Comics

Batman #92

Batman #92 comic review“Their Dark Designs” continues as Batman schleps around the captive Deathstroke all over Gotham City in the issue while dealing with lingering threats including the Riddler who takes the city hostage by placing it within a giant crossword puzzle, forcing Batman to find each word through a riddle. Batman? Not too worried.

Fans of Riddler should enjoy the banter between hero and villain. Even if I’ve not overly fond of the current look of the character, Riddler is in fine form here as writer James Tynion IV provides a number of riddles for the Dark Knight Detective to solve. Even Deathstroke gets in a jibe or two about what Batman is forced to put up with to keep Gotham safe.

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Action Comics #1022

Action Comics #1022 comic reviewClark Kent, meet Conner Kent. Action Comics #1022 centers around Superman getting his head around the idea that there is another Superboy from an alternate timeline of Earth. Calling in as many experts as possible to confirm Conner is who he thinks, it’s a more familial connection that cements Conner is indeed finally back home on the right Earth.

There’s some great stuff here including both Conner and Clark’s awkward reactions to the odd situation. Then there’s Jon‘s return from the future shocked at Conner’s existence but not angry or resentful but helpful (and in awe of that awesome jacket). I was curious about how much of the current Young Justice series would get brought into DC’s main storyline, and Action Comics #1022 offers a great example of how well DC’s larger continuity can still intersect in great ways.

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Catwoman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular

Catwoman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular comic reviewCatwoman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular is the latest DC over-sized one-shot to bring in several artists and writers to feature a character in a series of short tales. It’s on par with the Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular fans of Catwoman may wish to pick up, but there’s nothing here that’s a must-see.

My three favorite stories of the collection are the extremely meta “Conventional Wisdom” in which Selina finds herself signing autographs at BatCon while being confused with the various costumed fans (all of which is caused by Dr. Destiny), “Art of Picking a Lock” which features narration of story from Selina’s past while she is currently saving Slam Bradley from Joker henchmen, and “Helena” which features an unprepared Catwoman dealing with pregnancy (in a bit of a throwback to Earth-2’s Huntress origins).

While the collection doesn’t feature a Batman: The Animated Series story, the collection of art does feature an entry by Ty Templeton featuring my favorite version of Catwoman’s costume along with looks at her various costumes over the years.

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Nancy Drew & The Hardy Boys: The Death of Nancy Drew #1

Nancy Drew & The Hardy Boys: The Death of Nancy Drew #1 comic reviewThe premise for Nancy Drew & The Hardy Boys: The Death of Nancy Drew #1 is simple. After taking down a mysterious criminal organization known as the Syndicate, Nancy Drew has died in an apparent car accident. Months of investigation haven’t lead to single piece of evidence that there was foul play. Most people have moved on. Most people, except Joe Hardy.

Joe provides the perspective here from the first page at Nancy’s grave to the final panel with the expected reveal. In-between the detective continues to investigate, trying to make the pieces fit when everyone else, even his own brother, tells him there’s nothing there. Of course, that’s not what Joe wants to hear.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Every Generation

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Every Generation comic reviewSimilar to Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chosen Ones, the new one-shot anthology Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Every Generation features a trio of stories on Slayers throughout history. “Where All Paths Lead” offers an alternative series of event to those of “Hellmouth, Part Five.” In this version Buffy enters the Hellmouth alone to face the Hellmother. As a result, events turn out less well for Buffy and the world.

Both of the other two stories take place well-before Buffy’s time. “The Hilot of 1910” offers a story featuring the Slayer Matay who searches out an Aswang her village believes is responsible for a series of gruesome murders. Despite being hunted by the Slayer, the monster professes her innocence and eventually leads Matay to the true villain.

The final story “The Sisters of Angelus” is the most interesting as it features a young Slayer named Una who searches for a missing friend sent to an asylum for troublesome girls which turns out to be cult of vampire nuns sired by Angelus (who it seems had a thing for nuns besides just Drusilla).

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