial E” is funny, offbeat, and manic – just as “Dial H” was at its best. Most importantly, it’s the first ‘Villains Month’ title that truly does something special.

Verdict: The most killer of Killer (Crocs)

Is this better than the average issue of “Justice League?” – Yes, indubitably.

Zach’s Thoughts: Though I fell off the “Dial H” wagon a couple of times, the strength of Mieville’s unbridled creative spirit always kept me coming back. Unfortunately the series has passed, but in the most surprising move of note in Villains Month, DC chose to send the book off in uncharacteristic style. While the plot is relatively non-existent, the sheer audacity of having 20 of the best artists in comics each draw a page, each with a different wacky gag villain, is undeniably brilliant. The ending ties up a loose thread or two from the “Dial H” finale, while leaving things open for the future. This is a rare glimmer of hope for DC comics fans.

Verdict: Killer (Croc)

Is this better than the average issue of “Justice League?” – Absolutely

Brian’s Thoughts: Despite giving the book a serious try, I never got into “Dial H.” It just didn’t speak to me and, sadly, neither did this issue. That isn’t to say that this book isn’t beautifully illustrated – it is. Nor is that to say that this book wasn’t fun, because it was. But this had no real story, no real emotion to it, just nice and unusual visuals, drawn by extraordinarily talented artists. I wanted to really love this, but it left me cold. Sorry, Vince.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Justice League?” – Art wise? Yes. Story wise? What story?

Justice League Dark #23.3 – Eclipso
Written by Dan DiDio
Illustrated by by Philip Tan
The powerful Black Diamond has been seen causing trouble in different corners of The New 52. Now you will learn its secrets as it lands in the hands of the host it was always meant for…and the full power of Eclipso is unleashed!

Vince’s Thoughts: Eclipso came into the ‘New 52’ off of a pretty recent (and successful, I thought) crossover event in the pre-Flashpoint DCU. His almost immediate inclusion into the ‘New 52’ was both a head-scratcher and a no-brainer. I know, I know – that makes no sense at all. It was a no-brainer, because he was a relatively popular and well-thought of character and if I remember correctly, that crossover did pretty well. It was a head-scratcher, however, because it’s weird to see them go back to that well so quickly again. It’s also weird to see them do it in a bunch of books that people weren’t really buying enough of. Instead of lifting those books up, Eclipso’s inclusion seems to have triggered a desire for DC to rework a character that wasn’t broken. You put the exact same character up against the “Teen Titans” or the “Justice League” and he holds up. Instead, his ‘Villains Month’ issue reworks everything and turns him into yet another angsty, down-on-his-luck loser transformed into a monster. Yawn. Philip Tan’s art is as Harvey Dent as ever: sometimes beautiful and painterly, other times unable to tell a story sequentially.

Verdict: H’el-ish

Is this better than the average issue of “Justice League Dark?” – No.

Zach’s Thoughts: I’m going to be a bit more lenient on this issue, only because I think Phillip Tan delivered some of his best work in some time with this issue. The painted pages, the shifting styles, the dark moodiness, it’s all quite beautiful. The other half of the story is pretty much what you would expect. The “plot” is told almost entirely through exposition. An unnecessary amount of time is spent detailing the backstory of the latest schlub to fall under Eclipso’s thrall. Eclipso’s introduction into the New 52 has been a strange one. The character has been somewhat of a pariah, appearing in low-selling books only for them to be cancelled soon after. This continuation does little to move his story forward, and gives little indication of where it will go next. With a fantastic selection of supernatural villains, it’s a shame “Justice League Dark” got stuck with such clunkers.

Verdict: (Truly) Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Justice League Dark?” – No

Brian’s Thoughts: If we were to split this issue in two, art, and story, the art would be praised to high heavens. Tan is a great mood artist, and his art breathed desperation and darkness into every panel. The mania, the violence, even the silly costume of Eclipso, all looked superb through his pencil. The story, however, was the worst kind of comic: all exposition, poor dialogue, faux-origins and cliches. The most basic concept of Eclipso is introduced, but so is his new host, Gordon Jacobs, who is a dull cipher if I ever saw one. The book also references the Eclipso arc in “Sword of Sorcery,” “Demon Knights,” “Team 7” and “Catwoman.” What do those books have in common? Three were cancelled and one is only holding on due to the Bat-connection. So, basically, this is an epilogue to those terrible stories and the start of a new Eclipso. I’ll pass on both.

Verdict: H’el-ish

Is this better than the average issue of “Justice League Dark?” – No.

Justice League of America #7.3 – Shadow Thief
Written by Tom DeFalco
Illustrated by by Chad Hardin
Where is the line between duty and villainy? For the new Shadow Thief, there is no question: Her mission to eradicate all alien life on Earth is above questions of morality. Armed with technology that allows her to become a living shadow, the Shadow Thief wages a covert war across the globe, but how long can she stay in the shadows before they consume her soul?

Vince’s Thoughts: Let’s get this out of the way right off the bat: Chad Hardin is the only reason to read this issue. His art is terrific and I want him on a book that isn’t destined to fail or wallow in irrelevance. That said, “Shadow Thief” is the very definition of irrelevant. Once again, I’m not sure where this fits in with the overall direction of the DCU and, in fact, it calls upon stuff (like the Thanagarians) that new DC Comics readers have probably never read. “Shadow Thief” comes out of nowhere, which is a problem that’s directly tied to “Justice League of America” – a book that’s only 7 issues down and filled with characters whose true natures haven’t even yet been filled out in the ‘New 52’. This is a Hawkman villain, but I guess we wouldn’t really know that. We haven’t really seen the “JLA” fight anyone but the “Justice League.” This issue makes me wish that “JLA”, and the ‘New 52’ as a whole, would have gotten more time to breathe before getting all cross-overy. Tom DeFalco writes the typical “Tom DeFalco one-shot”: all angst and exposition.

Verdict: H’el-ish (but Chad Hardin is really good, you guys.)

Is this better than the average issue of “Justice League of America?” –

Zach’s Thoughts: Like last week’s “Justice League of America” offering, we get another d-list villain, that is made marginally more interesting than one would expect. “Shadow Thief” isn’t quite as successful as “Killer Frost,” but the idea of a rogue spy turned alien exterminator is a pretty cool one. As DeFalco presents her here, Shadow Thief seems like more of a violent anti-hero than a villain, shutting down dangerous alien arms deals. The issue also features the Daemonites, a plot thread that has grown conspicuously absent as the number of Wildstorm related books in the New 52 has dwindled. I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing these threads picked up later down the line.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Justice League of America?” – No

Brian’s Thoughts: This is an odd villain to highlight with a solo issue for a few reasons: 1) she’s easily the third or fourth most powerful/popular/relevant shadow-based character DC has, 2) she’s appearing in “Justice League of America,” despite not being an entity in that book at all (she’s a Hawkman villain, so I guess since he’s on that team, she’s now a JLA villain), and 3) no one cares about her. This is a pretty standard origin tale, told in a weirdly out of sequence way. Nothing all that interesting is happening visually or plot-wise. This is one of the myriad reasons that DC should drop the 52 title mandate – no one asked for or wanted this book. Granted, it isn’t terrible – but it is totally unnecessary.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Justice League of America?” – No

Superman #23.3 – H’el
Written by Scott Lobdell
Illustrated by by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund
After his last battle with Superman, H’el wakes up on Krypton years before it is destroyed! Can H’el manipulate the Science Counsel, soldiers and countless others including Jor-El, to save the planet? And what does it mean for the birth of Superman if he succeeds?

Vince’s Thoughts: It’s fitting that we use “H’el” to describe the Villains issues that we like the least. H’el is a character that has just not been interesting at all, but for some reason garners continued use in the ‘New 52’ over far better Superman villains. The “H’el” issue is an overly wordy bore being used to set up bigger plans for H’el down the road – chief of which includes the return of the planet Krypton. The rebirth of Krypton is yet another plot that has been used before – and not all that long ago. Personally, I’m not invested in a present-day Superman story where Krypton still exists, or has returned. The core of the character is that he’s the son of a dying planet, and any thematic material that could have been culled for Krypton’s return probably already has and came from the minds of far better writers.

Verdict: H’el-ish

Is this better than the average issue of “Superman?” – H’el no.

Zach’s Thoughts: Like almost everything Scott Lobdell has written recently, I have to applaud him for telling big, crazy stories. Yeah, this sets up next month’s “Kryton Returns,” which sounds very similar to “New Krypton,” but the way Lobdell gets there is absolutely nuts. Of course, as with many of Lobdell’s big ideas, the flaw lies in the execution. Pseudo-scientific babble, frustrating characterization, and a convoluted plot device muddles the whole thing up. Our lowest rating got its namesake for a reason, you know.

Verdict: H’el-ish

Is this better than the average issue of “Superman?” – Sadly, about the same.

Brian’s Thoughts: Ick. This is a mess that runs in direct opposition to the “Action Comics 23.2 – Zod,” and in direct opposition to good Superman stories. Lobdell has really muddied the Super-corner of the DCU, and this book is a pretty good idea as to why. It is as if Lobdell only cares about the least important aspects of the Superman story. H’el is a mess of a character whose origin has somehow been re-written, despite the fact that the character is less than 18 months old. Whereas certain books breeze by because of the lack of dialogue, this was like reading the phonebook, if the phonebook was made of stupid pseudo-science and poor dialogue. The poor artists that have to draw this overly labored Krypton have my sympathy. The time cannot come soon enough that Lobdell is off these books.

Verdict: Appropriately, H’el-ish

Is this better than the average issue of “Superman?” – Who knows? It’s all Lobdell garbage.

Swamp Thing #23.1 – Arcane
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by by Jesús Saíz
Behold a being so vile and deadly that even the Parliament of Decay could not control him! Now take a journey to a place beyond hell—the personal prison of Anton Arcane! Plus: the return of The Rot’s new avatar, Abigail Arcane!

Vince’s Thoughts: This was fine, I think. Anton and Abigail bounce off of one another and you get a good sense of what shaped each of them. The art from Saiz was suitably creepy, as well. This is the type of DC Comics book that should be grim, gross, and dark. The “Arcane” pulls all of this off well, but I can’t help but feel like its just not interesting enough. We find out what’s happened to both of the Arcane’s, but we never really get a sense of what it means for the future of “Swamp Thing” or whether it has any bearing on the DCU as it is right now. Regular readers of Soule’s “Swamp Thing” won’t be disappointed, but it’s hardly essential.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Swamp Thing?” – It’s about the same.

Zach’s Thoughts:The third of Charles Soule’s books this week, and also my least favorite overall. Like the Joker after ‘Death of the Family,’ I wasn’t too excited about Anton Arcane’s return. After his year-and-a-half long tenure in “Swamp Thing” and “Animal Man,” I was definitely glad to see him put to rest. The issue is actually more of an origin for Abigail, who plays a prominent role in the issue. The time spent with Arcane in his “personal hell” is pretty great, and Jesus Saiz’s art is as fantastic ever. This is a structurally sound issue, but it’s just too soon for this reader.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Swamp Thing?” – About the same.

Brian’s Thoughts: This is a twofer origin story, for both Anton and Abigail Arcane, and both parts are handled well enough, but neither is exceptionally revelatory or insightful. The art, by Saiz, is nice, and Soule gives the book a very nice introductory segment, featuring Anton and a rabbit, before getting in the bulk of the story, which seems a little by the numbers for my taste.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Swamp Thing?” – No.

Teen Titans #23.2 – Deathstroke
Written by Corey Mays and Dooma Wendschuh
Illustrated by by Angel Unzueta and Moritat
One of the deadliest men in the world has a secret: his family. Slade Wilson lives to kill, but can even Deathstroke the Terminator balance his home life with a complicated hit?

Don’t miss this amazing issue written by Corey Mays and Dooma Wendschuh, writers of the video games Assassin’s Creed and Batman: Arkham Origins.

Vince’s Thoughts: Deathstroke takes on Deathblow, who I know best from his fictional film on Seinfeld. Like Jerry, I wish I would have missed the final act of this one. The regretful, nostalgic Deathstroke that narrates this issue sounds nothing like the Deathstroke that Kyle Higgins kicked off the ‘New 52’ with. The first arc of “Deathstroke” wasn’t awesome or anything, but it’s a hell of a lot better than what we’ve gotten since. No one seems to know how to write Deathstroke anymore, so they approximate him with “mercenary with a sliver of a heart of gold” tropes. Treating him this way, and then leaving him to slapdash creative teams seems to indicate that there’s no place for him in the DCU, when he could be one of their most popular villains, if handled correctly. A sloppy mismatch of artists and a generic “brothers in arms” plot won’t keep Slade Wilson from continuing to be one of the most mishandled characters at DC right now.

Verdict: H’el-ish

Is this better than the average issue of “Teen Titans?” – No, but that book is terrible too.

Zach’s Thoughts: As someone who hasn’t closely followed Deathstroke’s many appearances and flashbacks, this issue completely lost me. Lacking a clear through line, I’m not really sure what the point of this issue was. Each of the three artists does a respectable job, but their styles are drastically different, making the issue feel cobbled together from bits and pieces.

Verdict: H’el-ish

Is this better than the average issue of “Teen Titans?” – Probably worse.

Brian’s Thoughts: The New 52 has tried very hard to put Deathstroke out front and center, but they do it in the dumbest ways possible. Deathstroke is a villain that is so good at his job that you almost root for him. Humanizing him, especially in the lazy way the New 52 has attempted, does not always work. This is a weird creative team, too, as you get first time superhero writers scripting for three different artists whose styles don’t exactly match up. I really wonder if there is a set origin for someone like Deathstroke, who has had three or four different creative teams tackle his early years thus far in the New 52.

Verdict: H’el-ish

Is this better than the average issue of “Teen Titans?” – About the same, probably.

Wonder Woman #23.1 – The Cheetah
Written by John Ostrander
Illustrated by by Victor Ibanez
The Cheetah has clawed her way out of Belle Reve, and is hungry for blood—but before she steps up as one of the Secret Society’s most powerful generals, she has a personal score to settle! Learn the truth about the cult of Hippolyta, her vendetta against Wonder Woman, and just how far she’ll go to prove that she’s the most dangerous predator on Earth!

Vince’s Thoughts: As you’ll see in Brian’s thoughts, Ostrander threads a lot of ‘New 52’ stuff together to make this issue. On those mechanical terms, it actually achieves quite a bit. Cheetah is really well-established here. You get a bit of origin here, as well as a strong character arc that actually culminates in what I imagine will satisfy fans of the character quite a bit. That said, there’s a lot of hokey dialogue all throughout this issue. Lots of characters explaining things to one another that both characters would already know – crimes of exposition. “You’re one of the best manhunters we have, Mark. You’re a US Marshal. Bringing back felons is what US Marshals do.” So, your mileage may vary. The plot is very much entrenched in the current status quo of the ‘New 52’, so it feels like it matters more than most “Villains Month” titles. But it’s also an awkward read and, ultimately, a clumsy comic book.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Wonder Woman?” – No.

Zach’s Thoughts: This issue spent more time focusing on U.S. Marshall Mark Shaw and the bizarre cult led by Cheetah’s crazy aunt than it does on the Cheetah herself. Still, it’s one of week’s more solid issues. Ostrander presents Barbara Minerva’s history in a concise and interesting way, while setting the character up for some “Forever Evil” shenanigans. He also gives a couple of nods to Shaw’s former identity, possibly setting up a New 52 version of the Manhunter. An all around good, but not great issue.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Wonder Woman?” – No.

Brian’s Thoughts: Ostrander is given the job of figuring out how to weave together a bunch of stray New 52 plot points, as well as introduce some new characters/ideas into the fabric of the DCU. Luckily, none of this strays too far from what he did on “Suicide Squad” 25 years ago, and he handles the job capably. In this issue, the term Manhunter is re-introduced (not the Guardians created ones, nor the Martian variety) in the form of Mark Shaw, a name of a prior Manhunter. This time, however, the Manhunters are US Marshals. This issue also ties Wonder Woman and Cheetah together, as “Justice League” did a year or so ago, and also provides a link to “Forever Evil.” Following so far? Ostrander does about as well as he can with what he is given to work with, as does Ibanez, but this is not a great comic. It is a fair introduction to one of the few Wonder Woman villains in her rogues’ gallery, and one that won’t be touched in her own title for the foreseeable future. This is a case of DC using the “Justice League” version of Wonder Woman, even when her title is the farthest thing from it.

Verdict: Two-Faced

Is this better than the average issue of “Wonder Woman?” – No.

Final Thoughts for the Week:

Zach: I think I had fewer “Killer Croc” ratings overall this week, but I think it’s probably my favorite week so far. The highs were higher and and the middle ground books fell mostly on the positive side. There was a lot more variation in story structure than previous week, and a greater focus on telling “current” stories, rather than origins. Next week has the largest number of books I’m interested in, so I’m hoping this upward momentum allows Villains Month to finish out strong.

Brian: This is probably the strongest week thus far this month, if only for the paucity of bad parents and severed heads. As usual, the creative teams were almost always a smoking gun. Good creators = good comic more often than not. This week had a higher percentage of top-flight talent, so there’s a higher percentage of good books. The Bat-books were a pleasant surprise, and the Soule books all, for the most part, worked. These books felt more like there were natural stories to tell, instead of the shoved down readers’ throats varieties we had more of in the first two weeks. Sure, there were still missteps, but overall, this was a pleasant week of DC reading. Who’d have thunk it?

Vince: This was a better week than the first one, but I think it’s closer to week 2 than most people think. Bah, maybe it’s just personal preference. I have a couple of new thoughts about “Villains Month.” Well, they’re new to me, anyway.

Batman has the best rogues gallery at DC Comics – maybe all of comics. I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed and burnt out on Batman villains though. There’s about 5 “Batman” titles every week, by my count. They mostly range from very good to okay, which tells you a lot about the strength of his gallery and how well-established they all are. That said, the tone and feel of these issues is incredibly similar. I almost can’t remember which Batman villain I’m reading about unless they’re right there on the page – they all feel so similar.

The other thing is that this was a special month that was clearly built around 2-3 “important” issues each week, and then gobs of filler. Brian said it best: the good creatives will make good villain books. And all of DC Comics’ very best creatives are planning what comes next. That means that the books that Lemire, Snyder, Soule, and Pak are on are all going to be the real draws to the month. Here’s hoping I’m wrong and we get a killer one-off story from Tim Seeley next week.