Review: Batwoman #3

Batwoman can be a challenging series to review. The art is so overwhelming that it can be hard to look at the comic as a whole instead of focusing on that one beautiful piece. I was so sucked in by this issues dreamlike underwater pages that I lost all interest in turning the page. All I wanted to do was watch the way the water flowed from panel to panel, to admire the details JH Williams III had hidden at the bottom of the river. But somewhere along the way, the hold the art had on me was broken, and the plot is what garnered the bulk of my appreciation. While I've enjoyed the first two issues, I think Batwoman #3 is the best storywise so far.

One of the reasons we admire heroes, superpowered or not, is their bravery, their strength in the worst moments. They don't break down when normal people would, which makes the moments when we do see them drowning in their troubles and responsibilities that much more powerful. I doubt as we'll see Kate as vulnerable as she was in those panels with Maggie anytime soon, but that's what makes it special. Being reminded that masked heroes are still human, that they have cracks in their armor, makes the things they accomplish all that more impressive.

La Llorona, Cameron Chase, and even Maggie Sawyer fell into the background as Williams gave us a wonderful Kate Kane character study. Kate doesn't wear her angst on her sleeve the way Batman often does, and I think it's easy to forget how tortured she really is. Jake Kane's appearance in the issue was a brief one, but more than ever, you could feel how much the separation from her father is killing Kate. For years, they only had each other, and being apart from him when she's emotionally torn apart must be brutal. I miss the two of them together, and I want to hope for a reconciliation, but it's hard to see how Kate will forgive the Colonel when her pain over what happened to Beth is still so raw.

Kate's words may have been harsh, but I think it's fair to point out that Bette doesn't really have a reason for fighting. Bette was a forgotten character for years, but her old origin essentially had her training to become a hero because she wanted to impress/stalk Robin. As much as she might like Bette, that has to sting for someone like Kate, who fights because she absolutely needs to. I hope that their falling out gives Bette some more depth. I always like seeing her, but I don't think she's a compelling character on her own yet. The pages with her donning her Flamebird suit were absolutely stunning, and even though I'm not expecting this to lead to something good, it was a cool little moment for the character.

This issue picked up directly from where the last one left off, and ended on a cliffhanger, but in many ways, it felt like a standalone issue. If someone asks me where to start with Batwoman, I'll always recommend Elegy, but I can easily see myself handing this issue over to someone I want to hook. It's not the action piece I was expecting- it's just a look into one night of Batwoman's life, and sometimes that can lure in readers to way an introductory story can't. Some plot points might be hard to make sense of if you haven't been following the series, but Kate's pain is something any reader should be able to understand.

When I talk about what makes Batwoman great, I often focus on the art, and maybe that's a mistake. The art is breathtaking, but Kate's story is exceptional too, and it would be no matter who was drawing her.  Loss is a common theme in comic book back stories, but the way loss is used in Kate's tale feels somewhat unique. She's dealt with tragedy, found a purpose, and had that purpose stripped away from her. When she found a purpose once again, all her wounds from her past were reopened, and this issue proves they've never really had a chance to heal. There's something intensely relatable in all that, and it's a huge part of why I love Batwoman as much as I do. As always, I urge anyone who isn't familiar with Batwoman to give the character a chance. Whether you begin with Elegy or start right here, you're in for something special.

By Marceline with No comments

Review: Red Hood and the Outlaws #2

In the first issue of Red Hood and the Outlaws we’re introduced to Red Hood (former Batman sidekick Jason Todd), Arsenal (not yet code named in the new DCU Roy Harper, former Green Arrow sidekick, though that’s never explicitly stated either), and Starfire (Exiled alien Princess Koriand’R). They’re not a team but Red Hood & Arsenal have worked together before, and Arsenal has worked with Starfire before. They’re all on the fringe of the superhero community, though we’re not directly told why (their willingness to kill is likely a cause).

They don’t exactly get along, but they don’t necessarily hate each other either, despite how they act. They’re like siblings or college roommates, kind of thrown together by circumstance, not always liking it, but going with it, at least for now.

The issue opens with a flashback to Jason Todd’s introduction to the All Caste, a mystic group of martial artists who exist in a place that may not be in this universe/dimension/plane of reality. He’s brought there by Talia al Ghul for training. She hopes to calm his rage and teach him the discipline he seems to lack since returning from the dead. This is a great sequence because it simultaneously adds to the Jason Todd story long time readers know while still being able to stand on its own for new readers. Plus he gets his ass handed to him by a tiny old lady.

Don’t patronize other dimensional old ladies. No matter how tiny they are, they’re always ninjas.

Turns out Talia believes in Jason’s potential, and as is typical for all DC martial artists, he needs to spend a lot of time with a secret cabal of monk-ninjas. As stereotypical as this plot devise is, it still works. Not only does the long, extensive training increase believability that a non-powered human can fight in a superhuman world, it also gives credence to Jason being the leader of the group.

Skip ahead and Jason and Roy are on a plane to find out what’s happened to the All Caste. Scott Lobdell does a good job of playing up the banter between the two. They’re clearly friends no matter what they say. His dialog isn’t quite Whedon good, but it’s a fun dynamic and definitely adds to the story. This is played up even more when they meet up with Kori and Roy tries to bring up the sexual tension that he’s apparently the only one to feel/acknowledge.

We cut to a safehouse of Jason’s where he’s ‘surprised’ by something ugly who he has some kind of history with.

Something UGLY!!

This scene is both confusing and not. Obviously it’s designed to show that Jason A) probably has enemies everywhere, B) sets the stage for future retribution (RE: Plots), C) is always prepared and therefore a D) Badass. Which it does. However it also seems to be out of nowhere and somewhat throws the issue off.

Cut to the ‘still not a team’ of Red Hood & Arsenal jumping out of a plane, being met by Starfire, and finding their way through the holographic/portal opening to the All Caste. We find out the All Caste have all been killed, something that is actually upsetting to Jason. I have to say, it’s a mark to Lobdell’s characterization of Jason that as a reader I can both tell how upsetting these deaths are to him while simultaneously realizing that this is a rare expression of emotion for the character.

The ensuing battle is great for a number of reasons. The action is brutal and swift. The characters fight in distinct ways and yet work well together as a team. It can easily be missed in other team books when each hero simply attacks with whatever their power is (aka everyone shoot at once). Lobdell & Rocafort do an excellent job of blending the action to show teamwork. And the art is wonderful.

Kenneth Rocafort is handling both pencils and inks and it shows in the best way. He has a great handle on these characters and his depiction of their facial expressions goes a long ways to showcase their emotions and feelings throughout the book. And his inks are ultra detailed for close up shots and more subdued for distance shots. His style reminds me a lot of cinema, in that sense. I also am a big fan of how he plays around with the layouts. It’s similar to what J.H. Williams III is doing on Batwoman, while remaining unique and true to this story.

I love the group dynamic both in and out of battle. They’re fun, precise, and play off each other perfectly. This ‘team’ clearly works well together and I’m very much excited to see where they go next.

By Kephus with No comments

Review: Batman Odyssey #1

When Batman: Odyssey was originally announced back in 2010, I was pretty excited. I'm a huge fan of 70's era Batman (it's the source of many Batman: the Animated Series stories), and Adams was a big part of that. I was looking forward to some classic, throwback stories that focused on Batman's most iconic villains. What I got was something else entirely. In Odyssey, characters hurl insults like "your death, jelly roll", and a shirtless Bruce Wayne regales us with tales while eating raw eggs and a banana. Characters suddenly appear on panel and start having conversations about events we've never seen, and Batman himself randomly tries to beat Riddler impersonators to death in front of Commissioner Gordon because he thinks may have killed a kid. Don't worry, folks, Gordon promises to club that costumed murderer if he has to.

This time around, I was still looking forward to Batman: Odyssey, but for a very different reason. I couldn't wait for more bizarre dialogue and crazy Batman, and the new issue of Odyssey didn't disappoint. From the looks of it, this is actually the intended 7th issue of the series, held back and renumbered for the sake of the relaunch. I'd say something about it being inaccessible to new readers, but when it comes to Odyssey, every issue is as delightfully incomprehensible as the one before. Not being able to understand what's going on is part of its charm.

I love my K-Cup brewer too, Batman.

When the story opened on Bruce Wayne offering me a cup of coffee, I knew this was going to be good. He informs me that the coffee is from a coffee machine brewer and that I should lobby for my office to get one. Even better. Sure, he may actually be giving that coffee to a mystery acquaintance, who can't believe it's a machine, but in the world of Batman: Odyssey, Bruce Wayne is always talking to me. In a rare moment of clarity, Wayne actually seems to understand that he's completely insane. But the moment is all too brief, and soon we return to the crazy ramblings I've become accustomed to. Wayne says that there's a point to all this, but before we can be filled in, we're transported to Arkham Asylum.

These Arkham inmates are classy and/or British and say things like "Solid as the queen's rump. Time for a spot of tea." Because that's what classy British folks do. Soon, an Asian man appears to insult their lockmaking and call them "odorous animals of decadence" and does things that are un-scientific. I'm not being snarky, it says so right in the comic:

See?

Suddenly, Penguin and Riddler appear. Penguin is the one telling riddles, but since this is probably a fake Penguin and fake Riddler I'm not terribly concerned. Plus, before we can get to the bottom of this, we're taken to a splash page of folks riding giant bats and dinosaurs, and I'm willing to forgive just about anything if there are dinosaurs involved. And then Batman plays rodeo with a dinosaur named tiny and I am incredibly grateful this comic exists. Alas, the moment is over all to soon, and we're taken to a man telling Alfred that he's a font. I hope he's Helvetica. Robin appears, and admits that even he doesn't know what's going on. Sometimes I think Batman: Odyssey is the greatest work of metafiction the comics world has ever seen, and I'm just not smart enough to understand it.

The comic actually does reveal who a few of the characters that have been cropping up throughout the series are before ending on another dinosaur laden splash page. Oh Neal Adams, you know just how to lure me back. At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if half the cast was replaced by kittens for the next issue. In Odyssey, the sight of Bruce Wayne's chest hair is the only thing you can really count on. Still, I'm hoping for more Batman/dinosaur acrobatics in spite of myself.

Gravity?!? Yeah, gravity.

Neal Adam's art here is different than what you might expect. There's something sketchier, looser, and very kinetic about it. His facial expressions can get a bit wonky, but it's honestly some pretty nice art. I like the messiness mixed in with Adams' more traditional style. Some of the panels are slightly off-kilter in a way you might not notice if you weren't paying close attention. It's a perfect fit for the incoherent feel of the comic, and would work well even on a book that did make sense. Bill Sienkiewicz is one of several inkers working on this book, and he and Adams, as always, make a great team. There's a great team of colorists here, including Moose Bauman, and it all comes together to create a very interesting looking book.

METAFICTION!

If you're just looking to sit down with a solid Batman story, don't read Batman: Odyssey. Try Scott Snyder's work on the main Batman book, or check out some of the classic stories Neal Adams did with Denny O'Neil, like Half an Evil, Night of the Reaper, and Vow From the Grave. But if you're like me, if you like watching those terrible rip-offs of popular movies that they always have on Netflix, if there are few things you enjoy more than a good episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000- give Batman: Odyssey a look. Once I gave up trying to make sense of this comic, it became an absolute blast to read, and I have fun with every crazy issue. Batman: Odyssey is the ultimate b-movie of comic books, and I'm thrilled it's still around.

By Marceline with No comments

Review: Batman #2

Batman #1 was the sort of comic that made me feel lucky to be a Batman fan. Batman's been the star of so many terrific stories, and great stories continue to be told with the character month after month. He's been written by some of the best writers ever to work in the business, like Grant Morrison and Alan Moore, and is currently being written by Scott Snyder, a fantastic new writer who I'm expecting will be considered a great in the years to come. So for me, whether or not Batman #2 would be good wasn't a question. It was naturally going to be awesome. The only question was how awesome it would be.

Now that I've had a chance to enjoy the comic, I can report that the answer is "pretty darn awesome". This was hands down my favorite comic of the week, and features an action scene that I'm mentally filing away in my "why I love Batman" folder. The comic was wonderfully paced and built on the many mysteries introduced in the first issue. I read solicits, so I have some idea of where things are going next, but I imagine Snyder will still find many ways to intrigue me along the way. I'm very interested in the court of owls, but I'm even more intrigued by Lincoln March. I found the story he told Bruce to be genuinely touching, and I'm interested to see if he's sincere, or if he has a deeper connection to Gotham's dark history. The assassin's line about killing Waynes is one that should have the internet buzzing for a while.

The story and action are both terrific, but I'd  be remiss if I didn't talk about the book's characters. I love Gordon's portrayal here. I'm unclear as to how much of Gordon's willful ignorance about the identity of Batman has carried through here, but the relationship between him and Batman is great regardless. It was great seeing them perform the autopsy together. It's impressive to see how creepy Snyder manages to make Dick Grayson appear here. This is the character I think of as being the most emotionally stable member of the family, and Snyder obviously has a good handle on him. Most of the lines could be written off as red herrings, but I think there's something more going on here, and I can't wait to see what it is.

But Gotham remains the most significant supporting character in this tale. Bruce has come a long way, but I can still believe that he thinks of the city he protects as one of his closest friends. Bruce has spent much of his life afraid to trust anyone, but as vile as Gotham can be, the city is something he feels he truly understands. He knows its strengths, knows how the city can help him. He knows what to expect from Gotham, and what he can do about it. Seeing that trust waiver will be fascinating, and makes me all the more excited to learn about Gotham's deepest and most well hidden secrets.

 Greg Capullo's work on this comic continues to stun me. His visual storytelling during the book's chase scene was pitch perfect, and I often felt like I could hear what was happening thanks to his dynamic art. There's a huge variety in facial expressions, even when it comes to random bad guys, and it does worlds for giving every character their own unique personality. Being able to do something like this is crucial in any Gotham based book, where half the major characters are sporting black hair and blue eyes. We see more of the great backgrounds and architecture we were treated to in issue #1, and his rendering of Gotham's guardians made a certain scene in the book feel that much more badass.

If you're a fan of Batman, then this is a comic you should be reading. It's a great showcase for all the major Batman characters, and it's just a great comic in general. It has wonderful art, compelling writing, and to me, is miles better than any other Batbook DC is publishing right now. While I get the definite sense that Snyder is building a bigger story arc here, both of the book's issues have really felt like they told their own complete story. The endings give you plenty to look forward to while you wait for the next month's issues, but the story you do get still feels satisfying and whole. Batman continues to be one of DC's best comics, and with talent lik

By Marceline with No comments

Review: Batwoman #2

I'm still not used to having a Batwoman book every month. I feel like Batwoman should be a rare treat- something I wish I could enjoy all the time, but I only get to have every so often. But if DC's willing to give me a new issue of Batwoman every month, than I'm more than willing to read it, and it was with great joy that I tore into my copy of Batwoman #2. When I read the book's opening action scene, I felt like the words "SOCK!" and "POW!" should be appearing on my page, accompanied by a familiar series of dunananananas. JH Williams III takes the bright colors of flash associated with Batman in the 60's and somehow marries it perfectly to his Batwoman style. It made Bette's neutral costume stand out on every page, and gave the book a high level of energy right from the start.

But for me, the highlight of the book wasn't the action scenes, but the relationship between Kate Kane and Maggie Sawyer. Their chemistry felt so natural here, and the two of them had some really fun moments. I especially loved Kate's little bow as she walked away. I feel like having Maggie around makes Kate try a little bit harder, and brings out great aspects of the character we don't often get to see. I grinned right along with Batwoman when she smiled with pride from the rafters, and the expression on Kate's face when she asked about the children was a very nice touch. Williams really seems to have a good handle on writing Maggie Sawyer, and I'm excited to see how he develops the character.

While it's a minor complaint, I felt like the book's delay really stood out this time around. Batwoman debating whether or not to join Batman Inc. feels a bit pointless, considering we already saw her working with Batman Inc. in issues 4 and 5 of the series. I also wish we'd seen a little more of Bette this time around. Batman's warning would've had a little more punch if she'd had more pagetime, and I just really like the way she interacts with Kate. Still, there's so much going on in this issue that her minimal appearances are easy to forgive. I'm thrilled that Batwoman is giving so much attention to the supernatural side of Gotham, especially since it's not playing a role in any of the other Batbooks right now. I know we won't be seeing Alice again any time soon, but I'm looking forward to seeing more of the Religion of Crime all the same.

It looks like Batwoman is going to become the home for characters previously drawn by JH Williams III, and I have to say I'm pretty excited about that. In addition to the characters introduced in the last issue, I spotted Desolation Jones hidden away in a panel during the club scene. I suspect there are other easter eggs scattered throughout the series that have already been noticed by readers more astute than I. On that same note, Cameron Chase is an even better fit for Batwoman than I thought she'd be. She's not just a great foil for Kate, but a good one for Detective Sawyer as well. I loved that Chase suspected Sawyer of being Batwoman, and I'm curious to see how she'll affect the budding relationship between Maggie and Kate. I'm excited to see what happens when Chase and Batwoman finally get a chance to fight. I'm betting the dialogue will be as good as the action itself.

There's not much about JH Williams III's art I can say at this point without sounding redundant. His artwork is stunning, the way he switches up his style throughout the book is fascinating, and his page layouts are wonderfully intricate. I love that he got the chance to draw some monsters here. One in particular looks truly horrific, and I hope he comes up with some ways to showcase those skills soon. The comic still isn't very friendly to digital readers, and I definitely suggest getting a physical copy if you can. There are a few pages that seem like they'd be very challenging to read otherwise, and there are some great, subtle background details that could easily be missed.

Batwoman is still somewhat inaccessible to new readers, but for old fans of the character, this series is a win. The art is as amazing as ever, and both the plot and the character work continue to be great. Because of the way Williams renders his layouts, the comic takes a long time to read, and I really felt like I'd gotten my money's worth by the time I got to the end. If you missed out on Batwoman #1 last week, I strongly recommend picking up the reprint and getting issue #2 to go along with it. A monthly ongoing drawn by JH Williams III is a rare treat, one you should enjoy while you still can.

By Marceline with No comments

What to Read Next: Batman

So you read some of the new 52 books. You liked some of the new 52 books. Now you want to know what to read next. Tracking down comics by the same author is always a safe bet, but I want to give readers some suggestions that are a little more unexpected. This will be the first in a series of posts that provides recommendations for fans of all of DC's relaunch titles. Today, let's go over the Batman books.

Batman #1 was my favorite of the Batman titles, and one of my favorite relaunch books in general. Before following any of these recommendations, you should look up Scott Snyder's other Batman tales. His Detective Comics run, which will be collected as Batman: The Black Mirror, has a lot in common with the story he's spinning here. Gates of Gotham, a miniseries he wrote with Kyle Higgins, is a great introduction to the extended Batfamily, and provides some Gotham history that may be relevant in future Batman issues. But if you've read those and are looking for something new, here's what I'd suggest:

Ongoing: The Green Wake, published by Image Comics. 

The Green Wake is a smart, fascinating detective story that demands to be read over and over again. Green Wake, the town the series takes its name from, is small in comparison to Gotham, but it's every bit as sinister. Much like in Batman #1, the town feels like a character in the story, and writer Kurtis Wiebe does a terrific job bringing it to life. Fans of Greg Capullo should really appreciate the work of artist Riley Rossmo. Rossmo fills every panel with emotion and atmosphere, and takes an already compelling story to the next level. The series' first storyline just concluded, and now is the perfect time to get into the series. You can check out the first issue for free here.

Concluded:  Batman: Gothic

Gothic is an oft forgotten Batman story, but it's one of my favorites. Originally published as part of the Legends of the Dark Knight series, the series sheds a fascinating light on Bruce Wayne's childhood, and takes full advantage of the Gotham setting. Unlike Batman #1, Gothic features strong supernatural elements, but the book feels very grounded in reality in spite of that. To me, it's one of the best looks at Batman's motivations we've ever gotten, and reading it will really show you just how far the character has come. Grant Morrison told this tale back in 1990, long before the start of his bat epic, but you can see seeds of his ideas here. His Batman is every bit the badass detective we know and love, but manages to feel very human and vulnerable in spite of that. Klaus Janson's art work is reminiscent of Neal Adams Batman art from the 1970's. It's simplistic in comparison the level of detail in Capullo's pages, but it still adds plenty of mood to the story. Because this comic is so old, it's easy to get on the cheap, and can usually be snagged for around $10 on Amazon.

Anyone who dug the first issue of Batman and Robin should do themselves a favor and check out the series' first 3 volumes. The dynamic between Dick Grayson and Damian is terrific, and there are some big payoffs to the series various mysteries. If you're interested in where Damian came from, you'll want to read Batman and Son, or the book's Wikipedia page. You can also get some backstory from the 1987 book Son of the Demon, but there are some pretty glaring continuity differences. And if you're looking for something a little more unusual, than check out:

Ongoing: Invincible, published by Image Comics

Frequently compared to Dragonball Z, Invincible gives readers a look at what being the son of a superhero might be like. On the surface, the series seems much more lighthearted than Batman and Robin is, but the series takes a darker turn pretty quickly. The comic is written by Robert Kirkman, who is best known for his work on The Walking Dead. The series blends over the top superheroic action with moments that feel very true to life, and Kirkman always injects his comic with plenty of humor. Artist Cory Walker has a slightly cartoony style that fits well with the tone of the series, and does a great job with the book's action scenes. Invincible has been running since 2003, which may be intimidating to new readers, but the book's early volume can be obtained cheaply and easily. You can check out a fully voiced, motion comic version of series for free here.

Concluded: Batman: Dark Victory

Dark Victory features Dick Grayson, not Damian Wayne, but there's no book that will give you a better understanding of why Batman needs a Robin. While Dark Victory is a mystery tale, it's a character study at heart, and shows of Batman's weak points in a way few series are willing to do. For me, this is probably the best work Jeph Loeb has done, and I wish he'd write more stories like this one. Like many of Loeb's Batman tales, it utilizes a large chunk of Batman's rogues gallery, and it's a great way to brush up on the basics. Tim Sale is an enormous talent, and it's a crime that he's illustrated so few comics. He has a noir-esque style that suits Batman beautifully, and some of his splash pages are really stunning. I've heard several people say that reading this changed their opinion of Robin, and I hope it can do the same for you. Before reading Dark Victory, I'd recommend reading Frank Miller's Batman: Year One and The Long Halloween, another Loeb and Sale collaboration. 

I'm not the biggest fan of Tony Daniel's Batman stories, but if you like them, there's plenty for you to enjoy. He began writing the series back in 2009, and a collection featuring some of his work titled Batman: Life After Death comes out later this month. Daniel is also writing another of the 52 books, The Savage Hawkman. Fans of his artwork can check out stories like Batman R.I.P. or Battle for the Cowl. If you're looking for something beyond that, try:

Ongoing: Severed, published by Image Comics

Severed, penned by Batman scribe Scott Snyder, is a great read for anyone who wants something creepy and mysterious. The series, which Snyder describes as "historical horror", is primarily set at the turn of the century, and features a truly terrifying villain. He's not The Joker, but he's every bit as unsettling. We see just enough of him to be afraid, but he's in the shadows enough to leave us wanting more. This is the sort of comic that can appeal to people in a lot of different ways. It's a beautifully constructed comic, but relies enough on old school horror movie cliches to make this fun for someone who wants a lighter, but still scary read. Readers who loved the intensity of the Detective Comics cliffhanger should love some of the mysteries that are teased at here. With every issue, Snyder's left me wanting more, and I'm so excited to see how the story pays off. The art from Attilla Futaki is absolutely stunning, and should appeal to many who enjoy Daniel's artstyle. Severed's third issue was just released, and it should take no time for readers to catch up. It's the sort of comic that really sinks its teeth into you.

Concluded: Hush

Tony Daniel's art style is pretty heavily influenced by Jim Lee's, and Hush is some of Lee's best work. This title is one of the most frequently recommended Batman books, and for good reason. Not only does it introduce readers to many members of the Batfamily and Batman's rogues gallery, it's also chock full of fanboy bait. From Batman fighting a mind controlled Superman to villain team-ups, the comic is full of the sort of moments that many readers can't wait to see. Everything people like about Jim Lee's art is on display here, but he also experiments with his style in a very cool way. His watercolor work is stunning, and injects a lot of emotion into the scenes that make use of it. The violence here seems tame in comparison to what we've seen in Detective Comics, but it's still packed full of action. Because Hush is such a popular book, you've got a good chance of finding this one at your local library.

David Finch was telling Batman stories in The Dark Knight before the reboot, and grabbing those issues should be the first stop of anyone who liked this. The earlier Dark Knight issues had a bit of a supernatural bent, but they feature the same David Finch artwork that people know and love. Anyone looking for more of his art should check out his work on Moon Knight and the Ultimatum miniseries. The other Batman stuff he's illustrated isn't super accessible to newer readers, but that doesn't mean they can't appreciate his spreads in Batman: The Return. If you're looking for a story not drawn by David Finch, I'd recommend:

Ongoing: Damaged, published by Radical Comics

Damaged is the tale of two brothers whose lives took very different paths. One of them is among the San Francisco PD's finest, while the other is a vigilante who borrows more from the Punisher than Batman. Written by David Lapham, Michael Schwarz, and John Schwarz, this story lets you see the sort of law versus viglante conflict you may have enjoyed in The Dark Knight's first issue, and has some pretty compelling elements for fans of both hardboiled detective stories and horror fiction. The artwork from Leonardo Manco is a little too static for my tastes, but it's beautifully rendered, and I think David Finch fans will really appreciate it. The art is detailed enough to justify several repeat readthroughs, and the book's team of colorists do a terrific job showing it off. For a better look at Damaged, check out this preview.

Concluded: Batman: Black and White

You'd be hard pressed to find a better showcase for Batman artwork than Batman: Black and White. A collection of short Batman tales, every page features stunningly detailed black and white art. Several artists who influenced Finch, including Jim Lee and Marc Silvestri, worked on this title, and every artist who contributed did a terrific job. There's no shortage of good stories here either. My personal favorite is A Black and White World, a Batman and Joker tale written by Neil Gaiman. Good Evening Midnight, Bent Twigs, and Monsters in the Closet are also gems. Because the tales told here are so short, this is perfect for reading on the bus or in between classes. Fans of motion comics may want to check this out on Amazon Video.

That's it for the Batman titles! Check back in a few days for the rest of the Batfamily.

By Marceline with 1 comment

Review: Huntress #1

I’m a big fan of the Bat family which is how I know Huntress. Initially going after mob criminals only because of her family connection to them Helena is a character who, unlike the rest of the Bat/Gotham superheroes, was unsanctioned and unwanted by the Batman. Initially having very little training, she was overly aggressive compared to the rest of the Gotham heroes. It made her a unique character with different motivations than the rest of them.

However she was never able to grab my interest other than being something of a clichéd bad girl and a minor thorn in Batman’s side. Then she joined the Birds. She fit in well with this team because each member was unique. They all had their own fighting styles, personalities, motivations, and methods, yet worked great together. She got a lot of character development and even took on Lady Shiva (who, if you don’t know, is the best, and most lethal martial artist in the former DCU). Which was basically a suicide mission on Huntress’ part, but also one of the most defining moments of her as a character (and badass).

Ultra badass!

So it’s interesting to me that she’s staring in her own (albeit limited) title when the Birds of Prey book still exists in the new 52. Birds of Prey gives no explanation as to why she is not part of the team, and neither does this book leaving us to wonder if and what her history is. We get almost nothing here. In fact, the only reason we’re aware of any connection to Batman is that Huntress laments her quick change in comparison to Batman’s eternal preparedness and her references to Gotham. Not to say that this is bad, it certainly allows for more character building if she’s allowed to stand on her own, apart from Gotham. The problem with that is this is pretty much the only character building we get. Why is she in Italy? Why is she a superhero? Does she know she’s messing with mob crime?

First issue, some mystery is to be expected but there’s no apparent motivation for anything she does, and even less character development. Oh, did I mention the horrible dialogue? No? Well judge for yourself:

So, you don't like garbage?

Good god. Straight on til morning? Why don’t you just ask him to call you Ishmael?

Honestly it’s like Paul Levitz has never written a comic, or much of anything before. Honestly, the conversation between Helena and the Italian reporter is wildly confusing. The reporter is disproportionately angry at Helena, who I guess is there to help expose what’s going on? Though I don’t understand how she is supposed to be doing this without identifying herself as Huntress. I reread this exchange a few times and it never became less disjointed. The whole thing seemed forced just to [poorly] introduce the reporter character and name drop the Daily Planet.

I like Huntress but I’m confused as to why I’m supposed to like Huntress here. There’s really
nothing to set this comic apart from anything else in the new 52 universe.

On the plus side is Marcus To’s art. Not overly detailed, his art has a definite flow to it that works well here, especially with the action scenes.

One of the key aspects of Huntress has always been that she’s more of a street fighter compared to a lot of the other non-powered crime fighters. She’s not big on a lot of flips or overly fancy moves, and she’s inclined to a higher level of violence. To does a great job of playing that out every time Helena is fighting. She moves more like a well trained cop or military personnel with a crossbow than a high flying uber martial artist. It gives the reader a sense of the character that the rest of the book does not. Unfortunately I don’t know how apparent that will be to someone picking up this book with no history of the character. I know it’s something I wouldn’t pick up on if I wasn’t well versed in the world.

Word is that by the end of this series Huntress will be the most wanted superhero / criminal in the new 52, and this may lead into her reintroduction to the Birds of Prey, both of which sound interesting, but I’ll take an online summary of this over having to slog through another 5 issues this pointless.

By Kephus with 3 comments

Review: Penguin: Pain and Prejudice #1

When DC announced the Penguin: Pain and Prejudice miniseries, I was a little disappointed. I don't have anything against Penguin, but he's less compelling than some of Bruce's other rogues, and these Batman villain spotlight series are frequently mediocre. Since the Batman continuity is largely remaining the same, I didn't feel as though there were grand, new stories to tell with the character, and I wish they'd given a mini to a lesser known Gothamite instead. While I wouldn't describe Pain and Prejudice #1 as "grand and new", it certainly reminded that writing books off before I read them has a way of biting me in the butt. This was a very good start, a nice little surprise, and the best use of Penguin I've seen in a good long time.

I'm not that familiar with Gregg Hurwitz's work, but this comic has convinced me to check it out. His well constructed prose reminds me a lot of Scott Snyder, and in spite of all the narration, the issue never feels overly wordy. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting- maybe some kind of a heist story- but what I got was a powerful character study that would have been potent even as a standalone issue. I actually had to check to make sure that this was only a 32 page comic. It feels longer without every feeling dull, and while miniseries frequently feel like cash grabs, this comic really gave me my $2.99's worth.

Hurwitz's Penguin ranges from pathetic and pitiable to calculating and monstrous in a single issue. There's a scene here that I think will be pulled out by many fans when they try to explain why the Penguin is awesome, along with some brutal moments that show how accustomed he is to Gotham's nastiness. While Hurwitz doesn't stray far from what's done before with the character, there are a few aspects he explores in ways I haven't seen before. I'm really excited to see how he builds on some of this stuff in the issues to come. Many comic book villains are either flat out crazy, or obsessed with getting some kind of revenge, but this Penguin is neither. He's just a bitter, isolated person who is comfortable with being feared, and who cares little for most of the world beyond that.

Szymon Kudranski's art really sells how terrifying the Penguin can be. When drawing Oswald as a child, he's drawn with all the sweetness and innocence you would expect, but still makes him look quite creepy. There are some wordless panels here that were quite powerful, and I'm glad that Hurwitz trusted in Kudranski's talent. The use of shadows throughout the book is impressive, and this is only elevated by John Kalisz's dark and moody colors. Body language and facial expressions are strong without, and I especially like how you got a clear sense of the way Penguin walks. He doesn't move like other people, and that's important for readers to see.

The book's final page is a pretty by the numbers ending for a comic like this, but because of the way Hurwitz has set up the character, it's very effective. What happens when the Penguin goes up against someone he can't control through fear? Given what we were shown, I can't fathom what the character will do next, and it's really a credit to Hurwitz that he's made this such a mystery. Plot is secondary to character work in this issue, but there's still plenty for me to think over, and there's more than enough here to keep me coming back for more.

As long as readers are vaguely familiar with the concept of the Penguin, following this one should be no trouble. We don't get a long, complicated look at Oswald's history, but enough glimpses of his past are provided for readers to see how he got where he is today. Right now, this comic seems like it could've been published with or without the relaunch, and those frustrated by the changing continuity shouldn't have any issues. I'm really looking forward to seeing where Hurwitz takes this, and I really hope to see him give this treatment to other Batman rogues in the future. Someone like Killer Croc could be completely revitalized by a comic like this. Penguin wasn't really in need of a revamp, but thanks to this series, I definitely think readers will hold him in higher esteem.

I recommend this one to Batfans, fans of Scott Snyder, and anyone who'd like to see some great single issue character work. This was a great surprise, and it really sets the bar high for miniseries to come. So much new stuff has been coming out, and I realize that many readers can't afford to add another title to their pull list. I suggest either waiting for this to be released as a trade, or buying it up once it takes its digital price drop. This was some quality comic book storytelling, and I'd hate to see this series get lost in the shuffle.

By Marceline with No comments