Comics

Batman: Black and White #2

/ / Comics

Batman: Black and White #2 comic reviewThe second issue of Batman: Black and White #2 gives us five more stories of Batman. The best of the list comes from Sophie Campbell. “All Cats are Prey” is a silent story featuring Batman chasing Catwoman, once in a black costume and later once in a white costume which allows her to hide from him in the snow (an idea which she steals from seeing an all-white cat hide from her).

“The Devil is in the Detail” offers an adventure from Batman’s early career, in the style of an old newspaper cartoon, as the Dark Knight Detective searches for a killer decapitating victims in a devil’s ritual which leads back to seven members of the GCPD and Gordon’s boss. In “The Unjust Judge” Batman is unable to save a priest from a collapsed church but stays with the priest until the end.

…

Batman: Black and White #2Read More »

Batman: Black and White #2 Read More »

Once and Future #15

/ / Comics

Once and Future #15 comic reviewWhile Duncan and Bridgette travel to Avon in search of answers to what latest craziness Mary has unleashed, Rose gets an unexpected visit from Duncan’s mother who attempts to convince his son’s girlfriend to change sides (at the point of a gun). Once and Future #15 shakes things up a bit by allowing half of the story to be told from Mary’s point of view (although her holding a gun on Rose, and constantly threatening her life, doesn’t do a lot to help with any possible reasonableness of her argument).

Despite her craziness, there is a rationale behind Mary’s actions, and a peek into her childhood does help explain just how she got such a warped sense of the world (and why Lancelot is now walking around in this world). Following Rose standing up to the Green Knight in the last issue, here she shows resolve as well as bravery earning the respect of an enemy.

…

Once and Future #15Read More »

Once and Future #15 Read More »

Black Cat #2

/ / Comics

Black Cat #2 comic reviewA tie-in to Marvel’s “King in Black” storyline which involves Knull arriving on Earth and sending an army of symbiotes to take down Earth’s heroes in New York, Black Cat #2 features a mission for the Marvel Universe’s best thief – steal one of Knull’s most valuable prisoners from underneath the God’s nose.

While rescuing Doctor Strange may not be as fun as stealing from him, the issue does present interesting challenges for Felicia Hardy and still offers a strong build up to the heist. Black Cat #2 is a solid issue that fits into a larger storyline without forcing readers to track down other issues in order to make sense of things (which is good because I have no interest in reading any more about Knull than I need to).

…

Black Cat #2Read More »

Black Cat #2 Read More »

Darth Vader #9

/ / Comics

Darth Vader‘s fight for his life on Mustafar continues in Darth Vader #9 as the Dark Lord of the Sith stays one-step ahead of Ochi who has been joined by an army of killer droids who mistakenly believe Vader’s parts are what give the Sith his power (and hope to steal a bit of that for themselves).

Despite his makeshift limbs, Vader proves more than enough for his adversaries. Armed with his lightsaber and new purpose, the arc makes yet another tie to The Rise of Skywalker with the introduction of a Sith wayfinder and Vader’s discovery of the existence of the Emperor‘s secret facility on Exegol.

…

Darth Vader #9Read More »

Darth Vader #9 Read More »

Usagi Yojimbo #16

/ / Comics

Usagi Yojimbo #16 comic reviewUsagi Yojimbo #16 offers the opening chapter of a new story of Miyamoto Usagi helping his old friend and teacher Sōjōbō, a dai-tengu, fight off lesser wood spirits known as guhin tengu who are jealous of Sōjōbō’s position and status and have returned to plague him once more.

As he does so often, and so well, writer/artist Stan Sakai weaves in an explanation of Japanese culture and folklore detailing the tengu and the different types, providing a background to the spirits while also offering flashbacks to Sōjōbō’s previous encounter with the guhin tengu which cost him a hand. He also draws some terrific reactions shots of Usagi talking with his friend that rank among some of my favorites.

…

Usagi Yojimbo #16Read More »

Usagi Yojimbo #16 Read More »