A terrific synthesis of a tightly written and engrossing Mission Impossible-type one-shot story with gorgeous art makes Catwoman #9 a must-read.

All together this book is presenting another mystery that I can't wait to see unfold. What is the secret behind Olive's family? Who is the creature that attacked Tristan? And whats up with all the firestarting. I don't know but I am looking forward to next month to find out more.

Ok, ok, I know that I am a total Gotham Academy fanboy, it is my favorite comic book on the shelves. The Yearbook issues were creative but didn't have the moody art of the regular book. The Lumberjanes effort is fun, but doesn't have the beauty and relationship building we have here. Even the last issue lacked the interplay between the Detective Club characters. It isn't any one of these elements that I love so much, but the combination that works so well. I am so happy to have Gotham Academy back and in full form I am going to give the issue a half Batarang boost in my rating from last month.

It should be no secret to anyone who has read any of my Gotham Academy reviews that I love this title. It is a creepy old school with mysteries and secrets, this is my wheelhouse. There are still a few problems with this story arc, primarily the sidelining of the relationship between Olive and Maps. However, I am very hopeful that with Olive's personal, or should I say personality, problems that Maps will emerge to be her savior. In past reviews I have discussed the theory that Amy wasn't really ‘there' (as pointed out by fellow TBU comic reviewer, Ian Miller) but this was done in an even more interesting way than I had expected. I recommend this comic, though this issue isn't the best jumping on point.

Seeing Olive, in her perfectly straight plaid skirt and knee socks, standing over a downed Batman gave me quite a chuckle. When Olive disappears from Batman's lasso, Pomeline looks at Bats and says ‘No! Shes gone' but I imagined that she followed by saying to him ‘…you idiot.' A fantasy perhaps, but that shows you how wrapped up I am in these characters and this story. If you are a fan of magic, mystery, and undying friendship I recommend this book to you wholeheartedly.

Some of the characters have an almost Mort Drucker look to them, which serves the tone of this book very well.

I know that, as a HQ and a HST fan, I am a ridiculous bulls eye for the target market for this book. However, I really appreciated Conner and Palmiotti's writing so I am going to give it a stupid good rating. I understand that someone who isn't in my demographic might not appreciate the gags like I did. But if you are a person with the right kind of eyes willing to follow these crazy ladies on a great shark hunt, I highly recommend you buy the issue and take the ride.

While I'm not a Bombshells reader, this story makes that world seem like a wild ride. I really enjoyed this trip to the past. I would give this issue a good rating, but there is one tiny detail that gives it a slight bump. The Bombshells wait for the signal to attack the castle on the rooftop of Dar Cooke Haus. A closeup of the team repeats a portion of the name Dar Cooke a reference to the late great Darwyn Cooke known for such classic comics as The New Frontier and Trail of the Catwoman. Reminding me of one of my favorite creators is worth at least half a Batarang in my book.

As I have said in my past reviews for the Little Black Book series, this is my favorite Harley book out there. The additional month or two the creative team takes with each issues shows in the high quality of every aspect of the issue. The $4.99 cover price might turn some off, but at 38 story pages, it was worth it for me.

I have been waiting a while for this team up and I am not disappointed. I'm a big Gotham Academy fan and love to see DC, and Boom, expanding their appeal with team ups like this. I do have to say that I miss the GA art style. A crossover the opposite way, with the Lumberjanes coming to Gotham Academy would be something to look forward to.

In past reviews I was holding back on a high rating for this title, but I enjoy the way the story has progressed and I love the art so I am going to go higher. If you havent been reading it, I recommend you give it a look.

Mother Panic maneuvers through a very dark Gotham City to try to rescue her mother in Arkham Asylum. She meets potential friends and enemies in a story that feels like it has high stakes. But someone is going to have to do something about that Fennec Fox.

I am really enjoying this mini. The second issue was a bit of a drop off for me but since then the book has been getting better and better. I am going to give this issue a very high ranking mostly because I believe that Amy Chu's characterization of Ivy is becoming very strong. I am starting to understand her character in a way I never have before. Also, for as disturbing as the story is there is a lot of humor here which I really appreciate. I'm not a fan of grimdark comics and this book strikes a fine balance. Also, Selina plays off of Ivy in a way that allows Ivy's personality to shine. When Ivy is paired with Harley Quinn the dynamic tends to diminish Ivy but here she is allowed to…uh, flower.

I am completely taken by this mini. Ivy has emerged to be a very interesting character and now that the sporelings are coming into their own I just want to see more of them all. I'm worried about what will happen to the girls in the final issue. I would love a monthly book about Ivy and her children and I hope they aren't killed off to wrap up the continuity. I can't help but think about stories with Aunties Harley and Selina visiting periodically. As I find myself thinking about these things I realize how effective this mini has been. I'm giving this issue a 4.5 rather than a full 5 Batarangs but if the final issue is this good I'd be inclined to give a perfect score. I highly recommend this miniseries.

I have completely enjoyed this miniseries, so am going to give it high marks. It only misses a top score because of the inconsistent art, but even so I strongly recommend these books. I only hope that, with the ending left open, that we see more of Ivy and her Sporelings soon.

Maybe I'm just happily surprised at how much I enjoyed this comic, but I am going to rate it pretty highly. Oh, and if you could explain the disappearing mime panel in the comments below I'd appreciate it.

Overall, if I wasn't reviewing this title I would still want to be reading it.Barbara Gordon gets into trouble. The stakes are high and writer Mairghread Scotts Batgirl has my attention.

Mairghread Scott is giving us a Barbara Gordon that is in deep trouble but keeps fighting for good. Combined with the efforts of a solid artistic team Batgirl #27 is a terrific read.

This is a better than solid story arc by writer Scott with attractive art. I am thoroughly enjoying this title and look forward to the next installment.

Mairghread Scott and teams first arc of their Batgirl run comes to a successful conclusion. It has been an engaging story that looks at Babs relationship with her father and the threat of physical issues ahead. This mystery explores many interesting facets of Barbaras character and has solid action sequences.

Batgirl starts up a new story arc which shows her dealing with her relationship with her father, and political shenanigans. I am enjoying this run of Batgirl very much and will continue to rate it highly.

Barbara Gordon investigates murders that lead her to her serial killer brother James. This is an effective, creepy adventure among insane people with Batgirl solving copycat crimes.

Because the nature of this book is basically a one shot character tale, it is a perfect jump on point for new readers. If you have had any interest in any of these characters or like your super hero stories with strong interpersonal interaction, I recommend you take a look at Batgirl and the Birds of Prey series. Highly recommended.

The Manslaughter arc of Batgirl and the Birds of Prey comes to an exciting end as Gotham's female heroes work together to defeat a deadly virus killing Gotham's men. Poster-worthy art abounds. Recommended.

The stakes are getting raised in this story as things begin to get personal for Helena. Solid plotting and art combine to make a terrific book that deserves better attention than it is getting.

Although this is a totally solid series I recognize that it lacks the gravitas and complex characters and storytelling that are the hallmarks of truly great modern comics. For that reason I am not giving it top marks. But as a tongue in cheek joyride through my childhood I can heartily recommend this book.

I have been critical of this book in the past and have at times given it weak ratings when it has missed the nostalgia mark. The storyline here is par for the course but I am going to give it a very good ranking for its well thought out references to 50's and 60's television and the terrific artwork.

My Take: It is no secret that I love the Batman '66 franchise. So far, this arc is the best of the ‘Meets' sequence. The story is totally solid up to this point. I also love Ra's and Talia as they make complex and compelling villains. But the best part about this issue in particular was the inclusion of Catwoman. I am a Bruce/Selina shipper and it was heartwarming to see Batman so sure of her innate goodness. They are two people naturally drawn to each other, but whose natures make a true relationship impossible. This story arc has been good for a third issue now so I am ready to goose the rating.

I have been rating this series well and I am going to continue to. Though, I wish Ra's wasnt such a jerk to leave Talia behind.

We have one more special in the Batman '66 line ahead, so we aren't totally at the end of the franchise, but this feels like a sweet goodbye. In my opinion it is the best of the Batman '66 Meets series. I can enthusiastically recommend this title to anyone who has the same connection to the old characters that I do.

The standout part of this story, though, is the conflict that the Phantom King sets up for Superman. As mentioned in the book, it is a very Joker-like problem for Superman to solve giving him only very bad choices with which to save the Earth. Superman overcomes his personal qualms about attacking his own family and only through this and the typically ruthless intervention of Batman the Phantom King is overcome.

All in all, this is a very exciting and well constructed book. I'm looking forward to June to see where the story is going to go from here.

Also, the story seems to be heating up and you can really feel the tight spot Selina is getting herself into. The world here feels wide and well thought out finally so I am hopeful that this book is on the right track.

The art by Messina, Carlucci and Loughridge is surreal and unexpectedly realistic in a Ralph Bashki kind of way. Not exactly my favorite style as it is a little scratchy for my taste. But many of the backgrounds and the shadowing give the story an eerie quality that serve the menacing storyline very well.

I rated the last few issues of Catwoman pretty highly and will continue this month. The story is solid if not my cup of tea. I know that many people really love Valentine's Catwoman run and I enjoy the book but because I'm not so much of a gangland story fan I can't really get too excited. However, it is solid Selina so I get why people enjoy it so much.

While I'm normally not a Catwoman fan I am really enjoying Tieri's run so far. It is somehow brighter and more enjoyable that the previous arc, which I know many people really liked, but was a little dour for me. I prefer a wittier and engaging Selina rather than the tense and weighed down version of the character. Don't get me wrong, the stakes are high at the end of every issue here, but it is fun seeing Selina banter with Tesla and make short work of Riddler. I am going to give this issue high marks even just for the color work on the last three pages. I said it above and I'll say it again, the colors are lovelyand while I typically read Catwoman digitally I am planning to purchase the paper copy just to see if it is as beautiful.

I am enjoying Frank Tieris run with Catwoman and I will be sad to see it disappear once Rebirth begins. I dont know much about the False Face Society so I dont know how interesting they are. I do like stories that deal in the mysterious and hidden history of Gotham so that puts this tale right in my wheelhouse. The more color work I see by Eva De La Cruz the more I appreciate her aesthetic. She can control the tone of the story and keep things changing and moving forward in a way that I really enjoy. I hope that this arc gets a chance to be fully realized so we can give Catwoman the sendoff that she deserves.

We get a compelling look into Selina and her sisters lives and learn more about how they ended up with the relationship they have. Selinas presence gets Maggie into more trouble.

My rating for this issue cant helpbut beinfluenced by what I think has been asuccessfulstory. I am liking this run of Catwoman so far and look forward to what is coming. Joelle Jones first Catwoman arc comes to a satisfying conclusion as Selina shows her claws as well as her heart.

The art is effective and clearly tells the complicated story. The final panel with Harley in full insanity mode is very well done. It is simple and stunning and one of my favorite pieces of art in the past few months. Now I am really looking forward to next month's battle.

Also in this comic is a preview for the upcoming Section Eight series. I think it was a smart idea to include it with Harley Quinn as both have the same zany characters and dialogue. There wasn't really much of a story to relate, it was mostly just an introduction to the ‘heroes'. I look forward to trying out the new book.

Also, I found it strange that Batman hung around Wayne Castle in Inishtree centuries ago. Gotham Academy is supposed to be in continuity so I did a little research and found that in World's Finest Vol 1 #225 from October 1974 “Superman and Batman go to Castle Wayne in Inishtree Scotland to investigate a rumor of possessed children with great powers”.Ok, fair enough. I wasn't able to dig up that issue to verify the details but well done to the writing team for uncovering that nugget.

Because I love this book so much I am going to be a little more critical ofit than I normally would be. Even with the relatively low score I'm giving this issue it is one of the best books on the newstands.

Last month I rated the book lower than usual for the monster of the week quality of the stories, but this month with the tale back in full swing I am going to boost the score. I highly recommend this issue.

I am not going to even pretend that I am able to be objective about Gotham Academy. Gotham Academy is my favorite comic book and I am very happy it has returned. I am not going to over do my rating here as I think this comic will get even better. Yes, because I love this book so much I grade it on a curve which isn't really fair, but that's how it goes. If you like your mysteries classically spooky with a team of heroes that are committed to each other, you are going to enjoy Gotham Academy very much.

I am enjoying Gotham Academy Second Semester very much. Month in and month out it has been a high point of my comics reading. I love the characters and the beauty of the art. Also, the whole setting of a creepy boarding school is right up my alley. I am going to resist rating it too high because I know this book isn't what everyone likes in a comic, but if you like quiet and creepy supernatural stories this one is for you.

If you have read any of my Gotham Academy reviews before you will know that I am a huge fan of this series. This issue doesn't disappoint. It strikes a wonderfully creepy note with one of my favorite settings the haunted carnival. I strongly recommend this issue particularly to first time Gotham Academy readers since it is a single issue story.

I am not going to pretend to be objective in my rating. I am going to ding the score a little because of the couple of narrative missteps, but it still has my full recommendation. I love this book and if you like stories about spooky old schools, vengeful spirits and witchery, I think you will love it too.

I am going to give this issue a good rating because, for all the books problems, it is my absolute favorite by a lot and I'm just an idiot that way.

I don't want this to be the end of Gotham Academy, whether it gets another comic, an animated TV show, or a live action CW series I don't care. I am not ready for this to be the end of this terrific story.

The good news is that we have a new adventure cooking, Harley will be going to LA to rescue the kidnapped girl. Hopefully this will shake up the status quo which has been a little stale since Convergence. I wonder if the gang will come west with her or will the comic abandon them. I hope they go with because I'd like to see Harley with a well developed team of sidekicks rather than just using the Gang as an on again off again plot device.

I'm going to rate this comic pretty highly, maybe more than it deserves but I'm a fan and that's just like my opinion man.

I liked this issue and I also liked the whole storyline so I am going to give it a good rating. I'm a little worried about what is up next for Harley. Will she go back to her reduced Gang or have some more solo adventures? If she goes back to Coney Island they need to get the Gang working better which I'm sure Conner and Palmiotti can figure out. Here's hoping.

I am not going to even pretend to be objective about my rating for this issue. I don't like Harley together with Joker and it was very satisfying to me seeing her lay a beat down on him. I much prefer the relationship she has with Ivy and we got a very good slice of that here. I thoroughly enjoyed this issue and look forward to what looks to be a remaking of Harley's look. Hopefully she won't get skanked up but we will have to wait and see.

I was slightly disappointed by the previous installment of HQ because I thought that Red Tool's feelings for Harley kind of came out of nowhere. Since that was already established last time I was able to orient myself into the plot and really enjoyed it. As I said above, I liked seeing Red Tool's affection for Harley. Her response to his overtures was predictably wary but then she began to warm up to him. The relationship arc was very satisfying, I hope we see more of Red Tool in issues to come.

For my rating, the first time I read through this issue I had every intention of giving it low marks. The plot was scattered and confusing. The side activities seemed pointless. The ending didn't resolve in any substantial way. However, after looking more closely at this issue I found more and more to like. There is a full page with Harley and Mr. Woodson that is positively joyful. And as a Poison Ivy fan, I loved the closeness between the two compromised heroes. The closer I looked and more I read the more I liked the issue.

Overall, this issue gives me hope for a solid mini-series. By the end of the series I want to see at least one or two of the Gang members really blossom into well drawn characters which has been my main criticism of HQ book since the Gang was started. They all are ethnically different, and now have different costumes which are fine, but I want to hear individual voices by the time we are done. This is a good start though and I am looking forward to more.

I have been a little hard on the past few issues so I'm going to be a little lenient on this one. The story is moving along very nicely. I've given up on having the Gang members develop as individual characters. Once I let that go, I've been able to enjoy the story more. My favorite page is the nearly full page of Sinn's island hideout. There are lurid reds on top of a dark wine sea full of danger. Looks like a cool place to hang out.

I haven't been too high on this mini, or the Harley Gang in general, but this issue finally succeeds in breaking out one of the Gang which is just what was needed. Harlem Harley steps out from among the pack to be a singular character and leader of the team when Harley Q isn't around. When HQ finally tells the Gang that they ‘done good' I felt the same way myself. Coach was always going to be a particular character as was Harvey Quinn because of their physical uniqueness. However, Harlem has finally emerged as a smart and capable individual among the other Harleys. So, while this issue wasn't as good as some other books out there, I am going to be lenient on it because of this.

The more this mini went on, the more I enjoyed it. I have criticized this and the regular Harley book for not developing the side characters, but that is no longer such a big problem. Big Tony in particular is developing into one of my favorite characters in comics, not only in this mini but the other Harley titles. The one thing that was somewhat of a letdown was the fact that Joker is involved at the end. I am not a Harley and Joker fan so I am not looking forward to future Joker/Sinn team ups. But I understand that (other) people do like him.

As a Harley fan I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series, full of smart dialogue and irreverent situations. I am hoping that Harley's main book can find a relationship as effective as this one between Harley and Power Girl. It really ties the room together.

In terms of a rating it is hard for me to separate this issue from the series as a whole so I'm not going to try. As much as I like the regular Harley Quinn book generally, I liked this mini even more since the plotting and characterizations were more vivid and purposeful. Also, the color work in this series was very very good. Congratulations to the team that wrote this book.

This aside this issue is a joyful cross country dash with all the fun we have come to expect from Conner and Palmiotti. The art has been done by a number of artists, primarily Bret Blevins who makes the ladies look gorgeous. The peyote sequence is by Flaviano Armentaro. Pasquale Qualand and Jed Dougherty also lend a hand.

As for my rating, I have been a little hard on some of the Harley titles recently. With Conner and Palmiotti working on so many Harley titles I've felt that some of the writing was losing its zip. This issue however gets Harley back in top form with naughty humor full of pop culture reference. I am hopeful that now that they have completed Harley Quinn and Power Girl that they will be able to team Harley up with new characters and see what kinds of trouble she can get into.

As anyone that has read my reviews knows, I'm a Harley fan and as such really enjoyed this issue. I've never been a big fan of Zatanna, probably due to her nonsensical outfit, but I really enjoyed her character here. The Little Black Book series shows Harley interacting with other members of the DC universe and they are taking a warm, lighthearted approach to it. I was initially afraid that the other superheroes would shun Harley because of her annoying personality, but in each issue they warm up to her which makes it a very satisfying read.

I love the Harley's Little Black Book series and think it has had the highest quality of any of the Harley titles. This is the last of the run and I'm sad to see it go. I do recommend this issue even though the $4.99 cover price may deter some.

I am not sure, though, if Lumberjanes fans will understand what is going on here. Olive's firestarter powers haven't been discussed as far as I remember in this mini and I could understand if folks are confused by all the fire everywhere and what it means for the next issue. However, because this issue features my favorite comic book relationship, Olive and Maps, I am going to rate it pretty highly. It is just the breakout event I have been waiting for in this team up.

All in all this is an excellent start to the series. I am going to ding the rating a bit for the confusing fight sequences but I expect that this is just the beginning of a very interesting comic. I look forward to more adventures with Midnighter.

If you like your heroes to feel like real people even if they are a little crazy and enjoy seeing some challenging and groundbreaking art you are going to love Midnighter #3.

I have enjoyed this and all the previous issues of this book but have held back on giving a high rating so I could see how things progressed. At this point the book has sustained five issues of strong plot and character development with two different, successful artistic approaches along with two different story lines. I am ready to crank things up a little as the team has earned some trust. I recommend that mature readers pick up this title, as I would be reading it even if I weren't reviewing it.

In a grimy future Gotham, Violet Page struggles to put her life back together with danger lurking all around her and her accidental family.

I am going to give this a very good rating because of the story and characterization of Ivy here, but also because I think the mini-series shows great promise.

I am going to give this issue a good rating but I'm going to hold back a bit because I suspect future issues are going to need some room to grow. Secret Six is turning into one of my favorite books published now and I look forward to the future.

Batgirl teams up with her father, Commissioner Gordon and the two solve a crime together in an emotionally satisfying one-shot story.

A good story that puts Batgirl in real danger but also shows us a Barbara Gordon revisiting people from her past.

A well thought out issue of Batgirl trying to overcome a mind control weapon. She uses different tactics and plays against type to break free of her mental prison.

Solid first outing for the title in the post-Larson Batgirl. There are a few places that could be improved alongside some terrific elements. But overall a good book.

This book is a number of short stories that serve to show the emotional state of Barbara Gordon. Also, a story arc is set in motion.

Batgirl continues the story arc which shows her dealing with Gotham City politics. This second issue raises more questions than it answers as the mystery of who is behind Cormorant develops.

A solid second arc of this creative teams Batgirl series. It is a decent political thriller with an uncompelling villain but looks to be just the start of a larger story.

Although I am concerned that there are too many characters to tell this story efficiently, I figure that it will focus on Batgirl and the Birds, but I hope we get a few classic nuggets from the other teams. Because of the terrific progress of the story I am inclined to forgive the problematic portions of the story. I absolutely want to see where this is going, but I will hold off on getting too crazy with my rating until I see more.

I am very glad that I got back onto this title, this is a book I look forward to reading. I typically dislike big team up stories like this but the Bensons display a deft hand managing the character's panel-time. Also, being a man, I appreciate things like Wonder Woman telling the sick men trying to help their comrades that they are heroes. The women's connection to men is clear: Catwoman is in love with Bruce, Harley doesn't look forward to a city without men, Ollie happily takes on a bit part as bait in the ladies' plan to get a vial of the virus. While male transgressions aren't glossed over, it is clear this story is about embracing not rejecting. It is a positive, entertaining tale that I look forward to reading more of. If it continues to be this good as the story progresses I will very likely begin to increase my rating for this. As it is right now, I'll give it a solid rating, but look forward to giving it more.

This issue is a straightforward action issue that doesnt break any new ground but is an efficiently and effectively told story. I continue to like this title and am enjoying reading it.

This is a capable story with a dangerous antagonist. The drama and conflict within the team seems forced and the bad guy robot is inexplicably on fire. I strongly want to know who the girl Helena is and what the next issues story will be about.

This is a well-toldstory that is at its best when it deals with the relationship between Huntress and her mother. The bad guys and the main conflict are solid enough to keep things moving. Also, Poison Ivy and Catwoman pay a welcome visit.

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey finish their run with a good team up that stresses their strength as a team and also as friends. What more can fans of these heroes ask for?

So, if you are a fan of slapstick and corny LBJ era dialogue by all means pick up this title.

The shock ending of this issue will boost the rating a bit. Don't get the idea that this is a terrific book, but it sure is plenty of fun and a nostalgia trip for those so inclined.

If you are considering getting caught up on Batman '66 Meets the Man from UNCLE I would recommend it. Even though #6 isn't the best issue in the series, overall it is a satisfying story from beginning to end with enough twists and turns to keep things moving. The winks at the audience are part of the Batman '66 charm and if you in any way enjoy a look back into the simpler Bat-world of yesteryear this mini will serve you well. Don't expect anything approaching realism or a plot that will stand up to a shower-long analysis.

I like the Batman '66 franchise in general and the Wonder Woman story in particular is very good. I highly recommend it for other fans of Batman '66 or classic comics in general.

Though I'm going to ding the rating for these issues I don't want to take too much away from this story line. I think this is a series to watch and I look forward to the next installment, especially with Catwoman on the hunt for Batman.

I want to like this series since it is more complex than most books. However, the story needs to be told with a little more clarity to better bring out the characters and conflicts.

All in all I am going to give the new Catwoman a good rating. I enjoyed this issue as much as any of the old arc though there still needs to be supporting character development. This issue was a reintroduction to Selina the thief. I am hopeful that as the story progresses more characters and more complexity will develop.

I have mixed feelings about this issue. While the conclusion of the Frost Diamond story is fairly satisfying the weird narration at the end put me off a bit. I am not sure of the purpose of the other two stories, neither really packed a punch and seemed pointless. They were interesting in a way but seemed like filler, just the seed of other stories that could have been fleshed out into something more.

Catwomans new post-engagement life starts off perilously as she is thrust into a new mystery while she tries to deal with the emotional fall out of her decision to skip her wedding.

Joelle Jones' Catwoman is getting more intense. We see the lengths an adversary will go to to get what she wants and we get a hint of the purpose of Selina's visit to Villa Hermosa.

A promising new Catwoman arc which shows her seemingly unable to stay out of trouble though she is just trying to take care of her sister.

Overall, this issue and story as a whole seem to be moving very slowly when you first read through the book, but in fact, a lot does happen. The scenes are compact yet eventful. I am enjoying this story but am not, as of yet, sure where it is going. It is an enjoyable continuation of the Raina Creel story that raises more questions than it answers.

Enjoyable start to another Catwoman story arc that continues with the Villa Hermosa cast. Will she get what she came to the city for? Ill keep reading to find out.

Overall, I enjoyed both stories in this comic, but I don't think that it was particularly exceptional. It is always good to see a solid Selina and I do miss seeing Beth Ross. For those reasons I will be lenient in my scoring, but thrifty buyers might do well to shy away from the $4.99 cover price.

So, while this is a big improvement over Convergence: Catwoman #1 and there are some excellent dramatic moments I think the plot holes keep this from being a great read.

If you have been reading my reviews of Gotham Academy you know that I am a big big fan. However, I am getting a bit frustrated at the lack of progress of the storyline with the two relatively weak one-shots. I was willing to give it a pass last month but now I am getting antsy.

Overall, Gotham Academy is my favorite current comic book. It has the highest artistic standards and some of my favorite characters. The writing team is doing a great job developing the kids and I can't wait for the new Semester to begin in earnest. Because of the inconsistencies in art and very high expectations I have for this comic book I am going to be a little harsh with my rating. If any other book was this good I'd give it a much higher rating, but I expect Gotham Academy to be the gold standard every time out, because it can be. I'm sure I'll make up for it when school begins.

Because of these issues I am going to downgrade this issue from the high marks I usually give it. Because of the strength of the plot I won't hit is as hard as I could but I would like to see some of these issues resolved.

I am a big Gotham Academy fan so I am going to be lenient in my grading, though I am not entirely pleased with how things are progressing. I am hopeful for the future of the story because there seem to be some big revelations coming. I also think that the mystery of Amy is clever and makes for fun speculation. The relationship between Olive and Maps needs to be strengthened however. Otherwise Olive is just a gloomy emo firestarter and Maps is a spunky but single note character. Their strength is in their relationship and we need to get back to it.

This is a great comic book, but this issue wasn't its best. There have been a few I just happen to have exactly what we need to get out of trouble scenes over the last few issues (I'm looking at you Colton) which has been disappointing. However, I expect this is just a bump in the road and I am hopeful we are in for a pair of exciting issues in the Gotham Academy finale.

The Harley and Ivy body swap with Betty and Veronica is just what this title needed to kick it into high gear. I have previously been pretty hard on this book with regard to my rating. I'm going to turn it up this time around. The story is well underway and the problems seem to have been ironed out for now.

All that aside, Harley is the insane kook I have grown to appreciate. She is sweet and dangerous, thoughtful and sexy, insane but resourceful. The series has some fine tuning to do but I'm confident that it will be enjoyable for some time.

I am hoping that Conner and Palmiotti make the Gang of Harley's really come together. Develop some individual characters and build real relationships with the zany Harley at the center of it all. Come on guys, bring back the magic!

While I continue to enjoy this book I wonder if it is starting to run out of steam. The situation with the Gang really needs to be sorted out, we can't have seven gang members and a myriad of supporting characters and still have time for plot and relationship development. I've said it before and I'll say it again: they should take Coach and maybe two other Gang members and create a Looney-Birds of Prey team up.

So I am now back to enjoying this book and will give it a better rating that I did last month. I hope that the improvement continues.

Though this issue didn't measure up to the last one I still enjoyed it. If you are a Harley Quinn fan I'd wholeheartedly recommend this issue. If you are thinking of getting into the title it would be a good one to start with as it is the beginning of a story arc, though keep in mind it does do a bit of housekeeping after the end of the previous arc. All in all it is a solid issue of a good comic.

I'm loving the fact that with Harley's Gang occupied in another book we get her with Big Tony and Bernie. Even Poison Ivy makes an appearance. These are the characters I prefer to see her with these days. Since this issue is pretty much a one shot, with just a few references to other issues, I'd recommend you pick it up if you are looking for a quick fix of Harley. It isn't her best issue but it hits all the usual buttons.

Harley embarks on her final Conner/Palmiotti adventure crossing paths with a Genie who grants her unlimited wishes. Chaos predictably ensues.

I am finding the series a bit uneven. This issue doesn't have either the highs or lows of the previous books but still isn't coming together. I know I'm like a broken record on this but the mini is the perfect opportunity to develop individual characters and it is beginning to feel like an opportunity lost. The Gang dress differently and have some individual quirks but that doesn't make compelling characters. Between Harley's old pals and the new Gang members there are just too many actors for anyone to get more than a bit part.

Even if I wasn't reviewing this book I'd be sticking with it based on the strength of the first book and the writing team. You can't go wrong with Conner and Palmiotti and I look forward to the next issue.

I gave the last issue of this book a very high rating so I'm going to climb down off of that this time. Maybe I'm overcompensating. I don't mean that this has dropped in quality but the last issue was special to me. Many people I know that are also reading this title prefer this issue over last but they aren't the ones giving out Batarangs. If you are enjoying this series you will be pleased with this issue as the story passes its halfway point and looks to finish strong.

I will rate this book probably more highly than it deserves. It isn't the best in the miniseries but with one issue left the action kept things moving towards Harley and PG's (spoiler alert) return to their world which is in the next and last issue. Seems like Vartox is going to have his hands full in issue #6.

Overall, as a Harley Quinn fan I enjoyed this issue. It isn't groundbreaking and kind of feels like another issue of her main book. I'm not complaining but don't expect it to be out of the ordinary.

I typically don't read Justice League so I was more confused by some of the plot elements than regular readers would be. I can see that the story is interesting, though the big team ups of the JL are not my cup of tea. However, if you are a Justice League fan I think you will probably enjoy this issue and story arc. Even I will probably check in to see how Molly and the Timeless make out.

Like I've said before, I'm not a regular Justice League reader so keep that in mind as you consider how to evaluate my rating. While this book isn't going to make me a regular JL reader I am enjoying the story line. The nature of these team books is that the story changes locations, with many different things happening to the disparate characters on the team. I find this frustrating and prefer to have a story exposed with many fewer threads. However, this story takes advantage of that 'weakness' and provides some insight into the pre-origins of Wonder Woman and Aquaman which I found compelling. I would heartily recommend this book to a Justice League fan and a soft recommendation to a non-fan.

As I have said in previous reviews, I am not a fan of Justice League. I do like the story here, however, though not enough to make me a regular reader. I didn't miss all the scenes with Flash, Cyborg, Green Lanterns et al since I felt those deviations, though necessary to the DNA of Justice League stories, broke up the flow of the plot. It is a weakness of team books that I personallydon't care for. However, I realize I am in the minority and if you are reading a Justice League review you are probably a fan and will enjoy this more than I did. Even so, I see that this is a solid story well told and drawn and I recommend it to Justice League fans.

I was a little generous out of a sense of surprise and excitement when I gave issue #1 such a good ratinglast month so I am going to overcompensate the other way this time around. I am still totally on board with this mini, but I think there is room to improve over issue #2.

I don't think this is a bad comic and the plot itself is good but one of my pet peeves is when the art gets in the way of telling a story. I don't mind bad art, or even experimental art that fails. But interfering with the plot and the connection to the characters is a no-no in my book. I absolutely loved issue #1 and had similar problems with issue #2 as I do here. On the strength of the promise of this book I am going to hold off one more time really hammering the score. At least this mini reminds me of how much I miss the main Gotham Academy book and the real Olive, Maps, Pom, Kyle and Colton. They can't come back soon enough.

Because of the good story and successful plot exposition I am going to give this issue a decent score even though the characters are hard to tell apart. This book got me through Gotham Academy's long hiatus, but now that it is back I expect I will be less enamored of this title in the future.

I enjoyed this miniseries but found that it wasn't as good as I hoped. It did inspire me to buy some of the Lumberjanes trades which I enjoy very much. Maybe they could do future series with smaller groups of characters between the two teams. A Maps/Ripley book might be an amazingly insane comic. I also think that Jo and Olive had a good relationship and maybe the four of them could have adventures. I can dream, can't I?

In any event, Midnighter is still one of my favorite current comics. I am hopeful that the timeline bouncing in this issue is just a one-off experiment. It wasn't done in #1 so there isn't a reason to believe that it is a motif that is inherent to the storytelling. I look forward to #3 and also to find out who stole the God Garden tech and why.

So while I enjoyed this issue I'm a little disappointed because of how good it could have been. Admittedly, I have a high standard for this book. Still, the humor and playfulness of Midnighter and Dick needed to gel a little better as a story. I hope we see these two together again soon.

Those complaints being said, I do like this comic and will surely continue reading for as long as the quality stays high.

While this book isn't my usual cup of tea there is a lot that interests me. I want to know more about Violet's back story and why she is going out at nights hunting bad guys. That is the mark of a good first issue so it is a success. I am not going to give it a glowing rating however because torturing people, particularly the implication of hurting kids, isn't something that I particularly like to read about.

I really enjoyed this issue much more that the last one. I have felt that the comic team on this book were really on to something from the start, but that it was going to take some time for it to come together. At this point I am feeling more and more that there is going to be a terrific payoff for some patience now. I am still going to be conservative with my rating, but I think I am going to need some room to go up. I recommend this title.

I am enjoying Mother Panic much more than my rating might suggest. I am utterly fascinated by the character of Violet Page and already am looking forward to the next issue. The reason that I am still not rating this book higher has more to do with the clumsy change in story and art from the previous issues. I didn't realize the last story had concluded and expected the hunt for Gala to continue. Because of this I felt like I was starting over this issue and was pretty confused during my first read through. I am glad that I stuck with it and reread the story a few times to figure out what was happening.

However, I do recommend this book because of its strong emotional moments and the continuing slow reveal of Violet's past. Keep in mind, this is a book for Mature Readers, there is some R rated language along with a cover price of $3.99.

Keep in mind, this is a book for Mature Readers. There is some R rated language and adult topics along with its cover price of $3.99.

The rating for this issue is better than last, but this book needs a little texture to make it truly compelling.

Mother Panic does create intriguing mysteries surrounding Violets past. I like being in this world and have a lot of questions about the characters I do want answered. However, more care should be taken with clearly telling the stories at hand. I am not going to ding this issue's rating too badly because of it because I am enjoying the title. But it is something I am concerned about for the book.

I enjoyed this issue much better than the last. The development of Ivy's personality is starting to gel and I feel like a good character arc is developing. I do wonder about that panel that showed Ivy holding her sporelings with a monster behind her. What is it supposed to be showing? Is this something the babies see? Something they are communicating with her about? Why doesn't Ivy take the break in into her apartment more seriously? Hopefully these questions will be answered satisfactorily but for now it is working.

The art by Tom Derenick and colors by Jason Wright work well together. I particularly liked the scene where the winged lions arrive as well as the humorous old timey getups the team gets into to go to creepy New England.

This book is an obvious set up for the Suicide Squad Movie. It will be interesting to see how the stories progress and if other movie characters are integrated into the plots. Despite that, both stories are an enjoyable read.

This standard-fare Batgirl story has some nice touches that humanize Barbara Gordon with a straightforward action plot that wont thrill, but wont disappoint either.

Some questionable decisions and attitudes on Barbaras part make me wonder about her approach to her brother, father, and pretty much everyone she runs into. It isnt clear if this is due to the stress of the situation or a mischaracterization. The past few arcs have been good so Ill give the book the benefit of the doubt for now.

This particular adventure isn't the strongest one in recent issues but it is serviceable and is a successful nostalgia delivery vehicle if nothing else. There really isn't much bad to say about it except that there really isn't anywhere this book can go. It will never deal with anything serious and so it will never be great. But it also is always entertaining and succeeds at its modest goals.

I'm not going to give this issue as bad of a rating as last month's because the execution of the story is at least broadly competent this time. However, I wouldn't recommend this mini like I did with the Man from U.N.C.L.E. or main Batman '66 title.

I am partial to the Batman '66 series seeing that I am in the target market for the nostalgia that is in the very DNA of the franchise. While I enjoyed seeing Alfred and Aunt Harriet their two panels don't make up for the low quality artwork and the increasingly absurd storyline. Because I don't think expectations are ever very high for the Batman '66 titles I am not going to rate this issue terribly low, but the title doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

I am not going to criticize this book for some of the cheesiness of the plot, characters and art. That is the bread and butter of this series. However, because of its pedestrian nature I also can't give it too high a rating like I did with the last issue of the regular Batman '66 comic. That one was a one-time nostalgia trip that can't be replicated. This is a good old fashioned WHAM BAM POW caper nothing more or less.

This comic is what it is. If you are a fan of 60s nostalgia or just want a simple old fashioned Batman story you can't go wrong with the '66 series. Just don't expect too much and you'll have a good time.

Joelle Jones Catwoman has a few missteps but is otherwise an engaging look at an emotionally adrift Selina Kyle.

Some unclear plot questions cause confusion in this issue of an otherwise terrific story arc. Hopefully, it is only a temporary stumble for this recommended title.

However, the story is clearly drawn and each of the segments are fun in themselves so it is an enjoyable enough read. Also, bonus points for Snake Plisskin references.

Also, I am not a fan of how the flashbacks/flash-forwards are done here. It seems unnecessary and interrupts an already segmented story.

Jon Kent and Damian Wayne help Dynomutt save Blue Falcon in a heartwarming story that despite some plot issues, is reasonably successful in the end.

This is a comic with a lot of promise that inexplicably stumbles over issues of characterization, plot, and general storytelling. It is a shame, this could be a great book. Overall, I am being generous with my rating just because of how much I like both pairs of characters.

Harley and Ivy Meet Betty and Veronica #6 is a good finale to a story that is fussily complicated without being compelling. There are glimmers of a great story here, but it never gels into what it could have been.

I'm going to give this issue an ok rating. I like Harley as always and it was a fun enough read. But there seems to be some zing missing from the recent issues and I think it is starting to catch up with the book.

Harley Quinn #50 is an issue that showcases some talented artists, which means there is sure to be something for everyone to look at.

I know that this is supposed to be a silly April Fools issue and I shouldn't be taking it all too seriously, but this issue just didn't gel for me. I'm not a fan of Suicide Squad so I'm not sure if all of Amanda Waller's plans are this unlikely to succeed and I hate to think that this is going to be the start of a story arc for the Squad. The only reason I am not going to really slam this title's rating is because of Jim Lee's Man-Bat panels which I've been looking at over and over. But I didn't really enjoy the story or the five dollar cover price.

I am not going to rate this book too highly, but I recognize that is because of my personal prejudice. If you are a big fan of the Justice League, Suicide Squad, or just like to see classic characters in print again I'm sure there will be a lot here for you to enjoy. The $3.99 cover price is a bit more than the typical Rebirth titles, though if this is up your alley you probably won't be disappointed.

This book holds a lot of promise. The character of Violet is vivid and somehow likable. However, the topic and tone of the book are a little dark for my taste. Another issue I have with the art is that the flashback scenes aren't well defined. Sometimes I was well into a scene before I even thought to question when and where it was happening. There are clues, but they are subtle which can make for a confusing read. Last issue I gave the book a decent rating, but this time around I am going to be a little more critical about the problems. Don't think that I am dismissing it however, while it is a challenging read it also has tremendous potential and I for one will be sticking with it.

My Take: I love Mother Panic as a title, but have to say this issue was a let down. I didn't care much about the killer and while it was fun to see Batman supporting Violet, her heroic ending fell flat. I like the cast of characters that are being assembled around Violet with Dr. Varma, Violet's Mother, Ratcatcher, etc. Though I think we do need a little more personal life. Right now her biggest problem is getting an operation for her implants. What will happen after that?

I have been a big fan of this book up to this point. The story arcs haven't been completely successful, but this one is the first issue that I feel myself getting impatient with the plotting. Violet's quest for vengeance doesn't seem to have a goal. It was an effective way to expose Violet's character, but now that we know something about her it seems like we are going to get just another ghost from her past. I think we need a change of pace.

Last issue I was very generous with my rating. This time however I am going to be more critical though I am still on board with this series and want to see it improve. I would like to see some more clarity.

I like Ray McCarthy's art but I have to give a lot of credit to Hi-Fi's colors. The oranges and greens of the Florida Keys work very well with the vibrant colors they use for Kori herself. The concept of putting Kori in the Keys was a very good idea from a visual standpoint.

Barbara Gordon gets herself into trouble with the Terrible Trio, her Father, her new apartment, and her business. Can she get it together to overcome all of these problems?

The art in this issue seems a little less reminiscent of Adam West, Frank Gorshin and the gang than previous issues portrayed their '66 counterparts. I realize that may be a silly reason to knock this book but nostalgia is really it's raison d'etre so if it doesn't deliver an authentic experience it isn't really working. I'm going to give this issue a mediocre rating, I've given it more leeway in the past but this issue seems a bit less than what it could be.

Since the top rating we give here is five batarangs I'll throw this one right down the middle. If you like this book you will probably enjoy this issue. If not, there isn't anything here to sell you on it.

If you have read my past reviews of the Batman '66 books you know that I am a bit of a sucker for these series'. I am disappointed to say that based on this first issue I can't recommend you buy this book. The story is perfectly fine but the art makes it a frustrating and uninspiring read.

I am a fan of the Batman '66 series and love the nostalgic aspect of the regular run and the mini series up to now. This particular story I can't recommend however because of the problems I have with the art. In 2017 however, Batman '66 meets Wonder Woman from the 1970s will be out in print which I am looking forward to.

The art has an interesting color palette and bold lines and shadows but there is something wrong with the perspective in some of the panels. Also, I was having trouble keeping track of the action and who was who in some of the parts of the story. When I have to look closely at the art for subtle clues as to what the heck is happening in the plot it detracts from my enjoyment of the story.

I expected a Suicide Squad-Banana Splits crossover to be silly and it was. I'd recommend this book to those that have nostalgia for the old show or just want a brainless fun ride. I wouldn't say that there is anything compelling here though and its $4.99 cover price may rightly dissuade some readers from getting the book.

I was very hard on this book in my review of #1 because Betty and Veronica didn't seem to like each other at all. In this issue that problem is much less prevalent. I feel like the story is setting up to be a good one, but isn't quite there yet. It appears that Selina is bringing Betty and Veronica to Gotham and the two River Vixens will get mixed up with Lenny the Lamprey and his cronies. Will they need to be saved or will they be able to handle things on their own? I am interested in finding out, but at this point the story is too meandering for me to be truly engaged. I'll keep reading and hopefully the story will keep getting better. I hope.

Harley and Ivy Meet Betty and Veronica #5 is a story that is fussily complicated without being compelling. I sadly cannot recommend it.

Like I said, I am going to give this issue a fairly low rating due to its ridiculous plot. There is hope that it will get better, but this is issue #10 and I've been hoping for back-to-back good issues for a while now.

If it wasn't for the cover and the basic concept of this book, I'd give it a lower rating. This feels like a missed opportunity to boost the profile of the Archie comics. I want to love this book so bad, but so far I don't.