Today, we had a post done by Tony Daniel over on his blog. Besides wishing everyone a Happy New Year, he also posted up a new image for an upcoming comic.
I've been very secretive lately but figured this is enough of a teaser for now. I'm back into full swing and should be finishing 696 around the 15th of January. One more issue to go for us to see how all the little plot threads tie in together. 2009 was a very good year to me, obviously and I'm hoping 2010 is just as kind. Happy New Year everyone!
Posted by Dustin
Today's post comes from JH Williams III. For those who don't know, Williams has been doing the amazing art on Detective Comics. With issue #860, Williams wrapped his duties. Over on his blog, he posted up the process he used to create the cover for his final issue.
Stage one is ink, paint, and color pencil
Stage two is colorizing the ink portion, tweaking some of it that I had felt needed it, and then digitally melding the painted area with the colored ink line work for the transitional style effect. I did some very minor color enhancement to the painted area as well.
Stage three is applying the text treatment
Posted by Dustin
Dark Victory is a muted introduction for Dick Grayson with the focus seemingly on several other plot threads. For me I felt Dick deserved more attention but the book succeeds in other areas however it was always going to have to contend with the masterful Long Halloween. Next week is the companion piece Catwoman: When In Rome.
Posted by Nick
From all of us at The Batman Universe, we wish you a Merry Christmas! We hope that you spend time with loved ones and receive the gifts you really wanted. As you head to family and friends houses today to celebrate the holidays, please stay safe.
Batman sings?
Posted by Dustin
Leave it to the villains of the DC Universe to disrupt the holidays for the Teen Titans. From Teen Titans #13
Posted by Dustin
This issue is the final part of the Blackhawk Down story arc, and unfortunately, it was kind of disappointing. The first two issues were great, the third was good, but this one was kind of a letdown. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t as good as the previous issues.
As far as plot goes, Batman and Blackhawk go to the Sky Skull, where Gaynor is held up, and take him down. That’s really all that happens, and there are a lot of problems I have with this issue. First and foremost, how did Gaynor come back to life? That is never addressed! We are just supposed to accept that he is magically alive. And not mention, how did he magically get back on the Sky Skull so quickly, after being knocked out of the sky into Gotham Harbor? Also, Zinda Blake’s brain washing was pointless; it lasted for only 5 pages! I also found Blackhawk’s whole crisis of conscious a little annoying. It seemed like it was thrown in to fill the last 4 pages. These are smaller things that add up, and make the issue less enjoyable. Royal McGraw is a good writer, and I was hoping for a more exciting conclusion.
The art is good though. Macros Marz delivers really nice art, which stays consistent throughout the storyline. I wouldn’t mind seeing him do more Batman work in the future.
As far as Batman comics go, the storyline is still pretty good though. They have definitely told worse stories in the series, and overall I can recommend this story. But I think this story would be more appreciated by fans of Blackhawk, not just Batman fans.
Next issue; a new arc begins, being written and drawn by Sam Keith. It looks pretty good and I’m looking forward to it.
Batman Confidential #39:
Reviewed by TheCapedCrusader
Creator Posts takes us to Cameron Stewart today. Yesterday, Stewart posted up on his Twitter page links to YouTube. Those links gave us a first look at some of his art on his upcoming run on Batman and Robin. So take a look below.
Posted by Dustin
Peace on earth, goodwill toward men. This phrase describes everything in this picture. From this year's DC Comics Holiday Special 2009
Posted by Dustin
Who would have ever thought that super heroes helped Santa deliver gifts? Actually in the DCU it makes sense that they do with all of the problems in the world. From DC Comics Holiday Special 2008
Posted by Dustin
Even as the clock strikes midnight, Batman is saving someone. From last year's Batman: Gotham After Midnight #8
Posted by Dustin
As a reminder to all, Christmas is the time of giving. I don't suggest giving Batman a Superman action figure though. From Batman: Year 100 #1
Posted by Dustin
Here is Year Two, a criminally underrated story with a menacing and ruthless villain. However the story betrays Bruce Wayne's morals swiftly and is fundamentally flawed as a result. Give it a listen and see what you think. Nest week is Dark Victory, the introduction of Dick Grayson.
Posted by Nick
We kick off this week with the start of our Christmas posts. This first one comes all the way back from 1944. Batman has worked with Santa numerous times, but this was the first. From Batman #27
Posted by Dustin
How is it that Dick Grayson always is able to get into parties where there are only adults? You never see anyone else's kids at the party. I guess it helps to have an adoptive dad that is a billionaire. Most people probably don't ask that many questions once they see who he is with. From Batman: Two-Face Strikes Twice #1
Posted by Dustin
About half-way through reading this book and it occurred to me – and I might be the only person who this hadn't previously occurred to – Batgirl is a TEAM book. I'm not talking particularly about Batgirl being part of the 'Bat-family' but it occurred to me that, for me at least, the character 'Batgirl' is Stephanie Brown AND Barbara Gordon – both of them. At the same time.
I think it was the use of the word 'I' in Barbara's narrative, just a couple of pages after Stephanie had said the same thing, that helped me realize this – I'm not sure if it's a technique that's been used in the previous issues or whether I just hadn't noticed it – and it's part of the reason I'm enjoying the book so much.
Issue #5, Core Requirements, part one of three, opens in Devil's Square as the city Fire Department tackle a huge fire that has engulfed a social-housing project known as the Gracia Global Housing Development. On hand to witness the destruction is 'Real Estate Mogul' Stefano Gracia along with his son, Stephanie Brown's university class-mate Francisco.
At the same time, Commissioner Jim Gordon and Fire-Chief Nguyen are talking about the blaze with Nguyen remarking that he'd never seen flames quite like these and he hoped none of Gordon's 'men' were inside the building.
No men, but there is a girl inside the building – Batgirl of course! – and she's certainly got her hands full wrestling with 'Diesel', a giant of a creature who is spraying gasoline, flame-thrower like, in her direction. With Barbara on the com-link offering support, Stephanie turns to 'Mama Oracle's secret weapon': freeze-batarangs!
Unable to contain Diesel for long, it looks like the situation is getting out of hand for Stephanie as Barbara warns her that 'company' is on the way. Thinking this means the police Stephanie is surprised – 'offended' she says – to discover that the company is none other than Batman and Robin. With three-on-one Diesel doesn't stand a chance and is eventually overcome and knocked to the ground. With Robin pounding Diesel, Batman realizes there's a gasoline leak … 'Batgirl to the rescue'.
Later, Barbara and Dick are back at base discussing – arguing mainly – the events of the evening with Dick questioning Barbara's judgment of Stephanie's abilities. Barbara reminds him that his own 'protege' doesn't have a great track record either. With tempers now at boiling point Barbara pushes Dick just a little too hard – as he storms off he warns her that if she doesn't control Stephanie, he will.
Another day, and we're with Stephanie in the library at Gotham U where she overhears – 'earwigs' where I come from! – the aforementioned Francisco and his friend Jordanna discussing the building fire and the loyalty he feels towards his father. As Jordanna leaves, Stephanie sees an opportunity to find out more and asks if there's anything she can help with. Taking in some fresh air, Francisco feels that Stephanie is prying just a bit too much about his father before realizing that they are being followed … Damian.
Across town Barbara is waiting for her father when she's spotted by Detective Nick Gage who is also there to meet with Commissioner Gordon – they've been set up! After some very brief flirting the two start bickering before Gage grabs his coat and leaves, with Barbara realizing that she's still frustrated from her earlier row with Dick.
Later that evening, Stephanie discovers Francisco sat alone in a diner. Changing into some clothes hastily borrowed from Barbara she says 'hi' just as a gang of masked gunmen enter. Despite Francisco's instructions to leave she tackles the raiders only to find herself outnumbered …
This was another cracking read from the Miller/Garbett/Scott creative team. Yes, some of Stephanie's dialogue appears a little cliched but for me that part of her charm, she's 'storming': trying to prove to others – and herself – that she's confident and up to the job. Besides, she's still a young girl, what else should we expect? As I've suggested before, I'm really enjoying Barbara's role in the book and what's more I'm enjoying seeing the Stephanie/Barbara relationship develop.
The inclusion of Dick and Damian in this issue made for some interesting character exploration – there felt a tangible undercurrent of tension throughout the scenes involving Dick and Barbara while it's clear that Stephanie and Damian – like bickering siblings – just aren't getting along. My only disappointment with the Stephanie/Damian interaction was that we didn't get to see the results when Damian was 'rescued'!
Furthermore, it'll be interesting to see how the Barbara/Nick Gage relationship grows – with Batgirl possibly having a crush on the detective through the earlier books it could be interesting to see how – if? – this theme develops.
It's often said that there's no such thing as good or bad art, rather there's art that we either enjoy or don't enjoy, and I'm certainly enjoying the art on this book: from Phil Noto's striking, eye-catching covers to the warm, bold – confident – interior artwork and panel layout.
'Team Batgirl' goes from strength to strength.
Batgirl #5:
Reviewed by Zaius