Batman

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]

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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]

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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]

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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.

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Earth-2 Annual #1

/ / Comics

Earth-2 Annual #1I haven’t given Earth-2 much thought since its first couple of issues, but as the series’ first annual promised a new Batman I decided to give it a shot. Despite the cover featuring the new Batman, most of the comic actually centers around Al Pratt and his role of a soldier for the World Army since an atomic accident game him the power to grow big and hit enemies with an atomic-powered punch.

The story moves around too much for my taste as we go from Pratt’s exposure to various flash-forwards of his career dealing with the agents of Apokolips. Despite taking up 80% of the comic it’s actually less interesting than the introduction of the new Batman (whose identity isn’t revealed here), and various other storylines touched on involving Hawkgirl, and Big Barda and Mister Miracle.

For those like me who haven’t been keeping up with the events of Earth-2, the annual does a fairly good job of getting you up to speed and teasing you with reasons to think about picking up the title. Given it’s emphasis on Pratt’s story I’m not sure it’s worth picking up on its own but it has me considering paying a little more attention to what is happening in the monthly title. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $4.99]

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