New 52

Batman #14

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batman-new-52-14-coverWriter Scott Snyder’s Batman #14 is problematic as it seems to suggest, but carefully never directly prove, that the Joker has far more knowledge about the true identities of the men and women who are part of the Bat-Family than has ever before been stated. Is this simply the writer toying with us, or is Snyder about to implement yet another major New 52 deviation that I simply can’t get on-board with?

The classic take on the Joker is a villain obsessed with Batman who doesn’t want to know the Dark Knight Detective’s secret identity, as that would ruin all the fun. This is exactly what happens in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker when the Clown Prince of Crime admits that he wished he had never peeked under the cowl.

Snyder is careful by giving us an alternative explanation for the Joker’s abduction of Alfred as well as the Joker never naming names when he “reveals” he knows Batman’s secret identity. I’m hoping for a huge bait-and-switch. But seeing how the New 52 has given me very little of what I actually want, I’m not too hopeful. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batman and Robin #14

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batman-and-robin-new-52-14-cover“Death of the Family” continues (albeit without the Joker) as Batman and Robin #14 concludes the story from last month by focusing separately on both Damian and Batman fighting with the army of hungry zombies kidnapping citizens for food. Even putting aside my dislike of zombies in general, I’ve got to say this is one of the most uninspired comics I’ve read so far this year.

Most of the comic focuses on Damian actually acting like a hero and fearful and irrational Batman needless berating him, first over the comms and later in person, before a 180-degree so fast it will give you whiplash.

Aside from Damain actually doing some justice to the Robin name (and not being the complete tool the New 52 has been so focused on delivering month after month) there’s almost nothing worthy of notice. The story is completely forgettable and the mix of both Patrick Gleason and Tomás Giorello’s art makes the comic look and feel uneven at best. Pass.

[DC, $2.99]

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Worlds’ Finest #6

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worlds-finest-6-coverBattle of the Bat-Brats! While breaking into a Wayne Enterprises facility to steal a paltry few million dollars to continue her own pursuits the Huntress runs into this world’s Robin – Damian Wayne.

The comic’s main story (with art by Kevin Maguire) features the children of Batman battling over Gotham as an angry Damian starts to think that there is more to this thief, who seems to have the moves of both Batman and Catwoman, than meets the eye. The back-up story (with art by George Perez) features Power Girl “borrowing” a satellite from Morgan Edge (there’s a name I haven’t heard in awhile) to search for dangerous Apokolips energy signatures, like the monster they fought over the past couple of issues.

The Helena/Damian story works better than Power Girl’s tale which really isn’t given enough time to develop. That said, we are give the brutal one-note Damian though most of the story, at least until his curiosity at Helena’s true identity gets the best of him. I will be interest to see if Helena becomes the New 52 big sister stand-in for Stephanie Brown to teach him a little humility and humanity. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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National Comics: Madame X

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national-comics-madame-x-one-shot-coverOriginally created back in 1978, Madame Xanadu has moved around the periphery of the DCU for years, sometimes helping others and sometimes further her own ends. The character was reintroduced in the New 52 as a supporting character in Justice League Dark and now earns her own one-shot with National Comics: Madame X (a title referring to DC Comics‘ former name).

The new version of the character, with her name shortened to Madame X, works as a magical consultant for the mayor of New Orleans after briefly using her gifts for fame which destroyed both her life and her reputation. (I’m guessing somebody at DC really likes The Mentallist.)

The one-shot features Madam X brought in to solve a case involving the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans (who’s not really a voodoo queen), a zombie (who’s not really a zombie), and the murder of a local councilman.

The comic’s not bad, but certainly nothing special. And with a $4 price tag, it probably will appeal to only longtime fans of the character. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $3.99]

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Justice League #13

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justice-league-new-52-13-coverThis latest issue of Justice League gives us a little discussion of Superman and Wonder Woman’s kiss, but the majority of the issue is focused on the league rallying around Diana to help find the Cheetah. Other than the group’s short battle with Darkseid this marks the first time the New 52 version of the league has taken on a classic villain.

Cheetah may seem like an odd choice but the villain’s magical origin does give her the upper-hand as it seems the New 52 version of Superman has kept the pre-Flashpoint‘s version of the character’s weakness to magic. That said, the character has certainly gotten a power upgrade from the version from my childhood as she fights the entire league to a standstill without breaking a sweat.

It’s not a great story, but it’s certainly better than some issues the comic has delivered over the past year and gives several characters their own moments to shine. We do get some talk behind the scenes discussing the shakeup of the team as well as a back-up story involving Steve Trevor and Green Arrow as a lead-in to the upcoming series Justice League of America. For fans.

[DC, $3.99]

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