Bitch Planet, Danger Club, Darker Image

Bitch Planet 6-10

Found the second trade.  Read, didn’t buy. I liked it more than the first five issues.  Now that Meiko’s dead, Kelly Sue DeConnick gives us her origin story, which sets off the rest of the plot - Meiko’s father takes control of Bitch Planet, setting off a riot that allows Kamau to find both her sister and presumed dead President Eleanor Doane.  The trade ends with the assassination of the High Father. (New name for the president? Dunno.)

Things are happening, which is fun.  Women fight back against a shitty system, which is good.  I have no desire to own it, which is good for my wallet.

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice

Danger Club 1-8

I remember loving the first five issues when this first came out.  They told the story of all the sidekicks in the world coming together to save the world from the evil global leader after the disappearance of every one of their mentors.  It ended with their failure.

Then the series went on a two-year hiatus before returning for the final three issues.  In addition to not really remembering what happened before, I thought the title went completely off the rails - The plot had gone from a gritty struggle-against-all-odds superhero story to a weirdass fight against a cosmic ancient with the help of Greek gods.  It was complete letdown of my expectations, and disappointing ending to an amazing beginning.

The re-read is a lot kinder to the story.  The connection between the science of time travel and the magic of the supernatural Chronos makes more sense.  Most importantly, the plans, sacrifice, and ultimate victory of these teenage heroes feel earned and satisfying.  Their fight against overwhelming odds zips along at a breakneck pace, and I loved every second of it. Yeah, things get a little Akira-y with the blobby threat, bright flashes, and abrupt finish, but it works way better the second time around.  

The ending is as Asian parent as it gets.  And because we don’t know Red Vengeance the way we know Batman (his analogue), his terse statement of approval doesn’t have the tacit affection that it would have had coming from Bruce Wayne.  So it just comes across as cruelly brutal. Really really harsh.

What a dick.

The art is beautiful.  I love the clean art by Eric Jones and the fine lines in his inking.  Michael Drake on colors is just as important.

Also, Jones’ Rob Liefeld parody had me laughing for a full 30 seconds at its perfection.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Pretty good

Darker Image 1

This felt such a big deal when it came out.  It showcased the first appearances (I believe) of Maxx, Deathblow, and Bloodwulf!  It was polybagged with a trading card! Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld on art!

As with many Image titles, this four-issue mini-series didn’t make it past the first one.  Not that much of a loss, but I would have liked to see how the Deathblow story finished up.    

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Fine