DC Comics reviews for week of 10/5/16 – Superman #8, Batman #8

Cyborg #2

John Semper Jr. apparently just needed to get a few issues under his belt as Cyborg has become a good read.

Last issue, Cyborg met Kilg%re. Semper slightly reimagined the Flash villain from a monosyllabic foe to a chatterbox. Considering Cyborg’s more stoic personality, Kilg%re makes for a welcome foil.

Kilg%re attempts to recruit Cyborg for the yet to be revealed villain. Semper makes a solid comparison to the plight of outdated machines and how humans view them as disposable to the plight of African-Americans in the United States. It’s a unique situation that only works for Cyborg so it was nice to see some new avenues explored.

Originally, I was worried Semper was just going to exhaust DC’s robotic villains. That could get old quick and Cyborg doesn’t need to get typecast as the guy who fights robots or metal men all the time.

Instead, Semper found a (pun intended) organic way to line them up against Cyborg. Semper is still a little too wordy and the panels get crowded working in the dialogue. Artist Paul Pelletier has a demanding job, but he continues to deliver easy to follow layouts despite two robotic characters dominating the pages.

The issue’s cliffhanger was cleverly done and should have lasting repercussions on the title. I don’t see Cyborg becoming a top tier title, but it’s enjoyable enough in this early stretch that it’s sustaining my interest.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10