Jonathan Edwards 7/18/18 Jonathan Edwards 7/18/18

Review: DC/Young Animal: Milk Wars

By Jonathan Edwards

DC/Young Animal: Milk Wars is a weird kind of crossover. I know, big surprise from the story about the extradimensional corporation Retonn weaponizing milk to “homogenize” the DCU. But, what I mean is, it’s not a dedicated five-issue miniseries, nor is it a five-part story taking place in single issues of the various books involved. Instead, it’s five separate one-shots, each pairing DC and Young Animal characters. Now, Grant Morrison did something similar with The Multiversity, but there, it directly ties into the narrative. Whereas, with Milk Wars, it’s a stylistic choice more than anything else. But, what makes it truly strange is the fact that two of the one-shots, Mother Panic/Batman Special #1and Shade the Changing Girl/Wonder Woman Special #1 have little to no impact on the plot. You could remove both of those issues and their respective characters, and the story literally wouldn’t change at all.

Kelly Gaines 2/21/18 Kelly Gaines 2/21/18

Review: Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye - Swamp Thing #1

By Kelly Gaines

I used to think I was incredibly lucky in terms of friendship. I’ve always believed myself to be one of those fortunate few who have an infallible support system of loving companions who tough out the bad times and make the good times shine brighter. Turns out, I don’t know shit about friendship. Real friends risk life and limb to fight for your cause. Real friends warn you when alien psychos are about to force you to wear khakis. Real friends live in your stomach until the time comes for you to vomit them up so together you can save the world. Swamp Thing is a real friend. Swamp Thing should do a TED Talk.

James Anders II 2/7/18 James Anders II 2/7/18

Review: Swamp Thing Winter Special #1

By James Anders II

In my lifelong love of the comic book medium, Swamp Thing has been one of my favorites. Ever since I picked up an issue of Saga of the Swamp Thing in the early 80s, I have forever been transfixed on the character and the series through all of the ups and downs of the story. I’ve been there for the good (Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, Nancy A. Collins, Brian K. Vaughn, Scott Snyder, Charles Soule). I’ve been through the bad (Andy Diggle, Joshua Dysart). I’ve been through the “meh” (Grant Morrison, Mark Millar, pre-fallout). And I’ve been through the ugly (Doug Wheeler, God bless him). Through it all, I have seen in Swampy the story of a man, a monster, life, death, and rebirth. Like the changes of the seasons, the Swamp Thing character has had periods of great life and growth, decline, and regrowth. It has all been very fitting for a character whose very essence is that of nature.

Jonathan Edwards 12/6/17 Jonathan Edwards 12/6/17

Review: DC Holiday Special 2017 #1

By Jonathan Edwards

It’s December, so that means ‘tis the season for holiday specials like this one, and ‘tis the season for starting reviews off with the phrase “’tis the season.” In the wake of Rebirth last year, I was looking forward to DC’s DC Rebirth Holiday Special #1. It seemed like a great way to celebrate the season and the overall success of the relaunch. Unfortunately, if my LCS had gotten any copies (I didn’t ask, but I’m sure they did), they’d sold out of them before I got there. This was also before I started reviewing for Comic Bastards (if only barely), so I didn’t have access to any review copies. Oh well, I told myself, and I figured it maybe wouldn’t have turned out to be that good of a read anyway. In retrospect, that seems like an unnecessarily sour attitude to take during the most wonderful time of the year. And, the best way I can think of to make up for that is to take an optimistic look at DC Holiday Special 2017 #1.