Stormwatch #23

sw23“Memories”

Writer: Jim Starlin
Pencils: Yvel Guichet
Inks: LeBeau Underwood
Colors: Richard & Tanya Horie
Letters: Taylor Esposito
Editor: Harvey Richards
Senior Editor: Brian Cunningham
Cover: Jim Starlin

(No Spoilers)

Stormwatch begins to gain some decent footing with this issue.  After this reboot of the title seemed to grow very tired very quickly, this issue slows down a bit and gives us lots of info about certain members of the new team.  It’s still not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.

sw23image1The change in Midnighter’s origin is a little disappointing.  His original origin just didn’t seem as cliché.  But as far as the fight scenes and even his internal monologue, it seems this Midnighter is more what people wanted in the New 52.  We also gets glimpses of Storm Control’s past and some info on Hellstrike’s powers.  It’s interesting that the characters in the book know they’re not the original.  This could lead to some great plotlines if the creative team keeps on this path.

I’m still not crazy about the art and the inclusion of Lobo hasn’t added any weight to the book…yet.  He seems to be the focus of every solicitation so far so I hope he becomes very relevant to the team.  I just hope the team has more interaction with the rest of the DCU than just Lobo and the occasional reference to the Justice League.

The book will be gone for a month during Villain’s Month but will be back with #24 the following month.  I would’ve liked to have seem them do something with the villains from Stormwatch but the reboot is still to fresh and the villains not well-known enough to carry their own book.  I’m just happy it’s still not cancelled.  You gotta take your victories where you can.

7 out of 10 (Above Average)

3 comments

  1. I was just searching around Google for “Stormwatch cancelled” and glad that I ran into this review. I think me and you might be the only readers left! I’m hoping for the book to get better at some point too, just does not have the snap of the previous Authority titles. I always put those books down with a huge smile on my face, but typically, after I finish one of these new 52 Stormwatch books, my face looks like I just smelled a huge fart.

    1. I definitely feel the same way. I’ve been dreading doing the catch-up podcast episode where we review the summers worth of Stormwatch, since it’s now our only “Wildstorm” title. I think we may not do it until the October issue.

      1. Just finished Sw #23, and this was the first issue since #1 that I definitely felt like giving a 4/5 stars. Glad that Starlin is not just pooping on the continuity from issues 1-22, and now we kinda have a better idea of the Kollective’s villainous capabilities. WTF on Midnighter’s new origin aped from Hawksmoor’s (except for the white owls, which are kinda appropriate considering the Midnighter’s motif, but slightly cheesy). I also think Starlin’s multiple drug references throughout each issue are pretty amusing, considering I’m usually not sober when reading these.

        Overall, I”m just relieved that there’s finally been an issue where I’m eager to see what happens next, as opposed to “…I hope this gets better!” I’m also looking forward to Wildstorm Addiction coming back as a podcast since I’m catching up with the old ones, but at this point, I’m not exactly sure how much material you’ll be able to discuss since DC’s axed all of the Wildstorm titles. I just don’t know what’s up with that DC as a company, they succeeded in making me buy my first EVER DC comic off the stands when they started putting out Stormwatch, but nearly every issue except #23 made me hate DC for the title’s mediocrity thus far. Hope #24 will be worth the wait!

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