Review: DC Comics Bombshells Volume 1 - Enlisted

With World War II in full swing, government bigwig Amanda Waller puts together an elite squad of untapped resources – women – to contribute to the war effort. Dubbed the Bombshells, these incredible heroines are sent behind enemy lines in order to undermine the Nazi regime.

DC Comics Bombshells Volume 1: Enlisted collects issues 1-6 of DC Comics Bombshells, written by Marguerite Bennett and with art by Marguerite Sauvage, Laura Braga, Ming Doyle, and various others.

Based off of the popular DC Collectibles line of statues, DC Comics Bombshells re-imagines the iconic women of the DC Universe as World War II era heroines. While the statues were quite obviously created to superficially portray them as little more than sexy 1940s style pin-up girls, the world that Marguerite Bennett and her artists build in this series is nothing short of brilliant. Bennett takes cues from the statues – such as initially portraying Batwoman as a baseball player – and manages to create something wholly unique in the process.

Enlisted largely serves as an origin story for the Bombshells. It introduces each member individually, but focuses primarily on the narratives of Batwoman, Wonder Woman and Supergirl. Batwoman, as mentioned previously, is portrayed as a baseball player who spends her nights combatting crime as a masked vigilante. She is one of the first to be recruited by Amanda Waller and is tasked with venturing to Europe in order to rendezvous with Contessa Selina DiGatti (the DC Comics Bombshells version of Catwoman).  Bennett writes a wonderfully layered Batwoman, examining her relationship with Maggie Sawyer and utilizes her as an almost James Bond-esque kind of a figure within the narrative. Standout moments include her banter with Selina, as well as the gorgeously drawn vignettes of Kate’s time with Maggie prior to her enlistment (Marguerite Sauvage is a total artistic goddess!). Wonder Woman, perhaps as a result of already being a World War II era creation, is left largely unchanged within this universe. Her story plays out much the same – Steve Trevor lands on the Amazons’ island and Diana going off to fight bad guys in Man’s World. What is different here is the inclusion of Mera as Diana’s closest friend and the Amazons seem even more disconnected than usual. Finally, we have Supergirl – who crash-landed in Russia rather than America. Kara, along with her adoptive sister Kortni, enroll in the Night Witches program. When she is discovered to have superpowers, she and Korti become the Russian heroes Supergirl and Stargirl. It’s a fascinating twist, particularly since it allows readers the opportunity to see beyond the American or British involvement in the Second World War. Bennett clearly shows that she’s done her research in that respect. I also love that she seems to reference Justice League Unlimited (or at the very least Justice League United) by linking Supergirl and Stargirl in this way.

I thoroughly enjoyed Enlisted. Its focus on the women of the DC Universe is great, but it’s ultimately the world that Bennett and her artists build that drew me in. I found myself curious as to how she’d re-imagine each Bombshell and seeing how she’d take inspiration from their statues. For instance, Zatanna is a cabaret performer in Berlin who works under duress due to her Jewish-Romani heritage. Bennett also rather hilariously works in Constantine being turned into a rabbit (a rather prominent feature of Zatanna’s Bombshells statue). Beyond that, the dialogue is a major strong point of this series. Bennett really captures the punchy way in which we often envision this era, which creates a constant electric interplay between the characters and injects the book with some rather clever (and often queer) double-entendres and subtexts.

DC Comics Bombshells is fairly unusual as a series for quite a few reasons. It’s outside of the main canon, it’s set in an imagined past and it has a high rotation of artists. That last point is somewhat contentious, as it invites quite a bit of inconsistency in terms of quality. Some artists, unfortunately, aren’t as good as others in this collection and it ends up taking away from the overall aesthetic of the world being built around these characters. That said, I absolutely adore the sheer amount of female talent that explodes out of this book. Bennett is joined by a host of ridiculously talented female artists and, if anything, it ends up proving that badass female artists are not as hard to come by as the industry pretends they are. Marguerite Sauvage handles the art chores in the first issue and totally knocks it out of the park. Her style is very fresh and cute. It seems strange, but I’m also in awe of how she draws hair. Another favourite of mine is Mirka Andolfo, who brings us the art for Harley Quinn’s section of the book. Her style is extremely expressive and vibrant. She’s a perfect match for the zany Harley. Then there’s Bilquis Evely, who is primarily responsible for the Supergirl and Stargirl sections. Her aesthetic is sketchier, but there’s a quality to it that seems to mimic the setting in which those sections are set. Other standouts include MLSanapo and Laura Braga, both of whom get to draw Wonder Woman. Their style is much more traditional in its approach to comic book art.

Aside from the inconsistency in quality brought on by rotating artists, I could not find or admit to a single flaw in DC Comics Bombshells. I love the direction, tone, and dialogue present in this title. Bennett creates an absolutely fascinating world of whimsy and wonder, which is further brimming with a pop art sensibility thanks to its talented artistic creators. There’s also a welcome sense of gravity to it, as Bennett further explores the harsher realities of World War II since some of the book’s characters are Jewish (notably Batwoman and Zatanna) and since a queer character is placed at the forefront (again, Batwoman). As someone who fits squarely into an LGBTQ+ readership, Bennett and DC Comics Bombshells itself offer a sense of both representation and of normalcy amidst such a turbulent setting. In essence, this is the book we need and deserve. DC Comics Bombshells Volume 1: Enlisted is quite possibly one of the best comic book trades I’ve read in a good long while! It’s a must-read for sure!

RATING: A+

Review: Suicide Squad Volume 5 - Walled In

During the Crime Syndicate’s takeover of the Earth, the most dangerous villains are freed from their prisons in hopes of unleashing anarchy on the world. With the members of Task Force X free from her purview, Amanda Waller must find a way of bringing them back into the fold in order to defeat the Thinker.

Suicide Squad Volume 5: Walled In collects Suicide Squad #24-30 and Suicide Squad: Amanda Waller #1, written by Matt Kindt and Sean Ryan.

This collection functions as a pseudo tie-in to Forever Evil. The plot of that event has bled over into the lives of the Suicide Squad, creating a slight jump in the overall flow of their narrative. It’s jarring and makes the title far less accessible than it previously had been. Readers unfamiliar with Forever Evil are likely to be confused as to what’s going on and even those who are may be displeased with the direction taken with the Squad. Harley and co have been freed from Belle Reve, while Amanda Waller is stuck in the prison she formerly ran. It’s an inversion of roles, but is done haphazardly as a result of Forever Evil imposing its status quo onto the DC Universe at large.

Overall, Walled In is a bit of a chore to read. Its narrative hinges on two teams converging on Belle Reve with the intention of defeating O.M.A.C., a powerful cyborg that the Crime Syndicate has turned into a weapon. What’s really cool about this arc is that we see Power Girl and Steel teaming up to help in the effort to stop O.M.A.C. Power Girl in particular is a standout in this volume, as her snarky personality and aggression on the battlefield give her a unique presence amongst the other characters. King Shark is another memorable character, whose development is rather notable. We finally get his origin (which is tragic, I might add), cementing my growing affection for his character. Sadly, Power Girl and King Shark are pretty much the only good things about this volume. Harley Quinn oddly fades into the background, Deadshot continues to be unremarkable and the rest of the cast is kind of blah. 

This particular volume acts as the final note in the Suicide Squad saga that started with Adam Glass at the helm in 2011. As such, Walled In provides zero closure and almost no character development. It closes on something of a cliffhanger, which is obviously intended to be the lead-in to the New Suicide Squad title. It’s recommended to those who have stuck with the series, but isn’t an essential read to anyone looking for some Suicide Squad fun.

RATING: C-

Review: Suicide Squad Volume 4 - Discipline and Punish

After a disastrous rescue mission, the Suicide Squad return to Belle Reve battered and fractured. Little time is left for them to recover as they’re forced back into the field with a new, mysterious leader. If that weren’t enough, Amanda Waller finds herself inextricably allied with the sociopath James Gordon Jr.

Suicide Squad Volume 4: Discipline and Punish collects Suicide Squad #20-23, along with the Harley Quinn and Deadshot Villains Month tie-ins.

Discipline and Punish is a fast-paced action romp that pushes its characters to their limits. This collection is fairly short, with the bulk of its content being pulled from four issues of Suicide Squad. However, writer Ales Kot makes the most of it. Kot keeps the cast small and writes each character with a very distinct voice. The addition of Batgirl’s psychotic brother to the cast was completely unexpected and provides an interesting twist to the overall dynamic of the book. He functions as Amanda Waller’s devoted right-hand, which is both weird and fascinating all at the same time. Of course, there’s no denying Harley is still the star of the book. Her continued interactions with Deadshot, as well as a scene involving her dealing with a faux-Joker, serve as standouts for her character. Her dialogue is on point and there’s this persistent sense that she could betray the team at any given moment.

Another character I’ve grown to like in this series is King Shark. He started out as a one-dimensional aggressive tank in earlier collections, but Kot is finally exploring the inner psyche of this would-be villain. There’s a child-like innocence to him, as well as an intelligence that Waller prefers for him not to exhibit. On the flipside of this there’s Deadshot. Like King Shark, he’s been developed further and is still obviously intended to be one of the books mainstays. Unfortunately, I just can’t bring myself to care for this version of the character.

The Villains Month tie-ins for Harley and Deadshot that were collected in this volume are of an inferior quality to the main series. They function awkwardly as half-baked origin stories, supplemented with contextualization for where both characters are siding in the events of Forever Evil. Harley’s story is predictably the better of the two. We’re given a glimpse into her childhood, seeing that academics were the only way for her to escape from the dysfunction that surrounded her. In the cons column, the events of the issue do clash slightly with the origin we were given in the first volume of Suicide Squad and her mass murder of children seemed a little over-the-top even for her. Deadshot’s one-shot, meanwhile, was wholly unremarkable and lacked any developments that would endear the character to me.

I would cite this volume as being a turning point in my affection for the New 52’s Suicide Squad. Under previous writer Adam Glass’ pen, the series functioned as “Harley Quinn and a bunch of random D-list characters I could care less about.” However, the continued feverish pacing of the title and the eventual development of the rest of the main cast made it a must-read. It’s a fun book that never takes itself too seriously, like a big budget blockbuster that knows it’s absurd and unbelievable. 

RATING: B+

Review: Suicide Squad Volume 3 - Death is for Suckers

When the Joker re-emerges after being presumed dead, he seeks out his one-time partner-in-crime Harley Quinn to help him in his quest to destroy the Batman Family. There’s just one problem – Harley is no longer a willing participant in his twisted games. He turns against her, but soon discovers she’s more than capable of taking care of herself.

Then, the Suicide Squad is charged with rescuing a person from Amanda Waller’s past. This once again brings them into conflict with the maniacal Regulus.

Suicide Squad Volume 3: Death is for Suckers collects Suicide Squad #14-19, written by Adam Glass and illustrated by Henrik Jonsson and Sandu Florea.

Glass smartly plays to his strengths, which means he places a lot of emphasis on Harley Quinn in this trade and the results are incredibly satisfying. This volume could easily be called “The Emancipation of Harley Quinn,” due to its decided progression and development of her character from comic sidekick to independent woman. Unlike many other writers have in the past, Glass portrays Harley as no longer entranced by the Joker and as someone who is actively making an effort to be autonomous. He does this by isolating her from the Squad and shows that she’s capable of handling the Joker all on her own when she returns to Belle Reve alive. Further attention is paid to her in combat situations, where she kicks tons of ass. If it wasn’t obvious already in the preceding trades of this series, Harley Quinn is the real star of Suicide Squad.

Thankfully, the other characters are starting to grow on me as well. Notably, I find myself particularly intrigued by and interested in King Shark. Glass is deliberately mum on his backstory, but hints at there being a tortured and intelligent mind behind the villain’s aggressive façade. He also gives us a little bit more of a tease with regards to Deadshot’s past and starts to portray him as a little bit more self-serving (finally!). The character he develops most though is Yo-Yo, a total random who I’m certain very few people cared to know more about. It seems like he’s intended to be the team’s Rag Doll, but isn’t quite as twisted or humorous. Sadly, El Diablo is largely excluded from the action in this collection. He was one of the more interesting characters, so it’s a little disappointing to see him left out.

On the whole, Death is for Suckers is a vast improvement over the previous trade. It’s exciting, it’s fast-paced and it’s much more focused on developing its cast. Interestingly, the book actually benefits from being tied into the “Death of the Family” storyline that otherwise derailed most of the other books. The art is also considerably more consistent. All in all, this collection is worth the read especially if you’re a Harley Quinn fan.

Rating: B+

Review: Suicide Squad Volume 2 - Basilisk Rising

Having apprehended Harley Quinn after her escape from Belle Reve, the Suicide Squad is in shambles. Harley’s betrayal plus the certainty of another traitor in their midst has increased tensions within the team. Yet, they must work as a cohesive unit in order to infiltrate and take down the villainous cult known as Basilisk. Can they get along long enough to defeat the nefarious Regulus?

Suicide Squad Volume 2: Basilisk Rising collects Suicide Squad #8-13 and 0 and Resurrection Man #9, written by Adam Glass and with additional writing by Andy Lanning and Dan Abnett.

This collection begins with a crossover with Resurrection Man, assisted by fan-favourite scribes Lanning and Abnett. The Squad are tasked with bringing in the aforementioned Resurrection Man, but are intercepted by another party who are charged with taking him down. This two-parter is largely unnecessary and comes across as filler, giving the impression that it was created if only to give Harley time to recover from her injuries sustained during “The Hunt for Harley Quinn.” Even still, there’s a suggestion that Waller’s motives in apprehending Resurrection Man have further implications down the line. Regardless, the crossover fell flat.

The bulk of Basilisk Rising deals with the Squad’s fight against Regulus and his organization Basilisk. This storyline takes the team abroad, where the traitor finally makes his move and thereby nearly destroying the Squad and Amanda Waller in the process. It’s very G.I. Joe-ish (Basilisk = Cobra), which creates a problem tonally. It’s evident that the Squad is meant to be something akin to Gail Simone’s Secret Six, but with a twist of militarism thrust in. Glass is still valiantly trying to make us care for these characters, but they continue to lack the depth necessary for keeping the readers’ interest during an otherwise unremarkable story arc. I want to like these characters, but find that I’m not given enough to really invest in them. Glass could have killed off Deadshot, El Diablo, King Shark and Black Spider, and I probably would have welcomed their replacements with general ambivalence. There are exceptions though – Amanda Waller and Harley Quinn.

Harley is the real star of Suicide Squad. She’s funny and unpredictable, which makes her far more interesting than her more dour teammates. After the events of the preceding trade, it’s also suggested that Harley has two distinct personalities – the villainous Harley Quinn and the more upstanding Dr. Harleen Quinzel. This allows the character to waffle between zany and sharply observant. Truth be told, the issues without her full presence are a bit torturous. Similarly, Amanda Waller carries a presence that’s exciting for readers. She’s a total badass and is not one to be trifled with. You never know what she’ll say or do next, so it makes her all the more fascinating. Of course, it also helps that Glass elaborates on her past as this allows the reader to understand her and sympathize with her more.

Taken at face value, Basilisk Rising is a run-of-the-mill book about a secret paramilitary force that goes on James Bond-esque missions for a shadowy organization. The story leaves a lot to be desired, as does the character development. The frustrating thing, however, is that there’s so much potential with this book. Glass does a great job with Harley and Amanda, while the concept of Basilisk was really cool. The real problem it seems is that Glass doesn’t do enough showing. He hints at events from the characters’ pasts, but doesn’t elaborate on them. After 13 issues, he needed to show us something. We can’t care for characters if they’re all forced into generic roles with bland dialogue. Harley stands out because she’s so amusing and because we got to see her origin play out in the last trade.

Rating: C+

Review: Suicide Squad Volume 1 - Kicked in the Teeth

When a techno organic virus breaks out during a football game, the shadowy (and entirely expendable) Suicide Squad are sent in to contain the outbreak and retrieve the antidote. Things go awry after members of the Squad are killed and injured, prompting a messy clean-up and a change in plans. Then, Harley Quinn orchestrates a prison riot to mask her escape from Belle Reve in order to learn the truth about the Joker’s apparent demise.

Suicide Squad Volume 1: Kicked in the Teeth collects Suicide Squad #1-7, written by Adam Glass and illustrated by Federico Dallocchio and Clayton Henry.

When DC Comics launched their New 52 initiative in 2011, they had cancelled the beloved Secret Six – a quirky and dark Gail Simone-penned book about a ragtag team of former villains turned mercenaries – and seemingly hoped to fill its spot by reviving the Suicide Squad. With a roster boasting Secret Six mainstay Deadshot and Batman baddie Harley Quinn, this new team promised to be punchier and more colourful than it had ever been. Indeed, Glass’ relaunch of the Squad is showier and louder than the more procedural series that preceded it written by John Ostrander. The characters are darker, snarkier and there’s a distinctive lack of heroic figures to balance things out. This time around, it’s all about the villains.

There are quite a few characters to keep track of in these first seven issues – Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Black Spider, Captain Boomerang, El Diablo, and King Shark, to name a few. However, Glass places most of the emphasis on developing Deadshot, Harley and El Diablo to varying results. Deadshot fails to be as interesting as he was when Simone was writing him in Secret Six. He’s not quite as coarse or vulgar, which largely results in him seeming cold and detached. El Diablo fares better, particularly due to the morally conflicted nature of his character. This makes it easy to empathize with him and gives him a more humanistic appeal. The real star though is Harley Quinn. She steals every scene whenever she opens her mouth due to her integral role as the comedic relief. There’s also a dark side to her character and she’s the most unpredictable of the bunch. Her revised origin also makes it far easier to understand and sympathize with her. Unfortunately, the shallow portrayals of everyone else makes it hard to care for this cast and so the reader is less likely to have an emotional reaction when something bad happens to them.

The action this volume is relentless. It’s brutal, gory and non-stop. Glass never allows his characters any rest, which helps to amplify the drama and heighten the tension. The viciousness of the events of this collection are further emphasized by the vibrant and flashy artwork. This gives the book a darkly grotesque appeal that serves as a distinction from other mainstream titles that play it a little more safely. That said, action and art aren’t enough to make a great book. Narrative and character development are crucial to maintaining an interested audience for long periods of time. Sadly, Glass does not consistently do that here.

I thoroughly enjoyed Suicide Squad, but it lacked that “It” factor. Perhaps it was due to the constant revolving door of guest stars or the inconsistent development of its main cast. One thing is for certain though – the storylines weren’t unique or enthralling enough. The zombie outbreak at the onset felt a little too trendy, while a prison riot is really nothing new. The hook-up between Harley Quinn and Deadshot was another point of contention. It felt contrived and awkward, so it’s really no surprise that quite a few were unhappy with this interaction being jammed into the narrative. 

Even still, there was a turning point where the story became much more captivating and that was during the two-part “The Hunt for Harley Quinn.” In this story, the Squad is deployed to Gotham City where they are tasked with bringing Harley in dead or alive after she goes rogue. Interspersed with these scenes are flashback sequences detailing Harley's revised origin story for the New 52 continuity. Glass takes a darker and far more aggressive approach to the character's background, where she's significantly more autonomous and violent prior to even donning her iconic red and black duds. In essence, she's less of Joker's put-upon child-like sidekick and more like his equally as psychotic partner. That said, it would have been better had she had a more protective costume and if the book's artists weren't so fond of showing off her ivory figure at every possible chance they were given.

Comparatively speaking, Suicide Squad fails to fill the shoes of its spiritual predecessor Secret Six. It’s brash and exciting, but lacks the heart and quirkiness that made the latter so addictive. Overall, Kicked in the Teeth is hit-and-miss in terms of quality. It’s a fun read, but it’s far from being worthy of any critical acclaim. There are definitely some great things about this book and there are some not-so-great things about this book. About half the cast is interesting and have the capability to really grab the readers’ attention, while the other half is just kind of there. The narrative is jam-packed with pulse-pounding action, but is also indistinct and lacks originality. The glimmering beacon at the end of this is the incredible potential present in this book – particularly when it comes to the portrayal Harley Quinn, El Diablo’s origins and the mysterious Basilisk organization. Thankfully, the positive shift in quality happens towards the end. This suggests growth within the title, implying that the best is yet to come. For anyone looking for a primer to this summer’s big screen adaptation of Suicide Squad, this trade is probably the best place to start.

RATING: B-

Review: Harley Quinn Volume 1 - Hot in the City

Having inherited a building on Coney Island from a fellow Arkham Asylum inmate, Harley Quinn and her pet beaver soon discover that life isn’t so easy out in the real world. With taxes and bills to pay, Harley attempts to stay on the straight and narrow by taking on two jobs to keep herself afloat. All appears to be going well for her until assassins start showing up at her doorstep after a pricy hit is placed on her red and blue head. With the help of her girlfriend Poison Ivy and her new tenants, Harley hopes to uncover the identity of her anonymous foe.

Harley Quinn Volume 1: Hot in the City collects Harley Quinn #0-8, written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti with art by Chad Hardin and Stephane Roux.

Harley Quinn is one of the funniest, quirkiest, cutest and most creative books to come out in a long time. Its goofy tone and its overall absurdity makes it an incredibly fun read. After seeing a darker and more earnest take on the character in Suicide Squad, Conner and Palmiotti take the character back to her roots by injected some much-needed tongue-in-cheek humour into Harley’s life. They take a similar approach as they had done alongside writer Justin Gray when they launched the beloved Power Girl book way back in 2009. Both titular heroines took a stab at leading a normal life, nabbing a 9-to-5 job, only to find that no hero (or villain in this case) can ever escape their past. Where Power Girl explored a brighter side of the DC Universe with its comedy, Harley Quinn takes a decidedly zanier and more macabre approach to its humour. And it works – extremely well.

Part of what makes Harley Quinn such an enjoyable read is that its creative team understands the lead character and her audience. Absolutely nothing is ever taken seriously and the narrative is consistently pushed to as silly a place as it can be without seeming too ridiculous. From Harley’s “talking” pet stuffed beaver to the heavy-handed homoerotic innuendo between Harley and Ivy, the humour that Conner and Palmiotti exert is nothing short of brilliant. It’s clever and witty, but also immature when it needs to be. Just like Harley. This is further amplified by the beautifully animated art by Hardin and Roux. Hardin, who pencils the majority of the issues collected here, plays up the often outlandish situations Harley finds herself in (and the outrageous things she does) by utilizing over-the-top expressions and compositions. Of course, it certainly helps that the colours are so punchy and the characters themselves look so gorgeous.

Harley gets up to a lot of hijinks in these eight initial issues. In one story, she and Ivy team up to rescue shelter animals before they can be euthanized. In another, she kidnaps a suburban family with the purpose of lecturing them on never going to see their (grand)mother in the retirement facility she’s working in. Harley naturally goes to extremes to accomplish her goals, but what is so fascinating is that there’s nobility in a lot of what she does. She’s a highly reactionary individual, but is typically set off by an injustice of some kind. We see that there’s a heart beneath her wacky exterior. She cares for the people in her life and she has a sincere love for animals. This adds layering to a character who is alternately depicted as eye candy or comic relief.

Some of the best moments in this collection occur when Harley and Ivy are teamed up together. Conner and Palmiotti nail the dynamic between them, with the chemistry and dialogue being consistently on point. The affection both characters have for one another is touching and the mutual understanding of who they are gives them a bond that is incomparable in the realm of comic book villainy. The lesbian jokes are plenty, but are done playfully and only serve to emphasize the surprisingly healthy relationship that exists between these two strong females. My only issue is that Ivy isn’t in every issue!

For anyone who grew up watching Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn is the book for you. It matches the tone of the character as she was originally conceived, but is adjusted to reflect the age the series’ original audience is today. It’s fresh, modern and thoroughly amusing. The art is consistently stunning and is incredibly expressive, which matches the extremely high quality of the writing by Conner and Palmiotti. This collection really illustrates why it’s no surprise as to why Harley Quinn has been such a hit for DC Comics thus far. 

Rating: A

Review: Injustice - Gods Among Us Vol. 2

As Superman's crusade to end terror picks up traction, the world's greatest heroes flock to his side in a show of support for his aggressive stance against supervillains. But not everyone is happy with the Man of Steel's new initiative. 

Batman and a small group of insurgents are eager to undermine Superman's efforts. They're willing to do whatever it takes to make him see the error in his ways, but can only do so if Batman lays all his cards on the table. Can the famously secretive Dark Knight let them in?

In this volume, Tom Taylor continues his electric run on this comic book prequel to the best-selling video game Injustice: Gods Among Us, delivering action galore and plenty of character development. 

Tragically, some of the issues I had in the first volume are still present. He fails to understand the complexities of Wonder Woman's character and paints her as a manipulative Lady Macbeth, who pushes Superman towards villainy. Her thirst for violence is sure to make any Wonder Woman fan uncomfortable. This is not the Diana we all know and love. By the end of this volume, you're left only with antipathy towards her.

Comparatively speaking, it's much easier to understand why and how Superman is turning towards despotism. He's lost so much and is fearful of losing what little he has left. Taylor takes the time to flesh out his character and, for better or worse, it's necessary for Superman to play the role of the antagonist. The same cannot be said for Wonder Woman.

Despite my rather low opinion of Taylor's treatment of Wonder Woman, I must say that he's spot-on with just about everything else. While the story itself owes a lot to Kingdom Come, it's his knack for writing compelling dialogue that makes reading Injustice: Gods Among Us so exciting. 

The scenes between Batman and Catwoman are among some of the best in this collection, as they show a tender side to both the Dark Knight and the Feline Fatale. Catwoman may be a thief, but being heroic seems to come naturally to her. As such, it's truly fascinating to see her in a role where she is essentially Batman's righthand. It's a clever juxtaposition, as Taylor posits her and Batman as the doubles for Superman and Wonder Woman. What's especially brilliant is how the former typically represent the darkness, whereas the latter represent the light, but it's reversed in this particular story.

However, the real scene stealers in Injustice are Green Arrow and Black Canary. Their banter is sheer perfection. It's funny, it's sexy, it's playful and it's totally on point for this pairing. While I may not be the biggest fan of them as a couple, Taylor really makes me love them here. Black Canary never takes Green Arrow too seriously and consistently keeps him on his toes, something which adds a punch of colour to an otherwise ominously dark storyline. 

Beyond all of that, they also serve a very special function. They are a couple we can invest in and relate to, thus becoming the emotional core of this particular part in the narrative. They get caught in the crosshairs in the battle between Batman and Superman, which ultimately leads to a shocking (not so shocking if you played the game) and gut-wrenching death. Taylor writes this so beautifully and tragically that you can't help but feel moved by it.

As much as I'd like to criticize Injustice: Gods Among Us for its characterization of Wonder Woman, it's hard for me not to get sucked into the overall story. Taylor expertly crafts a compelling narrative that elicits an emotional response from his readers. Yes, Superman and Wonder Woman are incredibly arrogant and are completely unlikeable, but that only makes it that much more satisfying when they finally get their comeuppance. The ultimate battle between Batman and Superman makes all of the nitpicks melt away, especially given the surprise twist at the end. 

Injustice: Gods Among Us is like a good popcorn blockbuster. It's action-packed, full of incredible fight scenes and enough explosions to put a Michael Bay movie to shame, but it's got a heart and soul that will keep readers invested.

Rating: B+

Review: Injustice - Gods Among Us Vol. 1

When the Joker manipulates Superman into murdering his wife Lois Lane and their unborn child, the Man of Steel vows to rid the world of villainy for good. This quest leads Superman astray as he veers away from heroism and towards tyranny, while his one-time ally Batman builds a rebellion to stop him.

Injustice: Gods Among Us chronicles the events leading up to the bestselling video game of the same name. Written by Tom Taylor, this collection caters to both fans of the seminal fighting game and of the comics.

When Injustice: Gods Among Us hit shelves in the spring of 2013, it opened to rave reviews and proved that DC Comics' pantheon of superheroes make for compelling video game fighters. The narrative used in the games explored a reality where Superman goes off the rails and becomes the dictatorial ruler of Earth. Sadly, this plot is not unfamiliar to longtime fans. We've seen it before in the cartoon Justice League, with the character Ultraman and it also borrowed from the iconic Kingdom Come. That's why it must have been a daunting task for Tom Taylor to come along and write a compelling story that doesn't feel reductive of what's been done before.

While the individual elements of the story may not be wholly original, Taylor's emotional approach to the material gives the reader the ability to sympathize with the characters. The death of Lois Lane and the destruction of Metropolis hits Superman hard, so hard that it should be enough to affect the reader. It's not difficult to feel the same emotions Superman is feeling, particularly his rage towards the Joker. That's why his murder of the Joker is both terrifying and satisfying. We're seeing the degradation of Superman through an event that many have called for over the years. After all, how many have died at the hands of the Joker? This is what makes Taylor's writing so compelling. He's determined to lead with characterization and works well within the themes woven into the material.

While it's easy to sympathize with Superman, Taylor's approach to all of the characters isn't as worthy of praise. His characterization of Wonder Woman as a hyper-aggressive bloodthirsty warrior who seems eager to push Superman towards tyranny is as confusing as it is distasteful. Fans of the Amazing Amazon will be left scratching their head and wondering why such a usually pleasant heroine is now a hair's width away from being a supervillain. She is perhaps at her most unlikeable during a sequence in which she attacks Aquaman (mostly) unprovoked.

Wonder Woman is not the only flaw in Taylor's writing. There are a lot of characters present and not all of them add something extra to the story. The Justice League come across as fairly generic as they mindlessly go along with Superman's plans, though Taylor does eventually redeem himself with the Flash during a rather memorable sequence in which he realizes what's gone wrong. At the same time, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't actually pretty great to see cameos from characters that never appeared in the games. Notably, we see Cheetah, Batwoman, Black Lightning, Huntress and Black Canary.

Injustice: Gods Among Us is just as much about the degradation of Superman as it is about how some of Earth's heroes rise to the occasion of fighting oppression, even when that oppression comes from Earth's greatest heroes. It should be no surprise that Batman is posited as the hero of the story, but what is surprising is just how well Catwoman comes across. Her dialogue with Superman points out some serious flaws with his view on crime, while her alliance with Batman is handled really well. Another character that Taylor helped to shine was Harley Quinn. Though she does very little within the narrative, her dialogue is punchy and zany, which is perfect for her persona.

For fans of Injustice: Gods Among Us, this collection will be a treat as it fills in the blanks rather well when it comes to what is left out during the game's story mode. Taylor's writing is on point, despite his questionable characterization of Wonder Woman, and the art is gorgeous at its most consistent. Even those with only a little working knowledge of these characters will be able to follow the story, making this graphic novel extremely accessible to newer readers, especially those who are only familiar with DC Comics' adaptations.

RATING: B+

Top 10: Greatest Women of DC Comics

In 1941, DC Comics revolutionized the world of comic books when they introduced the very first female superhero -- Wonder Woman. After her triumphant debut in the pages of Sensation Comics, Wonder Woman became a hit amongst readers and she would go on to inspire the creation of countless other superheroines.

Consequently, DC Comics has remained dedicated to promoting their heroines by placing them in the spotlight and giving them the chance to shine through a plethora of ongoing solo series.

This article focuses on the ten greatest women of DC Comics as chosen through The Women of the DC Universe Poll.

10. Huntress

Real Name: Helena Wayne (I), Helena Bertinelli (II)
First Appearance: All Star Comics #69 1979 (Wayne), The Huntress Vol. #1 1989 (Bertinelli), Huntress Vol. 3 #1 2011 (The New 52)
Special Abilities: Archery, Martial Arts, Marksmanship

On the alternate Earth known as Earth-Two, Helena Wayne was the only daughter of Batman and Catwoman. By day she was an unassuming attorney, but at night she was the costumed vigilante known as the Huntress. Motivated to take up crimefighting after the tragic death of her mother, Huntress used her keen sense of morality and killer aim to dish out her own brand of justice.

Following the soft reboot of the DC Universe in the mid-1980s, Huntress was revamped as Helena Bertinelli. As the heiress to a mafia dynasty, Helena was the sole survivor of a massacre that all but eradicated the Bertinelli family. Vowing vengeance, Helena took on the mantle of the Huntress to destroy the mafia.

As one of DC Comics' most enduring heroines, Huntress has become a modern icon and fan-favorite who has gone on to headline several mini-series. She has also been a key member of the beloved Birds of Prey comic and has been adapted into such hit series as Justice League Unlimited, Batman: The Brave & The Bold and Arrow.

09. Starfire

Real Name: Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran
First Appearance: DC Comics Presents #26 1980 (Classic), Red Hood & The Outlaws #1 2011 (The New 52)
Special Abilities: Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Durability, Energy Projection, Flight

Princess Koriand'r was the youngest daughter of the royal family of the planet Tamaran. During a conflict with a neighbouring planet, she was used as a bargaining chip to reach an agreement. After years in captivity, Koriand'r escaped her imprisonment and fled to Earth where she became the superheroine known as Starfire.

As one of the new characters introduced in Marv Wolfman and George Perez's seminal The New Teen Titans, Starfire's free-spirited nature and Amazon-like appearance made her an instant hit. Despite this, the character wouldn't really reach A-list status until she was adapted for the children's cartoon Teen Titans. While this adaptation made her a household name, it also created a lot of misconceptions about her due to the extreme liberties they took with her. Regardless, Starfire is currently the sole female member of the Outlaws and is more powerful and independent than she's ever been.

08. Power Girl

Real Name: Kara Zor-El

First Appearance: All-Star Comics #58 1976 (Classic), Mister Terrific #1 2011 (The New 52)

Special Abilities: Heat Vision, Super Hearing, Enhanced Vision, Flight, Invulnerability, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Super-Breath

As Superman's cousin from another reality, Kara Zor-El found herself stranded in a strange land. Never one to be comfortable in the shadow of her more famous relative, she would go on to blaze a trail for herself as the brash and bodacious heroine known as Power Girl.

Perhaps best known for her controversial cut-out costume, Power Girl has established herself as both a sex symbol and problematic feminist character. Despite the divisive nature of her physical appearance, she continues to be a fan-favourite due to her sassy personality and relatable persona. Whether she's debuting cutting edge technology as the CEO of Starr Industries or chilling at home watching horror movies, Power Girl has readers hooked.

07. Supergirl

Real Name: Kara Zor-El

First Appearance: Action Comics Vol. 1 #252 1959 (Classic), Supergirl Vol. 6 #1 2011 (The New 52)

Special Abilities: Heat Vision, Super Hearing, Enhanced Vision, Flight, Invulnerability, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Super-Breath

After years of believing himself to be the only survivor of Krypton's destruction, Superman discovered that one other Kryptonian had survived when his cousin Kara Zor-El crash landed on Earth. Bearing the familiar S-shield, Kara proved herself as the champion Supergirl through a series of trials and has established herself as one of Earth's greatest heroes.

As one of the earliest examples of a female version of a prominent male hero, Supergirl set the standard for plucky teen heroines. Her popularity led towards her headlining the pages of Adventure Comics, as well as several self-titled ongoing series. While her origins may have fluctuated over the years, Supergirl's status as an icon is undeniable and has only been further bolstered by her appearances in Superman: The Animated Series and Smallville, not to mention a planned live-action series based off of her adventures.

06. Zatanna

Real Name: Zatanna Zatara
First Appearance: Hawkman Vol. 1 #4 1964 (Classic), Justice League Dark #1 2011 (The New 52)
Special Abilities: Sorcery via spells spoken backwards

As the only daughter of the legendary magician Giovanni Zatara, Zatanna followed in her father's footsteps and became a popular stage magician. Her mystical abilities also led her down the path of heroism, using her unique talents to investigate magical mysteries and fight crime as a member of the Justice League.

Despite being one of the most prominent female members of the Justice League, Zatanna was inexplicably relegated to the fringes of the DC Universe for decades. Due to her appearances in Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited and Smallville, as well as her role in the controversial limited series Identity Crisis, interest in the character was renewed. This increased recognizability helped establish her as an A-lister, leading towards her critically-acclaimed self-titled ongoing series and membership within Justice League Dark.

05. Catwoman

Real Name: Selina Kyle
First Appearance: Batman Vol. 1 #1 1940 (Classic), Catwoman Vol. 4 #1 2011 (The New 52)
Special Abilities: Acrobatics, Thievery, Martial Artist

Orphaned at a young age, Selina Kyle turned to thievery to survive on the streets. She perfected her craft by stealing from the rich, using these spoils to lead a new life as a pampered socialite. Inspired by her affection for cats and the vigilante known as Batman, Selina donned a catsuit and became the master thief Catwoman. A constant thorn in Batman's side, Catwoman has been both the Dark Knight's foe and ally.

Debuting a full year before Wonder Woman, Selina Kyle began her career as The Cat. From these humble beginnings, she would go on to become Batman's most prominent female antagonist. Earning the moniker of the feline fatale, her enigmatic persona and undeniable sex appeal made her a favourite amongst readers. Multiple incarnations and adaptations later, she has earned the right to be considered a true comic book legend.

04. Harley Quinn

Real Name: Dr. Harleen Quinzel

First Appearance: Batman: Harley Quinn 1999 (Classic), Suicide Squad Vol. 4 #1 2011 (The New 52)

Special Abilities: Psychology, Gymnastics

Once an ambitious young psychiatrist, Harleen Quinzel sought to establish a name for herself by helping to rehabilitate the sociopathic Joker. Persuaded by his lies and manipulations, Quinzel fell for the villain and gave up her life to become his costumed associate Harley Quinn. Harley's toxic relationship with the Joker wouldn't last, encouraging her to strike out on her own and becoming a key member of the Suicide Squad.

Originally created for the beloved Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn won audiences over with her hilarious antics and quirky persona. Her popularity saw her official introduction into the comics, where she's become one of DC Comics' most prominent villains. She has since gone on to become a modern icon thanks to appearances in video games like Batman: Arkham Asylum and Injustice: Gods Among Us, as well as her roles in television adaptations like Birds of Prey and The Batman. If that weren't enough, she's also set to be one of the leads in the upcoming Suicide Squad film.

03. Black Canary

Real Name: Dinah Lance

First Appearance: Flash Comics Vol. 1 #86 1947 (Classic), Birds of Prey Vol. 3 #1 2011 (The New 52)

Special Abilities: Canary Cry, Master Martial Artist

Trained from a young age in the ways of hand-to-hand combat, the heroine known as Black Canary has used the combined might of her fists and distinctive sonic scream to fight crime as a vigilante. As the field leader of the Birds of Prey, she has taken down terrorists and supervillains alike.

As one of DC Comics' earliest heroines, Black Canary has kicked more collective ass than most other superheroes (male or female). She's been a member of the Justice League, the Justice Society and has led the various incarnations of the Birds of Prey for nearly three decades. She's also become a favourite amongst casual fans due to her numerous appearances in adaptations, some of which include Justice League Unlimited, Smallville, Batman: The Brave & The Bold, Young Justice and Arrow. This is one birdie you can't keep down.

02. Batgirl

Real Name: Barbara Gordon
First Appearance: Detective Comics Vol. 1 #359 1967 (Classic), Batgirl Vol. 4 #1 2011 (The New 52)
Special Abilities: Martial Arts, Eidetic Memory

Inspired by the exploits of Batman, Barbara Gordon donned the mantle of Batgirl in pursuit of bringing peace and justice to the streets of Gotham City. Though she was crippled for several years by the Joker, Barbara recovered and resumed her career as the thrill-seeking Batgirl.

Barbara Gordon is easily one of DC Comics' most inspirational and recognizable feminist heroes. Whether swinging from rooftops as Batgirl or hacking sophisticated computer systems as Oracle, she has proven herself to be an independent woman who is the equal of her male contemporaries. From her iconic portrayal in the live-action Batman series to more recent incarnations in Batman: The New Adventures, The Batman and Young Justice, Batgirl continues to be a household name whose exuberance and spunky personality have earned her a devoted fanbase. 

01. Wonder Woman

Real Name: Princess Diana of Themyscira

First Appearance: All-Star Comics #8 1941 (Classic), Wonder Woman Vol. 4 #1 2011 (The New 52)

Special Abilities: Superhuman Strength, Durability, Speed, Reflexes, Agility and Stamina, Flight, Enhanced Healing Factor, Master Hand-to-Hand Combatant

As the daughter of the Queen of the Amazons, Princess Diana left her island home to fight for truth and love in "Man's World" as the costumed heroine Wonder Woman. Known for her compassion and strong sense of morality, Wonder Woman believes wholeheartedly in equality and works tirelessly to promote world peace.

There's no disputing that Wonder Woman is the most iconic superheroine of all-time. Her impact is undeniable, having inspired the creation of countless others over the years. She has proven that women can be taken seriously as heroes and that they can be just as captivating as their male counterparts (if not more so). Her recognizable star-spangled costume and her unique accessories make for an instantly iconic look, while her ideals have endeared her towards the LGBTQ and feminist communities. It's no wonder she's number one.