Scott's Take: G.I. Joe Vol 1: The Cobra Strikes by Joshua Williamson and illustrator Tom Reilly

  

G.I. Joe Vol 1: The Cobra Strikes by Joshua Williamson and illustrator Tom Reilly takes place after the Duke Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle series I reviewed last July that saw Duke forming the G.I. Joes and trying to create a team to stop Cobra. Duke does not know the group is called Cobra until later in the volume he just knows bad people are doing bad things. Duke ended implying that the Joes would be going after Optimus Prime, but nope, that is completely ignored.  I read this G.I. Joe volume through Hoopla.

 

Instead, this sees the Joes, outmatched in numbers, technology, and resources struggling to stop Cobra from taking over the world. Somehow the U.S. Military’s plan to stop Cobra and M.A.R.S. industries is to use five special forces soldiers to stop a small army. There is an attempt to justify that idea by referencing someone with diplomatic immunity, but that really does not work. Cobra Commander is using the energon and technology he harvested from Megatron and others to arm the troops provided by Destro and his arms/security company/country.

 

Cobra Commander, Destro, Duke, and Baroness are the main characters in this volume. There are attempts to grow the supporting cast, but I don’t think they are fleshed out more than their architypes. Making the Baroness a Joe has been a good addition since it allows her more pragmatic approach to bang against Duke’s more heroic approach.

 

The art is great and this is a mature action story with a classic world domination plot. There is plenty of violence and several character deaths including one supporting character. Cobra Commander does something evil, but also short sighted. That is typical Cobra Commander behavior, but I was hoping we would get a smarter Cobra Commander.  The ending is abrupt and promises to tie this series in with the Transformers main series more. However, considering how Duke ended and was glossed over, I have doubts.

 

I could not find volume 2 for this series listed anywhere on goggle. I hope it stays good. In my opinion, the Transformers book started off strong, but got too bloated cast wise and plot wise.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4kyZ6ro

 

 

My reading copy was a Hoopla digital eBook via the Dallas Public Library System.

 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: Superman Vol 4: Rise of the Superwoman by Joshua Williamson

Superman Vol 4: Rise of the Superwoman by Joshua Williamson and others is the first volume in the “DC All In.” Despite being the fourth volume, one could start here. The DC All In are all supposed to be good places to start even midway through a series.

 

The synopsis is worthless so I am going to try to explain the book without too many spoilers, but there has to be some. After the events of Absolute Power (which I reviewed back in January), Lois Lane has gained Kryptonian Powers from an unknown source.  She is now Superwoman and is helping Superman fight crime throughout Metropolis. Everything is going well until the return of Doomsday who has escaped Hell and is back. So, it is up to the heroes of Metropolis, Supercorps (formerly Lex Luthor Industries) and an amnesic Lex Luthor to save the world from the creature that killed Superman. There is also a new Time Trapper to deal with. Also, Lois and Clark go on a date during all this chaos….

 

The art is excellent, the character work is great, and this is a fun title. This work also collects the Superwoman special which has Lois, Lana, and Kara all teaming up since they all have powers currently. The special is kind of standalone from the rest of the book, but still good. There is a lot teased for the future by the Time Trapper and there is a part that hits on the two background things going on. Darkseid has taken control of the future and time is broken so anything goes time travel wise, continuity of character, so characters now remember multiple timelines in their head. So far most characters seem to be just rolling with that. Superman Vol 5: Love and Mercy is currently scheduled for a mid-December release to continue this series. I read this through Hoopla and highly enjoyed this.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/43y4TYd

 

As noted, I read this material through the Hoopla App by way of the Dallas Public Library System.  

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: Superman: House of Brainaic by Joshua Williamson, Illustrator Rafael Blanco

Superman: House of Brainaic by Joshua Williamson, illustrated by Rafael Blanco, is a big Superman crossover event. Brainaic has returned to Metropolis bringing with him an army of Aliens. He is seeking to abduct everyone with powers in the city. It is up to the Superman family to stop him.

 

Soon the fight against Brainaic moves to outer space. To help combat the threat, Superman must recruit one of his long-term enemies to help stop him, Lobo, the alien biker outlaw mercenary. But can Superman really trust Lobo to help him stop Brainaic?

 

This is action packed read with great art. This is a pretty good standalone Superman event that should have big ramifications for the rest of the universe. It was nice to see Supergirl play a decent role in the series since she arguably has stronger ties as an enemy to Brainaic than Superman.

 

There are some tie ins collected in the read and came across to me as the weakest parts. Not because they were not well written. They are, but they throw off the read. For example, going from about to start a big fight, then the tie in focusing on the mayor race as Perry (former editor of the Daily Planet) is running for Mayor trying to stop his opponent who is running on anti-alien platform from being elected, then back to the big fight throws the read completely off for this reader.

 

Superman: House of Brainaic is a fun Superman event featuring just the Superman heroes reacting to the threat. Lex Luthor and Superman continue their team up. Superman in this latest book has surrounded himself with his enemies Lex, Lobo, Livewire, Parasite, and Mercy Graves. Can he really trust any of them? It will be interesting to see how long these alliances can last. 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3Z0k1tW

 

My reading copy came by way of the Hoopla App through the Dallas Public Library System. 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2024

Scott's Take: Batman and Robin Vol 1: Father and Son by Joshua Williamson and illustrator Simone Meo

Batman and Robin Vol 1: Father and Son by Joshua Williamson and illustrator Simone Meo is a team up series between Batman (Bruce Wayne) and Robin (Damian Wayne). They have not had a team up series in a long time as they have been estranged for several years. This series does tie in a little bit to the Chip Zdarsky run on Batman, but not enough to make it required reading. I am a big fan of Chip Zdarsky’s prior work on Daredevil, but his Batman run has been mediocre. I can’t really recommend it. It has some good moments, but it is too cliched and used too many of same themes as previous writer to recommend.

 

So back to this book, Batman is now living in a brownstone in Gotham since he is rich broke. He still has a lot of money but not I can buy the whole block money. He has far less wealth than he had, but is doing okay. He invites Damian Wayne aka Robin who has been hanging out with fellow former assassins on an island to live with him. Batman wants him to have a normal life besides dressing up as Robin and fighting crime. So, he enrolls him in a public school and wants him to make normal friends. Obviously, the irony of Bruce wanting Damian to have normal friends when most of his friends are superheroes themselves is lost on Bruce.

 

While they attempt to deal with their family issues, a new villain called Shush attempts to take them both down. In the final issue, Batman and Robin go on a camping trip outside of Gotham. Several people have gone missing in the spot they have chosen over the last few months. So, things get violent quickly. The final issue is kind of separate from the previous ones.

 

Joshua Williamson continues to write a good Batman and Robin story even if Bruce has to learn the same lessons he has learned before. Joshua has a good understanding of the characters as he has written both plenty of times before. Simone has a pretty realistic art style that works really well for this tale. There is action, humor, and character relationship drama. Somehow no one notices that Robin is back at the same time as Damian returns to Gotham.

 

The second volume will come out in February of next year and does not have a title yet. It will pick up with Flatline coming to Gotham to see Robin. Flatline is a love interest of Damian’s from his previous solo series. She has not just come by because she misses him.

 

After that volume, I do not know what will happen regarding the series. The All In initiative is going to affect this book but I do not know how.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3yzrRRY

 

 

My reading copy came from by way of Hoopla and the Dallas Public Library System. 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2024

Scott's Take: Duke Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle by Joshua Williamson

Duke Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle by Joshua Williamson with Tom Reilly (illustrator) and Jordie Bellaire (colorist) is a miniseries despite being titled Volume 1. There is no Volume 2 and there will not be. This is a miniseries set in the Energon Universe. A recently started line of books based on the idea--- what if the Transformers and the G.I. Joe lived in the same universe? This miniseries is designed to start setting up the G.I. Joe part of the Energon Universe. 

 

Duke barely survived an encounter with the Decepticon known as Starscream, but his friend was not so lucky. The United States military is covering it up and telling the highly decorated soldier that he is just wrong. So, Duke goes rogue and finds out that the rot in the institutions he has served his whole life in is deeper that he knows.

 

The art is pretty good even if the colors are a little dull. I don’t know if this was a deliberate choice, but Duke spends a good portion of this tale looking like Captain America from Infinity War. This is a mature and well thought out tale that raises a number of questions about what does a man who believes in the system do when the system fails him? We don’t get to explore this version of Duke too in much depth as this is more of a thriller than a character development read.

 

I really liked this read until the ending. Major spoilers, but a lot of the questions raised in this tale are brushed aside in order to have Duke help form the G.I. Joes.

 

The newly formed G.I. Joe group is assigned to kill Optimus Prime. They don’t know he is a good guy or, I guess, a good robot. Started here, this mission will be followed up in one of the new books in the universe. At the time of this review, I do not know which one.

 

The next announced book in the series, Cobra Commander, focuses on the Cobra Commander forming his group to take over the world.

 

Additionally, a full G.I. Joe series will start sometime this fall. That series will have Duke and other members of the G. I. Joe group.

 

Overall, while they are building up the G.I. Joe part of the universe with miniseries, they are currently giving the Transformers universe an actual series.

 

There is also something called Void Rivals set in space. I read it, and quite frankly, I still have no idea how it’s supposed to tie in yet. Which is why I have not reviewed it. I did not much care for it either.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3zEWshf

 

My reading copy was a Hoopla digital eBook via the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2024

Scott's Take: Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths by Joshua Williamson

 

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths by Joshua Williamson (Author), Daniel Sampere (Illustrator) collects the main titles for this event. The tie ins which are referenced throughout the book in little dialog boxes saying go to this boor or that to continue the plot thread are not collected here.

 

In this event, the most of the members of Justice League are murdered. With every villain on the planet knowing the Justice League is dead, the bad guys have declared open season on every remaining hero. Deathstroke is leading an army of villains with one simple mission--- kill every hero. It’s up to the sidekicks and legacy heroes to save the world. Led by Nightwing and Superman’s son, can the remaining heroes protect the planet?

 

Featuring heroes like Supergirl, Black Adam, Damian Wayne,  Hal Jordan (one of the few big name justice league members who survived as he was not part of the current team), and others,  the spotlight is on the lower profile heroes than the usual main heroes of the DC Universe. The art is epic and really showcased in the massive number of great fights. Early on readers are treated to Nightwing going hand to hand with Deathstorke as well as Jon Kent having to face off with Cyborg Superman. Those are just two of the early fights that are featured in this book.

 

There are also some really emotional moments like Nightwing leading a candle light vigil for the fallen heroes while Supergirl holds Lois Lane up. Or when Hal Jordan learns that all of his friends are dead after returning from outer space and looking for his former teammates. The return of another superhero team that has not been used in a long time is handled incredibly well.

 

The plot is rushed a bit in this stand alone read. The tie ins are where they really let the events breath better. Overall, this is a pretty cool event book if you like the lower profile heroes with cool cameos with various smaller heroes like Frankstein (yes, that Frankstein) and more. 

 

My reading copy came from the Central or Downtown Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2023 

Scott's Take: Superman Vol. 1: Supercorp by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Jamal Campbell

 

Superman Vol. 1: Supercorp by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Jamal Campbell is one of the newest Superman series out now. The main Superman title and Action Comics (another Superman series) are both getting relaunched with new creative teams. In this Superman series which is the main one, Clark has returned to Metropolis after his long time away in outer space. Lex Luthor is finally behind bars. but in a shocking twist has made Superman the new owner of all of LEX Corp which is now called Supercorp. Lex Luthor claims he wants to help Superman stop a new group of enemies and more. Lex claims something bad is coming and that they need each other to survive.

 

The art is pretty and there is plenty of action, humor and character development as Superman struggles with the secrets of Metropolis and being in charge of a company. Lois Lane is now the editor of the Daily Planet. Being in charge, she finds herself no longer able to go out and chase stories like she used to and is unhappy as a result.

 

I wish the Superman family got to do a little bit more in this title, but overall, this is a really strong start to a new series. I look forward to Volume 2 when it does come out sometime next year.

 

 

My reading copy was by way of the Hoopla App and the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2023

Scott's Take: Batman/Superman Volume 1: Who Are The Secret Six? by Joshua Williamson and Illustrator David Marquez

Batman/Superman Volume 1: Who Are The Secret Six? by Joshua Williamson and illustrator David Marquez is a book that collects the first six issues of this new series. This team up book features Batman and Superman against The Batman Who Laughs. In his latest evil plot, The Batman Who Laughs has infected six of the world’s most powerful heroes and turned them evil against their will. Some of those good folks turned evil include people closest to Superman and Batman. It is up to Batman and Superman to uncover the identities of these heroes and stop them.

 

This book features epic fights and great artwork. The main selling point is that the book focuses on the differences and similarities between these two heroes. The story is one that shifts back and forth between the perspective of each superhero and that reveals that each has keen insight into the other.

 

This book furthers multiple preexisting storylines and features cameos by numerous heroes. Batman/Superman Volume 1: Who Are The Secret Six? references events happening in other books and takes place over an unspecified length of time that could be days or even months. That aspect seems to be deliberately vague. The Infected Six are an interesting selection of heroes turned villains some of which who have legitimate reasons to be mad at Batman and Superman. Each one on his or her own would be a threat to the Batman/Superman team and the fact that they work together here as a unit raise the threat level considerably.

 

Batman/Superman Volume 1: Who Are The Secret Six? is only for the mature reader since there are multiple murders and some of those corpses are graphically visible to the characters in the book as well as the read. The read is not a standalone since a lot of the various storylines are ongoing in other books. Instead, what is carried on here is to set up a conflict between the Batman/Superman team and two characters that will be carried over into the second volume. As a result, much of what goes on here is relevant in other series, but will have little impact in the second volume of this series.

 

This a good book for people who are okay with the listed qualifiers above and are looking for a book about Batman and Superman working together. Those readers who also like a lot of action and deep dives into the minds of the primary characters will enjoy Batman/Superman Volume 1: Who Are The Secret Six?

 

  

Batman/Superman Volume 1: Who Are The Secret Six?

Joshua Williams

https://www.dccomics.com/talent/joshua-williamson

Illustrator David Marquez

https://www.davidmarquez.com/

DC Comics

https://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/batmansuperman-vol-1-who-are-the-secret-six

April 2020

ISBN# 978-1-4012-9945-3

Hardback (also available in digital and paperback formats)

160 Pages  

 

Material came by way of the Central or Downtown Branch of the Dallas Public Library System. 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2020