Arkham Asylum will be getting a special edition treatment later this month. Well, at least that's what the ad says. This website questions this and it's more likely we'll see a later release date.
This will be the "Game of the Year" edition". As you can see by the above ad, it will have six extra challenge maps. Don't worry, you won't have to re-buy the game. Most of these are supposedly ones that were already downloadable content. The exclusive ones? If I know video game companies, even if they say it'll be exclusive, you can bet that we'll be seeing these as downloadable content within the next year.
Interestingly enough, one of the challenge maps will be Crime Alley, and it doesn't seem to be a dream sequence like we got in the game. This is interesting because in the game we only fought inside Arkham and it's sewers. Going into Gotham would be a good preview for the eventual "Arkham 2" game that is being developed.
3D glasses? Video games in 3D rarely work. I doubt this will do much better. Save your money and download the maps later.
Green Lantern featuring Batman
Well, the comic starts off with a man being chased through Gotham City by some a saber-tooth tiger and a skull with wings that can breathe fire. The man is later killed by a man holding a Tattoo gun. After killing him, the unknown man writes a message on the dead man’s chest and the media claims this murder was done by a Green Lantern villain known as The Tattooed Man.
So Batman calls in Hal Jordan to help, as we all know Batman doesn’t like other hero’s villains in his city. So Green Lantern comes to the Batcave. He asks Bruce why he didn’t just call him, instead of getting Green Arrow to pass on the message. This leads to Hal and Bruce having a little argument as Bruce still doesn’t trust Hal (Continuity Note: Before coming back to life, Hal Jordan was affected by the evil Avatar of the Sinestro Corps Parallax). Bruce shows Hal the crime scene photos and says that they are dealing with Tattooed Man. Jordan thinks different as the Tattooed Man he knows of is locked up in prison. So they go out looking for this new Tattooed Man, but not before Bruce punches Jordan in the face and says that they are now even.
They take the Batmobile to the last known whereabouts of the new Tattooed Man. In the Batmobile, Hal tries to make Batman laugh, but he has a hard time doing so. He even makes a joke about Robin and asks if any of sidekicks ever grow because the seat is so far forward. Bruce tells him to buckle up which Hal jokes it off. Bruce hits a speed bump which in turn makes Hal hit the roof of the Batmobile. This is my favorite part of the issue because you see that Bruce does have a funny side to him. Soon afterwards, they are both attacked by the Tattooed Man, who calls them both sinners. Hal then gets the Tattooed Man attention, Bruce knocks him out with one punch, and the police come and arrest him. Bruce and Hal go back to the Batcave, where Jordan gives Bruce his power ring and asks him to put it on. Bruce refuses until Hal begs and tells Bruce it will help him overcome his greatest fear like it did for him with the death of his father. Bruce puts it on and his costume changes to a Green Lantern costume mixed with the Batsuit, which is pretty cool! Then Bruce creates an image of his parents with the ring and starts to cry. He takes off the ring and tells Hal that he is not ready got overcome his fear. Before Jordan leaves Bruce smiles and tells him that it’s good to have him back. Hal smiles and replies, “It’s good to be back”.
This issue is pretty good. The story is very solid and doesn’t feel like random team between two superheroes. Geoff Johns portrays the bad blood Bruce has towards Hal throughout. Johns also shows in this issue that he is a Batman fan and knows how to write Batman. This was really good. Didn’t feel like a pointless team issue. It made me glad that I picked it up last year at a comic book traders market. Also the back and forth banter between Hal and Bruce was priceless. Another thing I have to give Johns credit for is reminding us that Jordan and Bruce both saw their loved ones and they each handled it in their own way. The only problem I had with this issue was the fight they had with Tattooed Man. The fight was only two pages long and felt like it could have been longer. But hey, that's just me. I can’t wait and see what Johns bring to Batman: Earth One. The penciling by Ethan Van Sciver who not only draws a good Batman, but his art is amazing.
Green Lantern #9:
Reviewed by Johnny Impulse
Red Robin #8 is the end to the arc known as the council of spiders, and really is the finale to everything that Chris Yost has been setting up since issue #1. That being said, this issue is not something to cheer about, on the contrary, I found this issue to be the most cliched and boring of the entire series, and after reading what has came before this, which is saying something.
The comic really just comes across as Yost not really knowing how to write a finale to an arc and throwing stuff at the page and seeing what sticks. Let me take the final four pages for example, and these will be spoiling the comic: Red Robin blows up the cradle, and escapes with Tam, just as it’s blowing up. Tam kisses Red Robin and screams “I’m alive!"
The villains survive with barely a scratch on them. They were in the middle of the explosions inside the cave, and are walking out without a scratch. When she escapes the cave, the wanderer, leader of the council of spiders proclaims they have a new target, heroes. Well excuse me while I pretend to care that you survived.
The art in this issue, is very average, as usual, I do not really care for Marcus To’s art in this comic. This whole comic under To's pencils really lacks anything to get me interested in Tim and his international exploits.
Chris Yost as usual hands a very average script that achieves nothing and really makes this whole comic feels like Tim is just playing around outside Gotham, waiting for Bruce to come back, so that he can go back to being Robin. I really am not a fan of Yost’s need to have jump cuts every two panels, but after seeing him here trying to keep a story linear, I really want him to actually come up with an interesting plot for this comic, and execute it well.
All in all, this is a very mediocre end, to a very average storyline, with both writer and artist not seeming to know what they want from the character. Leaving me, as the reader of this comic, very disappointed.
Red Robin #8:
Reviewed by Suavestar
It's felt like a long month since turning the last page of Batgirl #5 and seeing Stephanie Brown, lying on the floor, having been shot in the head. Sure, I knew she'd be okay but I was genuinely taken-aback by the conclusion of the issue and I was looking forward to seeing how the story continued.
Batgirl #6 – Batgirl Rising, Core Requirements, part 2 of 3 – begins with Stephanie dropping in and out of consciousness as she receives treatment in the back of a Gotham ambulance. As one painful memory after another crosses her mind she wakes with a start on the realization that she's been shot.
With Stephanie 'missing in action' Barbara Gordon is back at the Batcave scanning the emergency service radio frequencies for information about her whereabouts when her systems lock onto the codename that Stephanie gives the medics. Realizing that the ambulance is heading to West Mercy Hospital – where Steph's mother works – Barbara distracts (and this is the understatement of the year!) the medics long enough for Stephanie to escape their attention.
Atop the Gotham Police HQ Commissioner Gordon, accompanied by Detective Nick Gage, meets with Batman to discuss the kidnapping of young Francisco Gracia. From a neighboring building Stephanie – now dressed as Batgirl – spies on them before being interrupted by the young Robin. As we discovered in issue #5, the two just can't get along and inevitably start bickering – with hilarious results! Forced to intervene Dick – in 'guardian' mode – breaks the pair apart and sends them both away for a time-out.
Furious with his young associates behavior Dick is reminded by Barbara that Stephanie and Damian aren't the first Batgirl and Robin to have trouble getting along … a comment both Dick and Barbara immediately regret as, for a moment, the mood between them turns sour.
Having temporarily settled their differences, at least enough to semi-agree on a plan, Stephanie and Damian break into Jordanna Spence's apartment and confront Francisco's girlfriend – what does she know about his disappearance? Why aren't the kidnappers demanding a ransom? Where is he?
In the meantime, Dick finds himself under attack as he pilots the Batmobile high over Devil's Square. As he reacts to avoid a collision he discovers his attacker is none other than Roxanne Sutton – 'Roxy Rocket' – who sends a figure resembling Francisco Gracia tumbling to earth. Rescuing the young man Dick discovers it's not Francisco but Freddie 'Riot' Frankenstein who in turn replicates and begins attacking the Batmobile.
As Dick struggles to keep his vehicle airborne we witness an angry roof-top exchange between Francisco and his father in which the older man explains that he knows he's made mistakes in his life but his plan will help him to clear his debts. As Jordanna had earlier told Stephanie, Gracia Senior is a gambler, often doing very well, and just as often very badly … he's in debt to 'Roulette' and his only release is to help her.
Elsewhere, with the Batmobile grounded and Dick injured, Barbara orders Stephanie and Damian, who along with Jordanna are following Roulette's plans to hunt down and kill Batman via an on-line video feed, to find Dick and bring him home.
Once again, another great – fun – issue of Batgirl. Without wanting to dismiss the storyline itself, which is certainly strong enough to maintain my interest, at the moment the true joy in this book for me is following the 'cast' as they develop their individual and group personalities.
The bickering, or banter, between Stephanie and Damian is brilliantly written by Brian Q. Miller and one of the highlights throughout this issue. Carrying on like brother and sister, their verbal dueling is genuinely funny and it must be said, at times quite charming – Stephanie describing Damian/Robin as a 'little badger' and Damian responding to Stephanie's declaration that she's been shot in the head by replying that she's got brain damage and he's not surprised had me chuckling.
The art throughout the issue, literally from cover to cover, is magnificent. I can't at the moment think of a book that's offering better interior art than we're seeing from Lee Garbett and Phil Noto's covers are great: I loved the sense of mischief between Stephanie and Damian as they are interrupted by Dick on this cover. Take a look at the look on Damian's face – he's startled that he's been discovered but at the same time he just can't hide the joy he's feeling!
I enjoyed the 'villains' in this story – Roulette, Riot, Roxy Rocket, and to a lesser extent, Doctor Phosphorous – and I'm looking forward to seeing them hunting their prey through the next issue.
Aside from Stephanie and Damian's relationship I again enjoyed the exchanges between Barbara and Dick and the way the mood between them quickly swings from affection, to irritation and back again to affection. I struggled somewhat to understand Barbara's actions in preventing the ambulance carrying Stephanie from reaching the hospital – would she really make the vehicle crash and risk injuring the medics, passers-by or an already injured Stephanie? I don't think so and this 'misjudgement', so early in the issue, troubled me throughout my read. Likewise, the ease with which Stephanie (or more to the point Mr Miller) shook-off the gun-shot wound to the head was a little … unsatisfactory – clearly I was relieved she was okay but I did feel just a little cheated after the jolt with which the previous issue ended.
These criticisms aside, this really was another excellent issue of Batgirl – great writing, quality artwork, fun without ever being silly, a real 'page-turner' that at the same time satisfied me and left me wanting more: quite possibly the most enjoyable book I'm picking up at the moment.
Batgirl #6:
Reviewed by Zaius
This is another show that you most likely have already seen. You might even already own the individual seasons. For the very first time the series is collected in one form on DVD. The series first aired in the late nineties after the success of Batman: The Animated Series. It featured Big Red saving Metropolis from the perils of many of his own rogues' gallery. It aired over three seasons and ended before the Timmverse continued on with Batman Beyond.
This set consists of seven discs. It has a total of fifty-four episodes for over eleven hundred minutes. There are special features throughout and even a brand new special feature specifically for this set. The new feature focuses on Darkseid.
The series featured all kinds of villains that you have heard of and some new ones that were made for the series. Metallo, Parasite, and Toyman are all present. Many may not know that Mercy Graves was created for the series. The classic voices of Clancy Brown as Lex Luthor and Tim Daly as Superman are obviously present as well. There is even a three-part episode that crosses over with Batman and Gotham City where Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill make an appearance.
Overall, the series is another great release from Warner Bros. I don't have any complaints about this set like I had with the past ones. The discs are still numbered as if they were separate seasons, but I get why now. Another great series to add to this year's Christmas list.
Superman: The Complete Series:
The series became available on November 24, so you can get it at most retailers. If you want to get it from Amazon, click here. Warner Bros. sent over this clip to promote the release as well.
Posted by Dustin
Season 2 of Batman: The Brave and the Bold is now underway. Warner Bros. kicked off the season with an interesting episode that reminds myself of a old Hanna Barbera cartoon, Wacky Races. Tiggerbrown and rhine1784 reviewed the show, so let's see what rating it gets.
Review: Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Death Race to Oblivion
Synopsis: Heroes and villains are forced to race each other in order to save the world from destruction by Mongul.
The teaser reveals the mindless aggressive “Blockbuster” against the Caped Crusader as he and Captain Marvel team up to foil his museum master plan. SHAZAM!
Ladies and Gentlemen….START YOUR ENGINES!! In episode 1 for Season 2, the BMBATB starts out Mad Max/Wacky Races style. The evil and tyrannical alien Mongul with the help of his artificial planet weapon “War Moon” puts the heroes and villains to epic test. They must race each other for the savior of planet earth. Batman, Plastic man, Catwoman, the Joker, Black Manta, the Green Arrow and many others join in on the ultimate race, survivor style. As friend and foe race against the champion Steppenwolf, the War Moon slowly begins to house the drivers who aren’t so lucky.
This is the exact sort of episode which makes BTBTB so wonderful. The story line and characters within are absolutely a perfect fit for this series. We do get to see a slightly different side of Batman, “When it comes to protecting Gotham, I have no friends”. Season 2 is definitely off with a bang and the quality is superb.
BTBTB: Death Race to Oblivion:
Reviewed by rhine1784
Next we move on to Tiggerbrown's review.
Review: Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Death Race to Oblivion
Do you remember the movie Death Race 2000? Jason Statham starred in the 2008 remake of the much cooler 1975 cult classic with David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone. When I read the title to the season two premiere of BTBTB I thought to myself, “Man, they’re getting serious.” But Dustin called it in the preview, this more like the cartoon Wacky Races than a high octane, blood and guts action film.
There’s no Penelope Pitstop or Muttly here, but the campy cast of DC heroes and villains do their best to ham it up. The story is pretty basic: Mongol transports a group of heroes and villains to a barren desert where he forces them to race against Steppenwolf for control of the Earth or be executed. Using a weapon called the Warmoon; Mongol threatens the home city of each hero and the entire world. Batman, Green Arrow, Huntress, Joker, Catwoman and others all get their vehicles primed for the race to save the Earth. If you’re not familiar with the classic 60’s cartoon Dustin was comparing this to, think Cannonball Run but with super heroes. Just a side note; if WB had decided to make a live action Batman feature film instead of Superman in 1978, Burt Reynolds may have easily become the face of the Dark Knight. Pretty scary thought, isn’t it?
The episode works best when played for laughs. The Joker shines in the role of comic relief playing the commentator as well as getting in some site gags such as using a giant whoopee cushion to put Black Manta out of the race. I also liked the decision to include Woozy Winks, Plastic Man’s oafish sidekick. His very 1940’s depiction fits perfectly with the old school tone of the episode. The more dramatic plot elements are where the episode drops the ball. For example, having Batman pretend to be ruthless in his attempt to win the race at the expense of the lives of the other drivers was unconvincing for any fan of the Caped Crusader. Even Mongol should know better! I suppose if your only introduction to Batman is from this series, the rivalry between Green Arrow and Batman may have convinced you.
The production value, animation and acting were all up to the usual high standard. While he’s no Mark Hamill, Jeff Bennett stands out above the rest as the Joker. I much prefer this throwback to the Dailies style than the attempted modernization in The Batman.
I also continue to like the BTBTB version of the Huntress. This incarnation may be the series’ most intriguing female character. I hope she is featured again.
I leave the prelude to last. Captain Marvel is one of my favorite all time super heroes. Billy Batson and the World’s Mightiest Mortal are portrayed true to the Whiz comic’s original characters, much more so than in the Clash episode of Justice League Unlimited (Although it was still pretty spectacular!). My only criticism is that his appearance was far too short. If there is one character that would fit this series to a tee, it is The Big Red Cheese! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a full length Batman and Captain Marvel team-up.
Overall this episode had its comedic moments, but isn’t exactly the direction I was hoping for after last season’s finale or the Music Meister.
BTBTB: Death Race to Oblivion:
Reviewed by Tiggerbrown
Overall, I would have to agree more with Tiggerbrown. The episode was enjoyable and reminded me of a cartoon from my childhood, but there was nothing special that would make me remember the episode a couple of months from now. Let's hope the the season two episodes have more and better things in store for us.
Posted by Dustin
Brian Azzarello and Phil Noto team up to bring us one of the best Batman spin-off issues of the year. The Batman/Doc Savage Special is a unique and fresh approach to writing the character. This issue will also present you with some fantastic artwork by the very talented, Phil Noto.
Azzarello takes an original idea and expands upon it. Bruce Wayne is portrayed as a young and cocky character who is still adapting to the new gig. This issue also marks as a sort of preview to the First Wave line of comics that will debut in 2010. The story is set in a sort of modern, yet old school Gotham City where Batman has been around for only a month. We also see that Batman carries two pistols which, to me, give the character an interesting dynamic. Bruce is still learning how to fight crime and it also refers back to the first Batman comics when he did carry a gun. The plot revolves around a mobster that is murdered with many questions left unanswered. Doc Savage steps in to investigate, and take down the dark knight if needed. What we get is a great adversarial match up between the two characters. We see that while these two men are very different, they are also very similar. A young Jim Gordon also appears in the issue, ranting that Batman is the enemy and not a partner. After an altercation, Batman and Doc Savage meet and show that they have great respect for one another. However, after their discussion, Batman makes it very clear that Gotham is his’ city, and he needs to do this himself. I thought that Azzarello did a terrific job weaving the characters together. You get a real noir-like feel while reading this book. I feel that Azzarello’s characterization of Bruce Wayne is a fresh approach. I think he has big plans for the character’s development throughout this First Wave line. He also makes it very clear that this is a Gotham where scum is everywhere and while Batman is questioned, he is their lone hero. You also get a great contrast in personalities between Bruce Wayne and Doc Savage. You see that while Savage is far older than Bruce, Bruce is wise well beyond his’ age. I think that Azzarello has given us a taste of some new and exciting material to come next March.
I cannot say enough about Phil Noto’s artwork in this book. Noto’s art is clean and polished; it also works extremely well with in the storyline. He also draws some fantastic facial expressions throughout the issue. My only complaint is that, while the art works perfectly with Azzarello’s storytelling style, Noto can be inconsistent at times. It seemed that during Batman and Doc Savage’s fight sequence, he sped through those panels, leaving them with less detail compared to the prior and later panels.
This series has a lot of promise; it takes us to an alternate universe that I cannot wait to read more about. This one-shot was better than any of the other bat-book miniseries that involve Bruce Wayne. This issue felt very much like a pulp story, and I feel that this is a nice change of pace in comparison to the Batman Reborn titles currently taking place. I think this was a great introduction to a new line of comics that could turn out to be something very fun and interesting.
Batman/Doc Savage Special:
Reviewed by Zfactor
We have reached the final part of the three episode storyline of Blackest Night featuring Batman and Superman. My aim here is not to recap the issues but to continue the friendly competition between DC comic’s greatest heroes and how they respectively dealt with the Blackest Night scourge. I divided the competition into 4 parts; Cover Art, Reveals, Raw Emotional Impact, and Supporting Cast and Villains.
Cover Art
In Blackest Night Batman #3 the cover art is supplied by Alex Sinclair. The cover depicts Batman in a seemingly hopeless struggle with two ghouls as they attempt to pull him into the Drake family plot. The color is washed out by an “off camera” light which in whole is apparently meant to give the scene a stark and cold feel to it all.
Over in Blackest Night Superman #3 things are red hot. The cover is by Eddy Barrows and Nei Ruffino. The picture here is ablaze as Smallville burns in the background, the air above is filled with howling wraiths and below an army of zombies march out of Hell. In the middle of it all defiantly stand Superman, Conner Kent and Krypto.
Decision=Blackest Night Superman
This was an easy win for the “S” clad warriors. Superman’s heat vision is the exclamation point to the red hued artwork here which is in sharp contrast to the muted Batman cover. The main characters stand heroically between Heaven and Hell while Batman is depicted as fighting a losing battle.
Reveals
In this round I look to see which book offers the most in the way of revealing the solution to winning the battle over the seemingly invincible Black Lanterns.
In Blackest Night Batman #3 the Dick Grayson Batman foils the efforts of the Uber ghouls by literally freezing themselves from the senses of the Black Lanterns therefore rendering themselves invisible. Thus thwarted, the Lanterns move on. Over in Superman, the weapons of the Black Lanterns are turned against them. Conner Kent uses the mask of Psycho Pirate against Lantern Kal–L and the very emotions he once fed from turn against him separating him from his black power ring and destroying him.
Decision=Blackest Night Superman
Much of the power of the Black Lanterns is centered in their rings. While Batman lived to fight another day he nearly killed himself and Red Robin doing it. The tactical advantage to be passed on is that the Black Lanterns are not all powerful when the source of the sustenance is deprived from them. As a counterpoint, Superman learned that the sustenance the Lanterns feed off of such as rage, avarice, fear, hope, love and compassion can actually be used to separated the Black Lanterns from their rings. If you’re reading the main title to “Blackest Night” we’ve learned the real way to defeat a Black Lantern is to destroy the ring he wears. This is done by focusing the energy of two combined ring powers such Green and Purple. Superman’s efforts destroyed his opponent while Batman’s got away.
Raw Emotional Impact
Much of the efforts of the Black Lanterns to gain power is by ratcheting up the emotions of their victims to an apex of rage wherein the hearts of their victims are ripped out to consummate that power. In Blackest Night Batman that rage is fueled by the recreation of the moments that Tim Drake and Dick Grayson lost their respective parent or parents. In what I have described as a “circus macabre” Dick actually finds himself under the big top where his parents hurtled to their deaths and the man responsible, Zucco, albeit a zombie version stands before him. Tim Drake finds himself in his father’s apartment at the time of his lonely death at the hands of “Boomerang”.
Over in Superman it is the secondary figure of Kara, aka Supergirl, that is faced with her dead father. No recreation of a death scene here and the principle character of Superman is spared facing the Black Lantern version of Jor-El and Lara. The most dynamic scene is provided by Supergirl’s mother, Alura, as she flies into space to rescue her daughter and defeat her dead husband by severing his hand with heat vision and pulling Kara to safety.
Decision=Blackest Night Batman
The gut wrenching (heart wrenching?) tableaus of having to relive the moment that your parents or parent died wins out. Add to that being there and being unable to stop it trumps any emotional impact that the Superman book came up with. Conner Kent saving Superman just wasn’t as powerful. I liked Krypto saving Ma Kent. But shouldn’t that have been her son’s responsibility?
Supporting Cast and Villains
Let’s start with Blackest Night Superman. Many of the characters seen in the previous issues are repeated here. It is the introduction of Alura, Supergirl’s mother, as a major player that is most welcome. She is a commanding presence. Her leadership, courage, resolve and fortitude in a time of crisis was quite impressive. I hope we see more of this character in all the Superman books.
In Blackest Night Batman all the previous characters also make their return. The two new zombified villains we are treated to are Boomerang and Zucco. These two undead louts carry much emotional baggage for our heroes and provide them a target for years of pent up anger and revenge.
Decision=Blackest Night Superman
Believe me people this was a close one. Can there be anything more onerous than the undead incarnation of your parents killers? How about the living breathing force that is Alura? There was nothing real about Zucco and Boomerang. They were just the dead avatars of a bitter but distant memory. On the other hand Alura embodied the power, grace, heroism and authority of a full blown super hero. As I said before, more of this character please!
Finale There you have it. As categorized by the stipulations stated above the Blackest Night Superman books win. If it came down which super hero actually spared their respective cities the most damage Batman would actually win. Batman spared Gotham a lot of death and destruction by moving the fight out of town. While Superman kept the fight at home and watch his home town burn below him. Not very smart. I guess even the Dick Grayson version of Batman has it over Superman in the brains department. But (ahem) I’m hardly biased.
Posted by Dark Knight Dave
When we last left the caped heroes of Gotham city they were forced into a crash landing by the insidious and inhuman plague known as the Black Lanterns. The embodiment of this plague? None other than the dead parents of Dick Grayson and Tim Drake. The nightmare continues as Batman, Robin, and Red Robin bear witness to a Circus Macabre where the featured act is their fated forerunners and our heroes may be compelled to take their final bow!
Blackest Night Batman #3 hits the stands tomorrow, October 14th.
Posted by Dark Knight Dave
Blackest Night Batman vs. Blackest Night Superman
Round 2
Hopefully you’ve all had a chance to read Blackest Night Batman and Superman parts two of three. My aim here is not to recap the issues but to engage in a little friendly competition between two of DC’s greatest heroes as they tangle with the latest threat to the DC universe, the Black Lanterns! In round one of this competition I divided the battle into four parts. Cover Art, Reveals, Raw Emotional Impact and Supporting Cast and Villains. As we complete the second issue of each I’ve added, Cliffhangers, as a way of rounding out the competition.
Cover Art
The cover of Blackest Night Batman #2 by Andy Kubert and Alex Sinclair pictured here reminded me of the classic Bill Murray comedy, “Ghostbusters”. While the movie made you howl with laughter this scene is of a grimmer nature. Here we see Damian, Dick and Tim unleashing torrents of hell fire from their weapons as they are besieged by legions of demonic Black Lanterns. Our heroes’ bodies are aglow with weapons fire as they stand amidst the gathering gloom and the city topples around them. Their desperate faces grimace with fear and rage knowing that this could be their last stand.
Over on Blackest Night Superman #2, we have a cover by Eddy Barrows and Nei Ruffino. This cover too could come from some classic horror movie but perhaps of a much earlier era. Pictured here we have the standard tableau of the vulnerable heroine held in the clutches of the dastardly villain. It looks like any movie poster from a vampire flick of the 20’s or 30’s where the young and innocent female is about to be violated by a nightmarish monster. Only in this case the young lady is Kara, also known as Supergirl, and the monster is her once dead father out to kill her and destroy Kandor.
Decision=Blackest Night Batman
-While both covers depict and evince the horror of the monster movie genre I’m giving the nod to Batman. The Superman cover, while classic, has been done a million times. The Batman cover is dynamic and lends itself to famous last stand movies like the Alamo or Zulu where the odds were insurmountable.
Reveals
In this section I’m looking for clues to see how the overall Blackest Night storyline is to proceed. In Blackest Night #3, Ray Palmer, the Atom, theorized that the Black Lanterns’ power rings are made possible by some amalgamation of dark matter coupled with microscopic worm holes that channel energy. A pretty significant step, whether it is true remains to be seen. In these two books unfortunately we don’t learn too much. Zombie Lanterns are shredded and re-form in both books and the heroes realize quickly that their weapons and powers are near useless. At least Supergirl confirms what Green Lantern Kyle Rayner comes to know that their loved ones would never speak to them or acts like their current evil incarnations (Green Lantern Corps #40).
Decision=Tie
-When there isn’t much to go on from each issue I’m not going to split hairs and force a winner.
Raw Emotional Impact
Certainly there is no shortage of emotional impact in either book. In the Batman book we find Priests, Cops, Firefighters, and Civilians are being torn to shreds by the Black Lanterns. Commissioner Gordon and his daughter Barbara are trapped together in seemingly their last moment as they try to blast their way free in utter futility. As this happens, the Black Lanterns taunt their victims with bitter memories and make a mockery of their lives and loves. Red Robin comes to the rescue with low altitude high speed pass that temporarily decimates the Black Lanterns. But the grotesque icing on the cake is when Tim and Dick are confronted by their dead parents, the Drakes and the Graysons.
Over in Blackest Night Superman Black Lantern Kal-L continues to provoke Superman into rash action while dead Earth 2 Lois holds Ma Kent hostage. Kal-L orders Lois to kill Ma Kent and this is only narrowly averted by the actions of Suberboy Conner Kent. The most obvious contrast in raw emotion between the two books comes from the manipulations of the dead Psycho Pirate. Suddenly, the citizens of Smallville are turned against each other or in one particular frame forced to kiss each other in a decidedly non heterosexual way!
Decision=Blackest Night Batman
-If only Pa Kent was resurrected as a Black Lantern! Now, that would have been horrific. I have no doubt that it would have pushed Superman right over the edge and I would have loved to see that. Unfortunately, this was an opportunity missed. That act would have only been superseded by seeing Bruce Wayne rise from the grave. (Hmmm, or maybe not?) The combination of the Drakes and the Graysons trumps Supergirl’s newly risen father since he is not a character that carries the same emotional impact in the DC universe.
Supporting Cast and Villains
Much of the characters we saw in the first issues of each series return in the second. In Batman, Red Robin takes on a larger role however briefly. The Drakes and Graysons get some speaking roles but they are regulated to the end of the issue. Deadman reanimates a paralyzed Barbara Gordon and they all pile into Red Robins jet powered flying bus.
But over in Blackest Night Superman #2 we have Psycho Pirate! This addition was a real hoot. Not only does he turn staid and sweet Smallville into a maelstrom of emotion he does it with hilarious and bold results not often seen in comics. We also get to see Connor Kent turn on Big Blue and lastly it’s the totally b**chin’ Martha Kent telling us, “it’s on!”
Decision=Blackest Night Superman
-This was a no brainer. (Hey, just like a zombie.) The addition of Black Lantern Psycho Pirate easily tipped the scales. I loved the interaction of the Gordon father daughter team but the citizens of Gotham are strangely absent. Smallville’s populace on the other hand, writhe together in an orgy of violence and lust not meant for our younger readers. Throw in the torch wielding Ma Kent and like the lady said, “it’s on!”
Cliffhanger
Speaking of that crazy lady in the cornfield, I wouldn’t put any money on her chances against the Black Lantern Lois. The lady’s got grit, but, please, someone has to bail her out and it doesn’t look like its going to be Conner Kent. (My guess would be Krypto to the rescue!) Kara also has her hands full with her malevolent father. And exactly how is Superman going to take on Earth 2 Kal-L, Psycho Pirate and Conner Kent? Oh yeah, there’s that whole orgy thing going on in the town square too.
Over in Blackest Night Batman our heroes have crash landed in a cemetery. No crazy citizenry to contend with unless we include the ones buried below and that is not out of the question. No, their battle seems to be isolated to the graveyard. Who knows what mayhem will go on in Gotham without the heroes around? The Graysons and the Drakes should take front and center here. Will Tim and Dick turn their fry-o-laters on their own parents?
Decision=Blackest Night Superman
-This was a tough call. Dick Grayson’s Batman seems to have his head screwed on right but Damian’s Robin and Tim Drake seem a little uneasy. I don’t think the Gordon’s will be too much help either. Deadman? We’ll see. It looks like the new Batman could be on his own and that will be toughest test for our hero.
Similarly, Superman is on his own unless we count Ma Kent and the recovering Krypto. As much as I like to see Batman battle it out in a rain soaked and darkened graveyard I am really jonesing to see Martha Kent “git it on.” The whole town spinning out of control with Psycho Pirate and Supes battling two super powered antagonists is too much to ignore.
So, much as we found in Blackest Night Batman #1 versus Blackest Night Superman #1 we have a tie. It looks like the third and final issue of each series will have to serve as the tie breaker. I promise you one will win over the other. (I hope!) Will anything come of these short series? Probably not, as the overall series will go on into next year. It’s been fun so far to see these two heroes deal with the Blackest Night in their own books and they will return in such incarnations as the JLA Blackest Night, Blackest Night Superman/Batman and the over arching Green Lantern-centric Blackest Night series. Until we meet in round three.
Posted by Dark Knight Dave
"I once was lost, but now am found". This familiar lyric from the gospel classic Amazing Grace came to mind as I was reading Streets of Gotham #4. When fans heard that Paul Dini would be helming a title that was going to explore the under belly of Gotham and the characters that fuel its engine, we were instantly excited by the possibilities. Then came the first three issues, and the clear direction we were led to believe in was non-existent. What we were given instead was none too different than Grant Morrison’s B&R but without the style and execution. There were hints of what could be, but mostly the writing and the art were inconsistent and unfocused at best. The fresh idea its title implied was lost from the beginning. But just like the hymn, Paul Dini finally found his way!
Streets of Gotham was my favorite Bat-book of the week. This is all the more surprising since Batman & Robin #4 came out on the same day. Paul Dini has finally delivered on the titles premise: a relatively standalone story that brings us down to street level and intelligently explores an otherwise unknown but essential key to the workings of the Gotham underground. How many stories have you read or tv episodes have you watched when one of Batman’s arch villains is somehow set up in a swank new hideout? Lots I’m sure. Have you ever wondered how these criminals find their perfectly suited lairs of crime? Well, Dini explains it by introducing us to The Broker. He is the Switzerland of real estate agents; give the client what he wants, but never ask questions, and never get involved. Ignorance of the criminals’ actions allows him to provide the perfect venues without questioning his own morals. Whether it is for good or evil, he remains neutral. I just loved the way this character is developed throughout the story, and how Dini has him interact with small time crooks like Warren White and big time villains like Mr Zsasz. You could feel the tension emanating from every panel. Dini really delves deep into the character in a very short time. We learn his motivation, why he takes the neutral approach, and what he values.
My favorite moment is the interrogation scene with Batman. First, Dini just nails the voicing for Dick Grayson. In the classic tradition, Batman knows the Broker’s identity when no one else does. The Grayson side appeals to the Broker’s sense of morality, but when the Broker won’t budge from his motto of never getting involved, never making it personal……well to quote Batman; “It is now". The final panel of the Broker bloodied in his chair, but accepting that his beating is the price of doing business, was brilliant.
Dini doesn’t ignore the past few issues either. The first two pages are a prelude to the beginning of the story, showing Hush’s status as Bruce Wayne. This scene, while amusing because of the Creeper, and necessary for continuity sake, was my least favourite part of the book. From then on though, it is one of the best plotted comics I have read in weeks. The Zsasz story line is moved forward, yet we get an interesting and intelligent look into the life of one of Gotham’s unique players.
Visually, this was Dustin Nguyen’s best Batman work so far. His almost Picasso like angular style continues to be a love it or hate it proposition. But for those who have a taste for it, he really delivers. The story’s opening page of a homeless boy in front of a children’s shelter is one of the moodiest and sensitive pages I have ever seen him draw. His Batman is menacing, but still different from Bruce. His facials are more detailed and the characters move much more fluidly than in the past few issues. I still think his male faces are too similar to one another, and Robin’s legs are too dis-proportioned, even for Nguyen’s strange take on body shapes. But the art really brings Dini’s world to life. You couldn’t ask for anything more. The cohesiveness between author and artist is as seamless as Morrison and Quitely.
We love Paul Dini because he understands the pulse of Gotham City. As much as any recent writer, he has created new classic characters and taken old favorites in unique directions. His first few weeks of duty on Streets have been surprisingly less than stellar. The fans were worried he had lost his touch. However, not only did he remind us of why we love him, he gave us a great new character and did a complete 360 with an instant classic. In one issue, he transformed a title destined for insignificance and made it a must pick up. Thanks Paul, we missed you!
Batman: Streets of Gotham #4
Reviewed by Tiggerbrown