Batman

Detective Comics #22

/ / Comics

Detective Comics #22The beginning of a new arc brings new enemies to Gotham for both Batman and Bruce Wayne. As Wayne staves off the aggression of billionaire weapons designer E.D. Caldwell who desperately wants to acquiring Wayne Enterprises technology to further his fortunes, Batman is presented with a new stable of deadly vigilantes operating in Gotham City under the command of Wrath (who, of course, is also Caldwell).

I’m not sure a late 2000’s Lex Luthor-style ripoff who also enjoys dressing up in tights and armor is a good foil for Batman. Batman dispatches Wrath’s first lieutenant without much effort (although he does have to deal with one cop who mistakes Batman for the vigilante and another intent on killing Scorn).

Although it opens up new possibilities and challenges for Batman, I’m not sold on this storyline (or either Caldwell or Wrath). The comic also offers another less than great Man-Bat back-up story that takes up way too many pages and reveals that Francine Langstrom (to no one’s surprise) is actually the Man-Bat attacking the streets at night. Anytime DC wants to dump this story would be fine with me. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $3.99]

Detective Comics #22 Read More »

Batman/Superman #1

/ / Comics

Batman/Superman #1Um, what? Writer Gre Pak’s Batman/Superman #1 is a confusing tale that doesn’t seem to fit anywhere in DC’s current New 52 storyline. It’s presented, at least initially as the first meeting between both Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne, and later between Batman and Superman. Okay, this part of the comic works fine (although Bruce Wayne’s undercover slumming isn’t well-explained).

Here’s the problem: We know that Justice League #1 is the first time the characters met, so is DC already retconning the New 52? Much more troubling is the turn the issue takes halfway through where it appears Batman and Superman have known each other for some time and Batman is confused while Superman is wearing jeans rather than his regular costume. Yeah, I’m confused too (with everything that’s happening)!

The story also involves some kind of entity that takes over its host and gets off on pain and power. The character is never properly introduced nor are his powers defined. This is a clusterfuck of a first issue that makes less sense the more you read it. Pass.

[DC, $3.99]

Batman/Superman #1 Read More »

Batman and Batgirl #21

/ / Comics

Batman and Batgirl #21Batman and Robin continues to cover an out-of-control Batman dealing with the death of Damian we aren’t seeing much of in the other Bat-titles. The latest issue brings in Batgirl, who has removed the Bat-emblem from her costume, to try and talk some sense into Batman whose ice-cold demeanor and brutality has begun to scare everyone, even her.

The first-half of the comic is more about Batgirl than Batman. We even get a full page of Barbara working through trying to tell her father what went wrong with James Jr. without having the courage to actually speak to him. Witnessing the ruthlessness of Batman taking down an group of armed robbers, Batgirl decides to confront Batman in the Batcave and try one more time to talk some sense into the man.

The confrontation between Batgirl and Batman in the cave is interesting, but isn’t hardly the tact someone as smart as Barbara would use. I do like her offer of wearing the Robin costume, but its stuck in the middle of an out-of-control argument that has no hope of reaching Batman. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

Batman and Batgirl #21 Read More »

Detective Comics #21

/ / Comics

Detective Comics #21For the past few months Detective Comics has been the strongest of the Batman titles so far, and consistently better than Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo‘s Batman. Sadly, that’s not the case here. Snyder’s regrettable creation of Harper Row, a hipster street kid who DC Editorial seems to be fast-tracking as the next Robin, at least was limited to one Bat-title. That’s not the case anymore as like a virus she has begun to spread to other titles.

Aside from Harper Row’s appearance, the comic also focuses on a odd story about a love from Bruce Wayne’s past who is some kind of shadow assassin named Penumbra. Her introduction is awkward, as is the resolution (or lack of) where she apparently falls to her death a second time only to return home in disgrace. The only part of the story of interest is the suggestion of the person controlling that guild of assassins. It appears the New 52 seems ready to reintroduce Ra’s al Ghul.

The comic also contains a forgettable back-up story involving Kurt Langstrom who believes he may be responsible for a series of grizzly murders. Pass.

[DC, $3.99]

Detective Comics #21 Read More »

Batman by Jim Lee Super Alloy Figure

/ / Toys & Collectibles

batman-by-jim-lee16-scale-figure

This Batman by Jim Lee 1:6 Scale Super Alloy Figure is a little too bulky an heavily armored for my tastes, but it does come with poseable fabric cape, grappling gun, utility belt, a pair of Batarangs, over 50 points of articulation, and a magnetic display base, all of which can be yours for the low, low price of $270. For those wanting to spend a little more there’s also a special edition version.

Batman by Jim Lee Super Alloy Figure Read More »