Review # 146: "Batman R.I.P." and "Time and the Batman"

"Batman R.I.P." is a blatant case of bait-and-switch. But it may also have the coolest moment in the history of the character, so it's a fair trade-off.

Review # 144: "Planetary"

"Planetary" is a love letter to pop fiction. From superheroes to monster movies to spy thrillers, it touches on so much. But instead of leaving things as they are, writer Warren Ellis and artist John Cassaday take to the project like master chefs. They offer a classic flavour with a bold new twist: What if all these wonders existed in society, yet were hidden from the public eye? Such is the heart of the Planetary organization: documenting the "true" history of the world.

Review # 139: "Batman and Son"

Grant Morrison is a mad genius. You're talking about a comic book writer who develops insane, complex backstories for characters who appear in only one panel. A writer known for dropping subtle hints outlining what is to come, and tiny elements that play a big part later.

Review # 131: "Batman: Hush"

"Hush" is the dream comic story for any fan who was introduced to the medium in the early 90's through TV cartoons. It's a perfect first book for anyone who enjoyed "Batman: The Animated Series" or "X-Men" back in the day with major creative ties to both.

Review # 84: "JLA by Grant Morrison - Volumes One and Two"

With sales sagging on Justice League, DC made the wise decision of blowing the property up and starting over with a single team of heavy-hitters. The classic lineup of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, The Flash (Wally West instead of Barry Allen) and Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner instead of Hal Jordan) was back together. From there, DC took a gamble with lesser-known artist Howard Porter and arguably another with writer Grant Morrison.

Review # 34: "Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War"

The odds were stacked against me fully appreciating "The Sinestro Corps War." First, it's a DC comic so a lot of the history is lost on me. Second, it had the difficult task of following up my reading of the Bendis/Maleev run on Daredevil. Third - while it came first - it has a lot in common with "Blackest Night," which I've already read. Despite those long odds, the second purely Green Lantern Corps story that I've ever owned knocked my socks off.

Review # 29: "Green Lantern: Rebirth"

I don't dip into the DC pool often. It isn't so much because I dislike them. I own several DC books and they're all enjoyable. Most of them are definite classics. But with so much Marvel in my collection and so much knowledge of that universe I just don't feel compelled to invest in another. Hell, most of what I own that's DC is considered outside of continuity (ie: "Watchmen," "The Dark Knight Returns," "All-Star Superman" and "Year One.") Frankly, in my opinion, DC's best work rarely takes place within its own established universe.