DC have announced their plans to do a complete cross-over story that runs throughout the New-52, also releasing a new title - "Forever Evil" and costing the fans many hard earned pounds/dollars.
Now, it's always very exciting when a big event such as this takes place. You don't want to miss something as big as this, you want your collection to be complete or maybe you have been drawn in by the awesome sounding 3D lenticular covers, which you know if you miss on 1st printing, you will never have the chance to get again!
But it is a big cost!
Each comic will cost $3.99, which is reasonable...unless you want to get all 52 comics and the Forever evil comic...for the complete set fans are looking at paying over $200.00 or just over £150.00.
I personally see it as worthwhile, it will maybe, probably pay off one day! If not, I'll have a kick-ass collection!!! Win - Win as far as I can see...
However, for most people this is a great expense, with their monthly comic being replaced with up to four, you could be faced with having to buy 20 comics instead of your normal 5 a month.
Of course, DC have made this series so that it's omittable from the main story arc of each comic series...but how many people would rather not have these special edition villain stories...after all, isn't it the villains that make our heroes!?
Either way DC manage to keep finding ways of bleeding their customers dry of all their hard earned money! I hate them for doing it, but they're so clever, I can't help but cough up!
Here's a link to DC's full villain month solicitations where you can check out all the cool issues and covers that will be on sale!
http://www.newsarama.com/18027-dc-villains-month-solicitations-all-52-in-one-place.html

Stay Classy,

Dan
 
So, this year we've had a monkey invasion, the Rogues and Reverse Flash make appearances in The Flash. I've enjoyed this year of Flash comics, the Annual set a good precedence, and the following year of comics has followed suit.
The Rogues aren't the best villains in the DCU, but the issues were well written, and with all the distractions of Grodd and the Outsiders, the Rogues acted as polyfiller which, to be honest, I thought worked really well!
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The artwork is brilliant, I love the way that every issue has "DC COMICS PROUDLY PRESENTS - THE FLASH!" embedded in a page somewhere. I love the way the comic's frames unfold across the page. Sometimes it is so visually stimulating, I start feeling like I'm running with Barry.
The Flash is an easy, light-hearted read. Flash has a strong sense of purpose and truth. He is courageous - in #19 he temporarily loses the power of the speed force, but still manages to save the day!
He is head-strong - despite being told by his dad that he is guilty of murdering Barry's Mum, he is determined to find the truth, follow the facts. "The evidence never lies".
This comic is fun. It's pacey. It's awesome!
MY VERDICT - 4/5
Dan

The Flash
Published by DC Comics
Written by Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato
Artists - Mario Takara, Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato

 
I have literally had to force myself to keep reading this. Each issue has felt like a pointless journey ending in a really cool reveal to make me want to read the next issue...Next issue the pattern continues until the most recent issues. #5 - enter Dormammu, things started to pick up a bit and now at #6 I feel as though we are getting somewhere. The mention of a certain Sorcerer Supreme has kept my tail wagging for a minute anyway! But this is THE UNCANNY X-MEN! I don't understand why I'm finding it so difficult to enjoy reading the comic with some of my favourite characters!
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I like the artwork, I hate the artwork...I can't decide. Sometimes they get it right...I mean REALLY RIGHT. However I look at the artwork sometimes and think, "are they bothered what this looks like? Or are Marvel actually happy to put out any old rubbish now?"
But I've pushed past this. I'm certain that it's going to get better, we're only six issues in and now ***SPOILERS*** Classic 1960's Uncanny X-men character Dazzler has been revealed as SHIELD's newest recruit to infiltrate the X-men...Now we're talking!
I've kept reading this purely because I don't want this series to suck - for me it has so far, but I do hope that it continues on the up! The artwork has started to feel a little more consistent and the story line is picking up. But I can't help this bad taste that I have left in my mouth after reading and re-reading these comic books.
I can see the potential and I am liking the potential of this series, I am just struggling to feel convinced that it's  going to get there in a decent and timely manner!
There is always hope! For now though, I can't help but feel displeased and slightly bemused by this series. It feels lost in the X-MEN universe, broken, unwanted and misplaced. There is a guy who makes 'Golden Balls'...WHY? I don't get it! It's nice to see Angel, it's nice to see, no, no it isn't nice to see Scott Summers, I still haven't forgiven him for killing Xavier, I don't care if the Phoenix force had possessed him, he-said, she-said non-sense! He killed Ironside and I thought that would be enough to get rid of him!
I'm going to keep reading UNCANNY X-MEN, because Dormammu is around. If it wasn't for his presence in #5 I would have dropped this title. But he's here, so I'm here, for now!

MY VERDICT - 2.5/5
DAN

 
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Green Lantern #20 marks the end of a near 10 year run by legendary writer Geoff Johns. Geoff Johns saved the franchise, re-modelling it and expanding beyond the wildest imaginations of any of the previous writers. Now DC have screwed over Green Lantern fans this year...the Rise of the Third Army and the Wrath of the First Lantern sagas have near forced fans to purchase all four Green Lantern titles for about 8-9 months...a significant rise in the monthly comic book budget! So...was it worth it?


 
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I can't tell you how long I've waited for this game...
As is the case for many comic book fans, the idea of pitching DC's giants against each other, through the streets of Gotham, or in the Fortress of Solitude is something we all want to do. To wield the power of the Green Lantern's ring or to pummel Superman through the Earth and back again as his ultimate match, Doomsday is a dream come true.
They have got so much right with this game...
But there are a couple of issues...
Problem No. 1.
WHY ISN'T MARTIAN MANHUNTER IN THIS GAME???
Now I watched with anticipation as snippets of the game were released to the public. For those who missed it, the game-makers released fun trailers in the form of a tournament which inevitably ended in a battle between Superman and Batman. These trailers teased with big reveals of the characters and arenas. Then the fans had a bit of a say, and soooooo many people want Martian Manhunter! The game makers have made a Batgirl add on, that you can buy...I just hope that they have the decency to release a Martian Manhunter upgrade at some near point in the future. They have just announced that Jim Lee is about to re-design Mortal Kombat's Scorpion...WHERE IS THE MANHUNTER?
Problem No. 2.
This one isn't easy to get around, and understandably they haven't...but when you're Superman and you hit Nightwing, I don't care how good he is at back-flipping, you're gonna break his spine.
And when Green Arrow shoots an arrow at Superman, unless it's laced with Kryptonite or a magic spell it ain't doin' shit!
As I said, not easy to represent in a versus arcade format game, but technically and practically rubbish. When I pick Superman I want to smash everyone! Yes, that would become annoying, but hey, Superman does it every single day, I wanna go!!!

That aside, the game is pretty cool. It's good fun to have a bash with friends and the story mode is pretty sound. The story is interesting and, although I haven't reached the end yet, I'm finding it to be well told...between the arcade-mode fights, I mean, I'd like to fight some of the transition scenes as well, but I'm a CoD fan, so I like to fight my way through the best part of every game!

my verdict - 4/5

A fantastic Game, but not perfect. As good as any arcade fight game, with a beautiful DCU twist. Nice to see characters such as Nightwing, Raven and Ares see some limelight. Favourite Character to play as - Green Lantern.
 
Hope you found my review helpful.

Dan.