Written by: Kevin Reilly The Forever and ever and ever and ever Evil Recap #2: If you want to hang out, you’ve got to take her out, (Kryptonite) Cocaine

Hey guys! Welcome back to this, the rationalization of the least rational DC event in about six hours: Forever Evil. There isn’t a major issue and the tie-ins don’t start until next month so I’ve got some feedback, requests for clarification, and some points to think about as we continue with Villains’ Month:

-To answer probable questions: we never really saw the Justice League “die” in Justice League #23, nor do we really know where they are or what they’re doing. I assume that we’re not going to see hide nor hair of them until next month’s Justice League #24, which ties directly into Forever Evil.

-On an editorial note, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m really digging how a lot of the Villain’s Month stuff is tying in to the events of Forever Evil, even in the most minimal way. It brings cohesion to an otherwise jumbled mess of a comic book universe.

-Yes, boys and girls, Ultraman uses the moon to block the sun out.

-I’m beginning to notice a trend in books that don’t directly deal with the events in certain, other books. Everything in the tangential books- like Grundy, for example- feels kind of hurried, especially in comparison to Riddler.

VILLAIN’S MONTH MINI-REVIEWS!

ACTION COMICS #23.2: ZOD

A totally serviceable Zod story. For me, it just kind of sat there. Pak is a better writer than this or his equally serviceable Darkseid story from last week, and I hope to see the Greg Pak I fell in love with at Marvel and, hell, Batman/Superman, again soon. Pass

AQUAMAN #23.1: BLACK MANTA

EVENT TIE-IN! We see a bit more of Black Manta and Amanda Waller talking pre-attack on Belle Reve, not to mention the major events of last week’s Forever Evil #1 from a different, more interesting angle. Without spoiling too much, this is definitely a Buy, no question- especially if you’re looking to get more out of the event or you really, really like Aquaman. Oh, and this issue ends with possibly the best moment Geoff Johns has ever written since rebooting the DCU by a long shot, a moment of tragedy that not only hits hard for fans of his Aquaman run, but also reflects upon the inherent ridiculousness of Forever Evil #1. Y’know what? Fuck it. Read this book in any way you prefer, just make sure you’ve checked it out.

BATMAN #23.2: RIDDLER

Oooooh baby. The real Batman book of the month has returned! Scott Snyder puts the pause on his Zero Year storyline to give us a look at Edward Nygma, the man. We get the trademark Scott Snyder internal monologue this time delivered by the Riddler himself, a strange and really refreshing voice. I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s a really satisfying read. As with anything Snyder writes- especially when the Bat is even tangentially involved-BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY!

BATMAN AND ROBIN #23.2: COURT OF OWLS

Speaking of Scott Snyder, here’s his protege’s take on his own creation, the Court of Owls. James Tynion IV has been writing a very good book all about the Court of Owls, Talon, for some time. The dread is captured perfectly. Oh, also EVENT TIE-IN as it takes place not only as the Justice League is pronounced dead, but also during several key moments in Gotham’s history. I’m so glad some of these Batman books are worth recommending. Buy

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #23.2: MR. FREEZE

The second (relatively) stand-alone Mr. Freeze story in the New 52- the first being Scott Snyder’s brilliant Batman Annual from last year- continues on with the radical renovations introduced in that book. Palmiotti and Grey deliver an awesome script, and the pencils by Jason Masters provide a clean, particular look at a very particular person. Buy.

DETECTIVE COMICS #23.2: HARLEY QUINN

I’ve been talking to a lot of my friends lately- many of them feminists, some of them comic book fans- about Harley Quinn in particular. She’s become, in my eyes, this bizarre post-Juggalo object of desire for people who repulse this writer. Matt Kindt provides us with a pleasantly and surprisingly even-handed look at Dr. Quinzel. Like a few books this week, it’s a KIND OF TIE-IN as we see Harley at the meeting of the Secret Society, mulling over her release from the Suicide Squad. The first page is really all there is to see in terms of Forever Evil-related stuff, but fans of the Squad or crazed event completists should BUY because it apparently foreshadows Matt Kindt’s Suicide Squad event tie-in coming next month. But we’ll see about that!

EARTH 2 #15.2: SOLOMON GRUNDY

Speaking of Matt Kindt, he also gives us this look at Earth 2’s Solomon Grundy. An agent of the mythical element known as The Grey, Grundy spends the twenty pages running around and punching things. It’s a fun enough book which is rather disconnected from Earth-2, and if you like that book then by all means give it a shot. Borrow otherwise.

FLASH #23.2: REVERSE FLASH

The Flash is a book that has been almost too good for the last two years. Even in an issue where nothing really happens, Manapul, Buccellato and the various interloping guest illustrators have brought a unique look, feel, and storyline to a book that could have been so much less. The layouts of two-page spreads bring a dynamism and innovation that is otherwise absent from most DC books. Here, Scott Hepburn steps in on an absolutely fantastic-looking issue. Buccellato’s colors, as always, unify the book in an absolutely brilliant way.

If you BUY one Flash book this month, make it this one. If you’ve never bought an issue of The Flash before, this is the one to check out.

GREEN LANTERN #23.2: MONGUL

We get a very concise solo story starring Mongul and his War World here that is neither bad enough to justify a rant nor good enough to justify overwhelming raves. It’s frustrating to write about. If you really, really like Mongul that much (and nobody who this book is marketed towards should), then I’d recommend beyond the Borrow that I’m giving this book. Otherwise, y’know.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #23.2: LOBO

Oh, Lobo. I don’t have any marriage towards Lobo in sentiment, outside of his appearances in Grant Morrison’s surreal space adventures in the pages of 52. Scott Snyder protege Marguerite Bennett is our writer here, with her second single-issue piece for DC, following last month’s quite good Batman Annual #2.  Borrow.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7.2: KILLER FROST

This book is really boring. I’m a huge fan of Sterling Gates’ work on DC Comics: The New 52! Presents The Justice League of America’s Vibe, so I expected big things. However, what we’ve got here is yet another alright-I-guess, serviceable origin story. If you like Firestorm, I guess I could recommend it. However, with a heavy heart, I pass.

SUPERMAN #23.2: BRAINIAC

Tony Bedard brings us a story starring one of my personal favorite Superman villains, Brainiac. It’s… yet another origin story that feels rushed and is kind of crappy. Pass.