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 Countdown Presents The Search for Ray Palmer: Crime Society #3
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Jamal Igle, Rob Hunter, John Kalisz and John J. Hill
Reviewed by Kenne
As a principle, I wouldn't have purchased this because I don't pick up everything that's related to countdown, and I'm against the practice of DC throwing a "Tie-In" label on a book to make it sell. Honestly, the only reason I picked this up was because it was written by Sean McKeever and I found the concept of a good Joker interesting.
This was right up my alley and easily the best book I purchased this week. The story was reminiscent of the stories I really liked from the past where the issue is presented to the reader through the eyes of one character who's about to tell you a story. You just feel that you're about to read something good that will either help you understand the lead character or just generally move you to hear about their life. This was definitely not an exception. I felt it was crucial for this story to be told from Jokester's point of view since he's a new character that we needed to grow to like. After the Jokester's done telling you his story, you get a cool insight into some of the missing continuity of the DC universe and things that Countdown should be telling us and isn't.
The only thing that I could say negatively about this issue is that it didn't have anything to do with the Challengers' search for Ray Palmer, which is in the title of this book. This is why I almost didn't pick this up. DC throws a title on a book when it would actually be better if they'd given us a title that reflected something akin to the story we would wind up with.
Aside from that nitpick, this was an enjoyable issue, and the art was a nice style that was easy on the eyes. I recommend this issue.
 Pride High #5
Written by Tommy Roddy
Art by Shaun "Spanky" Piela, Lynx Delirium & Diego Gomez
Reviewed by Kenne
It's difficult to be an independent creator these days, and it's even tougher to be an independent creator telling a superhero story. I have to be honest, I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try (even though I've had my own superhero universe for years). So, before the first issue was even done, I had to give props to Tommy Roddy and Pride Comics for having the courage to try.
Pride High is the story of superpowered youths at a school for superheroes. But it's more than that because the team that makes up the main cast of the book are members of the Gay-Straight Alliance who are trying to find acceptance while educating their world that being gay isn't a bad thing. For five issues, we've been introduced to these characters and their world while discovering that there's a mystery that they have to solve.
Tommy Roddy is getting the recognition he deserves because he doesn't strive just to be a good comic book writer, he strives to educate while at the same time being true to the different cultures that Pride High inhabits. Consistently, I'm impressed with the story that Tommy is creating and the characters he's doing it with. The only thing that can be a bit difficult to adjust to is the changing artists on the book. However, I trust Tommy's vision, and I am willing to give the upcoming artists their chance to grow in their craft. Plus, the art for this issue was perfect for the story that's being told.
I hope to read many more issues of Pride High in the future, not just because I believe in the goals that Tommy and Pride Comics stand for, but also because this is just a darn good story.
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