New 52

Nightwing #10

/ / Comics

nightwing-new-52-10-coverWith the “Night of Owls” crossovers now official done Nightwing moves forward with a new arc as Dick Grayson makes several important decisions about his future. We also get our first look at the army of vigilantes dressed up as knights and led by another New 52 villain – Paragon.

Nightwing, at least for the forseeable future, seems to be staying in Gotham and so is the Haly’s Circus as Dick comes up with a new plan to fix up Gotham’s run down amusement park Amusement Mile perhaps with the help of Tony Zucco‘s daughter Sonia. We also finally get back to the story of Nightwing being framed for murder (remember that?).

The issue finally fills in some information about the corrupt cop Detective Nie who tried to pin a murder wrap on Batman by planting evidence looks to be the man behind Nightwing’s stick showing up at a recent murder as well. This story works better for me than Paragon (although I’m betting the two are related). This was a make-or-break issue for Nightwing for me, and although it’s not great there’s enough here to bring me back for another month. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Nightwing #10 Read More »

Captain Atom #10

/ / Comics

captain-atom-new-52-10-coverThe final issue of this arc finds Captain Atom, in fact several different versions of Captain Atom from all across time and space, attempting to stop the entity known as Chromo Mata. Of course we know (from the final panel of last month’s issue) that Chromo Mata is actually the futuristic near God-like version of Captain Atom.

Captain Atom backtracks the events which helped lead to the world viewing Captain Atom as a savior, in order to stop the creation of Chromo Mata before it ever begins – even if that means letting a young child (whom he originally saved) die of cancer.

The issue makes a nice conclusion to the arc as well as allow the character to embrace his humanity by creating a flesh and blood Nathaniel Adam version of himself to explore his feeling for Renita. With this storyline wrapped up, I’ll be curious to see what new direction Captain Atom takes beginning next month. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Captain Atom #10 Read More »

Red Hood and the Outlaws #10

/ / Comics

red-hood-and-the-outlaws-10-coverKori is approached by Orn, a former comrade, who enlists the princess’ help to save her homeworld. Soon Arsenal, Red Hood, and Jason’s date for the evening find themselves on Tamarian battle cruiser with Starfire preparing for war.

Although the story introduces the new arc I’ll admit to being a little lost as Starfire’s choice to return home (to save a people who enslaved her) doesn’t really sit well with the New 52 version of the character. We get short reunions with Starfire and members of the ship’s crew (with more revelations for the heroine’s past to come), but “the Blight,” the invading alien force, is pretty damn generic.

The issue also begins an ongoing back-up story of Essence and a man with a “Life Hammer” hunting the Untitled (who he may, or may not, once been a part of – clarity is not this issue’s strong suit).

Although it has some fun moments (including Jason’s date), the latest issue is by far the weakest of the series so far. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

Red Hood and the Outlaws #10 Read More »

Batman and Robin #10

/ / Comics

batman-and-robin-new-52-10-cover“War of the Robins” begins as Damian assembles all of Batman‘s former sidekicks together (minus, of course, a still un-rebooted Stephanie Brown) and announces his plans to defeat each of them proving himself to be the best Robin. He begins, not surprisingly with his most heated rival, Tim Drake.

The story certainly fits the character who has a need to live up to the legacy and prove himself worthy of the mantle (which, in Damian’s dickish mind means showing up each of the previous Boy Wonders). I’m also glad to see, at least in one of the other Bat-titles (other than Red Hood and the Outlaws), Jason Todd is sticking around for at least an issue or two.

The comic’s other storyline introduces a new villain named Terminus who prepares to kill the Batman before his own demise. Nothing special here, and Terminus is certainly overshadowed by all the Robins appearing in the same panel together for the first time in the New 52 (although we still haven’t gotten Batman and Red Hood together, yet). Worth a look.

[DC, 2.99]

Batman and Robin #10 Read More »

Batman #10

/ / Comics

batman-new-52-10-coverUm… what? Writer Scott Snyder joins Jeph Loeb (who invented Bruce Wayne’s childhood friend turned super-villain) and Grant Morrison (who basically has carte blanche to do whatever the hell he wants concerning Batman and his history including turning him into 1970’s Tony Stark) in writing a major departure for the character that gives Bruce Wayne… a brother?

Batman (and several more victims than initially believed) have survived the “Night of the Owls.” Batman tracks the Court of Owls back to their base where he discovers they have apparently taken their own lives to escape justice.

However, Batman learns the truth as he discovers Lincoln March is alive and responsible… and claims he is Bruce Wayne’s brother?? And, given the back-up story (which appears to support his claim) it might even be true. Stop the merry-go-round, I want to get off. Snyder better have one hell of a twist up his sleeve to try and salvage what, apparently, this whole arc was leading up to. Pass.

[DC, $3.99]

Batman #10 Read More »