Ratings and Rantings

Hey everyone, Jason Todd here with another edition your that weekly sensation known as Ratings and Rantings. Before we get underway I want to apologize for mistakenly listing Gotham City Sirens for this week's reviews, as I decided to just wait and pick it up next week at the beginning of the new arc. The bad thing is that only leaves us with three reviews for this week's R&R. So, now that that's been addressed, let's see what this week has to offer, starting off with the Aquawar in Brightest Day!

Brightest Day #19

We kick things off with a confused Deadman, screaming at his ring over what he's done to the Hawks. He asks why it did what it did, and the ring says it's a part of the plan. The ring says that Nekron's recent return has caused contamination of the Earth, and the corruption will soon rise in the form of a new evil  to rise in the Star City forest that the ring created. It then notes that the forest holds the key to Earth's salvation. I notes that the twelve people returned to life have a role in saving the world, and how some have completely their goals and bought more time. It also notes that Hawkgirl, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter and Firestorm are unique and how they were brought back to overcome what held them back in life, whatever that means. It claims that Hawkman and Hawkgirl completed their goals and purified their life forces, and they must be purified to keep the earth safe. We then see Aquaman and Jackson swimming past hungry sharks, as Arthur mentions how out of wack his powers have been since his return to the land of the living. Jackson then asks if Arthur is going to forgive Mera, but Arthur avoids the question. After talking a bit longer and heading to fight Mera's people, they discover their too late, as Siryn and her people wage war on Aquaman, Aqualad and a beach full of innocent civilians. The Aquamen try to defend the many beach-goers, but when Siryn distracts Aquaman by claiming that she's killed Mera, Black Manta appears out of nowhere and slices off Aquaman's hand. Damn Arthur, again?! The issue ends with Aquaman clutching where his hand should be as Manta gets ready to go for the kill. Well... this was... something. The explanation the ring gave was pretty lame, and Aquaman getting his hand cut off AGAIN annoys me so much that it makes no sense. I don't get why that would ever seem like a good idea, let alone a second time. I'll give this issue a 3/10.

Black Manta: What are you crying about, Aquaman? You should be used to that.

Batman Beyond #2

We kick things off with Batman confronting the futuristic JLA as they try to recklessly break into the mall where many hostage's, including Terry's mother and brother are being held by a disgruntled man who used to work for the JLA. When they tell him to stand aside, Terry delivers a perfect Batman-esque "You're in my city, you play by my rules." line that was so good even Bruce complimented him on it. Bruce then walks Terry through what he needs to do to take down the JLA, to which Terry follows to a "T" and takes down the entire JLA single-handedly for a while, until he let's his emotions get the best of him, and is frozen by Aquagirl, who can apparently freeze people, meaning in the future, Mr. Freeze and Captain Cold will be very obsolete. Meanwhile in the Mall, Terry's mom and some other people try to talk down the evil Mr. Jatts, and of course some idiots end up dead after trying to sneak attack him. Back with Batman, a little help and guidance from Bruce frees Terry, which leads to him attacking the JLA again, but he soon realizes that he'll be fighting the JLA to a stalemate for hours so surrenders. He tells them he has loved one's at stake, and will help if they follow his instructions, and the JLA agrees. When they ask what Bats' plan is, Bats says he plans on using the Green Lantern, but GL isn't fully powered due to being concussed since Batman laid him out during his attack on the JLA. Oops! Back in the station, Jatt's starts to focus on his powers, and surprisingly that makes them work better. Who would've thunk it?! Concentration equals Competence. Meanwhile, The JLA and Batman discover an old subway entrance into the mall, as Bruce warns Batman just how powerful Jatts can be with these powers at his disposal, and how quickly he needs to be taking down. This issue ends as Batman and The JLA go to confront Jatts, who seems to have figured out what kind of power he now wields. This was a solid issue, perfectly acceptable and not a bad read. It wasn't amazing but it kept my interest and made me interested in the next issue, which is all I ask. I'll give this issue a 7/10.

Batman: You're out of bounds. My City. My Problem. (Yep, he's Batman alright!)

Amazing Spider-Man #653

We pick things up with our neighborhood Spider-Man going after John Jameson to rescue him, and being confronted by the new and hopefully improved Scorpion. Meanwhile the other two Jameson men, Sr. and Senior are being pursued by the drones, I guess you could call them? Well, that's what I'm calling them anyway. Spidey, who doesn't even seem surprised that Mac Attack is no longer rocking the Black suit and is now back as his original namesake. Spidey tries to web up the Scorpion but his web's don't shoot due to them being so high in the air, or something of that nature. Spidey comes up with a plan and calls the Avengers for help but Squirrel Girl answers the pho...wait.. WHAT?! Squirrel Girl?! I'm reading a comic that has Squirrel Girl in it? Oh dear God... what have I gotten myself into? Anyway, Spidey asks for her to send someone else, someone that has usefulness, but of course she manages to be an idiot and leave Spidey hanging, no pun intended. Spidey then decides to use Scorpion's power against him to break into the rocket so he can save the distressed astronauts. Meanwhile, Peter's boss, Max Modell, is trying to figure out a way to help as well, and realizes that Peter is missing, much like he was when Spidey fought Hobgoblin. Oh yeah Max, you're a genius, figure it out buddy! The Astronauts are saved, but surprisingly enough it's due to actions by Doctor Octopus, who's moreso using this as a distraction to keep him out of mind than actually helping. Meanwhile, Spidey is hurdling towards earth after falling free of the rocket when he's grabbed by Scorpion, who plans on using the Amazing Spider-Man to absorb the impact when they hit the ground. Surprisingly Spidey is saved by Ms. Marvel who decks Scorpion into the ground. Spidey, Ms. Marvel, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Jewel protect the two older Jameson's until Peter remembers that Jameson's wife Marla is with his Aunt May, so Spidey, along with The Thing, Mockingbird head to go save them while Jewel and Ms. Marvel go to the Daily Bugle to protect Robbie and the DP Crew. This issue ends soon after as Peter Parker is confronted by Max Modell, about him, and Spider-Man. This was another good issue of Amazing Spider-Man. Of course Spidey will find a way to keep his identity a secret and save the day, but I can't wait to see how. I'll give this issue a 8/10.

Ms. Marvel: I have eyeball on package... and tango.

Squirrel Girl: I... I have no idea what you're saying. Is that fancy army talk?

And that's it for me Todd Squad, after only three reviews I'm all done for this week's Ratings and Rantings. I'll be back next week with more comics, more reviews, and a new poll. Sadly I don't have an idea for a poll this week so I'm gonna take a break and recharge my polling batteries, if anyone wants to submit a poll, feel free. Until next time, I'm your friendly neighborhood Blogger-Man, Jason Todd, signing off.

Next Time on Ratings and Rantings

Batgirl #18, Batman and Robin #20, Birds of Prey #9, Justice League Generation Lost #19, Red Robin #20 and Amazing Spider-Man #654