Posts Tagged ‘ Batwoman ’

The second week of DC’s new universe came out this week (well, third if you count Justice League #1, which I should really post about just to be complete at some point). How’d they do?

Batman And Robin #1 – Why, it’s almost like the reboot didn’t happen isn’t it? This feels very much ‘business as usual’ even if it did attempt a fresh start with a little recap of Bruce’s origin to the unfeeling Damian. Well constructed with a decent intro to a new villain who’s had enough of the Batman Incorporated concept (he may as well be called ‘The Reader’), this issue didn’t quite make it home for a few reasons; first, Damian here is an unbelievable brat and impossible hard to like; second, the art was a little confusing for part of the action sequence; third, I still don’t get why a children’s swimming pool was over nuclear rods; and finally, if I jumped on here as a brand new reader I don’t think I’d be picking up the next issue – there isn’t enough explanation of who Damian is. It’s clear he’s Batman’s son, but it’s also clear they don’t have much of a relationship. Too much backstory, not enough explanation. Fail.

Batwoman #1 – Let’s get this out of the way – it’s beautiful. JH Williams has really scored with the art here. The storytelling doesn’t really suffer due to his layouts; it’s an exceptionally strong entry and one that I’m sure Williams and Batwoman fans have been waiting for. As someone who hasn’t read the Batwoman Detective run, though, I felt a little lost with some of the backstory and was surprised to see former Flamebird leaping around as Batwoman’s sidekick. For completely new readers I suspect a lot of this went over their heads – but I’d hope they’d stick around for the art at the very least. Nice to see Cameron Chase and Director Bones, too. My main issue is that I doubt anything was altered from the version of this series that was to be released months ago (aside from the color of Gordon’s hair and the shopping in of the Mysterious Hooded Woman). A kind-of hit.

Deathstroke #1 – Sometimes low expectations work in your favor, because I really enjoyed this. It’s the same Deathstroke we know and love (only maybe a bit stronger, and with an agent) who’s rep seems to be waning slightly. An imaginative heist (well, imaginative if you haven’t seem Executive Decision),some mystery items and a bit of a twist ending that I admit I didn’t see coming. Strong stuff, and definitely enough here to clue new readers in. A hit.

Demon Knights #1 – Much better than Paul Cornell’s other book (Stormwatch), this is helped by actually assembling a team and starting at the beginning of a story. Good art, a surprisingly likable Vandal Savage, a nice twist or two between Jason Blood and Madame Xanadu, and a few members of the team I wasn’t expecting make this a fun issue that shows a lot of promise. If I had any complaint,it’s that having all the members of the team independently arrive in a small village at the same time is a hell of a coincidence, but no doubt there are higher powers at work. Good stuff. A hit.

Frankenstein Agent Of S.H.A.D.E. #1 – Another hit from writer Jeff Lemire. Everything you need to know is right here from the set-up of SHADE to the introduction of the new Creature Commandos and Frankenstein himself. I was surprised to see a non-Atom Ray Palmer in the cast, but his role here makes sense. Also, there were giant monsters. Can’t go wrong with giant monsters. A hit.

Green Lantern #1 – Much like the Batman, this is business as usual. As someone who’s a bit behind on trades with GL, I knew the basic set up (Sinestro is now a GL again, Hal’s back on Earth) but it was all neatly explained for those elusive new readers. The potential in the set-up here is pretty good – especially the conflicts between Sinestro and both his old and new Corps, although I expect the status quo will be back in six issues or so. It was also nice to see that Hal without a ring is even more clueless than before. Now, is it enough to make me leap back to monthlies? Probably not; I’m enjoying GL reading in chunks. But I’d still say it’s a hit.

Grifter #1 – Now this I liked. Pretty much a “What if Lost‘s Sawyer got kidnapped by aliens instead of crashing on the island, broke out, then decided to hunt then down?” – hell, they even threw a plane in there. Great art from Cafu, strong writing from Edmondson, and generally a great set-up. I think there’s an editorial slip-up on the last page, but this is a good start to the series, a good intro to the Daemonites and generally a good comic. A definite hit.

Legion Lost #1 – Like I said before, I like the Legion and I like Fabian Nicieza, and I like Pete Woods – but this was a bit wobbly for me. I’m not sure if it was the surprisingly non-exciting reason the team gets stuck in the past (time bubble shenanigans as they transport a fleeing villain back to their own time), the fact that the team’s mainly made up of characters I have no affinity for, or the apparent death of two of the team (one of which I do have an affinity for) at the end of the book – but something about it just didn’t click. However, I’ll check the next issue out because if nothing else, I have faith in Nicieza. Not really a hit, but I’m with it.

Mister Terrific #1 – I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would but a few things didn’t sit right with me, from the apparently casual sex relationship with probably-not-Power Girl Karen Starr (jarring when we’ve just flashbacked to how much Michael Holt loved his wife and wanted to die after she did) to the weak introduction of another love interest (weak because I don’t exactly know who Aleeka is or how she relates to Michael). Race definitely plays a part in the book, from Michael’s ‘Thanks, Black Guy’ line to Karen’s ‘I’m a white girl’ and Aleeka’s ‘I’m a black woman’ retort, and I suspect that won’t sit well with some readers. For me it was a little jarring, if I’m honest, but nothing that turned me off the book. What did turn me off a bit was the generic mind control style threat and the fact that the art didn’t quite gel for me. Even so, I’d say this was a hit if only because as #1s go, it summarized who Michael Holt is pretty well and set up an interesting status quo for him.

Red Lanterns #1 – Let me get this out of the way: I hate Atrocitus’ redesign with a passion. I expect it’s been done so we have a slightly more human-looking character as our lead, but I just don’t like it. Now that’s out of the way, I have to say this was pretty good. It sets up conflict within the Red Lantern Corps, possibly redefines Atrocitus’ mission in the wake of the last GL storyline, and has a double splash page of Dex-Starr. So yes, I’d say hit – although I’m more likely to go to trades on this in line with GL.

Resurrection Man #1 – Loved seeing Mitch Shelley (and the Body Doubles) again, and having him apparently targeted by angels (they were angels, right?) sets this firmly in the darker corner of the DCU. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the book at all – except that two plane action sequences in one week (and especially this week) might be one too many. Other than that it’s like you’ve never been away, Mitch. A hit.

Suicide Squad #1 – I enjoyed this a lot, although I guessed the twist early on. I still don’t like a lot of the character redesigns here, but they’re not as jarring as they are on the (terrible) cover. Starting with a pretty-much fully formed team worked well here but I still appreciated the one page recaps of a few of our cast’s pasts, although I’m left wondering if Secret Six still happened in the rebooted universe. The most jarring thing is the redesign of Amanda Waller; Gone is the tough, older, rotund Waller of yesteryear and in her place is an attractive, lacy-bra-wearing younger Waller. I’m not too keen on that, but overall, I’d say this is a hit – with a few reservations.

Superboy #1 – This was much, much better than I’d hoped it would be. It was a rewarding read, and having the (currently nameless) Caitlin Fairchild in the mix is an interesting addition, as is Lois Lane’s involvement as whistle-blower on the Superboy project. This new take on Superboy – and I guess he won’t be going by ‘Connor Kent’ anytime soon – is quite a departure, but one that I’m interested in. It looks like writer Lobdell has plans for some pretty tight continuity between this and Teen Titans, so my hopes for that book just rose. A definite hit.

So, overall another winner with only Batman and Robin failing for me, and that’s more a result of it not embracing the new as opposed to being a bad comic. As we see more of the new DC, new questions get raised. For example, if this is Superboy’s first appearance, what exactly happened after Superman died (as he hinted he still did in Swamp Thing last week?)? Obviously there was no Superboy – but what about Steel and the Eradicator? I assume the Cyborg Superman still showed up as he’s played a pretty big role in the non-rebooted Green Lantern in the past…

In any case, so far, so good. Keep at it, DC.

Last week was a huge week, so let’s get to it (some spoilers below) -

Detective Comics #854 – Beautiful artwork, solid story – and that’s on both Batwoman and The Question co-feature. I have to say that I like this version of Kate Kane more than the version we met in 52. Like the look, like the base, like her dad helping…good stuff all around.

Gotham City Sirens #1 – Store I went to was out. Maybe next week.

Green Lantern #42 – A bit of a let down, partly because I find Blue Lanterns of Hope stupid, partly because I find Larfleeze a daft villain, and partly because I’m sick of all the Lanterns just assuming that the Guardians are right, or at least being unwilling to question anything. This is on the endangered list post-Blackest Night.

Justice League of America #34 – Adequate wrap-up to the Starbreaker arc – although I still don’t really get why Cowboy Batman was there and the revelation about Sun Eaters being larvae Starbreakers is pretty much nonsensical. Let’s move on, already.

Superman #689 – A so-so ‘day in the life’ issue, with Valor touring the world and having splash page adventures in every country he visits, along with a one-panel inset where he sees something beautiful. Aw. Yes, it’s as cloying as it sounds.

Amazing Spider-Man #598 – Darker than usual, with Spidey getting a fistful of torture from Bullseye while Harry flounders and Norman proves he has a prediliction for blondes around his son’s age. Also, nodbody’s surprised that this guy seems to have been forgotten by everyone. Can it be? Did OMD delete Sins Past? Because if it did, I’m all for it!

Astonishing X-Men #30 – I asked last week if anyone still cared about this title. The answer is probably not. I’m kind of pissed off that Ellis killed Forge after turning him a little more crazy, though. I always liked him. Beautiful art, though.

Avengers The Initiative #25 – Good solid wrap-up issue as we get the new status quo of the Initiative. Lots to like here – dropping Gravity into the GLA is a genius idea (mini series, please!); I like the idea of the Avengers Resistance – especially with a newly-revitalized Tigra leading it; and Gauntlet sucker punching Ares out of the window of Avengers Tower. Good stuff.

Dark Avengers #6 – So. Norman’s still insane. Sentry’s still useless as a character. Mike Deodato still draws exceptionally well. And the cover doesn’t represent a single thing that happens in the issue. Still good fun.

Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia #1 – Okay set-up issue for the crossover, but I’m becoming less and less a fan of Fraction’s work on the X-Men, and that carries over here a little. Also, I’ve never been a fan of ‘torn from the headline’ stories, and Proposition X and Proposition 8 are a little too close for me to fully embrace the story yet. Oh, and the apparent treatment of Xavier seems a little pointless given the amount of time we just spent traipsing around the world with him getting him back. And, even though I’m told otherwise, I still think the Loki thing was a screw up.

Dark Reign Lethal Legion #1 – I picked this up because Tieri promised Crusher Creel. Well, he’s in it, barely, but I’ll forgive the false advertising. The majority of the issue focuses on Tiger Shark, in prison, telling how the current Lethal Legion – him, the Grim Reaper, Creel, Mr Hyde, Nekra (who also popped up in Utopia, oddly enough), the Grey Gargoyle and a final mystery member – got together and got set up. I’m not sold on the flashback-heavy structure of the story, but it’s got potential. Oh, and the art by Mateus Santoloco is very reminiscent of Darick Robertson.

Guardians Of The Galaxy #15 – The Guardians wrap up their War of Kings involvement in typical strong fashion; Moondragon’s not the woman she used to be; Warlock might be the man he will become and used to be (look, it makes sense); Crystal’s no helpless hostage; Lockjaw might be god (at least if you’re Cosmo) and Groot is Groot. Simply awesome. What comics should be.

Incredible Hercules #130 – Slight misstep this time out as Zeus gets put on trial, simply because he’s such a pompous ass that you really don’t want him to be saved. That said, there’s some good stuff with Cho and his parents (and Aegis, of all people), and Hercules’ speech in defence of his father is great. So even when this comic’s isn’t firing on all cylinders, it’s still better than 90% of the comics out there.

Nova #26 – A great book, but I’m not a fan of the reintroduced Corps. I don’t want a second rate Green Lantern Corps, I want Rich Rider. Let’s get this back on track and I won’t even mention that Robbie Rider’s supposed to be missing a finger, okay?

Secret Warriors #5 – Best issue so far, and the first one not to feature the team. What does that tell you? That nobody cares about the team because their characters haven’t been developed at all? Probably.

Skaar Son Of Hulk #12 – Some smashing and more than a few surprises. A light, fun read – and there’s more to Skaar than meets the eye. I’ll be picking up Incredible Hulk #600 to see where Skaar and his dad land next.

Thunderbolts #133 – Okay, well…if Black Widow isn’t who we think she is, who is she? Tasha? Mystique? This just got a lot more interesting between that, her real boss, Ghost’s connivingness and Eric O’Grady potentially stepping up in a big way. On top of that there were more examples of HAMMER’s gestapo-like tactics and the welcome return of Songbird. One of Marvel’s most unpredictable titles right now.

Uncanny X-Men #512 – So. Looks like it’s not just Greg Land’s static posing that makes Uncanny a bit of a mess right now, is it? Fraction is not on good form here. The whole X-Men science team thing seems like a good idea but plays like a second rate Planetary, to be honest.

X-Force #16 – The Messiah War concludes with not so much a bang as a whimper. A pity, because it had been pretty good fun up to hear – but at this point its difficult to see what, if any, changes to the status quo of either books this story has really made.

X-Men Forever #2- It feels a little wrong that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. From a page-long soliloquy from Nick Fury to hearing a sound in a corridor, to Wolverine apparently having adamantium hair, there’s so much wrong here that it’s difficult defend. And yet…and yet…it’s still strangely great.

Proof #21 – As much as I like the concept of this book, I think I’m about done. It’s well done, but over the last few arcs it feels like its lost its way – and that’s a damn shame because for a while there it was one of my most anticipated books. I’m out after the conclusion of this arc.

I don’t think a one word review will do my thoughts on this justice.

First, let’s get the good out of the way: the art here is pretty damn good. Strong, clean, and clear – Don Kramer and Jay Leisten do excellent work, although I could have done without a shower scene, really.

Second, I love the cover for the book (and the subsequent ones), although Barbara sure seems to be wearing some tight shirts these days.

My main problem with the book isn’t even the writing; Kevin VanHook does a pretty good – if thankless – job with the dialog.

No, my issue with this is where it seems to be going. It’s been hinted pretty heavily that Barbara Gordon will be back in the Batgirl outfit when all is said and done.

Now granted, there’s no firm confirmation that the Cure in this mini’s title is for Barbara’s paralysis, as Calculator is also trying to get a cure for his daughter, the Teen Titan‘s Wendy – but I think we will be seeing the return of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl.

This just feels like a regression. Barbara Gordon has, for the past twenty-plus years, been one of the most interesting characters in the DCU. Hell, in comics in general. She’s shown that having a physical disability doesn’t need to stop you living your life or being a hero – I mean, I’m not sure but I’d imagine that she’s been a role model of sorts. To have that taken away by what seems to be an editorial need to have a recognizable Batgirl feels a little like a slap in the face.

Barbara’s flirted with full rehabilitation before, with both a Lazarus Pit and some kind of super-nanite virus thingummy. In the end, she took neither. The recent bouts of lack of confidence in her ability to help people have felt forced to me, as though she’s been pushed in this direction not through natural progression but because this is where DC wants her to be.*

Of course I could be wrong.

I mean, Barbara Gordon’s older than Kate Kane, right? So having a Batwoman younger than Batgirl would be weird, right?

DC wouldn’t do that…

…right?

*Yes, I know that’s what happens to ALL fictional characters.

Via

Let’s see…
Robin as Batman
Dick as Batman
Two Face as a whacked-out Batman
Jason Todd as two-gunned Batman
Damian and Hush (who was altered to look like Bruce)
A pining Harley resting on the Batpod
A reverse J on the Joker card
Alfred looking suspiciously Trinity-like
Batgirlwoman looking for clues…
A Batman suit in the trophy case
And a broken wheelchair behind Hush/Bruce?
A (maybe) female body in a Wayne Enterprises’ box?
No Catwoman. No Barbara Gordon. No Batgirl.

Lots to think about over Christmas!

Bat-artist Tony Daniel has the solicits for Batman: Battle for the Cowl #1 over on his blog.

The three issues will have three interlocking covers which will have different characters. Of interest here – no Tim Drake (I’m guessing he’ll be front and center of #2 or #3), Batman’s trainer Wildcat shows up, and Batbrat Damian (or is it Damien?) is still in his own Robin outfit, adding fuel to speculation that he’ll be Robin when all’s said and done.

Oddly, as unsatisfying as RIP was, I’m actually really looking forward to this…

So great that I had to post it:

welcome to gotham city by ~duss005 on deviantART

Everyone else is talking about it so why not…

It’s a nice piece – hell, its by Adam Hughes so its bound to be – but it was only after looking at it for a couple of minutes that I actually got who everyone was – Catwoman, Oracle, Zatanna, Black Canary, Power Girl, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Vixen, Batwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, right?

So no Barda? No Batgirl? No Wonder Girl? No Donna Troy?

More importantly, no goddamn Lois Lane*? You’re telling me that someone out there thought to put together a picture of women of the DCU without including the oldest one there is, and probably the most well known?

And is it just me or is the fact that the lesbian Kathy Kane (Batwoman) is wearing trousers and straddling a chair butchly insanely funny?

*I’m taking up a cause here – from now on its goddamn Lois Lane. Hey, if its good enough for Batman…