Blue Beetle #13: This month, the Blue Beetle gets to know the makers of the scarab a little better (having met one of them in last month’s issue), goes from half-trusting half-suspecting them to outright knowing them for the bad guys they are after they let out a veritable army of killer scarab to ‘test’ Beeb. He also finds that the Reach (as they call themselves) truly have a long reach when they befriend the American government, not to mention the Justice League. There are also the always welcome developments on the home front as thanks to a help-out from Wayne Enterprises and collateral assistance from Paco, Jaime gets his father’s garage back. Along with being a worker at the garage Paco is also a partner in it. All in all an entertaining issue with some rather lively (if a bit rough in places) artwork from the Rafael Albuquerque & David Baldeon (pencils), Dan David (inks) and Guy Major (colors).

Conclusion: With more than a year under its belt Blue Beetle has become one of the rising teen heroes of the DCU. For a comparison check out what Supergirl achieved or did not achieve in the same time.

RATING: 8.5/10

Ninja Scroll #7: Now then, that was a quick story, both (fortunately) in terms of its pacing and (unfortunately) in terms of its content. Having not read the last couple of issues of Ninja Scroll I had a bit of a handicap going into this one, especially because this was the third part of a three arc story. I have no idea what wrong our Ninja did to the villagers for which he goes up the mountain (literally), only that once there he goes up against the Tengu there. As for what the Tengu are, had no inkling about that either but thanks to the opening flashback got that part covered. The artwork is suited to a story of this type and has the right mix of fluidity and roughness to depict the wandering Ninja and, well, his wanderings.

Conclusion: The easiest way to describe Ninja Scroll to the uninitiated (IMO)? Think of a lighter (set in Japan) version of Jonah Hex.

RATING: 7/10

Shadowpact #11: One of DC’s better illustrated titles (thanks to penciller Tom Derenick’s coming on board), Shadowpact has another action packed issue with the ragtag team put together last month going to hell (literally) to get Blue Devil’s Trident back from Etrigan. With two spanking her characters/members i.e. The Midnight Rider and Acheron and the bubbly Laura, Warlock’s Daughter, Blue Devil and Nightshade not only go up against Etrigan’s forces they do so with guns blazing (in Midnight Rider’s case literally). Having kicked some demon boo-tay they return to the Oblivion Bar only to have an extremely pissed off Etrigan follow them through Nightshade’s gateway. After the initial surprise and beating at the hands of Jason Blood’s other half the ‘pactors win once again. As for Etrigan, let’s just say he sure looks great with a top hat on. There are also a couple of pages to touch upon the situation with the other ‘regular’ team members but nothing major. That leaves the artwork and all I will say is that I hope that this creative team stays on this title for quite some time.

Conclusion: Starting with a few faltering issues Shadowpact has come a long way seems to only get better with each passing issue.

RATING: 8.5/10