Rough Justice

Title

Rough Justice

Library Link
Rough justice : the DC comics sketches of Alex Ross / edited and designed by Chip Kidd ; annotations by Alex Ross Ross, Alex, 1970-

10 Second Review
From the libraries summary:
“Private sketchbooks of the author reveal his pencil and ink drawings of DC Comics characters, nearly all of them appearing in print here for the first time. Includes deleted scenes and altered panels for the epic Kingdom Come saga, proposals for revamping classic properties as Batgirl, Captain Marvel, and an imagined son of Batman named Batboy…”

This book is full of sketches by the comic artist Alex Ross. Lots of unique drawings that will give fans an interesting perspective of the artist. While the written material is likely to only appeal to fans, the art should also appeal to students learning the craft of illustration.

Notes
Ross has been awarded an Eisner

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Kingdom Come

Title

Kingdom Come

Library Link
Kingdom come / Mark Waid, Alex Ross, with Todd Klein Waid, Mark.


10 Second Review
Set in the DC future, a new breed of violent superheroes has taken over the world and a preacher is having visions of the apocalypse. Wonder Woman tries to convince Superman to come out of his self imposed exile and Batman joins forces with Lex Luthor.

This is an excellent, clever story which is perfectly matched with the art of Alex Ross.
Should appeal to all comic fans.

Notes
Who’s the only mortal that can stand up to Superman?

Learning Curve
Low to Moderate: Should be OK for those fairly new to comics

Supergirl: Who is Superwoman?

Title

Supergirl: Who is Superwoman?

Library Link
Supergirl. Who is Superwoman? / Sterling Gates, writer ; Jamal Igle ... [et al.], pencillers ; Keith Champagne... [et al.], inkers ; introduction by Helen Slater Gates, Sterling.

10 Second Review
Supergirl is having a bad week.
Her Mom is on her case, she’s getting some bad press and Kryptonians have been outlawed in Metropolis.

A good story that should appeal Teen Titan and Superman fans.

Notes
Identity of Superwoman revealed!

Learning Curve
Low: Should be good for new readers

Reading Order
n/a

Superman New Krypton

Title
Superman New Krypton


Library Link
Superman. New Krypton. Volume one
New York, NY : DC Comics, c2009.

10 Second Review
Jimmy Olsen pursues a mysterious story while Superman greets Earth's new Kryptonian citizens.
All 100,000 of them.
Not everyone welcomes the visitors.

Great art and story.
Jimmy's story is interesting and Clark's reaction to his father's death provides a unique perspective of Big Blue.

Notes
Not everyone stays dead.

Learning Curve
Low: Some knowledge of Superman will be helpful

Reading Order
N/a

Superman: Kryptonite

Title	Superman: Kryptonite
Library Link	Superman. Kryptonite / grown and packed by Darwyn Cooke & Tim Sale with Dave Stewart, color and Richard Starkings, lettering Cooke, Darwyn.
10 Second Review	This story goes back to the early days of Superman's career before he knew his limitations.  A charitable stranger comes to town but his past catches up with him. This is a terrific story with a nostalgic feel.  Superman is portrayed more as Ma's son then the world's savior.  He is still growing up so readers get to see a different side of Big Blue.
Notes	Great art!
Learning Curve	Low: Good for new readers
Reading Order	N/a

Superman & Supergirl: Maelstrom

Title
Superman & Supergirl: Maelstrom

Library Link

Superman/Supergirl
: maelstrom / Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti, writers ; Phil Noto,
artist and covers ; Phil Noto, Rob Schwager, colorists.
Gray,
Justin.
New York : DC Comics, c2009.

10 Second Review
Superman takes his cousin off planet for some training and Darkseid gets a girlfriend.

Excellent art and a good story.
Accessible enough for new readers with crisp, clean illustrations for longtime readers.

Notes
While new, this book has a nostalgic feel.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Superman Batman: The Search for Kryptonite

Title
Superman Batman: The Search for Kryptonite

Library Link

Superman
Batman : the search for Kryptonite / Michael Green with Mike Johnson,
writers ; Shane Davis, pencils ; Matt "Batt" Banning, inks ; Alex Sinclair
(Chapters 1-5), Pete Pantazis (Chapter 6), colors ; Rob Leigh, letters
Green,
Michael, 1943-

10 Second Review
After a brush with death, Superman decides he should remove all the kryptonite from Earth. Batman decides to help but both are surprised by how much kryptonite there is. Who has it presents another nasty surprise.

Above average art and a good story make this a fun read.

Notes
Toyman gets a dream date.

Learning Curve
Moderate: Those new to Superman might be confused.

Reading Order
N/a

Superman Shazam First Thunder

Title
Superman Shazam First Thunder

Library Link

http://catalog.houstonlibrary.org/search~S1
Available
at Lakewood Public Library
DC Comics, 2006, by Judd Winick

10 Second Review
An investigation into a curious string of museum robberies leads Superman to Captain Marvel's hometown. Lex Luthor and Dr. Sivana also find reason to team up.

Good art with a fairly simple story of the first meeting between Big Blue and the Big Red Cheese.
Strangely, Captain Marvel doesn't seem to show up much in the DC universe even though he is essentially Superman's equal.

This book should have wide appeal for comic fans.

Notes
Who is Spec?

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
N/a

Superman and Batman versus Aliens and Predator

Title
Superman and Batman versus Aliens and Predator

Library Link

http://catalog.houstonlibrary.org/search~S1
Available
at Lakewood Public Library
DC Comics, 2007, by Mark Schultz

10 Second Review
Batman and Superman investigate separate events that lead them to a strange discovery in a South American volcano.

A simple yet fun story that veers a bit off the DC path to include some of the most popular sci-fi figures. An easy read with exceptional art, this book should have wide appeal.

Notes
Art by Ariel Olivetti

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
N/a

Justice Society

Title
Justice Society

Library Link

Justice
Society / writers, Paul Levitz, Gerry Conway ; pencillers, Joe Staton, Keith
Giffen, Wally Wood, Ric Estrada ; inkers, Wally Wood, Bob Layton
Levitz,
Paul.

10 Second Review
Several unrelated stories of the Justice Society from the 1970's.
Watch Flash, Dr. Mid-Nite, Wildcat, Power Girl and others battle Nazi's, Vulcan and Solomon Grundy.

While the art may seem dated, the stories are fun and more readable than many older comics.
A good introduction to the Justice Society.

Notes
Superman lends a hand.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Superman: Camelot Falls

Title
Superman: Camelot Falls

Library Link

Superman.
Camelot falls. [book 2] : The weight of the world / Kurt Busiek, writer ;
Carlos Pacheco,Jesús Merino art ; comicraft letters Alex Sinclair, Lee
Loughridge ; Pete Pantazis, colors ; Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe
Shuster
Busiek,
Kurt.

10 Second Review
Superman encounters another alien who was orphaned like him.
However, while caring parents discovered Clark, immoral scientists find this alien.

Good art and a good story involving time travel and alternative realities will appeal to fans.
A few unintroduced characters but should still be good for new readers.

Notes
Parasite plays a surprising role

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
Superman Camelot Falls 1
Superman Camelot Falls 2

Superman: Redemption

Title
Superman: Redemption

Library Link

http://catalog.houstonlibrary.org/search~S1
Available
at Lakewood Neighborhood Library
DC Comics, 2008, by Kurt Busiek

10 Second Review
This book contains three stories. First, Superman is mistaken for an angel while later he confronts a faith-based superhero. In the final story, the Man of Steel has a not-so-nice dream.

The religious themed stories may make some readers uncomfortable while others may be glad to see the issue addressed.

Notes
See how Superman dreams of dealing with Lex.

Learning Curve
Low: Should be ok for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Superman: The Third Kryptonian

Title
Superman: The Third Kryptonian

Library Link

Superman. The third Kryptonian! / Kurt Busiek ... [et al.]
New York : DC
Comics, 2008.

10 Second Review
A strange visitor informs Superman that there is a new Kryptonian on Earth.
Superman is not the only one interested in finding this mysterious stranger.

Good story and great art.
Story offers a different view of the people of Krypton.
Not everyone is as selfless as Superman.

Notes
Clark takes Pa Kent on an unusual fishing trip.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Superman and the Legion of Super-heroes

Title
Superman and the Legion of Super-heroes

Library Link

Superman
and the Legion of Super-heroes / Geoff Johns, writer ; Gary Frank, penciller
; Jon Sibal, inker ; Dave McCaig and Hi-Fi, colorists ; Rob Leigh, letterer ;
introduction by Keith Giffen Johns,
Geoff, 1973-

10 Second Review
Brainiac comes from the future to recruit Superman's help in averting a galactic-wide war that Earth is trying to start.

Good art and a standard story. Fans of the Legion will likely enjoy this book. The large cast of super-powered heroes might overwhelm others.

Notes
Should appeal to teens.

Learning Curve
Moderate: Lots of characters but most are explained.

Reading Order
N/a

Superman Escape from Bizarro World

Title
Superman Escape from Bizarro World

Library Link

Escape
from Bizarro world
New York : DC Comics ; London : Diamond [distributor],
c2008.Year: c2008Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
Superman follows Pa Kent's kidnapper to a strange, square planet.

New fans will likely enjoy this exploration of an unusual Superman staple but more seasoned fans will likely find this redundant.

Notes
Includes some Bizarro comics from the 60's

Learning Curve
Low to Moderate: Bizarro might confuse new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Superman: The Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel

Title
Superman: The Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel

Library Link
Superman : the ultimate guide to the Man of Steel

Beatty, Scott.London ; New York : DK, 2006.Year: 2006Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
A big, fun book full of color pictures and stories that walk the reader through the history of Superman.

Heavy on images but light on information.

Notes
Good reference material for old and new readers.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
N/a

Superman Batman Vengeance

Title
Superman Batman Vengeance

Library Link
Superman Batman : vengeance

VengeanceLoeb, Jeph.New York : DC Comics, c2006.Year: c2006Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
Superman and Batman team up to unravel a mystery involving alternative realities. Crisp, clean illustrations. A standard story which loses its way but with lots of interesting guest stars.

Notes
Bizarro, Batzarro and other odd characters make an appearance.

Learning Curve
High: new readers will likely be confused by large a cast of alternative characters.

Reading Order
N/a

52 Aftermath: The Four Horseman

Title
52 Aftermath: The Four Horseman

Library Link
52 aftermath : the Four Horsemen
Fifty-two aftermath : the Four HorsemenGiffen, Keith.New York : DC Comics, c2008.Year: c2008Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
Superheroes work together to battle powerful beings left over from the 52 series.

DC pushes their luck with this 52 afterthought. After a great series like 52, this book is very disappointing. Weak story, poor writing.
Nothing to see here, move along.

Notes
Stars the big DC three: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman

Learning Curve
Moderate

Reading Order
To be read after the 52 series