Batman

Detective Comics #1

/ / Comics

Before the DC Reboot writer Scott Snyder was penning a strong arc in the final issues of Detective Comics about James Gordon Jr. and the relationships of the Gordon family with the Bat-Family. Tony Daniel takes over the writing duties here as part of DC’s “New 52,” and if this issue foreshadows one hellova bumpy ride.

The first problem is the issue never tells us when it takes place. Is it at the beginning of the New 52 with Action Comics and Justice League, is it in the current timeline with most of the other #1’s, or does it take place sometime in-between?

The comic focuses on Batman‘s attempt to capture the Joker, but it’s unclear how many times Batman and the Joker have met. Is this their first meeting, their tenth, one-hundredth? The comic isn’t sure, so how can the reader be?

Even with these issues the first issue may not be good but it is, for the most part passable, – at least until the gruesome final panel. In an attempt to give us a gritty Batman story Daniel gives us the face of one of Batman’s villains nailed to a wall. This one’s best forgotten. Pass.

[DC, $2.99]

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If I Rebooted the DCU (Part Three)

/ / Top Tens & Lists

With DC Comics reboot of their entire universe with 52 new first issues now underway I continue to take a look at what I would do if I rebooted the DCU.

Where I could I kept ideas DC wanted to explore in the relaunch (when not incredibly stupid like Voodoo), and even included titles I’m personally not all that high on but characters I know have a devoted fan base. You’ll find I’ve also kept far more of the current titles than DC’s proposed reboot, and brought back a few personal favorites as well.

…

If I Rebooted the DCU (Part Three)Read More »

If I Rebooted the DCU (Part Three) Read More »

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #13

/ / Comics

green-lantern-emerald-warriors-13-coverEmerald Warriors closes its run with a team-up with Guy Gardner and Batman aboard a space station. Fans of Justice League International will get the reference (especially after writer spells it out for them in the completely unnecessary final panel).

Even if Batman and Guy aren’t the same characters they were during Keith Giffen‘s glorious run the pair work well together (though it certainly helps if you were a fan of Giffen’s League). The mystery itself isn’t explored very well (Batman solves the case off-panel while Guy grills the suspects), and, as I’ve already stated, the comic ends with a panel that (with all the subtetly of a Michael Bay action flick) directly references one of the most memorable moments from JLI.

Since it’s creation this comic has been hit-and-miss for me from month to month. The last issue works well-enough (even if its somewhat hamfisted), but if you don’t have nostalgia for JLI I’m not sure the story is going to hold up on its own. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #13 Read More »

If I Rebooted the DCU (Part Two)

/ / Top Tens & Lists

With DC Comics reboot of their entire universe with 52 new first issues looming ever closer I continue to take a look at what I would do if I rebooted the DCU.

Where I could I kept ideas DC wanted to explore in the relaunch (when not incredibly stupid like Voodoo), and even included titles I’m personally not all that high on but characters I know have a devoted fan base. You’ll find I’ve also kept far more of the current titles than DC’s proposed reboot, and brought back a few personal favorites as well.

…

If I Rebooted the DCU (Part Two)Read More »

If I Rebooted the DCU (Part Two) Read More »

Batman #713

/ / Comics

batman-713-coverAfter more than 70 years and 700 issues another one of DC Comics longest running monthly titles comes to an end. This final issue of Batman gives us a look back at Batman’s history through the narration of his adventures to a young audience. I won’t spoil who the narrator is, but there are plenty of clues if you watch for them.

Rather than a solo adventure, of some kind of final tip of the hat to Dick and Damian adventure as the Batman and Robin this issue focuses on putting the entire history of Batman to rest with an underlying story that actually plays out over the course of Batman’s history.

Some might find it a little schmaltzy, but I thought this story worked well as a Coda for the series and a nice send off for this version of Batman and Robin. I also enjoyed art recreating the various looks of Batman over the years and the outline of the big moments in Batman’s history. There’s also a nice splash page of the Bat-Family. It may not have been my first choice for the Caped Crusader’s final issue, but it’s a solid one. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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