1/30/13

This week was a great week to be a comic reader, one of the best for a long time. I am going to review six books that I bought (In order of quality) Batman and Robin Annual #1, Batman Incorporated #7, Before Watchmen: Dollar Bill One-Shot, Talon #4, Batman the Dark Knight #16 and Teen Titans #16. So, without further ado here are this weeks reviews:

• Batman and Robin Annual #1

Annuals are always fun and long but the best Annual is always the one that tells the most interesting story that has nothing to do with the normal series. This creative team could have squandered their opportunity to create a good Annual if they had droned on about Death of the Family for 40 pages, but they didn't. Instead they created a wholesome story that seemed both loyal to the series and completely original. In this tale Damian gives Bruce a vacation by leaving him an international scavenger hunt to solve in order to rekindle his parents memory. The real reason that Damian is giving Bruce this treat is because Damian wants to try being Batman for a while. I had a smile on my face as I read every page of this wonderful issue. Well done!

• Batman Incorporated #7

The last couple of issues have been chaotic and confusing, but still good. I particularly enjoyed this issue because Grant Morrison really dialed it back and explained the whole story. In this issue we saw the relationship and the trust between Alfred and Damian grow. Batman was in little of the book as they focused mostly on Leviathan's attack on Gotham and the twisted plans of the sick Talia Al Ghul. I also liked the backstory talking about Damian's perfect twin fighting his way out of his womb in a dead whale and becoming Talia's #1 Henchman. Lots of action with all four Robins and Commisioner Gordon.

• Before Watchmen: Dollar Bill One-Shot

I went in to reading this comic with very low expectations, Len Wein tends to be a bit wordy and The art seemed a little cartoony for my tastes. I was very wrong. Like the other One-Shot I bought today Dollar Bill delivered an interesting but singular story. The story takes us through Bill Brady's entire life and on to his funeral. One of the best Watchmen prequels yet. My only complaint was that it revisited a lot of the content covered in the Minutemen series instead of coming up with more interesting missions of the Minutemen.

• Talon #4

This issue was the best comic James Tynion IV has ever written. It was well-paced, the characters were well thought through, the plot was intense and the battle was actually very interesting. This issue takes place in New York right where the last issue left off. The main story was the on and off battle of Calvin vs. The Butcher of Gotham who is an incredibly large and strong Talon (Talon SMASH!) that actually had some personality unlike other comic juggernauts. Calvin's relationship and conversations with Casey (old girlfriend) and her daughter are heartfelt without being overly cheesy. This was the first issue that I began to really enjoy learning about Calvin's troubled journey.

• Batman the Dark Knight #16

With a new creative team and a relatively new villain The Dark Knight has taken a turn for the best. This issue meant to be mysterious and delivered as well as being brutal and awesome. The story begins with the typical "chain of random kidnappings" but evolves to be much more. Although I am not such a  fan of the notion that "Batman is his Gadgets" the way the other wove the use of the Bat-Plane and various computers was very interesting. The art was some of the best (No inkers! Hallelujah!) I have seen on the book in a long time. I got my friend to subscribe to this book because I thought it was decent but now I am intrigued.

• Teen Titans #16

This whole mini-crossover within a crossover crap Scott Lobdell has pulled with both of his books has been painful at best. This book was the best, not that good, of the crossovers. I attribute that mainly to the fact that this book had the least appearances from the other team members. Jokers trap was mildly interesting but just played on the fact that Tim is smart and that Jason uses guns which are two points that were already visited upon in this crossover and are over visited upon in general. The art was good aside from the inks which gave the book an unfinished feel. This book turned me off of the series even though I am a big fan of Tim Drake.

The Problem With Hulk/The Improbable Hulk

After reading the first two issues of Marvel NOW's Indestructible Hulk I was definitely impressed.  However, I keep stumbling on the same problem. This is the same problem I came across at the end of Watchmen when Viedt would potentially rule in polotics even after killing millions. Banner is trying to reform and make better use of himself and the monster in side of him by enlisting in S.H.I.E.L.D and is also making attempts to change global issues such as the water crisis. Now, how can S.H.I.E.L.D or even the world trust someone who has killed many people and has the potential to kill many more? In the second issue he makes friends with Iron Man by bringing him on a dangerous mission to the Himalayas and then saving him from an avalanche and later an explosion that Hulk created. This would have been a great issue aside from the far-fetched notion that Tony would now trust Bruce because he saved him from a predicament that Banner created himself. I get that that is the whole Hulk schtick; learning to control himself, but I would want a little more evidence that he is fully stable before I trust my life to him.

Court of the Owls vs. Death of the Family

My favorite series thus far in the New 52 is Batman. I think that Scott Snyder is a very creative, dark and clever author who really makes Batman who he is today. The Dark Knight looks best when he seems to be engulfed in shadow, Greg Capullo does him justice by making him the most noir Batman to date. This all-star team is now on their second storyline together; Death of the Family. The only reason I picked up Batman #13 is because I loved the Court of the Owls storyline, and really who didn't? It was intense, a good look at Gotham's history and a fantastic look at the Wayne Family (Read my full review in the Collected Editions Page, only posted Thursdays and Fridays). Anyways, I picked up Batman #13 I was expecting a decent Joker story. That was the first day I was ever scared by a comic. My hands were trembling after reading it and immediately wanted the rest of the series. Not only did I subscribe to Batman, but every single tie-in (I'm a sucker for tie-ins). I was anxiously awaiting Batman #14 the following month. I raced through the book again and again taking in all of the wonderful panels. The same thing the following month with #15. As Bruce ascends the steps and enters Arkham Asylum in the final pages of #15 I was breathless. I had no idea that #16 was going to be the intense, scary demented comic it was. Batman #16 is my favorite single issue ever and I cant wait for the sequel next week. I have to say I am a bit disappointed. They managed to keep Court of the Owls going for 11 issues and Death of the Family only 5. They knew people would buy Death of the family regardless of the content so why did they cut it so short. These are two of my favorite series ever and will share them with all of my friends, but I am conflicted. I don't know which one to say was the better run. Please leave a comment with your opinion.

1/23/13

A fair amount of books this week, but a definite lack in entertainment. The books that came in were: Before Watchmen: Minutemen #6 of 6, Catwoman #16, Red Hood and the Outlaws #16 and Nightwing #16.

• Before Watchmen: Minutemen #6 out of 6:

Before Watchmen has not lived up to my expectations, not at all. Minutemen was no exception. The entire arc felt fake and unlike Watchmen. Surprisingly, the ending was actually pretty good. There was a clever little twist that really made the series seem much better. I think Darwyn Cooke had good intentions going into the project but I am very glad it is over.

• Catwoman #16:

For whatever reason I kept this subscription after it finished Death of the Family, in hindsight I am not really sure why. #15 was good enough and I was a little curious to see how the Black Diamond Probability arc ended. Let me just tell you #16 was a mess. The writing was poor and repetitive, the story was confusing and in the end not satisfying, the art was sloppy and Catwoman (as usual) was over-sexualized. I don't know if I want to drop this sub, but I probably will. Please comment to tell me what to do.

• Red Hood and the Outlaws #16:

Part 3 of an already boring mini story. Remember Teen Titans #15? It was awful. This is the continuation of that. The Titans and the Outlaws team up to fight joker-infused homeless people. These are both terrible teams created by none other than Scott Lobdell and when they come together they are even more dreadful. The story is sort of ridiculous and hokey. I am definitely unsubscribing to this series.

• Nightwing #16

I am usually a big Nightwing fan and I read and enjoyed the first graphic novel and enjoyed #15 quite a bit. Somehow, this issue just didn't work as a Death of the Family tie-in. Sure, there was a creepy moment when Joker dug up all of the bodies of the former Haly's Circuis members and stood them in the circuis tent. But, the rest was just weird explosions and hallucinations. There was also one moment where Dick's dead friends came in jokerized and started taunting him that was quite entertaining. I am excited for the next issue because Kyle Higgins rumoured that his greatest Nightwing story yet is just around the corner...

1/16/13

My favorite week of the month, Batman, Batgirl, and Batman and Robin! Best $7.00 ever spent!

• Batman #16: 

Death of the Family has been great all around. Notice I said great and not phenomenal, it has been very good but not as good as Court of the Owls. This issue turned that completely around. This single 40-paged comic has everything a good comic should; good pace, great plot, snappy writing and amazing art. This issue was so intense that I had to intermittently pause and take in what had just happened. The Joker rigs Arkham with traps that are both creative (in a sick way) and freaky. Joker's talking seems naturally insane (if that makes any sense) and is not forced like so many terrible authors make happen. The ending was crazy and awesome. I hope the finale is spectacular.

• Batman and Robin #16:

First of all I would like to say that this series has been the best Death of the Family tie-in thus far and #16 didn't disappoint. In #15 Damian is forced to eat bugs at the zoo in this issue he is forced to fight his own father, really what could be better? The art is beautiful as usual and the Joker that Peter Tomasi has created is wonderfully maniacal. There is a near escape that is thrilling and creepy. I don't think I can say much more about this book without spoiling all of it.

• Batgirl #16:

Wouldn't it be cool if Joker and Batgirl got married? Well they do in this very good comic. Their wedding is proceeded by an already creepy issue and has the story all set up for a chaotic issue. This issue is chaotic but very well thought through. An uninvited guest comes and crashes the wedding literally. The Joker is also very psychotic in this tie-in which serves the story well.

• 
  

1/9/13

This week there was only one book waiting for me at my comic store, I was very excited because this was a precious Death of the Family tie-in. I was sorely disappointed. Detective Comics #16

• Detective Comics #16:

The Joker is a very interesting character, one of the best of Batman's rouges gallery, I was sad when this book that promised to be about the Clown Prince of Crime turned out to be about Joker inspired gangs. I do not pick up comics to read about a team of characters that won't ever make an appearance again. This weak story was slow and in the end not very satisfying. The only redeeming factor was the art which was good but not exceptional.

(Don't let the cover art fool you, Joker is not in the comic at all.)

1/2/13

I had three books pulled today. The best being Batman Incorporated #6 and the worst being Teen Titans #15. The other book was Talon #3.

• Batman Incorporated #6:

I love Grant Morrison, let me just get that across. His entire run on Batman was phenomenal and I enjoyed the original Batman Incorporated immensely. Of the New 52 Batman Incorporated this one is definitely the best. The Al Ghul's are awesome and this portrays Talia very well. She is smart and gives Batman a mental and physical challenge that makes a very interesting story. Leviathan takes center stage again as Batman recovers from the battle in issue 4 while trying to find where Talia's elusive voice is coming from. An extremely interesting interaction happens where Dick, Jason and Damian get a little more familiar with each other. The ending left me speechless. I am very excited for next month!

• Teen Titans #15:

This is one of the worse Death of the Family tie-ins. Scott Lobdell is a hack, and this book shows exactly that. The book guest stars Batgirl but doesn't go anywhere with it. All of the Titans respond in exactly the same way by being snotty and disrespectful to someone who is clearly superior and has much more experience dealing with the Joker. That being said the confrontation between Tim Drake and the Joker is very interesting. The Joker wears Tim's wings and flys around the rafters. He also has a very creepy way of guessing exactly what Tim is thinking that I thought was clever but not exceptional writing. The art is okay, but of course all of the women are grossly over-sexuallized and the Joker is not nearly as well drawn as Greg Capullo's version of the Joker.

• Talon #3:

Court of the Owls was one of the best Batman stories ever written. Period. When I saw that a former Talon was going to get their own book I was super excited, and just when I thought it couldn't get any better I found out that Scott Snyder was writing it. After four books I am still not delighted with how they are directing this book. In almost every book Calvin (the protagonist) kills a Talon or two in some uninteresting way. This issue was no different. However, this issue did feature an interesting run-in with a rogue group of anti-heroes and an interesting robbery. The writing was quite entertaining and the art was decent. I really hope they find their groove with this book, because if they do Calvin will become a very interesting character.