Batman

Detective Comics #16

/ / Comics

detective-comics-new-52-16-coverBy far the best issues of Death of the Family have kept the Joker at arms length. Last month’s issue of Detective Comics provided an intriguing tale of Clayface and Poison Ivy that was the best issue of the comic I’ve read since the reboot. This month takes on the Joker’s reign of terror more directly but, thankfully, the Face-Off version of the Clown Prince of Crime never makes an appearance.

Detective Comics #16 features Batman working overtime stopping all the Joker gangs and cults which have sprung up since the madman’s return. Some these include only dumb kids, but some, like the new “League of Smiles,” are leaving a trail of bodies. The back-up story features more of the self-proclaimed Emperor Penguin putting together his own criminal empire by killing the competition in a way that makes it look like nothing more than part of the Joker’s latest craziness.

I’m not sure about the reveal of the Merrymaker, the villain apparently pulling the strings of the League of Smiles, but this is again a really good Batman comic – something in short supply since the launch of the New 52. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night, No Domo Shall Escape My Sight!

/ / Toys & Collectibles

domo-green-lantern

It appears Domo Toys has made an agreement with DC Comics to craft a line of 4in. Domo-ized DC heroes including Green Lantern, Superman, Flash and Batman as well as a collection of 2in. Blind Box figures which include Captain Marvel and Two-Face. You can find more pics after the jump.

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In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night, No Domo Shall Escape My Sight!Read More »

In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night, No Domo Shall Escape My Sight! Read More »

Batman and Robin #15

/ / Comics

batman-and-robin-new-52-15-coverI cannot express how ready I am for Death of the Family to be over. Seriously, I’m done. The Joker‘s reintroduction to the New 52 has been a gritty, dirty, and awful B-movie horror flick version of Batman I never wanted to see. The latest issue of Batman and Robin features a Death of the Family tie-in as Damian is captured by the Joker.

In much the same tone as nearly every other issue of this crossover, we’re given a bleak story of a captured Damian matching wits with the face-removing Joker who gets to know the newest Robin far better. The comic ends with a reveal that I’m guessing will be explained in one of the other comics (as it certainly isn’t here) before returning to the story next month.

I like Damian, and I certainly like how he stands up for himself against the psychopath, but there’s nothing of note, and certain nothing enjoyable delivered here that makes this one worth picking up. Sadly, this seems to be an all to familiar trend with the Bat-books recently. Pass.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batman #15

/ / Comics

Batman #15In the only comic that has really been focused on the Death of the Family crossover, writer Scott Snyder gives us an awkward standoff between Batman and the Joker and an even more unnecessary rehashing of events with the entire Bat-Family over whether or not the Joker knows who they all really are and why Batman would keep that from them.

The comic picks up from the end of the last issue with Batman trapped by the Joker who keeps flirting with the Dark Knight about knowing all the Bat-Family’s identities without ever proving it. Batman’s escape includes the Dark Knight Detective removing his gloves (off-panel, and for no logical reason shown or discussed in the comic) which allows the Joker to dose Batman with Joker toxin and make his escape.

The New 52 version of the Bat-Universe, in nearly every way from Harley Quinn‘s makeover to the gritty feel of every story, has screamed Arkham Asylum ripoff. I guess it’s fitting then that this is exactly where Snyder was headed all along. The Joker in recent months has taken over the asylum and has been preparing it for a very special party.

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Batman #15Read More »

Batman #15 Read More »

Detective Comics #15

/ / Comics

detective-comics-new-52-15-coverLike almost all of the Death of the Family crossover issues Detective Comics #15 has almost nothing to do with the Joker or his return to Gotham. In fact, other than the mention of him in a couple panels and the comic’s cover you wouldn’t even know there was a Joker-themed Bat-crossover going on.

The issue centers around the new team of Poison Ivy and an out-of-control Clayface who is ripping apart Gotham City searching for his wife whom the Penguin has buried alive. Using the detective skills Christopher Nolan never chose to give the character, Batman discovers how Ivy is controlling Clayface and frees him from her mind-control.

The story is actually pretty good, and far better than most of the issues of the comic since its New 52 relaunch, even if it does give us yet another ridiculous New 52 villain in “Emperor Penguin.” But for those hoping to see the Death of the Family finally heating up, you’re going to have to wait at least another month. Worth a look.

[Detective Comics, $3.99]

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