Who'd Like A Cocktail? #125

Someone's lacking a sense of proportion

It's Sunday afternoon - what did I think of this week's comics?

• THE BOYS #53 - Garth Ennis delivers his look at superheroes in World War II and, with little surprise, it's not very flattering for the supes. Everything goes pear shaped very quickly and the loss of American soldiers' lives is laid squarely at the untested feet of the new heroes. A splendid issue.
• BRIGHTEST DAY #23 - I'd be surprised if anyone still hasn't heard of the return of Swamp Thing to the DCU by now! The big threat to the world is revealed as the Black Lantern Swamp Thing and the machinations of the White Lantern become a little clearer as it's been preparing Firestorm, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, Hawkman and Hawkgirl to be the embodiements of the four elements (the Hawks are both Air). Then, of course, there's the final page reveal of Earth's ultimate saviour who doesn't look best pleased at all.
• DOOM PATROL #21 - a nice issue spotlighting Robotman and the various incarnations of the Doom Patrol. I'm still hoping this series is going to survive the pre-Flashpoint cull and return once everything's done with.
• FREEDOM FIGHTERS #8 - and another issue destined for the scrapheap, sadly. Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters get sacked from the government in readiness for the pre-Flashpoint cull despite saving the vice-president and defeating the Arcadians which seems a bit harsh. Not sure what happened to Travis Moore's pencils on this issue - I've really liked his art throughout this run but this issue seems a little off.
• JSA ALL-STARS #17 - and yet another victim of Flashpoint. Part one of a two-part alternate timestream story starts the wind-down for this series which given Flashpoint's over-arching story (an alternate timestream) has to be kinda ironic. A cracking issue from Matthew Sturges, though, and another that I really hope is going to come back soon.
• JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: 80-PAGE GIANT 2011 #1 - this however... this can go sailing toward the bin as soon as possible. A bunch of short stories all following the same plot - two heroes confront a demon/their own doubts or fears, one of them realises what's happening, they escape - taking place in that most cliched of environments, Dante's Circles of Hell. At the end of each story, the heroes pick up a piece of something, the importance of which is shoe-horned in at the end of each tale almost as an afterthought. There's a big team up and fight at the end where the pairs of heroes are united with the others and where, for some reason, Power Girl is inserted despite her not having appeared in any of the previous stories. Wonder Woman, despite being in her new, weird timeline outfit, recognises everyone which is odd. Seriously, if you're thinking of buying this, don't. Drop me a mail and you can have my copy for free.
• SECRET SIX #32 - whereas this title, once again, continues to entertain on all levels. The team continue their sojourn in Hell with Scandal trying to find Knockout and bring her back to life while Ragdoll and his Secret Six Hundred and Sixty Six try to stop them. Oh, and there's a lovely surprise on the last page as well!

And what made me smile:

The big guy's back!