Who'd Like A Cocktail? #101

You won't find Anna Fortune getting teary eyed with nostalgia

• THE BOYS #47 - aw, crap . . . Wee Hughie loses it with Starlight in a scene that had me cringing. You know you're emotionally invested in fictional characters when you just want to grab them and say "Stop f*****g things up!"
• BRIGHTEST DAY #11 - Firestorm throws down against his evil counterpart while Aquaman and Black Manta have a huge fight. Oh, and the Black Lantern version of the twelve resurrected characters reappear. Strangely, the best part of the issue for me was that last two page spread of a huge forest covering the surface of Mars.
• DOOM PATROL #15 - the Chief goes completely off the rails as the Kryptonian powers he's absorbed send him more than a little crazy. The fight between the Doom Patrol and the Chief is touching and sad though I somehow doubt that this is the end of Caulder. And who'd have thought a pelican could look so startled?
• FREEDOM FIGHTERS #2 - another solid issue as Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters go up against the renegade shamans from the past . . . and get their butts kicked. A little standard, plot wise - issue 1 introduces the threat, issue 2 the threat beats the heroes, issue 3 the heroes try but fail to beat them before realising/finding a key idea/item, issue 4 the heroes beat the threat - but no less enjoyable because of Palmiotti and Gray's cracking dialogue and the lovely art by Travis Moore. Once passed this story which is establishing the team for new readers, I've no doubt this series will really kick into gear.
• JSA-ALL STARS #11 - did Atom Smasher miss the meeting about giant-sized fights in the middle of a city? Can't help thinking that's not his brightest move. Elsewhere, Cyclone's back, Power Girl recuperates (how else is a solar powered hero going to recharge other than by sun-bathing!) and Atom Smasher and Anna Fortune start some serious flirting.
• Co feature LIBERTY BELLE AND HOURMAN - so this story that's been drawn out a little too long comes to an end. As I've said before, it's good - the characters are well written and the art's great - but it's just felt a bit stretched. But hey, a nice resolution.
• SECRET SIX #26 - if ever there was a place where Bane fitted in, it looks like it's Skataris. The two teams go head to head a lot sooner than I'd expected and that last page . . . not sure where that's going to go next issue.

And what made me smile:

Oh, Ambush Bug, you are a one.

Who'd Like A Cocktail? #89

Robotman gives Negative Man fair warning in Doom Patrol #12

• THE BOYS #44 - I swear, seeing the Homelander singing the Bee Gees almost made the Cocktail post this week! Garth Ennis mixes in evangelical Christianity with his take on superheroes and I think we all know it's not going to be pretty. And that last page . . . poor Hughie and Starlight . . .
• BRIGHTEST DAY #5 - Mera and Aquaman are attacked by a foe from the past, forcing Mera to reveal a secret she's been keeping for nigh on fifty years; while Deadman is forced to attempt a resurrection; and the Hawks... the Hawks don't look as though they're in a good place right now.
• DOOM PATROL #12 - the Doom Patrol have their behinds kicked while behind the scenes the Chief is forced to compromise. The end of the first year is traditionally a round up of a major story arc but that doesn't happen here; instead more hints are laid for upcoming issues. Here's to the next year!
• JSA ALL-STARS #8 - still one of my favourite reads every month, a superhero team that works well together and, while having plenty of action, also has characters that develop as well: Anna Fortune drops a nice hint about her origins when she says "The only flying machines they've got in my day are hot air balloons." Really enjoying this title.
• Co-feature LIBERTY BELLE & HOURMAN - for me, it's the character interaction that still leaves this story rattling along; I've long forgotten what the plot is about this book and statue the heroes and villains are after. Still, I'm not complaining as it's a quick, fun read.
• SECRET SIX #23 - a done-in-one guest slot from John Ostrander was something I was looking forward to. As it is, it's a little disappointing. A not entirely original set-up and the Six are very quickly shown to be in no real danger so we pretty much know nothing's going to happen to them. All in all, nothing special.
• THE STAND: HARDCASES #2 - As Flagg continues to draw his followers to Vegas, this adaptation continues to be solid and dependable.

And what made me smile this week:

Roxy gives the All-Stars plenty of warning!

Who'd Like A Cocktail? #81

Jeanette and Bane discuss fine cuisine

• The Boys #42 - Mother's Milk works out what Butcher's doing and isn't too happy about it while poor old Hughie is still being kept at arm's length.
• Brightest Day #1 - so the next big storyline kicks off with Aquaman raising dead sea creatures, Martian Manhunter remembering the old days differently and Hath-Set getting a hold of the Hawks' original bones. A good start all in all.
• Doom Patrol #10 - more crazy happenings with the DCU's weirdest heroes. As much as I like this title, I keep waiting for a cancellation notice to be posted somewhere . . .
• JSA All-Stars #6 - Johnny Sorrow's plan is revealed at last and the All-Stars regroup and take stock of where they're going. Anna Fortune seems to be sticking around which is cool as I like the character, though the implied attraction to Atom Smasher's bound to cause friction with Stargirl.
• Liberty Belle & Hourman co-feature - heroes and villains working together and actually getting on! This is a great little mini-series whose strength is the interaction between the characters - I've pretty much forgotten what they're all after but I'm happy to keep reading nonetheless!
• Secret Six #21 - if there was an award for best cover, this issue would win hands down. Catman continues on his rampage to find his son while Black Alice flips out and becomes the Demon Estrogen! Damn, I love this book!

And what made me smile:

There were several laugh out loud moments in Secret Six but this little exchange between Power Girl, Hourman and Citizen Steel from JSA All-Stars won out for me.

Who'd Like A Cocktail? #78

You don't miss it till it's gone, do you? I've had no net access for the last couple of days and at the moment it's kinda patchy so I'm waiting on an engineer to arrive tomorrow. No Cocktail post last week either as I was away. Anyhow, in the meantime: comics!

• The Boys #41 - Oh poor Wee Hughie's getting in deeper and deeper and Butcher's thinking the worst. Paranoia's a bad thing, people.
• Doom Patrol #9 - I'm really enjoying this series so am just waiting for the cancellation notice to arrive. Like The All New Atom, Blue Beetle and Shadowpact over the last couple of years, this is a fun comic that's probably not going to survive more's the pity. Trust me, people: if you're not getting this, add it to your pull list before it's too late.
• JSA All-Stars #5 - I'm liking Anna Fortune, the All-Stars' new spell caster; she's presumably British (unless my ear for dialogue's completely off) and has a cool look. More of her, Mr Sturges, more I say!
• Liberty Belle & Hourman co-feature - this is really working out to be kinda cool as well with the two teams . . . er . . . teaming up and bickering. Shame they'll end up as enemies once more after this.
• Project Superpowers: Chapter Two #8 - holy crap! None of them can die! Lady Satan dies and gets a name change; the Green Lama strikes a deal; and the real Kid Terror's reaaaaaaaaaaally pissed off! This series seemed to be wandering for a bit but it looks like it's back on track.

And what made me smile:

I love that badge (button for the American readers) that Ambush Bug's wearing! And why does that symbol on the belt look so damn familiar . . . ? Anyone?