DC Comics Quick Takes for the Week of February 26, 2025
Sometimes, there isn’t enough to say for a complete review, but there is still something to be said. That’s what Quick Takes is about. It would be difficult to review EVERY comic I read in a week, but I’ll always have something to say. So, here’s to something new…Quick Takes for the Week of February 26, 2025. Be sure to comment on what you’re reading and enjoying this week and check out the full reviews for the week at DC Comics News!
Black Canary: Best of the Best #4
The worst part of this series is the fight, and with issue the brutality is highlighted. It’s not only pretty gross, but it attempts to make you think the brutality is cool. Clearly King doesn’t understand how Dinah sees her fighting prowess, it’s not to hurt people which is what she does here. Not only is the fight between Black Canary and Lady Shiva contrived, without any context for the reason for the fight it makes the brutality even worse. The over narration continues to slow down this series, and now Tom King seems to want to rewrite the history of Dinah, Wildcat and Oliver Queen because it fits his story. King has Dinah as Ted Grant’s coach as well as Oliver Queen’s before he takes up the Green Arrow identity. Talk about contrived! Additionally, the stereotypical hard drinking “tough girl” doesn’t really fit Dinah or her mom. It’s very awkward and feels like King is writing them as a couple of “bro’s.” This issue solidifies that this isn’t taking place in the DC Universe, but only in Tom King’s head. It’s as if he asked himself the question, “wouldn’t it be cool if Black Canary and Lady Shiva fought?” The answer is, “no, it wouldn’t- not from King’s pen.” Gail Simone explored all these relationships in a deep and nuanced way in Birds of Prey nearly 20 years ago. I suggest you seek out those comics, because that’s what you’re really looking for- Dinah and Ted Grant? CHECK! Dinah and Lady Shiva? CHECK! Dinah and her mom? CHECK! Black Canary: Best of the Best #4? PASS.
Green Lantern Dark #3
This comic reads like an indie book from the ’80’s maybe something from First Comics. The art really sells this take. The problem comes with the Green Lantern moniker associated with the Elseworlds series. It’s one of those cases in which something completely new would be better than some sort of alternate universe Green Lantern. Green Lantern while still learning isn’t served by a Batman alternate telling that willpower is the secret to her using her power. It takes away the agency from this new character and it just feels weird. The hero’s journey must not be what writer Brombal is going for. It’s a little difficult to tell what this series is going for, but the focus should be on the development of the character through her own journey.
Metamorpho The Element Man #3
Throwback elements of this series are really strong and help make this a fun comic. This issue particularly has some fun details as teased on the cover with Indiana Jones, Kill Bill and James Bond visual references. Al Ewing’s script reads like a Zany Haney gem from the ’60’s and Steve Lieber does a nice job of giving the feel from that era. Additionally, he depicts a really fun “maze double spread” page. There’s some fourth wall breaking, also. Fun is the operative word. It’s not overly deep, but it’s a really nice change of pace comic. About the only drawback is the modern references to social media which take one out of the story. Ewing has worked so hard on getting the lingo and slang down that it makes more sense to just keep the comic in the ’60’s. It’s a minor complaint really.
What are you reading this week? Take a moment to leave a comment below about your favorite DC Comics of the week of February 26, 2025!
