Spotlight Week of January 12, 2005 By Roger Burks February 8, 2005 - 09:43 These rankings are compiled from the top 3 choices from 21 different voters on the Internet for comics released on January 12, 2005. 1. JSA #69, 32 pts "Slower start to this arc, but the trade-off was getting to see some great meetings between the Modern JSA and their Golden Age counterparts. Not every meeting worked, but enough did to keep me happy." rogue2, DC Message Boards 2. Fables #33, 14 pts This hasn't been my favorite story arc of the series, but it ends on a very strong note. I really enjoyed the surprise solution to the mystery. I still don't like Beauty & Beast's new roles/usage, but the overal strength of the series helps make up for that. 3. JLA #110, 13 pts This is some of Busiek's finest work. I've never seen the Crime Syndicate portrayed so well, and it is more than welcome. The only fault I would point out is the lame portrayal of Johnny Quick and Power Ring in battle. There should have been more strategy shown in that battle, but that's a relatively minor flaw. 4. Ultimates 2 #2, 9 pts Quite good, with good characterization all around. The intrigue with the "security leak" plot has been very good, and the tension between the characters is more than enough to keep me interested. (tied for 5th) Nightwing #101, 7 pts "Chuck Dixon is one of my all-time favorite writers, so I was expecting something a little more exceptional in his return to Nightwing. The first issue of Year One wasn't bad, but it wasn't a home run. We didn't learn anything new about D.ick's mental and emotional transition from Robin to Nightwing. But as we saw in the story (minor spoiler), D.ick didn't really know that his career as Robin was ending at the time. I hope that we see some greater depth of analysis in the coming issues as D.ick begins to realize that his partnership with Batman is really over." altamont, DC Message Boards (tied for 5th) Gotham Central #27, 7 pts "Ed Brubaker's second part of a 2-parter wraps up as we learn more about Det. Josie Mac. The pacing by Bru is dynamic (as all of his stories have been). The subtle writing is what I enjoy rather than over the top. Once again, the only setback was guest penciller Jason Alexander's pencils. I usually like his style (which is very Tony Salmons and John Proctor), but doesn't do the arc any justice. Solid, but not perfect." dubipr, DC Message Boards 7. Green Arrow #46, 6 pts "Does the writing seem overly light-hearted because of the cartoony art, or did the artist go with a cartoony look because of the silly script? It's a fun issue, especially Vic and Ollie's conversation about a Robin vs Speedy match-up, and probably just what the book needed after the serious events of New Blood and City Walls, but the art doesn't work for me (especially Ollie's over-exaggerated facial expressions). Just average." mistermiracle, DC Message Boards 8. She-Hulk #11, 5 pts "Its nice to see that Dan Slott finally got around to matching She-Hulk up with the rest of the MU continuity. Slott also manages to fit it a tie-in with Avengers: Discussion for good measure. I wish we could have seen more of Jen's law office in action. Super-speedsters as couriers, androids as gofers and a Avengers-level force field protecting the building, oh my! Methinks that her office needs a mini-series." jimmking, DC Message Boards (tied for 9th) X-23 #1, 4 pts "You've seen her on "X-Men: Evolution" and in NYX (don't remember it? It was a year ago and we ahd to wait three months for the next issue. Thx, Joe). Now this series will explain how she came to be and what connection she has to Wolverine. (Hint: if you're thinking "daughter," you're wrong.) Good art highlights the story of her "Mother's" motivations and unusual maternal instinct." darklaw14, DC Message Boards (tied for 9th) New Thunderbolts #4, 4 pts "The only Marvel I'm reading, and everyone should be as well. For old time Marvel reading ala the Shooter Years, this book can't be beat. And there's not a hint of Bendis anywhere on it! Fabian Nicieza continues on what he took from Kurt Busiek from T-Bolts vol. 1 and makes the twists and turns a pure delight to read. Tom Grummett deserves all the accolaids for making it look ever so lovely. As part of a "Enemy of the State" tie-in (Wolverine story arc), it doesn't hinder from the initial story Fabian began. Highly recommended." dubipr, DC Message Boards 11. Aquaman #26, Bloodhound #7, 100 Bullets #57, Hero Squared #1, New X-Men: Academy X #8, 3 pts 16. Action Comics #823, 2 pts 17. Majestic #1, Angeltown #3, Two Bits #1, 1 pt © Copyright 2002-2026 by Toon Doctor Inc. - All rights Reserved. All other texts, images, characters and trademarks are copyright their respective owners. Use of material in this document (including reproduction, modification, distribution, electronic transmission or republication) without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.