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

Teen Titans #1

All right, kids. Settle down. Class is in session. In 1940, sales of Detective Comics were already flagging. So to revitalize sales writers Bob Kane and Bill Finger (Creators of Batman) and artist Jerry Robinson came up with an idea that revolutionized comic books forever. In Detective Comics #38 (April 1940) Batman’s teenage sidekick Robin was introduced and the comics industry was never the same again. Over the next decade teen sidekicks popped up all over the place becoming a staple of the superhero genre. Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, even direct competition like Captain America all now had a sidekick to help in the “never ending battle”.

After being kept separate for nearly 25 years (1964), in the pages of the DC team-up series The Brave and the Bold, Robin (Dick Greyson), Kid Flash (Wally West), and Aqualad (Garth) teamed up for the first time, becoming a “Junior Justice League” in issue #54. Four issues later and the team was joined by Wonder Girl (Donna Troy) and Green Arrow’s sidekick Speedy (Roy Harper) to form the first official incarnation of the Teen Titans! In the following decades the team meet with moderate success, including an animated segment on The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure (1967–1968), but it wasn’t until 1980 that the team really took off. When the team was re-vamped as The NEW Teen Titans, writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez used the original team, now older, experienced, young adult heroes in their own right, and new original young heroes with a variety of unique powers and personalities. With the Titans together they faced new, powerful evils like the assassin Deathstroke the Terminator, the other-dimentional demon Trigon, and betrayal by one of their own in arguably one of the greatest comic book storyarchs of all time, The Judas Contract.

During this time the Titans grew and evolved as a team and as individuals. Most notably Dick Greyson who, as team leader, moved out of the shadows as Batman’s sidekick and grew into a true superhero in his own right as Nightwing (Although, the less said about his original “disco” costume, the better).

The series was a runaway hit. The heroes and other characters were unique and interesting, the villains were truly dangerous and had a lasting impact, and the stories were intriguing adventures that crafted not only the history of the team, but much of the DCU in general. This version was also used as the basis for the wildly popular anime-style 2003 animated series.

An animated series was created by Hanna-Barbera in the early 1980’s, but never picked up by a network. However, the New Teen Titans did make an animated appearance in a single anti-drug commercial in 1984, sponsored by Keebler. So, now you can see why the success of this title holds so much importance during the reboot for a fanboy like me.

Speaking of being a fanboy, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a minute to mention Red Hood and the Outlaws seeing as how it’s also written by the same person doing the Teen Titans reboot, Scott Lobdell, and mentions the original team as having existed in the DCnU. There is already a review for this book on the site and I recommended it to anyone who wants some very good reasons to give this title a chance. I on the other hand closed the book with the single thought, “Sex sells and Starfire is a cheap ho”. I actually don’t have a problem with her being a “free spirit”, but it’s her cold disregard of her old team, especially Dick Greyson, that felt like a knife through the heart. Their star-crossed love affair was truly charming during the NEW era, even if it wasn’t meant to be. I’ll get off my soapbox now.

The reboot of Teen Titans focuses on a second generation of teen heroes. In the DCU, they were following in the legacy of the original team, which may or may not exist in the DCnU if Red Hood is any indication. In any case, this team is being formed and lead by the third person to hold the title of Batman’s sidekick, Tim Drake, now known as Red Robin. This time, however, instead of leading a team looking to uphold a proud legacy, the team is now a group of troubled teens with super powers.

At least Kid Flash is trying to be a hero. The problem is he’s just too…impulsive. Which leads me to question if this Kid Flash is Wally West, hero-worshipping nephew of the Flash, or Bart Allen, the immature, time-displaced grandson of the Flash. I guess we’ll find out later.

Cassandra “Don’t Call Me ‘Wonder Girl’” Sansmark is looking hot as ever, but instead of being a Wonder Woman fan who stood up to Zeus for the honor of fighting at her hero’s side we get a snarky con-artist who uses her powers to steal cars for joyriding. I can see that there will be more to her down the line, but the line “I was really hoping to clock a few skulls together” was just cringe worthy. It’s a mixed metaphor!

I’m okay with the history of Superboy being changed to the “Boy from N.O.W.H.E.R.E.”. I’m going to miss the legacy of his original origin, but if Superman hasn’t died in the DCnU, then he needs a new introduction. Superboy is now the experiment of an evil shadow organization that will have to overcome the reasons for his creation to become a hero with the help of his new friends. I really like where this is going, even if it was lifted from the current animated series Young Justice. Plus I really like the line “Release the Superboy” as the cliffhanger ending.

I really liked seeing all of the other teen heroes on the monitors Red Robin was watching. Static, Miss Martian, Raven, Solstice; it’s nice to see that they exist in the DCnU. Even if it is just a tease I’d like to think at least some of them might make the team at some point.

Speaking of this scene, I found so much wrong with it I actually had to laugh. The problem is not with Red robin “Batmanning” it up and monitoring the news of young metahuman; it’s the fact that he’s doing it in a Lexcorp building and let’s an enemy force sneak in behind him and SEE HIS FACE! Way to be stealthy, Timmy!

I also had to chuckle at the absurdity of the picture he held as he lamented what Batman had “started” with teen heroes. I get that it’s an homage to the original Batman and Robin, but who took a picture of them swinging over buildings? Was Alfred just standing on a rooftop with a camera saying, “Now say, ‘I’m the goddamn Batman’”? I’m surprised it isn’t autographed “To Timmy, Love Bruce”.

Despite that and even if I don’t like/agree with all of the characterizations so far, the writing is actually pretty solid overall and the introspection on the part of Red Robin is very interesting to read. The art by Brett Booth is fantastic and highly detailed. I liked his art in Justice League of America and I like it here too. The only problem I really have with the art is the costume designs. When looking at the team on the cover the costumes seem to vary from far too complicated and detailed to plain/generic 90’s Image Comics. It could just be my personal opinion and I could get used to them over time, but that’s just how I feel at first glance.












On a personal level, I have to say that I do not like the ideas of Scott Lobdell. He has a decent writing style and seems to be building at least an interesting story, but he seems to be trying too hard to make change simply for the sake of change. If it’s just me getting snippy about his changes to my favorite team, that’s just my bag to carry, but I just think a more solid “hero” basis as oppose to “troubled teens” would be better for the book overall. I think the idea of having the team work to improve the nature of young metahumans is a fantastic idea, but it would be nice if the core of the team were still trying to live up to a heroic legacy like every incarnation of the team before it. This legacy does exist in the DCnU. The heroes are there. Of course, I’m basing this on the first issue alone. I could be proven wrong. In fact, I hope I am.

This series already has fantastic art and intriguing writing, regardless of my fanboy longings. I am legitimately interesting in seeing where Lobdell is going with this. Booth’s artwork certainly isn’t going to scare me off. This series has potential, but it also has very big shoes to fill and I am willing to give this series a chance to do so.

Now I take a deep breath and remember my motto: Don’t take life too seriously; you’ll never get out of it alive.

By The Chad with 3 comments

The Best of DC's December Covers

DC recently finished releasing their solicits for December, and there are quite a few gorgeous covers in there. I think the power of good cover art is often underestimated, and I always want to take the time to spotlight a great looking cover when I can. It wasn't easy narrowing them down, but here are my top 10 DC December covers.

10. Batwoman #4, by J.H. Williams III

At this point, I'm pretty sure J.H. Williams III is incapable of making a cover I don't love. This one is especially cool to me because of the way it recalls some of the Batwoman logos DC ultimately decided against. I love the contrast between Bette's muted colors and Kate's deep rich ones, and I'm fascinated by some of the imagery there at the bottom. Having read the first issue of Batwoman, that hook makes me think that we might see more crimes inspired by urban legends in some way. The feathers floating up by Bette's hand is a nice touch- one of those little details that you might not notice the first time you look at it. There's also a very cool variant cover for this issue courtesy of co-artist Amy Reeder. I'm looking forward to seeing how the current logo looks on a cover not done by Williams, and I'm even more excited to see how the images on these two covers wind up fitting together.




9. Captain Atom #4, by Stanley Lau

Stanley Lau's been doing some really nice covers for Captain Atom, but none of them have caught my eye in the way that this one did. I love the blur of colors trailing behind and below him, and the terrified expression on the face of the soldier at the bottom. I'm not sure if Stanley Lau colored this or if it was Jose Villarubia, but the whole color scheme is so striking, and uses the recommend "blue and orange" elements without looking like everything else on the stands. It's a good match for Freddie Williams II's new art style, and shouldn't leave readers feeling disapointed when they check out the interiors. There's nice detail all over, even at the top of the page, and it's a shame some of that's going to be obscured by the book's logo. Captain Atom is a tougher sell than many of the other new 52 books, but this is the sort of cover that could convince someone to give it a shot. Here's hoping this issue is a good jumping on point.




8. Justice League Dark #4, by Ryan Sook

Man, that Ryan Sook can draw! And while you might think he'd be getting sick of drawing Deadman right now, he seems to be full of ideas. This is a beautiful cover that really gives you a feel for the sort of book Justice League Dark is. There's a lot of negative space here, but he still manages to fit in a fair amount of the book's cast- I believe that's June Moon and Enchantress along with Deadman. I get more bothered than I should by nice deals being obscured when the cover goes to print, so I always appreciate a cover like this, in which almost nothing will be covered up. Justice League Dark may not make its debut until Wednesday, but this cover has me more excited to read the title than ever before. While I love all of Ryan Sook's covers, I hope we get to see the book's interior artist, Mikel Janin, take on a cover in the months to come.




7. Batman and Robin #4, by Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray

During Batman and Robin's last run, my favorite comic artist, Frank Quitely, turned out cover after cover for the series. While this cover is very obviously not drawn by Quitely, I feel like it appropriates a lot of the things that made his covers so cool, and such a great fit for the title. I love the image of Damian breaking free of Batman, with both of them breaking free of the city below, while Nobody lurks beneath them, and something sinister reaches out for them. It's a lot going on without looking crowded, and makes me really curious about what's going on plotwise. This is another cover that seems to have been designed with the book's logo in mind, and I think all those bats might actually look cooler when it appears that they're pouring out from beneath the Batman and Robin symbol.





6. Stormwatch #4, by Chris Burnham

There have been elements of this style in some of the other Stormwatch covers we've seen, but Sepulveda's never gone cartoon-y in this way. I absolutely love it. It's a joy to see this sort of take on the Stormwatch crew, and I would love to read an entire issue drawn like this. It's filled with wonderful facial expressions, from Adam One's look of panic to the reaction image worthy look on Midnighter's face. It also makes wonderful use of Martian Manhunter. When you really pay attention to it, this is a pretty gory cover, but the bright colors and overall fun look of the image distract from that. I keep looking and looking at this and spotting new details every time. There's some detail that will sadly be lost when the logo gets added, but I'm actually really curious to see how the standard Stormwatch logo looks against an image like this.





Edit: It looks likes the solicit was incorrect, and this cover was actually drawn by Chris Burnham. In that case, I'd love to see him fill-in for an issue or two! Thanks to commenter Jill for pointing this out.





5. Batman #4, by Greg Capullo

Greg Capullo's Batman covers just keep getting better and better. This cover has a few similarities with the next cover on the list, but it's so eyecatching that I couldn't help but include both of them in my top 5. The bleeding image of Gotham at the bottom of the page is so striking, and gives me so many ideas about what this story might be like. Capullo's Batman feels as though he's in a completely different world from everything else in the image, and I absolutely love it. We haven't gotten a look at the new owl themed Batvillain, but I have a feeling this image will only become cooler when we do. The gold against the black looks fantastic, and that's really a beautiful coloring job. I hope the silver of the new Batman logo is changed to gold for this issue- it'd look really striking with the rest of this cover. With the way these covers have been improving from issue to issue, I can't wait to see what Capullo has for us next.




4. Swamp Thing #4, by Yanick Paquette

Yanick Paquette isn't doing the covers for this issue, but he still managed to turn out an incredibly creepy and eye catching cover. I love all the symmetry in this image- the design at the bottom looks like something you'd see on a greeting card in hell, and that creature lurking behind the diver is the stuff of nightmares, That the image of Swamp Thing isn't symmetric makes him feel a little more real than everything else on the page- a very cool effect. There's been an awful lot of green in Swamp Thing covers past, and I like that this still heavily incorporates the green (hee) without it feeling so overwhelming. This is one of my favorite books of the relaunch, and seeing a cover like this just cements that.






3. Wonder Woman #4, by Cliff Chiang

I saw this cover before I had a chance to read the fantastic first issue of Wonder Woman, and while I thought it looking great, I didn't quite get how well it encapsulates the vibe of this books. It's hip and it's different, it's sometimes brutal and sometimes loud, and Diana herself feels a little separated from everything else in the comic. She's a presence, someone intimidating in both the world of man and the often terrifying world of the gods. I am so glad they changed the Wonder Woman logo before it went to print- this one looks perfect with both covers I've seen it on. This is the sort of comic that I really wish DC could get on newstands, because I have the feeling this cover could help drawn in a brand new audience. I never thought I would say this, but this is an image that would get me to hang a Wonder Woman poster on my bedroom wall.






2. Frankenstein, Agent of Shade #4, by J.G. Jones

Even without taking the book's leading man into consideration, Frankenstein is a title very clearly inspired by the Universal monster movies of old. To play tribute like that is awesome, and I love seeing this side of J.G. Jones' style. Frank looks like a real movie hero here, and not just like a monster. Working that title (which uses a great font) into the cover is also a clever idea. While those who've read the solicits have known about monster planet for a little while now, this sells the concept to anyone who might be browsing what's on the shelf. This really doesn't look like a DC book, and I think that's a good thing. Fans of indie titles, horror comics, and more are going to be picking this one up, and I have a feeling they'll like what they see. This issue will take place in the middle of a storyline, but I definitely think Jeff Lemire is the kind of writer who understands that every issue is someone's first.





1. The Flash #4, by Francis Manapul

Francis Manapul said he didn't expect DC to let him play the book's logo like this, but I'm so very glad they did. Everything about this cover is visually interesting, from the bullet traveling panel to panel Frank Quitely style, to the way the bridge in the two panels near the bottom comes together, to the flip-book like effect on the book's right hand side. Manapul uses a color scheme like this in a lot of his work, and it always looks fantastic. There's so much action going on here, but there's still this softness to the image, something that makes you want to pause and soak up all the details. This isn't just one of the best covers of December. I can already tell you this'll be among my top covers for the year, and maybe even one of my top covers of all time. I'm tremendously excited to read Flash #1 this Wednesday, and one look at this image should tell you why.

By Marceline with 2 comments

Top 10 Comic Book Quotes- Week Of 9/14/11

It's a new Wednesday and the comic shops are starting to open! Soon, the internet will be filled with chatter about the new Batman and the merits of a pantless Wonder Woman. But before we start enjoying a whole new round of books, here's one last look at some of the best lines from last week's comic books. From vacations to mars to car leases to dragon throwing, here are the 52 Review's top 10 comic book quotes of the week!

10. "You're not my partner, you're my son." -- Batman, Batman and Robin

9. "And don't think I didn't notice that the V.R. version of me is a total Mary Sue." -- Rose Wilson, Superboy


8. "Now where would I hide a ten-foot suit of biomechanical battle armor?" -- Mister Terrific, Mister Terrific


7. "Father Time was under strict instructions not to interrupt my vacation to Mars unless it was of the utmost importantance." -- Frankenstein, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.

6. "How about you just free me? Then I could, I don't know, establish a library system or invent the printing press? I really am full of love for humans at this point." -- Etrigan, Demon Knights

5. "So unless Superboy's cells originated in a deeply pathological, megalomaniacal narccisist, the likes of which the world has never know..." -- Dr. Caitlin Fairchild, Superboy


4. "We're the Alpha Dawgs. Dawg." -- Hughes, Deathstroke

3. "Carol...will you co-sign the lease on my new car?"- Hal Jordan, Green Lantern

2. "In case you haven't noticed, the world's gone mad. We've got Supermen flying around Metropolis and Batmen in Gotham. Times are changing, and stuffy old lab coats like you have got to change with them, unless you want to be left behind. -- Father Time, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.

1. ‎"We find the source of the problem...and throw dragons at it." -- Demon Knights

By Marceline with 1 comment

Review: Batman and Robin #1

When Batman and Robin debuted in June 2009, it had a lot to do to win readers over. Many were angry over the shake-ups to the Batfamily, from the loss of Bruce to the new prominence of Damian Wayne (who, strange though it may seem, was pretty unpopular back then). By the end of issue one, it had completely won me over. Suddenly, I liked Damian, I loved Dick Grayson as Batman, and I desperately wanted to read more. Just a little over two years later, the new Batman and Robin is in the same position. Readers are upset about losing Dick as Batman, worried about the changes to the Batman world, and need to be won over, fast. This issue has the added challenge of appealing to new readers, many of whom may not even know that Batman has a son.

I don't think this issue will win over readers in the same way. Damian's dynamic with Bruce lacks the spark that he and Dick had, and I suspect most new readers won't walk away from the issue as Damian fans. At the same time, it's a step up from what writer Peter Tomasi was doing on the title before, and this issue may help to lure back readers who lost interest in Batman and Robin after Grant Morrison left. There were years worth of good Dick and Damian stories left to be told, but there's plenty of potential in the relationship between Batman and son, and I hope that Tomasi is able to bring it out.

Damian is a character that Tomasi's struggled to write in the past. In his previous Batman and Robin issues, Tomasi seemed to focus on Damian's bratty behavior while ignoring the reasons for it, and the character's best traits were rarely showcased. There's a little of that here, but as a whole, this was a much stronger take on the character. He's certainly regressed since we last saw him, but I think that makes sense. There's a lot of resentment wrapped up in Damian's feelings towards both his parents, and the departure of Dick Grayson, who has been more of a parent to him than Bruce or Talia ever was, probably stings. His line about Bruce being easier to look up to when he wasn't around rang very true, and was very similar to the way Damian reacted when he finally met his idol Cassandra Cain. The problem is that this take on Damian will turn off many readers who don't know his history and who will only see him as an obnoxious kid. My hope is that Tomasi will work at strengthening the relationship between Damian and Bruce, and will show off Damian's considerable charms.

Bruce was the character whose dialogue felt off to me. I appreciated the message behind a lot of what he was saying, but thought the lines themselves were often very strange. The message of Bruce's speech in Crime Alley is a great one, and builds off the development Morrison has given the character, but the lines were overwrought to the point where I appreciated Damian's sarcastic interjections. Maybe the intention was to show that Bruce feels like he needs to put on a show for his son, but I don't think it quite came through, and it definitely impacted my enjoyment of the book. He did have a few nice lines, and I'm really hoping this won't be a problem in future issues.

This issue runs with everything that came before, including Bruce's Batman Inc. initiative, and could have easily been published as Batman and Robin #27. The status quo change is left unexplained, but I believe this is the fault of the Batman Inc. delays and not this particular issue. I wouldn't say that this story is mired in continuity, but this isn't as accessible as many of last week's offerings. Much like Batwoman and Green Lantern #1, this isn't really a rebooted book- it's just a renumbered comic. Brand new readers should be able to follow what's going on, but may be left with several questions about the events in this issue.

The villain introduced in this title, Nobody, has a lot of promise. I like the juxtaposition of Nobody trying to erase all that a person is against Bruce really finding himself again. He's creepy in a very old school, Alan Grant way, especially in the scene where he dissolves the bodies. Batman already has one of the most impressive rogues galleries in comics, and it'll be interesting to see how many of these new villains have real staying power. While I appreciated his scenes in the comic, I felt like he broke up the issue's pacing in a way that hurt the main Bruce and Damian tale. This may be something that reads better in trade.

Patrick Gleason's work on the this book has rarely gotten the credit he deserved. Artists like Frank Quitely, Frazer Irving, and Cameron Stewart are a tough act to follow, and I hope the title's fresh start will allow him to appreciate his art on its own strengths. His action scenes are full of energy, and he does a great job with the book's quieter moments. While the dialogue in the Crime Alley scene didn't quite work for me, Gleason's panels were pitch perfect and added some lovely atmosphere to the scene. I think he's continually improving as an artist, and I'd love to see him experiment with his style more in the months to come.

This is a title that is good, but not great, and may lack appeal for those less familiar with what came before. If 're only looking to read one Batman title a month, I'd suggest next week's Batman over this one. I recommend this book for to Damian Wayne fans, people looking to read a whole lot of Batman, and those who are really interested in learning more about Bruce Wayne. If this issue piqued your interest in Damian or in Batman Inc, try checking out Batman and Robin 1-16 as well as Batman Inc., which will conclude its first season December 21.

By Marceline with No comments

A New Reader's Guide to the DC Relaunch

If, like me, you spend way too much time reading about comics on the internet, you probably see a lot of repeat questions. And, because the DC relaunch is dominating comics news as of late, most of them have something to do with that. The ones I'm most interested in are the ones from new readers. While the reboot is designed to be new reader friendly, there are a few issues that seem to be tripping people up, and I'm going to my best give answers to all of those questions. Whether you want to know why so many books have batsymbols on them or whether you should read Superman or Action Comics, this is your guide to the DC relaunch!

Batman

There are four titles starring the eminent Bruce Wayne, a point that seems to have confused many a perspective new reader. People aren't sure what title they should read, or if they need to read all of them. Luckily, this has a simple solution: pick whatever book looks the best, and stick with that. All of the books have different creative teams and will be telling their own separate stories. If you need help deciding which title to choose, here's a guide:

Written by Scott Snyder with art by Greg Capullo, Batman is the closest thing there is to a "main" Batman book. It's also the book that I'd recommend to anyone trying to choose a Batman title. Scott Snyder just finished up a fantastic run on Detective Comics, and has a lot of great ideas for the stories he'll tell in this one. Snyder looks to be using new villains along with many old ones, and this should be a great primer to the world of Gotham. Readers can expect plenty of mystery, plenty of great fights, and lots of Bruce just being generally badass- all things that make a great Batman comic. Artist Greg Capullo is best known for his work on Spawn, but he's already shown off some stunning preview pages, and I really think readers are in for a treat. I'd especially recommend this title to fans of the Arkham Asylum video game and to those who have read a few of the better known Batman titles, like Hush and The Long Halloween. All in all, I expect this to be a great comic that most new readers can easily enjoy.

The primary difference between Batman and Detective Comics is that it sometimes focuses on characters other than Batman. Robin, Commissioner Gordon, and Batwoman have all been the primary character in Detective Comics at one point or another. However, I suspect that it will be focusing solely on Bruce for the time being, which makes the creative team the primary difference between this and Batman. Detective Comics is written by former Batman writer Tony Daniel, who is sharing art duties on the book with Ryan Winn. Daniel's work isn't to my personal taste, but his Batman run sold well, and he isn't someone I'd tell readers to avoid. Daniel is planning on introducing several new characters, including multiple villains and a love interest for Bruce Wayne. If you're not interested in villains past and want something brand new, I'd suggest checking this out, and this should sate the urges of anyone who can't get enough of Batsy. For those of you who are only looking to pick up one Batman title, I'd suggest going with regular old Batman.

The Dark Knight is largely a showcase for David Finch, a popular Batman artist. In the past, this book was plagued by delays, but Finch now has assistance from artists Richard Friend and Jay Fabok, while Paul Jenkins will have completely taken over the books writing duties by issue three. In the past, The Dark Knight has had a supernatural focus, but early solicits give me the impression that this run of the book will be a little more focused on reality. The biggest reason to buy this book is for the art, and if your top priority in a Batman comic is having really great looking pictures of Batman, this may be the title you want to go with. With Batman going up against villainess The White Rabbit, this may also be a good title for readers who want a little cheesecake alongside their action scenes. For his first tale, Finch will be building off the events of several recent Batman stories, which means this book may be slightly less new reader friendly than the other Batman books. In spite of that, I still expect this book to pretty accessible, and those of you who like Finch's artwork should give it a look.

Batman and Robin focuses on the relationship between Bruce and his son, Damian Wayne. While this may sound intimidating to new readers who had no idea Batman even had a son, Damian serving as the Robin to Bruce's Batman is actually brand new, and this should be an easy jumping on point for anyone who wants an introduction to the character. Currently, this is the only title Damian will be appearing in, and I expect him to get as much screentime as Bruce in most issues, if not more. Because of this, I'd rule this title out for readers who only want to read one title on Batman. However, Damian is a great character, and this is a strong choice for anyone looking for a second Batman title. It'll provide readers with a different perspective of Batman, and will feature some nice looking art from Patrick Gleason. The main villain for the first arc of this story will be a new character called "NoBody", and the tale will delve into the personal life of Bruce Wayne as well as secrets about his past.





But what about all those other comics with Batsymbols on them?
New readers, here is a secret: people really like to buy any comics that have Batman and Wolverine on them. Because of this, publishers try to use the popularity of those characters to sell readers on other, newer ones. The titles with Batsymbols on them are part of what's commonly referred to as the Batfamily. This means that the one or more of the characters in the title has some kind of connection to Batman. For example, Nightwing stars Dick Grayson, a former Robin who was once Batman himself, while Batwing stars an African hero who received funding from Bruce Wayne. While several of these titles look like they're going to be great comics, they're all pretty separate from Batman, and you don't need to bother with them unless they interest you. If you are interested in checking out a few of these comics, I'd suggest Batwoman and Red Hood and the Outlaws.

Superman

There are very few Superman titles in comparison to Batman ones, which makes his books a little easier for new readers to navigate. However, deciding between Superman and Action Comics can be tricky, so here's an idea of what you can expect from these two books.

Action Comics will begin in the past, and will serve as an introduction to the new, mostly rebooted Superman. The title will be written by Grant Morrison, who also wrote the hugely popular All-Star Superman. Morrison has promised an action packed tale and has even talked about doing an issue without a single cutaway. Morrison is known from pulling from the long forgotten history of characters, and Action Comics looks to be no exception. However, I expect this to be an added treat for observant older readers, rather than a hurdle to new ones. This title will feature art by the very talented Rags Morales, but I think there's a high chance of him being replaced on future issues, and I'd suggest against buying this title for the art alone. Overall, Action Comics is the ideal comic for new readers or readers who are just new to this take on Superman. It seems designed to give readers a strong understanding of the character and his motivations, and will give new readers an introduction to supporting characters like Steel. As an added bonus for Justice League readers, this comic will also show how Supes gets his Kryptionian armor.

Superman will be set in the present, and will feature many of the more well known Superman supporting characters, such as Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. While I can't give this as glowing a recommendation as I did Action Comics, I still expect it to be a very good book. It's written by George Perez, who had one of the all-time best runs on Wonder Woman. He's got strong characterization skills and is especially good at effectively utilizing supporting casts. For that reason, I'd suggest this title to those of you with a strong interest in the going ons of the Daily Planet, or for anyone who's interested in the Lois/Clark/Superman love triangle. While you won't get the backstory provided by Action Comics, this should still be an easy tale to jump into, and anything essential for readers to know should be mentioned in both comics. The art for the comic will be provided by Jesus Merino, but Perez is an artist himself and is still storyboarding the look of the comic. This should allow Perez to do some really interesting visual storytelling, and hopefully the comic will take full advantage of that.



What about Superboy and Supergirl?
I think that Superboy will be completely separate from Superman from a good long time. While Superboy is a clone made using Superman's DNA, any crossover action he has should be appearing in the Teen Titans title. Superman will be making an appearance in Supergirl's second issue, but I suspect his interactions with her will largely be confined to her comic, and it's nothing you need to read in order to follow Supes himself. Both books look promising, though, and if you like teen characters, you should give them a look.

Green Lantern

The Green Lantern titles are keeping more of their status quo than any other DC titles, which makes them a little trickier for new readers. All of the titles should be fine as a jumping on point, but they'll still be reliant on what came before, and readers may come away with some questions about the universe. Fortunately, the differences between the four books are easily explained, so here's a quick overview of the Green Lantern titles. 

The first issue of Green Lantern will pick where Green Lantern #67 left off, making this the most continuity heavy Green Lantern title. Fortunately, this title will also be written by Geoff Johns, who has succeeded in making comics like this accessible to new readers in the past. The current success of the franchise is largely because of his title Green Lantern: Rebirth, which provided a quick, simple summation of Green Lantern history before moving forward with new stories. Those wary of any continuity should stay away from the title, but those who just want a story they can understand shouldn't have problems. The focal character of the title will be Sinestro, who some of you may recognize from the Green Lantern film. He only recently became a Green Lantern again, and his return to the ring has made him many enemies. This title will be action-packed and will feature high-energy art from Doug Mahnke. This wouldn't be my number one choice for someone looking to get into Green Lantern, but it's a solid pick.

If you're looking to get a feel for the entire Green Lantern universe, Green Lantern Corps is your best bet. Many aspects of the Green Lantern mythos will be utilized here, and the title will introduce many lesser known Green Lantern characters. I will warn readers that the title features a large cast of characters, and new characters may show up on a semi-regular basis. While this series will also use some of what came before, it's getting a fresher start than Green Lantern, and overall, it'll be a good place for many to start. It's being written by Peter Tomasi, who's done a good job with this characters in the past, and is primarily drawn by Scott Hanna. Those of you planning on reading Justice League International may also want to give this book a look, as Guy Gardner will be a primary character in both titles. Fans of John Stewart, the Green Lantern seen in the Justice League cartoon, or any incarnation of Kilowog will also want to give this comic a chance. I expect this title to be the one with the most similarities to the upcoming Green Lantern animated series.

Want to know more about those colored rings you see people with? Give New Guardians a go. In the Green Lantern universe, there are also Red Lanterns, Blue Lanterns, and more, and this is the book that will showcase them. Several of the major players in this book are either brand new or recently introduced characters, and readers should have plenty of time to get to know them. In later issues, readers will also be introduced to Larfleeze, a wildly entertaining character I think most people will enjoy. This title will be written by Tony Bedard, a great writer who I think is hugely underrated. While you can expect plenty of action, you should also expect some humor and strong characterization. While this won't provide as solid an introduction to the Green Lantern universe as Corps, it'll be a great way to learn about the other rings, and I'd suggest taking a look at both titles to anyone who doesn't mind reading multiple books.

Are you filled with rage? Do you want a comic full of blood and anger and revenge? Then the comic for you, my friend, is Red Lanterns. Red Lantern rings are powered entirely by rage, and  every issue should show the characters taking that anger out on the enemies in their way. Like New Guardians, many of the characters in this comic are new, and readers should get a strong introduction to them. Peter Milligan, a talented writer known mostly for his work on Vertigo titles, will be creating the comic's story, while Ed Benes and Rob Hunter will be providing the art. Red Lanterns is a brand new title, and I've gotten the impression that it'll be fairly separate from the rest of the Green Lantern universe. This makes it a great pick for new readers just looking for something cool to read, but not the best choice for anyone hoping to use the relaunch to get into Green Lantern.







But what about the guy in the Justice League?
The first arc of Justice League is set in the past, and Hal Jordan is no longer a Green Lantern in the present. This will be dealt with in the first issue of Green Lantern, and should also be explained once Justice League's first arc concludes.

Justice League

The three Justice League titles share a name only, and the primary thing that they have in common is that they're all team books. Here's an idea of what you can expect from each one. 

Justice League is the flagship title of the DCnU, and was already released on August 31st. If you haven't had a chance to read the book yet, you can check out my review of the title here. While this is the place to read about DC's most well known characters, later arcs will also introduce readers to new or lesser known heroes like Element Woman and Firestorm. Having read the first issue, I can confirm that this should be very easy for new readers to follow, and it's a great choice for anyone who wants to get into the main characters of the DCU.  Readers can expect solid art, an easy to follow story, and a strong introduction to the entire team of characters. If you haven't started the series yet and don't mind waiting, I'd suggest jumping into the series after the first arc has concluded. You should be able to get a trade paperback of the arc for a good price, or buy all the previous issues at a discounted price via Comixology, and I think the story will read better when you take it in all at once.

While Justice League International should mostly be pretty separate from the main Justice League title, a quick glance at the cover should show you the one thing they have in common. So why is Batman in both titles? Aside from the "Batman sells" rule I mentioned before, the Justice League International is a team put together by the United Nations, and Batman will serve as the Justice League's representative. If your knowledge of DC comes primarily from cartoons and video games, and you'd like to get to know lesser known characters, this title is ideal. From Booster Gold to Plastic Man to August General in Iron, this title is the best way to familiarize yourself with DC's B and C list roster, many of whom are terrific characters. In the past Justice League International has been a humor filled title, and while I expect this to be a little more serious than JLI past, it should have plenty of laughs and should be a good, fun read overall.

Justice League Dark is title that focuses on the supernatural side of the DC universe, and is the showcase book for magic using characters. Magic has always been something that DC has done well, and like Justice League International, this is a great way to get to know some lesser known characters. A few of the book's characters, such as Zatanna and Constantine, may be somewhat familiar to new comic readers, but unrecognizable in their current incarnations. This is a brand new title and new readers should have no issues jumping right in. The title is written by Peter Milligan, who has done great work with several of these characters in the past, and features beautiful art by Mikel Janin, who is fairly new to the comics world. While you may see a few Justice League characters in that preview page, I don't expect the two titles to cross over at all, and you shouldn't worry about following both comics unless you're interested in them. All in all, this should be a cool read with something different to offer than the other two Justice League titles.





What about all the other comics? What if I want to read Wonder Woman or Demon Knights?
You're in luck! New readers should be able to jump into any of the new titles with very little difficulty. For a look at what titles I recommend, check out my 10 most anticipated DCnU Comics.

TL;DR! TL;DR!
Read Batman, Action Comics, Green Lantern Corps, or whatever other comics strike your fancy. Most titles will be very accessible to new readers, even ones who don't like reading gigantic blog posts. ;)

By Marceline with 1 comment