Gotham Central #36 - DC’s most under-appreciated series wraps it’s third year with the finale of it’s most recent story arc. While it’s definitely not a good jumping on point for any new readers interested in the series, it does give us a nice, tight little ending to the Robin murders mystery that’s been percolating for the last handful of issues. The solution is a little more ‘Law & Order’ than I’d have liked, but it wasn’t exactly an unreasonable finish to the arc and did provide a really nice reason for a rare appearance of Batman in the title. It’s a shame that Brubaker’s not a part of the book he helped launch any longer, but Rucka’s turning in his best work on this title, so ‘Gotham Central’ should remain a must read.

Powers #13 - There’s some really good stuff, as usual, in this issue of ‘Powers’. Unfortunately, there’s also what feels like half an issue wasted by some character’s weird-ass stand-up routine about how everyone’s a liar. It’s obvious that Bendis is hammering this point home for plot reasons - Pilgrim’s secret, secret identities, this issue’s big reveal, etc. - but once the reader picks up on it after just one or two pages, there’s no reason to spend another 7-8 rehashing the same message over and over again except to act as filler. Oeming’s art is as solid as ever, but this is the first time I’ve wondered if Bendis really has all that much more to say with these characters.

JSA #78 - It’s interesting - since the Legion of Super Heroes went into a creative spiral about 5 years ago, one of their main villains has become the JSA’s big baddie. This issue re-introduces Mordru as a new and improved threat to the JSA, in an issue that’s loaded with storyline progression and events that actually matter to fans of the series. Unlike last issue’s Infinite Crisis-serving non-story, JSA #78 is actually the usual fun read we’ve come to expect. This is a pleasant surprise since it’s also the first major storyline from inker-turned-scribe (but still inking) Keith Champagne. In addition to setting Mordru loose on the world once more, by way of kicking Shazam’s ass and providing the obligatory IC tie-in moment, Champagne and penciller Don Kramer also give us part one of the JSA’s adventure in the fifth dimension, featuring Jakeem’s Thunderbolt and his family, Peachy Pet and Shocko. No, seriously. It’s not as bad as it sounds.

I saw, wanted, but couldn’t afford to pick up the new TRENCHER TPB from Boom! Studios. It’s about 18 bucks for 4 collected issues, all nice and prettified. ‘Trencher’ was the highly underappreciated Image comic that sprang forth from Keith Giffen’s head back in the mid-90s. A lot of people looked at it and unfairly dismissed it as Giffen ripping himself off with a Lobo clone, but the concept - a heavenly repo-agent for souls that were accidentally reincarnated - was sheer genius, and I hope the TPB sells well enough to convince Giffen et al to produce new stories with the characters.

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