Monitor Tapes comics and reviews for 1/5/2009.

BATMAN #684

Dennis O’Neil- Writer

Guillem March- Art

The second and final part of Denny O’Neil’s Nightwing story in a Gotham sans Batman. Nightwing escapes the previous issues cliffhanger (Detective Comics #851) with the assist of a Pizza Delivery Man’s (hmm, could be an new DCU hero, serving slices of justice) help and compares himself to Batman for half the issue. Nightwing makes mistakes and it’s a bit intragal to his character, whereas Batman “always” has a plan, Nightwing has the unfortunate handicap of being a character who’s not Batman or Robin, but a self made hero who makes mistakes and overcomes them, not unlike Marvel heroes OS. The issue (and story it’s self) is good, O’Neil is a great Bat-Writer even when he does something standard. The problem with the issue (though it works in the context of the story) is that of the Shadow of Batman, forever looming over his supporting cast.

Nightwing overcomes and beats the faux Two-Face and meets up with the “Face of Gotham” character, previously scared by the fake. The big to do in the story is that of the fact that everyone (including Gordon and the GCPD) is starting to get nervous without Batman, as pangs from criminals are getting bolder and just over the horizon is a fighting future where Gotham criminals wont be kept in check by Batman. Good story, great art by March, but unfortunately it’s not a Batman story and any stories told without him are going to feel a bit “fill in” till Bruce’s whereabouts are revealed.

FINAL CRISIS: SECRET FILES

Len Wein-Writer

Tony Shasteen-Art

One of the things about reintroducing an old character or even introducing a new character is the speculation of who’s under the hood (or mask). With the return of Libra, speculation ran from Barry Allen (Flash 2), Professor Eobard Thawne (Reverse Flash/ Professor Zoom), Glorious Godfrey, Desaad, and even Darksied.

As memory serves, Libra had no known origin to speak of, no known identity other than the mask, and disappeared as soon as he appeared. In his reintroduction in DCU #0 and role in Final Crisis, he was plucked from obscurity and revamped for the summer event as a kind of herald of Darksied/ catalyst to get the FC ball rolling. This lead to much speculation as the character previously had no ties to Kirby’s 4^th World and was last seen being absorbed into the cosmos that he tried to harness for his own insidious needs.

Secret Files actually goes back to the original concept of the Secret Files series. In recent years, SF was a kind of one-shot with stories and “Who’s Who” type pages, almost acting like an annual to the series or event series it would be tied to. In this case, there’s no real conventional “Who’s Who” pages and more story than supplemental material.

Len Wein got tapped to tell the origin of Libra in addition to tying him to Final Crisis, fitting since he co-created the character. True, noting earth shattering is to be found in the path Justin Ballantine walked from child surrounded by tragedy to that of supercriminal Libra. Good story, ties everything together, what more could you want!

In addition to Libra’s story, we also get another page from the Crime Bible illuminated by Greg Rucka, Steve Lieber and Eric S.Truman.

Grant Morrison types up a cosmic recap on the Anti Life Equation where it’s been and recaps Mister Miracles Seven Solders adventure.

Morrison and J.G. Jones fill the remaining pages with additional FC Sketchbook material, it’s amazing how the images and text give so much info on the characters when invited into the thought processes involving the DC character remixes presented.

Aquaman is presented in a classic look with the iconic costume he should be wearing, with some updates and tweeks to bring the character to a modern look without sacrificing his signature look.

Despite enjoying the recent Doctor Fate series (in by the Late Steve Gerber and friends (he unfortunately passed before completing his story), this is the version of Fate I want to see. Part Doc Savage, part Lovecraft monster hunter, part Indiana Jones, all badass! A rexmix on the character that takes the Doctor Fate version and Len Kaminski Fate character with a pulp hammer and smooshes ‘em together. This is the Fate I want to see in the JSA on New Earth, though being based on Earth 20 gives a much wider toy box for crazy adventures.

Ironically, as I mentioned I expected more “Who’s Who” stuff as that’s usually what comes with SO books. The story was a pleasant surprise, but I almost want more sketchbook with new crazy character remixes!

GREEN LANTERN #36

Geoff Johns- Writer

Ivan Ries- Art

Green Lanterns, Red Lanterns, Yellow Lanterns too, Violet Lanterns, Orange Lanterns and even Lanterns Blue!

Green Lantern continues to blow me away! The Red Lanterns now are in possession of Sinestro and are holding him as prisoner for crucifying Atrocious amongst other things, like using him as a claw sharpener for the other Red Lanterns.

New Blue Lantern Saint Bro’dee Walker, explains that Sinestro needs protection from the Guardians (and death as everyone wants him dead) as Sinestro is important to future events (The Blackest Night? Lantern War?). BL, who’s ring is powered by hope maxes out the charge on Hal’s ring while also curing the Red Lantern hate infection in GL John Stewart. Bro’dee whisks Hal off to Odym, homeworld of the Blue Lanterns and current residence of Ganthet, “banished” former Guardian.

Over on Zamaron, home of the Star Saphires (Lady Guardians and “Violet Lanterns), Fatality as a member of the Sinestro Corps is being “reeducated” and transformed into a Star Saphire. As she emerges, she names John upon her lips and commands her ring to locate him, “no time for love Mr. Stewart!”

Really, I’m doing you the reader a disservice even trying to describe Green Lantern issue to issue, it’s something you just have to pick up and read. Even trying to explain the concepts is no where as good as the jobs Geoff Johns and Ivan Ries (and other artists as well) do.

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #22

Geoff Johns and Alex Ross- Writers

Alex Ross and Dale Eaglesham- Artists

The inevitable conclusion to One World Under Gog, true it ran a little long, but it was sad to see it end.

Kingdom Come Superman has become the original Superman, or Earth 2 Superman. He’s come to represent the old school superman who does what’s right and draws a line in the sand and lets no on cross. He’s also a mirror to which the DCU proper Superman is held to, a reflection of tragedy, loss, and inaction. Due to continuity constrictions, you knew when KC Superman came on stage he wouldn’t be around forever. DC and Alex Ross had no intention of changing the story of Kingdom Come or tarnishing it in any way.

Gog, previously attempting to bond with earth and taking away the gifts given to the heroes upon their refusal to worship him, gets hit by the JSA and hit hard. With earth at stake, the old timers and young folk attack Gog and forcibly remove his head in an attempt to sever his connection with the body he created from the planet. Superman (along with Starman, now crazy again) take Gog’s head, still mocking them and plant it into the Source Wall, along with the shells of the Old Gods of the 3^rd World to which he belongs. Gog wounds Superman with the knowlage that he failed to save his world sholdering Kal El with the weight of knowing he has to go home despite the hope he has amongst new friends found on New Earth (DCU proper). Starman helps this with the use of the Multiverse map he wears as a costume while Superman thanks the JSA and Starman for the help they’ve provided in the hard time he’s been through.

Superman returns to the point where he disappeared during Kingdom Come (during the great battle near the end) arriving to find the familiar landscape of corpses from the story. In a rage, Superman attacks the UN as in KC while Lance wonders why he’s still not only alive, but Magog as well.

Most important about the end of the story is the “Happy Ending” we see as related by Starman. Clark and Diana get together as he memorializes the lives of those lost in the great battle as Diana presents him with a gift to make him a little more “Human” (it has to do with seeing things in a certain perspective). Unlike the psudo-sequel “the Kingdom”, we see a future with hope, loss, rebuilding, and a very bright future 1000 years into the future with a familiar old man smiling at tomorrows heroes flying overhead. Much so in diametric contrast to the powder keg of super-brats from Kingdom Come.

The future’s going to be alright Mr. Kent.

Next week (or rather this Wednesday, as comic deliveries go back to normal schedule)

DC COMICS FOR 1/7/2009

BIRDS OF PREY: CLUB KIDS

BLACK LIGHTNING: YEAR ONE #1 (OF 6)

DC UNIVERSE ILLUSTRATED BY NEAL ADAMS VOL. 1

DETECTIVE COMICS #852

EL DIABLO #5 (OF 6)

FACES OF EVIL: GRUNDY

GREEN LANTERN: WANTED – HAL JORDAN

JUSTICE VOL. 3

SECRET SIX #5

SHOWCASE PRESENTS: STRANGE ADVENTURES VOL. 1

SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL: MAELSTROM #5 (OF 5)

TALES OF THE BATMAN: TIM SALE

TERROR TITANS #4 (OF 6)

TRINITY #32

VIXEN: RETURN OF THE LION #4 (OF 5)

Next week a bit of catch-up as due to the late delivery this week I didn’t get to go over everything. Plus, upcoming essay and look at Superman’s past, present and future.

THANKS FOR READING!

The Monitor Tapes for Monday, December 29th 2008
Last moniter tapes of the year! Final Crisis Batman, Wonder Woman, and Batman Gotham after Midnight. Mini-Cassett overviews and looking to next year.
Comics for the week of 12/24/2008

BATMAN #683- “WHAT THE BUTLER SAW”

Grant Morrison/Lee Garbett

Spoiler heavy

In some ways, if this issue had a soundtrack it would be to “all tomorrow’s parties”. Tis not the end of Batman but it would be a fitting end to the “Caped Crusader” if the title suddenly ended after years of publication.

“Bruce Wayne in “The Man With the Weapon Brain!”

Another retrospective on Bruce Wayne (who is) Batman, the first page opening to the memory of Bruce and Talia’s (who is the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul), interesting that the scene mirrors that of the scene in the disputed continuity graphic novel Batman- Son of the Demon (By Mike Barr and Jerry Bingham), in contrast to the panel in prior issue #656, originally reinterpreting the same scene with Batman wearing the cowl and nothing else (additionally, the panel was from Morrison’s remembrance and not 100% accurate, later explaining the involvement of drugs clouding his memory*) Also note the retcon dialogue spoke by Talia, referring to the act of consummation resulting in the pregnancy (not revealed to Bruce in the original story), though can be interpreted as “pillow talk” lovers make during the act.

The second and third pages show another series of flashbacks from Batman in the 70’s including two of my personal favorites, the sword fight with Ra’s where he “dies” from a scorpion’s poison (Batman #244, “the Demon Lives Again”**), and the shark tank fight from Batman #251 (“the Joker’s Five Way Revenge”***), both Adams and O’Neil classics (both I’m fortunate to own copies of!). As the previous issue was a walk down memory lane beginning with Batman’s birth, crazy space aliens, and Robin’s into (lighting Batman’s world) and exit into Nightwing, this issue begins the more modern “Dark Knight” period of Bruce’s journey.

We see Bruce having flashes to a exciting adult power fantasy of the Batman (as I discussed in previous Monitor Tapes) as he’s a less than remarkable (than Batman) man following in his fathers footsteps as a quiet, single, doctor mussing over grizzly news he’s obviously unable to overcome considering his (illusionary) life. Morrison plays this as the flip side of Wayne, the “realistic, dark, and gritty” character he would be if he were in fact flesh and blood like the rest of us. He even wears glasses in a manor accustom to Clark Kent, the “weaker” (perceived) side of the Superman equation. For fans who cry out for a real interpretation of the character, this is it! No Bat-Costume, no Bat-Cave, no Batarangs, no sexy adventures against clown ghouls at midnight, no adopted wards to share the pain of tragedy, no rendezvous with Cat-Women in tight leather fetish gear. Just a man named Bruce Wayne, his Butler and Chauffer employee acting as counsel for a man powerless against a world of headline news horrors. True, the Cat-Women, Killer Clowns, angry Circus Children and darkness circle his world, but Bruce is merely a part in a play commenting on his world rather than actively perusing a starring role on the difficult stage of life.

Of course we’re all aware of the event’s unfolding in the “Real” world as Simyan and Mokkari with the aid of Lump infiltrating Batman’s mind in an attempt to create a Batman Army, though they begin to fear their actions may all be for not considering the reputation of the Batman. The life Bruce is experiencing is suppose to distract and overwrite while Darksied’s minions continue pirating the Batman persona as a “Weapons Grade” personality for the clone army awaiting its programming. Lump posing as Alfred continues to prod him along the path that keeps him sedate, walking a trail of safety apparently plotted out by his parents (specifically mother) who are referred to as alive despite having no presence. Bruce mocks this stating that “Sometimes, I wish they’d died that night” (you know!) or whishing it was himself as clearly a secret is revealed that is quite shocking now that it’s come to light. Bruce accepts his parents as acceptable losses in a war on crime….

Given the choice, Bruce would in fact not be able to save his parents because of Batman. Batman is bigger than all things and ultimately needed in a world of the Joker, Robin, Catwoman and even Darksied. Bruce is Batman, Batman is not a mask any more rather something else and the true fusion of Wayne and Bat become simple, elegant, and clear. If he could save his parents, he wouldn’t! He couldn’t! His parents are the unstoppable horror-headline that makes Bruce what he is, and what he is not. Had the devil not created Batman, Batman would have to create himself. The man is clearly haunted by the tragedy and always will have the whisper of ghosts upon his lips and ears. The tragedy it’s self is not a millstone chained to him reeking of guilt, pain, and inhuman crushing weight, it’s a part of the machinery that is Batman and a superpower source of strength, his atomic ray spider if you will.

The tragedy of the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne is not what birthed the Batman,
the senseless act of a criminal is, the devils deed if you will. Flashing back to the end of
RIP even if “Hurt” had in fact been Doctor Thomas Wayne, it would not matter for the first lesson was the one that started the path where Bruce chose to not only peruse an education on how monsters operate, but chose to expose himself to monsters to know no matter what this is the thing he must do and his mission will never end as he will not let it as long as monsters stalk the wild black void of men’s hearts and minds.

Back to the remaining story it’s self, Bruce discovers the body of the Batman of Zur En Arrh, reveals as a skeleton, almost acting as a switch trigger activating “Batman” memories due to his apparent persona death, Batman once again rises out of death. In the lab, Lump begins to show signs of attack (as Bruce is in his mind, not Lump in his) and stirs, then settles leaving Simyan and Mokkari to believe they remain in control. Unfortunately for them, Batman now has control and access to his memories, or really had all along using this moment to strike against his enemies. What seemed like a lighthearted moment in which Jason Todd (the “Second” Jason Todd BTW) the loveable angry young scamp steals the Batmobile’s wheels (tires) in Batman #408. Post CIOE Jason was the herald for the modern Batman on what became a bullet train of tragedy fired out of a 44 magnum. Jason was a punk kid with attitude and what would be a short life on a slippery slope of blood and mud. Flashbacks here walk through Bruce’s hope in a partner slowly rots and becomes a sick hole inside him, not unlike the one in Jason’s skull, personally trepanned by the Joker with his delicate and surgical crowbar. In a way, this is a bigger hurt and heavier tragedy as he truly shoulders the Burdon as his and his alone. The hits keep coming when the flash of Barbra Gordon falling under the sick schemes of the increasingly cruel Joker (Killing Joke), as Bruce sharpens his memories and pain like a shiv while his captors begin to gloat and drink the moment like Champaign.

The clones begin clawing their eyes out in horror experiencing the raw information and emotion pours into their empty shells. Flash to Tim Drake (Robin III) pulling Bruce back from the brink of no return while Bruce and the Lump posing as Alfred conversate as Batman reveals he knows something is amiss. Lump reveals he has the means to defend himself utilizing Bruce’s memories as weapons, specifically being broken by Bane and being replaced by a guy named Jean (both painful memories to me ). We skip ahead to the Gotham earthquake, Hush, the death of Tim’s father in rapid succession. ….

The moment everyone’s been waiting for, the reveal of Batman’s whereabouts since RIP, Bruce reveals he did in fact survive the encounter with “Hurt” and that the Black Glove despite their hubris and planning was in fact no match for the Batman. Filling in the blanks Batman swings back into action handling the Final Crisis bringing us up to speed with his current whereabouts. Batman uses the remains of Lump to attack his captors while setting up his escape from Darksied’s lackeys “Second Life” scenario and gearing up for the final confrontation.

Batman and Robin will never die… Especially when Batman is the god of winning, and an unstoppable human force of will on par with the mightiest of Green Lanterns. Only instead of a ring, he’s got his mind, body, and a utility belt in addition to a weapon brain!

*Also of note, Andy Kubert was the one who decided to have Batman in cowl only, as it was not in the script directions.

** Featuring the story continuation and “First” in comic resurrection of Ra’s al Ghul.

*** Featuring the ultimate iconic Adams Batman image, often referred to and used in merchandise, ect. (find image online) on page 21 of said issue.

WONDER WOMAN #27 (in part WONDER WOMAN #26)

Gail Simone/Aaron Lopresti and Matt Ryan

Picked up the recent issue and previous issue as I’d fallen behind somewhere and just decided to jump back in. After several false starts, back and forth secret ID’s, “Who am I” navel gazing, and a parade of creators attempting to fix a character not broken, Gail Simone puts Diana back together again just before breaking the hell out of her!

As it’s sometimes hard to read and recap single issues in the current “Trade” standard books are written for (mostly to tell more complex stores in multiple parts), I had to pick up the previous issue where we meet Genocide, the new Wonder Woman nemesis (as opposed to the Agent Nemesis/ AKA Tom Tresser, Male Amazon, Partner and Beau of Diana), the Doomsday to her Superman.

Skimming the previous issue shows Genocide not only beating Diana, but beating her badly and taking her Lasso of Truth. Frankly, had anyone done this story (IE “Male” writer) with Diana, they’d be the target of blood and teeth from the internet trolls as the female superhero icon was stuffed into the refrigerator.

Genocide seeks out her father, the madder than usual Doctor T. O. Morrow, he’s begun to comprehend the scope of the God-Gollum that he’s created. Not unlike the terrible God-Machine-Weapon heralds created in 52, the folly of super science runs rampant again in the horror that was created to stop Wonder Woman. Genocide no in possession of the Lasso has it bonded to her body making he more deadly now that the tool is used as a weapon connecting her to her foes by staring into their souls. Being able to see a person warts and all gives “Gen” a tactical advantage making her quire formidable and terrifying.

Meanwhile, the (Roman? Greek?) Gods return from Star Trekin’ round the universe, all sorts of messed up from Darksied’s attack on them during Countdown to Final Crisis. They track down the sleeper Amazons roaming the earth and call them away from their average “Dream” lives they’ve been functioning in. The Gods are none too happy they’ve been forgotten along with the defiling of their realm and of Paradise Island it’s self. The gods seem to have a plan and are gearing up for a new champion (hence the “Rise of the Olympian story title arc) and offer Wonder Woman’s Mother*** a chance to find peace in the offered final rest. Things are bad if not the worst for Wonder Woman and she’s got a fight ahead of her unlike she’s ever faced, in a stage filled with Gods and Monsters.

BATMAN: GOTHAM AFTER MIDNIGHT #8 (OF 12)
Steve Niles/Kelley Jones

It’s no wonder the Joker is such a cruel, terrible, horrible man! Batman swoops in on a locked down and straight-jacketed Clown Prince of Crime gagging him and stealing blood samples from his stomach, in a rough and rude manner.

The issue opens with the autopsy/ funeral of Detective Barry Lucas, GCPD cop and victim of the Midnight killer. The autopsy and prior events reveal the cause of death to be at the hands of Waylon Jones, AKA Killer Croc. Batman’s personal investigation reveals the latter suspect being not only the killer, but suspicion of Midnight in fact being a cop and a cover up hidden amongst the evidence.

Batman also has found himself enamored and in romantic interactions with Detective April Clarkson, who is ironically ditching a date with Playboy Bruce Wayne. Yes, Batman is cock-blocking Bruce and chicks dig the cowl. Catwoman being the hussy she is reveals her rage by killing a bird as she creepily stalks Batman.

Christmas Even rolls around as Midnight claims another victim, Santa apparently wont be coming this Christmas so don’t set the milk and cookies out. As a madcap chase ensues, Midnight claims the heart of Batman’s Beau with the assist of Catwoman’s distraction.

Unfortunatly I was pressed for time, but I’ll be “Catching up with Booster Gold!” in the near future with the last 5 issues.

Comics available on 12/31/2009 Future comics! Comics from the future!

BATMAN #684
BATMAN: CACOPHONY #2 (OF 3)
BLUE BEETLE #34
FINAL CRISIS: SECRET FILES
GREEN LANTERN #36
INFINITY INC. VOL. 2: THE BOGEYMAN
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #22
THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #49
SUPERMAN #683
SUPERMAN AND BATMAN VS. VAMPIRES AND WEREWOLVES #6 (OF 6)
TEEN TITANS #66
TEEN TITANS SPOTLIGHT: RAVEN
TRINITY #31
THE WAR THAT TIME FORGOT #8 (OF 12)

Next Year! Catch up late with the DC best of 08’ highlights through the month of January 09’, with an eye on the future.

Dabbling in the other ponds of the DCU ocean in addition to seeing those still containing fresh water, and remembering the fishing holes that dried up. And why branding and selling is in fact important in comics.Green Lantern’s big year with the Blackest night creeping up on us like rigamortis.

And who wants to be the Batman, all in the next year (well, first year really) of the Monitor Tapes!

Thanks for reading!

(Editors Note: We’re having some technical difficulties with the images on this weeks Monitor Tapes.  Our apologies for the delay with today’s installment.)

DC Universe Holiday Special 2008

Holiday specials are a lot like the traditional sock you get every year. You don’t really hang it on the chimney, as most of us don’t have chimneys (or if you do, most likely you don’t want to hammer nails or whatnot into said chimney). And I’m not talking the transparent mesh socking you’d get with weird candy and nuts (could be just me or a California thing), but an actual stocking filled with a bounty to the brim.

Here’s the problem though, stockings end up being a weird receptacle of strange things hodge-podge’d together by family and friends with best intentions. So you’d be excited to reach in and naturally you’d be jazzed about pulling out the king-sized candy bar and the toy robot from your aunt and uncle, but then you’d also get the floss and menthol cough-drops from your grandmother. Not that there’s anything wrong with it! Tis better to give than receive, but what I’m trying to say is their really a mixed bag of stories.

Frank Quietly Cover- Awesome!

Sterling Gates/ Karl Kershchl single page story/ beginning/ ending?– I’ve got to admit, I did a double take as there were no words on the page and I thought maybe they were doing a framing sequence story through the book, upon further reading it does appear as if it bookends all the stories. Cool, but unfortunately it only made me think of graphic design jobs I’ve had where I ended up with the client sitting shotgun and trying to complete the job with them over my shoulder saying “Can you put a monkey in there? Yeah, I think a monkey would make it better, people like monkeys!”

The Man in Red/ Matt Chenrniss/ Peter Johnson– Sorry guys, I didn’t really need a Superman/ Santa parable origin. Again, cute for someone who will appreciate it (maybe the wee ones), but I couldn’t dig it.

Dan Didio’s Aquaman story/Ian Churchill- “Somewhere Beyond the Sea”- On the plus side, it’s Aquaman, not that kid Aquaman with the Golden Age origin, but the real deal Arthur Curry ass-kicking king of the seven seas! (please, please make a regular Aquaman or re-issue one of the old ones, my DC Direct Justice League needs him!) That’s really what this story has going for it. The rest of it is a parable of the birth of Christ, a really heavy handed one at that. I know it’s Christmas and I’m sure when it was thought up it was a whale of a story, but it just doesn’t really jive with me (especially since the Swamp Thing meets Jesus story was axed). Ian Churchill’s art is very nice to look at, he’s come a looooooooong way from his Image days.

“Good King Wencelas” Paul Dini/ Dustin Nguyen- Now this is how it’s done son! Batman Christmas parable (with Ace the Bat-hound! Please DC, you brought back Krypto, give us back ACE!) to the legend/lyrics of the carol. It’s just brilliant, buy the special just for this, as I’m sure it won’t be reprinted (as Holiday Special shorts are rarely). Nguyen’s art is fantastic!

“A Day Without Sirens” Joe Kelly/ Mick Bertilorenzi- The highly underrated Joe Kelly delivers a fun Gotham/ Commissioner Gordon story about a “Day Without Sirens” (or crime) campaign that no one in Gotham truly believes (with the exception of some ribbing from the coffee stand) will happen, as Gotham is a city known for crime, and it just becomes more depressing and terrible around the holidays. Mick Bertilorenzi’s art is like a Edward Risso/ Peter Snejbjerg hybrid that’s pretty darn good. Another great story with an ending I didn’t see coming that was equally awesome.

“It’s a Wonderfull Night” Art Baltazar & Franko Aureliani/ Tim Levins- A quick fun story with Nightwing, Robin, and Boomerang (seriously, I love it when the last two character’s get together and “dad” stuff comes up, awkward!)

“Christmas with the Beetles” JC Vaughn/ Lee Garbet– three generations of loser small time crooks get their asses handed to them via three generations of Blue Beetles. If you like the Beetles (including Jamie) you’ll probably dig, it but even I was kind of ho-hum over this one.

Skimming over the remaining highlights- Huntress and Teen Titans story, kinda skimmed them, look decent but I wasn’t in the headspace for teens (in both stories) and the angst that comes with them. “Party Animal” by Burnett and Maguire is a bit of Justice League Unlimited by way of Giffen Leauge, damn fun. “Let There be Light” Dr. Light (Kimiyo Hoshi) set’s her back up as a superhero, though even I must admit it’s a weird place to do it.

So there’s your haul for the DC Holiday Special. Like I said, mixed bag but worth it for the good stuff.

And in brief-

BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #14

Nightwing and Batgirl duke it out till Alfred settles their hash, Alfred style. No idea what’s going on as I’m going in blind on this book (I dropped it a while ago) coupled with the fact that despite any RIP tie-ins, I’m pretty sure the writers are as clueless as the characters are to Batman’s whereabouts (I’m betting on a long overdue vacation after kicking the devils ass, it takes it out of you). On the plus side, Eddy Nygma, who is the Riddler kicking ass at the celebrity detective game (please do not turn him back to a goofy bat-villian), unfortunately the rest of Gotham treats him like the godamn Trix Rabbit (c’mon guys! In my best Chris Crocker impression “LEAVE EDDY ALONE!”), cut him some slack, even Batman did!

Next Wednesday’s comics 12/24/2008

THE ALL-NEW ATOM VOL. 4: SMALL WONDER

BATMAN #683

BATMAN: GOTHAM AFTER MIDNIGHT #8 (OF 12)

THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #20

THE FLASH #247

RANN/THANAGAR: HOLY WAR #8 (OF 8)

REIGN IN HELL #6

SCOOBY-DOO #139

SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL: MAELSTROM #4 (OF 5)

TRINITY #30

VIGILANTE #1

WONDER WOMAN #27

As I’m sure the internet will crack in half with the release of Batman #683, I’ll be looking into that as we decipher the delicate situation surrounding Mr. Wayne.

Thanks for reading!

Not nearly as thorough as last week, but here’s a couple reviews from last Wednesday’s books. And if you read any of this, as always there might be spoilers. When I set out to write this week’s reviews and brain drippings, I somehow forgot or didn’t notice Final Crisis #5 this week. Naturally, I had to switch gears and do a write up on FC5. Despite my protests, I’ve also come down with some bug (hopefully not Despotellis of Sector 119) over the weekend and I am playing through the pain as they say.

FINAL CRISIS #5 (OF 7)

Grant Morrison- Writer

J.G. Jones, Carlos Pacheco, Jesus Merino– Art

We begin the issue with the cosmic supercops, the Green Lanterns. Previously, Hal Jordan stands accused by Alpha Lantern Kraken (a former New God of Apokolips) of deicide (the death of New God Orion) and conspiracy to overthrow Oa (something tells me they’re never going to let that whole Parallax thing go). Of course it turns out Kraken has actually become host to Granny Goodness (New God in the employ of Darksied), and is actually trying to take over the main power battery that powers the individual lanterns of the Corps members. Granny is trying to win favor with Darksied by harnessing the power for him. Of course the “aliens” from earth, Lantern’s Kyle Rayner and loveable jerk Guy Gardner show up and throw a monkeywrench in the plans of the possessed Kraken (It’s occurred to me more and more the Earth Lanterns must be like the 70’s cops from “Life on Mars” to the rest of the Green Lantern Corps).

It’s interesting to see Jack Kirby’s New Gods treated as gods for possibly the first time since Kirby himself. In the original Fourth World concept, he had created modern gods for the times using them as metaphors to answer life’s questions upon a grand scale cosmic drama. Good versus evil, freedom versus slavery, and the hope that the youths of the day really could save the world. Kirby even wanted to kill off Darksied, the god of evil personified and close the book on the Fourth World as a finite story. Unfortunately, DC had decided at the time to use Darksied as a villain in the “Super Powers” figure line and cartoon series and forbid him to do so.

Morrison, in a brilliant turn utilities the cosmic deities as that of the practice of voodoo, specifically the Loa. In voodoo, the worshiper allows ones self to become possessed with the spirit of a lesser deity, who serves the greater unattainable god of gods, in this case being Darksied himself. In this way, the lesser gods have taken form in humans and gone to great lengths to enslave, torture, and destroy the people and environment in preparation of the coming of Darksied. Darksied, who in prior issue manifested in the body of Dan “Terrible” Turpin (of Kirby’s Boy Commandoes, and Superman) now in control of his new host and looking to subjugate the remaining uninfected people, or destroy them with the fists of three billion.

By far, this been the best single issue of the series, we not only see the crushing defeat of many minds and men. But a actual glimmer of hope in the manifestation of the Monitor Nix Uotan with his identity returned and new abilities. And also the return of Metron, who had been cast out of the Fourth World previously by Darksied and also shown arming the people of earth in the far past (Final Crisis #1) with sigils against Darksied and providing Anthro the First Boy with fire to use to protect his people from enemies. With this return, one can only assume the return of the New Gods of New Genesis shortly around the bend rebirthed in much the same way as the evil gods of Apokolips.

It’s also interesting to note the usages of magic equations and objects of power in the series, DC has had a long tradition with such things. From Johnny Quick’s speed formula (“3X2(9YZ)4A”), to Captian Marvel’s “SHAZAM”, even back to the oath of the Green Lanterns, DC has often deferred to the “magic” or “super-science” of words and artifacts. Even the Anti-Life Equation, perhaps for the first time (in Seven Solders and Final Crisis) becomes something tangible and understandable-

loneliness + alienation + fear + despair + self-worth ÷ mockery ÷ condemnation ÷ misunderstanding x guilt x shame x failure x judgment n=y where y=hope and n=folly, love=lies, life=death, self=dark side

Of the equation, it’s designed to break down the will of the person and have them abandon all hope as life becomes meaningless, as does hope and freedom. With Darksied as the master of the equation, life bends to his will as well as the universe buckles and falls towards him like a black hole. He even admits to his previous interactions with the DCU being that of an idea of a god and not an actual one, as he is now. Where the New Gods were previously drug around as concepts eventually becoming nothing more than superhumans from a good or bad planet, Darksied is more than the flesh he now commands, a black and terrifying idea from outside the universe (as the New Gods once were). Darksied has become absolute, even the massive ego of Lex Luthor breaks in his presence.

Only Shilo Norman, the third Mister Miracle has broken free from the Anti-Life Equation and also escaped death, who once again manages to cheat death again by the sudden deux ex machina (not wholly unlike the serial cliffhanger reversal) of his impact-resistant vest. Miracle has become an cipher for the spirit of freedom, a perpetual, unstoppable, symbol that can not be destroyed despite the presence of the equation.

We also seethe heroes charge into Bludhaven, attempting to stop Darksied in the typical superhero manner. Unfortunately, all they can do is try and stop the foot solders (Justifiers) as Captian Marvel, Black Adam, and Supergirl try their best to stop Black Mary (formerly Mary Marvel) and hopefully find a spark of her former self. Unfortunately for Adam, he learns too late that Mary is no longer in control of her body in addition to being mad and an “old leering man” (possibly the as yet to be seen Desaad) in her eyes. The corruption of Mary Marvel mirrors the trend of the “grim and gritty, realistic” tone comics took with superheros, echoing not only Marvelman/ Miracleman, but also that of the Vertigo movement, taking once heroic heroes and making them darker and more real as so they wouldn’t seem like childish concepts. Morrison himself was one of the early Pre-Vertigo architects, putting characters like Kid Eternity, Animal Man and the Doom Patrol through the wringer. Only the title character of Buddy Baker, the Animal Man ended up with a happy ending (though brief as continuing writers repeatedly tore his life apart in the name of realism) with the return of his family to him, despite being killed only for shock value and realism.

The charge of the heroes while noble and dynamic, is possibly the least effective presentation of the characters trying to stop their world from being destroyed. The battle it’s self has become one of ideas opposing each other. It’s also interesting to note the “Big Three” or “Trinity” have been taken off the table, Superman searching the Multiverse for a way to save Lois, Wonder Woman being infected and turned into a Female Fury, and Batman being broken and tortured. Interestingly enough, the previous issue of Batman (#682) where we saw Darksied’s lackeys attempting to break Bruce and create a clone army based off of him (Now there’s an idea, the Justice League of Batmen). We get a brief update on the situation when Mr. Simyan and Mokkari beg for mercy to Darksied stating that Batman has in fact escaped in addition to destroying the clones. Really, you didn’t expect that at all? Why is it everyone underestimates the crazy guy dressed like a bat?

I’m sure I could go on here, but there is so much going on in the series to explain even in brief. I also know for the casual reader, this book is no walk in the park as a read when you consider that it is in fact a sequel to both Seven Solders of Victory and 52. For folks looking to stretch their brain, love DC and read a lot, the series is great. For folks not wanting to go out and get an English Literature degree just to read a comic, I completely understand and sympathize for not wanting to read it. After reading “The Mystery Play” by Morrison, it took me years to even consider looking at one of his stories. Plus, sometimes you just want pop entertainment you can just turn off and enjoy without the heavy lifting, and there’s nothing wrong with that..

BATMAN: JOKER’S ASYLUM

Jason Aaron, Joe Harris, David Hine and More- Writers

Jason Pearson, Andy Clarke, Juan Doe and More- Art

Joker plays host to the stories Crypt Keeper style in this collection of the one shots focusing on selected rouges (Joker himself, Penguin, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, and the Scarecrow). The stories themselves are hit or miss, sometimes bending the characters to fit the story. Really, this collection of stories is decent but I imagine that the one shots were merely something to put the Joker’s name on to ride the “Dark Knight” gravy train. If you dig the CSI shows, horror, or crime in general as subject, you probably can’t go wrong with this TPB.

Books available this Wednesday, 12/17/2008

BATGIRL #6 (OF 6)

BATMAN: PRIVATE CASEBOOK

BIRDS OF PREY #125

DCU HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2008

MANHUNTER #37

THE OUTSIDERS #14

ROBIN #181

SHOWCASE PRESENTS: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD: THE BATMAN TEAM-UPS VOL. 3

SUPERGIRL #36

SUPERMAN: PAST AND FUTURE

TANGENT: SUPERMAN’S REIGN #10 (OF 12)

TERRA #4 (OF 4)

TRINITY #29

And as promised, the Batusi, or how I learned to stop worrying and made friends with the Batman, accepted the Bat-Radia, and played fetch with the Bat-Hound.

Detective Comics #27

It’s been a long week of Bat-Research, Bat-Comics, and Bat-DVD’s shuffling through my brain. Even when I thought I could have a day off, I got together with my DC wingman Dan to watch Brave and The Bold. Rather than watch The Dark Knight for the millionth time (OK, not really a million, but I did watch the Movie Heathers over 80 times, so much so I could recite the movie verbatim), Dan brought over an early Christmas gift, the complete Batman Serials, both the 1943 and the 1949. As I watched Lewis Wilson play Batman (and a perfect swaggering Bruce Wayne) with horrible fighting skills, a cockeyed Bat-Cowl, and a penchant for Bat-dickery, it hit me what I had been missing from Batman when writing this. You can’t really take this stuff too seriously. Even the late Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker in the blockbuster “The Dark Knight” presents the question, “Why so serious?” (I’d also add a shout out to Kerry and crew at the Geek Show podcast for putting that message out there weekly, go listen and join the forums at geekshowpodcast.com)

The 1943 serial (and the best of the two) presented a comic accurate portrait of Batman and Robin, working for the US government (but perused by the police), protecting the United States against a sinister Japanese plot perpetrated by one Dr. Tito Daka. Dr. Daka was revealed to be in employ of the Emperor of Japan, attacking America in secret trying to topple the “New World Order” presented by the USA. Daka was a mad scientist of Lex Luthor caliber, he turned “American” men into “Zombies” by attaching a headset to the person with a plug that inserted into the spine, in addition to reanimating the dead for short periods of time. Oh, and he had a hand held death ray powered by radium, which he used to steal more radium to make a bigger one. Ah mad science, is there anything you can’t do, and why can’t you harness your powers for good! Despite being played by Irish actor J. Carrol Naish as an “Asian” caricature, I found myself mesmerized by how damn awesome he was. Daka to me wasn’t so evil as he was a mad scientist pissed off at the US. Too bad for him that Batman had designs on kicking his ass for truth, justice, and the American way (unfortunately Superman was unavailable for comment, as he was off punching Hitler). It’s interesting to note, Alfred was not comic accurate, rather William Austin’s portrayal of the character resulted in the chubby, clean shaven Alfred to lose weight and grow a mustache in the comics to match the actor.

Batman 27

When Bob Kane created Batman (with the help of Bill Finger, though not “officially” credited), he did so to simply to make more money and hopefully find fame as a cartoonist. While at lunch with his editor Vincent Sullivan, he told Kane he was looking for new “superheroes”, as they were becoming quite popular at the time. He specifically asked how much money Siegel and Shuster were making on their Superman strips. When told the amount ($800 a week, quite a lot of scratch for the time), he informed the editor he’d have something for him over the weekend.

Batman, was a mash-up of different influences, from Leonardo’s ornathompter, Douglas Fairbanks Zorro, and the film “The Bat Whispers”, to name a few. Kane had unknowingly created the second most famous superhero only to Superman. Batman himself was wholly different from Superman though, owing his birth to pulps like the Shadow. Batman was a vigilante born out of crime fiction and didn’t have any super powers, unless you count his wealth and knack for Bat-Inventions. He even carried a gun for a short time, utilizing the tool that took his parents from him against the same criminal element.

Batman, as we all know, dropped the gun and continued to evolve for many years in both comics and screen. Batman went from crime fighter to spy smasher, masked avenger to adventurer, and continues to evolve even to this day. With the introduction of Robin, Batman set out on a journey of epic proportions with a lighter mood and wider appeal to the kids market, buying their weird adventures for pennies. Batman continued to enter a theater of the bizarre, having adventures with Superman, flying to distant planets, time travel, and even stranger yet, the campy portrayal of him by actor Adam West.

Batman 182

Contrary to popular belief, Frank Miller was not the first person to portray Batman as a dark, gritty, realistic man haunted by the trauma of his past. That honor would actually fall to writer Dennis O’Neil (and artist Neal Adams) who brought back the darker elements of Batman and saved the character from the pop-culture damage wrought by the campy Batman TV show. Batman had become a joke, a fad, and almost faded away. O’Neil took Batman into the 1970 focusing on his skills as a detective and making Batman more modern. He even went so far as to add the one true modern villain into Batman’s rouges gallery, that of Ra’s al Ghul, the Demons Head.

Ra’s was more Bond villain than costumed adversary with a gimmick and penchant for petty theft. Ra’s was a terrorist and the head of a guild of assassins who’s goals were that of achieving a global balance by eliminating a majority portion of the human populous (kinda like the overly ambitious kid you went to school with who tried to get you to join PETA and would talk about how much better life would be if humans died off). Ra’s was not alone as Batman’s staple villains also would adapt to the times. The Joker most famously and notably went back to his roots as a murderous, disfigured psychopath (as seen in Batman #251, “the Joker’s 5 Way Revenge”) who would kill on a whim and lived to cross swords with Batman. This was a far cry from the on-screen portrayal of the character by Cesar Romero and the comic version who would simply try to rob banks in the craziest fashion the silver-age could come up with. The Joker would continue to torment Batman further into the modern age by crippling Barbra Gordon (Batgirl) and viciously beating Jason Todd (Robin II) to death with a crowbar. The more absurd the Joker behaved and the higher his body count went pushed him to the front of the list when it came to Bat-Foes.

Batman 251

Years later, as we all know Frank Miller wrote and drew his masterpiece, “The Dark Knight Returns”, in addition to writing the “Year One” arc in Batman (#404- #407) with artist David Mazzucchelli. Year One specifically gave us a modern redux of the Batman origin and gave readers a beginning to the character that holds up to this day. Returns also found it’s self as the definitive end chapter to a never-ending story involving the Batman (though Miller would return to pen the much preferred forgotten “Dark Knight Strikes Back” or “DK2”). Miller’s work on Batman made the title characters continuing adventures even darker than before, though frequently pointing at the past beginnings of the character the “darkest”. Ironically, Miller’s return to the Batman character has been met with mountains of criticisms, having fans of previous works questioning the validity of them.

Batman as at an all time high point in his career, with worldwide success in the “Dark Knight” film, thousands of merchandised products sold, and a new cartoon series “The Brave and the Bold” featuring fellow crime fighters from the DCU. With that said, it’s funny to think that the comics published by DC comics are frequently dismissed and criticized, most even before their story arc’s finish. Could it actually be that expectation of the icon’s exploits fall under the heavy weight of expectation?

Batman has unfortunately grown bigger than the character on ink and paper. Batman has become a worldwide icon, a brand, and a set of expectations thrust upon the writers of the comics. Batman writers now find themselves pushing the envelope on how dark and adult they can make the character, while walking a fine line with accessibility towards children. True, recent Batman cartoons (The Batman, Brave and the Bold) and comic-tie ins are slanted more at a children’s market, but unfortunately no acclaim nor respect goes towards such endeavors. Rather they are considered watered down versions of Batman while more serious Batman works are the standards the adult masses. Despite those same adults looking for a Batman they can have their children enjoy, chances are those same children would rather “read” the “real” Batman appearing in the comics.

And about those comics? We all know Batman exists on a page where he interacts with Superman an

Dark Knight Returns 1

d the rest of the Justice League. But for some reason we expect more of him, running around Gotham with only a utility belt and abs sculpted by Michelangelo. Perhaps this is why Batman is the ultimate adult power fantasy, if we all just focused our energies into learning Kung Fu in Tibet in addition to winning the Powerball, maybe we could achieve the ideal that is Batman. Maybe it cheapens our fantasy by having men who fly and women who reflect bullets walking among the realistic ideal. Unfortunately, the fantasy of Batman is one that’s cruel and merciless in its painful reality, the notion that we could be rich, powerful, and a scourge to our enemies. Perhaps that is

why we all want a Batman we can identify with, human, centered in reality, because we want to be him.

Sometimes though, you just have to let go and have some fun with it. Me, I’m going to go read a Batman story where him and Robin end up involved with a human-android with superhuman strength. Oh, and I think this one has Ace the Bat-Hound in it too!

Thanks to Black Cat Comics for the comics, everyone who’s worked on Batman, and DC Comics for publishing them. Also, thank you for reading!

Who monitors the DC Multiverse? Mandroid does! DCU week in review for Monday the 15th, December 2008

What are the Monitor Tapes?

The Monitor Tapes first appeared in issue #10 of Crisis on Infinite Earths, running along the bottom pages as a separate black and white strip. Crisis (or COIE for short) was DC’s big superhero jam project where every character (including the first appearance of one John Constantine) in DC’s toybox joined in to fight to keep their worlds from being destroyed. Prior to COIE, DC editors and writers had relegated several characters to alternate earths to explain the ever growing amount of inconsistencies 50 years of publishing comics tends to create. Crisis was designed as a massive crossover and sendoff for the characters before the characters were rebooted from square one, hence creating a smooth, easy to maintain fresh continuity.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned…but that’s another article in it’s self for another time.

The Monitor Tapes themselves served as a kind of cosmic recap for the series, including some events there wasn’t time to explain in a proper story. Back when Crisis was first published (1985), if you missed the issue, you’d either have to hope you had a local comic store with copies left, or scour newsstands and spinner racks in hopes of finding the missing issues.

What I’ll be doing is giving a weekly rundown on DC comics taking place in the DCU. That’s a lot of work, so I’ll be alternating weeks with a character study and bio in addition to answering questions you readers might have.

As a matter of fact, next Monday I’ll be doing a rundown on Batman, looking at the past, present, and possible future of the Caped Crusader. I was going to start with Superman (since it all begins with Superman). But due to the new interest and controversy surrounding the character, it seemed like a good time to review the character.

Now, on to this (previous) week’s crop of DC comics-

DC Books available on Thursday, 12/4/2008

For a full list of all DC publications including Vertigo, Johnny DC, and Wildstorm, please see dccomics.com for full list. As much as I’d love to read and review every book DC publishes, time and money is a factor so sometimes you’ll get a brief on books as I either skim them or give information from solicits. Also, I may leave out some books if they don’t have a direct barring on the DCU as a whole (as I’ve done with this week’s Jonah Hex).

BATMAN #682

EL DIABLO #4 (OF 6)

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #21

SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL: MAELSTROM #3 (OF 5)

TERRA #3 (OF 4)

TERROR TITANS #3 (OF 6)

TRINITY #27 (OF 52)

VIXEN: RETURN OF THE LION #3 (OF 5)

SUPERMAN/BATMAN: VENGEANCE TPB (SUPERMAN/BATMAN #20-25)

TEEN TITANS: ON THE CLOCK TPB (TEEN TITANS #55-61)

And now, on to the reviews!

BATMAN #682

Grant Morrison- Writer

Lee Garbett/ Trevor Scott/ Guy Major- Artists (Pencils/Inks/ Colors)

Alex Ross- Cover

Spoilers ‘Ahoy for those who’ve not read Batman #682. As a matter of fact, all reviews may in fact contain spoilers, so read at your own risk.

Hot on the heels of last weeks issue, the supposed “Death” of Bruce Wayne and the final chapter of RIP, we’re thrust into a life and times retrospective of his life as Batman. Starting with a fade from black focusing upon Bruce, we see a pre-Batman Wayne beaten and bruised by his first confrontation with “Crime”. We’re then walked through the memories and history of Batman, “supposedly” through the eyes of Alfred Pennyworth (According to DC solicits). What we really get is a reconstruction of Batman through a stream of consciousness running through Bruce’s mind.

Morrison pokes fun at the Batman concept through Alfred, an excellently cheeky maneuver and brilliantly applied to what is sometimes an underused supporting character. True Alfred is always in the background somewhere, but sometimes he’s more scenery like the giant penny and other “Trophies”. Alfred explains how he’s thought of all the possibilities of what Bruce could have chosen as a symbolic totem (Mothman, Snakeman, Owlman, and well, you get the idea) if only another animal wandered in. Unlike previous writers who’ve stripped the Batman character down to a lone, paranoid, dark vigilante (as since the soft-boot after Crisis on Infinite Earths), Grant continues to acknowledge the history of the character and reintroduce it, no matter how absurd the concept. Batman is being rebuilt, warts and all, by acknowledging that “better or for worse” his past is a part of his character.

The only drawback to this issue (as it has been with previous issues) is the art. The art by Garbett is by no means terrible, he services the job well and he clearly has talent, though the style seems “Image” house style at times (though that could be due to Scott’s inks). Unfortunately, it doesn’t help the story out in any way with the constant changes from ever shifting time periods, to the framework of the issue. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the issue was dropped into his lap as a rush deadline.

Back to the conclusion of the story, it’s revealed that Bruce is still Batman and he’s been fighting an attack on his mind (as was the theme with RIP) by Mister Simyan and Mokkari, scientists and henchmen of Darksied. It turns out the two of them have been working on duplicating Bruce/ Batman since they captured him in Final Crisis #2. Because Batman is superior in mind and body, and unbreakable in will, they’ve decided to use him as a template for a clone army in service of their dark empire (unto Simyan and Mokkari, or Darksied remains to be seen).

Does this mean RIP was all in Batman’s head remains to be seen, and if so when did Batman’s “reality” stop and the “dream” begin? Morrison’s run has left a lot of people scratching their heads and/or waiting for answers to be revealed. The DC nation page in the issue it’s self states “Next in BATMAN #683, The intriguing conclusion to Grant Morrison’s recent run on Batman!” Amiss rumors of Morrison leaving the book, does this mean #683 will be the final issue Grant writes? In the past Didio has said “Grant’s welcome to write Batman as long as he wants!” but things may have changed since then. For the foreseeable future, no other Batman issues are on the solicitation listing under Grant’s pen.

Speaking of solicitations- (and as always taken with a grain of salt, as content and ship dates are subject to change) here’s what you have to look forward to in the next few months in the world of Batman-

End of December we’ll see the first of three two part stories crossing over with Detective Comics. Firstly in Detective Comics #851, we’ve got the return Batman legend Denny O’Neil. He’ll be penning a story described as “the last days of Gotham” and what happens to a city without the Batman. (Ending in Batman #684)

January brings the Paul Dini two parter beginning in Detective Comics #852 during the “Faces of Evil” event. Dini’s story is a follow-up to the recent “Heart of Hush” RIP tie-in (When is a tie in not a tie in?). Acording to the solicit info, Catwoman decides to finish what’s left of Hush, and there’s no Batman to be found here to stop her. (Ending in Batman #685)

February is for lovers, more specifically Neil Gaiman lovers when his “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” begins in BATMAN #686. The title it’s self is an homage and reference to the classic two part “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” by Alan Moore. The story originally appeared in Superman #423 and Action Comics #583 and was meant to be the final Superman story (as the John Byrne reboot was on it’s way) for the Silver-Age Superman before Crisis on Infinite Earths (or COIE for short) reboot and reintroduction of Superman the DCU. Will this be the final “Batman” story before a new Batman takes his place is both up in the air and postmodernly true at the same time. (Ending in Detective Comics #853)

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #21

Geoff Johns and Alex Ross- Writers

Dale Eaglesham, Jerry Ordway (P) Bob Wiacek, Nathan Massengill(I)- Artists

Alex Ross- Cover

SUPERMAN* punched a bolt of lighting! That’s pretty much the highlight of the issue! You can all go home now! What? OK, there’s more I guess…

The “One World, Under Gog” story continues and leads us into the obligatory “Big Fight” issue/chapter. Previously (in the Kingdom Come Special- The Kingdom) Gog starts demanding everyone worship him and well, it doesn’t go over too well with the JSA members previously supporting him. Things go awry as it’s discovered Gog’s taking root to earth and once he does, if disconnected he’ll destroy the planet and people on it. Needless to say, the JSA and Superman want to make sure the earth stays intact, concidering that’s where they keep all their stuff (in-joke for those who catch it).

Justice Society of America is the best superhero team book out on the stands currently, if not one of the greatest books in general. The characters in JSA are rich with personality and history, so much it’s almost a shame when the obligatory fight scenes happen. But even then, Johns manages to use the plot device to further flesh out the characters to make them more real when giving them motivations and feeling.

This book is part of a multi-issue storyline (including three one-shots) and as a stand alone issue is a bad place to start reading. The story it’s self is a story we’re all familiar with (hell, I believe they even reference “The Monkey’s Paw” at one point), but it’s lees about the story, and more about how the individual characters react to the situation. Anyone not currently reading JSA should start back with the first volume,

Justice Society of America Vol. 1: The Next Age, and work their way forward.

*Superman- Introduced in JSA #9 may or may not be the Superman introduced in Kingdom Come, of which Alex Ross was the illustrator and co-creator. Really, it doesn’t matter either way, just enjoy it.

SUPERMAN/BATMAN: VENGEANCE TPB (SUPERMAN/BATMAN #20-25)

Jeph Loeb– Writer

Ed McGuinness(P), Dexter Vines(I)- Artists

(Note- As a bit of a cheat, I’m gathering the info from the original issues and not the trade it’s self, as the story content remains the same. Unfortunately, I’m unaware if any type of extras were included in the recent collection)

Vengance is the final collection of Loeb’s Superman/ Batman run and the bookend to the story and collaboration with Ed McGuinness (though they did both contribute to issue #26, which was plotted by the late Sam Loeb, Jeph son) .Superman/ Batman has always been a guilty pleasure book, though sometimes heavy handed with the “differences” between characters. The book was a modern update of the old Worlds Finest series and cranked it up to eleven on the fun meter. The series was often questioned and criticized due to the frequent continuity flubs and general lack of adhering to said DCU continuity

The final storyline begins with your typical museum heist perpetrated by the new Axis of Evil characters, accompanied by a radio show in captions. The radio show is a call-in type where the callers are discussing the effect of violence on society, specifically that of the Maximums, a clear analogue of Marvel’s Ultimates (which Loeb would write shortly after the end of his DC exclusive contract). During the melee, Superman and Batman appear assisting the Maximums, then suddenly attack them before Superman kills Skyscraper (A Giant-Man analogue) shouting “You killed Lois”. After some additional trading of punches with Monster (Hulk) and the newly arrived Viking (Thor), Batman and Superman escape via “Boom Tube” (4^th World “teleport” device).

The randomness continues when we’re introduced to Batzarro via Bizarro, Superman’s backwards “clone”, adding another subplot to the story. We then end the first issue (or rather chapter in the trade) with the title members fighting a Kryptonite Man in Tokyo with the assist of Hiro the Toyman (not the Toyman foe of Superman lore). They manage to stop the new Kryptonite Man by absorbing the K-Energy and leaving a reappeared and confused Capitan Atom (last appearing in the end of Superman/Batman Vol. 1: Public Enemies). The remaining pages flash back to the Maximums, still reeling from the death of Skyscraper and vowing vengeance against Superman and Batman (despite never having heard of them). Another “Dead” member Bowman (Hawkeye) manifests as a ghost and informs his teammates that despite his current aliment, he can help them track the murderers down. And like I said, this is still the first 22 pages with 4 more issues/ chapters to go!

Unlike Loeb’s Batman: the Long Halloween (1998 Eisner winner) and Superman: For All Seasons (both collaborations with artist Tim Sale), Superman/ Batman has no pretension of being high art like the other works have been considered. Because of this, the run was criticized by some DC fans for not being on par with those previous works. Superman Batman under Loeb was a guilty pleasure book amidst a sea of works trying to take themselves a little too seriously at times. In a world where Superman and Batman team up, it was crazy, fun, and all over the place. If you want to read a book with the two characters having madcap superhero adventures, this is a great series to read. As with JSA, I’d strongly suggest going back and picking up the first volume, Superman/Batman Vol. 1: Public Enemies and then work your way up to this one as well.

TEEN TITANS: ON THE CLOCK TPB (TEEN TITANS #55-61)

Sean McKeever- Writer

Eddy Barrows, Jamal Igle, Jimmy Palmiotti, Ruy Jose and Rob Hunter- Artists

Rafael Albuquerque- Cover

(Again, I’m cheating with already having the issues, well most of the issues)

I’m at a disadvantage to truly review this trade, as I ended up picking up a handful of issues months ago just to see where the series was (I had stopped reading with issue 53). So just so you know, this review is mainly focusing issues #57-60 and isn’t really fair on my end.

I read the four issues on hand and in a nutshell, its fight club with teen superheroes. The Clock King (newly revamped and remodeled by what looks to be a remix of the Batman: the Animated Series version with a touch of Teen Titans, GO! Mad Mod) assembles teen legacy villains (IE- young versions of existing DC villains) to capture the Teen Titans. Clock King is collecting teen heroes for Boss Dark Side (Darksied in a human guise) to fight it out, with the winners to be broken and join Darksied’s gang/ army.

While the concept seems interesting enough, the series seems less interested in the Final Crisis “seeds” (joke intended) and more focused on developing the Terror Titans. As you know from the books this week, the Terror Titans have received their own mini-series. As a story, I found it ok, but not enough to continue reading Teen Titans or the Terror Titans min, though I don’t think that it’s necessarily the books fault. I don’t think these books are really aimed at me as a reader and I’m ok with that. McKeever seems to be writing for a teen audience and I think that’s good! Not everything at DC needs to be written for a single “adult” audience (take that as you will), that’s just limiting yourself. As an occasional retail comic jockey, teens seem to dig the book quite a bit, so kudos DC!

And in brief –

EL DIABLO #4 (OF 6)- The mini series continues introducing Chato Santana, the third character to take the name El Diablo. This version of the character seems to not only fight crime as a vigilante, but also finds himself fighting demons from hell in addition to his already hefty workload. Think Ghost Rider with six-guns.

SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL: MAELSTROM #3 (OF 5)- At the insistence of the DC solicitations, “Superman and Supergirl face unexpected challenges in this action-packed tale examining what it means to be a hero.” in addition to falling into a loose continuity spot between Supergirls arrival and the “Death of the New Gods”. From what I’ve gathered, Malestrom (an Apokolptian) wants to shack up with Darksied (he’s really becoming the DCU’s Wolverine, isn’t he), so she decides to come to earth to kill Superman. Because nothing gets Darksied hotter than dead Kryptonian. Shenanigans ensue and the “Cousins from Krypton” get lost in space and lose their powers under a red sun.

TERRA #3 (OF 4)- The long awaited mini-series by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, and Amanda Conner sees it’s third issue this week. The third character to call herself Terra (what’s with that DC? Third time’s a charm for reintroducing character concepts) runs amuck fighting Pyrite and the Lavarians (soon to be a band name) and paling around with Power Girl (really, Amanda Conner Power Girl is enough to sell the series). This issue, Geo-Force (brother to the original Terra) shows up no doubt asking the title character if she is in fact his dead sister with a dye job.

TERROR TITANS #3 (OF 6)- Evil and angst run deep down at the teenage fight club! Clock King schemes, while Ravager rebels. Doped up superheroes continue to be dragged out and used as either the punchee or puncheer. This issue is the one before the reintroduction of Dwane McDuffie’s Static, who is awesome enough I may give this book a chance. Am I the only one looking for parallels whit this book to the recent DCU VS Mortal Kombat?

TRINITY #27 (OF 52)- A world without the Big Three (Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman respectively) continues to go “horribly awry”, unlike the time where they all went on vacation for a year (52). The Dark Trinity (Morgan Le Fay, Enigma, and Despero, I think…) discovers a traitor in their midst (hint, its one out of three), and time and space continue to go crazy like that Prince song. I’ll actually be sitting down with the series and catch up on it in the near future. So I can hopefully give a better breakdown of the series. That’s a lot of comics so you’ll all have to be patient.

VIXEN: RETURN OF THE LION #3 (OF 5)- Mari Jiwe McCabe AKA Vixen finally gets her own (mini) series! Ironic since she was slated to be the first black female character with her own series back in 1978. Joking aside, the mini goes back to her origins involving the death of her mother, returning Vixen to her homeland. I’ll be taking a closer look at this series in coming months as well, time permited.

If you haven’t already read it, go read CyberNev’s Reviw of Supergirl:Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade #1. another new entry in the Johnny DC line for the wee ones.

Next Monday we’ll be looking at a brief history of Batman, where he is presently, and where he may be headed in the future. Time permitted, I’ll also try and throw in reviews of Batman: Joker’s Asylum, Green Lantern: Secret Origin and of course, Final Crisis. So in lieu of that, here’s DC’s books for this week-

DC’s books arriving Wednesday, 12/10/2008

ACTION COMICS #872

AMBUSH BUG: YEAR NONE #5 (OF 6)

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #24

BATMAN: JOKER’S ASYLUM TPB

BOOSTER GOLD #15

THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD: LORDS OF LUCK TPB (#1-6)

DETECTIVE COMICS #851

FINAL CRISIS #5 (OF 7)

FINAL CRISIS: REVELATIONS #4 (OF 5)

GREEN ARROW/BLACK CANARY #15

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #31

GREEN LANTERN: SECRET ORIGIN HC (#29-35)

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #27

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA VOL. 3: THY KINGDOM COME PART 2 HC (#13-18)

THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES: THE MORE THINGS CHANGE TPB (#7-13)

NIGHTWING #151

SECRET SIX #4

SIMON DARK #15

SUPERMAN AND BATMAN VS. VAMPIRES AND WEREWOLVES #5 (OF 6)

SUPERMAN/BATMAN #54

TITANS #8

TRINITY #28

WATCHMEN #1 – NEW PRINTING

As always, check dccomics.com for more info, and your local comic shop for availability.

One thing I’d like to note is the reprint of Watchmen #1, for those interested in reading Watchmen (if not already read), but not sure if you want to by the trade blind. You really can’t go wrong with this reprint priced at the original price of $1.50 (though the average price being 75 cents back in 1986)!

For questions or topics you would like to see covered in the future, either post a response below or email me at surrealist_six@yahoo.com.

Special shout out to Black Cat Comics for supplying this weeks DC comics for review and Greg for being the awesome owner of said store! If you’re in the Salt Lake City area and you need your comic fix, Greg’s shop is one of the best comic stores in the area, if not the best! Even if you’re in not in SLC,  Black Cat Comics will ship books to you in any another state or country even!

BLACK CAT COMICS
2265 SOUTH HIGHLAND DR
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
(801) 461-4228

Monday through Friday- 11AM to 7PM
Sundays- 12PM to 5pm

blackcat-comics.com

And thanks to DC for publishing comics for 75 years!

dccomics.com

And finally, thank you for reading!