Batman and Robin #16 – Review

By: Grant Morrison (writer), Cameron Stewart, Chris Burnham, Frazer Irving (artists), Alex Sinclair and Frazer Irving (colorists), Mike Marts (editor)

The Story: We see Thomas Wayne in 1765 summoning the demon Barbatos. We then shift forward to now, where Dr. Hurt is facing Batman, Robin, and DC’s spoiler for the whole Return of Batman miniseries. Problem is, Hurt’s got a lot of help, Dick has been shot in the head and the Joker is the wild card (so to speak).

Publishing Issues: I gotta get this out of the way before I do the rest of the review. On my way to my LCS, I was thinking of what a great thing it was that DC had taken its time to fully explore the implications of the death of Bruce Wayne and how I liked how they were taking their time to bring him back right. I thought the same thing contentedly as I read this issue, until I got to page 15, where suddenly I see two Batmans, one of whom is Bruce Wayne. I rubbed my eyes, flipped back a couple of pages, and find that the build up and explanation offered is….”You came through the fireplace.” WTF? OK, I don’t read most of the message boards for a reason. I want to be able to read each comic on its own terms, creator to reader, no intermediary. I think that’s honest. It took me a while to connect some of the whisperings I’d heard about publication schedules and finally realized that this issue occurs *at least* later than The Return of Bruce Wayne #6, if not later. So, I’m not going to get into my frustration, but needless to say, I felt a bit like someone had told me who the killer was before I’d finished my popcorn in the movie. Totally, totally not cool on DC’s part. I don’t care what their editorial/creative problems are. If some fraction of DC’s comics routinely get delayed for one reason or another, DC should build that into their business plan, especially on something as coordinated as an event. Now I don’t even want to read ROBW #6. Nice work, DC.

What’s Good: First part of the book (Thomas Wayne in 1765), was very moody and cool, classic Morrison. And visually impressive, even if that artist’s style isn’t 100% to my taste. The fight between Batman, Batman, Robin and the 99 Fiends was dynamic, but I never felt like anyone but the fiends were in real danger. It felt a bit like filler. Despite this, Damian certainly stole the show. Check out the visuals and the outcome of his fight with the guy with the flame thrower! The Hurt/Batman conflict in the Bat Cave continued the fun, and Pyg was twisted and depraved in central Gotham. The ending with the Joker was unexpected, tone-perfect and satisfying.

What We’re Looking Forward To In November

Dean

There is a LOT to look forward to in November. For one thing, there is a lot of neat stuff in the Spider-Man world as Amazing Spider-Man kicks off its new “big” story line Big Time written by Dan Slott with art by Humberto Ramos. This is also the end of the thrice-monthly ASM with a rotating team of creators, so it should be interesting. Also in the Spidey-world, we get Spider-Girl #1 by Paul Tobin. This is not Mayday Parker (who could never find a stable audience) but Arana of Young Allies fame. If you like teenage drama, it should be fun. Finally, we get Osborn #1 by Kelly Sue Deconnick and Emma Rios (who are both really good) to see what Marvel’s favorite villain has been up to since Siege ended.

A few other things in Marvel that I’m looking forward to. She-Hulks #1 launches in November with art from Ryan Stegman. Stegman is a very gifted artist and he draws a mean She-Hulk, so this should be good. Although Invincible Iron Man has had slow pacing, the current story arc, Stark Resilient wraps up this month and Matt Fraction seems to have this title headed to a very good climactic battle. For all those Punisher fans who HATED Franken-Castle, you get plain, old, normal Punisher in the Blood #1 from Rick Remender. And finally, there is yet another X-book with Generation Hope. The idea for this book is to have Hope running around with all the “new mutants” who have had their powers come alive since Second Coming.

Over at DC the big news is in the Bat-books as we get 2 new Bruce Wayne titles: Batman, Inc. by Grant Morrison and Batman: The Dark Knight by David Finch. If you’re into Batman, these are going to be must reads. And….after much waiting and delay, we get Batwoman #0 by JH Williams, III. I am really excited for this book and eager to see if it can maintain the quality that Williams and Greg Rucka established during their run on Detective Comics last year. Also, just to prove it isn’t all about new Bat-books, we also get a whole new creative team on the venerable Detective Comics with Scott Snyder of American Vampire fame teaming up with Jock and Francesco Francavilla on what is sure to be very well done series of Dick Grayson stories.

Not a whole lot going on over at Image, but folks might want to take a look at Utopian #1 by Marc Guggenheim. The story is: “What happens after the heroes win and the world is saved?” Image has become the go-to publisher for many creators to do interesting things, so this has promise.

 

 

Alex

While I’m as excited about all the Grant Morrison stuff as the next guy, the Batman title that really has my eye is Detective Comics #871 by Scott Snyder and Jock. It’s an utterly fantastic creative team and Snyder’s promise of a realistic, CSI type Batman has me curious. Of course, there’s also Batwoman #0 by JH Williams III to consider, which anyone with a pulse should be excited for.

Outside of Batman, I find myself confronted by two relaunches of titles I’m either completely unfamiliar with and/or indifferent to. Yet I’m picking them both up. They are THUNDER Agents #1 by Nick Spencer and CAFU and Superboy #1 by Jeff Lemire and Pier Gallo. In both cases, it’s the creative teams that have me excited, crewed as they are by exciting new talent with writers that have proven track records outside the superhero realm.

At Marvel, it’s all about Spider-Man’s Big Time. Now bi-monthly with a steady, and good, creative team, I’m happy to be back aboard with Amazing Spider Man #648 and #649 with Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos. Hopefully big times are also good times. Meanwhile, Thor #617 by Matt Fraction and Pasqual Ferry has my attention as well, with its seeming promise of a reincarnated Loki. Fractions other book, Invincible Iron Man #32, also isn’t to be missed as it concludes the excellent slow-burn of “Stark Resilient” in explosive fashion.

Finally, it’s a big, but sad, month at Vertigo as two excellent titles reach their conclusions. Madame Xanadu #29 goes out with a bang as main series artist Amy Reeder returns for the farewell. Meanwhile,  Unknown Soldier #25 is sure to end things in bloody and tragic fashion, as Joshua Dysart’s fictional tale directly collides with a real world villain of the worst kind. On a happier note, Fables #100 is a giant-sized book of excitement featuring a mega-powered duel; it’s also a landmark for Vertigo, an imprint for whom longevity isn’t common.

 

SoldierHawk

So I’ve been harping on it since it was announced months ago, but my pick for November is, without question, Batwoman #0, the prelude to the new Batwoman ongoing series written and illustrated by J.H. Williams III. I’m quite literally X-ing the days off my calendar until this comes out. Kate Kane/Batwoman are fantastic characters and–perhaps even more importantly–she has a fabulous supporting cast surrounding her. Even leaving all that aside… MORE J.H. WILLIAMS III ARTWORK! That alone will be worth the cover price.

I’m also really, really looking forward both to the first Kill Shakespeare Trade (which collects Kill Shakespeare issues #1-6), and to issue #7. This series has been a gem (albeit a slightly rough one in spots) since its launch last April, and issue #6 set some very interesting plot points and characters into motion. I’m waiting with baited breath to see how this is going to play out, and what other famous Shakespeare creations might throw themselves into the mix.

 

Batman and Robin #15 – Review

By: Grant Morrison (writer), Frazer Irving (artist), Janelle Seigel (assistant editor), Mike Marts (editor)

The Story: Batman and Robin Must Die, Part 3: The Joker has Robin in his insane clutches, but he must convince the boy wonder to go after Thomas Wayne instead of giving the Joker his comeuppance. Damian isn’t known for his ability to persuade, though. Batman is in the clutches of Thomas Wayne, who is also a raving lunatic. And Gotham is in the clutches of an addiction-withdrawl infection. All in, a crappy day to be in a cape and tights.

What’s Good: Irving’s art blows the doors off the barn. His attention to detail, deft use of color, and style suited to the moodiness of the psychologically-unhinged, make him my premiere choice for drawing Batman and Robin (even over Quitely). The Joker in the first three pages (well, any pages where he appears, really) is hypnotic. I had to drag my eyes from one panel to the next, because they didn’t want to leave where they were. The layouts were intriguing, with unexpected open white spaces on some pages, and panels to set symbolism and mood, some having classical roots, others having more dystopian 24-hour-TV-news roots. The action sequences, especially of Robin, were really, really good (check out Damian with his boot to the Joker’s throat and the part where he leaps at all of Pyg’s piggies). Brilliant art.

Morrison has been putting in pretty flawless performances in the last few months on BM&R and the Return of Bruce Wayne. This issue is no exception. Each character has his own, vivid voice. Morrison’s choice of words and cadences make the Joker sound unhinged, Thomas Wayne sound British and slimy, Pyg insane, Damian arrogant and frustrated, and Alfred….I’m not sure…was it disdainful or fearful? Doesn’t matter. He sounded different from every other character in the book. Morrison gave each one a feel, so that the art was free to characterize in the areas it does so best: expression, body language, setting, etc. Fine writing all around.

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #5 – Review

By: Grant Morrison (writer), Ryan Sook (penciller), Mick Gray (inks), Pere Perez (art), Jose Villarrubia (colors)

The Story: The Return of Bruce Wayne, Part 5: Masquerade: Bruce Wayne wakes up in a hospital in the 1950s or so and a woman who needs a detective offers him a job (incidentally, investigating the murder of his own mother). In the meantime, Red Robin, the man with the plan, is busy getting the Justice League ready for Bruce’s return to the present, as a weapon of mass destruction of Darkseid’s making.

What’s Good: Gray, Perez and Villarrubia delivered some very moody, very fluid artwork that worked really well for this story. It’s moody in the dark shadows, the period furniture and architecture and clothes, and the Spirit-style fight scene, as well as in the satanic ritual. It’s fluid in the faces, movement, hair, cars and smoke. It’s a book full of scenes you want to spend your time on and savor. Some horrifying moments (art wise) were the wasp scene, Carter’s interrogation and the fire in the ritual. Morrison depended a lot on his art team in this book, and they didn’t let him down.

Batman #703 – Review

By: Fabian Nicieza (writer), Cliff Richards (artist), Ian Hannin (colors), Janelle Siegel (assistant editor), Mike Marts (editor)

The Story: The Great Escape: Batman and Robin get an assist from Red Robin to track down a thief called Getaway.

What’s Good: This issue is the light, classic capes and thieves comic story, with a bit of substance to it. This is not the navigation of a disturbing psychological geography that you get in Batman and Robin, but a light-hearted story of three brothers growing up in the shadow of a lost father. While Red Robin is a freshly-minted adult, seeking to prove his potential, and Dick is the young, conflicted family leader slowly emerging from his father’s shadow, and Damian is the hot-headed enfant terrible trying to be taken with the lethal seriousness to which he is accustomed, this story is about Bruce Wayne. Nicieza pays deep homage to Batman’s less accomplished rogues gallery with some nice accompanying clipped art from long ago on the screens, and by having a pretty C-list villain who hasn’t shown his mask for ten years. Why? Nobody knows, but the reveal of the story shows the deep parallels between Dick and Damian in the Robin role, as well as illuminates a part of Bruce that neither I nor Damian have ever seen. Nicieza makes the story bring out a genuine and honest longing for the father among the characters. I also like that this is a self-contained, one-issue story that is worth buying. The Vicky Vale subplot was also fun to watch and the cliffhanger ending with her revelation has me looking forward to the next issue.

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1 – Review

By: Grant Morrison (writer), Chris Sprouse (artist), Karl Story (inker), Guy Major (colors), Mike Marts (editor)

The Story: A prehistoric tribe of hunters has stumbled upon some kind of rocket ship, and while reading spiritual meaning into its appearance, and against the backdrop of a rite of passage, they follow strange tracks leading away from the craft. They encounter a flock of bats and a confused man who speaks in tongues. They keep him, treating this supernatural being, partly as a ghost, partly as a pet. Then the Blood Mob Tribe attacks and it goes very much downhill…

What’s Good: When the Blood Mob Tribe attacked, I expected Bruce to make short work of them. I really, really respected Morrison for making Bruce take an arrow in the shoulder and retreat. Batman is one of the most superb fighters on Earth, but he is still a man, and so many writers forget that. When the Blood Mob Tribe actually caught him, I was even more impressed. How the heck is he going to get out of this? Morrison also did some fine voice work. The tribespeople didn’t use different words than us, but their word order and expressions were different enough to give me the flavor of a simpler, changed language of thirty thousand years ago. And he succeeded in delivering an emotional note to this story with the advice and teachings that the tribe kept giving to the boy undergoing his rite of passage. It made me care a lot more about the story. My tension rose a lot at the appearance of Superman and Green Lantern, especially since they were too late. Now I’m itching to learn more about what they were talking about.

Batman and Robin #11 – Review

By: Grant Morrison (writer), Andy Clarke (penciller), Scott Hanna (inker)

The Story: Batman versus Robin Part Two: Batman explores the cave network beneath the Wayne Manor, surer than ever that Red Robin is right– Bruce Wayne is alive. In the meantime, Robin and Sexton, exploring the graves behind Wayne Manor, are suddenly accosted by four killers. Something more sinister than the obvious is up, because some kind of Wayne relative is being brought into the picture, as is the daughter of Batman’s greatest enemy.

What’s Good: As always, Morrison feeds out his story in morsels, never satisfying your hunger, but never blowing the pacing either. There is a big, old mystery afoot and it looks like everything is at stake again for the new Batman. The subtle levers being used by Talia to move her puzzle pieces around are intriguing, as is the climactic moment at the end when she springs her trap. Morrison’s command of voice, different voices for different characters, is also well done and brings an authenticity to the interactions, even when some of the characters are doing pretty weird stuff– check out the running monologue around Mister Whips-Himself – creepy… And, as one final point on the writing, Damian steals the show. This is really his issue and it’s a lot of fun to watch him figure things out and squirm over mother issues.

On art, I’ve always liked Clarke, although in other reviews (R.E.B.E.L.S.), I’ve noted that I think he’s better suited for moody, character books rather than action-packed titles. Clarke’s art style (especially the stippled shading and fine lines to show texture) does great work on faces and expressions. The sad, frightened priest on the first page doesn’t need the dialogue to show us how he feels. Same with the expression of the one he blesses– dialogue isn’t needed for this guy to creep us out.

Batman & Robin #10 – Review

by Grant Morrison (writer), Andy Clarke (pencils), Scott Hanna (inks), Alex Sinclair (colors), and Pat Brosseau (letters)

The Story: Batman and Robin search Wayne Manor for clues left by a lost-in-time Bruce Wayne.

What’s Good: Morrison’s series has been filled with a lot of wacky stuff, what with each arc thus far being somewhat independent.  This issue manages to weave together many of those wild strands, and there’s definitely a satisfying feeling of everything drawing together.  Oberon Sexton, the Domino Killer, El Penitente, and Talia Al Ghul are all series elements that are present in this issue in some form or other, and the result is a great sense of a cohesive whole.  The seemingly disparate book Morrison has been writing suddenly seems like a carefully pieced together puzzle.