Reviews

Azrael Issue #14

Written by: David Hine

Art by: Cliff Richards

Azrael is a conflicting series for me. It took me quite a while to get into it, mostly because of the art, which, to be fair, has gotten much better as the series has progressed. I did like the idea of the character, Michael Lane, who was one of the three “Other” Batmen trained by Dr. Hurt in the Gotham Police Department. However, the storyline took a little while to really catch my interest. However, this latest arc, in which Azrael is sent to find the Shroud of Turin, got really good. It was almost like reading a Batman-inspired version of The Da Vinci Code.

In this issue, Michael must deal with the insanity that the suit has given him, and the fact that the Bat-Family has started prying into his business. I also wasn’t expecting Ra’s al Ghul to show up, or the reason for his being there, which was a welcome surprise. The twist at the end left me wondering if this series is going to continue, and the final page was actually pretty cool.

 

Batman Issue #704

Written and Art by: Tony Daniel

What? A Batman story that doesn’t have to do with the bigger picture, just Dick Grayson taking down bad guys and swapping sarcasm with Selina Kyle while working for the greater good of Gotham? Thank you Tony Daniel, you made my night.

This comic reminded me why I read Batman religiously, and it brought back a character that I really liked when she was introduced and was bummed when she then disappeared into the ether. Kitrina Falcone, also known as Catgirl! Putting the ridiculous name aside, it’s amusing that Selina now has her very own Damian and Dick is not pleased. Bruce, having handed over the keys of Gotham to Dick while he handles the rest of the world, tells Dick to “deal with it”.

So that was the fun side plot, but the bigger picture has introduced some new characters. The Tang Lo foundation is looking to buy up a large section of Crime Alley, while their motives are still unclear, they are willing to pay a high price. I can tell you right now it’s not going to happen as part of the section they are trying to buy includes the theatre where Red Robin is about to set up his home base. But what is interesting here is that while I didn’t trust Miss Lo at all in the beginning, she turns out to be a vigilante named Peacock and she just may be on the right side. Only time will tell, until next month!

 

Batman Inc. Issue #1

Written by: Grant Morrison

Art by: Yanick Paquette and Michel Lacombe

As far as first issues go, it doesn’t get any better than this. The fire and energy that Grant Morrison had in the first Batman and Robin is back, in a new, funnier and exciting way.

It starts right in the middle of the action, as Lord Death Man (a wonderful addition from Batman manga) is murdering the Batman of Japan, Mr. Unknown, in a particularly gruesome fashion. When Bruce and Catwoman arrive to find the body, they spring into action looking for both the killer.

As The Return of Bruce Wayne and Batman and Robin became very serious towards the end, Batman, Inc. is the complete opposite. The jokes here fly fast and loose, and the twist at the end (which had a few very good set-ups) was so amazingly kitschy and funny it reminded me of the end of the old Adam West live action show, when the announcer would preview the next episode.

The art by Yanick Paquette is also stellar. The characters (especially Selina, whom he draws perfectly) are great and I love all of his little touches, like the little bit of mouth visible inside Lord Death Man’s mask. The only thing that doesn’t quite click is Bruce’s new costume, which I think is going to take some getting used to (but to be fair, it is a necessity…how else could you easily tell multiple Batmen apart?).

All in all, I think that Batman, Inc. is going to be a fantastic addition to my monthly bat-books. Thank goodness that Grant Morrison’s is putting the fun back in Batman.

 

Brightest Day Issue #14

Written by: Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi

Art by: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado

Is Batman the “Ultimate Champion of Earth”? Of course not. While I understand Boston Brand’s logic on this one, it was a red herring from the very beginning, but it sure was fun to see Brand in action taking down some bad guys. Brand is just my kind of broody but lately he’s been skirting the line between being tragic and being whiny. This issue allowed him to deal with some of his inner turmoil and I think from now on we’re going to see a more confident not-so Deadman.

I’m still not completely sure I understand what/who exactly the white ring expects Brand to find, and Dove said it best when she said that they’re not even sure of all the power the white ring wields, but I’m never bored by Brand’s storyline and I can’t wait to read more. Oh and Dove, she’s a keeper.

The last page of this issue gets three cheers from me both on a girly level and on a kick Max Lord in the nads level. Mission accomplished.

 

The Flash Issue #6

Written by: Geoff Johns

Art by: Francis Manapul

This issue is the final part of the first arc, called “The Dastardly Death of the Rogues,” and it met all of my expectations. The story involved a crime squad from the 25^th century, called The Renegades (who the police force after Reverse-Flash), that travel back in time to stop Barry from killing one of their own. Barry, however, fights this and eventually clears his name and finds out which Renegade is framing him.

This series is important on a couple of different levels. First, Barry and the Flash family have to have a place in the universe, because even if they are in crossovers and events, (like the truly wonderful twist in this week’s Green Lantern) these characters are too good not to be written about. Second, this series is a must read (I’m assuming) for the forthcoming Flashpoint event next summer. And finally, this is a place where Geoff Johns can insert more hints about the plots that are developing around the DC world, as seen in this issue with the Judge in the future commenting about the timeline being disrupted (On a side note, is that Cyborg and Kid Eternity on one of the Judge’s screens? Hmm…).

I’m really excited for next month’s issue, when some other Flashes might show up, and there is going to be some new stuff about Captain Boomerang.

 

Green Lantern Issue #59

Written by: Geoff Johns

Art by: Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy

This issue of Green Lantern has been a long time coming. It’s been quite a while since The Blackest Night, but consequences haven’t really been felt for the moral leniency that Hal took during that crisis. Finally, Barry Allen confronts him and asks him to choose a side. It is nice to see the way they play against each other, especially compared to how Hal and Oliver Queen interact.

The other Corps have some interesting appearances too, especially Larfleeze’s funny little moment. The Indigo tribe find a new host for their entity, Proselyte, and Hal makes a startling revelation about them when he sees that Black Hand is “reformed” and working with them. And Parallax’s twist at the end was truly unexpected. I can’t wait for next month…

 

Morning Glories Issue #4

Written by: Nick Spencer

Art by: Joe Eisma and Rodin Esquejo

Nick Spencer is just everywhere these days and I couldn’t be happier. I picked up Forgetless on a whim and I loved it, Shuddertown, not so much, but you can’t love everything. Morning Glories though, is delightful. A group of teenagers, all born on the same day are accepted into a prestigious boarding school that turns out to be more than meets the eye, in the worst way. So here’s what we know so far, parents will forget their children ever existed or they will be dealt with, surveillance is state of the art so there are no secrets, and stay healthy because a trip to the school nurse will be no fun.

The fourth issue asks the ultimate question, who can you trust? Jade (the emo one) is in the clutches of the evil school nurse and Casey is determined to rescue her but she can’t do it alone. While most of her co-horts are not necessarily nice people they’re infinitely more sane that crazy Jessica, the fourth female roommate who will likely strangle all of them in their sleep. Who will help her? Who will walk away? And who will betray her? What can I say, it’s a mystery.

 

Power Girl Issue #18

Written by: Judd Winick

Art by: Sami Basri

Oh Max Lord, you are the scourge of the Earth! At first I thought this was going to be an action issue, Power Girl fighting herself for twenty pages. But with a second look there were some really creepy questions that came to my mind. The most disturbing one being, what is Max Lord planning on doing with Divine now? If his intention wasn’t for her to kill Kara, what was it and where did they disappear to? I foresee some horrific experimentation in the near future.

There is good news on the horizon though. The end is coming for good old Max, people are slowly starting to remember him and what he did. Poor Ted.