It’s finally time for another comic review! This took much longer than I expected, but I finally have the last few weeks worth of comics. This week is also a special one as on top of the Absolute titles, I also have the “New History of the DC Universe: The Dakota Incident #1” (this book needs to sell 100k physical copies to get more Milestone books so please go to your local comic shops and pick this one up). So, let’s get started shall we!
Spoilers ahead for New History of the DC Universe: The Dakota Incident #1, Absolute Wonder Woman Annual #1, Absolute Wonder Woman #17, Absolute Batman #17, Absolute Superman #16, Absolute Green Lantern #11, and Absolute Martian Manhunter #9.
New History of the DC Universe: The Dakota Incident #1 - This was a great one-shot! I really enjoyed the Static Season One comic from a few years back so I was excited to see what DC was gonna do next with Milestone after the heroes were mentioned the main New History series. This is such an interesting direction to take the Milestone heroes in, seeing them deal with President Luthor as he goes after them is such an interesting way to tie them into the larger DC comics history.
This also has some parallels to what Trump and ICE are doing, specifically in Minnesota. It’s a comparison I’ve seen a few others make that I definitely noticed as well. While this mainly is an allegory for DC and Milestones rough past, it can also be viewed as a comparison to what’s happening in Minnesota. And while the ending isn’t very positive, I always love seeing heroes beat up ICE or ICE-like groups.
Overall, I really enjoyed this issue and can’t wait to see where it goes next. And speaking of that, I mentioned at the start that this book needs to sell 100k physical copies, so please go buy this book at your local comic shop! I’m begging you! The Milestone heroes are so great and this book needs to sell to show DC we want more of them. If this book is able to sell 100k physical copies we will mostly get a new Static ongoing which can lead to even more new Milestone books. The book already seems to be selling well as I’ve heard many stories of comic shops already selling out or people getting one of the last copies, which is a good sign, but we need to keep going. If you’re even on the fence about getting this book, go do it!
Absolute Wonder Woman Annual #1 - This was a really great little one of adventure! I love how Diana has been thinking about Medusa ever since the end of the books first arc and is actually doing something to help her. And that’s not even mentioning how she helps her. The way she saved Medusa by connecting with her, starting into her eyes, was an incredible moment!
Absolute Wonder Woman #17 - This is the second part of the Season of the Witch arc and it’s a great chapter. This one is very action heavy and I loved how Diana’s battle with Giganta was handled. I didn’t expect Cheetah to be immediately killed, with this choice making me think that this is possibly the start of Barbara’s eventual turn into this universes second Cheetah. I also love how Zatanna uses Diana to free herself then leaves. It seems like Veronica Cale has done something to her father Giovanni Zatara, so I’m interested to see where that goes as this arc continues!
Absolute Batman #17 - This was another great issue. I believe last time I mentioned issue 16 was one of my favourites of the whole series, and once again I have to say the same about this issue. Last time I believe I also talked about my issues with this series and how it sometimes had trouble, especially near the end of the Bane arc, balancing the big spectacle and the more serious/down-to-earth stuff, but issue 16 handled that balance way better. That’s the same here as this issue has the big, crazy fight with Batman, two chainsaws attached to his hands, getting higher in this building while battling plant monsters, but it also has plenty of more down-to-earth stuff.
Ivy’s origin, Bruce dealing his Batman’s popularity and his friends not wanting to talk to him (with Joe Chill not even talking to him, which is also the first time Joe Chill has been brought up I believe since the end of issue 4), it’s all great stuff. Plus, this issue remembers that Martha and the Gordon’s exist. There’s a fun moment with Barbara that I believe is continuing with more Barbara stuff next issue and there was the moment with Martha and Jim.
Martha being alive in this world is so interesting and the series is finally doing something with that, especially with the ending reveal that she’s connected to the Absolute Court of Owls. Since Scott Snyder co-created the court I expected we’d probably get them here at some point, and this brief introduction was certainly not disappointing. The reveal that Martha is connected to the group is such a strong hook for this version of the court, and their looks in the Absolute universe are also good. This was such a good issue and I can’t wait for the next one!
Absolute Superman #16 - This was another great issue of this series as well. Last time I said issue 15 was my favourite of the series so far and this one certainly continues to be great. I love how Hawkman is handled here, as someone who got broken down and beaten by the dark pull of this universe. It’s a very interesting take on this character. I also love how this universe continues to twist what we expect with the Daily Planet, Perry White, and Lex Luthor. I also really enjoyed the references to the other Absolute books and the bit at the start of Superman leaving to go help people in the middle of Hawkman trying to introduce himself. The start of the issue also teases the arrival of King Shazam, which is gonna be the focus of the next major arc starting in issue 18. I can’t wait for the next issue as Braniac is seemingly gonna kill Luthor’s family (or at least threaten/attack them) and Supes and Hawkman are gonna have to work together to defeat Absolute Parasite!
Absolute Green Lantern #11 - This was a solid issue. I like how much of a terrible person Hector Hammond is, I also liked the Mento device as a Doom Patrol fan. The characters all have distinct personalities and gimmicks from one another that’s certainly fun. And as the series goes on the space stuff and different levels of light stuff becomes clearer and more interesting. I think this is the lowest of the Absolute books for me, it there’s still a lot I enjoy and I still look forward to the next issue of this series!
Absolute Martian Manhunter #9 - This continues to be one of the best comics out right now. It’s so trippy and weird and I love it so much. How John’s family is handled, the Martian being captured and John now having to work with Absolute Desparo who slowly manipulated and corrupts John. It’s all great stuff. I can’t wait for the next issue as we’re now in the last few issues of this beautiful series.
