What Is Techno Again?

Bat-Reviews: Batman #693

Judging a book by its cover isn’t fair practice, but in some cases the exteriors say it all. With Batman #693, the cover art rivals the actual story for the biggest waste of time. That picture of Batman pasted on a disarrayed pile of cards boasting villainous faces? Take that idea and shuffle it, and then say hello to Tony Daniel’s “Life After Death Part 2: Charades.” (And stay tuned this weekend for my review of Batman #694 over at Impulse Creations.)

The previous issue shot off in a fresh direction. After the Harvey Dent fiasco of issue #691, Daniel’s new arc was a pleasant change as it spilled over with brainwashed False Faces, Black Mask and a jumble of fellow evil-doers like Fright and Doctor Death, the revival of the Falcone crime family … and even a, erm, Catwoman copycat. The alliteration might be a tad overwhelming, but the whole package was a decent read with steady footing.

Unfortunately, like all comics eventually do, that bright future crumbled with November’s #693.

So what do you need to know about the issue? Let me break it down into manageable chunks. Damian enjoys mutilating spaced-out False Faces. Dick Grayson loathes socialites. Fright pines over Black Mask, and it’s schemes ahoy for somebody with a dual-personality who relishes a good chess metaphor. Insert filler, filler, and more filler. A bomb goes off and Riddler cracks for no apparent reason, and Batman investigates dock-side homicides and the copycat (emphasis on the feline part). The bulk of the writing resembles soap opera fodder, and nothing worthwhile or terribly interesting happens.

But what could drag down a saucy kiss between Huntress and Dick Grayson? The book is sloppy. Not only does the art feel lazy at times (Doctor Singh is apparently blind, because he can’t see Tommy Elliot two feet in front of him), but after a few pages the story and action become confined to tight little boxes and posed stances. I mean, just check out that wink on “Bruce” aka Elliot. I’m pretty sure the woman in the background shares my chagrin.

One redeeming factor, though, can be attributed to the terse conversion between Elliot and Jeremiah Arkham. Elliot’s overbearing interest in the mechanics of the new asylum might be linked to Dick’s concern about Elliot’s real goal as Wayne’s doppelganger.

Recommendation: On this episode of The Bitter and the Brave, Helen locks lips with the dashing Dick Grayson and things heat up as Oracle gets the first-hand scoop. Plus, Dick looks like “Bruce” and Nigma looks like Elliot … you know, the real one.

Curious how the Bat-books stack up here on the blog? Look here.

Tags: Bat-Reviews, Batman #693, DC, Tony Daniel
Posted in Comics, Reviews | No Comments »

Bat-Reviews: Batman and Robin #5-6

Yikes, I’m behind in my Bat-Reviews! It’s been a long, grueling month over here at casa de WITA, but things will eventually calm down. Like it or not (and hopefully you’re thrilled out of your superhero-loving minds), I’m ready to catch up on two month’s worth of Batman comics.

Batman and Robin #5

Grant Morrison whipped up a fairly solid issue with B&R #4, and thankfully October’s Batman and Robin #5 doesn’t stray from that established quality. There are weak spots here and there, but they do nothing to blemish the overall consistency—unlike the maddening new face of Red Hood’s sidekick, Scarlet, who suffered at the mad scientist hands of Professor Pyg. When Robin (Damian) failed to save her, the effects of the torture caused her to snap and murder her father. Along with the slogan-happy Jason Todd (aka the new and stylish Red Hood), the two are making quite an impression on both Gotham and the new wave of criminal professionals walking into town.

B&R #5 focuses on Sasha’s viewpoint in the crazy new life she finds herself kicking butt in, and it’s hard not to feel that she’s head-deep in a world too tangled for her to understand—or endure. For now she’s scraping by, but the final pages suggest a crucial turning point could be upon her. She might not have the stuff of costumed legend, but she’s not stupid, either. In fact, if Todd didn’t have so much cheap talk stuffed up his Lazarus, he might just learn a thing or two.

In the course of the issue, the anti-heroic duo continue to rake in the infamy, scoring points along the way. Oberton “The Gravedigger” Sexton—the suspicious “best-selling author and amateur detective” introduced recently—manages a quick televised cameo, but the real spotlight goes to Eduardo Flamingo, previously hyped. The cannibalistic gore-lover resembles a cross between Ghost Rider and the Punisher … only with a love of bright colors and tropical birds, apparently.

Morrison does an excellent job building the comic, but the otherwise talented Philip Tan does produce a flop or two in his artwork. Let’s just say there’s a moment where Damian looks like a grumpy old man in a boy’s body. Creepy? Hell yes. Don’t even pull that one again, Tan, you hear me?!

Recommendation: Red Hood and Scarlet, sitting in a tree … K-I-S-S-I-N-G. If Morrison keeps this up, that dysfunctional pair can stick around as long as they’d like.

Batman and Robin #6

There’s no real doubt that the final chapter of “Revenge of the Red Hood” furthers the so-called “new age” of Batman comics, particularly when it comes to the Bat-family. In the previous issue, the identity of the re-imagined Red Hood was confirmed to be Jason Todd, the second and failed Robin who died at the hands of the Joker and lived again with the mystical power of the Lazarus Pit. Now, with the emergence of the dreaded Flamingo villain, tensions flair and blood spills, and secrets are even revealed … and the bulk of it all oddly flirts between quality development and paper-thin plot.

Flamingo may have a flamboyant style, but he’s a murderer of few words. Armed with a whip and soon enough, Jason’s crimson gun, he goes toe-to-toe with the red-themed pair of cheap crime killers. For all of Flamingo’s eccentricity, he’s not a guy you want to run into on a good day—and his unbridled pleasure in violence proves (as predicted beforehand) to be too much for Jason’s partner to handle. Turns out Scarlet is more of a phase than a career goal.

Philip Tan—along with the others artists—redeems himself from last issue’s minor problem spots with a unique half-smudged, half crisp style. But where Tan earns the reader’s applause, Morrison repeats the same old tune on a one-note streak. The slogans, once serving the mere purpose to emphasize the two-dimensional nature of Red Hood and Scarlet’s crusade, now feel uselessly recycled and thrown in just to top off the issue. There’s not much content to Batman and Robin #6, when you think about it. Action spreads upon more action, and the scenes themselves aren’t particularly enthralling.

But through them, somehow Morrison and Tan achieve a mood that—well, to mimic Red Hood and his sidekick—fits the comic. You can virtually smell the reckless desperation that emanates from Jason, taste the despair and panic bubbling inside of Scarlet and spilling over onto the surface, and even the usually aloof and stubborn Damian reveals a startling change in heart, only to get the short end of the punishment stick as a reward. If that wasn’t enough, Grayson is once again reminded of the shadow he no longer physically yet will always bask in. Apart from Jason’s final outcry as he challenges Dick’s authority, more is unsaid in the comic than actually dictated.

The last few pages dutifully assemble the upcoming storyline, “Blackest Knight,” as they bombard the reader with a glimpse at El Penitente and his next attack (is it just me, or does he look familiar?) and an unexpected revelation about the original wearer of the black cape and cowl.

Recommendation: No matter how many times you shoot this comic down, it makes like Jason Todd and keeps coming back. If the punishment fits the crime, then bring it on.

Curious how the Bat-books stack up here on the blog? Look here.

Tags: Bat-Reviews, Batman and Robin #5, Batman and Robin #6, DC, Grant Morrison, Philip Tan
Posted in Comics, Reviews | 1 Comment »

Bat-Reviews: Batman #691-2

Double the Batman, double the fun … right? Two-Face would say so, especially with that dual-colored Bat-suit he’s donning on the cover and first few pages of Batman #691. Harvey must have been having a field day—October dished up not one, but two Batman comics—and they even gave him his very own costume. It’s a little early for Mardi Gras (and I’m sure he would have fit right in), but he was just in time for Halloween. And yes, the costume is a trick. Now where’s the treat?

Batman #691

Well, Judd Winick doesn’t really give us one in “Two Knights, Two Faces” (Batman #691). Mark Bagley does take us on a psycho head trip with his art, which I’m rather fond of, actually. Unfortunately, the issue doesn’t follow suit (all right, I’m done with the puns, I swear). Two-Face manages to infiltrate the Batcave via magical hocus-pocus which you can find in your average spellbook between “bull” and “shit,” but let’s just go with it. Dent actually deduces that he’s not the only one in Gotham wearing a false face—the mannerisms and style of the suddenly not photo-shy Dark Knight tipped him off to the obvious, but considering the rest of Gotham has been shrugging their shoulders lately, it’s a bit refreshing that one of the city’s most classic villains hasn’t lost priority.

However, the comic might as well have been dunked in acid, because the story’s conclusion is in dire need of some hard justice. (Okay, so I lied about the jokes.) Batman (aka Dick Grayson) fools the notorious Two-Face with a little help from his trusty butler, and the bewildered ex-lawman can’t possibly believe he ever doubted the capable and ever-vigilant Batman. If you’re about as bored and annoyed with that prior sentence as I am, then we’re on the same sparkly page. Two-Face’s scheme could have actually led to an intriguing plot, but instead the issue ends in deus-ex-machina-esque cliches. What’s worse, Dent practically rolls over when Black Mask comes strolling by with an ultimatum. Eh, what the hell. Let’s get out of this crappy comic together, Harvey. At least Bagley reminds us that under all those scars, Harvey Dent was once a man with charming good looks … I’m not sure why that’s relevant.

So what saves it from a one-star rating? Winick throws us a young Dick Grayson-shaped bone, all wrapped in circus-themed paper and intrigue.

Recommendation: I bet Winick flipped a coin and landed on an Alfred masquerade.

Batman #692

Thankfully, Judd Winick finally went to hunt down a cup of coffee and Tony Daniel stole his seat to pen the follow-up October issue, “Life after Death Part 1: The Awakening.” The amazing Sandu Florea took over for Bagley, as well, making for an issue with a very different tone and style than the previous work—and that’s a good thing.

When Grayson discovers a trail of actual False Faces and two strange clues to accompany their corpses, the detective work begins between the Bat and Gordon. Their lead? An elementary school teacher named Trish Gumbracker, more recently known as the cause of a bloodbath courtesy of Black Mask’s brainwashing. The smartest brains at Arkham haven’t been able to crack Black Mask’s code, and with every second that ticks by the villain continues to keep the most vicious and dangerous of Gotham at his beck and call—and he’s not done building his army just yet. The issue brings several other evildoers into the fold, and while it almost feels like we have another Black Glove fiasco on our hands, Daniel does impress with rather solid character interaction and the reintroduction of sorts for Doctor Death.

Meanwhile, Dick and none other than Selina Kyle reluctantly join forces to bring down Black Mask’s house of cards, but in a very Catwoman-like twist, the place she leads him to isn’t exactly what he had in mind. The arrival of a gangster raises some interesting questions about the future of Gotham’s crime line-up, but Daniel adds yet another catty player into the mix who just might topple the deck before he’s ready for it to fall—if he means it to at all. It’s strange how the criminal order of Gotham has been changing; between all the Batman books, there seems to be no actual pattern to all the chaos and disaster striking the city. Are all of these organizations even aware that there are others moving onto the scene, or do we just have sloppy planning on our hands?

The issue might be juggling a lot, but the writing and art are both refreshingly well-executed and enjoyable.

Recommendation: It’s good to see Doctor Death make an ominous return in a new generation of crime, but Death might get trampled out of the gate by an unexplained stampede of villains.

Curious how the Bat-books stack up here on the blog? Look here.

Tags: Bat-Reviews, Batman #691, Batman #692, DC, Judd Winick, Mark Bagley, Sandu Florea, Tony Daniel
Posted in Comics, Reviews | No Comments »

Bat-Reviews: Streets of Gotham #4

Just look at that awesome cover art of Mr. Zsasz, one of my personal favorite rogues from Batman’s gallery. The actual comic should be just as great, right?

It’s somewhere in between good and bad, I’d say. Batman: Streets of Gotham #4 follows up on the Black Mask’s seemingly generous donation to Zsasz’s criminal interests, which led to a new look and the means to fulfill it. Logically, the next issue would more deeply explore the results of Victor’s new-found fortunes, but instead the comic takes an outside view—starting with Hush and working its way to none other than the Broker. There’s nothing wrong with the narrative technique, really, and Paul Dini’s decision to take his time reinventing Zsasz, but strangely nothing seems to progress, either.

Hush is on a tight leash now that Zatanna’s illusions allow Bruce’s astute allies to keep a close watch on Tommy and his sudden passion for charity and public image. Knowing the villain, it won’t be long before he figures out a way to slip past their careful detection.

Quickly, we’re taken to a scene that works its way in later, but is perhaps needless. The connection is loosely made, and acts more as background filler than a crucial part of the issue. Likewise, the events with the Broker—while making for an interesting character story, especially later on—don’t feel essential, either, nor necessary to the current, larger storyline Dini is creating. After dealing with the Great White Shark, the Broker (aka Sherman Fine) recounts Gotham’s days as the Wonder City of amusement parks, wax museums, and other gaudy attractions that eventually died out, leaving manufacturing and crime to expand in its absence.

The following scene with Zsasz shows his first steps at the expense of Black Mask, and shortly after the story wraps up and moves on to the secondary feature with Manhunter and Jane Doe (still enjoyable, but not as solid this time around) and a cheesy preview of R.E.B.E.L.S. Annual #1: Starro the Conquerer (writer Tony Bedard and artist Karl Moline).

Streets of Gotham #4 doesn’t satisfy as much as it did previously, but it wasn’t bad enough to caution that the book might be in any sort of danger. Dustin Nguyen and Paul Dini still make an excellent team, and I’m eager to see what the writer does with Zsasz and Hush. Let’s just hope there’s more of a focus next time.

Recommendation: As good as one of Tommy’s sappy public speeches as Gotham’s most popular bachelor. Sniff. Beautiful.

Curious how the Bat-books stack up here on the blog? Look here.

Tags: Bat-Reviews, DC, Dustin Nguyen, Paul Dini, Streets of Gotham #4
Posted in Comics, Reviews | No Comments »

Bat-Reviews: Batman and Robin #4

I wasn’t too impressed with the previous issue, but Batman and Robin #4 kicks things into high gear once again, thankfully. Pyg is out and down for the count for now, and Grant Morrison introduces a new villainous team that could tear Gotham to pieces. So will we witness some serious contenders, or will the red-fisted duo see the insides of cells at Arkham Asylum before the year is over?

Last time a new Red Hood recruited the only defective patient of Professor Pyg—one whose mask didn’t send her over the cockoo’s nest just quite, or at least not in the way that was planned. Now Red Hood and Scarlet are causing mayhem left and right, and they make their first mark of the series with Lightning Bug. Philip Tan, taking over for Frank Quitely, draws a mean pair of criminals, that’s for sure—and some of the panels are simply amazing.

Scarlet’s humor falls in line with things Damian would say (“It’s called ‘dying’”), but the Red Hood has an air about him that’s almost cheap. In between deciding over which tagline is more bad-ass for his cause (“Let the punishment fit the crime”), putting on an explosive show, and considering their work more presentation than actual true viciousness (“It’s cool, scary, modern, edgy, whatever …”), it’s hard to think he’ll put up much of a fight. Regardless, he seems rather competent, and the already growing dynamic between he and Scarlet helps cement the issue’s worth. Not to mention I love the obvious parallel between Red Hood and Scarlet and Batman and Robin. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good parallel.

Similarly, the partnership between Dick and Damian once again intrigues, particularly in the scene on the rooftops. Plus, when Dick meets a new player in town, Oberon Sexton (aka Gravedigger), the eerie tension is enough to give you chills. A meeting of criminals—perhaps too Black Glove for my taste, knowing how that turned out in the end—foreshadows more danger and continues Morrison’s turn towards widespread viral destruction of Gotham rather than just bullets and costumed terror. A strange idea, but one that could work well with the so-called new age of Batman comics.

Batman and Robin #4 packs in a good issue while setting up a lot more; if you’re not on board yet, you should be. I’m just glad my worries over B&R #3 eased with the beginning of “Revenge of the Red Hood.”

Recommendation: Next issue: The solution to the riddle of the corn dollie. We’ll wait. We can totally wait.

Curious how the Bat-books stack up here on the blog? Look here.

Tags: Bat-Reviews, Batman and Robin #4, DC, Grant Morrison, Philip Tan
Posted in Comics, Reviews | 1 Comment »

Bat-Reviews: Detective Comics #857

Many fans are still brooding over letting Batwoman steal the spotlight in Detective Comics now that Bruce is … elsewhere, but even if you’re still not crazy about Kate Kane, it’s hard to ignore the gorgeous display of artwork J.H. Williams III presents from issue to issue. Each page or spread-page dazzles with an array of color and creative panel work that keeps feeling fresh. But there’s something to be said about Greg Rucka’s writing, too. If I wasn’t hooked before, I certainly am now.

I love this new villain, Alice. For someone with a small army of henchmen—and loyal ones to the “High Madame,” at that—you’d think she’d be pretty incapable if she had to fight mano a mano. But the four issues she’s appeared in so far have proven otherwise, demonstrating that this enigma is more than just another Wonderland freak in Gotham. (Really, do these guys have Carroll-themed conventions? A fan club?) Alice is the perfect blend between completely annoying to the point where you want to throw a book at her, and utterly insane enough to make you flee when she yells, “Off with her head!”

This issue takes the pain to the skies—which is fitting, considering the story reaches an emotional and dramatic crescendo. Alice previously grabbed Kate’s father, and now she plans on dousing Gotham in chemical death. Of course, the Colonel provides excellent means for such an endeavor. The revelation at the end is not only startling, but it makes Alice a much more dynamic and breathing character. Long live the queen! The surprise is wonderfully built up throughout the issue, as well, thanks to J.H.’s clever touches.

The secondary feature, involving the Question, feels stale compared to such a vivid main story, and I found it a bit unbelievable, too. (She’s really that good at dodging bullets at such close range?) I can’t say it drags the book down, since all I honestly care about is the actual comic I paid for—not the stuff in the back (although sometimes it’s a rather nice bonus, if it’s good).

Recommendation: As for you, this comic will shake you into a kitten, that it will!

Curious how the Bat-books stack up here on the blog? Look here.

Tags: Bat-Reviews, DC, Detective Comics #857, Greg Rucka, J.H. Williams III
Posted in Comics, Reviews | 2 Comments »

Bat-Reviews: Batman #690

I find it interesting that the various Batman comics seem to be dealing with Dick Grayson’s takeover as the Caped Crusader differently. Batman definitely seeks to challenge Grayson’s authority to assume the cape and cowl, playing with the notion that only Bruce Wayne truly does the name justice. In Batman #690, sloppiness is costing Dick more and more.

Judd Winick continues to lay out the Black Mask’s cards with the vibrant touch of Mark Bagley’s pencils and Pete Pantazis’ colors. With Clayface and former special forces operative Lyle Blanco dishing out the pain in tandem, Dick soon learns that someone else orchestrated their team-up—and provided Blanco with superhuman ferocity.

Elsewhere, Black Mask reveals more of his sinister plan to the Penguin, who quickly folds when the criminal mastermind presents the second tier to their business arrangement. Just another rise and fall for Cobblepot. While Penguin’s tail gets nipped by the frost, Two-Face begins to organize a more private strike against Batman. It almost seems out of universe to hire teleporters to trace the origins of a single batarang in order to infiltrate the Batcave, but Dent pulls it off in a way you probably won’t expect. If you thought the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh had weird taste in fashion, what comes at the end of the issue makes that look seem almost tame.

While I’m not sure the oddly fantastical element to Batman #690 fits the comic altogether, it does mix things up and I’m certainly intrigued by what Winick is building. All the various aspects of the comic are unfolding nicely, and it’s good to see Two-Face’s luck turn heads’ up for a change (no pun intended). Considering how much the main title fell apart on Morrison’s watch, Winick’s firm hold on the events of Reborn are welcomed.

Recommendation: This lucky penny’s still facing right-side up. It’s almost like magic.

Tags: Bat-Reviews, Batman #690, DC, Judd Winick, Mark Bagley
Posted in Comics, Reviews | 2 Comments »

Bat-Reviews: Batman and Robin #3

Oink. Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely are certainly a pair, playing off each others’ quirks and eccentricities. Batman and Robin hit the ground running after the widely unpopular RIP that shook the waters a bit too much, but now I’m wondering how safe this new title is in comparison.

Morrison’s created a fantastically mad new villain, Professor Pyg, whose ill touch has begun to infect the city with his creepy doll minions and perilous drugs. Pyg holds out for a short but well-handled length of time before he’s whisked away to Arkham, and in terms of content, Batman and Robin #3 burns up as quickly as Pyg’s “pen” itself. By the end of the issue Batman and Robin (or Robin and Batman, as Damian prefers … “that’ll catch on”) are already on their way to confront none other than Le Bossu—one of the creeps associated with the Black Glove.

On a side note, I’m glad at least Morrison finds the decency to make Gordon question Dick’s dangerous tactics as the Caped Crusader, even if he doesn’t seem to have a clue what’s going on with the Bat-family lately.

The scenes with Pyg are wonderfully disturbed. Morrison’s pinned down what has the makings of a genuine Batman rogue—one who suffers from a rather dramatic ego, fetishes, and certainly a darkly murky past. I love that he even acts like a pig in his behavior, particularly with sounds; it reminds me of the Penguin’s trademark oddities.

Obviously Morrison’s plans for Pyg are yet simmering (and that’s a good thing), for his destruction upon Gotham’s citizens remains alive and kicking. However, this issue felt strangely fragmented and a little bare, and for that reason I’m beginning to fear it might crumble the way RIP did in its disconnected, overplayed manner. What was the continuously building, delightfully clashing personality of Dick and Damian seems a bit weaker in this issue, as well.

The one-page cut to Alfred and his mysterious watcher doesn’t comfort, either, considering Morrison basically crammed it in between some pages. Adding in the abrupt yet intriguing reveal of the Red Hood at the issue’s conclusion, the comic feels a bit messy near the end at the same time it struggles to fatten itself up with substance throughout an otherwise well-structured book. The next issue probably won’t be so much of a loose cannon, but Batman and Robin waters down with its third issue.

Recommendation: This pyg is looking scrawnier than usual, but could it be on its slow way to the fryer? Be warned: Feeding it your leftovers just won’t do, Morrison.

Tags: Bat-Reviews, Batman and Robin #3, DC, Frank Quitely, Grant Morrison
Posted in Comics, Reviews | No Comments »