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Batman #681 [Review]

Posted on November 28, 2008 by Walt

R.I.P. the conclusion: Hearts in Darkness

Writer: Grant Morrison
Penciller: Tony Daniel
Inker: Sandu Florea
Colorist: Guy Major
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Asst. Editor: Janelle Siegel
Editor: Mike Marts
Covers: Alex Ross and Tony Daniel
Publisher: DC Comics

This is an issue I’ve been looking forward to for awhile. While the opening of the arc left me rather cold, I figured it would all come to a satisfying conclusion that would explain my confusions away–especially when I picked up the Batman & Son hardcover and noticed a reference to “Zur-en-arrh” in the earliest pages of that story.

As this issue opens, we find Batman in a straightjacket in a coffin buried alive. While flashbacks show us how he’s prepared even for this situation, for facing death itself, we see Black Glove & Co. celebrate their victory with plans made to further degrade our hero, with speculation as to exhuming him still alive but brain-damaged from lack of oxygen. The Joker continues to be a wild card, not playing by the rules he was expected to adhere to, which complicates things when Batman pulls a Spider-Man Fearful Symmetry/Kraven’s Last Hunt and enters a final battle with Black Glove, with Nightwing and Robin backing him up. At battle’s end, we have seeds planted for upcoming arcs and major changes and questions for the Batman status quo.

The best thing about this issue is the art. Tony Daniel does a great Batman (backed by inker Sandu Florea and colorist Guy Major to complete the image). The full page of Batman standing over his supposed grave is poster-worthy, and we get a number of other great images (including Nightwing holding the cape-and-cowl, another poster-worthy image). There’s a realism to the images which–while realistic–stays within the bounds of “comic book art,” doing a very effective job of conveying what’s going on.

The writing–and the story’s ending–is a definite “miss” for me. Those hopes of a satisfying conclusion and confusions explained away were not realized. I found the main event toward the end of the issue extremely anti-climactic and reminiscent of a scene from A Death in the Family. While there is some decent imagery worked in by way of epilogue, I really don’t know what this story, in the end, was about. I don’t know who the Black Glove is supposed to really be, and we’re given no clear conclusion to the smear-campaign against Thomas and Martha Wayne. Leaving that unresolved is far more of a disappointment to me than any engaging ongoing plot point.

If you’re not totally steeped in Morrison’s Batman run, and this core Batman: R.I.P. arc, I don’t see this issue making a good read at all–and if you’re online reading this review, you’re just as well served to find a spoiler review or read wikipedia to catch up, and check out other titles as available if the follow-up stories sound interesting.

Story: 4/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 6/10

Filed under: Batman, Comic Reviews 2008, DC, DC Universe | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

JSA Kingdom Come Special: The Kingdom [Review]

Posted on November 28, 2008 by Walt

The Kingdom

Story: Geoff Johns & Alex Ross
Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Fernando Pasarin
Inkers: Mick Gray, Jack Purcell, Norm Rapmund & Fernando Pasarin
Colorist: Hi-Fi
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Earth-2 Pin-Up: Jerry Ordway
Assistant Editor: Harvey Richards
Editor: Michael Siglain
Cover: Alex Ross (variant by Fernando Pasarin)
Publisher: DC Comics

The main thrust of this issue follows several JSAers as they react to Gog’s “gifts”–reactions both positive and negative. Damage is very much in support of Gog–who, after all, healed his face. Others point out that Gog sent Power Girl to an Earth 2 where she was hunted as a traitor, and we see Dr. Mid-Nite and Sand both dealing with the negative repercussions to their being “cured” of what had seemed on the surface to be a curse. As “war” breaks out within the JSA, it appears that Gog might finally tip his hand, as we approach “The Seventh Day” which may or may not usher in–through Gog–the end of the world.

There’s a lot going on in this issue, and a lot of characters juggled. While it’s easy enough to lose track of everyone, Johns still manages to keep things engaging by focusing on several characters and let us see their arcs unfold in context of the larger whole. What began with the apparently simple premise a year ago of “Kingdom Come Superman arrives on New Earth” has become a lengthy, enjoyable epic that has drawn me back to the Justice Society and made the team a favorite. This is a story that will likely go down as one of the definitive Justice Society runs.

The art is–for the most part–well-suited to the story. There are a few points where characters appear a bit “off” (one panel has Superman looking like he ate too many burritos too quickly)…but as a whole, no significant complaint art wise. It’s easy to follow visually, and none of the characters seem unrecognizeable.

I’ve enjoyed these specials. While a bit pricey–both cover price, and simply by their very existence at all–I think they make for a great addition to the JSA narrative, and allow for far more than we could get with just the core title alone. It is unfortunate, though, as we have important events in these that are certainly key to the overall story, such that if one wants the full story they are essential and one will have missed a great deal reading “only” the core JSA title.

There’s a double-page pinup-style spread of the Earth-2 Justice Society included–I’m not sure I “get” exactly why it’s included…but it’s a cool little “moment” of that team sitting for team photo…there’s a lot going on in that one image that says a lot about the characters without dialogue needed…it would make a great poster.

All in all, a good package that–despite the higher cover price–feels like something special and important,and is worth the money paid. You could do so much worse by way of out-of-core-title tie-in specials in a major story.

Story: 8/10
Art: 7.5/10
Whole: 8/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, DC, DC Universe, JSA Kingdom Come Special, Justice Society of America | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Air #4 [Review]

Posted on November 23, 2008 by Walt

Masks and Other Memories

Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist & Cover: M. K. Perker
Colorist: Chris Chuckry
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Associate Editor: Pornsak Pichetshote
Editor: Karen Berger
AIR created by: Wilson & Perker
Publisher: Vertigo/DC Comics

This has been an interesting series so far. I’m not terribly familiar with the characters–they are new, after all…and haven’t yet been fleshed out all that much. The idea of a disappearing/forgotten country is intriguing, and seems to fit the somewhat surreal aspect of this series.

This issue sees Blythe and her companions returning from their trip to this forgotten country as she searches for Zayn, the man she seems to love. As explanations for a days-long disappearance are explained, Blythe finds herself in another unfamiliar situation as she goes to a special meeting with her boss.

The art seems the most notable thing to me with this issue–especially the bird-snake appearing from behind the panels to interact with Blythe. Blythe herself is given a distinct look, often shown with a detail that lends an extra bit of realism on the page. The characters are all distinct and nicely drawn, which is a definite plus-point for any book; There’s a certain lightness in these pages that captures the (forgive any pun) “open-air” of the environments, even when enclosed inside a plane.

The story is at once familiar and unique. There’s been an element of surrealness in the first few issues…the ending of this issue continues to throw things on their head a bit, as we realize this is more than what it appears.

I’m suitably interested…I’ve made a point of reading the first issue of most new Vertigo books, and something about this series has had me picking up these later issues, and while I’m a bit bored with the Blythe-is-trying-to-find-Zayne-who-isn’t-who-she-thought-he-was, the final page of this issue grabbed me, and I want to know more.

As with most Vertigo series, this will probably read better in the collected volumes…I’m certain there are details I’ve missed or forgotten that would be much more noticeable reading the chapters in close succession without months between.

Assuming the usual Vertigo style of 5-issue premiere arcs, the next issue should conclude the immediate arc, and presumably set us up for where the series looks to go. If you’re into the singles, this is worthwhile; if you prefer the collected volumes, I’d suggest holding off–this lacks a spectacular nature with an urgency to the singles.

Story: 7/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 7.5/10

Filed under: Air, Comic Reviews 2008, DC, Vertigo | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Booster Gold #12 [review]

Posted on September 23, 2008 by Walt

Posted to comixtreme.com.

Filed under: Booster Gold, Comic Reviews 2008, cxPulp.com, DC | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

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