Dark Nights Metal #5 - A Review

The Justice League continues to face the approaching evil of The Dark Multiverse. There must be a source of hope in all of the nightmares they face... but what if there is not?


Unfortunately, the concept behind Dark Nights Metal has started to wear a bit thin. In attempting to think of a way to summarize the events of this issue, it occurred to me that there really wasn't any way to do so. Describing this issue requires giving away the entire story, piece by piece. Worse yet, even after all of these events occur, nothing really seems to have changed. This issue is filler, plain and simple.

That being said, it is gorgeous, well-written filler. The artwork by Capullo and Glapion and Plascencia is as amazing as ever and Scott Snyder's concept informs a lot of interesting ideas. Ultimately and unfortunately, this issue is nothing more than spectacle. A fantastic spectacle, true, but still more flash than substance.

The Final Analysis: 6 out of 10.  As a concept, it's brilliant, but nothing really happens.

Dark Knights: Metal #4 - A Review

As Batman and Superman are pulled from The Dark Multiverse and into The Dreaming so that Dream, once called Daniel, may inform them of the stakes for which they fight, the rest of The Justice League work to assemble as much of the potent Nth Metal as possible for the battle to come.



Dark Nights: Metal is beginning to lose steam in its fourth chapter, more concerned with explaining its story than offering up action. This wouldn't be so bad if the exposition didn't require a working knowledge of DC Comics cosmology. Those who haven't read Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, for instance, will be completely lost as to the significance of Dream showing up and the mention of Lucien's Library.

The artwork by Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion remains fantastic, with some truly epic and horrific scenes on display here. The pretty pictures are only a distraction from an increasingly stretched-out story, sadly. While I'm still enjoying the ride, I wonder if the ending will prove worth it.

The Final Analysis: 6 out of 10.

Batman: Lost #1

Lost in The Dark Multiverse, Bruce Wayne finds himself experiencing story after story, world after world where things are wrong. He must find his way back to his reality but can The Dark Knight deduce what is truly real?


With multiple writers, artists and inkers, there is very little cohesion between the various bits and bobs that make up Batman: Lost. Yet that confusion, sown as an elderly Bruce Wayne reads stories of his adventures to his granddaughter, proves the unifying x-factor as the creative teams go hog-wild on presenting us with various visions of Batman. It has the feel of a fever dream but it captures that sensation perfectly.

The Final Analysis: 9 out of 10. An interesting trip that must be experienced for one's self.

Dark Knights Metal #2 - A Review

The Justice League hunts one of their own, as Batman goes on the run with an artifact of great power. Batman thinks he alone can save the world from an ancient menace tied to the fate of his city. But is Bruce Wayne a savior? Or a pawn of prophecy?
Dark Knights Metal #2 is like riding a roller-coaster blindfolded. I can't see where I'm going and all I can do is hold on, feel the sensation of motion and give myself over to the thrill.

Summation of the story beyond that is pointless. This is not a comic you can read and quantify, piece by piece. Like Batman, Messrs. Snyder, Capullo, Plascencia and Glapion have tapped into something primal. This book must be experienced to be understood and it is an amazing experience.

The Final Analysis: 10 out of 10. This is an event book done right!

Batman: Rebirth #1 - A Review

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I always felt that a #1 issue should serve as an introduction to a series. Granting that it is rare even outside of comics fandom for a person not to know who Batman is at this point, it would not be unexpected for the first book in a new series to be somewhat accessible to new readers. Unfortunately, while Batman: Rebirth #1 is many things, "user-friendly" isn't one of them.

The plot for this issue continues on from the previous Batman series, as if nothing had changed. Given the success of the book under Scott Snyder, that's probably for the best. Yet I can easily see new readers attracted by a #1 issue being confused by who Duke Thomas is (apparently he was a character in We Are Robin) and what is going on with The Calendar Man in this issue. The script by Snyder and Tom King is well written but I felt like I was walking into a movie theater when the film was half-over.


For all the problems I have with the accessibility of the story, I have no complaints about the artwork. Mikel Janin is a great artist, whose previous work on Superman and Justice League Dark I enjoyed immensely. And colorist June Chung completes every panel perfectly.

Bottom Line: If you liked the previous Batman book, you'll love this one.  Nothing has changed. Everything is as it should be. But if you're just now getting into the New 52 Batman, you'll want to go read the last five year's worth of material first.

Batman #40 - A Review

This is it! The final battle between The Dark Knight and The Clown Prince Of Crime. This one is for all the rupees! The soul of Gotham!  Everything hangs in the balance and things will never be the same again!


It's rather difficult to review this issue clinically and without spoilers. Having had the status quo of the Batman books post-Convergence spoiled for me, I am reluctant to do the same for others. Suffice it to say Scott Snyder writes a very satisfying conclusion to the current arc and writes one hell of a Batman vs. Joker fight scene.  Let us leave it at that for now.


Greg Capullo and David Miki do their usual stellar job on the artwork. What really makes this issue stand out, however, is the color art by FCO Plascencia. Vibrant, neon hues that would not look out of place in Joel Schumacher's vision of Gotham City help to visually punctuate the action of the issue in a surprisingly effective way.

Batman #39 - A Review

As Joker's madness-inducing virus spreads over Gotham and a raid on the Batcave yields trophies for a macabre parade, Batman will be forced to make an equally mad choice.  With his allies and resources limited, he will turn to the rest of his rogue's gallery for help fighting The Joker.  But will even they be enough to tip the balance of power in Gotham City?


Scott Snyder's story continues to spiral out of control. Whether that spiral is going up or down remains to be seen but the ride is an enjoyable one so long as you don't worry too much about the sudden stop at the end.  Greg Capullo and Danny Miki's artwork continues to be a real treat - the ice cream on the pie that is Snyder's script.


The best part of the issue, however, may come at the end.  James Tynion IV's twisted take on The Canterbury Tales - where a number of Arkham inmates related how Joker had told them all the REAL story of how he became The Joker - has been a fairly amusing tale so far. But this issue - in which we learn the doctor's story and "the truth" that The Joker gave her - takes this story to a whole other level.  And the artwork by Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridoles makes this conclusion even stronger.

Batman #38 - A Review

Things in Gotham City have gone from bad to worse.  Not only has The Joker released a virus that spreads his unique form of madness but he's found a way to give himself a superhuman healing factor!  But Gotham's salvation may lie in the hands of one Dr. Paul Dekker - a soft tissue specialist committed to Arkham, who may be even crazier than The Joker!


Scott Snyder excels at delivering the unexpected and his run on Batman has contained a number of surprises.  Yet I think this issue, which finds a way to establish Crazy Quilt in the modern day, may prove to be his biggest surprise yet.  Not because of the reveal but because of how well it is carried out.  And the artwork of Greg Capullo and Danny Miki has never seemed more ominous and creepy than it does here.


The same can be said of the back-up story. The artwork by Sam Kieth - another veteran horror artist - proves a perfect fit for James Tynion IV's tale this month.  This story involves a madman who spins a tale about being recruited for a secret army of Batmen - a tale that seems less outlandish in the wake of Batman Incorporated.

Batman #37 - A Review

The Joker has released his greatest creation yet - an air-borne Joker toxin that acts like a virus!  Not only does it transform the infected into a giggling, murderous zombie - it also turns every victim into a carrier, whose laughter helps to spread the disease!  Will Batman be able to stop The Clown Prince of Crime? Or will The Joker get the last laugh?


Scott Snyder has enjoyed a successful run on Batman, but I fear that he may have tripped over the finish line with this issue. The end of this chapter - coupled with the back-up story by James Tynion IV - suggests a para-natural origin for The Joker.  While the concept of The Joker as a metaphorical agent of primordial Chaos is a well explored avenue, actually making him some manner of immortal monster does a disservice to the core concept of the character. More than likely this is all a fake-out but the possibility they might go this route seems real enough.  Then again, that may be the joke...


Thankfully, the artwork continues to be as excellent as ever.  Greg Capullo and Danny Miki provide their usual quality performance for the main story. The back-up this month is seen to by John McCrea, whose disturbing, cartoonish style is a good fit for the horrific legend about the first clown to curse Gotham City.

Batman #36 - A Review

Batman took down a Justice League possessed by Joker Venom.  But now he faces his greatest challenge ever - a Superman with all the madness of The Joker and none of the scruples of The Man of Steel.  And even if he survives, he must still deal with the clown behind the curtain...


It's no surprise that Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo and Danny Miki continue to deliver one of the best Batman comics in years with this issue, with a thrilling script and atmospheric artwork.  What is surprising is that Snyder manages to put a neat spin on the now cliche Batman Vs. Superman fight, if only by hanging a lampshade on the age-old argument.  Who wins?  Nobody.


The back-up story by James Tynion IV and Graham Nolan is no less enjoyable.  Continuing last month's tale of a number of Arkham inmates telling stories of their encounters with The Joker, this one centers upon a technophobe who killed the family she feared were turning into robots.  It's not a bad story but there's little to separate it from last week's tale save for the circumstances of why this maniac was in Arkham.  Still, Nolan's artwork is a marked contrast from the style of Kelley Jones, who penciled last month's issue, which helps to make the story seem somewhat more unique.

Batman #35 - A Review

There's no easy way to summarize the main story of Batman #35 so I'll just come right out and say it. It's one year in the future, sometime after the events of Batman Eternal, and Batman fights most of the Justice League. If you just said "Oh, awesome!" then that's all you really need to know regarding whether or not you'll like this book.  It is as awesome as it sounds.


If, perhaps, you are somewhat cynical about the quality level of yet another story where Batman effortlessly takes down superheroes with more powers and just as much experience as him, know this. He doesn't exactly take them down easily and the methods employed by Batman as designed by Scott Snyder are well and truly unique. No Kryptonite rings or vibrating bullets this time!  If nothing else, this issue is worth picking up to see the ever astonishing Greg Capullo and Danny Miki give us their visual spin on The Justice League.


But if superheroic slug-fests are not your cup of tea, you may find the back-up story more to your liking. Written by James Tynion IV, it concerns five Arkham inmates telling stories about The Joker.  The tone is a bit closer to the Batman comics of the 1990s than more recent fare and it seems a bit more appropriate for a Vertigo title as a result.  It seems fitting then that this story should be illustrated by the indescribable Kelley Jones, who did a fair bit of work on both Batman and Sandman back in the day.  Jones' horrific style is a perfect match for Tynion's tale and this issue is well worth picking up for this story alone.

Batman: Future's End #1 - A Review

Five Years From Now, Bruce Wayne is a beaten and broken man. His spirit burns as bright as ever but though the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. And though he has inspired scores of heroes to continue his war on crime, he feels that there must always be a Batman... and that it must be him. So begins a mission... his last mission... to raid the private lab of Lex Luthor and steal what he needs to create a perfect clone - a vessel for his memories that can be Batman eternal.


Once one gets past the outrageous premise and how horribly out of character it is for Bruce to deny his base mortality in this fashion, there is an enjoyable story at the heart of Batman: Future's End #1. That story - perhaps not coincidentally - exists independent of the Future's End setting and could have been told in a modern-day Batman story were the McGuffin to be changed. I speak of the scene in which Batman pits himself against Lex Luthor's security and we find that... well, the panel below says it all. Classic Luthor.


Unfortunately, this book is cursed with some of the worst artwork I've seen in a professional comic. Indeed, I had to look up the names of ACO and FCO Plascencia to find out why their artwork and their names seemed familiar. The good news is I figured it out - they were the same art team that drove me off of Constantine with their misshapen figures, poor visual storytelling and horrible coloring.

Enjoyable as it is watching Bruce and Lex match wits, it isn't worth suffering through this artwork.  Nothing is.  Skip this one, Bat-Fans.  There's nothing of value to be found here.

Batman #34 - A Review

One of my favorite Batman stories of all time is an oft-forgotten tale called "The Nobody" from Shadow of the Bat #13.  The story in this months's issue of Batman - titled "The Meek" - reminded me of that story, despite there being no direct links between them nor any common plot points.  The only real common thread between them is that both stories showcase Batman's concern for even the lowest members of society and how Bruce Wayne is truly a modern-day knight.


The plot here concerns a serial killer who targets the homeless.  The twist here is that unlike the vast majority of Gotham City's murderous madmen, this killer wishes to be as anonymous and unknown as the people he kills.  This adds a horrific aspect to the story not found in most modern Batman stories and this too reminds me of the old Shadow of the Bat series from the 1990s.  It is to the credit of co-plotters Scott Snyder and Gerry Duggan that they are able to make so mundane a story work within the context of Batman's world.  Not because his world cannot abide such horror but because the idea of a mad killer working without a gimmick in Gotham City is a surprisingly novel one.

The artwork by Matteo Scalera also reminds me of the gothic-horror based Batman comics of yesteryear.  Scalera's style is exaggerated without seeming cartoonish and the inks are used to great effect, particularly in the scenes with Batman exploring crime scenes.  Colorist Lee Loughridge also deserves praise for a uniquely limited palette that makes use of muted blues, yellows, oranges and grays to subtly suggest sudden intensity and mundane ennui in equal measure.  

Batman #33 - A Review

Having read Batman #33, I cannot envision a more perfect comic with which to mark Batman's 75th anniversary.  Not only does it prove an epic conclusion to the Zero Year and Savage City storylines but it also proves a celebration of everything that makes a good Batman story.  We even get a new origin for The Bat-Signal in the bargain and get to see The Riddler defeated in a way that does nothing to mitigate his brilliance or his new-found sense of menace.


Scott Snyder's script pays tribute to the rich history of Batman while simultaneously exploring new ground.  While the concept that Bruce Wayne may be as crazy as the villains he faces each night is nothing new, Snyder explores the mental depths to which Bruce Wayne has truly sunk as no writer ever has.  Fans of the theory that Bruce Wayne is another victim of the madness that envelopes Gotham City and those who see him as one who has taken up the idealized path of the knight errant in the modern day will both find evidence to support their viewpoints in this story.


In a word, the artwork by Greg Capullo and Danny Miki is excellent.  Unlike the vast majority of Batman art teams in recent years, Capullo's pencils are light and airy and Miki's inks match them perfectly.  This is one of the brightest-looking Batman comics in history and that uniqueness makes it stand out all the stronger in a series where the artwork is usually drowned in ink.

This book should be on every comic-lover's pull list.

Batman #32 - A Review

Zero Year and Savage City continue, as Batman #32 finds Batman, Jim Gordon and Lucius Fox launching a three-wave attack to end The Riddler's control of Gotham City.  But is the Prince of Puzzles one step ahead of them again?  If not, he's certainly doing a good job of playing it cool...


Scott Snyder continues to excel on the writing duties on this title.  The Riddler has never been so dangerous and Snyder has done a fine job of establishing Edward Nygma as a credible threat after years of being stuck in the comic relief corner of Batman's rogues gallery.  Yet for all the high-pctane action in this issue, there are also a number of touching emotional scenes, such as Bruce Wayne leaving a final message for Alfred.


Greg Capullo and Danny Miki do a fantastic job on the issue's artwork.  They are one of the best creative teams to work on Batman in years and they are worthy of any awards it is possible to nominate them for.  Everything is dark and atmospheric, as it should be in a Batman book, but without seemingly overly obscured or the fine detail of the pencils being muddied.

Batman Eternal #11 - A Review

Let's not mince words or waste time.  Batman: Eternal #11 is one of the worst comics I've seen in recent memory.  Indeed, I'm not sure what aspect of it troubled me most.  The idea of Alfred the Butler being a deadbeat dad who abandoned his wife and daughter?  Barbara Gordon being depicted as a thoughtless thug?  The artwork that seems more appropriate to an issue of Heavy Metal than Batman?  How about all of the above?

The main focus of the issue is on Batgirl as she storms a South American television studio in broad daylight, seeking an actor who she has determined was involved in framing her father for murder.  Hilarity ensues as the actor is also chased by adoring fans and a supervillain.  The issue also features a subplot involving Alfred trying to make amends with his estranged daughter - an MI6 agent who just happened to wind up in Bruce Wayne's care.  There's also some brief vignettes involving Catwoman that probably mean something if you've been reading her book (it isn't explained well) and Stephanie Brown researching her father's criminal past.

To say that Batgirl is horribly out of character in this book compared to how she is depicted in her own title would be an understatement!  How is it possible that I picked up three comics this week and the one featuring a murderous berserking redhead didn't have "Red Sonja" in the title?  Barbara Gordon is a thinker.  A planner.  She does not lose control and she does not lose her temper.  Her major defining flaw in recent years has been being too cool and clinical - not being a cliche fiery redhead or Irish spitfire.  And she certainly doesn't need the likes of Jason FRELLING Todd giving her lectures on self-control!

The artwork by Ian Bertram isn't all that bad but it is ill-suited to the story in question.  It has a quality that is reminiscent of Frank Quitely, though Bertram draws bigger eyes than he does.  It also makes me think a little bit of the exaggerated yet detail-driven style of Simon Bisley, though Bertram's style is much cleaner and brighter.  In any case, this look just doesn't fit the aesthetic of Batman very well and the whole book looks odd as a result.

Batman Eternal #10 - A Review

Batman Eternal #10 was of such dramatically dismal quality compared to the earlier installments I'm contemplating dropping the title.  Part of this is due to the artwork of Riccardo Burchielli, whose work on Conan The Barbarian I found utterly appalling and his work here is not much better.  I will say that Burchielli does do a good job depicting the misshapen and horrific creatures that make up Professor Pyg's gang.  Unfortunately, the normal human characters look equally misshapen and horrific.

Colorist Dave McCaig doesn't help matters with a muted palette that sucks the life out of the action.  Worse yet, the palette is unevenly applied, with skin tones changing from panel to panel with no indication of any change in light or position!  At some points Catwoman looks like her animated incarnation from the later episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, where she had blueish-white skin whenever she was in costume.  Again, this might be acceptable as an artistic choice were it evenly applied... but it isn't!


The script by John Layman is equally problematic.  I already raised objections to the idea that Barbara Gordon should be portrayed as a violent hothead, even allowing for her feelings regarding her father's imprisonment coloring her judgement.  I have even greater objections to this issue, in which Bruce Wayne asks Jason Todd to keep an eye on Batgirl and make sure she doesn't do something stupid and get killed.

I am going to say that again, because I think it's rather important.  And if you can imagine this next line being read by comedian Lewis Black, so much the better.

Bruce Wayne asks Jason Todd - his ex-sidekick who has anger-management problems up the wazoo and no qualms about killing - to keep an eye on Barbara Gordon - widely regarded as the most cool and logical of Bruce's protegees - and make sure she doesn't do something stupid and get killed.

... ARE YOU F#$%ING KIDDING ME?!?!


I'll give it one more issue.  That's it.

Batman Eternal #9 - A Review

Batman Eternal #9 finds The Caped Crusader leaving Gotham City for a time.  With the GCPD out for his head, Batman decides to head to Hong Kong and track down the crime bosses who assisted Carmine Falcone during his five years in exile.  He is assisted in this endeavor by Batman Incorporate's agent in Japan.  At the same time back in Gotham, Catwoman begins planning her own strike against Falcone.


After reading this issue, I want to see more comics with the Japanese Batman.  It's just such a cool concept to have a Batman flying around Tokyo and that his sidekick should be a flying schoolgirl called Canary.  I know, I know... just get Dinah in there for an issue to give her some martial arts training and we'll have something awesome.


I slammed Guillem March's artwork pretty hard in my review of Catwoman #1 but there's nothing at all bad about it here.  Perhaps the previous focus on Selina Kyle's anatomy was due to the script and not the wandering eye of the artist?  Regardless, there is no odd male-gaze in the artwork in this issue despite the main female characters being clad in skin tight leather or school girl uniforms and the fight choreography is well played out.  Even the colors of Tomeu Morey don't seem so grating in this issue, where the oddly bright coloration actually fits the setting.

Batman Eternal #8 - A Review

Batman's war with mobster Carmine "The Roman" Falcone continues to take center stage in this week's issue of Batman: Eternal.  It is a war that Batman doesn't realize he is losing, as unbeknownst to him - but knownst to us - the new Police Commissioner is in Falcone's pocket.  Worse, he's instituted a new policy of refusing to arrest any criminals Batman brings down.


The script by John Layman does a good job of balancing multiple subplots that mix and mingle throughout the issue.  Vicki Vale - still pursuing her story from several issues early - runs into honest cop turned flummoxed rookie Jason Bard and the two interact for a bit before getting on with their respective bits of business.  But it isn't all interaction and the issue concludes with the series' most thrilling action sequence to date.


The artwork by Guillem March seems reminiscent of the early works of Todd MacFarlane in terms of design and detail.  Some sections seem a little rushed but the pencil-work is largely excellent.  The only real flaw to the artwork is the washed out palette, full of dirty browns and greys, used by colorist Tomeu Morey.  Even the blue of Jason Bard's uniform looks more grey than blue.    

Batman #31 - A Review

I don't think I need to say anything about the excellent artwork of Greg Capullo and Danny Miki after sharing this image.


I want this image as a poster. Hell, I want a Souped-Up BMX Batman action figure based on this scene.

What?  It wouldn't be the stupidest variant action figure ever associated with the Batman brand.  Ever see any of the Knight Force Ninjas?  *shudders*


In all seriousness, this is one of the best Batman books in years and you're doing yourself a disservice if you aren't reading it.  Scott Snyder has restored The Riddler to his status as a major player after years of being a bad joke worthy of The Joker.  More, Batman is honestly having to struggle against an opponent after years of being depicted as the perfect strategist who sees everything coming.  That is a far more interesting character to read about for what my money is worth.  And as you can see, the artwork is damn good.