Comics

Batman ’66 #1

Batman '66 #1I finally decided to pick up the first few issues of Batman ’66, the print version of the digital comic inspired by the 1960s Batman television show. Batman ’66 #1 features Batman and Robin dealing with the return of the Riddler and his odd puzzles as he sets out to steal three pieces of priceless artwork from Gotham City created by a renown artist whose love for puzzles was well known.

While tackling the Riddler, Batman and Robin end up in the new night club owned by Catwoman who isn’t pleased with the mess they make of her club and her goons. Not involved with the crimes, Catwoman agrees to help the Dynamic Duo stop the Riddler (and take the opportunity to try and steal one of the pieces of art for herself).

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Batman and Two-Face #24

Batman and Two-Face #24After months of giving us issues with rotating members of the Bat Family the latest issue of Batman and Robin begins a new arc featuring an updated New 52 origin of Two-Face. Although the basics stay the same, a criminal exposes Harvey Dent to acid, the specifics are unnecessarily updated (something the New 52 excels at) as the person responsible for Two-Face’s creation is now Erin McKillen.

The issue begins with McKillen’s return to Gotham to attend a meeting with the other Gotham crime families who have decided to team-up against the freaks who have been encroaching on their turf. The scenes of McKillen and Dent are shown in flashbacks, although the reasoning behind such brutal actions on her part, especially for the first issue of an extended arc meant to specifically with Dent’s transformation into Two-Face, aren’t well explained.

All that said, even the changes can’t ruin one of Batman‘s most interesting villains. As the beginning of a true origin for the character it’s flawed, but fans may still enjoy the issue.

[DC, $2.99]

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Red Sonja #4

Red Sonja #4Hallucinating, blind, and near death, Red Sonja is found by her two young attendants Ayla and Nias in the woods in the shallow grave of her own making. Feeding both her spirit and body, the twin sisters give the She-Devil hope that a cure has been discovered.

Meanwhile, the self-anointed Red Annisia has quarantined the starving plague-infested city allowing no food in and no one to leave (despite the fact that the disease has yet to kill a single person). Red Sonja #4 also offers more flashbacks of Annisia and Sonja’s time as slaves and the first time Annisia saw the She-Devil with a Sword in action.

On their way back to the fallen city with their drunken singing master the young women encounter Mermen servants of Annisia who have been sent out after any who escaped the quarantine. Thankfully for twins, despite her sickness and lack of vision, Red Sonja proves to still be a formidable opponent. Surviving the fight, Sonja is ready to return leading to next month’s battle between former allies turned deadly enemies. Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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Worlds’ Finest #16

Worlds' Finest #16With Power Girl‘s powers on the fritz, Huntress goes it alone trying to bring down a super-powered arsonist targeting models, fashion designers, and the wealthy elite. Over-powered, Helena eventually calls in her best friend who is able to help put out the latest blaze but isn’t strong enough to stop the super-villain from making her escape.

The revolving door on artists for this title continues as R. B. Silva steps in to do the artwork for Worlds’ Finest #16. Although I like Silva’s work, here it has a sharpness and edge to it that doesn’t always fit the characters, particularly the panels of Karen Starr out of costume (which I can’t say for sure is the fault of Silva or the heavy inks of Joe Weems).

Although Power Girl is able to hold it together for the issue’s fight with a New 52 villain who isn’t named, it appears the story of the hero’s wonky powers is going to continue for at least the next few issues. Given Karen’s issues, Huntress carries the bulk of the story well on her own, even if the bad guy gets away. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Codename: Action #2

Codename: Action #2After surviving the attack by unknown foreign agents thanks to their convertible submarine car, Operator 5 and the agency’s newest recruit Operative 1001 begin working together to try and discover who is behind the push for war and who wants them both out of the way.

Believing correctly important world leaders are being replaced, the two spies try to get one-step ahead of their unseen enemy by having Operator 5 replace a senator and try to lure the villains into the open with a speech before the United Nations calling for the end to nuclear proliferation. In France Black Venus and her team get their own bad news as the Prime Minister has called for the agents to publicly assassinate Soviet Operatives in Algeria, pushing the Cold War one step closer to igniting.

Issue #2 once again captures the feel of a cold war spy tale that also gives us an unexpected cameo from the Green Hornet and Kato that plays on larger themes of the comic but still seems a bit out of place. Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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