Going back and getting the issues I missed the first time around. Kelly Thompson really has a thing for dystopian-type worlds. This one isn’t an alternate future like the one she’ll visit two years later, but it’s one where an all-female, depowered guerilla group fights a misogynistic asshole. It’s lots of fun, really establishes Carol as a leader, and sets up her support group with Spider-Woman and Hazmat. Carmen Carnero, whose name I don’t recognize (apparently she did two issues of Astro City that I own), is a great fit for this title on art.
Batman 58-60
Batman: Secret Files 1
Batman Annual 3
Just read my original review. Here’s some art to go with it:
No way he doesn't just use a ladder.
Hate this, it's just a cheap shock tactic by Tom King.
Aww.
Super aww.
Regret buying: No
Would buy again: Yes (No for Secret Files)
Would read again: Yes
Rating: Nice (Batman), Didn’t suck (Secret Files), Really good (Annual)
Original review. My feelings are the same - Cold Days is a great arc, the Matt Wagner one-shot is cute, and Beasts of Burden shows Batman at his most implacable. But seriously, how does Batman justify this as not-murder?
Carol starts to question the morality of what she’s doing while fighting two giant sea monsters guarding a magic red pearl. Not quite as good as the previous issues.
Batman 45-47
The concept is really good. Time travel creates a “Man Who Has Everything” situation for Bruce Wayne where his parents never died, then more shenanigans keep that alternate world around for longer than expected. It’s super clever.
If only it didn’t involve Booster Gold, the biggest waste of space in comics. I hate him so much, especially when written by Tom King. Booster Gold is King’s Achilles heel. He’s the worst.
Regret buying: No
Would buy again: No
Would read again: Yes
Rating: Disliked
Batman 48-50
So much of these issues doesn’t work for me - How Batman stays silent the whole time he fights Joker. Joker’s speech patterns are just slightly off kilter, a bit too...sane. Joker and Catwoman chatting like friends defies all belief. Joker and Holly convincing Selina that a happy Batman is a worthless Batman just pisses me off the way Peter rejecting MJ at the end of the first Tobey Maguire Spider-Man pisses me off.
But there’s just as much that does work. The conversation between Joker and Selina is Bendis-level riveting. There are some great bits of romance between Bruce and Selina. The Mikel Janin art amazes, and there are some damn fine pinups.
Great even by Jim Lee standards.
Feels.
I like that Mitch Gerads...
...Clay Mann...
...and Joelle Jones get to draw little epilogues to their stories.
Lee Weeks, effing gorgeous.
But most importantly, the pain of Selina’s sacrifice and Bruce’s heartache really comes through. I feel the hurt.
I think Joe Henderson is done throwing twists at us and moving on to the main thrust of the story, but I could be wrong. It feels like things will finally get going next issue.
Old Guard: Tales Through Time 3
A total clunker of an issue. I was disengaged the entire time, none of it connected with me.
Seven Swords 1
A can’t-resist concept: d’Artagnan gathers up the best swordsmen across literature to hunt down Cardinal Richelieu. It’s a martial League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. But things barely get going here, and I’m not sure there’s enough here for me to get the next issue.
Batman 38-44
Original review. The stories aren’t quite as good here, it’s the Mikel Janin and Joelle Jones art that saves the rating. (I still think Selina could have broken into the dress shop in a less destructive manner. That dress truly is divine, though.)
Beautiful lighting.
I don't care if I posted this image already. I'm in love with this woman.
No way she takes out three Flashes. Love how she ends with a pose, though.
Batman invented a pants machine. King is brilliant.
Original review. This is the arc where Bane comes back to Gotham to reclaim the Psycho Pirate, fighting his way through Arkham and its inmates only to lose to a Batman headbutt. It’s fine, but the highlight doesn’t come until the last page:
The random Swamp Thing team up has its amusing moments too.
Regret buying: No
Would buy again: Yes
Would read again: Yes
Rating: Pretty good
Batman 25-32
Original review for The War of Jokes and Riddles. My original thoughts still stand, though I enjoyed it more this time around. Mikel Janin’s art still blows my mind away. Here’s my second pass on standout moments:
Josh Middleton variant.
The timing on the narration and the "bangs" is morbidly, exquisitely hilarious.
It's a skilled artist who can make a man in a bowler hat look menacing.
Joker + Knock Knock Grammar Joke = Thing I didn't know I needed
Regret buying: No
Would buy again: Yes
Would read again: Yes
Rating: Good
Batman 33-35
Batman and Catwoman fight Talia in order to prove Selina’s innocence in the murder of 237 people, in a very roundabout way. Some nice Joelle Jones art and humor with the Bat-Family.
Dual wielding like Drizzt Do'Urden.
Not surprised Selina doesn't have weapon proficiency in longsword.
Nice analysis of the Batman.
This floats on the cusp of Pretty Good and Good, but it manages to coast by on the rating of the last arc.
Regret buying: No
Would buy again: Yes
Would read again: Yes
Rating: Good
Batman 36-37
As I said the first time around, this is a complete delight of a story. Bruce, Selina, Clark, and Lois on a double date is as fun of a time as I’ve had reading a comic. Tom King does the parallel narration thing that’s a Jeph Loeb trademark, but I daresay he does it even better.
I lol'd here.
I LOVE these issues.
Regret buying: No
Would buy again: Yes
Would read again: Yes
Rating: Pure Joy
Batman Annual 2
Just a really, really good Batman/Catwoman story. There’s something about their relationship that continues to feel contrived and forced, but damn if King doesn’t still manage to sell the romance right.
Gorgeous, gorgeous Lee Weeks art. I didn’t know he could do this.
Michael Lark is no slouch either. This is legit as sweet of a Batman ending as Dark Knight Returns.
My original review the first time I read it. My thoughts on the Bat/Cat romance still hold true. Turns out Tom King did a pretty good job with it. Batman’s Psycho Pirate heist (it’s so convoluted that it can only be called a heist) is a bit too ridiculous for even the usual “I’m Batman” excuse to be enough. But it’s still a lot of fun. Highlights:
It's not quite in Batman's usual voice, but it's still effective.
Mikel Janin does a spectacular job this whole issue (12).
Mitch Gerads does lovely romance shots. (See Strange Adventures)
I backed this on Kickstarter, I’m a sucker for a romance comic. This one has the nifty conceit of “What if there was a school for all the kids that have Harry Potter-style prophecies?” How would they be educated to best fulfil their destinies? What would they do with their lives after they accomplished the most important thing they’ll ever do?
This story by Pat Shand and a variety of artists (all quite skilled) intersperses the uber plot of a dark lord a la Voldemort with the slices of lives of the students and alumni of Destiny University. I can take or leave the dark lord stuff, it’s nothing special. The real focus of the book is on the relationships (romantic and friendly) of Logan McBride.
Unfortunately, those tales are not quite as interesting as I would like. The romances don’t tug at my heartstrings quite enough, and the day-to-day goings on of this cohort lean just a touch on the boring side. Logan has a tendency to navel gaze with extra long inner monologues, and it gets a little tedious.
But there are a few moments that really land:
One of the students discovers that it’s her destiny to be the last person to die of cancer before they discover a cure. Jesus Christ, that’s harsh. Fuck cancer.
Logan’s girlfriend leaves her when she gets a vision of Logan’s happy future with another girl. It’s heartbreaking (and not a little reminiscent of Carol and Rhodey in Captain Marvel), and the resultant monologue is pretty good:
“Everything, everything goes away...everyone, too. That’s true. But you know what? They were here. And isn’t that something?”
Obviously, I’m projecting. Doesn’t mean it isn’t good.
I was tempted to fund volume 5 (on Kickstarter now!), but stopped myself when I realized that I wouldn’t rebuy the first four if I lost them.
Batman: Rebirth 1
Batman 1-6
Tom King’s run. I think this is the only thing of his that was meant to last more than 12 issues. I stand by my decision to stop buying this four issues in when it first came out. It doesn’t nearly hint at the awesomeness that is to come, and while David Finch is good in an early Image kind of way, he doesn’t compare with some of the artists to follow. Which isn’t to say there aren’t highlights:
Of course he is. Because he's Batman!
Totally reminds me of this great plane rescue:
Which still isn't as good as my favorite:
You know he's not going to die, but King really sells it here.
