Post by ryokowerx on Oct 4, 2011 12:32:44 GMT -5
(cross-posted from my Facebook account. I hadn't originally intended on picking up all the new #1s but the 50% off deal at DCBS turned out to be too good to pass up. Feel free to discuss, agree or disagree)
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
PLOT SUMMARY:
Batman flies above Gotham City before lowering himself into a alleyway and changing back into Bruce Wayne so he can give a speech at a charity fundraiser. After his presentation, he is chastised for funding Batman and accused of having contacts higher up in the Gotham City Police Department by a officer attached to Internal Affairs. They are interrupted by Jai Hudson, the daughter of a old diplomatic friend of Bruce. They share some banter and then Bruce leaves. Shortly thereafter, a large scale breakout is in progress at Arkham Asylum. Batman shows up and leads a team of officers inside. He fights his way down into the asylum towards where Two-Face was kept as he was the only one who didn't try to come out. Along the way they see a woman in a bunny suit but she eludes them. When they get to Two-Face they find him all hulked out and muscular.
THE ART:
David Finch does the art and, like everything he does, it is extremely well done with a fine balance between realistic and exaggerated enough to make everything look believable. Much as with Ed Benes, David Finch seems incapable of drawing a woman that isn't beautiful or men that look rugged. But that's what you'd expect in a Batman comic when you're not dealing with a common criminal or a crazed psychopath. Richard Friend deserves special mention for his inking. If the man got paid for the amount of black shadow he had to do, his kids would be paid through college by now. Visually, this comic is excellent.
THE STORY:
Unfortunately, as pretty as the comic looks, it really just tries to disguise that there really isn't much of a story going on here. I'd be shocked if the white rabbit woman saw inside Arkham didn't turn out to be Jai Hudson. Similarly, the Arkham breakout just seemed thrown in there to present the "new" Two-Face. Batman's dialogue is also a bit clunky and his opening monologue carrying through to his speech as Bruce Wayne was pretty poor. Paul Jenkins and David Finch are credited as co-plotters of the issue. I'm not sure who didn't keep whom in check but, in this case, the blame gets evenly distributed. If you're looking for a compelling story, look elsewhere.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
There are really only two reasons to buy this comic: if you religiously collect Batman comics or if you like good artwork. Otherwise, spend your $2.99 on a better comic (any of the other Bat-titles would be a better choice if you must get a Batman comic). By far and away the weakest showing of the four Batman titles, it does, however, bear the distinction, along with Batman, of being the friendliest to a new reader. You really don't have to know anything beyond that Bruce Wayne is Batman to get this comic but that is also largely to it's lack of any real depth. Personally, I'm not coming back for a second issue.
NEXT WEEK:
All Star Western #1, Green Lantern New Guardians #1, I Vampire #1, Justice League Dark #1, and Teen Titans #1.
BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
WARNING! SPOILERS OFF THE PORT BOW CAP'N!
PLOT SUMMARY:
Batman flies above Gotham City before lowering himself into a alleyway and changing back into Bruce Wayne so he can give a speech at a charity fundraiser. After his presentation, he is chastised for funding Batman and accused of having contacts higher up in the Gotham City Police Department by a officer attached to Internal Affairs. They are interrupted by Jai Hudson, the daughter of a old diplomatic friend of Bruce. They share some banter and then Bruce leaves. Shortly thereafter, a large scale breakout is in progress at Arkham Asylum. Batman shows up and leads a team of officers inside. He fights his way down into the asylum towards where Two-Face was kept as he was the only one who didn't try to come out. Along the way they see a woman in a bunny suit but she eludes them. When they get to Two-Face they find him all hulked out and muscular.
THE ART:
David Finch does the art and, like everything he does, it is extremely well done with a fine balance between realistic and exaggerated enough to make everything look believable. Much as with Ed Benes, David Finch seems incapable of drawing a woman that isn't beautiful or men that look rugged. But that's what you'd expect in a Batman comic when you're not dealing with a common criminal or a crazed psychopath. Richard Friend deserves special mention for his inking. If the man got paid for the amount of black shadow he had to do, his kids would be paid through college by now. Visually, this comic is excellent.
THE STORY:
Unfortunately, as pretty as the comic looks, it really just tries to disguise that there really isn't much of a story going on here. I'd be shocked if the white rabbit woman saw inside Arkham didn't turn out to be Jai Hudson. Similarly, the Arkham breakout just seemed thrown in there to present the "new" Two-Face. Batman's dialogue is also a bit clunky and his opening monologue carrying through to his speech as Bruce Wayne was pretty poor. Paul Jenkins and David Finch are credited as co-plotters of the issue. I'm not sure who didn't keep whom in check but, in this case, the blame gets evenly distributed. If you're looking for a compelling story, look elsewhere.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
There are really only two reasons to buy this comic: if you religiously collect Batman comics or if you like good artwork. Otherwise, spend your $2.99 on a better comic (any of the other Bat-titles would be a better choice if you must get a Batman comic). By far and away the weakest showing of the four Batman titles, it does, however, bear the distinction, along with Batman, of being the friendliest to a new reader. You really don't have to know anything beyond that Bruce Wayne is Batman to get this comic but that is also largely to it's lack of any real depth. Personally, I'm not coming back for a second issue.
NEXT WEEK:
All Star Western #1, Green Lantern New Guardians #1, I Vampire #1, Justice League Dark #1, and Teen Titans #1.