War of the Green Lanterns

This mini-series was really my jumping onto point for the Green Lantern series, I'd heard a couple of basics before like Hal Jordan was a fighter pilot. The rings use the energy of will power. Sinestro is a villain, as if the name couldn't tip you off to that. And that there was a CGI movie based on the idea.

This turned out to be a pretty good book to jump in on, the characters back stories were explained briefly, with more in depth comic references that people who read the series would not doubt be able to pick up on. The four human green lanterns are introduce, Hal Jordon, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner and John Stewart. As well as the idea of the guardians, a race of people who created the Green Lanterns to protect the universe from chaos, which they believe to come from uncontrolled emotions. Lanterns who have given into other emotions become other colours.

Yellow: Fear

Indigo: Compassion

Sapphire: Love

Blue: Hope

Orange: Avarice

Green: Will

Black: Death (Main villains in Blackest Night)

Krona a former guardian, a recurring villain, who does not believe in the lack of emotion by the other guardians captures the entities of the emotions. Creatures of pure energy of their respective emotion, Parallax, the creature of fear has already been a villain and touched the four human lanterns in the past. The focus of the adventure is battling Krona and the Green Lantern Corps who has been infected by Parallax.

This miniseries left me with only a slight feeling of disconnect, as far as jumping on mini series events this was a decent place for me to start. I enjoyed the characters of Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner, as well as a couple of the villains. That said certain things did annoy me, particularly the ending. When people show no development and continuously makes the same mistakes you wonder why anyone listens to them. This is what the guardians felt like to me. After only one mini-series I was already annoyed with them and the ending which is kind of a tease for the reboot in September. I do not know how long this change will last but we shall see.

6.5/10

Kingdom Come

Kingdom Come is a four part mini series for DC, it is good. However being the next elseworlds book for me to read straight off the heals of Red Son it was always going to have a steep mountain to climb. I feel as though the idea's are looked at in a rushed way and it would have been better as maybe a eight or even ten part miniseries.

This comic takes place 20 years in the future in the DC Universe, the hero's of old have retired from the world whilst a new bread of hero's emerge who care about showing their power and battling then protecting the innocent. A lot of the story is told from the point of view of a priest named Norman, who after the death of his friend who received visions can now see the future and the upcoming Armageddon. After giving a depression sermon about his lack of hope he is visited by the Spectre, part of the magically balance of the universe takes him alone to witness the upcoming Armageddon.

We find that Superman became disheartened with the public who embraced the 'hero' Magog who killed the Joker and was found not guilty. After his departure the other hero's of the Justice League also stepped down, which is where I first start to take issue with this book. This is a superman focused story and I understand that, I just find it frustrating that so many other hero's would be disheartened just by him leaving. I can't see WonderWoman willing to quit that easily. It should be noted that Batman is still active, having turned Gotham into something similar to a police state.

Magog in his carelessness while apprehending a villain causes the Midwest to be devastated by a nuclear explosion. From this the old superhero's return and force the new hero's to either submit or risk imprisonment. Again this rises similar issues of freedom that are explored in Red Son, granted this did do it before it but I think it was also weaker. When the hero's return the fear of the government that their power is too great, and Lex Luthor steps in to help create a war and protect mankind from the threat that mankind posses. There are a few intertwining stories, each with enough substance to them to be the focus of their own series, including Batman gathering his own league to stand against Superman's league, Captain Marvel facing off against Superman, WonderWoman being removed from her role as ambassador from Themyscira and her royal title as well. Again we find looking at too much in too short amount of time, things feel as though they are getting glanced over.

The ending is with the superhero's reads a little too much like the epilogue of Harry Potter to me, in order to compensate for the massive loss they make the 'happy ending' a bit too much. That said the ending of the observer of all of this, Father Norman is where the real heart of the story lies and his inclusion made the entire thing far stronger.

This is a good, strong story, and while there is sometimes too much going on for the reader to give full attention to the action it is still well worth a read, just don't read it straight off the heels of reading Red Son.

7.5/10

Superman Red Son

The elseworlds title is used for stories that for one reason or another cannot work in the continuity of the DC Universe. One spectacular such story features the story of Superman, if his rocket crashed in the Soviet Union rather than the heartland of the United States. Setting Superman up with a moral system that is eerily twisted from his normal views leaves a strange and unsettling taste in my mouth. In the best possible way. This is everything an elseworld title should be, it takes what we know about Superman and finds a new and insightful way of looking at it. As well as one of the best and most maddening endings which I wont spoil for you here.

With the strength of the man of steel behind him the Soviet Union wins the cold war, the survival of the United States is left solely to the arch enemy of Superman, Lex Luthor. Who they really do write well as his intelligence and ego as well as maddening obsession with Superman are all well intertwined into the proper running of the story. The largest focus of the three-part story is on the idea of where the line of safety and freedom should be drawn, how much of Superman's power should be used to keep us safe? There is an impressive 1984 vibe to this story, one of my favorite literary works of all time. The leader of the resistance against this government is none other than Batman. Those who are interested in who would win in a fight can finally have it answered... somewhat, I do not want to spoil it for you but suffice to say there is interference by an outside force.

A friend of mine described the ending of this mini-series as a massive troll, and I can see why that comes across. This series would have stood up on it's own merits with a more traditional ending so it shows the impact it has when I say that the ending is one of the most memorable things about it. You will be tearing your hair out over it and in my opinion it's just brilliant.

Not only worth a read well worth multiple reads.

8.5/10

Tarot - issues 6-10

It was at this point when I really was down to the wire... I really wasn't sure I would be able to write all the reviews in time. I won't spoil if I did just yet. But my writing style becomes more frantic and I really started to loose my patience with this terrible terrible comic. As porn it would have been written badly enough but trying as hard as it does to pass itself off as a feminist epic just drives me mad!

BOOK 6

For the love of FILLER!!! This issue introduces 2 new characters who I'm afraid to say will be recurring. Boo Cat and Licorice Dust. Proving that there is not a fetish that this book doesn't cater too! Boo Cat is a were cat, as in a women (who later on we will find out owns a lingerie store, the only fitting career choice of any character) who at the full moon turns in a fully fur covered women (arguably naked) with a tail. And Licorice Dust, a vampire cheerleader (no, really) who walk around with spiders over her nipples and an underbust corset. Not only do I think that this comic caters for every fetish I think it actual creates a few on its own. They are of course, lovers. Boo Cat is even an ex lover of Tarot. To sum up the plot, Dust is staked but doesn't die cause it missed her heart, monsters show up, people fight, bit of back story which is really unexciting, John is useless. Yep, that's about it.

Highlights: The spiders leaping off Dusts nipples (not they are shown because Boo cat conveniently puts her fingers over them) and attacking John. That's it really. If you are in any way a furry or a Neko fan this is the issue for you Because Boo Cat certainly knows how to position herself in the most suggestive ways possible and I'm sad to say that as the issues continue she doesn't get any more subtle in fact I'm pretty sure she gets worse.

Low points: The worlds dumbest Vampire, and considering the existence of Twilight, and its many rip offs and even some of the more respectable vampires in literature/ pop culture like Angel (Although I loved the tv series dude was a fucking moron) or even Dracula himself that is saying something.

Fav Quote: Let me show you the true meaning of Ghoul power! (because nothing says empowerment like a misquoted Spice Girls saying)

BOOK 7

And now back to the story! This issue introduces a new character, Willoary, whose main function seems to be jail bait and to show case the danger of approaching witchcraft without a proper respect for it. Which considering Ravens actions seems a bit redundant. Willoary is going to be hanged (after first being molested in true Tarot style) because people in modern day Salem hang those claiming to be witches. I know this takes place after Raven's done her whole attack on the town thing so they have reason to attack her but really?? A. Being a witch is Salem seems to be a shocking idea, when everybody who claims to have even the slightest interest in witchcraft will flock there in reality, if ever there was a city were you were likely to find acceptance for being a witch it would be Salem. Its like being a vampire in New Orleans. Your more likely to find fans and groupies then enemies.

High points: This issue marks the return of the Crypt chick who is planning to use Willoary to resurrect her body. Other then that there is nothing really to say, you get some vague mention of Raven Hex planning a new spell that is taking all her energy, and while we can't tell what she's planning we all know its going to fail because... well... because she's a villain and they always loose. Willoary doesn't respect the goddess and we can all see that she's going to end up having the spell backfire because of her impatience.

Low Points: Raven getting a bath and possibly being felt up by her helpful little crows... because when I think pleasure I think of disease filled birds. We also get a whole bit about Tarot and Johns love for each other, including a page showing all their past lives together, including faeries, merpeople, vikings, ancient Egyptians and fucking unicorns. UNICORNS!!!!!

Fav quote: Centuries fit into hours as there cups over flowed with excitement.

BOOK 8

Willoary died?! Who didn't see that coming a fucking mile away?!
Tarot and Mummy plead with Raven to help stop this new evil she has unleashed, she says no she's got an island to rise. Cause that's her magic plan, make an island, truly it is a dark craft she follows. Willoary quits and tries to bring Crypt Chick back to life, but because she left the goddess out of the spell the skin melts away and Willoary is turned into a tree while a bird looks at her nipple. Yep even as a tree nipples are the focus. What a purvey bird.
Raven is attacked by some warlocks who have decided to take it upon themselves to right the wrong by killing her... she is saved by Goblins and then turns them into crows. The island is raised and then Tarot, Mummy and John are attacked by... the headless horseman!!! Because.... I don't know but really its the least offensive thing here so we'll just ignore it.

High points: Wow, I'm kinda shocked by how hard it is to find high points. The look of the skin falling of Crypt Chicks body is indeed done pretty well. There is a surprisingly high level of skill in the art of this comic... if only he had gotten someone else to do the story, the dialogue and the characters.

Low points: The incredible evil is a god dam pumpkin head of sleepy hallow?!

Fav quote: Please me and I will allow you to feast on the crumbs of my magic!

BOOK 9

Tarot's greatest fear is the fucking headless horseman?! She got so emotionally scared by her sister telling her a ghost story that when the great evil took form it chose to be THE STAYPUFF MARSHMALLOW MAN!!!!!! No... God wouldn't that be fantastic though! She fights the headless horseman, this is clearly a great enemy as it is the first to start the trend of ripping her bra... oh sorry, battle armour, off. While this is all going on John is fighting this spider lady who tries to mount him or something I don't know... apparently he's scared of spiders. A guy who works in an abandoned graveyard is mortally afraid of spiders, obviously. Meanwhile Mummy seems to meet the only real fear out of them, as she is faced the burning bodies of her daughters who was executed for being raised witches. While I've already made my view on the apparent prejudice of modern Salem against witches *cough* *cough* *bullshit*, this at least seems to be a real fear, that's a pretty crippling thing to be confronted by. Anyway Tarot overcomes her fear, battles the headless horseman, who reveals he is there because of Ravens spells, takes on the punishment of her sister herself and defeats the monster but is mortally stabbed in the process. It should be noted that the most fucking random council of witches or something helping her, the stress causing one guy to literally have his head explode and a little dragon inside... yeah, a little dragon, we don't know why, did it kill him? Where did it come from? Do all witches have little dragons in their head? In the words of the Nostalgia Chick "BIG LIPPED ALLIGATOR MOMENT"!
The last few pages are basically traveling to Raven's island to heal Tarot. But Raven is not done being a bitch and spends her time not healing her sister but blaming John for her injury when of course it was her fault for being a pretentious bitch. The issue ends with the all too easy see through promise of Tarot dying.

High points: Tarot getting stabbed. Yeah that's about it. Oh and the burn marks on Mummy that really look like someone got into a schoolies (Spring Break for Australia) supply of glow in the dark paint and covered herself in hand prints.

Low Points: FUCKING RAVEN HEX!!!! My God, it is rare for a character to annoy me as much as this stupid bitch. Yeah Tarot is bland and pretty one dimensional but at least she's not a fucking moron. It really seems like Jim Balent is going to the greatest lengths to ensure that Raven never learns a lesson, never sees the consequences of her actions and remains as a villain. They had a perfect opportunity to kill of the mother and have her suffer some real consequences, like they do here, Tarot is dying because you wanted your daddy back... show some fucking character development!!! But we all know that isn't going to happen.

Fav Quote: FOR THE CRAFT AND TAROT!!!!!

BOOK 10

wohoo ten down! That's right a whole 1 fifth of the way there... 40 more to go... kill me now.

Believe it or not this is the episode that takes a left turn at crazy into God dam LSD territory. The whole thing is some spiritual quest thing of Tarot to rejoin the world of the living while Raven, seemingly desperate to prove she is a villain and not just a bitch, does the complete opposet by ignoring her mothers orders and trying to throw John off her island. The dragon witches (you remember them don't you?) have now joined force with her and try to force him away... including whipping him with their tails while in human form... yes really.

High points: I'm trying I really am trying! Ummm... well... I don't know if I should call John hanging from the nipple of a giant statue a high or low point. It certainly was an interesting sight although followed by one of the most predictable and terrible lines of 'That's why I'm a breast man'.

Low points: Raven is a dick, not a cretable villain, just a dick. This episode seems to, attempt, to go through the reasons for Tarot's armour as she gains a piece on each meeting in her vision quest. But really this is so convoluted I still don't get it and I've read it like 3 times now. Tarot also almost ends up masturbating in front of what I think is meant to be the god and goddess. Because you know, impending death is such a turn on (seriously every time she is at deaths door she starts getting frisky)

Fav Quote: Is that anyway to greet your emperor and high priestess, lying on one's back with your legs a spread, luring the world to your banquet! (Well she is all you can eat)

Tarot issues 1-5

A while ago I made a bet to see if I could get through 50 issues of one of the worst comics of all time. Produced by BroadSword, who exists because of this comic, Tarot, Witch of the Black Rose deserves far more criticism than other bad comics because it attempts to be something it isn't. Namely it advertises itself as a feminist fantasy epic. It is in fact porn. Porn that more often than not exploits both sexes but especially woman. That and the writing sucks. I know I should be more poetic or skillful in my phrasing but there is no way to tiptoe around it. It's just bad. Its not subtle, its overly flowery, more often than not its offensive.

As such I've decided to put up the original reviews from the bet (which I won at the cost of my own sanity). Please enjoy the fact that with these brief summaries you are able to escape any possible curiosity of reading the actual issues yourself.

BOOK 1

The general vibe of book 1 is... not as bad as I was expecting. I am sure this will be fixed as soon as I open the cover of Book 2.

Highlights include Tarot calling the bikini she prances around in 'armor' and the jack-o-lantern men kicking the but of Skeleton Man.

Low points... hmmm, the fact that even with surgery I don't think I could ever have the rack that Tarot does :P

Quote of the book: The dead do indeed have a saviour, one who is earthbound, and clad in leather. (this was a toss up with 'hell doesn't exist boys, but I do, and I'm much hotter)

BOOK 2

two in one night? Believe it, I'm gonna make as much head way tonight as I can. Did it get worse as I had predicted... yes. Whilst still not to the level of haunted vagina's that it will reach. Highlights... Tarot and Jon falling madly in love with each other because they both saw a tarot card of 'the lovers'... for its sheer ridiculousness this must be the highlight. I gotta say though the lines 'you have a flying cat - doesn't every witch' did get a smile out of me. If for no other reason then now I want a flying cat.

Low point(s). Lets start with the opening that features Holly (Jim's wife and colourist/co-creator) dressed as Raven Hex. That's the chick with metal spikes for nipples in case you didn't know. Tarot bathing. Raven Hex caressing herself with the rotted corpse of Siamese twin 12yr old girls (yeah... you read that right). Raven Hex appearing to be sexually gratified by a giant bug with pincers that is giving her tattoo's, (seriously), actually just EVERYTHING about Raven Hex.

This is also the novel where we find out all about the girls past, namely that their family was persecuted for following witchcraft, which one would think in modern day Salem it would make your family just another one on the block. And that Ravens planes involve resurrecting her dead father and taking over the world... but mostly just getting her daddy back.

Quote of the book: Can you just feel the excitement coursing through my flesh? It swells with stimulation, who would have thought I could feel so alive with something dead? (Because Raven Hex is a classy lady)

BOOK 3

Wow did this sneak up on me... I have 2 days to get through 48 issues of Tarot, and while I've already read them and suffered the HORROR I now need to re-read them and review them in order to win the bet. Am I up for the challenge? Well lets pick up where we left off. The third issue.

Highlights: ummm... well... wow, episode 3 and already no high points to speak off. This one really is just filler, with the exception of the introduction of one of my fav characters Crypt Chick. She seems at least somewhat 3-dimensional, her main motivation being pissed at dying... well yeah... dying sucks there sweetheart. I also like her because to date she is the only character not to appear naked, her clothes actually stay on! Oh but you nudity fans out there don't despair because to make up for this creator Jim Balent was kind enough to cut holes in her bikini top, so when ever she features so do her nipples. Yep. Ghost nipples, right there on the cover. Once again, this is an 'empowering comic for women'.

Low points: Ghost nipples. This issue features the first of what I can only assume is a running gag or inanimate objects taking on the personality of TENTACLES!!!! Tarot is tied up by her sister with magic vines, these vines decide that simply tying up her limbs is far to easy for them and also curl in and out of her "clothes", that metal bikini she prances around in. Yes, even vines with no mind want to get into Tarot's pants. Raven Hex... God do I hate this character. Continuing her attempt to bring world peace by world domination this issue decides to have her use her talent, namely the metal spikes she wears on her nipples to blind a guy, literally using the pun 'I bet you could poke a guys eye out with those', actually is that a pun or simply a statement of fact?

Quote: and if a green faced witch is what you wish to be... then so be it!

BOOK 4

And thus the opening story arc comes to a close. The ending of the episode frustrates me and in some respect I also like. It certainly is on par with the first issue for being the lest offensive of them But lets delve right into the issue that could have Raven seeing consequences of her actions but instead decides to cope out and above all promises the death of Skeleton man but never delivers.

Highlights: Watching Raven get beat up. Seriously everyone is having a go at her in this book, Crypt chick, the ghosts of witches hanged in the past and even the vengeful anger of her father. Even her father smacks her around a bit. And while I'm normally against violence at home someone should have smacked this kid around far more in her developing years. Crypt chick stealing the spells in hopes of finding someone to resurrect her, while this means that the story will be revisited it really did fit in with her character. I did like Raven being stopped by the ghosts of people who died from the same kind of fear she is inducing, believe me when I say this was the best use of ghosts that the comic will ever feature so I felt the need to mention it.

Low points: Dam you cover! DAM YOU! Do not promise to have skeleton man die when he doesn't even get badly injured, instead they do this fake out with Tarot's mum. In previous issues they have had Tarot using the cards to see that if her mum gets involved she will die. Not may die. Will die. And having an actual consequence of Ravens actions, like the death of her mother while trying to bring back her father would have some real character development, it would be poignant and just a strong way to leave the story arc but no. Mummy survives after saying what is one of the most ridiculous lines ever. 'I see it growing stronger every day' talking about the love between Tarot and John who met ONE DAY AGO! BAH! Anyway, I'll have to quickly sum up the other low points otherwise this review will be larger then the actual comic. TENTACLES!!!!! WITH MOUTHS TO RIP OFF CLOTHES AND EXPOSE MORE GOD DAM NIPPLES!!!!!

BOOK 5

FILLER!!!!! This issue features the vital importance of Tarots cat. Yes Tarots flying goblin cat is apparently important enough to have an issue focus on him. Where his mischief leads to him taking the tail off a dragon witches son. Can anyone guess what a dragon witch would look like? Yes that's right a dragon!... who turns into a naked women... Of course!

Highlights: I WANT A FLYING CAT!!!

Low points: It was really dull. I mean I'm use to Tarot being bad, but at the least it normally is attention grabbing. This was just, dull, I had to re-read it like three times to try and find a fav quote and I still couldn't. It was just that Meh!

Once upon a time... in modern America

Fables in one of the comics that I really have an odd fascination with. Re-imaging fairy tails has existed pretty much since the recognition of what a fairy tail is. That said I don't think I have ever seen one quiet like this.

Published by DC's Vertigo line and written by Bill Willingham Fables Legends in Exile has the characters of fairy tales living in New York city after their home town was ravaged by war and taken over by the evil 'adversary'. Thus having the fabled kind hide in plain sight in Modern New York, as such a fair portion of the book is dedicated to explaining the workings of this secret community, although it never feels bogged down or tedious. The rest is dedicated to the problems that fable community have that come with creatures of a mystical base. The first story arc features the murder of Ruby Rose, Snow White's sister. The sheriff of fable town, Bigby (the big bad wolf disguised in human form) is on the case, added or hindered by Snow White he sets out to find out what happens and several of our main characters are introduced. Aside from Snow White and Bigby we have the philandering Prince Charming, whose three ex-wives include Snow, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty. We have the bickering couple of Beauty and the Beast, who turns back into a beast whenever his wife is mad at him, and then a few supporting characters who in time get their own story arcs such as little boy blue and the pirate Blue Beard.

Lan Medina has a beautiful and detailed art style as the penciller which the sometimes gritty colour style and the dramatic inking complements well. While the art is beautiful it is really the writing and ideas that make this a stand out comic, at the risk of spoilers I'll leave proper descriptions out of the review. Suffice to say that if you enjoy wither the fantasy genre or real world political thriller you'll find a home here lovingly greeted with a large amount of wit.

A strong 8/10

DC Reboot

Comic fans it is so soon till the DC reboot I fear that should I not get my thoughts in quick then they shall be lost in a sea of whiny moany conversations where anybody with a blog can pretend to know what they are talking about and I wont be taken seriously... oh wait.

The reboot, like everything to do with comics has both good and bad parts, so I'll focus on the good first off, as one of my main problems with it will take up the bulk of this. I haven't been able to discuss the reboot with any of my comic friends as the three who are strongly into comics all read bloody marvel. One is obsessed with X-men, one with Spider man and than one with dear god anything that isn't DC! That said most of them have expressed interest in reading comics if they don't have to deal with all the continuity which even I find daunting. If the reboot succeeds in making new readers able to pic up the stories then that is a good thing, clearing up a few plot holes for old readers surly can't hurt ether. This however brings out the skeptic in me a little, how long will it truly be before the writers start to draw from things taken beyond the reboot and for the new continuity to become just as messed up.

Titles I'm excited about. Since I don't have the money/downloading/time to spend reading all the issues to the flashpoint event as they come out I've been restricting myself to a few select issues, such as The Knight of Vengeance or Frankenstein.

Frankenstein is one of my favorite characters of flashpoint, he's a very stoic, strong determined character. Who is incredibly noble and willing to kill which is a nice change of pace from the blood thirsty anti hero's who are a response to the 'hero's need to be darker' mentality as well as a change form the boy scout goody gods. You may think I'm attacking superman with that rant, but the supposed darker hero Batman also refuses to get his gloves dirty when so much could have been avoided had he shoved his batarang so far up the Jokers backside he would have coughed up sonics. That said I do love both Batman and Superman. Frankenstein enters the story after being frozen in ice... yeah ok, that's a bit overdone. But he then goes on to join the American forces against the Nazi menace and then beheads Hitler with the sword of the archangel Michael. I'm going to repeat that. Frankenstein beheads Hitler with the sword of the archangel Michael. And this is why I love comics. Once the three issue set is complete I'm planning a full review so more will come.

Knight of Vengeance is a nice twist on the batman origin, having young Bruce Wayne killed along with his mother and having Thomas Wayne survive instead. This leads to a darker Batman, one who will kill to achieve his ends, (see how I'm tying it all together). He's created a casino to draw the crime towards him and control it as well as privatising the police force. Whilst not as good as Frankenstein it is enjoyable and I plan to read the next 2 issues.

Now we look briefly at the problems, first is the issue I have with the reboot of Superman. They are removing the marriage to Lois Lane. Yes, I know that this will probably be rectified and they are doing it so fans can enjoy the romance build up again but the simple fact remains that we are probably going to have to deal with hundreds of issues where they fart around and tease with the prospect of getting together. I'm reminded of the Marvel One More Day, which exists solely because there are some people who don't believe that a superhero can be entertaining if they are happy in their marriage. Saying Superman and Lois Lane will never be together is equally as plausible as saying the sun will never rise, and preceding to try and run around the world in order to out run it.

Now we move onto mine, and many others largest problem with the DC Reboot. Oracle/Batgirl. Now I will freely admit I am new to comics and as such I only know Barbra Gordon through her role as Oracle during the Birds of Prey series. I have since gone back and read some Batgirl issues and of course the infamous killing joke in which she is shot in the spine by the joker and rendered paraplegic. At first glance this could have easily turned into another simple footnote on the webpage of Women in Refrigerators http://www.unheardtaunts.com/wir/ This was made even worse by the likability of Barbara who was popular, spunky and a very chipper character. Determined to follow the crime fighting of her dad commissioner Gordon but never becoming the sad figure of Batman who really just needs a hug and a mummy to tell him he's doing a good job (I honestly do like Batman!).

When a woman is killed or maimed in comics, or even in any entertainment form, it is usually purely for the purpose of emoting a response from the men she is associated with. And this is where Oracle became such an amazing character, she had suffered hardship but overcame them through the sheer force of will as well as the support of her friends; using her strength to then help Black Canary who had also been going through rough character times. See again W.I.R.

I almost feel bad trying to argue that Oracle should not regain the use of her legs, as though I am somehow taking a stab at people who are paraplegic in real life. I certainly don't think anyone who doesn't have the use of their legs should be denied the opportunity to regain it, however Barbara Gordon is not a real person; she is a figure in the entertainment industry and as such has the ability to be a role model. Aside from being a positive role model showing how someone physically challenged can still be a superhero she is a prime example of of sheer human strength. Not only that but her role as Oracle was far more valuable to DC universe than her as Batgirl.

I won't talk about the current Batgirl Stephanie Brown, as I haven't been reading her series but form what I understand after a rocky start she gained popularity and has settled comfortably into the role. Even getting the support of Barbara Gordon. Aside from her getting a bit of the shaft I'll go into the new series with as much as an open mind as I can, after all Gail Simone, the writer of two of my favourite series Birds of Prey and Secret Six has been given the project.

I'll finish this up with one more thing that I only discovered recently, they have also changed several costumes, some I like alright such as the WonderWoman or Supergirl outfits but they have changed Harley Quinn to look like some sexed up reject from Hot Topic who accidentally forgot which hair dye she was using halfway through. Needless to say I count this very strongly in the negative aspects of the reboot.