The roller coaster ride continues! DC wasted no time in releasing the second part of Morrison and Stewart’s story arc. After an excellent, yet confusing issue in number seven, we receive the answer to the question; who is the resurrected Batman? In a fast-paced and wonderfully scripted issue, Morrison continues to provide us with the freshest approach to Batman that we haven’t seen for years. And I haven’t even mentioned Cameron Stewart yet!
Let me start off by saying that any doubts that you may have had after issue seven; forget about them. Morrison approaches issue eight with a much more cinematic style of story telling. He also clears up the mysteries behind all of these Batman corpses. He does a fantastic job of pacing and structuring the issue, a slight problem with issue seven. He incorporates flashbacks and references to R.I.P and Final Crisis, and they make perfect sense. However, to fully understand what is going on, if you haven’t read any of the titles previously mentioned, you might want to go check those out. The issue reads quickly and forces the reader to keep up, but these qualities provide the reader with a very exceptional reading experience.
The issue begins with Batwoman explaining her predicament and how she exactly ended up in a coffin, like she was in issue seven. As she is explaining, alongside Batman, Squire, and Cyril the Knight, they all wait for the rising of the Batman from the Lazarus Pit. Of course, when this Batman comes face to face with the group of heroes, he is rather uncontrollable to say the least. He quickly begins to attack the group and we then learn who this Batman truly is. Tying back into R.I.P and Final Crisis, we learn that this is the one remaining clone of Bruce Wayne. Returning to present time, the crew is having quite a bit of difficulty bringing the clone of Wayne down. Outside of the mine, King Coal’s men escape and return to King Coal himself. They tell him of the masks inside and he then proceeds to detonate a bomb. The roof of the mine explodes, separating Dick from Cyril and Squire and the clone. However, Dick manages to find Batwoman beneath all the rubble. The clone finds the exit and begins to leave. We then see Alfred accessing the sealed vault that Dick removed the body from, and he learns of Dick’s horrible mistake. The clone commandeers the bat-plane and heads for the plane back to Gotham City. Back in Gotham, Alfred meets an injured, but heeled Damian at the top of Wayne Tower. In the mine, Dick comforts Kate but she then explains she has to die, and does. The plane arrives back home, and the clone makes quick work of a curious Alfred. While Damien is researching Dick’s recent actions, he is confronted by the cloned Batman and believes him to be his father. To be continued…
Like I said, this issue reads fast! But Morrison does a great job of knitting it so tightly together. I also thought the issues cliffhanger leaves the reader with some interesting predictions. Morrison continues his fun and action-packed ride that I just cannot get enough of.
While Morrison remains on top of his game, Cameron Stewart is the true hero in this issue. Stewart’s artwork is much more refined and his style and lines remain very strong. In some very difficult panels, he makes a clear distinction between Dick and the cloned Batman during their fighting scenes. Readers should no longer question the reasoning for his presences on this title. Truly genius!
Overall, I found this issue to be an absolute blast. It left me wanting more and I will have a difficult time waiting for the next issue. Luckily, the break is only two weeks. Morrison and Stewart make their collaboration a very memorable one with issue eight. Morrison does a fantastic job of tying all of his previous work together, to form a rather logical story. Morrison’s stamp on the character continues to get larger and larger…
Batman and Robin #8:
Reviewed by Zfactor
The much anticipated delayed issue number seven of Batman and Robin has finally arrived. The elusive writing talents of Grant Morrison continue to pack the panels with action-packed entertainment. However, the issue also marks the first of three issues done by the brilliant Cameron Stewart. Issue number seven keeps Batman and Robin as the best bat title, but does falter in some aspects.
Issue number seven returns the series to the quirky and ridiculous nature of the first story arc. Morrison returns to writing fun and action-packed panels that keep the reader at the edge of their seat. Cameron Stewart isn’t Frank Quietly, but Stewart is an improvement of Philip Tan. Issue number seven is by far one of the strongest issues of the series thus far.
The basic plot of issue seven is Dick is attempting to resurrect who he thinks is in the Batman suit, Bruce Wayne, by using a Lazarus Pit. The issue opens were number six left us; Dick is removing the corpse of someone in a Batman suit. I say someone because while most are saying that this is Bruce Wayne, I am not quite ready to make that statement yet. We then cut quickly to England where Dick and Squire are racing across England to rescue civilians on a wired subway train. Dick and Squire successfully prevent the criminal known as Eddie English from completing his plan. English is known as “The Pearly Prince”, the son of “The Pearly King of Crime”. Dick heads over to the prison to meet with the Pearly King. During the discussion, we learn that a game of cards was played and Eddie won a mine from King Coal that contained a Lazarus Pit. As Dick and Squire are leaving the prison, we learn that The Knight is already down in the mine helping Dick because as we know, Damian is currently unavailable. We then see Damian is undergoing surgery at the hands of Talia’s best medical assets. Alfred has come to watch the procedure and shows concern for Damian. Talia assures Alfred of his safety on his way back to Gotham. Talia also asks Alfred if he truly believes Bruce Wayne is dead, in which he explains that he saw the body and the identity has been verified by several people. We then cut to Dick and Squire making their way into the abandoned mines that Dick and the Pearly King discussed earlier. Upon entering the mines, they are attacked by some of King Coal’s men, with the aid of The Knight; the three of them make quick work of the henchmen. After Dick and Cyril greet each other, Dick learns what exactly is in the mine, a lost Lazarus Pit. The three discover a coffin that the henchmen were carrying. The coffin explodes and appears Batwoman. She quickly reacts and begins to question Dick while attacking him. Batwoman demands to know who is being resurrected, in which Dick explains Batman, which confuses Batwoman. Dick explains to her that he is the new Batman and the original Batman died saving the world, however Dick does not reveal his identity to Kate. The four heroes enter the room that contains the Lazarus Pit and we learn that Dick has already had the body wearing the bat suit put into the Lazarus Pit. The issue ends with the hand of the body arising from the pit.
Now aside from one editorial mistake, I found this issue to be a rather fun and entertaining ride that kept me compelled. I thought Morrison did a terrific job to returning to his original light-hearted tone that worked so well during the first story arc. My one problem with this issue is that the pacing is rather erratic and the story can be a bit confusing at first. The issue opens with Dick carrying the dead body of someone in the Batman costume, and then immediately we see Dick racing across England. What? I guess I would have liked some sort of plot point that explained Dick’s movement from point A to point B. However, Morrison returned the title to its original roots and I am excited to read more.
When I first learned that Cameron Stewart was going to be working on this title I thought, wow, he is a terrific artist but he is not someone I would think of working on a Batman book. However, Stewart is an excellent storyteller and he does not disappoint in issue seven. Stewart’s clean and expressive line works perfectly with Morrison’s style. Stewart brings this raw energy that was lacking during the Philip Tan issues. I also feel like he is the perfect artist to be working on this current story arc, that appears is going to be quite silly and action-packed. I look forward to see the next two issues he will be working on.
Overall, this issue is by no means perfect. The pacing is so fast that I feel some key details were left out and I found myself a bit confused at times. However, this confusion did not detract me from the story. I felt the artwork lent itself perfectly to the storyline. This title continues to remain at the top of the stack for me and I look forward to issue number eight.
Batman and Robin #7:
Reviewed by Zfactor
Today's post comes from Jock. We posted an image from his Twitter page last week. Well, now he has posted up the colored image.
Posted by Dustin
Today's post comes from Jock's Twitter page. Yesterday, he left some info on what his last image of the year was.
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
We all find out some forty years later why she never got married. From Batman #153.
Posted by Dustin
This was obviously before Batwoman discovered her true sexuality. Let's just hope that Batman had nothing to do with her switching sides. From Batman #151.
Posted by Dustin
Even Greg Rucka's mom would have to admit that it has only been J.H. Williams III's art that has captivated Bat-fans into purchasing this title. Well Mrs. Rucka, your son finally came through. Detective #858 begins to tell us the origin of how Batwoman came to be. What makes this so nicely plotted is how it slowly reveals the tragic events of Kate's past while still continuing the story from the previous arc. I try quite hard to keep my reviews spoiler free, but I don't think I'm ruining anything by telling you that Batwoman's arch villain "Alice" will not only play an integral part of Kate's future but her past as well. The cliff hanger in issue #857 gave us a clue to where Rucka may be taking us, but the depth with which he tells this story is of the highest quality. He brings the characters to life with an emotion and intelligence that is usually reserved for the most heart-wrenching of novels. The set up for the tragedy in the "to be continued" last page was executed with perfection.
Rucka interjects themes of sibling attachment, responsible Motherhood, and a Daughters intense need for Fatherly love amid feelings of abandonment. Again, without spoiling the story, how will a young girl react when every element of security in her life is taken away? What will become of Katie when the one person who completes her is gone? How does someone who is completely intertwined with another cope with being alone? In my opinion, this is the most mature work I have ever read from the writer of Queen and Country and the Half a Life arc in Gotham Central.
All that said, you might think J. H. Williams III would rest on his laurels given how good the writing is this time around. Well let me tell you nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, this may be his best work yet. The mesmerizing panels of romantic Gothicism are still present, but what makes this issue extraordinary even by Williams' standards is the incredible Norman Rockwell vision of the early scenes of Kate's youth. The mood of American innocence Williams is able to depict is absolutely brilliant. He then slowly builds the visual intensity leading us to a jaw dropping final page reminiscent of the best of Image Comics. Whereas the previous issues' scenes of Kate were almost breathers until a dramatic Batwoman scene; every panel of the young Katie in the new arc "Twenty Years Ago" is a detailed masterpiece.
Williams definitely puts the visual focus on Katie, but his two pages of Batwoman are dramatic gems. The scene of an unmasked Batwoman sitting alone slouched in despair evokes the iconic image of a downtrodden de-cowled Batman sitting in the Batcave wondering whether his chosen life path hasn't been a big mistake.
There has been no question that J.H. Williams' art has made Detective a must read. Now if Greg Rucka can continue writing mature fiction with depth and feeling, this book will no longer be a visual novelty, but one of the best comic series today.
Detective Comics #858:
Reviewed by Tiggerbrown
Every parent needs a break from their kids from time to time, and Paul Dini is no exception. Much like he did with Gotham City Sirens, Dini takes a short break from his creation and gives way to Chris Yost for a two issue arc on Streets of Gotham.
Leviathan part one is basically a treatise of the Huntress. Yost uses first person narrative to explore her character, in particular her belief that lethal force is necessary to rid Gotham of its villainess existence. Man-Bat is the foil for Yost to convey Helena’s values and opinions. Throughout their issue-long fight scene, she is particularly focused on how Batman and Oracle are responsible for the continuous scourge of criminals like Kirk Langstrom by preferring rehabilitation rather than her aforementioned permanent solution. The cover to the issue leads us to believe that Huntress and Man-Bat share equal billing. In fact, Man-Bat only seems be an instrument for Helena’s character exploration. The story’s true antagonist is Father Mark. Once an eager newcomer to the hardship and turmoil that is Gotham, he is psychotically transformed by the city’s tumultuous events like No Man’s Land and R.I.P. Perhaps next issue Yost will delve into the reason for Langstrom’s rampage, but for now it plays a back seat to the main plot. Batman, Robin and Oracle all make cameos, but nothing to veer from the focus on Huntress.
Yost obviously likes employing first person narrative, using it in Red Robin as well. Unfortunately I found his style to be lacking in intelligence and depth. The writing reminded me of a poorly written Marvel comic. Compare this issue with Dini’s narrative from the extraordinary #4. I think you will see that Yost narrates in a throwback style before editors realized that the average age of comic book readers wasn’t ten years old. Conversely, the dialogues for Father Mark’s scenes are filled with symbolism and profound meaning.
Before I criticize too much, I think the contradictory writing may have been intentional. The art is treated with a similar duality. Dustin Nguyen’s pencils are par to his usual effort, but Father Mark’s scenes rely on broad black inks and shadows, while Huntress’ panels are filled with bright cartoony colors. I find this interesting being that Helena is portrayed as a dark hero but is almost colored like she was in the BTBTB episode. I checked to see if the inker and colorist had changed from last issue, but it’s still Derek Fridolfs and Jon Kalisz. I need to bring up a pet peeve I have with Dustin Nguyen. Please look at how Father Mark’s face is drawn on page one. Then check out his previous work and how he draws a young Bruce Wayne or Tommy Elliott as Bruce. The faces are almost identical. Nguyen is so talented but can be so lazy sometimes.
The first page of this book as depicted in the Batman Universe preview had me believing that this issue was going to be as exceptional as the last. Unfortunately for me, alternating styles between the protagonist and antagonist focused scenes kept me from really getting involved in the story. The intrigue I felt when reading Father Mark’s pages was tempered with graphic and cerebral boredom by the Huntress. I just had a thought though…..have I been so captivated by J.H. Williams III and Rucka’s Batwoman, that I am not capable of appreciating another female Bat-character? I am finding the new Batgirl completely un-readable as well. Did you guys like this depiction of the Huntress or is it just me?
Oh, a comment I should have asked Dustin to put to Mike Marts: Having characters crash through glass ceilings has become a Bat-cliché done to death. I hope Paul Dini is enjoying his respite and I would prefer to see how Leviathan is wrapped up before I give part one a rating. However, based solely on its own merits…
Batman: Streets of Gotham #5:
Reviewed by Tiggerbrown
The concept of duality in literature often refers to a contradiction of character, like Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde. In comics we see this all the time with secret identities; Bruce Wayne and Batman being a perfect example. There are also depictions of this with psychopathic schizophrenic villains who, such as Two-Face are two sides of the same coin. Sometimes the dualism is less obvious and can imply a protagonist and an antagonist that are symbolically opposing elements of the same entity; Batman and Joker being my favorite case in point.
Detective #857 screams of dualism: a story that explores both good and evil; a sexually provocative Batwoman and an earthy Kate Kane; a female hero surrounded by older male mentors, but whose existence as a vigilante stems from the tragedy that befell her Mother; an arch villain who may be Batwoman’s sister; and finally the most glaring, a comic book with mediocre writing but the most originally creative art in recent comics memory.
In the spirit of this duality I ask myself, "is it possible to like and dislike the same comic equally?" Much like Dustin wrote in this week’s previews , Greg Rucka’s story leaves much to be desired, but J.H. Williams III’s art is so spectacular, an otherwise ordinary book is the pick up of the week.
Rucka’s premise while having the appearance of being strange and original is in fact filled with comic book cliches. Batwoman daringly saves her Father, prevents all of Gotham from being poisoned, and in the typical hero tries to save the villain from falling to her death fashion, watches Alice slip through her fingers. Of course we all know she’s dead…right? DC didn’t even bother building that intrigue. They have already revealed a preview of Alice’s involvement in an upcoming title. Even the revelation that Alice may be Kate’s sister didn’t surprise me. Their connection was hinted at from the start. I think Rucka is doing a fine job developing Kate as a character, but his plot is confusing and filled with holes. I really enjoyed what appeared to be Batwoman’s development as a lone driven hero obsessed with a personal tragedy. Who doesn’t love that angle, right Bat-fans? But the inclusion of shape shifters as a sub plot seemed awkward and unnecessary. Alice is an interesting villain regardless of her lineage, but the Religion of Crime was too similar to Morrison’s first arc on Batman and Robin. I also agree with Dustin that the epic scope of Alice’s attempted crime would certainly have gotten Batman’s attention. Didn’t he say he’d be watching her in the first issue? Also, how do Kate and her Father know of Batman’s rule not to kill?
As much as I had issue with the writing, the art continued to blow me away. Take the first page; exactly the duality I was referring to. The panel is ingeniously split between Kate and Alice. Then look at Kate’s eyes; the emotion is permeating from her gaze. William’s use of brush shadowing is remarkable. I have to give props to Dave Stewart as well for the vibrant colors that could easily be overkill. Then turn the page and see how Williams is able to create a violent tone with elements of desperation from both the villains and Kate’s Father. Continue turning and enjoy panel after panel of fluidly flowing, thrilling action. What’s even more remarkable is that among the flamboyant designs and incomparable layouts, his drawing of Batwoman’s body is so realistically detailed, that it creates another dualism within the art itself. The final scene, which is so unoriginal in its plotting, takes on a Shakespearean presence by the sheer power of the visual. Is there any doubt the best pages in the book are the ones with little or no words.
When I was in high school, my buddies and I would argue over whether the lyrics or the music was more crucial to the greatness of a song. In comics, is it the art or the words? That’s a dilemma on dualism that could make for an interesting debate. But I think we would all agree that just like the greatest tunes of all time, the best comics are both intelligently written and exquisitely drawn. Then there are the exceptions…..and Detective #857 is one of them. The duality of my own opinions make it seem that I do both like and dislike it simultaneously. The truth is J.H Williams III has given us such a beautiful vision of graphic artistry, that DC could have printed this wordless, and I would still give it………….
Detective Comics #857:
Reviewed by Tiggerbrown
So what does this week have in store for us? Well, not a whole lot. There are only a couple of things coming out, but let’s go through them.
Detective Comics #857
$3.99
The last issue that was released was kind of out there as far as what we normally see in Batman books. Humans that transform into animals. "Lipstick lesbian" dressing in a tux. Well, lots of crazy stuff. What does this issue bring? This is the last issue in this current story arc. Alice is going to be threatening all of Gotham with a toxic cloud of sorts. Batwoman is bound to save the city. Even though it is far-fetched that Batman would not know what is going on and stop it himself, let’s roll with it. The story does seem to be a little more than it needs to be, but the art is what saves this book. JH Williams art is amazing. The best thing happening in any book on the market as far as art. So even though the story is not that great, BUY IT for the art.
DC Comics Classics Library: Batman: A Death in the Family
$39.99
It is about time this story finally gets released in a collected form. This collects all of the issues from Batman and The New Titans that told the story of Jason Todd’s demise. This is the story that everyone one has been asking for for years. Hate to say it, but DC messed up here. Putting a price tag of $39.99 on a book that only has 272 pages seems a little too expensive. Just because everyone asked for it doesn’t mean that everyone has that kind of money to shell out for it. If you have never read this story, be sure to READ IT. If you have read it, then pass and collect the actual issues. They will cost you a lot less.
Superman/Batman #64
$2.99
This will be another story that will be contained in one issue. The solicitation describes that Batman discovers something and only Superman can stop it by making a sacrifice. Wait, THE ultimate sacrifice. Well, I can’t say that the last couple issues have been very good. So until DC rolls out the new Superman/Batman with the continuity stories or Blackest Night, I’m saying PASS.
So like I said, not much to go out for this week. Actually if you are not a fan of art, then you really have nothing. But remember, a penny saved today means you have more for next month’s comics. And if you have seen the schedule for releases, you know you will need every penny. ‘Til next time, keep reading.
Posted by Dustin
What should you expect from the comic that holds the Guinness record as the longest running comic book periodical of all time? Well for one, I want Batman in it. But I guess since he wasn’t there when it all started in 1937, his current absence from the title can be overlooked. What I do expect though is that the book is well written, artistically original, and sports an intense lead character with a tortured soul. Detective #855 featuring Batwoman has all those qualities in spades.
Greg Rucka continues the Elegy story arc with Batwoman confronting Alice, the leader of the Religion of Crime about why they tried to kill her. Unlike Paul Dini in the first two issues of Streets of Gotham, Rucka doesn’t build a first issue leading to a hero-bad guy showdown, and then cheat us by having a wimpy battle lasting only a few pages. Here the clash of characters lasts the whole issue; and it’s damn exciting to boot. He does a wonderful job creating a horrifically violent and insane villain. Rucka develops Alice slowly, seemingly an easy match for Kate, but then has her explode shockingly; almost reminiscent of another white-faced, red-lipped psychotic that has brutalized heroes of this title in the past. Similarities to another Bat-villain, the Mad-Hatter can be criticized, but the way it’s dealt with in the plot is pretty smart. Don’t worry though about a singularly dimensional storyline. Batwoman is explored with as much depth into her dark psyche as our antagonist. I really like that no matter how tough and dark Kate is; she is still vulnerable both physically and emotionally. Rucka never lets up on the action, but brilliantly intertwines it with insight into Kate’s inner turmoil and hints of Batwoman’s origin. Then just when you want to take a breather, the crazy ending drops your jaw in anticipation of the first page next month.
As much as I liked the writing, what makes this comic special is the art. J.H. Williams III gives us an interpretation that is gothic, action-packed, and even slightly erotic. I want to say that I was reminded of the old Tomb of Dracula comic from the 1970’s, but that wouldn’t be doing this justice. Almost every scene is visually stunning, and the panel of Alice holding a poisonous razor blade in her mouth was very imaginative. Also props should be given to Colourist Dave Stewart. I thought the saturation of red throughout would be too much, but the subtle changes in tone keep it fresh and artistically meaningful. Like any original artist, Williams’ style isn’t for everyone. However, I loved his work in Batman 667, 668 and 669; and I think he is giving a character that was almost dead on arrival, a thrilling new lease on life.
I wasn’t planning on making Detective part of my regular monthly purchases, and with the news from TBU staff out of SDCC that the title might switch to The Question as the lead story I still might not. But for now, Detective is one of the more interesting books in the Batman: Reborn lineup. And speaking of the Question, the second feature is a little better than last month, but hard to look at in comparison to Williams’ work on Batwoman.
Focusing solely on Batwoman, I give Detective #855
Reviewed by tiggerbrown